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2020-10-20 Council MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA Minutes of the Regular Meeting Held Tuesday, October 20, 2020 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the regular meeting of the City Council, City of Mendota Heights, Minnesota was held at 7:00 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. SWEARING IN OF POLICE OFFICER WAGMAN Police Chief Kelly McCarthy introduced Officer Wagman. Mayor Garlock conducted the swearing in of Police Officer Wagman. Police Chief Kelly McCarthy recognized Officer Albindia who has been recognized for the second time by Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Mayor Garlock expressed the appreciation of the Council for Officer Albindia's hard work. AGENDA ADOPTION Mayor Garlock presented the agenda for adoption. Mayor Garlock stated that there is a request to add item l Oc, regarding Planning Case #2020-15. Councilor Petschel moved adoption of the agenda as amended. 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 g for separate discussion. a. Approval of October 7, 2020 City Council Minutes b. Approval of October 13, 2020 Council Work Session Minutes c. Acknowledge September 8, 2020 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes d. Approve Temporary Increase in Employee Vacation Leave Carryover e. Approve Resolution 2020-71 Accepting Park Bench Donation at Victoria Highlands f. Approve Resolution 2020-68 Formally Accepting Donation h. Approval of September 2020 Treasurer's Report i. Approve Claims List Councilor Miller seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 PULLED CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS G) ACKNOWLEDGE PAR 3 FINANCIAL REPORT Councilor Duggan acknowledged the great work that Recreation Program Coordinator Meredith Lawrence and her staff have done to keep the golf course open and well maintain. Councilor Duggan moved to ACKNOWLEDGE PAR 3 FINANCIAL REPORT. Mayor Garlock seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 PUBLIC COMMENTS No one from the public wished to be heard. PRESENTATIONS A) RESOLUTION 2020-69 ACCEPTING PROPOSAL ON THE SALE OF $3,295,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS, SERIES 2020A Keith Dahl, representing Ehlers and Associates, provided background information and explained that the Council is being asked to approve the sale of $3,295,000 of General Obligation Improvement Bonds. October 20, 2020 Mendota Heights City Council Page 2 of 6 Councilor Petschel thanked Mr. Dahl for sharing the positive comments related to the City's budget and reserves. She commented that the premium is also good news for the City and its residents. She thanked Ehlers for their assistance and to the finance staff. Mayor Garlock also expressed thanks, noting that in his time on the Council each bond sold with Ehlers has been favorable for the City. Councilor Duggan moved adoption of RESOLUTION 2020-69 ACCEPTING PROPOSAL ON THE SALE OF THE $3,295,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS, SERIES 2020A, PROVIDING FOR THEIR ISSUANCE AND PLEDGING FOR THE SECURITY THEREOF TAX ABATEMENTS, SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS, AND LEVYING A TAX FOR THE PAYMENT THEREOF. Mayor Garlock seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 PUBLIC HEARINGS No items scheduled. NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS A) FRIENDLY HILLS PARK HOCKEY RINK — PICKLEBALL COURTS Recreation Program Coordinator Meredith Lawrence explained that the Council was being asked to approve the Friendly Hills Hockey Rink as a designated site for pickleball and authorize staff to solicit quotes for the project. Councilor Paper asked why an extra court is also not being added at Marie Park as there are requests. Recreation Program Coordinator Meredith Lawrence replied that could be added into the proposal. She believed that there would only be room for one additional court. Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek stated that he would have to measure as to whether one or two courts could be added. Councilor Paper asked the type of resurfacing that would be done at Friendly Hills. Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek commented that the asphalt is in good shape and provided additional details on the resurfacing that would be completed. Councilor Petschel referenced the minutes from the Park and Recreation Commission and commented that she was very pleased with their work and complimented the group for their work. She believed that this would be a great place for pickleball. Councilor Paper asked how long the courts are open. October 20, 2020 Mendota Heights City Council Page 3 of 6 Recreation and Program Coordinator Meredith Lawrence replied that the courts will stay open as long as possible. She noted that she spoke with users earlier in the week that said they would play in the snow. Councilor Petschel asked if the smother surface would make better ice for the hockey rink as well. Recreation and Program Coordinator Meredith Lawrence confirmed that they have had better success flooding the Marie Park rinks. Councilor DUGGAN moved to approve THE FRIENDLY HILLS PARK HOCKEY RINK FOR PICKLEBALL COURTS AND AUTHORIZE STAFF TO SOLICIT QUOTES FOR THE PROJECT AND AN ADDITIONAL ONE OR TWO COURTS AT MARIE PARK. Councilor Miller seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 B) AUTHORIZE A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE MARIE PARK PLAYGROUND REMODEL Recreation Program Coordinator Meredith Lawrence stated the Council was being asked to authorize the issuance of a Request for Proposals for a playground remodeling at Marie Park. Councilor Miller commented on the cost to remove a tree, noting that price seems high. Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek commented that is a reasonable cost for a tree of that size. Councilor Paper asked what equipment would be kept. Recreation Program Coordinator Meredith Lawrence replied that the City is proposing to not keep any of the equipment. She stated that it has been determined that some of the items are not in compliance and they did not feel that any of the pieces could be retained. Councilor Paper asked if the sand diggers and spring riders are worn out. Recreation Program Coordinator Meredith Lawrence replied that as they are bringing in contractors to complete the work, they believed it best to remove the items that are nearing the end of their usefulness. Councilor Paper asked why the container edging is not adjusted to bring the swings into conformance. Recreation Program Coordinator Meredith Lawrence replied that a new container edging was included in the packet and identifies a much larger footprint for the swings. She stated that the existing swings have a considerable amount of rust, which is a concern. October 20, 2020 Mendota Heights City Council Page 4 of 6 Councilor Paper asked if the swings could be recoated. He stated that he would not want items to be removed simply for aesthetics when they could be repurposed if the cost is within reason. Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek stated that there was a discussion as part of the Wentworth remodeling project, which found that the actual cost of the swing set is comparable to a rehab of the swings. Councilor Paper stated that he would like to see a quote from someone other than the salesperson selling the playground equipment. Councilor Petschel stated that she would support looking into that as well. Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek noted that he could obtain a quote from another paint vendor who will be completing the same type of work on the street lights. Recreation Program Coordinator Meredith Lawrence stated that staff completes monthly inspections of the playground equipment and there have been issues with the swings. She stated that the repairs were delayed because it was believed that they were going to be replaced but she could authorize the repairs. Mayor Garlock moved to AUTHORIZE THE RELEASE OF THE REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE MARIE PARK PLAYGROUND REMODEL. Councilor Duggan seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 C) PLANNING CASE #2020-15 City Administrator Mark McNeill provided a brief background on this item. The Council was being asked to accept the extension of time for review for Valley View Oak 3`a Addition. Councilor Duggan read into the record an email which each member of the City Council had received from Julie Hunt regarding the requested extension of time. Mayor Garlock moved to ACCEPT THE REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF THE REVIEW TIME FOR PLANNING CASE #2020-15 BY 90 DAYS. Councilor Duggan seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS City Administrator Mark McNeill stated that the City has a legal obligation to hold a canvassing meeting following the General Election and suggested that be held on Thursday, November 12th. He noted that there is also a need for a Council Work Session to discuss recreation items and suggested that occur on that date as well. He confirmed the consensus of the Council to meet in a special session at 2:45 PM, with the work session meeting to follow. October 20, 2020 Mendota Heights City Council Page 5 of 6 COUNCIL COMMENTS Mayor Garlock commented that the addition and remodeling of the Fire Hall is almost complete and noted that if it stays on course, the project could come in under budget. He thanked staff for their hard work on the project. Councilor Miller asked everyone to drive more slowly and cautiously. Councilor Paper welcomed Officer Wagman to the City and thanked Lori Smith and her staff for the work they have done with the election, noting that almost half of the registered voters have already voted early. He reminded everyone to get out and vote. Councilor Duggan thanked staff, noting that he has noticed people voting early every time he is at City Hall. He commented that it is helpful to clear snow from around the hydrants, by those that live near hydrants. He wished everyone success and safety with the upcoming Halloween holiday. Mayor Garlock moved to adjourn. Councilor Petschel seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Mayor Garlock adjourned the meeting at 7:45 p.m. Neil Garlock Mayor ATTES Lorri Smith City Clerk October 20, 2020 Mendota Heights City Council Page 6 of 6