2008-09-12 Friday News
September 12, 2008
ELECTION UPDATE
The State Primary Election was conducted on Tuesday with a very
disappointing turnout of 13%. That is the lowest turnout for any election
in Mendota Heights for the past 20 plus years. Nonetheless, it was a good
learning experience for the new election judges and a good refresher for
our experienced judges. Hopefully everything will run as smoothly at the
General Election on November 4 as it did on Tuesday. There were very
few spoiled ballots by voters and no machine problems. The precinct
judges did an excellent job, as did the city’s staff. Thanks to Becky
Pentel, Guy, Jake, Linda, Pam, Sam, Sandie, Sharon, and Tom Olund for
their excellent assistance. Special thanks to Nancy Bauer for all of her
hard work and extra effort preparing for the election, throughout the
election day and cleaning up the day after. F
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September 12, 2008
WILD ANIMALS
Besides people, Mendota Heights is also home to the following: Racoons, deer, coy-
otes, beavers, muskrats, possum, woodchucks, Canada geese, turkeys, fox, rabbits,
squirrels, bats, etc. The police department and Four Paws Animal Control (the City’s
contractor) do not deal with anything other than dogs. The police department gets
wild animal calls about once every three days. We will handle a wild animal if they
are sick, injured or being aggressive to people by “dispatching” the animal. All oth-
er animal calls are referred to MN DNR or web site for more information or a private
contractor. Recently we received a call on a family of Coyotes that they wanted the
coyote relocated. (Coyotes are impossible to live trap).
ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES
Staff has received several inquiries the last two weeks regarding goings-on at 537
Junction Lane. Jake has spoken with staff at Dakota County and determined that the
home is licensed as an adult foster care facility. The Dakota County Website offers
a good description: Adult Foster care is a home setting in the community for adults
who are unable to live independently due to physical, emotional, developmental or
mental health impairments. Residents receive meals, support, supervision and some
assistance with personal care and living skills as needed. The City of Mendota
Heights hosts a handful of assisted living facilities. State law requires the City to
treat a licensed assisted living facility (with 6 or fewer residents) as a single family
use. While it can be alarming for a neighborhood when these uses first come in, the
City sees little to no complaints regarding any of our current assisted living
facilities.
Because the unofficial vote margin for Supreme Court Justice 4 was one half of one
percent, there will be a mandatory statewide recount to determine whether Deborah
Hedlund or Jill Clark will challenge incumbent Justice Lorie Gildea on the ballot in
November. All ballots in every precinct will need to be recounted by hand statewide
for that office. Dakota County, the City of Lakeville and the City of Burnsville have
agreed to be designated by the Office of the Secretary of State to serve as recount offi-
cials. The recount is scheduled to commence on Wednesday September 17.
September 12, 2008
Attachments
Just the Facts, Pipeline, City Council Meeting Agenda, TwinCities.com Article “Dakota Coun-
ty/Crowded fields in many municipal school board races”, September 2008 Greening E-Postcard, Flyer
on The 2008
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!
Dates to Remember in September
City Council Meeting 9/16/08 7:00
Planning Commission Meeting 9/23/08 7:00
Five-day forecast (Details)
Tomorrow
Tomorrow
Sep 13
Sprinkles
Sunday
Sunday
Sep 14
Cloudy
Monday
Monday
Sep 15
Clear
Tuesday
Tuesday
Sep 16
Clear
Wednesday
Wednesday
Sep 17
Clear
Hi: 72°
Lo: 55°
Hi: 66°
Lo: 47°
Hi: 69°
Lo: 51°
Hi: 74°
Lo: 57°
Hi: 74°
Lo: 57°