2022-11-15 City Council Minutes - Work SessionCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minutes of the City Council Work Session
Tuesday, November 15, 2022
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Levine called the work session to order at 4:00 pm. Councilmembeis Duggan, Mazzitello,
Miller, and Paper were present.
Staff in attendance included City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson, Public Works Director Ryan
Ruzek, Finance Director, Kristen Schabacker, Assistant City Administrator Kelly Torkelson,
Parks and Recreation Manager Meredith Lawrence, Community Development Director Tim
Benetti, and City Clerk Christine Lusian. Councilmember-elect Sally Lorberbaum was also
present.
ADVISORY COMMISSION REVIEW
Jacobson provided background on advisory commission rules of order, bylaws, and the process
of filing vacancies. Council discussed reappointment of members, term limits, and attendance.
The group consensus was to implement term limits for the Airport Relations Commission of
three terms which are four years in length. Council directed staff to develop attendance
standards to be included in commission bylaws similar to those of the cities of Golden Valley
and Duluth. Suggested language includes limiting absences in one year not to exceed three
consecutive meetings or more than 25 percent of the total meetings. A commissioner who is
unable to meet the attendance requirements would be deemed to have voluntarily resigned.
PERSONNEL POLICY
Schabacker explained a proposed update to the personnel policy that would allow employees an
opportunity to avoid losing unused vacation leave, up to 40 hours over the 200 hour carry over
maximum, by transferring it to deferred compensation retirement or cashing out. The 40-hour
limit is incentive for employees to use earned time off. Council was supportive of the policy
change.
DAKOTA BROADBAND BOARD
Torkelson informed the council of the purpose, benefits, status, and challenges of the board. The
board is moving towards dissolving, but city members are working to ensure plans are in place
first to ensure continuous operation of the fiber system.
MEETING SCHEDULE 2023 CITY COUNCIL
Jacobson provided a draft
meeting calendar for council
to review for conflicts.
Council agreed to
keep January meetings as
normal and to bring the dates
for council approval on December 6.
Lorberbaum suggested a celebration for payoff of Par 3 bonds and Mayor Levine asked staff to
look into ideas.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Levine adjourned the meeting. at 5:45 p.m
S 4)fianif B. Levine, Mayor
ATTEST:
Chri City Clerk