2017-05-16 Council Work Session MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minutes of the Council Workshop
Tuesday, May 16, 2017
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
Mayor Garlock called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. Councilmembers Duggan, Miller, Paper and
Petschel were also present. Staff in attendance included City Administrator Mark McNeill, Assistant
City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson, Finance Director Kristen Schabacker, Public Works Director
Ryan Ruzek, Community Development Director Tim Benetti, City Attorney Andy Pratt and City
Clerk Lorri Smith.
MENDOTA MOTEL/LARSON GREENHOUSE REDEVELOPMENT TIF DISTRICT
Stacie Kvilvang and James Lehnhoff, representing the City's financial advisors Ehlers and
Associates, explained the basics of tax increment financing, and how the financing would work for a
proposed redevelopment project, to be located at 2180 and 2160 Highway 13. The Mendota Motel
occupies a single parcel approximately 2.41 acres in size. The Larson Greenhouse consists of eight
separate parcels, which is approximately 2.77 total usable acres.
The City is considering a proposal to modify the Development Program for Municipal Development
District No. 1 and to establish Tax Increment Financing District No. 2. Tax increments collected
from the TIF District will enable the City to facilitate the construction of approximately 138
apartment units. A public hearing on this matter has been scheduled for June 20, 2017.
The developer of this site, Michael Swenson of Michael Development, Inc., was present and
indicated his intent to develop 69 market rate units as Phase 1 on the Mendota Motel site, followed
by Phase 2 on the Larson Greenhouse site, consisting of 69 market rate or senior assisted living units.
Ms. Kvilvang explained the recommendation that the new housing TIF district is recommended for
Phase 1 of the redevelopment at $634,000 Pay-as-you-go TIF note, over a term of nine years.
CITY CODE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AMENDMENTS
City Clerk Lorri Smith and City Attorney Tom Lehmann presented proposed changes to the
Alcoholic Beverages liquor code needed to bring it up to date with current standards and more in line
with state statutes. An ordinance revising the code will be brought forward to the Council.
OTHER
It was noted that a Council Goal Setting session has been scheduled for May 22, 2017, at 1:00 pm. A
Council work session has also been scheduled for June 6, 2017, at 5:00 p.m.
It was noted that the Police Department is looking to hire four officer positions. One conditional offer
of employment has been made to one candidate.
Councilmember Duggan presented a proposed Welcoming City statement. It is proposed to bring
this language forward to the City Council for approval, which if approved might be placed on the
city's website and other places of notification. Councilor Petschel suggested that this statement is in
fact a reiteration of our current police department policies.
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Mayor Garlock adjourned the meeting at 6:50 p.m.
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Neil Garlock, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Lorri Smith, City Clerk
May 16, 2017 Council Workshop Page 2 of 2