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2016 MH State of the City - FinalMendota Heights State of the City Address 2016 Mayor Sandra Krebsbach February 9, 2016 2016 State of City Address Mendota Heights delivers competent and courteous service in a friendly stable environment. 2016 State of City Address Strong Fundamentals •Location •Dedicated City Council & Commissions •Solid Tax Base •Capital Assets •Quality Housing & Commercial property •Public Safety/Public Works/City Staff •Quality of Life –Parks, Recreation About Mendota Heights •Population: 11,124 *Met Council 2014 estimates •Housing Units:4,450 •Home Ownership Rate: 90% •Number of businesses:410* *Source Greater MSP About Mendota Heights •Median Housing Value:$334,700 2015: $318,300 2014: $301,750 •Highest median home value in cities over 10,000 in Dakota County 4.92% increase from 2015 About Mendota Heights •Well educated community: –57.6% of residents have a bachelor’s degree (or higher) –Compares to 32.6% for the state •Median household income: –$95,083 for Mendota Heights residents –$59,836 for the state Source US Census Quick Facts •Three high schools: •Henry Sibley •Convent of the Visitation •St. Thomas Academy •Three elementary schools: •Mendota •Somerset •Convent of the Visitation •Three middle schools: •Friendly Hills Middle School •St. Thomas Academy Middle School •Visitation Middle School •Three golf courses •Mendota Heights Par 3 •Mendakota Country Club •Somerset Country Club Mendota Heights Facts “The quality of a community reflects the dedication and commitment of those who serve it.” Author Unknown City Council Sandra Krebsbach, Mayor Ultan Duggan, Council Member Liz Petschel, Council Member Mike Povolny, Council Member Steve Norton, Council Member Advisory Commissions Airport Relations Commission: David Sloan, Chair Kevin Byrnes William Dunn Sally Lorberbaum Jim Neuharth Gina Norling Arvind Sharma Advisory Commissions Planning Commission: Litton Field, Jr., Chair Christine Costello Doug Hennes Mary Magnusson Michael Noonan Howard Roston Brian Petschel Thank you Ansis Viksnins –9 years of service Advisory Commissions Parks and Recreation Commission: Pat Hinderscheid, Chair Ira Kipp Stephanie Levine David Miller Joel Paper Michael Toth Vacant position Youth representative Thank you Jack Evans –2 years of service Rachel Farber, youth representative Joe Quehl, youth representative Officer Scott Patrick July 30, 2015 Anniversary Commemoration •Officer Scott Patrick Memorial Highway -Dodd Road Dedication •Candlelight Vigil held at the Village at Mendota Heights •Memorial Committee formed Gerald “Jerry” Murphy April 1938 –November 2015 •Provided service to the City of Mendota Heights for nearly 48 years –Licensed part-time police officer –Volunteer Police Reserve •In 2013 -received the Presidential Volunteer Service Award in recognition of contributing in excess of 13,000 hours of volunteer service to the community City Staff Management Team Mark McNeill, City Administrator Tamara Schutta, Asst. to the City Administrator/HR Kristen Schabacker, Finance Director John Mazzitello, Public Works Director/City Engineer Mike Aschenbrener, Chief of Police John Maczko, Fire Chief Sue Donovan, IT Manager Lorri Smith, City Clerk Nolan Wall, Planner City Staff Administration: –10 full time employees Police: –Police Chief –4 Sergeant positions –13 Police Officers –1 full time, 2 PT support staff, 2 on call –5 volunteer reserves/10 volunteer chaplains Public Works/Engineering: ‒Public Works Director ‒Assistant City Engineer ‒Senior Engineer Tech ‒1 Vacancy –on hold ‒.75 support staff ‒Public Works Superintendent ‒9 Public Works employees •Parks, Streets & Utilities City Staff Welcomed new staff members –Ryan Crouley, Maintenance II –Steve Hilyar, Police Officer –Phil McCarty, Police Officer –Shayna Hoechst, PT Police Support Specialist Thank you -Almin Ramic, Project Engineer -Brian Convery, Police Sergeant Mendota Heights Firefighters Fire: Fire Chief Assistant Fire Chief .25 support staff 4 Captains 30 Paid-on-Call (Volunteer) Firefighters New Firefighters –Daniel Johnson, Firefighter –Laura Wertish, Firefighter –Michael Winters, Firefighter Paid-On-Call Firefighters Thank you to retirees –Michelle Parker, Firefighter –Tracy Wilcziek, Firefighter City Staff 16 staff members were recognized for a combined total of 245 years of service to the community. 2016 Core Value Awards Respectful ~ Todd Rosse, Police Officer Ethical ~ Jenny Fordham, Police Officer/SRO Service Oriented ~ Nolan Wall, Planner Professional ~ John Maczko, Fire Chief 2015 Highlights Public Works •72 miles of streets to plow, 26 miles of trails •19 snow events in 2015; 1 snow emergencies •428.31 tons of pavement repairs •127 miles of streets swept •9.63 miles of sanitary sewer cleaned •16 water/force main breaks 2015 Highlights Public Works Decorah Lane Sewer collapse July 15, 2015 at 6:40am 2015 Highlights Public Works •Sanitary sewer trunk main collapsed under Decorah Lane between Dodd Road and Apache Street. •Sinking pavement identified by City employees prior to pavement collapse •Public Works Staff responded immediately •West Saint Paul Public Works responded within 15 minutes to provide assistance Infrastructure Projects 2015 Infrastructure Project Victoria Road South Reconstruction (Marie to Lexington) Infrastructure Projects 2016 Infrastructure Project Reconstruct Mendota Road –Will replace entire road section and install curb, gutter, & storm sewer Rehabilitate Warrior Drive, High Ridge Circle, Sibley Court –Will replace pavement and spot replace curbing where needed –Warrior Drive will have a median installed as a traffic safety/control measure $1.9 million project estimate paid for with Municipal State Aid (MSA) funds, storm sewer utility funds, municipal bond sales and assessments Mendota Heights Water System Mendota Heights entered into a water agreement with Saint Paul Regional Water Services (SPRWS): •SPRWS will retain all previous responsibilities for maintenance, repairs, and improvements •SPRWS and Mendota Heights will work together on capital projects and Board representation •In the event SPRWS is purchased or dissolved, Mendota Heights has the right to buy back or stay with the new owner 2015 Highlights Police Department •7,277 Calls for service •590 Citations issued •752 Warnings issued •1,110 Police Reports •Average response time for calls is 5.41 minutes •Lowest crime rate in Dakota County 2015 Highlights Police Community Involvement –Citizen’s Academy, Crime Prevention Neighborhood meetings, Night to Unite, Special Olympics & Toys for Tots. 2015 Citizens Academy 2015 Highlights Mendota Heights Fire Department named 2015 Minnesota's Fire Department of the Year at the Minnesota State Fire Department Association State Convention in St. Cloud in June. 2015 Training Exercise 2015 Highlights Fire Department •269 fire calls (83 were false alarms) •330 fire inspections •3 residential/0 commercial fires –1 in Mendota Heights, 2 in Lilydale •Average response time for calls is 7 minutes •Community Involvement –Fire Prevention Week & Open House, school visits during Fire Prevention Week, Night to Unite, Halloween Bonfire and Firefighter Dance 2015 Building Activity •1660 Building Permits issued in 2015 •Valuation of all permits $23,897,193 •Total permit revenue: $381,608 2015 Building Activity •16 new single-family homes built (valued $5,036,424) –LeMay Lake Shores, The Summit & infill lots •4 teardowns & 5 rebuilds single-family homes (valued $2,723,000) Recreation Recreation Opportunities –Summer Playgrounds –Puppet Wagon at the Village –Tennis, Golf, Fishing, Skating –Bike Rodeo –Field trips –Pickleball –Sliding at Par 3 Recreation Safety Camp •Collaboration with South St. Paul, West St. Paul & Mendota Heights •37 youth from Mendota Heights participated in the 2015 Safety Camp Recreation Community Events for All –Parks Celebration –Music in the Park –5K Run/Walk –400 participants –Seasonal events at The Village at Mendota Heights and Mendota Plaza Annual Parks Celebration Mendota Heights Par 3 •Lessons and leagues for youth and adults •10,000+ rounds golf played •4,000+ rounds of foot-golf played •Positive net position for the third consecutive year City Financials •Taxable market value for all properties increased 5.91% from 2015 •Tax levy increased by 5.81% for 2016 •Ehlers & Associates hired to produce a 10 year Financial Management Plan Taxable Market Value Residential $1,380,148,828 Commercial $241,294,700 Industrial $62,042,000 Utility $11,620,400 Apartments $21,600,000 Other $22,014,400 Agricultural $326,700 City Budget •2016 Budget Process provides for quality essential services •Tax rate remains the lowest among major Dakota County Cities City Budget •2015 Total Levy = $6,999,974 •2016 Total Levy = $7,406,399 City Budget •Fire Relief Pension Benefit Increase •Sold bonds for 2.5 ton dump truck with snow plow •City Hall & Fire safety improvements •Public Works turf maintenance vehicle •Police Department weapons acquisition •Employee Cost of Living Adjustment 2.5% 2016 City Revenues General Fund Property Tax Levy 81% License and Permit 4% Fines and Forteitures 1% Charges for Services 7% Intergovernmental 5%Miscellaneous 2% 2016 City Expenses Administration, $1,077,954 Police, $3,448,531 Fire, $469,754 Streets, $1,023,577 Parks/Rec, $796,146 Other,$602,482 AAA Bond Rating •AAA bond rating affirmed by Standard and Poor Rating Services for a third year. •Approximately 50 cities nationwide with populations under 12,000 have a AAA rating •S & P noted: –Very strong budget flexibility with available reserves –Very strong economy –Strong management conditions –Very strong liquidity with strong cash levels to cover expenditures Fiscal Disparities In 2015, we shared tax capacity information from the Dakota County website regarding Fiscal Disparities. •Mendota Heights has requested new legislation –Reduce the City’s property tax contribution by 25% to FD pool –Applies to cities of 15,000 or less If proposed legislation is successful, and combined with normal tax base growth, in 2017 Mendota Heights would annually realize ~ $250,000 more for its operations. 2015 Accomplishments Prime Therapeutics, LLC •Partnered with the State of Minnesota, Greater MSP and the City of Mendota Heights •Transferring 375 jobs within 3 years •Creating 125 jobs within 2 years 2015 Accomplishments Opened Temporary Off-Leash Dog Area •Approximately 3 acres •Located south of Acacia Boulevard & east of Pilot Knob Road 2015 Accomplishments Industrial Park Study $10,000 Grant for redevelopment planning from Dakota County Community Development Agency •Fire Station –Study completed in 2015 –Remodel, renovate and expand, or reconstruct? •Police Facilities –Squad car parking, future facility needs to be studied Future City Facility Needs •Engineering Study –Take an in-depth look at how the Department currently operates –Future structure to make the engineering function sustainable •Police Study –Looking at the state of policing in Mendota Heights –Review staffing levels and succession planning •Financial Summit –comprehensive look at revenue and expenses •Industrial Park Study 2016 City Council Goals •Sump Pump Program –encourage private compliance efforts •Identify source for future Park funding 2016 Legislative Priorities •Relief for Cities of under 15,000 from full Fiscal Disparities contributions •Special PERA Legislation •Oppose any efforts to disband the Noise Oversight Committee •Rental Licensing 2016 City Council Goals Crossing of TH 110 TH 110 underpass between the Village at Mendota Heights and Mendota Plaza •Funded through grant from Metropolitan Council •In partnership with Dakota County and MnDOT •Part of Mendota- Lebanon Hills Greenway •Design 2016 •Construction 2017 TH 110 Design Concept Market Square Park is home to several community events and destination shopping Village at Mendota Heights Village at Mendota Heights City owns 3 lots (approximately 1.72 acres) Zoned mixed use –PUD Mendota Plaza •King and I Thai •Fresh & Natural Grocery Store Hwy 55 Corridor Examine zoning & land use for development and redevelopment opportunities Industrial Park Study Area Industrial Park Study Findings Healthy and successful Strengths •Access and location •Low vacancy rate •Low tax rate Challenges •Transit access •Flexible commercial land uses Industrial Park Study Recommendations •Potential for revisions or additions to the uses allowed in the industrial park •Study traffic and circulation in the vicinity of Pilot Knob and Northland Drive •Stay current on changes in the requirements of industrial and office uses •Continue commercial land use and zoning designations on the City-owned Bourn Lane site •Explore ways to capitalize on the new Vikings facility in Eagan New Neighbors •Minnesota Vikings are proposing to develop new facilities for the team •Athletic/recreational complex •Practice stadium and corporate facilities •Site located at the southeast corner of I-494 and Lone Oak Parkway •Phased-in project will include new residential and commercial development •Trails and open space Minnesota Vikings Potential issues for Mendota Heights •Increased traffic •Noise from special events Potential benefits •Bring attention to our Industrial Park •Commercial •Location to 494 •Fan traffic for local businesses Annual Themes 2011: Securing the Future 2012: Moving on Opportunities 2013: Moving Mendota Heights Forward while Maintaining Low Taxes 2014: Communicating Mendota Heights assets and opportunities as we move forward without losing our essential character 2015: New Beginnings 2016 We’ve Begun