2019-02-01 Friday NewsBlood Drive Feb. 28
Every 2 seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood.
You can donate at City Hall on Thursday, February 28, from 12:00 pm
to 6:00 pm. Please call 1-800-733-2767 or visit redcrossblood.org and enter “Mendota
Heights” to schedule an appointment.
February 1, 2019
from the City of Mendota Heights
Upcoming Public
Meeting Dates
Feb 5
City Council Work Session | 4:30 pm
Planning Commission Applicant
Interviews
City Council Meeting | 7:00 pm
Feb 12
Parks & Rec Comm Mtg | 6:30 pm
Feb 18
City Hall & Public Works Closed for
Presidents’ Day
Feb 19
City Council Mtg | 7:00 pm
Feb 20
Airport Rel. Comm Mtg | 7:00 pm
Feb 26
Planning Comm Mtg | 7:00 pm
2040 Comp Plan Public Hearing
Mendota Heights City Hall
1101 Victoria Curve
www.mendota-heights.com
651.452.1850
Hours: 8:00 am—4:30 pm
Stay Connected:
Facebook.com/
MendotaHeightsMN
Facebook.com/
MHParksandRec
Facebook.com/
MendotaHeightsPD
Twitter.com/ @mendota_heights
Twitter.com/
@mheightsPD
FRIDAY NEWS
Nominations Accepted Through March 15 for the
Garold “Jerry” Murphy Community Service Award
Nominations are being accepted through March 15 for the 3rd annual Garold "Jerry"
Murphy Community Service Award. This award is presented in April, during National
Volunteer Week, to an individual who exemplifies outstanding volunteer service to the
cities of Mendota Heights, Mendota or Lilydale. Candidate eligibility information and a
nomination form can be found at https://www.mendota-heights.com/index.asp?
SEC=7C35E4A1-2207-41B6-8565-84AB5DC7C90A&DE=48318822-6039-4AB4-8725-
News to Share
To follow are links to Pioneer Press news articles that may be of interest:
“Historic Pilot Knob to get nearly $1 million in Improvements...”
https://www.twincities.com/2019/01/28/historic-pilot-knob-to-get-nearly-1-million-in-
improvements-itll-be-easier-to-find-now/
“Mendota Heights pegs ‘80s era fire station for upgrade, expansion.”
https://www.twincities.com/2019/01/22/mendota-heights-pegs-80s-era-fire-station-for-
upgrade-expansion/
Warming Houses Reopen
Warming houses will reopen today at 4:00 pm; eager skaters and hockey enthusiasts can
once again enjoy the great outdoors. Warming house hours of operation can be found in
the Parks & Recreation section of this issue or on the website: https://www.mendota-
heights.com/parksrecreation. Save the warming house hotline to your contacts for quick
updates: 651.255.1174.
Accepting Applications for a
Public Works Maintenance Worker
The City of Mendota Heights is accepting applications for a full-time Public Works
Maintenance Worker. This position performs a variety of duties involved in the
maintenance and repair of City streets, parks and utilities. The position will be primarily
assigned to the Parks division within the Public Works Department. Interested applicants
must submit a letter of interest, city employment application and application supplement
to Human Resources by 4:00 p.m. on February 8, 2019. A complete job description and
application materials are available on the website: https://www.mendota-heights.com/
employment or may be picked up at City Hall during business hours.
28 FEB
2040 Comprehensive
Plan Update
The Comprehensive Plan is an official and
formal document adopted by the City every
10 years, and contains the City’s goals and
policies as they relate to land use, housing,
parks and open space, transportation,
utilities, and other issues. The
Comprehensive Plan provides a general
future plan or guide for the community from
2020 to 2040. The 2040 Comprehensive
Plan update is now underway. To learn more
visit: https://www.mendota-heights.com/
index.asp?SEC=320D5DB8-C925-4819-9DF2
-BE3231E48499
Upcoming Meetings:
The public hearing has been tabled until
February 26 | Planning Comm Mtg | 7pm
If you have any questions on the proposed
comprehensive plan update or meetings,
please call Community Development
Director Tim Benetti at 651.255.1142 or
email timb@mendota-heights.com.
Landscaping for
Clean Water Workshops
Would you like to learn how to design a
native garden, create a raingarden, or
stabilize shorelines? The Dakota County Soil
and Water Conservation District is offering
FREE introductory workshops on creating
beautiful gardens to keep our waters
clean. Workshops begin in March and run
through June. Click on the
attached documents for more information.
Online registration is available at
www.DakotaSWCD.org/
CleanWater_Form.html.
Already have a raingarden, native
pollinator garden, or shoreline
planting?
Attend a free maintenance workshop |
March 6, 6-7:30pm, MH City Hall
This workshop is designed for people
who have and maintain a raingarden,
native pollinator garden, or shoreline
planting. Learn what to do in every season
to keep your garden healthy and looking
its best through presentations,
discussions, and hands-on activities.
Information/registration: http://
www.dakotaswcd.org/
cleanwater_form.html
Smart Salting—Keep an Eye on the Temperature
You can help to reduce over-salting and protect our surface waters by
doing the following:
Use salt only when it will be affective. More salt does not mean less
ice! Typical deicing salt is only affective at 15 degrees Fahrenheit and
above.
Heating Safety
Most home fires occur in the winter and peak in January. Prevent fires by
following these safety tips:
Keep portable heaters three feet from
anything flammable
Turn portable heaters off when leaving
the room or going to sleep
NEVER use your oven to heat your home.
Have your home heating system and
chimney cleaned and inspected annually.
Make sure your wood stove is properly
installed and ventilated.
Source: dps.mn.gov (Alternative Heating Fact Sheet)
Valley Park Pollinator Project
The City of Mendota Heights has partnered with Great River Greening and
Xcel Energy, as well as the State of Minnesota through the Clean Water
Land and Legacy Amendment, to restore and create nine acres of
pollinator habitat in the Valley Park utility corridor in Mendota Heights.
The project entails removing invasive species using mowing and herbicide
treatments, and restoring the corridor into a high-quality pollinator habitat
using native plant species. This project is part of the larger Metro Big
Rivers Phase 8 plan, which focuses on protecting and improving habitats
that are needed by Species in Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN), and
where they need them. Many of these bird and pollinator species in
Minnesota are migratory, thus improving habitat along and adjacent to the
central flyway of the three big rivers provides essential benefits to all
wildlife species, especially during critical migratory periods. Look for more
detailed information coming soon!
For more information on Great River Greening:
https://www.greatrivergreening.org/
For more information on Xcel Energy’s Pollinator Initiative:
www.xcelenergy.com/pollinator
For more information on the Metro Big Rivers Phase 8 Plan:
https://www.lsohc.leg.mn/FY2019/accomp_plans/5a.pdf
Free Youth Event -
Play Hockey with the MHPD!
Blade with the Blue | Feb. 2
Join the Mendota Heights Police Department
and Parks/Recreation for a fun day of
recreational hockey skills and games.
Participants will enjoy friendly challenges in:
fastest skater, passing, shooting accuracy, and
longest goal. After the challenges, team up with
police officers for 3-on-3 hockey games.
Children must provide their own equipment.
Friendly Hills Outdoor Skating Rink
1:00-2:30 pm 6-9 year olds
2:30-4:00 pm 10-13 year olds
Register at: www.mendotaheights.revtrak.net or in person at City Hall.
Register Today!
Royal Ball | Feb. 10 | 3-5 pm
Register today for the 4th Annual Royal
Ball! There will be crafts, games, meet-
and-greet with real princes and prin-
cesses, a DJ, refreshments, and dancing.
Space fills quickly for this popular event!
Cost: $20 per child Ages: 10 (4th grade) and under
Concord Exchange Building, South Saint Paul
Free Family Event
Picture Perfect Movie Night | Feb. 9 | 6:30-8:30 pm
The votes are in, and the winner is Incredibles 2!
The City of Mendota Heights and TriDistrict Community Education proudly
present Picture Perfect - Family Movie Night! Bring some snacks and a
blanket and get ready to enjoy a family-friendly movie on the big screen. All
children under the age of 15 years old must be accompanied by an adult. This
is a FREE event. Preregistration is not required, but greatly appreciated.
Location: Henry Sibley High School Auditorium
Register Online: www.tridistrict.ce.eleyo.com
Recreation Fee Assistance
A Recreation Fee Assistance Program is available
to eligible Mendota Heights residents for
participation in recreation programs.
Qualification details, eligible program
information, and an application can be found at:
https://www.mendota-heights.com/index.asp?
SEC=ECAB3993-A0AD-4170-A8F1-
1313C2A313F2&DE=28868A1A-7D42-4300-
B16D-79C045392395. For more information
contact Recreation Program Coordinator
Meredith Lawrence: meredithl@mendota-
heights.com | 651.255.1354
* * WINTER REGISTRATION IS OPEN * *
Registration & additional info:
www.mendotaheights.revtrak.net
or register in person at City Hall
Parks & Recreation
Warming House Information
Check Rink Conditions/Warming House Hours
Hotline: 651.255.1174
Outdoor Skating Rinks
(Each includes one hockey rink and one pleasure rink)
Friendly Hills, 2360 Pueblo Lane
Marie Park, 1780 Lilac Lane
Wentworth Park, 739 Wentworth Ave.
Warming House Hours
M-F | 4:00 pm-9:00 pm
Sat | 10:00 am-9:00 pm
Sun | 12:00 pm-6:00 pm
Non-school days | 12:00 pm-9:00 pm
From the Archives
Does the winter have you thinking spring? Here’s a fun shot of
original playground equipment from 1977.
Earth-Friendly Valentines
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner; a holiday of love, candy and copious bouquets of flowers! Green your romantic
holiday by making some subtle changes to your gift giving:
What do they really want?
A nice dinner out? Pampering spa day? Simply peace and quiet and an empty house for the
day? Really think about the recipient before just buying a “thing” to give them. If your
partner would appreciate a clean house, give a gift of a cleaning service or roll up your
sleeves and do it yourself. You’ll be saving money and making them happy!
Flowers
Look for organic flowers that are grown without heavy pesticides. Purchase a potted plant
that will last much longer than just a week, letting the recipient enjoy the plant for months.
Invite the kids to help make paper flowers; these can be recycled later. Perhaps skip
flowers altogether and use that money toward a nice dinner.
Candy is dandy
Who doesn’t love chocolate and candy?! Unfortunately, most chocolate contains palm oil, an ingredient that only grows in
the tropics, and rainforests are being cut down to plant palm oil plantations. If you are concerned where your food comes
from, consider purchasing a fair trade chocolate bar for that special someone in your life. Whole Foods carries many
brands of more “eco” chocolate bars including: Alter Eco Foods, Theo Chocolate, Endangered Species Chocolate, and
Sweet Riot. UnReal is a Fair Trade brand found in most large box retailers that does not contain gluten, corn or soy, nor
any artificial colors or flavors, but does contain palm oil.
Friday News is Available to Subscribe to Online
Visit www.mendota-heights.com. Go to Our City/City Publications/
Subscribe to Friday News, or use the link: https://www.mendota-
heights.com/index.asp?SEC=E609C941-AC5B-4515-AEBF-
0702A6E5D5C4
For subscription removals or other questions, please email Communications Coordinator
Sharon Deziel at sharond@mendota-heights.com.
#3 resolution
New Year Resolutions
for a Better Planet
“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”
-Ghandi
This new year, make a resolution to better the
planet. Your actions do make a difference.
Here’s the third resolution—watch for the last
one in the next issue:
I will bring my
own doggie bag
this year!
Did you know Styrofoam, made from
expanded polystyrene, is not recyclable? The
International Agency for Research on Cancer
classified styrene as a possible human
carcinogen back in 2002, and even the
American Chemistry Council admits that there
is transmission of styrene to food. Styrene has
been found in 40% of Americans. This year,
bring your own “to-go” container with you
when you go to a restaurant for the inevitable
leftovers. You’ll reduce your Styrofoam
consumption and have less trash to deal with
later. #Winning!
1
The latest from the Mendota Heights Police Department
FEBRUARY 01 2019
CHIEF
Kelly McCarthy
CAPTAIN
Wayne Wegener
SERGEANTS
Eric Petersen
Tanner Spicer
Peyton Fleming
POLICE OFFICERS
John Larrive
Todd Rosse
Chad Willson
Jeff VonFeldt
Philip McCarty
Weston Raberge
Peter Renteria
Cara Hogan
Tony Patton
Ryan Yauch
Tommy Albindia
Eric Hagelee
Leif Vandersteen
INVESTIGATIONS
Nick Gorgos
SCHOOL RESOURCE
OFFICER
Steve Hilyar
COMMUNITY SERVICE
OFFICER
Coming soon!
SUPPORT STAFF
Kim Richter
Trista Miller
Shayna Hoechst
Becky Pentel
RESERVES
Jim Knox
Jeff Parker
CHAPLAINS
Butch Millett
John Snider
Alberto Vargas
Lynn Liberman
Sue Plucker
Joel Detlefsen
Mike VerWay
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2
AOA/DWI – 14XXX ROBERT TRAIL 01/25/19, 2309 HOURS
Officer conducted a traffic stop in the 14000 block of Robert Trail South while working a DWI enforcement.
AŌer administering field sobriety tesƟng, the driver was arrested for DWI and booked into the Dakota
County Jail.
VEHICLE VS DEER – DELAWARE AVE/HUBER DR 01/26/19, 1029 HOURS
Vehicle was S/B on Delaware Ave approaching Huber Dr. A deer ran in front of the vehicle, was struck and
then ran off. Vehicle sustained extensive damage. Driver provided with case number. Deer was located,
found deceased.
AOA – GRIEVE GLEN LANE 01/26/19, 1030 HOURS
Officers with the West Saint Paul Police Department requested officers to assist them with a burglary in
progress. Officers assisted with locaƟng and arresƟng a suspect. Officers also located the suspect’s vehicle.
Suspect and vehicle turned over to the West Saint Paul Police Department.
AOA – 1XX WINONA ST 01/27/19, 0023 HOURS
Officers responded to assist West St Paul Police Department with a fight. Responding officers arrested one
party for possessing suspected narcoƟcs.
WARRANT – 35E/HWY 13 01/27/19, 0305 HOURS
Officers observed a vehicle traveling on Hwy 62 at Interstate 35E. Officers conducted a query on the
vehicle and it returned with a warrant hit out of Chisago County for a DWI Bench Warrant. Vehicle was
stopped, driver was idenƟfied and arrested for the warrant.
FIGHT – 1XXX HWY 62 01/29/19, 0524 HOURS
Officers dispatched to a fight on the 1000 block of Highway 62. One party punched the reporƟng party and
leŌ on foot. Officers stopped the party and arrested him for assault. He was booked and released at
Dakota County Jail.
MAARC – 5XX HWY 62 01/29/19, 0829 HOURS
Officer received two MAARC reports regarding two vulnerable adults allegedly being financially exploited.
InvesƟgaƟon revealed the report to be unfounded.
Have a Safe Week!
3
Now that the temps
have warmed a tad,
get out and join in
some local winter
fun! Go skating,
skiing or sledding, or
check out one of
these fun local ideas.
2/2/19 @ Friendly Hills
Park, 1—2:30; 2:30—4
Ends 2/3/19!
1/25 – 1/31 2019 YTD
Calls for Service 177 934
Police Reports 17 90
Citations 35 117
Warnings 36 234
Response Time Average 5.94 6.69
Check out the MH Crime Map!
Click below to search your neighborhood:
https://www.raidsonline.com
1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, MN 55118
If you are a Mendota Heights resident and you are
going out of town or on vacation, you can notify
MHPD of your outing and we will be more than happy to
keep a watchful eye on your home while you are away.
The Vacation/House Check Request online form is
available on our website; you can also complete a form
found in our lobby, or simply give us a call!
MHPD offers a Medication Disposal Box in the lobby of
the PD where Dakota County residents can safely &
anonymously dispose of their prescription drug
medication. This program is mainly meant to keep
narcotics off the streets and dispose of medications in
environmentally sound ways.
** No needles/sharps. Visit the Green Guide for tips.
** Please visit the Dakota County Recycling Zone for
helpful resources for all safe disposal solutions.
Car Seat Checks—TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE
Please visit the MN DPS for more information. Questions/Comments?
Email us at:
pdrecords@
mendota-heights.com
Questions? Call our Non-Emergency Line @ 651.452.1366.
Need Public Safety Response? Call 911