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2020-03-17 Council MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA Minutes of the Regular Meeting Held Tuesday, March 17, 2020 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. It was requested to add item 4b. Resolution 2020-23 Emergency Declaration. Councilor Petschel moved adoption of the agenda as amended. Councilor Miller seconded the motion. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 RESOLUTION 2020-23 EMERGENCY DECLARATION Mayor Garlock read the proposed resolution declaring an emergency declaration related to the pandemic virus COVID-19. City Administrator Mark McNeill read some minor provisions to the draft resolution that will provide additional flexibility for the city. He noted that once adopted this would be in place indefinitely until revoked by the Council. Councilor Paper asked if the timing should be tied to the County, using the example of the County stating that the emergency is over. Councilor Petschel commented that the ending will become self-evident, as the Governor will speak, followed by the County. City Administrator Mark McNeill noted that language could be added stating, until determined no longer needed by the Governor, or by the Council. Councilor Paper asked if 50 is still the limit for groups of people gathering. City Administrator Mark McNeill replied that number has been reduced to 10 or fewer. He stated that people need to use good judgement and socially distance from each other. He stated that City operations have been reviewed and staff has begun to take steps to close access to public sites. He provided an update on the status of different City buildings, noting that access can change as the situation evolves. He stated that if adopted, the format for City meetings will change and provided additional details. Mayor Garlock moved to adopt RESOLUTION 2020-23 PROCLAMATION AND DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY. Councilor Miller seconded the motion. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 PRESENTATIONS UPDATE ON FIRE STATION EXPANSION/REMODEL City Administrator Mark McNeill provided an update on the activities that took place over the past two week at the Fire Station, noting that the Fire Department should be occupying the new space in the next week. He stated that the remodeling of the original building is scheduled to begin once the frost clears from the ground. CONSENT CALENDAR Mayor Garlock presented the consent calendar and explained the procedure for discussion and approval. Councilor Petschel moved approval of the consent calendar as presented. a. Approval of March 4, 2020 City Council Minutes b. Approval of March 4, 2020 Council Closed Session Minutes c. Approval of March 4, 2020 Council Work Session Minutes d. Approve Resolution 2020-19 Supporting Congressional Funding of Governmental Programming Costs e. Approve Resolution 2020-20 Accepting Project and Approving Final Payment for the 2018 Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project f. Authorize Request for Proposals for Safety Consultant Services g. Ratify 2020-2021 Labor Agreement with the Minnesota Teamsters Local #320 h. Approve Purchase Order for Natural Resource Management at Oheyawahe/Pilot Knob i. Approve Resolution 2020-18 Sponsoring a Natural and Scenic Area Grant for 2085 Valencour Circle j. Acknowledge Building Activity Report k. Approve February 2020 Treasurer's Report 1. Approve Claims List in. Award a Contract for Street Sweeping March 17, 2020 Mendota Heights City Council Page 2 of 6 n. Authorize the Purchase of a Movable Training Wall System at Fire Station o. Approve the February 11, 2020 Parks and Recreation Minutes p. Acknowledge December 2019 Par 3 Financial Report q. Approve Amendment to Solar Garden Agreement with Northfield Solar, LLC r. Approve Resolution 2020-22 Declaring Surplus Fire Station Equipment, and Authorizing Sale or Disposal Councilor Miller seconded the motion. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 PUBLIC COMMENTS No one from the public wished to be heard. PUBLIC HEARINGS No items scheduled. NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS A) RESOLUTION 2020-17 APPROVE PLANS AND AUTHORIZE ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS FOR MARIE AVENUE STREET IMPROVEMENTS Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek explained that the Council was being asked to approve Resolution 2020-17 approving the plans and specifications and authorizing advertisement for bid for the Marie Avenue Street Improvements. Councilor Paper asked for details on the projected costs for the watermain and whose responsibility that would be. Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek reported an estimated cost of $189,750, which would be 100 percent the responsibility of Saint Paul Regional Water. He stated that there may be some additional road improvements near the watermain replacement that the City could negotiate with'Saint Paul Regional Water. Councilor Paper asked if the curb bump outs would be successful in calming traffic. Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek replied that bump outs have been successful in traffic calming. Mr. Ruzek stated that a public open house was scheduled for March 31St, but has been cancelled. City staff will send detailed letters to the property owners in lieu of that. Councilor Paper asked if there has been a change in the bidding climate as of yet. Mr. Ruzek commented that most municipal bids will open within the next two weeks and then it will be known as to the impact COVID-19 will have on that element. March 17, 2020 Mendota Heights City Council • Page 3 of 6 Councilor Petschel moved to approve RESOLUTION 2020-17 APPROVING FINAL PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND AUTHORIZING ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS FOR THE MARIE AVENUE STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECT. Councilor Miller seconded the motion. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 B) ORDINANCE NO. 555 AMENDING CODE REGARDING FALSE ALARM PENALTIES Police Captain Wayne Wegener provided a brief background on proposed Ordinance 555, amending City Code Title 5, Chapter 5-4(b)(2) concerning False Alarms Penalties. He noted that the penalties would be capped after the sixth false alarm at $100. He noted that this change does not include fire false alarms. Councilor Petschel noted the time and resources expended to respond to false alarms, which is why she will be supporting this ordinance. Councilor Petschel moved to adopt ORDINANCE NO. 555 AMENDING MENDOTA HEIGHTS CITY CODE TITLE 5, CHAPTER 5-4(B)(2) CONCERNING PENALTIES FALSE ALARM PENALTIES. Councilor Miller seconded the motion. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 C) RESOLUTION 2020-21 AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2085 VALENCOUR CIRCLE City Administrator Mark McNeill noted that the Council was being asked to consider approving an agreement for the purchase of real property located at 2085 Valencour Circle. This is a residential property and is located adjacent to Historic Pilot Knob preservation area. He noted that the City, earlier in the agenda, approved Resolution 2020-18, which authorized submittal for a Natural and Scenic Area Grant Application to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for acquisition of 2085 Valencour Circle. Councilor Paper asked if the County would only partner on the purchase if the grant is not received. City Administrator Mark McNeill confirmed that the County would only partner if the grant funds are not received. He explained that if the grant funds are received, the County would like to retain their funds. Councilor Petschel stated that the County is an important player for this site and the entire bluff, starting at Highway 13 and moving through Mendota Heights. She stated that the County would like to develop a cohesive and interpretive plan for the bluff. The County will expend resources going forward to develop a plan to enhance the bluff. She stated that if the grant is received, the County will still expend funds studying and executing a cohesive plan for the bluff. Mayor Garlock agreed that this purchase makes sense for the preservation of this historic land. March 17, 2020 Alendota Heights City Council Page 4 of 6 Councilor Miller agreed that, from a historical perspective, it makes sense to preserve this area. Councilor Petschel moved to ADOPT RESOLUTION 2020-21 AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2085 VALENCOUR CIRCLE, MENDOTA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA. Councilor Miller seconded the motion. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 Councilor Petschel moved to AUTHORIZE PAYMENT OF UP TO $40,000 IN EARNEST MONEY RELATED TO THE PURCHASE OF REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2085 VALENCOUR CIRCLE, MENDOTA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA. Councilor Miller seconded the motion. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS City Administrator Mark McNeill announced that the City is still accepting recreation registrations but noted that will be dependent upon the evolution of the COVID-19 situation. He extended a happy Saint Patrick's Day on behalf of Councilor Duggan. COUNCIL COMMENTS Mayor Garlock commented that Mendota Heights is a beautiful city and Minnesota has a top-notch healthcare system. He stated that the residents will weather the storm and come back stronger. Councilor Miller stated that if the past weeks are an indication of what's to come, this will be a defining moment for everyone. He stated that history reminds us that people are resilient and can face any challenge presented. He stated that they will get through this together and come out the other side stronger. He commented that it is important to pay close attention and adhere to any policy changes and recommendations from local, state and national agencies. He also asked people to look out for their neighbors. He stated that Mendota Heights has multiple generations, some of which will be vulnerable during this time, and encouraged people to check in on each other. He also wished everyone a happy Saint Patrick's Day. Councilor Paper stated that he is looking forward to seeing everyone again soon. Councilor Petschel stated that the Mendota Heights Facebook page is an excellent source of information and updates to the actions necessary to limit exposure to COVID-19. She stated that restaurants in the community will struggle during this time but will still offer takeout service and encouraged residents to take advantage of that service. Alarch 17, 2020 Mendota Heights City Council Page 5 of 6 ADJOURN Councilor Petschel moved to adjourn. Councilor Paper seconded the motion. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 Mayor Garlock adjourned the meeting at 7:52 p.m. Neil Garlock Mayor ApTTEST• Lorri Smith City Clerk March 17, 2020 Mendota Heights City Council Page 6 of 6