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2015-05-12 Council Workshop MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA Minutes of the Council Workshop Held Tuesday, May 12, 2015 Mayor Krebsbach called the meeting to order at 1:10 p.m. Also present were Councilmembers Duggan, Norton, Povolny, and Petschel. Staff in attendance included City Administrator Mark McNeill, Assistant to the 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, and City Clerk Lorri Smith. 1. PUBLIC WORKS a. Discussion of Water Contract Public Works Director John Mazzitello and General Manager Steve Schneider, St. Paul Water, reviewed the draft agreement to convey the water facilities to St. Paul Water. The current water services agreement is set to expire in November 2015. They reviewed with the Council the proposed agreement which would have no end date. The city could, at any time, claim the system back. The agreement would offer the residents of Mendota Heights a lower rate on their water consumption. The Council discussed the units paid by residents now and what that would be after a transfer. The Council questioned what the value of the 20% surcharge over the life of the contract would be. The Council asked staff to estimate the revenue that would be needed to operate if the system is transferred. The Council asked to review the old and new contracts together to determine the differences. This item will be brought back to an upcoming workshop meeting. b. Sump Pump update Mazzitello updated the Council on the steps being taken to make residents aware of the proper sump pump discharge. An article was put in the April Heights Highlights, a flyer is being developed to hand out to residents, and the Building Official is speaking with home owners he has contact with who need to correct their sump pump discharge system. Social media and an article in the South West Review are also being considered. The information campaign will continue through 2015. An inspection program potentially could be implemented in 2016. c. Discussion of Warrior Drive and Mendota Road Reconstruct The Council discussed amending the CIP by moving the Mendota Road construction from 2017 to 2016, in order to complete the project at the same time as the Warrior Drive project is completed. Mendota Heights Road would then be moved from 2016 to 2017. The Council was agreeable. d. Trash Hauler Zones A majority of the Council members spoke against moving this item forward. The Council was in consensus to place an article in the Heights Highlights encouraging neighborhoods to join together to organize their trash collection on the same day to alleviate the issues of the noise of multiple trucks, unattractive trash cans set out throughout the week, and safety for the children. 2. PARKS a. Dog Park Discussion Recreation Coordinator Sloan Wallgren reviewed three potential sites for a dog park. Pilot Knob South, a 3.5 acre site, was favored as a temporary site. Staff was directed to get the City Attorney's opinion as to whether a temporary dog park use can be designated at this site without changing the underlying zoning. Staff will also review the source of funding for these improvements and notify the adjacent homeowners of this proposed use. 3. DEVELOPMENT ISSUES a. Discussion of Sale of Village City -Owned Lots Planner Nolan Wall reviewed the site plan for The Village area. The Council discussed possible development opportunities for the three city owned properties. The Council discussed ways to seek out interested parties for development of these city -owned parcels. They discussed residential development or development of a restaurant on the two larger parcels. The Council directed staff to begin the process of marketing the properties by sending a letter of interest to targeted developers, providing them with guidelines for development. The Council also discussed meeting with restauranteurs who live in Mendota Heights to hear their thoughts on development of the site. b. Infill Residential Development Planner Nolan Wall presented the Council with a draft ordinance establishing regulations for `teardowns' in order to protect the character of the neighborhoods. Planner Wall discussed options for the code amendments. Limiting the height of the structure was discussed. The Council directed staff to bring this draft ordinance to the City Council, omitting Sections 4 and 5 which discuss limiting the structure height. c. Rental Licensing Planner Wall discussed with the Council an amendment to the City Code concerning rental housing. The current code language limits rental licensing to the R1 residential zoning districts. The proposed code amendment would expand the licensing to all residential zoning districts in the city. This would apply to all single-family detached and attached dwellings. The Council directed staff to bring the proposed ordinance forward to the Council. 4. MISCELLANEOUS ISSUES a. Emergency Action Plan Chief Aschenbrener reviewed with the Council corrective actions that could be made to make the City Hall building more secure. Staff was directed to prioritize the list and present it at the budget workshop. Staff was also directed to schedule security training for Council and staff b. Workers Comp Information Finance Director Kristen Schabacker reviewed with the Council what the rates for Workers Compensation insurance are based on. She also noted that claims are considered for the last three years. She reviewed the experience modification for the past year and the estimate for next year. May 12, 2015 Mendota Heights Council Workshop Page 2 The Council requested that the costs be projected out for the next three years for the budget workshop. c. Discussion of 2016 Budget Parameters The Council discussed the parameters for the 2016 budget. Staff will bring back suggestions at the June workshop. d. Set June Workshop Date The next workshop meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, June 23, 2015, starting at 1:00 p.m. The workshop adjourned at 4:55 p.m. Lorri Smith, City Clerk 'Sidra Krebsbac ayor May 12, 2015 Mendota Heights Council Workshop Page 3