2020-09-18 Friday News0
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Friday News 9/18/20
City of Mendota Heights sent this bulletin at 09/18/2020 04:41 PM CDT
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FRIDAY NEWS | September 18, 2020
THE LATEST
Preliminary budget adopted
At its meeting of September 15, the Mendota Heights City Council adopted a preliminary
budget, and property tax levy for the new fiscal year, which will begin January 1, 2021.
If adopted in December as final, the final levy will see an increase of 4.32% over the levy
adopted in 2020. Overall, residential properties on average would see an increase of 2.79%
in their property taxes paid. For the median valued house in Mendota Heights ($426,600),
that would mean an increase in taxes paid of about $3.75 per month. These numbers are
estimates. Dakota County will send out notices in November. Note that these figures reflect
the maximum increase; the City Council could choose to reduce these figures upon final
adoption before December 28.
Because of concerns about the COVID-impacted economy on City finances, the proposed
budget was created to be lean, with no new positions or ongoing programs created. The
City will rely upon one-time revenues from the sale of the Village lots properties to pay for
major one-time equipment purchases and expenditures. Those include the OSHA-
mandated replacement of self-contained breathing apparatus for the Fire Department
($225,000); the second half of the City’s Natural Resources Plan update ($55,000); and
replacement equipment for the Public Works Department ($128,200).
The Village lots sales proceeds also will pay for the purchase of property to expand and
restore Historic Pilot Knob, and funding for the Fire Station expansion and remodeling
project which wasn’t covered by the original General Obligation bond sale ($303,300).
The budget does contain money for the annual Fourth of July fireworks display, and a
continuation of the summer concert in the parks program.
The proceeds from the Village lots also leaves a cushion of $129,000 which could be used
to cover revenue shortfalls which might be seen by the end of the year, or for other
expenditures which are determined to be a high priority by the City Council in December.
The City Council will hold a hearing on the proposed budget and levy at its regular meeting
of December 1, 2020.
Early voting is now available at
City Hall
Residents are encouraged to vote early this year if
possible, either by mail or in person at City Hall.
Vote early in person
Early (absentee) voting at City Hall is underway as of today, Sept. 18. Vote early during
regular business hours, 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 7 to 11:30 a.m. on
Fridays. Extended absentee voting hours will be available Saturday, October 31, from 10
a.m. to 3 p.m. and Monday, Nov. 2, until 5 p.m.
Vote early by mail
To vote by mail, visit MNVotes.org to apply for an absentee ballot to be mailed to you.
Ballots can be returned via mail, dropped off in person at City Hall during business hours, or
dropped into the brown utility drop box located in City Hall's turnaround.
Preregister to vote
Residents are encouraged to preregister to vote if they are not already registered. You may
preregister up until 5 p.m. on October 13, 2020. After that date, you must register when you
vote. To check your registration status or to register visit MNVotes.org. You can also print
out a paper form or obtain a paper form from City Hall.
You will need to register if you have never voted before, if you have changed your name or
address since you last voted (including moving to another apartment in the same building),
or if you have not voted in four years.
Candidate forum for City elections available for
replay
If you missed Town Square TV's live candidate forum on Sept. 10, you can can view the
replay online at townsquare.tv/webstreaming. It will also replay this week on Channel 14:
Saturday 9/19 – 6 p.m.
Sunday 9/20 – 3 p.m.
Monday 9/21 – 12 p.m.
Tuesday 9/22 – 9 a.m.
Thursday 9/24 – 5 p.m.
The replay is also available on Town Square TV's Facebook page:
facebook.com/townsquare.tv/videos/783114485855466.
Night to Unite cancelled
Due to safety concerns during the pandemic, the annual Night to Unite event which had
been tentatively set for Oct. 6 has been cancelled for this year. We look forward to a bigger
and better celebration next year!
Your response to the 2020 Census impacts our
community for 10 YEARS
Let's keep up that great response rate for Mendota Heights! Door-to-door visits by census
takers are underway. If a census taker visits you, please respond. You only need to answer
a few basic questions. If you haven't responded yet there is still time to respond on your
own. Visit 2020Census.gov.
Public meeting announcement
There will be a Planning Commission Special Meeting on Thursday, Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. to
discuss the Valley View Oak Third Addition plat. This meeting will take place at City Hall in
the Council Chambers.
Recent highlights:
How to use the Reduced Conflict Intersection around the Crown Point neighborhood.
Review these regulations on the placement of campaign yard signs.
Dakota County extends protective equipment donation drive; donate items at
Western Service Center and all Library locations.
RECYCLING
Save the date
Saturday, Oct 3 | 8 a.m. to noon at Mendakota Park
Mendota Heights residents can take advantage of these two recycling events on the same
day, at the same location. Please note that there are important changes to what will be
accepted at the Fall Clean-Up event this year. Visit the City's website for event details.
Become a Master Recycler/Composter
Thursdays, Oct. 1–Nov. 5 | 6:30–8:30 p.m. | Cost $30
Dodge Nature Center, West St. Paul
Meet others who are excited about waste reduction and have the chance to inspire others to
help reduce waste through this Dakota County program. 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.This
class will meet with safe social distancing at Dodge Nature Center due to the COVID-19
crisis. Learn more and register.
Opt-out of junk mail
Tired of ending up with piles of unwanted paper in your mailbox? Reduce waste at your
home or workplace by opting out of unwanted mail you receive.
Preapproved credit offers: optoutprescreen.com
Coupon mailers: redplum.com search remove address, valpak.com click Address
Removal at bottom of page
Money Mailer: email listmanagercontact@moneymailer.com
Phone books: yellowpagesoptout.com
Catalogs: catalogchoice.org
Former resident mail: usps.com/manage
Find more tips at dakotacounty.us search junk mail.
NATURAL RESOURCES
Mendota Heights Natural Resources staff and Steering Committee are working with a consultant to develop goals and
priorities for protecting and restoring native plant communities and habitats.
Update underway for the Natural Resources Plan
The City of Mendota Heights is currently updating its Natural Resources Management Plan.
A public hearing will be scheduled to receive public comment when a draft of the plan has
been completed. Read this update on the project, and for further information contact Krista
Spreiter, Natural Resources Technician at 651-255-1123 or email kristas@mendota-
heights.com.
Valley Park Eagle Scout tree planting project
You may notice some work being done in Valley Park this weekend and into the fall. A
Mendota Heights resident is completing an Eagle Scout Service project and has chosen to
take on a tree planting project in Valley Park. The project entails removing invasive species
around the planting sites, and then planting several species of native trees within Valley
Park.
The project will help replace canopy loss due to Emerald Ash Borer, and also brings the
many benefits to Valley Park that trees provide, including:
Shade and reducing the heat island affect
Treating and reducing stormwater runoff
Reducing erosion
Food and habitat for wildlife
Cleaner air
For additional information, please contact Krista Spreiter, Natural Resources Technician, via
email kristas@mendota-heights.com or 651-255-1123.
Recent highlights
Help keep surface waters clean by adopting a storm drain near you to clean. Learn
more and adopt at adopt-a-drain.org.
Tree planting at Hagstrom King Park through the Minnesota Department of Natural
Resources Tree Planting Grant.
POLICE DEPARTMENT NEWS
Just the Facts
Incident reports 9/11/20 - 9/17/20
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.
Face coverings available for purchase while
supplies last
Purchase a limited-edition MHPD neck-gaiter-turned-face-mask for $10.00 each at the
Mendota Heights Par 3 golf course, 1695 Dodd Road in Mendota Heights. The face
coverings are being sold at cost and must be purchased with a credit or debit card.
PARKS & RECREATION
Enjoy special golf rates now until season close
The Mendota Heights Par 3 course is walking-only, and tee times are required. Call 651-
454-9822 for more information and to schedule a tee time.
Free outdoor movie night
rescheduled
Saturday, Sept. 26 | 7pm
Mendakota Park
Gather the cubs and head out to the park for an
outdoor movie. Enjoy The Lion King on the big
screen (the 2019 remake of the original animated
classic). Bring a blanket and snacks, and watch the show under the stars! There will be
limited attendance capacity and tickets will be handed out at the park before the show, with
social-distancing measures in place.View the COVID-19 Preparedness Plan for this event.
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).
Planning Commission Sept 22, 7 p.m.
City Council Meeting Oct 7, 6 p.m. (Wednesday)
Planning Commission Special Meeting Oct 8, 7 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
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