2015-05-05 Council minutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
Held Tuesday, May 5, 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. Other Councilmembers present included
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 Norton seconded the motion.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
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 item d) Approval of
Personnel Action Report and g) Approval of Claims List.
a. Approval of April 21, 2015 City Council Minutes
b. Acknowledgement of April 28, 2015 Planning Commission Minutes
c. Approval of Resolution 2015-31 Formally Acknowledging Receipt of a Gift to the City
d. Approval of Personnel Action Report
e. Approval of Banking Authorization Signatory Change
f. Approval of Equipment Purchase for a Replacement Vehicle
g. Approval of Claims List
h. Approval of Contractor List
May 5, 2015 Mendota Heights City Council Page 1
Councilmember Povolny seconded the motion.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
PULLED CONSENT AGENDA ITEM
D) APPROVAL OF PERSONNEL ACTION REPORT
Councilmember Duggan noted that the Police Department has had a few challenges as they have lost an
officer through a sad event, several through retirements, and one a for medical reason. The department
has been working very hard over the last several months to get it back to where it should be. This is the
fourth officer that has recently been hired. He is very pleased to see Phil McCarthy come on board.
Officer McCarthy will be introduced to the City Council on June 2, 2015.
Councilmember Duggan moved to approve the Personnel Action Report.
Councilmember Norton seconded the motion.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
PULLED CONSENT AGENDA ITEM
G) APPROVAL OF CLAIMS LIST
Councilmember Petschel wanted to make the residents aware that the City has made our first half
payment to the City of West St. Paul for the improvements to the ice arena. She asked City
Administrator Mark McNeill to provide an update in terms of where the City of West St. Paul is on the
improvements.
City Administrator McNeill replied that the improvements have been delayed for a short time due to the
ground being frozen deeper than anticipated; however, they still anticipate being able to get the arena
operating on time.
Councilmember Petschel moved to approve the Claims List.
Councilmember Duggan seconded the motion.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no public comments.
May 5, 2015 Mendota Heights City Council Page 2
PRESENTATIONS
A) SWEARING IN CEREMONY OF POLICE OFFICER STEVE HILYAR
Chief of Police Michael Aschenbrener introduced Police Officer Steve Hilyar and provided highlights of
his background and experience. Police Officer Steve Hilyar read the Police Officer Code of Ethics and
was sworn in by Mayor Krebsbach.
B) POLICE DEPARTMENT RECOGNITION
Since the year 2000, the City of Mendota Heights has recognized Officers, Reserves and Citizens for
going above and beyond to make Mendota Heights a better place to live. The following is the list of
individuals recognized for their critical impact on the community:
Medal of Merit, July 30, 2014
• Officer John Larrive
Citizens Award / Chiefs Award of Merit, August 15, 2014
• Mr. Eric Drake
• Dr. Timothy Hernandez
• Dr. Daniel Garry
Life Saving Award
• Officer Todd Rosse
Recognizing Paramedics Andy Hanson, Eric Churchill, Firefighter George O'Gara
Life Saving Award, March 12, 2015
• Officer Bobby Lambert
• Officer John Larrive
Recognizing Paramedics Nicholas Lesch, Nate Little, Ken Powers and Firefighter Jen Tucci
Police Cross
• Officer Scott Patrick
Stork Pin, February 25, 2015
• Steve Meyer
o Presented by Dr. Keith Wesley, HealthEast
NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A) RESOLUTION 2015-30 VARIANCE AT 873 HIGHWAY 110, PLANNING CASE 2015-09
Planner Nolan Wall explained that the applicant was seeking a variance from the rear yard setback
standard to construct an approximately 216 square foot addition to the existing dwelling at 873 Highway
110. The subject parcel is 0.43 acres and even though it has a Highway 110 address, it is actually a
corner lot that fronts Carmen Lane to the south and Crown Point Drive to the west. The parcel is zoned
R-1 single-family residential and guided as low density residential on the Comprehensive Plan.
The proposed addition would connect the detached garage and dwelling to add a mudroom and
bedroom/office space. The north side of the existing structure encroaches into the rear yard setback area;
therefore, a variance is required. Planner Wall explained the rear yard setback requirements and shared
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that the proposed addition would be constructed flush with the existing dwelling's north wall and would
not encroach further into the rear yard setback area. The proposed addition would be finished with
stucco and painted to match the existing structures. The addition meets the R-1 districts building height
and other setback requirements.
Staff recommended approval of this variance request.
Councilmember Duggan questioned the necessity of condition #2. Planner Wall stated this is standard
language.
Council member Petschel acknowledged the quality of the plans.
Councilmember Duggan moved to adopt RESOLUTION 2015-30 APPROVING VARIANCE AT 873
HIGHWAY 110 based on the Findings of Fact and Conditions as outlined in the resolution.
Councilmember Norton seconded the motion.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
City Administrator Mark McNeill made the following announcements:
• Clean-up Day was held on May 2. There were over 20 volunteers who assisted. It was a
successful Clean-up Day in terms of the amount collected: nine tons of paper shredded, 362
vehicles came through, $3,600 collected to off -set the fees.
• Development Open House for Lemay Lake Shores will be held in the City Council Chambers
from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm on Wednesday, May 20, 2015.
• Park Celebration / 5K Run is June 5 - 6. Music at Market Square Park at 6:00 pm Friday, 5K run
at 9:00 am Saturday, Parks Celebration at Mendakota Park 11:00 am -2:00 pm Saturday.
• Sign up for the Citizens Police Academy held on Thursday evenings from September 17 through
November 19, 2015.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Councilmember Norton commented that it is nice to see everyone out enjoying the trails and the parks
now that the weather is very nice.
Councilmember Petschel reiterated how proud she is of the Police and Fire departments. She also
requested that Public Works Director John Mazzitello explain why residents in her area received a
phone call from Excel Energy.
Public Works Director Mazzitello replied that Excel Energy is going through several neighborhoods in
Mendota Heights checking for conflicts between their utility conduits and sanitary sewer service laterals
that come from homes to the main in the street. They are doing this work by inspecting from the main.
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If a conflict is identified, they will contact the property owner and arrange a time to initiate a repair.
Most of the properties they have looked at throughout Mendota Heights have no conflict.
Councilmember Petschel also shared the sad news of the passing of Sister Marie Terez from the Convent
of the Visitation.
Councilmember Povolny noted how much he enjoyed working with others on Clean Up Day.
Councilmember Duggan tried his hat at horseshoes in West St. Paul. They are looking for additional
players on Tuesdays at 9:30 am and 12 noon.
He also noted that St. Peter's Church is 175 years old [old St. Peters] and 10 years old [new St. Peters].
A celebration will be held on July 12, 2015.
St. Thomas Academy has two nationally recognized teachers this year, Caroline Little for French and
Mark Westlake for Science.
Councilmember Duggan asked staff to find out how many group homes should be allowed in a
community. Mayor Krebsbach recommended that this may be an item to add to an upcoming workshop
agenda, along with `legislative' agenda items. City Attorney Tom Lehmann replied that group homes are
heavily regulated by the State and have a lot of exceptions to zoning codes. It is a topic that has been
discussed by a lot of communities but it is something that staff could look at.
Mayor Krebsbach also noted the passing of Sister Marie Terez. She also recognized the strength in the
City with the Police, Fire, and EMS. She also joined in recognizing all city staff.
ADJOURN
Councilmember Duggan moved to adjourn.
Councilmember Petschel seconded the motion.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
Mayor Krebsbach adjourned the meeting at 8:03 p.
Lorri Smith
City Clerk
Sandra Krebsbach
Mayor
May 5, 2015 Mendota Heights City Council Page 5