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2022-05-17 Council MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA Minutes of the Regular Meeting Held Tuesday, May 17, 2022 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, were also present. 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 Miller seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 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 items b., c., d., and f. a. Approval of May 3, 2022 City Council Minutes b. Approve Resolution 2022-37 Recognition of National Public Works Week c. Approve Resolution 2022-36 Approve Change of Roadway Jurisdiction Agreement with the Minnesota Department of Transportation for Waters Drive d. Approve Purchase Order for Replacement Street Light Poles e. Approve Dakota County Aquatic Invasive Species Grant Program Agreement f. Approve Resolution 2022-39 Approving Final Plat of Lillie’s Lakeview Addition g. Accept Wetland Delineation Report for the Parcel Located at 601 Pond View Drive h. Approve Resolution 2022-41 Accepting a Donation to the Par 3 Golf Course i. Approve the April 2022 Building Activity Report j. Approve the April 2022 Treasurer’s Report k. Approval of Claims List Councilor Mazzitello seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 May 17, 2022 Mendota Heights City Council Page 2 of 9 PULLED CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS B) APPROVE RESOLUTION 2022-37 RECOGNITION OF NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK Mayor Levine recognized the public works department, noting the theme for this year is ready and resilient and believes that the department constantly shows that value. Councilor Duggan moved to approve RESOLUTION 2022-37 RECOGNITION OF NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK. Councilor Mazzitello seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 C) APPROVE RESOLUTION 2022-36 APPROVE CHANGE OF ROADWAY JURISDICTION AGREEMENT WITH MN DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR WATERS DRIVE Councilor Duggan asked the known condition of the area that will be taken over. Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek stated that Waters Drive is included in the City’s 2022 street reconstruction project. He stated that the City completed soil boring and the design work for the project and provided details on the project. He noted that the road meets the City standards and that the City requested that MnDOT provide financial reimbursement to bring the roadway up to standards. He explained that the reimbursement is based on the estimate completed by the City’s consultant. He noted that the City would have moved forward with the project, regardless of whether funds were contributed from MnDOT. Councilor Duggan asked if there is information from the businesses on whether they have input. Director Ruzek stated that the assessments were relatively low because of the density of office buildings in the area. Councilor Duggan asked who would be responsible for the crossover of Highway 55 and Waters Drive. Director Ruzek replied that MnDOT is currently in the process of improving Highway 55 which does include the crossover and that staff does attend the weekly meetings held by MnDOT. Councilor Duggan moved to approve RESOLUTION 2022-36 APPROVE CHANGE OF ROADWAY JURISDICTION AGREEMENT WITH THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR WATERS DRIVE. Councilor Mazzitello seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 D) APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER FOR REPLACEMENT STREET LIGHT POLES Councilor Duggan asked if there is a program for ongoing maintenance of light poles. May 17, 2022 Mendota Heights City Council Page 3 of 9 Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek replied that the City painted all of the poles about 15 years ago with new bases constructed for the bottom. He stated that they began an inspection program the previous summer to identify needed replacements and that there are many more this year that are in need of replacement because of the age of the poles. He stated that the City will attempt to get as much life as it can out of the poles and provided additional details on the maintenance and installation costs. Councilor Paper asked if public works is involved in the install and dismantle of the poles or whether an outside contractor would handle those duties. Director Ruzek replied that in an effort to save money, the City has worked out an arrangement where one or two public works staff members will work with the electrician. Councilor Duggan moved to approve PURCHASE ORDER FOR REPLACEMENT STREET LIGHT POLES. Councilor Paper seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 F) APPROVE RESOLUTION 2022-39 FINAL PLAT FOR LILLIE’S LAKEVIEW ADDITION Councilor Paper stated that he would like an explanation on how this lot split is considered to be conforming. Community Development Director Tim Benetti stated that the preliminary plat for the layout was approved by the Council at its last meeting. He recognized that there were concerns about the flag appearance of the lot but explained that this is not considered a flag lot because there is the required frontage on both Wagon Wheel and Rogers Avenue. Councilor Duggan asked if this would be required to meet the landscaping requirements of the natural resources plan. Director Benetti replied that it could but was unsure the natural resources plan has been fully resolved. Councilor Mazzitello commented that it would depend on when the building permit comes in and whether the plan and Code have been adopted by that time. Councilor Paper moved to approve RESOLUTION 2022-39 APPROVING FINAL PLAT FOR LILLIE’S LAKEVIEW ADDITION. Councilor Duggan seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 PUBLIC COMMENTS No one from the public wished to be heard. May 17, 2022 Mendota Heights City Council Page 4 of 9 PUBLIC HEARING No items scheduled. NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS A) NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT PLAN Natural Resources Coordinator Krista Spreiter explained that the Council was being asked to hear a presentation of the Natural Resources Management Plan (NRMP) update and accept the final draft of the plan as provided by Resource Environmental Solutions (RES). Doug Mensing, RES, provided background information on the NRMP and the goals in the Comprehensive Plan that related to natural resources. He reviewed the draft plan including the vision, Phase 1 accomplishments, Phase 2 accomplishments, community outreach, the natural resources and volunteer program, and review of City ordinances. A map was displayed identifying the natural areas land cover, noting that the vast majority of the city is not natural. He reviewed a map identifying natural areas ecological quality. He stated that a tree canopy analysis was completed which helps identify opportunities for restoration projects. He explained how the heat island hot spots can be used. He identified potential partnerships the City could look for to implement the plan and make the system more cohesive throughout the city. He highlighted that natural parks, noting that those provide the greatest opportunities for restoration and natural area projects. He reviewed a cost estimate to manage the City’s natural areas, the priority projects that were identified, and the five-year phased implementation plan. Mayor Levine thanked Mr. Mensing for the presentation and the steering committee for their work. Councilor Miller referenced the funding for the projects and asked if those numbers were based on contracting out the work or using in-house staff. Mr. Mensing stated that the estimates are based on the use of contractors, as that is the most conservative estimate. He recognized that using volunteers and partnerships can lower those costs. Councilor Miller asked how often a municipality should update this plan. Mr. Mensing replied that communities tend to think out about ten years but looking out further than five years tends to be hazier. He stated that if the plan is revisited every five years, it would be much less work as the majority of the plan would not change. Councilor Paper commented that this plan is excellent for the City and noted that it is already starting to pay for itself. He believed this was a great accomplishment for the long-term benefit of the community. He referenced the tree canopy inventory and asked for clarification. Mr. Mensing replied that it was an inventory of public and private land, using high resolution imagery. He confirmed that some of the technology they used was newer and would not have been available years ago. Councilor Paper asked why the Norway Maple is considered invasive. Mr. Mensing replied that the tree is not native and can spread, crowding out other species. May 17, 2022 Mendota Heights City Council Page 5 of 9 Councilor Duggan asked how much experience RES has had in putting this type of plan to work for a community. Mr. Mensing replied that RES has different business lines that handle different tasks. He stated that there is a contracting group that works in the field implementing these types of plans. Councilor Duggan asked for clarification on the word forbs. Mr. Mensing replied that is basically a wildflower. Councilor Duggan commended RES, noting that this is some of the best reporting he has seen and did not see a reason this could not be adopted and implemented. He commented that the biggest challenge will be following through to maintain the work that is done. Councilor Mazzitello complimented Mr. Mensing for the immense amount of work that went into developing the plan. He stated that he does not feel he has thoroughly reviewed the plan in totality and asked the action before the Council tonight. Coordinator Spreiter stated that the Council is being asked to accept the draft plan, noting that additional comments can still be provided. City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson confirmed that staff is asking the Council to accept the draft and that additional comments can still be made before the final plan is adopted at a later date. Councilor Mazzitello commented that he would prefer to go through the document in a work session with staff and Mr. Mensing before adopting the final plan. If that could be done, he could support the approval. Mayor Levine referenced the ordinances that are in the second half of the report, which are drafts. She wanted to be clear that adopting this plan would not mean adoption of those ordinances. Coordinator Spreiter replied that the ordinances were examples and tools for decision makers to use in developing an ordinance that would work for this city. Mayor Levine believed that acceptance of the plan would also not adopt the five-year plan, noting that would come at a later time in the budget discussions. Mayor Levine asked how the Natural Resources Commission would inform this work. Coordinator Spreiter stated that the new Commission has reviewed the plan. This would work as a guiding document for the group when making recommendations to the Council. Councilor Mazzitello asked if the Commission has made any comments that would potentially be incorporated. Coordinator Spreiter commented that the Commission has not provided any comments but recognized that one member of the Commission was a part of the steering committee. Councilor Duggan stated that the two largest physical areas in the city are in the plan but are not subject to the plan because they are controlled by other entities. He asked if there has been any communication with the Dodge Nature Center or Fort Snelling. Coordinator Spreiter replied that Fort Snelling has its own jurisdiction and noted that the City has partnered with the nature center in the past and would continue to do so. May 17, 2022 Mendota Heights City Council Page 6 of 9 Mayor Levine commented that those properties are not within the jurisdiction of the City, but they are also well managed areas. Councilor Duggan suggested that staff reach out to those entities to advise them of the plan and welcome communication and partnership opportunities. He referenced the exemptions listed and stated that he would be interested in what properties would be adjacent thereto. Mayor Levine commented that the Council is being tasked with accepting the draft and it appears there would be an opportunity to meet in a work session to discuss the finer points before final adoption. Councilor Duggan believed that members of the Council should meet with staff individually to share their questions and concerns to receive guidance before that work session. Coordinator Spreiter stated that the language was just suggestive for potential ordinance changes. She provided an example of a property adjacent thereto. Councilor Duggan referenced the tree replacement requirements and suggested that the information be provided to all the nurseries that are used by developers to ensure those nurseries are aware of these concerns and preferences. He noted that could make things easier as a form of education. He referenced the term City Forester and asked if that would be Natural Resources Coordinator Krista Spreiter. Coordinator Spreiter confirmed that would be true for this instance. Councilor Duggan provided grammatical suggestions. Coordinator Spreiter noted that these ordinance examples within the plan are all suggestions and would be reviewed and potentially changed before being considered for adoption. Councilor Duggan moved to accept THE FINAL DRAFT OF THE UPDATED NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT PLAN. Councilor Paper seconded the motion. Further discussion: Councilor Mazzitello asked if the motion maker and seconder would accept the suggestion to amend the motion to include a work session with staff to further review the plan. Councilors Duggan and Paper accepted that suggestion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 B) RESOLUTION 2022-40 APPROVE PLANS AND AUTHORIZE AN ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS FOR THE WENTWORTH PARK PAVING IMPROVEMENTS Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek stated the Council was being asked to approve Resolution 2022-40 approving plans and authorizing an advertisement for bids for repaving of the parking lot, trails, and hockey rink at Wentworth Park. May 17, 2022 Mendota Heights City Council Page 7 of 9 Councilor Miller commented that with this project, the trail from Wentworth past the tennis courts would also be fixed. Director Ruzek confirmed that the highlighted trails would be replaced and/or improved as part of this project. He provided additional details on the trail projects and hockey rink paving. Councilor Paper asked if there would be a pipe under the raised trail to drain the water. Director Ruzek explained that the proposal would include excavation of a swale on the north side of the trail. Councilor Paper asked how the rink would be paved. Director Ruzek replied that the boards and posts would be removed on one side to allow the contractor to get their equipment in. The boards would be at the edge of the paving. He explained that the posts supporting the boards would be in soil and therefore could be pulled and replaced without impact. Councilor Paper referenced the trail by the ballfield noting that there are some large bumps and asked if that is caused by tree roots. Director Ruzek replied that the pavement will be removed. He noted that there are some meanders in the trail that may be straightened up. Councilor Paper asked if anything could be done to address the drainage from the ballfield while completing this project. Director Ruzek stated that he is not sure that could be corrected with this project. Councilor Paper asked and received confirmation that this would be a new trail. Councilor Mazzitello referenced a very flat area that does not drain well and asked if there is opportunity to move that water. Director Ruzek stated there is a swale that does stay wet and therefore mowed turf grass would not be the proper vegetation for that area. Councilor Duggan commented that he did watch a previous meeting where bids were rejected for the Wentworth warming house. Director Ruzek noted that there will still need to be a decision on what to do with the warming house, whether the project is scaled down, whether the City were to rent a trailer seasonally, etc. Councilor Duggan referenced the draft resolution and specific language within the Whereas statement. Director Ruzek replied that this would only apply to the paving project as noted. Councilor Duggan commented that it nice to see something good being completed at Wentworth. Councilor Paper commented that this is a great pivot by staff in order to utilize the grant funds. Mayor Levine agreed, acknowledging that she also thought the grant funds would need to be returned and instead the funds can be used to complete other overdue improvements in the park. Councilor Duggan moved to adopt RESOLUTION 2022-40 APPROVING FINAL PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS, AND AUTHORIZING ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS FOR THE WENTWORTH PARK PAVING IMPROVEMENTS. Councilor Miller seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 May 17, 2022 Mendota Heights City Council Page 8 of 9 C) AWARD PROFESSIONAL SERVICE CONTRACT FOR DODD ROAD Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek stated the Council is asked to authorize a professional services contract to TKDA for development of layout options on Dodd Road between Decorah Lane/Wagon Wheel Trail and Keokuk Lane. The layout options generated could be used for public engagement and potential submittal of a Local Partnership Program (LPP) grant from the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Councilor Mazzitello asked and received confirmation that the deliverable from the consultant would be layout alternatives. He asked if the diagram in the packet could be one of those options. Director Ruzek noted that there would be many alternatives for one of the intersections. Councilor Duggan referenced a mention that one intersection could be closed. Director Ruzek replied that the intersection is unsafe and should essentially be closed. He described some of the improvements that would be made in another intersection to provide safety for that area. Councilor Mazzitello moved to authorizing PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT WITH TKDA FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF LAYOUT OPTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO DODD ROAD IN AN NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT OF $5,500. Councilor Duggan seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson announced upcoming events. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilor Duggan commented that it is good to be back. Councilor Paper welcomed Councilor Duggan back. He commented that the Mayor provided a great State of the City address today and recommended that residents watch it online as it is quite a recap of the last year in review. He wished the City Clerk Lorri Smith a great retirement. Councilor Miller a happy Syttende Mai to all the Norwegians in the community. Mayor Levine thanked the steering committee members once again for the hard work on the Natural Resources Management Plan. She recognized that May 15th is National Peace Officers Memorial Day and recognized Officer Scott Patrick. Councilor Mazzitello commented that he was able to attend an American Public Works Association conference the previous week, noting that Minnesota received an overall grade of C. He noted that each category had its own grade and the highest grade received was for aviation for MSP. He noted that Minnesota also ranks high for drinking water and commended Saint Paul Regional Water Service for supplying excellent water to the community. He welcomed back Councilor Duggan and wished City Clerk Lorri Smith a happy retirement. May 17, 2022 Mendota Heights City Council Page 9 of 9 ADJOURN Councilor Mazzitello moved to adjourn. Councilor Paper seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Mayor Levine adjourned the meeting at 7:46 p.m. ____________________________________ Stephanie Levine Mayor ATTEST: _______________________________ Lorri Smith City Clerk