Loading...
2021-05-18 Council minutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA Minutes of the Regular Meeting Held Tuesday, May 18, 2021 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the regular meeting of the City Council, City of Mendota Heights, Minnesota was held at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, Minnesota. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Levine called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Councilors Duggan, Paper, Mazzitello, and Miller, were also present. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council, the audience, and staff recited the Pledge of Allegiance. AGENDA ADOPTION Mayor Levine presented the agenda for adoption. Councilor Mazzitello moved adoption of the agenda. Councilor Duggan seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 CONSENT CALENDAR Mayor Levine presented the consent calendar and explained the procedure for discussion and approval. Councilor Duggan moved approval of Lou consent calendar as presented, pulling items e, i, j, and k. for a separate vote on those items. a. Approval of May 4, 2021 City Council Minutes b. Acknowledge the April 13, 2021 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes c. Approve Resolution 2021-41 Final Payment and Acceptance of the 2020 Sanitary Sewer Cleaning and Televising d. Approve Resolution 2021-42 Authorizing the Disposal of Obsolete Furnishings el Apprwv�e Minnesota 14isterieal Society Her-itage Partnership Program Cffant Agreement f. Approve Sewer Rate Study g. Approve Resolution 2021-38 Authorizing Participation in the All -Hazard Mitigation Planning Process with Dakota County h. Approve the Purchase and Implementation of NEOGOV Human Resources Software 4 Approve Dakota County Aquatie invasive Speeies Grant Pregram Agreeme k n lu 3 Senier Golf P 1. Approve Acquisition Method for New Fire Truck m. Approve the 2021 Fire Synopsis n. Approve April 2021 Building Activity Report o. Approval of Claims List Councilor Miller seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 PULLED CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS E) APPROVE MINNESOTA HISTORICAL SOCIETY HERITAGE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM GRANT AGREEMENT Mayor Levine recognized the success the City has had in obtaining grant funds and asked staff for a brief summary. Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek replied that the City applied for multiple grants. He provided details on the Minnesota Historical Society grant and details on how the City would provide its match. Councilor Duggan moved to approve the MINNESOTA HISTORICAL SOCIETY HERITAGE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM GRANT AGREEMENT, Councilor Mazzitello seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 I) APPROVE CONSERVATION PARTNERS LEGACY GRANT PROGRAM AGREEMENT Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek noted the work completed on the City's Natural Resources Management an, and stated that one of the tasks was to create a template that the City could use to submit grant applications. He provided details on the grant awarded, the work that would be done, and how the City would provide its local match. Councilor Miller moved to approve the CONSERVATION PARTNERS LEGACY GRANT PROGRAM AGREEMENT. Councilor Mazzitello seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 J) APPROVE DAKOTA COUNTY AQUATIC EVVASIVE SPECIES GRANT PROGRAM AGREEMENT Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek provided details on how this grant would be used to treat curly leaf pond weed in Rogers Lake and reviewed how the City would provide its local match. May !8, 2021 Mendota Heights City Council Page 2 of7 Councilor Mazzitello moved to approve DAKOTA COUNTY AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES GRANT PROGRAM AGREEMENT, Councilor Miller seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 K) ANNUAL PAR 3 SENIOR GOLF PASS Councilor Paper stated that he wanted to bring additional attention to this item as this has been discussed for the past several years and will now be available. He stated that an annual golf pass for seniors to play at the Par 3 would be proposed at the next meeting. He hopes to see it promoted as much as possible. Councilor Duggan moved to approve an ANNUAL PAR 3 SENIOR GOLF PASS to be available and to direct staff to add this to the fee schedule. Councilor Mazzitello seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 PUBLIC COMMENTS No one from the public wished to be heard. PUBLIC HEARING A) RESOLUTION 2021-40 MENDOTA HEIGHTS ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY VACATION Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek explained that the Council was being asked to hold a public hearing regarding the vacation of a right-of-way, which was commenced by petition. Councilor Paper asked if vacating this right-of-way would change the number of homes that could be constructed on the property. Mr. Ruzek confirmed that only one home could be constructed on the lot as it would be short of the required square footage for an additional home. Mayor Levine commented on correspondence received from a resident related to unresolved issues with the sewer line and its design. Mr. Ruzek replied that the property will be connecting to the sanitary sewer, however it will not be a gravity system and provided additional details. Councilor Miller moved to open the public hearing. Councilor Duggan seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 No one from the public wished to be heard regarding this item. May ]8, 2021 Mendota Flelg@ts City Courvcil P°ge 3 °f � Mayor Levine stated that a request was received from the applicant, who could not be present at this meeting, to continue this public hearing to the June 1 st meeting to allow them to speak. City Attorney E11iot Kitsch commented that the Council can leave the public hearing open and stated the date of continuation, which is June 1, 2021, Mayor Levine commented that the public hearing will remain open and continued at the June 1st City Council meeting. NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS A) APPROVE RIGHT-OF-WAY LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR 569 MIRIAM STREET Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek explained that Maggie and Eric Christopher are seeking Way License License Agreement from the City to install and maintain trees and plantings within the abutting undeveloped Eugenia right-of-way. Councilor Duggan asked if there has been contact with the utility companies in relation to the proposal. Mr. Ruzek replied that there has not been communication with those companies. He provided details on the easement width and noted that there should be space for utility vehicles. Councilor Duggan suggested that the City send a letter to the utility companies advising them of this action, so they are aware. Mr. Ruzek confirmed that staff could send such a letter to the utility contacts. Councilor Paper asked for details on the 15 feet of easement that was vacated in 2009. Mr. Ruzek identified the 15 feet of easement that was vacated in 2009 through a request of the property at 574 Hiawatha to construct a detached garage. Councilor Paper asked why that would impact this request. Mr. Ruzek commented that the remaining 15 feet would also go to 574 Hiawatha instead of this property because of how the land is platted, therefore this license agreement would be the preferred action. Mayor Levine commented that a neighboring property owner has made the comment that utility vehicles would not have access if additional landscaping were done. Mr. Ruzek stated that email was received prior to the onsite meeting where it was decided that additional right-of-way would be provided. He noted that the onsite meeting resolved that concern. Councilor Miller moved to approve the RIGHT-OF-WAY LICENSE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY AND MAGGIE AND ERIC CHRISTOPHER, 569 MIRIAM STREET. Councilor Duggan seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 May I8, 2021 Mendota Heights City Council Page 4 of7 B) USE OF EXISTING LIGHTS AT MARIE PARK FOR NIGHTTIME PICKLEBALL PLAY Recreation Program Coordinator Meredith Lawrence stated that the Council was being asked to consider a recommendation from the Parks and Recreation Commission regarding the use of the existing rink lights at Marie Park for nighttime pickleball play. She stated that the Commission is recommending a pilot program be established for light usage during September and October of this year. Staff would mail notices to residents within 500 feet of Marie Park to solicit their feedback before the pilot program is approved. Councilor Mazzitello asked if Marie Park is the only hockey rink outfitted for pickleball. Ms. Lawrence confirmed that and noted that staff is soliciting quotes to outfit Friendly Hills hockey rink for pickleball courts as well. Councilor Mazzitello stated that he would agree with the staff recommendation to obtain input from neighboring residents before approving this use. Councilor Duggan asked if there have been any noise complaints from the neighboring homes resulting from pickleball play. Ms. Lawrence stated that she has not received any noise complaints. Councilor Duggan agreed that this approach would be the best in determining whether there would be concern from neighboring residents related to potential use of the lights. Councilor Miller commented that he likes the idea of exploring ideas for additional use of the parks. He noted that resident input will be critical to ensure this would be supported by the neighborhood. Councilor Paper commented that he understands that lights are used at the rinks in the winter but noted that in those months the windows are closed, and people are not out on their patios therefore that level of noise and light is not comparable. He stated that he is very open to receiving input from the neighborhood. Mayor Levine commented that she heard from a neighbor that she supports the use of the lights for pickleball. She commended the Parks-Rec Commission for bringing this request forward in this way. She asked when the additional courts are anticipated to be open for Marie Park and Friendly Hills, Ms. Lawrence stated that staff is soliciting quotes for the additional courts at Marie Park and hoped to also have quotes for Friendly Hills. THeseand that these may be on the next Council agenda for consideration. Councilor Paper asked on how large of an area the notifications would be sent out to for surveying the neighbors. Ms. Lawrence stated that she has not identified all of the home within the 500 foot range to be notified as of yet, but noted that the distance suggested was the distance used to solicit input for Friendly Hills. She stated that staff could go out beyond 500 feet. Councilor Paper commented that he would want to ensure all the homes around the park are notified. Councilor Mazzitello suggested the notice be provided to homes within 500 feet of the park boundary. It was the consensus of the Council to direct staff to mail out notices to residents within 500 feet of the Marie Park boundary to solicit feedback regarding the pilot program for evening light usage. May 18, 2021 A�endota Heights City Council Page 5 of 7 C) RESOLUTION 2021-39 RECOGNITION OF NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek stated that the Council is asked to approve Resolution 2021-39 recognizing National Public Works Week. He provided background information on the request. Councilor Mazzitello commented that the City has one of the best public works crews. He commented on the outstanding work the department handles in terms of infrastructure and maintenance that is often unrecognized. Councilor Duggan asked if the Council would recognize public works this week on the Fire Station sign. City Administrator Mark McNeill commented that he will verify the policy as the City is restricted on what is put on that sign but noted that another method could be found to recognize those employees. Councilor Miller echoed the comments of Councilor Mazzitello as to the excellent job that the public works staff does. Councilor Duggan recognized a resident comment received this week related to the quick response from the public works department to an issue the resident brought forward. Mayor Levine stated that in her experience public works employees are very friendly when encountered in the community. She expressed appreciation for the work that is done and the way the work is completed. Councilor Mazzitello moved to adopt RESOLUTION 2021-39 "RECOGNIZING NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK AS THE WEEK OF MAY 16, 2021 THROUGH MAY 22, 2021". Councilor Duggan seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 D) SET CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING DATE City Administrator Mark McNeill stated that the City Council is asked to schedule a work session to discuss a variety of topics. He noted that a closed session of the Council is also needed to be scheduled. City Attorney Elliot Knetsch provided input as to whether the closed session could be held virtually. It was the consensus of the Council to schedule a closed session meeting virtually on May 241h at 1:30 p.m. and a work session on June 9�' at 1:30 p.m. COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS City Administrator Mark McNeill announced that the Parks Celebration would be held August 13-15. He noted that detailed information would be posted on the City website. A1ay 18, 2021 Mendota Heights Ciry Council Page 6 of 7 COUNCIL COMMENTS Mayor Levine commented that the new guidance from the CDC requires that masks be worn unless a person is fully vaccinated which is why the Council is able to meet in person. Councilor Duggan provided details on reflective sashes that are being handed out by the Police Department to be used by the public when they are out walking in the evening to increase safety for pedestrians. He thanked staff and public works for the quick response they provide to residents. He stated that there are some questions related to the skate park and clarified that the skate park is not proposed to move at this time and will remain open. He congratulated the Mayor on her State of the City presentation that took place earlier tonight. He stated that Copperfield Pond is shallower and causes challenges throughout the summer involving smell. Councilor Paper commented on a youth baseball tournament recently hosted at a city park on Mother's Day weekend and he thanked City staff for the work they did to prepare for the tournament. He stated that it was terrific to see so many people enjoying the park. He congratulated the Mayor on her first State of the City presentation. Councilor Miller stated that the Fire Department will take possession of a fire boat and will have training on May 24`s at Rogers Lake between 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. He invited residents that may want to watch. Councilor Mazzitello thanked the Mayor for the State of the City presentation. Mayor Levine recognized the public works department. She referenced the recent See a Truck Event, which was the first event of the season, and asked how many people were in attendance. Recreation Program Coordinator Meredith Lawrence estimated between 500 and 600 people attended. Mayor Levine commented that the first event of the season was a great success. She thanked all members of the public who watch the Council meetings and engage in local government by informing themselves. ADJOURN Councilor Mazzitello moved to adjourn. Councilor Paper seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Mayor Levine adjourned the meeting at 7:02 p:m. ff Step anie fevine Mayor Lorri Smith City Clerk May ]8; 2021 Mendota Heights City Cauncrl Page 7of7