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2020-06-16 Council MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA Minutes of the Regular Meeting Held Tuesday, June 16, 2020 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the regular meeting of the City Council, City of Mendota Heights, Minnesota was held at 5:00 p.m. at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, Minnesota. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Garlock called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. Councilors Duggan (arrived at 5:07 p.m.), Paper, Miller, and Petschel were also present. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council, the audience, and staff recited the Pledge of Allegiance. AGENDA ADOPTION Mayor Garlock presented the agenda for adoption. He noted an additional item 7d. Discuss Council Meeting Dates/Times. Councilor Petschel moved adoption of the agenda with the addition. Councilor Miller seconded the motion. A roll call vote was performed: Councilor Miller aye Councilor Paper aye Councilor Petschel aye Mayor Garlock aye PRESENTATIONS UPDATE ON FIRE STATION EXPANSION/REMODEL City Administrator Mark McNeill provided an update on the progress of the fire station expansion/remodel. 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 June 2, 2020 City Council Minutes b. Approve the Transfer of the Off -Sale Liquor License and Tobacco License to New Owner, Starlights 168 Liquor LLC, dba Mendota Liquor Barrel, 766 North Plaza Drive c. Approve Off Sale 3.2% Liquor License Renewal for Speedway #4516 d. Approve New Licenses for Haiku Japanese Restaurant, On Sale Wine and 3.2% Liquor e. Approve the Renewal of Massage Business and Therapists Licenses f Approve City COVID-19 Preparedness Plans g. Approve Police Officer Hire h. Approve Building Activity Report for May 2020 i. Approval of May 2020 Treasurer's Report j. Approval of Claims List Councilor Miller seconded the motion. A roll call vote was performed: Councilor Paper aye Councilor Petschel aye Mayor Garlock aye Councilor Miller aye PUBLIC COMMENTS No one from the public wished to be heard. PUBLIC HEARINGS No items scheduled. NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS A) APPROVE RIGHT-OF-WAY LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR 529 FREEMONT STREET Community Development Director Tim Benetti stated that Austen & Arden Miller -Zeman are seeking a Right -of -Way License Agreement from the city to construct a new four foot decorative, picket -style fence in their front yard, and within the abutting Fremont Street ROW. Councilor Petschel applauded the homeowners for discovering the gas line running through their front yard and asked if the City should be aware of the location of these lines. Community Development Director Tim Benetti stated that the City has the larger gas mains mapped along with utility mapping. He explained that most permits require a Gopher One call to have the property staked to identify any lines running through it. He stated that in this case, it is most likely a neighborhood gas line and not a main gas line. June 16, 2020 Mendota Heights City Council Page 2 of'6 Councilor Paper commented that this request makes sense Councilor Duggan asked if there has been assurance that the fence in the proposed location would not be on top of a gas line. Community Development Director Tim Benetti stated that Gopher One did a good job identifying the utilities and gas lines in the area. He stated that staff is comfortable with the placement of the fence. Councilor Duggan asked if there would be a post construction inspection of the fence in relation to the gas line, to ensure that everyone will be safe. Community Development Director Tim Benetti confirmed that could be done. Mayor Garlock commented that there was an upgrade for the gas lines in this area within the last six to nine months and everything was well marked during the transition. Councilor Duggan suggested that "whereby" be replaced with "whereas" in the resolution. He also suggested that the post construction inspection be added as a requirement. Councilor Miller moved to approve the Right -of -Way License Agreement with Auston and Arden Miller - Zeman of 529 Freemont Street as amended. Councilor Petschel seconded the motion. A roll call vote was performed: Councilor Petschel aye Mayor Garlock aye Councilor Duggan aye Councilor Miller aye Councilor Paper aye B) CITY HALL AND FIRE STATION PUBLIC USE POLICIES UPDATE City Administrator Mark McNeill stated that the Council was being asked to establish a Use Policy for public meeting rooms reserved by the public in City Hall and at the Fire Station. Councilor Duggan asked if there will be copies provided to the users of these rooms to explain the cleaning requirements when they are done using the room. City Administrator Mark McNeill replied that City staff would be completing the cleaning to ensure it is done properly. He confirmed that there would be a fee charged to reserve and use the rooms. Councilor Duggan moved to adopt the public meeting room use policy for rooms reserved at City Hall and the Fire Station. Tune 16, 2020 Mendota Heights City Council Page 3 of 6 Councilor Petschel seconded the motion. A roll call vote was performed: Mayor Garlock aye Councilor Duggan aye Councilor Miller aye Councilor Paper aye Councilor Petschel aye C) SET MEETING DATE FOR JOINT COUNCIL AND PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION City Administrator Mark McNeill stated the Council was being asked to establish a date for a joint meeting with Park and Recreation Commission. It was the consensus of the Council to hold a joint meeting with the Parks and Recreation Commission on July 14' at 5:30 p.m. at the Fire Station. C) DISCUSS COUNCIL MEETING START TIME City Administrator Mark McNeill stated the Council was being asked to discuss the start time for the regularly scheduled Council meetings. Councilor Miller stated that he may have issues with the 5:00 p.m. start time in the fall after the start of the school year. Councilor Duggan asked if the August 5' meeting had been changed back to its regular Tuesday night because of the rescheduled Night to Unite that originally pushed that meeting to Wednesday. It was the consensus of the Council that meetings could continue to be held at 5:00 p.m. until further notice. City Administrator Mark McNeill stated that the Council will revisit this topic at the second meeting in August and will continue meeting at 5 p.m. Mr. McNeill stated that typically the Council holds special budget workshops and suggested Thursday August 13th and Tuesday August 18th with a potential third date of August 20th, meetings to start at 1:30 p.m. The Council confirmed consensus with the budget workshop dates, starting at 1:30 p.m. June 16, 2020 Mendota Heights City Council Page 4 of 6 City Administrator Mark McNeill noted that Night to Unite has been postponed from August 4th to October 6th. He stated that staff would recommend changing the August Council meeting date from Wednesday, August 5th back to August 4th and changing the October 6th meeting to October 7th. Mayor Garlock moved to change the August Council date from August 5th to August 4th and to change the October Council date from October 6th to October 7`h Councilor Duggan seconded the motion. A roll call vote was performed: Councilor Miller aye Councilor Paper aye Councilor Petschel aye Mayor Garlock aye Councilor Duggan aye COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS City Administrator Mark McNeill provided an update on the purchase agreement with Grand Real Estate Advisors, noting that the closing would be scheduled to occur prior to July 30th, and advised that things appear to be on track. He stated that it is being planned that City Hall will reopen to the public on July 6"' with in-person Council and Commission meetings beginning in July. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilor Petschel commented that everyone's nerves are on edge in this time and encouraged residents to not use fireworks after dark. Councilor Duggan congratulated City staff on their COVID-19 preparedness plan for the City. He asked if there is an update on the Highway 13 slope failure. City Administrator Mark McNeill stated that Highway 13 is open to traffic and the contractor is awaiting approval from MnDOT to complete the restoration work. He noted that any closures would be posted on the City's website. Councilor Duggan congratulated the graduating students of 2020. Councilor Miller stated that school is out and there will be more kids on bikes, scooters, and skateboards. He encouraged drivers to stay alert. June 16, 2020 Mendota Heights City Council Page 5 of 6 Councilor Paper thanked City staff for the accommodations which have been made during these times, including public works and the police department. He stated that he is reassured by the increased patrol presence and commended parks staff for their work noting that the parks look great. Councilor Petschel commended public works for the incredible cleanup job on the stone of the City's entrance monument along Dodd Road. She commented that comer looks the best it has looked in the past 30 years. Mayor Garlock commented that he is looking forward to the opening of City Hall and open meetings. He stated that he misses seeing everyone in person and is glad that the Council will return to in-person meetings soon. He thanked staff for all they have done to work through this situation. ADJOURN Councilor Duggan moved to adjourn. Councilor Petschel seconded the motion. A roll call vote was performed: Councilor Paper aye Councilor Petschel aye Mayor Garlock aye Councilor Duggan aye Councilor Miller aye Mayor Garlock adjourned the meeting at 5:47 p.m. Neil Garlock Mayor A;LAL Lorri Smith City Clerk June 16, 2020 Mendota Heights City Council Page 6 of 6