03 03 2026 City Council MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
Held Tuesday, March 3, 2026
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 item E.
a. Approval of February 17, 2026, City Council Minutes
b. Approval of February 17, 2026, City Council Work Session Minutes
c. Approve the 2026-2027 Labor Contract with MN Public Employees Association
d. Approve Accounting Clerk Hire and Authorize Recruitment of a Part -Time Office Support
Specialist
Conditional Rehire of Miphnel Wintprq s a Mendota Heights Fifefi&ef
f. Acknowledge the December 2025 Par 3 Financial Report
g. Accept a Donation for Purchasing Police Equipment
h. Approve Police Captain Out of State Travel Request
i. Approve Resolution 2026-18 Amending Resolution 2025-36 Revising the Condition of Approval
Related to Park Dedication for the Preliminary Plat of McMillan Estates Located at 1707 Delaware
Avenue and the Adjacent Vacant Outlots (Planning Case No. 2025-03)
j. Approval of Claims List
Councilor Mazzitello seconded the motion.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
PULLED CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
E) AUTHORIZE THE CONDITIONAL REHIRE OF MICHAEL All AS A MENDOTA
HEIGHTS FIREFIGHTER
Councilor Paper welcomed Michael Winters back to the Fire Department, noting that this will make the
department fully staffed.
Councilor Paper moved to AUTHORIZE THE CONDITIONAL REHIRE OF MICHAEL WINTERS AS
A MENDOTA HEIGHTS FIREFIGHTER.
Councilor Maczko seconded the motion.
Further discussion:
Councilor
Lorberbaum
commented
that many
other cities
with volunteer• fire
departments are not
as fortunate
as we are and
have moved
away from
the volunteer
model.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
PRESENTATIONS
A) FUTURE CITY COMPETITION — FRIENDLY HILLS MIDDLE SCHOOL
Councilor Mazzitello recognized students from Friendly Hills Middle School and their participation in the
Future City Competition.
The students presented their entry and shared what they learned through the process, and answered
questions from the Council.
Councilor Lorberbaum asked how long Councilor Mazzitello has been working with students on this.
Councilor Mazzitello commented that he has worked with Friendly Hills on this contest for the past 17
years, only missing two years. He asked and received confirmation that the students are now more
interested in how a city runs after completing this process.
The students explained that this process taught them how cities make certain decisions.
Mayor Levine thanked the students for the great presentation.
Councilor Mazzitello thanked the students for attending and giving their presentation.
March 3, 2026, dlendota Heights City Council Page 2 oj4
B) ROGERS LAKE WATER QUALITY REPORT PRESENTATION BY SAINT THOMAS
ACADEMY
Sonja Jaworski, St. Thomas Academy, introduced the students who are present to provide the annual water
quality report.
The students presented their findings related to the water quality of Rogers Lake and answered additional
questions from the Council.
Councilor Paper appreciated the presentation, noting that he has been receiving this information for the
past 14 years. He asked if the testing sites could be included in the packet next year.
Councilor Mazzitello recognized the improvement in water quality and believed that this annual report
has assisted in that increase, as neighbors on the lake are using this information to do better.
Mayor Levine also expressed appreciation for the information the students presented.
C) 2025 PARKS AND RECREATION ANNUAL REPORT
Parks and Recreation/Assistant Public Works Director Meredith Lawrence presented the 2025 Year in
Review video, which illustrates the City's accomplishments in relation to parks, recreation, recycling, and
the Mendota Heights Par 3 Community Golf Course, in addition to outlining the team's plans for 2026.
Councilor Lorberbaum recognized the contributions that parks and recreation provide to the community
and thanked NDC4 for assisting with the video.
No items scheduled.
PUBLIC HEARING
NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A) MUNICIPAL CAMPUS PROJECT UPDATE
City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson provided updates on the Project Oversight Committee and the
Community Kick -Off event.
Councilor Paper asked which locations the Project Oversight Committee toured.
City Administrator Jacobson reviewed the different city hall and police department locations the group
toured and the additional sites they will tour this week.
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson announced upcoming community events and activities.
Mm•ch 3, 2026, Mendota Heights City Ca¢rncil Page 3 of 4
COUNCII, COMMENTS
Councilor Mazziteno stated that this is his favorite meeting of the year because they hear from both middle
school and high school students. He stated that the Future Cities program has grown and is producing
some amazing students. He also believed that the work of the St. Thomas Academy students has helped
to improve the quality of the lake. He recognized that last week was Engineer's Week and shared some
thoughts. He also provided a historical fact from March 3, 1776, in the lead -up to the 250a' birthday of
the country.
Councilor Lorberbaum stated that she also enjoys this meeting each year and thanked the students who
attended from Friendly Hills Middle School and St. Thomas Academy. She stated that on this day, 95
years ago, the Star-Spangled Banner was designated as the national anthem.
Councilor Maczko asked and received confirmation that the requested support discussed at the last
meeting was provided to the School District. He stated that it was great to see the community involvement
through the presentations tonight from the students and the Parks Department. He encouraged residents
to continue to be involved. He recognized his granddaughter's 121h birthday today.
Councilor Paper commented on aparade led by the Police and Fire Departments last Thanksgiving through
Copper£eld in support of a resident who was sick, and provided an opportunity for a lot of people to see
the resident for a few moments. He noted that the resident passed away this past weekend.
Mayor Levine recognized the importance of partnerships with the schools, Town Square Television, the
community, and volunteers.
G�filil;��l
Councilor Mazzitello moved to adjourn.
Councilor Paper seconded the motion.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
Mayor Levine adjourned the meeting at 7:05 p.m.
�iicP .L�i/Cv
Step anie . Levine
Mayor
A ST:
Q^ P/-
N cy Ba
City Clerk
March 3, 2026, Mendota Heights City Council Page 4 oj4