2023-04-04 City Council MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
Held Tuesday, April 4, 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 Paper 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.
a.Approval of March 21, 2023 City Council Minutes
b. Approval of March 21, 2023 Council Work Session Minutes
c.Approve Installation of Spill Control for Bulk Oil Storage at Public Works
d.Approve Resolution 2023-18 Authorizing Continued Participation in the Dakota County Drug
Task Force
e.Approve Hiring of Fire Marshal
f.Approve Massage License
g.Approve January and February 2023 Treasurer’s Reports
h. Acknowledge February 2023 Fire Synopsis
i.Approval of Claims List
Councilor Mazzitello seconded the motion.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
April 4, 2023 Mendota Heights City Council Page 2 of 4
PUBLIC COMMENTS
No one from the public wished to be heard.
PRESENTATIONS
A) WYLAND NATIONAL MAYOR’S CHALLENGE FOR WATER CONSERVATION
Assistant City Administrator Kelly Torkelson stated that the Wyland Mayor’s Challenge for Water
Conservation, presented by the Wyland Foundation, with support from the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency WaterSense, National League of Cities, The Toro Company and Zenni Optical, addressed the
growing importance of educating consumers about the many ways water is used. Mendota Heights will
be participating in this friendly competition again this year, along with other cities in the population
category of 5,000-29,000. The City encourages residents to make a series of online pledges at
mywaterpledge.com to use water more efficiently, reduce pollution, and save energy.
Mayor Levine commented that she took the pledge and encouraged residents to participate.
PUBLIC HEARING
No items scheduled.
NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A) RESOLUTION 2023-19 PARTICIPATION IN NATIONAL OPIOID SECOND SETTLEMENT
City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson stated that the State of Minnesota has signed onto five new national
opioid settlements worth $20.4 billion with major opioid manufacturers Teva Pharmaceuticals and
Allergan, and three of the nation’s largest retail pharmacy chains – Walmart, CVS, and Walgreens. All
Minnesota cities and counties are asked to participate in the second round of settlements in order for the
state to receive more than $235,000,000 over 15 years.
Councilor Paper asked if the funds could be accessed by the City for educational purposes through Dakota
County.
City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson replied that is not her understanding of how the funds would be used.
She explained that the City would not be able to apply for the funds and that Dakota County will determine
how the funds are used.
Mayor Levine thanked staff for their work on this matter. She commented there has been an issue of
equity because the larger cities receive their own allocation and the smaller cities do not get their own
allocation. She recognized that the County has the public health staffing and noted that City staff have
been asking appropriate questions at the meetings. She stated that the County Board has not yet provided
data on how the funds would be allocated and wanted to ensure that the City would continue to be
represented in those discussions.
April 4, 2023 Mendota Heights City Council Page 3 of 4
Councilor Paper moved to approve RESOLUTION 2023-19 AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF
MENDOTA HEIGHTS STAFF TO EXECUTE ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS TO ENSURE
PARTICIPATION IN THE MULTISTATE SETTLEMENTS RELATING TO OPIOID SUPPLY
CHAIN PARTICIPANTS, AND IN THE MINNESOTA OPIOIDS STATE-SUBDIVISION
MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT.
Councilor Mazzitello seconded the motion.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson announced upcoming events and activities.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Councilor Paper recognized a scout in attendance at the meeting. He also wished everyone a happy
Passover, Easter, and Ramadan.
Councilor Lorberbaum announced a pancake breakfast fundraiser for NDC4 on Saturday, April 15 from
8:00 to 10:00 a.m. at Applebee’s on Robert Street in West St. Paul. She stated that tickets can be obtained
on the Townsquare TV website. She advised of the musical, Newsies, with performances at a local school
on the last two weekends of April. She wished everyone meaningful holidays and happy spring.
Councilor Miller commented that it is spring sports season for the high schools and encouraged drivers to
be aware of pedestrian activity.
Councilor Mazzitello also encouraged pedestrian awareness as more people are walking and biking on the
roads. He noted Coffee with Council on April 15 and encouraged residents to attend. He stated that last
Saturday he attended the annual Fire Department recognition dinner. He recognized the outstanding staff
members in all city departments.
Councilor Miller provided more information on the annual awards that were presented at the Fire
Department recognition dinner.
Mayor Levine thanked public works and public safety staff for their efforts during the storm this past
weekend. She stated that she also attended the recognition dinner and many of the firefighters had been
up all night responding to the storm. She also recognized some of the members of the department that
received awards at the ceremony including years of service recipients.
ADJOURN
Councilor Mazzitello moved to adjourn.
Councilor Paper seconded the motion.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
April 4, 2023 Mendota Heights City Council Page 4 of 4
Mayor Levine adjourned the meeting at 7:28 p.m.
____________________________________
Stephanie B. Levine
Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________________
Christine Lusian
City Clerk