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Issue 27 - Heights Highlights Spring 1993�!Al lKf @ I r, lid iL �� v //1 ('1) /it @ I r., III A /a r 99 PAGE 1 May, 1993 ISSUE 27 COMMUNITY SURVEY TO ADDRESS TRANSPORTATION NEEDS Mendota Heights is currently faced with an issue of pressing importance to the future of our city. Over the past several years, the City Council has debated the adequacy of vehicle and pedestrian circulation in the vicinity of Dodd Road (State Highway 149) and State Highway 110. At the prompting of concerned property owners and the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT), the Mendota Heights City Council will be asked to make a number of important decisions on this issue in the coming months. So that community opinion can be taken into consideration in the decision making process, the Council has retained the firm of Decision Resources Limited to conduct a 400 household random community survey this spring. The survey hopes to describe the available roadway and trailway improvement options, along with the costs and tradeoffs associated with each, and determine citizen opinion regarding the various options. It should be made clear that the survey is not intended to promote or discourage commercial development in the surrounding area. It should also be made clear that the various options under consideration do not include the re-routing of ...�. Dodd Road behind the resi- d al properties in the • I- 1 Jly Hills neighborhood, � •� � • as was proposed by Mn/DOT 'H LANE ��., I • h many years ago. • Giventhe importance to our community of the Dodd/Highway 110 intersec- tion and the surrounding businesses, the City Council is committed to thoroughly analyzing this issue in order to make the best long range decisions possible. The com- munity survey is an important step in the decision making process to insure the desires of our residents are clearly known. Should you and your family be among those tele- phoned in the coming weeks, you are encouraged to pro- vide your honest and candid response to the questions asked. Only with the help of our residents can we be sure decisions accurately reflect the needs and desires of the c-munity ! %-drrent conditions at the Dodd/Highway 110 intersection are depicted in the draw- ing shown to the right. Many years ago MnDOT purchased a large roadway easement in Mendota Heights to accommodate the future relo- cation of Dodd Road (Trunk Highway 149). This easement still exists today and is located east of the present alignment of Dodd Road. Whereas today's Dodd Road is located along the western edge of the Mendota Plaza Shopping Center, the Fina Mart, Tom Thumb, etc., the reserved easement runs along the eastern edge of these properties. MnDOT has concluded the future traffic volumes on Dodd Road will not require the reloca- tion of the State Highway, and a decision needs to be made what, if anything, should be done with the property. The city has the ability to preserve the land for future roadway use. If the city chooses not to preserve the land, the individuals who owned the land prior to MnDOT's easement purchase will have the opportunity to re -purchase the prop- erty from MnDOT, and develop it in accordance with City Code. Before these important decisions are made, the City Council is interested in determining public satisfaction with the current roadway system and trailway system in the Dodd/110 area. For this reason, a community survey will be con- ducted this spring. PAGE 2 HEIGHTS HIGHLITES Mav, 1993 COMMUNITY AIR NOISE UPDATE The Mendota Heights City Council recently took two important actions relative to our community's ongoing airport noise concerns. On April 20, 1993 the City Council formally established an Airport Relations Commission and also authorized the return of Air Noise Litigation Escrow Funds currently held by the City. AIRPORT RELATIONS COMMISSION The Airport Relations Commission was formed to better impact decisions made by the Metropolitan Airports Commission, the Federal Aviation Administration and the State with respect to operations at Minnea- polis -St. Paul International Airport. Given the multi -faceted and ever changing nature of the airport and its impacts on our commu- nity, the creation of a citizen's advisory body to assist the City Council on this issue was deemed important. The Commission will meet monthly and will have as its duties: 1. To advise the City Council on matters pertaining to airport noise and opera- tions at Minneapolis -St. Paul Intema- tional Airport. 2. To monitor proposed rules, procedures and programs which impact the air noise situation within the City. 3. To recommend to the City Council strategies to mitigate the City's air noise exposure. In addition, the Commission is also ex- pected to deal with non -noise related airport matters, including the State's Dual Track Airport Planning process which may culmi- nate in a decision to relocate the airport at some point in the future. Service on the Commission is voluntary and no compensation is provided. Commis- sion terms of one, two and three years are available. Residents are asked to submit let- ters of interest in serving on the Commission no later than 3:00 P.M., Friday, May 14, 1993. Letters should be addressed and mailed to Mayor Charles Mertensotto, Men- dota Heights City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, MN 55118 or may be dropped off at City Hall in person. Printed on recycledpaper ANLEF REFUNDS In related news, the City Council has authorized the return of donations currently held by the City in the Air Noise Litigation Escrow Fund (ANLEF). As residents may recall, ANLEF was first created in Novem- ber 1991 with the intent to raise adequate funds to initiate legal against the Metropoli- tan Airports Commission and/or the Federal Aviation Administration to address inequi- ties in the distribution of aircraft noise. At that time, Council had set a goal of raising at least $25,000 from City residents before such action would be initiated. Residents who donated to the Fund were assured their donations would be used exclusively in sup- port of such litigation, and that if such action was not initiated, the funds would be re- turned. Currently a total of $7,129 has been c�, lected in support of ANLEF. Despite the substantial support shown by some of our residents, this amount will clearly not sup- port the type of protracted litigation we could expect from challenging the MAC and/or the FAA in court. In keeping with its prior commitment, on April 20, 1993 the City Council authorized a refund to residents of all ANLEF contributions. Those who contributed to ANLEF should receive their refund check by Friday, May 14th at the latest. TOO MUCH NOISE? \ When air noise be- comes unbearable and disrupt your family's lifestyle, the Metro- politan Airports Com- mission (MAC) wants to know. The MAC Air Noise Complaint Line can be reached at 726-9411. If possible, when you call the Compla; line, please be prepared to provide infon. don on time, location, direction and aircraft type to help pinpoint the source of your concern. PAGE 3 HEIGHTS HIGHLITES May, 1993 RECYCLE TODAY, SAVE TOMORROW! Weekly Curbside Recycling is available for residents with individual garbage pick up. Licensed garbage haulers pick up recyclable materials on the same day as your regular garbage service. The city will provide a recycling container for all residents who wish to participate in the program. Containers are available at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve. Recycling in apartments, or multi -family complexes, is usually set up in a central collection area, often in underground garages or at dumpster locations. Residents can bring recyclables to the collection area at their convenience. Please be careful about putting the recyclables in their proper containers. Materials Accepted for Curbside and Apartment Recycling Include: MAGAZINES * Clay coated magazines and thin ad- vertising catalogues on glossy or slick paper. Remove covers from Reader's Digests. Sorry, Not Yet * Phone books, TV Guides, comic books, paperback books, directories printed on uncoated paper, carbon paper, and crossword puzzle books. GLASS CONTAINERS * Rinse container * Remove caps and rings * DO NOT break glass ALUMINUM AND TIN CANS * Rinse cans and remove labels * Flatten large tin cans * Crush aluminum cans if desired * Place tin and aluminum cans in the same bag CORRUGATED CARDBOARD * Flatten * Bundle with string into 3' by 3' size * No glossy or waxed cardboard Yard Waste Composting The yard waste composting site adjacent to the Eagan Municipal Center is scheduled to be open from April 15 to May 16, 1993 and will be operated by Empire/SMC Compost Service. The hours and days of operation are: * Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. * Sunday 1 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Materials accepted include: * grass, leaves, and prunings * wood wastes including stumps and logs no longer than nine (9) feet Fees for drop off are: * de -bagged grass or leaves & pmnings (less than V in diameter). * $.50/bag or $3.75 cubic yard * brush only - $7.50 cubic yard (greater than V in diameter) ,% Permanent Yard Waste facility will be opened in mid-May and will be located at Yankee Doodle and Elrene Road in Eagan. It will have the same hours and days of operation and will also be operated by Empire/SMC Compost Service. You may call them at 322-2622 or 423-6994 for more information. NEWSPRINT * Everything from the Sunday paper is OK * Place in paper grocery bag or bundle with string AIRl i (PI Ll ALI-As -Lai 0A, PLASTIC BOTTLES WITH NECKS * Rinse bottle * Throw away caps and pumps * Flatten bottles to reduce space needs Spring Cleaning Has spring cleaning left you with piles of no longer needed clothing, furniture and household items? If you don't know what to do with these piles, several organizations can provide solutions to your dilemma. A few of them are listed below. Two organizations will pick up the items you wish to donate. The Disabled American Veterans accepts usable clothing, wood fur- niture and miscellaneous household items. You may contact them at 487-2002. The Salvation Army will pick up clothing, furni- ture, kitchen utensils, books, glassware, mis- cellaneous household items and appliances. You may call them at 332-5855. Goodwill/Easter Seal accepts contribu- tions of usable clothing, small appliances, games and toys, books, records and house- hold items. Donations can be delivered to the Goodwill store located next to Menards on South Robert Street in West St. Paul. For information, call 646-2592. PAGE 6 Dog Gone? Is your dog allowed outside of your yard without supervision? That's a question few residents would answer in the positive, yet city hall routinely receives complaints about wandering dogs. Although your pet may be very special to you, unsupervised dogs can be very intimidating to others. City ordinances are specific about the re- sponsibilities of dog owners. Owners may not permit their dogs to be at large in the city and must "keep dogs under restraint at all times." Restraint, as defined by ordinance, means control by a leash no more than six feet long or by a competent person and im- mediately obedient to that person's com- mand. Dogs must also be licensed annually. The license year runs from June through May, and the $6.00 annual fee is reduced to $3.00 for spayed/neutered dogs. Please protect your dog by licensing it and recognize the rights of your neighbors by keeping your dog under restraint. CITY DIRECTORY Council Members: Charles Mertensotto, Mayor 454-3394 John Huber 450-0729 Christine Koch 451-9508 Sandra Krebsbach 454-5696 Jill Smith 688-7444 Staff Members: Tom Lawell, 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 HEIGHTS HIGHLITES May.1993 Seasonal Reminders The change in seasons always brings a change in chores. Snow shovels and battery cables are stored for now. Lawn mowers and gardening tools are dusted off and ready to use. Spring cleaning has begun. The following reminders and helpful hints are offered. * Noxious weeds, grasses and weeds exceeding 12 inches in height must be cut unless an exemption has been issued by the city's weed inspector. Between May 15th and September 15th, the inspector will send notices to people whose properties don't comply with the ordinance, ordering that the weeds be cut. * If you plan to landscape your yard, please do not plant bushes or place landscape ma- terial within boulevard areas. Plantings in the boulevard could easily be damaged dur- ing winter snowplowing operations. * If you plan any remodeling or additions to your home, fencing or swimming pool in- stallation, contact City Hall before you begin. Building permits are required for most types of construction. Those permits for new structures or additions which may re- quire variances because they are too close to a lot line, or those which may require wetlands or conditional use permits must be reviewed by the City Planner. If he de- termines that requirements of the Zoning Ordinance cannot be met, a planning appli- cation must be submitted for review by the Planning Commission and City Council. In order to avoid delays, submit your building plans to the city's Code Enforcement Department well in advance of the date you plan to begin construction. * Dogs must be licensed. The license year runs from June through May. Please read the "Dog Gone" article in this issue for additional information. * Household hazardous wastes, like unused paint, pesticides, drain cleaners and similar materials should not be thrown out with your regular trash. Instead, deliver them to the Dakota County Hazardous Waste facility, 3385 Highway 149 in Eagan (Highwa 149 at Yankee Doodle), Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. or Saturday mornings from 9:00 to noon. Summer Help Needed Applications are being taken for part-time summer help for the Public Works Depart- ment. Individuals who are hired will work a maximum of 36 hours a week, depending on the weather, and will receive a salary of $5.50 per hour. Candidates must be at least 18 years of age. Applications are available at the City Of- fices. Contact Diane at 452-1850 for addi- tional information. The City is an AA/EEO employer. From: City Of Mendota Heights 1101 Victoria Curve Mendota Heights, Mn. 55118 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 any residents who are not receiving the Heights Highlites but would like to, please invite them to contact City Hall, 452-1850, so that they can be placed on the newsletter mailing list. POSTAL PATRON MENDOTA HEIGHTS, MN 55118 AND 55120 Bulk Rate U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 6188 St. Paul. Mn. 55118 CARRIER ROL PRESORT PAGE 5 HEIGHTS MGHLITES RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES SAFETY CAMP A three-day safety camp for children cur- rently in 2nd and 3rd grades will be held on August 17, 18, and 19. Kaposia Park, located at Wilde & Butler Avenues in South St. Paul will be the site for the camp. The program will offer safety skills that will last a lifetime including: fire, bike & telephone safety, drug awareness & much more. In the evening of the last day of camp there will be an awards reremony, at VFW Post #295 in South St. 1, with a guest celebrity speaker. The fee wr program participation, $10.00 per child, includes classes, lunch, supervision, a safety camp t -shirt & more. Camp will be held rain or shine. This program is sponsored by Mendota Heights, West St. Paul, South St. Paul and Inver Grove Heights police, fire, and parks & recreation departments. There is a limited resident enrollment for each community. Further details and scheduling will be mailed to registered participants in August. Please call 452-1850 for more information. Help Celebrate Your Parks May.1993 Planning for the second annual "Celebrate Mendota Heights Parks!" festivity is underway. The success of last year's celebration was possible because of extensive support from volunteers and sponsors throughout the community. Fifty volunteers helped stage the event. Nearly thirty businesses, organizations and individuals made financial contributions and/or sponsored events. For this year's event to be successful, your help is needed. Individuals are needed to help organize or staff specific activities planned for the day. Donations are also important to help offset promotional, reservation and supply costs. If you would like to volunteer your time or make a contribution, please contact Kevin Batchelder at 452-1850. Information on the date and activities planned for this year's celebration will appear in the summer "Heights Highlites." When it arrives, mark your calendar for a day full of enjoyment. HELP WANTED Volleyball Supervisor Applications are being taken fora seasonal part-time volleyball supervisor to oversee the Adult Sand Volleyball leagues. Respon- sibilities of the supervisor will include set- ting up equipment, keeping score and other miscellaneous duties. Applicants must have some knowledge of the game of volleyball and must be at least sixteen years old. The individual selected will work approximately ten hours a week, on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Please call Shelli at 452-1850 for more information. Applications will be accepted through May 21st. The city is an AA/EEO employer. ADULT CO-REC SAND VOLLEYBALL Mendota Heights will offer three adult Co- Rec sand volleyball leagues this summer. These recreational leagues will be played in the evenings at Rogers Lake Park. Games will not be officiated. Leagues being offered include: Beginners: Tuesdays Intermediates: Wednesdays Advanced: Mondays Games will start the week of June 7 and will continue through Mid -August. The maximum number of teams is 6 teams per league. Priority registration for Mendota Heights residents will be April 26 - May 7 on a first come, first served basis. All other teams may register between May 10- 14. The registration deadline for all teams is May 14. You may register in person at Mendota Heights City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve, Monday through Friday, 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M., or you may call 452-1850 for more information. NATURE CAMP Join the Parks and Recreation Department and Naturalist Tim Lundahl and open up the exciting world of the outdoors for your child in a two-day nature camp. Children will dis- cover wild plants, insects, bees and much more at beautiful Valley Park. Our Nature Camp is a combination of recreational and environmental learning experiences. Camp shirts will be decorated by each child, so please send a plain T-shirt (light colored) with your child. Children should also bring a bag lunch and beverage each day. Who: Ages 6-12 When: Thursday and Friday, July 29 and 30 Time: 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Location: Valley Park Cost: $19.00 Max limit: 30 The Nature Camp registration deadline is Friday, July 16th. PAGE 4 HEIGHTS HIGHLITES Mav,1993 FIREFIGHTER HONORED At the recent annual Fire Relief Association banquet, the fire department presented its Firefighter of the Year Award to Jim Kilburg. Jim received this award for his dedication to firefighting, and in recognition of many hours he spent working on committees, and attending schools (both mandatory and voluntary) during the year and his overall department participa- tion and positive attitude. Kilburg has been a firefighter for eleven years and a captain for the past three years. Jim participates in the fire prevention, safety and concession committees. He is also president of the Relief Association, and serves on its bylaws committee, and is a member of the Metro Area Relief Association Coalition. Besides his fire department activity, Jim is active in the Mend -Eagan Athletic Association, serving as a hockey board member and baseball and hockey coach. Kilburg, his wife Sam and their children, Brian and Amy, are Mendota Heights residents. Congratulations to Jim and his family for this well-deserved honor. Check Your Detectors! When you changed your clocks to daylight saving time, did you remember to change the batteries in your smoke detectors? You should check the batteries often and change them at least twice ayear. Also, vacuum your detectors monthly to remove dust and cob- webs that can impair the sensitivity of the units. Without a working smoke detector as an early warning device, fire can spread un- noticed through the household, blocking es- cape routes and filling rooms with deadly smoke. The Fire Department urges you to take the following fire safety precautions. © Develop and practice at least two different fire escape routes. © Install a smoke detector on every level of your home. © Teach your children that a smoke de- tector signals a home fire and make sure they recognize its alarm. © Keep working flashlights near beds, in the kitchen, basement and family room to use to signal for help in case of fire. © Install a fire extinguisher in or near your kitchen and test it annually. These simple procedures are inexpensive and take little time, but they could ultimately save your life or the life of a family member. Businesses Recognized One very important component of the city's fire prevention program is the annual inspection of community businesses. Fire Marshal Paul Kaiser has been performing on-site building, fire and life safety code inspections at non-residential facilities for the past eight years. Over the years, the num- ber of inspections which resulted in no ap- parent violations or prompt resolution of fire safety issues has grown significantly. This year a program was initiated to recognize the business community for its fire safety efforts. On February 2, the City Council presented awards to Ecolab, Fotomark, GNB, St. Thomas Academy, Courtyard by Marriott, and Cray Research for promptly correcting deficiencies and maintaining a fire safe at- mosphere. SOS Market, Resurrection Ceme- tery, Riverwood Place, Esslingers, General Pump, Somerset Country Club, Dr. Tom Koepke, Beth Jacob Synagogue and Circle Air Freight were given plaques to commend them for violation -free inspections in 1992. Thanks to all who help make Mendota Heights a safe place to live and work! Recreational Fires One summer activity which always raises concern when conducted within the city is the recreational backyard bonfire and wiener roast. Recreational fires, defined as fires con- fined to an area no larger than 3 feet by 3 feet in size, are only allowed after the Fire De- partment issues permits for them. Fires larger than this defined size require permits from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Having a recreational fire without a perm' is a misdemeanor and could result in a sib nificant fine and/or confinement. The proce- dure for receiving a recreational fire permit is as follows: Permit requests must be made to City Fire Marshal Paul Kaiser a week in advance of the planned recreational fire. Paul can be con- tacted at 452-1850. If the applicant has not received a permit within the last year, the site of the proposed fire must be inspected by the Fire Marshal. He is available Monday through Wednesday, between 8:00 A.M. and 4:30 P.M. to conduct an inspection. Upon completion of the in- spection he may issue the recreational per - nut. If the applicant has received a permit in the previous year, no inspection of the burning site is required, however a new permit must be issued and must be signed by the appli- cant. Remember, request and receive a permit before you have a bonfire. The site inspec- tion and permit approval process provides a safeguard for your property and that of your neighbors. The consequences of having, unapproved fire could be far more serioub than just a fine or confinement.