2022-04-25 Council Work Session Minutes CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minutes of the Joint City Council—Parks Recreation Commission
Work Session
Held April 25, 2022
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a work session of the City Council and the Parks and Recreation
Commission,City of Mendota Heights,Minnesota was held at Mendota Heights City Hall, 1101 Victoria
Curve, Mendota Heights, Minnesota.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Levine called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Council members Mazzitello and Paper were
present. Councilors Duggan and Miller were absent. Parks and Recreation Commission members
present included Commissioners Klepperich, Blanks, Cotter, Meyer, Sherer and Muller.
Staff in attendance included Cheryl Jacobson, City Administrator, Kristen Schabacker, Finance
Director, Ryan Ruzek, Public Works Director, Meredith Lawrence, Parks and Recreation Manager.
Public in attendance included resident John Maczko.
PARKS AND RECREATION BUDGET DISCUSSION
Parks and Recreation Manager Meredith Lawrence stated that the purpose of the meeting was to follow
up on prior strategic planning meetings and the identification of park projects through the capital
improvement program. Manager Lawrence provided a review of the fiscal year 2023 budget timeline
and discussed the types of budget needs that exist in the parks system including ongoing annual
maintenance, scheduled improvements, repairs and replacements, and park enhancements.
Finance Director Kristen Schabacker and Councilor Mazzitello provided an explanation and
clarification of franchise fees as a potential parks project funding source.
Manager Lawrence provided a summary of the city's financial investment in parks and stated that from
2009 to 2019 the city's Special Parks Fund was the primary source of funding. It was noted that the
use of special parks funds was limited based on statutory definitions. Commissioner Meyer asked how
the city may get back to using special parks funds for a majority of projects.
Manager Lawrence reviewed the parks capital improvement plan for fiscal year 2022 and noted
projects which have been approved and funding committed and those that have yet to be approved.
The Council and Commission asked for a summary of the Wentworth warming house project. Public
Works Director Ryan Ruzek stated that the bids were rejected due to bids being significantly over
budget. The group speculated that higher than expected costs could be attributed to timing of the year
that the project was bid, the war and COVID-19 supply chain issues. Councilor Mazzitello suggested
the project be rebid in January of 2023.
Commissioner Klepperich asked about remote light activation for pickleball and timer costs.
Commissioner Muller noted that the lights are bright. Commissioner Sherer noted that the footprint of
the lights is small. Manager Lawrence stated the timer would be added to the project list and
considered in the budget process.
Councilor Paper asked about the playground replacement at Valley Park and whether the replacement
was based on need or is time based. Those in attendance discussed the process for replacing city park
equipment. Audience member John Maczko spoke about his experience with asset management
systems for condition rating to determine replacement.
Manager Lawrence reviewed the remaining years capital improvement plans noting that proposed for
fiscal year 2023 there is approximately $987,000 in needed parks projects and an additional $50,000 in
desired improvements.
Finance Director Kristen Schabacker provided an overview of the Par 3 bond payments and the final
payment of approximately $175,000 which is included in the fiscal year 2022 budget. Director
Schabacker also noted that the Special Parks Fund has a balance of approximately $503,000.
Mayor Levine stated that the city's annual budget, which is levied, includes parks funding. She noted
that given the needs identified in the capital improvement plan, that an annual stream of approximately
$300,000 is identified.
Manager Lawrence directed the group to consider ideas for fiscal year 2023 budget inclusion. The
city's skatepark was discussed as a priority.
Manager Lawrence noted that the commission will be conducting public engagement and suggested
that the purpose of the engagement is to seek input on recreational programming across all ages and
not to generate a facility wish list since one already exists.
Mayor Levine highlighted the need for spaces where residents can gather and spend time in the city's
parks. She noted that needs may be shade trees, or picnic tables.
ADJOURN
Mayor Levine adjourned the meeting at 8:25 pm. 12
/z
Stephanie Levine, Mayor
ATTEST
Lorri Smith, City Clerk
April 25,2022 Mendota Heights Council Workshop page 2