2021-03-08 Council Work Session MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minutes of the Council Work Session
Held Via WebFx
Tuesday, March 8, 2021
Pursuant to
due
call and
notice thereof, a
work session of the Mendota Heights City Council was held at
City Hall, 1101
Victoria
Curve, Mendota
Heights, Minnesota.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Levine called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Council members Duggan, Mazzitello, 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, Finance Director Kristen Schabacker, and City Clerk Lord Smith,
DISCUSSION OF CITY COUNCIL STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
City Administrator Mark McNeill updated the Council on the status of the Wentworth Warming House
project, saying the grant deadline has been extended, giving the City more time to plan this project. For the
skate park improvement project, improvements will need to be made to make it functional this summer.
The improvements are estimated to cost $5,000.
Mr. McNeill and Ms. Jacobson discussed the draft Park Asset Management Plan that was included in the
packet. This is a planning tool that forecasts the city needs over a five-year rolling period based on the
goals of the Council. This plan is still being developed, and, when completed, will help the Council move
forward with their goals. Mr. McNeill discussed the possibility of the City hiring an outside agency to help
the Council with the process to complete the overall strategic plan for the parks and natural resources. The
Council was in agreement to move forward with the hiring of a contractor to help with the process to
develop a well thought out plan, process and timeline for the Park Asset Management Plan,
REVIEW OF FIELD AND USE FEES
Recreation Coordinator Meredith Lawrence discussed with the Council the current fees being charged for
field and facility use. The current fees being charged are per player/season for priority levels 3 and 4.
Priority levels 5, 6, and 7 are charged on a per hour rate/per field. The level 3 user groups were consulted
and they expressed their desire to continue with the per player/season rate schedule.
For tournament fees,
the current use charges
are $50 per
day/per field for priority levels 3 and 4. These user
groups express their
desire for this fee to be
lowered.
Council Paper stated he has had discussions with MAHA Commissioners who state that it is cost
prohibitive for them to host a tournament in Mendota Heights. They requested a reduction of these
tournament fees. Councilor Paper suggested lowering these fees for Mendota Heights' residents, keeping it
under $500, and separating out priority levels 3 and 4, if needed.
Council Miller stated he is open to raising the fees for the outside groups.
Mayor Levine suggested separating priority levels 3 and 4 on the tournament fee schedule, and changing
the use fee for priority level 3 to $0.
Ms. Lawrence clarified that it would be difficult to separate out levels 3 and 4, since Mendota Heights'
residents also participate in level 4.
Councilor Mazzitello asked what these fees help to pay for. Ms. Schabacker stated that the fees go into the
general budget and help to pay for staff and field preparation costs. Councilor Mazzitello stated that these
fees help to fund the parks and recreation budget. He suggested that fees remain unchanged until after the
Park Asset Management Plan has been fully developed.
Councilor Paper suggested that the parks with multiple fields, Kensington and Mendakota, be charged
differently.
Mayor Levine suggested capping the tournament fees for priority level 3 to an amount under $500. The
Council was in agreement to this proposal.
Ms. Lawrence discussed the tennis court reservation fee of $25 per year. There is an issue with coaches
and residents reserving the courts for the entire season at this low fee. She stated that most cities do not
reserve tennis courts for users, but have them available on a first come, first serve basis.
The Council was in agreement to amend the fee schedule to lower the tournament fees for priority level 3,
and adjust the tennis court reservation fees. Staff will return to a future City Council meeting with a
recommendation.
ADJOURN
Mayor Levine adjourned the meeting at 7:45 pm.
StepWtiie L@vine, Mayor
ATT'EST
Lorri Smith, City Clerk
March $ 2021 Mendota Heights Council Work Session Page 2