6/10/2026 Natural Resources Commission Work Session Agenda Packet
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION WORK SESSION MEETING AGENDA
June 10, 2026 at 6:00 PM Mendota Heights City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights
1. Roll Call
2. Call to Order
3. Discussion
a. Urban Forest Preservation Ordinance Implementation
b. Geothermal Planning Grant Update
c. Curb-cut Raingarden Program Update
d. Valley Park Streambank Restoration
e. 2026 Oak Awards Debrief
f. 2026 Natural Resources Site Tour
4. Committee Reports
5. Adjourn
Next Meeting
Wednesday, July 8th at 6:00 PM
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: June 10, 2026
TO: The Natural Resources Commission
FROM: Krista Spreiter, Natural Resources Manager
SUBJECT: Urban Forest Preservation Ordinance Implementation
ACTION REQUEST:
Discussion only.
BACKGROUND:
The Urban Forest Preservation Ordinance (Ordinance 595) was adopted in January of 2025
with the intent to protect, preserve, and enhance trees and woodlands within the City, by
reasonably limiting the removal of trees during construction, site work, and land development
activities, as well as to mitigate for the loss of trees due to these activities, thereby promoting
and protecting public health, safety, welfare and assuring a healthy urban forest into the future.
The ordinance requires a Forest Alteration Permit when the following occurs:
•Removal of any Heritage Tree.
•Removal of 33% of significant and/or heritage trees on any lot, vacant or otherwise occupied, when the property contains seven (7) or more significant or heritage
trees.
•A project that requires a planning application when trees on the property may be affected.
•A grading or building permit is required and trees on the property may be affected.
The ordinance requires a Forest Management Plan in the following circumstances:
•When removing 33% or more of significant and/or heritage trees on any lot, vacant or
otherwise occupied, when the
•property contains seven (7) or more significant or heritage trees.
•A project that requires a planning case where trees on the property may be affected.
•A grading or building permit is required and trees on the property may be affected.
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The ordinance and subsequent permitting process has now been in effect for 17 months.
Several permits have been required, as well as forest management plans. Staff will give an
overview of some of the successes and challenges that have taken place with implementation.
ATTACHMENTS:
1.Urban Forest Management Chapter
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3.b
Natural Resources Work Session Memo
MEETING DATE: June 10, 2026
TO: The Natural Resources Commission
FROM: Krista Spreiter, Natural Resources Manager
SUBJECT: Geothermal Planning Grant Update
ACTION REQUEST:
Discussion only.
BACKGROUND:
Bergeson Caswell, the contractor awarded the contract for drilling services, began drilling test
bores at the Public Works Facility the week of June 1st. The first test bore (TB-1) was
successfully drilled and set at 260 feet. Test bores were then drilled at locations TB-2 and TB-5.
No tree removal was required. The target depth will be 250 feet for the remaining test bores.
Conductivity testing was able to begin this week on one of the 250-foot test bores. Bergeson
Caswell confirmed the five test bores would stay within the original Not-To-Exceed budget,
based on drilling conditions encountered throughout the first three test bores.
ATTACHMENTS:
None
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3.c
Natural Resources Work Session Memo
MEETING DATE: June 10, 2026
TO: The Natural Resources Commission
FROM: Krista Spreiter, Natural Resources Manager
SUBJECT: Curb-cut Raingarden Program Update
ACTION REQUEST:
Discussion only.
BACKGROUND:
Friday, May 29th, and Saturday, May 30th community volunteers including the Dakota County
Master Gardeners and homeowners planted approximately 1,100 plants and shrubs in thirteen
different raingardens within the Friendly Hills neighborhood. The raingarden project was part
of the Friendly Hills Street Improvements project that began in 2025.
The last two years there has been a large response from residents wishing to participate in the
program. City staff has had to turn away some of these residents due to lack of stormwater
treatment, site constraints, or program capacity. This year’s road improvement project includes
a portion of the Friendly Hills neighborhood, as well as the Hampshire Estates and Kensington
neighborhoods. Currently 19 raingardens are planned as part of the project.
ATTACHMENTS:
None
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3.d
Natural Resources Work Session Memo
MEETING DATE: June 10, 2026
TO: The Natural Resources Commission
FROM: Krista Spreiter, Natural Resources Manager
SUBJECT: Valley Park Streambank Restoration
ACTION REQUEST:
Discussion only.
BACKGROUND:
The Interstate Valley Creek Stabilization and BMP Project began in the fall of 2024 as a result of
a feasibility study that identified areas of streambank erosion as well as potential stormwater treatment Best Management Practices (BMPs) within the watershed.
The project included making stormwater infrastructure repairs, stabilizing three separate
reaches within the creek where severe streambank erosion was occurring, and installing two infiltration basins, as well as installing a weir downstream of the wetland just north of the
baseball field in Valley Park. The project was funded by a Clean Water Grant and is a partnership with the Lower Mississippi River Watershed Management Organization and Dakota
County.
The project included funds for initial restoration, which allowed for native seeding of the
streambanks where stabilization projects occurred, however it did not include funding for live plants. The city is planning to use natural resources funds to further revegetate areas that were
disturbed with native plants; including forbs, grasses, trees, and shrubs. A resident (Rosemary Husbands) volunteered her time and efforts to coordinate a volunteer planting project in the
area that was stabilized adjacent to the playground and tennis courts in the park. Ms. Husbands coordinated with Dakota County to utilize native plants from their new native plant
nursery, and recruited volunteers to plant approximately 200 native plants along the
streambank on June 2nd. City staff will continue to manage and restore the area.
ATTACHMENTS:
None
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3.e
Natural Resources Work Session Memo
MEETING DATE: June 10, 2026
TO:
FROM: Krista Spreiter, Natural Resources Manager
SUBJECT: 2026 Oak Awards Debrief
ACTION REQUEST:
Discussion only.
BACKGROUND:
The Oak Awards program was created in 2023 by the Mendota Heights Natural Resources
Commission to celebrate leadership, education and outreach, and project efforts that advance natural resources within the City.
The Natural Resources Commission recognized the following recipients in 2025:
Canopy Award – Meghan Bernard
Meghan Bernard is the Sustainability Manager for School District 197. Her accomplishments and contributions include leading and overseeing the LiveGreen program at all District schools,
coordinating and engaging students in natural resources events and projects, implementing the district’s recycling and waste reduction program, implementing and tracking energy saving
measures, planting and tree care, and converting approximately 10 acres of turf to native prairie. Meghan also is the recipient of the Leader in Sustainability Fellowship award, as only
one of six individuals to receive the award nationally from the U.S. Green Building Council.
Leaf Award – Two Rivers Live Green Club
The Live Green club at Two Rivers High School is a student-led organization dedicated to fostering a culture of sustainability within the school and the broader Mendota Heights
community. Throughout 2025, the club has demonstrated exceptional leadership through multiple initiatives contributing to environmental stewardship including: launching a "Clean
Rivers" campaign, producing and distributing informational videos to educate their peers on watershed health and organized maintenance crews to regularly clear debris from storm drains
surrounding the high school campus, creating an outreach campaign to audit and improve the recycling habits of the student body, and communicating directly with legislators in the US
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The Natural Resources Commission
Senate and Congress to advocate for environmental policies that protect Minnesota’s natural resources.
Acorn Award – Wes Hendel
As part of his Eagle Scout project, Wes Hendel led and coordinated a pollinator planting
project by planting over 250 square feet of pollinator habitat in Ivy Hills Park. The project included over 20 volunteers and the group also removed buckthorn in the area. The planting is
located near the stormwater pond along the woodland edge where diseased ash has recently been removed. The project included the planting of 215 native flowers, grasses, and shrubs
that provide habitat and food for pollinators.
Awards were given and recipients recognized at the May 13th Natural Resources Commission
meeting. A reception was given for recipients and their guests before the meeting. The awards
and meeting were very well attended by the public. School District 197 also recognized the
recipients in a social media post. The Commission should discuss the awards program and offer
any suggestions for the program as well as recognize what is working well.
ATTACHMENTS:
None
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3.f
Natural Resources Work Session Memo
MEETING DATE: June 10, 2026
TO: Natural Resources Commission
FROM: Krista Spreiter, Natural Resources Manager
SUBJECT: 2026 Natural Resources Site Tour
ACTION REQUEST:
Discussion only.
BACKGROUND:
As part of the Natural Resources Commission 2026 Work Plan, the Commission identified the
initiative of hosting a Natural Resources Site Tour of past and current City natural resources projects and programs as an opportunity for the Commission to discuss and view the city's
natural resources projects and programs in-person. The site tour is tentatively scheduled for Quarter three or four within the Work Plan.
The Commission should discuss possible dates for the tour, and sites they would like to include in the tour.
ATTACHMENTS:
None
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