Issue 64 - Heights Highlights Winter 2004PAGE 1 FEBRUARY 2004 ISSUE 64
Mayor's Message
William Shakespeare, whose works have
given rise to a legion of famous quotes, had
this one from Hamlet: "When sorrows come,
they come not single spies, but in battal- r
ions. Paraphrasing Will, Mendota Heights
residents could say our joys have come in
battalions. Within the last few weeks we
have seen an unending run of good news
stories. Among the more notable:
* The Citizens League ranked Mendota Heights as the lowest
city (population over 2,500) for combined city and school district
tax rates. This was achieved by great work from City staff and
your City Council to ensure we are spending your money wise-
ly. We are not keeping this rate low at the expense of failing to
re -invest in our assets however. The budget for 2004 includes
funds to replace several aging police and other city vehicles,
improve our computer infrastructure, eradicate certain invasive
plant species and study our data storage process.
* A survey of home prices in the Metropolitan area showed that
the region defined as Mendota Heights, Lilydale and Mendota
saw average home prices increase by 17% in 2003, the area's
second highest rate of increase. Homes represent most resi-
dent's single largest investment. Although there are likely
numerous factors that contribute to this rate of change, it is cer-
tain that one is the constant vision of quality for our city that
guided us since our inception nearly 50 years ago. Your Council
continues to support the policies that have made our City one
of the most desirable areas to live in.
* A new full service hardware store will be opening in Mendota
Plaza. "Do It Best Hardware" will occupy 19,545 square feet on
the east end of the Plaza. Jim Solen, who operates Grand
Avenue "Do It Best Hardware", formerly Ace Grand Ave
Hardware, promises to have a wide range of items to attract
customers. He hopes to open April 1 and will have the right
product for all your spring projects! Congratulations to Paster
Enterprises for landing this key tenant.
* The Metropolitan Council recently awarded Mendota Heights
its third Livable Communities Grant for The Village at Mendota
Heights. This grant was for $300,000 and brings the total grants
from the Met Council to $1,323,400. This represents a contin-
ued strong commitment from the Met Council to this important
project Thanks to our current Met Council Representative Rick
Aguilar, our previous Representative Tom Egan and all who
assisted in obtaining these funds. See more about progress at
'his development on page 12 .
If you have any questions about these items, or any issue
concerning Mendota Heights please contact myself or any
member of the City Council. We are here to serve you!
- Mayor John Huber
City -Wide Spring Clean Up
Each spring, Mendota Heights designates one day when,
for a small fee, residents can discard items otherwise dif-
ficult to dispose of. The City—Wide Spring Clean -Up is
limited to Mendota Heights residents only! Identification
is required. Only cars, pick-ups and small trailers are
allowed to unload items. Commercial debris is not
accepted. Commercial, industrial and institutional cus-
tomers are not eligible. No yard waste or household haz-
ardous waste is accepted. For further information call
Patrick Hollister at (651)452-1850. Spring Clean -Up is
made possible by a grant from the Dakota County
Environmental Management.
Saturday, May 1, S a.m. to 2 p.m.,
Mendota Plaza at
Highway 110 and Dodd Road
(Enter & Exit from South Plaza Drive)
The following is a list of items that will be accepted at
Spring Clean Up and those that will not be accepted.
We will accept the following items:
* Car Tires, Furniture, and Mattresses are $3.00 each
* Scrap Metal (remove all non-metal components) is
Volume -Based Fee
* Home Remodeling Debris and Miscellaneous Junk
is Volume -Based Fee
We will not accent the following items:
* Household Hazardous Waste (i.e. Motor Oil,
Batteries, Paint, Chemicals)
* Items that can be recycled at your curb
* Commercial or Contractor Debris
* Yard Waste
* Home Electronics
Mendota Heights Appliance
Collection Day!
Saturday, May 8
8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Old appliances can be picked up from your
driveway! Put your appliances out the night before.
Make Check to "JR's Appliance" and place inside
your appliance. Call JR's Appliance by Friday, April
30 for prices and to schedule your pick-up. Dial
454-9215 and ask for Operator 33.
PAGE 2 HEIGHTS HIGHLITES FEBRUARY 2004
Airport Noise Report by Jack Vitelli
2007 Noise Projections Due On February 4th, preliminary noise contour maps based on projected MSP flight oper-
ations and types of aircraft were released. The noise contour maps are part of the process of updating the MSP Part
150 program and represent a 2002 map and projected 2007 maps. A public hearing and workshops will be held in 2004
to assure that interested MSP -area residents understand the projections and their basis. There will likely be good news
for Mendota Heights residents in that the new North-South runway is due to open in late 2005, which should yield a
reduction in aircraft operations over our city.
Metropolitan Airports Commission Web Site Our Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) has one of the most
informative airport noise web sites (www.mspairport.com/MAC) in the United States. The web site, www.macnoise.com,
focuses on the entire spectrum of airport noise facts, history, projections and current meetings/activities of interest to
residents of Mendota Heights and other MAC neighboring communities.
Interactive Flight Track Mapping Applications If you go directly to the web link
www.macnoise.com/technologies/gis/imapping.htm you can enter your home address and actually see the flights that
went over your home, the time, the noise level, and many other pieces of useful information about MSP flight opera-
tions. The data is updated daily with a five-day lag from real time. The two major categories of mapping are:
* Flight Tracker - Provides users with the ability to input an address, date, and time to search for flight track data rela-
tive to the submitted address and timeframe. A map is provided depicting any flight tracks that are found within a one
square mile extent around the user specified address within the submitted time frame. Users have the ability to select a
flight track and view information about that operation, such as aircraft type, runway, arrival or departure, or operation
class. As well, users have the ability to view measured noise event information associated with a selected track in a
tabular format.
*Aircraft Operations and Noise Event Replay - Provides a streaming replay of flights in and out of Minneapolis - St.
Paul International Airport for a user-specified time period and address location. Aircraft noise events at MAC's Remote
Monitoring Tower (RMT) locations are displayed with dynamic noise levels as flight tracks pass by. Playback of the flight
tracks and noise events can be controlled with VCR -like buttons below the map while the map extent can be controlled
with panning and zooming tools beside the map (zoom in close to view flights over aerial photos of your neighborhood).
New technology allows multiple users to join a map session and view and control the same map while communicating
in real-time with text and drawing symbols.
MSP Noise Oversight Committee I am your representative on this committee, which meets monthly and whose
mission is to:
1. Identify, study and analyze airport noise issues and solutions.
2. Provide policy recommendations or options to the MAC Planning and Environment Committee and full
Commission regarding airport noise issues.
3. Monitor compliance with established noise policy at MSP.
4. Ensure the collection of information and dissemination to the public.
BUCKTHORN
Many undisturbed natural areas within the city have been slowly chang-
ing, for some time, because Buckthorn and other undesirable exotic plant species
have taken root and pose a serious ecological threat. In early January the City
hired Prairie Restorations, Inc. to send experienced crews into the city owned
areas around the Copperfield Ponds and into Hagstrom-King Park to remove
buckthorn. Management efforts included cutting the plants into small pieces that
were left in place to decompose and chemical treatment of the stumps to prevent
regeneration.
Buckthorn is widely considered to be Invasive Enemy No. 1 in Minnesota
natural areas, where it wreaks havoc on woodlands, wetlands and other natural
areas. Growing as large shrubs or small trees, female plants produce berries that
are eaten and dispersed by rodents and birds. The plants produce a substance
that inhibits growth of other plants resulting in thick stands that outcompete native
understory vegetation and prevents regeneration of native trees and shrubs.
Managing exotic species helps to maintain and establish healthy and
diverse landscapes that combine ecological benefits as well as aesthetic value to
the surrounding areas. Additional management operations in other city parks are
planned for next fall/winter and cleared areas must be monitored during subse-
quent growing seasons.
Call the Air Noise
Line
Are you bothered by air noise?
When air noise becomes unbearable
and disrupts your family's lifestyle,
the Metropolitan Airports
Commission wants to know. Call
the MAC air noise complaint line at
(612) 726-9411. if possible, be pre-
pared to provide the MAC with
information on time, location,
direction and aircraft type.
PAGE 3 HEIGHTS HIGHLITES FEBRUARY 2004
Water Quality Strategies for Riparian Landowners
Owners of property that abut wetlands, ponds, or lakes in Mendota Heights often inquire about what can be done to
improve water quality. A natural shoreline is one factor that can have a positive effect on water quality.
A natural shoreline is a complex ecosystem that sustains fish and wildlife and protects the entire lake. Native vegeta-
tion along the shore acts as a buffer zone, intercepting nutrients and reducing runoff, erosion, and sedimentation. Aquatic
plants provide food and shelter for ducks, songbirds, and other animals while reducing problems caused by Canada geese
and burrowing muskrats. Plants growing in and near the water are critical for wildlife and fish habitat and minimize ero-
sion and help maintain water quality.
A buffer zone is a strip of native vegetation that extends both lakeward and landward from the water's edge. A buffer
zone that extends 20-50 feet from shore is preferable, but even 10-15 feet provides benefits.
Creating and maintaining natural buffer zones along the shore does not mean your property has to look unkempt.
Buffers and upland islands of trees, shrubs, and flowers can bring natural beauty to your yard. Tall native plants have
deep root systems that will slow erosion, decrease ice damage, increase rain infiltration, and act as a barrier to discour-
age Canada geese from walking on your shoreline property.
Your shoreline is part of a larger community and ecosystem. Individual choices by many have cumulative impacts on a
lake and its ecosystem. Your actions can restore or degrade the quality of the ecosystem. Restoring your lakeshore to
a more natural condition is important, even if your neighbors are not restoring theirs, because it can improve water qual-
ity, including fish and wildlife habitat.
Submergent and emergent plants provide underwater cover for fish, amphibians, birds, insects, and other organisms.
These plants break wave action and help to stabilize bottom sediments that are often loaded with nutrients. Bottom sed-
iments that are re -suspended by current and wave action can contribute to algae blooms in ponds and lakes. Plants grow-
ing on upland slopes and lake banks help keep the water clean by holding sediments in place against the eroding forces
of water runoff and by absorbing excess nutrients like phosphorous and nitrogen that can degrade water quality.
Mendota Heights has an ordinance that promotes the protection, preservation, maintenance, and use of wetlands and
water resources in keeping with this water quality improvement strategy for riparian properties. This ordinance is referred
to as the Mendota Heights Wetland Ordinance. Its' goals are to maintain the natural drainage system, to minimize the dis-
turbance which may result from alteration by earthwork, loss of vegetation, loss of wildlife and aquatic organisms as a
result of the disturbance of the natural environment from excessive sedimentation, to provide for protection of probable
fresh water supplies and to ensure safety from floods.
The following activities within one hundred feet (100') of normal high water markers of wetlands and water resource
related areas as delineated on the official city wetlands systems shall require a wetlands permit:
1. The deposit or removal or permitting the deposit or removal of any debris, fill or any other material over one
hundred (100) cubic yards.
2. Any excavation over one hundred (100) cubic yards.
3. The digging, dredging, filling, or in any other way altering or removing any material from water bodies, water
courses, wetlands, floodplain, or natural drainage system.
4. The construction, alteration, or removal of any structure.
5. The removal of vegetation.
6. The altering of any embankment or ponding area, or the changing of the flow of water, or ponding capacity.
7. Permanently storing materials.
8. Disposing of waste materials, including, but not limited to, sewage, garbage, rubbish, and other discarded
materials.
9. Installation and maintenance of essential services.
Maintaining a healthy pond or lake is far less costly than trying to fix a degraded one. If you are fortunate enough to
have a natural shoreline, maintain or enhance it as a buffer zone and minimize erosion on the areas used for access or
recreation. If your property lacks natural areas, plant native vegetation or let areas grow naturally. You will have a posi-
tive effect on water quality and be surprised at the aesthetic appeal as well as the time and energy you save.
.....................................................................................................................................................................
Additional information concerning this Wetland Ordinance can be found
in Title 12, Chapter 2 of the City Code section on the City website at
:www.mendota-heights.com. Useful Information about shoreline restora-
tion can be found on the following DNR website:
www.dnr.state.mn.us/restoreyourshore/index.htm1, in a book titled
Landscaping for Wildlife and Water Quality, and a CD-ROM titled
Restore Your Shore that can both be purchased through Minnesota's
Bookstore at www.comm.media.state.mn.us/bookstore/bookstore.asp.
:......................... ............................. ........................................................................................... ...................
PAGE 4 HEIGHTS HIGHLITES FEBRUARY 2004
CRIME ALERT
The Mendota Heights Police
Department has recently taken several
reports of theft of mail from residential
curbside mailboxes. In some of these
incidents, homeowners have placed out-
going mail in their curbside mailbox and
put the red flag up in order to alert the
postal employee that they have outgoing
mail. Thieves have entered these mail-
boxes and taken their mail. Most of this
outgoing mail contained checks and per-
sonal information. In other cases resi-
dents have reported their incoming mail
had apparently been taken after it was
delivered by the Postal Service. The
Mendota Heights Police Department is
urging residents not to put ANY outgoing
mail in your residential curbside mailbox.
Please take all outgoing mail directly to a
US Post Office or place it in a US Postal
Services blue mailbox. If you are going to
be out of town, stop your mail delivery or
have a neighbor or family member pick
up your incoming mail in a timely manner.
Please be observant of any suspicious
persons or vehicles approaching curb-
side mailboxes. If you see any suspicious
activity near residential mailboxes imme-
diately report the activity to the Police
Department by dialing 911. If possible
provide the dispatcher with the vehicle
description, license plate information,
occupant description(s) and direction of
travel. If you have any information about
any recent thefts of mail please contact
the Mendota Heights Police Department
Investigation Division at 452-1366.
In many cases mail thieves are attempt-
ing to obtain personal information in order
to steal a victims identity. For more infor-
mation on identity theft prevention check
the city website at mendota-heights.com.
or stop by the Mendota Heights Police
Department.
Visit our website at
www.mendota-heights.com
Review Board Duties Transferred
Historically, the Mendota Heights City Council has convened in April as the
local Board of Review to review the property assessments established by the
Dakota County Assessor for all properties within the city. In 1991 the state leg-
islature adopted Minnesota Statute 383D.73, which allows governing bodies of
communities in Dakota County to transfer the duties of the City Board of Review
or Board of Equalization to the County Board of Appeal and Equalization. Since
that time, all Dakota County cities except Mendota Heights have transferred their
local review board duties to the county.
On May 6, 2003, the City Council reviewed the current local Board of Review
process and determined that the process can be inconvenient for taxpayers, may
provide inefficient service to the public, and could be improved by transferring
the review process to the County Board of Appeal and Equalization. For those
reasons, the Council authorized the transfer of duties from the local Board of
Review to the County Board of Appeal and Equalization, effective January 1,
2004.
The County Assessor's office conducts several open book meetings in March
and April of each year at locations (including the new Dakota County Northern
Service Center) and times more convenient to residents than the local Board of
Review meeting. The dates and times of the open book meetings will be listed
on the property valuation notice that you receive fi•om the Assessor's Office dur-
ing the second week of March, 2004.
If you have any questions or concerns about your property valuation, please
attend one of the open book meetings or call Dakota County Assessing Services
at 651-438-4200. If you wish to appeal your assessment, you must either attend
an open book meeting or call or send a letter to the Dakota County Assessor, 1590
Highway 55, Hastings, MN 55033 as soon as possible after you receive your val-
uation notice.
Official Newspaper Designated
Every January, by state law, the City Council must designate a local
publication to serve as the city's legal newspaper for the coming year. At
its 1/6/04 meeting, the City Council named the Lillie Suburban
Newspaper South-West Review to serve as the city's Official Newspaper
for 2004.
All hearing notices, legal notices, and newly adopted ordinances will
be published in the legal section of the South-West Review during the
coming year. Press releases on issues of interest to community resi-
dents will also be published in the WSP/MH Sun Current. The Review
is published on Sunday and the Sun Current is published on
Wednesday.
Winter Snow Plowing
The Mendota Heights Public Works Department and
Police Department ask the public's cooperation in ensuring
that City plows can safely and promptly remove snow from
our streets.
City Ordinance prohibits on -street parking anytime we
receive two or more inches of snow, until after the snowplow has cleared the
street. The Police Department will be enforcing this ordinance. With everyone's
cooperation, snow plowing can be done in a safe and expedient manner.
PAGE 7 HEIGHTS HIGHLITES FEBRUARY 2004
RECYCLING SURVEY
The City of Mendota Heights and Dakota County would like your help in evaluating how effective the current
City/County recycling program is for residents. Please take a moment to fill out the following survey and
either bring your answers to City Hall or mail your answers to Recycling Coordinator, City of Mendota
Heights, 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, N N 55118. Responses are needed by April 1, 2004.
1. What kind of dwelling do you live in? (Check one)
Single -Family Home Townhome/Condominium Apartment
2. How many people are in your household?
# of people
3. Do you participate in the curbside recycling program?_
(Yes/No)
If you participate in the curbside recycling program, please indicate how many times per week you leave the following items for
pick-up by your garbage hauler by marking the appropriate boxes below.
Item
Less than once
per month
Once per
month
Twice per
month
Three times
per month
Every week
Glass
Aluminum/Tin Cans
Plastic Bottles with Necks
Newspapers
Magazines & Catalogs
Mail
Corrugated Cardboard
Have you ever used the Eco -Site at Dodd Road and Yankee Doodle Road in Eagan to dispose of anything? Yes No
Have you ever participated in Mendota Heights Spring Clean -Up in May of each year? Yes No
Do you have a copy of the Dakota County Green Guide? Yes No
Thank you for your participation. The City of Mendota Heights and Dakota County encourage you to continue recycling!
PARK BENCH
DONATION PROGRAM
The City of Mendota Heights is 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 person-
alized with a plaque commemorating a loved
one or friend. The design, location, and
plaque message must be first reviewed by the
Parks Commission O, V
and then approved
by the City Council
prior to installation.
For more informa-
tion, contact Parlcs
Project Manager Guy
Kullander at City
Hall at 452-1850.
PARK RESERVATION FEES
Retroactive to January 1st, the City Council has estab-
lished a fee of $25.00 for each approved permit application issued
to individuals, groups or youth sport associations wishing to
reserve a park or park facility(s) for a one-time only use, a sea-
sonal sports program or tournament event. All city parks and park
facilities are generally available for use at no charge on a first-
come, first-served basis unless reserved for a specific use. Casual
use of a park or facility, say by a grade school class out for a pic-
nic, does not require that the park or facility be available only for
their use and therefore would not require a permit, although city
staff would appreciate a notice of such an event to avoid any pos-
sible conflict with another user group. The Council also estab-
lished a minimum damage deposit of $100.00 for each permit
issued for one-time events, which will be returned following the
event if no extraordinary clean up is required. Seasonal youth
sports program reservations are not required to provide a damage
deposit. Applications for a Park Reservation Permit are available
at City Offices. Groups wishing to reserve a field(s) for a season-
al program should contact Teresa at 452-1850.
HEIGHTS HIGHLITES
NDOTA HEIGHTS PAR 3 GOLF LEAGUES/LESSONS/CAMPS
FEBRUARY 2004
The city will be offering golf leagues, lessons and camps this spring & summer at the Mendota Heights Par 3 Golf
Jourse. REGISTRATIONS FOR ALL GOLF PROGRAMS ARE ACCEPTED ONLY AT THE CITY OF MENDOTA
1EIGHTS OFFICES (1101 VICTORIA CURVE) UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. Registrations for all leagues, lessons
and camps begin Thursday, April 1. Registration closes for all leagues, lessons & camps 1 week prior to start date.
The women's junior and parent/child league fees cover weekly prizes. Payment of fee is required at registration.
-eague fees are non-refundable after the start of league play. Rain checks will be given for missed days of play. More
nfo is available after registration. Please sign groups of friends up together if you would like to try and get the same
:ee times. You may request a tee time, but it is not guaranteed. We will do our best to accommodate your request.
tee times start at listed time and will run every 7 minutes. All golf programs include a $10 registration fee in the
arice listed that is non-refundable.
Women's Golf League
Tuesday mornings: May 18 -Aug. 17 - Tee Times start 8:30 am
Wednesday Evenings: May 19 -August 18 - Tee Times start at 4 pm
Fee: $132.50 (must pre -pay for all 14 weeks)
Junior Golf League
For boys and girls ages 8-16 yrs. Jr. golfers are expected to acknowledge
golf course rules. Prizes awarded. This league is looking for volunteers to
share chaperone duties (2 per each day of play). Volunteers will play for
free on their volunteer day.
Monday mornings: June 14 - August 30 - Tee times start at 9:30 am
Wed. afternoons: June 10 - August 26 - Tee times start at 1 pm
Fee: $103. (must pre pay for all 12 weeks)
Parent/Child Sunday Afternoon League
The ParentlChild Sunday Afternoon League is a great way for families to
spend time together & an even better way to improve you golf game. Two
parent child pairs are allowed each tee time. Prizes are awarded.
Sundays: June 13 -Aug 29 (no play on July 4) Tee Times start at 4 pm
Fee: $191.50 (one fee for both players. Must pre -pay for all 11 weeks)
Golf Lessons
Three 1 -hour lessons covering golf course etiquette, golf club grip, stance and swing and correct putting techniques.
There will be one teaching professional to every 8 golfers, giving personalized on -course instruction. You will receive 2
free rounds of golf. Fee: $65.00. Especially beneficial for the beginning golfer.
Thursday evening classes offered: Junior Lessons at 5 pm; Parent/Child Lessons at 6 pm and Adult Lessons at 7pm
Saturday morning classes offered: Junior Lessons at 11:30 am, Adult Lessons at 12:30 pm
Session I: Thursday April 15, 22, 29
Session II: Thurs May 6, 13, 12
Session III: Thurs June 3, 10, 17
Session IV: Saturday's June 5, 12, 19
Session V: Thurs. June 24, July 1, 8
Session VI: Thurs. July 22, 29, Aug 5
Youth Golf Camas
Beginner- $105.00 per session, Sessions are from 12 - 3 pm
Session I: June 14-17
Session II: July 12-15
Session III: August 2-5
Intermediate - $105.00 per session, Sessions are from 8 - 11 am
Session I: July 5-8
Session II: July 26-29
Session III August 23-26
Activity Name
1.
2.
3.
Activity Date
—/_/
Fee
Participants Name
Home Phone (Youth Only) Parents cell or work phone
Address
City
Zip
Participant signature (or Parent signature if participant is under 18) Date
(Seniors Only) MN U CARE #
Please fill in this section for Youth Programs Only;
School Grade Child's Age
Mal;_ -77 Female
_ Birth'date