08 06 2025 City Council Work Session MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minutes of the City Council Work Session
Tuesday, August 6, 2025
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, Mirmesota.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Levine called the work session to order at 3:30 p.m. Councilors Lorberbaurn, Maczko,
and Mazzitello were in attendance. Councilor Paper was absent.
Others present included: City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson, Assistant City Administrator Kelly
Torkelson, Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek, Finance Director Kristen Schabacker, Police
Chief Kelly McCarthy, Police Captain Wayne Wegener, Park and Recreation Director/Assistant
Public Works Director Meredith Lawrence, and City Clerk Nancy Bauer.
CITY HALL/POLICE DEPARTMENT BUILDING UPDATE (PRESENTATION BY ICS)
Also in attendance from ICS were Project Development Director Chris Ziemer and Project
Development Director Kristen Duerr.
K. Duerr gave background information on their company, ICS and presented findings from the
needs assessment for the City Hall - Police Department campus, The purpose of the needs
assessment was to identify and assess existing facility needs on the Mendota Heights City Hall/
Police Department campus. The assessment includes a facility condition assessment, engagement
with staff and council members, as well as an overview of the options for addressing the
assessment findings.
The assessment outlined the condition of the facility. The building was constructed in 1987.They
identified that the parking lot was deteriorating and was in need of replacement. The building
masonry had some minimal deterioration around the entry way. Windows have security concerns
and are energy inefficient. The roof will need replacement within the next 10 years and there is
moisture intrusion into the foundation. The interior finishes are worn and have some safety
concerns. The mechanical systems are mostly original to the building and are nearing end of life.
The electrical systems are also original to the building but are operating well. Lighting
throughout the building should be upgraded to LEDs. Life safety systems have been upgraded
and are in good shape. There are accessibility issues throughout the facility, notably in the
restrooms and parking lot.
The assessment
identified that
approximately
one third of the facility
was in good condition, one
third was in fair
condition, and
one third was
in poor condition.
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Immediate needs of the facility represented a cost of $1.2 million, to include the renovation costs
to address the deferred maintenance on the facility would increase that cost to $5.9 million.
These estimates do not include the costs that are required to address the additional space needs of
the facility.
Beyond the maintenance needs of the facility there are space deficiencies in both the city hall and
police department. The parking lot is undersized to accommodate the anticipated traffic, it is
shared with city -owned vehicles farther restricting available use, and the accessible parking stalls
are far from the building. The lobby/reception area cannot be blocked off after hours because of
dual entry with the police department. There is a need for additional meeting space which could
be incorporated into a council chambers redesign to serve dual needs. Staff offices and
workspaces are generally undersized and there is no room for departmental growth or space for
seasonal staff. The council chamber has security concerns. The configuration of the lobby creates
limited available space for election configuration. There is inadequate storage throughout the
facility and work rooms are being used as storage space.
The police department lacks separate space for victims to be interviewed away fi•om the public.
Wayfinding is unclear, making it difficult for visitors to find the police department. The storage
spaces in the basement are undersized and there are security concerns through the facility.
Offices are undersized and there is insufficient space for officers to do their work. There is no
room for departmental growth. Evidence storage is undersized, and the armory is undersized.
Locker rooms lack ADA clearances and are limited to use by one person at a time. There is no
decontamination space for officers returning from calls with physical exposure to chemicals or
bodily fluids. The fitness room is also undersized for the shared use and there is insufficient
parking for vehicle storage.
City Hall currently only has 66% of the space needs being met by the existing facility. The Police
Department has 30% of space needs being met.
The assessment engaged staff and the city council as well. The findings from staff included
consensus in the need for a new facility, safety concerns, and issues with functionality one to
storage and meeting space limitations. It was also noted that the working conditions were
resulting in significant morale issues among staff. Council members expressed concern about
addressing the safety deficiencies that were affecting officer recruitment and morale. They were
interested in looking at different options to ensure a cost-effective solution.
The consultants presented three potential paths to address the assessment findings. The first was
to renovate the existing facility and add on additions with an estimated cost of $26.5 million. The
second option was to build a new police station and renovate the existing facility for city hall at
an estimated cost of $30 million. The third option was the construction of a new city halt and
police station facility with an estimated cost of $32 million.
Tax impacts for the different scenarios were shown on a 15- or 20-year term for the highest
dollar amount used.
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Councilor Maczko asked how big the proposed garage would be. C. Ziemer reported that it wa:
10,700 square feet. This would include room for city -owned vehicles. Overall, the space would
have room for 30 vehicles. A sally port is also needed for the police department.
Councilor Mazzitello asked if the proposed garage space considered the take-home squad
vehicles. Chief McCarthy responded that there was some flexibility in the size, but there was
still a need for additional space.
Mayor Levine stated that the tax impact for the highest amount shown would be about $500 a
year for a median priced home for the current city tax. Mayor Levine asked how successful
other cities have been with this type of increase. The consultant noted that it would be important
for the city council to communicate the needs and benefits of the project to the public.
Mayor Levine stated one of the things she loves about the current building is that the police and
city hall are integrated into one building. She was interested in identifying the wants versus the
needs included in the assessment's recommendation.
The consultant stated that the proposal is conservative to begin with and did not include many
additional requests besides basic needs for staff. City Administrator Jacobson echoed that
statement, emphasizing that the requests were not extravagant in any sense, that they were to
address operational needs and responsible management of the facility.
Councilor Maczko stated that the city is fully built and should not need more space for the future.
City Administrator Jacobson provided an example of potential future space needs based on the
existing workload of staff.
Councilor Lorberbaum stated that
she would
also like to see the city
hall and police department
interconnected and agreed that the
needs versus the wants needed to
be studied further.
Councilor Lorberbaum asked about State legislature funding. C. Ziemer stated that it is unlikely
that cities would secure any funding. if State funding was secured, it may also drive up the cost
with the state design requirements.
Mayor Levine stated she is grateful to the employees and everyone paz•ticipating in this study.
She thanked ICS for their presentation.
There was afive-minute recess and staff from ICS left the meeting.
FY 2026 PROPOSED BUDGET REVIEW
Additional attendees for the budget discussion were Fire Chief Johnson, Assistant Fire Chief
Goldenstein, and President of the Fire Relief Association Mattini.
City Administrator Jacobson began with an overview of common budget notables impacting all
departments.
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She stated that the 2026 preliminary budget includes a 3.5% cost of living adjustment for
employees. Noting that all four employee union contracts will be negotiated in the fall. In 2023,
a complete compensation study was done. There are rune positions that are proposed to be
reclassified in order to align with council direction from the compensation study to be average in
compensation compared to market trends. The adjustments are proposed to take place on January
1 and are included in the budget amounts.
The workerscompensation amount
went down.
Councilor
Lorberbaum asked why it went
down. Finance Director Schabacker
stated that
past claims
fell off the five-year average.
Mayor Levine asked what the percentage was for the reclassified positions. Assistant City
Administrator Torkelson answered that it would increase their pay -grade but drop a step. It
would be an increase in addition to a COLA for those employees. Councilor Maczko asked for
information regarding the positions and the proposed increase. City Administrator Jacobson
stated that a summary would be provided for the next meeting.
City Administrator Jacobson stated that the State of Minnesota Paid Family Medical Leave
program is going into effect in 2026 and that there are associated costs required by the City. Staff
compared costs of participating in the public program with costs for a private plan and
determined it was more cost effective to use the state's program. The cost for the State' plan is
88% premium on employee wages. Staff are proposing to split that cost with employees, which
is a part of the justification for the additional .5% on the COLA as compared with past years.
The insurance
premium costs are not received in time for
budget discussions, but it is
proposed
to increase the
premiums by 5%
(to
$2,000 per
month) as
has been done in the past.
Councilor Maczko asked if the Minnesota Paid Family Medical Leave was in addition to the
existing sick leave. City Administrator Jacobson answered it would be in addition to the existing
sick leave. Assistant City Administrator Torkelson clarified that because the city fully funds
employee wages whether they end up using leave or not, there is no budgetary benefit to
reducing sick leave. Additionally, other cities are not making changes to their leave policies and
reducing Mendota Heights leave benefits would significantly impact the city's competitiveness
in the employment market.
City Administrator Jacobson emphasized that staff did a fantastic job of holding budgets within
reasonable increases. Fire has a proposed budget increase of .08%over 2025. There are no
significant changes. The capital outlays are: 1) parking lot replacement ($100,000), replacement
of Tender 10 (water truck at $425,000), and Chief 1 vehicle ($85,000). The parking lot and chief
vehicle were held over from last year. The Fire Relief Association is asking for a $500 increase
per firefighter for their pension.
Councilor Maczko asked about the seal wall penetrations, as the station was recently constructed.
Assistant Chief Goldenstein stated the request is because of safety concerns raised by a mock
OSHA inspection. Public Works Director Ruzek stated that the station construction is out of
warranty, as it has been more than five years since the fire station was constructed.
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Discussion was held regarding the two new fire vehicles being proposed. Mayor Levine
reminded councilors that the costs of the vehicles could come from the unrestricted fund balance,
issuing a vehicle certificate, or it could be levied.
Fire Relief President Mattaini reported that the Relief Association had been requesting a $500
increase per firefighter a year to align with market rates. The $500 aligns with other departments
and equates to a 6.67% increase. This is a retention tool to keep firefighters. Councilor
Mazzitello stated that a cost -of -living model was being considered and asked when they would
switch to that model. Fire Relief President Mattaini responded by this time next year.
City Administrator Jacobson stated that the Police budget reflected a 7.9%increase. This is
primarily personnel related costs. Included in the budget is salary for a crime analyst and an
additional full-time police officer, both had previously been approved by the City Council.
There were no capital outlay item requests.
Chief McCarthy gave an update on the take-home squad program, which has exceeded
expectations.
City Administrator Jacobson stated that the emergency preparedness budget had a 0%increase.
City Administrator Jacobson reported that the City Council budget showed a -4.89% change.
There is $25,000 budgeted for the 2026 fireworks. Professional services and miscellaneous line
items were decreased.
Councilor Maczko stated that he thought that the city should not pay for the fireworks but could
help contribute to the cost. After discussion regarding the fireworks budget, it was the consensus
to leave the money in for the fireworks and work with the Mendota Heights Conummity
Foundation to see if they can help offset the costs of the fireworks in the future.
City Achninistrator Jacobson stated that 2026 is an election cycle with two elections and the
budget increased by 97I Election judge staffing and operational costs have been included in
the budget. The City Council had approved the JPA for absentee ballot services from Dakota
County and the purchase of new election equipment cost sharing agreement with Dakota County,
ADJOURNMENT
Councilor Mazzitello made
a motion to adjourn
the work session, and the motion
was seconded
by Councilor Lorberbaum.
Motion carried a-0.
The meeting adjourned at 5:37 p.m.
Stephanie B. Levine, Mayo
ATTEST:
N ey guer, City Clerk
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