2014-12-16 Council minutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
Held Tuesday, December 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, and Petschel. Absent: Councilmember Norton.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council, the audience, and staff recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
AGENDA ADOPTION
Mayor Krebsbach presented the agenda for adoption. Councilmember Duggan moved adoption of the
agenda.
Councilmember Povolny seconded the motion.
Ayes: 4
Nays: 0
Absent: 1(Norton)
CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Krebsbach presented the consent calendar and explained the procedure for discussion and
approval. Councilmember Duggan moved approval of the consent calendar as presented and
authorization for execution of any necessary documents contained therein, pulling items d) Appointment
of Interim City Administrator and s) Approval of Resolutions 2014-85 and 2014-86 Certifying
Delinquent Sewer and Weed Cutting Charges to Dakota County.
a. Approval of December 2, 2014 City Council Minutes
b. Acknowledgement of December 9, 2014 Park and Recreation Commission Minutes
c. Approval of City Labor Attorney Designation
d. Appointment of Interim City Administrator
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e. Appointment of Probationary Firefighters
f. Approval of Personnel Action Report
g. Approval of Extension to Consultant Planner Services Contract
h. Approval of IT Server Purchase
i. Approval of Resolution 2014-84, 2015 Employee Pay Classification Plan
j. Approval of City Hall HVAC Control System Replacement
k. Approval of November 2014 Par 3 Report
1. Receipt of November 2014 Fire Department Synopsis Report
m. Approval of Tobacco License Renewals (Mayor Krebsbach noted that there were no violations or
reasons that these should not be approved)
n. Approval of On -Sale Wine and 3.2% Malt Liquor Licenses, King and I Thai, LLC
o. Receipt of November 2014 Building Activity Report
p. Accept Resignation of Firefighter Barry Sommervold
q. Approval of Contract for Fire Department Space Needs Study
r. Approval of Purchase Order for City Hall Office Renovations
s. Approval of Resolutions 2014-85 and 2014-86 Certifying Delinquent Sewer and Weed Cutting
Charges to Dakota County
t. Approval of November Treasurer's Report
u. Approval of Claims List
v. Approval of Contractors List
Councilmember Povolny seconded the motion.
Ayes: 4
Nays: 0
Absent: 1(Norton)
PULLED CONSENT AGENDA ITEM
A) APPOINTMENT OF INTERIM CITY ADMINISTRATOR
Mayor Krebsbach noted that City Administrator Justin Miller has taken a position with the City of
Lakeville. Council members stated their appreciation for his three years of dedicated and competent
service.
Administrator Miller reinforced the recommendation made by City Council by naming Assistant to the
City Administrator Tamara Schutta as Interim City Administrator. Ms. Schutta has been with the City
for over three years and has taken on more and more responsibilities during that time. He expressed his
confidence that she would be able to fill in during the interim period, effective December 27, 2014 until
the position is filled.
Councilmember Duggan moved to appoint Tamara Schutta as Interim City Administrator effective
December 27, 2014.
Councilmember Petschel seconded the motion.
Ayes: 4
Nays: 0
Absent: 1(Norton)
December 16, 2014 Mendota Heights City Council Page 2
S) APPROVAL OF RESOLUTIONS 2014-85 AND 2014-86 CERTIFYING
DELINQUENT SEWER AND WEED CUTTING CHARGES TO DAKOTA COUNTY
Mayor Krebsbach questioned how the rate of 7% interest was determined for these charges. City
Administrator Justin Miller replied that this has been standard practice in the past and is in the City
Ordinance as well.
Councilmember Povolny moved to adopt RESOLUTIONS 2014-85 AND 2014-86 CERTIFYING
DELINQUENT SEWER AND WEED CUTTING CHARGES TO DAKOTA COUNTY.
Councilmember Duggan seconded the motion.
Ayes: 4
Nays: 0
Absent: 1(Norton)
PRESENTATIONS
A) SERGEANT SWEARING IN CEREMONY
Chief of Police Michael Aschenbrener announced the promotion of Officer Peyton Fleming and Officer
Tanner Spicer to the position of Sergeant. Each officer recited the Code of Ethics before being sworn in
by Mayor Krebsbach.
B) RIVER TO RIVER GREENWAY TRAIL UPDATE
Planner Nolan Wall presented the River to River Greenway Trail (formally known as NURT (North
Urban Regional Trail)) Master Plan process. This is an 8 -mile trail that would use existing and newly
constructed trail sections through Lilydale, Mendota Heights, West St. Paul, and South St. Paul. The
Dakota County vision is to establish a countywide system of interconnected greenways that would
provide recreation, non -motorized transportation infrastructure, ecologically functioning habitat, and
improved water quality.
Dakota County's 2030 master plan includes the Mendota -Lebanon Greenway, Rosemount Greenway,
Vermillion Highlands Greenway, North Creek Greenway, Lake Marion Greenway, Minnesota River
Greenway, and the River to River Greenway. The master planning process for the Mendota Lebanon
Greenway was completed in 2013.
Dakota County, along with a planning consultant, will be working on developing the Greenway Master
Plan. Part of that contract includes community engagement. A couple of stakeholder events have been
held and a number of ideas have been received for implementation in the future. City staff is
participating as part of the technical advisory group. The ultimate goal of the planning process would be
to have the Regional Greenway designation.
The master plan purpose and outcomes are guidance for greenway development, Met Council
designation as a regional trail/greenway, NURT alignment established — bring it up to greenway
December 16, 2014 Mendota Heights City Council Page 3
standards, and grade separated crossings analysis and cost estimates. The northwest quadrant of
Highway 110 & Dodd Road has been identified as a potential grade separated crossing location.
The master plan would also provide safety improvements, and include lighting and trail re -grading in
some areas, trail width recommendations, natural resources integration, and cultural resources
interpretation.
Planner Wall shared maps of planned and proposed trail locations. The next step for the project includes
finalizing the master plan by March 2015.
Councilmembers asked questions regarding the status of the trail in the Henry Sibley High School area,
parking along Warrior Drive, trail maintenance responsibility, and how Mendota Plaza fits into the plan.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no public comments.
NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS
There was no new or unfinished business.
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Assistant to the City Administrator Tamara Schutta made the following announcements:
• City Hall is a collection site for Toys for Tots. Toys will be received until December 18th'
• Residents can recycle unusable holiday lights at City Hall through January 30, 2015.
• Applications are being received for open positions on City Commissions which include one
opening on the Planning Commission, one opening on the Airport Commission, and one youth
representative position on the Parks and Recreation Commission. Letters of interest and resumes
are due by Monday, December 29, 2014.
• City Hall will be closed on Wednesday, December 24 and Thursday, December 25.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Councilmember Petschel noted that the Par 3 ended their season with a profit of approximately $11,000
and she commended Recreation Program Coordinator Sloan Wallgren on an excellent job.
She also commented that City Administrator Justin Miller would be missed and stated that he was a
wonderful administrator, consummate professional, incredibly ethical, and unflappable.
Councilmember Petschel is very proud of the sergeant appointments that were made.
She wished everyone a happy holiday season.
December 16, 2014 Mendota Heights City Council Page 4
Councilmember Povolny expressed his appreciation to City Administrator Justin Miller and wished
everyone a happy and safe holiday.
Councilmember Duggan complimented Chief of Police Michael Aschenbrener for the great job he has
done in being able to draw six potential officers for the position of sergeant and his leadership example.
He also expressed his appreciation to City Administrator Miller and called his tenure with the City as
"seamless". He asked how many applications have been received to fill the position. Administrator
Miller replied that twenty-seven applications have been received.
Councilmember Duggan wished everyone a Happy Holiday and a safe and Happy New Year.
Mayor Krebsbach acknowledged fellow West St. Paul Mayor Zanmiller, who had his last meeting on
December 15, 2014, for his work on refurbishing the ice arena as it made a major change in the
community. She also expressed her appreciation to City Administrator Miller for working with School
District 197, as it is one of his many accomplishments, along with developments in our Industrial Park.
She wished everyone a safe holiday and commended the Police Department, especially the two officers
who were promoted to sergeant, and looks forward to the third promotion in the spring.
ADJOURN
Councilmember Duggan moved to adjourn.
Councilmember Povolny seconded the motion.
Ayes: 4
Nays: 0
Absent: 1(Norton)
Mayor Krebsbach adjourned the meeting at 7:47 p.m.
and'a Krebsbach
Mayor
Lorri Smith
City Clerk
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