Issue 46 - Heights Highlights Fall 1998PAGE 1 October, 1998 ISSUE 46
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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER vuTE
The State General and City Election will be held on Tuesday,
November 3. Polling places will be open for voting from 7:00 a.m.
to 8:00 p.m.
The five precinct polling places are: Somerset Elementary School
north gymnasium (Precinct 1), located at 1355 Dodd Road; Royal
Redeemer Lutheran Church (Precinct 2), 1960 So. Lexington Ave.;
Mendota Elementary School (Precinct 3), 1979 Summit Lane; St.
Paul's United Methodist Church (Precinct 4), 700 Wesley Lane; and
the Visitation School Fine Arts Center (Precinct 5) 2455 Visitation
Drive. If you are not sure which precinct you reside in, please call
City Hall at 452-1850 for assistance.
When you arrive at the polls, an election judge will ask your name
and address. The judge will then look for your name on the polling
place registration list, which is provided by the state. If your name is
not on the list, because you are not registered or are at the wrong
-)fling place, the judge will direct you to the correct polling place or
.1 ask you to complete a voter registration form. If your name is on
me list, the judge will give you a voter's receipt. You will be directed
to the next judge, who will offer you a demonstration on how to
properly mark a vote for an office. Although you have probably
received a similar demonstration in past elections, please listen
carefully to the judge's instructions. Many ballots were rejected by
the optical scan vote reader in the Primary Election because they were
not properly marked. When the demonstration has been completed,
you will be directed to the ballot judge. The judge will ask for your
voter's receipt and will give you a ballot, ballot pen and ballot sleeve.
When you receive your ballot, take it to the first available voting
booth.
After you have finished voting, take a moment to look at your ballot.
If you find that you have made a mistake in any way, you may return
it to the ballot judge who will give you another. If you find no errors,
place your ballot in the yellow sleeve, take your voted ballot to the
optical scan machine and insert it in the slot at the front of the
machine. Your votes will immediately be recorded within the internal
memory of the machine. If your ballot has been improperly marked,
it will be rejected by the machine. A message will be printed on a
tape located towards the rear of the machine. You should read the
message to see why your ballot was rejected, and then return to the
ballot judge and ask for a new ballot.
Election Day Registration
Residents who are not currently registered to vote in Mendota
Heights can register at their precinct polling places on election day.
You must provide proper proof of residency. This proof can be a valid
' linnesota Driver's License, Leamer's Permit, or Minnesota Identi-
ition Card, showing your current address, or a receipt for any of
these types of identification. If the Minnesota ID or license has a
former address, you may bring a recent utility bill to use with your
license or ID card. The utility bill must have your name and current
address and be due within 30 days of the election. Utility bills may
be for electric, gas, water, solid waste, sewer, telephone or cable tv.
You can also use a "Notice of Late Registration" postcard mailed to
you by the County Auditor or a U.S. Passport or military photo ID
card with a utility bill. Students can use student photo identification.
If you do not have the proper identification, a person who knows you
and is a registered voter in your precinct may vouch for your resi-
dency. Precinct election judges may not, under penalty prescribed by
state law, accept any other proof of residency. The responsibility to
provide the required proof is yours. If you are a new resident, why
not take the time between now and November 3 to change your
driver's license or Minnesota I.D. card. Bringing the proper identifi-
cation to the polling place will save you and the election judges time
and frustration on election day.
Absentee Ballots
If you know that you will be unable to vote in person on election
day because of illness, disability, religious discipline or because you
will be out of town, you may apply for an absentee ballot. You can
request an application form by mail, phone, or in person at City Hall
during office hours. If you are unable to visit City Hall during regular
office hours, the City Offices will be open for absentee voting on
Saturday, October 31, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and on Monday,
November 2, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
More Questions? Please Call
The foregoing information is provided to make the election process
easier for you. You are encouraged to contact City Clerk Kathleen
Swanson at 452-1850, if you have any additional election questions.
Inside "Heights Highlites"
City Election Candidate Profiles
Current Information on Airport Noise Issues
Truth -In -Taxation Hearing Notice
Annual Halloween Bonfire
For Great Fall/Winter Fun, Check out the
Parks and Recreation Information
on Pages 4 through 7
PAGE 5 HEIGHTS HIGHLITES October, 1998
YOUTH TRIPS
`There's nothing to do!" If this sounds familiar, make plans to bowl, snow tube, roller skate and participate in many other fun activities. The
trips listed below are a perfect opportunity for kids and their friends, brothers and sisters to participate in activities which are high in fun and
also high in adult supervision. The day trips are sponsored by the Parks and Recreation Departments of Mendota Heights, West St. Paul, South
St. Paul and Inver Grove Heights. All trips depart from West St. Paul City Hall, 1616 Humboldt Ave., and also return there. To register, either
come to Mendota Heights City Hall or mail in the registration form from this issue of "Heights Highlights" and payment to "City of Mendota
Heights, 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, MN 55118. Registrations received after the deadline are subject to a $2.00 late fee per
participant.
Snow Tubing!
Spend some of your vacation tubing down the slopes at Green
Acres, in Lake Elmo. After a solid two hours of snow tubing
we will take time to eat lunch (bring a sack lunch) and snacks.
Ages: Grades 2-6
Date: Tuesday, December 29
Time: Bus departs from WSP City Hall at 9:30 a.m. and
returns to the same location at 1:00 p.m.
Location: Green Acres Recreation, 8989 N. 55th St.,
Lake Elmo
Bring: Warm clothes, extra mittens or leather gloves
and additional money for snacks.
FEE: $11.00 per child.
Registration Deadline: Friday, December 18
Welch Village Ski Trips
End your school week with evening skiing! Hit the slopes of
Welch Village. Whether you are a beginner or a pro, these trips
will allow you to get out and enjoy the winter season. Lessons
are available and recommended for beginner skiers. You may
bring a sack lunch or purchase a meal at the ski lodge.
Ages: 8-12 years old
Dates: Fridays, Jan. 8, 22, & February 5, 1999
Bus Pick Up Location: WSP Ice Arena, 60 W. Emerson, WSP
Departs: 3:15 p.m. Returns: approximately 10:00 p.m.
Deadline: Monday before each trip (Jan.5, 19, and Feb.2)
Fee: $29.00 per child, per trip (includes transportation, lift
ticket, equipment rental, and chaperone).
$18.00 per child, per trip trip if you bring your own
ski equipment.
$5.00 additional fee per child for a lesson.
Early Release Open Swim
Jump out of the cold and into the pool at Heritage Middle
School, located at 181 Butler Ave., in West St. Paul. Students
Kindergarten through Grade 8 are invited to spend the afternoon
swimming on the days when school is dismissed early. Parents
please note that transportation will no be provided.
Wednesday, November 11
1:00-3:00 p.m.
$4.00 per child
Wednesday, December 9
1:00-3:00 p.m.
$4.00 per child
Grand Slam & Skateville
While at Grand Slam you will be given 4 game tokens, a round
of mini -golf, a bumper car pass, an option to use the batting cages
or the mega play zone and your choice of pizza or a hot dog, chips
and a beverage. The fun continues at Skateville, where we will
roller skate. (Parents might have to explain what roller skates in
this age of high tech in-line skates.)
Ages: Grades 1-8
Date: Wednesday, December 30
Time: Bus will leave WSP City Hall at 9:30 a.m. and return
to the same location at 4:00 p.m.
Bring: Extra money for tokens and snacks
Fee: $12.50 per participant
Registration Deadline: Friday, December 18
Tap, Ballet & Jazz
Acquire flexibility, coordination, and musicality while you
learn the basics of ballet, tap and jazz. These dance classes consist
of 1 session per week for 10 weeks. The dates and times of these
classes are currently being formulated. Students should wear
comfortable clothing. Students who participate in the winter and
spring sessions will also perform in a spring recital.
Juli Mickelson, the dance instructor, has 23 years of dance
training, 9 years of teaching experience, was a dance major at
Texas Christian University, and has performed with Loyce Houl-
ron's Minnesota Dance Theater and the American School of
Russian Classical Ballet.
Ages: Grades 5 and up.
Date: To be announced. (Call ISD 197 at 905-4094 for dates
and information)
Time: To be announced.
Location:The Learning Center, 1300 Mendota
Heights, Rd., Mendota Heights
Fee: $44.00 for 10 sessions.
PAGE 6 HEIGHTS HIGHLITES October, 1998
ICE SKATING LESSONS
Outdoor ice skating lessons will be offered at Friendly Hills Park. A variety of classes
will be offered for all ages and abilities. This is a good opportunity to improve your skating
skills. Lessons are taught by a local professinal skater with sixteen years of experience.
Classes are limited to 5-7 participants, so register early. Please indicate the level name and
session number when registering. All classes are $20 per participant/session.
Smalls and Talls
Parents or other responsible adults par-
ticipate with their first time skaters.
Adults will learn tips on how to help their
children skate.
Ages 3-5 years old
Thursdays, Jan. 7 - Feb.4, 1999
Session I: 6:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Sundays, Jan. 11 -Feb. 8
Session II: 12:00 - 12:30 p.m.,
Session III: 12:30 - 1:00 p.m.
Session IV: 3:00 - 3:30
Beginners
Skaters with no previous lessons.
Ages 6 and older
Thursdays, Jan. 7 - Feb. 4, 1999
Session I: 7:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Sundays, Jan. 11 -Feb. 8
Session II= 1:00-1:30 p.m.
Session 2= 2:30-3:00 p.m..
Advanced Beginners
Skaters who can skate forward or who
have previously been in the Beginners
class.
Ages 6 and older
Sundays Jan. 11 -Feb. 8, 1999
2:00-2:30 p.m.
Intermediate
Skaters who can skate forward and back-
ward. There will be a focus on learning
turns and crossovers.
Sundays, Jan. 11 -Feb. 8
Session I: 1:30-2:00 p.m.
Funstyle
Skaters who can do
forward and backward
crossovers and turns or
who have previously
been in the Intermedi-
ate class. Skaters will
learn jumps and spins.<
Sundays, Jan. 11 -
Feb. 8, 1999
Session I:
3:00-3:30 p.m.
Adults
Adult skaters of all levels who want to
begin skating for the first time or improve
skating skills.
Ages 17 and older
Thursdays, Jan. 7 -Feb. 4, 1999
Session I: 7:30-8:00 p.m.
RINK RATS
Co -Ed Youth Outdoor Hockey League
ICE RINK WARMING
HOUSE SCHEDULE
Weather permitting, the City's ice rinks
and warming houses will open on Satur-
day, December 19.
Rink rules will be posted at the warming
houses. A rink attendant will be on duty
at each of the warming houses during
regular warming house hours (listed be-
low).
The outdoor rinks and warming houses
will be CLOSED and outdoor programs
will be canceled when the air temperature
is -5 degrees or lower, or when the wind-
chill is -25 degrees or lower. Please keep
children home on these days.
For more information concerning ice
rinks, please call 452-1850.
WARMING HOUSE LOCATIONS:
Friendly Hills Park
South of Decorah Lane on Pueblo Drive
Marie Park
West of Victoria on Marie Avenue
Wentworth Park
Between Dodd Road and Wachtler Ave.
WARMING HOUSE HOURS:.
Weekdays ......... 4:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Saturdays ........ 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 P.M.
Sundays .......... 12:00 (noon) to 7:00 p.m.
School Vacation Days
12:00 (noon) to 9:00 p.m.
Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve, New
Year's Day...... 12:00 (noon) to 4:00
p.m.
Christmas Day....................CLOSED
The City of Mendota Heights, Mendota Heights Athletic Association and Dakota Bank have once again joined together to organize an
outdoor hockey league for our youth.
Age: This league is for girls and boys ages 7 through 10 years
When: The league starts at the beginning of January and runs through the end of February, every Saturday
morning for one hour.
-- Where: Friendly Hills Park
Equipment Needed: The youth will be required to have the following equipment: skates, stick, shin pads,
and helmet with a face mask. A parent or guardian will be required to sign an insurance waiver
` prior to their child participating. Jerseys will be provided by Dakota Bank.
Cost: $40 fee for first child; $20 for each additional sibling
This league was created to provide an alternative to the indoor hockey league for Mendota Heights fami-
lies. Along with developing their basic skills of skating and team building, the youth will be responsible
L for maintaining the ice (shoveling and scraping) before and after their games.
You may register at the Mendota Heights City Hall and at Dakota Bank. An informational meeting will be
held in December for those who have registered. The date, time and location of this meeting will be provided to you upon registration
Once again, we will be looking for volunteers both on and off the ice. If you have questions prior to this meeting, please contact Bill Bird
at 452-1850.
Parent/Guardian Name:
Home Phone:
Work Phone:
Address:
City: Zip Code:
Fi Please check
for $5.00
Non-Resident Fee
Participant Name
1.
Gender
(Circle)
M F
Birthdate
/_/
Activity Name
Start
Date
/ /_
Time
FEE
$
2.
M F
/ /
/ /_
$
3.
M F ';
/ /
/ /_
$
PAGE 8
Fun For All
Want to have a monstrously good time on
Halloween? Join your friends and neighbors
at the annual city -sponsored Halloween
Bonfire. It will be held on October 31, from
7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. The location is the
same as in prior years - in an undeveloped
portion of the Mendota Plaza Shopping Cen-
ter property, behind the shopping center
building. All the goblins and gremlins, dino-
saurs and ballerinas are guaranteed to have a
great time.
The Volunteer Fire Department has of-
fered to carry on the bonfire tradition and
will coordinate and run this year's event. The
bonfire is conducted to provide a safe and
enjoyable family alternative to trick or treat-
ing. Costumes are not necessary. Hot dogs,
soda and other goodies are free and a ghostly
good time is guaranteed.
Change Your Clock - Change
Your Battery
When you change your clock on October
24, we encourage you to test your smoke
detectors and change the batteries in your
flashlights and smoke detectors. Many lives
have been saved by properly operating
smoke detectors. Please make sure that yours
operate properly. If you have any questions,
please don't hesitate to contact the fire de-
partment at 454-3266.
Watch Decision '98
Live Election Coverage
NDCTV Channel 33 will provide live cov-
erage of election results for local city elec-
tions on Tuesday, November 3. Coverage
will begin at 8:00 p.m.
Hosts Tricia Rettler and Mike Sokol will
visit election hubs and keep viewers posted
on State and National races as well. Get local
election results FIRST on NDCTV Channel
33.
HEIGHTS HIGHLITES October, 1998
Winter Parking Reminder
Autumn is a beautiful time of year in Mendota Heights. The crisp night air, however, is
forewaming of the frigid winter weather we will soon be experiencing. Public Work
personnel are already making preparations for the winter season. The Mendota Heights Public
Works and Police Departments ask your cooperation in ensuring that city plows can safely
and promptly remove snow from our streets.
City ordinances prohibit on -street parking anytime we receive two or more inches of snow,
until after the snowplow has cleared the street. The police department will be enforcing this
ordinance. With everyone's cooperation, snow plowing can be done in a safe and expedient
manner.
Adopt a Hydrant
If you have a desire to help your
community and wouldn't mind a
little extra exercise, the Fire De-
partment has a solution for you.
The department is looking for in-
dividuals to "adopt" fire hydrants
for the winter.
To qualify for adoption, all you need do is
promise to keep the area around a hydrant
free of snow and ice and accessible in time
of need. Your investment of time and energy
will earn the dividend of gratitude from the
firefighters and from those whose lives and
property you will be helping to protect.
If you are interested in adopting a hydrant,
please call Nancy at 452-1850 for further
information.
Sewer Bill Drop Box
Available
A "drop box" was recently installed at City
Hall to provide a safe and convenient recep-
tacle for payment of your quarterly sewer
bills. The drive -up box is located along the
island portion of the circular drive in front of
City Hall.
Before you deposit your payment in the
drop box, please be sure to enclose your
check and the right-hand portion of your
sewer bill (the small perforated stub) in an
envelope. If you have any questions regard-
ing your sewer bill or if you plan to move and
would like information on final billing,
please contact Linda at 452-1850.
CITY MEETING SCHEDULE
Residents are invited and encouraged to keep current on issues affecting your city by
attending meetings of the City Council and its advisory commissions. The following is a
schedule of the regular meetings of those bodies.
City Council: first and third Tuesdays each month, 7:30 p.m.
Planning Commission: fourth Tuesday each month, 7:30 p.m.
Parks & Recreation Commission: second Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.
Airport Relations Commission: second Wednesday, 7:00 p.m.
All regular meetings are held at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve. If you would like an
item placed on a meeting agenda, please call the city's staff at 452-1850 at least one week
in advance of a meeting.
City of Mendota Heights
1101 Victoria Curve
Mendota Heights, Mn. 55118
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 6166
St. Paul, Mn. 55118
POSTAL PATRON CARRIER ROUTE
PRESORT
MENDOTA HEIGHTS, MN
55120
ECR WSS