2019-01-07 Council Work Session MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minutes of the Council Work Session
Monday, January 7, 2019
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 12:00 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, Police Chief Kelly McCarthy, City
Attorney Andy Pratt, and City Clerk Lorri Smith.
VILLAGE MORTGAGE
City Attorney Andy Pratt reviewed with the Council an outstanding mortgage that is owed to the City
by RMF Group, the management company at The Village at Mendota Heights. This is for the parcel
referred to as the `ABC parcel'. The City sold the ABC parcel to Mendota Heights Town Center, LLC,
the developer of the property, for $295,505. $265,954.50 of that amount was deferred and would be
paid by the developer to the City over time.
The City was to assist the development by selling off various parcel of land. The proceeds from the
land sales were to be primarily used to construct parking facilities.
Attorney Pratt has been researching the issue of a possible remaining amount in an escrow account.
RMF has asked that any remaining amount in this account be credited to the outstanding balance of the
mortgage. City records show the escrow account rose and fell based on the deposit of land sale
revenues and requested disbursements for parking facility construction. The account was closed in July
2013.
The Council discussed how they would like to proceed with this issue. Staff was directed to contact
former Mayor John Huber, former City Councilmember Jack Vitelli, Prior Lake State Bank, and RMF
Group to see if they have any additional information.
GOAL SETTING SESSION
Facilitator Mark Nagel directed a goal setting session with the Council and staff. City Administrator
Mark McNeill reviewed the goals and status thereof which were identified in May, 2017. Council and
staff then submitted new goals that they thought were important for the City accomplish over the next
18 months. The goals were then grouped into the following categories:
Communications:
1. Work to receive better cell phone coverage in our city.
2. Complete a resident survey.
3. Receive quarterly reports from Fire, Police, and Public Works Departments.
4. Building better connections with/engage our community.
5. Prepare for the 2020 census.
Governance:
1. More face-to-face communication with local leaders (Met Council, State Legislators, MAC,
etc.)
2. Create a Yellow Ribbon Committee, partner with area cities' Yellow Ribbon Committees
3. Seek additional partnerships with area cities
4. Assure that public meetings are civil.
5. Update the commissions' bylaws / hold commission members orientation training
6. Engage with residents regarding airplane noise issues.
7. Broadcast ARC meetings on NDC4
8. Create a City IT Commission
9. Create a partnership with the newly formed Mendota Heights Foundation
10. Create a Kids Council
Parks:
1. Creation of additional athletic fields
2. Offer additional summer adult programming
3. Reimage park space
4. Find a permanent source for Parks funding
5. Involve more youth
6. Partner with West St. Paul for drop-in youth programming
Facility Improvements:
1. Complete a Police department space analysis study
2. Update of Administration offices, breakroom, restrooms, other public spaces in City Hall
3. Create a Fire Station room reservation policy
Operational Improvements:
1. Update zoning and platting ordinances
2. Completion of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan
3. Purchase of permitting / licensing software
4. Move to be more paperless / scan permanent records into Laserfiche
5. Upgrade Finance accounting software
6. Transition to close city hall on Friday afternoons, open longer hours M -Th
7. Complete an additional street sweeping (go to 3x per year)
8. Update snowplowing best practices
9. Greensteps City sustainability
10. Update the Natural Resources Plan
January 7, 2019 Council Work Session Page 2 of 3
Public Safety:
1. Complete an active shooter tabletop training exercise
2. Create a Citizens Advisory Panel for Police Department
Transportation:
1. Participate with area cities in regional planning for transportation issues - Dodd/Delaware
Economic Development:
1. Market and sell the vacant Village lots for development.
2. Initiate a local lodging tax.
Mayor Garlock adjourned the meeting at 3:00 p.m.
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Neil Garlock, Mayor
ATTEST:
Lorri Smith, City Clerk
Jamar y 7, 2019 Council Work Session Page 3 of 3