2018-05-16 Joint Council-Parks Rec Commission minutes CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minutes of the Joint City Council—Parks Recreation Commission Work Session
Held May 16, 2018
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a work session of the City Council, City of Mendota
Heights, Minnesota was held at the City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, Minnesota.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Garlock called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm. Councilmembers Duggan, Miller, Paper,
Petschel were present.Parks and Recreation Commission members present included Hinderscheid,
Miller, Klepperich, Tupper, Kipp, and Goldade. Commissioner Levine was absent.
City staff present included Mark McNeill, City Administrator; Tim Benetti, Community
Development Director; Ryan Ruzek, Public Works Director; Cheryl Jacobson, Assistant City
Administrator;Meredith Lawrence, Recreation Program Coordinator; and Lorri Smith, City Clerk.
NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT PLAN
Fred Rozumalaki, Landscape Ecologist with Barr Engineering,presented on the purpose of a Natural
Resources Master Plan and the different parts that would be included in the plan. He explained that
managing natural resources would directly affect the health and wellness of the residents and attract
people to Mendota Heights. A Natural Resources Master Plan would include defining the plan,
natural threats, invasive species, and opportunities. The process of writing a master plan would take
six to eight months. Also included in the plan would be a work plan and measurement tools to track
progress. It was noted that grant money is hard to obtain for the development of a plan.
Various questions from the audience were addressed. Mr. Rozumalaki noted that a Natural
Resources Plan would be reviewed and updated every ten years.
Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek address the best format for a Natural Resources Commission. He
will continue to work with Barr Engineering and report back to the City Council with a proposal
from Barr Engineering for creating a Natural Resources Master Plan for the City.
DISCUSSION ON 2040 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE SECTION
Community Development Director Tim Benetti discussed the natural resources section of the 2040
Comprehensive Plan. He noted that this section is not required but it will be included in the update.
The section will not be as detailed as a Master Plan and is meant not to be specific. It will identify
goals and policies for natural resources.
Mr. Benetti asked for volunteers from the residents present to work with him on finalizing this
section of the Comprehensive Plan update.
CITY EMERALD ASH BORER RESPONSE
Mr. Ruzek reviewed the Ash Tree Management Policy of the City. He noted that boulevard trees that
need to be removed will not be replaced due to the damage trees cause to streets, sidewalks, curbs,
and underground utilities. The city is removing some of the trees on public property that have been
infected with emerald ash borer. He further noted that some of the more prominent trees that are
infected are being treated every two years.
Mr. Ruzek discussed ways the City may be able to help residents with managing emerald ash borer
on their properties by offering a tree sale, and by contracting with a tree service provider to provide a
discounted rate for emerald ash borer treatment.
The Council directed Mr. Ruzek to work with a tree service provider for a discounted rate for
emerald ash borer treatments in which residents can participate. A possible tree sale will be
considered in the fall.
GREEN STEP CITIES PROGRAM DISCUSSION
Mr. Ruzek presented the GreenStep program for discussion. It is a voluntary challenge and
recognition program that provides a framework to help cities achieve their economic, environmental,
and quality -of -life goals. The program is based on 29 best practices. These are tailored to Minnesota
cities and focus on cost savings and energy use reduction. They also encourage civic innovation.
The benefits of the GreenStep program include allowing a city to `brand' itself as a green
community, provide access to additional grant money, and provide a database for cities to share
information with each other about sustainability initiatives.
The Council determined that it would be best to develop the natural resources goals first, and then
address participating in this program in the future.
NATURAL RESOURCES STAFFING
Assistant City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson addressed the staffing needs for natural resources and
engineering. A proposed job description for a Natural Resources Technician was presented for
review. It is proposed to hire one full-time staff person to handle natural resources for the city, while
still allowing engineering staff some time to address the GIS needs for the city. The Council was
comfortable with this proposal.
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 pm.
Lorri Smith, City Clerk
May 16, 2018 Joint Council -Parks Rec Commission Work Session
Neil Garlock, Mayor
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