09 15 2026 CC Work Session MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minutes of the City Council Work Session
Tuesday, September 15, 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, 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 Chief Kelly McCarthy, Noel Mills Ford
Administrative/Special Projects Coordinator, and City Clerk Nancy Bauer.
CODE ENFORCEMENT/PROPERTY MAINTENANCE
Community Development Manager Madden noted that the item was presented for informational
purposes and to provide an update. She explained that staff have changed the process used to
track and maintain records of complaints. She highlighted the use of new software which has
automatic workflows for scheduling, inspection reminders, filtering and sorting active cases. She
reviewed the general inspection and enforcement process and noted that some violations and
code enforcement cases are subject to specific code standards.
Community Development Manager Madden provided year-to-date code enforcement statistics,
noting that the city has received 91 complaints, of which 58 were validated as violations. She
discussed reinspection fees that have been assessed on some active code enforcement cases and
remain unpaid.
Council discussed the different types of violations and asked questions regarding the
enforcement process. Council also discussed options for addressing unpaid reinspection fees.
Community Development Manager Madden noted that the property maintenance chapters of the
residential and commercial codes need to be updated to modernize language, update citations,
and resolve conflicts with other areas of the code.
There was consensus to begin receiving quarterly reports summarizing complaints received by
staff.
Community Development Manager Madden reviewed the process of providing follow-up to
complainants regarding filed complaints.
BUILDING PERMIT FEES
Community Development Manager Madden stated that staff are seeking Council direction
regarding the implementation of flat permit fees for certain building permits. The permits
discussed included residential mechanical, plumbing, roofing/siding permits, windows and
doors, and permanent signs. She reviewed the current permit fees for Mendota Heights,
compared them with fees charged by neighboring cities, and discussed recommended changes to
the 2027 fee schedule.
Council discussed the defmitions of new construction, remodeling, and replacement.
Community Development Manager Madden provided examples of flat fees for permanent signs.
The Council discussed fee amounts and there was consensus to set the mechanical permit flat fee
for residential projects at $85.00 and plumbing permit flat fees for residential projects at $80.00
plus $5.00 per fixture.
The consensus was that window and door installations involving an alteration to the existing
opening would be considered a new installation and have a flat fee. Replacement installations,
where the existing opening remains unchanged, would have a different flat fee.
Community Development Manager Madden stated that the new fees would be reflected in the
2027 fee schedule when it is presented to the Council at a later date.
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A motion to adjourn was made by Councilor Mazzitello, seconded by Councilor Paper, and
unanimously carried. The meeting ended at approximately 5:29 pm.
ATTEST:
Nti 6y Bauer, Crty Clerk
September 16, 2026, City Council Work Session Minutes Page - 2