09 16 2025 City Council MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
Held Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the regular meeting of the City Council, City of Mendota Heights,
Minnesota, was held at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, Minnesota,
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Levine called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Councilors Lorberbaum, Paper, Mazzitello, and
Maczko 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
PUBLIC COMMENTS
No one from the public wished to be heard.
CONSENT AGENDA
Mayor Levine presented the consent agenda and explained the procedure for discussion and approval.
Councilor Lorberbaum moved approval of the consent agenda as presented, pulling items B, C, F, and H.
a. Approval of September 2, 2025, City Council Minutes
g. Adopt Resolution 2025-61 Calling for an Assessment Hearing on the Friendly Hills Neighborhood
Improvements
h. Approve an intefifa ManagemefitAgfeefneat for the CetiftyaM by Marriettte Allow the Sale--&f
Iistea,;,., .g _ r_; .e
i. Approval of Claims List
Councilor Mazzitello seconded the motion.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
PULLED CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
B) APPROVE MINUTES FROM THE AUGUST 19, 20255 CITY COUNCIL MEETING
C) APPROVE MINUTES FROM THE AUGUST 19, 2025, CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
MEETING
Councilor Maczko noted that he pulled Items B and C as he was not present and needed to abstain.
Councilor Mazzitello commented that he was also absent from those meetings.
Councilor Paper moved to approve MINUTES FROM THE AUGUST 19, 2025, CITY COUNCII.
MEETING AND AUGUST 19, 2025, CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING AS PRESENTED,
Councilor Lorberbaum seconded the motion.
Ayes: 3
Nays: 0
Abstentions: 2 (Maczko and Mazzitello)
F) APPROVE PURCHASE OF TWELVE RADAR FEEDBACK SPEED LIMIT SIGNS
Councilor Maczko stated that he would like to table this item in order to obtain more information on the
desired outcome and purpose.
Councilor Maczko moved to table PURCHASE OF TWELVE RADAR FEEDBACK SPEED LIMIT
SIGNS.
Councilor Lorberbaum seconded the motion.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
H) APPROVE AN INTERIM MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT FOR THE COURTYARD BY
MARRIOTT TO ALLOW THE SALE OF INTOXICATING LIQUOR
Councilor Paper stated that he is cautious because of the last hotel that was approved and changed hands
in ownership. He noted that this is a transition from a national chain to a small, new operator. He asked
what is done to properly vet this new operator that is not local.
Assistant
City
Administrator Kelly Torkelson
stated that this would be a temporary
license that would
allow the
new
owner to establish their business,
at which point a regular liquor license
would be reviewed
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and described that process. She noted that if there are additional concerns, she would invite those during
that process.
Councilor Paper asked who would have the background checked, as this is an entity and not a person.
City Clerk Nancy Bauer stated that the manager of the hotel would have a background check completed
when the liquor license application is reviewed.
Councilor Paper asked what would happen if the manager were to leave.
City Clerk Nancy Bauer replied that the hotel is supposed to notify the City, and a new background check
would be run on the appropriate party.
Councilor Lorberbaum asked if compliance checks are completed.
Police Chief Kelly McCarthy replied that anyone selling liquor receives compliance checks.
Councilor Paper moved to approve AN INTERIM MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT FOR THE
COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT TO ALLOW THE SALE OF INTOXICATING LIQUOR.
Councilor Mazzitello seconded the motion.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
PRESENTATIONS
No items scheduled.
PUBLIC HEARING
No items scheduled.
NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A) FISCAL YEAR 2026 PRELIMINARY BUDGET AND LEVY
Finance Director Kristen Schabacker presented the proposed 2026 preliminary budget and levy, which the
Council is asked to consider for adoption.
Councilor Mazzitello acknowledged the great work of Finance Director Kristen Schabacker.
Mayor Levine echoed those thoughts of appreciation towards Finance Director Kristen Schabcker as well
as all the department heads, noting the great work everyone did to hold the budget.
Councilor Mazzitello moved to approve RESOLUTION NO. 2025-58 APPROVING PROPOSED 2025
LEVY COLLECTIBLE IN 2026,
Councilor Paper seconded the motion.
Ayes: 5
September /6, 2025, Mendota Heights City Council Page 3 of5
Nays: 0
Councilor Mazzitello moved to approve RESOLUTION NO, 2025-59 ADOPTING 2026
PRELIMINARY BUDGET,
Councilor Paper seconded the motion.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
Councilor Mazzitello moved to approve RESOLUTION NO. 2025-60 APPROVING FINAL 2025 TAX
LEVY FOR SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICT NO, 1 COLLECTIBLE IN 2026,
Councilor Paper seconded the motion.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
B) ORDINANCE NO. 602 —SHORT TERM HOME RENTAL ORDINANCE UPDATES
Community Development Manager Sarah Madden provided a brief background on this item. The Council
was being asked to consider Ordinance No. 602 — Short Term Home Rental Ordinance.
Mayor Levine thanked Community Development Manager Sarah Madden for the updates.
Councilor Lorberbaum moved to adopt ORDINANCE NO. 602 AMENDING TITLE 3: BUSINESS AND
LICENSE REGULATIONS, CHAPTER 5: RENTAL HOUSING, ARTICLE A: SHORT TERM
RENTALS,
Councilor Mazzitello seconded the motion.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
Councilor Lorberbaum moved to authorize PUBLICATION OF SUMMARY ORDINANCE OF
ORDINANCE NO. 602,
Councilor Mazzitello seconded the motion.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Assistant City Administrator Kelly Torkelson announced upcoming community events and activities.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Councilor Paper noted upcoming events for the West Saint Paul Police K9 Foundation.
Councilor Mazzitello stated that his heart has been heavy for the last several months, and longer than that,
noting the recent anniversary of the September 1 lfh attacks and the recent disturbing turn of events. He
stated that 33 years ago, he swore an Oath to protect the Constitution, which guarantees that the
government will not take away certain rights. He stated that the Constitution does not address when people
September 16, 2025, A9endota Heights City Couwci! Page 4 of 5
take those rights away from others, providing examples of recent events. He commented that hate has
always existed in the world, and instead of embracing darkness, they need to be the light. He stated that
he is also guilty of this and needs to do better, just as everyone does. He recognized that one City Council
is not going to change the world, but that change needs to start at home.
Councilor Maczko agreed that people need to truly listen to each other and seek to understand rather than
hate. He stated that they cannot continue like this as a nation, and people need to be role models at home.
He stated that humans were given the power to reason and make choices and decisions, and they should
realize that everything they do is a choice rather than blaming others.
Councilor Lorberbaum recognized that September is Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month and
recognized the contributions made by those communities. She stated that she heard from the new
Metropolitan Council Representative related to Metro Transit. She stated that the plan is to start a new
route 354 in December and provided information on the route and related stops.
Mayor Levine echoed the comments of the other members of the Council tonight. She also challenged
the public to attend the City Council meetings or work sessions in person. She stated that while they have
wildly different opinions on the Council and may disagree, they always treat each other with respect. She
challenged the community to always do better and be part of the wave to start the change that is needed.
Councilor Paper wished everyone who celebrates a happy New Year.
ADJOURN
Councilor Mazzitello moved to adjourn.
Councilor Paper seconded the motion.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
Mayor Levine adjourned the meeting at 6:35 p.m.
ZL
Step anieI3. Levine
Mayor
ATTEST:
N ncy B uer
C ty Clerk
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