2021-11-19 Friday News11/19/21, 1:11 PM Friday News 11/19/2021
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Friday News 11/19/2021
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FRIDAY NEWS | November 19, 2021
THE LATEST
Congratulations firefighters!
The newest Mendota Heights firefighters pose for a photo after their pinning ceremony (L-R): Jeff Bostic, Michael Agan,
Luke Olson, David Perrault, Steve Reamer, Dustin Truesdell. Pictured below Captain Dan Willems takes his oath of
office from Mayor Levine.
This week Mendota Heights welcomed six new firefighters
and a new fire captain with their official badge pinning and
oath of office at the November 16, 2021 City Council
meeting. Captain Dan Willems was promoted in April of
2020 but his formal appointment was delayed due to the
pandemic. Firefighters Michael Agan, Jeff Bostic, Luke
Olson, David Perrault, Steve Reamer and Dustin Truesdell
were all hired in April of 2020 and have now completed and
passed their field training and probationary period, and were
officially presented with their badges. We welcome them
and thank them for their service to our community.
Mendota Plaza Phase II, Phase III
At its meeting on Tuesday, November 16, the City Council considered findings of fact as
part of Resolution 2021-92: approving a conditional use permit authorizing an amendment
to the Mendota Plaza Planned Unit Development (PUD), along with a Wetlands Permit to
allow new work adjacent to an established wetland feature for the proposed Phase II of the
Reserve/58-Unit apartment project by At Home Apartments which was passed at the
November 3, 2021 City Council meeting. The findings of fact were approved on a 3-2 vote:
voting in favor were Mayor Levine, Councilor Paper, and Councilor Mazzitello; voting
against were Councilor Duggan and Councilor Miller.
The City Council was asked to also consider a conditional use permit authorizing an
amendment to the Mendota Plaza PUD of 2009 for the proposed development of Phase III
by At Home Apartments. Phase III is proposed as a new four story, 89-Unit apartment
facility on the vacant 2.04 parcel located behind the main mall building.
During the meeting, At Homes Apartments presented renderings and information on the
proposed apartment building. They also asked the City Council to consider tabling the
amendment to allow for an extended review period. The City Council voted unanimously to
table the item to the January 4, 2022 regular meeting at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
Mayor Levine then appointed Councilors Duggan and Mazzitello to form a committee to
further examine the Phase III 89-unit proposal.
Members of the public were then invited to speak about their concerns and ideas regarding
the proposed Phase III development.
Watch a replay of the November 16, 2021 City Council Meeting
Link to the November 16, 2021 City Council Agenda Packet
Public meeting announcements
The Planning Commission regular meeting of Tuesday, November 23, 2021 (to include a
public hearing for Planning Case No. 2021-19) has been cancelled. There are no other
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planning cases or hearing items that were scheduled for the meeting. The next regular
meeting of the Planning Commission is scheduled for Tuesday, December 28, 2021 at 7
p.m.
Last weekend for fall clean-up at SSP Compost Site
Yard waste – branches, leaves and grass clippings – are not allowed in your trash. The
South St. Paul Compost Site recently extended their hours through November 21, weather
permitting. Please check with the site in advance as to what types of yard waste are
accepted. You can also visit Dakota County's webpage to find additional residential yard
waste collection sites.
If you still need to dispose of a pumpkin, visit Dakota County's Recycling Guide and search
"Pumpkins" for a list of drop-off locations (note there may be a small fee). Please also note
that pumpkins are not accepted at the organics drop-off location at Mendakota Park since
this dumpster is not designed for a large collection of their heavy weight.
Watch for the next issue on December 3
Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, there will not be an issue of Friday News on November 26.
Watch for the next issue to arrive Friday, December 3. We wish everyone a safe and happy
holiday!
Winter Parking Restrictions are in effect
Overnight parking is prohibited on any public street, from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m., between
November 1 and March 31. Additionally, as snow season approaches a reminder that
parking is prohibited during any snowfall of two inches or more, until the street is plowed
curb-to-curb. Please remind young drivers and any overnight guests and avoid a citation.
Donate through December 10
Get ready to make the holidays merry and bright for local teens, tweens, and families in
need. The Mendota Heights Police Department is collecting unwrapped gifts for youth, ages
ten to eighteen, to benefit A Place of Hope. Items donated provide a holiday shopping
experience for families in Dakota and Washington Counties in need. Gift bundles of $30 to
$40, and $5 stocking stuffers are preferred. Cash donations are also accepted.
With grocery prices on the rise, shelf-stable food, toiletries, and gift cards to local grocery
stores are also being collected to benefit Neighbors, Inc. throughout the holiday season.
Drop off donations in the collection bins at MHPD and City Hall during business hours
Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. After 11:30 a.m. on Fridays, please deliver
gifts via the MHPD lobby entrance located on the north side of City Hall; park in the north
parking lot off of Lexington Ave S.
View the Holiday Gift and Food Drive flier for additional gift ideas and details.
COVID-19 information
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Kids:
Children age 5-11 years old are now eligible to get vaccinated. Minnesotans can use
the Find Vaccine Locations map to find providers offering Pfizer vaccine for 5-11 year
olds.
Minnesota has launched ‘Kids Deserve a Shot,’ a vaccine incentives program
rewarding Minnesotans 12-17 years old for completing their COVID-19 vaccine
series.
Vaccination locations:
Walk-ins for Minnesotans are available at any state community vaccination sites.
Booster shots:
Providers can now offer booster shots to Minnesotans who are eligible, and who
previously received any of the three authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccines
(Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson). Learn more.
COVID-19 testing:
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.
Recent highlights:
Dakota County is conducting the Regional Roadway System Visioning Study
(RRSVS) Update; to learn more visit Dakota County's RRSVS Update 2021
webpage. Questions and comments can be submitted to the project team through an
online comment form, with materials available for comments through November 24.
The City of Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation is accepting applications for
seasonal Warming House/Rink Attendants. You must be 16 years or older to apply.
Join close to 16% of Mendota Heights households that are participating in the Dakota
County organics drop-off program; learn more and sign up today!
RECYCLING
Sewing Basics Reuse Class caps series
The last free Reuse Class took place on November 18 at Mendota Heights City Hall, with
eleven participants learning basic sewing skills. Each attendee received a small sewing kit
for free and learned threading a needle, knotting the needle thread, sewing on a button and
sewing a hem. The class wraps up the recent series of recycling classes that included the
topics of decluttering, leftover food repurposing, and basic sewing skills.
Upcoming events
Dakota County Fix-It Clinic
Nov 20 | Heritage Library, Lakeville
NATURAL RESOURCES
Get your landscape ready for winter
It may not be as enjoyable to be outdoors tending to your landscape once temperatures
begin to drop. However fall is an important time to prepare your yard and landscape for
winter. Below are some tips and tasks to make sure your landscape remains healthy
throughout the winter and is ready when spring arrives.
Late fall and winter months are the preferred time to prune most trees, especially
trees that are prone to disease, such as oaks. Pruning oak trees during the months of
April to June greatly increases the probability of oak wilt disease.
Continue to water trees, shrubs, and new plantings up until ground freeze. This helps
insulate roots and prevent frost damage. Cover root zones with three to four inches of
shredded wood mulch to reduce root injury.
Place tree guards on trees to prevent sun scald, as well as rodent and wildlife
damage. Sun scald causes fissures on trunks of trees when light is reflected off the
snow during winter months.
S d ll i i h b d l i i h b l l h
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Surround evergreens, as well as sensitive shrub and plant species with burlap cloth,
leaving the top open to allow light and air in.
Protect plants, trees, and shrubs that are planted near roads from salt damage. Avoid
and reduce the use of de-icing salt on sidewalks and driveways whenever possible.
Plant hardy tree, shrub, and plant species that can withstand Minnesota winters
(Zones 3 and 4). Native species are always a good choice.
Plant for energy savings. Plant deciduous trees on the south side of your landscape
and home to create cooling shade in the summer, and let sunlight in during the winter
when trees lose their leaves. Plant evergreen trees on the north, west, and east sides
to block cold winter winds.
Lawns to Legumes program grants now available
The MN Board of Water and Soil Resources is offering cost-share grant programs for
installing pollinator-friendly native plantings:
Individual Support Grants are available to Minnesota residents for funding up to $300 to
create pollinator habitat on their property. Applications are due February 15, 2022.
Neighborhood Demonstration Grants are available to conservation districts, watershed
districts, watershed management organizations, cities, counties, tribes, and
nongovernmental nonprofit organizations for neighborhood projects that incorporate native
planting, pollinator beneficial trees and shrubs, and pollinator lawns and meadows. Please
contact Krista Spreiter, Natural Resources Technician, if your neighborhood is interested in
participating in this program.
Krista Spreiter, CWD Natural Resources Technician City of Mendota Heights 1101 Victoria Curve Mendota Heights, MN 55118 Email: KSpreiter@mendotaheightsmn.gov Office: 651-255-1123
For more information: bwsr.state.mn.us/l2l
Recent highlights
Learn how to control the invasive Reed Canary Grass; a cool-season grass that is
easier to identify this time of the year.
The Minnesota Water Steward program is accepting applications for its 2022
Program Year; training begins in January and runs through the spring. Learn more
and register to attend a virtual information session.
Several diseased ash trees, as well as some diseased and invasive, non-native trees
will be removed from the Par 3 Community Golf Course this fall, and replaced by 14
trees of diverse varieties.
POLICE DEPARTMENT NEWS
Just the Facts
Incident reports 11/12/21 - 11/18/21 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.
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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 mendotaheightsmn.gov/police.
Completed forms and general questions can be submitted via email to
pdrecords@mendotaheightsmn.gov.
PARKS & RECREATION
Tennis and pickleball net removal
To ensure nets remain in good shape for play next season, tennis and pickleball nets were
removed at the parks on November 15, with the exception of the pickleball nets at Marie
Park. Staff will be removing the pickleball nets and posts at Marie Park on Monday,
November 22. The posts need to be removed before freezing temperatures to convert the
rink for ice hockey. Rink flooding will begin when temperatures fall below freezing and
remain steady.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
City Hall will be closed Nov 25 and Nov 26, and Public Works will be
closed Nov 25 for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Public Meetings
Meeting changes or cancellations are noted on the City's website
mendotaheightsmn.gov/calendar. Meetings take place at City Hall unless otherwise
noted. Meeting attendees should adhere to the posted City Hall safety guidelines.
Watch regular meetings online at townsquare.tv/webstreaming (available live or for replay)
or on cable television:
City Council: Channel 18/798 HD Planning Commission: Channel 18/798 HD Parks and Recreation Commission: Channel 15/859 HD Airport Relations Commission (select meetings are broadcast): Channel 15/859 HD
Occasionally broadcasted channels may change; check Town Square Television's listings
for updates.
Upcoming Schedule
Planning Commission | CANCELLED for Nov 23, 7:00 p.m.
City Council Meeting | Dec 7, 6:00 p.m.
Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting | Dec 14, 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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