Mendota Heights meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Mendota Heights Council reviews 3.56% levy increase for 2027 budget

The Mendota Heights City Council is reviewing a proposed 2027 budget that would raise the property tax levy by 3.56% to $14,772,203. The council has not yet adopted the budget; a preliminary levy and budget are scheduled for adoption at the September 15 meeting. The council held work sessions on August 18 and August 20 to discuss the proposal and will continue on August 26.

Budget and property tax

The proposed 2027 property tax levy is $14,772,203, up from $14,264,753 in 2026, a 3.56% increase. The general fund budget is proposed at $14,636,361, a 4.81% increase from FY2026. The council is considering 35 budget requests totaling $1,539,590.

For 2026, the median home value is estimated at $553,200, up 0.40% from 2025. The city tax rate for 2027 is estimated at 0.39782, up from 0.39118 in 2026.

The August 26 work session will include discussion of the budget and the five-year Capital Improvement Plan. A public meeting on the budget and levy is scheduled for November 30 at 6 pm. The preliminary levy and budget will be adopted at the September 15 meeting.

Other council business (August 18 regular meeting)

The council’s consent agenda included several items:

• Contracts for the 2026 Street Maintenance & Striping projects.
• A joint powers agreement with Dakota County and West St. Paul for Delaware Avenue Reconstruction Improvements.
• Resolution 2026-53 for the 2027 Minnesota Traffic Enforcement Grant.
• A purchase order for the Main Lift Station Flow Meter.

Presentations were scheduled on police staffing and operations, and an update on the municipal campus building project. A citizen’s award of merit was also on the agenda.

Comprehensive plan update (August 18 work session)

The council discussed the 2050 Comprehensive Plan update. Staff sought direction on the advisory committee structure, public engagement strategies, and possible additional topics, such as an Economic Development chapter. The council considered whether to create an ad-hoc advisory committee or use the Planning Commission for the update.

Parks and Recreation (August 12)

The Parks and Recreation Commission met for routine items, including approval of minutes from June 9, 2026, and updates on the Park Improvement Project, the Par 3, and recreation programs. A parks and recreation intern gave a presentation. No major decisions or public hearings were scheduled.

Coming up

• **August 26, 6 pm** – City Council work session on the FY2027 preliminary budget and Capital Improvement Plan.
• **September 15** – City Council meeting to adopt the preliminary levy and budget.
• **November 30, 6 pm** – Public meeting on the budget and levy.

All meetings are open to the public. Agendas and minutes are available on the city’s website.

Mendota Heights Weighs Municipal Campus Plans, Field Replacement, and Wireless Monopole

Mendota Heights officials spent the last two weeks reviewing the Municipal Campus Building Project — a combined city hall and police station — including whether it should be built on the existing Civic Center Park/Mertensotto Field site. Minutes from all recent meetings have not yet been published, so no outcomes are confirmed; the information below reflects what agendas say was scheduled for discussion or action.

Municipal Campus Building Project

The City Council had multiple discussions on the project the week of July 21. On July 21, the council was scheduled to discuss whether the new municipal campus building should be built on the Civic Center Park/Mertensotto Field site. The agenda included review of field replacement options proposed by the Two Rivers Athletic Association, including standards for an equivalent field — covering dimensions, grass infield, batting cages, and amenities. A potential replacement site at the city-owned Bourne Lane property, approximately 507,000 square feet, was also listed for presentation. No binding decision was indicated.

A July 22 council work session was set to cover schematic design revisions based on council and community feedback, building placement, site layout, park and open space planning, and the status of Mertensotto Field replacement discussions. Financial advisors were scheduled to review the current cost estimate, the impact of $4 million in state bonding funds, and possible financing options including bond issuance. No formal action was requested at that session.

Fire Department and Consent Items

The July 21 council agenda also listed authorization to purchase a replacement fire department water tender. Consent agenda items scheduled for action included a purchase order for a concrete apron on Mendota Heights Road, Resolution 2026-45 for a feasibility report on the 2027 Street Improvements Project, the 2026-2027 Seasonal Compensation Plan, and out-of-metro travel authorization for a Minnesota Recreation and Park Association conference.

Planning Commission Hearings

The Planning Commission met July 28 to hold public hearings on six items. The agenda included a tabled conditional use permit (CASE 2026-05) for a 149-foot wireless monopole at 739 Wentworth Avenue in Wentworth Park. Other cases: a variance (CASE 2026-10) to increase impervious surface coverage at 1044 Brompton Place; a conditional use permit (CASE 2026-11) for an 8-foot security fence at 1500 Commerce Drive for Chadwell Supply; a PUD amendment (CASE 2026-12) for freestanding signage and design guidelines at Mendota Plaza, 750 North Plaza Drive; a conditional use permit (CASE 2026-14) for additions to Holy Family Marionite Catholic Church at 1960 Lexington Avenue; and an MRCCA permit for a new accessory structure and hot tub at 1175 Orchard Place. Minutes are not yet published, so commission recommendations are not confirmed.

Coming Up

The City Council meets August 5 to discuss a Plan B schematic design for the Municipal Campus Building Project. The agenda also includes resolutions on several items from the July 22 Planning Commission docket: Resolution 2026-47 would deny the conditional use permit for the 149-foot wireless monopole at 739 Wentworth Avenue; Resolution 2026-48 would approve a variance for 39% impervious surface coverage at 1044 Brompton Place; Resolution 2026-49 would approve the 8-foot security fence at 1500 Commerce Drive; Resolution 2026-50 would approve the PUD amendment for signage at Mendota Plaza; and Resolution 2026-51 would approve a conditional use permit for additions to a religious institution at 1960 Lexington Avenue. A swearing-in ceremony for firefighters is also scheduled.

Municipal Campus Project Dominates Council Agenda as State Bonding Funds Shape Design Talks

The Municipal Campus Building Project — including a new police station and city hall — drew the most attention across Mendota Heights meetings this month, with the City Council and Natural Resources Commission both reviewing design updates and the impact of $4 million in state bonding funds. Minutes from the July 7 and July 8 meetings have not yet been published, so outcomes listed on those agendas cannot be confirmed as final decisions.

City Council — July 7

The Council's July 7 agenda included a presentation of the FY2025 audit report and an update on the Municipal Campus Building Project. Officials addressed community feedback on the scale of the new police station and city hall, with the agenda noting a shift toward building for current needs rather than future expansion.

The agenda also listed several items for action, though minutes are not yet available to confirm the results:

• Hagstrom-King Park ballfield renovation approval
• MN Native Landscapes contract for the Friendly Marsh Park project
• Purchase of new duty handguns for the Police Department

Natural Resources Commission — July 8

The Commission discussed the Municipal Campus Project, including the city's $12 million bonding request and a $4 million award from the State of Minnesota. The agenda states that design development was authorized. All items at this meeting were for discussion only, with no decisions required.

Other agenda items included:

• The Sustainable Mendota Heights newsletter "The Green Scene," finalized for July distribution, with a second issue due in early October
• Proposed amendments to the Urban Forest Preservation Ordinance (Ordinance 595), covering fee changes, heritage-tree protections, and certified arborist requirements
• Recognition of raingarden program volunteers, with 1,100 plants planted and 18 raingardens planned

Natural Resources Commission — July 15

The Commission conducted a site visit and park tour at Copperfield Ponds Park, located at 650 Huber Drive. The agenda consisted of a call to order followed by the tour.

Airport Relations Commission — July 15

The Commission's agenda included an election for a new Vice Chair and a review of the May 2026 Airport Operational Statistics Reports. Members were also set to discuss an increase in noise complaints submitted through the MAC Environment Complaint process, including potential software issues affecting complaint trends. Minutes are not yet published.

Coming Up

Three City Council meetings are scheduled in the coming week, all focused heavily on the Municipal Campus Building Project:

• **July 21, City Council:** Consent agenda items include a concrete apron purchase on Mendota Heights Road, Resolution 2026-45 for a feasibility report on the 2027 Street Improvements Project, the 2026-2027 Seasonal Compensation Plan, out-of-metro travel authorization for the Minnesota Recreation and Park Association Conference, and authorization to purchase a replacement Fire Department Water Tender.
• **July 21, City Council:** Discussion of whether the new municipal campus building should be built on the existing Civic Center Park/Mertensotto Field site. The Two Rivers Athletic Association will present field replacement options, including standards for an equivalent field. A potential new field site at the city-owned Bourne Lane property (~507,000 sq ft) will be presented. No binding decision is indicated; the agenda item is for discussion only.
• **July 22, City Council Work Session:** Staff will present updates on building design, site layout, park space, and the status of Mertensotto Field replacement planning. Financial advisors will review the current cost estimate, the impact of the $4 million in state bonding funds, and possible financing options including bond issuance. No formal action is requested.