2022-02-22 Council Work Session CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minutes of the City Council Work Session
Held February 22, 2022
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 4:00 pm. Councilmembers Mazzitello,Miller,and Paper were
also present. Councilor Duggan was absent.
City staff present included City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson, Assistant City Administrator Kelly
Dumais, Community Development Director Tim Benetti, Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek, Finance
Director Kristen Schabacker, Police Chief Kelly McCarthy, and City Clerk Lorri Smith.
ZONING ORDINANCE UPDATE PROCESS OVERVIEW
With the adoption of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan,the City will now focus on the updating of the City's
zoning ordinances. The goal is to create a clear and understandable Zoning Code in order to meet the
projected growth and market demands. City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson and Community Development
Director Tim Benetti provided an overview of the process and timeline.
Jennifer Haskamp, representing Swenson Haskamp Consulting, LLC, will be assisting the City staff in
the updating of the zoning ordinances. She explained that the process will begin with a questionnaire to
the City Council and Planning Commission to develop a priority list. The goal is to have the Zoning Code
updated by early fall 2022.
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICY UPDATES
Kelly Dumais, Assistant City Administrator, presented two Personnel Policy changes, aimed to support
the recruitment and retention of employees.
An amendment to the Parental Leave policy is recommended to reflect federal requirements for parental
leave, and to propose the addition of a 3-week paid parental leave policy for city employees. Federal law
requires that employers provide a minimum of 12 weeks of unpaid leave for new parents. The proposed
policy amendment increases the unpaid leave from six weeks to nine weeks and adds three weeks of paid
leave. Councilors requested to see what other cities near Mendota Heights offer for paid parental leave.
This additional information,along with the proposed policy,will be presented at an upcoming city council
meeting.
Also presented, was an amendment to the Post Employment Health Care Savings Plan policy. The City
has a cap of 640 hours of extended disability (sick) leave, which currently has no cash value upon
termination or retirement. The policy amendment would provide for any amount of hours exceeding the
maximum to be transferred into the employee's Post Employment Health Care Savings Plan account.
Councilors stated they would like to see what other area cities offer. Councilor Mazzitello suggested a
health based proposal as an incentive for employees to stay healthy. Assistant City Administrator Dumais
will research what other area cities offer and report back to the City Council.
SEWER RATE STUDY
Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek introduced Stacie Kvilvang, representing Ehlers and Associates. She
presented their findings from the Sanitary Sewer Rate Study their firm completed. Mendota Heights owns
and operates a sanitary sewer collection system and bills residents a rental fee for use of the system. The
billing system was established in 1981 and is complicated and not conducive to promote water
conservation. The study was also conducted to ensure financial sustainability and to ensure equity.
Stacie Kvilvang presented an update to the billing structure. The study recommended that the minimum
usage included in the base fee be eliminated. All residential and commercial metered customers would
have the same base fee. A multi-family user class would be created, and would include a base fee
multiplied by the number of residential units serviced by the account, plus the volumetric charge.
Residential and multi-family accounts would be billed based on their winter quarter average. Commercial
accounts would continue to be billed based on actual usage. Outside customers would maintain a 20%
surcharge. Unmetered accounts would be charged a flat rate. The late fee would be changed to 5% of
total bill, and would be charged after 30 days.
The Council discussed the recommendations. It was noted that if changes are made, the rates would be
adjusted for the 3`d quarter of 2022.
Mayor Levine expressed concern about residential customers' rates being based off the winter quarter.
DAKOTA COUNTY REGIONAL ROADWAY SYSTEM VISIONING STUDY
Dakota County consultant Kimley-Horn gave a project overview of the 2010 Regional Roadway System
Vision Study. The overall goal of the study is to develop a long-term roadway system vision that is
supported by all jurisdictions and balances land use and transportation improvements for the study area.
Significant growth is expected within the study area over the next 20 years. Growth beyond the immediate
study area will contribute to area roadway needs. A coordinated plan is necessary to handle future growth
and development.
February 22, 2022 Council Work Session Page 2
INTER AcTfNG wiTH CITY COUNCIL
City Administrator Jacobson recommended that a policy be drafted to set guidelines for the public when
written comments are submitted for the public record. The Council was in agreement that this was a good
idea. Administrator Jacobson will draft a policy for the Council to consider at a Future meeting.
Mayor Levine suggested the Councilors begin "Coffee with Council" as a. means to having casual
conversations with the public. The Councilors were in agreement and they discussed possible locations.
Administrator Jacobson recommended the City Council establish a standing monthly work session
ineeting, The Councilors were in agreement. They discussed setting this meeting for the third Tuesday
of the month, starting at 4:30 p.m., which is before the regular Council meeting. These standing work
session meetings will start on April 19, 2022, at 4:30 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mayor Levine adjourned the meeting at 6:15 p,m,
5
Stephanie Levine
.Mayor
ATTEST�
0
Lorri Smith, City Clerk
Febnta?y 22, 2022 Council 147ork Session Page 3