4/8/2026 Natural Resources Commission Work Session Agenda PacketCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION WORK SESSION MEETING AGENDA
April 8, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Mendota Heights City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights
1.Roll Call
2.Call to Order
3.Discussion
a.Recycling and Sustainability Update
b.Preliminary 2027 Budget Recommendations
c.Shoreland Management Ordinance Draft
d.Paperless Meetings Discussion
4.Committee Reports
5.Adjourn
Next Meeting
May 13th, 2026 at 6:00 P.M.
Information is available in alternative formats or with the use of auxiliary aids to individuals with
disabilities upon request by calling city hall at 651-452-1850 or by emailing
cityhall@mendotaheightsmn.gov.
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3.a
Natural Resources Work Session Memo
MEETING DATE: April 8, 2026
TO: The Natural Resources Commission
FROM: Krista Spreiter, Natural Resources Manager
SUBJECT: Recycling and Sustainability Update
ACTION REQUEST:
Information only.
BACKGROUND:
Courtney Selstad, the Recycling and Sustainability Coordinator for the City of Mendota Heights
will give an update on the city's recycling program, sustainability efforts within the city, and the
GreenSteps program.
Currently, the city is at Step 3 in the GreenSteps program. The Minnesota GreenStep Cities & Tribal Nations program is a voluntary recognition program with five steps, or levels of recognition. The program provides assistance and recognition to help communities achieve their sustainability and quality-of-life goals. This free continuous improvement program, managed by a public-private partnership, is based on a menu of 29 optional best practices. Each best practice can be implemented, as decided by elected officials, staff and community members, by completing one or more actions at a 1, 2, or 3-star level, from a list of over 180 actions. These voluntary actions are tailored to Minnesota, focus on cost savings and energy use reduction, and encourage civic innovation.
There are five areas in which the 29 best practices are categorized:
•Buildings and Lighting
•Land Use
•Transportation
•Environmental Management
•Resilient Economic and Community Development
ATTACHMENTS:
None
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3.b
Natural Resources Work Session Memo
MEETING DATE: April 8, 2026
TO: The Natural Resources Commission
FROM: Krista Spreiter, Natural Resources Manager
SUBJECT: Preliminary 2027 Budget Recommendations
ACTION REQUEST:
Discussion only.
BACKGROUND:
Staff and the Commission will review the existing 2026 Natural Resources budget. The
Commission should consider what items from the existing budget should remain, as well as
items that should be adjusted or eliminated. Staff and the Commission will also review the
goals and priorities set forth in the Natural Resources Management Plan, and the
Commission’s current work plan. The Commission may then discuss recommendations to
bring to the City Council for the 2027 calendar year. Recommendations may consist of funding
for goals, priorities, tasks, programs, or projects that the Commission would like the City
Council to incorporate into the City Budget for 2027. Available resources, timeline, feasibility,
and value of each identified item should be considered. Recommendations brought forth
should reflect the City’s goals, needs, priorities, and funding mechanisms.
ATTACHMENTS:
1.2026 BUDGET
2.PRIORITY PROJECTS_Budget_5 YR Phasing_NRMP
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DESCRIPTION 2025 BUDGET 2026 BUDGET
VALLEY PARK POLLINATOR CORRIDOR (XCEL)$15,000.00 $15,000.00
VALLEY PARK FOREST ENHANCEMENT - SOUTH-CENTRAL $11,183.00 $2,580.00
VALLEY PARK - E FOREST ENHANCEMENT $12,252.00 $1,220.00
ROGERS LAKE SAVANNA/FOREST AND
SHORELINE ENHACEMENT $34,518.00 $18,040.00
COPPERFIELD PONDS ISTHMUS ENHANCEMENT $25,870.00
FRIENDLY MARSH TURF-TO-PRAIRIE $4,400.00
NATURAL RESOURCE MAINTENANCE $37,670.00 $40,500.00
OHEYAWAHE/PILOT KNOB RESTORATION $15,600.00 $16,000.00
TREE SALE $10,000.00 $10,250.00
TREE CANOPY PROGRAM $27,000.00 $27,600.00
TREE REMOVAL $100,000.00 $110,000.00
TREE PLANTING $10,000.00 $10,250.00
TREE CARE (PRUNING, WATERING, DISEASE PREVENTION, ETC.)$52,000.00 $53,300.00
CLIMATE ACTION AND RESILIANCY PLAN (GRANT MATCH)$5,000.00
LANDSCAPE ORDINANCE DEVELOPMENT (CONSULTANT)$7,000.00
TOTALS $325,223.00 $347,010.00
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3.b.1.
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3.b.2.
3.c
Natural Resources Work Session Memo
MEETING DATE: April 8, 2026
TO: The Natural Resources Commission
FROM: Krista Spreiter, Natural Resources Manager
SUBJECT: Shoreland Management Ordinance Draft
ACTION REQUEST:
Discussion only.
BACKGROUND:
The Commission should continue to discuss the draft of the Shoreland Management
Ordinance for recommendation of approval by City Council. The Shoreland Management
Ordinance, if adopted, would be included in Title 15. Environmental Standards, of the Mendota
Heights City Code. A shoreland ordinance would help to protect natural water bodies within
the city that are not already protected under current city code. The Goal 1 Committee along
with the Commission as a whole discussed the draft at the March work session resulting in
edits, additions, and comments provided on the recommended example ordinance created by
the DNR. Updates include:
•The general opinion of the Commission was to not include lot size requirements and
instead focus on standards such as increasing buffer areas.
•The general opinion of the Commission was to not include structure height
requirements and instead focus on other standards.
•The Commission agreed to reference or follow terminology used in the existing
Mississippi River Critical Corridor Area (MRCCA) requirements regarding intensive
vegetation clearing.
•In regards to vegetation clearing, the general consensus of the commission was to
adopt stricter standards than those included in the model ordinance (up to 50 feet or
1/3 of shoreline; whichever is less); but allow for flexibility for up to the model ordinance
standard in exchange for creating a larger buffer area. The Commission also agreed to
allow removal of invasive species with the approval of a native restoration plan.
•The general consensus of the commission is to explore implementation flexibility
standards, allowing up to 35% impervious in exchange for 1:1 buffer creation.
•A general consensus was reached to include Valley Creek in a future tributary buffer
ordinance as with other creeks/tributaries within the city.
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Items for discussion include:
•The topic was brought to the Goal 1 committee to propose to the DNR some way to
measure a setback for Lake Augusta that is more practical for the city to implement. If
a practical way to measure can be identified, is there a need to increase the setbacks
any further than the model ordinance?
•The Goal 1 committee is asking for feedback and discussion around the 10.5 Density
Determination section.
ATTACHMENTS:
1.Section 10.5 Density Determination
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3.c.1.
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3.d
Natural Resources Work Session Memo
MEETING DATE: April 8, 2026
TO: The Natural Resources Commission
FROM: Krista Spreiter, Natural Resources Manager
SUBJECT: Paperless Meetings Discussion
ACTION REQUEST:
Discussion only.
BACKGROUND:
At the Goal 5: Sustainability Committee meeting, the topic of paperless meetings was brought
to the committee for discussion. The committee then proposed to bring the subject to the
Commission as a whole. The topic was originally brought to the Natural Resources
Commission at its inception. At that time, the Commission chose to have printed copies of the
packet and other materials available for each member at the meeting, instead of using
personal electronic devices. All other city commissions as well as City Council also receive
printed copies of meeting packets. Some commissions have them available for individual
commissioners at the meeting, while other commissions and City Council have meeting
packets delivered to them.
Printing of Natural Resources Commission meeting packets generally uses 100–200 sheets of
paper per meeting, resulting in roughly 1,800 sheets per year, as well as the ink used in
printing. The Commission could choose to make packet printing optional for each commission
member, or go completely paperless. If members forgo paper packets, commissioners could
bring a personal electronic device to display electronic copies of the packet. Meeting packets
could also be displayed on screen in both the City Council Chambers and the large conference
room.
ATTACHMENTS:
None
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