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2021-08-16 Council Work Session minutes CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA Minutes of the City Council Work Session Held August 16, 2021 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a work session of the City Council, City of Mendota Heights, Minnesota was held at the City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, Minnesota. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Levine called the meeting to order at 1:3 5 pm. Councilmembers Duggan, Mazzitello, Miller and Paper were also present. City staff present included Mark McNeill, City Administrator; Cheryl Jacobson, Assistant City Administrator; Ryan Ruzek, Public Works Director; Tim Benetti, Community Development Director; Meredith Lawrence, Recreation Program Coordinator; Kristen Schabacker, Finance Director; Kelly McCarthy, Police Chief, Lorri Smith, City Clerk. DISCUSSION OF FY2021 PROPOSED BUDGET Budget Overview- Mark McNeill provided an overview of the fiscal year 2022 proposed budget stating that the preliminary levy increase would be 6.31%, keeping the existing service levels the same. He gave a brief summary of the budget improvement packages that are being recommended for approval. Two of these requests that are recommended for approval are for personnel and programming costs and would be funded from the levy. This would increase the levy by an additional 1.5%. Police-Police Chief Kelly McCarthy reviewed the proposed budget for Police, stating there will be an increase in the costs for the electronic crimes task force and for swat. Budget improvement packages included the request for an additional squad car purchase and the purchase of 8 squad radios and 1 building radio system to allow for the upgrading of the radios. The Council discussed moving the Community Service Officer position to the Community Development Department to allow the position to focus on code enforcement. Engineering-Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek noted there are no notable changes recommended for the proposed Engineering and Recycling budgets. Mr. Ruzek reviewed a budget improvement package for the Engineering Department which would upgrade the Natural Resources Technician position to Natural Resources Coordinator. The department is also requesting the purchase of a pickup truck to replace the existing pickup truck the department uses. Recreation- Assistant City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson and Recreation Program Manager Meredith Lawrence reviewed the proposed budget for the Recreation Department. Ms. Jacobson reviewed the budget improvement package which included offering additional programming for summer concerts, Winterfest, senior programming, and a farmer's market. The request also included the addition of a Parks and Recreation Manager, which would be a new full-time position. Ms. Lawrence reviewed the proposed Par 3 budget for 2022. She stated that revenues are up for 2021. The proposed budget included an increase for irrigation system repair, due to the need to replace the aged sprinkler heads. Budget improvement packages for the Par 3 included a request for new furniture at the Clubhouse, a request to purchase a new Sand Pro for raking the bunkers- Councilor Paper suggested purchasing a used piece of equipment, replacement of the Top Dresser for sanding the greens, replacement of the aerator, and replacement of the air conditioner and furnace system at the clubhouse. Councilor Mazzitello suggested the city look at outsourcing out or contracting out some of these services. Community Development— Community Development Director Tim Benetti reviewed the Community Development proposed budget. Mr. Benetti talked about completion of the Comprehensive Plan and the need to update our City Code by the end of 2022 to be consistent with the Comp Plan. The budget includes costs for hiring a consultant to assist with this process. Councilor Mazzitello suggested that a Task Force be formed to assist with the updating of the Code. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Mayor Levine adjourned the meeting at 3:35 p.m. SreWanie Levine Mayor ATTES Lorri Smith, City Clerk August 16,2021 Council JVork Session- Budget Page 2