2017-10-05 Council Special MeetingCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minutes of a Special Meeting
Held Thursday, October 5, 2017
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a special joint meeting of the City Council of the City of
Mendota Heights, Minnesota was held with the City Council of the City of West Saint Paul,
Minnesota, and the School Board of ISD 197, at 5:00 p.m. in Warrior Hall of Henry Sibley High
School, Mendota Heights, NIN.
CALL TO ORDER
Superintendent Peter Olson-Skog convened the meeting at 5:00 p.m. Mayor Garlock, and
Councilmembers Duggan, Paper, and Petschel were also present. Absent: Councilmember
Miller.
City Administrator McNeill was present.
Also present were the Mayor and two members of the City Council, and City Manager of West
St. Paul, and the Board Chair and board members, and staff of the ISD 197 School District.
The purpose of the meeting was to update the members of the various governing boards on
progress to date on exploring the potential for jointly owned or operated facilities, and determine
whether there was support for moving ahead with shared facilities.
Jennifer Anderson-Tuttle, consulting architect for the school district, did a recap of the
previously held meetings. The school district had appointed a committee which has been
meeting for approximately one year, and during that time explored needs and options for
facilities at the various school district buildings.
She, and Superintendent Olson-Skog reviewed the needs at each of the district buildings, and
specific athletic fields. They also reviewed the timelines for adding improvements and
modifications, which would culminate in a bond referendum in May, 2018, If the referendum is
successful, construction would take from 2018 through 2021.
They indicated the school district's anticipated ask in such a referendum would be in the $110
million to $120 million range. That would include a new competitive pool, to replace the current
one at Heritage Middle School. Their question was whether the cities wanted to participate in
that, or in any additional investments which would result in a Community Center concept.
Councilor Duggan stated that there had been a bond referendum of $57 million several years ago,
and that people will want to know the results of that before voting for a new bond sale.
Councilor Petschel stated that financial impacts on the community will be a big factor. She
noted the impacts of Fiscal Disparities on Mendota Heights.
Councilor Duggan noted the cooperation which had been done previously on the Ice Arena, and
felt that the focus of any partnership should be on strengths, rather than finances.
Councilor Paper asked what a Community Center would look like. Supt. Olson-Skog said that
there would be separate uses for schools and the community members, but that mechanical and
utilities could be shared.
It was suggested that a tour of similar facilities should be scheduled. Waconia was cited as an
example of where a city and the school district partnered successfully.
A member of the school board stated that the school district is on a schedule for the May
referendum. If the cities can commit to being part of a joint effort, the entities could work
together. Otherwise, the school district will have to move ahead on its own.
Supt Olson-Skog stated that he heard a consensus of the meeting participants that people are
interested in moving ahead jointly.
The next meeting could involve a concept plan of a community center, which could be reviewed
and discussed.
The meeting adj ourned at 6:3 0 pm.
Minutes taken by:
! /k� ���
Mark McNeill
City Administrator