Loading...
2023-05-16 CC MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA Minutes of the Regular Meeting Held Tuesday, May 16, 2023 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the regular meeting of the City Council, City of Mendota Heights, Minnesota was held at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, Minnesota, CALL TO ORDER Mayor Levine called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Councilors Lorberbaum, Paper, and Mazzitello, were also present. Councilor Miller was absent. 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, tabling Item 91) to the June 6"' meeting. Councilor Lorberbaum seconded the motion. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 CONSENT CALENDAR Mayor Levine presented the consent calendar and explained the procedure for discussion and approval. Councilor Lorberbaum moved approval of the consent calendar as presented. a. Approval of May 2, 2023 City Council Minutes b. Approval April 24, 2023 City Council —Planning Commission Joint Work Session Minutes c. Approve Alcohol License Renewals d. Approve Purchase of Street Light Control Cabinets e. Authorize Purchase Orders for Control of Invasive Plant Species and Native Restoration within the Oheyawahe/Pilot Knob Historical Site f. Approve Out of State Travel Request — National Recreation and Park Association g. Acknowledge the March 2023 Fire Synopsis h. Approve the March 2023 Treasurer's Report i. Approval of Claims List Councilor Mazzitello seconded the motion. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 PUBLIC COMMENTS No one from the public wished to be heard. PRESENTATIONS A) GREEN STEPS CITIES Recycling Coordinator Courtney Selstad explained that Minnesota GreenStep Cities is a voluntary challenge, assistance, and recognition program to help cities achieve their sustainability and quality of life goals. This free continuous improvement program, managed by a public -private partnership, is based upon a menu of 29 optional best practices. An update was provided on the City's recent progression to Step 2 of the GreenStep Cities, including highlights of the City initiatives that fulfill best practice actions in the program. Mayor Levine asked if electric vehicles are part of the GreenStep best practices. Recycling Coordinator Courtney Selstad confirmed that there are some best practices related to EVs. A) ORDINANCE 576 AMEND FEE SCHEDULE City Clerk Christine Lusian explained that the Council was being asked to amend the fee schedule. Councilor Lorberbaum referenced the vote requirements for the ordinance and publication summary, noting a higher number of votes required for the summary publication and asked for clarification. City Clerk Christine Lusian replied that the summary publication is a notice placed in the newspaper in a condensed format in order to save on printing and publication costs. She stated that more members of the Council are required to approve in order to print less information in the paper. City Attorney Elliott Knetseh replied that if the Council is going to authorize summary publication of an ordinance it requires 4/5 vote. He stated that because it will be a summary, less information will be provided to the public in that format and therefore more support is required from the Council. Councilor Mazzitello referenced the door replacement which was previously part of the fee for windows and asked if that should be clarified as exterior doors, noting that interior doors are not subject to that fee. City Clerk Christine Lusian confirmed that change could be made. Councilor Paper asked if there is an inspection for an entry door installation. Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek replied that he believed that the permits do not trigger inspection. Councilor Paper moved to open the public hearing. Councilor Lorberbaum seconded the motion. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 May 16, 2023 A4endota Heights City Comecal Page 2 of8 There being no one coming forward to speak, Councilor Mazzitello moved to close the public hearing. Councilor Paper seconded the motion. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 Councilor Paper moved to adopt ORDINANCE NO. 576 AMENDING THE FEE SCHEDULE. Councilor Lorberbaum seconded the motion. Further discussion: Councilor Mazzitello requested the "exterior" be included prior to door. He also requested to include the summary publication in this motion. The motioner and seconder agreed to the amendments. Mayor Levine commented that she was happy to see the senior golf pass reintroduced. Parks and Recreation Manager Meredith Lawrence noted that the senior golf pass will be available for purchase beginning May 22nd at City Hall for $200. The amended motion is as follows: Councilor Paper moved to adopt ORDINANCE NO.576 AMENDING THE FEE SCHEDULE AND ITS SUMMARY PUBLICATION ALONG WITH AN AMENDMENT TO STATE "EXTERIOR" DOOR. Councilor Lorberbaum seconded the motion. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS A) RESOLUTION 2023-21 PLAN APPROVAL AND ORDINANCE AMENDMENT FOR VICTORIA CURVE STREET IMPROVEMENTS Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek introduced the project and Larry Poppler. Larry Poppler, TKDA, explained that the Council was being asked to approve the plans and specifications and authorize advertisement for bid for the Victoria Curve Street Improvements. Councilor Lorberbaum stated that there are 29 total residential units mentioned while the total units for the city of Mendota Heights is 59 and asked for clarity on the difference. Mr. Poppler commented that there is a lot of frontage along Victoria Curve that is not assessable. He stated that units were assigned for• that frontage, even though it will not be assessed, in order to make it fair to the other residents. Councilor Lorberbaum stated that at the last presentation there were residents from the Orchard area requesting to separate that portion of the project and asked if Orchard and Victoria Curve portions of the project will have separate assessment calculations. A9ay 16, 2023 Mendota Heights City Cozmci! Page 3 of 8 Mr. Poppler stated that until the bid numbers are received, he would be hesitant to say one method would be better than the other. He noted that most likely if Orchard Hill were split off, those assessments would be higher. Councilor Mazzitello stated that before the final assessment numbers are set, the Council would like to see those assessment numbers, together and split. He referenced the property at the northwest corner of Glenhill which is undeveloped and how that would be assessed. He noted that property has since been subdivided and asked if that has been taken into account for assessment. Mr. Poppler stated that he has not run the assessment numbers yet but would keep that in mind. Councilor Mazzitello asked if the planting plan has been reviewed by staff and whether it was compliant with the City's pollinator friendly requirements. Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek confirmed that the city's Natural Resources Coordinator has reviewed and approved the planting plan. Councilor Paper commented that the project was deemed relatively small and asked if the first lift could be done by September 151n Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek replied that would depend on the contractor's schedule. He noted that a final end date is specified, along with milestones. Councilor Paper commented that overflow parking is needed at the synagogue for Rosh Hashanah and asked that the first lift be completed by September 15tn Mr. Poppler commented that the specifications could be adjusted to require that. Councilor Mazzitello moved to approve RESOLUTION NO. 2023-21 APPROVING FINAL PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND AUTHORIZING ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS FOR THE VICTORIA CURVE STREET IMPROVEMENTS AND APPROVING ORDINANCE NO. 575 AMENDING TITLE 6, CHAPTER 3, SECTION 3 OF THE CITY CODE, Councilor Lorberbaum seconded the motion. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 Councilor Mazzitello moved to approve ORDINANCE NO. 575 AMENDING TITLE 6, CHAPTER 3, SECTION 3 OF THE CITY CODE. Councilor Lorberbaum seconded the motion. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 B) APPROVE ORDINANCE AMENDMENT ESTABLISHING A LOADING ZONE ON MAPLE STREET Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek noted that there was confusion on which item was being tabled and the applicant left. He stated that staff is attempting to get the applicant back. May 16, 2023 Mendota Ileig]¢fis City Coaencil Page 4 of 8 Councilor Mazzitello moved to table CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE AMENDMENT ESTABLISHING A LOADING ZONE ON MAPLE STREET, Councilor Lorberbaum seconded the motion. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 C) ROGERS LAKE SKATE PARK SITE WORK AND CONCRETE BASE Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek provided background information and noted that the City Council is asked to review the quotes for the concrete base and site work for the Rogers Lake Skate Park improvements. He noted that the budget for improvements is $300,000 and that the lowest concrete bid came in at $227,153, exceeding project estimates. He stated that staffs recommendation is to reject the bids. Councilor Paper asked the downfall in going up rather than going down. Public Works Director Ryan Ruzekreplied that the trail will be built up a bit but could still meet the ADA compliance. He commented that the difference would be one to 1.5 feet. Councilor Paper asked the difference in reducing to five inches of concrete, as that would seem sufficient. He noted that a driveway is four inches and asked if that would be sufficient. Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek replied that with the amount of use, he would suggest five inches as a minimum, noting that there are also unstable soils below. Councilor Paper asked if there would be any excavation of the unstable soils, or whether they would just buildup. Public Works Director• Ryan Ruzek replied that they would just build up noting that they would still reclaim the existing material. Councilor Paper asked if inserting a layer of grid or fabric would help. Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek replied that the consultant is still working through those details. Councilor Paper asked if the City could still take delivery of the equipment to prevent a situation in which the costs increase in the future. Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek replied that there would be limited storage space and there could be a security risk. Councilor Paper stated that perhaps the City could rent a container that would lock to place the pieces inside. May 16, 2023 Mendota Heights City Council Page 5 of8 Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek replied that they can work with American Ramp Company to see if they could hold the pieces. He asked if the Council would still like to see the base done in fall of 2023, or spring of 2024. Councilor Paper commented that he would like to see this move forward in 2023, but not at this price. He commented that nothing is getting cheaper, and everything keeps increasing. He stated that he likes the idea of attempting to save costs but does not want to defer to next year. Councilor Mazzitello stated that if some of these changes were instituted, the project would need to be rebid. Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek replied that he would suggest advertising this as a competitive bid. Councilor Mazzitello commented that looking at the unit prices for the concrete, those are lower prices than he is seeing at the County. He agreed that taking an inch off the depth of the concrete and reducing excavation costs will assist in lowering the cost. Councilor Lorberbaum asked and received confirmation that the skate park is currently open and could continue to be used if this were delayed to next year. Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek confirmed that the Council does not want to see the plans prior to reposting. Councilor Mazzitello moved to REJECT THE BIDS FOR THE ROGERS LAKE SKATE PARK SITE WORK AND CONCRETE BASE. Councilor Paper seconded the motion. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 B) APPROVE ORDINANCE AMENDMENT ESTABLISHING A LOADING ZONE ON MAPLE STREET (CONTINUED) Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek provided a brief background on this item. The Council was being asked to approve Ordinance 577 amending City Code, Title 6, Chapter 3, Section 3, establishing a loading zone on Maple Street, Steve Norton, representing the Copperfield and the Linden ownership group, stated that this stems primarily from blocking the handicap access along with noise and odor issues from the trucks making deliveries. He stated that the hope would be to alleviate those concerns by having the loading area in the proposed location during the designated hours, which would still allow for customer parking during the other times of day. Councilor Mazzitello stated that the owners of the Copperfield and Linden support this but asked if the customers of the Copperfield have been notified. A�lay ]6, 2023 Mendota Heights City Coemcil Page 6 af8 Mr. Norton replied that they have not notified customers of this possible change and would hope that the people would become aware through the methods of City communication. He recognized that they will have to explain to customers that area cannot be used for parking during certain times of the day. Councilor Mazzitello commented that the Copperfield is very popular for breakfast and that is a popular parking area. Mr. Norton confirmed that is a popular parking area, but this is an attempt to address concerns raised from residents of the Linden. Mayor Levine asked if the removal of these parking spaces would leave sufficient parking for the restaurant. Mr. Norton noted that these are public street parking spaces and therefore were not counted in the parking for any establishment. Councilor Mazzitello moved to adopt ORDINANCE N0. 577 AMENDING TITLE 6, CHAPTER 3, SECTION 3 OF THE CITY CODE, Councilor Lorberbaum seconded the motion. Further discussion: Councilor Lorberbaum requested that an amendment be included specifying that the applicant pay for any costs for signage or curb painting. Councilor Mazzitello confirmed that he would accept that addition. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 Item postponed to the June 6, 2023 meeting. COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson announced upcoming events and activities. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilor Paper wished good luck to the local high school spring sports playoffs. Councilor Lorberbaum congratulated upcoming graduates. She referenced a resident that mentioned they had difficulty hearing within the. Council Chambers. She noted that auxiliary aids are now available upon request. She stated that Saint Thomas Academy will be having the Wall That Heals, which is a traveling exhibit that will be available May 261h to May 29`h Nlay l6, 2023 Mendota Heights City Council Page 7 af8 Councilor MazziteHo commented that the wall is stunning, and everyone should go see it. He stated that Memorial Day is upcoming and read a statement from Abraham Lincoln. He asked people to consider what others have given in order for the rest of us to enjoy the quality of life that we have. Mayor Levine thanked the Dakota County Chamber of Commerce for sponsoring the State of the City event earlier tonight. She commented that Tommy Chicago's is doing a great job during music in the park at Market Square Park. She also thanked those involved in the Touch a Truck event this past weekend. I:f�L�I1J:��1 Councilor Paper moved to adjourn. Councilor Mazzitello seconded the motion. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 Mayor Levine adjourned the meeting at 8:06 p.m. Y Y StepIUnie . Levine Mayor ATTEST: Chris ' Lusi City Clerk May 16, 2023 Mendota Heights City Council Page 8 oJ8