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2020-07-10 Friday NewsWe only use cookies that are necessary for this site to function, and to provide you with the best experience. Learn more in our Cookie Statement. By continuing to use this site, you consent to the use of cookies. 0 Receive Updates Enter Email Address Go Friday News 7/10/20 City of Mendota Heights sent this bulletin at 07/10/2020 01:42 PM CDT Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. FRIDAY NEWS | July 10, 2020 THE LATEST City Hall reopens to the public Effective July 6, 2020, Mendota Heights City Hall and Police Department Lobby have reopened to the public. To support visitor and staff safety during the pandemic physical partitions have been installed at the front desk. Visitors should adhere to the posted safety guidelines of staying at least six feet apart from others and hand sanitizer will be available for use. Face coverings are optional but encouraged. Those who are feeling ill, have symptoms of COVID-19, or who are in isolation or quarantine due to COVID-19 should not visit the facility. As much as possible, residents are encouraged to continue to use phone, email, and the outside turnaround drop box to conduct business. City Hall is open Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Fridays 7 to 11:30 a.m. The Police Department Lobby is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Moving forward, City Council and advisory commission meetings are available for in-person attendance. Meeting attendees should adhere to the posted City Hall safety guidelines and be aware that capacity in the City Council Chambers will be limited. As much as possible, the community is encouraged to continue watching broadcasted meetings live on Cable Channel 18 or online at townsquare.tv/webstreaming (available live or for replay). The City Council has also updated its public meeting room use guidelines. Contact City Hall for more information on meeting room use. Continue to Stay Safe Mendota Heights Minnesota’s Stay Safe order is in effect. It is important to note that protections for those in our communities that are most vulnerable to the virus are still in place and are those at greatest risk of serious illness are encouraged to continue staying home. For more information visit mn.gov/covid19. The race is underway The Officer Scott Patrick Memorial 5K race is underway offering a new experience for all. Participants may run or walk the event through Sunday, July 12. The course at Market Square Park is ready to use. This course begins and ends at the Officer Scott Patrick Memorial, and those running the traditional course are encouraged to consider supporting one of the local Mendota Heights businesses after participating. Racers also have the option of creating and completing their own 5K course. Those wishing to compete should record their times on any running or racing app. Times under thirty minutes should be sent to neilg@mendota-heights.com by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, July 12, in order to qualify for race results. Winning times for the top ten fastest finishers for both males and females will be announced by July 15 on the City's website and Facebook. Participants will be eligible to qualify for nearly 130 door prizes. Door prizes will be drawn off-site and winners will be notified via email. A race T-shirt is included in the race registration fee. Those who wish to register or pick up their T-shirt may do so at Mendota Heights City Hall (1101 Victoria Curve): Friday, July 10 - until 6 p.m. Saturday, July 11 - 7 to 10 a.m. Race Director and Mayor Neil Garlock indicates, “While we are disappointed that we can’t run the race in person this year, we are optimistic that this new race experience may encourage even more registrants, all of whom will be supporting the nearly 8,200 Special Olympics athletes across the state. It is a great way to help them, and remember Officer Scott Patrick, who was killed while making a traffic stop on July 30, 2014.” VOTE NOW by Absentee Absentee voting for the August 11 primary is available for those who wish to vote before election day. Due to COVID-19, residents are encouraged to vote by mail this year if possible. There are two ways to vote absentee: Absentee Vote by Mail Apply for an absentee ballot at MNVotes.org. After applying for your ballot it will be mailed to your home and it can be returned right away. Absentee Vote in Person Absentee voting is underway through August 10 at City Hall during regular business hours. Extended hours will be available: Saturday, August 8, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, August 10, until 5 pm. In-person voters may experience longer wait times to allow for new safety procedures. Filing for City Offices begins July 28 The filing period for Mayor (2 year term) and two City Council seats (4 year terms) begins at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, July 28, 2020 and ends at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, August 11, 2020. The filing fee is $5.00. Candidates must file an Affidavit of Candidacy with the City Clerk’s office. The requirements for running for public office include: Candidate must be eligible to vote in Minnesota. Candidate is, or will be on assuming the office, 21 years of age or older. Maintained residence in Mendota Heights for 30 days before the General Election. Candidates’ names will be placed on the November 3, 2020 General Election ballot. Link to the public notice here. Mendota Heights ranks high on Census responses Thank you to all residents who have returned their 2020 Census information. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of June 30 Mendota Heights has an 85.6% self-response rate. This ranks eighth best in Minnesota, and Minnesota ranks first in the nation as to the national response rate. If you haven't yet responded, there's still time to respond to the 2020 Census online, by phone (844-330-2020), or by mail. Northern Dakota County Beyond the Yellow Ribbon (BTYR) provides support during recent civil unrest Major General Jon A. Jensen has extended a thank you to the local community and the Northern Dakota County BTYR in its support of the Minnesota National Guard during the recent civil unrest. Read his letter. Recent highlights: The Mendota Heights Par 3 golf course is open for play with new safety rules; tee times required (call 651-454-9822). Putting in a backyard swimming pool this summer? What you need to know about permits. Residents are encouraged to preregister to vote up until 5:00 pm on July 21; the Minnesota State Primary takes place on August 11. Locate free lunches for children and students using this interactive map. Apply for a census job; pay starts at $22/hour in Dakota County. D k t C t t d t ti i t d ti d i d t it t Dakota County extends protective equipment donation drive; donate items at Western Service Center and all Library locations. NATURAL RESOURCES Be on the lookout for Emerald Ash Borer Do you have an ash tree on your property? If so, be on the lookout for Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). EAB is an invasive insect that attacks and kills ash trees. Signs of EAB infestation include: Canopy die-back Blond patches on branches and/or trunk Woodpecker damage Splitting bark D-shaped exit holes If your ash tree is infected by EAB, 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, and replacing them with other shade tree species where possible. 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: Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa) Swamp White Oak (Quercus bicolor) Disease resistant varieties of Elm (Ulmus), such as ‘St. Croix’ or ‘Princeton’ Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) Ironwood (Ostrya virginiana) Kentucky Coffee Tree (Gymnocladus dioicus) Northern Catalpa (Catalpa speciose) For more information visit Mendota Heights EAB webpage. Recent highlights Tree planting at Hagstrom King Park through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Tree Planting Grant Keep surface waters clean by adopting a neighborhood storm drain. Attend a virtual Landscaping for Clean Water introductory or maintenance workshop; apply for $250 in grants and on-site assistance Apply for a grant to create pollinator-friendly landscaping features through the Lawns to Legumes Program MnDOT stormwater repairs at Valley Park RECYCLING Free tire collection event Residents of Mendota Heights, West St. Paul, South St. Paul, Sunfish Lake and Lilydale can drop off up to eight car or light truck tires for free on Sunday, July 12, from 9 a.m. to noon at West St. Paul Public Works, 403 Marie Ave. E. Tires must be without rims and no other items will be accepted at this collection. For questions contact Recycling Coordinator Cassandra Johnson at cassandras@mendota-heights.com or 651-552-4118. In partnership with the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District. Sytrofoam is not recyclable Styrofoam “to-go” containers from restaurants, cups, and meat trays must be thrown in the trash. To cut down on Styrofoam in your life: 1. Bring your own “to-go” container to a restaurant for inevitable leftovers. 2. Bring a reusable mug or travel coffee cup with you to avoid disposable cups. 3. Purchase meat in the largest size possible; break it down and freeze into individual portions at home. 4. Instead of buying packing peanuts use shredded paper or tissue paper, reuse bubble wrap, or use popcorn. FIRE DEPARTMENT NEWS Apply to become a firefighter Are you looking for a way to give back to your community? The Mendota Heights Fire Department is accepting applications to become a firefighter until 4 p.m. on July 27. Learn more about this exciting opportunity by viewing the video above. Informational sessions are being offered for interested candidates to attend. These will be held at the Fire Station and reservations are required: July 21, 7 - 9 p.m. July 22, 8 - 10 a.m. July 23, 7 - 9 p.m. For complete details and to RSVP for an informational session, visit mendota- heights.com/employment. POLICE DEPARTMENT NEWS Just the Facts Incident reports 7/3/20 - 7/9/20 Previous Just the Facts publications are available in the Laserfiche archive system on the City's website. Sign up for emergency alerts The Emergency Alert Program is available through the Dakota Communications Center (DCC) at mn-dcc.org/community-notification/. For immediate public safety response and non- emergency police assistance call 9-1-1 The Police Department will also continue to process requests for police reports, gun permits, etc. Link to the forms under Public Resources at mendota-heights.com/police. Completed forms and general questions can be submitted via email to pdrecords@mendota-heights.com. PARKS & RECREATION The Teddy Bear Band is coming to town July 29, 6-7 p.m. at Mendakota Park At this free community event enjoy socially-distanced interaction with this family-friendly band, whose mission is to help children gain and maintain a positive sense of self, and develop an appreciation of their own abilities. Participants are encouraged to bring their own teddy bear or stuffed friend. This event is limited to 240 (non-bear) participants. Mendota Heights Par 3 is busier than ever See how golfers are embracing the new safety guidelines and enjoying this much-needed recreational activity this summer. Watch Insight 7's story at vimeo.com/433837347. Summer Safety Camps go virtual Safety Camps have been shifted to an online experience this year. Join the West St. Paul and Mendota Heights Police Departments (MHPD), South Metro Fire Department, Mendota Heights Fire Department, and other great community organizations to learn about fire safety, public safety, nature safety, and more through engaging videos. In addition to the videos, children will have the option to participate in up to three live Q&A sessions with the MHPD at varying times. Choose to attend all three Q&A sessions or tune into one to ask questions, get answers, and interact with officers and other camp participants. Q&A sessions will last about 30 minutes. Participants will also receive a supply and swag bag with a Safe Kids Safety Camp t-shirt, snacks, craft and activity supplies, and more. The bag will need to be picked up curbside at City Hall on the specified date. Little Tykes Camp Grades K-2 | Cost $15 Online link active July 31-August 21 Swag bag pickup July 30 at City Hall, 9-10am or 5-6pm Register by July 24: secure.rec1.com/MN/mendota-heights-mn/catalog Safe Kids Camp Grades 3-5 | Cost: $15 (reduced rate) Online link active August 18-September 8 Swag bag pickup August 17 at City Hall, 9-10am or 5-6pm Register by August 10: secure.rec1.com/MN/mendota-heights-mn/catalog Summer recreation registration Registration is open. Please note that programs/events may be subject to change based on state and federal safety guidelines. Browse programs & register: secure.rec1.com/MN/mendota-heights-mn/catalog. COMMUNITY CALENDAR Public Meetings Meeting changes or cancellations are noted on the City's website mendota- heights.com/calendar. Meetings take place at City Hall unless otherwise noted. Meeting attendees should adhere to the posted City Hall safety guidelines and be aware that capacity in the City Council Chambers will be limited. As much as possible, the community is encouraged to continue watching broadcasted meetings live on Cable Channel 18 or online at townsquare.tv/webstreaming (available live or for replay). City Council & Parks & Recreation Commission Joint Work Session July 14, 5:30 p.m. @ Mendota Heights Fire Station, 2121 Dodd Road Joint Airport Relations Commission July 14, 7 p.m. This will be a joint meeting with the City of Eagan, hosted by the City of Eagan. The meeting will be held virtually. For dial-in information, please contact City Clerk Lorri Smith at 651-255-1138 or lorris@mendota-heights.com. City Council July 21, 5 p.m. City Business Hours City Hall Business Hours: Monday - Thursday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. | Friday 7-11:30 a.m. Police Department Business Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. City Hall Contact Information Official Website of the City of Mendota Heights, Minnesota 1101 Victoria Curve Mendota Heights, MN 55118 Phone: 651-452-1850 Stay Connected with the City of Mendota Heights: SUBSCRIBER SERVICES: Manage Subscriptions | Help | Unsubscribe from all Topics Powered by Privacy Policy | Cookie Statement | Help