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Issue 86 - Heights Highlights Fall 2010HEIGHTS HIGHLITES MENDOTA HEIGHTS GOVERNMENT NEWS PAGE 1 October 2010 Mayor's Message As my time as Mayor draws to a close, I find myself reflecting upon the many wonderful people I have met along the way. It starts of course with our residents. It has been a pleasure to discuss your concerns at council meetings, via phone calls and e-mails, or just chatting at a local store. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and I hope I have treated your inquiry with Mayor John the respect it deserves. Huber I have also enjoyed working with our great city employees. Thank you for all your hard work to ensure our residents are safe, our infrastructure is maintained and that the services we deliver are done so effectively and efficiently. I also have been very fortunate to have a wonderful city council to work with. Their commitment to do what is best for the city is second to none. As she is also ending her public life this year, I would like to salute Mary Jeanne Schneeman in particular. Mary Jeanne will complete 12 years on the council and previously served six years on our Parks Commission. I can only think of one thing I admire more than her interest in doing what is best for the city, and that is her beautiful marriage to Dan and the truly remarkable family they have raised. As I prepare to adjourn my last meeting, I want to take this opportunity to wish our residents, employees and future city council all the best. It has been a great ride for me and I have enjoyed every minute of it. ISSUE 86 Vote on November 2nd The General Election will be held on Tuesday, November 2, 2010. Polling places will be open for voting from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Polling Places: Precinct 1: Somerset Elementary School 1355 Dodd Road Precinct 2: Mendota Heights City Hall 1101 Victoria Curve Precinct 3: Mendota Elementary School 1979 Summit Lane Precinct 4: St. Paul United Methodist Church 700 Wesley Lane Precinct 5: Friendly Hills Middle School 701 Mendota Heights Road If you are not sure which precinct you reside in, go to www.mendota-heights.com to find out where you vote. Get Registered to Vote 01 We encourage you to register to vote before Election Day, so your name appears on the polling place roster. The last day to pre -register is October 12, 2010. City Hall will be open until 5:00 p.m. for pre -registration on October 12, 2010. Absentee Voting If you know that you will be unable to vote in person on Election Day because of an illness or disability, absence from the precinct, religious discipline or observance of a religious holiday, or serving as an election judge in another precinct, you may apply for an absentee ballot. You can request an application form by mail, phone or download one from our website. City offices will be open for absentee voting regular business hours and also on Saturday, October 30, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and on Monday, November 1, 2010, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Web Page Update The City of Mendota Heights web page will receive a long -overdue upgrade in October. Check out www.mendota-heights.com to keep tabs on local events and happenings, find out about upcoming programs, and to find links to community resources. PAGE 2 HEIGHTS HIGHLITES October 2010 Mayoral Candidates Sandra Krebsbach Sandra is a five -term City Council member serving since 1992. She has been a part of the Council with two different mayors that developed the residential, commercial and industrial spaces and voted on all decisions on zoning, development, green space, services, low taxes and infrastructure. She has provided input on budgets for Mendota Heights Police and the Mendota Heights Volunteer Fire Department. Sandra and her husband Norbert (Nob) Krebsbach have been residents and built two homes, one on Twin Circle and their current home on Culligan Lane. They have enjoyed the beauty and safety of raising two daughters from infants to adults in Mendota Heights. They have benefited from the quality education of Mendota Heights schools. Both daughters attended both public and private schools: Mendota and Somerset Elementary, Sibley, (where Sandra was a Band Parent) and Visitation. Nob was an assistant soccer coach of Sibley Area Sting and of the Mendota Heights Athletic Association. Sandra currently serves on the High Performance Partnership (HiPP) of Dakota County comprised of elected and management leaders. She served on the Airport Zoning Board changing the zoning to create the north south runway that took significant noise off of Mendota Heights. She has continued to serve as the first alternate to the Noise Oversight Committee to be available as needed on issues. She is the alternate on the Dakota Communications Center Board for the same reason. She served for six years on the Board of the Association of Metropolitan Municipalities, three of those on the Executive Board. She chaired the Metropolitan Agencies Policy Committee making recommendations on MAC and the Metropolitan Council. She holds a PhD from the University of Minnesota. Her undergraduate degree is from Creighton University. She has had a 17 year career in higher education including director at the University of Minnesota Rochester and as Dean at Saint Paul College. She currently works with adult education and development at Mary Mother of the Church in nearby Burnsville. Sandra is on the Board of Minneapolis Rotary, a founder and director of the Dakota County University of MinnesotaAlumni Chapter and a member of Lambda Alpha ,International, a fraternal organization awarding membership for adding economic value to land. Sandra and her husband are members at St. Peter's Parish and Mendakota Golf Club. Jill Smith Jill Smith is seeking to return to the Mendota Heights City Council as Mayor. Jill was elected and re-elected to the Mendota Heights City Council in 1991 and served for eight years. While on the Council, she represented Mendota Heights on the Northern Dakota County Cable Commission, the Metropolitan Area Sound Abatement Council, the Association of Metropolitan Municipalities and proudly served as acting Mayor for six years. After her tenure on the City Council, her service to the greater metropolitan area continued with appointments to the Met Council Transportation Advisory Board (2002 — present) and the Dakota County Farmland and Natural Area Preservation Advisory Committee (2004 — 2009). This year she was appointed to the Dakota County Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. Jill recently retired from 3M after a 19 year career as a corporate Real Estate Specialist. In this position she had responsibility for buying, selling and leasing real estate in the Twin Cities, across the U.S. and in Latin America. She was also active in a range of governmental matters and served on numerous regional planning committees on behalf of 3M. Her professional memberships include Lambda Alpha International, an honorary society for the advancement of land economic,, and Beta Gamma Sigma, a national honor business society. Jill has an A.B. in Education from San Diego State University and a M.S. in Business in Real Estate Appraisal and Investment Analysis from the University of Wisconsin, Madison as well as a Master of Corporate Real Estate from CoreNet. Previous work experience includes real estate law and appraisal, and banking. Jill and her husband, Dr. Tom Smith, have lived in Mendota Heights for 22 years. They have two married sons. Dr. Steve Smith and his wife Dr. Dana Sinno are senior researchers with Lincoln Labs at MIT. They have a daughter, Mia who is three years old. Mike Smith is an energy engineer with Cargill. He and his wife Ruth live in Florida and have a 14 year old daughter Olivia. In addition to her long-standing dedication to community service, Jill enjoys traveling, reading, cooking and visiting with family and friends. City Hall Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday i PAGE 3 HEIGHTS HIGHLITES October 2010 Council Candidates Ultan Duggan Ultan Duggan has lived in Mendota Heights for 34 years. He has been a council member for eight years. He was on the Planning Commission for 15 years, six of those years as chair and vice -chair. Ultan is a retired business owner. He has eight years of corporate management experience with McDonalds and Pillsbury. Ultan and his wife Terry have three grown children. Ultan's other civic activities include sitting on the Dakota Communication Center Board, Northern Dakota County Cable Commission, Metropolitan Airport Commission Noise Oversight Committee, board member of Metro Citites and the city's 50th anniversary celebration. Sally Lorberbaum Sally Lorberbaum has lived in Mendota Heights for over 30 years. She was on the Planning Commission for 13 years, four of those years as the chair. She is in her fourth year on the Airport Relations Commission. Sally is an Assistant Vice President for Wells Fargo Bank, serving as a Learning and Development Consultant. Sally has two grown children, Michael and Mollie. She has ap M.B.A. from the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management executive program and M.S. and B.S. degrees from the University of Minnesota. Sally's other civic activities are vice chair of Dakota County's Special Board of Appeal and Tax Equalization, co chaired the Par 3 committee, sitting on the Lower Mississippi Watershed Citzen's Advisory Committee, and is currently director of multiple community based non-profit boards. Liz Petschel Liz Petschel has lived in Mendota Heights for 23 years. She has been on the Airport Relations Commission for 11 years, and for the past four years has been the chair. Liz is a nursing instructor at Dakota County Technical College. Liz and her husband Ken have three adult children and three grandchildren. She has a degree in nursing from St. Catherine's University and did post graduate work in nursing education at Marquette University and received a certificate in advanced critical care nursing. Liz's other civic activities include being a past board member of St. Catherine's Alumni Association. She also testified on behalf of the city at the Minnesota state legislature, Metropolitian Airport Commission, the Noise Oversight Committee on the MAC and the Metropolitan Council. Tips for "Snowbirds" Summer is over, kids are back in school, and for some of us, it is time to head south for warmer weather. As you prepare for your extended vacation, be sure to make your home's security a top priority by following the attached checklist. Security when away from home • At least two light timers have been set to turn the lights on and off in a logical sequence. • The motion detector or other alarm system has been activated when leaving home. • Mail and newspaper deliveries have been stopped or arrangements to pick them up have been made. • A neighbor has been asked to tend the yard and watch the home. Outdoor valuables and personal property • Gate latches, garage doors, and shed doors are all locked with high -security, laminate padlocks. • Grills, lawn mowers and other valuables are stored in a locked garage or shed, or otherwise hidden from view with a tarp and securely locked to a stationary point. • Bicycles are secured with a U -bar lock or quality padlock and chain. • Firearms are stored unloaded and locked in storage boxes and secured with trigger guard locks. • Valuable items, such as televisions, stereos and computers have been inscribed with an identifying number approved by local police. • Home inventory is up-to-date and includes pictures. A complete copy is kept somewhere outside the home. By following these few safety tips you can protect your property from thieves. You may contact the Mendota Heights Police Department at (651) 452-1366 during regular business hours to let us know the dates you will be gone. Have a great fall and winter season. PAGE 4 HEIGHTS HIGHLITES October 2010 Thank You December of 2010 will mark the end of two very distinguished public service careers in Mendota Heights. Mayor John Huber and City Council Member Mary Jeanne Schneeman both decided not to seek reelection to their seats. John Huber has served the community in many ways over the past few decades. After serving five years on the Parks and Recreation Commission, John served eight years on the City Council before finally serving the last eight years as mayor. Mary Jeanne Schneeman has served Mendota Heights in a similar fashion. She served six years on the Parks and Recreation Commission before being elected to the City Council. Mary Jeanne has served on the City Council the past 12 years. Both John and Mary Jeanne's service to our community goes well beyond city hall and their years of service and list of positive accomplishments for our city could fill many newsletters. Both of these individuals have served our community with the goal of making this a better place to live, work and play. On behalf of the residents, City Council members and city staff, we say thank you to John and Mary Jeanne for your service. We hope you have enjoyed your time serving our community. Your mark on our city will last a lifetime and we are forever grateful for your efforts, time and dedication. rn Visit our website at www. mendota-heights.com il Serve Your Community on an Advisory Commission Mendota Heights has three citizen advisory commissions that play a vital role in our government structure. The Planning Commission, Airport Relations Commission and Parks and Recreation Commission are made up of residents who help put together recommendations to the City Council on a variety of topics. In 2011, there will be openings on all three of these commissions. This is an excellent way to share your vision for the future of our city while at the same time giving back to the residents. In fact, four of the five current City Council members started their city service with work on one of these commissions. The Planning Commission incorporates the city zoning ordinance and comprehensive plan in making short and long range recommendations. The commission reviews topics such as wetlands permits and conditional use permits and makes recommendations for action by the City Council. The Airport Relations Commission advises the City Council on matters pertaining to airport noise and operations at the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport. This commission works very close with the airports Noise Oversight Committee in looking at airport and noise issues from a regional perspective. The Parks and Recreation Commission advises the City Council on parks, trails, recreation programs and the Par 3 Golf Course. This commission plays an important role in determining the types of recreational facilities and programs offered in our city. If you have an interest in serving on one of these commissions or want to find out more about what they do, please contact City Administrator David McKnight at 651-452-1850. Commission terms are three years in length and will begin on February 1, 2011. Residents who express an interest in serving will be interviewed by the City Council in January 2011. PAGE 5 HEIGHTS HIGHLITES October 2010 Parking and Snow Removal Ordinance Reminders To prevent receipt of a citation or having your vehicle towed, please follow these guidelines: • Parking During Snowfall: Residents cannot park their vehicles on a city street when snow accumulation reaches two inches or more until all streets are plowed curb to curb. • Night Time Parking Prohibited between November 1 st - March 31t: No vehicles shall be parked on any public street between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. from November 1st to March 31st. • Residents are responsible for clearing their own driveways and around mailboxes and fire hydrants adjacent to their property. • Areas for trash cans should be established at least eight feet from the curb line. • State law advises that pushing/blowing snow from driveways and sidewalks onto public roads may be punishable as a misdemeanor. • Mailboxes should be secure enough to withstand the snow coming off of the plow. • Do not forget to remind visitors, family members and friends about these rules. For more information, please visit the city website at www.mendota-heights.com or contact Public Works at (651) 454-4059. The City of Mendota Heights is asking for your help in keeping our streets, storm sewers and public lands clear of grass, leaves, and other debris. Streets, yards and even homes can experience flooding when storm sewer drains and surface channels become plugged. Grass clippings, twigs and leaves contain high amounts of phosphorous which negatively impacts surface water (lakes and ponds) quality and increases algae bloom. Similarly, city owned property is not to be utilized for dumping of yard waste and debris. These parcels of land often contain utilities that require periodic access (often times in Avoid Damage During Snow Plowing City plow drivers appreciate your help in preventing damage from snow plowing as it can be difficult to see curb edges when snow covers the ground. Marking the curb with posts and reflective markers (available at most home improvement stores) has been a great solution. Thanks to the many residents who have put them out! If you are concerned about plow damage, please place markers as close as possible to the curb line to help guide the plow driver. Placing them along curves will reduce the chances of property damage. Basketball hoops and poles within the public right-of-way should be removed to prevent damage to them and city equipment. Please remove and store your hoop outside the public right-of-way during winter. Mailboxes that hang over the curb or are installed too low are in danger of being damaged by a snowplow. City and postal standards require the bottom of the mailbox be a minimum height of 48 inches from the street with the face and support post slightly behind the curb. Media (paper) boxes are typically placed beneath the mailbox, and should be offset behind the face of the mailbox six inches or more. For further information, call the Public Works Department at (651) 454-4059. an emergency situation), and dumping of debris can hinder that access. Moreover, undeveloped city right- of-way is often used for storm drainage control. Dumping debris in these areas can cause extensive flooding of upstream areas. Yard waste can be taken to any number of. compost sites throughout Dakota County. A listing of these sites can be found at the Dakota County web page at www. dakotacounty.us - search "compost sites." Your assistance in removing and properly disposing of grass, leaves, and other debris properly is greatly appreciated. For additional information, please contact the Engineering Department at (651) 452-1850. PAGE 6 HEIGHTS HIGHLITES October 2010 City Directory Council Members John Huber, Mayor 450-0729 Ultan Duggan 452-5179 Sandra Krebsbach 454-5696 Mary Jeanne Schneeman 457-4337 Jack Vitelli 455-5625 Staff Members At City Hall: (651) 452-1850 David McKnight, City Administrator Mike Aschenbrener, Police Chief John Maczko, Fire Chief John Mazzitello, Public Works Director Jake Sedlacek, Assistant to the Administrator Paul Berg, Code Enforcement Officer Kristen Schabacker, Finance Director Teresa Gangelhoff, Recreation Programmer At Public Works Facility: (651) 454-4059 Tom Olund, Public Works Superintendent Leftover supplies are CAUTION: not safe for the trash. It's easy to do the right thing. Take supplies labeled with the words poison, danger, warning or caution to the county household hazardous waste (HHW) drop-off site for disposal. Visit RethinkRecycling.com/hhw for more information and to find your county's HHW drop-off site. e RECYCLING Halloween Bonfire Join us for our annual Halloween Bonfire on Sunday, October 31, 2010 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Mendota Plaza. This is a safe and enjoyable alternative to trick or treating. There will be free hot dogs and pop. Residents of Mendota Heights are allowed to deposit brush no larger than four inches in diameter at the Mendota Plaza for the bonfire. The drop off time for depositing brush is Monday, October 25, 2010 through Friday October 29, 2010. The hours for dropping off brush are from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Once the area is filled, it will be / fenced in and no further dumping will be allowed. Please remember unauthorized dumping is a misdemeanor with a fine of up to $1,000. No grass clippings or leaves are allowed. Join us for a fun time. Costumes are not required. The city would like to say thank you to Paster Enterprises for allowing the use of the Mendota Plaza for this event. While you are at this event, please check out the new look at the Plaza. Drop Box Reminder There are two drop boxes outside City Hall for your convenience. One is for utility bills and the other is for US Mail. Just drive up and drop it off! PAGI 7 :. H�IICaH'P� 1IIGH�.f1fl� _ - - - �ck+abe72g10:: Fall Break Trip - ages 8 and up - Fee: $36.00 Horseback Riding & Hayride - Thursday, October 21, 2010 bus departs 9:50 a.m. and returns 3:15 p.m. Winter Holiday Break Trip - ages 6 and up - Fee: $26.00 Bowling and Lunch at Drkula's and Movie at Showplace 16 - Tuesday, December 28, 2010, bus departs 9:00 a.m. and returns 3:45 p.m. Youth Gymnastics - Saturday Mornings November 6, 13, 20, 2010 and December 4, 11, 18, 2010 Session I Tumbling Tykes Ages 3 & 4 08:30 - 09:00 a.m. Session 2 Tumbling Tots Ages 4 & 5 09:05 - 09:35 a.m. Session 3 Kinder Tumbling Ages 5 & 6 09:40 - 10:10 a.m. Session 4 Beginner Ages 6 - 12 10:25 - 11:25 a.m. Learn to Skate Outdoors - Ice Skating Lessons (Classes limited to five to seven participants) Lessons held at Friendly Hills Rink (716 Navajo Lane) Fee: $34.00 for five weeks (Saturday Jan. 8, 2011 to Feb. 5, 2011) Smalls and Talls (Ages 3-5) Time 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. y Beginners (Ages 6 and older) Time 10:05 a.m. to 10:35 a.m. Advanced Beginners (Ages 6 and older) 10:40 a.m. to 11:10 a.m. Intermediate and Funstyle - Freestyle (Ages 6 and older) 11:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. 4t Warming Houses/Rinks Rink Locations: Friendly Hills Park, Marie Park, Wentworth Park and Ivy Hills Park (no warming house) Weekdays 4:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m Saturdays 9:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sundays 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. School vacation days 12:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Rink Hours Christmas Eve/New Year's Eve 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Christmas Closed News Years Day 12:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Mendota Heights Registration Form - Online registration at www.mendota-heights.com By signing below you agree that the City of Mendota Heights shall not be liable for any claims, demands, injuries, damages, actions or causes of action whatsoever to you or your property due to the passive or active negligence of the City of Mendota Heights, its agents or employees. PHOTO/MEDIA LIABILITY RELEASE - by signing below you grant the City of Mendota Heights unconditional right to use name, voice and photo likeness of child in connection with City's use in video, articles or press releases. **If you do not want your child's likeness used, please inform recreation department at 651-452-1850 and note it on registration below. Please note any special needs or medical conditions we should know about for participant here: City of Mendota Heights ACTIVITY NAME (PLEASE FILL OUT FORM COMPLETELY) ACTIVITY DATE FEE Parks and Recreation 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, MN 55118 651-452-1850 1 2. —/ / — — — $ www.mendota-heights.com 3 $ FOR OFFICE USE ONLY: DATE RECD Participant's Name (PLEASE PRINT) Home Phone Cell phone CHECK # Address Ulty Ip RECEIPT # School Grade_Age_Birthdate_//_Gender AMOUNT $ X Participant Signature (or parent signature if under 18) Print Name Date BY Email Address PAGE 8 HEIGHTS HIGHLITES October 2010 Roundabout Mendota Heights just opened a roundabout on Visitation Drive and Mendota Heights Road. Please check our website for information on rules of navigating the roundabout. City of Mendota Heights 1101 Victoria Curve Mendota Heights, MN 55118 2010 Fire Prevention Week/Open House This year's fire prevention theme is "Smoke Alarms: A Sound You Can Live With." Mendota Heights firefighters will be busy conducting fire safety ir 0 activities during National Fire Prevention Week. Firefighters will be doing presentations in classrooms at Mendota Elementary, Somerset Elementary, 7 1• Visitation School, and some pre-schools in the city. To learn more about fire prevention, go to www.nfpa.org. Topping off the week-long activities is the Fire Department Open House on Saturday, October 9, 2010 at the fire hall, 2121 Dodd Road, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Come and see our newest fire truck, and see a demonstration illustrating the danger of home fires and the life-saving benefits of home fire sprinklers. Those in attendance will be able to take a fire truck ride, meet the firefighters and enjoy a free hot dog and pop. Annual Firefighters Dance Firefighters are now going door-to-door selling dance tickets and handing out their annual report. f 1'rThe annual Firefighter's Dance is on Saturday, November 13, 2010. The dance is being held at the Royal Cliff in Eagan. Doors open at 8:00 p.m. The Rockin' Hollywoods will be playing. There is no guaranteed seating, so arrive early. This is the Mendota Heights Fire Department fundraiser. The funds that are raised through tickets sales and donations support fire prevention activities, uniforms, and other department needs that are not part of the city budget. If you have questions, need tickets, or would like to make a donation to the Mendota Heights Fire Department, please call Nancy at 651-452-1850. Adopt -A -Hydrant Program The Mendota Heights Volunteer Fire Department supports the "Adopt -A -Hydrant Program" in which residents volunteer to clear snow and weeds from fire hydrants. The inability of firefighters to find a hydrant could seriously impact their ability to fight a fire in your neighborhood. Sign up to "Adopt -A - Hydrant" at the Fire Prevention Open House or contact Nancy at 651-452-1850. Change Your Clock — Change Your Battery Mendota Heights Firefighters encourage everyone to participate in the annual "Change Your Clock — Change Your Battery" campaign November 7, 2010. When you change your clocks from daylight savings time, also change the batteries in your smoke detectors.