City Detail

Background Information

City of Mendota Heights
County: Dakota
Population: 11744
GreenStep City category: A
Full-time equivalent city staff (approx.): 75
Participating township, county, school:

GreenStep Coordinator

Courtney Selstad
City Staff
CSelstad@wspmn.gov
651-552-4118
City web page relating to sustainability/GreenStep activities:
https://www.mendota-heights.com/
GreenStep City resolution: Click here to view the file.
GreenStep City status and date: STEP 1 ( )

City Assessment Files and City Performance Metrics

City councils pass a resolution to join the GreenStep program and are recognized at Step 1. Step 2 and Step 3 recognition levels reflect completed city actions, reported and rated below with stars (1 star = good, 2 stars = better, 3 stars = best). The Assessment File below summarizes completed city actions in a short Word file. Step 4 recognition is awarded to cities who report a minimum number of core metrics for the previous calendar year. These metrics aim to show the aggregate, quantitative results of taking multiple GreenStep actions. Step 5 cities show improvement in the Step 4 metrics. See yearly data for Steps 4&5. Additional city data can be found by reviewing information on B3 Benchmarking and Regional Indicators Initiative.

Assessment File
2023 - click to view assessment

Best Practice Actions Underway and Completed

Completed actions are denoted by stars.

Total completed actions: 15
1 star actions: 3
2 star actions: 6
3 star actions: 1

Land Use Land Use

Resilient City Growth {BP no.7}

2 star - Action 1:

Eliminate barriers and actively encourage higher density housing by including in the city zoning ordinance and zoning map:

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2005
Implementation details:
Mixed-use developments around the intersection of Highway 62 and Dodd Road include multiple residential projects such as White Pine Senior Living and The Reserve. The area has developed at densities between 21 and 30 dwelling units per acre. The eastern areas both north and south of Highway 62 are zoned at this Mixed-Use high density. Current and future residents can enjoy living in close proximity to a variety of shops, restaurants and shared community areas. Paved trails connect the developments to the surrounding areas for pedestrians and bicyclists.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Courtney Selstad (City Staff) | cselstad@mendotaheightsmn.gov | 952-457-1735

Efficient Highway- and Auto-Oriented Development {BP no.9}

1 star - Action 2:

Participate in regional economic development planning with representatives from surrounding townships, cities, the county and business interests to:

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: Ongoing
Implementation details:
Mendota Heights collaborates with MnDOT, Dakota County, the Metropolitan Council and neighboring communities on development and transportation improvements.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Courtney Selstad (City Staff) | cselstad@mendotaheightsmn.gov | 952-457-1735

Design for Natural Resource Conservation {BP no.10}

2 star - Action 5:

Preserve environmentally sensitive, community-valued land by placing a conservation easement on city lands, and by encouraging/funding private landowners to place land in conservation easements.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2005
Implementation details:
In 2005 the City of Mendota Heights purchased the site at the convergence of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers named Oheyawahe or Historic Pilot Knob. The site was made into a preservation area to protect it from development, as it is of great importance to the Dakota people. Native restoration of the area began in 2006 and continues to the present. The site was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2017 and in 2019 the city started a task force, the Pilot Knob Preservation Association, to focus on capital improvements, natural resources management and interpretation.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
https://mendotaheightsmn.gov/352/Oheyawahe http://pilotknobpreservation.org/wp/
Pilot Knob Preservation Association, Great River Greening
For more information contact:
Courtney Selstad (City Staff) | cselstad@mendotaheightsmn.gov | 952-457-1735

Environmental Management Environmental Management

Community Forests and Soils {BP no.16}

3 star - Action 6:

Build community capacity to protect existing trees by one or more of:

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2017
Implementation details:
b. The City of Mendota Heights offers residents the opportunity to volunteer for a variety of positions including tree planting, invasive species removal and landscaping. The city website also offers forestry advice for residents.
c. An EAB management plan was adopted by the city in 2017.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links:
https://mendotaheightsmn.gov/183/Community-Forestry
For more information contact:
Courtney Selstad (City Staff) | cselstad@mendotaheightsmn.gov | 952-457-1735
2 star - Action 7:

Conduct a tree inventory or canopy study for public and private trees.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2022
Implementation details:
A Tree Canopy Analysis was performed as part of the 2022 Natural Resources Management Plan and it can be found on page 51 of the attached plan.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
https://public.mendota-heights.com/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=320287&dbid=0&repo=MendotaHeights&&cr=1
For more information contact:
Courtney Selstad (City Staff) | cselstad@mendotaheightsmn.gov | 952-457-1735

Stormwater Management {BP no.17}

1 star - Action 5:

Adopt and implement guidelines or design standards/incentives for at least one of the following stormwater infiltration/reuse practices:

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2020
Implementation details:
a. The City of Mendota Heights offers a rain garden program to residents whose property is part of a street improvement project. For other residents, the city give suggestions for grant programs that can assist with deferring the cost of building a rain garden.
b. The city promotes the use of rain barrels to residents by participating as a pickup location for an annual rain barrel and compost bin sale. Residents can order a barrel online, take advantage of a 30% discount provided by Dakota County, and pick it up at the public works facility.
c. Mendota Heights incorporates native plantings in city property landscaping projects including at City Hall, Oheyawahe/Historic Pilot Knob, and the Par 3 Golf Course.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
https://mendotaheightsmn.gov/202/Rain-Gardens
Dakota County
For more information contact:
Courtney Selstad (City Staff) | cselstad@mendotaheightsmn.gov | 952-457-1735
Not rated - Action 6:

Improve smart-salting by reducing chloride use in winter maintenance and dust suppressants to prevent permanent surfacewater and groundwater pollution.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2021
Implementation details:
The City of Mendota Heights uses a brine maker, purchased in 2021, to treat winter roads with a lower salt-content solution.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Courtney Selstad (City Staff) | cselstad@mendotaheightsmn.gov | 952-457-1735

Parks and Trails {BP no.18}

Pending - Action 1:

Make improvements within your city's system of parks, offroad trails and open spaces.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2017
Implementation details:
A tunnel was built under Highway 62, near the Dodd intersection, to provide a safe crossing for pedestrians and bicyclists. The tunnel promotes bike and foot travel by making a safe connection between recent residential and commercial developments on either side of the busy highway, as well as to access the county and city trail system.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Courtney Selstad (City Staff) | cselstad@mendotaheightsmn.gov | 952-457-1735
Pending - Action 5:

Create park/city land management standards/practices that maximize at least one of the following:

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2016
Implementation details:
a. The city strives to restore and protect native vegetation in the landscape. Native plantings are included in a number of city projects and properties including at City Hall, Copperfield Ponds Park, Victoria Road Right-of-Way and Par 3 Community Golf Course. In 2016 the Mendota Heights City Council approved a resolution declaring the City of Mendota Heights to be a pollinator-friendly community and the city website provides resources for residents on the topic.
b. Recycling is available in all city parks, within 10 feet of any trash receptacle. An organics collection is available for residents to drop off their household compostable material at Mendakota Park.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
https://mendotaheightsmn.gov/429/Restoration-and-Conservation-Projects-Si
Dakota County
For more information contact:
Courtney Selstad (City Staff) | cselstad@mendotaheightsmn.gov | 952-457-1735
Pending - Action 8:

Develop a program to involve community members in hands-on land restoration, invasive species management and stewardship projects.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2017
Implementation details:
The City of Mendota Heights offers residents the opportunity to volunteer for a variety of acivities including tree planting, invasive species removal and native restoration.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
https://mendotaheightsmn.gov/310/Volunteer
For more information contact:
Courtney Selstad (City Staff) | cselstad@mendotaheightsmn.gov | 952-457-1735

Septic Systems {BP no.21}

Pending - Action 3:

Clarify/establish one or more responsible management entities (RMEs) for the proper design, siting, installation, operation, monitoring and maintenance of septic systems.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 1999
Implementation details:
The city ordinance that regulates the approximately 40 septic systems in Mendota Heights is identical to that of Dakota County ordinance 113 and meets all Metropolitan Council and MPCA requirements. The ordinance requires inspection of septic systems every 3 years by a person having a current MPCA sewage contractor license. The city works with the county to manage communications and compliance.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
Dakota County
For more information contact:
Courtney Selstad (City Staff) | cselstad@mendotaheightsmn.gov | 952-457-1735

Sustainable Consumption and Waste {BP no.22}

1 star - Action 2:

Address concerns over consumer products and packaging through encouragement/implementation of one or more of:

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2021
Implementation details:
b. Reuse options: Mendota Heights hosts annual collections for athletic gear and clothes for reuse by the Heroes League and USAgain, respectively. The city has also hosted a number of repair and reuse themed classes for the community such as sewing/mending classes and fix-it clinics.
c. Recycling/composting options: Mendota Heights hosts one of Dakota County's organics drop sites in Mendakota Park which is free for residents to use. The city also hosts annual collection and recycling of shredded paper and mattresses. Finally, recycling and organics collection is available for staff at every city building.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links:
https://mendotaheightsmn.gov/300/Organics-Recycling
Dakota County
For more information contact:
Courtney Selstad (City Staff) | cselstad@mendotaheightsmn.gov | 952-457-1735
2 star - Action 4:

Publicize, promote and use the varied businesses/services collecting and marketing used, repaired and rental consumer goods, especially electronics, in the city/county.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2023
Implementation details:
As a city in Dakota County, Mendota Heights has the county Recycling Guide search tool embedded in the city website that provides residents with local resources to reuse, recycle or dispose of (in that order) their unwanted material.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
https://mendotaheightsmn.gov/436/Recycling-Guide
Dakota County
For more information contact:
Courtney Selstad (City Staff) | cselstad@mendotaheightsmn.gov | 952-457-1735
2 star - Action 5:

Arrange for a residential and/or business/institutional source-separated organics collection/management program.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2021
Implementation details:
Mendota Heights hosts one of Dakota County's organics drop sites in Mendakota Park which is free for residents to use. Organics collection is also available for staff at every city building.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
https://mendotaheightsmn.gov/300/Organics-Recycling
Dakota County
For more information contact:
Courtney Selstad (City Staff) | cselstad@mendotaheightsmn.gov | 952-457-1735

Resilient Economic & Community Development Resilient Economic and Community Development

Local Food {BP no.27}

2 star - Action 2:

Facilitate creation of home/community gardens, chicken & bee keeping, and incorporation of food growing areas/access in multifamily and residential developments.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2014 (bees) 2017 (chickens)
Implementation details:
The City of Mendota Heights allows the keep of chickens at residents' homes along with bees on 50 acres or more of land.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/mendotahtsmn/latest/mendotaheights_mn/0-0-0-1528 https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/mendotahtsmn/latest/mendotaheights_mn/0-0-0-4241
For more information contact:
Courtney Selstad (City Staff) | cselstad@wspmn.gov | 16515524118