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2014-09-16 Council minutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA Minutes of the Regular Meeting Held Tuesday, September 16, 2014 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the regular meeting of the City Council, City of Mendota Heights, Minnesota was held at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, Minnesota. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Krebsbach called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following members were present: Councilmembers Duggan, Povolny, Petschel, and Norton. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council, the audience, and staff recited the Pledge of Allegiance. AGENDA ADOPTION Mayor Krebsbach presented the agenda for adoption. Councilmember Povolny and Mayor Krebsbach moved to adjust the order of Item 7 New and Unfinished Business as follows: 7a: West St. Paul Ice Arena Letter of Support 7b: Resolutions 2014-55, 2014-56, 2014-57, Preliminary 2015 Tax Levy and Budget 7c: Ordinance 468, Allowing Motorized Watercraft on Rogers Lake Councilmember Duggan seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 CONSENT CALENDAR Mayor Krebsbach presented the consent calendar and explained the procedure for discussion and approval. Councilmember Povolny moved approval of the consent calendar as presented and authorization for execution of any necessary documents contained therein, pulling items a) Approval of September 2, 2014 City Council Minutes; e) Approval of Personnel Action Report; and f) Approval of Resolutions 2014-53 and 2014-54, Donations to the Police Department. a. Approval of September 2, 2014 City Council Minutes b. Approval of September 2, 2014 City Council Workshop Minutes c. Acknowledgment of September 9, 2014 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes d. Acknowledgment of September 10, 2014 Airport Relations Commission Minutes e. Approval of Personnel Action Report f. Approval of Resolutions 2014-53 and 2014-54, Donations to the Police Department g. Receipt of 2014 Building Activity Report September 16, 2014 Mendota Heights City Council Page 1 h. Approval of Claims List i. Approval of Contractors List Councilmember Duggan seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 PULLED CONSENT AGENDA ITEM A) APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER 2, 2014 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Councilmember Duggan requested that the word "tenure" on page 7 of the minutes be changed to "tenor". Councilmember Norton moved for APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER 2, 2014 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES as amended. Councilmember Povolny seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 E) APPROVAL OF PERSONNEL ACTION REPORT Assistant to the City Administrator Tamara Schutta gave a brief verbal update on the items on the Personnel Action Report: Item 1: Authorize Appointment of Police Officer - If approved, Police Officer Candidate Robin Nelson would start on September 23, 2014. Item 2: Extended Leave of Absence Approval - If approved, Sergeant Brian Convery's Leave of Absence would be extended until his extended disability leave bank is exhausted in February 2015. Councilmember Duggan moved for APPROVAL OF PERSONNEL ACTION REPORT. Councilmember Povolny seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 F) APPROVAL OF RESOLUTIONS 2014-53 AND 2014-54, DONATIONS TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT Chief of Police Michael Aschenbrener gave a brief background on the donations received and noted that thank you cards would be sent. • McKay Enterprises - donation of five Remington 870 Shotguns in honor of slain Officer Patrick • Robert Lesher, the son of previous officer Don Lesher - donation of the siren and light that had been in his father's personal car Councilmember Petschel moved to adopt RESOLUTION 2014-53, ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF GIFT OF FIVE REMINGTON 870 SHOTGUNS, AND RESOLUTION 2014-54, ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RECEIPT OF THE SIREN AND RED LIGHT. September 16, 2014 Mendota Heights City Council Page 2 Councilmember Norton seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no public comments. NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS A) WEST ST. PAUL ICE ARENA LETTER OF SUPPORT City Administrator Justin Miller explained that over the past several months the Cities of West St. Paul and Mendota Heights, along with ISD 197 have been talking about ways to renovate the West St. Paul Ice Arena. There is a grant proposal through the State of Minnesota Mighty Ducks Ice Arena Grant Program that would allocate up to $200,000 to help alter facilities like West St. Paul ice or refrigeration systems, which are starting to be phased out. The deadline for that grant application is October 1, 2014. The City of West St. Paul is requesting a partnership between the three parties to equally share in the estimated $1.8M funding for this project. If the grant is approved, each party's contribution would be approximately $555,000. Not only would the project include the replacement of the aging ice system but other facility renovations would include electrical upgrades, structural items, etc., which would provide the arena with an additional 15-20 years of useful life. If the City Council decides to financially support this project, the City of West St. Paul requested a letter of support to be included in the grant application. The draft letter does include several caveats that the Council has discussed in the past, which Administrator Miller reviewed: 1. This is to be considered a capital contribution only, and in no way is the City of Mendota Heights agreeing to take on any operating or maintenance responsibilities with the arena. 2. The City of Mendota Heights expects that the ice arena will be operated and available to Mendota Heights' residents for at least 20 years after the renovations are complete. If it were to close before this time period, we would expect to be reimbursed for a pro -rated portion of our capital contribution. 3. The city's contribution is contingent on receipt of $200,000 in grant funding through the Mighty Ducks Ice Arena Grant Program. 4. Before construction begins, the City of Mendota Heights expects to be full partners in reviewing the scope of the project and will require that a formal agreement, either through a Joint Powers Agreement or some other binding contract, be agreed to by all three funding partners. 5. The City of Mendota Heights will make half of the contribution in 2015 with the second half being paid in 2019. September 16, 2014 Mendota Heights City Council Page 3 Administrator Miller had also provided to the Council the report provided by Ehlers & Associates, the City's financial consultants, on what the impact of funding this out of the General Fund Reserves would be and how it could impact the City's bond rating. Based on the Council's request, Administrator Miller also reviewed alternate funding sources for the ice arena proposal. Councilmembers asked questions regarding the effect on the levy; use of cell tower revenue; potential deal -breakers; the interest charge on a 'gift' if payment is split in half; what the repercussions would be if the grant came in at less than $200,000; alternative means of funding the payment(s); the phases of the renovation; and the inclusion of language that 'Mendota Heights reserves the right to review, negotiate, if there are dramatic changes in circumstances in the reconstruction development process. Mayor Krebsbach expressed her desire that the Council go on record as being cognizant of how that second payment is going to happen and that they recognize it would be one of two or three options. Councilmember Duggan moved to APPROVE THE LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR THE WEST ST. PAUL ICE ARENA, WITH A FINANCIAL COMMITMENT OF UP TO $555,333. Councilmember Povolny seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Additional discussion occurred in regards to the funding of this venture. B) RESOLUTIONS 2014-55, 2014-56, 2014-57, PRELIMINARY 2015 TAX LEVY AND BUDGET Finance Director Kristen Schabacker reviewed the revised Preliminary 2015 Tax Levy and Budget, which was different than the information provided in the Council packet due to the previously approved funding for the West St. Paul Ice Arena. The proposed levy for 2015 reflects a 6.00% increase over the final levy for 2014. Mayor Krebsbach noted for the public that once the levy is approved it cannot be raised, however, it could be lowered. She also explained that the City Council has met in workshops on this topic and is very familiar with the details. Councilmember Povolny moved to approve RESOLUTIONS 2014-55 ADOPTING THE 2015 PROPOSED BUDGET, RESOLUTION 2014-56 ADOPTING THE 2015 PROPOSED LEVY, AND RESOLUTION 2014-57 ADOPTING THE FINAL TAX LEVY FOR THE SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICT as revised. Councilmember Duggan seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 September 16, 2014 Mendota Heights City Council Page 4 C) ORDINANCE 468, ALLOWING MOTORIZED WATERCRAFT ON ROGERS LAKE City Engineer John Mazzitello explained that in September 2013, the City Council adopted Ordinance 456, a temporary ordinance that would allow the use of motorized watercraft on Rogers Lake with a specific list of conditions. It was intended to be a one-year trial period and in the temporary ordinance the Council established a September 2014 sunset date. In the year that this ordinance has been in effect, there have been no complaints received by City staff on watercraft usage with motors on Rogers Lake and there has been no observed degradation to the shoreline due to wakes created by motorized watercraft. At the initial discussion, it was brought forward that should it be acceptable and presentable, that the Council would entertain making the ordinance permanent. Ordinance 468 would amend the original temporary ordinance to make it permanent and codified into Title 6 of the City Code and would deal specifically with motorized watercraft on Rogers Lake. The same conditions that were present in the temporary ordinance would remain in the permanent ordinance. The Department of Natural Resources has reviewed and approved this proposed ordinance. Councilmember Petschel moved to adopt ORDINANCE 468 — AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 456 REGULATING THE SURFACE USE OF ROGERS LAKE to allow for the use of motorized watercraft on Rogers Lake. Councilmember Duggan seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Mayor Krebsbach commended the neighborhood for working this out, agreeing to the trial, having early discussions, etc. COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS Assistant to the City Administrator Tamara Schutta made the following announcements: • The fall Heights Highlights newsletter was mailed out to residents last week. • The 4th Annual 18 Hole Golf Tournament will be on September 27, 2014. The first 9 -hole round is at Thompson Oaks and the second 9 -hole round is at Mendota Heights Par 3. • The "Stand Up for Scott" Patrick family benefit is on September 27, 2014 at the Moose Country. • The Fire Department Open House is scheduled for October 11, 2014 from 10:00 a.m. — 3:00 p.m. • The Fire Department personnel are handing out the annual reports and selling tickets to the 66th Annual Firefighter Dance. • Barbary Coast Dixieland Showband is returning to Lilydale on Saturday, September 20, 2014 at the Lilydale City Hall. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Petschel received an email from a resident asking for better signage at Historic Pilot Knob. She suggested the City discuss providing better interpretative infoiniation on site. September 16, 2014 Mendota Heights City Council Page 5 She also recognized Recreation Program Coordinator Sloan Wallgren for installing the new FootGolf at the Par 3, and for thinking of new and creative ways for residents to use the Par 3. Councilmember Duggan attended the Dakota Mdewakanton Pow Wow event and the Pilot Knob Preservation Association was very pleased that the Council is pursuing the historic designation of the site. He also expressed his appreciation to everyone in the community who are maintaining their yards and homes so beautifully. There is a new owner at the One Ten Cycle and Trek, 1040 West Dakota Drive. He also commented on the wonderful upgrades and changes to the Fischerville site. Mayor Krebsbach also attended the Dakota Mdewakanton Pow Wow and walked in the circle. It was a very wonderful and dignified experience. She also noted that on October 11, there will be a Breast Cancer Awareness Bike Ride. Information can be found in the Heights Highlights. Mayor Krebsbach, as this is the last meeting in September, wished a Happy Rosh Hashanah to the Jewish residents, which is on September 25. ADJOURN Councilmember Duggan moved to adjourn. Councilmember Petschel seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Mayor Krebsbach adjourned the meeting at 8:12 p.m. S. era Krebsbach Mayor A ES orri Smith City Clerk September 16, 2014 Mendota Heights City Council Page 6