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2017-11-07 Council MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA Minutes of the Regular Meeting Held Tuesday, November 7, 2017 Pursuant to due call and notice, the regular meeting of the City Council, City of Mendota Heights, Minnesota was held at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, Minnesota. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Garlock called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Councilmembers Miller and Petschel were also present. Absent: Councilmembers Duggan and Paper. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council, the audience, and staff recited the Pledge of Allegiance. AGENDA ADOPTION Mayor Garlock presented the agenda. Councilmember Petschel moved adoption of the agenda. Councilmember Miller seconded the motion. Ayes: 3 Nays: 0 Absent: 2 SWEARING IN OF NEW POLICE OFFICERS Chief of Police Kelly McCarthy introduced the police officers to be sworn in: Officer Peter Renteria, Officer Cara Hogan, and Officer Anthony Patton. Mayor Garlock presided over the swearing in. Councilmember Petschel welcomed the new officers. CONSENT CALENDAR Mayor Garlock presented the consent calendar and explained the procedure for discussion and approval. Councilmember Petschel moved approval of the consent calendar as presented and authorization for execution of any necessary documents. a. Approval of September 5, 2017 City Council Minutes b. Approval of October 5, 2017 City Council Special Meeting Minutes c. Approval of October 16, 2017 City Council Closed Session Minutes d. Approval of October 17, 2017 City Council Minutes e. Approval of October 30, 2107 City Council Special Session Minutes £ Approval of October 30, 2017 City Council Closed and Work Session Minutes g. Acknowledge September 26, 2017 Planning Commission Minutes Novenaber 7, 2017 Mendota Heights Ci .ty Council Page 1 of 5 h. Acknowledge October 1 l, 2017 Planning Commission Special Workshop Minutes i. Approval for City to act as Fiscal Agent for Mendota Heights Fire Relief Association j. Approve the Purchase of Portable Radios for Fire Department k. Approval of Recreation Program Coordinator Hire 1. Accept the Resignation of Police Officer Michael Shepard m. Approval of City Hall Masonry Study n. Approval of the September 2017 Treasurer's Report o. Approval of Claims List Councilmember Miller seconded the motion. Ayes: 3 Nays: 0 Absent: 2 PUBLIC COMMENTS Mr. John Apitz, 1831 Hunter Lane, thanked the Council for the decision denying the development of the Olin property, known as Orchard Hill. On behalf of the neighborhood, he expressed appreciation for the job well done for the neighborhood. Ms. Susan Kopher, 2162 Lemay Lake Drive, expressed concern about the Michael Development parcel. She explained that many of her neighbors have had opportunities to attend meetings and they have concerns. They believe the development is too large for the site. They are concerned about vehicle traffic and would like a traffic study completed and an analysis before the development goes forward. The neighborhood also has concerns about the nearby wetlands, runoff could be considerable, and the steep grade from this property down to Lemay Lake may cause contaminants to reach the lake. She questioned where all of that water would go. She also expressed concerns about exceptions given to the developer for setbacks. She and her neighbors requested that the City Council consider this again before making a decision on allowing this development. Mr. Gerald Reed, 2050 Acacia Drive, expressed concern about the huge changes to the R-3 zoning areas. He did not believe that the Council had the residents in mind when making those changes. Ms. Eliza Campbell, Augusta Shores, commented that this development does not seem to be in line with the goals of the City. She asked that the Council review their original goals and think about those as they make decisions. Mr. Steve Treichel, 2174 Lemay Lake Drive, asked what the thought process was in allowing the variance on a wetland parcel to high density housing. City Attorney Tom Lehmann replied that the City does not typically reply to public comments. There is also litigation going on with regards to this issue and the Council caiulot answer any questions at this point until the litigation is resolved. Mr. Richard Kopher, 2162 Lemay Lake Drive, stated that adding more traffic from a new development is going to make it more difficult to get access to Highway 13. At a minimum there should be stop signs at Lemay Lake, Acacia, and Highway 13. This would slow down the traffic. Nove�nber 7, 2017 Alendota Heights City Coz��zcdl Page 2 of 5 Ms. Nancy Sloan, 2073 Acacia Drive, stated their neighborhood has a lovely ambience. She has concerns about a large complex, the large amount of parking, and the lack of trees and plantings interspersed in the parking area. It does not lend itself to the ambiance that the City is known for. Mr. Thomas Smith, Hampshire Drive, noted that previous mayors have been dedicated to maintaining the special character of Mendota Heights. He expressed his hope that the Mayor would listen to the comments made in favor of the special character and low density development in the City. Mr. Smith noted that the vote on Michael's Development apartments, the Mayor has betrayed the record of his predecessors and adopted a position that favors the developer rather than the residents. This city is almost completely built-out and does not need more density development. He urged the Mayor and Council to think about whether or not they want to continue the tradition of the special character of this City. PRESENTATIONS No items scheduled. PUBLIC HEARING No items scheduled. NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS A) RESOLUTION 2017-96 APPROVING A CRITICAL AREA PERMIT FOR SEAN HOFFMANN, 711 WOODRIDGE DRIVE (PLANNING CASE NO. 2017-26) Community Development Director Tim Benetti explained that this was a request from Mr. Sean Hoffmann seeking a Critical Area Permit to construct a new pergola, fence, and to help remove some invasive plants and trees in his back yard. The property is located within the Mississippi River Critical Corridor, which requires a Critical Area Permit for any activity of this nature. Mr. Benetti shared images of the subject parcel with the bluff line highlighted. The property is zoned single-family residential and is just over a half-acre in size. It currently includes a 2,870 square foot home and a dual access drive off of Woodridge Drive. To the rear of the property are two retaining walls that were installed a number of years ago due to a landslide event. Mr. Hoffmann is trying to prevent another event by removing some of the invasive plantings and vegetation that is growing into the retaining walls. He also wishes to install a backyard fence to protect his family. The wooden pergola structure to be installed is not subject to a building permit, but would still be approved under this critical area peimit. It is more of a landscape feature and would be installed and anchored on the existing concrete patio. It would not affect the bluff line. Novenaber 7, 2017 Mendota Heiglats City Council Page 3 of 5 Councilmember Miller asked if native plants or grasses would be planted to replace the removed trees and invasive plants. Mr. Benetti replied that he believes the intent was to just remove the invasives at this point. However, Mr. Hoffmann is relying on a trained arborist to do that work. Mr. Sean Hoffmann, applicant, commented that the retaining wall area is heavily wooded and the plan is to just remove the invasive materials and put down herbicide. Councilmember Miller moved to adopt RESOLUTION 2017-96 APPROVING A CRITICAL AREA PERMIT TO SEAN HOFFMANN TO ALLOW CERTAIN CONSTRUCTION AND REMOVAL ACTIVITIES 1N THE CRITICAL AREA OVERLAY DISTRICT (711 WOODRIDGE DRIVE). Mayor Garlock seconded the motion. Ayes: 3 Nays: 0 Absent: 2 B) APPROVAL OF 2018-2019 TEAMSTERS LABOR AGREEMENT FOR PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEES Assistant City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson explained the revised labor agreement with Teamsters Loca1320, which represents the Public Works employees. Staff worked with Teamster representatives to clean up the contract language. Some of the negotiated items included a wage increase of 2.5% as a cost of living adjustment for 2018 and 2019, changes to position classifications, a new pay scale for the Public Works Maintenance Worker position, with a one-time pay increase of $.50 at step 1, deleted "working out of class" and implemented a one-time hourly increase of $.20, increased the clothing allowance by $10 per year for 2018 and 2019 and added a boot allowance of $100 annually with a carryover from year to year, up to a maximum of $200, added a new article — Injury on Duty pay, and added Appendix A Drug and Alcohol Testing policy. Councilmember Petschel asked if reflective clothing with City identification on them had been added as discussed earlier. Ms. Jacobson noted that the outermost layer would need to be reflective and safety wear, as well as identified as Mendota Heights employees. Mayor Garlock moved to approve the 2018-20191abor agreement between the City of Mendota Heights and the Teamsters Loca1320. Councilmember Miller seconded the motion. Ayes: 3 Nays: 0 Absent: 2 COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS City Administrator Mark McNeill welcomed Recreation Program Coordinator Meredith Lawrence, adding that the department is taking registrations for the gymnastics program and outdoor skating lessons. The department is also looking for an ice skating instructor. Residents are urged to attend the Mendota Heights Lights being held on December 2"d at The Village. Novenabe�• 7, 2017 Alendota Heights City Council Page 4 of S COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Petschel noted that she attended Ms. Evelyn Fisher's 100th birthday party. Ms. Fisher was a long-time election judge for the City. Ms. Petschel also stated that she attended the Firefighter's Dance and noted that a good time was had by all. She attended the open house last night regarding Lone Oak Road and saw the plans that the County is considering, that would involve Eagan, Inver Grove Heights, and Mendota Heights, in widening Lone Oak Road to accommodate what is going to be a future development in Eagan. Interestingly, they had a mapping of the Vikings facility and many of the assumptions that the EAW that was done on the Vikings facility are reflected in the mapping. She came away feeling like there is still no clear identiiication of where the ofiicial entrance and exit to that PUD is going to be. Councilmember Miller noted that Saturday is Veteran's Day and encouraged everyone to thank a veteran. :� • :► Mayor Garlock moved to adjourn. Councilmember Petschel seconded the motion. Ayes: 3 Nays: 0 Absent: 2 Mayor Garlock adjourned the meeting at 7:47 p.m. C� Neil Garlock Mayor ATTES • �� Lorri Smith City Clerk November 7, 2017 Me�adota Heights City Council Page 5 of S