2016-07-06 Council Workshop minutes - Eng StudyCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minutes of the Council Workshop
Wednesday, July 6, 2016
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a workshop of the Mendota Heights City Council was held at
City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, Minnesota.
CALL TO ORDER
Acting Mayor Povolny called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. The following members were present:
Councilmembers Duggan, Petschel, and Norton. Mayor Krebsbach joined the meeting at 5:45 p.m.
PRESENTATION BY FOCUS ENGINEERING
REVIEW OF THE CAPITAL INFRASTRUCTURE PLANS
City Administrator Mark McNeill presented Cara Geheren of Focus Engineering. Focus had been hired
to complete a review of the City's Capital Improvement Plan for streets.
It was noted that improvements to the sanitary sewer system, Storm sewer system, and trails are all
coordinated with the street program. Water system improvements are coordinated with St. Paul
Regional Water and the street program. Ms. Geheren noted the importance of planning for maintenance
of the trail system infrastructure and having a dedicated trail maintenance fund.
The current Capital Improvements Plan includes $9 million for street improvement projects between
2016 and 2020. She stated that the life expectancy of a street depends on the quality of the construction
and the proactive and preventative maintenance that is completed.
It was noted that the PCI rating of the streets in Mendota Heights put 68% in the good to fair condition;
12% of the streets are in the fair to poor category; and 20% are in the poor to failed condition. Ms.
Geheren noted that the Capital Improvement Plan for the next five years was reviewed by their group
and they were in agreement with the plan. Ms. Geheren then reviewed the projects planned for the next
five years as arranged in the plan. Various options for the plan were discussed.
Finance Director Kristen Schabacker noted that funding for street maintenance is included in the street
department budget. The Councilmembers discussed the need to consider all of the long-term needs of
the city during the budget process.
During the budget process, the City will have discussions regarding the necessary level of funding which
can be committed to the Street Program.
DISCUSSION OF NATIONAL JOINT POWERS
City Administrator Mark McNeill provided the Council with information regarding a National Joint
Powers Agreement, and what services it could provide to do architectural and construction services for
things such as remodeling and mold remediation. He said that the NJPA serves as a "state bid" service,
meaning that member local governmental jurisdictions could negotiate with NJPA for their previously
bid competitive pricing, instead of having to hire architects and individually seek bids or quotes.
McNeill said that the City is already a member, and he asked if the City Council was comfortable in
using the NJPA I for design services and getting prices for remodeling and mold and water remediation
for the lower level issues in City Hall. By consensus, the City Council indicated its approval to utilize
the services of NJPA.
DISCUSSION OF SPECIAL PARKS FUND
McNeill said that roofing on several park shelters need to be replaced. He said that the Special Parks
Fund was established to pay for expenditures that are beyond normal maintenance activities. He asked
if the Council would approve the reroofing projects to be paid for through this source. The Council was
in agreement to use funding from the Special Parks Fund to pay for the reroofing expenses.
ADJOURN
Mayor Krebsbach adjourned the meeting at 6:50 p.m.
Krebsbach
ATTEST: Mayor
Lorri Smith, City Clerk
July 6, 2016 Mendota Heights City Council TForkshop Page 2