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04 21 2026 City Council MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA Minutes of the Regular Meeting Held Tuesday, April 21, 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 I. a. Approval of April 7, 2026, City Council Minutes b. Approve City Administrator Out of Metro Travel Request c. Approve Resolution 2026-27 Accepting a Park Bench Donation d. Adopt Resolution 2026-30 Accepting Donation of a Sauna for Fire Department Use e. Approve Appointment of Fire Captains Pat Noack and Daniel Goldenstein f. Accept the Resignation of Katie Bengtson and Authorize Recruitment for Communications Coordinator g. Adopt Resolution 2026-28 Approving the Amended and Restated Criminal Justice Network JPA h. Authorize Renewal of Workers Comp Insurance Policy 5/l/2026 — 5/l/2027 i A p a Te«...,.rary Liquor Lieense Beth T..sob Gangregation j. Approve Liquor License Renewals k. Adopt Resolution 2026-29 to Accept Bids and Award Contract for the Hampshire Estates Street Improvements 1. Award of a Professional Services Contract for the Hampshire Estates Street Improvements in. Award Professional Services Contract for Test Bore Drilling Services as Part of the Public Works Facility Geothermal Assessment Project n. Approve January & February 2026 Treasurer's Reports o. Approval of Claims List Councilor Mazzitello seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 PULLED CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS I) Approve Temporary Liquor License — Beth Jacob Congregation Councilor Lorberbaum recused herself from this item. Councilor Mazzitello moved to approve TEMPORARY LIQUOR LICENSE — BETH JACOB CONGREGATION. Councilor Maczko seconded the motion. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 Councilor Lorberbaum rejoined the Council. PRESENTATIONS A) DAKOTA AREA REFERRALS AND TRANSPORTATION SERVICES (DARTS) Mike Lavin, DARTS President, provided an overview of the organization and how it serves the residents of Mendota Heights. He provided additional information on the different services offered to seniors and their caregivers, as well as details on the number of Mendota Heights residents served by the program. He noted an upcoming fundraising breakfast event scheduled for April 23,d at Mendakota Country Club. Councilor Lorberbaum commented that there is a resident in the community who has difficulty getting around and asked what process would be followed for that person to get a ride to the upcoming library opening. She asked if there would be a charge for that service. Mr. Lavin commented that the resident or their caregiver would call DARTS and schedule an individual ride. He stated that there is a cost. He added that they do work with insurance companies and County waiver programs for those who qualify. Councilor Lorberbaum asked for the estimated cost for different services, such as home services or yard clean-up. Mr. Lavin replied that if someone called for home service repairs, the first hour charge would be $110, which includes a $30 trip charge. He stated that it is very affordable when you think of contracted services. He commented that their team can do things very quickly and provided examples of the work that could April 21, 2026, Mendota Heights City Council Page 2 of 7 be done within one hour. He stated that most calls are between 60 and 90 minutes. He stated that yard clean-up would be $125 for spring or fall yard clean-up. Councilor Mazzitello thanked Mr. Lavin for attending and asked now someone would volunteer and/or donate to this organization. Mr. Lavin stated that someone could call or fill out the application on the website. He stated that based on the information in the application, they would determine where someone would best fit within the organization. Mayor Levine thanked Mr. Lavin for attending and thanked DARTS for the services provided to the community. B) E-BIKE SAFETY CAMPAIGN Recreation Coordinator Willow Eisfeldt stated that in November 2025, Police Chief Kelly McCarthy approached the Parks and Recreation Department about a collaboration for an e-bike safety campaign at the direction of the City Council. She stated that staff have developed a comprehensive campaign to spread awareness on how to safely and legally operate an e-bike, especially on the many shared -use trails in Mendota Heights, and provided a brief overview. Councilor Paper recognized that safety information was sent to schools with students 15 years old and up and asked if the information was sent out to the youth aged 14. Recreation Coordinator Willow Eisfeldt commented that she could send out the information to the middle schools as well. She noted that hopefully the outreach and social media will also reach residents, both youth and guardians. Councilor Paper asked for more information on the classification labeling and specifically asked for more information on potential consequences. Police Chief Kelly McCarthy replied that violations are enforceable, whether an ordinance violation or a State law violation. She stated that e-bikes could also be impounded. Councilor Paper used an example where a group of riders is stopped, and some of the kids are under 15. He asked what would happen in that scenario. Police Chief Kelly McCarthy replied that they would contact the parents, and then would either have the parents come to get the kids and the e-bikes, or the e-bikes would be impounded, and the kids would be driven home. She stated that they would educate, but if the conduct was outside of that, a citation could be issued. She clarified that the impounded bikes could be returned to the parents. Councilor Maczko asked if the 15-mph speed has been adopted as part of a City ordinance or whether the ticket would be written under County ordinance. Police Chief Kelly McCarthy replied that only the County can enforce that on the County trails. She stated that the City has also recommended that speed, but it has not been adopted through an ordinance. Apr1121, 2026, Mendota Heights City Council Page 3 af7 Councilor Maczko asked if the 15-year-old specification is enforceable. Police Chief Kelly McCarthy replied that the age limitation is State law and is enforceable. Councilor Maczko as if the City should consider adopting an ordinance with that speed limit. Police Chief Kelly McCarthy replied that it would not be her decision; that would be a decision of the City Council. Councilor Lorberbaum used a scenario where she is walking the trail and an e-bike is coming up behind her. She asked if the e-bike would be required to pass on the left. Police Chief Kelly McCarthy replied that there is no law stating how any bikes pass a pedestrian, but as long as they pass safely, there would be no issue. Mayor Levine commented that she did not see anything on e-motos being banned. Police Chief Kelly McCarthy stated that a-motos are not allowed on public property at all. She stated that e-motos can only be operated on someone's private property, unless they are street legal, which would also require the driver to be licensed. Mayor Levine referenced the potential enforcement actions and encouraged the education campaign to include the prohibition on e-motos. She stated that enforcement consequences should also be included in the campaign, as that may assist with prevention. Councilor Mazzitello commented that staff did a great job on the educational video. Mayor Levine thanked Recreation Coordinator Willow Eisfeldt and Police Chief Kelly McCarthy for their collaborative efforts. She stated that she would support a review to ensure all State, County, and City laws and regulations are consistent. PUBLIC HEARING No items scheduled. NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS A) ADOPT ORDINANCE NO, 607: AN ORDINANCE AMENDMENT TO REPEAL AND REPLACE TITLE 11: SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS; AND AUTHORIZE PUBLICATION OF SUMMARY ORDINANCE Community Development Manager Sarah Madden explained that the Council was being asked to adopt Ordinance No. 607: an Ordinance Amendment to repeal and replace Title 11: Subdivision Regulations, Councilor Lorberbaum thanked staff, acknowledging that this was a lot of work. She asked if the definition of reverse curve had been included in the draft ordinance. April 2/, 2026, Mendota Heights Ciry Council Page 4 of 7 Community Development Manager Sarah Madden stated that she received that comment from Councilor Lorberbaum and spoke about it with Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek. She stated that the term is within MnDOT standards and confirmed that could be included in the definitions section. Councilor Maczko as how a Planned Unit Development (PUD) would interact with these subdivision regulations. Community Development Manager Sarah Madden replied that a PUD is a zoning application to establish a new zoning district for a development and may or may not be associated with a subdivision application at the same time. She stated that often a property has been subdivided many years ago, while there is still property that would be subdivided in the future. She stated that a PUD would have to comply with the subdivision ordinance in place, but a PUD does not always include a subdivision application. Councilor Maczko referenced the super block and a request that would include a subdivision application and PUD request. He asked if that application would still need to meet these requirements. Community Development Manager Sarah Madden confirmed that the subdivision request would need to meet these requirements, and the PUD request would be reviewed concurrently in that situation. Councilor Mazzitello stated that this action has been on his to-do list for the past five years on the Council. He commented that Community Development Manager Sarah Madden has done exemplary work on this. He noted a grammatical suggestion of a double space, noting that it was the only error he found in the document. Councilor Mazzitello moved to adopt ORDINANCE NO. 607: AN AMENDMENT TO REPEAL AND REPLACE IN FULL TITLE 11 SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS. Councilor Paper seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Councilor Mazzitello moved to authorize PUBLICATION OF A SUMMARY ORDINANCE OF ORDINANCE N0.607. Councilor Lorberbaum seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 B) RESOLUTION 2026-22 APPROVING THE LEXINGTON HEIGHTS PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT AMENDMENT —FINAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN; AND ORDINANCE NO. 606 APPROVING A ZONING AMENDMENT TO PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT OVERLAY DISTRICT (PLANNING CASE NOS, 2025-16 AND 2026-03) Community Development Manager Sarah Madden provided a brief background on this item. The Council was being asked to consider Resolution 2026-22, Approving a Planned Unit Development Amendment — Final Development Plan, for the Lexington Heights Planned Unit Development; and Ordinance No. 606 Approving a Zoning Amendment to Planned Unit Development Overlay District. Councilor Lorberbaum acknowledged that Mr. Riley offered to meet with each Councilor individually prior to the meeting date, as he could not attend tonight. She noted that most of her questions were April 21, 2026, Mendota Heights City Council Page 5 of answered through that process. She noted that the basketball court will be converted to two pickleball courts, as that was a question at the last meeting. She commented that the original application had a height difference between the new building and the existing buildings. She noted that the style of the new building had changed and asked about the height difference as currently proposed. Joe McElwain, Chase Real Estate, replied that there is no difference in height, as that remains the same as the original proposal. He explained that the architectural style was changed to better match the existing buildings. Councilor Mazzitello moved to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 2026-22, APPROVING A FINAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN — AMENDMENT TO THE 1983 LEXINGTON HEIGHTS APARTMENTS PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2300 LEXINGTON AVENUE, Councilor Paper seconded the motion. Further discussion: Councilor Mazzitello expressed appreciation to Condor Company and Mr. Riley for reaching out to the neighbor to the north to ensure that they were comfortable with the changes that had been made and to address any requested accommodations. He acknowledged that the property owner has been a great community partner and was excited to see this moving forward. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 Abstain: I (Maczko) Councilor Mazzitello moved to adopt ORDINANCE NO. 606, AMENDING THE LEXINGTON HEIGHTS PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT, AND A ZONING AMENDMENT TO PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT OVERLAY DISTRICT. Councilor Paper seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Abstain: 1 (Maczko) COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson announced upcoming community events and activities. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilor Mazzitello commented that earlier today, there was a work session, which included a number of topics, including performance standards. He noted the number of residents who subscribe to receive all Commission and Council packets. He encouraged residents to sign up for the link to the packets to be emailed to them. He commented that he enjoyed the Annual Fire Recognition Banquet that took place last weekend. He also shared historical facts from 1776 and 1775, leading up to the 2501h anniversary of the nation, and encouraged residents to study history. Councilor Paper commented that registration is open for the Scott Patrick Memorial Sk, April2l, 2026, Mendota Heights City Council Page 6 of7 Councilor Maczko commented that the municipal campus project continues to move forward and encouraged residents to participate in the upcoming resident engagement opportunities. He also commented on the Annual Awards Banquet for the Fire Department, which recognized retiring firefighters and other awards. He referenced the two Captains who were appointed tonight and the efforts, commitment, and dedication of all firefighters. He stated that the Fire Department continues to thrive in the paid -on -call model, which speaks to the quality of the department and the individuals who come forward to serve. He recognized two firefighters who retired, noting that they came on board when he was Chief. Councilor Lorberbaum stated that Apri125'h is National Take Back Day and encouraged residents to clean out their medicine cabinets, noting that unused prescription drugs can be dropped off 24/7 at the Police Department. She commented that Mendota Heights is very lucky for the individuals who continue to serve the community as firefighters. She stated that at the last meeting, she asked residents to reach out about the cellular tower proposal and noted that she has received some great responses and encouraged residents to continue to be engaged. Mayor Levine stated that for the clean-up event, they can pick up the materials at CiTy Ha11 during those hours, but the cleaning up can occur any time over that weekend, or any time if residents see trash around the parks and community. She also recognized the retiring firefighters and those who received awards during the fire banquet. ADJOURN Councilor Mazzitello moved to adjourn. Councilor Paper seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Mayor Levine adjourned the meeting at 7:09 p.m. Z L�— alKanie ff. Levine Mayor ATTEST: N ncy Ba er C Clerk April 21, 2026, Mendota Heights City Council Page 7 of 7