City Council

CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA Minutes of the Regular Meeting Held Tuesday, November 21, 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, Mazzitello, and Miller, were also present. 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. Councilor Lorberbaum seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 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, pulling item E. a. Approval of November 8, 2023 City Council Minutes b. Acknowledge September 20, 2023 Airport Relations Commission Meeting Minutes c. Acknowledge September 12, 2023 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes d. Acknowledge October 3, 2023 Parks and Recreation Work Session Meeting Minutes e. Approve City Clerk Hire f. Approve Purchase of M365 Software Licensing g. Resolution 2023-86 Certifying Delinquent Sewer Accounts h. Resolution 2023-87 Certifying Delinquent Water Accounts i. Resolution 2023-88 Declaring Fire Department Apparatus as Surplus and Authorizing Sale j. Approve September 2023 Treasurer’s Report k. Approval of Claims List Councilor Mazzitello seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 PULLED CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS E) APPROVE CITY CLERK HIRE Councilor Mazzitello commented that Nancy has been with the City for a number of years and he believed that with little exception she could do any job at the City. He commented that she has driven the elections in the city through many City Clerks. Councilor Mazzitello moved to authorize THE HIRE OF NANCY BAUER AS CITY CLERK WITH AN ANNUAL SALARY OF $99,006. Councilor Miller seconded the motion. Further discussion: Mayor Levine commented that Ms. Bauer has worked for the City for 36 years and she is excited about the new position for her. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 PUBLIC COMMENTS No one from the public wished to be heard. PRESENTATIONS A) FIRE CAPTAIN SWEARING IN CEREMONY Fire Chief Dave Dreelan stated that the Council is asked to do a ceremonial swearing in of Captain Chris Perrault, the newest Fire Captain for the Mendota Heights Fire Department. The Oath of Office and badge pinning was completed. Councilor Miller commented that he has known Captain Perrault for a long time as he began before Councilor Miller’s time with the department. He commented on his ability to make people feel welcome and that they belong and, on his dedication, for serving the community. Councilor Mazzitello commented that he graduated high school with Captain Perrault and to see him sworn in as a Captain makes him happy not only for the community, but as a fellow student. Councilor Lorberbaum congratulated and thanked not only Captain Perrault, but all the firefighters. Councilor Paper also expressed thanks. Mayor Levine reminded residents that the department is made up of paid on call firefighters and thanked the firefighters and their families. November 21, 2023 Mendota Heights City Council Page 2 of 6  PUBLIC HEARING No items scheduled. NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS A) RESOLUTION 2023-85 ACCEPTING FEASIBILITY REPORT, AUTHORIZING PREPARATION OF PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS, AND CALLING FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE EMERSON AVENUE STREET IMPROVEMENTS Larry Poppler, TKDA, explained that the Council was being asked to approve the feasibility report, authorize preparation plans and specifications, and schedule a public hearing for the Emerson Avenue Street Improvements. Councilor Lorberbaum asked how the 3.5 units were calculated for the City. Mr. Poppler replied that 100 feet equals one unit. He stated that those units are for Ivy Hills Park along Maple Drive, which is roughly 350 feet. Councilor Lorberbaum asked how the Ivy Keep townhomes were calculated. Mr. Poppler explained how that area was calculated, noting that the City followed the same process that was followed for the last project. Councilor Lorberbaum asked for details on how parking bays are replaced as driveway replacements. Mr. Poppler stated that cost was computed on a driveway standard rather than a road standard, noting the different depths of bituminous. Councilor Paper referenced the core sample data, noting a segment that is very deteriorated and asked how that would occur. Mr. Poppler replied that there are a number of factors that could have resulted in that condition. Councilor Paper referenced a pedway and asked if that has been redone or would be redone as part of this project. Mr. Poppler replied that is not part of this project and believed the pedway at Ivy Hills was redone previously. He commented that the parking lot at Ivy Hills would be redone as part of this project. Councilor Paper asked if the 24 out of 27 responding were residents or households. Mr. Poppler replied that those were households. Councilor Paper referenced Emerson and asked if there would be any improvement on the curve. November 21, 2023 Mendota Heights City Council Page 3 of 6 Mr. Poppler replied that the street orientation would remain the same but pedestrian ramps would be added at Wachtler to indicate a pedestrian crossing. Councilor Paper asked why the parking bays are being done if they are private. Mr. Poppler stated that a request has been made to include those, but if there is feedback not to do those, that can be removed. Councilor Mazzitello asked for details on the informational meeting that will be held. Mr. Poppler replied that will take place on December 13th and will provide residents with input on the proposed project in order to inform residents prior to the public hearing. Mayor Levine asked if the portion from Saint Paul Regional Water Supply (SPRWS) would be paid by the City or SPRWS. Mr. Poppler replied that SPRWS would be funding those costs. Mayor Levine asked if this assessment is comparable to the project recently completed near City Hall. Mr. Poppler commented that they tend to estimate conservatively at this point with anticipation that the cost could be lowered as they continue forward in design. Mayor Levine asked if there would be curb cut rain gardens. Mr. Poppler commented that would be an option and could be discussed at the neighborhood meeting. Mayor Levine asked for more information on the park improvement line items. Mr. Poppler replied that the bulk of those costs are related to the reclamation of the parking lot. Councilor Mazzitello moved to approve RESOLUTION NO. 2023-85 ACCEPTING FEASIBILITY REPORT AND CALLING FOR A PUBLIC HEAIRNG ON THE EMERSON AVENUE STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECT #202306. Councilor Miller seconded the motion. Further discussion: Mayor Levine commented that they heard loud and clear from the community about the sidewalk and pedestrian way. She stated that they ask questions to gain input and the results clearly showed that the neighborhood did not want that, therefore it was not included in the project. Councilor Mazzitello clarified that the action tonight is calling for the public hearing. He stated that final design decisions have not been made and the costs are estimates. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 November 21, 2023 Mendota Heights City Council Page 4 of 6  B) PARK SYSTEM MASTER PLAN REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) Parks and Recreation Manager Meredith Lawrence provided a brief background on this item. The Council was being asked to authorize the issuance of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the development of a Park System Master Plan. Councilor Paper asked when it would be anticipated that the plan would need to be revised. Parks and Recreation Manager Meredith Lawrence replied that after 13 or 14 years they would begin to budget for the update as the vision is anticipated for 15 years. Councilor Paper asked who completes park master plans. Parks and Recreation Manager Meredith Lawrence replied that there are consultants that develop these types of plans. Councilor Paper asked if there is sufficient time to receive responses. Parks and Recreation Manager Meredith Lawrence replied that is something the Park and Recreation Commission discussed, therefore staff further discussed the response time after that meeting and still believe that this would be sufficient time to receive responses. She stated that if desired, the Council could add time to the response period. Councilor Mazzitello commented that this is an excellent RFP, well drafted by staff. He stated that typically the scoring is broken down and asked if that would be known by the proposers. Parks and Recreation Manager Meredith Lawrence replied that they kept the scoring very broad. She noted that staff would like leeway to work with the subcommittee and receive input from other communities on their experiences with the consultants. Councilor Mazzitello noted that the three-week response time is very standard, even for much larger projects. Councilor Lorberbaum agreed that this was well written. Mayor Levine commented that she had asked that the Parks and Recreation budget be included as an attachment, and it has been added. She commented that this plan will focus on only parks, not trails. Councilor Miller moved to authorize THE RELEASE OF THE REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PARK SYSTEM MASTER PLAN. Councilor Mazzitello seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS November 21, 2023 Mendota Heights City Council Page 5 of 6 City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson announced upcoming community events and activities. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilor Mazzitello commented that the following day marks the 60th anniversary of the assassination of JFK and provided reflection on some of his most popular statements. He asked everyone to reflect on that leadership and those messages. Councilor Miller commented that recently he was a candidate for the 52B DFL primary and thanked those that voted and showed their support. He commented that he did not move forward but he wanted to show appreciation for everyone that supported him. Councilor Lorberbaum stated that there has been a lot of talk of a possible community center and encouraged residents to complete the survey asking for input on that topic. She commented on the wonderful staff that the city has and wished everyone a happy Thanksgiving. Councilor Paper congratulated Nancy Bauer and Captain Perrault. He again noted Movember recognizing men’s health. Mayor Levine echoed the congratulations to Nancy Bauer and Captain Perrault. She also thanked staff that have been involved in the multiple elections. She encouraged residents to attend coffee and cribbage. She also thanked Police Chief Kelly McCarthy for assisting as City Clerk for the evening. ADJOURN Councilor Mazzitello moved to adjourn. Councilor Paper seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Mayor Levine adjourned the meeting at 8:00 p.m. ____________________________________ Stephanie B. Levine Mayor ATTEST: _______________________________ Nancy Bauer City Clerk November 21, 2023 Mendota Heights City Council Page 6 of 6