O F F I C I A L C I T Y O F M E N D O TA H E I G H T S P U B L I C AT I O N
HEIGHTS
HIGHLIGHTS FA L L 2 0 2 6
INSIDE
ELECTION 2026
Photo by: STUDIO MENDOTA PHOTOGRAPHY | PATRICK WATSON
A M E S S A G E F R O M T H E M AY O R There's a lot to love about fall in Mendota Heights: crisp mornings, turning trees along our trails, and parks at their most beautiful as the season winds down. It's a natural time to look back with gratitude and ahead with anticipation. First, thank you. So much of what makes our community work happens because people show up. To the seasonal staff who kept our parks, trails and the Par 3 Community Golf Course running all season, and to the volunteers who give their time on our commissions, at City events and behind the scenes, thank you. You're a big part of why Mendota Heights feels like home. There's still plenty of fall fun ahead. The Fire Department Open House is Saturday, Oct. 10, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. It’s a great chance to meet our firefighters, tour the station and let the kids climb on the trucks. Then join us for Trick-Or-Teeing on Saturday, Oct. 17, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Par 3 Community Golf Course, a family-friendly Halloween event with a twist, that’s always a local favorite. Find these events and more at MendotaHeightsMN.gov/Calendar. This issue also arrives ahead of an important election. Beginning on page 3, you'll find profiles of the candidates on your ballot. In fairness to voters and candidates alike, the City does not endorse candidates; each was offered the same space to introduce themselves in their own words. Please read every profile and make a plan to vote. However you spend the season, I hope it finds you well. Thank you for being part of what makes our city special. Sincerely, Stephanie B. Levine, Mayor
Thinking of Giving an E-Bike This Holiday Season? A helmet should be wrapped with the bike. Every rider should wear one. E-bikes may ride on streets and city bike lanes; check posted trail rules. Motorized scooters and mopeds may not. Yield to walkers and pass on the left. While riding on the street, e-bikers should ride with traffic, obey stop signs and signals, and use a front light and rear reflector after dark. Batteries should be charged on a hard surface, never overnight or while you’re asleep, and only with the manufacturer's charger.
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All three classes are limited to a 750-watt motor. Anything faster or more powerful is a motor vehicle under state law.
MendotaHeightsMN.gov/Ebike
GENERAL ELECTION
Meet the Candidates Two candidates are running for Mayor and six for City Council. Every candidate received the same guidelines and word limit. Profiles appear by category in the order filings were received and are printed as submitted. The City of Mendota Heights does not endorse candidates.
E L E C T I O N D AY . T U E S D AY, N O V E M B E R 3 , 2 0 2 6 651-438-4305
Mayor Stephanie Levine is seeking re-election to a fourth two-year term. She and her husband, Jimmy, have proudly called Mendota Heights home for over 34 years and could not have asked for a better community in which to raise their three children. Stephanie’s background in finance and community organizing has enabled her to serve in a variety of leadership roles, and she considers serving as mayor both a joy and an honor. Stephanie holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mathematics from the Universities of Wisconsin and Minnesota, respectively, and spent 15 years working as an actuary. She is a dedicated volunteer with experience at the city, county and state levels, including chairing the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission and treasurer of the ISD 197 School Board. Stephanie is also a member of the Regional Council of Mayors, a commissioner of St. Paul Regional Water Services, and a trustee of the Mendota Heights Fire Relief Association. Stephanie is committed to building on the accomplishments of the past six years, with a focus on efficient and effective city services, infrastructure, recreation programming and environmental stewardship. She prioritizes integrity, transparency, fiscal responsibility, and protecting the unique qualities and character of Mendota Heights.
John Maczko has been a lifelong Mendota Heights resident for 66 years. He and his wife Lynne raised their three daughters, Cassandra, Tiffany and Kimberlee here and two still call Mendota Heights “home” raising their families. John graduated from Henry Sibley High School, now Two Rivers, and earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Minnesota. He also earned a mini-MBA from the University of St. Thomas and completed the Latimer Leadership Program at the Humphrey Institute. As a registered professional engineer for 41 years, John spent 33 years serving the City of Saint Paul as traffic operations Engineer, City Traffic Engineer and for 12 years as City Engineer. In 2015 he was named Engineer of the Year by the City Engineers Association of Minnesota and currently works part time for a municipal and traffic engineering firm. John served 39 years with the Mendota Heights Fire Department, including 32 years as Fire Chief, and held leadership positions in county and state fire organizations. He has served on the Mendota Heights City Council since 2025. His priorities are meaningful resident and business engagement, fiscal responsibility, and protecting local control while maintaining the character and services residents value.
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Sally and her family moved to Mendota Heights 46 years ago. Armed with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and a master’s in math education from the University of Minnesota, she taught math in Minneapolis public schools. Sally left teaching to become a Fortune 500 company’s training manager, while earning an MBA from the University of Minnesota. Her career continued, becoming vice president and project manager for a national financial corporation.
Every candidate was offered the same space; no profile was submitted by deadline.
Every candidate was offered the same space; no profile was submitted by deadline.
Appointed to the Mendota Heights’ Planning Commission in 1994, Sally served fourteen years, five as chair. She served thirteen years on our city’s Airport Relations Commission, five as vice-chair. After three years chairing Dakota County’s Board of Tax Appeals, Sally stepped aside when elected to the Mendota Heights’ City Council. Safety and security are Sally’s top priorities. A fiscal conservative, she’s committed to a balanced budget while maintaining reserves to address long-term needs and preserving our low taxes. Improvements needed for our municipal campus must respect the financial limitations of residents. The need for reliable cell phone service must be addressed promptly. Sally continues her pledge to listen to residents, address concerns, and work to preserve the special character of Mendota Heights.
What happens to your absentee ballot? Request a ballot: Any voter may request one at mnvotes.gov, by mail or in person at City Hall or a Dakota County office.
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Voting materials are issued: Once your application is accepted, ballot materials are issued to you. If you are not registered, complete the registration form included with them.
Return your ballot: Mark it, seal it, and sign the signature envelope with your witness. Return it by mail, drop it in the ballot drop box at City Hall, or deliver it to Dakota County by 5 p.m. on Election Day.
Six candidates are running for two City Council seats. Candidates are listed in filing order.
Will has been a resident of Mendota Heights for almost 20 years, moving here with his wife Pam in 2008. Their greatest pride is their three children who grew up here and attended Mendota Heights schools, pre-K through 12th. Claire and Henry are college sophomores and Katie is at Two Rivers. Will studied civil engineering and environmental science at Iowa State University and has worked as a professional engineer for two State Departments of Transportation, a large private engineering firm, and the U.S. Department of Transportation. Will has been a member of the City’s Natural Resources Commission since its inception in 2022 and is currently serving as Chair. If elected, his areas of focus include: 1) moving forward with a new municipal campus building, as currently proposed. It is not sensible to remodel and add on to the existing building for 77% of the cost of new construction. See his website for more detail; 2) continue progress on the City’s work related to natural resources/energy; 3) begin a conversation on how we can ‘leave the ladder down’ for our young people and make it more affordable for them to come back to Mendota Heights and own or rent a home.
1. He has been a resident of Mendota Heights since July 1, 2011. He has coached his 2 boys in sports since they were 5 in TRAA. 2. He has an AAS degree in law enforcement, and is a graduate of the University of Northwestern Staff and Command. 3. He has been in law enforcement since 1993. He first started as a community service officer in the city of West St. Paul. He was then hired by the Anoka county sheriffs department as a patrol officer. In July of 1996, he was hired by the city of Mendota Heights as a Police Officer. Working in the city of Mendota Heights, he has been a patrol officer, field training officer, firearms instructor, patrol sergeant, assigned to the Dakota County drug task force, and was an investigator with MHPD. 4. He has volunteered to be a youth coach for both his sons for a combination of 10 years. 5. His primary goal is to make sure that the city campus project falls in line with what the city needs, and the residents understand why it was built.
Apply, track your ballot, or find your polling place at mnvotes.gov
The absentee ballot board reviews it: The board confirms the information on your application, the signature envelope is complete, whether you are registered or your registration form is complete, and you have not already voted.
Neil and Mona moved to Mendota Heights in 1990. They have 3 children and 6 grandchildren. Neil graduated from Mason City High School in 1976. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1976. He received an honorable discharge in February 1980 at the rank of sergeant. He graduated from the lowa Law Enforcement Academy in November of 1980. He worked for several police departments in lowa for 10 years. He was hired by the Mendota Heights Police Department in 1990. He worked as a patrol officer, field training officer, investigator and was promoted to sergeant in 2000. He received a medal of honor and medal of merit during his career. He retired from PD in 2014. He was elected mayor of Mendota Heights in 2017 and served 2 terms. He currently is the chair of the Northern Dakota County Beyond the Yellow Ribbon and president of the West St Paul Police K9 Foundation. His top priorities if elected are: Controlling the city budget, maintaining low property taxes and ensuring public safety. He feels he has vast knowledge and experience in operating the city. He will listen to the residents and will make well informed decisions.
Absentee questions? Dakota County Elections · 651-438-4305 Mendota Heights City Hall · 651-452-1850
If your ballot is rejected: A replacement and an explanation are mailed to you if rejected more than five days before the election. Within five days of the election, officials will attempt to contact you.
Accepted ballots are counted: They are stored securely by precinct, then opened 18 days before the election, separated from your signature envelope, and run through a tabulator. No totals are produced until the polls close at 8 p.m.
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CITY HALL
Municipal Campus Project Update Municipal Campus Project: On Hold
Ball Field Realignment Plan: On Hold
On August 24, 2026, the Minnesota
The City Council had directed staff to develop options for maintaining the quantity and quality of baseball fields in the city in the case that construction of the new building removes Mertensotto Field.
Environmental Quality Board received a resident petition requesting an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) be prepared for the proposed Mendota Heights Municipal Campus Building Project. At its September 1, 2026 meeting, the City Council approved the preparation of an optional EAW for the Municipal Campus Building Project. As a result, further work by the City Council, City staff and project consultants on the Municipal Campus Building Project is paused under state law while the EAW process is completed. The City anticipates that the EAW process will take approximately five to six months to complete and will provide information regarding the project and next steps as the EAW process moves forward and is completed. During this time, information will continue to be available on the City of Mendota Heights’ Municipal Campus Building Project webpage. The project schedule and costs will be updated following the completion of the EAW.
Staff identified an initial proposal in partnership with Two Rivers Athletic Association that would realign and improve existing ball fields throughout the community. The proposed plan included updating Victoria Highlands Field to match the size and amenities of the current Mertensotto Field, updating the Ivy Hills Field to match the size and amenities of the current Victoria Highlands field, and constructing a new T-ball field on the proposed Municipal Campus greenspace. Staff received preliminary quotes that would have allowed the work to move forward this fall, with estimated costs between $300,000 and $400,000. The proposal was scheduled for public engagement with the Parks and Recreation Commission. The City Council’s decision to pursue the EAW pauses the project while the review is in progress. Public engagement and further decisions on the project, including the Ball Field Realignment Plan, are also on hold until the review is completed.
Plans, FAQs, meeting dates, and more: MendotaHeightsMN.gov/MunicipalCampus
M E N D O TA H E I G H T S P O L I C E D E P A R T M E N T
Service Close to Home
Community keeps community safe, and Mendota Heights police help. Policing is about more than solving crimes, it is also about building trust with the community. Mendota Heights police officers go the extra mile to help support community members and build relationships that hopefully help to prevent crime from happening in the first place. Officers are the people who show up on what can be someone's worst day, and our department works hard to create connections and trust every day with people throughout Mendota Heights.
24/7 Form the department
Selected categories from the 2025 call log. Traffic stops include all officer-initiated stops.
On a 92-degree afternoon in June, an older resident with dementia walked away from his home. Within the hour, six Mendota Heights officers were searching, joined by six neighboring agencies with drones and K-9 teams, three fire crews, boats on the lakes and a State Patrol helicopter. Parks and Recreation staff set up a relief station so searchers could get out of the heat. The department also sent an alert asking residents to check their cameras and watch for him. Three hours in, a neighbor who remembered seeing him walking west at noon called it in. Officers reached him minutes later. He went home to his family that night.
SERVICES House checks while you travel, car seat checks by appointment, medication and sharps disposal in the lobby.
Built to respond: Eighty-five percent of sworn officers are assigned to patrol and the schedule never leaves fewer than two squads on the road. On the largest calls, command staff work the scene along with patrol officers. Trained for the calls our community has: Medical emergencies, welfare checks and mental health crises outnumber violent crime many times over, so officers add specialized crisis and medical training on top of their complete law enforcement training. Residents are part of the response: The department publishes alerts, asks for camera footage and tips, and works with local banks and businesses. Resident information helps close cases every year.
EVENTS Night to Unite, Toys for Teens, Cops & Bobbers fishing derby, Touch-a-Truck, department tours by request.
S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y
Recycling Works Recycling is a team sport, and each player is important. Haulers collect recycling and bring it to a recycling facility. At the recycling facility, people pull contaminants out and keep the equipment running. Machines sort by material to make sure items go to the right places. Businesses and manufacturers, many of which are local to Minnesota, turn those items into new products like boxes, bottles, cans and even lawn furniture. This process starts at home. When you recycle right, you maximize the number of valuable materials that can be turned into new products. Recycle these items:
METAL AND GLASS
If you're wondering about a specific item, use the online Recycling Guide at DakotaCountyMN.gov and search: recycling guide.
N AT U R A L R E S O U R C E S
Keep Leaves Out of Storm Drains
Volunteer to Adopt-a-Drain at mn.adopt-a-drain.org STENCIL KITS
Learn More: MendotaHeightsMN.gov/StencilKit In partnership with The Lower Mississippi River Watershed Management Organization
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N O M I N AT I O N S O P E N
Oak Awards The Mendota Heights Oak Awards honor residents, students, businesses and organizations who protect our natural resources. Know someone who's gone above and beyond for the environment? Nominate them!
C AT E G O R I E S
Acorn Award Youth leadership: a student or group leading environmental work. Leaf Award Significant stewardship by a person, family or organization. Canopy Award Lifetime achievement in caring for our natural resources.
S U S TA I N A B L E B U S I N E S S S P O T L I G H T
St. Croix Cleaners
Nominate at: MendotaHeightsMN.gov/ OakAwards Winners announced in spring.
Perc-free since 2007
In 2021, Minnesota banned perchloroethylene, or perc, a chemical widely used in dry cleaning. Perc is associated with serious health risks and has been found in air, water and soil. This wasn't a problem for the team at St. Croix Cleaners, which phased out the chemical in 2007. The Minnesota-based dry cleaner uses hydrocarbon and K4, which are environmentally safer than perc. While St. Croix Cleaners has locations across the Twin Cities, including Mendota Heights, it has just one production facility. The production facility in Stillwater uses a system that pumps water to the roof to cool so it can be reused, reducing water use by 55% and improving energy efficiency. St. Croix Cleaners works to reduce its waste, too. Customers can bring back hangers for reuse and recycling. About 100,000 hangers are reused each year. The team at St. Croix Cleaners is as committed to sustainability today as it was in 2007. It continues to work to reduce its carbon footprint and serve as a positive business leader in the community.
MendotaHeightsMN.gov/SustainableBusiness
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CITY BUDGET
Your 2026 Tax Receipt GENERAL FUND
NON-GENERAL FUND
(debt service, emergency preparedness, fire relief, equipment reserve, etc.)
N AT U R A L R E S O U R C E S
Plant a Tree With the City This Fall
REGISTER BY
Oct. 15, 2026
The 2026 Tree Canopy Program is live. This full-service purchasing and planting program offers Mendota Heights property owners trees at a subsidized rate to help grow the City's tree canopy and mitigate losses from emerald ash borer, a non-native insect first discovered in Mendota Heights in 2015. Property owners must enter into a maintenance agreement with the City, assuming responsibility for watering and all tree care after planting. Trees are guaranteed for one year and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Supplies are limited.
A 50% subsidized rate. Paid to Tree Trust.
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Site consultation with City staff
Proper planting and mulching
Utility locate coordination
A 10-gallon container tree
Transportation of tree and materials
Watering bag, tree protection, mulch
Apply: MendotaHeightsMN.gov/CanopyApp
MendotaHeightsMN.gov/Calendar
Come in costume and enjoy mini golf, yard games, crafts, warm apple cider, and more!
Profiles on pp. 3-5. Find your assigned polling place at mnvotes.gov.
S AT S U N
Shop from local artisans and small businesses. With District 197 Community Education and West St. Paul.
Toys for Teens Nov. 2 - Dec. 10 New, unwrapped gifts for ages 10 to 18. Drop off at the Police Department during business hours.
No street parking: Nov. 1 - March 31, 2-6 a.m. and until plowing is done after 2 inches of snow.
Denotes articles focused on sustainability education.
MendotaHeightsMN.gov/SustainableMH
From left: Paper, Lorberbaum, Mazzitello, Levine, Maczko.
Come in costume and play six Halloweenthemed mini golf holes! Plus yard games, crafts, warm apple cider, and more. Free. MendotaHeightsMN.gov/TrickOrTeeing