2023-04-18 City Council Minutes - work sessionCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minutes of the City Council Work Session
Tuesday, April 18, 2023
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Levine called the work session to order at 5:00 p.m. Councilmembers Lorberbaum,
Mazzitello, and Paper were present. Councilmember Miller was absent.
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, Recycling Coordinator Courtney Selstad, Natural Resource
Coordinator Krista Spreiter, Park and Recreation Manager Meredith Lawrence, and City Clerk
Christine Lusian. Natural Resources Commission Chair Heidi Swank was present as an observer.
GREEN STEP CITIES PROGRAM AND SUSTAINABILITY
Recycling Coordinator Courtney Selstad presented an update on the city’s Green Steps Cities
initiative including the city’s recent achievement of step 2 status within the program. This
achievement was completed by reporting on the work that the city has completed within existing
programs. Advancement to Step 3 of the program will require completing specific initiatives as
defined in the GreenStep program as well as additional best practices. Staff sought feedback
from the city council as to how they would like to continue progressing on GreenSteps initiatives
including the best practices that are required for Step 3 and asked for direction if the City
Council had any additional priorities relating to sustainability that they would like staff to
pursue.
The City Council discussed their continued interest in pursuing the Green Steps program in line
with recommendations from staff. They requested that the Natural Resources Commission
provide recommendations on specific initiatives that they would like the City to pursue as. In
addition, projects outlined within the Natural Resources Management Plan that align with
GreenStep Cities best practices should also be prioritized. The City Council would like to receive
additional updates on the program twice a year.
Discussion touched on the label/marketing of GreenSteps versus impacts of the projects,
prioritization of all of the goals in the Natural Resource Plan and GreenSteps Program, what a
policy on living/complete streets would require, utilizing the Natural Resource Commission and
area experts, and mobility/public transit.
Public transit ridership in Mendota Heights is low, however describing public transit options on
our website would help completing a requirement in the GreenSteps program. The group agreed
that direction or prioritization of goals and projects should come from the Natural Resources
Plan and Natural Resource Commission and related committees with updates to the City Council
twice a year.
CITY COUNCIL STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson introduced proposed city council priorities and goals for
2023-2024 inviting city council discussion and direction. The proposed priorities are 1)
Economic Vitality and Community Vibrancy, 2) Environmental Sustainability and Stewardship,
3) Premiere Public Services and Infrastructure, 4) Inclusive and Responsive Government. The
two-year priorities provide structure and organization for daily operations. Council sets the
direction for the city and staff carries out action items.
Discussion included clarification of public education on culture and history and the role of the
city and other agency partners, the requirement of optical allyship in public service, referring to
existing guiding documents like the comprehensive plan for direction and focus, and balancing
expectations with time and resources.
SKATEPARK DESIGN
Parks and Recreation Manager Meredith Lawrence and Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek
initiated conversation on the proposed reconstruction of the Roger’s Lake Skate Park on the
regular meeting agenda for a vote. Discussion covered budget and funding sources, what the
surface preparation consists of, park equipment/layout options, project timing and weather, and
market and expectation of rising costs.
MISCELLANEOUS
Paper requested bringing back the senior pass for the Mendota Heights Par 3 Community Golf
Course. Lorberbaum mentioned hearing concerns from the planning commission members and
residents on zoning code updates.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Levine adjourned the meeting at 6:35 p.m.
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Stephanie B. Levine, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Christine Lusian, City Clerk