2022-08-22 City Council Minutes - Work SessionCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minutes of the City Council Work Session
Held August 22, 2022
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a work session of the City Council, City of Mendota
Heights, Minnesota was held at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, Minnesota.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Levine called the meeting to order at 6:15pm. Councilors Duggan, Mazzitello, Miller, and
Paper were also present.
Staff in attendance included City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson, Police Chief Kelly McCarthy,
Fire Chief Dave Dreelan, Firefighter Tom Mittani, Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek,
Community Development Director Tim Benetti, Finance Director Kristen Schabacker, Assistant
City Administrator Kelly Torkelson, Parks and Recreation Manager Meredith Lawrence, and
City Clerk Christine Lusian,
CONTINUATION OF DISCUSSION FROM AUGUST 17, 2022
OF FY2023 PROPOSED BUDGETS
Fire /Fire Relief
Chief Dreelan provided an overview of the fire department and fire relief association budgets
noting no additional new programs. Increased budget amounts reflect increased costs passed
along to the department from vendors. Fire will upgrade power tools on the trucks and dispose of
equipment before reaching end of life expectancy and following public works practices, convert
from gas power to battery.
Members of council feel that it is important as one of the few remaining volunteer fire
departments to provide competitive benefits, like modest increases to pension contributions.
Members would like to allocate an additional $9,000 to the pension contribution or $750 for each
firefighter.
Police /Emergency Preparedness
Chief McCarthy began
by noting
that the lowest cost option is to contract with Dakota
County
for services. Presented
is a "keep
the lights on budget" that reflects approximately a six percent
increase. Items increasing include rentals and leases for fleet due to backorders, restructuring to
clean up budget, protecting private data, and dues.
The emergency preparedness budget reflects an increase for replacement of outdoor sirens in
escrow long term plan.
Levine inquired about mental health and Travis's Law. Chief explained that it pertains more to
dispatch, the department does not have a social worker and do not plan to and are one of two
cities in the county that do not have one. Dakota County has seen a large decrease in mental
health calls with Travis's Law. In Mendota Heights there were twice as many calls where mental
health response was appropriate than where it was more appropriate for an officer to respond.
Police are required to be evaluated twice year plus additional opportunity is available after
traumatic calls.
Community Development /Code Enforcement
Director Benetti noted that this budget includes fair adjustments to development, building
inspections, and code enforcement. Contract expiration of a consultant planner and completion of
the comprehensive plan reflect a reduction in those expenses. Duggan questioned the planning
commission member per diem and Benetti explained that it is anticipated that members will
participate in additional workshops at $25 per meeting per member. Recording fees have
increased due to number of resolutions being recorded with the county. Miller suggested that
recording fees be passed on to applicants.
The former community service officer position was not replaced and an office support assistant
has absorbed some of the code enforcement duties previously performed by that position.
Jacobson added that council can discuss whether a proactive or reactive code enforcement
approach is best. Although the budget does not reflect a code enforcement salary, giving the
impression that the city does not do code enforcement, there is salary expense related to code
enforcement and the office support assistant is budgeted under Administration. Mazzitello
suggested adding a code enforcement report to the regular council meeting agenda, similar to the
building official report, and include statistics like number of calls, action taken, etc.
Paper inquired about the possibility of any increase in a future budget and Benetti explained that
permit tracking is currently done in a spreadsheet, cannot continue, and he recommends a
permitting software system. Paper commented that a permitting system sounds like forward
thinking and Mazzitello expanded on that saying it is actual catch-up thinking. Members
discussed how a permitting application is different than the application used by park and
recreation for reservations. The permitting software has been discussed for 2024 budgeting,
while the city is getting by as is, but it can be done better and there are options available.
Storm Water /Street Light
This fund has had rate increases over the last few years and is a different fund than sewer.
Finance staff are the salaries in this budget, along with construction costs for new development,
storm ponds, drudging, etc. Levine would like to see increased pond maintenance in a way that
protects the wildlife. Lights budget is not a city-wide tax and responsibility would fall on the
businesses. Control cabinets and poles are due for replacement, LED conversion provides energy
savings. Members have a proactive approach on pole replacement and city staff will coordinate
the replacement with an electrician and break out the project into three areas if needed.
Engineer^ing
Notable items include fuel increase, equipment, natural resource workspace, safety issue with
truck windows. Levine would like to make sure the city's name is on a list committing to an
electric vehicle purchase and directs staff to do so. Options for an additional engineering
employee were discussed between staff engineer, assistant city engineer and the experience and
certification, as well as the specialization options, like water resource, project engineer, etc. Levy
would be 1% impact. Duggan is looking for further definition on the position and Miller wants
additional time to review the options.
Parks -Recreation
Mazzitello reviewed the budget thoroughly over the weekend and provided a budget that works,
however it would reduce the Wentworth warming house budget significantly. Levine raised
concern with the way park items are split between three different budgets.
Information was presented on behalf of the building official that Wentworth warming house
shouldn't be used. Previously, council directed $500,000 to build a multiuse warming use
facility with classroom/community space. Paper wants water at the park and envisions a building
like the Par 3. There was consensus that toilets and classroom space is not worth the extra
expense noting the difference between a neighborhood park and a community park. Considering
cost of already added warming houses and north end bathrooms, members would like to reduce
what was previously allocated and instead direct $100,000 and staff to obtain quotes, inform the
park and recreation commission, and move forward with a temporary for the upcoming winter
season.
Staff asked for clear direction on renovation of Rogers Lake Skate Park. Previously, $180,000
was budgeted and the work group returned with a $500,000 park that included modular features
and concrete base. Discussion included a maximum budget, the current surface, surrounding
community plans, maintenance, and capital improvement planning.
Direction was given to move ahead with Valley View Heights playground and push Rogers Lake
picnic shelter renovation to a future budget year.
Miller excused himself at 8:46pm.
ADJOURN
Mayor Levine adjourned the work session at 8:48pm to Tuesday, August 23 at 0:15pm in the
large conference room.
��u t !i .J��i
S ephanie Levine, Mayor
ATTEST:
Christine Li6an, City Clerk