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2021-08-17 Council minutes CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA Minutes of the Regular Meeting Held Tuesday, August 17, 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 f. and g. a. Approval of August 4, 2021 City Council Minutes b. Acknowledge the July 27, 2021 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes c. Acknowledge the July 13, 2021 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes d. Acknowledge the July 15, 2021 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes e. Approve New Massage Therapist Licenses f-, Aeoept Police Sergeant Resigna4ien and AtAher-ize the Position Recruitment A:eeess g. Appfe-,�e Resalu4ian 2021 68 Approving Plans and Aiatheriziiig an Ad�vertisement for-Bids for-the- h. Approve the July 2021 Building Activity Report i. Approve the Claims List Councilor Mazzitello seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 PULLED CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS F) ACCEPT POLICE SERGEANT RESIGNATION AND AUTHORIZE THE POSITION RECRUITMENT PROCESS Councilor Duggan stated that he has had the privilege of knowing Officer Tanner Spicer for the years he was a member of the police department. He stated that he would accept the resignation with regret. Councilor Duggan moved to accept POLICE SERGEANT RESIGNATION AND AUTHORIZE THE POSITION RECRUITMENT PROCESS. Councilor Mazzitello seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 G)APPROVE RESOLUTION 2021-68 APPROVING PLANS AND AUTHORIZING ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS FOR THE RIDGE PLACE SANITARY SEWER AND STREAMBANK REPAIRS Councilor Duggan referenced the second paragraph on the second page and asked for clarification on how that would relate to everything else in the report. Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek stated that the meeting is a technical panel evaluation related to the wetland determination. He stated that the streambank is considered a wetland and therefore approvals are needed from other entities in order to complete the project. Councilor Duggan asked if that work would impact any other area. Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek stated that each project would be considered linear projects and would be combined in order to determine mitigation efforts. He stated that the City does not consider this a natural wetland and the DNR does not consider this to be public water, therefore the evaluation is meant to certify those findings. Councilor Duggan moved to approve RESOLUTION 2021-68 APPROVING PLANS AND AUTHORIZING ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS FOR THE RIDGE PLACE SANITARY SEWER AND STREAMBANK REPAIRS. Councilor Mazzitello seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 PUBLIC COMMENTS No one from the public wished to be heard. August 17,2021 Mendota Heights City Council Page 2 of 7 PRESENTATIONS A) CERT PRESENTATION BY POLICE SERGEANT FLEMING Police Sergeant Peyton Fleming, Police Detective Phil McCarty, and Firefighter Dale Stein presented the Community Emergency Response Team(CERT)training that is being offered to the public. Sergeant Fleming provided details about the training and explained that the program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills. He played a short video explaining the program. He stated that the program is open to anyone 18 or older interested in serving their community. He noted that the first class will be limited to 20 participants, and priority will be given to citizens of Mendota Heights, Mendota, and Lilydale. He reviewed the schedule for the program and reviewed the topics that would be covered. He stated that registration will be available on the City website or at City Hall, Councilor Duggan stated that he was previously involved in the citizen's police academy which he enjoyed and was pleased to see this offering to residents. He asked if there should be a representative from the Council and different Boards and Commissions attending the training. Mayor Levine commented that she also participated in the citizen's police academy. She noted that members of the commissions would be eligible to join. Councilor Paper commented that this is a great idea and thanked staff for bringing this forward. He asked who the program is meant to target and how these individuals would be used following the training. Sergeant Fleming commented that the program is open to anyone that is interested. He stated that once trained,these individuals could do many things to help out if a disaster should strike our community, and he provided examples, i.e. traffic control. Councilor Paper asked who funds the program. Sergeant Fleming commented that FEMA funds the program with the exception of the backpacks. Councilor Miller commented that he also loves this idea as it provides an opportunity for residents to serve the community in another way. Councilor Mazzitello echoed the comments of the Council. Mayor Levine asked if there is a cost to participate. Sergeant Fleming replied that there is no cost to participate. Mayor Levine asked if other cities have offered the program. Sergeant Fleming stated that the current members of the Police Reserves have been through the program with Ramsey County. He noted that they have been working with the Ramsey County Coordinator to get the program up and running. Councilor Paper asked if there would be a background check. Sergeant Fleming stated that while it is not mandated, they would most likely complete that. August 17,2021 Mendota Heights City Council Page 3 of 7 Councilor Duggan asked if the CERT members would be required to wear a uniform when directing traffic. Sergeant Fleming confirmed that the kit includes a vest and identifies them as a CERT member and perhaps as the program evolves,they can develop an identification badge. He confirmed that the first class begins October 71h. PUBLIC HEARING No items scheduled. NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS A)RESOLUTION 2021-65 APPROVING A VARIANCE AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO 650 BROOKSIDE LANE (PLANNING CASE NO. 2021-10/GERALD ZIEBOL) Community Development Director Tim Benetti explained that the Council was being asked to adopt a resolution approving a variance and conditional use permit to allow an expansion to an existing legal, nonconforming residence in the R-1 Zone, and a conditional use permit (CUP) to allow for a covered porch to encroach into the front yard setback. Councilor Duggan asked what the address of the home would be. Mr. Benetti replied that the address would remain as 650 Brookside Lane. Councilor Duggan referenced the bottom paragraph on page 51 and asked how that would be measured or whether that language is needed. Mr. Benetti noted that is language applicable to a variance. Councilor Duggan referenced Item D and asked for additional clarification on how that might be known and whether "similar" should be used. Mr. Benetti noted that two years ago the former City Attorney developed these findings of fact for variances. He explained that each variance must be weighed on its own value and not previously granted variances. Councilor Miller moved to approve RESOLUTION 2021-65 APPROVING A VARIANCE AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR 650 BROOKSIDE LANE. Councilor Paper seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 B) RESOLUTION 2021-66 APPROVING AN INTERIM USE PERMIT FOR AN OUTDOOR STORAGE AND LAYDOWN YARD AT RESURRECTION CEMETERY—2101 LEXINGTON AVENUE SOUTH (PLANNING CASE NO. 2021-11/XCEL ENERGY & CATHOLIC CEMETERIES) Community Development Director Tim Benetti stated that the Council was being asked to adopt a resolution approving an Interim Use Permit QUP) for Xcel Energy, which would allow for the temporary outdoor storage of electrical poles, equipment,job trailer and employee/company vehicle parking, in an unused area of Resurrection Cemetery,2101 Lexington Avenue South. The applicant is Xcel Energy, and the property owner is Catholic Cemeteries. August 17,2021 Mendota Heights City Council Page 4 of 7 Councilor Duggan moved to adopt RESOLUTION 2021-66 APPROVING AN INTERIM USE PERMIT TO XCEL ENERGY TO USE PART OF RESURRECTION CEMETERY AS A TEMPORARY OUTDOOR ELECTRICAL LINE MATERIALS STORAGE YARD LOCATED AT 2101 LEXINGTON AVENUE SOUTH. Councilor Mazzitello seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 C)RESOLUTION 2021-67 APPROVING LOT LINE ADJUSTMENT - 1892 AND 1881 ORCHARD HEIGHTS LANE (PUNNING CASE NO. 2021-13/JAMIE ANDERSON &JOSEPHINE BAHL) Community Development Director Tim Benetti stated the Council was being asked to consider a resolution approving a lot line adjustment between 1892 and 1881 Orchard Heights Lane. The applicants and owners are Jamie and Suzanne Anderson(1892) and Josephine Bahl (1881). Councilor Duggan moved to adopt RESOLUTION 2021-67 APPROVING A LOT LINE ADJUSTMENT BETWEEN THE PROPERTIES LOCATED AT 1892 AND 1881 ORCHARD HEIGHTS LANE. Councilor Mazzitello seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 D) AWARD CONSULTING CONTRACT FOR OHEYAWAHE/HISTORIC PILOT KNOB INTERPRETIVE PLAN Natural Resources Technician Krista Spreiter provided a brief background and stated the Council was being asked to accept the proposal submitted by the 106 Group to begin the development of an Interpretive Plan for the Oheyawahe/Pilot Know Preservation site. Mayor Levine commented that she has had the opportunity to tour Pilot Knob and believes that this is the next step to enhance this land that the community is privileged to have. She stated that she is excited about this partnership and is proud of the work the Pilot Knob task force has done. She thanked staff and the task force. Councilor Duggan moved to authorize THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR TO ACCEPT THE PROPOSAL OF, AND ISSUE A "NOT-TO-EXCEED" PURCHASE ORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $54,000 TO THE 106 GROUP. Councilor Mazzitello seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS City Administrator Mark McNeill announced the Tour de Rec which will be held September 7th from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. He also advised of an upcoming golf event. August 17, 2021 Mendota Heights City Council Page 5 of 7 Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek gave an update on a restrictive watering ban. He noted that the water level in the Mississippi River has continued to drop, and there is now a required odd/even watering ban and enforcement which will start on August 20th. He stated that if water levels continue to drop, the level of restriction would continue to increase. He reviewed the warnings and fines customers could receive if they do not follow the required watering ban. Councilor Paper asked for additional information on the odd/even watering ban and if there is an associated timeframe for watering. Mr. Ruzek commented that no one should be watering between the hours of 12:00 pm and 6:00 p.m. He stated that odd numbered houses are allowed to water on odd numbered days, while even numbered homes are allowed to water on even numbered days. He stated that this applies to all outdoor watering such as washing vehicles. a Councilor Duggan asked if the one day per week ban would also follow odd/even. Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek stated that those details have not been shared and noted that additional information can be found on the Saint Paul Regional Water Supply website. Mayor Levine encouraged residents to sign up for the weekly Friday News update from the City. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilor Mazzitello commented that it was a busy weekend full of local events. He stated that last Thursday he was honored to attend the proclamation of Mendota Heights being named a Yellow Ribbon city, which means there are resources and programs available to help local veterans in need. Councilor Miller wished Councilor Duggan a happy birthday. Councilor Paper thanked all the staff that helped out this past weekend to assist with the events. He noted that it was a great weekend. He stated that the Fire Relief Association dinner had an incredible attendance. He stated that the community is lucky to have its volunteer fire department. He noted that school buses will begin service soon and he encouraged drivers to be alert. Councilor Duggan stated that he grew up in Ireland with a large family and they did not celebrate birthdays, but he has grown to appreciate that tradition. He stated that there are many back to school challenges and noted that perhaps the City could gather information to share with the public. He commented that the weekend events were wonderful, and he enjoyed all the residents that participated. Mayor Levine stated that there were at least nine events over the weekend Parks Celebration, and commended staff for their excellent work. She stated that it was incredible to see the 140 people attending the dinner to recognize the retiring firefighters. She also commended staff, along with the Park and Recreation Commission,for their work planning the events. She thanked everyone in the community that attended. August 17,2021 Mendota Heights City Council Page 6 of 7 ADJOURN Councilor Mazzitello moved to adjourn. Councilor Duggan seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Mayor Levine adjourned the meeting at 6:54 p.m. Ste ani Levine Mayor A TEST: D�•I.,c.� Lorri Smith City Clerk August 17, 2021 Adendota Heights City Council Page 7 of 7