01 20 2026 Work Session PacketCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING AGENDA
January 20, 2026 at 5:00 PM Mendota Heights City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights
1.Call to Order
2.Discussion
a.Billboards in Mendota Heights
b.Valley Park DNR Grant Opportunity
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.
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2.a
City Council Work Session Memo
MEETING DATE: January 20, 2026
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Cheryl Jacobson, City Administrator
SUBJECT: Billboards in Mendota Heights
ACTION REQUEST:
No formal action requested.
BACKGROUND:
The City has been approached by Melissa Reed of Resolve Strategies in collaboration with
Interstate Outdoor Advertising regarding digital signage options along arterial highways within our community. The City Council will be presented with an overview of possible
billboard designs within our community, both on private property as well as a conceptual rendering of an option on public property near Kensington Park. No formal action is requested
of the City Council, however the guest presenter is seeking guidance from the City Council on if this signage type would be favored within the City, as they may decide to move forward with
application requests to permit these sign types. Staff is also seeking direction from the City Council on this topic, as a future application would require code amendments to permit this
use.
Currently, the City zoning ordinance regulates signage size and types across the City's commercial and residential zoning districts, but does not explicitly permit digital display
billboards or other large signs adjacent to arterial highways. The largest sign type available to a property owner under current regulations is a pylon sign at 25-ft tall, no greater than 100 sq-
ft in size in the I-Industrial zoning district. Both of the locations illustrated in the proposed renderings for potential billboard sites are within the PSP-O (Public Semi Public Overlay
District), with residential base zoning. Specific new code language relating to billboards and large digital display signs will need to be drafted in order to permit this sign type as a
permitted use. The City will also need to designate appropriate zoning districts and design standards for the use. There are also state and federal requirements for billboards adjacent to
arterial highways that must be taken into account during ordinance drafting, as well as case law which affects regulations relating to advertising.
ATTACHMENTS:
1.Mendota Heights Renderings
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2. STA Renderings
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Mendota Heights
Display Project
________________________________
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Proposed Display
Location
2
Mendota Heights
Proposed Display Location
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Proposed Display
Location
3
Mendota Heights
Proposed Display Location
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4
Mendota Heights
Proposed Display Location
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5
Mendota Heights
Proposed Display Location
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DIGITAL DISPLAY PROJECT
INTERSTATE
OUTDOOR ADVERTISING
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Proposed Display
Location
2
Saint Thomas Academy
Proposed Display Location
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Proposed Display
Location
3
Saint Thomas Academy
Proposed Display Location
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4
Saint Thomas Academy
Proposed Display Location – I-494 Westbound View
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5
Saint Thomas Academy
Proposed Display Location – I-494 Eastbound View
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INTERSTATE
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2.b
City Council Work Session Memo
MEETING DATE: January 20, 2026
TO: Mayor, City Council and City Administrator
FROM: Meredith Lawrence, Parks and Recreation/Assistant Public Works Director
SUBJECT: Valley Park DNR Grant Opportunity
ACTION REQUEST:
The City Council is asked to provide staff direction on the proposed park improvements for
2026 at Valley Park and whether or not staff should pursue the MN Department of Natural
Resources--Outdoor Recreation Grant Program.
BACKGROUND:
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Outdoor Recreation Grant Program
provides matching grants to local units of government for up to 50% of the cost of acquisition,
development, and/or redevelopment of local parks and recreation areas. Project proposals
must have a total project cost of at least $100,000. Grants are reimbursed based on up to 50
percent of the total eligible costs. The maximum grant award is $500,000 (for a total project
cost of at least $1,000,000). The local match can consist of cash, the value of materials, labor
and equipment usage by the local sponsor; donations; or any combination thereof.
The Department of Natural Resources will review and rank applications during the spring of
2026. Preliminary grant awards will be announced in the summer of 2026. The application deadline is March 31, 2026.
The review and selection process will focus on guidelines outlined in the 2026-2030 State
Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP). Additional review components will assess the design of the proposed project and existing park facilities. Project design should be
compatible with the physical characteristics of the site, consistent with generally accepted engineering and architectural design standards, in accordance with accessibility standards, and
minimize risk to the health and safety of users.
Dakota County has a contract with a Landscape Architect consultant who can assist in submitting the grant application at no cost to the City of Mendota Heights. Staff will present
details on the Valley Park project and additional grant information in order for the City Council to provide direction to staff on next steps.
ATTACHMENTS:
None
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None
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