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2019-09-13 Friday NewsHome improvement loans in Dakota County with no interest – no monthly payment Does your home need repairs that you can’t afford to make? The Dakota County Community Development Agency (CDA) may be able to help! The CDA’s Home Improvement Loan (Loan) is an interest free loan program for low and moderate income homeowners in Dakota County. The Loan is repayable when your home is sold or you no longer live there – there are no monthly payments! Loans range from $15,000 to $25,000. The Loan is commonly used for replacing roofs, siding, windows, furnaces, doors, and driveways. The CDA will inspect your home and work with you to determine the scope of the project. You will get bids and a cost reasonable estimate will be selected. After loan papers are signed, the contractor can begin work. Payments will be made directly to the contractor once the work has been completed and approved by you and the CDA. To qualify, you must be a homeowner, have sufficient equity, a satisfactory credit history and a gross annual income under the limits in the following table: Household Size Maximum Income* 1 $52,850 2 $60,400 3 $67,950 4 $75,500 5 $81,550 6 $87,600 7 $93,650 8 $99,700 You can apply for a Home Improvement Loan by returning a completed application to the CDA. Applications can be downloaded from the CDA’s website at http://www.dakotacda.org/wp-content/ uploads/2015/12/CED_Home_Loan_App.pdf or request an application be mailed to you by calling 651-675-4465. * Income limits are as of June 2019 and are subject to change. Upcoming Public Meeting Dates September 17 City Council Mtg | 7:00pm September 18 Airport Rel Comm Mtg | 6:00pm September 24 Planning Comm Mtg | 7:00pm October 2 City Council Mtg | 7:00pm Stay Connected: Facebook.com/ MendotaHeightsMN Facebook.com/ MHParksandRec Facebook.com/ MendotaHeightsPD Twitter.com/ @mendota_heights Twitter.com/ @mheightsPD September 13, 2019 from the City of Mendota Heights Mendota Heights City Hall 1101 Victoria Curve www.mendota-heights.com 651.452.1850 City Hall Lobby Hours M-TH: 7am-4:30pm F: 7am-11:30am Police Department Lobby Hours M-F: 8:00am-4:30pm FRIDAY NEWS Public meeting announcement The Parks and Recreation Commission meeting scheduled for October 10 at 6:30 p.m. has been cancelled. Part of Valley Park Trail to be closed during working hours September 18-20 Xcel Energy will be conducting maintenance work on a gas pipeline that runs through Valley Park. During this maintenance, a portion of Valley Park Trail will be closed during business hours Wednesday (9/18/19), Thursday (9/19/19), and Friday (9/20/19). A trail detour will be set up for pedestrian traffic that uses trails along Marie Avenue, Victoria Road, and Highway 13. Please note this closure only affects trail traffic from Marie Avenue to Highway 13/ Lilydale Road. Valley Park Trail will still be in service from Marie Avenue to Bluff Circle. View trail detour map at http://bit.ly/ValleyParkTrail_Detour_Map_Sept2019. Sponsorship Applications Accepted Until Sept. 20 Sponsoring Two Participants for the Fall Master Water Stewards Class The Lower Mississippi River Watershed Management Organization (LMRWMO) is sponsoring two participants for the Fall 2019 Master Water Stewards Class, a $2,250 value for the classes. Applications are being accepted until September 20, 2019. Note this deadline is earlier for residents of the LMRWMO than the typical application deadline. The two successful applicants will be asked to provide $250 towards the classes, which will be reimbursed upon completion. Apply Now! Applications are available at masterwaterstewards.org. Please contact Joe Barten, LMRWMO Administrator, at (651) 480-7784 with any questions. Join your neighbors to protect your water Across the greater Twin Cities metropolitan area and beyond, individuals are joining with neighbors to make a significant difference in the health of water in their communities. By becoming trained and certified as Master Water Stewards, they have dreamed up, created, and installed projects that make measurable impacts on water health. Applications are now being accepted for the next cohort of Master Water Stewards who want to make a difference in their community. Priority deadline is September 20. Master Water Stewards volunteer 50 hours of community service in their initial year of certification, at least 25 hours each subsequent year, and attend eight hours of continuing education to maintain their certification. To date, stewards have accomplished a tremendous amount through their service. They:  Have connected with thousands of people through outreach and educational events  Have installed or planned more than 150 projects, including rain gardens, rain barrels and cisterns, permeable pavers, pollinator gardens, tree plantings, neighborhood outreach events and buckthorn removals.  Are preventing millions of gallons of polluted runoff from entering our lakes, rivers, and creeks each year. In the process these efforts are removing algae-causing organic material, animal waste, gas and oil spillage, excess salt, and other debris from our neighborhood streets. To learn more, citizens can visit masterwaterstewards.org or attend an upcoming information session at one of the following locations (all applicants welcome at either of the following sessions).  September 10, 6-7 pm – Freshwater Society, 2424 Territorial Road W, Saint Paul  September 17, 6-7 pm – Dakota County Western Service Center, 14955 Galaxie Ave, Apple Valley Find more information at masterwaterstewards.org. Take part in a MnDOT statewide Pedestrian System Plan Survey State highways often function as community main streets—places where people shop, work, go to school, and much more, using many forms of transportation. Walking is an essential part of Minnesota’s transportation system and an important contributor to the health of our communities. For these reasons, MnDOT is currently working on a Statewide Pedestrian System Plan. To help guide the plan, and prioritize future pedestrian improvements and investment on the state highway system, please take part in a short online survey at https://www.minnesotawalks.org/ participate/ . The survey takes about five minutes to complete. To learn more, visit the MnDOT Statewide Pedestrian System Plan at https://www.minnesotawalks.org/. We want to hear from you! The City uses an online civic participation tool through Polco that residents can participate in via their preferred digital device, at a time and place convenient for them. Community survey questions are posted periodically on a wide range of topics. Users can remain anonymous, and responses are viewed as totals. Responses enable the City to effectively survey performance and programs, gain insights into public attitudes and opinions, and uncover new ideas and solutions. Users can see survey results and how others in the community are responding, and have an opportunity to comment on topics if desired. Set up a free account at https://polco.us/mendotaheights or download the app for iOS or Android. Once an account is established users can receive notifications when new questions are posted. Subscribe to weekly city news online Visit www.mendota-heights.com. Go to Our City/City Publications/Subscribe to Friday News For subscription removals or other questions, please email Communications Coordinator Sharon Deziel at sharond@mendota-heights.com. Adopting a storm drain simply involves keeping it free of sediment, trash, leaves, and other debris by sweeping and collecting it at least twice a month. It is a simple, easy way you can help do your part to improve water quality in our community! Online sign-up at: https://www.adopt-a-drain.org/ Fall newsletter on its way Be on the lookout for the fall issue of Heights Highlights that was recently mailed. This publication is sent to every mailbox in Mendota Heights. Current and past issues are also available online at https://www.mendota-heights.com/ publications. Register for a Music Together class Classes September 17-November 20 Harmon Park, West St. Paul Ages: Birth-Kindergarten Registration is open for a weekly Music Together class featuring songs, rhythmic rhymes, movement, and instrument play. Tuesdays: 10-10:45am or 6-6:45pm Wednesdays: 10-10:45am or 6-6:45pm Visit https://secure.rec1.com/MN/mendota -heights-mn/catalog under Youth Programs to learn more. September 21 | 7pm at Garlough Park (West St. Paul) Light up the night at the first annual, family- friendly Glow Dash! Enjoy music and games before you walk, run, or push a stroller through a lighted 1.36 mile dash. This event is for all ages and abilities (no dogs please). Wear your favorite glow gear, and every participant will receive a swag bag filled with glow-in-the-dark accessories and more. Refreshments available after the event. Sponsored by the Mendota Heights, West St. Paul, and South St. Paul Parks and Recreation Departments. Cost: $15 per participant Register under Special Events: https://secure.rec1.com/MN/mendota- heights-mn/catalog Create an account and view youth and adult programs at: https://secure.rec1.com/MN/mendota- heights-mn/catalog Parks & Recreation Field trips registration open for fall non-school days October 17 | Bunker Park Stables Ages: 8 and up | $47 per child October 18 | Sever’s Corn Maze and Eden Prairie Community Pool Ages: 6-12 | $35 per child Reserve early! https://secure.rec1.com/ MN/mendota-heights-mn/catalog Mendota Heights Par 3 · 651.454.9822 Last Saturday’s Movie in the Park Thank you to all who came out to enjoy the outdoor movie The Goonies at Mendakota Park! While we’re sad the outdoor movie season is coming to an end, Parks & Recreation is already vigorously planning next year’s community events. Would you like to learn more about recycling or composting? Meet others who are excited about waste reduction and have the chance to inspire others to help reduce waste in Dakota County. Over a 6-week period with one class each week, participants hear presentations from local and regional experts on waste reduction, recycling, composting and solid waste and go on field trips to relevant sites. Upcoming classes: Tuesdays, Sept. 24–Oct. 29 | 6:30-9 p.m. Eagan Community Center 1501 Central Parkway, Eagan Optional tour day: Wednesday, Oct. 23 | 9 a.m.–2 p.m. (tentative) Registration is open! Be the first to know about the next class. Contact Jenny Kedward at 952-891-7043 or jennifer.kedward@co.dakota.mn.us. Register and learn more: https://www.co.dakota.mn.us/ Environment/CommunityInvolvement/ MasterRecycler/Pages/default.aspx Shred event recap About 150 vehicles were serviced at the community paper shred event held at Friendly Hills Middle School on September 7. If you missed the shred event there are several upcoming area events: Saturday, September 14 Farmington Maintenance Facility 19650 Municipal Dr, Farmington 9AM – 1PM Saturday, September 28 Burnsville Maintenance Facility 13713 Frontier Court, Burnsville 9AM – 2PM Friday, October 4 Pioneer Secure Shred 155 Irving Ave N, Minneapolis 9:30AM – 11:30AM Celebrate with low-waste parties! Parties are great ways to celebrate milestones with friends and family, but can sometimes produce a ton of waste at the end. With a little foresight, parties can be made a little more “green,” and hopefully save you some green. Food Pizza is a must-have for most parties. Making your own dough is surprisingly easy, or you can visit a pizza place and purchase dough to take home in your own container. Pizza boxes can be composted, just remove any stickers on the box. Sign up for the Thompson Park organics drop site: call 952-891-7557 or email organics@co.dakota.mn.us. For a more adult menu, a Tex-Mex bar is easy and most of the ingredients come package-free! Ideas include:  Peppers  Onions  Tomatoes  Avocados  Cilantro and green onions  Limes  Beans and rice from bulk bins (bring your own container) What’s a party without cake? Bake your own cake to dramatically cut down on packaging waste. Or if you want something a bit different, head down to your local bakery with your own containers and grab a few donuts or pastries. Watch for more on hosting low-waste celebrations in next week’s issue! What is Illicit Discharge? The Environmental Protection Agency defines Illicit Discharge as any discharge to the storm sewer system that is not composed entirely of stormwater, except for some allowable discharges such as irrigation water and hydrant flushing. Some examples of Illicit Discharge:  Sediment-laden water from construction sites  Improper vehicle washing  Dumping or spilling of paint, oil, cleaners, fertilizer, and other household chemicals How do I report an Illicit Discharge? Contact: Krista Spreiter, Natural Resources Technician kristas@mendota-heights.com | 651-255-1123 | F: 651-452-8940 -- or -- Mendota Heights Police Department | 651-452-1366 Minimizing stormwater pollution in high-water conditions With 2019 becoming one of the wettest years on record, it is a good idea now more than ever to think about stormwater pollution prevention in times of heavy rainfall and high-water conditions. Homeowners that live in areas that are likely to flood or near surface waters, should be thinking about strategies to prevent and reduce pollution. However, regardless of where you live, the following practices will keep pollutants from entering our storm drains, as well as our lakes, rivers, wetlands, and streams.  Keep hazardous household materials and items such as cleaners, motor oil, pesticides, fertilizers, batteries, and antifreeze sealed and covered.  Place hazardous materials and items in areas of high ground that are not in danger of flooding, and cannot be washed into storm drains and surface waters.  Secure fuel tanks. If placed in your basement, secure the tank so that it cannot tip or turn over if your basement floods.  If your residence contains a septic system, do not pump your system. Instead try to drastically reduce water use, and don’t use the system if the soil is still saturated or flooded. For more information on septic systems and flooding, visit: https://www.pca.state.mn.us/sites/default/ files/c-er3-16.pdf  Do not dump grass clippings and yard waste in un-contained areas in your yard or elsewhere. Bring yard waste to a yard waste site, or compost using a compost bin or other containment device. Grass clippings, leaves, and yard waste can contribute extra phosphorous and nutrients to our surface waters, causing harmful algae blooms. Emerald Ash Borer City Staff has begun notifying residents if it is suspected that ash tree(s) on their property are infected with Emerald Ash Borer. Removal on private property is not required by City Code, but is encouraged to help slow the spread, and prevent dead and dying ash trees from becoming a safety hazard. The City has also begun removals of infected ash trees within the Right-of-Way along public streets, and within City-owned land. EAB is an invasive insect that attacks and kills ash trees. Signs of EAB infestation:  Canopy die-back  Blond patches on branches and/or trunk  Woodpecker damage  Splitting bark  D-shaped exit holes If you have an ash tree on your property that is in the early stages of infection, or has not yet become infected, treatment may be an option. The City has continued its partnership with Rainbow Treecare to offer treatments to residents at a discounted rate. Contact Rainbow Tree Care directly if you are interested in taking advantage of this program: Rainbow Treecare's Discount Program for Mendota Heights. Regardless of your choice or ability to treat your ash tree, consider replacing your ash tree with another shade tree species. Some good options for replacement shade tree species are:  Basswood (Linden) Tilia Americana  Bur Oak Quercus macrocarpa  Cathedral Elm Ulmus ‘Cathedral’  Hackberry Celtis occidentalis  Ginkgo Ginkgo biloba  Ironwood Ostrya virginiana  Kentucky Coffee Tree Gymnocladus dioicus  White Oak Quercus alba For More information, please visit: Mendota Heights EAB webpage. 1 The latest from the Mendota Heights Police Department SEPTEMBER 13, 2019 CHIEF Kelly McCarthy CAPTAIN Wayne Wegener SERGEANTS Eric Petersen Tanner Spicer Peyton Fleming POLICE OFFICERS John Larrive Todd Rosse Chad Willson Philip McCarty Weston Raberge Peter Renteria Cara Hogan Tony Patton Ryan Yauch Tommy Albindia Eric Hagelee Leif Vandersteen Alex Randall INVESTIGATIONS Nick Gorgos SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER Steve Hilyar COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICER Josh Rosenberry SUPPORT STAFF Kim Richter Trista Miller Shayna Hoechst Becky Pentel RESERVES Jim Knox Jeff Parker CHAPLAINS Butch Millett John Snider Alberto Vargas Lynn Liberman Sue Plucker Joel Detlefsen Mike VerWay Electronic vaping devices and all other tobacco products are illegal for persons under the age of 18 per MN Statute 609.685 SALE OF TOBACCO TO CHILDREN The Inhalation of Harmful Chemicals Can Cause Irreversible Lung Damage and Lung Disease 2 DOMESTIC/DISTURBANCE — 7XX DECORAH LN 09/06/19, 1530 HOURS Officers were dispatched to a report of a verbal domestic/dispute at the 700 block of Decorah Lane. It was determined that nothing criminal had taken place. Officers transported one party from the residence to a secondary location. DWI — CONCORD BLVD/DAWN WAY 09/07/19, 0110 HOURS Officer was on a DWI enforcement detail in the city of Inver Grove Heights and conducted a traffic stop for a speeding violation on the 5900 block of Concord Blvd. While speaking with the driver, the officer could smell the odor of alcoholic beverage coming from the driver's breath and their eyes were bloodshot and watery. Driver admitted to drinking prior to driving and performed a field sobriety test. Driver was arrested for 4th Degree DWI and was booked and released with a citation. DWI — SIBLEY MEMORIAL HWY 09/07/19, 0214 HOURS Officers observed a vehicle strike a curb and drive partially on the shoulder on the 800 block of Hwy 13. Officer stopped the vehicle and detected signs of impairment. Officer conducted fields on the driver and determined that they were too impaired to drive. The driver was arrested for DWI. DWI — SIBLEY MEMORIAL HWY 09/07/19, 0258 HOURS While working a DWI enforcement detail, officer observed a vehicle tailgating a vehicle ahead of it at an unsafe distance. Officer conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle at the 800 block of Highway 13. While speaking with the driver, the officer could smell the odor of alcoholic beverage coming from the driver's breath. The driver admitted to drinking prior to driving and performed a field sobriety test. The driver was arrested and booked and released from the Dakota County Jail. The vehicle was impounded. DAMAGE TO PROPERTY — HWY 62/SOUTH PLAZA WAY 09/07/19, 1801 HOURS Officers received a phone call about suspicious parties near Highway 62 and Dodd Road. Caller said that they were on the walking path that goes underneath the highway that connects South Plaza Way to the Mendota Village, where they saw three males that were believed to be spray painting the walls. Area searched and males not found. MnDOT advised of spray paint. DWI — MENDOTA HEIGHTS RD/PARK LN 09/07/19, 1820 HOURS Officers were dispatched to a welfare check at the intersection of Mendota Heights Road and Park Lane. The reporting party stated that a truck was backed into trees in a yard and there was a male in the driver seat who appeared intoxicated. Officers arrived on scene and had the male perform SFST ’s. The male was arrested for DWI and transported to Dakota County Jail. RECOVERED STOLEN PROPERTY — 6XX HWY 13 09/08/19, 1718 HOURS Dispatched to the 600 block of Hwy 13 on a suspicion. Caller reported finding a vehicle trunk lid with license plate attached on the side of the road covered with a blanket. A check of the license plate revealed it to be from a stolen vehicle. Trunk picked up by owner and license plate destroyed at the request of the entering agency. 3 ASSIST OTHER AGENCY — 9XX HUMBOLDT AVE 09/08/19, 2107 HOURS Officers responded to the 900 block of Humboldt Avenue in West Saint Paul to assist them with a suicide threat call. Upon arrival officers surrounded the residence and the incident was able to end peacefully. MEDICAL — 1XXX WAGON WHEEL TR 09/09/19, 0556 HOURS Officers responded to a medical alarm near the 1000 block of Wagon Wheel Trail. An elderly woman was found in her home where she lived alone. She was clearly not able to care for herself and officers and medics determined that the living situation needed to be brought to the attention of Social Services. MENTAL HEALTH — 2XXX PILOT KNOB RD 09/09/19, 0630 HOURS Dispatched to the 2000 block of Pilot Knob Rd on a suspicious person. Caller stated the person was pulling on doors of closed businesses. The person was located at Pilot Knob Rd and Commerce Dr. Person was identified as a juvenile female and sent to the hospital on a health and welfare hold. THREATS — 9XX MENDOTA HEIGHTS RD 09/09/19, 1712 HOURS Officers received a request to call a man in reference to his son being threatened at school. The school is located near the 900 block of Mendota Heights Road. Parents and administrators were contacted and it was determined that the threats were made in juvenile anger and not credible. In addition, the perpetrator will be attending mandatory counseling. STOLEN VEHICLE — 1XXX JAMES RD 09/09/19, 1718 HOURS Resident in the 1000 block of James Road reported a car taken from inside the garage. Keys are still with homeowner. Vehicle entered as stolen. No suspects or witnesses. THEFT — 1XXX HWY 13 09/10/19, 1231 HOURS While conducting follow-up investigation into an unrelated matter, officer learned of a theft where some musical equipment had gone missing. Under investigation. THREATS — 1XXX VICTORIA CURVE 09/11/19, 1821 HOURS Officer responded to the 1000 block of Victoria Curve to a report of threats. Reporting party explained her son sent threatening messages to her phone. Son is homeless and struggles with mental illnesses. Son is known to be in Minneapolis, but reporting party does not know where he currently is. KOPS alert sent to region to attempt to locate male and cell phone ping attempted. TRAFFIC STOP/WARRANT — HWY 62/LEXINGTON AVE 09/11/19, 2311 HOURS Officer was on routine patrol when attention was drawn to a vehicle that had an equipment violation. Officer stopped vehicle and attempted to ID the driver. The driver provided false information. Officers identified male and found that he had warrants. The male was arrested for warrants and transported to Dakota County Jail. 4 09/06—9/12 2019 YTD Calls for Service 202 8,449 Police Reports 21 815 Citations 34 1,238 Warnings 41 1,779 Response Time Average 7.32 6.53 Check out the MH Crime Map! Click below to search your neighborhood: https://www.raidsonline.com 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, MN 55118 If you are a Mendota Heights resident and you are going out of town or on vacation, you can notify MHPD of your outing and we will be more than happy to keep a watchful eye on your home while you are away. The Vacation/House Check Request online form is available on our website; you can also complete a form found in our lobby, or simply give us a call! MHPD offers a Medication Disposal Box in the lobby of the PD where Dakota County residents can safely & anonymously dispose of their prescription drug medication. This program is mainly meant to keep narcotics off the streets and dispose of medications in environmentally sound ways. ** No needles/sharps. Visit the Green Guide for tips. ** Please visit the Dakota County Recycling Zone for helpful resources for all safe disposal solutions. Car Seat Checks—TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE Please visit the MN DPS for more information. Questions/Comments? Email us at: pdrecords@ mendota-heights.com Questions? Call our Non-Emergency Line @ 651.452.1366. Need Public Safety Response? Call 911 SOCIAL MEDIA The Good, The Bad & The Ugly Social Media Can Help Kids:  Stay connected with friends and family.  Volunteer or get involved in a campaign, nonprofit or charity.  Enhance their creativity by sharing ideas, music and art.  Meet and interact with other who share similar interests.  Communicate with educa- tors and fellow students. On The Flipside Kids Can:  Post photos of themselves online and use their real names on their profiles.  Reveal their birthdates and interests.  Post their school name and town they live. Concerns, The Ugly:  Social media is a hub for cyberbullying.  Kids may be contacted by a stranger that may make them uncomfortable.