2015-11-03 Council minutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
Held Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the regular meeting of the City Council, City of Mendota
Heights, Minnesota was heid at 8:00 p.m. at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights,
Minnesota.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Krebsbach called the ineeting to order at 8:00 p.m. Also present were Councilmeinbers Duggan,
Povolny, and Petschel. Councilmember Norton was absent.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council, the audience, and staff recited the Pledge of Aliegiance.
AGENDA ADOPTION
Mayor Krebsbach noted that Councilinembers received revisions for Sa. Council minutes, Sd. Plamling
Coinmission minutes, Si: Personnei Action Report, 8a. Vacation of Portion of Perron Road, and 9a.
Bond Sale. City staff recommended that item 9d. be removed from the agenda since that item will be
forwarded to the Parlc and Rec Commission. Mayor Krebsbach presented the revised agenda for
adoption. Councilmember Duggan moved adoption of the agenda with the revisions as noted.
Councilmember Petschel seconded the motion.
Ayes: 4
Nays: 0
Absent: 1
CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Krebsbach presented the consent calendar and explained the procedure for discussion and
approval. Councilmeinber Duggan moved approval of the consent calendar as presented and
authorization for execution of any necessary docuinents contained therein, pulling items fl Approval of
Resolution 2015-82 Accept Gift for Patrick Memorial, h) Approval of 2016-17 Teamsters Union
Contract, and i) Personnel Action Item.
a. Approval of October 20, 2015 City Council Minutes with revision
b. Approval of October 20, 2015 Council Closed Session Minutes
c. Acknowledgement of October 14, 2015 Airport Relations Commission Minutes
d. Approval of October 27, 2015 Planning Comrnission Minutes with revision
e. Approval of Ordinance 489, Amend City Code Section 5-3-2 Dog Licensing Provisions
£ Approval of Resolution 2015-82 Accept Gift for Patricic Memorial
November 3, 2015 Menclota Heights Cz .ty Council Page 1
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g. Authorize 2015 Auditing Services with KDV
h. Approval of 2016-17 Teamsters Union Contract
i. Personnel Action Item
j. Approval of September 2015 Treasurer's Report
k. Receipt of September 2015 Fire Synopsis
1. Approval of Claims List
m. Approval of Contractor List
Councilmember Petschel seconded the motion.
Ayes: 4
Nays: 0
Absent: 1 �
PULLED CONSENT AGENDA ITEM
F) APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION 2015-82 ACCEPT GIFT FOR PATRICK MEMORIAL
Councilmember Petschel noted that this was a significant gift of $2,000 and asked Chief of Police
Michael Aschenbrener to spealc to it.
Chief Aschenbrener noted that the Pool & Yacht Club ilolds an annual golf tournament and this year
they donated the proceeds to the remembrance of Officer Scott Patricic.
Councilmember Petschel moved to adopt RESOLUTION 2015-82 ACCEPTING A GIFT FOR THE
SCOTT PATRICK MEMORIAL.
Councilmember Duggan seconded the motion.
Ayes: 4
Nays: 0
Absent: 1
H) A.PPROVAL OF 2016-17 TEAMSTERS LTNION CONTRACT
Councilmember Duggan questioned a date stated in the Memorandum of Understanding for the
Teamsters contract. The last paragraph reads "FURTHERMORE, the City and Teamsters Loca1320
agree this will be in effect starting January 1, 2014." He asked if it should read January 1, 2016."
Assistant to the Administrator/HR Coordinator Schutta replied that the Teamsters participate in the
Minnesota State Post Health Savings Plan, which was effective January 1, 2014. This MOU is in place;
however, staff can work the Teamsters to update the language. There would be no impact on the budget.
Councilmember Duggan moved to approve the 2016 — 2017 1abor agreement between the City of
Mendota Heights and Teamsters Local 320.
Councilmember Petschei seconded the motion.
Ayes: 4
Nays: 0
Absent: 1
November 3, 2015 Mendota Heights Ciry Council P°ge 2
I) PERSONNEL ACTION REPORT
Mayor Krebsbach noted the resignation of Project Engineer Almin Ramic and thanlced him for his
service to Mendota Heights.
Counciimember Duggan moved to accept the Personnel Action Report.
Councilmember Petschel seconded the motion.
Ayes: 4
Nays: 0
Absent: 1
PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no public comments.
PRESENTATIONS
A) ANNOUNCEMENT BY CHIEF OF POLICE MICIIAEL ASCHENBRENER
Chief Aschenbrener announced with regret that Jerry Murphy, a long-time member of the Poiice
Department, passed away on November 2, 2015. All who lcnew him will miss him.
Jerry moved to Mendota I�eights in 1961 where he started as the superintendent at the Somerset Country
Club. He served with the Police Department for 48 years, as a member of the Civil Defense, a Reserve
Officer, and then as a licensed part-time Police O�cer.
Over the years Jerry served as the coordinator for the Reserves Program, helping to form the group as it
is today; setting the rules and guidelines and sharing his wisdom and expertise on what it talces to be a
member of the cominunity and to provide the seivices that cannot be done any other way.
A moment of silence was held in honor of Officer Jeny Murphy.
PUBLIC HEARING
A) RESOLUTION 2015-83 VACATION OF A PORTION OF PERRON ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY
Pubiic Worlcs Director / City Engineer John Mazzitello stated that the property at 2401 Pilot Knob Road
currently has a purchase agreement on it. The title investigation revealed that the pa.rlcing lot of the
property actually encroaches into the Perron Road right-of-way. The property owners are requesting a
right-of-way vacation and provided a legal description of the area they are requesting to be vacated.
City staff has researched the undeveloped, remnant, full-width right-of-way that exists between Pilot
Knob Road and Trunic Highway 13. The portion proposed to be vacated is only utilized by the 2401
Pilot Knob Road property. The city has no utilities located within the right-of-way proposed to be
vacated. A 60-foot wide right-of-way would be retained by the City.
Novembe�• 3, 2015 Mendota Heights Ciry Council Page 3
The requested vacation wouid result in the creation of a non-conformity due to the parlcing lot setback.
To maintain City controlled right-of-way width, this non-confolmity is necessary given the existing
conditions. The non-conformity would be a zero-foot parking lat setbacic from the property line. A
condition of this non-conformity would be that any substailtial redevelopment or alteration of the site
would require the owner to correct the non-conformity.
This action requires a 4/5-majority vote because it is a right-of-way vacation.
Councilmember Petschel moved to open the public hearing.
Councilmember Duggan seconded the motion.
Ayes: 4
Nays: 0
Absent: 1
No one from the public wished to be heard.
Councilmember Duggan moved to close the public hearing.
Councilmember Petschel seconded the motion.
Ayes: 4 �
Nays: 0
Absent: 1
Councilmember Petschei moved to adopt RESOLUTION 2015-83 VACATING (A PORTION OF)
PERRON ROA.D RIGHT-OF-WAY UPON A PETITION OF AN ABUTTING LANDOWNER.
Councilmember Duggan seconded the motion.
Ayes: 4
Nays: 0
Absent: 1 �
NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A) 2015 SOND SALE, RESOLUTIONS 2015-85, 2015-86, AND 2015-87
Finance Director Kristen Schabacicer explained that the City had a bond sale for the 2015 General
Obligation Bonds for the road reconstruction projects and to purchase a dump tiucic. They also had two
refunding bond issues. She introduced Stacie Kvilvang of Eh�ers & Associates, Inc.to present the results.
Ms. Kvilvang stated that there were three bond sales held tlus morning. Standard and Poor's has upheld
the City's AAA. rating with a stable outiook. She stated that Standard and Poor's commented tllat the
City has strong management with good financial policies and practices under the financial inanagement
plan and assessment, has very strong budgetaxy flexibility, has very strong liquidity, and has very strong
debt contingent liability position.
Ms. Kvilvang then went through a little of the specifics for each of the bond sales
1. 2015A Bonds ($1.2M) issued for a 20-year term for the 2015 Victoria Road Reconstruction
Project and the purchase of the snowplow.
November 3, 2015 Mendota Heights City Council j'age 4
Three bids were received with the low bid coming from Northland Securities, Inc. at a true
interest rate of 2.6080%.
2. 2015B Bonds ($1,475,000) refinancing the 2007 bonds used to purchase the Par 3 Golf Course,
for a 7 year term. .
Six bids were received with the low bid coming froin FTN Financial Capital Maricets at a true
interest rate of 1.3659%.
3. 2015C Bonds ($1,995,000) refinancing some 2008 general obligation improvement bonds for
road reconstruction project, for a 12 year term.
Five bids were received with a low bid coming from Northland Securities, Inc. at a tiue interest
rate of 1.9237%.
Council expressed their appreciation to Ehlers & Associates and to Finance Director Kristen Schabacicer
for the fantastic job they do each year on the sales of these bonds.
Councilmember Duggan moved to adopt RESOLUTION 2015-85 PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE
AND SALE OF $1,200,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS, SERIES 2015A, PLEDGING FOR
THE SECURITY THEREOF SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS AND LEVYING A TAX FOR THE
PAYM�NT THEREOF.
Councilmember Petschei seconded the motion
Ayes: 4
Nays: 0
Absent:
Counciimember Petschel moved to adopt RESOLUTION 2015-86 PROVIDING FOR THE
ISSUANCE AND SALE OF $1,475,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION REFUNDING BONDS, SERIES
2015B AND PLEDGING FOR THE SECURITY THEREOF LEVYING A TAX FOR THE
PAYMENT THEREOF.
Councilmember Duggan seconded the motion.
Ayes: 4
Nays: 0 .
Absent: 1
Councilmember Duggan inoved to adopt RESOLUTION 2015-87 PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE
AND SALE OF $1,995,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION REFLINDiNG BONDS, SERIES 2015C AND
PLEDGING FOR THE SECURITY THEREOF SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS AND LEVYING A TAX
FOR THE PAYMENT THEREOF.
Councilmem.ber Petschel seconded the Inotion.
Ayes: 4
Nays: 0 .
Absent: 1
November 3, 2015 Mendota Heights City Council Page 5
B) RESOLUTION 2015-84, VARIANCE AT 1440 NORTHLAND DRIVE,
PLANNING CASE 2015-38
Planner Nolan Wail explained that the applicant requested a variailce to erect a freestanding monument
sign within the required setbacic at 1440 Northland Drive. The subject property contains three separate
parcels with three separate buildings connected by slcyways. Two of the buildings are addressed as 1440
Northland Drive and the other is addressed as 1444 Northland Drive. Historically the property was
developed for one user but is now occupied by multiple tenants. Prime Therapeutics recently leased
office space at this location and is requesting the monument sign.
In 1979 there was a 10-foot setbacic variance that was granted for a pylon sign in approximately the
same location being proposed; however, that pylon sign has since been removed. This application was
reviewed as a new request based on the existing code provisions. As proposed, the freestanding
monument sign would be the only sign on the parcel and would lneet the required size, height, and
driveway and parlcing area setbacic standards. The proposed variance is for a 2-foot setbacic from the
property boundary line.
Pianner Wall explained the three standards of review for a variatice request and shared how this request
satisfies those standards. He also shared images of the property, the proposed sign location, the
driveway, and the parlcing area. Staff reviewed and confirmed that the sign location would not impede
sight lines for traffic wishing to make a left-hand t�u�n. The applicant and staff reviewed alternatives and
each were rejected for various and valid reasons.
Councilmember Duggan moved to adopt RESOLUTION 2015-84 APPROVING A VAR.IANCE AT
1440 NORTHLAND DRIVE.
Councilmember Petschel seconded the motion.
Ayes: 4
Nays: 0
Absent: l
C) UPDATE ON METROPOLITAN COUNCIL 2015 SYSTEM STATEMENT
Planner Nolan Wall noted that staff recently received the Metropolitan Council's systeln statement for
the City of Mendota Heights. Staff requested that the Council review the statement and provide
comments.
The Metropolitan Council recently adopted Thrive MSP 20�0, which is their regional planning
document. As a result of that they updated regional system and policy plans, which includes
transportation, regional parlcs, water resources, and housing. As a result, the Met Council then issued
those system statements to each municipality in order to show how those regional plans affect those
jurisdictions. The distribution of the system statement triggers the timeline for updating the
Comprehensive Plan, which is due by December 31, 2018.
Planner Wall briefly suminarized the information included in the system statement:
• Forecasts chart for population, households, and employment in the City
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• Housing Policy document, includes regional and local need for low and moderate income
housing
• Transportation Policy summarizes significant changes to those systems and identifies regionally-
significant transpartation investments
• Water Resources Policy; the Comprehensive Plan would need to address inflow/infiltration
issues, wastewater service needs, and include the Local Surface Water Management and Water
Supply plans
• Regional Parics Policy; there are over 60 parics, preserves and special recreation areas and over
340 miles of trails
o Fort Snelling State Park, Big Rivers Regional Trail, River-to-River Greenway Trail, and
Mendota-Lebanon Greenway Trail must be address in the City's Coinprehensive Plan
Councilmembers had questions and made coinments regarding how inany people worlc in Mendota
Heights, population growth versus the number of households, high-density residential designation, the
fact that nothing in the transportation policy addresses an east/west investment for transit, and other
comments to be passed along.
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Assistant to the City Adrr�inistrator Tamara Schutta inade the following announcements:
Winter parking rules are in effect from November 1 through March 31St. Residents cannot park
on residential streets or in streets from 2:00 to 6:00 a.m. Also, parlcing is limited to no more than
30 minutes during a snow faii of two-plus inches.
Residents a.re encouraged to adopt-a-hydrant and lceep it clear of snow.
Tickets are still available for the Firefighters Dance talcing place on November 13.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Councilmember Petschel commented that the NOC [Noise Oversight Committee] inet with members of
the French Embassy who are responsible for noise oversight for all of the airports in France. There was
an exchange of information on remediating noise, air traffic control, what reinediation means,
development of a noise model, penalties, and the threat of area navigation on the departures.
Next weelc she will be going to a meeting for colrununity input on the process for choosing a new
executive director at the airport.
She also noted that the University of St. Thomas won their football game this past Saturday and is
ranked #5 in the nation. Also, St. Thomas Academy had a nice football win against North St. Paul.
Councilmember Duggan noted that the Fresh & Natural Foods grand opening wiil be held on November
4 at 10:30 a.m. He encouraged residents to check out the store.
November 3, 2015 Mendota Heights City Coauicil 1'age �
He also encouraged citizens to show their appreciation for the Fire Department and attend the dance.
Mayor Krebsbach encouraged residents to attend the ribbon cutting on November 4 for Fresh & Natural
Foods.
She also noted that the Dalcota County University of Minnesota Aluinizi Chapter is having a lecture
series, which they do every fall. This year there is one on November 5 at 7:00 p.m. at Mendota Heights
City Hall. A meteorologist from the university is spealting on climate change.
Mayor Krebsbach noted two events taking place before the next Cowlcil meeting:
s Veterans Day on Wednesday, November 11. City o�ces will be ciosed.
• Visitation and Funeral for Officer Jerry Murphy on November St�' and 6t�'.
Councilmember Duggan moved to adjourn.
Councilmember Petschel seconded the motion.
Ayes: 4
Nays: 0
Absent: 1
Mayor Krebsbach adjourned the meeting at 9:13 p.m.
.�.-
Sandra Krebsbach
Mayor
ATTEST:
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Lorri Sinith
City Clerlc
Novenzber 3, 201 S Mendota Heights City Coa�ncil 1'age 8