Municipal Campus Project Update

The current Mendota Heights City Hall and Police Station were built with a bold vision: to serve the people of Mendota Heights efficiently, safely, and with a strong sense of community. Today, the infrastructure needed to achieve that vision looks different, as we have new challenges, new technology and new community needs that reflect the Mendota Heights of today and tomorrow.

The City Council is developing a project scope for the construction of a municipal campus that builds on the legacy of City Hall while also addressing safety and security concerns.

While the existing City Hall/Police Department facility has served the city well for decades, the current facilities face challenges:

• Health and Safety Issues: Mold, water intrusion, and vermin compromise the building environment.
• Infrastructure Limitations: Aging systems and insufficient space hinder efficient operations and public service delivery.
• Security Vulnerabilities: Single entry points and outdated layouts create safety risks.
• Accessibility Barriers: Spaces are difficult to navigate for people of all abilities.

The City Council will review a proposed project scope at the upcoming December 16, 2025 City Council meeting. The City Council has completed a thorough review of potential options to address the facility needs. Check out the Project Q&A Video that summarizes the options reviewed and the direction City Council has provided to narrow the project scope in preparation for the proposal review at the upcoming City Council meeting.

The project scope decided at the upcoming meeting will initiate the development of design plans and proposals that will be available for public comment and feedback as the final construction plan for the facility is defined.

Watch a video to learn more about the project!

A Message from the Chief: Regarding E-Bikes and Trail Safety/Etiquette

I love cars. I am talking nice, luxury cars that weigh tons and take the entire cast of Land Before Time to fuel. I also dig the earth not heating up and the polar ice caps not melting. Will I change my behavior? Prolly not…BUT I will do everything I can so that YOU can walk and bike safely.

To that end, we have about 4 months to change who Minnesotans are as people. We need to move away from cutting the last donut up into quarters and being too afraid to honk at people because it sounds “mean”...to being very vocal and noisy when we are biking and walking.

There is nothing new about the friction that comes with sharing roadways and trails (motorists complaining about cyclists, cyclists complaining about motorists, pedestrians complaining about motorists, cyclists, coyotes, dogs off leash, aggressive turkeys....you get the picture), the popularity of E-Bikes and their evil cousin the E-Moto has brought the discussion to the forefront. The increased weight of E-Bikes plus the ability for even the casual (read: out of shape) rider to maintain higher speeds, has caused concern among many of our trail users and some serious accidents in surrounding jurisdictions.

The MHPD has teamed up with our homies in the Parks and Rec department and will be rolling out some public education regarding E-Bikes and trail safety/etiquette. We will be reminding cyclist to observe reasonable speeds and give audible signals when passing people on trails. We will ask pedestrians to ditch one of the ear buds and give a physical or verbal acknowledgement to passing cyclists. We will need parents to hold the line and not purchase E-Bikes for their children under 15 years of age and to not allow them to ride E-Motos on anything but their privately owned property.

The good people over at BikeMN have lots of great info on the topic if you are eager to learn more.

Did you Know? Cold Weather Causes Cloudy Water

Cloudy or milky tap water in winter is usually harmless and caused by tiny air bubbles—not a water quality issue. Cold water holds more dissolved air, especially under pressure in underground pipes. When the water comes out of the tap, the pressure drops and the excess air forms bubbles that make the water look cloudy. These bubbles rise and the water clears from the bottom up within 30–60 seconds. In short: cloudy winter water is normal, safe, and just pressurized air escaping.

Holiday Lights Recycling

Did you know holiday string lights can take years to break down in a landfill?

Recycle your old, unwanted and non-working holiday lights with convenient drop off during City Hall business hours, now through Jan. 31.

Mayor for a Day

Entries are due Dec. 12 for the League of Minnesota Cities  annual "Mayor for a Day" Essay Contest, inviting 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students from across the state to share their ideas for improving their communities. Selected winners will have their essays published and may receive special recognition from the League. It's a great opportunity for students to make their voices heard!

Toys for Teens Collection

The Police Department is collecting new, unwrapped gifts for kids ages 10–18. Donations will help local teens and families in need through a holiday shopping event by the Community Action Partnership. Drop off gifts at the Mendota Heights Police Department (1101 Victoria Curve) by Dec. 11.

Now Hiring!

Public Works Maintenance Worker

Full-Time, Non-Exempt - $65,020.80 - $85,446.40 Annually

Seasonal Ice Skating Assistant

Part Time Non-Exempt - $14.25 - $15.00 Hourly

Skating Instructor

Part Time Non-Exempt - $17.00 - $18.50 Hourly

Weekly Crime Report

The Mendota Heights Police Department provides a weekly list of incidents taking place in our community. View historical crime reports.