2019-04-02 Council MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
Held Tuesday, April 2, 2019
i
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. Councilors Paper, Miller, and Petschel were also
present. Councilor Duggan was absent.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council, the audience, and staff recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
AGENDA ADOPTION
Mayor Garlock presented the agenda for adoption. Councilor Petschel moved adoption of the agenda.
Councilor Miller seconded the motion.
Ayes: 4
Nays: 0
Absent: 1 (Duggan)
CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Garlock presented the consent calendar for approval. Councilor Petschel moved approval of the
consent calendar as presented and authorization for execution of any necessary documents contained
therein.
a. Approve March 19, 2019 City Council Minutes
b. Approve February 26, 2019 Council Work Session Minutes
c. Acknowledgement of the February 26, 2019 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
d. Acknowledgment of the January 16, 2019 Airport Relations Commission Meeting Minutes
e. Approve Temporary Liquor License for St. Thomas Academy for April 26 - 27, 2019
f. Approve Temporary Liquor License for Beth Jacob Congregation for May 5, 2019
g. Approval to Replace Check Valves at the Main Lift Station
h. Approve Ordinance 539 Updating the Tobacco -Free Policy in City Parks
i. Approve Ordinance 540 Updating the Stormwater and Erosion Control Ordinance
j. Accept Retirement Notice of Terry Blum and Authorize Recruitment to Fill Public Works
Superintendent Position
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k. Approve Resolution 2019-25 Community Roadside Landscape Partnership Application for Mendota
Road Landscaping Improvements
1. Approve Job Description and Authorize Recruitment for a Natural Resources / GIS Intern
m. Acknowledgement of February 2019 Fire Synopsis
n. Approval of Claims List
o. Approve Contract for Fire Station Construction Materials Testing Services
p. Approve Contract for Fire Station Wet Pipe Fire Sprinkler System
Councilor Miller seconded the motion.
Ayes: 4
Nays: 0
Absent: 1 (Duggan)
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Ms. Barb Theisen, 714 Linden Street, in regards to the Request for
Proposals for The Village lots, stated that she appreciated that the residents were able to provide feedback
at the last Council meeting and that the Mayor recently met with the residents of this area. It was
dismaying, however, that the RFP was not tweaked based on residents' comments to scale back the number
of units. She reminded the Council of the public reaction to the Trammel Crow Project proposed for those
same lots. She encouraged the Council to only consider proposals that are in-line with the existing plan
for this area. A large-scale apartment building on this site is not the right fit.
No items scheduled.
PUBLIC HEARING
NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A) RESOLUTION 2019-24 APPROVING A CRITICAL AREA PERMIT AND VARIANCE TO
JOHN AND THERESA COSGRIFF, FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1875 HUNTER LANE
(PLANNING CASE NO. 2019-05)
Community Development Director Tim Benetti explained that this was a request from Charlie & Co.
Design on behalf of John and Theresa Cosgriff, who were seeking approval of a Critical Area Permit
and Variance to remove an existing single-family home and rebuild a new single-family home in its
place. The property is located at 1875 Hunter Lane, which is located within the Mississippi River
Corridor Area (MRCA), thus the request for the Critical Area Permit. They were also requesting a
Variance from the bluff -line setback requirements.
Councilor Miller, referencing the string -line rule to the back of the homes, asked if the existing home
was built prior to the neighboring homes to the north and south, and is that why the homes do not line
up. Mr. Benetti confirmed. Councilor Miller commended the homeowners for planning for the least
amount of disruption to the bluff area by maintaining the current footprint and putting the addition to the
east, well away from the bluff area.
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Councilor Petschel observed that many homes in this area were platted before the string -line rule went
into effect. For homes built prior to that point, variances may be necessary to building on the same pad.
Councilor Paper stated that the addition of a rain garden to capture the water run-off, along with the
addition of new trees, make this a terrific project.
Mayor Garlock expressed his opinion that this is going to be a beautiful home and that the owners have
put a lot of thought into it.
Councilor Petschel moved to adopt RESOLUTION 2019-24 APPROVING A CRITICAL AREA
PERMIT WITH VARIANCE FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1875 HUNTER LANE (PLANNING
CASE NO. 2019-06).
Councilor Miller seconded the motion.
Ayes: 4
Nays: 0
Absent: 1 (Duggan)
B) PAR 3, RECREATION PROGRAM, AND PARKS ANNUAL REPORT
Recreation Program Coordinator Meredith Lawrence presented the 2018 year-end review for Parks,
Recreation, and Par 3. Ms. Lawrence noted new commissioners Daniel Sherer and Stephanie Meyer who
were appointed to the Parks and Recreation Commission. Facility and parks improvements that were
made in 2018 were noted.
Ms. Lawrence reviewed the recreation programs offered. The recreation programs included 696
participants and softball had 360 participants. She highlighted plans for 2019 which will include Tour
de Rec Program -partnering with West St. Paul; an additional movie night; revival of the summer concert
series; a Glow Run; offering youth art classes and possibly theater classes; and workouts in the park.
Ms. Lawrence noted that the 2018 Par 3 revenue totaled $132,519 and expenditures were $142,608.
Equipment purchased in 2018 for the Par 3 included a rough mower, fairway mower, debris blower, and
a utility cart. The Par 3 had 187 participants in golf leagues and 140 participants in golf camps during
the summer of 2018.
Councilor Miller commented that the report was well done, very thorough and informative.
Councilor Paper, in reference to the golf course, asked how they planned to market the senior league
better. Ms. Lawrence replied that she was working with some of the seniors that were in the league last
year to try to promote it more heavily with their friends. They are also going to be reaching out to some
senior living developments in the area.
Councilor Paper asked if there is any record of how much additional revenue the Groupon coupon
brought in, in the past. Ms. Lawrence replied that she believed it brought in between $7,000 or $8,000.
Staff feels that it is a good way to bring in extra revenue along with new users.
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Councilor Paper asked if there would be a fee associated with the Tour de Ree Program. Ms. Lawrence
replied that there is no fee for that program.
Councilor Petschel asked which high schools were using the golf course. Ms. Lawrence replied that St.
Paul Academy, Visitation, Cretin -Derham Hall, Humboldt, St. Croix Lutheran all use the Par 3 for their
golf programs.
Ms. Lawrence confirmed that April 9, 2019 would be the opening day for the Par 3 this year.
Councilor Paper asked how the course is looking after the winter season. Ms. Lawrence answered that
the course is in good shape.
Mayor Garlock stated that this was an outstanding report and he appreciated it.
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
City Administrator Mark McNeill announced that, weather permitting, the Par 3 will be open on April 9th
The City is hosting an Earth and Arbor Day volunteer event on April 27th from 10:00 am until noon at
Mendakota Park, Rogers Lake, and Valley Park. The Recreation Department is looking for one more
softball team in the adult league. Clean-up Day is scheduled for May 4th from 8:00 am until noon.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Councilor Petschel asked if anyone has ever kept records on ice out on Rogers Lake. On one side of the
lake the ice is gone; however, on the other side it is pretty prevalent.
Mayor Garlock congratulated Minnehaha Academy boys basketball team who won the AA state
tournament for a second consecutive year.
Councilor Miller commented that now that the snow is gone, the high school Track & Field teams are out
running. He requested that drivers be diligent and mindful of the runners. Share the road and keep
everyone safe.
Councilor Paper wished the best of luck with the fourth quarter to the all of the students in the district.
ADJOURN
Councilor Paper moved to adjourn.
Councilor Petschel seconded the motion.
Ayes: 4
Nays: 0
Absent: 1 (Duggan)
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Mayor Garlock adjourned the meeting at 7:38 p.m.
Neil Garlock
Mayor
ATTEST:,
Lorri Smith
City Clerk
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