2019-01-29 Council Work Session MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minutes of the Council Work Session
Monday, January 29, 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 12:15 p.m. Councilmembers Miller, Paper and Petschel
were also present. Councilmember Duggan was available by remote video. 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, City Attorney Andy Pratt, and City Clerk Lorri Smith.
VILLAGE MORTGAGE
The Council continued the discussion from the January 7, 2019 Council Work Session regarding the
mortgage issue for the ABC parcel, located at The Village. City Attorney Andy Pratt reviewed with
the Council what is owed to the City by RMF Group, the management company, and a request by RMF
to relay the proceeds of an escrow account to RMF. 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 was to be paid to the City over time. The City was to assist in the development by selling
off various parcels of land. The proceeds from the land sales were to be used in part to assist in the
construction of parking facilities. However, due to a local and national economic downturn, the
development of some of the parcels did not proceed as planned, leading to financial issues which are
unresolved as of today.
Attorney Pratt noted that the escrow account for this development was closed in 2013
The Council discussed how they would like to proceed with this issue. City staff was directed to meet
with RMF Group to discuss clearing the title for this property.
VACANT VILLAGE LOTS
The Council discussed the possible development of the four parcels in the Village, between Dodd Road
and Linden Street, which are owned by the City. The parcels total approximately 3.25 acres in size.
Community Development Director Tim Benetti discussed various concept plans with the Council. He
showed five plans which were unsolicited, but had been submitted to the City over the past several
month as consideration for the development of the vacant lots. Plans proposed included:
1. Row houses constructed in four separate buildings for a total of 70 units. These would be 2 or 3
story buildings with flat roofs. The concept plan also showed a 4th story use.
2. A single 4 story market rate apartment building with up to 100 units.
3. A single 4 story senior cooperative building with up to 100 units.
4. Detached town house villas with up to 16 units.
5. A single story building commercial building, possibly containing a preschool.
The Council was asked to establish design parameters for the establishment of a Request for Proposals
to be sent out to prospective developers. The City would consider the proposals, and invite the top
prospects in for further presentations. It could then negotiate to sell the parcels to the developer with
the most desirable proposal. It was noted that Maple Street could also be moved to allow for better
traffic flow accessing Dodd, -and would also allow all four parcels to be joined together.
Councilmember Paper noted that concept #1 would be located on three parcels leaving one for open
space. He noted that he is in favor of having some density in this area, but he is not in favor of a four
story building or the development of a preschool on these lots.
Councilmember Duggan questioned the height comparison of the proposed buildings with those
currently existing at The Village. He stated he is in favor of moving Maple Street to allow the four lots
to be joined together. He noted that he favored the row house concept, and a density of up to 100 units.
He stated he would not like to see one large building on these lots, or any buildings that are four stories
in height.
Councilmember Petschel stated she feels the Council needs to consider what is good for The Village
businesses. She stated she feels that Maple Street should be moved, to realign it with Hilltop Road.
Councilmember Miller stated he would like to see the height of the buildings tapered off Dodd Road.
He questioned the density that the zoning would allow for in this area. He stated he would not like to
see a density over 70 units.
Mayor Garlock stated that he liked the row house or the apartment building concepts with flat roofs
and a density level of up to 100 units. He stated he is in favor of the realignment of Maple Street and
would not like to see any type of commercial development on these lots.
The Councilmembers agreed to focus the RFP on the following design parameters:
-A residential development
-No more than three story building height
-Multiple buildings are favored over one large building
-Flat roof style
-Up to 100 units of density
-Move Maple Street to realign with Hilltop Road, but not move the utilities
-A mixed-use development is acceptable
The Request for Proposal will be brought to a future Council meeting for approval.
GOAL SETTING
City Administrator Mark McNeill reviewed the goals established from the January 7th Goal Setting
Session. The goals had been grouped into major categories. A continued discussion of these goals will
be held at an upcoming work session of the Council.
January 29, 2019 Council Work Session Page 2 of 3
Mayor Garlock adjourned the meeting at 2:30 p.m.
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Neil Garlock, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Lorri Smith, City Clerk
January 29, 2019 Council TT�ork Session Page 3 of 3