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2020-08-13 Council MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA Minutes of the Regular Meeting Held Tuesday, August 18, 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, 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, noting that the public hearing for item 7a. will be continued as requested by the developer. No final action will be taken by the Council tonight on that item. 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, with the exception of item f. a. Approval of August 4, 2020 City Council Minutes b. Approve Massage Licenses for Sharon Pollack and Cindy Messer c. Approve Resolution 2020-49 Acknowledging the Receipt of an Additional Donation to the City for the Scott Patrick Memorial 5k Race d. Approve Wetland Conservation Act (WCA) Application for "No -Loss" Determination — Sutton Pond e. Approve Wetland Conservation Act (WCA) Application for "No -Loss" Determination — Lexington Marie Pond f-. Aeknowledge lime, P090 Par I Fina+ieial Repo g. Approve the Purchase of AV Equipment for the Police Department h. Approve the Purchase of City Hall Door Access Control Additions i. Approving Resolution 2020-50 Accept Donation of Land from Robert and Kathleen Bonine j. Approve the Building Activity Report k. Approval of Claims List Councilor Miller seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 PULLED CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS F) ACKNOWLEDGE JUNE 2020 PAR 3 FINANCIAL REPORT Councilor Duggan acknowledged that in these challenging times, the Par 3 golf course is doing very well. He commended City staff for their efforts this year. Councilor Duggan moved to ACKNOWLEDGE JUNE 2020 PAR 3 FINANCIAL REPORT, Mayor Garlock seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 PUBLIC COMMENTS Greg Boland, 1215 Victoria Curve, asked how long item 7A would be delayed. Community Development Director Tim Benetti replied that the City received a request from the applicant to delay the application. He stated that the item could come back to the second meeting in September. He stated that all property owners that received notification for the meeting tonight will receive a second notification for the next meeting. He stated that there was an extension of the 60 -day review period, which would expire around October 28th. Councilor Duggan stated that if the applicant fails to come forward during that time, he recommends a motion to deny at the second meeting in October, to ensure the 60 -day extension period does not expire. PUBLIC HEARING A) RESOLUTION 2020-46 APPROVING A CRITICAL AREA PERMIT AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1217 VICTORIA CURVE Councilor Petschel moved to open the public hearing. Mayor Garlock seconded the motion. No one from the public wished to come forward to speak on this item. Councilor Petschel moved to table the public hearing to a future meeting date. Mayor Garlock seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 August 18, 2020 Mendota Heights City Council Page 2 of 6 NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS A) ORDINANCE 558 AMENDING CITY CODE TO ADD NO PARKING ON MENDOTA HEIGHTS ROAD AND WARRIOR DRIVE NAD ADDING AN ALL -WAY STOP AT CULLIGAN LANE AND GLENHILL ROAD Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek explained that the Council was being asked to approve Ordinance 558 amending City Code; Title 6, Chapter 3, Section 1 and 3. Councilor Paper asked for more information on the areas shown in purple. Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek explained the current parking regulations for those areas and confirmed the changes that would take place when school is not in session. Councilor Paper asked for clarification on the changes that would occur on Mendota Heights Road. Mr. Ruzek confirmed that all parking controls would be eliminated on the north side (with the exception of typical parking regulations) while the controls would remain on the south side. Councilor Petschel commented that the Traffic Safety Committee recognizes that this is a challenging area and wanted to find a way to make this area safer before school starts. She stated that the Committee will continue to pursue options for this segment of the road in the future. Councilor Paper asked why a four-way stop was chosen over a yield at Culligan Lane and Glenhill Road. Mr. Ruzek stated that there are equal volumes of traffic on all legs and therefore the thought was to make the traffic control equal for all. Councilor Duggan stated that the School District should be advised of the action taken on Mendota Heights Road so that information can be communicated to the parents of school children. He asked for the number of accidents at the Culligan-Glenhill intersection. Public Works Director Ruzek commented that he is not aware of any crashes at that intersection. Councilor Duggan commented that it would seem that the intersection is working as is, and understands that some people are concerned. He stated that there was a suggestion to trim tree branches near the intersection and asked if that could be done. Mr. Ruzek stated that tree trimming would occur on the desire of the adjacent landowner. He reviewed language from the City Code related to clearcutting. Councilor Duggan asked for the results of the traffic control petition. Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek stated that residents that signed the petition were asked to provide their first and second choices and he provided additional details. Councilor Petschel stated that the request was brought forward by parents of younger children. There have been a number of near misses between cars and pedestrians or cyclists, which drove the request for intersection control. Councilor Duggan asked that the consideration be towards a yield with a review to be done after a length of time and the four-way stop could be done at that time if warranted. August 18, 2020 Mendota Heights City Council Page 3 of 6 Councilor Petschel stated that she would recommend a four way stop because of the narrow line of sight. She stated that while it will take time for drivers to adjust, after that period, it will become second nature and will be an improvement for this area. Councilor Miller stated that he agrees with the four way stop because of the line of sight issues. Mayor Garlock asked if orange flags would be placed on the stop sign to indicate the new stop sign. Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek confirmed that flags would be placed on the top of the stop signs to identify the change in traffic control for the first year. Councilor Paper stated that he agrees that the safety of the children is the most important element. Mayor Garlock invited members of the public to comment. Shane Wright, 1908 Glenhill Road, stated that he has lived in this area for seven years and there is no line of sight to the west at this intersection. He stated that there are additional drivers and bicycles in this area. Drivers who are unfamiliar with this area cannot tell that they are approaching an intersection. He stated that the additional new homes have increased traffic and people on bicycles in this area. He asked the Council to support the changes recommended by the Traffic Safety Committee. John Delaney, 1901 Glenhill Road, stated that he moved in one year ago and they were unsure of what to do at the intersection. He stated that it is a four-way intersection with no control. He has seen multiple vehicles go through the intersection without stopping and it is dangerous. He believed that a four-way or two-way stop would be the best resolution. He did not believe a yield sign would be sufficient enough to protect drivers and bicyclists. Eric Johnson, 1902 Glenhill Road, stated that he supports the four-way stop. Councilor Petschel moved to approve ORDINANCE 558 AMENDING TITLE 6, CHAPTER 3, OF THE CITY CODE. Councilor Miller seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 B) RESOLUTION 2020-51 PLANS FOR LEMAY LAKE EROSION CONTROL PROJECT Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek provided a background on this item. The Council was being asked to authorize staff to bid an erosion control project consisting of armoring two drainage channels that convey storm water into Lemay Lake. Councilor Petschel asked which fund the costs would come from. Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek stated that the City maintains a stormwater utility fund, with a fee paid by users. It is used for these types of improvements. Councilor Miller asked what has changed in the past 20 years that has caused this lake to have erosion. August 18, 2020 Mendota Heights City Council Page 4 of 6 Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek stated that in 2014, the rainfall intensity and stormwater regulations were updated and substantially changed the stormwater design criteria. He stated that the past few years have seen record setting rainfall levels. Councilor Miller asked if the improvements proposed would fit existing and future needs. Mr. Ruzek stated that the Mendota Heights Apartments development exceeds the City standards. The Augusta Shores development was constructed under the standards of the mid-1990s. Improvements could be made to the stormwater pond within that development to provide additional capacity and water quality improvement. Councilor Miller asked why that is not included in this project. Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek replied that the access to both of those project areas are completely separate. The Augusta Shores project would require roadway disturbance along with curb and gutter. There are a number of items on the stormwater capital improvement plan and the Augusta Shores project would come at a later time. Councilor Miller stated that it would seem that the two projects would be tied together. Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek replied that the erosion issues on Lemay Lake would need to be repaired and would not be repaired through improvements to the Augusta Shores pond. Councilor Miller asked if the Augusta Shores properties would be assessed for the pond improvement. Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek stated that residents pay into the stormwater utility fund and those funds are used to improve and maintain the City owned infrastructure. He stated that even on road projects, the stormwater improvements are removed from the assessed cost and funded through the stormwater utility fund. Councilor Miller stated that he would like to avoid the situation of Lake Augusta. He stated that his thinking was that if that situation can be prevented in Lemay Lake by completing the improvement now and assessing the cost, he would support that. Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek commented that the quality of Lemay Lake has improved with the connection of homes to City water and sewer. He commented that the lake water quality is currently rated as a `B" Councilor Petschel stated that while everyone would like to fix Lake Augusta, they are awaiting on results from the study being completed by the watershed to ensure that the improvements are part of a larger effort that will be a solution. Councilor Paper stated that he agrees that the immediate need should be completed now with an eye on the larger picture as that information comes forward. Councilor Duggan stated that somewhere along the line the excess water is causing a problem. He stated that if the issue is caused by increased rainfall and climate change, he can accept that but would want to know if the increase in impervious surface was a factor and whether there could be a cost -share. Mayor Garlock moved to adopt RESOLUTION 2020-51 APPROVING PLANS AND AUTHORIZING THE ADVERTISEMENT OF BIDS FOR THE LEMAY LAKE EROSION CONTROL PROJECT. Councilor Miller seconded the motion. Ayes:5 Nays:0 August 1$ 2020 Mendota Heights City Council Page 5 of 6 COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS City Administrator Mark McNeill introduced the new City Attorney Elliot Knetsch, from the law firm of Campbell -Knutson. He advised of an upcoming City concert event at Mendotakota Park, and noted that there will be precautions in place due to COVID. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilor Petschel commented that she attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Grand Real Estate building that is being developed at The Village. She stated that it is a good feeling to know that there is a beautiful building agreed upon by the parties involved. She read aloud a statement from Grand Real Estate which acknowledged the cooperation of City staff in helping to bring this project to fruition. Mayor Garlock thanked the City staff and Council for the budget workshops that have been held recently, recognizing the importance of tightening the budget for this year. Councilor Paper thanked the Bonine family for the land donation to the City located near 3rd Avenue. Councilor Duggan thanked the residents of Mendota Heights for making it a great community. Mayor Garlock moved to adjourn. Councilor Paper seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Mayor Garlock adjourned the meeting at 5:52 p.m. Neil-�Garlock Mayor ATTEST• P� n Lorn Smith City Clerk August 18, 2020 Mendota Heights City Council Page 6 of 6