Mendota Heights State of the City Address 2016

Mayor Sandra KrebsbachFebruary 9, 2016

2016 State of City Address

Mendota Heights delivers competent

and courteous service in a friendly stable environment.

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

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

About Mendota Heights

• Median Housing Value: $334,7002015: $318,300 2014: $301,750

• Highest median home value in cities over 10,000 in Dakota County

4.92% increase from 2015

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

• 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

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

City Council

Sandra Krebsbach, MayorUltan Duggan, Council MemberLiz Petschel, Council MemberMike Povolny, Council MemberSteve Norton, Council Member

Advisory Commissions

Airport Relations Commission:David Sloan, Chair Kevin Byrnes William Dunn Sally LorberbaumJim NeuharthGina Norling Arvind Sharma

Advisory Commissions

Planning Commission:Litton Field, Jr., Chair Christine Costello Doug HennesMary MagnussonMichael NoonanHoward RostonBrian Petschel

Thank you Ansis Viksnins – 9 years of service

Advisory Commissions

Parks and Recreation Commission:Pat Hinderscheid, ChairIra KippStephanie LevineDavid MillerJoel Paper Michael TothVacant positionYouth representative

Thank youJack Evans – 2 years of service Rachel Farber, youth representativeJoe Quehl, youth representative

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

Gerald “Jerry” MurphyApril 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

City Staff

Management TeamMark McNeill, City AdministratorTamara Schutta, Asst. to the City Administrator/HR Kristen Schabacker, Finance DirectorJohn Mazzitello, Public Works Director/City EngineerMike Aschenbrener, Chief of Police John Maczko, Fire ChiefSue Donovan, IT ManagerLorri Smith, City ClerkNolan Wall, Planner

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

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

Mendota Heights Firefighters

Fire:Fire ChiefAssistant Fire Chief.25 support staff4 Captains30 Paid-on-Call (Volunteer) Firefighters

New Firefighters – Daniel Johnson, Firefighter– Laura Wertish, Firefighter– Michael Winters, Firefighter

Paid-On-Call Firefighters

Thank you to retirees– Michelle Parker, Firefighter– Tracy Wilcziek, Firefighter

City Staff

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

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

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

2015 Highlights

Public Works Decorah Lane Sewer collapse

July 15, 2015 at 6:40am

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

Infrastructure Projects

2015 Infrastructure ProjectVictoria Road South Reconstruction (Marie to Lexington)

Infrastructure Projects2016 Infrastructure ProjectReconstruct 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

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

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

2015 HighlightsPolice Community Involvement

– Citizen’s Academy, Crime Prevention Neighborhood meetings, Night to Unite, Special Olympics & Toys for Tots.

2015 Citizens Academy

2015 Highlights

Mendota Heights Fire Department named2015 Minnesota's Fire Department of the Year

at the Minnesota State Fire Department Association State Convention in St. Cloud in June.

2015 Training Exercise

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

2015 Building Activity

• 1660 Building Permits issued in 2015

• Valuation of all permits $23,897,193

• Total permit revenue: $381,608

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)

Recreation

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

Recreation

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

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

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

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

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

City Budget

• 2016 Budget Process provides for quality essential services

• Tax rate remains the lowest among major Dakota County Cities

City Budget

• 2015 Total Levy = $6,999,974

• 2016 Total Levy = $7,406,399

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%

2016 City RevenuesGeneral Fund

Property Tax Levy 81%

License and Permit 4%

Fines and Forteitures 1%

Charges for Services 7%

Intergovernmental 5% Miscellaneous 2%

2016 City Expenses

2015 Expenses

Administration, $1,077,954

Police, $3,448,531Fire, $469,754

Streets, $1,023,577

Parks/Rec, $796,146

Other,$602,482

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

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.

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

2015 Accomplishments

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

2015 Accomplishments

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

• 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

• 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

• 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

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

Market Square Park is home to several community events and destination shopping

Village at Mendota Heights

Village at Mendota Heights

City owns 3 lots (approximately 1.72 acres)Zoned mixed use –PUD

Mendota Plaza

• King and I Thai• Fresh & Natural Grocery Store

Hwy 55 Corridor

Examine zoning & land use for development and redevelopment opportunities

Industrial Park Study Area

Industrial Park Study Findings

Healthy and successful

Strengths• Access and location• Low vacancy rate• Low tax rate

Challenges• Transit access• Flexible commercial land uses

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

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

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

Annual Themes

2011: Securing the Future2012: Moving on Opportunities 2013: Moving Mendota Heights Forward while Maintaining Low Taxes2014: Communicating Mendota Heights assets and opportunities as we move forward without losing our essential character2015: New Beginnings

2016

We’ve Begun