2022-05-06 Friday News5/6/22, 3:45 PM Friday News 5/6/2022
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Friday News 5/6/2022
City of Mendota Heights sent this bulletin at 05/06/2022 02:55 PM CDT
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FRIDAY NEWS | May 6, 2022
THE LATEST
Free community event
Sat, May 14 | 10am-Noon | Mendakota Park
Join us at Touch a Truck for a behind-the-scenes tour and get up close to tons of big rigs --
fire trucks, police squads, mowers, plow trucks, and more! There will also be a food truck
available. Activities will include kids' games and awesome photo opportunities. During the
event, attendees can vote on their favorite name for the newest Mendota Heights snowplow.
Thank you to all residents who submitted entries! It has been narrowed down to these five
to select from:
What will the name be?
Clearopathra
Ka-PLOW!
Snowdozer
The Big Snowplowski
Truck Norris
This is a free community event! (In case of bad weather/rain, this event will be held on
Sunday, May 15.)
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Save the dates!
Mark your calendars and head out to the parks for live music and entertainment this
summer. The concerts are free to attend!
May 18: Tiger Ries @ Market Square Park (6:00-7:30pm)
June 1: Teddy Bear Band @ Mendakota Park (6:00-6:45pm) Great for KIDS!
June 15: Skippin Stones @ Market Square Park (6:30-8:00pm)
June 29: DJ Party Unit @ Mendakota Park (6:00-6:45pm) Great for KIDS!
July 13: Up South @ Market Square Park (6:00-7:30pm)
July 27: Sons of Groove @ Mendakota Park (6:30-8:00pm)
August 12: Funktion Junction @ Mendakota Park (6:30-8:00pm)
August 24: Rockin' Hollywoods @ Mendakota Park (6:00-7:30pm)
Register today
Register today for the 17th annual Officer Scott Patrick Memorial 5K Run/Walk to benefit
Special Olympics Minnesota and Northern Dakota County Beyond the Yellow Ribbon.
Registration forms are available through the link below or at City Hall during business or
packet-pickup hours. Payment is by cash or check; please make checks payable to Beyond
the Yellow Ribbon.
Race Fee:
$30 Preregister by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, June 3
$35 Register at the race
Race Day Schedule | Saturday, June 4 at The Village at Mendota Heights:
7-8:30 a.m. | Packet pickup open
7:30-8:30 a.m. | On-site registration open
9 a.m. | Race starts
Registration & Race Info
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Participate in No Mow May
Mendota Heights residents can help create habitat and food sources for pollinators during
the month of May, by choosing not to mow their yard, or mow less frequently. City Council
passed a motion at the April 19 City Council meeting supporting ‘No-Mow May’ and
suspending the City’s height restriction for vegetation in residential yards beginning May
1 of 2022. Businesses, commercial sites, and all other properties still need to comply with
the City’s Weed and Noxious Vegetation ordinance. Residents and all properties must come
back into compliance by Monday, June 6, 2022.
You can download and print off a ‘No-Mow May’ sign to place in your yard through the
Xerxes Society’s website at xerces.org/publications/other/no-mow-may
Create a pollinator friendly space in your landscape year-round by installing a native
pollinator garden, pollinator lawn, or planting beneficial trees and shrubs. For more
information:
University of MN Extension
xerces.org/pollinator-resource-center
Prepare for major road closures
I-494 full weekend closure May 6-9
WB Hwy 55 closed over the Mendota Bridge through mid-June
Residents should plan for detours this weekend as both directions of I-494 close beginning
9 p.m. Friday, May 6. Eastbound I-494 will close between Highway 5 in Bloomington and I-
35E in Mendota Heights. Traffic will be detoured around the closure via southbound
Highway 77/Cedar Avenue and northbound I-35E.
Also beginning at 9 p.m. Friday, May 6, westbound I-494 will close between I-35E and Pilot
Knob Road. Motorists should follow the signed detour using southbound I-35E and
northbound Highway 77 to access westbound I-494.
All lanes and ramps on I-494 are expected to reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, May 9.
Additionally, westbound Hwy 55 is closed between Hwy 5 and Hwy 13 over the Mendota
Bridge. This closure is anticipated through mid-June.
These closures are part of a MnDOT larger resurfacing and bridge deck preservation
project on Highway 55 between Bloomington Road in Minneapolis and Highway 52 in Inver
Grove Heights. All construction activities and traffic impacts are weather permitting and
subject to change. MnDOT will maintain access to all businesses and residences
throughout the project however, you may have to use a different route. When possible,
motorists should avoid cutting through neighborhoods and help keep the community safe by
using posted detour routes.
Construction is expected to be complete by October 2022.
For details and to subscribe to project updates visit: dot.state.mn.us/metro/projects/hwy55mpls-invergroveheights
Real time traffic information is available at 511mn.org or download the Minnesota 511 app
on your Apple or Android device.
Become a firefighter
Accepting applications through May 18
Mendota Heights firefighters are paid-on-call volunteers who respond to both fire and
medical emergencies, serving Mendota Heights, Mendota, Lilydale, and Sunfish Lake. The
department operates out of a newly built and remodeled state-of-the-art fire station. Many
on the team will tell you that joining the “Fire Family” has been one of the most rewarding
experiences of their lives. Our firefighters come from a wide range of backgrounds, most
serving while managing diverse careers.
The City of Mendota Heights is accepting applications to become a firefighter by 4:30
p.m. on May 18. Learn more and link to application materials.
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We are Hiring! Join the City of Mendota Heights
team and apply now for these positions:
Firefighter
Summer Seasonal Public Works Maintenance
Summer Seasonal Recreation
Pickleball Instructors | Pickleball Assistants
Tennis Instructors | Tennis Assistants
Golf Instructors | Golf Assistants
Clubhouse Workers
Visit job postings at mendotaheightsmn.gov/employment.
Subscribe to Natural Resources Commission
agenda packets
Agenda packets for the Natural Resources Commission can be received in your email inbox
when they are published. To subscribe, click on "Manage Subscriptions" under Subscriber
Services at the bottom of this communication or subscribe here.
Your feedback is needed to help improve high
speed Internet service
The Dakota Broadband Board is currently conducting a survey to assess high speed
Internet needs and access. The survey results will help ensure that all citizens and
businesses in Dakota County have equitable and adequate access to broadband service.
Survey for Residents
Residents are invited to take the survey by May 20, 2022,
at projects.designnine.com/survey/dakota-residential.
Survey for Businesses
Businesses are invited to take the survey by May 20, 2022,
at projects.designnine.com/survey/dakota-business.
RECYCLING
Did you know?
It you're looking for a paper shred or other recycling event, visit
Dakota County's Recycling Guide and select Recycling Events.
Upcoming recycling events
Northstar Finanical Partners Free Paper Shred
May 13, 10am-noon 2303 Waters Drive, Mendota Heights
Athletic Gear Donation
May 16-31 Mendota Heights City Hall & other locations
Recent highlights:
Join 17% of Mendota Heights households participating in Dakota County's Organics
Drop-Off Program; learn more and sign up.
The South St. Paul Compost Site is open. Visit their website for information on hours
of operation, type of yard waste accepted, and costs. Note that hours/days of
operation may change based on weather conditions.
NATURA RESOURCES
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NATURAL RESOURCES
Weed of the Month
Starry Stonewort (Nitellopsis obtusa)
Be on the lookout for Starry stonewort, an
emerging Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS). It
is a bright green macro-algae that produces a
characteristic white, star-shaped bulbil.
Branchlets are various lengths and are
arranged in whorls around the stem. The
white, star-shaped bulbils are about the size
of a grain of rice.
Starry stonewort is native to Eurasia, and was unintentionally introduced in the Great Lakes
though cargo ships. The species was first confirmed in Minnesota in August of 2015 in
Stearns County. It has not yet been identified in Dakota County. It is spread through the
movement of water craft and water equipment. To prevent the spread of Starry Stonewort,
and other aquatic invasive species, follow these important steps:
If you own a watercraft:
Carefully and thoroughly clean your watercraft every time you exit a
waterbody. Some AIS are small and difficult to see, such as Zebra Mussels. To
remove or kill them, spray with high-pressure water, and dry for at least 5 days.
Drain all water-related equipment, including boat, ballast tanks, portable bait
containers, as well as bilge, livewell, and baitwell. Remove and keep drain
plugs out and draining devices open while transporting.
Always dispose of unwanted bait in the trash. It is illegal to release bait into a
waterbody or move aquatic animals from one waterbody to another. If you want to
keep your bait, you must refill the bait container with bottled or tap water.
Learn to identify Starry Stonewort, and report new infestations to a local DNR invasive
species contact. AIS identification guides are available at City Hall, or online at the
Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center.
For more information contact: Krista Spreiter, Natural Resources Coordinator at: 651-255-
1123 or by Email: Kspreiter@mendotaheightsmn.gov.
Photo above courtesy of the MN Department of Natural Resources.
Volunteer to monitor wetlands
Pull on a pair of waders! Dakota County seeks volunteers for the Wetland Health Evaluation
Program (WHEP). Volunteers work with a community-based team to evaluate wetlands by
collecting data on plants and macroinvertebrates like beetles, bugs and snails. Previous
monitoring experience or a background in science is not necessary to take part.
Registration is open through May 15.
Sign up on a team and for training on Dakota County’s volunteer website. Learn more at
mnwhep.org.
Recent highlights
Spring is a great time for citizens to pitch in and clean up a shoreline! Learn more
about the Adopt a River program and access planning tools for your cleanup event
through the Freshwater Society.
The Lower Minnesota River Watershed District (LMRWD) is seeking volunteers to
serve on its Citizen Advisory Committee.
Create a beautiful garden to benefit pollinators, improve water quality, or stabilize
your shoreline with the Landscaping for Clean Water program. Learn more about
their Introductory, Design, and Maintenance classes -- get started today.
I'm planning a project near a surface water. Do I need a permit?
POLICE DEPARTMENT NEWS
W kl C i R t
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Weekly Crime Report
Incident reports 4/29/2022 - 05/5/2022 Previous Weekly Crime Report/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 dakota911mn.gov.
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 mendotaheightsmn.gov/police.
Completed forms and general questions can be submitted via email to
pdrecords@mendotaheightsmn.gov.
PARKS & RECREATION
Get started planning your summer of fun!
Registration is open for summer recreation programs and programs are filling quickly. There
are tons of activities for all ages to enjoy! Visit the Summer Fun webpage for details.
COVID-19 RESOURCES
For information on COVID-19 and to connect to resources for vaccinations, boosters,
testing, and more, visit mendotaheightsmn.gov/covid19.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
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
Park & Recreation Commission | May 10, 6:30 p.m.
Natural Resources Commission | May 11, 6:00 p.m.
State of the City Address | May 17, Doors open 4:30p.m., Address 4:45-5:30 p.m.
City Council Meeting | May 17, 6:00 p.m.
Planning Commission | May 24, 7:00 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
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Official Website of the City of Mendota Heights, Minnesota
1101 Victoria Curve Mendota Heights, MN 55118 Phone: 651-452-1850
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