01 20 2026 City Council Work Session MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minutes of the City Council Work Session
Tuesday, January 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 5:00 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, Community
Development Manager Sarah Madden, Police Sergeant Wayne Wegener, City Attorney Amy
Schmidt, and City Clerk Nancy Bauer.
Also, in attendance was Melissa Reed of Resolve Strategies, and Jeff Gerber of Interstate
Outdoor Advertising,
BILLBOARDS IN MENDOTA HEIGHTS
City Administrator Jacobson introduced Melissa Reed of Resolve Strategies and Jeff Gerber of
Interstate Outdoor Advertising,
Community Development Manager Madden reported that the City Council is being asked
whether it would like to move forward with digital signage. New code language related to large
digital display signs would need to be drafted to allow this type of sign.
Ms. Reed stated that she is a government relations specialist in the Twin Cities and a Mendota
Heights resident. She noted that monument display signs could generate revenue for the City
without increasing taxes. The City could potentially partner with St. Thomas Academy for
advertising and city announcements.
Highway 494 was identified as a major corridor that could generate revenue for both the City of
Mendota Heights and St. Thomas Academy. An additional potential location for a sign was
identified east of Kensington Park along Highway 494. The advantages of the proposed sites and
the possibility of new zoning designations were discussed.
Mr. Gerber stated that minimum annual revenue from a sign would be approximately $75,000
and could be as high as $100,000, depending on various factors.
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Councilor Lorberbaum noted that when she served on the Planning Commission, digital signs
were not favored due to concerns about driver distraction.
Councilor Paper asked what would happen if the Convent of Visitation wanted to install a sign, if
St. Thomas Academy installed a sign. Mr. Gerber stated that it would likely not be permitted due
to MnDOT regulations.
Councilor Paper asked about the typical lease term. Mr. Gerber responded that leases are
typically 20 years in length.
Mayor Levine stated that she was interested in the concept but expressed concern about equity,
noting that the Convent of Visitation School is located adjacent to St. Thomas Academy. She
also referenced that, in the past, Two Rivers High School was not granted permission to install a
digital sign.
Council expressed general opposition to the concept with the caveat that there was interest in
exploring potential revenue sources for the city.
Mayor Levine noted that Councilors have mixed views on the proposal and that the matter will
be referred to staff for further consideration.
Community Development Manager Madden noted that for a draft ordinance both sites would be
evaluated along with the proposed concept for the new signage.
City Administrator Jacobson stated that, from a staff perspective, this would not be ahigh-
priority item, as there are other items that need to be addressed first.
VALLEY PARK DNR GRANT OPPORTUNITY
Parks and Recreation Director/Assistant Public Works Director Lawrence stated that she needs
direction regarding the matching Valley Park DNR grant opportunity. For the grant application
to be successful, it would need to include significant recreational improvements to the park.
Public Works Director Ruzek stated that the scope of the project could be expanded to help with
the success of securing the grant funds such as adding baseball fencing, reimagining the tennis
courts as three pickleball courts, possibly covered for year-round use, and potentially adding a
salt storage shed.
Councilor Maczko asked what improvements the Parks and Recreation Commission was
requesting to secure grant funding. Parks and Recreation Director/Assistant Public Works
Director Lawrence stated that refurbishing the picnic shelter and playground was their budget
request for 2026. Converting the tennis court to pickleball courts remains an ongoing discussion.
January 20, 2026, City Council Work Session Minutes Page - 2
Councilor Maczko said he would like more time to consider the request and that he liked the
idea.
Mayor Levine suggested that the Parks and Recreation Commission develop a concept plan with
associated costs.
Parks and ere on Director/Assistant Public Works Director Lawrence stated that the
playground is 19 years old and that there is a time constraint for submitting the grant application.
She added that the picnic shelter needs to be replaced this summer and could be done without
grant funding.
Councilor Lorberbaum made a motion to adjourn the work session, and the motion was seconded
by Councilor Mazzitello. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 5:53 p.m.
Step anie . Levine, Mayor
ATTEST:
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N cy Baue , City berk
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