2020-08-13 Council Work Session MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minutes of the City Council Work Session
Held August 13, 2020
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 1:30 pm. Councilmembers Paper, Petschel, Duggan and
Miller were also present.
City staff present included Mark McNeill, City Administrator; Cheryl Jacobson, Assistant City
Administrator; Ryan Ruzek, Public Works Director; Tim Benetti, Community Development Director;
Meredith Lawrence, Recreation Program Coordinator, Kristen Schabacker, Finance Director, Kelly
McCarthy, Police Chief, Wayne Wegener, Police Captain and John Boland, Public Works Superintendent.
DISCUSSION OF FY2021 PROPOSED BUDGET
Budget Overview- Mark McNeill provided an overview of the FY2021 proposed budget stating that the
preliminary levy increase for FY2021 would be 4.32%. Mr. McNeill noted that a conservative approach
was taken in the preparation of the FY2021 budget given the COVID-19 pandemic and an uncertain
economic recovery.
Police -Police Chief Kelly McCarthy stated the department worked hard to keep to the proposed budget as
flat as possible with little change for FY2021. Chief McCarthy highlighted the need for a pole camera,
which was included in the FY2020 budget but delayed given the pandemic. This is estimated to cost
$10,000, half of which might come from a donation from the Mendota Heights Criminal Apprehension
Fund.
Captain Wayne Wegener discussed the need to add one marked squad to the Police Department fleet. This
proposed addition would be through a lease costing approximately $9,000 annually along with a onetime
cost of $18,000 to equip the vehicle with necessary emergency equipment.
Chief McCarthy and Mr. McNeill discussed the need to begin the city hall and police department space
needs assessment. This study has been on hold due to the pandemic. With the recent civil unrest and
pandemic, staff recommended moving forward with the study. The study was a 2020 budgeted item, but
CARES Act funding could be used to cover its costs. The City Council was in agreement on moving
forward with the study.
Public Works -Mark McNeill reviewed the proposed public works budgets including streets, parks, and
sewer utility funds.
John Boland discussed the need to replace the department's 2008 bobcat with a tracked skid steer. The
new machine is estimated to cost $55,000 after a $15,000 trade-in. The current machine has reached its
end of life.
A request for a new plow truck was made to replace a 2007 plow truck. The new truck is proposed to
have equipment allowing for brine to be spread. The total estimated cost is $191,000 after a $40,000
trade-in.
A request for a new John Deere disc mower to mow unmaintained right-of-way areas was submitted. Mr.
Boland explained that staff is currently using a brush mower which presents safety concerns for road -side
use. The estimated cost is $9,000.
A request for a tire changer/balancer was submitted with an estimated cost of $13,200. Mr. Boland noted
that the current changer/balancer was bought used in the 1990's, and that repair parts are hard to get and
one ton and lawn mower tires cannot be done on the existing machine.
A request for column jacks for use outside of the maintenance shop was discussed. Mr. Boland explained
that the city's fire trucks and plow trucks do not fit on the current hoist. Adding the column jacks would
add the ability to do additional maintenance in-house. The estimated cost of the column jacks is $55,500,
the cost of which would be split between streets, parks, utility and fire funds.
A request to paint the Public Works shop was submitted. Mr. Boland noted that the shop is dark and in
need of painting. He explained that with painting light would be better reflected and is a general building
maintenance item. The estimated cost is $30,000, the cost of which would be split between streets, parks
and utility funds.
Mr. Boland discussed the need for a salt storage bin. The current storage location inside of the building
garage is causing corrosion of metal surfaces and deteriorating the concrete. An exterior storage bin is
proposed. The estimated cost is $201,000.
Ryan Ruzek explained the budget improvement proposal for completing phase 2 of the City's natural
resource plan. The estimated cost is $55,000.
A request for funding to install and maintain native plantings in support of the City's pollinator friendly
designation was discussed. The cost of the request is $10,000. Staff clarified that the native plantings are
not necessarily for rain gardens.
Recreation -The budget has been adjusted to reflect more accurately program offerings and changes but
overall relatively little change is proposed. A reduction to the summer playground program was noted as
well as increase to contracted programs.
August 13, 2020 Council Work Session- Budget Page 2
Councilor Duggan asked about the addition of translation services to the budget. Meredith Lawrence
explained that the cost is for translating program marketing flyers for use with the school district. The
district requires materials be translated in Spanish.
Mr. McNeill noted challenges faced with the continued operation of the skatepark at Rogers Lake. Ms.
Jacobson and Ms. Lawrence discussed the continued park vandalism and the changes seen in park users.
Staff recommended that a discussion regarding the future of the skatepark be had by the City Council.
Engineering -No notable changes were included in the engineering or recycling budget. Ryan Ruzek
indicated that changes to funding of the city's Recycling Coordinator may be coming in future.
Community Development Mark McNeill and Tim Benetti reviewed the Community Development budget
noting little change from 2020. Mr. Benetti talked about completion of the Comprehensive Plan. The
city had received an "incomplete" letter from the Metropolitan Council. Initial discussion on consultant
services to assist with the Plan's completion took place.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mayor Garlock adjourned the meeting at 3:30 p.m.
Neil Garlock
Mayor
ATTE,
,A4
Lorri Smith dity Clerk
August 13, 2020 Council Work Session- Budget Page 3