2016-08-23 Council Workshop minutes - budgetCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minutes of the Council Workshop
Tuesday, August 23, 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 5:00 p.m. The following members were present:
Councilmembers Duggan and Petschel. Mayor Krebsbach joined the meeting at 5:05 p.m.
Councilmember Norton joined the meeting at 5:55 p.m.
2017 BUDGET DISCUSSION
City Administrator Mark McNeill gave an overview of the base budget projections. The current base
budget includes an increase of $411,586 over 2016 which is due to personnel costs, insurance costs, and
engineering transition costs.
Councilmember Petschel stated the importance of incorporating suggestions from the Financial Summit
into the budget.
Fire Department — Tom Mattaini and John Boland presented a request from the Fire Relief Association
to increase the city contribution to the Relief Association Pension Fund by $500 per firefighter per year
of service. The increase would help with the retention of the firefighters.
Fire Chief John Maczko and Assistant Chief Dave Dreelan discussed with the Council replacement of
the pagers for the firefighters, which have become outdated due to upgrades made by Dakota County
Communications. The request is to replace the pagers in 2016. Staff was directed to bring this request
to a regular Council meeting for approval.
Fire Chief Maczko and Assistant Chief Dreelan asked for direction on improvements to the Fire Station
building. They were directed to bring forward costs to complete the immediate needs of the building,
including fixing the roof and replacing the air exchanger.
Planning — Planner Nolan Wall presented costs associated to complete an update to the Comprehensive
Plan. It is proposed to spread the costs over a three year period, completing phase one this year. Costs
for 2017 were estimated to be $38,000.
Planner Wall presented costs for contracting with a garbage hauler to handle items that are brought to
Clean Up Day. It was suggested that city volunteers could still be available to help out on this day by
controlling traffic, receiving payments, etc.
Police — Chief of Police Mike Aschenbrener proposed replacement of all handheld police radio units.
The department has been escrowing $15,000 annually in anticipation of this purchase estimated to be
$111,018.75.
Chief Aschenbrener proposed purchasing an investigations squad car at an estimated cost of $41,500.
Also a vehicle for the Captain position was proposed at an estimated cost of $44,500. Police vehicle
#2252 was also proposed to be replaced at an estimated cost of $44,500.
Chief Aschenbrener discussed the purchase of police body cameras at an estimated cost of $45,000.
Staff would look for grant money that may become available in 2017.
Public Works — Administrator McNeill presented a proposal from the Streets Division for the purchase
of a Bobcat Skid -Steer Loader at an estimate cost of $44,000. The current Bobcat is used frequently and
requires frequent repairs due to its age.
Also proposed for the Streets Division is replacement of the 2003 John Deere tractor/backhoe with a
new John Deere tractor with grapple bucket at an estimated cost of $92,000.
For the Parks Maintenance Division, staff recommended the purchase of a John Deere 1585 Terrain Cut
with cab, mower deck, mulching kit with broom. This would replace the 2007 XMark mower and a
2010 Kabota.
It was noted that the Rogers Lake weed control budget is proposed to be increased from $1,500 to
$3,000, to match the homeowners' contribution.
Fireworks — Administrator McNeill informed the Council that a request was made by Mendakota
Country Club for the city to increase the contribution for the annual fireworks display from $4,000 to
$10,000. This would allow for a longer show. Staff is recommending the contribution be increased to
$7,000. Councilor Norton said that he would check with Mendakota regarding how their share of the
costs are provided.
Information Technology — Administrator McNeill presented requests for improvements for a backup
solution hosted by LOGIS and also LOGIS server hosting. These requests cannot be fulfilled until the
City addresses the bandwidth issue, which would involve extending the Dakota County fiber from the
ISD 197 bus garage to the Public Works building. That could be done with funds from existing 2016
funds.
Human Resources — Administrator McNeill stated that the pay equity report will need to be submitted in
2018, as part of a three year cycle. It is recommended that a job evaluation system redesign be
completed, along with updating of the City's compensation plan. The cost is estimated to be $15,000.
A request was also made to provide funding for a shared volunteer coordinator position, in conjunction
with the cities of South St. Paul, West St. Paul, and Inver Grove Heights. The cost is estimated to be
$12,000 annually.
City Hall — a proposal was made to replace the generator at City Hall at an estimated cost of $35,000. It
was recommended that the city research a dual fuel generator.
August 23, 2016 Mendota Heights City Council Workshop- Budget Page 2
Administrator McNeill presented a request to replace lighting fixtures within City Hall with an LED
retrofit. It was noted that the current can lighting is no longer being made. The fixtures could also be a
hazard. The cost is estimated to be $15,000.
Par 3 — Councilmembers expressed concern about the appearance of the exterior siding on the Par 3
building. Staff was directed to look into the cause of the discoloration and to clean the siding.
Councilmember Petschel expressed concern over the future funding for the Parks fund. The members
discussed the years remaining on the Par 3 bonds.
Mayor Krebsbach suggested an award named in honor of Jerry Murphy, which would go to an
outstanding volunteer. The consensus of the City Council was that candidates could be from the
community at large, but could also include representatives of the police department. Chief
Aschenbrener would look into it. Councilor Petschel also requested that something be done to recognize
the contributions of the Master Gardeners in Mendota Heights.
OTHER BUSINESS — CONFERENCE REQUEST
Administrator McNeill requested approval for attending the International City/County Management
Association annual conference in Kansas City, Missouri from September 25-28, 2016. He was directed
to bring the request forward to the Council for approval.
Mayor Krebsbach adjourned the meeting at 8:00 p.m.
ATTES / Mayor
Lorri Smith, City Clerk
August 23, 2016 Mendota Heights City Council Workshop- Budget Page 3