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2019-10-18 Friday NewsTake part in the 2019 Mendota Heights Community Survey The 2019 City of Mendota Heights’ Community Survey is designed to help Mendota Heights follow trends in community sentiment to better serve residents. The survey consists of 16 questions, and was designed to cover topic areas more generally, so that later we can dive into individual results that impact our city. Topic areas include:  Ensuring a safe community  Quality of infrastructure  Physical appearance of the community  Quality of community life  Return on investment  Quality of public services  General open comment area (optional) The survey is taken online via any preferred digital device and takes just a few minutes to complete. To take part, link directly to the survey and begin answering questions. At the end you will be directed to set up a free Polco account if you do not already have one. Polco accounts can be set up any time 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. Participants can remain anonymous, and responses are viewed as totals. Users can see survey results and how others in the community are responding, and have an opportunity to comment on topics if desired. One example of the Community Survey questions is: Upcoming Public Meeting Dates Wednesday, November 6 City Council Mtg | 7:00pm Please note: The Oct. 22 Planning Commission Meeting scheduled for 8:00pm has been CANCELLED. Stay Connected: Facebook.com/ MendotaHeightsMN Facebook.com/ MHParksandRec Facebook.com/ MendotaHeightsPD Twitter.com/ @mendota_heights Twitter.com/ @mheightsPD October 18, 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 announcements The Planning Commission meeting scheduled for Tuesday, October 22 at 8:00pm has been cancelled. Take the survey at https://polco.us/surveys/54a3709e-4394-46f7-b8e7-3e56be10c993 The survey will remain open until December 15. Seasonal Skating Instructor The City of Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation is accepting applications for a seasonal Skating Instructor. The Skating Instructor is responsible for instructing individuals at various levels and ages in learn-to-skate programs and performs a variety of duties including developing lesson plans, preparing materials, instructing classes and supervising participants. Hourly Rate: $15.50 to $16.25, DOQ To apply: Complete a city application and application supplement. Position open until filled. Seasonal Warming House/Rink Attendant The City of Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Department is accepting applications for part-time, seasonal Warming House/Rink Attendants for Mendota Heights’ outdoor ice rinks. The City’s outdoor ice rinks are located at Friendly Hills Park, Marie Park and Wentworth Park. Warming House/Ice Rink Attendants are responsible for opening and closing warming houses and ice rinks; maintaining rinks, warming houses and grounds cleanliness; shoveling and clearing excess snow off rinks and walkways; ensuring that rules and polices are followed and for interacting with the public in a professional, courteous and helpful manner. Hours vary, up to 20 hours per week, mid-December through early March (weather permitting). Evening and weekend hours required. Hourly Rate: $10.00 to $10.75 To apply: Complete a city application and application supplement. Position open until filled. First consideration will be given to applications received by 4:00 pm on October 31, 2019. Seasonal Rink Flooder The City of Mendota Heights Public Works Department is accepting applications for part-time, seasonal Rink Flooders for Mendota Heights’ outdoor ice rinks. The City’s outdoor ice rinks are located at Friendly Hills Park, Marie Park and Wentworth Park. Rink Flooders are responsible for the safe operation of maintenance equipment, maintenance of outdoor skating rinks which includes flooding and shoveling, and clean-up and disposal of debris found on the rinks and in the general area of the rinks. Hours: Hours vary, up to 25 hours per week, mid-December through early March (weather permitting). Evening and weekend hours required. Hourly Rate: $10.00 to $10.75. To apply: Complete a city application and application supplement. Position open until filled. Visit https://www.mendota- heights.com/employment for more information, application materials and instructions. Now Hiring – Apply Today! October 31 | 7pm-9pm Vacant lot behind Mendota Plaza Gather family, friends, and neighbors for this annual event! Hot dogs and pop will be provided by the Mendota Heights Fire Department. Residents should park on surrounding streets, and not in the Mendota Plaza parking lot. The City will be supplying oak pallets for the bonfire; do not bring brush to the site. Thank you to Paster Properties for the use of the bonfire site again this year! National Prescription Drug Take Back Day October 26 | 10am-2pm National Take-Back Day is a safe, convenient, and responsible way to dispose of unused or expired prescription drugs. MHPD will be collecting unwanted, unused and expired prescription medications at City Hall between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Residents can simply drive thru the City Hall main entrance turnaround to drop them off from their vehicle, and collections are anonymous - no questions asked. Please place medications in a container or sealed plastic bag - they do not need to be separated. Can't make it to the event? A medication disposal box is available year-round, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the Police Department lobby entrance (lower level of City Hall - access via the Lexington Ave S. parking lot). Orbit Earth Expo December 30 Orbit Earth Expo is coming to the City of Mendota Heights and Tri District Community Education for an unforgettable science experience. Orbit Earth Expo is interactive and entertaining. Orb (a 14-foot inflatable model of Earth) and his friends will take your family on a journey to space to create cycles, systems and relationships between the Earth, Moon and Sun. You’ll manipulate the models to create eclipses, seasons, moon phases, creation of winds, day/ night cycles, rotation vs. revolution, order of the planets, and more! Admission is limited and registration is required. Thank you to the ISD 197 Education Foundation for their help in making this free event possible. Cost: FREE Time: 1:30-2:30pm Location: Mendota Elementary Register: https://secure.rec1.com/MN/mendota-heights-mn/catalog or at City Hall. Winter gymnastics Saturdays, December 7–February 8 At Henry Sibley High School Classes introduce young gymnasts to the sport in a safe, fun environment. A variety of skills will be taught and developed on the balance beam, uneven bars, floor exercise and tumbling. This is an 8-week session. Ages: 3-12 Tumbling Tykes, Tumbling Tots, Kinder Tumbling: $90 per child Beginner, Advanced Beginner: $110 per child Register: https://secure.rec1.com/MN/mendota-heights-mn/catalog or at City Hall. Create an account and view youth and adult programs at: https://secure.rec1.com/MN/mendota- heights-mn/catalog Parks & Recreation Recreation Fee Assistance Program A Recreation Fee Assistance Program is available to eligible Mendota Heights residents for participation in recreation programs. Qualification details, eligible program information, and an application can be found at https://www.mendota-heights.com/ parksrecreation. For more information contact Recreation Program Coordinator Meredith Lawrence: meredithl@mendota- heights.com or 651.255.1354. Superhero Masquerade November 17 Action, adventure and fun awaits your little superhero at the Superhero Masquerade! Come dressed as your favorite superhero and enjoy crafts, games, activities, a dance party and refreshments. Register early — space is limited. An adult must be present during the event. Ages: 2-12 Time: 3-5pm Cost: $20 per child Location: Thompson County Park - Dakota Lodge Register: https://secure.rec1.com/MN/mendota-heights-mn/catalog or at City Hall. Find fun this fall! The fall episode of Town Square TV’s Community Parks Connection is online at https://vimeo.com/361337037. Discover tons of events and activities taking place locally. This episode will also play on Comcast Xfinity 18/CenturyLink Prism 8418. Winter Break Field Trips Registration is open for these winter break adventures! Register: https://secure.rec1.com/MN/ mendota-heights-mn/catalog or at City Hall. Drakulas Bowling & Movie December 26 Enjoy fun and interactive bowling followed by the movie Spies in Disguise. Ages: 6-12 Cost: $27 per child Time: 9:15am-4:00pm (bus from City Hall) Conquer Ninja Warrior Gym & South Saint Paul Pool December 27 Train and compete like ninjas in the morning, and enjoy swimming the afternoon away at Central Square Community Center Pool. Ages: 6-12 Cost: $35 per child Time: 9:30am-3:30pm (bus from City Hall) Donate to help a neighbor in need City Hall is collecting shelf-stable food and toiletries for Neighbors, Inc. Donations may be dropped off in the lobby during City Hall business hours. The donation drive will run through the holiday season. Fall Clean Up—Yard Waste Options It is illegal in Minnesota to dispose of yard and tree waste (grass, leaves, small brush, plant materials) with your household garbage. This means it must be bagged in a compostable paper bag or reusable container and kept separate from your trash bin. Fall yard waste options include: South St. Paul Compost Site—Now until November 12 681 Venderosa Ave., South St. Paul (off of Hardman & Venderosa Ave.) Hours: Friday-Sunday | 9am-5pm rain or shine Materials accepted: leaves, grass, sod, and garden waste No brush or tree waste, wood chips, mulch or stumps accepted at South St. Paul Compost Site. Free compost is available to take home! Cost: $.50 per standard bag - $1.00 per larger plastic bag/barrel, or volume-based fee for truck loads. http://www.southstpaul.org/208/Yard-Waste-Compost-Site S&S Tree Horticultural Specialists/Davey’s Tree 405 Hardman Ave. S., South St. Paul Hours: Saturdays only | 7am-5pm Materials accepted: brush and tree waste No stumps; no bags accepted at this site—plastic or compostable FREE disposal Stop wish cycling What is Wish Cycling? Have you ever tossed an item into a recycling bin that you were not 100 percent sure was recyclable, but hoped it would find its way to becoming a new product? Many items are recyclable, but some are problematic at recycling sorting facilities. These can damage equipment or contaminate other materials, lowering the value of recyclables. Recycle with certainty Quit wish cycling by refreshing your knowledge of what’s accepted in your recycling program at home. All haulers in Dakota County take:  Paper and cardboard  Cartons  Metal cans  Glass bottles and jars  Plastic bottles and jugs Dakota County has a list of all licensed haulers and what they accept at www.dakotacounty.us, search choose a hauler. Recycle these — but not in your cart Also remember that many items can be recycled, just not in your recycling cart at home.  Plastic shopping bags are one of the hardest materials for recycling facilities to handle as they tangle in machinery. Bring clean and dry plastic bags to grocery and retail stores, like Cub Foods and Target. You can reuse plastic bags as garbage bags or to pick up pet waste. To limit the amount of plastic bags you end up with, use reusable shopping bags and avoid products with excessive plastic wrapping.  Batteries, including small button batteries like those found in greeting cards and watches and rechargeable batteries, contain hazardous materials that can harm the environment if not properly disposed of. Their small size makes them hard for machinery to sort at recycling facilities. Bring all batteries to The Recycling Zone.  Over-the-counter and prescription medications should be brought to drop boxes located at Dakota County Sheriff’s Office in Hastings or city police departments.  Needles and syringes should be placed in a hard container with a twist-on lid labeled “Sharps: Do Not Recycle” and brought to The Recycling Zone in Eagan. See a full list of drop-off sites at www.dakotacounty.us, search Green Guide. Partially funded by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and Dakota County. Home 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: 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. 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 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. 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/. Your yard can bee the change The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) has recently received state funding to provide individual landowners the opportunity to make a difference for our pollinators. The program is called Lawns to Legumes, and it is focused on providing grants to residential property owners in order to turn lawns into pollinator-friendly forbs (flowers), and legumes in order to protect pollinators. Pollinators are responsible for the reproduction of 90% of all flowering plants and roughly 1/3 of all human food crop production. Recently the MN Legislature named the Rusty Patched Bumble Bee (an endangered species) our State Bee, for which Mendota Heights is a Priority Area. It is important now more than ever to provide much-needed habitat for pollinator species such as this. The program is currently being developed by BWSR, the Environmental and Natural Resources Trust Fund, and other partners and stakeholders. The program is planned to begin in the spring of 2020. For more information, and to sign up for program updates, visit the Lawns to Legumes homepage. 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. 1 The latest from the Mendota Heights Police Department OCTOBER 18, 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 2 DRUGS — 10XX HWY 62 10/11/19, 0703 HOURS Officers were called to the 1000 block of Highway 62 for a reported vehicle that had been idling for over two hours. On scene, officers found a male asleep in his vehicle. He was found to be under the influence of narcotics and arrested. PD ACCIDENT — LEXINGTON AVE 10/11/19, 0750 HOURS Dispatched to a property damage accident that occurred on Lexington Ave at Centre Pointe Curve. Both vehicles moved to a nearby parking lot. Drivers were identified and insurance info gathered. One driver pro- vided false information about name and insurance information and also had a revoked license. Citation is- sued and State Accident Report completed. DISORDERLY CONDUCT — 18XX DELAWARE AVE 10/11/19, 0837 HOURS Responded to the 1800 block of Delaware Avenue on a report of a disorderly juvenile. A citation was issued and the juvenile was released to their parent. COERCION — 8XX CHERI LANE 10/11/19, 1437 HOURS A male party living near the 800 block of Cheri Lane came to the Police Department to report that he has been blackmailed into giving money to an unknown person through a texting only cell phone application. Evidence of the crime was collected and the case is currently under investigation. CRISIS/MENTAL HEALTH — 16XX JAMES ROAD 10/11/19, 1505 HOURS Officers were notified by individuals out of state that a male party was attempting to commit suicide and was possibly located near the 1600 block of James Road. During the attempt to locate him, officers were able to get into cell phone communication with the male. Officers eventually talked the male into giving them his location and putting off his suicide attempt. Deputies from the county that the male was in were able to find him and get him to the hospital safely. DOMESTIC — 35 E NORTH 10/12/19, 1832 HOURS Officers responded to a report of a domestic assault near the intersection of Interstate 35E and Wagon Wheel Trail. Adult male suspect fled on foot and was apprehended. Suspect was arrested and transported to Dakota County Jail. 3 CHECK WELFARE — 25XX CONCORD WAY 10/13/19, 1338 HOURS Officers were called to check on a homeowner near the 2500 block of Concord Way who had not been seen in over a month. Officers were not able to contact the owner of the home. Officers had to force entry through an open window to ensure the safety of anyone at home. No one was located. Officers found mail with a new address on it and contacted the owners. DOMESTIC — 13XX NORTHLAND DRIVE 10/13/19, 1558 HOURS Officers responded to the 1300 block of Northland Drive for a loud disturbance. On scene officers found a woman who had been assaulted by a male party. Officers found the male in Saint Paul and arrested him. Forwarded for charges. WARRANT ARREST — 8XX BLUEBILL DRIVE 10/13/19, 1945 HOURS Officer was dispatched to the 800 block of Bluebill Drive on a report of a suspicious vehicle. Officer spoke with the driver of the vehicle who stated his vehicle broke down. Driver had active misdemeanor warrants out of Dakota and Wright counties. Driver was booked into the Dakota County jail for the warrants. TAMPER WITH MOTOR VEHICLE — 21XX AZTEC LANE 10/14/19, 0338 HOURS Dispatched to take a report of a vehicle being tampered with overnight on the 2100 block of Aztec Lane. A garage door opener was taken from the vehicle. Case inactive. FRAUD — 23XX LEXINGTON AVE 10/14/19, 0932 HOURS Officers took a fraud report on the 2300 block of Lexington Avenue. Someone used the victims PayPal account to make purchases. The company refunded the money. There are no suspects in this case. FOUND PROPERTY — LEXINGTON AVE 10/14/19, 1409 HOURS Officer was dispatched to the Mendota Heights Police Department lobby to receive found property. Owner was found. DAMAGE TO PROPERTY — 7XX MAIN STREET 10/14/19, 1420 HOURS Victim works in an office complex in the 700 block of Main St. Victim and co -workers heard a car alarm sounding. Soon after that was heard, a notification alarm was sent to the victim’s cell phone. Victim went down to the parking lot and discovered a window had been shattered on her vehicle. Victim looked through the vehicle, nothing was taken. Second vehicle was broke into in the same lot, most likely at the same time. Case Status: Inactive 4 DAMAGE TO PROPERTY — 7XX MAIN STREET 10/14/19, 1459 HOURS Officers were dispatched to the 700 block of Main Street on the report of a vehicle with its window broken and a purse laying on the ground. The owner was located and notified. It was determined that nothing was taken. THEFT — 22XX APACHE STREET 10/14/19, 1908 HOURS Officers were dispatched to a report of mail theft in the 2200 block of Apache Street. Officers spoke with victim and gathered information. Officers spoke with neighbor and were able to obtain camera footage of the street. No suspect at this time. DUMPING/LITTERING — 9XX SIBLEY MEMORIAL HWY 10/14/19, 1800 HOURS Officers were dispatched to a report of littering/dumping at the 900 block of Sibley Memorial Highway. Officers were able to obtain security camera footage and get a description of the suspect ’s vehicle. No suspect at this time. Case status is active. CRISIS/MENTAL HEALTH — 13XX NORTHLAND DRIVE 10/15/19, 0749 HOURS Officers were dispatched to the 1300 block of Northland Drive on the report of an individual overdosing and holding a knife. Officers made contact with the party through a door and eventually got into the room. The party was transported to the hospital on a psychiatric transport hold. DUMPING/LITTERING — 8XX SIBLEY MEMORIAL HWY 10/15/19, 1619 HOURS Officers were dispatched to a report of littering/dumping at the 800 block of Sibley Memorial Highway. Officers were able to obtain security camera footage and get a description of the suspect ’s vehicle. SUSPICIOUS PERSON — 21XX AZTEC LANE 10/15/19, 2052 HOURS Officers were dispatched to a report of a suspicious person at the 2100 block of Aztec Lane. Party stated someone broke into her daughter’s car a few days prior. Nothing was taken. Officers obtained trail camera footage from a neighbor. Information only. ALCOHOL SALE TO MINOR — 7XX HWY 62 10/16/19, 1715 HOURS While conducting compliance check of business, an employee sold alcohol to a minor at a business on the 700 block of Highway 62. Forward to City Attorney for formal charging of the employee and to the City Clerk for civil penalties against the business. 5 COMPLIANCE CHECKS — 11XX VICTORIA CURVE 10/16/19, 1600 HOURS Officer conducted alcohol compliance checks on businesses with licenses to sell alcohol. One business failed the check. TRAFFIC STOP — 62 WESTBOUND 10/17/19, 0745 HOURS Officer performed a traffic stop on a vehicle that was being driven by a revoked driver. Officer found that the driver had a history of failing to appear or pay his fines more than 40 times. Officer arrested the driver. DUI — 35E SOUTHBOUND 10/17/19, 1318 HOURS Officers assisted State Patrol in stopping a vehicle that was all over the road and had caused several car accidents. The driver was stopped and the investigation showed that he was under the influence of narcotics. The driver was arrested. 6 10/11—10/17 2019 YTD Calls for Service 175 9,699 Police Reports 27 949 Citations 34 1,430 Warnings 51 2,079 Response Time Average 6.58 6.62 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 NIGHTTIME PARKING 11/1 – 3/31 Cars off the street 2 am – 6 am. MH CITY ORD 6-2-2H PARKING DURING SNOWFALL 2” or more snowfall = vehicles off streets until it’s plowed curb to curb. MH CITY ORD 6-2-4