Loading...
07 21 2026 CC Work Session MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA Minutes of the City Council Work Session Tuesday, July 21, 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, City Attorney Amy Schmidt, and City Clerk Nancy Bauer. Representatives from TRAA were also present. MUNICIPAL CAMPUS BUILDING PROJECT —CIVIC CENTER PARK/MERTENSOTTO FIELD REPLACEMENT Parks &Recreation Director/Assistant Public Works Director Meredith Lawrence provided background information regarding the potential impacts to Civic Center Park/Mertensotto Field, should a new municipal campus building be constructed on site. She reported that city staff have met with representatives of the Two Rivers Athletic Association (TRAA) to discuss the potential loss of field capacity within the park system resulting from the proposed project, the condition and quality of Mertensotto field, and potential replacement options. Field renovation estimates were reviewed to evaluate the improvements needed to bring another park to the same standard as the existing ball field, with estimated costs ranging from $900,000 to $1.2 million, plus any variable site -specific costs. Suggested replacement locations for Civic Center ball field include Friendly Hills or Wentworth Park. Lawrence also noted that a master plan is being discussed for Mendakota Park to evaluate opportunities to redesign the park for more effective use of the available space. Adam Crepeau, TRAA President, thanked Parks &Recreation Director/Assistant Public Works Director Meredith Lawrence for the statistics and stated there were three teams assigned to play at the Civic Center ball field. Tom Stevens, TRAA Vice President noted that the goal of TRAA is to make sure that there is an equivalent field that would replace the existing Civic Center ball field. Suggestions also discussed for replacement of the field were the Bourne site, St. Peter's Church property, and the existing dog park with the dog park being moved to Friendly Hills Marsh Park. Councilor Paper asked if Ivy Hills Park was considered as a site for the replacement field. T. Stevens noted that parking was difficult at Ivy Hills Park, though practices are held there. The parking at Ivy Hills Park was discussed and it was noted the field was used primarily for softball. Councilor Paper noted that Victoria Highlands Park has a deeper area than Ivy Hills Park and may be the least expensive to irrigate. The pros and cons of using Ivy Falls Park and Victoria Highlands Park were discussed. Councilor Paper asked for the dimensions of the infield for t-ball. It was noted that the infield distance would be 60 feet with a 150-foot fence. Councilor Paper noted a t-ball field could be used as an infield and as a practice field. Councilor Maczko asked if there would be any anticipated pushback if a neighborhood park was made into a baseball field and used by TRAA. It was noted that there could be neighborhood concerns associated with such a change. Dan Sherer, TRAA, stated that the Civic Center ball field is a perfect location for baseball games. It is rarely used for other activities, has many upgrades, and is off the beaten path. Mayor Levine stated the goal of the discussion tonight was to provide staff with direction regarding potential field options if the Civic Center field is used as the site of a new campus building. T. Stevens asked if was possible to put signage on Dodd Road to give drivers directions to Ivy Hills Park. He stated that using Victoria Highlands as Civic Center field and Ivy Hills Park becomes the field similar to Victoria Highlands how does that prevent the loss of capacity of Ivy Hills Park and when would a t-ball field become available. Mayor Levine stated that a temporary t-ball Feld could be built. Councilor Mazzitello suggested that TRAA may be one field short for a season if the fields are shuffledI He suggested that there could be more engagement with St. Peter's regarding leasing their property for a field. Parks &Recreation Director/Assistant Public Works Director Meredith Lawrence suggested that one season of softball could be suspended, and a field created at Mendakota Park. The capacity of field usage was discussed. Parks &Recreation Director/Assistant Public Works Director Meredith Lawrence summarized the discussion by noting that relocating Civic Center field to Victoria Highlands, moving the Victoria Highlands field to Ivy Hills Park, constructing a new t-ball field , and suspending the adult softball season for one year would help offset the estimated 16 hours of field availability lost during the reshuffling. Councilor Mazzitello questioned if Victoria Highlands Park was the right park to replace the Civic Center field. He suggested using Wentworth Park because it is centrally located, the surrounding neighborhood is well spaced, it would have enough space, there is a woodland buffer and would also have the least likely neighborhood pushback. July 21, 2026, City Council Work Session Minutes Page - 2 T. Stevens noted that Wentworth Park was discussed and appeared to be a more expensive project than the other park options considered. It was discussed using Mendakota Park as a replacement site for the Civic Center field. It was noted that relocating the field to Mendakota Park would reduce the park's capacity to host softball events. Mayor Levine summarized the path for staff - to look at Victoria Highlands, Wentworth and Friendly Hills Parks as potential renovation sites for a new Civic Center field. Then the displaced field would need to be replaced at Ivy Hills Park or constructed at the new municipal campus site. This would be a two -tiered solution. The use of the school district property was discussed. Parks &Recreation Director/Assistant Public Works Director Meredith Lawrence stated she has discussed the possibility with the school district. T. Stevens stated that the field on the school district properly would not be a permanent solution. Parks &Recreation Director/Assistant Public Works Director Meredith Lawrence noted the school district is open to partnering to renovate their field. D. Sherer gave background information regarding the field usage at the school district. Mayor Levine stated that it is an option worth exploring. Councilor Maczko inquired about public input. Mayor Levine stated staff would include public engagement for any changes that would occur. A. Crepeau inquired if the dog park was considered. Councilor Mazzitello stated there is discussion to do a master plan for Mendakota Park. In the interest of economics there is a Yemporary solution with it possibly becoming a permanent solution. Next season there would be a field but not up to the standard of the current Civic Center ballfield. The new location would be fixed over time to become a permanent ball field. Mayor Levine gave a history of Civic Center field. Councilor Mazzitello stated that TRAA would be down a field for one season. Wentworth Park would be turned 90 degrees, and Wentworth Park would be replaced by Ivy Hills Park. Victoria Highlands would have the ease of irrigation, is closer to the street, and there is no room for parking. Friendly Hills has the space to install the field and has parking. The soccer fields would need to be moved to another park. A. Crepeau stated that he thought Wentworth Park would be a down grade. Councilor Mazzitello stated that Victoria Highlands Park would be a tight fight for a field. luty 21, 2026, City Council Work Session Minutes Page - 3 Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek noted that there was a 50-hour difference — Victoria Highlands was reserved for 448 hours to the 506 hours at Civic Center field, so there is a similar use in hours. Parks & Recreation Director/Assistant Public Works Director Meredith Lawrence stated that the difference in use is because St. Thomas Academy also uses Civic Center field. Councilor Paper noted that the upgrades to the Civic Center field were done over eight years. Parks & Recreation Director/Assistant Public Works Director Meredith Lawrence asked if there was a preference of fields for staff to start looking at to do public engagement and get pricing. Councilor Mazzitello suggested getting quotes on potential costs for rotating the field at Wentworth Park and a quote for converting Victoria Highlands Park to compare prices. Councilor Maczko inquired if they would become permanent fields. Councilor Mazzitello stated it would be for temporary fields and not permanent fields until the master plan was done for Mendakota Park, A. Crepeau stated that he has a concern with Wentworth Park as it would generate a lot of traffic and the cost of installing irrigation would be expensive. Parks &Recreation Director/Assistant Public Works Director Meredith Lawrence noted that adding irrigation at Wentworth Park would be part of the cost analysis. She summarized the direction for rotating the field at Wentworth Park and a quote for converting Victoria Highlands Park to match the Civic Center field. Councilor Paper inquired whether costs associated with Ivy Hills Park would also be sought and received confirmation that those costs would also be included. MUNICIPAL CAMPUTS BUILDING PROJECT —VALUE EXERCISE Councilor Lo"IN erbaum requested holding a discussion regarding the benefits taxpayers would receive in exchange for their tax contributions toward a new municipal campus building. Ideas were: Safe and secure building, the Mendota Heights Police Department would remain in Mendota Heights, retain staff and police officers, if project is not done it would not retain the community character of Mendota Heights, ADA compliance, and accessible to all. Councilor Maczko asked if the proposed project does not go forward, will Mendota Heights no longer have a police department. Councilor Mazzitello stated that the new proposed project would provide a safe, secure and adequate facility for the Police Department. The current building is not an option and added that the east side of the site was chosen because there would be no relocation costs associated with moving staff to a temporary location, which could cost up to $6 million under the relocation scenario. July 27, 2026, City Council Work Session Minutes page - 4 Mayor Levine stated that a new building would provide efficient and effective public services to the community today and in the future. Councilor Maczko noted the past mold issues and stated that what is built should be supported by the residents, and that the council's project pillars state the value to the residents. He added that the ball field should be saved and the decision has not been made to put the building on the ball field. Mayor Levine stated that the Council voted for a schematic design with the building on the ball field. She highlighted that the four pillars are fiscally responsible with transparent scope and costs, provide long-term value to residents, efficient and effective public safety and municipal services, and the facility be co -located to maximize efficiency, safety, security, and convenience to the public. Councilor Lorberbaum stated this was the start of a good discussion. ADJOURNMENT A motion to adjourn was made by Councilor Mazzitello, seconded by Councilor Paper, and unanimously carried. The meeting ended at approximately 6:54f m. Stept ani A, Levine, A ayor ATTEST: c Na cy B rer, City Clerk July 21, 2026, Ciry Council Wotk Session Minutes Page - 5