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2014-11 Heights HighlightsIhiltIM ilM nEn MENDOTA HEIGHTS GOVERNMENT NEWS 9th Annual Mendota Mayor's Message Election Results Dog Licenses .. Employee Profiles '.; Police Department Message The Snowplows are Coming Fire Hydrant Reminders Welcome Southview Design Don't Pitch the Plastic Park and Recreation Commission Openings page 2 94 Back cover IGE=111r0 at the Village Saturday December 6th 4:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m. Guest Appearances: Singing by the Visitation Choir and Connie Evingson; special guest Mayor Sandra Krebsbach Organized By: The Village at Mendota Heights Since 2007 the "Mendota Lights" has quickly become a popular winter celebration event in the metro area. Featuring fun events for individuals of all ages this event is a great way to kick off the holiday season. This year there will be a hayride, petting zoo, face painting, carolers, and of course, Santa Claus. This event is held outdoors so dress warm. If you feel the need to warm up, many of the businesses will be open offering holiday specials. So grab your friends and family and head to the Village at Mendota Heights for a family -friendly community building event. All day holiday specials at shops • Free hayrides, face painting & petting zoo Visit Santa • Strolling Dickens COnEOO NZO 5:00p.m.-5:30p.m. nag Lighting and Guest Appearances A SMALL TOWN FEEL IN AN URBAN SETTING Mayor's Message As we approach the holiday season, we have many things to be thankful for here in Mendota Heights. Our city came together to honor the memory of Officer Scott Patrick, lining the streets for two and a half hours on a hot, sunny day to be present for his funeral procession with no thought for themselves. We are thankful for city staff, police officers and firefighters who gracefully and responsibly moved the family, the residents, and all who came to Mendota Heights through the first hours of the tragedy and in the weeks that followed. Thousands of officers came from across Minnesota and the nation to pay their respects to Scott at his burial in Acacia Cemetery. The City of West St. Paul was extremely thoughtful for their memorial site on Smith and Dodd and their staff, especially Lt. Brian Sturgeon who handled the investigation, were professional and caring throughout the entire ordeal. We are thankful for all of the cities who sent their officers to patrol Mendota Heights' streets to keep us safe and give needed rest to our officers. Special appreciation goes out to South St. Paul Lt. Brian Wicke who managed the operations in Mendota Heights for the week after Scott Patrick's shooting. We would also like to thank Governor Dayton who made a private visit to Mendota Heights Police Department to express his condolences and support. We are appreciative of the Mendota Heights Athletic Association and our parents who support the children in our community. Over the past year we have had 575 participants in soccer, 420 in Sibley area hockey, 300 in basketball, and 500 in T -ball and baseball. We are fortunate to have fresh, clear water surging through our creeks, ponds and wetlands, beautiful neighborhoods and parks, and thriving commercial and industrial areas. Our city is blessed to have people who work together to solve problems and find innovative solutions. From partnering with the City of West St. Paul to renovate the John V. Hoene Ice Arena, working with the Roger's Lake Homeowners Association to allow motorized boats on Roger's Lake, and collaborating with residents on street reconstruction designs, our city makes thoughtful, deliberate solutions that keep in mind the long-term impact to our city. The entire city council is working well together and is a reflection of the community at large. We are thankful for two new police officers, Nick Gorgos and Robin Nelson and for the service of recently retired Officers Neil Garlock and Mario Reyes. We also would like to send 2 : CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS a special thank you to Sergeant Brian Convery and Reserve Captain Jerry Murphy for their service. Finally, I would like to acknowledge Justin Miller for his service as Mendota Heights City Administrator. Thank you for the professional leadership of the city staff which among many accomplishments produced a quality infrastructure, the tornado clean-up, and leading the staff through the challenges of Office Patrick's death and funeral. Thank you for your dedication and interest in Mendota Heights, we are better for your service. To all in Mendota Heights and to your families, have a wonderful Holiday Season. 2014 General Election Once again, the City of Mendota Heights had an excellent turnout Vaur for the General Election held on November 4th. There were a total of 6,681 voters who cast their votes, of whom 321 registered when they voted. A big thanks goes to our excellent election judges and the precinct captains who put in long hours to help the process run smoothly. The election brought no changes to the Mendota Heights City Council. Mayor Sandra Krebsbach was re-elected to her third term as Mayor. Council member Liz Petschel was re-elected to her second term on the City Council and Ultan Duggan was re-elected to his fourth term on the City Council. These members will be sworn in for their new terms at the first City Council meeting in January. Get Your Dog License It is once again time to think about your dog's tag for 2015. The license runs for the calendar year. All dogs over 16 weeks of age are required to be licensed. The license is available for purchase at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve. The cost for a license is $5 for a spayed or neutered dog and $10 for an unaltered dog. Certification of rabies vaccination with registration is required. The maximum number of cats and dogs per home is limited to three upon any premises. For more details, visit our website at www.mendota-heights.com or call City Hall at 651.452.1850. Mendota Heights for a Lifetime updates the City Council Mendota Heights for a Lifetime, a local group dedicated to creating an age -friendly city, updated the council on its activities and goals. The speaker, Jess Luce, from Dakota County's aging initiative, Communities for a Lifetime, addressed demographic changes facing the city and the group's efforts to raise awareness about services for older adults through distributing directories and guidebooks around Mendota Heights. There are also efforts to create neighborhood networks to bring neighbors together to support one another and create a stronger community. Additionally, the city has participated in a pilot project, along with Apple Valley, to create a City Profile to highlight how age -friendly the city is. If you would like more information, please contact: jess.luce@co.dakota.mn.us or call 651.554.6104. HEIGHTS HIGHLIGHTS : 3 T-1 c SINCERE GRATITUDE FROM THE MENDOTA HEIGHTS POLICE DEPARTMENT "A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself." Joseph Campbell The entire staff of the Mendota Heights Police Department would like to say `Thank You' for the incredible show of support for our department and city staff after Officer Scott Patrick was killed in the line of duty. Since that horrific day, we have been and continue to be overwhelmed by the thoughtfulness of this community. We cannot express in words the gratitude we feel for your support of the Patrick family and for this department. Your kindness, thoughts and prayers have helped us begin the journey through what has and continues to be a difficult time. Some days are harder than others, of course, and we appreciate your patience with us as we work through these challenging times. The men and women of the police department work hard each day to protect your safety. As we move forward, we will continue to protect and serve you with the professionalism you expect. We understand how traumatic this event was for the community and we are committed to restoring your sense of security. We know it will not happen overnight but we are here, always, for you. We will do our best every day to uphold our commitment to stand between you and harm's way. Over the past two months, members of our department have held a benefit in honor of Officer Patrick to support the family. In the coming months, the department will be working on plans for a monument to honor Officer Patrick. In addition, we are working toward our ultimate goal to ensure the Patrick family and some members of our department can travel to and attend National Law Enforcement Week in Washington, DC. This special, annual event is a week-long tribute to fallen officers and their families. Thank you again. It is an honor to protect and serve this community. The Snowplows Are Coming! It is difficult to think about winter after the beautiful fall we just had, but it is time to start preparing for the winter season. There are a number of simple things you can do to help out the City's snowplow crews. Did you know the first 12-13 feet of yard behind your curb is City owned right-of-way? This right-of-way exists to house underground utilities and winter snow storage. After a big snowfall, the City pushes the snow berm back from the curb to make storage room for the next big snowfall. While the City does repair damage to the grass in the right-of-way, it is not obligated to repair anything damaged beyond the grass, such as ornaments or landscaping. We ask that residents remove ornaments from the right-of-way, or that they place a 4 -foot high reflective flag (similar to a fire hydrant marker) at the object so our plow drivers know it is there. If City equipment is damaged by an object placed in the right-of-way (landscape boulder, etc.), the property owner may be held accountable for the cost of repairing or replacing the equipment. Although we try our best to avoid them, mailboxes may be damaged by snowplow activity. The City will repair or replace a mailbox if a City snowplow strikes it. The City is not obligated to repair or replace mailboxes damaged by the weight of the snow, or mailboxes that were installed improperly. Please see our City web page (www.mendota-heights.com) or call city hall for mailbox installation instructions. If the plow hits a properly installed mailbox, the City will repair or replace it up to a $50 value for the post and $50 for the mailbox itself. Trash cans should be placed on your property's driveway apron behind the curb line. While this does not guarantee the cans will not be knocked over, this will help make sure the snowplows do not directly strike the trash cans during snow removal. As always, if there are any questions regarding snow removal, residents can contact City Hall. 4 : CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS .01111\ ./. 411111144L,11111L.. ✓ r Fire Hydrant Reminders After another successful Fire Prevention Open House, only six of the 972 fire hydrants in Mendota Heights have been ✓ adopted. Please take responsibility for your hydrant. During winter, falling snow can bury hydrants. Remember to Ilif shovel out a three foot clearance around the hydrant of snow and pull weeds from around fire hydrants in the summer so your firefighters can see the hydrants in an emergency. Per Minnesota State Fire Code, posts, fences, trash, vehicles, growth, storage and other materials or objects shall not be placed or kept near fire hydrants, fire department inlet connections or fire protection system control valves in a manner that would prevent such equipment or fire hydrants from being immediately discernible. The fire department shall not be hindered from gaining immediate access to fire hydrants. Also per State Fire Code a 3 -foot clear space shall be maintained around the circumference of fire hydrants. Remember an easily accessible fire hydrant will save time and help prevent the loss of property and/or life. 10In cooperation with ProAct, Inc. and the Recycling Association of Minnesota, City Hall will again be a "Recycle Your Holidays" collection site. For a full list of locations participating in this year's collections, go to www.proactinc.org. The Mendota Heights City Hall will accept holiday lights and electric/ phone chords from November 15 – January 31, 2015. Contact City Hall at 651.452.1850 with any questions. Recycle Holiday Lights Don't pitch plastic bags! Most garbage haulers do not accept plastic bags in the curbside recycling cart. You can bring them to The Recycling Zone for free recycling or look for free collection bins at the front of many grocery and retail stores. Here's some interesting facts: A plastic bag that isn't recycled could spend 10,000 years packed into a landfill. q> It takes about 5 years for trash, including shreds of plastic bags, to travel to the so-called "garbage patch" in the Pacific Ocean. Because plastic bags are lightweight, they are easily picked up by the wind or washed down drains during storms or flow in rivers where they can be eaten by birds and fish. q> Plastic bags are made from #2 HDPE or #4 LDPE plastic, but plastic film like shopping bags can complicate the recycling process if it gets caught in machinery. • Plastic film is recycled to make new shopping bags, durable fences, decks, shopping carts and building products. i E M M E ENOS III MN IN UN MI UN 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Welcome Southview Design! Congratulations to Southview Design on completing construction of their new corporate headquarters at 2383 Pilot Knob Road. The 3.25 -acre site includes a 17,000 -square foot office/warehouse building and outdoor storage yard. The project started with a City Code amendment to accommodate the outdoor storage component of the business. In cooperation with the City, numerous standards were developed to ensure a high-quality development. The project received conditional use permit approval in May and construction began soon after. The site had numerous development challenges that Southview Design worked with the City to address in order to create a successful project. Southview Design is an award-winning landscape design -build company serving the Twin Cities suburbs and western Wisconsin. The company will employ approximately 40 year-round and 90 seasonal workers at their new facility. 1 1 1 1 Here's some tips: q> Skip the bag. When shopping, only take a bag if you need it, or bring your own reusable bag. Reusable bags are durable, sturdier and have longer handles, making them a great choice! q> Be resourceful. If you're stuck with a plastic bag, reuse it. Stuff bags inside boots when storing them, fill bags with litter on your next walk or put dirty clothes in bags when you travel. z' Recycle regularly. Most haulers do not accept plastic bags in the curbside recycling cart. Bring all your bags to The Recycling Zone for free recycling or look for free collection bins at the front of many grocery and retail stores. q> Think beyond groceries. There are many types of bags and film wraps that can be recycled along with plastic grocery bags — bread bags, cereal liners, produce bags and salt bags. Check out all of the bags that can be recycled in the It's in the Bag'''" Program by the Recycling Association of Minnesota. Information provided by Dakota County - Partially funded by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Dakota County Board of Commissioners. 1 HEIGHTS HIGHLIGHTS : 5 t!t w II 1' Parks and Recreation Outdoo for information or to register online go to www.mendota-heir • Learn To Skate — Outdoor Ice Skating Lessons This is a great opportunity to improve your skating skills. Classes are limited to 6 to 8 participants, so register early as classes fill quickly. (If your class is full, please call City Hall and ask to be put on our waiting list. We will add more classes if needed.) Please register online at www.mendota-heights.com. Lessons held at Friendly Hills Rink FEE: $35.00 for 5 weeks Saturdays January 3 - January 31, 2015 Please note: Feb 7 may be used for make -ups due to weather cancellations. The instructor will set times to make up. Please call the skating lesson hotline before each lesson at 651.255.1173 for rink conditions/weather cancellations/make up. Lessons Smalls and Tails Session 1 Ages: 3-5 Time: 9:30 — 10:00 am Parents participate with first time skater. Learn tips to teach your child. Smalls and Tails Session 2 Ages: 3 to 5 Time: 11:15 — 11:45 am Parents participate with their first time skater. Learn tips to teach your child. Beginners Session 1 Ages: 5 and up Time: 10:05 - 10:35 am For skaters with no previous experience. Learn the basic skills. Beginners Session 2 Ages: 5 and up Time: 11:50 am - 12:20 pm For skaters with no previous experience. Learn basic skills. Cross Country Ski at the Par 3 The City of Mendota Heights has created a cross country ski trail at the Mendota Heights Par 3 Golf Course, 1695 Dodd Road. There is a one mile loop and a two mile loop to choose from. The trail should be open on January 1, 2015 depending on weather conditions. Come out and get some exercise in a beautiful setting. pot Intermediate and Funstyle-Freestyle Ages: 6 and up Time: 10:40 — 11:10 am This class will bring you to our highest level offered with some extra fun freestyle moves for those kids ready for more of a challenge. WARMING HOUSE / RINK HOURS Location Address Weekday Hours Weekend Hours Attendant Friendly Hills Park 2360 Pueblo Lane Mon -Fri: 4:00 pm — 8:30 pm Sat: 9:00 am — 8:30 pm Sun: 12:00 pm — 6:00 pm Yes Ivy Hills Park 635 Butler Avenue No warming house No Marie Park 1780 Lilac Lane Mon -Fri: 12:00 noon — 8:30 pm Sat: 9:00 am — 8:30 pm Sun: 12:00 pm — 6:00 pm After 4:00 pm on school days Wentworth Park 739 Wentworth Avenue Mon -Fri: 4:00 pm — 8:30 pm Sat: 9:00 am — 8:30 pm Sun: 12:00 pm — 6:00 pm Yes School Vacation Days 12:00 pm — 8:30 pm Christmas Day Closed 6 : CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS Christmas Eve/New Year's Eve 12:00 pm — 4:00 pm New Year's Day 12:00 pm — 8:30 pm Parks and Recreation Winter Field Trips for information or to register online go to www.mendota-heights.com or stop in at City Hall. Rock Climbing and a Movie Hurry, don't miss the fun! We are going to start the day at the West St. Paul Dome and watch a PG rated movie. If we have time, we will play a game of kickball elimination. A pizza lunch will be provided. Once we have finished lunch, we will head over to Vertical Endeavors in St. Paul to learn how to rock climb. Participants will learn how to climb in a safe and comfortable setting. Everyone will also get the opportunity to climb in their bouldering cave that will rock your world. A waiver form must be signed and all participants must wear socks and tennis shoes. Who: Youth ages 7 - 12 When: Monday, December 22 Where: Vertical Endeavors in St. Paul Drop off/Pick up: West St. Paul Dome, 8:30 am / 3:45 pm Fee: $ 30 per child Science Museum and Omni Theater Come along with us as we go exploring at the Science Museum of MN. We will have lots of time to explore all of the cool exhibits. We will also make a stop at the Omni Theater to see the Movie "Flight of the Butterflies" which is all about the journey of a monarch butterfly as it travels with hundreds of millions other butterflies to the monarchs' secret hideaway. Once we have seen where the monarch butterflies live, we will go through the "Butterfly House" where we will see and feel dozens of real butterflies close up. It will be a butterfly experience you will never forget. A pizza lunch will be included. Who: Youth ages 7 - 12 When: Tuesday, December 23 Where: Science Museum of MN Drop off/Pick up: Mendota Heights City Hall, 9:30 am / 3:30 pm Fee: $ 30 per person Grand Slam and Skateville Get in on the action with us during your winter break. We will start out at Grand Slam in Burnsville where each participant will get four game tokens, unlimited laser tag, batting cages, mini golf, Krazy cars and X-treme Trampoline. A hot dog lunch will be provided. We will finish off the day at Skateville in Burnsville with open skating time. Roller skate rental is included; roller blade rental is an additional $3.00. You are welcome to bring your own skates. Kids can bring money for treats. A signed waiver form is required to use the X-treme Trampolines at Grand Slam. All participants must wear socks and tennis shoes. Who: Youth ages 7 - 12 When: Monday, December 29 Where: Grand Slam and Skateville in Burnsville Drop off/Pick up: Mendota Heights City Hall, 9:15 am / 3:45 pm Fee: $ 35 per child Wild Woods Water Park Are you ready for an adventure? Let's go wild at the Wild Woods Indoor Water Park in Elk River. Take a ride down one of their four-story waterslides which includes two different tube slides and a body slide. Don't forget to take a spin in Prospector's Pan before you splash into the water. You can test your skill at an old-fashioned log walk and cruise down the Lazy River. Please send your child with their swimsuit and a towel. A pizza lunch will be included. Who: Youth ages 7 - 12 When: Tuesday, December 30 Where: Wild Woods Water Park in Elk River Drop off/Pick up: Mendota Heights City Hall, 8:15 am / 3:45 pm Fee: $ 30 per child Thompson Park Activity Center - Serving Adults 50+ Offering educational, social and recreational classes and activities. 1200 Stassen Lane, West St. Paull 651.403.8300 December 3: Satin Dolls Performance 1:00 — 2:00 pm Fee: $ 5.00 January 15: Branson on the Road at Plymouth Playhouse 10:30 am - 4:00 pm Fee: $ 62.00 February 18: Remember When Performance 1:30 - 2:30 pm Fee: $ 6.00 HEIGHTS HIGHLIGHTS : 7 HEIGHTS HIGHLIGHTS WINTER 2014 Issue: 99 City Directory Council Members: Sandra Krebsbach, Mayor 651.454.5696 Ultan Duggan 651.452.5179 Steve Norton 651.269.2004 Liz Petschel 651.454.3256 Mike Povolny 651.454.0926 Staff Members: City Hall 651.452.1850 Justin Miller, City Administrator Tamara Schutta, Assistant to Administrator Mike Andrejka, Building Official John Maczko, Fire Chief John Mazzitello, Public Works Director Kristen Schabacker, Finance Director Lorri Smith, City Clerk Nolan Wall, Planner Police Department Emergency 911 Police Administration 651.452.1366 Mike Aschenbrener, Chief of Police Public Works Facility 651.454.4059 Terry Blum, Public Works Superintendent © Copyright 2014 City of Mendota Heights 1101 Victoria Curve Mendota Heights, MN 55118 www.mendota-heights.com Follow Us Learn more about the City of Mendota Heights and keep updated with happenings by following the city online. City of Mendota Heights 1101 Victoria Curve Mendota Heights, MN 55118 www.mendota-heights.com ********ECRWSS** POSTAL CUSTOMER City Seeks to Fill Commission Vacancies We have an opening on the Planning Com- mission to fill an unexpired term starting February 2015. The Planning Commission meets once a month to review requests such as wetland and conditional use permits, and development plans for residential and com- mercial properties. Meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of every month at 7:00 p.m. The Airport Relations Commission is ac- cepting applications to fill a vacancy starting February 2015. The Airport Relations Com- mission advises the City Council on issues pertaining to airport noise and operations at the Minneapolis -St. Paul International Airport. Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit #32324 Twin Cities, MN The Parks and Recreation Commission is accepting applications for a student represen- tative to serve in an advisory capacity. The student representative will serve as a com- munication link for ideas, observation, con- cerns and questions to the commission. This one year term begins February 2015. Meet- ings are held on the second Tuesday of every month beginning at 6:30 p.m. If you, or someone you know, is interested in serving, feel free to contact the Assistant to the Administrator Tamara Schutta by calling 651.452.1850. Interested parties should sub- mit a letter of interest and a current resume no later than Monday, December 29, 2014. Facebook.com/MendotaHeightsMN e Twitter. com/@mendota heights ® Email Notification www.mendota-heights.com click on he "email notifications" button.