10 20 2026 CC Work Session MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minutes of the City Council Work Session
Tuesday, October 20, 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 4:30 p.m. Councilors Lorberbaum, Maczko
Mazzitello, and Paper were in attendance.
Others present included: City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson, Assistant City Administrator Kelly
Torkelson, Finance Director Kristen Schabacker, Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek, Parks &
Recreation Director/Assistant Public Works Director Meredith Lawrence, Police Chief Kelly
McCarthy, Assistant City Engineer Lucas Ritchie, Administrative/Special Projects Coordinator
Noel Mills Ford, Recycling and Sustainability Coordinator Courtney Selstad, and City Clerk
Nancy Bauer.
CURBSIDE ORGANICS UPDATE AND DISCUSSION
Courtney Selstad, Recycling and Sustainability Coordinator, provided an informational update
on curbside organics collection. She noted that the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's plan
requires metro cities with populations greater than 5,000 to implement residential curbside
organics collection by 2030. She also highlighted the development of a toolkit to help cities
evaluate options for implementing curbside organics collection.
Dakota County anticipates considering amendments to Ordinance No. 110, Solid Waste
Management, in 2027 to support the availability of curbside food scraps collection to residents
by 2030. Potential amendments may include requirements for licensed haulers to provide service
and submit implementation plans, limits on container delivery fees, and same -day collection of
trash, recycling, and organics.
Cities are not required to take any action and may defer to County requirements, but they may
adopt additional local licensing provisions or arrange for services through contracts.
She reviewed cities already collecting curbside organics and their service models
Curbside organics is a mandate from the State. Service will be available for Mendota Heights
residents who opt -in by 2030, and everyone will be charged for the service, even those who do
not opt -in.
Councilor LorUerbaum inquired when this service would be available in 2030.
C. Selsted responded hopefully in the spring of 2030.
Councilor Lorberbaum inquired about the cost of the service
C. Selsted noted estimates are $2.00 to $15.00 month. The city will have little control over the
costs. In a contracted, organized system the costs may be lower.
Mayor Levine inquired if there has been any discussion at Dakota County about Mendota
Heights being a vanguard city for curbside organic collection.
City Administrator Jacobson noted that had been discussed by Council when the city learned that
the State was discussing curbside organic collection.
Council asked about the feasibility of using the Newport facility for collected curbside organics.
Staff noted that they would ask about the feasibility.
City Administrator Jacobson inquired what type and size of bin would be used for collecting
curbside organics.
C. Selsted answered that this service will require an additional cart. Dakota County's curbside
organics collection program will not use co -collection with trash, as implemented in Ramsey and
Washington counties.
An audience tnember noted that multiple trucks already travel through the cul-de-sac to collect
garbage and recycling, expressing concern that the proposed service would result in additional
truck traffic.
C. Selsted noted that it could be considered that the City move to a city contracted collection. If
this is to be considered the city attorney would need to be consulted because state law is not fully
clear on when organized collection procedures apply. Another option to consider is the use of
zoning regulations to limit the number of haulers operating in the city. Currently 10 haulers
provide services in the city.
City Administrator Jacobson inquired when a decision should be made by Council which route to
explore.
C. Selsted responded at least 18 months' notice before implementing to allow sufficient time to
obtain legal advice.
Mayor Levine noted that she would like to remain proactive on this topic and have community
involvement to make it easy and stress free for residents.
C. Selsted noted she would update the Council on this topic next year.
CLAIMS LIST AGENDA UPDATE
Assistant City Administrator Torkelson reviewed the City's financial processes, including the
budget approval process, in which the City Council establishes and approves the City's budget.
The City's purchasing policy governs the procurement of goods and services, City Council
authorization of funds over $10,000. As well as the claims list process where in the City Council
reviews and approves vendor payments.
October 20, 2026, City Council Work Session Minutes Page - 2
Staff are proposing to remove the details on the claims list from the published City Council
meeting packet due to cybersecurity concerns. Financial details included in the claims list have
been used against cities by cybercriminals to steal public funds. The development of artificial
intelligence (AI) technologies has made it easier for cybercriminals to pull information together
that can make scams seem more legitimate.
City Council will continue to receive the full unredacted claims list in their meeting packet and
the Council will approve those payments. The City Council will continue to authorize
expenditures above $10,000. The public would be able to review the unredacted claims list in
the printed public meeting packet each meeting, by making a data request, or requesting one at
the front desk.
Councilor Paper asked for examples of cities that are implementing these new procedures
Assistant City Administrator Torkelson responded there were examples in the packet that were
handed out tonight and include the cities of Edina, West St. Paul, Savage, Wyoming,
Farmington, and Eagan.
Councilor Paper asked if there was any feedback?
Assistant City Administrator Torkelson responded those cities have had no issues. This change
will also help ensure that Council packets comply with federally mandated ADA accessibility
requirements for the website.
Councilor Paper asked if any watchdog groups have pushed back on this?
Assistant City Administrator Torkelson responded that she was not aware of any pushback from
the cities that have implemented this process.
Councilor Maczko noted he talked to staff at the City of Wyoming and gave an example of a
possible scam and noted for purchases over $10,000 a resolution is approved by the City Council
to authorize payments over $10,000.
Council agreed that they would like these changes presented at the upcoming city council
meeting to make residents aware of the change.
An audience member stated that this is a good idea to implement.
City Administrator Jacobson stated that a presentation would also help clear up some
misinformation about the city's financial processes in the public.
It was the consensus to place this proposed change as a presentation on the agenda for the next
regularly scheduled City Council meeting, with a resolution for City Council consideration and
approval.
ADJOURNMENT
October 20, 2026, City Council Work Session Minutes Page - 3
A motion to adjourn was made by Councilor Mazzitello, seconded by Councilor Paper, and
unanimously carried. The meeting ended at approximately 5:30 pm.
c
tephanle . Levine, IV ayor
ATTEST:
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N ncy B ter, City Clerk
October 20, 2026, City Council Work Session Minutes Page - 4