2021-04-28 Council Work Session MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minutes of the Council Work Session
Held Via WebEx
Tuesday, April 28, 2021
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a work session of the Mendota Heights City Council was called to
order on April 28, 2021. The meeting was held virtually using WebEx.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Levine called the meeting to order at 4:00 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, Community Development Director Tim Benetti, and City
Clerk Lorri Smith.
SPACE NEEDS STUDY —CITY HALL
City Administrator Mark McNeill introduced Quinn Hutson and Jessica Harter, representing CNH
Architects, who was hired to perform a space needs analysis of City Hall and the Police Department, Mr.
Hutson reviewed the building history, the site and building analysis, the goals, and recommendations.
Mr. Hutson stated the city hall building was built in 1988. He reviewed the building maintenance that has
taken place since that date.
Councilor Duggan questioned if the 2018 water remediation project is complete and was it successful Mr.
McNeill stated the water infiltration and mold issues have been taken care of. The west wall still has issues
that needs to be addressed.
Mr. Hutson reviewed the site analysis, which includes 3.24 buildable acres. The infrastructure issues
include poor circulation and flow leading to decreased functionality and inadequate access to utilities. He
stated the building infrastructure is in good shape to provide a remodel and addition to. The street access is
excellent and has good visibility.
Mr. Hutson noted the shortage in space, lack of secure storage, and security as issues. Other issues noted
included squad cars having only one outlet to Lexington Avenue, insufficient separation between secure
and public areas, Council Chambers lacking multiple exits, lack of garage space to securely store all squad
cars, lack of a police training area, lack of meeting room and office space.
Mr.
Hutson noted the program goals including building and
staff security, preservation
of the
character of
the
city, efficiency and flow of the building, maintaining the
GreenStep city status, and
ADA
accessibility.
Mayor Levine noted the need to remodel in a way to respect staff and to provide them the space they need
so they can productively do their job.
Council Duggan stated the key to the design of the original building was to fit it into the neighborhood. He
asked what significant needs are not being met by the current building. Mr. McNeill stated that safety is a
significant concern that must be addressed, especially for the police department.
Mr. Hutson reviewed the overall site plan and the building additions that are being proposed. He stated the
upper level has a space shortage of about 1,992 square feet. The plan proposes an addition to the Council
Chambers to provide an additional exit to the room, and an addition to the north side of the building to
include open office work spaces and a break room for employees.
Councilor Miller asked if the garage space proposed for the lower level would be built to accommodate a
second story above it for future expansion. Mr. Hutson stated that would be a good plan.
Councilor Mazzitello asked if the additional eight work spaces being planned for the new addition to the
north would accommodate any future staff hired. Mr. Hutson stated those spaces are only for the existing
staff members.
Mr. Hutson reviewed the lower level proposal. He estimated the lower level has a space shortage of
approximately 7,379 square feet and lacks security. The proposal plans for an addition to the north side to
provide a garage space for squad cars, a training classroom, an evidence garage, an armory, and office
space. The current space would be reconfigured to allow for a property storage area, a vehicle sally port,
larger locker rooms, and a squad room separate from the staff breakroom.
Councilor Duggan asked for the staff capacity of the current space, compared to the proposed staff capacity
of the proposed new space. Mr. McNeill stated the proposed space does not allow for additional staff
capacity. Chief McCarthy stated the proposed plan does not include space for additional employees. She
stated the proposed plan addresses security issues and mainly adds space for a garage, armory, storage and
classroom. It does not add room for the department to grow.
Councilor Paper asked about the proposed secondary access for police vehicles and if that would be only
used in emergencies. Mr. Hutson stated the slope would be evened out over the distance and would only be
used in times of emergency. This could also help to address the water infiltration issue of the west wall.
Councilor Mazzitello stated the planning should include needs for the future, and the Council should look
at the costs for a new building on a new site.
Mr. Hutson discussed the proposed costs of the plan. Based on January 2021 building costs, the estimated
costs totaled $4,263,964, including a contingency of 15%. He stated that phasing the construction of this
project is a possibility. He estimated that building a separate police department building at a new location,
greater than 17,000 square feet, is estimated to cost $4.9 to $5.3 million for the building only, not including
soft costs or the remodeling of city hall.
Mr. McNeill discussed the fiscal impacts for the city. A bond issuance of $4.6 million would increase taxes
on an averaged priced home in Mendota Heights, valued at $458,744, by $67.44. He reviewed resources of
the city, which include the Bourn property, the water tower fund, the Par 3 bond levy retirement in 2023,
and the general fund balance.
Apn[ 28, 2021 rlendota Heights Cmencil Work Session Page 2
The Council members discussed the options of a larger remodel of the current building to accommodate
future growth and more needs of the police department, building a new city hall/police department building
at the Mertensotto baseball field site, moving the baseball field to the current city hall building location, or
building a new city hall/police department building at the Public Works site.
The Council directed city staff to calculate the space needed for a new city hall/police department building
to be built on the site of the Mertensotto baseball field and calculate space needed to move the baseball
field to the current city hall site. If there is adequate space for the city hall and baseball field space
exchange, the Council would like to see a cost proposal for a new city hall/police department building from
CNH Architects,
The Council also as to see a proposal from CNH Architects which increases the size of the additions to
City Hall and Police Department to accommodate more space for future growth and adds more needs of the
police department.
UPDATE ON SOCIAL EVENTS SCHEDULED
Cheryl Jacobson, Assistant City Administrator, reviewed with the Council the various social events that are
being planned for this summer. The Councilors suggested adding a dance at Market Square Park and a
food truck event. It was suggested that these two events be added to the Parks Celebration in August.
DISCUSSION OF IN -PERSON CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
The Councilors were in agreement to start in -person meetings as soon as possible.
PAR 3 SENIOR PASS PROPOSAL
A Senior
pass
was presented as an option
for the playing at the Par 3. This idea will be forwarded along to
the Parks
and
Recreation Commission for
their recommendation.
ADJOURN
Mayor Levine adjourned the meeting at 6:36 pm.
Ste anie evine, Mayor
ATTEST•
Lone Smith, City Clerk
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