2021-02-09 Council Work Session MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minutes of the Council Work Session
Tuesday, February 9, 2021
Pursuant to no call and notice thereof, a work session of the Mendota Heights City Council was held
virtually via WebEx.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Levine called the meeting to order at 3:15 p.m. Councilmembers Duggan, Mazzitello, Miller,
Paper were also present. Staff in attendance included City Administrator Mark McNeill, Assistant City
Administrator Cheryl Jacobson, Finance Director Kristen Schabacker, Public Works Director Ryan
Ruzek, Community Development Director Tim Benetti, Police Chief Kelly McCarthy, Recreation
Coordinator Meredith Lawrence, and City Clerk Lorri Smith,
GOAL SETTING SESSION
Facilitator Mark Nagel directed a goal setting session with the Council and staff City Administrator
Mark McNeill reviewed the goals and status thereof which were identified in 2019 and 2020.
Remaining Goals Identified in 2020
I. Resolve Bourn property development
2. Establish a Natural Resources Advisory Group
3. Identify and Implement Surface Water Management Plan
4. Construct dugouts at Mendakota Park
5. Update City's trail system --better mapping, signage, mile markers, emergency call boxes
6. Local and regional planning to prepare for future traffic volumes, bicycle and pedestrian
movement on Dodd and Delaware
7. Identify and prepare for traffic impacts on Dodd caused by Viking Lakes development
8. Negotiate a joint commercial plan and marketing for The Village and Mendota Plaza
Remaining Goals Identified in 2019
1. Consider implementation of a hotel lodging tax for business development
2. Address lack of cell coverage in the City of Mendota Heights
3. Reimagine park space to maximize usage.
4. Create additional athletic fields
5. Explore establishment of a regional sporting venue —include green space
6. Join GreenStep Cities and consider first requirements to achieve status
The Council members then submitted 5 new goals that they each thought were important for the City
accomplish over the next two years. The goals were grouped into categories.
Community Gatherings
Support local businesses by holding socialization events, give regular updates on COVID vaccine,
establish a weekly farmers market, establish a community garden space, establish summer and fall
programs including arts, music, dance, to bring community together, establish a winter festival
�Reimagine citizens police or civic academy
Parks
Move forward with a parks referendum, install lights at Civic Center park, install lights and dugouts
at Mendakota Park
Evaluate mowed park areas and unused public spaces to establish more pollinator friendly areas
Determine a use for the vacant Bourne property
Zoning/Natural Resources/Comp Plan
Revise Zoning Code ordinances to create/reflect clear and understandable rules capable of meeting
projected growth and market demands, revise Critical Area Ordinance to DNR standards
Retain and secure the special character of Mendota Heights
Improve/strengthen the tree policy to preserve existing trees, new tree planting policy
Continue to work towards the Brine system at public works
Reduce the number of trash haulers for environmental purposes
Address infrastructure needs, including parks, trails, facilities, natural resources and provide
resources for execution
Commit to property maintenance & code enforcement activities, report to Council quarterly, and
establish the concept of a preservation phase of the city's older neighborhoods
City Hall
Implement space study for police department/city hall, squad cars parked indoors
Ambassador program with area cities, better communication between area cities
Exercise the Emergency Operations Plan, and utilize the EOC, quarterly or annually, Active shooter
training for all staff/council
Morale of City Employees
The Council members will rank their top ten goals from this list. This will be placed on an upcoming
City Council meeting agenda for additional discussion, and to finalize the goals for this year.
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ADJOURN
Mayor Levine adjourned the meeting at 5:20 p.m.
ATTEST: Stephanie Levine, Mayor
Lorri Smith, City Clerk
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