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11 18 2025 City Council MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA Minutes of the Regular Meeting Held Tuesday, November 18, 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, C\7_\IIIf11L�Z� C]i�7�7 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 item B. a. Approval of November 5, 2025, CiTy Council Minutes c. Acknowledge Minutes from the October 14, 2025, Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting d. Acknowledge the September Par 3 Financial Report e. Approve Tobacco License Renewals for 2026 f. Adopt Resolution 2025-74 to Approve Plans and Authorize Advertisement for Bids for the Basin IV-P126 Improvement Project g. Adopt Resolution 2025-75 Mendota Heights Off -Leash Dog Park Interim Use h. Adopt Resolution 2025-76 Approving Support for a Noise Wall along Victoria Road i. Approve Resolution 2025-78 Accepting Feasibility Report and Calling for a Public Hearing for the Hampshire Estates Street Improvements j. Approve Proposal from HGA Consulting for the Public Works Facility Geothermal Planning Grant Project k. Approval of Claims List Approve Resolution 2025-79 and Resolution 2025-80 Certifying Delinquent Sewer and Water Accounts Councilor Paper seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 PULLED CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS B) APPROVAL OF NOVEMBER 5, 20255 CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES Councilor Maczko referenced the discussion related to City Hall and the statements related to 1990. He stated that in a follow-up conversation with a resident, the population was based on 1980 data. He noted that the minutes were accurate as to what was said at the meeting, but the statement may have been incorrect as to the reference to the year. Councilor Maczko moved to approve NOVEMBER 5, 2025, CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES, Councilor Mazzitello seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 PRESENTATIONS No items scheduled. PUBLIC HEARING A) RESOLUTION 2025-77 ADOPTING AND CONFIRMING ASSESSMENTS FOR THE FRIENDLY HILLS NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENTS Assistant City Engineer Lucas Ritchie explained that the Council was being asked to approve Resolution 2025-77, adopting and confirming the assessments for the Friendly Hills Neighborhood Improvements project. He provided information on an additional statement that should be added to the resolution, item five, with the language that Resolution #2025-68, which was adopted by the City Council on October 21, 2025, is hereby rescinded in its entirety. Councilor Maczko asked and received confirmation that this action would not increase the assessment amount for any other property owners. Assistant City Engineer Lucas Ritchie confirmed that removing the second parcel would not increase the assessment amount for other residents within the assessment area. Councilor Lorberbaum moved to open the public hearing. Councilor Paper seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 November I8, 2025 Mendota Heights City CouncU page 2 of 6 Bernard Friel, 750 Mohican Lane, commented that the purpose and basis for assessments are related to the benefit provided to the property. He stated that he has a single property, and two tax identification numbers do not add benefit to his property. He commented that his property receives the same benefit from the project whether it is one tax identification parcel or two. Councilor Mazziteno moved to close the public hearing. Councilor Lorberbaum seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Councilor Lorberbaum moved to adopt RESOLUTION NO.2025-77 ADOPTING AND CONFIRMING ASSESSMENTS FOR THE FRIENDLY HILLS NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENTS, WITH THE ADDED LANGUAGE FOR NUMBER FIVE TO STATE, "RESOLUTION 2025-68, WHICH WAS ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 21, 2025, IS HEREBY RESCINDED IN ITS ENTIRETY". Councilor Maczko seconded the motion. Further discussion: Councilor Paper asked for clarification on exactly what this action will do, specifically whether this would undo the improper subdivision that occurred. Assistant City Engineer Lucas Ritchie replied that the Council is being asked to rescind the former resolution that included both parcel identification numbers on the assessment roll for that property and instead just include one parcel identification number on the assessment roll, which essentially views the property as just one property. Councilor Mazzitello commented that of the two parcel identification numbers, one is developed while the other is not. He stated that it would appear that in the new assessment roll, only one of those properties is listed with an assessment. He referenced past projects where there are assessment rolls with properties that were not assessed and asked if the removed property should instead be included in the assessment roll with a value of zero. Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek replied that it would not be required to do so Councilor Mazzitello asked for information on the development fees that would be charged if the undeveloped Friel parcel were to be developed in the future. Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek replied that there would not be street connection fees. He commented that if the property were developed as multiple properties, they would need to extend utilities and streets, which would be costs borne by the developer. Councilor Mazzitello asked if this action is consistent with the Street Assessment Policy. City Attorney Amy Schmidt stated that the policy states that tax identification numbers within the project can be assessed, and in this situation, regardless of the policy, it is the discretion of the Council to determine the benefit being provided to the parcels within the project area. She stated that while this does not follow the letter of the policy, it is within the discretion of the Council. November 18, 2025 Mendota Heights Ciry Council Page 3 of 6 Ayes: 4 Nays: 1 (Paper) NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS A) MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH NDC4 MODIFYING THE ALLOCATION OF CABLE FRANCHISE FEE REVENUES City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson explained that the Council was being asked to consider approval of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Northern Dakota County Cable Communications Commission (NDC4) to modify the distribution of cable franchise fee revenue for calendar years 2026 through 2031, Beth Baumann, Executive Director of NDC4, provided additional background information on NDC4, the member city benefits, NDC4 finances, the NDC4 request, NDC4 and Town Square Television (TST) plans to fill the gap, and next steps. Mayor Levine expressed appreciation for the services that TST provides to the City. Councilor Lorberbaum asked if any city has denied the request. Ms. Baumann replied that there has not been a denial, as the cities understand the importance of community television. Councilor Lorberbaum referenced the expanded expectations and recognized that this request is not a product of the organization doing poorly, but because it does so well that the cities have requested more. Ms. Baumann confirmed that they want to continue to provide the additional services that the cities appreciate and desire. Councilor Maczko appreciated the situation the organization is in. He commented that many forms of local coverage have gone away, and NDC4 does a great job of promoting things locally. He stated earlier today, he asked how the City uses its franchise fees and was told that they are deposited into the cable fund for any needed updates. He acknowledged that the City has a healthy balance in that account, which makes this a reasonable request for continued service. Councilor Paper asked for more information on the mentioned podcast. Ms. Baumann explained that NDC4 has the facilities to do audio only or video podcasts and has contracted with a podcast platform. She noted that interested parties could then record their podcast with NDC4, and they could be played on their channels as well. Councilor Lorberbaum asked if there is a cost for a podcast. Ms. Baumann replied that there is a cost, noting that they also provide training to those individuals. Mayor Levine recognized that there are no franchise fees for broadband, while there are franchise fees for cable, even though it is the same right -of --way being used. She believed that the issue needs to be corrected and encouraged residents to support the request to require broadband users to pay the same franchise fees November 78, 2025 Mendota Heights City Council Page 4 of 6 that other right-of-way users are charged. She recognized that the best method for that service is for the cities to continue to work together through this consortium. Councilor Mazzitello moved to approve MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH NORTHERN DAKOTA COUNTY CABLE COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (NDC4) TO MODIFY THE DISTRIBUTION OF CABLE FRANCHISE FEE REVENUE FOR CALENDAR YEARS 2026 THROUGH 2O31. Councilor Lorberbaum seconded the motion. Further discussion: Councilor Paper commented that he previously had the pleasure of serving on the Commission for this organization and commented on the great work the organization does with a limited budget. He wished the organization continued success. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 B) PARKS AND RECREATION DONATION POLICY Recreation Coordinator Willow Eisfeldt provided a brief background on this item. The Council was being asked to consider approval of the Parks and Recreation Donation Policy, Mayor Levine thanked staff for the work on this policy, as this has long been sought. Councilor Mazzitello agreed that this is very well thought out, logical, and easy to understand. He referenced number two, on page two, and asked if cannabis could be added to that list. Mayor Levine and the Council agreed with the addition. Councilor Mazzitello moved to approve THE PARKS AND RECREATION DONATION POLICY, WITH THE ADDITION OF THE WORD "CANNABIS" UNDER SECTION THREE, DONATIONS. Councilor Paper seconded the motion. Further discussion: Mayor Levine referenced the statement that some of the donations do not cover the cCIS t of the donated item and are supplemented through the public works department. She stated that it there has been a surplus of benches donated, perhaps the cost for a bench should be increased. She asked that the cost for donated items be reviewed annually with the other park and recreation fees. She stated that she has a surplus of books that she would like to donate to any free little libraries that may be donated. Councilor Maczko asked if a playground donation would fall under the category of monetary donations. Recreation Coordinator Willow Eisfeldt confirmed that it is accurate. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson announced upcoming community events and activities. November /8, 2025 Mendota Heights City Council Page S of 6 COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilor Mazzitello stated that last week the nation celebrated Veterans Day, which evolved from Armistice Day, and shared facts related to the number of veterans. He stated that November is military and family appreciation month and recognized a local organization that supports veterans and their families. Councilor Lorberbaum noted a recent visit from legislators who wanted to learn more about the City Hall and Police Station project. She stated that they will continue to keep residents informed throughout this process. She recognized the growth of rounds of golf at the Par 3 course and a recent local newsletter that shared historical information on the Mendota bridge. She encouraged interested residents to register for the upcoming CPR course and wished everyone a happy Thanksgiving holiday. Councilor Maczko commented on the great discussion that occurred earlier tonight at the work session related to speed cameras and e-bikes. He hoped that information could be made more easily available to residents. He noted the recent installation of an AED at Marie Park and wanted to ensure that the public was aware of that feature. He wished everyone a happy Thanksgiving. Councilor Paper drew attention to Movember, which supports men's health. He noted the robust turnout for the more recent session of Coffee with the Council. He advised of a party on Saturday at the NOrth40 Tavern, from 2 to 7 p.m., which will raise funds for 2026 seniors to attend the senior party. Mayor Levine commended those walking with reflective clothing in the evenings. ADJOURN Councilor Mazzitello moved to adjourn. Councilor Paper seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Mayor Levine adjourned the meeting at 7:01 p.m. v Step aIme . Levine, Mayor ATTEST: N y Bauer City Clerk November 78, 2025 Mendota Heights City Council Page 6 of 6