Loading...
2019-02-08 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. 28 February 8, 2019 from the City of Mendota Heights Upcoming Public Meeting Dates 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 March 5 City Council Mtg | 7:00 pm 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 Welcome Planning Commissioner Katz The City Council has appointed Andrew Katz to serve on the Planning Commission. Commissioner Katz’s term will begin in February and run for three years. He was chosen from amongst eight candidates for the position. Click here for a complete list of Planning Commission contacts. In Recognition of Service Retiring Commissioner Litton Field, Jr. was presented with a recognition award by Mayor Garlock at the February 5 City Council meeting. Mr. Field has served for eleven years on the Planning Commission; many of those years as Commission Chair, and was a representative on the Traffic Safety Committee. Mr. Field was originally appointed to an unexpired term for two years, and then served three 3-year terms—the maximum term limit for this position. His knowledge and experience will be greatly missed. The City is grateful for his dedicated service and contributions, and wishes him well! Shout out to Public Works Weather conditions over the past two weeks have been challenging. Thank you to the Public Works department and staff who have worked tirelessly to keep the city’s roadways open and safe during this time, the parks and rinks playable, and the city operational. Please help to keep roads open and clear by adhering to winter parking and snowfall regulations. 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 to an individual who exemplifies outstanding volunteer service to the cities of Mendota Heights, Mendota or Lilydale. Candidate eligibility information and a nomination form is available here, or may be picked up at City Hall, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. 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. Snowfall Parking Ban: All vehicles must be removed from the street until roads are plowed curb-to-curb General Winter Parking Ban: No vehicle shall be parked on any public street from 2 am to 6 am, Nov. 1-March 31 Snow Event Reminders:  Place garbage cans/recycling carts behind the curb line on service day  Homeowners must remove snow/ice from public sidewalks within 24 hours after deposit  Stay at least 75 feet (four car lengths) behind snow removal/sanding equipment when driving 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. Reporting Mailbox Damage from Snowplows The City will repair or replace any properly installed mailboxes, which are hit by a city plow, up to a $75 value for the post and $75 for the mailbox itself. If you experience damage, an online Report a Mailbox form is available to submit or call City Hall at 651.452.1850. Repairs will be completed as quickly as possible. If the post has been broken and the ground is frozen, city crews will do a temporary repair and install a new post when the ground is thawed. The city is not obligated to repair or replace mailboxes which are damaged by the weight of the snow, or damage resulting from improperly installed mailboxes. Review the Mailbox Installation Guide for details. * * 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 Youth Versus the MHPD Last Saturday, about 25 local youth enjoyed “Blade with the Blue.” Thank you to all who came out to cheer them on, and specia l thanks to the MHPD and organizers for this fun, free outreach event. Last Session for Gymnastics Moved to NEXT SATURDAY, 2/16 We were informed this afternoon that the gymnastics program will not have access to Henry Sibley’s gym this Saturday, February 9. The last session has been moved to February 16, 2019. Unfortunately, this situation is out of our control. We apologize for any inconvenience this may bring to you and your family and appreciate your flexibility. We hope to see you next Saturday – please contact Meredith Lawrence, Recreation Program Coordinator, with any questions at 651.255.1354 or meredithl@mendota-heights.com. This Weekend! 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 princess- es, a DJ, refreshments, and dancing. Cost: $20 per child Ages: 10 (4th grade) and under Concord Exchange Building, South Saint Paul Register at: www.mendotaheights.revtrak.net This Weekend! 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 From the Archives Saint Thomas Academy - 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. 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 last resolution: I will recycle my unwanted clothing and purchase from thrift stores this year! Did you know the average American tosses 81 pounds of clothing each year? Make it a point to check out a thrift store the next time you are in need of a clothing item to help give new life to garments. Reject fast fashion and instead choose natural fabrics like cotton, linen, silk or wool that are well-made and will last longer. This will ultimately save you money in the long run. Unwanted ripped, stained or dirty clothes? Thrift stores will take them and sell on secondary markets for insulation, moving blankets or erosion control tubes. Save-the-Date for Recycling Events: April 20 | Community Paper Shred Event April 20-28 | Shoe & Clothing Dropoff #4 Resolution   1   The latest from the Mendota Heights Police Department FEBRUARY 08 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 SNOWBLOWER SAFETY TIPS   2         DWI – 35E/Hwy 13               02/01/19,  0149 HOURS  Officers stopped a vehicle on 35E for driving outside limited license restricƟon Ɵmes. Officers could smell  the odor of marijuana inside the vehicle and conducted a search. Officers found only stems and marijuana  paraphernalia. Officers could smell the odor of alcoholic beverages coming from the driver and conducted  field tesƟng. Officers placed the driver under arrest for driving under the influence.  THREATS – 7XX PONTIAC PLACE             02/01/19,  0955 HOURS  A woman living in the 700 block of PonƟac Place had a threatening package delivered to her home. Officers  made contact with the United States Postal Service and an invesƟgator was assigned. AƩempts are sƟll     being made to aƩempt to idenƟfy the sender.  DISTURBING THE PEACE – 3XX G STREET               02/03/19,  1757 HOURS  Officers responded to the 300 block of G Street for a disturbance between an adult male and an adult      female. ParƟes were calmed and separated for the evening.  DWI – 35E/HWY 13               02/04/19,  0236 HOURS  Officer observed a vehicle stopped on southbound 35E at Hwy 13.  As officer was approaching the vehicle  the driver drove off.  Officer iniƟated a traffic stop on the vehicle and could smell the odor of alcoholic     beverages coming from the inside of the vehicle.  The driver stated he pulled over because he and his wife  were arguing.  The driver stated he had nothing to drink.  Officer conducted a roadside field sobriety test  and the driver blew a PBT of 0.159.  Driver was arrested and booked in the Dakota County Jail for              Misdemeanor 4th Degree DWI.  PROPERTY DAMAGE ACCIDENT – SYLVANDALE ROAD          02/04/19,  0850 HOURS  Vehicle was traveling W/B on Ivy Falls Ave. Driver was slowing to stop for stop sign, slid through the          intersecƟon, crossing Sylvandale Rd, and ended up in a front yard. Vehicle struck a tree, a light pole and ran  over several bushes.  DRUGS – HWY 13/LEXINGTON AVE             02/05/19,  0022 HOURS  Officers stopped a vehicle near the intersecƟon of Hwy 13 and Lexington Ave.  Officers could smell the  strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.  Officers conducted a search of the vehicle and found  mulƟple packs of THC vaporizer juice.  Officer also found an unknown white powder which is suspected to  be an illegal narcoƟc.  Officer released the occupants pending idenƟficaƟon of the suspected illegal          narcoƟcs.    DRUGS – 9XX SIBLEY MEMORIAL HWY                02/05/19,  0901 HOURS  Officers responded to locaƟon for a found container with suspected narcoƟcs inside.  The container was  collected for destrucƟon.  No current suspect informaƟon available.  Case inacƟve.     TRESPASSING — 1XXX LILYDALE ROAD      02/05/19, 1335 HOURS  The Mendota Heights Police Department received a trespass noƟce from a business on the 1600 block of  Lilydale Road. The noƟce was placed in the case file. Case status inacƟve.         3         THEFT – 1XXX CROWN POINT DRIVE             02/05/19,  1514 HOURS  A resident on the 1900 block of Crown Point Drive reported a theŌ of jewelry and vacuum cleaners from  her house. The resident suspected the cleaner took the items. Case is pending further invesƟgaƟon.    FRAUD — 2XXX  POND CIRCLE E        02/06/19,   0838 HOURS  A woman from the 2400 block called to report fraud acƟvity on her credit card. The card had been canceled  and the bank noƟfied. All informaƟon was gathered and a report completed.    BURGLARY —  1XXX RIVERSIDE LANE       02/06/19, 1033 HOURS  On 2/6/19 received a phone call from resident in the 1300 block of Riverside Ln reporƟng suspicious acƟvity  and theŌ. TheŌ is related to calls reported on 1/13/19. Sent to invesƟgaƟons.      Have a Safe Week!   4       2/01 – 2/07 2019 YTD Calls for Service 184 1145 Police Reports 17 108 Citations 25 144 Warnings 40 274 Response Time Average 7.83 6.92 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 A reminder with all of the recent snow we have had, if you have a fire hydrant on your property please clear a wide enough perimeter around the hydrant for firefighters to work (about a 3 foot area around) and clear a path from the hydrant to the street. Hydrants that remain blocked and covered by snow can result in slower response times to critical emergencies. THANK YOU!!!