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Friday News 9/25/20
City of Mendota Heights sent this bulletin at 09/25/2020 12:12 PM CDT
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FRIDAY NEWS | September 25, 2020
THE LATEST
Planting around the new retaining wall
Thank you to the many volunteers who helped in planting 90 shrubs and 180 plants above
the new retaining wall at the intersection of Marie Avenue and Victoria Road. The new
retaining wall was a part of the Marie Avenue Road Improvements project that took place
this summer. The planting was designed and planned by resident Cindy Johnson. The
planting includes Gro-Low Sumac (shrub), and Canada Anemone, a native, low-growing
forb that blooms in spring and early summer that will also act as a ground cover. The
planting has many benefits including preventing erosion of the slope above the retaining
wall, slowing and filtering stormwater runoff from the homes above, and providing food and
habitat for pollinators and other wildlife. The planting is one of the many actions the City
takes to fulfill its commitment to its Pollinator-Friendly Community Resolution, adopted in
2016.
Preparing the absentee ballots
Many in the community are voting by mail this year. Election
and City staff prepared 3,400 absentee ballots to be sent by
mail as of last Friday, September 18. Residents can still
apply to receive an absentee ballot by mail, or vote early at
City Hall (see below for details on early voting options).
Photo shows absentee ballots that had been requested
ready to be mailed to voters.
Early voting options
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 through
Nov. 2. 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 9/26 – 6 p.m.
Sunday 9/27 – 3 p.m.
Monday 9/28 – 12 p.m.
Wednesday 9/30 – 6 a.m.
Thursday 10/1 – 3 a.m.
The replay is also available on Town Square TV's Facebook page:
facebook.com/townsquare.tv/videos/783114485855466.
Halloween Bonfire is cancelled for this year
Due to the pandemic, the annual Halloween Bonfire will not take place this year. There are
many creative ways that households and neighbors can celebrate the holiday, socially
distanced that is! Some of the Center for Disease Control's low-risk activity suggestions
include:
Carving or decorating pumpkins with members of your household and displaying
them
Carving or decorating pumpkins outside, at a safe distance, with neighbors or friends
Decorating your house, apartment, or living space
Doing a Halloween scavenger hunt where children are given lists of Halloween-
themed things to look for while they walk outdoors from house to house admiring
Halloween decorations at a distance
Having a virtual Halloween costume contest
Having a Halloween movie night with people you live with
Having a scavenger hunt-style trick-or-treat search with your household members in
or around your home rather than going house to house
or around your home rather than going house to house
For more information visit the CDC's website.
Accepting applications for winter seasonal
positions
If you enjoy the outdoors and would like to earn part-time income, the City is currently
accepting applications for the following positions:
Ice skating instructor
Rink flooders
Warming house/rink attendants
Learn more and apply at mendota-heights.com/employment.
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.
Recent highlights:
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
Two events at one convenient location
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.
Did you know?
Styrofoam is not recyclable. Please place all Styrofoam items
in the trash. Styrofoam packing peanuts can be brought to any
UPS store for reuse, call first to confirm due to COVID.
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.
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, Wyatt Cook, 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
T i d d i ff
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 9/18/20 - 9/24/20
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
Free outdoor movie night
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.
Register now for activities during MEA break
Fall recreation registration is open!
Check out these fun opportunities to keep kids busy and enriched over the fall break:
Sports Unlimited Soccer | Oct. 14-15, Ages 5-10
Sport Unlimited Flag Football | Oct. 14-15, Ages 5-10
Toy Story Musical Theater Camp | Oct. 14-16, Ages 5-9
Learn more & register: secure.rec1.com/MN/mendota-heights-mn/catalog
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.
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 Meeting Oct 7, 6 p.m. (Wednesday)
Planning Commission Special Meeting Oct 8, 7 p.m.
Parks and Recreation Commission Oct 13, 6:30 p.m.
City Business Hours
City Hall: Monday - Thursday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. | Friday 7-11:30 a.m.
Police Department: 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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