The Mayor of Vadnais Heights is Susan L. Banovetz. Prior to being elected Mayor in 1997, she was a member of the City Council for about four years, and previously served on the Park, Recreation, and Trails Commission. Her public service also extends to public education. While living in Duluth, Sue served on the Duluth School Board for seven years. Sue values the many things the community has accomplished. She points to the addition and improvement of parks and trails; growth of commercial and service oriented business; addition of the sports center; construction of the City Hall without the need to borrow to finance the project; the City’s stable tax base; and the outstanding involvement of those who live and work in Vadnais Heights. As a public relations professional, Sue’s work includes serving as the director of public relations and marketing for the American Red Cross. In that capacity, she led Red Cross public information and media relations initiatives during seven disasters, including the 1997 Red River Valley floods and the 1998 St. Peter tornadoes. She currently works as Vice President of Governmental Affairs for R3 Verdant Technology, a clean energy provider.
Sue may be reached at 651.334-2837, or by email at susan.banovetz.
City Council Members
City Council members are Marc Johannsen; Lynn Kapaun, Gerald Auge and Joe Murphy.
Marc Johannsen
Marc is the most senior Council member having served since 1995. He sees elective office as a way to give back to the community. An attorney in private practice, Marc and his wife have two children.
Marc may be reached at his office, 612.336.9302 or by email at marc.johannsen.
Joe Murphy
Joe began serving Vadnais Heights as a city councilmember in January 2007. He was born and raised in neighboring Shoreview until moving to Vadnais Heights in 1998. Joe graduated from Totino Grace in 1988 and then from Bethel College in 1993 where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science with an emphasis in public administration.
Upon graduation Joe went into the family business, the financial services industry as a Registered Representative and has been a member of Comprehensive Financial Resources since 1996. Besides being a financial planner, Joe also serves as the principle assistant to Ramsey County Commissioner Tony Bennett since January of 1997. When Joe is not assisting both city and county residents navigate government and helping clients plan for their financial futures. He and his wife Sarah love to take advantage of our cities parks and trails with their yellow lab Lily.
Some of the councilman’s personal hobbies are; playing tennis, cooking for family and friends, hunting waterfowl in Saskatchewan, hunting pheasants in South Dakota, fishing for walleye on Lake of the Woods, and running with his wife Sarah. Both Joe and Sarah ran and finished Grandma’s half marathon in June of 2008.
Joe’s Community involvements
Lakewood Community College Student body President 1990-1991
Vadnais Heights Ducks Unlimited committee member / Life Sponsor since 1994
Wind-song townhomes board member and President 2000 to 2007
Minnesota Pheasants forever member since 2000
Ramsey County Sheriff’s Academy Graduated Class of 2001
Compassion Sponsor a Child from 2001-2008
Pine Tree Tennis Classic Sponsor 2007 to present
Vadnais Heights Lions Club- 2008 to present
Joe may be reached at 651.247.6442 or e-mail him at joe.murphy@cityvadnaisheights.com.
Lynn H. Kapaun
Lynn has been a member of the city council since January 2009. He and his wife, Joan moved to Vadnais Heights in 1999 from Roseville. They have two married children and four grandchildren.
While living in Roseville, Lynn was a member of the Roseville Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years. He also served as a trustee on the Roseville Fire Department Relief Association for 9 years, overseeing the investment funds for the retired firefighters’ pensions.
He is a Vietnam Veteran and was a member of the Ramsey County Citizens Civil Defense Corp., assisting the Sherriff’s department in search and rescue, traffic control and other areas where volunteers are needed. Lynn served on the Vadnais Heights Health and Safety Commission followed by almost three years on the Planning Commission prior to being elected to the city council.
Lynn has always felt that it is important to not just live in a community, but to be an active member of that community. He feels very strongly that the well being of a community is only as strong as the citizens of that community.
Lynn may be reached at 651.429.7226 or by email at lynn.kapaun.
Gerald J. Auge
Jerry has been a member of the city council since January 2009. Prior to being elected to the city council, Jerry was a member of the Public Health and Safety Commission. He also served on the task force for the North Service Center and was a 30 year member of the Vadnais Heights Fire Department.
Jerry retired from Ramsey County Public Works where he was the General Supervisor for Maintenance and Construction. He also worked as an Engineering Technician, constructing and designing roadways and bridges.
During his tenure with the Vadnais Heights Fire Department, he served as Fire Chief and Assistant Fire Chief for 27 of his 30 years on the department. While Fire Chief he served as president of the Ramsey County Chiefs Association and was a member of the Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association - Board of Directors, Finance Board and Executive Committee.
Jerry and his wife, Marilyn have lived in Vadnais Heights since 1969 and have seen many changes in the City. They found Vadnais Heights a great community to raise their two children.
Jerry has been a community volunteer for many years and has been professionally active in public service. He has a deep commitment to serve the residents of Vadnais Heights.
Jerry may be reached at 651.429.7200 or by email at gerald.auge.
Susan Banovetz, Mayor, Phone: 651.653.1723
3835 Tessier Trail
Marc Johannsen, City Council
Phone: 612.336.9302
771 Burr Oak Court
Joe Murphy, City Council
Phone: 651.247.6442
148 Primrose Court
Lynn H. Kapaun, City Council
phone: 651.429.7226
4510 Oakhurst Ave.
Gerald J. Auge, City Council
phone: 651.429.7200
3704 Centerville Road
City Council Meetings
The City Council meets on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. Meetings begin at 7:00 p.m., in City Hall, 800 E. County Road E. The Council also meets monthly in workshop sessions.
All regular city council meetings and workshops are open to the public. You are encouraged to attend. A copy of the agenda is available online or at the meeting
At each regular City Council meeting, there is a section on the agenda entitled, “Open to the Public.” This is an opportunity for people to speak to the City Council about an issue of concern not a part of the agenda for that particular evening. Please understand that usually the City Council cannot take action on an item brought to its attention during this part of the meeting. More information and feedback from City staff are usually needed before direction is given or a decision made.