2017-12-19 Council MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
Held Tuesday, December 19, 2017
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, 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 Duggan, Paper, Miller, and
Petschel were also present.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council, the audience, and staff recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
AGENDA ADOPTION
Mayor Garlock presented the agenda for adoption. Councilmember Petschel moved adoption of the
agenda.
Councilmember Duggan seconded the motion.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
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, pulling items a) Approval of December 5, 2017 Council
Minutes, h) Approval of Resolution 2017-116 Administrative and Amended Critical Area Permit to
1275 Knollwood Lane, k) Approve Resolution 2017-111 Adopt 2018 Pay Classification Plan for Non-
Union Employees, o) Approve Claims List, and p) Approve Change Order for Dering Pierson Group.
a. Approval of December 5, 2017 City Council Minutes
b. Approval of December 5, 2017 Council Minutes - Closed Session
c. Approval of December 11, 2017 City Council Work Session Minutes
d. Acknowledge November 14, 2017 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes
e. Approval of Resolution 2017-112 Agreement Appointing MnDOT as Agent for the City on
Federally Funded Projects
f. Approval of Resolution 2017-113 Accept Feasibility Report, Cail for a Public Hearing on the
Lexington Highlands, South Plaza Drive & Mendakota Neighborhood Improvements
Decenaber 19, 2017 Mendota Heights City Council Page 1 of 12
g. Approval of Resolution 2017-114 Deferring Street Assessment 2531 Concord Way
h. Approval of Resolution 2017-116 Administrative and Amended Critical Area Permit to 1275
Knollwood Lane (Planning Case No. 2017-31)
i. Approval of the modification of a certain condition under adopted Resolution 2017-104, Approving
a Lot Split (Subdivision) for property located at 697 Wesley Lane
j. Approve Resolution 2017-115 Granting Comcast a Franchise Extension
k. Approve Resolution 2017-111 Adopt 2018 Pay Classification P1an for Non-Union Employees
l. Approval of 2018 Seasonal Pay Matrix
m. Approval of November 2017 Building Activity Report
n. Approval of November 2017 Treasurer's Report
o. Approval of Claims List
p. Approval of Change Order for Dering Pierson Group
Councilmember Paper seconded the motion.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
PULLED CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
A) APPROVAL OF DECEMBER 5, 2017 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Councilmember Duggan suggested that the language under New and Unfinished Business, item A) of
the minutes read "Councilmember Duggan moved adoption of ..." rather than "Councilmember
Duggan moved to adopt . . ."
Councilmember Duggan moved to APPROVE THE DECEMBER 5, 2017 CITY COLTNCIL MINUTES
as amended.
Mayor Garlock seconded the motion.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
H) RESOLUTION 2017-116 ADMINISTRATIVE & AMENDED CRITICAL AREA PERMIT
- 1275 KNOLLWOOD LANE
Councilmember Duggan asked if the Council would consider waiving the fee. Community Development
Director Tim Benetti noted that this was a Critical Area Permit that was amended after-the-fact and
required additional review by the City Engineer. The fee charged was the $250 application fee.
Mayor Garlock moved to adopt RESOLUTION 2017-116 APPROVING AN ADMINISTRATIVE
AND AMENDED CRITICAL AREA PERMIT TO PETER & JENNIFER EISENHUTH AND
ALLOW ADDITIONAL CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES 1N THE CRITICAL AREA OVERLAY
DISTRICT (LOCATED AT 1275 KNOLLWOOD LANE), with no change to the fee charged.
Councilmember Petschel seconded the motion.
Ayes: 4
Nays: 1 (Duggan)
Decembe�• 19, 2017 Mer�dota Hetglats City Council Page 2 of 12
K) 2018 EMPLOYEE POSITION PLACEMENT/PAY CLASSIFICATION PLAN
Councilmember Duggan noted the issue raised at the last meeting regarding what he thought was low
pay for beginning iirefighters in training. He asked if this is addressed in this plan. City Administrator
Mark McNeill replied that the 2017 probationary firefighter rate was at $8.78/hr. This has been
increased to $9.65/hr. for 2018, which is above the minimum wage.
Councilmember Petschel stated that she would like to look at this in greater depth in 2018 and decide on
what an appropriate wage should be, with the help of Fire Chief Dave Dreelan and the fire captains.
Councilmember Duggan moved to adopt RESOLUTION 2017 —111 ADOPTING THE 2018 PAY
CLASSIFICATION PLAN FOR NON-UNION EMPLOYEES.
Mayor Garlock seconded the motion.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
O) APPROVAL OF CLAIMS LIST
Councilmember Duggan questioned the fee being paid to Mid Northern Services for ice rink lighting
repairs, and asked if this was on budget. Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek replied that this project
was budgeted for and is for hockey rink lighting replacement at the Friendly Hills rink. This was pre-
approved through the City Council and is per the contract.
Councilmember Duggan moved to approve the Claims List.
Mayor Garlock seconded the motion.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
P) APPROVAL OF CHANGE ORDER FOR DERING PIERSON GROUP
Councilmember Duggan noted that he seemed to recall that there were one or two previous change
orders approved for this project and he asked why this is being referred to as Change Order #1. City
Administrator Mark McNeill replied that there was a change order on the design of the project.
However, this is the first change order with the Dering Pierson Group, the contractor who is completing
the work.
Councilmember Duggan moved to approve Change Order #1, as submitted by the Dering Pierson
Group, LLC, for the City Hall repairs and remodeling contract, in the amount of $10,298.00.
Mayor Garlock seconded the motion.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
Decenaber 19, 2017 Mendota Heights City Council Page 3 of 12
PUBLIC COMMENTS
A) HENRY SIBLEY MARCHING BAND
Ms. Gisele Taylor, Mendakota Court, provided a presentation on the Henry Sibley marching band's
invitation to perform in America's National Independence Day Parade in Washington, D.C. on July 4,
2018, as the official representative of the State of Minnesota.
The desire was to bring awareness of this honor and to ask for financial support. Donations can be given
online at henrysibleyband.org or by sending a check to Henry Sibley Marching Arts.
B) COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Mr. Bruce Vatne, 2205 Bent Tree Lane, stated he is pleased with the work the Council has completed.
He mentioned how quickly the Council moved on Minnehaha Academy to get the school relocated.
There have been several major events this past year that have taken a lot of time. He complimented the
Council and staff on their due diligence.
No items scheduled.
PUBLIC HEARING
NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A) NORTH-SOUTH MOBILITY TRAFFIC STUDY
Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek introduced Mr. Joe DeVore representing KLJ Engineering. The firm
completed a traffic study to analyze traffic on Delaware Avenue and Dodd Road. Mr. DeVore presented
their preliminary findings and asked for feedback and comments from the Councilmembers.
Mr. DeVore explained that KLJ was tasked with looking at the north-south mobility study for Delaware
Avenue and Dodd Road, and answer questions on the amount of additional traffic that may result from
the new Vikings training facility and the Inver Grove Heights AUAR's, as well as from other new
developments taking place in the city. The firm attempted to answer where the traffic volumes from
these new developments will be coming from and going to and which roadways would be impacted.
This included an existing and future safety and operations analysis, and looking at improvements of the
roadways.
Mr. DeVore shared images of the study area, which included 17 to 18 intersections mostly along Dodd
Road and Delaware Avenue, between I-494 and Minnesota Highway 110, as well as on Dodd Road
north of Highway 110 to Wentworth Avenue. KLJ looked at the corridor tradeoffs between mobility
and access.
Dodd Road is a minor arterial and Delaware Avenue is a major collector. Those types of roadways really
have to balance mobility where there is travel time going from one end to the other of the corridor, then
operations of the intersections, and access from residential and commercial segments on both of those
roadways.
Decenabe�� 19, 2017 A7endota Heights Ctty Council Page 4 of 12
KLJ looked at some of the previous forecasts that were done for these projects, including the 2030
Comprehensive Plan, the 2030 Regional Visioning Study, the 2035 Vikings AUAR and the 2030 Inver
Grove Heights AUAR. They looked at the different routes going to the Vikings practice facility and
developed a directional distribution. They estimated that approximately 9% of the outgoing trafiic would
be going westbound, 8% going eastbound on I-494; 8% going north using Dodd Road between I-494
and Highway 110, and 9% would be using Delaware Avenue — with a lot of that traffic using Highway
110 to access I-494 westbound. This was different than the Vikings AUAR with a little bit more volume
on Delaware Avenue, just because that is such an easy route to get to I-494 — and is a faster route — than
to make their way through the development to Dodd Road and then onto I-494.
For the Inver Grove Heights study, a lot of the traffic would be using the same route — Delaware Avenue
to Highway 110 to reach I-494 eastbound, and some traffic using Highway 110 to get to 35E or other
destinations.
Mr. Devore reviewed the number of daily trips coming from these developments:
• Vikings practice facility — projected at full development to produce approximately 40,000 daily
non-event trips
0 300 — 350 peak hour trips on Dodd Road and 320 — 340 peak hour trips on Delaware
Avenue; between I-494 and Highway 110
Vikings practice facility — projected at full development to produce 3,400 event trips to the
stadium in approximately 2 hours and an additional 1,700 peak hour trips total going to the
stadium
o Approximately 200 more trips on Dodd Road
Inver Grove Heights AUAR — looking at approximately 100,000 daily trips going to and from
this development
o Most of that traffic would use Delaware Avenue — 550 to 600 peak hour trips
o However, if the Argenta Interchange is constructed to the east of Delaware, this number
would drastically decrease to only 100 — 150 peak hour trips
o The Vikings facility Delaware Avenue traffic would also decrease with that interchange
Mendota Plaza Expansion — would create approximately 1,000 daily trips
o Would add approximately 75 — 95 peak hour trips to Dodd Road, mostly going to and
from Highway 110
Proposed senior housing development at The Village— would create approximately 550 — 600
daily trips
o Peak hour trips would be approximately 40 — 50 on Dodd Road
Daily Volumes:
• Dodd Road north of I-494 going from 22,900 daily trips to 35,500 daily trips by 2040
• Delaware Avenue, with the entire development of the Viking Lakes and Inver Grove Heights, the
daily trips would increase from 3,000 to 13,000 — without the Argenta interchange. If the
interchange is constructed that number would decrease drastically
• Highway 110 to the east of Delaware Avenue — increasing from approximately 30,000 to 44,800
daily trips
Dece»aber 19, 2017 Mendota Heights Ciry Cou�2cil Page 5 of 12
Mr. DeVore shared an image of the Level of Service (LOS) for these systems currently, what the
estimates would be for 2040 without the developments, and what that would be projected for 2040 with
the developments.
KLJ also looked at the existing safety and 5-year crash data for each intersection; and a signal warrant
analysis on all existing intersections that could be close to the signal warrants for 2040 conditions.
Preliminary Options:
• To counteract the Minnesota Highway 110 congestion, the options are a
0 6-lane section along Highway 110 with increased turns on Delaware and Dodd
o Super street or continuous flow intersection
o Make a11 minor turn right and then make a U-turn
o Interchange at the intersection, would have right-of-way and cost implications
• Plaza Drive intersection
o Leave it at full access
o Reduce access concept — would help to warrant signals at north and south intersections
• Marie and Wentworth
o Existing all-way stop is exhibiting failing operations in 2040 modeling
o Replace with signal or mini-roundabout
• Wagon Wheel Trail and Decorah
o Dodd Road reconstruction project will allow the pedestrian island to be constructed in the
middle and thus safer for pedestrians. Making it one lane in each direction, by 2040 this
would become unacceptable
o Signaling the existing layout and a mini-roundabout if realigned
• Lake Drive operations (Mendota Heights Road, Dodd Road, and Lake Drive)
o Assess for cut-through traffic--difficult intersection at Lake Drive/Dodd Road to turn left
o Improvements — instead of turning left at the minor stop during school peak hours,
putting in a roundabout would prioritize that movement
o Take preventative measures at Swan Drive intersection and restrict it west to north
movement with a raised median type or by closing that access from Swan Drive to Lake
Drive
• Delaware Avenue
o Push for the Argenta interchange on I-494 — alleviate a lot of traffic on Delaware Avenue
o Add additional guardrail segments because of the steep slopes
o If reconstructed in the future, consider curb and gutter
The next steps would be for KLJ to obtain comments, feedback, and suggestions from the City. Then
they will finalize a suggested improvement plan for the City.
Mayor Garlock asked for an explanation of what is meant by `peak hours'. Mr. DeVore replied that peak
hours are the morning and evening hours with the highest traffic volumes. The timeframe used was 7:15
to 8:15 am and 4:30 to 5:30 pm. KLJ also did a school peak hour count for the four intersections around
the schools of 2:45 to 3:45 pm.
Dece�7zbe�• 19, 2017 Rlendota Heiglats City Couizcil Page 6 of 12
Councilmember Duggan asked if there was consideration of an I-494 interchange closer to Robert
Street. Mr. DeVore replied that the preferred interchange from the Visioning Study is 1,500 feet to the
east of the existing Delaware Avenue overpass — connected into Argenta Trail, which would come up to
the north and Delaware Avenue would curve around to become an east/west connection into Argenta
Trail.
Councilmember Duggan asked when the Vikings study was completed versus when the Inver Grove
Heights AUAR study was completed. Mr. DeVore replied that the Vikings study was completed in 2016
and did not assume all of the Inver Grove Heights development volumes. The Inver Grove Heights study
was completed in 2007, with an update completed in 2012.
Councilmember Duggan asked if KLJ did comparisons between the Vikings and the Inver Grove
Heights studies and were there any anomalies. Mr. DeVore replied that the biggest difference was the
volume they assumed to be using Delaware Avenue. For the Inver Grove Heights analysis, it was a high
level study trying to decide where 100,000 trips were going that it was much more regionally focused.
Mr. DeVore also believed they assumed the Argenta interchange or Delaware Avenue interchange in
that study, or a future interchange. Most of the volume would be using Delaware Avenue to get to I-494
west. KLJ wanted to show the worst-case-scenario of volume coming from both developments without
an interchange, that is where 13,000 daily trips on Delaware Avenue came from.
Councilmember Petschel asked if any of the County developments or plans for Lone Oak Road figure
into the trafiic volume. Mr. DeVore replied in the affirmative. Councilmember Petschel pointed out that
it has not been made clear where the entrances and exits are going to be for the Vikings development.
Mr. DeVore noted that the plans are a bit firmer now. O'Neal is closed off from Dodd Road. However,
to the south, there is a connection to Dodd Road. There is a connection to Delaware Avenue on the east,
and there is one on the south side. It appears that Ames Crossing Road would be carrying a fair amount
of traffic to the south.
Mayor Garlock, referencing the Argenta interchange, asked for confirmation that it would be in and out
and be on the south side of I-494. Mr. DeVore replied that he believed it would not have an east
connection. It would only be to and from the west I-494.
Councilmember Petschel, referencing the intersection of Dodd Road and Highway 110, asked how
feasible would it be to create two turn lanes instead of the existing one, which would go a long way
towards alleviating the backup. Mr. DeVore replied that the concern would be the golf course property
on the west side of Dodd Road and then the Plaza development on the east side. He is unsure if that
expansion would work. However, looking at the 2040 traffic operations results, even with beefing up
that intersection with dual left-turn lanes and an extra southbound lane, it still had failing operations. So
KLJ looked at the alternative superstreets and continuous flow intersections, where they can separate out
the traffic so that there are movements going at the same time in order to have better operations at that
intersection.
Councilmember Petschel noted that the State will be completing major upgrades on Dodd Road this
summer. They will be addressing drainage issues, etc. and she understood that that would not
accomplish anything in terms of better traffic operations.
Decenzbe�• 19, 2017 Mendota Heights City Councal Page 7 of 12
Councilmember Miller asked Mr. DeVore if KLJ has had conversations with Trammel Crowe regarding
this study and the nature of that conversation. Mr. DeVore replied that he had spoken with the
consulting group that was doing the traffic study for that development to check their assumptions for the
development traffic going in and out of that development and what type of a building was going in there.
They could then go to trip generation logic to look at what trips would be generated by that type of a
development.
Councilmember Duggan asked if KLJ would be able to determine the potential impacts on the City of
Mendota Heights in relation to traffic noise, odors, and the extent of these over a period of not just the
peak hours. He wondered if there a way of calculating the negative impacts in lifestyle, way of living in
Mendota Heights from all of these developments. Mr. DeVore replied that was not part of their study,
however, they do have the ability to possibly do that in the future. They could quantify the emissions
from the increase in traffic.
Councilmember Duggan asked if they consulted with MnDOT or Dakota County in relation to traffic
studies or numbers that they have pertaining to this area over the years and if the trends were somewhat
similar to each other. Mr. DeVore replied that Dakota County is in the process of updating their 2030
Comp Plan to 2040. They have released some draft information that KLJ was able to look at. However,
they do not have quantifiable numbers to go along with it. It seemed to be matching the trends that were
put together from all of the development studies and 2030 information that both Dakota County and the
City have produced.
Councilmember Duggan asked how traffic from the parking lots will be handled going north from the
area. Mr. DeVore replied that they did not look into the parking analysis. Councilmember Duggan
suggested that this be reviewed as it would be a major contribution towards the traffic density that would
be created. Mr. DeVore stated that they did quantify the number of trips going to and from the
development as part of their study and he is confident in those numbers.
Councilmember Duggan wondered how much of this additional traffic is being created by the Vikings
development, and how does the City consign to the developer the costs of updating roads, bridges,
overpasses, etc. that are necessary to accommodate the traffic that they will create. Mr. DeVore replied
that they would try to quantify improvements needed for each intersection, what options would solve
these problems and bring that forward as the preferred concepts. The preferred options coming out of
this study can be used by the City to help get those changes recognized by the County and the State.
Councilmember Petschel, addressing summer camp at the Vikings development, asked what the average
attendance in Mankato was on a daily basis, keeping in mind that there would be more at this new
location based on accessibility. Mr. DeVore replied that it was much less than 10,000 a day. They had
approximately 60,000 to 70,000 visitors throughout the three weeks of training. She then asked if there
was traffic coming and going all day long or did they have peak times of travel. Mr. DeVore replied that,
as part of this study, they did not look at any of the Mankato intersections.
Councilmember Paper asked for a description of a mini-roundabout and how would a semi-truck get
around it. Mr. DeVore noted they have a raised median in the middle and it is a mountable curb. A
single-lane roundabout it usually constructed with a bigger radius and they have a median with plantings
and signage in the center.
Decei�aber 19, 2017 Alendota Heights City Coztncil Page 8 of 12
Councilmember Paper asked if a mini-roundabout would help at Dodd and Wentworth, or where streets
that do not meet at 90 degrees. Mr. DeVore replied that it would help at skewed intersections because
they would only be looking at traffic coming from the left into the roundabout.
Councilmember Paper asked how to move a pedestrian through that intersection. Mr. DeVore stated the
crosswalks are set back from the roundabout, before a driver gets into the roundabout. Entering vehicles
would see the pedestrians before they are even looking at traffic flow. A mini-roundabout provides a full
field of vision that is not available with a one-lane roundabout.
Councilmember Paper asked for a cost estimate of a mini-roundabout. Mr. DeVore replied that a mini-
roundabout could be built for $200,000 to $350,000 — based on what is done with pedestrian and
infrastructure around it. He was unable to provide a cost estimate on a four-way stop because they are
usually going from the four-way stop to a mini-roundabout.
When asked how close mini-roundabouts could be to each other, Mr. Devore answered that it would be
context specific and depends on what the minor street volumes are. They did look at the option of both
Marie and Wentworth in their modeling with mini-roundabouts and the queuing from either roundabout
seemed to work fine in the models. He was unable to provide an answer on the possibility of installing a
mini-roundabout at Market Street and whether it would be too close to Highway 110. The City could
test an improvement with mini-roundabouts at North Plaza Drive and Market Street, and then leave
Maple and South Plaza Drive as two-way stop intersections. One would get a substantial increase in
capacity with a mini-roundabout versus a four-way stop intersection.
An audience member noted that he did not hear anything about the traffic coming out of the Plaza area,
from the new development, and the kind of impact that would have on Highway 149. Mr. DeVore
replied that looking at the Mendota Plaza expansion, they would be seeing approximately 1,070 daily
trips — approximately 75 to 95 peak hour trips on Dodd Road, mostly going to Highway 110. The
existing volume using South Plaza Drive is approximately 1,500 and the future with development traffic
would be approximately 3,600. North Plaza Drive was not included as part of this study because it is a
private-owned access. The future 2040 condition with a full-build would create a LOS of F
(unacceptable). The LOS at South Plaza Drive onto Dodd Road is currently a C(stable flow) but would
be approaching a LOS of F.
Mr. Joe Betlej, 613 Winston Court, asked if considerations had been given for the fire department and
the expansion at the corner of South Plaza Drive. Mr. DeVore replied that they have not looked into any
alternatives at that intersection.
Councilmember Petschel asked if Mendota Heights did nothing, no development off of Dodd Road,
would it be fair to say that Dodd Road would still — because of the developments in Inver Grove Heights
and Eagan — deteriorate to the point where it was failing. Mr. DeVore replied that something would have
to be done by 2040 to address the traffic coming from the south.
Councilmember Duggan suggested that the Council write a letter to the State Representatives, to the
Metropolitan Council (MetCouncil), to County Representatives, to the City of Eagan, and the City of
Decembe�• 19, 2017 Mendota Heights Ci .ty Council Page 9 of 12
Inver Grove Heights regarding establishing the current conditions of traffic in Mendota Heights and the
anticipated traffic volume increase.
Councilmember Petschel recommended that when this study has been completed and the City has the
final recommendations, that a copy then be shared with the people Councilmember Duggan mentioned.
Mr. Joe Betlej, 613 Winston Court, expressed his appreciation to the Council for getting this study
underway. He mentioned that there has been a study from Eagan, a study from Mendota Heights, a study
from Inver Grove Heights, and a visioning study from the County; however, no one is in charge. This is
a patchwork quilt and no one is coordinating any of this. It seemed to him that the appropriate location
for oversight and coordination is the County. He hoped that this City Council would get onboard in
pursuing somebody having some oversight of the whole project — the Vikings Complex.
B) FIRE STATION ARCHITECTURAL STUDY
City Administrator Mark McNeill noted that this is a follow-up from the December l lth Council
Workshop regarding the future of the iire station. The Fire Chief indicated that he had been in contact
with CNH Architects who have completed other fire stations in the area. They submitted a proposal to
do some preliminary design work and estimates so the Council could look at what a firm cost would be.
Fire Chief Dave Dreelan provided a brief update and timeline for the proposed project. If approved, he
would work with CNH Architects weekly for the next six weeks with the end goal of having a detailed
design of what the station would look like. The next twelve weeks would be dedicated to construction
design elements and coming up with construction documents as well as bid documents; go through the
bidding process; with a look to have construction begin mid-summer of 2018. The end goal would be to
have the addition to the Fire Station enclosed by next winter.
Councilmember Duggan moved to authorize the execution of the proposal of CNH Architects of Apple
Valley, MN, to do a schematic design and schematic cost estimate for an addition to, and remodeling of
the Mendota Heights Fire station, as outlined in the proposal of December 13, 2017.
Mayor Garlock seconded the motion.
Due to his role on the fire department, Councilmember Miller abstained from voting.
Ayes: 4
Abstain: 1 (Miller)
Nays: 0
C) DAKOTA COUNTY BROADBAND JOlNT POWERS AGREEMENT
Assistant City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson explained that this was a request for Council to authorize
the execution of a Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) to establish a broadband joint powers entity for the
operation and administration of a county-wide fiber network, referred to as the I-Net or Institutional
Network. The proposed JPA is a culmination of several years of work by the Dakota County CDA and
the city workgroup, which Mendota Heights has been a part o£ The CDA led the discussions and the
design of the systems plan.
December• 19, 2017 Mendota Heights Ciry Council Page 10 of 12
Ms. Jacobson shared an image of the fiber network and explained that it runs through all of Dakota
County. At the July 18th Council meeting, staff had the consultants working with Dakota County CDA
present an update of this effort. At the Council's October 3ra meeting they approved the contract for
connecting to the I-Net and those projects are currently underway with an anticipated `lighting' date of
shortly after the first of the year.
Part of the administration and operation of this overall County network is the proposed Joint Powers
Agreement (JPA). She noted that the City of Eagan has elected not to participate.
The JPA is an overall agreement for administration and operation of the fiber network. Since the City
has elected to install and connect to the fiber network prior to the JPA being drafted, the City would
have separate agreements for each connection site — three agreements with Dakota County to utilize that
fiber, to maintain it, and to operate it. Under the JPA structure and the establishment of the broadband
entity, the City would just have one agreement.
Councilmember Duggan questioned the differences in costs between the participating cities. Ms.
Jacobson replied that the cost for Mendota Heights is $93,000, and referred to the capital cost to install
the backbone down Lexington Avenue. This was the workgroups estimate of costs for installing that
backbone piece. The difference in the capital costs for the gap project depended upon how much each
city had installed or how much they need to install in order to close those gaps in their area.
Councilmember Petschel moved to authorize the execution of the Joint Powers Agreement with Dakota
County, cities in Dakota County and Dakota County Community Development Agency (CDA) to create
a Dakota County Broadband joint powers entity to manage the Dakota County Fiber Network.
Councilmember Paper seconded the motion.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
City Administrator Mark McNeill had no community announcements.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Councilmember Duggan thanked everyone for being in attendance to hear about the traffic study and the
Henry Sibley Band going to Washington D.C., which to him is the most significant event of this year.
He wished everyone a blessed holiday season.
Councilmember Paper noted that it has been a very informative first year sitting on the Council and he
has enjoyed his time and getting to know his fellow councilmembers and residents. He wished everyone
Happy Hanukkah and a safe holiday season.
Councilmember Miller piggybacked on Councilmember Paper's comments, saying that it was
informative might be an understatement. He looks forward to three more years on the City Council.
Decenabet^ 19, 2017 Me�edota Heights City Cou�2cil Page 11 of 12
Mayor Garlock expressed appreciation to the community for attending the lightings in the park — the tree
lighting on December 2"d and the lighting of the Menorah on December 12th. He is looking forward to
another great year.
Councilmember Petschel gave kudos to the City's fourth high school that has been through so much this
year. On December 7th, they participated in a nationally televised basketball game between themselves
[Minnehaha Academy] and Apple Valley High School. She was happy to announce that Minnehaha
won.
She also mentioned that there is a young man in 8th grade at St. Thomas Academy who has qualified to
go to the National Figure Skating Championship.
Councilmember Petschel noted that it is wonderful experience to serve the City. She wished everyone a
very happy and blessed holiday season.
ADJOURN
Councilmember Paper moved to adjourn.
Councilmember Duggan seconded the motion.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
Mayor Garlock adjourned the meeting at 8:52 p.m.
�
Neil Garlock
Mayor
TTEST:
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.
Loni Smith
City Clerk
Decenaber 19, 2017 A7e�edota Heights City Cozt�zcil Page 12 of 12