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02 17 2026 CC Work Session MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA Minutes of the City Council Work Session Tuesday, February 17, 2026 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 4:34 p.m. Councilors Lorberbaum, Maczko, and Mazzitello were in attendance. Councilor Paper was absent. Others present included: City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson, Assistant City Administrator Kelly Torkelson, Finance Director Kristen Schabacker, Parks & Recreation Director/Assistant Public Works Director Meredith Lawrence, Community Development Manager Sarah Madden, Assistant City Engineer Lucas Ritchie, Police Chief Kelly McCarthy, and City Clerk Nancy Bauer. Also, in attendance was Sean Doyle of SD Custom Homes, LLC. Mayor Levine stated that since there were residents in the audience, the order of agenda items would be changed. Item 2b would be Community Support and Immigration and Customs Enforcement Response, item 2c would be Title 11: Subdivision Regulations, and item 2d would be Building Permit Fees, CONCEPT PLANS — 750 MOHICAN LANE Community Development Manager Madden stated that the concept plan was a continuing discussion from a previous work session. Sean Doyle of SD Custom Homes, LLC had submitted a second concept plan for a future subdivision of the property. The first concept plan was reviewed during the December 16, 2025, work session. It included 21 single-family lots and would have required rezoning of the property, potentially utilizing the Planned Unit Development (PUD) overlay district and zoning tools. The second plan includes 14 single-family lots. The new concept plan design continues the cul- de-sac extension from Pueblo Lane. No trail connection to Pagel Road is included. S. Doyle noted that, in previous discussions, the idea of the cul-de-sac had not been well received. Under the current City Ordinance and with R-1 zoning, a road similar to that in the previous plan could be implemented in the second concept plan while still meeting lot setbacks. Fehruary17, 2026, City Council Work Session Minutes Page -1 Community Development Manager Madden confirmed that the new concept plan met the setback requirements. The question is does the Council support the cul-de-sac extension. There is no other option than a variance request for right-of-way width to access Pagel Road. The discussion should be if a cul-de-sac is justified and appropriate because there is no other outlet available without a variance. Councilor Lorberbaum inquired about the steepness of the edge of the cul-de-sac and some of the proposed lots. S. Doyle stated it is too early to determine that information. Councilor Lorberbaum expressed continued concern regarding the slopes. Councilor Mazzitello noted that the lots in Friendly Hills are traditionally smaller than most R-1 lots. He liked the first concept plan, but acknowledged that it would need more vetting, and also liked the new concept plan. The cul-de-sac layout remains unchanged between the two plans. He suggested maintaining the trail from the first concept plan. S. Doyle indicated that he preferred the first concept plan because it aligns with the smaller homes and lot sizes characteristic of the Friendly Hills neighbors but noted it would require rezoning. Councilor Mazzitello asked the price point of homes in Friendly Hills. Councilor Maczko stated the homes are between $450,000 to $500,000, Councilor Mazzitello stated that $2 million homes would not be in character with the neighborhood. Councilor Mazzitello inquired whether the original concept plan (L-13) and the new concept plan (L-8) had adequate right-of-way frontage for a lot. Community Development Manager Madden stated that measurements have not yet been completed. Councilor Mazzitello stated there may be an issue with the lot in either plan. Councilor Maczko stated that if the plan is compliant, it is not an issue. He did not like the cul- de-sac and would like to see a connection to Pagel Road, and noted this is an infill development with larger lots to the north and west. S. Doyle mentioned ongoing land use reform discussions in the legislature that could provide more flexibility for the developer. He hopes to find common ground for the new development. COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT RESPONSE Mayor Levine acknowledged the members in the audience and stated she has received emails regarding this issue. City Administrator Jacobson stated that the city has been made aware that some households have been impacted by ICE enforcement actions and need food support. Emails have been sent February 17, 2026, City Council Work Session Minutes Page - 2 requesting funding through the school district, following the city of West St. Paul's decision to provide city funds to the district. The City Attorney advised that, under Minnesota Statutes 9471.85, the city is permitted to transfer its personal property (funds) to public corporations, such as school districts, when authorized by the governing body. If funds are allocated to the school district, they would be utilized through teachers and social workers to provide food support to affected households. Mayor Levine stated she received 31 emails regarding food support. Some emails asked for rent support, and one email was asking that the city join the Cities for Safe and Stable Communities Coalition. Councilor Maczko asked if the funds would be used solely for Mendota Heights residents. City Administrator Jacobson responded that funds may not necessarily be limited to Mendota Heights residents; however, it would be subject to the Council's discretion and direction. The City of West St. Paul allocated funds: $2,500 to the Heritage PTA, $2,500 to the Garlough PTA, $2,500 to the Moreland PTA, and $2,500 to 360 Communities to support families through the Early Learning Center, totaling $10,000. Councilor Maczko stated that city funds are public funds with a specific purpose and noted the existence of a contingency fund for budget overruns. He inquired whether providing these funds would set a precedent and mentioned that the City of West St. Paul receives fiscal disparities contributions from Mendota Heights, Councilor Lorberbaum expressed support for the idea of Mendota Heights residents receiving funds and asked whether private schools, especially those attended by scholarship students, could access some of these funds. City Administrator Jacobson responded that state statute allows funds to be transferred only to other public entities and that the City generally cannot make donations to non-profit or private organizations. Councilor Mazzitello stated he did not have enough information to make a decision and raised several questions. He referenced the Comprehensive an, noting its policies to "continue to work with Dakota County in updating the All -Hazard Mitigation Plan and partner to ensure essential needs of all residents are met during an emergency." He asked whether this emergency partnership already covers such requests, noted he does not recall any similar emergency requests, questioned whether other organizations might approach the city in the future, and emphasized that the potential precedent requires careful consideration. Mayor Levine stated that providing funds in this instance would not create a binding precedent. She noted that the Comprehensive Plan anticipated weather -related emergencies, but not situations like this. She emphasized that this is a unique, once -in -a -lifetime event, the needs are February 17, 2026, City Council Work Session Minutes Page - 3 real, and providing food support would offer temporary security and enhance community resilience. She added that this is a small price to pay for resiliency. Councilor Mazzitello inquired about 360 Communities, noting that 94o/o of their funds are used for rent assistance, and asked how they would provide food. City Administrator Jacobson clarified that the funds would not go directly to 360 Communities; rather, the funds would go to the school district to provide support to households through school social workers. Councilor Mazzitello asked whether the funds could be directed for a specific purpose and how the organizations receiving the funds would be vetted. City Administrator Jacobson explained that PTAs, teachers, and residents have created a grassroots network to shop for groceries, pack, and deliver food to households hesitant to leave their homes due to ICE enforcement. This network operates within the schools, providing these services, with 360 Communities participating as part of the network. Mayor Levine stated that the funds would be allocated differently than by the city of West St. Paul, with the money going directly to a public entity. City Administrator Jacobson stated that the need for food support has been identified district wide. Mayor Levine noted that the needs are evident from the Two Rivers PTA website and that the need far exceeds $10,000. She emphasized that this is a grassroots effort, the timing is immediate, and the requested amount is small relative to the need. Councilor Maczko expressed concern that there is no written plan for how the school district would distribute the funds. He emphasized the importance of fiduciary responsibility and adherence to public law, noting that the allocation should include guardrails and formal documentation. Councilor Lorberbaum asked about a plan for moving forward, including the total amount to be conhibuted. She expressed support for the initiative, emphasizing that elected officials should act with compassion to alleviate suffering and improve constituents' lives. She requested clarity on who will distribute the funds, how it will be done, and the exact amount of the contribution. City Administrator Jacobson stated that it is the Council's decision whether to move forward and that, if there were consensus, the Council would need to agree on the amount of funds to allocate. She explained that the transfer of funds would go to the school district, as they are the designated public entity. She also noted that if the Council wishes to add guardrails, those must be stated so they can be communicated to the school district. She also referenced the City's Public Expenditure Policy, which states that "the expenditure of public funds is for public purposes." February 17, 2026, City Council Work Session Minutes Page - 4 Mayor Levine stated that this item could be placed on the Council agenda for tonight. A resident from the audience noted that a food pantry has been set up in the schools and emphasized that there is a definite need. Councilor Mazzitello asked how the pantry is currently being stocked. The resident responded that it is being supplied through donations from community members. It was the consensus to put the item on the agenda tonight with certain conditions added to the resolution. City Administrator Jacobson stated that she is working with other agencies regarding rent and mortgage support and noted that LAHA funds could potentially be used for this purpose. Mayor Levine reported on a new coalition of cities called Cities for Safe and Stable Communities, a group of city -led local governments focused on public safety, operational stability, and addressing local impacts of recent federal actions. She stated that approximately 20 cities have signed on so far and that there is a $5,000 fee to join. Mayor Levine noted that this item will be discussed at a future work session. TITLE 11: SUBDIVISION REGULATION Community Development Manager Madden introduced a discussion on cul-de-sac length in the proposed Title 11 Subdivision Regulations. She distributed draft number three of the regulations, noting changes from the previous version related to cul-de-sac length, street improvements, and public utilities. The proposal recommends increasing the maximum cul-de-sac length from 500 feet to 650 feet. Community Development Manager Madden reported current compliance rates: 73%fora 500- foot cul-de-sac, W/o for a 600-foot cul-de-sac, and 89% for a 700-foot cul-de-sac. She noted that the city's goal is to achieve 85% compliance. Councilor Lorberbaum asked whether the Fire Department had been consulted. Community Development Manager Madden replied that the Fire Marshal reviewed the proposal and indicated no issues with the proposed new length. Councilor Mazzitello asked how the cul-de-sac length would be measured. Community Development Manager Madden stated it would be measured from the center line of the cul-de- sac bowl to the center line of the intersecting street. Councilor Mazzitello also asked how many standard -width lots would fit on a 650-foot cul-de- sac. Community Development Manager Madden responded that six lots per side would fit, though she was uncertain about the number that would fit within the cul-de-sac bowl itself. February 17, 2026, City Council Work Session Minutes Page - 5 Councilor Mazzitello stated that he raised the cul-de-sac length issue because the length should be based on how many lots fit around it, which is why 500 feet was originally used. Councilor Maczko stated he preferred to keep the length at 500 feet and suggested that any deviations should be considered on a case -by -case basis, noting that longer cul-de-sacs are not ideal for public safety. It was the consensus of the Council to maintain the maximum cul-de-sac length at 500 feet in the Title 11 Subdivision Regulations. Community Development Manager Madden stated that there were no other major policy changes. She explained that the current code requires the city to construct all street improvements for new developments, but the proposed change would allow developers to construct street improvements, with the city retaining the option to do so if desired. Councilor Maczko asked whether City staff would inspect the improvements. Community Development Manager Madden confirmed that staff will conduct inspections. BUILDING PERMIT FEES Community Development Manager Madden was asking for direction from the Council on whether they would like staff to continue to research the building permit fees. The city currently uses the state adopted fee schedule for building permit fees. Building permits, including plumbing, siding, windows, signs and more, are charged based on the valuation of the work. It was the consensus to have staff research building pern�it fees. Community Development Manager Madden noted that staff would need to research the potential impact on revenue from new permit fees and the existing contract with Inspectron, which specifies that Inspectron receives a percentage of the fees collected for building permits. Councilor Maczko suggested that the research focuses on replacement permits, such as roof and window replacements. ADJOURNMENT A draft resolution for Transferring City Funds to Support Independent School District 197 Community Food Support Operations was distributed. Mayor Levine suggested that the amount specified in the resolution be $10,000, February'17, 2026, City Council Work Session Minutes Page - 6 Councilor Maczko stated that the funds should be directed to the schools not included in the West St. Paul allocation and emphasized that the Council has a fiduciary responsibility to ensure proper use of public funds. Councilor Mazzitello made a motion to adjourn the work session, and the motion was seconded by Mayor Levine. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 5:53 p.m. ATTEST: N cy Ba er, City Clerk February 17, 2026, City Council Work Session Minutes Page - 7