2020-10-13 Council Work Session MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minutes of the City Council Work Session
Held October 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 2:03 pm. Councilmembers Duggan, Miller and Petschel
were also present. Councilor Paper was present via conference call.
City staff present included Mark McNeill, City Administrator; Cheryl Jacobson, Assistant City
Administrator; Ryan Ruzek, Public Works Director; Tim Benetti, Community Development Director and
Kristen Schabacker, Finance Director.
DISCUSSION OF POTENTIAL TIF ASSISTANCE — 2393 PILOT KNOB ROAD
Community Development Director Tim Benetti provided background on a proposed development and Tax
Increment Financing request associated with the property located at 2393 Pilot Knob Road. Josh Budish,
with Endeavor Development of Minneapolis joined the conversation and provided further detail on the
development.
Mr. Budish stated that the proposed development is a 75,000 square foot warehouse and office facility.
Access to the site would need to come off of Pilot Knob Road to the east and into the north side of the
parcel. He explained that due to the extensive costs to develop the roadway and bring utilities to the site,
the developer is requesting the City consider providing financial assistance by creating a new Tax
Increment Financing (TIF) District.
Discussion regarding the building type, anticipated business use, site access and developer experience
were asked by the City Council. Mr. Budish noted that the building would more than likely hold one to
four businesses and may have some shipping and receiving components.
Mr. Benetti described the requested TIF assistance. It was noted that the City and Endeavor Development
work with Ehlers and Associates for financial/TIF analysis. Based on preliminary information from
Ehlers, the TIF district would qualify as an economic development TIF district, with an estimated term of
nine years. Collected tax increments being used to pay for the installation of the new public roadway and
utilities to the site.
The Council after discussion and consideration provided general support for Endeavor Development to
move forward with an official application to the city.
DISCUSSION OF SIBLEY PARK
City Administrator Mark McNeill reviewed an agreement dating back to 1991 between ISD 197 and the
City covering a portion of the athletic fields at Henry Sibley High School, known as Sibley Park. Mr.
McNeill discussed with Council, that that agreement called for a mutually agreed upon operations and
maintenance budget to be determined annually. Initially, the minimum cost was $15,000 but has increased
to $21,265.09 in 2020.
Council was asked to consider whether the City should propose any changes to the agreement. Councilors
reported that there are mixed reviews from users about access to the fields provided for under the
agreement. Councilors also reported that the agreement was dated and that priority use groups may no
longer be applicable or have changed and that perhaps that is an area to discuss with the School District.
Councilor Duggan suggested forming a task force to look at the agreement and assess its successes and
challenges. Councilor Petschel proposed that the City Attorney review the agreement and provide an
opinion on what the City has agreed to and what the outcomes are for the city. Petschel also suggested
that users and the city meet with the school district.
Mr. McNeill agreed to send the agreement to the City Attorney for review as a first step.
DISCUSSION OF CHARITABLE GAMBLING
City Administrator Mark McNeill reviewed a renewed request to allow charitable gambling in restaurant
establishments in the City. It was noted that charitable gambling was last considered by the City Council
at a work session in September 2019.
Councilor Paper stated that interested business should come to the city with charitable gambling requests
and describe what the benefits are to their specific businesses. Councilor Petschel concurred and added
that she too would like to hear from businesses on how charitable gambling could help suffering businesses
or businesses in general.
Members were in agreement about helping businesses survive and supporting businesses where possible
but need more information on how charitable gambling contributes to their success. Mr. McNeill
suggested sending a letter to City establishments asking them about their interest in charitable gambling.
Councilor Miller noted that the Fire Relief Association has discussed charitable gambling as a means of
fund raising. Miller asked about the potential conflict of interest given his role as a City Council and Fire
Department member. Mr. McNeill recommended the potential conflict of interest for City Council
members be reviewed by the City Attorney.
October 13, 2020 Council Work Session Page 2
DISCUSSION OF EXCESS EMPLOYEE ACCRUED LEAVE
Assistant City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson presented information on the impact of COVID-19 on
employee use of accrued vacation leave. Ms. Jacobson explained that the personnel policy allows
employees to accrue a maximum of 200 hours of vacation leave and that on December 31 any hours over
200 are forfeited.
Ms. Jacobson discussed amending the personnel policy to allow for a temporary increase in the maximum
number of vacation hours that an employee could carry over from 2020 to 2021 and providing for a sunset
date for use of carryover vacation time. Jacobson noted that there are ten employees with vacation hours
already over the 200 hour maximum.
Councilors asked clarifying questions and discussed the benefit of providing for an increase in the
carryover amount. Councilor Duggan recommended a temporary increase to a maximum of 250 hours.
Councilor Petschel recommended a sunset date of December 31, 2021.
Staff agreed to bring the recommendation forward for City Council approval at an upcoming meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mayor Garlock adjourned the meeting at 4:13 pm
a
Neil Garlock
Mayor
AT EST
4iz
Lorri Smith, City Clerk
October 13, 2020 Council Work Session Page 3