2019-06-04 Council Work Session & Closed Session MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minutes of the City Council Work Session / Closed Session
Held June 4, 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 5:00 pm. Councilmembers Miller, Paper and
Petschel were also present. Councilor Duggan arrived at 5:05 pm.
City staff present included Mark McNeill, City Administrator; Cheryl Jacobson, Assistant City
Administrator; Tim Benetti, Community Development Director; Ryan Ruzek, Public Works
Director; and Lorri Smith, City Clerk.
CONSIDER PROPOSALS FOR THE SALE OF VACANT LOTS LOCATED AT
THE VILLAGE AT MENDOTA HEIGHTS
At the May 28th Council Work Session, the Council determined two finalists amongst the five
requests for proposals received for the sale of the vacant lots located at The Village.
Grand Real Estate Advisors — Judd Fenlon introduced the development team members including
Steve Norton, Brian Kueppers, and Paul Dzubnar. They are local developers with a stake in the
success of Mendota Heights.
This proposal included a mixed use commercial/residential concept. It will include a three-story,
45 unit apartment building for ages 55+, with underground parking, multiple public and
community spaces, and a fitness studio. The project will also include a 4,000 square foot full-
service restaurant within the building and a 2,000 square foot co -working space mix with private
office spaces. Maple Street will remain unchanged. The project has a projected value of $13 to
$16 million.
They noted how the development will complement the scale of the neighboring buildings and
reflect the design and construction quality of other significant projects in the neighborhood.
Closed Session — A motion was made by Mayor Garlock, seconded by Councilor Petschel, to
adjourn to a closed session of the City Council to discuss this proposal for the Village Lots
development, as permitted by Minnesota Statutes, Section 13D.05, Subdivision 3(c)(3), as the
Council will be considering an offer for the sale of City -owned property. The motion passed
unanimously.
The Council went into a closed session at 5:24 pm. Those present included Mayor Garlock,
Councilors Duggan, Miller, Paper and Petschel. City staff present included Mark McNeill, City
Administrator; Cheryl Jacobson, Assistant City Administrator; Tim Benetti, Community
Development Director; Ryan Ruzek, Public Works Director; and Lorri Smith, City Clerk.
Members of the development team present included Judd Fenlon, Steve Norton, Brian Kueppers,
and Paul Dzubnar. City Attorney Andy Pratt joined the closed session at 5:30 pm.
At 5:45 pm, a motion was made by Councilor Petschel, seconded by Mayor Garlock, to return to
an open meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
The City Administrator noted that no official action was taken by the Council in the closed session.
The Council will provide a summary of the closed session at the regular meeting of the City
Council.
At Home Apartments — Representatives Mike Cashill, President of At Home Apartments, along
with Leanna Stefaniak, representing At Home Apartments and Pete Keely, Architect, presented
their amended proposal which included three separate buildings. One apartment building which
will include 59 units, 16 of them will have private entries. Two other buildings will include
eight private entry row houses. The housing could be catered towards residents ages 55+. There
will be a total of 112 parking stalls, including 82 underground. Each row house will have a two
car garage attached. There will be 14 parking stalls for visitors.
At Home's proposal is exclusively dedicated to housing. They feel this is the best use of this
site. It provides a type of housing that is not currently available within the City, compliments the
existing residential neighborhood feel, and provides ample green space.
At Home Apartments is dedicated to providing high-quality apartment homes with a
commitment to promoting an eco -friendly environment. The apartments include energy
efficiencies throughout.
The project is estimated to have a value of $17.7 million.
Closed Session — A motion was made by Councilor Duggan, seconded by Councilor Petschel, to
adjourn to a closed session of the City Council to discuss this proposal for the Village Lots
development, as permitted by Minnesota Statutes, Section 13D.05, Subdivision 3(c)(3), as the
Council will be considering an offer for the sale of City -owned property. The motion passed
unanimously.
The Council went into a closed session at 6:09 pm. Those present included Mayor Garlock,
Councilors Duggan, Miller, Paper and Petschel. City staff present included Mark McNeill, City
Administrator; Andy Pratt, City Attorney; Cheryl Jacobson, Assistant City Administrator; Tim
Benetti, Community Development Director; Ryan Ruzek, Public Works Director; and Lorri Smith,
City Clerk. Members of the development team present included Mike Cashill, President of At
Home Apartments; Leanna Stefaniak, At Home Apartments; Pete Keely, Architect.
At 6:45 pm, a motion was made by Councilor Duggan, seconded by Councilor Petschel, to return
to the open meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
The City Administrator noted that no official action was taken by the Council in the closed session.
The Council will provide a summary of the closed session at the regular meeting.
June 4, 2019 City Council Work Session / Closed Session page 2 of 3
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 6:57 pm.
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Lorri Smith, City Clerk
Neil Garlock, Mayor
June 4, 2019 City Council ihork Session / Closed Session page 3 of 3