2021-08-25 Council Work Session minutes CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minutes of the City Council Work Session
Held August 25, 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 7:20 pm. Councilmembers Paper, Duggan, Mazzitello, and
Miller 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; and
Kristen Schabacker, Finance Director.
CONTINUATION OF
DISCUSSION OF FY 2021 PROPOSED BUDGET
FROM AUGUST 17, 2021
City Council— City Administrator McNeill said that the Council budget was virtually unchanged from
2021, with the exception of an increase to $15,000 for the Independence Day fireworks.
Administration — McNeill noted no significant changes to the Administration budget, other than a slight
change caused by a change in personnel. The City Clerk's budget will up significantly, due to the two
elections which will be held in 2022. Councilor Mazzitello asked if there was a way to level that out.
Finance Director Schabacker replied that funding could be levied each year to even out the levy. Assistant
City Administrator Jacobson said that the IT budget is increased due to licensing and hardware needs. She
reviewed proposals to upgrade the AV system in the Council Chambers,and to upgrade the City's website.
Councilor Paper concurred that city's website needed an upgrade for ease of use.
The City Hall, and Special Parks fund budgets were also reviewed.
Also discussed were major Budget Improvement Package considerations such as acquisition and timing
of the purchase of a new Ladder 10 for the Fire Department through the sale of equipment notes; a salt
storage facility, paved yard replacement, and replacement dump truck at Public Works; and the desire to
have an architect prepare "shelf ready" plans for an addition to the Police department and remodeling of
City Hall. The Council consensus was to move ahead with improvements to Wentworth Park.
The Council was reminded that it was not committing to any of these purchases at this time, but instead
was merely identifying a financial plan. Larger trucks, however, would likely need consideration of
approval prior to the December certification of the FY 22 budget, so as to get in the queue for fabrication.
The Council also reviewed the five-year capital improvements program.
Summary—Finance Director Schabacker reviewed final numbers for capital items recommended. The
total came to $1,513,539, which would be paid for through the fund balance, and a remaining $200,000
from the sale of the Village lots. She also reviewed other capital items which would be funded through
other sources.
With the recommended expenditures, she said that the fund balance would be brought down to 84.67%.
That would still leave in excess of a one million dollar cushion above the desired 75% fund balance
minimum.
The Finance Director further reviewed the proposed budget's effect on net tax capacity, and options for
the impacts on property taxes. The concurrence of the City Council was to include the base budget; the
new Parks and Recreation manager position; and the $750 per fire fighter increase to the Fire Relief
Association. However, it should not include the CSO position. It was determined that staff should come
up with a plan as to how to best do code enforcement.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mayor Levine adjourned the meeting at 8:40 p.m.
Ce6 ✓
Step anie Levine
Mayor
ATTEST
Lorri Smith, City Clerk
Augusl 25,2021 Council Work Session-Budget Page 2