10-21-2025 CC Work Session PacketCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING AGENDA
October 21, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Mendota Heights City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights
1.Call to Order
2.Discussion
a.Water Surcharge
b.Retain Surplus Vehicles
c.Sibley Memorial Highway Turnback
3.Adjourn
Alternative formats or auxiliary aids are available to individuals with disabilities upon request.
Please contact City Hall at 651-452-1850 or by emailing cityhall@mendotaheightsmn.gov.
Page 1 of 5
This page is intentionally left blank
2.a
City Council Work Session Memo
MEETING DATE: October 21, 2025
TO: Mayor, City Council and City Administrator
FROM: Ryan Ruzek, Public Works Director
SUBJECT: Water Surcharge
ACTION REQUEST:
The City Council is asked to review the water surcharge.
BACKGROUND:
Historically, Mendota Heights has charged residents a surcharge for operation of its water
utility system. Prior to conveying the water system to Saint Paul Regional Water Services
(SPRWS) in 2016, the city was collecting a 10 percent surcharge. As part of the current
agreement with SPRWS there is a 5 percent surcharge added to water bills.
The surcharge funds are used for any water related costs of adjusting valves and hydrants,
relocation of any water infrastructure for street and trail projects, utility billing fees to SPRWS,
painting of hydrants and hydrant markers, etc. The funds could also be used towards any
proposed water projects such as drinking fountains in parks, dog park, community garden, etc.
The water utility fund has grown to just over $1 million. The city council could consider
reducing the surcharge percentage as a reduction of costs for residents or could direct staff to
make improvements from the fund as the balance currently exceeds any proposed
improvements.
ATTACHMENTS:
None
Page 2 of 5
This page is intentionally left blank
2.b
City Council Work Session Memo
MEETING DATE: October 21, 2025
TO: Mayor, City Council and City Administrator
FROM: Ryan Ruzek, Public Works Director
SUBJECT: Retain Surplus Vehicles
ACTION REQUEST:
Discuss retaining vehicles to be repurposed in other city departments.
BACKGROUND:
The Fire department recently put into service a new brush truck. This was approved as part of
the 2025 budget. The former brush truck is a 2009 pick up truck with low miles (8,000) and has
been stored indoors throughout its life. Staff would like to repurpose this vehicle, which could
be utilized for mounting a proposed message board. The vehicle is fire red and would be
utilized by the street department and the utility department for sewer work. The vehicle would
also be used as a people mover for seasonal staff, since a requested gator utility vehicle was
not included in the 2026 budget. The fire department did not specify a trade-in value as part
of the budgeting of the replacement. The additional costs to retain the vehicle would be
general maintenance like oil changes. The vehicle has new tires. Due to its age, the vehicle is
not expected to have a high value at auction.
The preliminary 2026 budget includes a replacement of the Chief 1 Tahoe. The existing Chief 1
vehicle is also a 2009 vintage that has been well maintained and stored indoors. Staff would
propose this vehicle be utilized to service the Par 3. There is a budget line item of $1,000 for
mileage reimbursement that could be eliminated if this vehicle is retained. This vehicle also has
new tires and does not have any major maintenance needed. This vehicle also would not be
expected to return much value at auction.
ATTACHMENTS:
None
Page 3 of 5
This page is intentionally left blank
2.c
City Council Work Session Memo
MEETING DATE: October 21, 2025
TO: Mayor, City Council and City Administrator
FROM: Ryan Ruzek, Public Works Director
SUBJECT: Sibley Memorial Highway Turnback
ACTION REQUEST:
Staff are seeking confirmation from Council on options regarding MnDOT’s rehabilitation and
turnback efforts of Sibley Memorial Highway.
BACKGROUND:
During the April 6, 2021, City Council meeting, staff received direction to work with the
Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) to rehabilitate the pavement along Sibley
Memorial Highway in preparation for the roadway's turnback to the City. At that time, multiple
options were discussed, and it was decided to proceed with a Mill & Overlay (M&O) treatment
and the installation of ribbon curb along the rural sections of the roadway.
MnDOT has advanced 30% design plans reflecting the City’s original direction for a M&O with
ribbon curb installation to improve drainage. The proposed rehabilitation includes milling the
top 2” of pavement and resurfacing with 4” of new pavement. Upon review, staff expressed
concern that the existing pavement structure may not support long-term needs and that
increasing pavement thickness could elevate future rehabilitation costs. MnDOT estimates the
M&O would extend pavement life by 12–15 years before a Full Depth Reclamation (FDR) would
likely be required. Staff noted that due to pavement depth, substantial removal would be
needed before a future FDR could occur, potentially creating a significant financial burden to
the City’s Municipal State Aid (MSA) program. At the April 15, 2025, City Council Workshop, the
Council directed staff to request MnDOT pursue an FDR approach to reduce long-term
maintenance costs. MnDOT has indicated that additional funding for a FDR is unavailable and
continues to recommend proceeding with the M&O due to underlying soil conditions.
MnDOT staff have continued the design approach of a M&O and have conveyed that open
alternatives include MnDOT performing the M&O with a subsequent turnback of the right-of-
way to the City, or that the City may elect to receive the $3.1 million allocated to the
construction project and perform pavement rehabilitation as the lead agency. Staff have not
received an updated cost estimate from MnDOT identifying anticipated construction costs for a
M&O approach. Staff have internally reviewed pavement rehabilitation costs for both a M&O
Page 4 of 5
and FDR approach and believe funding would be adequate for pavement needs; however,
MnDOT has identified additional storm sewer improvements which include right-of-way
acquisition from a parcel owned by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The costs of
these improvements remain unknown, limiting the City’s ability to evaluate whether the $3.1
million would be sufficient to cover both pavement rehabilitation and storm sewer
improvements.
Staff have recently had discussions with Dakota County, who have identified the corridor as a
potential location for a future linear park. Conceptually, this could involve removing portions of
the roadway not needed to maintain access to the industrial sites on the south end and
converting the remaining corridor into a green space consistent with the City’s and County’s
shared vision for a linear park. These discussions were very preliminary, and no timeframe or
commitment has been established. Staff note that any MSA funds accrued may need to be
returned to the state if the route is removed from the MSA system and converted to a linear
park.
Staff are requesting Council input to confirm the preferred design approach for Sibley
Memorial Highway as part of the turnback process from MnDOT to the City.
ATTACHMENTS:
None
Page 5 of 5