2021-06-18 Friday News6/18/2021 Friday News 6/18/21
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Friday News 6/18/21
City of Mendota Heights sent this bulletin at 06/18/2021 12:25 PM CDT
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FRIDAY NEWS | June 18, 2021
THE LATEST
Nearing completion
The playground structure at Marie Park is almost finished, and work is underway to set the
border. A shipment of surfacing woodchips will arrive next week to be blown in once the
border is ready. During this final leg of construction, please mind the caution tape and
continue to refrain from playing on any of the structure until the playground is officially
opened. Additionally, please remind any youth attending the park of this important safety
information. We appreciate your patience and look forward to opening soon.
Attend the Ribbon Cutting
The public is invited to a ribbon cutting to officially open the new playground on Thursday,
July 1 at 5 p.m. Stop by Marie Park to play on all of the new features, and while you're there
enjoy a treat from the ice cream truck!
Council plans for transition of City Administrators
City Administrator Mark McNeill recently informed the Mendota Heights City Council that it
is his intent to retire as City Administrator at the end of September. McNeill has served as
City Administrator in Mendota Heights since February, 2015. He has previously served as
City Administrator for Shakopee and Savage in Minnesota, and for Mason City, Iowa, as
part of a 45-year career in local government.
The City Council met earlier in June to determine the process for finding the next Mendota
Heights City Administrator. While an outside search was considered, they weighed the
number of other cities in the metropolitan area which are similarly recruiting for their cities’
chief administrative officer right now, and determined that current Assistant City
Administrator for Mendota Heights, Cheryl Jacobson, had all of the experience and
qualifications which were needed to do the job.
On Tuesday, June 8, the Council interviewed Ms. Jacobson. Following that, they
conditionally offered the job to her, which was accepted. It is expected that the City Council
will take action to make the hire official at its July 6 meeting. McNeill and Jacobson would
work together until McNeill’s departure to ensure a smooth transition.
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Said Mayor Stephanie Levine, “We are thrilled that Cheryl Jacobson has accepted the
position of City Administrator. She understands and appreciates our community and has the
broad skill set and experience to guide our city as we work to accomplish our strategic
goals.”
Encountering coyotes
Coyotes live among us, and although they
can be a threat to domestic pets, healthy
coyotes are not typically a threat to humans.
If you are confronted by a coyote that does
not immediately run away:
Shout, wave your arms and make loud
noises to frighten it away.
Carry and use a noisemaker, such as a
loud whistle or air horn.
Carry a metal can with coins or rocks in it to shake or throw if needed.
Be persistent with your actions when hazing a coyote
Call 9-1-1 to report sick/injured coyotes, or any aggressive coyote behavior
For the safety of pets and to prevent coyote confrontations:
Do not leave pet food or garbage outside.
Do not leave dogs or cats outside unattended for long periods of time.
Per City Code, dogs must be leashed when walking in parks, on trails, and in any
public areas.
Per City Code, no citizen can discharge a firearm or trap these animals.
Additional resources:
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources/Nuisance Animals
The Humane Society of the United States/Coyotes and People
In recognition of service
After fifteen years of being the "front door" to City Hall
visitors, Office Support Assistant Pam Deeb is retiring.
Pam has served at City Hall in the front reception area,
assisting the public with customer service and supporting
City departments. The City is grateful for her dedicated
and friendly service, and wishes her the best. She will be
missed!
Public meeting announcements
There are three public hearings scheduled to take place during the next regular meeting of
the Planning Commission, beginning at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 22:
Ordinance No. 568 amending Title 12 – Zoning for a new Mississippi River Corridor
Critical Area Overlay District Ordinance
Ordinance No. 566 amending parts of City Code Title 5 – Police Regulations and Title
12 – Zoning to allow temporary keeping of goats for controlled grazing purposes
A hearing to consider a new preliminary and final plat of Sweeney 2nd Addition
located at 777 Wentworth Avenue in Mendota Heights
Information regarding these public hearings can be found in the Planning Commission June
22, 2021 Agenda Packet.
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COVID-19 information
The first 100,000 Minnesotans, ages 12 and older, who get their first COVID-19
vaccine through June 30 will be eligible for a special reward.
Walk-ins for Minnesotans age 12 to 17 are possible at any state community
vaccination sites that are administering the Pfizer vaccine.
The Minnesota Department of Health continues to host both saliva and nasal swab
testing events throughout Minnesota. Tests are free and insurance is not required.
RECYCLING
Image courtesy of Dakota County.
Rent for summer fun - no maintenance required
Enjoy the Minnesota summer by borrowing outdoor gear instead of buying new. Renting lets
you try out a new activity without investing in equipment that may end up not getting used or
quickly outgrown. It helps the planet, too, because fewer resources are being used to make
new stuff.
Dakota County Parks offers equipment rental for kayaks, canoes and paddleboards at the
Lebanon Hills Visitor Center. Borrow fishing equipment for free, too. Rent outdoor gear from
tents to climbing crampons at REI in Bloomington or the University of Minnesota Outdoor
Rental Center.
Upcoming events
Community Paper Shred (Free)
June 26 | 10am - 1pm at Wakota Federal Credit Union, South St. Paul
Shoe & Clothing Collection (Free)
July 3 - 10 | Drop off at City Hall's parking lot
Tire Collection (Free)
July 11 | 9 a.m. to noon at West St. Paul Public Works
South St. Paul Compost Site is open
Take home FREE compost for your garden.
NATURAL RESOURCES
Lake monitoring volunteer needed
The City is looking for a volunteer to participate in the Citizen-Assisted Monitoring Program
(CAMP) for Lemay Lake. The CAMP program is a lake monitoring program created by the
Metropolitan Council, and sponsored by the City, to collect and analyze water-quality data
from lakes in the Twin Cities area. The data is used by the City, organizations, and residents
to make decisions regarding lake management.
Volunteers monitor and take surface water samples from a specific location on the lake
every two weeks from mid-April through mid-October. Data such as temperature, clarity,
weather and lake conditions are also taken during monitoring.
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To volunteer as a CAMP member on Lake Lemay in Mendota Heights, please
contact Natural Resources Technician Krista Spreiter, CWD, email kristas@mendota-
heights.com or call 651-255-1123. For more information regarding the CAMP program,
please visit the Metropolitan Council’s Citizen-Assisted Monitoring Program page.
Recent highlights
What can I do to rid my pond or lake of green algae?
A citywide discount is available for Mendota Heights homeowners to treat ash trees
infected with the Emerald Ash Borer. Visit Rainbow Treecare for information.
Weed of the month: how to identify and control Japanese Hedge Parsley.
Treatment of Curly Leaf Pondweed, an invasive aquatic plant, at Rogers Lake.
Learn how you can create beautiful raingardens, native gardens, and shoreline
stabilizations and receive grant assistance for your project through the Landscaping
for Clean Water Program.
Dakota County is looking for volunteers for the Wetland Health Evaluation Program.
Learn more and sign up at mnwhep.org.
POLICE DEPARTMENT NEWS
Just the Facts
Incident reports 6/11/21 - 6/17/21 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/.
Stay in touch through Nextdoor
The MHPD has expanded their social media channels to include Nextdoor. Learn more and
sign up at nextdoor.com.
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
Upcoming events
Kidsdance (Free)
Wednesday, June 23 | 6pm Mendakota Park
Grown-ups and kids alike will enjoy this mega-fun
dance party. Family-friendly Kidsdance plays the
hottest new music as well as the coolest classics –
with tons of activities that will get everyone moving.
Drop-in Program (Free)
Join us on Tuesdays for the City's traveling program
that brings recreation to local neighborhood spots.
Staff will set up activities and equipment for youth
ages six to twelve to enjoy. There will be games,
sports, arts, crafts, and more. No registration
required.
June 22 |12:30-1:30pm at Covington Court Apartments Greenspace
June 29 |1:30-2:30pm at Mendakota Park
July 6 | 12:30-1:30pm at Harmon Park
Recent highlights:
Those 65 years and older can get swinging with a new Senior Golf Pass for the
Mendota Heights Par 3 Community Golf Course;available for purchase at City Hall
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Mendota Heights Par 3 Community Golf Course; available for purchase at City Hall.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
City Hall and Public Works will be closed Monday, July 5 in recognition of
Independence Day.
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. City Council, Planning
Commission, and Parks & Recreation Commission meetings are broadcasted live on Cable
Channel 18, online at townsquare.tv/webstreaming (available live or for replay), or through
dial-in when offered. Select Airport Relations Commission meetings are broadcast on Cable
Channel 19. Occasionally broadcasted channels may change; check Town Square
Television's listings for updates.
Planning Commission | June 22, 7:00 p.m.
City Council | July 6, 6:00 p.m.
Airport Relations Commission | July 13, 6:00 p.m.
Parks and Recreation Commission | July 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.
Public Works Building: Monday - Friday, 7 a.m.-3:30 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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