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2021-08-04 Council MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA Minutes of the Regular Meeting Held Wednesday, August 4, 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 the consent calendar as presented, pulling items a., e., n ..1 ,.f T.,1.. 11) 1n11 C;+., r,...,,,.n r,r;,,,,ro bI Acknowledge the June 22, 2021 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes c. Authorize Out -of -State Travel Request for Recreation Program Coordinator d. Authorize Assistant City Administrator Position Recruitment Approve01 Agreernei4 Y44h inspeetfan for Septie System hispo Se f Accept the Ret e t Natiee of Firef:.. er Gordy _Skjeryen g. n,.,ept the Dotir,.metA T.T..tiee of Firefighlef �Teff Sto..L.aug h. Approve Fire Synopsis Report i. Approval of June 2021 Treasurer's Report Approval a of Claims List Councilor Miller seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 PULLED CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS A) APPROVAL OF THE JULY 20, 2021 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Councilor Duggan stated that in the minutes for the July 20`h meeting, under the discussion on the use of lights at Marie Park, in the third paragraph, the name should state, "Tony Rees Ruiz..." Councilor Duggan moved to approve THE DULY 20, 2021 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES with the noted amendment. Councilor Mazzitello seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 E) APPROVE AGREEMENT WITH INSPECTRON FOR SEPTIC SYSTEM INSPECTION SERVICES Councilor Duggan asked if this is an annual event for those with septic systems. Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek stated that this would be for people building or replacing a septic system. He noted that those with septic systems have to have their system inspected and pumped every three years. Councilor Duggan moved to approve the AGREEMENT WITH INSPECTRON FOR SEPTIC SYSTEM INSPECTION SERVICES. Councilor Mazzitello seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 F) ACCEPT THE RETIREMENT NOTICE OF FIREFIGHTER GORDY SKJERVEN G) ACCEPT THE RETIREMENT NOTICE OF FIREFIGHTER JEFF STENHAUG Councilor Miller stated that as a young boy he was surrounded by firefighters in the neighborhood. He noted that his interactions with Mr. Skjerven and Mr. Stenhaug had an impact on him and their mentorship was central to his development as a firefighter. He commented that they have earned a great retirement and they will be missed. Councilor Duggan acknowledged the wisdom that these two firefighters will take with them. He suggested that the department ask if either would be willing to join the reserve. Councilor Miller moved to accept THE RETIREMENT NOTICE OF FIREFIGHTER GORDY SKJERVEN AND JEFF STENHAUG. Councilor Duggan seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 August 4,2021 Mendota Heights City Council Page 2 oj7 J) APPROVAL OF CLAIMS LIST Councilor Duggan referenced the payments being made for the fire station remodel and asked if this would be the last one. He noted another amount for the fire station of $1,600 which was listed separately. Finance Director Kristen Schabacker stated that those two items were approved at the last meeting and manual checks were written for them. She stated that the payment to Construction Results should be the last one to that company. City Administrator Mark McNeill noted that the overall fire station remodel project will come in under budget. Councilor Duggan asked for details on the payment to Great River Greening in the amount of $10,431. Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek noted project was for a portion of the work compelted at Copperfield Ponds, Rogers Lake and Valley Park. He noted that the City approved $30,000 through Great River Greening for those three parks. Councilor Duggan asked, in regards to the payment to Savatree, how many trees were serviced. Mr. Ruzek noted that would treat about 14 or 15 trees at approximately $900 per tree. Councilor Duggan asked for details on the payment to Electro Watchman to replace the alarm at the golf course, and asked if that included a warranty. City Administrator Mark McNeill stated that he would verify that and respond to the Council. Councilor Duggan moved to approve CLAIMS LIST. Councilor Mazzitello seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 PUBLIC COMMENTS No one from the public wished to be heard. PUBLIC HEARINGS No items scheduled. NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS A) RESOLUTION 2021-64 ADOPTING THE MENDOTA HEIGHTS 2040 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Community Development Director Tim Benetti explained that the Council was being asked to adopt a resolution officially approving the Mendota Heights 2040 Comprehensive Plan for the community. August 4,2021 Alendota Heights City Council Page 3 of 7 Mayor Levine commented that the Council adopted this plan on December 30' and no changes have been made since that time. She noted that this has been thoroughly vetted and the technical work had been completed prior to December 30"'. She noted that after the December 30'h approval, the plan was sent to the Metropolitan Council for their approval. The Council just needs to finalize the plan with this adoption. Councilor Duggan noted that in a letter from the Metropolitan Council, they recommended that the stated population forecasts and the affordable housing need allocation be revised. Community Development Director Tim Benetti stated that they applied a downward forecast on employment numbers as they were above the numbers from three or four years ago. He stated that staff worked with the consultants and the Met Council representative agreed to a downward forecast on those numbers. Councilor Duggan referenced the projection of affordable housing units which equates to about 4.5 homes per year. He stated this is a challenge the City could rise to. He stated on in regards to roadways, there may be an indirect relationship to the Met Council comments and a proposal for Mendota Plaza. He stated that under roadways, the third paragraph down, there is a challenge between principal and arterial roadways. He believed that this language supports a comment that he made in regard to Mendota Plaza related to traffic counts and reports. He referenced the advisory comments from the Met Council, related to revisions to reflect only sewer forecasts and asked if that has been done. Community Development Director Tim Benetti stated that was an advisory comment from the Met Council and staff felt that the City's numbers are accurate. No changes were made to the plan. Councilor Paper asked if the Metropolitan Council representative could attend a future Council meeting to establish that relationship. Mr. Benetti commented that he could extend an invitation. Councilor Paper thanked Community Development Director Tim Benetti for his work on this plan. Mayor Levine commented that Councilor Duggan is already applying this information when making decisions, as it is meant to be. She noted that this would be a living guiding document the City will use. Councilor Mazzitello moved to approve RESOLUTION 2021-64 APPROVING THE MENDOTA HEIGHTS 2040 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, Councilor Paper seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 B) PRELIMINARY APPROVAL OF A REQUESTED INTERIM USE PERMIT TO XCEL ENERGY ON RESURRECTION CEMETERY PROPERTY — 2101 LEXINGTON AVENUE SOUTH Community Development Director Tim Benetti stated that the Council was being asked to consider granting pre -approval to an Interim Use Permit request from Xcel Energy, which would allow for the temporary outdoor storage of supplies, equipment, vehicle parking. The storage site is located on Resurrection Cemetery property, at 2101 Lexington Avenue South, August 4,2021 Mendota Heights City Council Page 4 of 7 Councilor Miller noted the administrative error that occurred in the publishing of the notice to the public. Mr. Benetti stated that all public hearings required a legal notice be published in the city's legal newspaper, along with mailed notices to properties owners within 350 feet of the subject parcel. He stated that the letters were mailed out but the notice was not published. Councilor Miller stated that obviously the error was recognized but that staff should ensure that is in order to ensure that this does not happen again. City Administrator Mark McNeill stated that this is the first time this type of error has occurred. Councilor Duggan asked how high the stacks of materials would be on the site. Mr. Benetti commented on the materials that would be onsite, including poles, a job trailer, and vehicles. Mayor Levine asked for details on the approvals the Council is being asked to take. Mr. Benetti stated that tonight the Council is being asked to take a voice vote to authorize Xcel to use the site prior to an official resolution being presented at the next Council meeting. He stated that Xcel would like to start unloading materials at the site tomorrow. Councilor Paper asked if there would be construction fence installed for screening. Mr. Benetti commented that Xcel is willing to install fencing if required. Mayor Levine asked if staff has received any comments from the apartments which are across the street. Mr. Benetti commented that the notice was mailed and there were no inquiries or comments received. Mayor Levine asked the length of time the construction materials would be onsite. Mr. Benetti replied that the permit would run from August 5th through mid -December. Chris Berglund, Xcel Energy, stated that they do have their own fencing crews and could put up a foot screening screening fence. He stated that they anticipate the project will be complete by the end of November and should have the site cleaned up by the end of December. Councilor Duggan asked and received confirmation that the site would be restored to its original condition. Mr. Berglund noted that he would have a signed agreement with the cemetery stipulating as such. Councilor Paper asked for details on the project being completed by Xcel. Mr. Berglund replied that the electrical power line is old and needs to be conditioned. He provided additional details on the project and the process. Mayor Levine stated that this is a temporary storage site. She stated that Xcel does a good job, cleans up and is a great partner to the community. Councilor Duggan asked if there would be implication to approving this preliminarily. City Attorney Elliot Knetsch commented that obviously this process is not typical. He stated that this approval would provide authorization for Xcel to begin but it is clear that the permit could be denied in the future should additional details come out at the scheduled public hearing. August 4,2021 Mendota Heights City Council Page 5 of 7 Councilor Mazzitello moved to grant PRELIMINARY APPROVAL FOR AN INTERIM USE PERMIT TO XCEL ENERGY ON RESURRECTION CEMETERY PROPERTY, 2101 LEXINGTON AVENUE SOUTH. Councilor Duggan seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek stated that Saint Paul Regional Water Service (SPRWS) is under a voluntary water restriction which could move to a required water restriction. He provided details on the additional steps that could come due to the current drought conditions. Mr. Ruzek stated that there will be construction signs on Delaware and Lexington related to overlays that will be completed by the County. Councilor Duggan asked if that construction information is available on the city's website. Mr. Ruzek believed the information was available on the website. City Administrator Mark McNeill announced upcoming events including the Parks Celebration and summer concert at Mendakota Park, COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilor Miller stated that the Night to Unite parties included the police and fire departments engaging with the community. He stated that one neighborhood had a live band. Councilor Paper thanked Mr. Benetti for his work on the Comprehensive Plan and the Planning Commission for the work they put into it. He stated that when he first joined the Council in 2016, work was starting on the plan, and it has now come to fruition. Councilor Duggan stated that the Comprehensive Plan runs through 2040. He stated that this process had a cost of about $100,000 and is a significant expenditure for the city. He stated that this will be a guide for the City for many years. He acknowledged the parties held in Mendota Heights for Night to Unite. He stated that everyone he spoke with believed that Mendota Heights is an exceptional city. Councilor Mazzitello stated that the City lives by its Comprehensive Plan. He stated that he looks forward to taking actions that implement items within the plan. He noted that he attended five Night to Unite parties, including one that was a joint party between the residents of Mendota Heights and West St. Paul. He stated that he was most impressed with the number of compliments from the residents. Mayor Levine stated that there were probably close to 50 parties in Mendota Heights. She stated that it was great to see the fire trucks pull up and the cheers that followed. She thanked everyone that signed up for the new organics recycling program, noting the high participation rate in our city. August 4,2021 Mendota Heights City Council Page 6 of 7 ADJOURN Councilor Duggan moved to adjourn. Councilor Mazzitello seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Mayor Levine adjourned the meeting at 6:51 p.m. Stephanie tevine Mayor ATTEST: R _ n Lorri Smith City Clerk August 4,202! 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