2017-08-14 Council Work Session MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minutes of the Council Workshop
Tuesday, August 14, 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 1:36 p.m. Councilmembers Duggan, Miller, and Petschel
were also present. Councilmember Paper arrived at 2:20 p.m.
Also present: City Administrator Mark McNeill, Assistant City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson, Finance
Director Kristen Schabacker; City Clerk Lorri Smith, Fire Chief Dave Dreelan, Police Chief Kelly
McCarthy, Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek, and Fire Fighters Tom Mattaini and John Boland.
2018 BUDGET DISCUSSION
City Administrator Mark McNeill gave an overview of the base budget proj ections (providing the same
level of service as the previous year). The current base budget amounts to an increase of 3.93% over
2017 which is due to personnel costs, health insurance costs, and anticipated inflationary amounts which
have been factored in.
McNeill clarified that the Improvement Packages have not been factored into the base budget amount.
These are proposals which would add something different than what the department is currently
providing, including larger equipment purchases.
The members discussed the fund balance amount and noted that the City's AAA Bond rating is at risk if
the fund balance falls below 75% of the annual spending amount.
Fire ReliefAssociation— Tom Mattaini, Scott Goldenstein, 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. They requested that the Council also consider this increase for years 2019 and 2020.
They said that the increase would help with the retention of the firefighters.
Fire Depa��tment - Fire Chief Dave Dreelan discussed with the Council the request for replacement of
the fire hoses and nozzles to 1 1/2 inch fire hose and 150 GPM nozzles. The current hoses and nozzles
limit the flow, are not adequate for today's homes, and do not meet the industry standards. The cost for
the replacement is $17,500.
Chief Dreelan asked an increase of $9,000 in the personnel budget, for payments to new firefighters for
attending their initial training, and also for payments to officers for attending monthly meetings. In
addition, additional training hours for all firefighters would be added in 2018,
Chief Dreelan asked to move the expenses for uniforms and fire prevention education costs from the
Relief Association's budget to the City's general budget. In 2018, the cost for uniforms would be
$14,500, and the cost for Fire Prevention education would be $3,500. These would be on-going costs to
the City.
Chief Dreelan asked to add mobile data computers to Engine 10 and Engine 11 at a cost of $13,500. He
said that these computers link directly with the 911 center, and receive real-time event updates, provide
mapping, and access to building preplans.
Police Department — Chief of Police Kelly McCarthy proposed adding two sworn officer positions for
patrol to the department at a cost of $194,000. This would allow the department to increase
communications, effectiveness, efficiencies and officer wellness. The Council asked about staggering
the start dates of these two officers, starting one in January and the other in July.
Chief McCarthy requested the purchase of one additional squad car at a cost of $17,400, to be used for
traffic enforcement.
Chief McCarthy requested additional training for the department to improve performance and retention
through increased professionalism. The cost of this leadership training is $8,500.
Chief McCarthy requested money for the transition of a forfeited vehicle to the department at a cost of
$10,000 for the installation of emergency equipment.
Public Wo�ks — The Council discussed the City's policy on Emerald Ash Borer and how the disease is
affecting the City's trees. Best practices were discussed, which includes removing the affected trees and
everything around the tree.
It was noted that a new site for the October bonfire will be needed in 2018.
Councilmember Paper requested the City look at the costs associated with street sweeping, and if it
would be more cost effective to purchase our own sweeper.
The budget for crack sealing and chip sealing of the city streets was discussed. It was noted that there is
$200,000 in the budget for 2018. Councilmember Duggan requested an update be sent to the Council in
September.
The City's assessment policy was discussed. It was noted that the City has charged a flat 6% interest
rate to property owners since approximately 2003, regardless of what the market rates have been. The
City could change the policy to charge 2% above the interest rate paid on the bonds funding the project.
The Council decided that topic will be discussed further at a later date.
Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek presented a proposal from the Streets Division for the purchase of a
wing/plow quick connect for the public works front end loader. The quick connects would allow the
loader to be changed over for plowing easily during snow storm events.
For the Parks Division, staff recommended the purchase of a 3/4-ton pickup with lift gate, light bar, cab
rack and plow package, for a cost of $47,700. The existing Chevrolet pickup purchased in 2008 would
be traded in.
The Parks Division is also requesting to purchase a zero turn mower to replace the existing mower
purchased in 2007, at a cost of $14,200, less trade-in value.
August 14, 2017 City Council Wor•k Session- Budget Page 2
Ryan Ruzek updated the Council on the sump pump inspections. He stated that the project is 90%
complete, with a total of 1,900 inspections being completed so far. He noted the inspections had found
120 failures. A report will be given to the Council once the inspections have all been completed. The
Council will then discuss phase 2 of the project.
The Public Works Utility Division is requesting to purchase a 3/4 ton pickup truck with utility boxes at a
cost of $54,000, including trade-in of the existing Ford F-250 pickup, which had been purchased in
2009.
Engineering — Ryan Ruzek explained the request for a GIS Technician position to assist the Engineering
and Community Development departments with mapping, studies, and general office duties. The
position is estimated to cost $98,720.
OTHER BUSINESS
The Council discussed an appointment to the Planning Commission to replace Commissioner Christine
Costello who resigned. The Council interviewed candidates on July 17, 2017. The consensus of the
Council was to recommend Michael Toth for appointment to this position.
Mayor Garlock adjourned the meeting at 4:50 p.m.
ATTEST:
Lorri Smith, City Clerk
�� N�F�
Neil Garlock
Mayor
August 14, 2017 City Coz��acil N�ork Sessio�2- Budget Page 3