Heights Highlights Jan-FebHIGHLIGHTS
City of Mendota Heights
1101 Victoria Curve
Mendota Heights, MN 55118
651-452-1850 MENDOTA HEIGHTS
3 CITYPERMITSINSIDE 5 CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES IN ACTION 6 7 PROGRAMSAND EVENTS
The City of Mendota Heights
offers a variety of opportunities
for residents to volunteer, get
involved and contribute to the
community!
Upcoming Events:
Frozen Fun Fest
Feb. 9–11
Volunteers Needed: 5
MendotaHeightsMN.gov/
Volunteer
Volunteer
OPPORTUNITIES
January-February 2024
Each year, Frozen Fun Fest draws
hundreds of residents and visitors out to
enjoy the City’s year-round amenities.
With festivities taking place throughout
Mendota Heights, the three-day event
aims to bring the community together for
some fun, games and fresh air during the
cold winter months - and quickly reminds
us all, what we love about winter in
Minnesota!
The 3rd Annual Frozen Fun Fest takes
place Feb. 9-11.
Don’t miss the always-competitive
Medallion Hunt, with enticing daily clues
to send you out searching, in hopes of
becoming the grand prize winner! Little
ones can join in the fun by participating in
the Coloring Contest to win prizes all their
own. Then mark your calendar, invite
friends and neighbors, and get ready for a
weekend filled with free fun for everyone.
Register early for the wildly-popular
puzzle contest, and head outdoors to
enjoy live music, ice skating, ice sculpting,
food trucks, Valentine’s crafts and
exclusive shopping deals around Market
Square Park.
Details on Page 8
ADOPT A DRAINAND A HYDRANT
MendotaHeightsMN.gov
L to R: Council Members Paper, Lorberbaum, Mazzitel-
lo; Mayor Levine; Council Member Miller
Mayor Stephanie Levine
SLevine@MendotaHeightsMN.gov
651-686-0340 C: 651-302-0861
Councilor Sally Lorberbaum
SLorberbaum@MendotaHeightsMN.gov
651-503-5564
Councilor John Mazzitello
JMazzitello@MendotaHeightsMN.gov
651-249-7306
Councilor Jay Miller
JMiller@MendotaHeightsMN.gov
651-994-0482
Councilor Joel Paper
JPaper@MendotaHeightsMN.gov
612-237-1133
PUBLIC MEETINGS*
City Council
Bi-weekly; 1ST & 3RD Tuesdays at 7 p.m.
Airport Commmission
Odd months; 3RD Wednesday at 6 p.m.
Natural Resources Commission
Monthly; 2ND Wednesday at 6 p.m.
Parks and Recreation Commission
Monthly; 2ND Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
Planning Commission
Monthly; 4TH Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Meetings are held at City Hall. Watch live
meetings on Ch. 18/798 HD and meeting
replay at townsquare.tv/webstreaming.
*Dates and times are subject to change,
visit MendotaHeightsMN.gov/Calendar.
& ProgramsEvents
EVENTS CALENDAR
MendotaHeightsMN.gov/Calendar
FEB10
Coffee with the Council
9 a.m.
Par 3 Community Clubhouse
Join council members for a casual
conversation over coee.
MAR5
Presidential Nomination
Primary
7 a.m.–8 p.m.
All Voting Precincts
Vote in-person for the Presidential
Nomination Primary.
JAN27
Blade with the Blue
1–3 p.m.
Wentworth Park
Skate and play hockey with
police ocers; registration
recommended.
FEB1
Tour de Rec: Crafts /Cookies
6–7 p.m.
Harmon Park Center, W. St. Paul
Free fun for kids at neighborhood
parks and facilites.
MAR7
Tour de Rec: Sledding
6–7 p.m.
Southview Park, W. St. Paul
Free fun for kids at neighborhood
parks and facilites.
Coffee with the Council
9 a.m.
Ze’s Diner
Join council members for a casual
conversation over coee.
JAN13
Summer Program Registration
Begins at 9 a.m.
Browse programs and register for
a summer of fun!
FEB27
Absentee Voting Begins
Presidential Nomination Primary
Request a ballot online, or in person
at City Hall.
JAN19
2
A Message From
THE MAYOR
Happy 2024, Mendota Heights!
As I begin my 4th year of
service as Mayor, I am proud of
all we’ve accomplished in 2023.
Together, our dedicated staff,
volunteers and community
have shaped Mendota Heights
into a wonderful place to live,
work and play. Here are some
notable highlights from the
past year:
•Welcomed five new
paid-on-call firefighters and
a new fire engine, Ladder 11.
•Tackled a record amount of snow, groomed fields and
planted numerous trees.
•Launched the City’s new website, improving
communication and City interface.
•Earned the designation of Tree City and achieved Step 2
as a Green Step City.
•Unveiled the expanded playground at Valley View
Heights Park.
•Hosted a record-setting 19,760 rounds of golf at the
Par 3 Community Golf Course
•Successfully managed two elections in two months for
the District 52B Special Election.
•Secured the City’s first-ever allocation in the MN State
Bonding Bill - a substantial $1.85 million for Oheyawahe
improvements.
•Updated Zoning Code to align with 2040 Comprehensive
Plan, State Statute and community values.
Looking ahead to the New Year, I am proud of the recently
approved 2024 budget. This budget reflects our
commitment to deliver exceptional services and
strategically plan for our City’s future. Additionally, 2024
promises an array of exciting events, amenities and
enhancements, which include:
•Engaging the community in the development a 15-year
Parks Master Plan.
•Unveiling the new skatepark at Rogers Lake
•Improving the River to River Greenway in Valley Park,
from Marie Ave. to the Big Rivers Regional Trailhead.
•Adopting the updated and enhanced zoning code.
•Expanding sustainability initiatives.
•Finalizing Plans to remodel the Police Department and
City Hall.
•Improving the building permit and inspection process.
•And much, much more!
On behalf of the City Council and our dedicated staff, I wish
you all a happy and healthy New Year!
Stephanie B. Levine, Mayor
CITY COUNCIL
7
Adopt a Drain
AND A HYDRANT
Dozens of residents have adopted
and named neighborhood storm
drains – but more than 50% of drains
have yet to be adopted. These drains
flow directly into local waterways,
carrying trash and pollutants.
Visit mn.adopt-a-drain.org to adopt
a drain, and commit to keeping it
clear all year round. Give it a name
and join other adopted drains in
Mendota Heights, including
Mister Draino, Goop be Gone,
Snoopy and Linus.
Residents can also help with a
network of 1,000 fire hydrants that
provide extinguishing capabilities to
every household in the Mendota
Heights service area. Snow can
impede firefighters’ ability to quickly
locate and access a hydrant.
On average, for every minute a fire
burns, it doubles in size. For this
reason, the Fire Department asks
residents and businesses adopt a
hydrant and clear snow around it.
While there’s no formal program for
adopting hydrants, firefighters
appreciate neighbors working
together to help with this
time-saving measure.
DevelopmentCOMMUNITY
Launched in 2023, Coffee,
Cribbage and Cards aims
to bringing residents -
ages 55 and up - together
for some fun over the winter
months.
“This is one of my favorite
seasonal programs,” said
Recreation Program Coordinator Willow Eisfeldt. “Coffee,
Cribbage and Cards is such a great opportunity to gather
together in the cozy Par 3 Community Clubhouse, sip warm
coffee, tell stories, laugh and play games with friends.”
The program takes place every-other Wednesday through
Feb. 29, from 9–11 a.m. It’s free to participate, but registration
is required for planning purposes:
MendotaHeightsMN.gov/Register.
Suiting Up
FOR A SIP OF FUN
COMMUNITYMatters
Cities issue permits for several reasons,
primarily to ensure the safety, health
and welfare of the community. In
Mendota Heights, zoning regulations
also protect the City’s unique natural
resources.
For businesses and homeowners in
Mendota Heights, this means proposed
projects must not only comply with
Minnesota state and the International
Building Codes, safety standards and
zoning ordinances, but must also meet
certain regulations designed to protect
natural resources nearby. This is
because projects of any size and type
can have a significant impact on environmental factors such as soil erosion and water quality.
Prior to the commencement of any project, property owners should check to see what permits
are required, and determine if the property is located in a geographical area protected by
unique zoning regulations – these include the Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area (MRCCA),
Wetland Areas and more.
Mendota Heights City ordinance requires permits to be obtained prior to the commencement
of work on a project; permit fees are doubled if the request is made after work has begun.
For more information and to determine special regulations that may apply to your property,
visit MendotaHeightsMN.gov/CommunityDevelopment.
Permits Protect
NATURAL RESOURCES
6
By your local Master Gardeners
Winter is a great time to gather new information and ideas
in preparation for enhancing your landscape over the
summer months.
The Gardener's Guide to Prairie Plants by Neil Diboll &
Hilary Cox is a wonderful new resource that is not just
about prairie plants, its a complete guide for anyone
interested in incorporating native plants in their landscape.
With amazing photos and descriptions of 145 plants –
including their desired habitats and best uses in your
landscape – it is a must have for residents of our
pollinator-friendly city!
Resources can also be found at prairiemoon.com,
prairienursery.com and blazingstargardens.com; these
are great places to order plants as well. For residents who
live on a wetland or shoreline, naturalshore.com is also
great. And if you prefer to buy your plants in person, mark
your calendar for the Burnsville Native Plant Sale on May
18, and watch for information on Landscape Revival sales
in coming in June.
Plan Your Summer
LANDSCAPE
6 3
The 2024 General Election is Tuesday, Nov. 5, when
voters will elect the next President and Vice President of
the United States, as well as many federal, state and local
representatives. In Mendota Heights, two City Council
seats and the Mayoral seat will also be on the ballot.
The Presidential Nomination Primary will be on March 5,
2024, with absentee voting available between Jan. 19 and
March 4. To participate, voters must request a ballot from
the major political party of their choice; this can be done
online or in-person. Ballots requested online can be
returned in person at City Hall, by mail, or using the drop
box in front of City Hall.
On Tuesday, March 5, in-person voting takes place at all
Mendota Heights voting precincts. There is no in-person
voting at City Hall on March 5; absentee ballots must be
received by 8 p.m.
Find more election information at
MendotaHeightsMN.gov/Elections.
Election2024
Nancy Bauer was recently promoted to serve as the Mendota Heights City Clerk. Nancy has long served the
City in a variety of roles. In addition to her work in Administration, Public Works, Engineering, and the Fire
Department, Nancy has also played a key role in Mendota Heights elections for many years as the Deputy
City Clerk. Nancy is a certified Municipal Clerk and brings a passion for ensuring fair and accessible elections
to the role of City Clerk.
City Staff
UPDATES
Sarah Madden is the City’s new Community Development
Manager. She holds a bachelor’s degree in geography from the
University of Central Arkansas and a master’s degree in urban
and regional planning from the University of Minnesota. Sarah is a
dedicated public service professional having served in the
Planning Division with the City of Burnsville for the last six years.
Sarah loves learning and is passionate about policy, research and
city planning – and she is excited to get to know the Mendota
Heights community. In her spare time Sarah can be found at
home with a good book, a cat, and a baked good.
City Council
PRIORITIES IN ACTION
The City Council sets strategic priorities to guide City initiatives. More than
ideas, these priorities provide direction that shapes the work of City
government. One of the Council’s priorities outlines a commitment to
environmental sustainability and stewardship – a strategy that is applied to
daily operations, as well as significant project work.
Organics Recycling
Over the past few years, the City has increased organics education and
promotion of organics drop-off. New requirements for back-of-house
collection at community events including Parks Celebration and the Scott
Patrick Memorial 5K have made significant progress toward keeping
organic waste from City events out of landfills. The City also offers
discounted compost bins to encourage backyard composting; in 2024, this
sale will also include a free backyard composting class for residents.
In 2024 City staff are assisting Dakota County in their analysis of residential organics collection. Many
Mendota Heights residents have expressed interest and concerns about curbside organics collection. This
partnership will help inform future discussions about organics recycling in the City by studying participation
trends, environmental impact data and infrastructure capacity, then outline the next steps towards diverting
organic material from entering landfills.
Partners in Energy
In October 2023, the City applied for and was accepted into in Xcel Energy’s Partners in Energy program.
The program provides resources and support to develop an energy action plan aimed at reducing energy
use, tools to help implement the plan, and resources designed to help communities stay informed.
City staff have proposed an initial focus on improving energy efficiency at City-owned buildings, as well as
outreach to residents and businesses, including educational opportunities and more. Watch for more
information about the Partners in Energy Program in the spring of 2024.
For more on the Council’s strategic priorities in action, visit MendotaHeightsMN.gov/CouncilPriorities.
Election Timeline
March 5
Presidential
Nomination Primary
Aug. 13
General Election
Primary
Nov. 5
General Election
Day
5
HEIGHTSHappenings HighlightsCOUNCIL
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