Loading...
2021-10-19 Council Minutes CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA Minutes of the Regular Meeting Held Tuesday, October 19, 2021 Pursuant to due call and notice, 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, and Mazzitello, were also present. Councilor Miller was absent. 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: 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,pulling item d. for a separate discussion. a. Approval of October 5, 2021 City Council Minutes b. Acknowledge Minutes of the September 14, 2021 Parks and Recreation Commission c. Approve Sewer Repair at 546 Simard Street d. Appreve Resolution 2021 84 Aeeepting a gift far-Park Bench Donation at Mendak-ata P e. Acknowledge August 2021 Par 3 Financial Report f. Approve 2021-2022 Insurance Renewal and Elect to Not Waive Statutory Limits g. Approve the Ordering of a Police Patrol Vehicle h. Approve the Preliminary Purchase of Par 3 Maintenance Equipment i. Acknowledge August 2021 and September 2021 Fire Synopsis j. Approval of September 2021 Building Activity Report k. Approval of Claims List Councilor Mazzitello seconded the motion. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 PULLED CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS D) APPROVE RESOLUTION 2021-84 ACCEPTING A GIFT FOR PARK BENCH DONATION AT MENDAKOTAPARK Councilor Duggan commented that people sometimes wonder what they can do to improve the community and the purchase of a park bench is one thing people can do. He encouraged others to donate a park bench. Councilor Mazzitello commented that it has been over seven years since Police Officer Patrick was lost in the line of duty and the City made a pledge to never forget. He stated that donations such as this speak to the legacy of one of their fallen. He stated that the donors should be applauded. Councilor Mazzitello moved to approve RESOLUTION 2021-84 ACCEPTING A GIFT FOR PARK BENCH DONATION AT MENDAKOTA PARK. Councilor Duggan seconded the motion. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 PUBLIC COMMENTS Steve Treichel, 2174 Lemay Lake Drive, stated that he samples water from Lake Augusta 13 times each year and provides the samples to the watershed management organization. He noted that he serves on the homeowners association for his neighborhood, Augusta Shores. He stated that Lake Augusta is an impaired lake. He advised of work the lakeshore owners have done with a contractor in order to improve the Lake Augusta easement area. He stated that even though there is not a public access to the lake, the public still accesses the lake. He urged the Council to add green infrastructure systems into the road reconstruction project. He hopes that over time single actions will accumulate and improve the water quality of Lake Augusta. PRESENTATIONS A) MET COUNCILMEMBER CHAI LEE Mayor Levine introduced Met Councilmember Chai Lee and provided background information on his career and experience. Mr. Chai Lee provided background information on himself and explained why he wanted to join the Met Council. He reviewed some of the actions the Met Council attempts to address throughout the region. Councilor Paper thanked Mr. Lee for attending the meeting. Councilor Mazzitello commented that Mendota Heights is almost fully developed and its infrastructure network needs updating. He asked how the Met Council might be able to assist in the process. Mr. Lee replied that there are many planning tools that can be used and he provided examples. He stated that perhaps a City representative would like to join the Transportation Advisory Board (TAB). October 19,2021 Mendota Heights City Council Page 2 of 6 Councilor Duggan stated he was impressed to hear the statement that no city is strong enough to handle the larger government charges, such as regional growth. He referenced the term regional cohesiveness, noting that even though Mendota Heights contributes hugely to fiscal disparities, it is just a small portion of the region. He requested that Mr. Lee provide the city with quarterly reports specifically addressed to Mendota Heights and its comprehensive plan. Mr. Lee confirmed that he could provide quarterly updates to the Council. Mayor Levine thanked Mr. Lee. She appreciated the vision of the Met Council to look for regional solutions for regional problems. She appreciated that the Mendota Heights 2040 Comprehensive Plan was approved by the Met Council. PUBLIC HEARING A) RESOLUTION 2021-83 APPROVING RIGHT-OF-WAY VACATION FOR MOHICAN COURT Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek explained that the Council is asked to hold a public hearing for Resolution 2021-83, a right-of-way vacation commenced by petition for Mohican Court. Councilor Duggan asked if the City has any challenges to this request. Mr. Ruzek replied that the City has not received any opposition to the request. Councilor Duggan moved to open the public hearing. Councilor Mazzitello seconded the motion. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 Dan Kelly, applicant, stated that he has maintained this property for 20 years and would like to continue to do so by adding more landscaping and irrigation. He stated he would like to remove the buckthorn on the property. Councilor Mazzitello asked if the applicant agrees to a drainage and utility easement running through the property, which would mean the land could not be built on. Mr. Kelly confirmed that he has no intention of building on the property. Councilor Duggan moved to close the public hearing. Councilor Mazzitello seconded the motion. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 Councilor Duggan moved to approve RESOLUTION 2021-83 APPROVING A RIGHT-OF-WAY VACATION COMMENCED BY PETITION. Councilor Mazzitello seconded the motion. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 October 19, 2021 Mendota Heights City Council Page 3 of 6 NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS B) QUARTERLY UPDATE FOR 2021-2022 CITY COUNCIL STRATEGIC PRIORITIES City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson reviewed with the Council the strategic priorities progress report for the third quarter. Councilor Duggan stated that he would hope the City could work with people interested in the area of Highway 62 and Dodd Road and possibly obtain an updated traffic study.He referenced park opportunities and improvements and stated that he would like to see the skate park remain located where it is. He stated that he appreciates receiving this report. He referenced the community garden priority and questioned if land might be available south of Visitation School, along Mendota Heights Road. Mayor Levine commented that there is already a group of individuals that use the property south of Visitation. She stated that there are other areas which could be turned into a community garden space. Councilor Mazzitello referenced a strategy related to the zoning code. He stated that the first step has been taken to update the MRCCA and critical area ordinance. He asked for an update on the process to update the other zoning ordinances. Community Development Director Tim Benetti confirmed that the MRCCA ordinance has been updated and the intent was to begin formulating a working task force to assist with the ordinance updates. Councilor Mazzitello referenced a mention of a parks assets management plan developed for strategic planning and asked for an update on that process. City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson stated that staff is looking to schedule a work session with the Council to review the field and facility use policy, which is done annually, and to review a strategic plan for parks and recreation which was developed using the information gathered from those planning sessions. She stated that the parks asset management plan was something staff developed to inventory the park system in order to use that in strategic planning. Councilor Mazzitello commented that he does not believe a revised traffic study is needed for Dodd and Highway 62 as the 2017 traffic study assumed the worst-case scenario for growth and many of those assumptions have not come to fruition. Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek stated that Dakota County along with the cities of Inver Grove Heights and Eagan completed a regional traffic study which is going to be reviewed. He stated that staff will notify the Council of upcoming meetings related to that topic. Mayor Levine commented that this is a very ambitious work plan with a lot of wants and needs and did not want to see staff or the Council get lost in prioritization. She stated that in terms of ordinance updates, she would like to prioritize portions of the code to be updated that would make things easier for residents. Councilor Paper stated that the Natural Resources Advisory Commission is slated to begin in January and asked for an update on that process. Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek noted that bylaws will need to be adopted and ordinance updates will be needed. He stated that appointments would be made in late January, when other Commission vacancies are filled, with the hope to perhaps begin meeting in February. October 19, 2021 Mendota Heights City Council Page 4 of 6 Councilor Paper asked when the City would start to discuss options for the Bourne Lane property. City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson stated that staff would follow the direction of the Council on that topic. Mayor Levine commented that she finds it helpful for this document to be updated and reviewed. C) REVIEW CITY FINANCIAL REPORT Finance Director Kristen Schabacker provided an update on the City's financial report for the second quarter of 2021. Councilor Duggan referenced the equipment reserve fund and asked for details. Ms. Schabacker stated that balance shown is more than anticipated as there was a purchase of a 2020 public works truck that did not come in during 2020. She stated that those funds budgeted for 2021 are still on track. Mayor Levine stated that this is the general fund that covers the majority of expenses, but the City also bonds for street improvements. She asked for an update on the street projects currently underway and when completion would occur. Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek replied that the project is slightly behind schedule. The original substantial completion date was October 29 and the paving should occur within the next two weeks. Councilor Mazzitello stated that this is an outstanding report and management of the City assets. He commended Finance Director Kristen Schabacker for her continued great work. Mayor Levine asked for an update on the impact to the payment of property taxes related to COVID. Ms. Schabacker replied that the City has not seen an impact on the payment of property taxes. COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson announced upcoming events occurring this weekend. She also advised of the Halloween bonfire which will be held on October 31". She highlighted some recreation events slated for early November. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilor Paper thanked Met Council member Chai Lee for attending the meeting tonight. He commented that the potential funding opportunities from the Met Council are attractive.He thanked the representatives from Mendota Heights Athletic Association for their presentation to the Parks and Recreation Commission the previous week. Councilor Duggan stated that perhaps the City should consider a smaller Halloween bonfire this year. He asked that the public be notified to not bring brush to the bonfire site. He stated that he appreciates seeing walkers wearing reflective gear after dark. He commented that leaves should be swept up and not swept into the street where they could end up going into the waterways. He stated that the School District held October 19, 2021 Mendota Heights City Council Page 5 of 6 a tour of Two Rivers High School this past weekend, which he found helpful. He urged residents to do their research in the upcoming School District election. Councilor Mazzitello stated that he was pleased to have a small discussion related to traffic tonight and that a representative from the Met Council was also present to speak about transportation. He stated that the traffic study completed in 2017 had recommendations for improvements in the corridor. He stated that the Met Council Traffic Advisory Board could possibly provide funding opportunities for those improvements. He wished a happy birthday to Councilor Paper. Mayor Levine encouraged residents to get their COVID booster shots, if eligible. She thanked staff and expressed appreciation for the work they continue to do. She extended condolences to Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek. ADJOURN Councilor Duggan moved to adjourn. Councilor Mazzitello seconded the motion. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 Mayor Levine adjourned the meeting at 7:05 p.m. t.� Stephanie Levine Mayor ATTEST: r Lorri Smith City Clerk October 19, 2021 Mendota Heights City Council Page 6 of'6