Loading...
2015-04-21 Council minutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA Minutes of the Regular Meeting Held Tuesday, April 21, 2015 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. Also present were 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 moved adoption of the agenda. Councilmember Petschel seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 CONSENT CALENDAR Mayor Krebsbach presented the consent calendar and explained the procedure for discussion and approval. Councilmember Norton moved approval of the consent calendar as presented and authorization for execution of any necessary documents contained therein, pulling items d) Authorize Purchase Order for Invasive Species Control — Valley Park, e) Approval of 2015 Workers Compensation Insurance Renewal, and f) Personnel Action Items. a. Approval of April 7, 2015 City Council Minutes • Councilmember Duggan abstained from voting on the April 7, 2015 City Council Minutes b. Acknowledgement of March 11, 2015 Airport Relations Commission Minutes c. Approval of Temporary On -Sale Liquor License — Beth Jacob Congregation, June 14, 2015 d. Authorize Purchase Order for Invasive Species Control — Valley Park e. Approval of 2015 Workers Compensation Insurance Renewal f. Personnel Action Items g. Approval of March 2015 Fire Synopsis h. Approval of March 2015 Building Activity Report i. Approval of March 2015 Treasurer's Report j. Approval of Claims List April 21, 2014 Mendota Heights City Council Page 1 k. Approval of Contractor List 1. Authorize Purchase of City Hall Water Heater Councilmember Povolny seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 PULLED CONSENT AGENDA ITEM D) AUTHORIZE PURCHASE ORDER FOR INVASIVE SPECIES CONTROL — VALLEY PARK Councilmember Duggan asked if there was a rotation basis in relation to invasive plant species in the different areas and how that would be determined. Public Works Director John Mazzitello replied that staff did speak with Mr. Wiley Buck of Great River Greening and they do a rotation basis; it is a plan that they have had in place for some time and it addresses different invasive species each year. Councilmember Duggan moved to authorize a purchase order for invasive species control in Valley Park. Councilmember Povolny seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 E) APPROVAL OF 2015 WORKERS COMPENSATION INSURANCE RENEWAL Councilmember Povolny stated that taxpayers should be aware that there have been a few workers compensation issues but that this is something that cannot always be controlled. This is something that is costing more money due to an increase in premiums. Finance Director Kristen Schabacker confirmed that the City did see a 36.4% increase in the premium. This is based on the claims that have occurred in the past year. The premium is not something that can be controlled easily. Councilmember Duggan noted that his concern was that a base premium increase of $36,000 was being approved and he wanted it brought to the public's attention. Councilmember Petschel stated that she would like to discuss having the workers compensation insurance carrier do an assessment and make loss control recommendations. She suggested this be added to the May City Council Workshop agenda. Finance Director Schabacker stated that loss control assessments are done by the League of Minnesota Cities. Councilmember Petschel reiterated her desire to have this topic added to the May workshop agenda. Mayor Krebsbach directed Administrator McNeill to add this to the May workshop agenda. Councilmember Duggan moved to approve the 2015 Workers Compensation Insurance Renewal. Councilmember Povolny seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 April 21, 2014 Mendota Heights City Council Page 2 F) PERSONNEL ACTION ITEMS Councilmember Duggan noted his gratitude to Brian Convery and shared a list of his accomplishments during his tenure with the Police Department. Assistant to the City Administrator Tamara Schutta explained that Sergeant Convery was injured while on duty. He is no longer able to perform the essential functions of his position. His last day of employment with the City will be April 30, 2015. Ms. Schutta explained where the city is at in the process for hiring police officers. Staff recommended the appointment of Stephen Hilyar to police officer. Ms. Schutta also recommended the appointment of Ryan Crouley to Maintenance I position for the Public Works department. A conditional job offer has been made contingent upon the results of a background check. Staff recommended his appointment. Councilmember Duggan moved to accept the Personnel Action Items Report. Councilmember Povolny seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no public comments. PRESENTATIONS A) REPORT FROM MHPOBA ON OFFICER PATRICK FUNDRAISER Police Officer Mike Shepard provided an update on the fundraiser held last week to fund the Patrick family and the Mendota Heights Police Officers' travel to Washington DC to attend the Police Week, which will include the honoring of slain Police Officer Scott Patrick. The fundraiser brought in over $47,000. The MHPOBA [Mendota Heights Police Officers Benevolent Association] is an incorporated non-profit organization, registered with the Minnesota Secretary of State as an approved 501(c)(3) charity. Councilmember Duggan asked that the officer's travel to Washington DC be reviewed to determine if this is paid or unpaid leave from work. He would be supportive of paid leave as they are doing something as a service to the City. Mayor Krebsbach directed staff to send a memo to the Council providing clarification on this situation and also to provide a list of the officers that are part of the non-profit association and what responsibilities the City has to this non-profit organization. April 21, 2014 Mendota Heights City Council Page 3 B) DISCUSSION ON BROADBAND INITIATIVE City Administrator Mark McNeill stated that one of the things that Dakota County, Dakota County CDA, and cities of Dakota County have been working on the installation of a high-speed institutional and commercial internet connection. This is a large undertaking and the CDA has offered to take the lead. Ms. Lisa Alfson of the CDA was unable to attend this meeting. Mr. Craig Ebeling was present to provide an update to the Council. Mr. Ebeling shared a presentation providing background on this initiative, the results of the investigation thus far, and future efforts and plans. The group hired a consultant to assist with the investigation, of which the County offered to pay one-third of the fees, the CDA to pay for one-third, and the cities in Dakota County were requested to share the payment of the last one-third — prorated on population. After the presentation, Councilmembers asked questions regarding opportunities for funding through governmental agencies, franchise fees, what kind of costs would the City be looking at going forward, and other technological options available. Council directed staff to work with the participants of this initiative to provide a summary report at the May workshop meeting and to schedule a separate workshop meeting to focus on this topic. Councilmember Duggan moved to approve payment for the Design Nine Group initial study in the amount of $1,182.63, to request staff provide an update to the Council at the May workshop, and to discuss this further at a future workshop meeting. Councilmember Petschel seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS A) RESOLUTION 2015-29 APPROVE PLANS, ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS FOR VICTORIA ROAD SOUTH RECONSTRUCTION Public Works Director John Mazzitello explained that Resolution 2015-29 would authorize staff to advertise for bids for construction of the second phase of the Victoria Road South reconstruction. The first phase was constructed in 2014 from Highway 13 to Marie Avenue. This project would reconstruct Victoria Road South, south of Marie Avenue terminating at Lexington Avenue. The reconstruction project would completely rebuild the road, install curb, gutter, and storm sewer. Also included with this bid package is an alternate bid that would be separate from the reconstruction project. The alternate bid would be for reconstructing the upper City Hall parking lot. Staff has found that tying other projects in with street projects that are in close proximity enables a better economy on the project. If approved, the bid opening for the project would be scheduled for May 14, 2015 and a bid award would come to Council at the May 19, 2015 meeting. Construction would begin in June 2015, after school ends. Construction would be complete in the fall of 2015, before school begins. The assessment hearing would be held in October 2015. Final wear course of bituminous pavement would be placed in the fall of 2015. April 21, 2014 Mendota Heights City Council Page 4 The cost estimate for Victoria Road is $1.67M and the cost estimate for the parking lot project is approximately $165,000. Mayor Krebsbach noted that the Council has had extensive workshop meetings on this street reconstruction project. In response to a question raised by the Council, Mr. Mazzitello explained that the feasibility report completed for the Victoria Road project did not include the City Hall parking lot reconstruction and the costs of that project were not included in the City's portion of the bonds issued for the project. He met with Finance Director Schabacker and determined that there are sufficient funds between the City Hall fund balance, facility reserve, and a source or utility to cover the cost of the project. He also noted that the City is under no obligation to complete the parking lot project if prices are not favorable. Councilmembers asked questions regarding the available funds to pay for other City Hall projects. Councilmember Norton moved to adopt RESOLUTION 2015-29 APPROVING FINAL PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS, AND AUTHORIZING ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS FOR THE VICTORIA ROAD SOUTH RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT (PROJECT #201308a). Councilmember Duggan seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS Assistant to the City Administrator Tamara Schutta made the following announcements: • The April edition of the Heights Highlights newsletter is out. • Clean -Up Day will be held at Mendakota Park on Saturday, May 2 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Document shredding will also be completed at this site for the residents. • June 5 and 6 is the Parks Celebration. June 6 is the 5K Run/Walk. • The City is accepting applications for the 10h annual Citizens Academy. • The City received the $10,000 redevelopment grant from the Dakota County CDA for creating a redevelopment plan for the industrial district. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Duggan requested from staff updated information on the possible dog park location. He also noted the number of thefts of items left inside unlocked vehicles and reminded everyone to lock their cars, even when they are parked in their own driveways. He also asked, in light of the newly adopted food truck ordinance, if ice cream trucks would be allowed? Councilmember Petschel noted that the Justice Department was leaning towards not approving the merger between Comcast and Time Warner. She also stated that she has received multiple positive comments from residents on the Heights Highlights article on sump pumps. April 21, 2014 Mendota Heights City Council Page 5 Mayor Krebsbach thanked staff for the Heights Highlights, the broadband presentation, and receipt of the redevelopment grant. ADJOURN Councilmember Duggan moved to adjourn. Councilmember Petschel seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Mayor Krebsbach adjourned the meeting at 8:32 p.m. Lorri Smith City Clerk Sdra Krebsbach Mayor April 21, 2014 Mendota Heights City Council Page 6