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2021-10-05 Council Minutes CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA Minutes of the Regular Meeting Held Tuesday, October 5, 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 (arrived at 6:52 p.m.), were also present. Mayor Levine welcomed newly appointed City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council, the audience, and staff recited the Pledge of Allegiance. AGENDA ADOPTION Mayor Levine requested to add item 8d. Discussion of Council Meetings Start Time, to the agenda. Mayor Levine presented the amended agenda for adoption. Councilor Mazzitello moved adoption of the agenda as amended. Councilor Duggan seconded the motion. Ayes: 4 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 item e. a. Approval of September 23, 2021 City Council Minutes b. Acknowledge the August 10, 2021 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes c. Approve Adoption of Revised Bylaws for Fire Department Relief Association d. Approval of Assistant City Administrator Hire e. Approve Resolution 2021 W 82 Accept Project and Approve Final Payment for the Marie Avenue Street Improvements f Approve Contract for Grading Baseball Fields at Mendakota Park g, Award Professional Services Contract for the Rogers Lake and Park Place Pond Improvements h. Approval of August 2021 Treasurers Report i. Approval of Claims List Councilor Mazzitello seconded the motion. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 PULLED CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS E) APPROVE RESOLUTION 2021-82 ACCEPT PROJECT AND APPROVE FINAL PAYMENT FOR THE MARIE AVENUE STREET IMPROVEMENTS Councilor Duggan noted the difference between the actual bid and the total project cost which was a $65,500 difference. He asked if the project was within budget. Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek stated that during construction there were some subgrade issues, and a related change order which was approved by the Council. He stated that there were some savings during the project of about $100,000 less than the contract amount with the change order. He stated that the project was slightly under budget. Councilor Duggan moved to approve RESOLUTION 2021-82 ACCEPT PROJECT AND APPROVE FINAL PAYMENT FOR THE MARIE AVENUE STREET IMPROVEMENTS. Councilor Mazzitello seconded the motion. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 PUBLIC COMMENTS No one from the public wished to be heard. PUBLIC HEARING No items scheduled. NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS A) APPROVE PURCHASE OF BRINE MAKER Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek explained that the Council was being asked to approve the purchase of a brine maker for street anti-icing purposes. Councilor Paper asked the lifespan of the equipment. October 5,2021 Mendota Heights City Council Page 2 of 7 Mr. Ruzek commented that the equipment should last and the only repairs would be related to the pump or electric motor. He stated the unit has high review ratings from others who have purchased it. Councilor Paper commented that this is a great addition. Councilor Mazzitello stated that it would seem the City would be cutting its salt use with this purchase. Mr. Ruzek commented that the reduction is projected to be one third and therefore the unit could pay for itself in the first or second year. Mayor Levine commented that reducing salt use will have a benefit to the environment. She stated that currently the City has one plow that uses brine and will be purchasing another. She stated that eventually all the plows would use brine as the fleet is replaced. Mr. Ruzek commented that this should improve the road conditions during the winter. Councilor Duggan asked about the warranty on this equipment. Mr. Ruzek replied that the unit is mobile and can be moved if needed. He provided additional details on how the unit would work. He was unsure of the warranty length but noted that he could follow up with that information. Councilor Duggan moved to authorize the PURCHASE OF AN ACCUBATCH BRINE MAKER FROM THE SOURCEWELL COOPERATIVE PURCHASING AGREEMENT, IN THE AMOUNT OF $29,289.00. Councilor Paper seconded the motion. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 B)AWARD PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT FOR THE CENTRE POINTE STREET IMPROVEMENTS Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek stated that the Council was being asked to award a contract for the design, surveying and construction services for the Centre Pointe Street improvement project. Councilor Paper stated that when projects are completed in a residential area,the cost is divided per parcel. He asked how the cost would be divided in this instance where there are very few parcels. Mr. Ruzek stated that the City would discuss that with the feasibility report. He stated that residential homes would be assessed,similar to previous projects. Typically,in a business area with various zoning,a front footage assessment is used. He stated that there are State Aid streets within the project, which would provide funding along with other sources for storm water improvements. Councilor Duggan asked if there is a possibility that the construction costs could come back higher than the estimates. Mr. Ruzek stated that he believes the estimates are fairly accurate but noted that those were done using 2018 dollars. He recognized that labor and material costs have changed since that time. October 5,2021 Mendota Heights City Council Page 3 of 7 Councilor Mazzitello asked and received confirmation that the construction cost estimate would be reviewed as part of the feasibility report. He asked for an update on Lake Augusta and the possibility of treating water before it discharges into the lake. Mr. Ruzek provided an update noting that the watershed has taken the lead on Lake Augusta,which is listed as an impaired water body. He stated that Clean Water funds were received to complete an additional study on the lake. They have reviewed the inlets and are attempting to find the issue causing the lake to not to turn over. He noted some of the concepts that are being considered as possible factors. He stated that the watershed will be approving the contract with Barr Engineering at its next meeting and will be completing the study within one year of approval. Councilor Mazzitello asked if the intent of this project would be to use existing infrastructure to boost stormwater management before the water reaches Augusta. Mr. Ruzek confirmed that to be true. He stated that most of the phosphorus loading within Augusta is internal and only 12 percent comes from external sources. Councilor Mazzitello encouraged staff to look for additional elements that could be added to treat storm water. Mr. Ruzek stated that if there are areas that would be feasible for infiltration, they would attempt to incorporate that as well. Councilor Paper moved to authorize a CONTRACT WITH TKDA FROM ST. PAUL,MINNESOTA not to exceed the amount of$177,838. Councilor Duggan seconded the motion. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 C) APPROVE PURCHASE OF SPEED CAMERA SYSTEM Police Chief Kelly McCarthy stated that the Council is asked to approve the purchase of a TrafficLogix Guardian Pro speed camera system for an amount not to exceed$20,000. Councilor Duggan referenced the purchase a speed trailer in the past and asked if the City still uses it. Chief McCarthy replied that the trailer is not being used. She stated that there is a stealth speed data collector, but that machine is not obvious to the public when in use. Councilor Duggan commented that Mendota Heights in trending in a better direction than some of the other cities related to driving speeds. He believed that was due to good police activity and hoped that would continue with this new equipment. He stated that he supports this purchase and anything that will improve the safety of the roads. Councilor Mazzitello commented that speed control is not as easy as hanging a new sign. He stated that it takes a two-pronged approach, one with posted speed limits and one with the design of the roadway as drivers drive at a comfortable speed. He stated that a previous road project reduced the width of the road and as a result the average speed decreased. He noted that this equipment would speak towards enforcement at a relatively low cost and is glad to see this brought forward. October S,2021 Mendota Heights City Council Page 4 of 7 Mayor Levine asked for an example of a roadway that changes speeds for certain segments and how the equipment would be used. Chief McCarthy stated that the speed limit is effective at the point of the sign, therefore when a driver passes the sign their speed should be adjusted. She stated that historically people believe there is flexibility in the overage that would be allowed before being ticketed. She noted that as technology has increased,the flexibility has decreased. She explained that this equipment would function off the 85th percentile method, noting that the trigger would issue a warning for those traveling above the speed. She stated that a warning would then be mailed to drivers. Mayor Levine referenced a sign that she has seen in neighborhoods that states, "20 is plenty". Chief McCarthy stated that it would depend on the community and the Traffic Safety Committee. She stated that she would prefer to keep things consistent in each neighborhood. She noted that if it is determined that a speed limit should be decreased in a neighborhood, that type of sign could be used. Councilor Mazzitello commented that a few cities took advantage of that recent legislation and dropped their speed limits to 25 mph and then in response to residents, continued to lower to 20 mph, and now there are requests to reduce to 15 mph. He stated that creates a slippery slope and he does not recommend exercising that new legislative ability and would prefer to leave residential speed limits at 30 mph. Councilor Duggan asked and received confirmation that the equipment takes a photo of the driver. He asked if the picture showed someone on their phone, would there be enforcement of that violation. Ms. McCarthy stated that the photo could show other violations but at this time there is not a plan to issue violations. She noted that in the future she may have an opinion that violations could be issued but noted that the courts may have a different view on that issue. Councilor Duggan asked if there has been an increase of phone usage while driving in Mendota Heights. Chief McCarthy stated that she is unsure. Mayor Levine asked if a warning could be issued if it is noticed that tabs are expired, or a headlight is out so that drivers are aware. Chief McCarthy confirmed that could be done. She noted that the City participates in a program which provides vouchers to have the headlight repair completed. She stated that the initial focus will be on speed, but the other elements could be logical to incorporate in the future. Councilor Paper asked when the equipment would be received. Chief McCarthy replied that there are some delays,but that the equipment could be received around January I st. She noted that additional study will be done before using the equipment and the program would be anticipated to begin in spring of 2022. Councilor Duggan moved to approve PURCHASE OF A TRAFFICLOGIX GUARDIAN PRO SYSTEM. Councilor Mazzitello seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 October 5, 2021 Mendota Heights City Council Page 5 of 7 D)DISCUSSION OF TIME CHANGE FOR CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS Mayor Levine stated that she would like to open the discussion to determine if the time should be changed to ensure Councilor Miller could attend. Councilor Miller stated that soccer season is winding down, as this is the last week of the regular season. He stated that he is one voice of five but would prefer a 7.00 p.m. start time. Councilor Mazzitello commented that the meeting time was at 7:00 p.m. for decades. He stated that with people returning to work and commuting, it could be easier to return to 7:00 p.m. Councilor Paper stated that he likes the 6:00 p.m. start time, noting that it also requires less of staff as there is less of a break between the workday and meeting time. Councilor Miller stated that he is mindful of staffs time. Because the season is winding down, he would support keeping the time at 6:00 p.m. Mayor Levine stated that perhaps the time could be changed to 7:00 p.m. for the next month to ensure Councilor Miller could attend. Councilor Miller stated that this is the last week of the regular season. He noted that if the team wins, they will continue to play,but if not,the season would be over. He stated that he would not have a conflict beginning in November, until next September. Councilor Duggan noted that he is fine with either time. Councilor Mazzitello stated that if Councilor Miller is comfortable leaving the time at 6:00 p.m., it could stay at that time. Councilor Miller stated that he would not want the schedule to be based upon his schedule and would prefer the meeting start time at remain at 6:00 p.m. COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson stated that it has been a pleasure to serve the community for the past five years as the Assistant City Administrator and has been excited to move into the new role as City Administrator. She provided information on the new Assistant City Administrator that will join the City staff. She highlighted upcoming recreation and community events. October 5, 2021 Mendota Heights City Council Page 6 of 7 COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilor Mazzitello asked that pedestrians walking at dusk wear reflective garments to ensure vehicles can see them. He stated that on October 14th Two Rivers High School football will play at Cretin-Derham Hall. Councilor Miller stated that the Council recently received an invitation to attend emergency management services training. He encouraged the members of the Council to participate. Councilor Paper encouraged residents to go see the new Fire Hall this weekend. He recognized Max Elkin,a resident who is a Marine Corps vet and is 101 years old. He stated that Beyond the Yellow Ribbon has been able to help him recently with weekly housecleaning. Councilor Duggan advised of an upcoming parks tour the Parks and Recreation Commission will be holding. He stated that he also supports pedestrians wearing reflective gear when walking at dusk. Councilor Duggan asked if the City would be hosting a bonfire. City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson stated that there will be a bonfire, but she is unsure of the details. She confirmed that details for all events can be found on the City website. Councilor Duggan stated that Steve Hunter,who previously served on a City Commission,recently passed away. Mayor Levine commented that October 6th is national walk and bike to school day and encouraged drivers to be aware of additional children on the road. ADJOURN Councilor Duggan moved to adjourn. Councilor Mazzitello seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Mayor Levine adjourned the meeting at 7:14 p.m. V Ste anie evine Mayor ATTEST- Lorri Smith City Clerk October 5,2021 Mendota Heights City Council Page 7 of 7