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2015-02-03 Council Workshop Goal SettingCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA Minutes of the Council Workshop Held Tuesday, February 3, 2015 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a workshop of the City Council, City of Mendota Heights, Minnesota was held at 12:00 p.m. at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, Minnesota. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Krebsbach called the meeting to order at 12:10 p.m. The following members were also present: Councilmembers Duggan, Norton, Povolny, and Petschel. Also in attendance: Interim City Administrator Tammy Schutta, Public Works Director John Mazzitello, Finance Director Kristen Schabacker, Planner Nolan Wall, Police Chief Mike Aschenbrener, Recreation Program Coordinator Sloan Wallgren, City Clerk Lorri Smith and Fire Chief John Maczko (arrived at 2:45 p.m.). A. LONG TERM GOALS 1. City Owned Properties The Council discussed possible development opportunities on several city owned properties. It was the consensus of the members to direct staff to begin the process of marketing the properties located at the Village at Mendota Heights. 2. Dedicated Special Park Funding Source The Special Parks Fund and how it is funded was discussed. Councilmembers discussed ways to dedicate additional funds to this account to be used for capital improvements in the parks. The members discussed dedicating the newly levied West St. Paul Ice Arena funds to the Special Parks Fund after the Ice Arena project is completed. Cell tower revenue was also discussed to be used for parks capital improvements. Council member Duggan suggested the Parks and Recreation Commission complete a 10 -year Capital Improvements Plan. 3. Infill Residential Development The Council discussed establishing regulations regarding `teardowns' in order to protect the character of older neighborhoods. Planner Wall discussed options for code amendments that other cities have considered in this regard. The challenge is the development regulations that are equitable and still encourage new housing investments. The Council discussed the possibility of placing a parks fee on teardowns. The Council directed staff to work on code amendments to regulate teardowns and also begin the revising of the City's Comprehensive Plan. 4. Infrastructure Water System Public Works Director John Mazzitello explained the current water services agreement the city has with St. Paul Regional Water Service which is set to expire in November 2015. He explained the discussions that are taking place regarding the agreement for the conveyance of the water system to SPRWS. He reviewed discussion points regarding the agreement which include the city retaining the cell tower rental fees, retention of the city's ability to store material inside the water tower, reduction or elimination of the surcharge on the water bills, and the ability to alter priorities to include water main work in conjunction with street projects. The Council directed staff to continue the discussion with SPRWS and to update the Council at the May workshop. 5. Redevelopment Planning Grant Planner Wall updated the Council on the city's application for the Redevelopment Planning Grant. He stated the city should know by mid-March if the grant is received. In order to ensure an efficient planning process, he suggested forming a committee to work with Stantec to develop the scope of the project. The Council was in agreement to form a committee and appoint one Council member and one Planning Commission member to the committee to work with staff. Mayor Sandra Krebsbach volunteered to serve on the committee. 6. Trash Hauler Zones The Council reviewed options for regulating trash collection to alleviate the issues of the noise of multiple trucks and unattractive trash cans throughout the week. The Council discussed the possibility of the City purchasing a truck scale to weigh the garbage trucks to ensure they are within the regulations. Staff was directed to research the franchise agreement in place at the city of Forest Lake. 7. Emergency Action Plan Due to recent events in a local community, Chief Aschenbrener was directed to work on a report on City Hall security. He will review an escape plan with staff and Council in the near future. 8. Facility Study This item will be reviewed at the Council workshop in May. 9. Franchise Fees This item will be reviewed at the Council workshop in May. 10. Scott Patrick Memorial The Council was updated on the police officers memorial being planned by the police department. Providing partial funding for the officers and the Patrick family who are planning to travel to Washington D.C. to attend National Law Enforcement Week was briefly discussed. B. SHORT TERM GOALS 1. Cell Tower Ordinance Changes City staff was directed to bring the proposed Code changes to the regular city council meeting for their consideration. 2. Chickens It was the consensus of the Council to not consider allowing chickens in the city. February 3, 2015 Mendota Heights Council Workshop Page 2 3. Dog Park The Council was brought up to date on the dog park that St. Paul is planning to build just north of Highway 13. Recreation Program Coordinator Sloan Wallgren stated this new dog park will not be built this year. Staff was directed to contact the City of St. Paul about partnering with them in this venture and see if they would be willing to build the park in 2015. Other sites in Mendota Heights were discussed. It was stated that the Pilot Knob South site is a valuable piece of property and it is probably not in the city's best interest to locate a dog park in this area. The Council focused on the Sibley Memorial Highway site and directed staff to discuss with the State of MN about acquiring additional abutting land for this purpose. 4. Double Fees for After the Fact CUP Staff was directed to bring the suggested code changes to the regular City Council meeting for their consideration. 5. Job Classifications/Compensation This item was not discussed. 6. Kensington Park Public Concerns This item was not discussed. 7. Mendota Heights Website Redesign This item was not discussed. 8. Rental Licenses Clarification Staff was directed to bring the suggested code changes to the regular City Council meeting for their consideration. 11. Recycling in City Parks Staff will review options for recycling containers to be placed in city parks. 12. Sump Pump Inspections Mazzitello updated the Council on the effects of sump pumps discharging to our sanitary sewer system and how it increases the rates. He suggested the city look at an inspection program to get these sump pumps corrected and which would then allow the rates to stabilize. Staff was directed to bring additional information back to the May workshop. C. ADDITIONAL ITEMS DISCUSSED Fire Department Fire Chief John Maczko announced that he would be retiring in early 2016. The hiring process for this position was briefly discussed. Fire Chief John Maczko explained a proposed new Fire Reserve program he would like to start. He outlined his plans for the program. February 3, 2015 Mendota Heights Council Workshop Page 3 ADJOURN Mayor Krebsbach adjourned the meeting at 3:10 p.m. Lorri Smith, City Clerk andra Krebsbach, or February 3, 2015 Mendota Heights Council Workshop Page 4