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08 19 2025 City Council Work Session MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA Minutes of the City Council Work Session Tuesday, August 19, 2025 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a work session of the Mendota Heights City Council was held at Mendota Heights City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, Minnesota. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Levine called the work session to order at 4:30 p.m. Councilors Lorberbaum and Paper were in attendance. Councilors Maczko and Mazzitello were absent. Others present included: City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson, Assistant City Administrator Kelly Torkelson, Finance Director Kristen Schabacker, Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek, Community Development Manager Sarah Madden, Police Captain Wayne Wegener, Park and Recreation Director/Assistant Public Works Director Meredith Lawrence, and City Clerk Nancy Bauer. Also in attendance was Scott Buell of Buell Consulting. CELL TOWER ANTENNA PROPOSAL — WENTWORTH PARK Public Works Director Ruzek reported that the city was approached by a representative from a third -party consultant to install a new cellular antenna at Wentworth Park. Buell Consulting later joined in to work on the proposal. The consultants represent Vertical Bridge, which is a partner of Verizon Wireless, and they construct cellular tower antennas and then lease the space back to Verizon Wireless. Public Works Director Ruzek stated that the last cell tower antenna application the city received was in 2007 for Wentworth Park and City Hall. The applicant was T-Mobile, and the application was withdrawn due to public engagement during the process. Public Works Director Ruzek reviewed the map that was included in the packet, showing two possible locations at Wentworth Park for a proposed cell tower antemia. The impacts on park activity, potential rent and terms of a lease agreement were highlighted. S. Buell stated he is with Buell Consulting, which has been in business since 1991 and is local to the area, and then explained his company's role in locating and negotiating the installation of cellular towers. Azzgust 19, 2025, Mendota Heights Ctty Counctd lt�w•k Session Minutes Page -1 Mayor Levine asked now cellular service works. S. Buell explained that devices connect through cell tower antennas and that coverage can be affected by obstacles and antenna placement. Mayor Levine asked about cell phone connections. S. Buell reported that voice data is also digital data and uses similar frequencies. For digital voice, you do need a constant connection. Public Works Director Ruzek explained that cell tower antennas require fiber optic lines underground to work. He also noted that the shape of the land, such as valleys like near Valley Park, can affect cell coverage. Director Ruzek asked if coverage maps were available. S. Buell said coverage maps are considered proprietary information. He added that open -source data online may show coverage gaps. Mayor Levine asked what area would benefit from the new antenna. S. Buell said it would mainly serve the north end of the city and relieve pressure on nearby overused towers. Councilor Lorberbaum said she spoke with a resident in the Avenues and asked if that resident would notice an improvement. Director Ruzek responded that the new antenna would make a major improvement. Councilor Lorberbaum asked if the property owners were aware of this discussion. Public Works Director Ruzek stated not directly since a formal proposal had not been received. Councilor Lorberbaum asked how tall the cell tower antenna could be. S. Buell responded as tall as would be allowed. Mayor Levine asked how tall the existing trees were by the proposed sites. Public Works Director Ruzek responded 60 to 80 feet tall. Councilor Lorberbaum asked if other consultants were being considered. Director Ruzek said no and noted that a cell tower antenna is not critical to providers' networks. Councilor Paper thanked S. Buell and said the project addresses a major coverage gap in the north end. He noted concerns from Avenues residents about cell service and stated the antenna will be a significant benefit for the community. He emphasized that the antenna is needed more by the community than by the cell companies and described the project as a major benefit for the city. Councilor Paper asked about moving the proposed antenna closer to the Williams property and what space is needed for installation. S. Buell said the full 75x75 feet may not be required but could be needed during construction. Councilor Paper asked about an estimated timeline for the project. S. Buell stated that if the project goes as planned, the Verizon equipment would be installed in early 2027. dzzgust 19, 2025, Mwzdota Heights City Couzzcil Id�ork Session ALinzztes Page - 2 Councilor Paper asked what was needed to complete the project. S. Buell stated the first step would be to have a fully negotiated lease agreement. Councilor Paper asked what could stop the project. S. Buell replied that it could be stopped if a lease agreement could not be negotiated. Councilor Paper asked when other carriers would be approached to locate on the cell tower antenna. S. Buell stated that it usually happens when the site is ready for construction and explained how that would work. Councilor Paper asked if small cell tower antennas would be placed on the proposed cell tower antenna. S. Buell stated he did not think they would be needed. Councilor Paper asked if the proposed antenna would help with coverage in Valley Park. S. Buell stated he did not know if it would. Public Works Director Ruzek stated that a post coverage map would be beneficial. Mayor Levine stated that this is a Council priority. City Administrator Jacobson asked if the difference between a monopole and a monopine pole could be described. Images were shown of the different types of poles. S. Buell described the differences between the two types of poles and offered locations where they could be seen nearby. He also stated that a monopine pole is more expensive to construct. The different pole types were discussed along with the advantages and disadvantages of each. Mayor Levine asked if Wentworth Park was the best spot to install a new cell tower antenna. S. Buell stated that after studying the area, it was determined to be the best spot and fit. It would be located on city property, on a large parcel, and it would not be too close to any owner's property lines. Mayor Levine stated that it seemed to be the consensus to move forward in good faith and to prepare for the next step. City Administrator Jacobson asked about rent, pole type, and the lease. S. Buell explained the lease would be with Vertical Bridge (Towers LLC), the proposed tower owner, with Verizon as the first tenant paying rent and encouraging others to join. It was discussed what type of pole was preferred. It was the consensus to use a monopole, but more discussion was needed as two council members were absent. Councilor Paper asked if notices sent to residents regarding this issue could be extended beyond the 350 feet. Public Works Director Ruzek stated that it could and has been done in the past. Councilor Paper asked if notices set at 1250 feet would reach First Avenue. Different boundary lines were shown on a map to show the intended recipients of the notices. August 19, 2025, Mendota Heights City Council Work Session Minutes Page - 3 S. Buell explained the initial terms of the agreement and stated that carriers prefer lower annual rent increases, around 1.5%, as higher rates over time make sites harder to sustain. Councilor Paper asked if 2% was unrealistic for an annual increase. S. Buell responded that it was not unrealistic. ADJOiJRNMENT Councilor Paper made a motion to adjourn the work session, and the motion was seconded by Councilor Lorberbaum. Motion carried 3-0. The meeting adjourned at 5:37 p.m. ✓ti Stkpharfe B. Levine, Mayor ATTEST: cy BAier, City Clerk August 19, 2025, Mendota Heights City Council Work Session Minutes Page - 4