05 26 2026 CC Work Session MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minutes of the City Council Work Session
Tuesday, May 26, 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 4:30 p.m. Councilors Lorberbaum, Mazzitello
Maczko, 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, Police Chief Kelly
McCarthy, Police Captain Wayne Wegener, POC member Jack Vitelli, POC member Mary
Tollefson; ICS Representatives Kristen Duerr, Kyle Walter, and Chris Ziemer, BKV
Representatives Michael Healy, Angela Ford, and Trace Jacques
MUNICIPAL CAMPUS PROJECT —SCHEMATIC DESIGN PLAN REVIEW AND
DISCUSSION
City Administrator Jacobson began with a review of the project development timeline and the
progression of the project to the schematic design phase. Members of the design team were
introduced.
Kyle Walter reviewed key themes and feedback from the recent community open house,
including comments submitted online. Overall, the feedback received reflected continued
interest in transparency, public engagement, and shared community ownership of the project.
Common feedback themes focused on cost sensitivity and interest in detailed cost analysis,
questions regarding conceptual building designs and project scope, sustainability considerations
including LEED and B3 requirements, accommodating future growth and long-term operational
needs, community space and user experience, preservation and placement of the baseball field,
and building functionality, circulation and wayfinding.
Councilor Mazzitello noted that online comments appeared to differ or were generally opposite
of comments received from in -person respondents.
Councilor Maczko observed that the number of responses received may not fully represent the
broader community and suggested listing all public questions received in addition to those
included in the FAQs.
Mayor Levine discussed the challenges associated with measuring community feedback and
emphasized the importance of considering comments within the context of the entire community.
Councilor Lorberbaum emphasized the importance of continued communication and outreach
regarding the project and noted the level of community engagement associated with the baseball
field and athletic activities.
Discussion occurred regarding the project naming and messaging.
Councilor Maczko questioned whether the term "Municipal Campus Project" clearly
communicates the project scope to residents. Alternative project names discussed included
references to a new city hall and police department building. An audience member suggested
"CityHall/Police Department New Building" as a project name.
Discussion occurred regarding preservation and relocation of the baseball field.
Councilor Mazzitello stated that it was always his understanding that the field would be replaced
and not permanently eliminated.
Councilor Lorberbaum noted that any relocation or replacement costs associated with the field
should be included in the total project costs.
Discussion also occurred regarding coordination with the Two Rivers Athletic Association and
the importance of maintaining field availability during construction.
Kyle Walter and the design team reviewed the schematic design plans, including building
programming, site planning, parking, and conceptual building placement options. It was noted
that the space programming had already been reduced from earlier planning concepts.
Discussion occurred regarding the three potential site configurations and associated parking
layouts.
The project team provided cost estimates for temporary relocation of the city hall and police
department should the council decide to locate the new facility where the existing building is.
Estimated temporary relocation costs ranging from approximately $1.4 to $1.7 million were
discussed.
Kyle Walter noted that relocation of the baseball field could potentially reduce certain temporary
relocation costs through construction efficiencies and coordinated excavation and site work.
Parking counts and site circulation were reviewed. Discussion occurred regarding parking
requirements, potential variances, overflow parking and site circulation impacts.
May 26, 2026, City Council Work Session Minu[es Page - 2
Mayor Levine
noted that currently
overflow
parking occurs on Victoria Curve. Councilor
Maczko stated
that the parking lot
is seldom
completely full.
Discussion occurred regarding the need for soil boring within the baseball field and when that
would occur.
The design team indicated that soil borings had not been completed within the baseball field area
in order to avoid unnecessary costs prior to receiving additional council direction. The purpose
of soil borings and site investigations was reviewed, including the evaluation of groundwater
levels, soil corrections and structural suitability.
Discussion also occurred regarding required setbacks, building orientation, garage access,
parking layout, and emergency egress requirements for the police department.
A discussion regarding Police Department operations, security requirements, sally port access,
secure circulation and emergency egress needs was had. The council discussed police
operations, security requirements, sally port access, secure circulation, department access and
exist points and operational considerations associated with emergency response and officer and
employee safety.
The design team reviewed the lower -level and first floor layouts, including community meeting
spaces, training rooms, public receptions areas and shared city hall and police department
functions. It was noted that the lower level is a smaller footprint than the upper level.
Discussion was had regarding the use of community spaces for election administration and
public meetings, as well as the flexibility of the shared use areas.
Project Oversight Committee member Vitelli confirmed with Chief McCarthy and City
Administrator Jacobson that the schematic design presented was supported by them and staff.
Chief McCarthy and City Administrator Jacobson confirmed support.
Discussion occurred regarding the proposed location and operational relationship of the Criminal
Justice Network (CJN) space within the facility, including public accessibility, operational
flexibility, and potential future reuse of the space.
Councilor Lorberbaum confirmed that the receipt of state bond funds comes with the inclusion of
CJN. Staff confirmed that CJN provided the regionality that was an important consideration in
the granting of state funds.
Kyle Walter provided an overview of B3 requirements and sustainability standards associated
with the acceptance of state funds. Additional costs associated with B3 compliance and
sustainable design requirements were discussed. ICS estimates that additional costs associated
with these requirements range from approximately $3.2 to $3.6 million.
The project timeline and future approval process were reviewed. Kyle Walter explained that
schematic design approval would establish the genera] site location and project direction but
May 26, 2026, City Council Work Session Minutes Page - 3
would not constitute fmal approval of construction. Future city council approvals including
design development and construction document phases were described.
Councilor Mazzitello noted that approving schematic design does not lock the city into
construction but allows the project to continue being evaluated and refined.
Discussion occurred regarding the timing of soil borings, project schedule, and potential impacts
associated with delaying project decisions.
Councilor Maczko expressed concern regarding the pace of the process and how fast the project
was moving and questioned whether additional alternatives had been fully explored and
documented.
Councilor Lorberbaum asked if the June 2 SD plan approval will include approval of the
acceptance of the $4 million in state bonding funds. Kyle Walter responded that B3 is not
included in the SD plan approval.
Councilor Mazzitello added that it would approve schematic design and that there is still time to
evaluate the cost-effectiveness of $4 million.
Project Oversight Committee member Tollefson stated that the information is out there for
people to learn about the project. She agreed with the consideration to rename the project and
encouraged the city council to keep moving forward.
Council provided direction to the project team to bring the schematic design approval to the June
2 city council meeting.
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Mayor Levine adjourned the meeting at 6:27 p.m. j
Stephanie B. Levine, Mayor
ATTEST:
ancy B er, City Clerk
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