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2019-08-20 Council Work Session MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA Minutes of the City Council Work Session Held August 20, 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 Duggan, Miller, Paper and Petschel were also present. City staff present included Mark McNeill, City Administrator; Cheryl Jacobson, Assistant City Administrator; Kristen Schabacker, Finance Director; Ryan Ruzek, Public Works Director; Tim Benetti, Community Development Director; John Boland, Public Works Superintendent; Krista Spreiter, Natural Resources Technician; Lorri Smith, City Clerk. CONTINUATION OF DISCUSSION OF FY2020 PROPOSED BUDGET Parks— City Administrator McNeill stated that this budget has a slight decrease. It was noted that the tree removal budget is for removing diseased trees during the year. The tree sale is also partially subsidized through this budget. Ryan Ruzek discussed the need for the current 2002 Natural Resources Plan to be updated at an estimated cost of $150,000. The recommendation is to budget for half of this cost in 2020, and the second half in 2021. A consultant would be hired to help complete the field work and data collection. Councilor Paper questioned if a scaled back plan could be completed this year to send to the state legislature a request for state funding. Councilor Petschel stated that she would want to see a very strategic plan with specific goals for each year, explaining exactly how to complete each goal. She would like to see everything looked at and the goals ranked according to need. Councilor Duggan stated that it would be important for this plan to incorporate the goals included in the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Ruzek explained the request for a Toro sprayer at a cost estimate of $62,329. The estimated life of this sprayer would be 15 to 20 years. Mr. Boland noted that Toro is the industry standard and is a proven brand. The current 2010 sprayer is mounted on a utility vehicle and is undersized. If approved, the current sprayer would be used for other purposes. Mr. Ruzek requested funding for the installation of native plantings at a cost of $5,000 and for maintenance of native plantings at a cost of $5,000. This would reduce the areas that currently needs to be mowed. A request has been made for $10,000 for improvements to the skate park. This would include the installation of three new pieces of equipment, which would make a larger scale reconstruction unnecessary. Recreation— This proposed budget has an increase of $9,000 due to programming costs and staff costs. It was noted that the current programming will be reviewed at the end of the season to see if it was successful, or how it may be improved upon. Councilor Duggan suggested working with the school district on certain programs for children. A request was made for a full time Office Assistant position to help with the office duties for Recreation. This office assistant would work 60% of the time on recreation clerical duties. The remaining hours would be spent working with the Community Development Director and the Finance Director. A request for a backup generator was discussed, at an estimated cost of $10,000. This would be installed at the Par 3 Maintenance Building. If electrical power was lost, this generator would control the heat in the building to prevent the sprinkler pipes from freezing. Mr. Ruzek discussed a request for a greens mower at an estimated cost of $47,000. This would replace two pieces of equipment, which would be traded in. Council Miller suggested exploring the purchase of a used greens mower. Regarding the Par 3 Enterprise Fund, Councilor Petschel suggested the City follow through on the City Auditor's recommendation to making this a Special Revenue Fund or placing it within the General Fund. Special Parks Fund— The prioritization of projects was discussed. It was noted that the top projects to be focused on include dugouts at Mendakota Park, playground improvements, tennis court resurfacing improvements at Friendly Hills, and the Par 3 trail connection. Mr. Ruzek stated that the Par 3 trail connection will be challenging due to a steep ravine in the area. A Splash Pad project was discussed and determined to not be a priority. Projects that will be removed from the priority list include Pilot Knob restoration (at least in terms of city funding), Mendakota field lighting, and a Friendly Marsh Archery field. Budget improvement packages for Wentworth Park included the reconstruction of the tennis courts ($80,000), replacement of the warming house ($250,000), parking lot and trail improvements ($90,000), and playground improvements ($140,000) were discussed. Other improvements proposed included the expansion of the basketball court at Ivy Hills Park and the replacement of the backstop at Friendly Hills Park. Capital Improvements Plan — Mr. Ruzek reviewed the updated 5 -year capital improvements plan which was provided to the Council. No changes were suggested. August 20, 2019 Council Work Session- Budget Page 2 Other Discussion Request from Mendota Heights Athletic Association (MHAA) — Staff presented a request from MHAA to waive invoiced charges for athletic field tournament usage. The amount invoiced was determined by the 2019 fee schedule. The invoice was for softball/baseball field use and concession stand use in the amount of $4,365. It was noted that a second invoice will be issued to MHAA that week for field usage for practices and games in the amount of $4,368. Mr. McNeill stated that the field use revenue projections for 2020 have been decreased from $30,000 to $5,000. Mr. McNeill presented the levy projections for the different options presented. It was noted that the basic budget with the Parks Maintenance worker included would total a 6.72% levy increase. The levy projection for a budget including the Parks Maintenance position and an increase in the employee health insurance contribution would total a 7.25% levy increase. The levy projection for a budget with the Parks Maintenance position, an increase in employee health insurance contribution, and the Office Assistant position included would total a 7.8% levy increase. Previous years' levy increases have been 2019-9.82%; 2018-7.52%; 2017-7.88%; It was recommended that the adoption of the preliminary budget and levy will be presented at the September 17th Council meeting. Councilor Petschel stated that she would like to see a memo showing the balances of what is in the fund balances and a list of what is being proposed to be spent out of these funds. The Council agreed to schedule a work session prior to the regular Council meeting on September 17th, so that the preliminary budget and proposed levy could be adopted at that time. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Mayor Garlock adjourned the meeting at 7:01 p.m. Neil Garlock Mayor ATTE Lorri Smith, City Clerk August 20, 2019 Council TFork Session- Budget Page 3