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2023-04-18 City Council Agenda Packet - work session CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION AGENDA Tuesday, April 18, 2023  5:00 p.m. City Hall  1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights 1. Call to Order 2. Discussion a. GreenStep Cities Program and Sustainability b. City Council Strategic Priorities c. Skatepark Design 3. Adjourn Alternative formats or auxiliary aids are available to individuals with disabilities upon request. Please contact city hall at 651-452-1850 or cityhall@mendotaheightsmn.gov. _________________________________________________ City Council Work Session Memo DATE: April 18, 2023 TO: Mayor, City Council and City Administrator FROM: Courtney Selstad, Recycling Coordinator Meredith Lawrence, Parks and Recreation Manager SUBJECT: GreenStep Cities Program Update INTRODUCTION The City Council will receive a project update from staff regarding the city’s progress in the GreenStep Cities program. BACKGROUND In March 2021, the City Council adopted a city resolution to participate in GreenStep Cities, thus completing Step 1 of the program. Applicable city projects and activities were compiled and reported over the past couple months to complete Step 2. Step 3 is achieved when a specific combination of best practice activities are completed and reported. After reviewing the Step 3 requirements, staff identified several activities that are already in progress or complete. Up to this point, the Mendota Heights involvement in GreenStep Cities has simply been to report on activities already taking place through other city initiatives. To continue moving forward in the program the city will likely need to take a more purposeful approach in pursuing activities that are independent of the city’s current practices and prioritized initiatives. Please see the attached spreadsheet for details on the required activities for Step 3 and Mendota Heights’ current progress for each requirement. On the Summary pages red boxes indicate the action has not been started, orange boxes indicate action is in progress and white boxes with an ‘X’ indicate the action is complete. For more information, the spreadsheets after the Summary pages go into additional detail on each requirement. BUDGET IMPACT GreenStep Cities does not have financial implications outside of the cost of project or initiative. Many of the requirements have a variety of applicable activities to fit a range of budgets. Additional staff capacity may be needed to manage future sustainability or GreenStep Cities-related projects. Mendota Heights currently has four hours per week of staff time devoted to sustainability initiatives, completed by the city’s Recycling Coordinator. ACTION RECOMMENDED/REQUESTED Staff will present information on the GreenStep Cities Program activities and sustainability and invite additional city council discussion and direction. Questions the city council is asked to consider: 1. Does the City Council want staff to continue advancement to Step 3 of the GreenStep Cities program? 2. Are there additional focus areas or sustainability initiatives that the City Council would like staff to focus on? 3. How often does the City Council want updates on GreenStep Cities progress? GreenStep Cities Step 3 Progress SUMMARY TASK DONE?NOTES NEXT STEPS 1.1 Enter/update building information into the MN B3 Benchmarking database, and routinely enter monthly usage data for all city-owned buildings/infrastructure that consume energy/water. Gather and submit data on city- owned buildings 1.2 Make no/low cost indoor lighting and operational changes in city-owned/school buildings to reduce energy costs. This action is in progress Report on approximate number/percent lighting switched to LED One additional action from BP 1 5 options see Requirement #1 sheet BP1.3 in progress Report on city owned solar projects One other Buildings & Lighting BP (#2-5)X #4 Complete but not reported Report 6.1 Adopt a comprehensive plan or (for Category B & C cities) adopt a future land use plan that was adopted by the county or a regional entity. X Complete but not reported Report 6.2 Demonstrate that regulatory ordinances comply with the comprehensive plan including but not limited to having the zoning ordinance explicitly reference the comprehensive plan as the foundational document for decision making. This action is in progress. See Requirement #3 sheet Clarify zoning language to explicitly reference the comprehensive plan as the foundational document for decision making One other Land Use BP (7-10)X BP #7 complete and reported for Step 2 11.1 Adopt a complete streets policy, or a living streets policy, which addresses landscaping and stormwater. Examples of minimum implementation: A city council resolution to develop standards; a policy governing city-owned streets; routine consideration of complete streets elements in all streets projects Requirement #1 - BPA 1 Buildings & Lighting BP Requirement #2 - BPA 2-5 Buildings & Lighting BP Requirement #3 - BPA 6 Land Use Requirement #4 - BPA 11 Living & Complete Streets GreenStep Cities Step 3 Progress SUMMARY Additional actions from BP 11 - Living & Complete Streets (1 of 2)X 11.4 Complete but not reported Report Additional actions from BP 11 - Living & Complete Streets (2 of 2)X 11.6 Complete but not reported Report Action from BP 12 - Mobility Options (1 of 2)X 12.1 Complete but not reported Report Action from BP 12 - Mobility Options (1 of 2) 12.3 action in progress. See Requirement #5 sheet Create webpage detailing transportation options in the city including Metro Transit, paratransit/Dial-A-Ride, ridesharing/cab services, and bikes paths. 15.1 Adopt a sustainable purchasing policy or administrative guidelines/practices directing that the city purchase at least: a. EnergyStar and EPEAT certified equipment and appliances. b. Paper containing post-consumer recycled content. Some aspects already in practice At minimum, document purchasing guidelines that include at least Energy Star and/or EPEAT equipment/appliances, and/or recycled-content paper (at least 50% post-consumer, or at least 10% of copy paper with 100% recycled content) One additional action from BP 15 - Sustainable Purchasing 7 options, see Requirement #6 sheet One action from BP 16 - Community Forests & Soils (1 of 2)X Complete and reported for Step 2 One action from BP 16 - Community Forests & Soils (2 of 2)X Complete and reported for Step 2 One action from BP 17 - Stormwater Management X Complete and reported for Step 2 Requirement #6 - BPA 15 Sustainable Purchasing Requirement #5 - BPA 12 Mobility Options Requirement #7 - BPA 16 Community Forests & Soils Requirement #8 - BPA 17 Stormwater Management GreenStep Cities Step 3 Progress SUMMARY 24.1 Inclusive and Coordinated Decision- Making: Use a city commission or committee to lead, coordinate, report to and engage community members on the identification and equitable implementation of sustainability best practices. X Complete but not reported Report 24.2 Communicating Progress on Goals: Organize goals/outcome measures from all city plans (social, environmental, economic) and report to community members data that show progress toward meeting these goals. This action is in progress Report the goals and outcomes annually from city plans such as the comprehensive plan, natural resources management plan, etc. One action from BP 25 - Green Business Development (1 of 2)25.6 action in progress Add Dakota County Reuse map to city website One action from BP 25 - Green Business Development (2 of 2)X 25.4 and 25.7 complete but not reported Report on green businesses and Valentine's Day business crawl BPA 29.1 (at a 2- or 3-star rating) - Climate Adaptation and Community Resilience X Complete but not reported Report Requirement #9 - BPA 24 Benchmarks & Community Engagement Requirement #10 - BPA 25 Green Business Development Requirement #11 - BPA 29 Climate Adaptation and Community Resilience _________________________________________________ City Council Work Session Memo DATE: April 18, 2023 TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: Cheryl Jacobson, City Administrator Kelly Torkelson, Assistant City Administrator SUBJECT: City Council Priorities 2023-2024 INTRODUCTION The Mendota Heights City Council sets strategic priorities at each two-year mayoral election cycle. At the March 21, 2023 city council work session, the city council reviewed the 2021-2022 city council priorities and discussed priorities and goals for 2023-2024. BACKGROUND Strategic plans serve as a communication, accountability and prioritization tool for both the city council and staff. Identifying priorities and goals helps to provide structure and organization to the city’s day-to-day operations and long-term planning. Additionally, the identification of priorities at a macro level helps to align initiatives across city departments as well as provide direction on initiatives to city advisory commissions. During the March 21 work session, the city council and staff discussed a number of ideas and suggestions using the five priority areas from 2021-2022 as a starting point. Staff have distilled the conversation and recommendations into four city council priorities (or buckets). Proposed priority areas are: Priority: Economic Vitality and Community Vibrancy Priority: Environmental Sustainability and Stewardship Priority: Premiere Public Services and Infrastructure Priority: Inclusive and Responsive Government Similar to 2021-22, each priority has a series of goals that outline or further define the focus or intention of the priority. The priorities and goals reflect the breath of work done by the city. In order to achieve the stated goal, staff will develop action items and work plans which respond to and/or correspond with priorities and goals. The number of action items will vary and may depend on staff workload and city council decisions. 2023-2024 (proposed)City Council Strategic Priorities: * The action items listed do not constitute a formal or comprehensive list or workplan. PRIORITY 1: ECONOMIC VITALITY AND COMMUNITY VIBRANCY Goal 1.1 Support a vibrant business environment Goal 1.2 Foster a welcoming and inclusive community by promoting diversity, equity and inclusion Goal 1.3 Invest in infrastructure that supports residential and business technology connections Examples of action items: • Conduct a citywide business climate survey to understand business perspectives and attitudes about starting, operating and owning a business in Mendota Heights • Examine city code standards and requirements for cell towers • Research installation of EV infrastructure near city business nodes and develop corresponding program, if feasible PRIORITY 2: ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY STEWARDSHIP Goal 2.1 Integrate sustainability practices into municipal operations and infrastructure investments Goal 2.2 Enhance public knowledge and use of natural resources and sustainability best practices Goal 2.3 Lead investments in and expansion of natural resources Goal 2.4 Protect historic and natural spaces Examples of action items: • Conduct feasibility research on a citywide curbside organics collection program • Continue partnerships working to restore Oheyawahe/Pilot Knob historic area • Update Fleet Management Policy to consider the use of alternative fuel or EV vehicles in city operations • Expand forestry programming through initiatives such as a tree donation program and the city tree sale • Continue advancement in the MN Green Step Cities Program • Develop natural resources and sustainability educational materials for use in city communications and at community events PRIORITY 3: PREMIERE PUBLIC SERVICES AND INFRASTRUCTURE Goal 3.1 Build and maintain high-quality public facilities and infrastructure Goal 3.2 Attract and retain a talented workforce and strive to be a workplace of choice Goal 3.3 Promote responsible fiscal management practices Goal 3.4 Provide excellent public services that support a safe, engaged, and connected community Examples of action items: • Continue to plan Police Department and City Hall remodeling and renovations • Lead regional transportation partnerships to plan for reduced traffic congestion and the development of new traffic solutions at key city locations • Maintain the city’s AAA Bond rating • Benchmark employee compensation and benefits to ensure labor market competitiveness • Implement technology improvements that support the 2024 Presidential election and voter experience PRIORITY 4: INCLUSIVE AND RESPONSIVE GOVERNMENT Goal 4.1 Expand public knowledge and awareness of city processes, policies, opportunities for engagement Goal 4.2 Generate opportunities for community gathering and connection Goal 4.3 Define strategic vision for community goals and expectations Examples of action items: • Launch a modernized citizen’s civics academy offering residents a behind the scenes look at city government operations • Revamp city code enforcement program • Develop city goal statement for diversity, equity and inclusion • Examine public art programming and use within the city • Conduct a city-wide community survey ACTION RECOMMENDED/REQUESTED Staff will present the proposed 2023-2024 city council priorities and goals at the work session and invite additional city council discussion and direction. _________________________________________________ City Council Work Session Memo DATE: April 18, 2023 TO: Mayor, City Council and City Administrator FROM: Meredith Lawrence, Parks and Recreation Manager Ryan Ruzek, P.E., Public Works Director SUBJECT: Roger’s Lake Skate Park Preview INTRODUCTION At the work session, staff will provide the City Council with a preview of the proposed reconstruction of the Roger’s Lake Skate Park. BACKGROUND Refer to item 9c of the regular agenda packet for April 18 for background information and supporting documentation. ACTION REQUESTED Informational. Staff will provide the City Council and the public with a full presentation on the item, answer questions on the project, and seek formal action at the regularly scheduled City Council meeting on April 18 at 7:00pm.