2020-11-12 Council Work Session MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minutes of the Council Workshop
Held Tuesday, November 12, 2020
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a workshop of the Mendota Heights City Council was held at City
Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, Minnesota.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Garlock called the meeting to order at 3:25 p.m. Council members Duggan, Miller, and Paper were
also present. Staff in attendance included City Administrator Mark McNeill, Assistant City Administrator
Cheryl Jacobson, Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek, Recreation Coordinator Meredith Lawrence, and
City Clerk Lorri Smith.
DISCUSSION OF RECREATION ITEMS
CIP FUNDING OPTIONS: The City Administrator clarified with the Councilors the approved uses for
Special Parks Fund dollars. He stated this fund can be used for the purchase of new equipment, facilities,
or land for parks. However, he said that a recent City Attorney's opinion said that the fund cannot be used
to replace or maintain existing equipment or facilities. With this information, the City Council said that
some projects planned for 2021 might have to be delayed to a future year, unless other sources of funding
can be determined.
FIELD AND USE POLICY REVIEW: Assistant City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson reviewed the policy
history and explained how this policy is currently working for assigning priority use of the City's athletic
fields.. She stated that city staff tried to work with one contact from each of the user groups for reserving
the fields. Ms. Jacobson reviewed the field hours reserved and the actual hours used; and the difference
that has been experienced this year due to the COVID 19 pandemic. Councilors asked questions about
blanket permitting and how the reservation system works.
Councilor Miller stated he would like to see more collaboration with the School District on the sharing of
their fields.
Councilors were agreeable to accept Certificates of Insurance from the user groups that exclude liability
coverage for claims related to communicable disease transmissions.
Ms. Jacobson noted that per player fees were approved in the City's 2020 fee schedule, and that was based
on feedback received from the user groups. Options for setting the fees for 2021 were reviewed, including
leaving the fees as they are now set; changing to a per hour rate; or providing the city fields and
maintenance at no charge to all users.
Councilors suggested that city staff hold meetings individually with the user groups to discuss 2021 field
usage, and to see what will work for the groups. They stated they would also like to see included in the
policy that a field must be returned to its original condition after the group uses it.
2020-21 WARMING HOUSE AVAILABILITY: City staff reported that the number of applications is low
for warming house attendants for the upcoming season. Ms. Jacobson said that the warming house at
Wentworth Park is too small to be able to hold skaters, and social distance. It was decided that this
building will not be opened during the upcoming season.
Councilors were in agreement to open up.all of the other warning houses for the winter season, even if
they are not staffed.
SKATE PARK UPDATE: while on the agenda, this item was not addressed due to time constraints.
PAR 3 LOGO: City staff provided options for a new logo at the Par 3 golf course. Councilor Duggan
suggested staff look at selling advertising at each hole on the course. Councilors suggested the Parks and
Recreation Commission review the new logos and make a decision on which to use.
FIRST CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 2021
This item will be discussed at the November 17' Council meeting.
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Mayor Garlock adjourned the meeting at 3:25 pm.
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Neil Garlock, Mayor
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Lorri Smith, City Clerk
November 12, 2020 Mendota Heights Council Work Session - Page 2