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12 02 2025 City Council MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA Minutes of the Regular Meeting Held Tuesday, December 2, 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, and Maczko were also present. Councilor Mazzitello was absent. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council, the audience, and staff recited the Pledge of Allegiance. AGENDA ADOPTION Mayor Levine presented the agenda for adoption. Councilor Lorberbaum moved adoption of the agenda. Councilor Paper seconded the motion. Ayes: 4 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 Paper moved approval of the consent agenda as presented, pulling items F and G. a. Approval of November 18, 2025, City Council Minutes b. Approval of November 18, 2025, City Council Work Session Minutes c. Acknowledge Minutes from the October 28, 2025, Planning Commission Meeting d. Acknowledge the July, August, September, and October 2025 Fire Synopses e. Approve Resolution 202545 Authorizing the Release of City Local Affordable Housing Aid (LAHA) Funds to Dakota County Community Development Agency f-. Approve Resolt4ien 2025 71 Approving a Request by Mendota hot 7, LLG and Spattlding Cashill, UP fer- a One Year- Extension fief Phase M ApartmefA h:npfevefflents (The Retfeat at Meadet h. Accept the Resignation of Andrew Phomphakdy and Authorizing Posting for Public Works Maintenance Worker i. Approve a New Liquor License Application j. Approve a New Massage Therapist License Pending a Successful Background Check k. Approve the Purchase of Anti -Icing Equipment Upgrades 1. Approve a Right -of -Way License Agreement for 816 Westview Circle m. Approve October 2025 Treasurer's Report n. Approval of Claims List Councilor Lorberbawn seconded the motion. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 Mayor Levine moved to consider the pulled Consent Agenda items as New and Unfinished Business Items B and C. City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson suggested that those items become Items C and D. Mayor Levine moved to consider Consent Agenda Items F and G as New and Unfinished Business Items Cand D. Councilor Paper seconded the motion. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 No items scheduled. No items scheduled. PRESENTATIONS PUBLIC HEARING NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS A) 2026 CITY BUDGET AND PROPERTY TAX LEVY Finance Director Kristen Schabacker presented the 2026 budget and explained that the Council was being asked to hold a public meeting and adopt the Resolution approving the final tax levy and budget. Mayor Levine thanked the Finance Director and her staff for the budget, noting the long process that got them to this point. Councilor Maczko asked if there was an addition of one FTE for the Recycling and Sustainability Coordinator. Finance Director Kristen Schabacker replied that the position was formerly an employee of West St. Paul, but that the employee will now be an employee of Mendota Heights. She stated that what is reflected in the budget includes wages and expenditures for recycling, along with a greater revenue amount to offset those. She stated that the cost for the employee is funded through the levy and that the difference to the levy is $6,849, December 2, 2025 Mendota Heights City Council page 2 0�'7 Councilor Maczko stated that there will still be an employee increase to the City. He stated that previously, the recycling grant funds were administered by West St. Paul to support the position. He expressed concern about the addition of a staff position and about approving the budget before approving the position. Mayor Levine stated that the agenda order was revised to support the request for a resident in attendance. Councilor Maczko suggested that the position be discussed as part of the budget. City Attorney Amy Schmidt provided input on the method to move forward and consider Item D before taking action on this item. Councilor Maczko moved to TABLE DISCUSSION ON THIS ITEM. Councilor Paper seconded the motion. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 Councilor Lorberbaum moved to AMEND THE AGENDA TO MOVE ITEM 9D UP FOR CONSIDERATION AT THIS TIME. Councilor Maczko seconded the motion. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 D) APPROVE JOB DESCRIPTION FOR RECYCLING AND SUSTAINABILITY COORDINATOR AND AUTHORIZE HIRE Councilor Maczko stated that he wanted to have this discussion for public transparency, as this is a request to take on an FTE. He asked staff for background information on the request and the financial responsibility of the City. Parks and Recreation and Assistant Public Works Director Meredith Lawrence stated that the City needs to meet the solid waste abatement program requirement of Dakota County. She explained that Lite City needs to employ someone to do that or contract with someone to meet the requirement. She stated that, going back to the 1990s, the City has received funding from Dakota County for this purpose. She provided additional information on the Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) the City has been a part of, the contributions towards the staff position made by each city, and the grant funds. She stated that West St. Paul will continue to be a partner in the JPA. She stated that the overall impact on the Mendota Heights levy will be $6,849. She provided additional details on the grant funds that are received for the program and the sustainability efforts the position will manage. Mayor Levine explained how the JPA allows cities to work together efficiently in order to meet mandates the city is required to meet. Parks and Recreation and Assistant Public Works Director Meredith Lawrence stated that for 2026 the city is seeking 20 hours a week in recycling and sustainability services and provided clarification on the cost to the City in salary and benefits, as well as the grant funds and contributions from other cities. December 2, 2025 Mendota Heights Crty Council page 3 of 7 Mayor Levine clarified that the employee will be a full-time employee, but not a full-time employee for the city of Mendota Heights, City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson added that the employee will office out of City Hall. Finance Director Kristen Schabacker provided clarification on the 2025 budgeted cost and revenue compared to the proposed 2026 budgeted cost and revenue for recycling. Parks and Recreation and Assistant Public Works Director Meredith Lawrence commented that this is a good value for the additional sustainability efforts the City will gain in return for the expense. Mayor Levine agreed that this seems to be a good deal for the City in return for what it will receive. Councilor Maczko agreed that cities working together through JPAs often result in higher value to the cities. Councilor Paper moved to approve JOB DESCRIPTION FOR RECYCLING AND SUSTAINABILITY COORDINATOR AND AUTHORIZE HIRE. Councilor Maczko seconded the motion. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 A) 2026 CITY BUDGET AND PROPERTY TAX LEVY (CONTINUED) Councilor Maczko moved to remove the 2026 City Budget and Property Tax Levy from the table for discussion and consideration. Councilor Paper seconded the motion. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 Councilor Lorberbaum moved to open the public hearing. Councilor Paper seconded the motion. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 Bruce Bobbitt, 2455 Hampshire Court, thanked the Council and staff for their efforts to be fiscally responsible and present a reasonable budget. He asked for and received clarification on the expenditure breakdown per department and asked how that compares to other similarly sized cities. He asked the total number of full-time employees (FTE) the City has between Police and non -Police. Finance Director Kristen Schabacker clarified the expenditure breakdown per department. She stated that she has not provided a comparison of other communities, but could look into that. City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson replied that in 2026, the total FTE count will be 54.9, and of that, 23.5 are Police. Mr. Bobbitt commented that he loves the organics program. He stated that he will be interested in the logistics of the organics collection when those details are developed. December 2, 2025 Mendota Heights City Council Page 4 of Parks and Recreation and Assistant Public Works Director Meredith Lawrence replied that there are a lot of details being developed for the program. She stated that there will be a requirement that all haulers provide the service, and customers will have the choice of whether they would like to use the service. She noted that all customers would be charged for the collection, whether or not they participate. Councilor Lorberbaum recognized that not all haulers are ready to provide that service. Parks and Recreation and Assistant Public Works Director Meredith Lawrence commented that the new position will work with haulers to determine their needs and capabilities as well. Councilor Paper moved to close the public hearing. Councilor Maczko seconded the motion. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 Councilor Paper moved to approve RESOLUTION 2025-81 APPROVING FINAL 2025 LEVY COLLECTIBLE IN 2026 AND ADOPTING PROPOSED BUDGET FOR 2026, Councilor Lorberbaum seconded the motion. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 B) RESOLUTION 2025-83 APPROVING THE APPLICATION OF HAMPTON COMPANIES LLC FOR A CUP FOR AN ASSISTED LIVING AND MEMORY CARE FACILITY AT THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1178 NORTHLAND DRIVE (PLANNING CASE NO.2025-21) Community Development Manager Sarah Madden provided a brief background on this item. The Council was being asked to consider a Conditional Use Permit for an assisted living and memory care facility at 1178 Northland Drive, Councilor Maczko moved to adopt RESOLUTION 2025-83 APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR AN ASSISTED LIVING AND MEMORY CARE FACILITY AT 1178 NORTHLAND DRIVE. Councilor Paper seconded the motion. Further discussion: Mayor Levine welcomed the business to the community, noting that it provides another housing choice option to aging residents. Councilor Paper recognized that this application is to build a new facility on a vacant piece of land and will also create 25 jobs in the community, while providing a service to residents. He noted that the operator has 19 other locations with more under construction, and therefore seems to be a good operator. Councilor Maczko asked why the City did not request a sidewalk along Northland Drive. Community Development Manager Sarah Madden replied that at this time, there was no existing infrastructure for a sidewalk to connect to. December 2, 2025 Mendota Heights City Cmmctl Page 5 of 7 Todd Francis, Hampton Construction, provided information on the company and the other locations they have under construction. Councilor LOYbemauna noted there were two accessibility parking spots, which are all that is required by law, and asked why there are not more than the two required spots. Mr. Francis explained that residents are dropped off and picked up in front of the building closest to the door, and that area is flat. He stated that handicap stalls are provided for visitors who may need those spots. He stated that they do not have a surplus of visitors. Councilor Lorberbaum noticed that the facility will have a total of 20 employees, but sometimes only three employees will be on duty. Mr. Francis stated that he is more on the building side than the operations side. He stated that they meet all licensing guidelines. He stated that there are more than three employees at one time, as there are different departments such as nursing and caregiving. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 C) APPROVE RESOLUTION 2025-'71 APPROVING A REQUEST BY MENDOTA LOT'7, .LC AND SPAULDING-CASHILL, LLP FOR A ONE-YEAR EXTENSION FOR PHASE III APARTMENT IMPROVEMENTS (THE RETREAT AT MENDOTA VILLAGE) Councilor Maczko asked about the purpose of the City Council in accepting this, as the project is under construction. He stated that the letter was submitted in September and the Council is being asked to approve the extension now. He asked why there was such a delay in forwarding this and why this action is needed by the Council. City Attorney Amy Schmidt stated that in the agreement, the Council has the final authority to approve the extension. Councilor Maczko stated that it would have been nice to have the request earlier, before construction had begunI He felt that their hands were tied and was disappointed that this was not presented earlier. City Attorney Amy Schmidt stated that the agreement does not provide set criteria for an extension to be granted, other than the developer requesting the extension at least 90 days before the completion date, which was met by the letter that was submitted on September 301h. She stated that all terms of the agreement have been met and therefore did not believe it would make a difference if this were presented earlier. Mayor Levine asked if this type of extension is standard. City Attorney Amy Schmidt replied that there is always room provided within the Development Agreement to accomplish deadlines with some flexibility. She stated that the project has been proceeding over many years, noting that this is the ninth amendment to the agreement. She confirmed that it is standard to allow give and take in the schedule to allow a project to continue, recognizing that unforeseen circumstances arise in a project. December 2, 2025 Mendota Heights City Council Page 6 of Councilor Paper moved to approve RESOLUTION NO. 2025-71 APPROVING A REQUEST BY MENDOTA LOT 7, LLC AND SPAULDING-CASHILL, LLP FOR A ONE-YEAR EXTENSION FOR PHASE I11 APARTMENT IMPROVEMENTS (THE RETREAT AT MENDOTA VILLAGE), Mayor Levine seconded the motion. Ayes: 3 Nays: 1 (Maczko) COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson announced upcoming community events and activities. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilor Lorberbaum stated that earlier tonight, the Council held a workshop on the proposed municipal building project. She expressed the commitment of the Council and staff to engage and inform residents throughout this process. She stated that there was also a recent workshop on the topic of e-bikes, which will continue through future discussions, noting that potential regulations will be communicated to residents. Councilor Maczko recognized that the City Hall project has garnered a lot of questions with input on both sides. He stated that on December 16th• there will be a presentation and the Council will make a decision on moving forward, which will also involve a process of public engagement. He encouraged residents to participate in the process. Councilor Paper thanked the resident who provided input at the meeting tonight. Mayor Levine recognized the accomplishment in adopting the 2026 budget and the time and effort that went into the development of that budget. She thanked the Council and staff for their efforts throughout that process. Councilor Paper moved to adjourn. Councilor Lorberbaum seconded the motion. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 Mayor Levine adjourned the meeting at 7:18 p.m. Step e . Levine Mayor ATTEST: oknl � N cy Baue City Clerk December 2, 2025 Mendota Heights City Council page 7 of7