2017-12-11 Council Work Session MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minutes of the Council Work Session
Monday, December 11, 2017
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a work session 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 1:00 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, Chief of Police Kelly McCarthy, and
City Clerk Lorri Smith.
DISCUSSION OF THE FIRE STATION
Fire Chief Dave Dreelan and Assistant Chief Scott Goldenstein reviewed with the Council the Study
Report of the Fire Station Feasibility and Programming Study prepared by Buetow 2 Architects in June
2015. The report included four options and costs associated for remodeling or building a new fire
station.
Chief Dreelan presented an additional option from CNH Architects for a complete remodel of the
existing iire station.
The Council members were in agreement to ask CNH Architects to complete a more detailed plan of
the layout presented. It was noted that there is money budgeted for architect fees in the Fire
Department's budget.
COM1VIi_JNITY CENTER PARTNERSHIP
City Administrator Mark McNeili gave an overview of the work the Facilities Committee has done in
regards to a joint partnership with ISD 197, the City of West St. Paul, and the YMCA. The committee
is looking at options for a regional Community Center, which would also serve the needs of the school
district. It is proposed the community center wouid be located at the Henry Sibley High School
property.
The Councilmembers discussed their interest in continuing to participate in the discussions. City
Administrator Mark McNeill will send a letter of interest to the School District expressing the
Council's concerns and their desire to continue in the discussions.
TURNER GYMNASTICS BUILDING
The Council discussed property for sale at 2500 Lexington Avenue South. The City staff viewed the
property to see if it could be used for either a police station or as a recreation facility. It was noted that
the costs of renovating this facility to function as a police station would be too high.
The Councilmembers discussed other possibilities for the site, including a recreation facility. A draft
layout of the building was reviewed, showing possible basketball, volleyball, and pickleball courts,
along with office space. The operational costs and management needed when owning a recreational
facility were discussed.
The Councilmembers were in agreement that there is no interest at this time in renovating this building
to work as a recreation facility.
BOLJRN PROPERTY
Administrator McNeill presented a layout of the Bourn property which is owned by the City.
Using this site for possible soccer fields or a community center was discussed. Councilmember
Paper suggested reserving this space for park use.
The Council discussed marketing this property for possible commercial or industrial uses.
Councilmember Duggan suggested the Council discuss the zoning and types of businesses that
would be allowed to be located at this site, before the property is marketed.
It was decided that Administrator McNeill and Community Development Director Benetti will
develop an announcement to place on the website to market this property for sale.
Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek informed the Council that MnDOT will be conveying to the
City Old Highway 13 right of way in 2018.
Councilmember Duggan left the meeting at 3:10 p.m.
MENDOTA HEIGHTS ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
Meredith Lawrence, Recreation Program Coordinator, updated the Council on requests received to
reserve the hockey rinks. MHAA has requested to reserve the rinks for league practices, which
leaves little time available for our residents to make use of the rinks. Councilmember Paper
suggested the City continue the past practice of rotating the MHAA reservation around to different
hockey rinks throughout the weeks of the season.
The Council discussed user fees for MHAA. It was noted that Councilmember Paper will meet
with MHAA officers to discuss city issues.
Assistant to the City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson updated the Council on insurance
requirements for rental of the concessions stand at Mendakota Park.
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Mayor Garlock adjourned the meeting at 3:30 p.m.
ATTE r
Lorri Smith, City Clerk
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Neil Garlock, Mayor
Decenaber 11, 2017 Council Work Session � Page 2 of 2