2021-08-25 Special Council Minutes CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minutes of the Special Meeting
Held Wednesday, August 25, 2021
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof,the special meeting of the City Council, City of Mendota Heights,
Minnesota was held at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, Minnesota.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Levine called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Councilors Miller, Paper, and Mazzitello were
also present. Councilor Duggan arrived at 7:12 pm.
Also present were: Mark McNeill, City Administrator; Cheryl Jacobson, Assistant City Administrator;
Tim Benetti, Community Development Director; Kristen Schabacker, Finance Director: and Ryan
Ruzek, Public Works Director.
ADOPT AGENDA
Councilor Mazzitello to approve the agenda as printed. Councilor Miller seconded.
Ayes: 4 (Councilor Duggan Absent)
Nays: 0
ADMINISTRATIVE CRITICAL AREA PERMIT FOR XCEL ENERGY
Community Development Director Tim Benetti presented information regarding a request for an
Administrative Critical Area Permit for improvements to property owned by Xcel Energy, located at 800
Sibley Memorial Highway, which would include a temporary exemption for the Critical Area Overlay
District Moratorium.
He described safety and operational changes which were being required by the Office of Pipeline Safety.
He said that due to its location, any work would normally require a Critical Area Permit, but given the
short timeframe and nature of the work to be done, the DNR has indicated that it would be acceptable
for the City to exempt this application from the Critical Area Permit process.
Councilor Miller asked about the reasons for this work, and whether it presented any fire dangers. Jake
Sedlacek of Xcel Energy said that there is not an immediate danger now, but that the work is necessary
to ensure that there are not issues in the future. He said that the work should be done before the
beginning of heating season.
Councilor Miller moved to approve Resolution 2021-70, Approving an Administrative Critical Area
Permit to Xcel Energy and for Property Located at 800 Sibley Memorial Highway (State Hwy 13)
(Planning Case No. 2021-17)
Councilor Mazzitello seconded the motion.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
APPROVE MODIFICATION OF BONDING APPLICATION FOR OHEYAWAHE/HISTORIC
PILOT KNOB
City Administrator Mark McNeill explained that in June, 2 02 1, with the help of the Oheyawahel Pilot
Knob Task Force, the City had applied for $1.2 million in bond funds from the State of Minnesota. If
successful,the bonding amount would help to fund improvements for visitor amenities and
enhancements, and the natural resources of this local and regional asset.
He said that the bonding application had been submitted without a local match. He said that history has
shown that applications have a better chance of being funded if the applicant has also committed funds
as a partial match. McNeill recommended that the City amend the bonding application, and add $50,000
from the Special Parks Fund as a way to make the City's application more competitive.
Councilor Paper asked to confirm that the $50,000 would potentially help the City to receive $1.2
million in bonding money for Oheyawahe. McNeill responded that it would, but if the City was
unsuccessful, it would retain the $50,0000 match. He said that the Parks and Recreation Commission
would be updated on the Special Parks Fund at its September meeting.
Councilor Paper moved to allow the City to amend the bonding request for $1.2 million in State bonding
money for improvements to Oheyawayhel Historic Pilot Knob, to include $50,000 in funds from the
Special Parks Fund.
Councilor Duggan seconded the motion.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
ADJOURN
There being no further business, Mayor Levine adjourned the meeting at 7:16 p.m.
Step anie tevine
Mayor
TTEST:
Lorri mith
City Clerk
August 25,2021 Mendota Heights Special City Council Meeting Page 2 of 2