Mendota Heights council approves schematic design for municipal campus amid petition drive and calls for referendum

Mendota Heights — The City Council on June 2 approved schematic designs for a new Police Station and City Hall municipal campus and authorized the project to move into the design-development phase, despite public demands for a referendum and ongoing questions about state funding conditions. The motion to adopt Resolution No. 2026-37 passed 4–1; Councilor Maczko voted no.

The schematic plan — presented by City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson and architect Kyle Walter of ICS — lays out program needs, two site options, geotechnical considerations and preliminary budget estimates for a project the city has discussed for more than a year. Jacobson said the city pursued state and federal funding to offset local costs and that the project team will produce designs both with and without a regional tenant referred to as CJN so the Council can weigh options.

Why it matters: Council members and residents said the project’s roughly $33 million estimate is substantial for a city of about 11,000 residents and sought clearer answers about which costs would be reimbursable under state bonding rules and what would happen if the city declines certain conditional funding. Resident petitioners told the Council they gathered 368 signatures asking that any bond issuance be placed before voters. "We gathered 368 signatures of residents questioning the size, dollars, and scope of the project," said resident John Nides during public comment.

Funding and program choices: Jacobson told the Council staff had requested $10,000,000 in federal funding and that the city was "in the running for $800,000," and she said the state allocated $4,000,000 toward pre-design and design work. Architect Kyle Walter said the firm will prepare alternate layouts — including an option without the CJN tenant that would reduce square footage by about 2,000 square feet — and recommended early geotechnical work because soils on the site may require geo-piers and other civil measures.

Police space and operations: Police Chief Kelly McCarthy described operational benefits of co-locating the Police Department with City Hall and said the schematic design provides efficiencies while improving officer and public safety. When asked about use of holding cells she reported, "95 people were detained in the holding cells during 2025," underscoring operational demand for secure detention and evidence-handling space.

Public reaction and referendum push: Several residents urged a referendum on bonding. Taxpayer concerns focused on the size of the project and potential tax impacts; resident Brian Halman said, as a taxpayer, "$33,000,000 is a large budget for a city of 11,000 people." Other speakers urged that the city consider renovating and expanding the existing building, citing a prior renovation/addition estimate the Council reviewed of about $26.5 million; staff and the architects said earlier comparisons did not reflect identical program or square footage needs.

Council debate and vote: Council discussion centered on whether to pause for additional information — including soil-boring reports, firm guidance about reimbursable state funds and clearer cost estimates — or to proceed now to avoid inflationary increases in construction costs. Councilor Maczko opposed moving to design development, citing outstanding questions about state funding reimbursement, the CJN decision and the Civic Center Field relocation cost. Councilor Mazzitello moved to advance to design development; Councilor Paper seconded. The motion carried 4–1.

Next steps and commitments: The project team plans to proceed with design development and to schedule soil borings; staff said they will continue public outreach and work with the Two Rivers Athletic Association to develop replacement options for Civic Center Field if it must be relocated. The Council noted they may consider a future referendum if voters or sufficient petitioners require one; Mayor Stephanie B. Levine cautioned that a failed referendum could affect the city’s ability to continue operating its independent Police Department.

The council adjourned at 9:53 p.m.