2008-05-20 City Council minutesMay 20, 2008
Page 1
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
Held Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the regular meeting of the City Council, City of Mendota
Heights, Minnesota was held at 7:30 o'clock p.m. at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota
Heights, Minnesota.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Huber called the meeting to order at 7:30
p.m. The following members were present:
Councilmembers Duggan, Krebsbach, Schneeman
and Vitelli.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council, the audience and staff recited the Pledge of
Allegiance.
AGENDA ADOPTION
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
CONSENT CALENDAR
Councihnember Duggan moved adoption of the
agenda as presented. Councilmember Krebsbach
seconded the motion.
Councilmember Duggan moved to approve the
minutes of May 6, 2008 as corrected.
Commissioner Krebsbach seconded the motion.
Councilmember Krebsbach moved approval of the
consent calendar as presented, and authorization for
execution of any necessary documents contained
therein.
a. Acknowledgement of May 13, 2008 Parks and
Recreation Meeting.
b. Acknowledgement of NDC4 Meeting Agenda.
c. Acknowledgement of Fire Department April
2008 Monthly Report.
d. Acknowledgement of April 2008 Treasurers
Report.
e. Acknowledgement of the 2008 Spring Clean Up
Report.
May 20, 2008
Page 2
f Authorization for Issuance of Temporary Liquor
Permit for Fire Relief Association.
g. Authorization for Purchase Order for Microsoft
Office Licensing.
h. Authorization for Mayor to sign NDC4 Web
Streaming Agreement.
i. Authorization for Mayor to sign Eagle Scout
Awards.
j. Acceptance for Purchase Order for Industrial
Park Street Light Painting.
k. Approval of New City Personnel Policies.
1. Approval of Internal Control Policy.
m. Approval for Sign Permit for Teresa's Mexican
Restaurant at 750 Highway 110.
n. Approval of Building Permit for an addition at
ARRT, 1255 Northland Drive.
o. Approval of Request by Len Kanitz.
p. Adoption of Resolution No. 08 -31: "A
RESOLUTION ACCEPTING BIDS AND
AWARDING CONTRACT FOR 2008
SANITARY SEWER REHABILITATION
(PROJECT NO. 200806)."
q. Adoption of Resolution No. 08 -32: "A
RESOLUTION REQUESTING PROJECTS
FOR INCLUSION IN DAKOTA COUNTY'S
2009 -2013 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
PROGRAM."
r. Approval of the List of Contractors, dated May
15, 2008.
s. Approval of the List of Claims, dated May 20,
2008, totaling $262,857.37.
Councihnember Vitelli seconded the motion.
Dr. Dan Saltzman, a resident of Mendota Heights,
and a pediatric trauma surgeon at the University of
Minnesota Children's Hospital, said he sees a
potential for danger for the children of Mendota
Heights. Dr. Saltzman said he believes an over pass
at the corner of Highway 110 and Dodd Road
should be considered. It is very possible children
can get hit by a car by running across the
intersection to get from one comer to the other. Dr.
Saltzman said this would be a big benefit to the city.
May 20, 2008
Page 3
Councilmember Schneeman said she has been
trying to get one for 8 years.
Mayor Huber said this has been a concern since
about 1987. This is a very challenging intersection.
Mayor Huber said there are two limiting factors —
1. Cost: for above ground or below ground.
People may not feel comfortable with going
underground for that length of pathway.
2. Site lines: above ground brings a challenge
with MnDOT with the site lines as cars
coming down the hill can not see the
intersection and the signal lights.
Councilmember Krebsbach said she had a
conversation a few weeks ago with Rep. Rick
Hansen and talked about this same issue. She found
out that there is funding for state highways. Rep.
Hansen suggested that the first step the council take
is to make a resolution formally asking the
Minnesota Legislature to consider a bike /pedestrian
over pass over Highway 110 because of safety
reasons. Councilmember Krebsbach said the
location of the over pass could be determined and
suggested something to tie in the proposed Dunn
Bros. coffee shop at Mendota Plaza and the Caribou
coffee shop at The Village. Councilmember
Krebsbach said she believes the Council is in
agreement that a cyclone fence cage is not
desirable, and suggested looking into other options,
making sure it is secure from people throwing
things down to the highway. Councilmember
Krebsbach used the over pass over Hiawatha
Avenue as an example.
Councilmember Krebsbach thanked Dr. Saltzman
for speaking on this.
Councilmember Duggan moved to adopt a
resolution asking the State of Minnesota to consider
placing an over pass over Highway 110 in Mendota
Heights at the intersection of Dodd Road.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
CITY EVENTS
ROGERS LAKE WATER QUALITY
May 20, 2008
Page 4
Commissioner Krebsbach seconded the motion.
Councilmember Duggan suggested that should this
not happen, the Council should request that an
island be placed between the east bound and west
bound lanes to allow safer crossing.
Councilmember Vitelli said he believes that this
resolution should be triggered by the development
at The Village and Mendota Plaza. It is now time to
fix this as more traffic will be coming into the area.
Mayor Huber asked Staff to draft up a resolution,
sending a copy to Rep. Hansen and any one else
that Staff feels should get a copy.
Assistant to the City Administrator Jake Sedlacek
reviewed some of the events coming up during the
first week in June for the Mendota Heights Park
Celebration:
. June 6th
o Skateboard Contest at Rogers Lake
Park
o Music and Movie at The Village —
Market Square Park. There will be
blues music provided by Swamp
Kings and the movie "Shriek" will
be shown
• June 7th —
o 5K Run/Walk
o Bike Rodeo — Mendakota Park
o BBQ and Street Dance, hosted by the
Mendota Heights Fire Department.
Mayor Huber introduced Mr. Tony Kinzley, St.
Thomas Academy Environmental Studies
Instructor, to present the findings of the water
quality tests at various sites around Rogers Lake.
Mr. Kinzley said this group is very thankful to be
presenting again this year, and introduced four
students who have put a lot of work into this
project. Those students then presented specific
findings: Matt Miley (Class of 2008), William
May 20, 2008
Page 5
Sullivan (Class of 2009), Kevin McMullen (Class of
2009) and Tim Wolfgram (Class of 2009).
The Rogers Lake Water Quality Report for
2007/2008 contained findings and results for the
following chemical tests that were performed:
Dissolved Oxygen - the amount of oxygen
dissolved in the water. (Fall, 7.75ppin; Spring,
7.97 ppm).
Fecal Coliform — levels of bacteria associated
with pathogenic bacteria and viruses in the
water. (Fall: 25.87 col. /100 ml; Spring: NA).
pH — acidity or basicity of the water. (Fall: 7:61
units; Spring: 7.60 units).
• Biochemical Oxygen Demand — how much
oxygen is being used by bacteria in the lake that
decompose organic waste put in to the water.
(Fall: 2.79 ppm; Spring 4.69 ppm).
• Temperature — difference in temperature
between two testing sites on the lake. (Fall:
1.05° C; Spring: .87° C).
• Nitrate — measure of the amount of nitrates in
the water. (Fall: 0.27 ppm; Spring: 0.43 ppm).
• Total Phosphates — measure of the amount of
various phosphates in the water. (Fall: 0.6 ppm;
Spring: 0.52 ppm).
• Turbidity — amount of suspended solids in the
water, measure of water clarity. (Fall: 9.03
JTU's; Spring 12.41 JTU's).
• Total Solids — amount of suspended and
dissolved solids in water. (Fall: 477.21ng/L;
Spring: 321.2mg/L).
• Overall Rating — a composite score of all nine
chemical tests. (Fall: 76.7 Good; Spring: 73.4
Good).
Rogers Lake historical data from 1993 to 2008
shows a general upward trend in the water quality
of the lake which shows the residents are doing a
good job in managing and continuing what they are
doing to keep Rogers Lake healthy.
The students reported that some solutions to keep
the water quality in check include water buffer
zones which most residents are using. Another
solution is to reduce fertilizer use, and using
phosphate free fertilizers.
HEARINGS: LIQUOR LICENSES
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
May 20, 2008
Page 6
In conclusion, Rogers Lake data shows a high
quality water base. The students wish to continue
monitoring Rogers Lake in the future and handing
out pamphlets to all the residents around Rogers
Lake that show what they can do to help keep
Rogers Lake in good condition.
Mayor Huber said he would encourage the students
to continue their studies as it keeps residents aware
of how the community's lakes are doing.
Councilmember Schneeman asked there have been
any problems with geese. Mr. Wolfgram said they
have been monitoring the fecal colifonIi last fall
which indicated there have been geese in the area,
but have not been able to do so this spring.
Councilmember Duggan said he appreciates what
the students have been doing, and congratulated
them on a job well done.
City Clerk Kathleen Swanson introduced the
applications for renewals of on -sale wine and 3.2
malt liquor licenses for Village Market and Deli,
LLC for the Sage Market and Wine Bar; on -sale 3.2
malt liquor for the Par Golf Course, and off -sale 3.2
malt liquor licenses for the two SuperAmerica
stores.
Ms. Swanson and Police Chief Aschenbrener both
found that there are no concerns for these licenses
and recommend approval.
Ms. Swanson said only one public hearing is
necessary for all three at the same time.
Mayor Huber opened the public hearing. Seeing no
one corning forward wishing to speak,
Councilmember Schneeman moved to close the
public hearing.
Councilmember Krebsbach seconded the motion.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
May 20, 2008
Page 7
Councilmember Duggan moved to approve the
issuance of on-sale wine and 3.2 malt liquor license
for Village Market and Deli, LLC for the Sage
Market and Wine Bar; off-sale 3.2 malt liquor
licenses fro the two SuperAmerica stores; and an
on-sale 3.2 malt liquor license for Par 3 Golf Course
as presented.
Councilmember Vitelli seconded the motion.
Public Works Director Sue McDermott said the
Traffic Safety Committee was formed last year, and
is made up of Councilmember Vitelli, Planning
Commissioner Povolny, the Police Chief, the Fire
Chief, the Public Works Superintendent, and
herself.
This committee was formed as the City had been
receiving complaints and received a petition from
people in the Friendly Hills neighborhood,
specifically about Decorah Lane and the speed on
that street. These residents have requested that
traffic be slowed down and safety measures are
installed.
In November, a speed count was done which
showed the 85% of drivers are comfortable with
driving 35 mph, which is 5 mph over the legal
speed limit.
Ms. McDermott said she was invited to mentor a
senior project at the University of Minnesota and
proposed a traffic study project for the students to
look at Decorah Lane and make a recommendation
for traffic calming. The students were also charged
with developing a traffic calming policy. The
results of this study found that one third of the
traffic on Decorah Lane was local, one third was cut
through traffic from Copperfield and one third was
traffic from outside the area, and that speeds where
slightly about the 30 mph. This all seems normal for
that type of street.
A neighborhood survey was sent and 113 responses
were received, along with many phone calls. Of
May 20, 2008
Page 8
those 113 responses, 66 want signs, speed bumps,
stop signs or other traffic implementation, 39 want
no further traffic calming implementation, and 8
had no opinion. The remaining responses did not
have an opinion or wanted additional enforcement
by the police department. Thirty responses
indicated that they would be willing to pay for
traffic calming measures.
The students came to the first Traffic Committee
meeting that was held on April 28th and presented
their report along with some proposed solutions.
They felt that speed limit signs should be posted as
cars are coming off Dodd Road at 40 mph.
They also suggested that the City use speed trailers
that help the cars and their recommendation was to
educate the neighborhood. The committee decided
to post the signs which have already been done, the
trailer was too large of a financial commitment. The
Police Chief agreed that they would continue
enforcing the speed limit and log their efforts. The
committee will look at the situation again in about 6
months.
Ms. McDermott said she would send out a letter to
the neighborhood giving them the results of these
efforts and reminding them about the 30 mph speed
limit.
Councilmember Vitelli said this is a good summary.
Councilmember Schneeman said it had a good
conclusion and having them come back in 6 months
will give the summer to get a good feeling for it.
Mayor Huber asked if there was anyone in the
audience that wished to speak to this. No one came
forward.
Ms. McDermott said there is an ongoing concern
regarding Wagon Wheel Trail in the area where
culverts were put in a few years ago where people
like to fish. Ms. McDermott said there have been
complaints regarding children in the street that
aren't been carefully watched by their parents. Ms.
May 20, 2008
Page 9
McDermott said that area is on a curve which is also
a concern.
There is a lot of vegetation and initially it was
thought to be good to trim this, but now Staff feels
that keeping this vegetation adds to the calming on
that roadway.
Ms. McDermott said she visited the site with the
Public Works Superintendent and choose a spot for
east bound traffic with a pedestrian crossing sign.
They did not feel that would that the crosswalk
should be painted because they don't want to
encourage people to cross. They want to warn
drivers that there are pedestrians on that stretch of
road.
Councilmember Krebsbach asked for feedback on
prohibiting the fishing as it seems dangerous. Ms.
McDermott said she does not know how the city
can prohibit fishing as the funding that was received
for those culverts required this to be a fishing area.
Councihnember Schneeman said the city wants
people to fish there. The heavy traffic will be in the
spring, then diminishes. Many of the residents on
that lake fish a lot and bring their grandchildren, it's
really a wonderful spot. There has always been a
few that don't watch their kids.
Ms. McDeH iiott said a few years ago, there was talk
about fences and signage for no fishing, or fishing
only one side versus the other. Ms. McDermott said
the conclusion what that this would be difficult to
enforce and fences could create more of a problem
if people climb over them.
Ms. Sue Kirk, 840 Wagon Wheel Trail, spoke on
the traffic concerns. Ms. Kirk said she has lived
there for along time, and over the years, there have
been issues with kids running around the roadway.
Ms. Kirk said people use excessive speed on that
road, while people are cutting across the road. The
fishing has increased every year and noticed that a
lot of these people are not local residents.
May 20, 2008
Page 10
Ms. Kirk said she almost hit a little girl just recently
while she was going only 10 mph. People use this
area as a public park, and there is that free for all
mentality. Ms. Kirk said it's only a matter of time
before a child gets hit.
Councilmember Duggan asked if there is a specific
time where there is more activity. Ms. Kirk said
mostly weekends and early evenings during the
week.
Councilmember Duggan proposed a sign with
different languages as some of the people may be of
Hmong/Vietnamese descent and may not know the
English language.
Ms. Kirk said that was a good point, and there is
also a dock in the park, but there are still people up
on the road.
Ms. McDermott said there are plans in the five -year
plan to reconstruct Wagon Wheel Trail, and this
may be a good time to look at a permanent solution.
There are a few measures that can be done such as
putting medians in the center of the road, and some
signage, that will channelize the traffic. Once curb
and gutter is installed, that creates a traffic calming
as well.
Police Chief Aschenbrener said the reconstruction
will help by creating a boulevard.
Councilmember Vitelli said the Traffic Safety
Committee has spent a lot of time on this and the
Council should accept the recommendation that
have been made. Councihnember Vitelli said he
would not support "no fishing ".
Mayor Huber said he believes signage would be
good and encouraged Staff to put out some public
information. Ms. McDermott said information can
also be included in the website and the city's
newsletter. Perhaps putting something in the local
newspaper would be possible.
May 20, 2008
Page 11
Councilmember Krebsbach asked if anyone has
gone to the site and officially talked to people.
Councilmember Schneeman said a lot of the
neighbors go there to fish.
Ms. Kirk said it is not fair to have the local residents
have this liability put in their way.
Mayor Huber instructed Staff to get some
information out to the community, and asked Chief
Aschenbrener to talk to Ms. Kirk on their efforts.
Councilmember Duggan asked for an estimate to be
drafted on the cost of the median.
Planner Steve Grittman said the purpose of this
discussion is to run through the comprehensive plan
and see how this version differs from the current
comprehensive plan. There are a few items that
have been identified and Mr. Grittman spent some
time recently reviewing the zoning ordinances.
There will be a public hearing on Tuesday, May
27th at the Planning Commission meeting. This is
draft version of the plan, and following that public
hearing, it will come back to the Council for
conditional adoptions. Afterwards, the document
will go out for review comments from the
neighboring communities including water shed
districts, schools districts, and counties, providing
comment back to the city. Technically, those
communities have up to six months to comment,
and Staff will encourage their responses to be back
a bit sooner. The document will then come back to
Council for their final consideration. After Council
has made their comments, the document will go to
the Met Council for their formal response. In the
meantime, Staff is also sending a draft packet to
Met Council for their preliminary review.
Mr. Grittuuan asked for some feedback on the
following items:
1. Consideration of changing the land use
designation on the St. Thomas Academy and
May 20, 2008
Page 12
Visitation property from LB -PUD to PS —
Private School, reflecting its use and ownership.
Council comments:
Councilmember Krebsbach said she will support
this, and asked to have bigger maps.
Councilmember Krebsbach asked why the
Condon Court/Mendota Heights Road area is
designated commercial. Mr. Grittman said the
properties are currently guided for the LB -PUD
class, which is the same as what the current
designation is for the Visitation property.
Councihember Krebsbach said Council
previously turned down Holiday Gas Station
and would rather see this guided as residential.
Mr. Gritnnan said there are two residential
properties there now to the north, and to the
south is a group home facility and the City
actually amended its business district to allow
for that group home.
Staff met with the owner of some of that
property and they are looking for a larger
commercial development; Staff indicated they
would need more property than those small
parcels, and they would also have access issues.
Councilmember Duggan asked if this property
would have been accessed from Dodd Road.
Mr. Grittman said based on his experience with
this owner in the past couple of weeks, he
believes that they will try to gain access from
Mendota Heights Road. Councilmember
Duggan said he believes there will be increased
traffic from Visitation and St. Thomas coming
to that site, and he does not believe that a
proposed right of way in another area will
alleviate that. Because it is a main artery to I-
494, people will be inconvenienced by crossing
over for a gas station, and this is a totally
inappropriate use of the land. Mr. Grittinan said
the current designation would not accommodate
a gas station.
(
May 20, 2008
Page 13
Councilmember Schneeman said she believes
everyone else feels the same way.
Mayor Huber asked Mr. Grittman if he has
spoken to the academy or the convent. Mr.
Grittnian said he has not. Mayor Huber
suggested that this be done.
Councilmember Duggan said this property is
being held by St. Thomas for future growth and
development and would not be used for
anything other than education or sports.
Mayor Huber asked the members of the
Planning Commission if they had any
thoughts/cornrnents.
Planning Commission Chair Joe Lally said he is
on the Board of the Visitation and the sisters
own a portion of the property east of Lake Drive
and south of Mendota Heights Road. This
property currently is not used for athletic
facilities, but it is used as a community farm.
Mr. Lally asked what would the change mean
for the two institutions, would it change the
property value should the nuns want to sell. Mr.
Grittinan said he is not sure of the affect on the
value; the real affect would be to sell the
property for some other use, they would need to
come back to the city to re-amend that land use
to the appropriate zone.
Mayor Huber said he believes that Staff should
engage in conversations with the academy and
convent to give them opportunity to comment.
2. Consideration of the land use designation for the
Old Fire Hall site, currently designated for B,
Business and zoned B-2.
Council comments:
Councilmember Duggan said according to the
last comprehensive plan, the whole area, from
Sign Art down should be designated as
residential as an underlying zoning, or keeping
May 20, 2008
Page 14
it as a PUD as it sits next to Friendly Hills as an
appropriate use, with no further expansion of
businesses in the area.
Mayor Huber said the property is currently on
the market for residential, and he would prefer
to wait to see how this plays out. There is no
pressing need to go any other route for the time
being.
Mr. Grittman said the map shows this property
as business, but the Council can show on the
map for residential.
Councilmember Vitelli said he thinks this
should be left as is.
3. Consideration of the land use designation for
property south of Mendota Heights Road on
Condon Court, currently guided LB -PUD,
zoned B -1. The owner has asked about a
designation and zoning that would
accommodate hotel and /or gas station uses.
Council comments:
Mr. Grittman said there does not seem to be
much interest in changing this one.
Councilmember Krebsbach said that would be
the direction to go.
Councilmember Duggan said he does not see
anything that has changed much here, except
there is an increase in traffic. A gas station
would be totally inappropriate; however an
office use may be acceptable.
Mr. Grittman said the limited business guide
would not allow a gas station or motel and is
more of an office designation site.
Councilmember Duggan suggested changing
this to residential.
May 20, 2008
Page 15
4. Consideration of the City's position on the
impacts of a proposed interchange at Delaware
and I -494 (proposed by Inver Grove Heights).
Council comments:
Councilmember Duggan said based on the
information that Ms. McDermott provided was
that this was not in the national federal plan, and
it was $100+ million to do this. Ms. McDermott
indicated at the time that there was no funding
available for this. Since then, Trinity has built a
new school in the area. There is a huge wetland
in that area.
Planning Commissioner Mike Povolny said he
has some property down there, and said that
Inver Grove Heights thinks the other cities will
jump on the bandwagon.
Councilmember Duggan said both Sunfish Lake
and Mendota Heights have sent letters in
opposition. Commissioner Povolny said talks
indicate that the interchange may be moved
further east to avoid the wetland.
Ms. McDermott said she sits on the Technical
Advisory Panel that was looking at a new
north/south collector street for the Inver Grove
Heights / Eagan area, and also did some
modeling for this interchange. While there was
no final recommendation on the exact location
of the interchange, the reports said the best
location is at Delaware and I -494, giving the
least environmental impacts. If it is moved
somewhere between Highway 3 and Delaware
Avenue, they would have to put frontage roads
on both sides which would create a huge amount
of impact to the wetlands and the nearby lake.
Inver Grove Heights and Eagan are very much
aware that Mendota Heights and Sunfish Lake
are not supportive of this interchange and both
cities were represented on the committee.
May 20, 2008
Page 16
They are going to more forward with further
studies and recommendations, which is quite a
process as they need to work with federal
highway and MnDOT. Ultimately if the
interchange affects Mendota Heights, they will
be looking to the Council for municipal consent.
Letters were sent stating the city's position
when the Inver Grove Heights comprehensive
plan amendment was reviewed. Their traffic
study shows that adding an interchange will
reduce traffic on Highway 110 and Dodd Road
going north. Ms. McDermott said it will
ultimately affect the property owners as well.
Councilmember Schneeman said she was on the
Robert Street Corridor Steering Committee and
noted that thousands of acres of land will be
developed in Inver Grove Heights and Eagan.
Councilmember Vitelli asked who comprised of
this Technical Advisory Panel. Ms. McDermott
said Inver Grove Heights and Eagan got
together with Dakota County to study the
northwest comer of Inver Grove Heights, which
is slated for a lot of development, and the
northeast comer of Eagan, which has plans for
more industrial / business growth in that area so
they were looking for a north/south arterial
street alignment. Mendota Heights and Sunfish
Lake were asked to sit on this committee.
Ms. McDermott said Dakota County formed this
committee, which was driven by the
development in Eagan and Inver Grove Heights.
The County is looking at Argenta Trail as it
goes north and turns into Delaware.
Councilmember Vitelli said this committee can
be made up of all kinds of people with different
agendas. In the end, what impact or authority
can this committee have and who to do they
report their findings to, who makes the decision
on where this interchange will be placed. Ms.
McDermott said that is yet to be seen, the initial
study was to model seven scenarios, which Ms.
May 20, 2008
Page 17
McDermott will email to the Council. These
scenarios were studied by a set of consultants
hired by Dakota County, looking at different
impacts and criteria in rating each scenario
based on a set of guidelines. Ms. McDermott
said she believes Eagan and Inver Grove
Heights participated in the cost of these studies.
They will move forward with more detailed
analysis as this moves forward with their plan
because Inver Grove Heights feels that with
their new development, they should be imposing
impact fees to the developer to help pay for this
interchange or any future road improvements.
Councilmember Vitelli asked who the
consultants report to. Ms. McDermott said they
report to Dakota County Planning and
Transportation staff.
Councilmember Vitelli asked if there is any
connection between this committee and the
Robert Street Corridor Team. Ms. McDermott
said they are two separate studies and at some
point, they will have to look at this
comprehensively as both committees are
looking at Highway 3 south of 1 -494.
Councilmember Vitelli said if they are so warm
on spending billions of dollars on this corridor,
why are they also anxiously spending money to
look at this interchange. It would seem to be
that the Robert Street Corridor will never solve
the problem. Ms. McDeiuiott said the
north/south corridor focuses primarily on the
roadway south of I -494, where the Robert St.
Corridor focused more on north of I -494, and
connection to the central corridor project.
Councilmember Vitelli suggested that the
Council be engaged with Dakota County,
making sure that there is someone with Mendota
Heights' interest in mind.
Mayor Huber said he believes that the Council
as a whole is in agreement.
May 20, 2008
Page 18
Councilmember Krebsbach said she would like
to have a copy of the letter that was sent. Ms.
McDermott will resend that letter, along with
the north/south corridor study final report to the
Council. Ms. McDermott said she believes in
the future, Mendota Heights will have more
time to comment as there will be another
Technical Advisory Panel meeting where they
will want to try to persuade the city that this is a
good idea.
Councilmember Krebsbach said you either have
the right to a minority opinion or you don't get
involved.
Councilmember Duggan asked to have a copy
of the Inver Grove Heights comprehensive plan
sent to the Council members, as it will detail
what they want to do in the future. Ms.
McDermott said this document can also be
viewed on the web.
Other comments:
Councilmember Krebsbach asked to add a bullet
looking at the possibility of conservation
easements on the river bluff. There are property
owners (on Condon, Culligan and Orchard) who
would like to voluntarily put part of their
property into a conservation easement, giving
them some tax benefits.
Mr. Grittman talked about the layout of the
comprehensive plan. Mr. Grittman noted that
comments were received by Councilmember
Duggan. Councilmember Duggan said there
were some minor mistakes and some more
serious. With these corrections, he is
comfortable with the next draft.
Councilmember Krebsbach commented on some
of the language:
Page 6 — would like to have this written as
comprehensively as possible as this impacts
Mendota Plaza, giving future councils and
May 20, 2008
Page 19
planning commissions the ability to be able to
have a say in what that is going to be.
Page 13 — the first full paragraph is about the
city taking out a whole neighborhood, and in
fact, a corridor was created for the airport noise.
There needs to be a sentence that says this
corridor was created.
Page 45 — wants to make sure that the
underlying zoning is R -1 -A.
Page 97 — needs to implement the need for an
over pass over Highway 110, not being a chain
link cage, but something that looks nice.
Councilmember Krebsbach said Mendota
Heights is a premier suburb and people look to
the Council as willing to take a stand.
Councilmember Krebsbach said she was
interviewed by the Star Tribune asking how it is
that Mendota Heights is maintaining property
values in all categories. Councilmember
Krebsbach said she believes that this is because
the developments that have been built are not
adversely affecting others and now the city can
see the benefit.
Councilmember Krebsbach referred to Page 69
— Solar Access Protection, and asked if there are
other things in here that the Council may not
have been paying attention to and in the next ten
years, could be more of an issue. Mr. Grittran
said solar access protection is a requirement of
Met Council to have, that clause basically in
every comment of the plan. The solar access
has become less of an issue over the last 20
years from the time that this originally was first
pushed when there was more residential solar.
Councilmember Duggan asked about natural
light in the homes. Mr. Grittrnan said the
intention of this comment was about 20 -30
years ago when there would be more solar
energy and on the residential level, weighing in
May 20, 2008
Page 20
popularity over the years for being cost
effective.
Councilmember Duggan said Met Council is not
pushing this is the metro area. Mr. Grittman
said that was correct.
Councilmember Krebsbach referred to Page 49
regarding infill and said she wants to make sure
the plan is to protect the neighborhood,
understanding that the minimum lot is 15,000
sq. ft. and does not have a sense of that and
believes there will be issues like that, i.e.
multifamily and teardowns. Councilmember
Krebsbach said she does not know what she
wants to see in there, but it is something to think
about. Councilmember Krebsbach said she is
not against teardowns, but the City should not
be taken by surprise on a house being
demolished.
Councilmember Duggan said he believes the
city should give itself protection, and referred to
Page 42 that contain densities, and is
comfortable with the 8.54. Mr. Grittman said
the 8.54 comes from the theoretical maximum
that somebody can develop in the R-3 zoning.
Councilmember Krebsbach asked to make sure
that this whole section is in sync with where the
Council wants to go as described on the first
page.
Mr. Grittman said this discussion was addressed
on Page 58 — Infill Sites and will pay more
attention to this.
Councilmember Vitelli asked if Mr. Grittman
does the analysis so that the Council has a
glaring contradiction between this plan and the
zoning. Mr. Grittman said he will look for any
conflicts.
Mayor Huber asked for additional comments
from the Planning Commission members. Mr.
May 20, 2008
Page 21
Lally said the Planning Commissioners are all in
agreement with the issue of the interchange.
Councilmember Vitelli asked the Planning
Commission members for any suggestions on
how the Council can take the defensive rather
than just sitting in meetings and having
representation, and not agreeing with what is
being done.
Mr. Povolny said Inver Grove Heights has to do
something with that comer as there are some
traffic issues. They are also running sewer and
water in that whole area south of I -494.
Councilmember Krebsbach said she believes the
industrial park should be addressed in the future,
determining how that should look in the next
twenty years, and how it should be addressed in
the comprehensive plan to maximize the
proximity to the airport.
Councilmember Duggan said he would like to
have some discussions with the Planning
Commission on the infill areas, having the
Planning Commission provide some
recommendations on the land use.
Mayor Huber thanked Mr. Grittman for all his
work on this.
COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Duggan said volunteers are still
needed for the Celebrate Mendota Heights Parks.
Councilmember Duggan acknowledged two authors
from Mendota Heights: Karri Persons and Tamara
Will.
Councilmember Duggan complimented the Council
members and the Planning Commission members
for all their great work and patience with the
presentations on Mendota Plaza and quoted from
the St. Paul Pioneer Press, "Mendota Plaza
redevelopment will exceed $40 million. The
potential is exciting. The physical location is
premier. The opportunity to build a pedestrian
May 20, 2008
Page 22
friendly country club feeling development that will
win awards and stand the test of time being
memorable in 50 to 70 years or longer and also be
successful will be require many drafts and dearest to
all that makes Mendota Heights the great city that it
is, only by being visionary and creative will this
substantiate all that we council members and
commissioners, present and past, have done to make
this city what we are all so proud of today. It's the
city that is the pride of Minnesota and I think that
we continue to work to make this development
another aspect of that pride of Minnesota ".
Councilmember Duggan said he agrees with
Councilmember Vitelli's comments that Paster
Enterprises did not work to incorporate the city's
ideas and not seeing any progress.
Councilmember Krebsbach asked about her request
for a Letter of Commendation for Catherine
Connelly, and said this needs to be ready for the
next meeting. City Administrator Jim Danielson
said a certificate was mailed to Ms. Connelly.
Councilmember Krebsbach said she was at the
tower with the Airport Relations Commission for a
tour, and said they have summer programs for high
school kids to learn how to be an air traffic
controller. People that are interested in learning
more can call Mr. Danielson at City Hall.
Mayor Huber said he will be not in attendance at the
next City Council meeting, which will be chaired by
Councilmember Duggan.
Councilmember Schneeman said the bird watching
in Mendota Heights is wonderful this year.
Councilmember Vitelli said he feels that Buildings
A, B, and C at The Village are taking way too long,
and lately has not been seeing a lot of activity there.
Councilmember Vitelli asked the Council to join
him in asking to have regular updates from Ross
Fefercom.
May 20, 2008
Page 23
Councilmember Vitelli asked Staff to give Paster
Enterprises a specific list of all the items that were
brought up at the last meeting, and communicate to
the Pasters that the Council wants these items
addressed specifically. Councilmember Vitelli said
he objects to Mr. Paster calling the creek a ditch.
Councilmember Duggan said it's well known that
all the Friendly Hills area drains through this creek,
and this creek has been around for a very long tune.
Councilmember Vitelli asked Mr. Danielson for an
update about the replacement of Ms. McDermott's
position. Mr. Danielson said Staff is currently
advertising for a Public Works Director / City
Engineer with a closing date of May 30. When
applicants have been narrowed down to the top 5, a
subcommittee from the City Council will be formed
to help Staff interview those top five.
Councilmember Vitelli expressed his concerns that
the city should only be advertising for a City
Engineer.
Councilmember Krebsbach said there should be a
time that the Council can look over the job
description.
Councilmember Vitelli said the City went to a
Public Works Director as a growth opportunity for
Ms. McDermott, as she was very qualified to take
that next step. Councilmember Vitelli said he does
not believe the City needs the cost and level of a
Public Works Director, which can be $15,000 to
$20,000 more than the City needs.
Mayor Huber said he does not recall discussing this
as a group, and it is hard to know what the City's
needs are and how high of a level should candidates
be applying for.
Ms. McDermott said when they advertised for this
position, they only received three applications. If it
is advertised as Mr. Danielson has done, more
applications would come in as the pool is broadened
out.
ADJOURN
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
May 20, 2008
Page 24
Councilmember Vitelli said the City needs to step
back and assess what is needed, and not what the
market is looking for.
Mr. Danielson said Staff can delay the closing of
the position, and change the title as well.
Mayor Huber asked to give the Council the
opportunity to discuss this position more.
There being no further business to come before the
Council, Councilmember Schneeinan moved to
adjourn the meeting.
Mayor Huber seconded the motion.
Time • Adjournment 9:30 p.m.
Re etca Shaffer
Recording Secretary