2023-02-21 City Council Minutes - work sessionCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minutes of the City Council Work Session
Tuesday, February 21, 2023
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Levine called the work session to order at 5:01 p.m. Councilmeinbers Lorberbaum,
Mazzitello, Miller, and Paper were present.
Staff in attendance included City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson, Police Chief Kelly McCarthy,
Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek, Assistant City Administrator Kelly Torkelson, Finance
Director Kristen Schabacker and City Clerk Christine Lusian,
POLICE/CITY HALL SITE SECURITY AND BUILDING NEEDS UPDATE
Chief Kelly McCarthy opened the discussion with a summary presentation on the council
directed development of shelf ready plans for the expansion and renovation of the city's
municipal campus which includes the police department and city administration/city hall.
Chief McCarthy reviewed the project's history including the initial space needs assessment
completed in 2020 and presented to the city council in the spring of 2021. She reiterated that the
city continues to work with CNH Architects for the continued assessment and development of
plans and that certain assumptions such as the health and safety of the community and staff is
paramount, and bound by the guardrails of wise financial stewardship; and that the city wants to
maintain local control of police and city services.
Staff presented a Plan B overall schematic site plan that expands the campus to the west of the
current police and city hall building. It was noted that the solution includes compliance with
ADA requirements, about 5,100 square feet of garage space which includes nine parking spaces
for police squads, internal work and storage space for police department work functions, and
much need HVAC improvements such as proper ventilation. She noted that Plan B fully
addresses security issues throughout the building as well as health and privacy concerns within
the police department.
Chief McCarthy stated that before proceeding with the Plan B, the next logical step is to start
with soil samples. The Chief noted that if soil sample results were favorable and the expansion
could be built in the proposed location, that building plan development could then move forward.
Councilor Paper asked how the Dakota County Sheriff could use the space if the city contracted
police services with them.
Chief McCarthy replied that the Sheriffs' office would use the space in the same manner as the
police department. And noted that the building would essentially function as a western sub-
station for the Dakota County Sheriffs office.
Councilmember Miller asked if the solar field would remain u the building was expanded to the
as proposed under Plan B. The group agreed that it should stay, but unsure if it could be
installed on the roof and if so, how that would look.
Mayor Levine
asked for clarification on the
proposed square
footage of Plan A and
Plan B in
addition to the
number of police department
personnel when
the building was built
and currently.
Chief McCarthy reviewed the building square footage and stated that the current city hall is
about 18,000 square feet with approximately 14,900 square feet of net usable space of which
about 9,000 square feet is administration and 7,000 square feet for police. Plan A provides
approximately 23,000 square feet of net usable space. Plan B includes 34,536 square feet of net
usable space of which about 13,000 square feet is administration and 16,000 square feet for the
police department.
Chief McCarthy noted that the Police Department has 13 employees when the building was built
in the mid-80s and has 23 total staff now.
Chief McCarthy shared a schematic drawing of the floor plan for both the police department and
city hall showing a potential layout for the city hall -administration space, noting that the former
council chambers could be converted into community space or education space, which is in high
demand within the community and for the operation of the city.
Mayor Levine asked about the cost of construction and what both Plan A and Plan B might cost.
Chief McCarthy stated that in 2021 Plan A was estimated to cost approximately $4.2 million.
Using construction forecasts and a per square foot amount of $469-$500, Plan B has an estimated
cost of $17 million.
Mayor Levine asked about city operated community space and noted that she was under the
impression that the community space at the fire station was not being used. She noted that she is
hesitant about adding community space and wants to be careful about the perception of
overbuilding. She added that the fire station seems overbuilt for the city.
Staff clarified the use of meeting space at city hall and the fire station and stated that the fire
station community or training room is actually used by the fire department for personnel training
and meetings; noting that the department has brought Fire Fighter 1 training in-house and those
classes are held within that space. Chief McCarthy stated that the police department holds
department training there, as well as Public Works and that public parking at the station is
limited and can be an issue.
Councilor Miller noted the cost of U.1 million for the fire station as comparison.
Mayor Levine asked about the annual bond payment amount for the fire station bonds.
Finance Director Kristen Schabacker noted that the city issued $7 million in bonds for the fire
station and that they are 15-year bonds with an interest rate of 2.35% and have an annual
repayment amount of approximately $620,000 to $625,000.
Staff and council discussed the desire for and timing of public engagement on the proposed
project.
Mayor Levine questioned conducting public engagement on the police department plans and
whether that was needed. She noted that engagement on certain elements of the city hall plans
would make sense. She cautioned about selling the plans, stating that selling the police
department was easier than selling the rest, noting the administrative space must be justified.
Councilor Lorberbaum mentioned the proposed West St. Paul community center as a potential
addition of useable community space, suggesting that the public/community space within city
all wouldn't be as urgent if the community center were built.
Mayor Levine clarified that the West St. Paul community center would be geared more towards
recreation, if it moves forward. Levine pointed out that while the community supports the needs
of police, fire, and emergency services, the council as a group wants to make sure each expense
involved in a new campus is justified and added that great work space reflects the community
and also critical for recruiting and retaining high quality officers and staff.
Councilor Mazzitello suggested to get the soil borings first and go from there. He inquired about
the value of the city hall building currently, explaining that the rule of thumb is if the value is
less than half, best practice is to tear down and build new. He pointed out that an improved
police space is an urgent need and should be prioritized.
The Council and Chief McCarthy reiterated the importance of keeping city hall and the police
department together in one building.
Councilor Miller excused himself.
Councilor Mazzitello reviewed that there was consensus that staff should move forward with soil
borings, but that did not mean that he favors one plan or another at this time. He suggested it
could be worth hiring a third -parry consultant to act as an owner's representative and to assist
with community engagement.
Staff were directed to proceed with soil borings to understand if Plan B is an option.
ADJU 1RNMENT
Mayor Levine adjourned the meeting at 6:22 p.m.
Step]ia ie B. Levine, Mayor
ATTEST:
Christine Lusian. CT Clerk