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Issue 16 - Heights Highlights Summer 1989PAGE 1 JULY, 1989 ISSUE 16 PARKS REFERENDUM SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE On Tuesday, August 15th, Mendota Heights voters will have the opportunity to decide whether the City should have a major upgrading of its parks system. A two-part ballot question, as recommended by the 25 -member Citizens' Parks Review Committee, will address both immediate needs and future land acquisitions and developments. The first ballot question will be for authorization of up to $2.7 million of general obligation bonding authority. Proceeds from those bonds would sig- nificantly improve the City's existing seven neighborhood parks, complete develop- ment of three new neighborhood parks, add several miles of bicycle/pedestrian trails, develop a 27 -acre community ballfield complex along Mendota Heights -A authorize funds for development of .cond athletic facility in conjunction with Sibley High School, and authorize ad- ditional bonding for acquisition of a third ballfield site when a preferred location is determined. The second question, for another $700,000 of bonding authority, is more fu- ture -oriented. These bonds would be used for later development of the third ballfield site and for acquisition of additional park land and open space in the community. The Citizens' Parks Review Committee includes representatives from the City Council, Parks and Planning Commissions, MendEagan Athletic Association, and at - large citizens interested in parks issues. The recommendation for the two-part bal- lot question marks the culmination of over five months of in-depth study and analysis of alternatives. The rapid pace of development in Men- dota Heights has put increasing pressure on the existing parks system, and resulted in the loss of several opportunities for ac- quisition of park land. The Committee has concluded that it is essential to move quickly if the community is to have an ade- quate parks system for the future. The Mayor and City Council, as well as the Park and Recreation Commission, have endorsed the Committee recommenda- tion, and voted unanimously in favor of the August 15th referendum. The estimated annual tax impact on a home with an Assessor's Market Value (see the Statement you receive from Dakota County) of $100,000 would be $40 if the first question passes, and $8 more if both are successful. For a house with Assessor's Market Value of $150,000, the costs would be $84 and $101 respectively. Additional information on the parks proposal and tax impact will be sent to each home well in advance of the August 15th voting date. Voting hours will be from 7:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. A sample ballot and additional information is contained on page 4 of this Newsletter. PAGE 2 HEIGHTS HIGHLITES SUMMER FUN ON WHEELS Once again, summer is here and we find ourselves involved in activities we have come to associate with the warmer season. A number of these activities have become popular with our younger citizens as both a means of practical transportation and a way to just have fun. Some of the more popular are the use of skateboards, mopeds, and mini -bikes. All three offer the potential for great fun and are a way to fill the long days of summer vacation, but unfortunately, all are accompanied by inherent dangers that can lead to disaster in cases of misuse or carelessness. "Fun On Wheels" can turn quickly into misfortune when we throw away our common sense and look upon the law with indifference. Regardless of which of these activities we choose to take part in, the easiest and safest way to obtain the most satisfaction out of a given activity is to follow a number of simple guidelines: • Be alert to the hazards you may encounter while riding mopeds, minibikes, and skateboards; • Be considerate of others. (Including your neighbors, motorists, and anyone you may encounter along the way.) • Be familiar with your equipment and know how to operate it. BE SAFE: KNOW AND OBEY STATE AND LOCAL LAWS In an effort to ensure a safe and "ticket -free" summer for all members of the community, the Police Department offers the following partial summary of state and local laws that pertain to the operation and use of mopeds, mini -bikes, and skateboards within the city. Mopeds A moped (Motorized Bicycle) is defined by state law as a bicycle propelled by a motor that is 50 cubic centimeters or less and a maximum of two brake horse- power and which is capable of not more than 30 mph on a flat surface when the motor is engaged. A moped may be operated under either a Driver's License or a moped permit. A person under 16 years of age who is operat- ing under a valid moped permit must com- ply with the same restrictions as those im- posed for the operation of a motorcycle under a two -wheel Instruction Permit. Mopeds may not be driven on any bicycle lane, or bicycle path. The operation of a moped on any sidewalk is also prohibited. When operating on a roadway, mopeds must comply with the same traffic laws imposed on other motorized vehicles. The driver is required to have the vehicle in- sured and carry proof of insurance at all times. Mini -Bikes, Motor Scooters, and Three -Wheelers These vehicles are defined under state law as motorcycles, and may not be operated on the roadway unless all license and equipment laws are complied with. When operated off-road, these vehicles are considered by law to be "Recreational Vehicles." As such, persons are prohibited from operating indiscriminately upon public and private property. City Or- dinance No. 1101 prohibits the use of these vehicles on private property without the written permission of the property owner. They may not be operated on any school grounds, public park, playground, recrea- tional area, or other public property. Skateboards City Ordinance No. 915 prohibits the operation of skateboards on public property, streets , or the private property of another without the written permission of the owner. Violation of this Ordinance is a misdemeanor. These laws and ordinances will be en- forced by the Police Department. It is the responsibility of the operator to become familiar with these and other pertinent laws. We all want to have fun this summer, but each of us has to do our part to make the summer season a safe and happy one. u Y. 1989 YARD WASTE DISPOSAL Beginning on August 1st, it will be un- lawful for area residents to dispose of yard waste at the landfill. Dakota County has specified that haulers and residents must dispose of yard waste at compost facilities. What does this mean for residents? It means that you must bag your yard waste separately from your other rubbish. It is unlawful to mix your yard waste in y trash and for your hauler to collect y trash if it is mixed with yard waste. Yard waste includes grass, leaves, weeds, garden waste, and prunings up to 4 inches in diameter. Mendota Heights residents have some choices about what to do with yard waste. You may pay to have your rubbish hauler dispose of the yard waste at a compost site, you may use the Dakota County Compost facility, or you may use backyard compost- ing methods. The Dakota County Composting Facility is located on Pilot Knob Road, 2 1/2 miles south of County Road 42 in Lakeville. It is free of charge for residents if the yard waste is de -bagged. For more information, contact the Dakota County Compost Program at 431-1158. You are encouraged to reduce bagging and disposing of yard waste by mowing or mulching your lawn often and composting at home. For information about backyard composting, please contact City Hall (452- 1850) or the Dakota County Compost Pro- gram. Recycle. Be part of the solution! PAGE 4 HEIGHTS HIGHLITES JULY, 1989 ELECTION INFORMATION The six City polling places will be open for the August 15th Special Election from 7:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. The polling place facilities will be the same as those used in the November, 1988 General Election and are listed below. If you are not sure which precinct you reside in, please contact City Hall at 452-1850. If you are not currently registered to vote in Mendota Heights, you may register at the polls on election day. To do so, you must provide the proper proof of residen- cy. This proof must be in the form of a valid Minnesota Driver's License, Learner's Permit or Minnesota Identification Card, or a receipt for any of those types of iden- tification which shows your current ad- dress within the precinct. If you don't have one of these types of identification, a per- son you know, who is a registered voter in your precinct, may vouch for your residen- cy. Applications for absentee ballots may be requested by anyone who is unable to come to the polls because of illness or ab- sence from their precinct on Election Day. You can either request an application by phone, and it will be mailed that day, or you can make application and vote in person at City Hall. The City Offices will be open for absentee voting on Saturday, August 12th from 1:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. and on Monday, August 14th, from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. CITY DIRECTORY Council Members: Charles Mertensotto, Mayor 454-3394 Janet Blesener 454-1811 Carl Cummins, III 454-6262 John Hartmann 457-6435 Elizabeth Witt 454-2657 Staff Members Kevin Frazell, Administrator 452-1850 Kathleen Swanson, City Clerk 452-1850 James Danielson, 452-1086 Public Works Director Dennis Delmont, Police Chief 452-1366 John Maczko, Fire Chief 454-3266 Code Enforcement Officers: Paul Berg & Dick Gill 452-1850 The Heights Highlites is a government newsletter distributed to residents to in- form them on events and activities that affect Mendota Heights. All articles, as well as layout and production are done by City staff members. If you know a resident who is not receiving the Heights Highlites but would like to, please invite them to con- tact City Hall at 452-1850. From: City Of Mendota Heights 1101 Victoria Curve Mendota Heights, Mn. 55118 POLLING PLACES Precinct 1: Somerset School Precinct 2: Dakota County State Bank (former Council Chambers) Precinct 3: Mendota School Precinct 4: Henry Sibley High School Board Rm. Precinct 5: Royal Redeemer Lutheran Church Precinct 6: Fire Station POSTAL PATRON MENDOTA HEIGHTS, MN 55118 AND 55120 Bulk Rate U.S. Postage PAID PermitNo. 6166 St. Paul, Mn. 55118 CARRIER ROUTE PRESORT