POsted for Sandra Krebsbach

1. Mendota Heights
State of the City Address 2016
Mayor Sandra Krebsbach
February 9, 2016

2. 2016 State of City Address
Mendota Heights delivers competent
and courteous service in a friendly
stable environment.

3. 2016 State of City Address
Strong Fundamentals
• Location
• Dedicated City Council & Commissions
• Solid Tax Base
• Capital Assets
• Quality Housing & Commercial
property
• Public Safety/Public Works/City Staff
• Quality of Life – Parks, Recreation

4. About Mendota Heights
• Population: 11,124
*Met Council 2014 estimates
• Housing Units: 4,450
• Home Ownership Rate: 90%
• Number of businesses: 410*
*Source Greater MSP

5. About Mendota Heights
• Median Housing Value: $334,700
2015: $318,300 2014: $301,750
• Highest median home value in cities
over 10,000 in Dakota County
4.92% increase from 2015

6. About Mendota Heights
• Well educated community:
– 57.6% of residents have a bachelor’s degree
(or higher)
– Compares to 32.6% for the state
• Median household income:
– $95,083 for Mendota Heights residents
– $59,836 for the state
Source US Census Quick Facts

7. • Three high schools:
• Henry Sibley
• Convent of the Visitation
• St. Thomas Academy
• Three elementary
schools:
• Mendota
• Somerset
• Convent of the Visitation
• Three middle schools:
• Friendly Hills Middle School
• St. Thomas Academy Middle
School
• Visitation Middle School
• Three golf courses
• Mendota Heights Par 3
• Mendakota Country Club
• Somerset Country Club
Mendota Heights Facts

8. “The quality of a community reflects the dedication
and commitment of those who serve it.”
Author Unknown

9. City Council
Sandra Krebsbach, Mayor
Ultan Duggan, Council Member
Liz Petschel, Council Member
Mike Povolny, Council Member
Steve Norton, Council Member

10. Advisory Commissions
Airport Relations Commission:
David Sloan, Chair
Kevin Byrnes
William Dunn
Sally Lorberbaum
Jim Neuharth
Gina Norling
Arvind Sharma

11. Advisory Commissions
Planning Commission:
Litton Field, Jr., Chair
Christine Costello
Doug Hennes
Mary Magnusson
Michael Noonan
Howard Roston
Brian Petschel
Thank you
Ansis Viksnins – 9 years of service

12. Advisory Commissions
Parks and Recreation Commission:
Pat Hinderscheid, Chair
Ira Kipp
Stephanie Levine
David Miller
Joel Paper
Michael Toth
Vacant position
Youth representative
Thank you
Jack Evans – 2 years of service
Rachel Farber, youth representative
Joe Quehl, youth representative

13. Officer Scott Patrick
July 30, 2015 Anniversary Commemoration
• Officer Scott Patrick
Memorial Highway - Dodd Road
Dedication
• Candlelight Vigil held at the
Village at Mendota Heights
• Memorial Committee formed

14. Gerald “Jerry” Murphy
April 1938 – November 2015
• Provided service to the City of Mendota
Heights for nearly 48 years
– Licensed part-time police officer
– Volunteer Police Reserve
• In 2013 - received the Presidential
Volunteer Service Award in recognition of
contributing in excess of 13,000 hours of
volunteer service to the community

15. City Staff
Management Team
Mark McNeill, City Administrator
Tamara Schutta, Asst. to the City Administrator/HR
Kristen Schabacker, Finance Director
John Mazzitello, Public Works Director/City Engineer
Mike Aschenbrener, Chief of Police
John Maczko, Fire Chief
Sue Donovan, IT Manager
Lorri Smith, City Clerk
Nolan Wall, Planner

16. City Staff
Administration:
– 10 full time employees
Police:
– Police Chief
– 4 Sergeant positions
– 13 Police Officers
– 1 full time, 2 PT support staff,
2 on call
– 5 volunteer reserves/10
volunteer chaplains
Public Works/Engineering:
‒ Public Works Director
‒ Assistant City Engineer
‒ Senior Engineer Tech
‒ 1 Vacancy – on hold
‒ .75 support staff
‒ Public Works Superintendent
‒ 9 Public Works employees
• Parks, Streets & Utilities

17. City Staff
Welcomed new staff members
– Ryan Crouley, Maintenance II
– Steve Hilyar, Police Officer
– Phil McCarty, Police Officer
– Shayna Hoechst, PT Police Support Specialist
Thank you
- Almin Ramic, Project Engineer
- Brian Convery, Police Sergeant

18. Mendota Heights Firefighters
Fire:
Fire Chief
Assistant Fire Chief
.25 support staff
4 Captains
30 Paid-on-Call (Volunteer) Firefighters
New Firefighters
– Daniel Johnson, Firefighter
– Laura Wertish, Firefighter
– Michael Winters, Firefighter

19. Paid-On-Call Firefighters
Thank you to retirees
– Michelle Parker, Firefighter
– Tracy Wilcziek, Firefighter

20. City Staff
16 staff members were recognized for a
combined total of 245 years of service to the
community.

21. 2016 Core Value Awards
Respectful ~ Todd Rosse, Police Officer
Ethical ~ Jenny Fordham, Police Officer/SRO
Service Oriented ~ Nolan Wall, Planner
Professional ~ John Maczko, Fire Chief

22. 2015 Highlights
Public Works
• 72 miles of streets to plow, 26 miles of trails
• 19 snow events in 2015; 1 snow emergencies
• 428.31 tons of pavement repairs
• 127 miles of streets swept
• 9.63 miles of sanitary sewer
cleaned
• 16 water/force main breaks

23. 2015 Highlights
Public Works
Decorah Lane Sewer collapse
July 15, 2015 at 6:40am

24. 2015 Highlights
Public Works
• Sanitary sewer trunk main collapsed under Decorah
Lane between Dodd Road and Apache Street.
• Sinking pavement identified by City employees prior to
pavement collapse
• Public Works Staff responded immediately
• West Saint Paul Public Works responded within 15
minutes to provide assistance

25. Infrastructure Projects
2015 Infrastructure Project
Victoria Road South Reconstruction (Marie to Lexington)

26. Infrastructure Projects
2016 Infrastructure Project
Reconstruct Mendota Road
– Will replace entire road section and install curb, gutter, & storm
sewer
Rehabilitate Warrior Drive, High Ridge Circle, Sibley Court
– Will replace pavement and spot replace curbing where needed
– Warrior Drive will have a median installed as a traffic safety/control
measure
$1.9 million project estimate paid for with Municipal State Aid (MSA) funds,
storm sewer utility funds, municipal bond sales and assessments

27. Mendota Heights Water System
Mendota Heights entered into a water
agreement with Saint Paul Regional
Water Services (SPRWS):
• SPRWS will retain all previous
responsibilities for maintenance,
repairs, and improvements
• SPRWS and Mendota Heights will work together
on capital projects and Board representation
• In the event SPRWS is purchased or dissolved,
Mendota Heights has the right to buy back or stay
with the new owner

28. 2015 Highlights
Police Department
• 7,277 Calls for service
• 590 Citations issued
• 752 Warnings issued
• 1,110 Police Reports
• Average response time
for calls is 5.41 minutes
• Lowest crime rate in Dakota County

29. 2015 Highlights
Police Community Involvement
– Citizen’s Academy, Crime Prevention
Neighborhood meetings, Night to Unite, Special
Olympics & Toys for Tots.
2015 Citizens
Academy

30. 2015 Highlights
Mendota Heights Fire Department named
2015 Minnesota's Fire Department of the Year
at the Minnesota State Fire Department Association State Convention in
St. Cloud in June.
2015 Training
Exercise

31. 2015 Highlights
Fire Department
• 269 fire calls (83 were false alarms)
• 330 fire inspections
• 3 residential/0 commercial fires
– 1 in Mendota Heights, 2 in Lilydale
• Average response time for calls is 7 minutes
• Community Involvement
– Fire Prevention Week & Open House, school visits during
Fire Prevention Week, Night to Unite, Halloween Bonfire and
Firefighter Dance

32. 2015 Building Activity
• 1660 Building Permits issued in 2015
• Valuation of all permits $23,897,193
• Total permit revenue: $381,608

33. 2015 Building Activity
• 16 new single-family homes built
(valued $5,036,424)
– LeMay Lake Shores, The Summit & infill lots
• 4 teardowns & 5 rebuilds single-family homes
(valued $2,723,000)

34. Recreation
Recreation Opportunities
– Summer Playgrounds
– Puppet Wagon at the Village
– Tennis, Golf, Fishing, Skating
– Bike Rodeo
– Field trips
– Pickleball
– Sliding at Par 3

35. Recreation
Safety Camp
• Collaboration with South St. Paul, West St. Paul & Mendota Heights
• 37 youth from Mendota Heights participated in the 2015 Safety Camp

36. Recreation
Community Events for All
– Parks Celebration
– Music in the Park
– 5K Run/Walk – 400 participants
– Seasonal events at The Village at Mendota Heights and Mendota Plaza
Annual Parks Celebration

37. Mendota Heights Par 3
• Lessons and leagues for youth and adults
• 10,000+ rounds golf played
• 4,000+ rounds of foot-golf played
• Positive net position for the third consecutive year

38. City Financials
• Taxable market value for all properties
increased 5.91% from 2015
• Tax levy increased by 5.81% for 2016
• Ehlers & Associates hired to produce a 10 year
Financial Management Plan

39. Taxable Market Value
Residential
$1,380,148,828
Commercial
$241,294,700
Industrial
$62,042,000
Utility $11,620,400
Apartments
$21,600,000 Other $22,014,400 Agricultural
$326,700

40. City Budget
• 2016 Budget Process provides for quality
essential services
• Tax rate remains the lowest among major
Dakota County Cities

41. City Budget
• 2015 Total Levy = $6,999,974
• 2016 Total Levy = $7,406,399

42. City Budget
• Fire Relief Pension Benefit Increase
• Sold bonds for 2.5 ton dump truck with snow
plow
• City Hall & Fire safety improvements
• Public Works turf maintenance vehicle
• Police Department weapons acquisition
• Employee Cost of Living Adjustment 2.5%

43. 2016 City Revenues
General Fund
Property Tax Levy
81%
License and Permit 4%
Fines and Forteitures
1%
Charges for Services
7%
Intergovernmental 5%
Miscellaneous
2%

44. 2016 City Expenses
Administration,
$1,077,954
Police, $3,448,531
Fire, $469,754
Streets, $1,023,577
Parks/Rec, $796,146
Other,$602,482

45. AAA Bond Rating
• AAA bond rating affirmed by Standard and Poor Rating Services for
a third year.
• Approximately 50 cities nationwide with populations under 12,000
have a AAA rating
• S & P noted:
– Very strong budget flexibility with available reserves
– Very strong economy
– Strong management conditions
– Very strong liquidity with strong cash levels to cover expenditures

46. Fiscal Disparities
In 2015, we shared tax capacity information from the
Dakota County website regarding Fiscal Disparities.
• Mendota Heights has requested new legislation
– Reduce the City’s property tax contribution by 25% to FD pool
– Applies to cities of 15,000 or less
If proposed legislation is successful, and combined with
normal tax base growth, in 2017 Mendota Heights would
annually realize ~ $250,000 more for its operations.

47. 2015 Accomplishments
Prime Therapeutics, LLC
• Partnered with the State of Minnesota, Greater MSP
and the City of Mendota Heights
• Transferring 375 jobs within 3 years
• Creating 125 jobs within 2 years

48. 2015 Accomplishments
Opened Temporary Off-Leash Dog Area
• Approximately 3 acres
• Located south of Acacia Boulevard & east of Pilot Knob Road

49. 2015 Accomplishments
Industrial Park Study
$10,000 Grant for redevelopment planning from Dakota County
Community Development Agency

50. • Fire Station
– Study completed in 2015
– Remodel, renovate and expand, or reconstruct?
• Police Facilities
– Squad car parking, future facility needs to be studied
Future City Facility Needs

51. • Engineering Study
– Take an in-depth look at how the Department currently
operates
– Future structure to make the engineering function
sustainable
• Police Study
– Looking at the state of policing in Mendota Heights
– Review staffing levels and succession planning
• Financial Summit
– comprehensive look at revenue and expenses
• Industrial Park Study
2016 City Council Goals

52. • Sump Pump Program – encourage private compliance
efforts
• Identify source for future Park funding
2016 Legislative Priorities
• Relief for Cities of under 15,000 from full Fiscal
Disparities contributions
• Special PERA Legislation
• Oppose any efforts to disband the Noise Oversight
Committee
• Rental Licensing
2016 City Council Goals

53. Crossing of TH 110
TH 110 underpass between the Village at Mendota Heights and
Mendota Plaza
• Funded through grant from Metropolitan Council
• In partnership with Dakota County and MnDOT
• Part of Mendota-
Lebanon Hills
Greenway
• Design 2016
• Construction 2017
TH 110 Design
Concept

54. Market Square Park is home to several community events
and destination shopping
Village at Mendota Heights

55. Village at Mendota Heights
City owns 3 lots (approximately 1.72 acres)
Zoned mixed use –PUD

56. Mendota Plaza
• King and I Thai
• Fresh & Natural Grocery Store

57. Hwy 55 Corridor
Examine zoning & land use for development and
redevelopment opportunities

58. Industrial Park Study Area

59. Industrial Park Study Findings
Healthy and successful
Strengths
• Access and location
• Low vacancy rate
• Low tax rate
Challenges
• Transit access
• Flexible commercial land uses

60. Industrial Park Study
Recommendations
• Potential for revisions or additions to the uses allowed
in the industrial park
• Study traffic and circulation in the vicinity of Pilot Knob
and Northland Drive
• Stay current on changes in the requirements of
industrial and office uses
• Continue commercial land use and zoning designations
on the City-owned Bourn Lane site
• Explore ways to capitalize on the new Vikings facility in
Eagan

61. New Neighbors
• Minnesota Vikings are proposing to
develop new facilities for the team
• Athletic/recreational complex
• Practice stadium and corporate
facilities
• Site located at the southeast corner
of I-494 and Lone Oak Parkway
• Phased-in project will include new
residential and commercial
development
• Trails and open space

62. Minnesota Vikings
Potential issues for Mendota Heights
• Increased traffic
• Noise from special events
Potential benefits
• Bring attention to our
Industrial Park
• Commercial
• Location to 494
• Fan traffic for
local businesses

63. Annual Themes
2011: Securing the Future
2012: Moving on Opportunities
2013: Moving Mendota Heights Forward while
Maintaining Low Taxes
2014: Communicating Mendota Heights assets and
opportunities as we move forward without losing our
essential character
2015: New Beginnings

64. 2016
We’ve Begun