Mayor and City Council Represent You
The Mayor and City Council exercise the legislative power of the City and determine all matters of policy. They also are responsible for appointing the City Administrator, who is charged with managing city business according to City Council decisions and direction.
The Mayor serves a two-year term, and is elected in the November general election held in even-numbered years.
Council members are elected at-large to serve four-year terms. Council elections, held during the November general election during even-numbered years, are staggered so that council members serve overlapping terms. Mayor and City Council elections are non-partisan.
Mayor The Mayor of Vadnais Heights is Susan L. Banovetz. Sue has been Mayor since 1997. Prior to being elected Mayor, 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.
About her work for the City, 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; construction of the new City Hall without the need to borrow to finance the project; City’s stable tax base; and outstanding involvement of those who live and work in Vadnais Heights.
As a public relations profession, 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. Sue is currently Director of Media and Public Relations, College of Liberal Arts, University of Minnesota.
Sue may be reached at her home, 651.653.1723, or by email at sbanovetz
City Council Members
City Council members are Marc Johannsen; Laura Dobozenski; Paul Gaston, 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
mjohannsen.
Laura Dobozenski Laura has been on the City Council since 2001. Prior to being elected to the City Council, Laura was a member of the Planning Commission and served on the City Center Task Force.
Laura works as a Licensed Realtor in the north central metro area. Previously she was a small business owner for 12 years in St. Paul. Laura is an active volunteer and sits on the board of directors for the North Central Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation.
The City Center District has been a great asset for the community, according to Laura. Setting high standards for aesthetics and quality has really enhanced the City and provides services and conveniences for people who live and work here.
Laura is particularly proud of the City’s beautiful lakes, parks, and trails system. She believes that Vadnais Heights’ residents have the best of living in a metropolitan area while enjoying a quiet and serene community. She is also proud of the strong citizen involvement in the community.
Laura may be reached at ldobozenski, or by phone at 651-481-7844.
Paul Gaston Paul began his tenure as a Council member in January, 2000. In particular, he appreciates the high level of volunteerism of Vadnais Heights’ citizens, the stable tax base, and the area’s natural surroundings.
Prior to his work on the City Council, Paul was a member of the City’s Planning Commission for several years. He served one term as the commission’s chair. Paul is a mediator in the private sector, focusing on employee relation dispute issues and disability evaluations.
He has been married to Judith Gaston for more than 28 years. An important part of their family is their dog, Miles. An avid runner, he especially enjoys serving the public and meeting with them in casual chatter as he jogs around the community. He calls himself “a frustrated pottery artist” who enjoys working with clay.
Paul may be reached at pgaston, or by phone at 651-482-8065.
Joe Murphy Joe was elected to the Vadnais Heights City Council in November of 2006 and was sworn into office January 2007. He has served as Principle Assistant to Ramsey County Commissioner Tony Bennett since 1997, and has also been an independent life insurance and securities agent since graduating from Bethel College in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Sciences.
Joe and his wife, Sarah, have lived in Vadnais Heights since 1998. They appreciate the quality of life Vadnais has to offer and especially enjoy recreating in and exploring the City’s many parks and trails with their 3-year-old yellow lab, Lily Annabelle.
Besides his responsibilities as a councilmember, Joe also serves Vadnais Heights as liaison to the Planning Commission, member of the Heritage Days Planning Committee, designee to the Natural Resources Board, the City’s Representative to Lake Area bus, and liaison to the Public Service Department.
City Administrator Gerry Urban is City Administrator. Reporting to the Mayor and City Council, Gerry manages the functions of all departments, oversees the implementation of City Council policies and decisions, and coordinates City Council and Commission activities.
Gerry may be reached at 651.204.6010 or by email at
gurban.
Contact Us You may either call, write, or send email messages to the Mayor and Council Members.
Susan Banovetz, Mayor, Phone: 651.653.1723
3835 Tessier Trail
Marc Johannsen, City Council
Phone: 612.336.9302
771 Burr Oak Court
Laura Dobozenski, City Council
Phone: 651.481.7844
3236 Edgerton Street
Paul Gaston, City Council
Phone: 651.482.8065
3925 Woodview Court
Joe Murphy, City Council
Phone: 651.247.6442
148 Primrose Court
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.
Broadcast of Council Meetings
City Council meetings are broadcast live on cable Channel 16 to Vadnais Heights cable subscribers. The meetings are replayed on Thursdays at 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., and on Saturdays, at 2:00 p.m. Comcast offers free universal service that includes Channel 16. Call 651-222-3333 for details.
Minutes and Agenda On-Line Minutes can be found online as part of this web site.
The State of Minnesota coordinates registration for municipal, state, and federal elections. Please visit their site at www.sos.state.mn.us/election for information on voter registration. On-line registration is available at their site or you can pick-up a registration card at City Hall.
Community Organizations Community organizations play an important role in our efforts to provide local services. To learn more about these organizations, please select from the following:
Click here to link to the Rotary Club. Click here to link to Sport Associations. Click here to link to the Lions Club. Click here to link to the Vadnais Heights Economic Development Corporation (VHEDC). Click here to link to the Community Counseling Center. Click here to link to the Community Service Fund. Click here to link to the Community Foundation. Click here to link to the Firefighters’ Relief Association’s Charitable Gambling Organization.
Paul Gaston
Joe Murphy
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