2012-02-09 City Council minutesFebruary 9, 2012
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CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minutes of the 2012 Goal Setting Work Session
Held Thursday, February 9, 2012
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the 2012 goal setting work session of the City Council, City of
Mendota Heights, Minnesota was held at 9:00 a.m. at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota
Heights, Minnesota.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Krebsbach called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. The following members were
present: Councilmembers Duggan, Petschel, Vitelli and Povolny.
CITY ATTORNEY PRESENTATION
City Attorney Diehm addressed the council regarding judicial, quasi-judicial and legislative decision
making and items to consider when a case or potential issue is being brought before the city council.
She distributed case law from a situation in Minneapolis that further clarified the issue.
CITY COUNCIL ITEMS
City Administrator Miller explained that staff previously surveyed the councilmembers to obtain their
top priorities for 2012. A summary of the topics council brought forward and discussion of each are
listed below.
PUBLIC WORKS/ENGINEERING
SURFACE WATER MANAGEMENT
Director of Public Works/City Engineer Mazzitello presented the current direction being implemented
by staff. Council directed staff to continue to monitor inlets and outlets of stormwater ponds, to develop
a neighborhood pond protocol and to continue to monitor water quality with the assistance of the CAMP
and St. Thomas Academy student reports.
STREET ASSESSMENT POLICY PLAN/REVIEW OF INFRASTRUCTURE MANAGEMENT
Council directed staff to bring back at a future meeting all plans combined so that they can be viewed by
year, neighborhood, etc. and so that the impacts of potential changes to the assessment policy may be
reviewed.
February 9, 2012
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EMERALD ASH BORER MANAGEMENT
Council directed staff to pursue potential tree inventory projects, possibly as part of a student project, to
determine extent of ash trees on public property.
PUBLIC SAFETY
PEDESTRIAN SAFETY AT DODD ROAD AND HIGHWAY 110
Staff presented a draft design and construction timeline to the council for crosswalk and other safety
improvements at the intersection. The council directed staff to proceed with the schedule and to also
pursue possible inclusion of the Valley Park Trail relocation into the project.
SOCIAL HOST ORDINANCE
Chief Aschenbrener presented the reasoning behind a social host ordinance and how it might be applied
in Mendota Heights. The council directed staff to draft an ordinance for future city council
consideration.
DEER CONTROL
Chief Aschenbrener provided a history of deer control procedures in Mendota Heights. The council
directed staff to again pursue a deer control program with the Metro Bow Hunters Resource Base.
PLANNING
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
Due to the topic being discussed at the council meeting on February 8, 2012 there was no further
discussion on the topic.
CODE ENFORCEMENT OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY STANDARDS
Staff reviewed the current policy and explained the city’s current practice of only pursuing cases on a
complaint basis. Council asked staff to take a more active approach, especially on properties with
consistent code violations.
SPECIAL EVENT PERMITS
Staff said this issue was identified by the council as something that needed to be looked at in
anticipation of events occurring at the Pilot Knob site. Council directed staff to bring a draft permit
back to the council at a future date.
February 9, 2012
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PARKS AND RECREATION
HALLOWEEN BONFIRE SITE
Staff indicated that with ongoing development occurring at the Mendota Plaza site, a new location for
the Halloween Bonfire would need to be found. Assistant to the City Administrator Sedlacek indicated
that Dodge Nature Center staff have preliminarily agreed to host the event. Council asked that they be
kept updated on the progress and that a map of the potential location be provided.
25th ANNIVERSARY PARKS CELEBRATION
Sedlacek outlined the events that were planned for this year’s event. Councilmember Duggan also
suggested that the Parks and Recreation Commission look at a fireworks display and an antique car
show. Council directed staff to continue to work on the event and to provide updates later in the year.
MHAA PARTNERSHIP
Staff indicated that this idea was provided by council so that the city would begin to receive more
communications and reports from the Mendota Heights Athletic Association in regards to enrollment
numbers, training and background checks of coaches, and how city contributions are being used. Staff
stated that a meeting will be set up with appropriate people at MHAA.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
DEVELOPMENT/REDEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Staff indicated that efforts were currently underway to assemble an inventory of all businesses in
Mendota Heights so that appropriate actions could be taken. The council also encouraged the
development of a business visit plan so that staff and city council can meet business owners/managers in
the city.
FUTURE OF OLD FIRE HALL SITE/FISCHERVILLE
Staff reviewed the past attempts to develop the site. Potential site contamination/clean-up issues were
raised and the council encouraged staff to investigate possible grant opportunities to mitigate any
contamination.
FINANCIAL
2013 BUDGET DIRECTION
Staff presented a budget and tax levy history dating back to 2003. Council asked for more information
including percentage breakdowns of each general fund category from 2003 to 2012 as well as a report
on the various reserve fund balances.
February 9, 2012
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TUITION REIMBURSEMENT POLICY
Staff presented a report comparing the policies of other metropolitan cities. Council agreed that a
revised policy was needed and directed staff to present a draft policy in the coming months.
MISCELLANEOUS
MAYOR MERTENSOTTO LANDMARK DESIGNATION
The council discussed several different options as presented in the staff report and then suggested that
the baseball field by city hall be named after Mayor Mertensotto. Staff agreed to bring possible signage
options back to the council at a later date.
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOPS
Council discussed the timing and structure of any future workshops. Council agreed to hold another
workshop, if needed, in the April/May timeframe. Staff indicated that they would bring schedule
options back to the council in the coming weeks.
ADJOURN
There being no further business to come before the council, the meeting was adjourned at 12:10 p.m.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
____________________________________
Sandra Krebsbach
Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________________
Sandie Thone
City Clerk