Issue 59 - Heights Highlights Fall 2002PAGE 1 SEPTEMBER, 2002 iaaut as
It's Election Time!
The State General and City
OFF Election will be held on
Tuesday, November 5. Polling
places will be open for voting
from 7 AM to 8 PM.
` The five precinct polling places
are located at: Somerset
Elementary School north gym-
nasium (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, please call City
Hall at 452-1850 for assistance.
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 give you a voter's receipt. You will be
directed to the next judge, who will offer you a demonstra-
tion on how to properly mark a vote for an office. Even if
you have received a similar demonstration in the past,
please listen carefully to the judge's instructions. Many bal-
lots are rejected by the optical scan vote readers in every
election because they are not properly 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, ballot pen and ballot sleeve.
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 in any way, you may return it to the ballot
judge who will give you 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 with-
in 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 message 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
residency. The responsibility to provide the required proof
is yours. If you are a new resident, why not take the time
between now and November 5 to change your driver's
license or Minnesota ID card. Bringing the proper identifi-
cation 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, disabili-
ty, 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 dur-
ing regular office hours, the City Offices will be open for
absentee voting on Saturday, November 2, from 10 AM to
3 PM and on Monday, November 4, from 8 AM to 5 PM.
More Questions? Please Call: This information is pro-
vided to make the election process easier for you. You are
encouraged to contact City Clerk Kathleen Swanson or
Nancy Bauer, Deputy Clerk at (651)452-1850, if you have
any additional election questions.
.........................................................
Checi< out the City's website at:
www. mendota-heights.com
:........................................................:
PAGE 3 HEIGHTS HIGHLITES
A Skateboard Park in Friendly Hills Park?
The Parks and Recreation Commission of the City of Mendota
Heights will hold a public information meeting on October 8, 2002 to
hear input from Friendly Hills residents and all other interested
Mendota Heights residents regarding the proposal to install a "Tier
One" skateboard park on the paved surface of the skating rink at
Friendly Hills Park. The informational meeting will take place in the
Council Chambers at City Hall and will begin at 6:30 PM.
The skateboard park would consist of a course of temporary ramps
and jumps that would be removed each winter and re -installed each
spring. Winter ice-skating and hockey activities would continue as nor-
mal. The Parks Commission has budgeted $24,000 for the year 2003
in the Parks Capital Improvement Plan for construction of the skate-
board park next year.
Whether you are a skateboarder, in-line skater, neighbor to Friendly
Hills Park, or interested resident, and whether you are for or against
the skateboard park, we would like your input on October 8. See you
there! If you have any questions, or are unable to attend the meeting
but would like to comment, please call Guy Kullander at 452-1850.
Mosquito Control Helpful Hints
Mosquitos were a problem for everyone this summer
and the City received more than It's usual number of
complaints from residents. City staff worked with the Mosquito Control
District to get them to improve their service to the City at several loca-
tions. The mosquito season is almost over, however here are some
suggestions on helping reduce mosquitos in your neighborhood:
1. Destroy or dispose of tin cans, old tires, buckets, unused plastic
swimming pools or other containers that collect & hold water. Do
not allow water to accumulate in the saucers of flowerpots, or in pet
dishes for more than 2 days.
2. Clean debris from rain gutters & remove any standing water under
or around structures, or on flat roofs. Check around faucets & air
conditioner units & repair leaks or eliminate puddles that remain for
several days.
3. Change the water in birdbaths & wading pools at least once a week
& stock ornamental pools with top feeding predacious minnows.
4. Fill or drain puddles, ditches and swampy areas, and either remove,
drain or fill tree holes and stumps with mortar.
5. Check for trapped water in plastic or canvas tarps used to cover
boats, pools, etc. Arrange the tarp to drain the water.
6. Check around construction sites or do-it-yourself improvements to
ensure that proper backfilling & grading prevent drainage problems.
7. Irrigate lawns & gardens carefully to prevent water from standing for
several days.
8. If ditches do not flow & contain stagnant water for one week or
longer, they can produce large numbers of mosquitoes. Report such
conditions to the Mosquito Control.
Welcome to Janet Bolger
You may hear a new voice and see a new face when you contact City
Hall. We are excited to announce the hiring of Janet Bolger as our new
Receptionist. The former Receptionist, Judy Wonick, was promoted to
the Utility Billing Clerk position after Amy Griffin resigned. Janet started.
work on August 7th and is a wonderful addition to City Hall staff. She is
a Mendota Heights resident and has an excellent history of administra-
tive experience. Welcome Janet!
SEPTEMBER, 2002
Televised Coverage of Local
Election Results on Channel 14
NDCTV will provide live televised cover-
age of results for the Mendota Heights city
election as well as for other local city and
county elections on NDC Channel 14 after
polls close on Tuesday, November 5th.
Results will be announced and/or posted
throughout the evening as they become
known.
For more information contact NDCTV at
651-451-7834.
12omember to vote on November 5th!
Change Your Clock - Change
Your Battery
Mendota Heights Firefighters encourage
everyone to participate in the annual "Change
Your Clock -Change Your Battery" campaign
on October 26, 2002.
When you change your clock one hour back
to standard time, take a few minutes to
replace the batteries in your smoke alarms. If
your detector is dirty, vacuum it out. It is also
a good idea to test your detectors once a
month and replace them every ten years.
Why is this so important? It's because
smoke detectors save lives. A lot of fire fatal-
ities could have been prevented had there
been a working smoke alarm in the home.
National statistics show an average of three
children die everyday in home fires, and 82%
of those occurred in homes without working
smoke detectors. The most commonly cited
cause of non -working smoke alarms is due to
discharged or missing batteries.
If you have questions regarding smoke
alarms, call 452-1850.
Help With Traffic Safety
The City frequently receives complaints
about homeowners who live on corner lots
and do not keep their landscaping trimmed
to allow for good traffic visibility at the road
intersections. Once the City is aware of
problem intersections, maintenance crews
can trim the landscape to the extent it is on
the City's right-of-way. However we ask
individual homeowners to remove the land-
scaping that is on their property to further
improve the sight distance and make the
intersections safer. City Ordinances do
require that homeowners keep the visibility
across their corners open, however enforce-
ment of this ordinance is difficult.
PAGE 4 HEIGHTS HIGHLITES
54th Annual Firefighter's Dance _
The Mendota Heights Fire Department will be
having their annual Firefighter's Dance on Friday,
October 25th. This year's event will be held at
Prom Expo in Oakdale. Tickets are on sale now for
$8.00 or $10.00 at the door. Music by The Dweebs
will begin at 8:30 P.M. The Dweebs have a large
following. Last year's event was very successful; it is advised that
you arrive early. There is no guaranteed 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, the Mendota Heights
Fire Department.
It is not possible for firefighters to stop by every residence.
Anyone who has questions, needs tickets or would like to make a
donation to the Fire Department should call City Hall at 452-1850.
New Firefighters
Two new firefighters will soon begin training with the Mendota
Heights Volunteer Fire Department. The two new probationary fire-
fighters are Michelle Henne-Malkes and Richard Griep.
This September, five probationary firefighters successfully com-
pleted their one year probationary period. The five firefighters are:
Steven Boley, Richard Gapinski, Scott Henning, Mary Kreuser and
Patrick Noack.
Congratulations to everyone!!
Halloween Bonfire Time
Join us at the annual City -sponsored
Halloween Bonfire. It will be held on Thursday,
October 31 from 7 - 9 PM. The location is on
an undeveloped portion of the Mendota Plaza Shopping Center
property, behind the shopping center building.
The Volunteer Fire Department has offered to carry on the tradition
and will again coordinate and run this year's event. The bonfire is
conducted to provide a safe and enjoyable family alternative to trick
or treating. Costumes are not necessary. Hot dogs, soda and other
goodies are free and a ghostly good time is guaranteed.
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 illegal dump-
ing, the City will be limiting the hours of operation from 8 AM - 7 PM
from October 19th - 29th. Please remember that unauthorized
dumping is a misdemeanor with a fine of up to $1,000.
SEPTEMBER, 2002
Fire Prevention Week
Once again, firefighters from Mendota Heights
will be busy conducting fire -safety activities dur-
ing National Fire Prevention Week, October 6th
through 12th.
"Team Up for Fire Safety" is this year's theme
for Fire Prevention. Team up with people with
whom you live, work and play with so that all of
you will be better prepared to prevent, and if
necessary, survive a home fire. By installing and
testing smoke alarms, practicing home fire
escape plans and hunting for home hazards, is
the message the Fire department wants to send
to everyone. According to the National Fire
Protection Association, 85% of all fires occur in
the home and most are preventable. Fire per-
sonnel will be discussing this and other fire -safe-
ty related programs to area students.
Firefighters will be doing presentations in class-
rooms at Mendota Elementary, Somerset
Elementary, Visitation School, as well as some
pre-schools in the area. To learn more about fire
prevention, go to www.nfpa.org.
Topping off the week-long activities will be the
always popular Fire Department Open House on
Saturday, October 12th, at the Fire Station, 2121
Dodd Road, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. All those
in attendance will be able to tour the fire station,
have their blood pressure checked, see all the
fire trucks up close, meet the firefighters, learn
fire safety tips, learn why it is important to have
smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detec-
tors and how to operate them, practice putting
out a fire with an extinguisher, and see safety
demonstrations by HealthEast Paramedics and
the Mendota Heights Police Department. A car
fire demo is scheduled for noon. A simulated car
accident using the JAWS OF LIFE will also be
done. Fire truck rides will be running all day
long. Kids as well as parents can learn how to
Stop, Drop, & Roll in the smokehouse. The fire
department will also show off their new Thermal
Imaging Cameras, new rescue boat, all terrain
vehicle, water rescue suits, as well as 2 new
Automatic External Defibrillators.
If you want to learn all there is to know about
home escape plans, this is the event for you.
Refreshments, escape ladders, and history
items will be for sale. Door prizes will also be
available. Everyone is encouraged to attend.
If you have questions on any of the activities,
call City Hall at (651)452-1850.
Visit the Mendota Heights Volunteer Fire Department's Web Site at:
http://mhfd.hti-inc.com/
c
3 HIGHLITES SEPTEMBER, 2002
PAGE 6 HEIGHTS HIGHLITES SEPTEMBER, 2002
55 + Active Adult Day Trips
Mendota Heights trips and tours are open to you and your guest whether they reside in the area or not. Some trips are
co-sponsored with the City of WSP and Thompson Park Activity Center.
To attend these trips please register at City Hall in Mendota Heights at 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, MN
55118 or you can mail your registration in. Please read the trip refund policy on the registration form on page 7.
1 Love You. You're Perfect, Now Change. Plymouth Playhouse & Lunch at the Green Mill. Everything you've secret-
ly thought about dating, romance, marriage, lovers, husbands, wives, and in-laws but were afraid to admit. Four actors
portraying multiple roles take you on a fast, funny, & tuneful ride through dating and marriage to the triumphs of grow-
ing old. Co-sponsored with WSP Parks & Rec. Includes: Motor coach transportation, play, buffet lunch, tax & gratuity.
Date: Thursday, October 31 Cost: $42
Depart: 10:30 am Mendota Hts.City Hall Parking Lot Return: Approx. 4:30 pm
Registration deadline: Friday, September 27
Arsenic and Old Lace- Old Log Theater. Take 2 dotty old ladies who poison old men as "one of our little charities", a
nephew who thinks he's Theodore Roosevelt, another who is a drama critic that hates theater & a third who bears an
uncanny resemblance to Boris Karloff, shake them up & you have one of Broadway's funniest & favorite comedies. Co-
sponsored with Thompson Park Activity Center. Includes: Motor coach transportation, performance, lunch, tax & gratu-
ity.
Date: Friday, November 8 Cost: $42
Depart: 10:30 am MH City Hall Parking Lot
Registration deadline: Tuesday, October 8
Saint Paul Chamber Landmark Center Lunch, Mississippi Mud Eat an early breakfast or skip it all together because
we will grab a sandwich at the Mississippi Mud before going to Landmark Center to hear the Saint Paul Chamber
Orchestra play a beautiful concert for us. We will do a short tour of the Landmark Center concentrating on the display
room that tells of the history of instruments. Co-sponsored with Thompson Park Activity Center. Indicate sandwich
choice on reg. slip: Chicken, Pork or Tuna. Includes: transportation, performance, lunch, tax and gratuity.
Date: Thursday, November 14 Cost: $24
Depart: 10:15 MH City Hall Parking Lot Return: Approx. 2:30 pm
Registration deadline: Thursday, October 17
Golden Strings at the Lafayette Club Before the performance enjoy a pleasing lunch on the holiday card -like setting
shore of Lake Minnetonka. After lunch sit back and relax to the Golden Strings holiday performance. The group plays
music ranging from classic to pops, from romance to jazz. Founder virtuoso violinist Clifford Brunzell and the Golden
Strings are well known in the upper Midwest for their talent. Includes: performance, transportation and lunch, tax and
gratuity. Trip co-sponsored with Thompson Park Activity Center and Medicine Lake Tours. Menu: salad, rolls, Chicken
Breast of Florentine, vegetable, whipped potatoes, beverage & Gold Brick Sundae.
Date: Thursday, December 12 Cost: $49
Depart: 10:30 am MH City Hall Parking Lot Return: Approx 3:00 pm
Registration deadline: Tuesday, November 12
Radio City Christmas Spectacular -Historic Orpheum Theater. Time magazine calls The Radio City Christmas
Spectacular, "One of the Grandest Holiday Traditions in the U.S." Direct from New York, the Radio City Christmas
Spectacular starring the world-famous Rockettes is appearing for the first time ever in Minneapolis at the Historic
Orpheum theatre. Fall in love with the Rockettes as they perform the legendary "Parade of the Wooden Solders". Join
Santa and his elves on a heartwarming trip inside his workshop. Witness the awe-inspiring "Living Nativity" as a cast and
crew of nearly 100 make Christmas come to life! Please eat a hearty breakfast at home before the show as no lunch is
provided. Co-sponsored with Thompson Park Activity Center. Includes: Performance, transportation and show.
Date: Wednesday, December 18 Cost: $51
Depart: 10:OOam MH City Hall Parking Lot Return: Approx. 2:00 pm
Deadline: Wednesday, November 18
PAGE 7
Refund Policy for 55+ ActiveAdult
We reserve the right to cancel any trip or actio
,. effort to contact registrants 48 hours before scf
to cancel any activity must do so two business'
Please note no refunds will be made for trip;:
You may send someone in your place for a trip
Adult Club trips include transportation to and f
Trips are open to you and your guest whether,
Trips and dates are subject to change and a
You may register at City Hall. Payment mui
Register early since each trip; has a limited nur
REGIS'
CITY OF MEQ
Registration for programs may be made i
All registrations must be accompanied b)
Deadlines
Most activities have limited enrollment an
as soon as possible. Registrations will NC
Non-resident Fee
Non-residents are welcomed to participal
receive priority registration. There is a $'
activity ifyou live outside Mendota Heigl
regular registration costs when enrolling.
Refund Policy
A $2.00 service fee will be charged for in
of a program or its registration deadline d
of being on a participant waiting list. No
lines or the start of an activity. Registratio
be fully refunded.
.... ......... ..... ......... ....I....
REGIS
Mendota Heights Parks & Recreation
1101 Victoria Curve
Mendota Heights MN 55118
Phone: 651-452-1850
Parent/Guardian Name:
Address:
City:
Participant Name
1.
2.
3.
I agree that all activities undertaken by u
own risk and that the City of Mendota H
of action whatsoever to myself or; my chi
City of Mendota Heights,' it's agents, or F
such claims, demands, injuries, damages,
I understand that my signature is requiri
I have read this Agreement carefully a
Signature of Parent/Guardian:
PAGE 8 HEIGHTS HIGHLITES SEPTEMBER, 2002
CDA Senior Housing Development Interested in the Town Center
Concept Plans
The above architectural renderings for the Dakota County
CDA senior housing development in Town Center were pre-
sented to the City Council in September. The CDA provid-
ed these drawings to the City Council to gather feedback
prior to their formal submission. The impressive drawings
show a stucco, stone and brick building with French bal-
conies. The City Council was very impressed with the ren-
derings and encouraged the CDA to submit the final draw-
ings as soon as possible. We anticipate the final plans
being reviewed by Council in early October. Upon approval,
the CDA will complete plans and specifications and go out
for bids in October/November.
City Directory
Council Members:
Charles Mertensotto, Mayor 454-3394
Michael Dwyer 452-7872
Sandra Krebsbach 454-5696
Mary Jeanne Schneeman 457-4337
Jack Vitelli 455-5625
Staff Members:
Carl Lindberg, City Administrator
452-1850
Kathleen Swanson, City Clerk
452-1850
Jim Danielson, Public Works Dir.
452-1850
Jeff Piotraschke, Police Chief
452-1366
John Maczko, Fire Chief
255-1371
Patrick Hollister, Admin. Asst.
452-1850
Tom Olund, Public Works Supvr.
454-4059
Kristen Schabacker, Finance Ofr.
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
Development?
Town Center Developer Ross Fefercorn will begin con-
struction on the first phase of the townhomes in the Town
Center Development in early 2003. He will be holding
focus group meetings for individuals that may be interest-
ed in learning more about the housing opportunities on
the site. If you are interested in being placed on the inter-
est list for the townhomes, condominiums, office or retail
space in the Town Center development, please leave
your name, address and phone number at one of the fol-
lowing numbers. For information on Townhomes or
Condominiums, call 952-835-1718, ext. 190. For informa-
tion on office or retail space, call 952-835-1718, ext. 180.
POSTAL PATRON
MENDOTA HEIGHTS, MN 55120
Prsrt Std
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 6166
St. Paul, MN 55118
CARRIER ROUTE
PRESORT
ECR WSS