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2019-11-15 Friday NewsPublic meeting announcements There will be a City Council Work Session on Tuesday, November 19, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. to discuss the City’s Athletic Field and Facility Use policy which was enacted one year ago; modifications to the draft FY 2020 budget; warming house staffing and police officer wellness. The public is invited to attend a Community Crime Discussion led by Police Chief Kelly McCarthy on Wednesday, November 20 at Mendota Heights City Hall. The formal meeting and presentation will be from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. During the meeting the public will have an opportunity to comment and ask questions. 19 NOV 20 NOV Ready for play The new playground at Wentworth Park is now complete and ready for play! Watch for information this spring to celebrate this improvement. Mendota Heights City Hall 1101 Victoria Curve www.mendota-heights.com 651.452.1850 City Hall Lobby Hours M-TH: 7:00am-4:30pm F: 7:00am-11:30am Police Department Lobby Hours M-F: 8:00am-4:30pm Upcoming Public Meeting Dates Tuesday, November 19 City Council Work Session | 5:00pm City Council Mtg | 7:00pm Wednesday, November 20 Community Crime Disc. | 6:00pm Tuesday, November 26 Planning Comm Mtg | 7:00pm Thursday, November 28 City Hall & Public Works Closed Friday, November 29 City Hall Closed (Public Works Open) Tuesday, December 3 City Council Mtg | 7:00pm Stay Connected: Facebook.com/ MendotaHeightsMN Facebook.com/ MHParksandRec Facebook.com/ MendotaHeightsPD Twitter.com/ @mendota_heights Twitter.com/ @mheightsPD November 15, 2019 from the City of Mendota Heights FRIDAY NEWS Recycle Holiday Lights November 15-January 31 Have a string that won’t light? City Hall will once again be collecting holiday lights, electrical cords, appliance cords, and phone cords for recycling courtesy of ProAct. Beginning November 15 simply drop off items in a collection bin located in the lobby of City Hall. Please note that cord adapters, battery packs, plastic rope lights, CFL lights, garland/fake trees, and statuary/metal fixtures are NOT accepted. Items may be dropped off Monday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Fridays 7:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Holiday lights are also accepted year-round at The Recycling Zone in Eagan. Road updates Dodd Road closure between Marie and Wentworth Xcel Energy is anticipating work completion on the gas main project in the Somerset Park neighborhood by end-of-day Friday, November 15. This section of Dodd Road is scheduled to be paved on November 19, which should allow for this segment of the road to reopen upon completion. Closure on Delaware Avenue near Henry Sibley High School A portion of Delaware Avenue will be closed on November 20 to install a sanitary sewer connection for the Henry Sibley Aquatic building. This closure may run through November 22 depending on weather and progress. Link to the detour map for alternate routes. Seasonal reminders The Winter Parking Ban is currently in effect with no overnight parking on any public streets between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m.; please remind overnight guests and young drivers of this important information. Additionally, when it snows 2” or more, or there is a high probability of a 2” or more snowfall, a Snow Emergency may be declared and plows will go into action. Please keep all vehicles off of City streets until roads are plowed curb-to-curb. Thank you for keeping Mendota Heights a safe and operational community! Take 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. 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. 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. Seasonal Skating Instructor The City of Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation is accepting applications for a seasonal Skating Instructor. 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. Hourly Rate: $10.00 to $10.75 To apply: Complete a city application and application supplement. Position open until filled. 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. 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! Catch a replay of the November Airport Relations Commission meeting The November 13 ARC meeting, which included a presentation from Metropolitan Airports, and Federal Aviation Administration staff members, will be replayed on Sunday, November 17 at 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. on Cable Channel 18. 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. 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) 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. Gymnastics are eligible for the Recreation Fee Assistance Program for qualifying residents. 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. Last chance to register for 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 Parks & Recreation Winter ice skating lessons Registration is open for outdoor skating lessons at Friendly Hills Rink on Saturdays, starting January 4.  Parent/Tot classes for first-time skaters, ages 3-5; $35 per child  Beginner classes for ages 6 and up with little to no previous experience; $35 per child Learn more and register: https://secure.rec1.com/MN/mendota-heights- mn/catalog or at City Hall. Skating lessons are eligible for the Recreation Fee Assistance Program for qualifying residents. Flag football camp December 26—27 | 10am-1pm Learn the rules of flag football while working on team play and sportsmanship through skill development and games. For ages 6-12; $50 per participant. This activity will take place at the Regional Athletic Center (West Saint Paul Dome). Learn more and register: https://secure.rec1.com/MN/mendota-heights-mn/catalog or at City Hall. Shoe recycling event—LAST WEEKEND! Through November 17 Drop off shoes in any condition! Shoes in good condition will be cleaned up and reused by being given to those in need. Shoes that are no longer in good condition will be separated and the parts such as rubber and textiles will be recycled. https:// www.dakotavalleyrecycling.org/recycling-news/236-shoes Eagan Civic Arena | 3870 Pilot Knob Rd Hours: 7:00 a.m.- 10:00 p.m. The last day to use the South St. Paul Compost Site is this Sunday, November 17. 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 thru November 17 ** 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 It’s AMERICA RECYCLES DAY! To celebrate, to follow are steps that you can take to love your planet: Step #1: KEEP IT LOOSE Place items for recycling loose in the recycling cart—do not bag in plastic; if you need a bag, use a paper bag. Step #2: SIGN UP FOR THE ORGANICS DROP-OFF PROGRAM Did you know that West St. Paul hosts a free food waste drop site for Dakota County residents? It’s easier than you may think, and the site provides free compostable bags as well. https://www.co.dakota.mn.us/Environment/ Residential/Organics/Pages/organics-drop-off.aspx Step #3: RECYCLE PLASTIC BAGS & SHRINK WRAP at DROP-OFF LOCATIONS Plastic bags and shrink around packs of toilet paper and paper towels can be brought back to many retail stores for recycling – never put these in your recycling cart! Find a location near you at https://www.plasticfilmrecycling.org/recycling- bags-and-wraps/find-drop-off-location/ Step #4: KNOW YOUR CUPS Paper cups from coffee and ice cream chains cannot currently be recycled due to a thin layer of plastic film lining each cup. Please place these in the trash. 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/. Remember to keep leaves out of our streets and storm drains Now that the leaves have begun to fall, remember to keep them out of our streets, gutters, and storm drains. When leaves and yard waste are washed into storm drains, they end up in our surface waters, where they then release nutrients that contribute to algae growth and algae blooms the next spring. These extra nutrients also cause low oxygen levels, fish kills, and unsafe swimming and recreation conditions. When raking up leaves, branches, and debris from your yard, dispose of them properly. Here are some good options:  Compost yard waste in your backyard. Addling leaves to a compost pile is an inexpensive way to add nutrient rich fertilizer to your gardens.  Bring leaves to a compost site or other acceptable disposal site. Many sites take leaves and other yard waste free of charge or for a small fee. A list of sites in our area can be found here.  Till leaves directly into a garden, for added organic matter. Short on time? Use a service such as TaskRabbit to hire out the task of raking and/or removing your leaves for you! 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. Fall and Winter Tree Care Leaves may drop, and trees may go dormant, but that doesn’t mean tree care stops! Winter, when trees are dormant, is the best time for pruning. Pruning prevents many tree problems including maintaining structural integrity, and preventing insect and disease damage. Specific species should only be pruned from late autumn through the winter months (during dormancy), due to the risk of disease. For example, pruning or wounding oaks during the high-risk season (typically April- June), greatly increases the probability of infection of oak wilt disease. Tips for fall and winter tree care:  Continue to water your trees up until ground- freeze.  Place tree guards on your tree in early autumn to prevent sun scald, as well as rodent and wildlife damage.  Before ground-freeze, ensure your tree has a good mulch layer (2-3 inches), and keep the mulch away from the trunk of the tree, at least 3 inches.  When pruning, if branches are unreachable or large enough to cause injury, consider hiring a tree care professional that has a certified arborist on staff.  Prune branches just about the branch collar.  Branches to prune include branch stubs, rubbing or closely spaced branches, vertical/water sprouts, sucker growth, and branches with weak or narrow crotches (junctions). For further information on pruning trees: https://extension.umn.edu/ planting-and-growing-guides/pruning-trees-and-shrubs 1 2 3 4 5 6 Issues to watch for when pruning 2 3 Branch collar swelling Cut Cut Cut 1 Use multiple cuts to remove large branches 1 The latest from the Mendota Heights Police Department NOVEMBER 15, 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 WHAT IS VAPING? Vaping is the act of inhaling and exhaling an aerosol or vapor made from liquid or dry material that is heated in an electronic powered device, called an electronic cigarette or, e-cigarette. The liquid can contain flavoring, nicotine, or marijuana concentrates. Generally, the vaping device consists of a battery, a cartridge for containing the e-liquid or dry marijuana, and a heating component. STREET NAMES/SLANG E-cigs, e-hookahs, mods, vape pens, vapes, tank systems, and Juuls or Juuling. Marijuana concentrates are often referred to as 710 (the word “oil” flipped and spelled backwards), wax, ear wax, honey oil, budder, butane hash oil (BHO), shatter, dabs (dabbing), black glass and errl. WHAT ARE MARIJUANA CONCENTRATES? A marijuana concentrate is a highly potent THC concentrated mass that is most similar in appear- ance to either honey or butter, which is why it is referred to or known on the street as “honey oil” or “budder.” It can contain extraordinarily high THC levels ranging from 40 to 80%. This form of marijuana can be up to 4 times stronger in THC content than high grade or top shelf marijuana, which normally measure around 20% THC levels. HOW IS IT USED? Marijuana concentrates are increasingly being used in vaping devices. Many users prefer the vaping device because it is smokeless, sometimes odorless, and is easy to hide or conceal. The user takes a small amount of marijuana concentrate, referred to as a “dab,” then heats the substance using the vaping device to produce vapors that endure an instant “high” effect for the user (“dabbing”). Vaping is an emerging public health threat to the nation’s youth. In just a single year, American teens reported a dramatic increase in their use of vaping devices. In 2018, 37.3% of 12th graders reported “any vaping” in the past 12 months, compared to 27.8% the year before. 2 FORGERY — 9XX SIBLEY MEMORIAL HWY 11/11/19, 1227 HOURS Business in the 900 block of Hwy 13 reported a forged check. The incident took place on 11 -09-2019 around 1200 hours. An adult white male pumped gas, entered the store, approached the counter, wrote out a check and presented it to an employee. The employee went to talk with a manager, the suspect left the store. A license plate number was obtained off the suspect’s vehicle. Follow up is being completed. Case Status: Active / Pending DISTURBING THE PEACE — 18XX DELAWARE AVE 11/11/19, 1533 HOURS Responded to the 1800 block of Delaware Avenue on a report of a juvenile trespassing and being disorderly. Juvenile was detained and turned over to an adult family member. Citation Issued. MAIL THEFT — 6XX MENDOTA ROAD 11/11/19, 0730 HOURS Officers were dispatched to the Police Department on a report of mail theft that occurred at the 600 block of Mendota Road. The reporting party stated that two checks had been taken from her mother ’s mailbox sometime during the day. One was cashed and one was attempted to be cashed. Officers investigated and have identified a suspect. Investigation is still ongoing. THEFT — 18XX DELAWARE AVE 11/11/19, 1106 HOURS Officer responded to the 1800 block of Delaware Avenue on a report of a theft of credit cards where a juvenile suspect was located in possession of them. Case is under investigation. WARRANT SERVICE — 6XX LINDEN STREET 11/13/19, 1215 HOURS Officers were called to the 600 block of Linden Street to pick up a male party with a warrant. On scene, the male was located, arrested, and transported to Dakota County Jail. 4th DEG DRUGS — 18XX DELAWARE AVE 11/13/19, 1329 HOURS Responded to the 1800 block of Delaware Avenue on a report of a juvenile who was being disorderly and may be under the influence of drugs. The juvenile resisted officers, was taken into custody and a search incident to arrest revealed several individually packaged bundles of suspected marijuana. Juvenile was detained at the Dakota County Juvenile Service Center. Charges are pending. PD ACCIDENT/HIT & RUN — 25XX PILOT KNOB ROAD 11/13/19, 1709 HOURS A woman working near the 2500 block of Pilot Knob Road found that her vehicle had been hit by another while parked. She asked the neighboring businesses if they had any security footage of the incidents and she had so far received no positive replies. The case is inactive pending any suspect vehicle information. THEFT — 23XX LEXINGTON AVE 11/13/19, 1630 HOURS Resident in the 2300 block of Lexington Ave reported theft from a vehicle sometime overnight. A window was broken and a book bag was stolen. No suspects or witnesses. AOA — 17XX LEXINGTON AVE 11/14/19, 0750 HOURS Officers were called to the 1700 block of Lexington Avenue for a reported suspicious vehicle. On scene Officers found that the vehicle had been stolen out of St. Paul. The vehicle was towed. The vehicle owner and originating agency were notified of the vehicles status and location. The case is inactive. 3 4 11/08 - 11/14 2019 YTD Calls for Service 144 10,599 Police Reports 12 1,029 Citations 27 1,573 Warnings 31 2298 Response Time Average 7.06 6.61 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 MN STATUTE SEC. 169.444 Subdivision 1. Children getting on or off a school bus. When a school bus is stopped on a street or highway, or other location where signs have been erected under section 169.443, Subd. 2, paragraph (b), and is displaying an extended stop-signal arm and flashing red lights, the driver of a vehicle approaching the bus shall stop the vehicle at least 20 feet away from the bus. The vehicle driver shall not move until the school bus stop-signal arm is retracted and the red lights are no longer flashing. Please be aware of your surroundings and follow school stop arm laws. Our kids’ safety is dependent on all drivers.