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2013-08-20 Council meeting minutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA Minutes of the Regular Meeting Held Tuesday, August 20, 2013 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 Krebsbach called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following members were present: Councilmembers Duggan, Povolny, Petschel, and Norton. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council, the audience, and staff recited the Pledge of Allegiance. EX440 "11 -.1VAC932 "W Mayor Krebsbach presented the agenda for adoption. Councilmember Duggan moved adoption of the agenda. Councilmember Norton seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 CONSENT CALENDAR Mayor Krebsbach presented the consent calendar and explained the procedure for discussion and approval. Councilmember Duggan moved approval of the consent calendar as presented and authorization for execution of any necessary documents contained therein, pulling items A) Acknowledgement of August 6, 2013 City Council Minutes and F) Accept Retirement of Firefighter Bret Blaeser. a. Acknowledgement of August 6, 2013 City Council Minutes b. Acknowledgement of August 13, 2013 City Council Workshop Minutes c. Acknowledgement of August 13, 2013 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes d. Acknowledgement of August 14, 2013 Airport Relations Commission Minutes e. Accept July 2013 Fire Department Synopsis Report f. Accept Retirement of Firefighter Bret Blaeser g. Appointment of Permanent Firefighters h. Receipt of July 2013 Par 3 Report i. Approval of Fleet Safety Program j. Approval of Massage Therapy License August 20, 2013 Mendota Heights City Council Page 1 k. Approval of Personnel Action Report 1. Approval of Police Department Out-of-State Travel Request in. Receipt of July 2013 Treasurer's Report n. Approval of Claims List o. Approval of Contractor List Councilmember Norton seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 PULLED CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS A) ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF AUGUST 6, 2013 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Councilmember Petschel suggested that a sentence under UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS C) "Resolution 2013-56 Support for Dakota County Mendota-Lebanon Hills Regional Greenway Master Plan" be removed as it was unnecessary. In reference to UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS A) West St. Paul/Sibley lee Arena Feasibility Study Discussion, Councilmember Duggan noted that the residents who attended the meeting and made comments were poorly represented. They should have received more consideration in the minutes. He also noted that his clarifying comment in regards to fiscal disparities should have been included. Councilmember Petschel commented that she sees no inaccuracies in the minutes but does understand the inclusion of Councilmember Duggan's fiscal disparities clarification. Councilmember Norton moved to table Item 5a "Acknowledgement of August 6, 2013 City Council Minutes" until the next City Council meeting. Councilmember Duggan seconded the motion. Councilmember Petschel stated that she was happy with tabling the minutes and reviewing them prior to the next City Council meeting. Councilmember Duggan expressed his desire to have the main points of the residents comments in regards to the ice arena included in the minutes. City Administrator Justin Miller agreed to have all of the suggested changes made. There being no additional discussion, Mayor Kiebsbach called for the vote. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 F) ACCEPT RETIREMENT OF FIREFIGHTER BRET BLAESER Councilmember Duggan commented that Firefighter Bret Blaeser has given twenty years of exemplary service to the community as a firefighter, as a businessman, and through his efforts with the Relief Association. He would be missed. August 20, 2013 Mendota Heights City Council Page 2 Councilmember Duggan moved to regretfully accept the retirement of Firefighter Bret Blaeser. Councilmember Petschel seconded the motion. Councilmember Petschel made the observation that Firefighter Bret Blaeser had exquisitely planned everybody else's retirement parties and she was looking forward to attending his. There being no further discussion, Mayor Krebsbach called for the vote. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 PUBLIC COMMENTS Ms. Megan Roach, 1726 Sutton Lane, commented that she would like the Council's help on two issues; 1) cell phone reception issues, and 2) airplane flight patterns. In regards to the airplane flight patterns, Ms. Roach stated that she moved to her current residence to get away from airplane noise. The first few years it was fine but in the last couple of years there has been an increase. The planes are clearly going over and cutting before Delaware when the pattern should be Highway 110 to Delaware. She requested help in getting this issue sorted out. Mayor Krebsbach replied that Councilmember Petschel is the Chair of the Noise Oversight Committee. Councilmember Petschel stated that she has been made aware of the issues. She explained that with Flight Tracker, the information about complaints can be retrieved quickly. Councilmember Petschel also explained that the reason for some of the current issues is the recent turnover of Air Traffic Controllers. The tower supervisors, when they receive information on an issue, make the air traffic controllers aware of the complaints and have an in- service educational session. Councilmember Petschel also noted that Bemidji Air is allowed to fly outside of the corridor because of the type of plane they use. They are instructed to get out of the corridor as quickly as possible. Mayor Krebsbach also informed Ms. Roach of the Airport Relations Commission. In regards to poor cell phone reception, Ms. Roach stated that she works out of her home and has tried all carriers, all types of phones, getting special modems, and she continues to have issues. She believes that with cell phone usage on the rise, this could become a safety issue. Mayor Krebsbach commented that this has been an ongoing problem, but the challenge is all of the valleys in the area. She asked if staff had any recommendation on a carrier that seems to be better positioned for Ms. Roachs' part of the city. City Administrator Justin Miller replied that this came up a couple months ago at City Council and, as a result, staff did reach out to a couple of brokers who handle cell phone towers. Staff had a meeting with one and he was looking in an area that was a dead spot for some of his groups. Staff believes it would be just a matter of time when the carriers get to the city and decide it is a priority for them to locate a tower within Mendota Heights. August 20, 2013 Mendota Heights City Council Page 3 Ms. Roach asked why tower placement requests have been previously denied by the City. Mayor Krebsbach stated Mendota Heights is one of the key spots for towers because of its height. When Mendota Plaza had just been improved, the City turned down a request to install a tower at that location. It was decided to put the antennas on Sibley and at Eagle Ridge. Mendota Heights has antennas on top of the Mendota Heights water tower, a mono-pole on Northland Drive, and other locations. The challenge is the hills in the area. Ms. Roach expressed her appreciation for the information but asked to hear what the plan is for improvements. Mayor Krebsbach explained that should someone come forward with a cell tower proposal, the City would be very happy to hear their presentation. Councilmember Duggan stated that he has suggested in the past that the City invite all of the major carriers to come and review what they can do to help the City solve this issue. Councilmember Povolny commented that he also does not have good cell coverage at his home and would be very interested in reviewing a proposal. However, the Council also has to take into consideration the pros and cons of the locations of the towers. Mayor Krebsbach requested that staff provide an update at a future meeting on the result of the proposed tower location at city hall. She asked if that was the tower that was placed in Eagle Ridge. Mr. Bruce Bobbitt, 2455 Hampshire Court, came forward seeking clarification on the approved resolution [Support for Dakota County Mendota-Lebanon Hills Regional Greenway Master Plan] that was passed by the Council on August 6, 2013. He asked what the legal status is and who would make the final determination about the location of the greenway. City Engineer John Mazzitello commented that County staff is presenting the master plan to the County Board of Commissioners. Based on what they approve, that would be the master plan that the County would have going forward, and what they would intend on using to seek grant money and other funding opportunities to build the individual projects that are listed within that master plan. Of the two alternatives that are in the master plan for the Mendota-Lebanon Hills Regional Greenway, the county staff's preferred alternative is a boardwalk across Friendly Hills Marsh. The other alternative alignment would bring the trail down CDA owned property, and come out at Decorah and Dodd; follow along the east side of Dodd Road to Mendota Heights Road; and use the existing Mendota Heights Road Trail over to Kensington Park, where it would cut to the southeast to the Delaware/494 crossing and enter Inver Grove Heights. This alternative alignment, the one that the Council put in their resolution as their preference, would not utilize Huber Drive as part of the greenway. Mayor Krebsbach asked what recourse the City has should the County approve the boardwalk alternative. City Engineer Mazzitello replied that at this point in the process they are approving the master plan; they are not approving the project. The County Board of Commissioners could very well say that they are only going to look at this alignment and not look at any alternatives; however, it would be difficult for them to obtain any grant money with that plan. The likelihood is the plan would still contain both alternatives through Mendota Heights. Once the ftu-iding is obtained and they start the August 20, 2013 Mendota Heights City Council Page 4 design of a project that includes crossing the marsh, they would have to obtain a wetland permit from the City of Mendota Heights. Mr. Bobbitt clarified that his concern is the quality of life changes the greenway trail would present. The greenway trail would bring more bike traffic through the neighborhood and he expressed concern about the intrusion. The residents that he spoke with had no knowledge that this trail through their neighborhood was being considered. Councilmember Duggan assured Mr. Bobbitt that the residents would receive ample notification of any changes being made through their neighborhood. PUBLIC HEARING A) NPDES /MS4 PHASE II STORM WATER PERMIT PRESENTATION Assistant City Engineer Ryan Ruzek explained that the City is in the final year of their original permit through the Pollution Control Agency, which is a federally mandated program. They adopted a second generation permit in June 2013; Mendota Heights is in the third group of cites and is required to apply for the next year's coverage by December 31, 2013. Under the current pennit, there are six minimum control measures: 1. Public Education and Outreach 2. Public Participation/Involvement 3. Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination 4. Construction Site Runoff and Control 5. Post - Construction Runoff Control 6. Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping Ruzek listed the best management practices that the City had adopted and completed this year to address these minimum control measures. Councilmember Duggan asked if the Gun Club Lake WMO and the Lower Mississippi River WMO had been combined yet. Ruzek replied that those have not been combined; however, at the September 3, 2013 Council meeting there would be an item on the agenda on possibly leaving the Gun Club Lake MSO and having the entire city of Mendota Heights in the Lower Mississippi River WMO. Councilmember Duggan asked if there had been any feedback that more residents are trying to comply with the regulations and suggestions for stornwater control. Ruzek answered that there are always people within a neighborhood that are very interested. He encourages theirs to speak to their neighbors and get everyone on the same page as fax as water quality. Councilmember Duggan asked how well pervious pavers work for driveways to a garage. Ruzek had no experience with them on a residential property. However, Cemstone installed a system in their parking lot which seems to be working quite well. Councihnember Duggan suggested that staff provide homebuilders with information on pervious materials. August 20, 2013 Mendota Heights City Council Page 5 Mayor Krebsbach opened the public hearing and asked for comments from the public. There being no public comments, Councilmember Duggan moved to close the public hearing. Councilmember Petschel seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 None. UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS Assistant to the City Administrator Tamara Schutta made the following announcements: --Highway 149 and Highway 110 Pedestrian and Safety Improvement Project begins on August 21, with completion expected by September 16. --Reminder that school starts on September 3, 2013. Be aware of children and school buses. Councilmember Duggan reminded everyone of the Market Square Conceit Series; the next one is scheduled for August 21— "Kids Dance" — with DJ, dancing, face painting, petting zoo, and gifts. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Norton wished Councilmember Duggan a Happy Birthday. Councilmember Petschel pointed out that some residents have been receiving the Sunfish Lake & Copperfield Living newsletter. She referred to an article on Diana Shandler who was a teacher of art at the K-12 level at Visitation. She is having an art show at the Adobe Gallery in Stockholm, MN. Councilmember Duggan read a portion of a note he received from one of his neighbors in regard to airplane noise and made other comments in that regard. He also stated that there is a dance floor available should the City choose to purchase one with Mendota and Lilydale. Lilydale would store the dance floor for their Lilydaze festival, and Mendota used it for their Mendota Days. Mendota Heights could also use it for celebrations. He mentioned that concerns have been raised about the condition and appearance of the Marie Park area. Another resident asked if Wagon Wheel would be getting new grass to replace the grass that died last year (he has since been informed that it would be replaced in September or October). Mayor Krebsbach stated that residents have spoken to her about the possibility of Mendota Heights having an art gallery. She would like to see an art exhibition or showing in the area. August 20, 2013 Mendota Heights City Council Page 6 Councilmember Povolny moved to adjourn. Councilmember Petschel seconded the motion. Mayor Krebsbach adjourned the meeting at 8:07 p.m. andr lk'le2stbach Mayor ATTEST: Lorri Smith City Clerk August 20, 2013 Mendota Heights City Council Page 7