Issue 66 - Heights Highlights Fall 2004OCTOBER 2004 ISSUE 66
Vote on : +
November 2nd
The State General and City Election will be held on
Tuesday, November 2. Polling places will be open for voting
from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The 5 precinct polling places
are: Somerset Elementary School north gymnasium
(Precinct 1), located at 1355 Dodd Road; Mendota Heights
City Hall Council Chambers (Precinct 2), 1101 Victoria
Curve; Mendota Elementary School (Precinct 3), 1979
Summit Lane; St. Paul's United Methodist Church (Precinct
4), 700 Wesley Lane; and the Visitation School Fine Arts
Center (Precinct 5), 2455 Visitation Drive. If you are not
sure which precinct you reside in, call City Hall at 452-1850
for assistance. You may also log onto the Secretary of
State's website, http://pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us/ Enter your
zip code, your house number, and select your street from
ie drop down list.
When you arrive at the polls, an election judge will ask
your name and address. The judge will then look for your
name on the polling place registration list, which is provid-
ed by the state. If your name is not on the list, because you
are not registered or are at the wrong polling place, the
judge will direct you to the correct polling place or will ask
you to complete a voter registration form. If your name is on
the list, the judge will ask you to read the oath and sign the
roster. The judge will then give you a voter's receipt. You
will be directed to the next judge, who will offer you a
demonstration on how to properly mark a vote for an office.
Although you have probably received a similar demonstra-
tion in past elections, please listen carefully to the judge's
instructions. Many ballots are rejected by the optical scan
vote readers in every election because they are not proper-
ly marked. When the demonstration has been completed,
you will be directed to the ballot judge. The judge will ask for
your voter's receipt and will give you a ballot pen, ballot
sleeve and a ballot as soon'as a voting booth is available.
When you receive your ballot, take it to the first available
voting booth. Mark the candidate you wish to vote for in
each office by filling in an oval next to the candidate's name.
After you have finished voting, please take a moment to
look at your ballot. If you find that you have made a mistake
;n any way, you may return it to the ballot judge who will give
-)u another. If you find no errors, place your ballot in the
ballot sleeve, take your voted ballot to the optical scan
machine and insert it in the slot at the front of the machine.
Your votes will immediately be recorded within the internal
memory of the machine. If your ballot has been improperly
marked, it will be rejected by the machine. A message will
be printed on a read-out screen. You should read the mes-
sage to see why your ballot was rejected, and, if there is an
error, return to the ballot judge and ask for a new ballot.
Election Day Registration: Residents who are not cur-
rently registered to vote in Mendota Heights can register at
their precinct polling places on election day. You must pro-
vide proper proof of residency. This proof can be a valid
Minnesota Driver's License, Learner's Permit, or Minnesota
Identification Card, showing your current address, or a
receipt for any of these types of identification. If the
Minnesota ID or license has a former address, you may
bring a recent utility bill to use with your license or ID card.
The utility bill must have your name and current address
and be due within 30 days of the election. Utility bills may
be for electric, gas, water, solid waste, sewer, telephone or
cable tv. You can also use a "Notice of Late Registration"
postcard mailed to you by the County Auditor or a U.S.
Passport or military photo ID card with a utility bill. Students
can use a student ID card plus a dorm list with present
address (certified by the school) or a student fee statement
with an address in the precinct plus a photo ID. If you do
not have the proper identification, a person who knows you
and is a registered voter in your precinct may vouch for your
residency. Precinct election judges may not, under penalty
prescribed by state law, accept any other proof of residen-
cy. The responsibility to provide the required proof is yours.
If you are a new resident, please take the time between now
and November 7 to change your driver's license or
Minnesota ID card. Bringing the proper identification to the
polling place will save you and the election judges time and
frustration on election day.
Absentee Ballots: If you know that you will be unable to
vote in person on election day because of illness, disability,
or religious discipline or because you will be out of town,
you may apply for an absentee ballot. You can request an
application form by mail, phone, or in person at City Hall
during office hours. If you are unable to visit City Hall during
regular office hours, the City Offices will be open for absen-
tee voting on Saturday, October 30, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
and on Monday, November 1, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
More Questions? This information has been provided to
make the election process easier for you. You are encour-
aged to contact City Clerk Kathleen Swanson at 452-1850,
if you have any additional election questions.
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Visit our website at
www.mendota-heights.com
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PAGE 4 HEIGHTS HIGHLITES OCTOBER 2004
Change Your Clock & Batteries
Mendota Heights Firefighters encourage everyone
to participate in the annual "Change Your Clock -
Change Your Battery" campaign on October 31,
2004. When you change your clock back one hour
to standard time, take a few minutes to replace the
batteries in your smoke alarms. If your detector is
dirty, vacuum it out. Remember to test your alarms
once a month and replace them every ten years.
Why is this so important? It is because smoke
alarms save lives. Many of fatalities could have been
prevented had there been a working smoke alarm in
the home. Even though smoke alarms are now wide-
ly popular, it is still true that roughly 70% of home fire
deaths result from fires in homes with no smoke
alarms or no working smoke alarms. For more infor-
mation regarding smoke alarms, call 452-1850.
55th Annual Firefighter's Dance
The Mendota Heights Fire
Department will be having their annual<
Firefighter's Dance on Friday, October
29th at 8:30 p.m. at the Prom Expo in
Oakdale. Advance tickets are on sale
now for $8.00 or $10.00 at the door.
Music by Power 10. This event is always popular; it
is advised that you arrive early. There is no guar-
anteed seating.
This is a Fire Department fund-raiser. The funds
that are raised through ticket sales and donations
support fire prevention activities, uniforms, and
other department needs that are not part of the city
budget. Firefighters have already begun going
door-to-door selling dance tickets. The Mendota
Heights Fire Department provides fire protection to
Mendota Heights, Mendota, Lilydale and Sunfish
Lake. There are organizations that solicit funds by
telephone, but these groups do not assist, nor are
associated with our Fire Department.
It is not possible for firefighters to stop by every
residence. Anyone who has questions, needs tick-
ets or would like to make a donation to the Fire
Department should call City Hall at 452-1850.
Fire Prevention Week
Once again, firefighters from Mendota Heights conduct fire safe
ty activities during National Fire Prevention Week, October 3-9,
2004. This year's theme: "It's Fire Prevention Week: Test Your
Smoke Alarms". The goal is to get the word out to local families
about the importance of having working smoke alarms in their
homes. Having alarms that work properly can literally mean the dif-
ference between life and death in the event of a house fire.
Fire personnel discuss these and other fire safety related pro-
grams to area students. They conduct presentations in classrooms
at Mendota Elementary, Somerset Elementary, Visitation
School,and Children County Day School.
Topping off the week-long activities is the always popular Fire
Department Open House on Saturday, October 9th, at the Fire
Station, 2121 Dodd Road, from 10 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. All those in
attendance will be able tour the station, see the fire trucks up close,
meet the firefighters, learn safety tips, learn why it is important to
have smoke detectors and how to operate them. Car fires are
scheduled for 11:30 & 1:30, and Bingo will be played from 10:00 to
3:00 with prizes. Fire trucks rides will be running all day and kids
and parents can learn how to stop, drop, and roll in the smoke-
house. Refreshments will be available. Everyone is encouraged to
attend. For more info, call City Hall at 452-1850.
Fire Prevention Open House
October 9, 2004 10 a.m. - 3 p.m
Mendota Heights Fire Station
* Visit with Our Firefighters * Fire Truck Rides
• See Pluggie the Fire Hydrant * Free Hot Dogs
Adopt -A -Hydrant Program
The Mendota Heights Volunteer Fire Department began the
"Adopt -a -Hydrant Program" in which residents volunteer to clear
snow away from hydrants to keep access to the hydrants clean.
The program was initiated out of concern that hydrants might be
buried under a blanket of snow and have restricted access in time
of need.
The inability of firefighters to find a hydrant could seriously
impact their ability to fight a fire in your neighborhood. Will you
please help the Fire Department and do your part to make your
neighborhood safer? Sign up to "Adopt -a -Hydrant" at the Fire
Prevention Open House or call City Hall at 452-1850.
Thank you to everyone who helped out with the 13th Annual Parks Celebration!
The City Council, the City of Mendota Heights, and Parks & Rec would like to express our deepest gratitude to all sponsors and
volunteers of the Mendota Heights Parks celebration which was held Saturday, June 5th:
American Bank, Sun Country Airlines, MHPar 3 Golf Course, Pat Kaplan - Coldwell Banker Burnet, Dave Libra, Lapp Libra Law Firm,
Mohawk Industries, St. Thomas Academy, Mendakota Country Club, MH BP Amoco, Sally & Mark Lorberbaum, Applied Coating
Technologies, Capital Computer Group, Children's Country Day School, Grannis & Hauge P.A. Hudson Co., Inc. , Mendota Liquor, Speedway
SuperAmerica, Visitation Monastery, Axels / Bonfire, AIITech Engineering Corp, Bernard Friel, Convent of the Visitation School, Esslinger &
Company,Larry Dennison Agency, Farmers Insurance, GP Companies, Larry Dennison Agency - Farmers Insurance, LCS Company, Airport
Courtyard by Marriott- MHPlay it Again Sports - W. St. Paul, Ridge South Condominium Association, Sally Steve & Nessa, MH Subway,
Viking Plastic, Cherokee Sirlion, Annex Cleaners, Ziggy's , Mendota Heights Athletic Association, City Council Member, Ultan Duggan, St.
Paul Winter Carnival Vulcans, MHPark Commissioners Paul Portz & Dave Libra & Dick Spicer, Boltz's Tae Kwo Do, Inc., Mendota Heights
Fire Department, Pam Lund's Funtastic Party Rentals, MHPolice Department, MHMoms Club, Timberwolves Basketball, St Pauls United
Methodist Church, Ralph Johnson, USA Tennis, Northern Section & Instructor Tim Garvey, MHMcDonalds & Staff, St. Thomas Ice Arena, Pro
Tec Environmental Consultants, MH Parks Crew, City Staff, and a special thank you to Recreation ProgrammerTeresa Gangelhoff!
PAGE 6 HEIGHTS HIGHLITES
Mendota Heights Parks � 1�c
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i SKATING LESSONS i
Lessons taught by a local professional skater. Classes are !
limited to 5 - 7participants, so register early. (If your class is
full, please register/pay and be put on the waiting list as we will
add more classes if needed.) Indicate the level name & ses-
Sion number when registering. Please note that Feb. 12 will be
j used for make -ups due to weather cancellations. The instruc- i
j for will set times for that day if needed. Please call the skating j
j lesson hotline before each lesson (255-1173) for rink condi- j
j tions/weather cancellations & make up times. j
j Cost: $30. Held at Friendly Hills Park/Rink at Pueblo & j
i Decorah Lane on Saturdays, Jan. 8 - Feb. 5 (5 Weeks). j
I Smalls and Tails - Ages 3-5 years old, parents participate I
I w/1 st time skater, learn tips to teach your child to skate. i
Time: 9 - 9:30 a.m. j
Beginners - Ages 6 & older, for skaters with no previous
experience, learn basic skills. Time: 9:35 - 10:05 a.m.
Advanced Beginners -Ages 6 & older, skaters who can
skate forward or have completed the Beginners class. Time:
10:10 - 10:40 a.m.
I
Funstyle/Freestyle - For intermediate skaters (6 & older)
j who can do forward/backward crossovers & turns or who have
j been in the Intermediate class, learn jumps and spins. Time: j
110:45 - 11:15 a.m. j
i Adults - Ages 17 & older, perfect for adults who want to i
j begin skating for the first time or improve skating skills. It's I
I never to late to learn! Time: 11:20 - 11:50 a.m. j
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ICE RINK & WARMING HOUSE SCHEDULE
Weather permitting, the City's ice rinks and warming houses will open
on Friday, December 17. At each warming house, rink rules will be
posted and a rink attendant will be on duty during the regular warming
house hours (listed below).
The outdoor rinks and warming houses will be CLOSED and outdoor
programs will be canceled when the air temperature is below zero.
Please keep children home on these days.
For information concerning ice rinks, call the ice rink/warming house
hotline at 255-1174 or the skating lesson hotline at 255-1173.
WARMING HOUSE LOCATIONS
* Friendly Hills Park (South of Decorah Lane on Pueblo Drive)
* Marie Park (West of Victoria on Marie Avenue)
Wentworth Park (Between Dodd Road and Wachtler Ave.)
WARMING HOUSE HOURS:
Weekdays ........ 4 pm to 8:30 p.m.
Saturdays ........ 9 am to 8:30 p.m. Sundays .......... Noon to 6:00 p.m.
School Vacation Days .... (as staff is available, noon to 8:30 p.m.)
Christmas/New Year's Eve... 12:00 (noon) to 4:00 p.m.
Christmas ......... CLOSED New Year's Day ...... Noon to 6 p.m.
Air Noise Line: When air noise becomes unbearable
_4_ and disrupts your family's lifestyle, the Metropolitan
Airports Commission wants to know. Call their noise complaint line
at (612) 726-9411. If possible, be prepared to provide the MAC with
information on time, location, direction and aircraft type.
OCTOBER 2004
Skating at St. Thomas Ice Arena
The new Saint Thomas Ice Arena located at 950
Mendota Heights Road will be offering the following
skating to the public:
OPEN SKATING: Mondays & Wednesdays from
12 - 1 p.m., 9-13-04 to 12-15-04 & 1-31-05 to 3-11-
05 (no open skating during holiday break and month
of January). Cost is $3/skater, pay at Arena office.
Please bring own skates, no rentals. Shoes, boots,
& hockey equipment not permitted at this time.
OPEN HOCKEY: Tuesdays & Thursdays from
11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., 9-13-04 to 12-16-04 & 2-1-05 to
3-11-05 (no open Hockey on Nov. 25, Holiday break
& month of January). Cost is $5/skater, pay at
Arena office. Goalies skate FREE!
Must be 16 yrs to participate. Full
equipment required and no checking Amo
or slap shots.
Please call St. Thomas Ice Arena at
651-209-6020 for more info.
Help Wanted & Volunteers Needed
Warming House/Rink Attendants. These are part-
time, paid seasonal positions & are ideal for students,
adults or seniors. Must be responsible and reliable.
Stop by City Hall for an application or call Teresa 452-
1850 for more information.
Volunteers and Business Sponsors Needed for
Special Events. If you would like to get involved in
your community, Parks & Rec is looking for volunteers
or area businesses to sponsor or volunteer to help
with annual events including the Parks Celebration,
Fishing Derby, and National Night Out. If you are
interested in helping or if you are a business and
would like to sponsor any of these events please con-
tact Rec Programmer Teresa Gangelhoff at 452-1850.
A background check is required with any posi-
tion that involves working with children.
Park Bench Donation Program
The City of Mendota Heights is now
accepting donations to install park
benches in city parks or along city
trails. The minimum donation required
for bench installation is $750. The
required donation may be higher
depending on the bench design. The
benches can be personalized with a plaque com-
memorating a loved one or friend. The design, loca-
tion, and plaque message must be reviewed by the
Parks Commission and approved by the City Council
prior to installation. For more information, contact
Guy Kullander at City Hall at 452-1850.
Attention Older Adults in Mendota Heights!
If you are looking for activities and fun check out THOMPSO'N
PARK ACTIVITY CENTER located at 1200 Stassen Lane (off
Butler and Highway 52) in West St Paul This is our area
(District 197 Community Education) 55+ center and Mendota
Heights residents are welcome to join classes or take part in any
of the activities.
If you would like to get on the TPAC mailing list for the
Thompson Times listing all upcoming activities and classes or
need more information on what is offered ',please call the center
at 651-450-8291 or stop in for a visit.
PAGE 8 HEIGHTS HIGHLITES
Halloween Bonfire Time
Join us for a ghostly good time at the annual
City -sponsored Halloween Bonfire on Sunday,
October 31 from 7 - 9 p.m. located on an undeveloped portion of
the Mendota Plaza Shopping Center property, behind the Do It
Best Hardware Store.
The Volunteer Fire Department has offered to carry on the tra-
dition and will again coordinate and run this year's event. The
bonfire is conducted to provide a safe and enjoyable family alter-
native to trick or treating. Costumes are not necessary. Hot dogs,
soda, other goodies are free. Join us for the fun!
Residents of Mendota Heights are allowed to deposit brush no
larger than 4" in diameter as fuel for the fire. In the past, the City
has had problems with illegal dumping at the site which costs the
City a great deal of money to clean up. In order to prevent the ille-
gal dumping, the City will be limiting the hours of operation from 8
AM - 7 PM from October 15th - 28th. Once the area is filled, it will
be fenced in and no further dumping will be allowed. Please
remember that unauthorized dumping is a misdemeanor with a
fine of up to $1,000.
OCTOBER 2004
Snow Removal Reminders
With winter approaching, please remember the
following regarding snow removal and resident
responsibilities:
* Residents cannot park their vehicles on a city
street when snow accumulation reaches 2 inches
or more until all streets are plowed.
* Residents are responsible for clearing their own
driveways, and around mailboxes, newspaper
tubes and fire hydrants adjacent to their property.
* Areas for trash cans should be established at
least 8 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 and wing. sdi�v
For more information, please visit the City web-
site or contact Public Works at 454-4059.
Parks Commission Desires to Rehabilitate Playgrounds
The Parks and Recreation Commission is planning improvements to playground components in eleven City parks during the next
five to seven years. The majority of existing playgrounds were installed in 1990 to 1992 following the passage of the Parks
Referendum in the fall of 1989. Older wood timber play elements, installed in the early 1970's, were removed or modified and new
components added to all existing neighborhood parks and totally new playgrounds installed in three newly constructed parks,
Mendakota, Kensington, and Victoria -Highlands.
What play components would you like in YOUR park ?
Improvements include replacement of the existing pea rock surfacing with a wood fiber material, removal of the wood border tim-
bers that contain toxic CCA preservative, repair or replacement of any damaged or worn parts, new structure or components for 2-5
year olds, and add-on components to existing structure to bring entire playground into full compliance with the ADA (American with
Disabilities Act) access and safety requirements.
The Park Commissioners invite residents to attend the November 9th regular Park Commission meeting, which begins at 6:30 pm
at City Hall, to participate in a discussion of playground improvement plans and to help identify or select new types of equipment or
components. The Commissioners also desire to hear resident's suggestions or comments regarding any other type of improvements
they would like made in our parks or to the City's trail system.
If you are unable to attend the November 9th meeting and you have a comment or suggestion you wish the Commission to consid-
er, contact Guy Kullander at City Offices. Phone: 651-255-1155. E-mail: guyk@mendota-heights.com. Or feel free to drop off your
convnents at City Hall or mail to 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, MN 55118.
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:
Jim Danielson, City Administrator 452-1850
Kathleen Swanson, City Clerk 452-1850
Mike Aschenbrener, Police Chief 452-1366
John Maczko, Fire Chief 255-1371
Sue McDermott, City Engineer 452-1850
Patrick Hollister, Admin. Asst. 452-1850
Tom Olund, Public Works Supvr. 454-4059
Kristen Schabacker, Finance Dir. 452-1850
Emmy Foster, HR/Communic. 452-1850
Teresa Gangelhoff, Rec. Prgmr. 452-1850
Paul Berg & Dick Gill,
Code Enforcement Officers 452-1850
From:
City of Mendota Heights
1101 Victoria Curve
Mendota Heights, MN 55118
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St. Paul, MN 55118
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