2020-08-04 Council MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
Held Tuesday, August 4, 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 7:00 p.m. Councilors Duggan, 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. Councilor Petschel moved adoption of the agenda.
Councilor Miller seconded the motion.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
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, pulling item I.
a. Approval of July 21, 2020 City Council Minutes
b. Approval of July 21, 2020 Council Work Session Minutes
c. Approval of July 27, 2020 Special City Council Meeting Minutes
d. Approval of July 27, 2020 Council Work Session Minutes
e. Approve Resolution 2020-43 Acknowledging the Receipt of Donations to the City for the Scott
Patrick Memorial 5K and the Cliff Timm Memorial Fishing Derby
f. Approve Resolution 2020-47 Call for a Public Hearing to Consider the Sale of Conduit Debt for
Augustana Regent at Burnsville, LLC
g. Approve Natural and Scenic Area Grant for 2085 Valencour Circle
h. Approve Grading Permit for 1879 Dodd Road
j. Approve Appointment of City Attorney
k. Approve Fire Synopsis
1. Approval of Claims List
Councilor Miller seconded the motion.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
PULLED CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
I) APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION 2020-44 PROVIDE FOR SECOND AMENDMENT TO
EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES REVENUE REFUNDING NOTE (ST. THOMAS ACADEMY
PROJECT)
Councilor Paper asked for a brief explanation.
Catherina Courtney, Bond Counsel to Mendota Heights, stated that St. Thomas has had a conduit bond
issued by the City since 2010 and explained that this is a technical amendment. She stated that St. Thomas
is not tendering the note but taking the opportunity to provide technical changes and provided a brief
summary.
Councilor Petschel moved to approve RESOLUTION 2020-44 PROVIDE FOR SECOND
AMENDMENT TO EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES REVENUE REFUNDING NOTE (ST. THOMAS
ACADEMY PROJECT).
Mayor Garlock seconded the motion.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
PUBLIC COMMENTS
No one from the public wished to be heard.
PUBLIC HEARING
No items scheduled.
NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A) RESOLUTION 2020-48 APPROVE DAKOTA COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
AGENCY TO ADMINISTER A SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT PROGRAM
City Administrator Mark McNeill explained that the Council was being asked to authorize Dakota County
Community Development Agency (CDA) to implement a Small Business Relief Grant Program, to
provide help for COVID-19 related economic stresses experienced by small businesses.
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Councilor Duggan asked how the small businesses of Mendota Heights will be aware of the program.
City Administrator Mark McNeill noted that information has been posted on the County and Chamber of
Commerce websites and the City will posting something on its website as well, as the application deadline
is August 14tH
Councilor Duggan asked what would happen with unused funds if there are any.
City Administrator Mark McNeill stated that any unused CARES Act funds would be returned to Dakota
County and therefore would stay local. He confirmed that the awards would be done through a lottery
system rather than a first come, first serve basis.
Councilor Petschel commented that some businesses have made decisions not to renew leases and asked
how that would be factored into the awarding of these funds.
City Administrator Mark McNeill stated that the County requires the business to be in good standing as
of February 29, noting that they would not be able to predict what would happen in the future.
Councilor Petschel commented that she would not want to see someone take the funds and go out of
business the next month, as there is limited funding available and the funds could perhaps have helped
another business remain open.
City Administrator Mark McNeill commented that if a business is going out of business, it is most likely
because there is debt above the amount of assistance that this program could provide.
Mayor Garlock moved to approve RESOLUTION 2020-48 APPROVING THE DAKOTA COUNTY
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY TO ADMINISTER A SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF
GRANT PROGRAM ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS.
Councilor Duggan seconded the motion.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
B) MARIE AVENUE STREET IMPROVEMENTS CHANGE ORDER
City Administrator Mark McNeill provided a brief background on this item. The Council was being asked
to approve Change Order 41 for the Marie Avenue Street Improvement Project.
Councilor Duggan moved to AUTHORIZE CHANGE ORDER #1 FO THE MARIE AVENUE STREET
IMPROVEMENT PROJECT.
Councilor Petschel seconded the motion.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
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C) RESOLUTION 2020-45 CITY COUNCIL MEETING START TIME
City Administrator Mark McNeill stated that the City Council is asked to discuss and determine a starting
time for its regular meetings, to become effective September 1, 2020.
Councilor Miller stated that as a head coach for girls soccer, the season will begin on August 17`h. He
commented that he will have games on some Tuesday nights starting at 4:30 p.m. He could attend a7:00
p.m. meeting but could not attend a 5 p.m. meeting. He stated that if the start time were changed to 6:00
p.m., he could attend but would miss the first few items on the agenda.
The Council confirmed the consensus with a 6:00 p.m. start time.
Councilor Duggan moved to approve RESOLUTION 2020-45 CHANGING THE STARTING TIME
FOR REGULAR MEETINGS OF THE MENDOTA HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL TO 6:00 P.M.
Councilor Miller seconded the motion.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Assistant City Administrator Mark McNeill commented that this will be the last meeting for City Attorney
Andrew Pratt, as he is moving on to a new position. He stated that a new Attorney was appointed through
the Consent Agenda. He acknowledged the great advice that City Attorney Andrew Pratt has provided
over the years and wished him luck.
The Council thanked City Attorney Andrew Pratt for his service.
City Attorney Andrew Pratt commented that he has been working with the City for a number of years and
it has been a privilege. He thanked the Council and staff.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Councilor Petschel commented that tonight a grant was received from the DNR on the Consent Agenda,
noting that the City received funds to help purchase the property on Valencour Circle, which will become
part of Historic Pilot Knob. She stated that this is a step towards defining that site and maximizing its use.
Mayor Garlock commented that he recently attended a Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Committee meeting
and he encouraged veterans to reach out to himself or the Committee if they are experiencing financial
difficulty. He also reported that the VFW of Mendota will be providing a check for $5,000 to go towards
Special Olympics, increasing the total amount of fonds raised for the Scott Patrick 5K to approximately
$14,500.
Councilors Miller and Paper thanked City Attorney Andrew Pratt for his work with the City.
August 4, 2020 Mendota Heights City Councit Page 4 of5
Councilor Duggan thanked City Attorney Andrew Pratt for working with the city. He acknowledged that
about 65 people have contributed to the 5K funding and he recognized the leadership of Mayor Garlock
on that effort.
Councilor Duggan asked for an update on the possible name change for the Pilot Knob site. Councilor
Petschel commented that the name has already been changed and new signage has been installed at the
site in both English and Native American, using both names.
Councilor Duggan acknowledged the passing of John Hume noting that he was a great man for Northern
Ireland and the world.
Mayor Garlock moved to adjourn.
Councilor Paper seconded the motion.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
Mayor Garlock adjourned the meeting at 5:31 p.m.
Neil Garlock
Mayor
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Lorri Smith
City Clerk
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