2011-03-01 City Council minutesMarch 1, 2011
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CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
Held Tuesday, March 1, 2011
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.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
Mayor Krebsbach called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
The following members were present: Councilmembers
Duggan, Povolny, Petschel and Vitelli.
Council, the audience and staff recited the Pledge of
Allegiance.
Mayor Krebsbach presented the agenda for adoption as
presented. Councilmember Duggan moved adoption of the
agenda as presented.
Councilmember Vitelli seconded the motion.
Councilmember Petschel moved approval of the minutes of
the regular .meeting held on February 15, 2011.
Councilmember Duggan seconded the motion.
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 j
approval of "RESOLUTION APPOINTING
COMMISSION MEMBERS FOR 2011" for further
discussion.
a. Acknowledgement of the Minutes from the
February 8, 2011 Parks and Recreation Commission
Meeting
b. Acknowledgement of the Minutes from the
February 9, 2011 Airport Relations Commission
Meeting
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION
APPOINTING COMMISSION
MEMBERS FOR 2011
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c. Acknowledgement of the Minutes from the
February 22, 2011 Planning Commission Meeting
d. Approval of the January 2011 Treasurer's Report
e. Approval of the December 2010 and January 2011
Building Activity Report
f. Acceptance of the Resignation from Linda Shipton
g. Approval of Temporary On-Sale Liquor License for
St. Thomas Academy
h. Approval of Contracts for Summer Field Trips
i. Approval of 2011 Street Sweeping Bids
j. Approval of "RESOLUTION APPOINTING
COMMISSION MEMBERS FOR 2011"
k. Approval of "RESOLUTION ACCEPTING WORK
AND APPROVING FINAL PAYMENT FOR JOB
NUMBER 200711, MENDOTA HEIGHTS ROAD
ROUNDABOUT"
1. Approval of the Contractors List
m. Approval of the Claims List dated March 1, 2011
totaling $121,372.41
Councilmember Vitelli seconded the motion.
Mayor Krebsbach noted we have seven new commissioners
being appointed tonight and invited the commissioners
present at the meeting to come forward and introduce
themselves. Mayor Krebsbach noted the appointments of
Mike Noonan, Howard Roston (not present) and Mary
Magnuson to the Planning Commission.
Mary Magnuson came before the council and explained she
has been a resident of Mendota Heights for the past 15
years and resides in the critical impact area and is very
excited to be a part of the Planning Commission.
Michael Noonan came before the council and explained he
has lived in Mendota Heights since 1999 and resides in the
Copperfield neighborhood. Mr. Noonan continued he is a
planner by profession and his love is with the field as he
has spent his career dealing with planning, development
and civic related issues. Mr. Noonan explained his
involvement with the community began with the Dakota
County Transportation Visioning Study and thanked the
council for this opportunity to serve.
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Mayor Krebsbach noted the appointments of Jim Neuharth,
Kevin Byrnes and Gina Norling to the Airport Relations
Commission.
Jim Neuharth carne before the council and stated he lives
on Pond Circle and has lived in Mendota Heights for about
25 years, is retired from 3M where he did work in health,
safety and environmental areas and is looking forward to
contributing his skills to the Airport Relations Commission.
Gina Norling came before council and stated she has lived
in the Furlong addition of Mendota Heights for the past five
years, has been an engineer for the past ten years and is
very disciplined in the planning process and how to execute
to a plan. Ms. Norling continued that she is excited to be a
part of the Airport Relations Commission since she does
have air traffic overhead so it has become an interest of
hers.
Kevin Byrnes came before the council and stated he built a
house on Wentworth last year near the park and has
experienced airport noise therefore developed an interest in
the Airport Relations Commission. Mr. Byrnes added he is
an attorney working at Wells Fargo in regulatory
compliance.
Mayor Krebsbach noted the appointment of Mary
McGrory -Usset to the Parks and Recreation Commission.
Mary McGrory -Usset was not present at the meeting but
Mayor Krebsbach noted McGrory -Usset previously served
on the District 197 board.
Mayor Krebsbach stated it was nice to see such a wide
range of neighborhoods supported by the new commission
members, thanked them for their service and added one of
the city's best assets are the residents, who are so capable
of serving.
Councilmember Petschel stated they interviewed 13
candidates for the commission vacancies and each person's
application was more stellar than the last and as a city we
are so fortunate to have residents that are gifted with such
amazing talents and such a desire to serve and expressed
her gratitude.
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Councilmember Duggan moved approval of
RESOLUTION APPOINTING COMMISSION
MEMBERS FOR 2011 as presented.
Ayes: 5 Councilmember Vitelli seconded the motion.
Nays: 0
PUBLIC COMMENTS There were none.
UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS
RESOLUTION APPROVING A
Assistant to City Administrator Sedlacek stated the
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR
conditional use permit was for an existing property located
AN ACCESSORY STRUCTURE
at 2155 Delaware Avenue. Mr. Sedlacek explained the
GREATER THAN 425 SQUARE
parcel is a non-conforming property with two residences
FEET AT 2155 DELAWARE AVE
located on the property. Mr. Sedlacek continued that the
resolution would make one of the existing structures a
conditional use in the form of an accessory structure, not a
residence, thus bringing the property into conformance by
having only one residence located on the parcel. Mr.
Sedlacek stated the comments at the public hearing were
limited to background information about the property from
a previous owner.
Assistant to the City Administrator Sedlacek continued the
Planning Commission recommended approval of the
conditional use permit with the conditions listed in the
resolution.
Councilmember Duggan inquired about the shared
driveway access to the property and asked if there was an
agreement between the parcel owners. Mr. Sedlacek stated
he did not believe there was such a document and if an
agreement were made it would be a private agreement that
the city would not be involved in.
Applicant Gerand came before the council and read and
agreed to the following conditions; The building will not be
utilized as a separate garage; The applicant will make
changes to the building to accomplish the conversion per
zoning and building code requirements; Any grading
changes are subject to approval by the city engineer.
Councilmember Petschel commended the applicants for
preserving this beautiful home and keeping with the
character of this piece of property. Councilmember
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Povolny who had previously toured the property
complimented how interesting and nice the property is.
Councilmember Vitelli moved to approve a
RESOLUTION APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE
PERMIT FOR AN ACCESSORY STRUCTURE
GREATER THAN 425 SQUARE FEET AT 2155
DELAWARE AVE
Ayes: 5 Councilmember Duggan seconded the motion.
Nays: 0
APPOINTMENT OF TRAFFIC Director of Public Works Mazzitello explained the city's
SAFETY COMMITTEE Traffic Safety Committee in effect since 2007 is charged
REPRESENTATIVES with reviewing resident and staff requests regarding traffic
and traffic safety issues. Mr. Mazzitello continued with the
appointment of Mike Povolny to the council his seat on the
committee is vacant and needs to be filled by another
planning commission representative and they are
recommending Litton Field. Mr. Mazzitello stated they are
also asking council to appoint or re- appoint its
representative previously held by Councilmember Vitelli
and approve the staffing of the Traffic Safety Committee.
Councilmember Duggan moved to approve Appointment of
Traffic Safety Committee Representatives reappointing
Councilmember Vitelli as the council representative and
appointing Planning Commissioner Litton Field to
Councilmember Povolny's vacancy.
Ayes: 5 Councilmember Povolny seconded the motion.
Nays: 0
RESOLUTION DEDICATING Director of Public Works Mazzitello stated Dakota
RIGHT -OF -WAY TO County is proposing reconstructing Delaware Avenue from
DAKOTA COUNTY Highway 110 Frontage Road to Marie Avenue converting
Delaware from two lanes to three lanes and as part of the
project the county is in need of right -of -way on both sides
of Delaware Avenue to accominodate the additional width
of the road. Mr. Mazzitello continued one of the parcels
requested is owned by the city and Dakota County is
offering fair market value of $11,000 for the property.
Mayor Krebsbach inquired whether this would impact the
ball field near the property to which Mr. Mazzitello stated
the county has ensured it would not impact the outfield line
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of the ball field and that a small retaining wall will be
constructed eight or nine feet behind right field.
Councilmember Vitelli moved to approve a RESOLUTION
DEDICATING THE RIGHT -OF -WAY TO DAKOTA
COUNTY.
Ayes: 5 Councilmember Duggan seconded the motion.
Nays: 0
COUNCIL COMMENTS Mayor Krebsbach wished to note that Councilmember
Povolny's mother and brother were in the audience and
welcomed them.
Councilmember Duggan stated he attended a meeting
presented by principals of Mendota Elementary and
Friendly Hills this evening regarding potential changes to
Mendota Elementary School and continued they are
experiencing a financial shortfall and are anticipating ways
to handle it going forward. Councilmember Duggan
expressed his hope that networking and marketing would
be enhanced for notification purposes with regard to this
and noted an upcoming meeting on March 7, 2011 at 7:00
p.m. dealing with this issue. Councilmember Duggan
expressed concern in that Mendota Elementary has been in
existence in the city for more than 30 years.
Councilmember Duggan wished to raise awareness to
residents interested in this issue and encouraged them to
attend Monday's meeting and provide input.
Mayor Krebsbach noted Mendota Elementary is an
excellent blue ribbon school and the residents have always
supported District 197 and expressed her hope for keeping
the school open.
Councilmember Duggan asked that interested residents call
the school district for further information at 651.403.7002
or go to the District 197 website. Councilmember Petschel
added the parent group involved has a website regarding
this issue on Facebook. Councilmember Povolny stated he
received an email from a resident with regard to the issue
and was unaware of it before this.
Mayor Krebsbach expressed concern over the city's coyote
population, stated she had a discussion with Chief
Aschenbrener and asked staff to look into options of what
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could be done about the coyote population. Mayor
Krebsbach continued we have several coyote packs in the
city.
Councilmember Petschel stated her residence backs up to
the Dodge Nature Center therefore they have been dealing
with coyotes for years and have found the best way of
getting rid of coyotes is by hazing them, a process of
running out with pots, pans and whistles to scare them off
and the coyotes if subjected to this often enough as in
learned behavior will leave the area. Councilmember
Petschel encouraged awareness of the coyotes so residents
will provide for the safety of pets by keeping them on
leashes and not leaving them in an unfenced yard.
Councilmember Petschel continued the coyotes have made
themselves very comfortable in urban habitats and although
they are cowardly they are not spooked by human beings
the way they used to be.
Councilmember Viteili encouraged before staff spend a lot
of time on this to first explore and define the extent of the
problem.
Councilmember Povolny stated it is not unusual for him to
see seven or eight coyotes at one time from his residence
on the ice of the pond at dusk. Mayor Krebsbach noted the
coyotes are not an endangered species but encouraged we
look into the issue and wanted to ensure residents are aware
that this is under consideration. Mayor Krebsbach
requested the addressing of coyote control be brought back
to the next meeting.
Mayor Krebsbach noted the council would be reviewing the
RFP's for the planning commission and requested to hold
the interviews on Wednesday, March 9, 2011 at 5:30 p.m.
to which all councilmembers would be present and noted to
advise Planning Commissioner Chair Norton of the date
selected.
Director of Public Works Mazzitello gave an update on
plowing beginning with the President's Day snowstorm in
which over 11 inches of snow fell and two plow trucks
broke down allowing for longer response times than the
residents have been accustomed to in the past. Mr.
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Mazzitello noted both snow plow trucks have since been
repaired and are in full use.
Councilmember Petschel raised a concern about the date of
the RFP interviews being held on the same evening as the
Airport Relations Commission meeting.
City Administrator McKnight responded he would handle
Airport Relations Commission and Mr. Sedlacek would
handle the RFP interviews.
ADJOURN Mayor Krebsbach adjourned the meeting at 7:37 p.m