2019-05-14 Council Work Session MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minutes of the City Council Work Session
Held May 14, 2019
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 1:00 pm. Councilmembers Duggan, Miller, Paper
and Petschel were also present.
City staff present included Mark McNeill, City Administrator; Cheryl Jacobson, Assistant City
Administrator; Community Development Director Tim Benetti; Ryan Ruzek, Public Works
Director; Kristen Schabacker, Finance Director; and Lorri Smith, City Clerk.
ADDITION TO THE AGENDA
Mayor Garlock made a motion to add to the agenda, after item #3., titled 4. Discussion of How to
Proceed with Proposals Received for the Sale of The Village vacant lots.
The motion was seconded by Councilor Duggan and passed unanimously.
DISCUSSION ON PERSONAL SELF -STORAGE USES
Community Development Director Tim Benetti explained the request amend Code to allow
"Personal Self -Storage Facility" as a conditional use in the I -Industrial District. Metro Storage
desires to build an 80,000 square foot facility in the Industrial Park. Currently, the code does not
allow for any self -storage facilities anywhere in the city.
At the May 7th Council meeting, the Council discussed the distance that should be required
between a storage facility and a residential use or zone. Mr. Benetti showed the various distance
measurements from the proposed site using the Dakota County GIS mapping system. It was
noted that 1,320 feet would still allow another self -storage facility in the southwest quadrant of
the city.
Councilor Petschel questioned if a self -storage facility could be allowed as a conditional use.
She also questioned if the city could prevent self -storage facilities that have garage door access
directly to the individual's storage unit. It was noted that item F. stating that all storage space
openings shall be oriented internally to the facility and shall not directly face a public highway.
Mr. Bob Heilman, VP of Development at Metro Storage, LLC, stated that some cities require a
maximum or a minimum number of acres for a self -storage facility to be allowed. They also noted
that the facility would be built to allow for the largest firetruck to have easy access around the
building.
It was suggested that recreational vehicles be added to the list of prohibited vehicles and a
maximum of three drive -up bays be included in the ordinance. The Council also agreed that a self -
storage facility should not be closer than 1,320 feet to the nearest residential district.
DISCUSSION OF RMF GROUP — ESCROW ACCOUNT
City Attorney Andy Pratt reviewed with the Council what is owed to the City by RMF Group,
the management company of The Village at Mendota Heights. 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 repaid 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
deposited into an escrow account and were to be primarily used to construct parking facilities.
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. The Council decided to
not pursue this issue.
DISCUSSION OF PROPOSALS RECEIVED FOR THE SALE OF THE VILLAGE LOTS
City Administrator Mark McNeill stated that five proposals have been received in response to the
Request for Proposals advertised for the sale of the city's vacant lots located near The Village.
The Council was advised they could go into a closed session meeting of the City Council to discuss
the specifics about the proposals and to negotiate a contract with the winning proposal. The
Council members discussed the importance of taking public input before a final decision is made.
The Council decided the meeting to discuss the five proposals will be held on May 21st at 1:00
pm in the City Council Chambers. The meeting will be open to the public but public input will
not be heard.
DISCUSSION OF RECREATIONAL FIELD USE / FEES CHARGED
City Administrator Mark McNeill and Assistant City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson discussed
with the Council an issue with Mendota Heights Athletic Association's reservations for soccer
field use. It was noted that the association has notified the City that they will not be reserving City
soccer fields for use in the fall. It was noted that a newly formed soccer club has submitted an
application to reserve the soccer fields in the fall.
DISCUSSION OF 2019-2020 GOALS
This item will be discussed at a future meeting.
V-0- 0111 :►
The meeting was adjourned at 3:15 pm.
Lorn mith, City Clerk
Neil Garlock, Mayor
May 14, 2019 City Council Work Session page 2 of 2