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2015-11-17 Council minutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA Minutes of the Regular Meeting Held Tuesday, November 17, 2015 Pursuant to due call and notice, 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. The following members were present: Councilmembers Petschel, and Norton. Councilmembers Duggan and Povolny were absent. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council, the audience, and staff recited the Pledge of Allegiance. AGENDA ADOPTION Councilmember Petschel moved to approve the agenda with items Sd. Approval of Purchase Order for Dump Truck and 9a. Presentation by Brian Birch deferred to a future Council meeting 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 approvai. Councilmember Norton moved approval of the consent calendax as presented and authorization for execution of any necessary documents contained therein. a. Approval of November 3, 2015 City Council Minutes b. Approval of October 29, 2015 Council / Planning Cornmission Worlcshop Minutes Councilmember Petschel moved to approve the workshop minutes as amended. Councilmember Norton seconded the motion. Ayes: 3 Nays: 0 Absent: 2 (Duggan, Povolny) c. Approval of Resolution 2015-88 Joint Powers Agreement with Dalcota County for 2016 Waste Abatement Comrnunity Funding Councilmember Petschel moved for adoption with the amendment as noted. Councilmember Norton seconded the motion. Ayes: 3 Nays: 0 Absent: 2 (Duggan, Povolny) November 17, 201 S Mendota Heights City Council Page 1 d, -item deferred to future meeting e. Approval of Resolution 2015-90, Senior Citizen Deferred Assessment f. Appointment of Probationary Firefighters g. Approval of Personnel Action Report h. Approval of October 2015 Building Activity Report i. Approval of Claims List j. Approval of Contractor List Councilmember Petschel seconded the motion. Ayes: 3 Nays: 0 Absent: 2 (Duggan, Povolny) PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no pubiic comments. PRESENTATIONS A) DAKOTA COUNTY — MENDOTA-LEBANON HILLS GREENWAY ALIGNMENT ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATION FOR HIGHWAY 110 PEDESTRIAN CROSSING Public Worlcs Director John Mazzitello explained that city and county staff have been working on developing the concept for a pedestrian-grade separated crossing at Highway 110 in support of the Mendota-Lebanon Hills Greenway Master Plan. County Project Manager Jacob Rezac presented the project as it stands to date and informed the Councii that the recommendation would be going forward to the Dakota County Physical Development Committee on December 1 St Mr. Rezac explained the three alternative alignments that are being considered and shared images of the three alignment options with the following highlights: l. Western Option e Located near the intersection of Dodd Road/Highway 110, provides a 90 degree crossing • Only a box culvert is feasible for this location due to its proximity to Highways 149 and 110 2. Skewed Option • Provides for an underpass crossing of Highway 110 that allows for box culverts or highway bridges that would traverse over the proposed greenway 3. Eastern Option • Located nearer to Oa1c Street • Allows for three crossing types o Box culvert crossing (underpass) o Highway 110 bridge option (underpass) o Overpass option Novensber 17, 2015 Mendota Heights City Council Page 2 All of these options have been evaluated for cost, impacts to property, impacts to drainage, as weil as trail connectivity and structure flexibility type. The recommendation is to go with option 3 since it graded out the best and provides a crossing near Oak Street. An open house was held on October 21St and 17 comments were received with a slight preference for Option 3 as opposed to Option 2. The plan is to recornmend Option 3(Eastern) to the county board in December 2015. Mr. Rezac then presented the different structure types available for Option 3: • Box Culvert Underpass — fairly straight-forward crossing type • Three-sided Arch Underpass (used at Charlton) • At-grade bridges on Highway 110 over the trail m Pedestrian Overpass - It was pointed out that Highway 110 is designated as a potential house moving route which requires additional clearance. Councilmembers asked questions regarding the length of an underpass, the aesthetics of an overpass, and the type of ramp needed for an overpass. Council members raised a concern that a crossing too far to the east would not be used by pedestrians and they would still try to cross at the intersection (which is dangerous). Additional concerns regarding an overpass included that the ramps may be too steep for easy maneuverability, the width of an overpass, materials used to construct an overpass may be too obtrusive, and the maintenance of the materials for an overpass structure. Lengthy discussion occurred on the different options regarding construction, aesthetics, inspections, and costs. The project schedule includes adopting a structure type by December 15 and in January 2016 the design phase will begin. The structure is anticipated to be constructed in the surniner of 2017. County Commissioner Tom Egan was also in attendance and spolce on this topic. It was the consensus of the Councilmembers that option 3 with an underpass using larger bridge decks would be the preferred option because it would be less obtrusive while still providing a nice connection between the two retail centers. PUBLIC HEARING A) 2016 STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECT — MENDOTA ROAD NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENTS Assistant City Engineer Ryan Ruzek explained this public hearing was to consider the Mendota Road Neighborhood Improvements. The project involves reconstruction of Mendota Road from Oa1c Street to Delaware Avenue and rehabilitating High Ridge Circle, Sibley Court, and Warrior Drive. Along Warrior Drive, staff proposed to construct a median down the center of the street, from just north of High Ridge Circle to the south end of the street. Both sides of the road would be striped to allow for parking on the north section of Warrior Drive. However, there may be restrictions on student parking during the day. There would be on-street parking on the east side only of the proposed median section. Mr. Ruzek provided a brief history on the construction of the roadways in this project. November 17, 2015 Mendota Heights City Council Page 3 The proposed improvements include reconstructing Mendota Road to a 10-ton street design. Staff is proposing to instali curb and gutter on both sides of the street. The majority of the street wouid be 28 feet wide; however, staff is proposing parking lanes on the north side of the road in two sections and those sections wouid be 34 feet wide. No Parking signs wouid be installed in the areas of no parking. Stoi�rn sewer improvements would consist of adding catch basins along Mendota Road and connecting to the existing storm sewer system. The trail in areas where the parking lane would be added would need to be re-built. The existing roadway trail that would not be disturbed would be seal coated. ADA ramps would be installed at the intersections. Residents were sent a survey requesting their preference on a parking lane. The schooi district was also questioned and they would like to have a parking lane on the north side of the road from Warrior Drive to their existing parking lot near Delaware Avenue. It is proposed to reclaim the existing bituminous surface on High Ridge Circle, Sibley Court and Warrior Drive, and install four inches of new bituminous pavement; replace damaged curb and gutter, repair damaged catch basins, and Warrior Drive would be changed to a11ow for the concrete median. The anticipated costs of the project total $1,862,164.98 (includes indirect costs for legal, engineer, administration, and fmance). The funding sources inciude Special Assessments -$372,718; Bonds - $852,859; MSA Account - $450,000; Stormwater Utility - $149,000. The proposed unit assessments for the street reconstruction of Mendota Road is $7,593 (21% of the assessable cost). The 13 properties that had been previously assessed during the reconstruction of South Lane, Knob Road, Freeway Road, and The Village will have their assessments reduced by the amount they were assessed in 2002. The estimated project costs for the street rehabilitation of High Ridge Circle, Sibley Court and Warrior Drive totaled $3,950 (27% of the assessable cost). Councilmembers aslced questions regarding the width of the proposed median along the middle of Warrior Drive, the look of the median that would not cause maintenance headaches, and if the cost of the raised median wouid be shared throughout the project or paid by the City. Councilmember Norton moved to open the public hearing. Councilmember Petschel seconded the motion. Ayes: 3 Nays: 0 Absent: 2 (Duggan, Povolny) Mr. Tom Thieman, Sibley Court, suggested that `No U-turns' signs be installed at the north end. Technically the signs only appear on the southbound lane. Some students are taking that as a liberty to make U-turns. Mr. Joe Lawder, 1851 Warrior Drive, understands that there will be striping for parlcing but aslced if the parking situation would be changing. He also asked about the design of the cul-de-sac turnaround area. November 17, 2015 Mendota Heights City Council 1'age 4 He expressed his concern about all of the structure, signage, and striping being placed on Warrior Drive and urged Council to keep in mind the aesthetics of the roadway and to reduce visual clutter. Ms. Julie Shade, 649 Highway 110, stated that Highway 110 is higher than the frontage road. She expressed concern about the additional tra�c the frontage road will see in 2017 when Highway 110 is rehabilitated. She is concerned about flooding if curbs are to be instalied on both sides of the frontage road. There is already flooding from South Lane and Knob Road. She expressed concern for the seniors who live along the frontage road and cannot afford the assessments. In response, City Engineer Mazzitello explained the option of a defei7nent that is available for residents over 65 years of age or disabled veterans. Ms. Shade raised other issues regarding trucic parking and the speed of traffic on the frontage road. Councilmember Petschel recommended that the Traffic Safety Committee review her concerns. Councilmember Norton moved to close the public hearing. Councilmember Petschel seconded the motion. Ayes: 3 Nays: 0 Absent: 2 (Duggan, Povoiny) Councilmember Norton moved to adopt RESOLUTION 2015-89 ORDERING THE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT AND PREPARATION OF PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE MENDOTA ROAD NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENTS (PROJECT #201507). Councilmember Petschel seconded the motion. Ayes: 3 Nays: 0 Absent: 2 (Duggan, Povolny) � � � : I: ....� :'•��:� � � '• • � ' �� • � • :'•��C� � C��'� City Administrator Marlc McNeiil explained that the Council has had two meetings with the Dalcota County CDA earlier this this year to discuss the plans for a broadband ring, which would connect all of the cities in Dakota County. There are eleven city partners. The intent would be that this would also serve Dalcota County and school districts offices. Initially, this would be for governmentai functions (iNet). In the future, the City may be able to offer a commercial network to businesses as an economic development tool (CNET). Phase 1 of the broadband study has been completed. The Dalcota County Broadband Board is recommending a Joint Powers Agreement, which would allow cities to continue on with Phase 2 and establish a Board of Directors, which would then provide for the governance, the policy, and the budgetary research. By state law, the board members would need to be elected officials; a regular member and an alternate. Mayor Krebsbach has indicated she would lilce to be the regular member and Councilmember Duggan would be willing to serve as alternate. November 17, 201 S Mendota Hezghts Ciry Council Page S The cost to the City for the initiai membership fee is relatively modest at $1,661. There are funds in the Cable TV fund for that. Councilmember Petschel moved to authorize the City to enter into the Joint Powers Agreement for the Dakota County Broadband Board; appoint Mayor Krebsbach to be the Mendota Heights Board member and to appoint Councilmember Duggan as the Board alternate; and authorize payment of $1,661.23 for Mendota Heights' initial membership fee, payable out of the Cable TV Fund. Councilmember Norton seconded the motion. Ayes: 3 Nays: 0 Absent: 2 (Duggan, Povolny) COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS Assistant to the City Administrator Tamara Schutta made the following announcements: • The Fire Department is asking residents to Adopt-a-Hydrant to keep it clear of snow. o There is no parking allowed between 2:00 am and 6:00 am starting November l, 2015 through March 31, 2016. • City Hall wiil be closed on November 26 and November 27 for the Thanksgiving holiday. o Tree lighting ceremonies will be held on December 4 at 6:00 p.m. at Mendota Plaza and December 5 at 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at The Village. • Recycling of holiday lights at City Hall now through the end of January 2016. • Jerry Murphy's family sent a thank-you card to the City and asked that their appreciation be passed on to the residents. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Norton congratulated all of the sports teams that are wrapping up their fall seasons. Good luck to everyone who is starting their winter sports. He expressed his personal congratulations to St. Thomas Academy's soccer and footbali teams for advancing well into the state finals. Councilmember Petschel commented on the events in Paris and extended to them the City's thoughts and prayers. She expressed her appreciation to the street sweepers and encouraged residents who have a storm sewer grate near their home to keep it clear of leaves and debris. She has received requests from residents that when the Council is reviewing Planning cases, the location of the property under consideration be shown on a map. She attended the Fire Department dance which was a wonderful event. She wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. November 17, 2015 Mendota Heights City Council Page 6 Mayor Krebsbach encouraged residents to enjoy Mendota Heights; the Plaza, the Village, restaurants where people can enjoy dinner — all are signs of strength in the current times. She noted that Lois Herman, the Original Champagne Lady for the Lawrence Weik Show and a resident of Mendota Heights, died recentiy. She expressed condolences to the family. She aiso wished everyone a peaceful and joyful Thanksgiving holiday. � � • : ►I Councilmember Norton moved to adjourn. Councilmember Petschel seconded the motion. Ayes: 3 Nays: 0 Absent: 2 (Duggan, Povolny) Mayor Kxebsbach adjourned the meeting at 9:11 p.m. ���� -' an a Krebsbach Mayor ATTEST: , * Lorri Smith City Clerk November 17, 2015 Mendota Heights City Council Page �