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2022-03-09 Council Minutes CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA Minutes of the Regular Meeting Held Wednesday, March 9, 2022 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof,the regular meeting of the City Council, City of Mendota Heights, Minnesota was held at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, Minnesota. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Levine called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.r , Councilors Paper, and Mazzitello, were also present. Councilors Duggan and Miller were 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 Paper seconded the motion. Ayes: 3 Nays: 0 CONSENT CALENDAR Mayor Levine presented the consent calendar and explained the procedure for discussion and approval. Councilor Mazzitello moved approval of the consent calendar as presented,pulling items d., e., and f. a. Approval of March 1, 2021 City Council Minutes b. Approval of February 17, 2021 Council Work Session Minutes c. Authorize 2021 Auditing Services with BerganKDV g. Approve Resolution 2022-17 Approving Plans and Authorize an Advertisement for Bid for the Wentworth Warming House h. Approve Resolution 2022-20 Final Payment and Acceptance of the Mendota Heights Road Sanitary Sewer Project i. Acknowledge January 2022 Fire Synopsis j. Approval of Claims List Councilor Paper seconded the motion. Ayes: 3 Nays: 0 PULLED CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS D) APPROVE PROFESSIONAL PLANNING SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH SWANSON HASKAMP CONSULTING, LLC FOR THE ZONING ORDINANCE UPDATE PROJECT Councilor Mazzitello stated that he received a few calls from residents asking why the City did not go through a Request for Proposals process for this contract, and why it is being approved at this meeting which is not a regular meeting date. Community Development Director Tim Benetti stated that staff proposed this action at the February 22 work session meeting and intended to bring it forward to the City Council for official action to the March 1 or March 15 meeting. He stated that the March 15 meeting was rescheduled to today's date and time as a quorum was not expected. Councilor Mazzitello noted that the rescheduled date of this meeting was decided upon at the February 15 regular Council meeting. He stated that this consultant assisted in completing the Comprehensive Plan and therefore has that knowledge. He stated that if the City were to RFP for this service now, with this price published, another contractor could have submitted a lesser price but the City would have ended up with an inferior product. Councilor Mazzitello moved to approve PROFESSIONAL PLANNING SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH SWANSON HASKAMP CONSULTING, LLC FOR THE ZONING ORDINANCE UPDATE PROJECT. Councilor Paper seconded the motion. Ayes: 3 Nays: 0 E)APPROVE RESOLUTION 2022-19 APPROVING AN ADMINISTRATIVE (MINOR DEVELOPMENT) MRCCA PERMIT TO 1590 DIANE ROAD - JOE AND ANN JAMESON (PLANNING CASE NO. 2022-04) Councilor Mazzitello stated that it is not often that the City receives administrative permits that come directly to the Council. He asked staff to provide input on why this did not go before the Planning Commission. March 9,2022 Mendota Heights City Council Page 2 of 6 Community Development Director Tim Benetti noted that this is one of the few cases when a MRCCA permit is not required to be reviewed by the Planning Commission and it can go directly to the Council. He stated that this parcel is over 270 feet from the bluff and the property does not have any impact to bluffs, bluff impact zone or any primary conservation area. He noted that this is simply a single-family lot in a MRCCA district. Mr. Jameson has been working with the Public Works Director over the past several years in an attempt to fix the grading issues on the property. He noted that the pergola meets the 144 square foot maximum for an accessory structure. The plantings have been agreed to be native plantings and/or pollinator friendly. He stated that this meets the specifications of a minor development. Councilor Mazzitello commented that there are seven items in the ordinance that need to be met in order to have administrative approval. He asked if the DNR has weighed in on this application. Director Benetti confirmed that the DNR was presented with the plans and maps of the area and deemed it to be an acceptable minor development proposal. Councilor Mazzitello moved to approve RESOLUTION 2022-19 APPROVING AN ADMINISTRATIVE (MINOR DEVELOPMENT) MRCCA PERMIT TO 1590 DIANE ROAD — JOE AND ANN JAMESON (PLANNING CASE NO. 2022-04). Councilor Paper seconded the motion. Ayes: 3 Nays: 0 F) APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER FOR A PEDESTRIAN ACCESS RAMP ON WARRIOR DRIVE Councilor Paper commented that he is glad the City is installing this pedestrian access ramp on Warrior Drive. He noticed that some parking will be removed and asked if that parking could be regained in another area. City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson stated that she can follow up with the Public Works Director on that request. Councilor Mazzitello commented that he is not entirely sure the corner lot is fully utilized and parking could be available there as well as the frontage road that is not fully utilized. Mayor Levine agreed that the City should attempt to provide as much parking for students as possible. Councilor Paper commented that the pedestrian ramp is the priority but also wants to be aware of the need for parking. Councilor Paper moved to approve PURCHASE ORDER FOR PEDESTRIAN ACCESS RAMP ON WARRIOR DRIVE. Councilor Mazzitello seconded the motion. Ayes: 3 Nays: 0 March 9, 2022 Mendota Heights City Council Page 3 of 6 PUBLIC COMMENTS No one from the public wished to be heard. PUBLIC HEARING No items scheduled. NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS A) RESOLUTION 2021-21 ESTABLISHING PRECINCTS AND POLLING LOCATIONS City Clerk Lorri Smith explained that the Council was being asked to establish the City's precinct boundaries and identify a polling place for each precinct as a result of the State Redistricting Plan recently approved by the Special Redistricting Panel. Clerk Smith noted that the city will remain in Congressional District 2. Precinct 1 in the city will see the most change, as it is moving from State Senate District 52 and Legislative District 52A,to Senate District 53 and Legislative District 53A. Precincts 2 and 3 will be moving from Legislative District 52A to 52B. Precincts 4 and 5 will see no changes to their districts. Clerk Smith noted that the section of Precinct 3 that is south of Highway 62 is proposed to be moved into Precinct 4. She noted that the boundary between Precincts 3 and 4 is proposed to run along Highway 62, Mayor Levine commented that when the publications are done, it would be helpful to mention voter registration. She noted that voters sometimes need to go to other polling places for the School District elections. Councilor Mazzitello commented that he is not happy that the city is split between two State Senate and Legislative districts but recognized that there is nothing the City can do about that. Councilor Paper moved to approve RESOLUTION 2021-21 ESTABLISHING VOTING PRECINCTS AND POLLING PLACES. Councilor Mazzitello seconded the motion. Ayes: 3 Nays: 0 B) PARKS, RECREATION AND PAR 3 ANNUAL REPORT Parks and Recreation Manager Meredith Lawrence provided a presentation on the 2021 accomplishments in relation to parks, recreation, and the Par 3 Golf Course. Councilor Mazzitello asked if the Par 3 financials are operational figures that do not take into account debt payments or the bonds. Manager Lawrence confirmed that those are operational numbers. She noted that staff time is included but the bond payments are not. March 9,2022 Mendota Heights City Council Page 4 of 6 Mayor Levine acknowledged that the Par 3 has come a long way, and with good management and customers, it has been able to make a small profit to fund equipment needs. Councilor Mazzitello commented that he is pleased there is a capital improvement plan for the Par 3 and parks. He stated that prioritizing and planning improvements is a benefit for the City. He is pleased to see adult golf lessons offered, as one of the City's goals is to provide more programming for seniors. Councilor Paper noted that it is great to see this level of participation. He asked for an update on staffing. Manager Lawrence commented that staffing is a struggle, noting they will be able to open the clubhouse this spring. Councilor Paper noted that some programming has a related advertising mailing to residents and he asked if the Scott Patrick Memorial 5K walk/run has been mailed to residents. Manager Lawrence replied that the City has not done a mailing for the 5K this year, noting that plans are still being finalized. Councilor Paper referenced the senior golf pass and noted that the program will start much earlier this year. He asked if the City was able to implement any of the small changes previously discussed. City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson stated that she did pass on those suggestions on to Manager Lawrence to determine if any of those could be implemented. Councilor Paper commented that he would like to see that be as successful as possible and was hopeful that there would be more interest this year. Mayor Levine stated that she enjoys the expansion and innovative programing. She asked if there is a maximum age of employment for tennis and golf instructors. Manager Lawrence replied that there is not. Mayor Levine noted that there is a women's league and two junior leagues. She asked if the City has considered a senior league.Manager Lawrence commented that senior leagues were planned for two years with only a few signups. She noted that there are private senior and men's leagues that use the course. Mayor Levine recognized the number of rounds played last season and acknowledged the work of staff. Councilor Paper asked if the City has the capacity to allow online registrations for tee times at the golf course. Manager Lawrence replied that new software would be needed to do that,but staff will look at the options and present the pricing information to the Council. COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson announced that there were record setting registrations for park and recreation programing, which opened March 1st. She highlighted upcoming events for spring break and at the Par 3. March 9,2022 Mendota Heights City Council Page 5 of 6 COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilor Mazzitello stated that on this day in 1454, an Italian merchant, explorer, and map maker was born and later commissioned to map the new world. He stated that as legend would have it,he signed his name to the map which he returned to the Spanish crown and his name was Amerigo Vespucci, thus the naming of America. He also wished all Irish Americans a happy Saint Patrick's Day next week. Councilor Paper noted that with the warming temperatures, the lakes and ponds will be melting. He discouraged people from going out on the ice, ADJOURN Councilor Paper moved to adjourn. Councilor Mazzitello seconded the motion. Ayes: 3 Nays: 0 Mayor Levine adjourned the meeting at 4:56 p.m. j/ y" �yz Stephanie Levine Mayor ATTEST: Lorri Smith City Clerk March 9, 2022 Mendota Heights City Council Page 6 of 6