2019-05-17 Friday NewsAre You on Polco?
The City is excited to announce the launch
of a new civic engagement tool through
Polco. This free online program enables
residents to provide feedback to posted
questions via their preferred digital device,
at a time and place convenient for them.
Polco questions are posted by City officials
every few weeks, and may include yes/no,
multiple choice, and optional open
comment answers. Some questions will be broad-based in nature, and others may be
specific to a particular topic or issue. This is a ongoing participation platform, so users
can anticipate receiving questions on a regular basis. Aggregate responses are used to
improve City services and programs, gain insights into public attitudes and opinions, and
seek community input to uncover new ideas and solutions.
Participate in Polco by visiting https://polco.us/mendotaheights or by downloading
the app for iOS or Android. Users will be required to create an account to confirm
that they live in the Mendota Heights community. The first batch of questions have
been posted and are ready for resident feedback!
Fire Station Groundbreaking
Mendota Heights Firefighters and stakeholders were on hand for photos to celebrate
breaking ground on the fire station expansion and remodeling project. The project began
mid-April and is estimated to take 14 to 16 months for completion. Pictured above the City
Council (L-R) Jay Miller, Liz Petschel, Mayor Neil Garlock, Joel Paper, City Administrator Mark
McNeill, and Ultan Duggan.
Upcoming Public
Meeting Dates
May 21
City Council Meeting | 7:00pm
May 27
City Hall & Public Works Closed
for Memorial Day
May 28
Planning Comm Mtg | 7:00pm
June 4
City Council Mtg | 7:00pm
Stay Connected:
Facebook.com/
MendotaHeightsMN
Facebook.com/
MHParksandRec
Facebook.com/
MendotaHeightsPD
Twitter.com/ @mendota_heights
Twitter.com/
@mheightsPD
May 17, 2019
from the City of Mendota Heights
Mendota Heights City Hall
1101 Victoria Curve
www.mendota-heights.com
651.452.1850
City Hall Lobby Hours
M-TH: 7am-4:30pm
F: 7am-11:30am
Police Department Lobby Hours
M-F: 8:00am-4:30pm
FRIDAY NEWS
Mendota Heights Tree Sale Pick-Up at Public Works May 18
Residents who ordered trees through the Mendota Heights/Tree Trust Tree Sale should
pick them up this Saturday, May 18, from 8:00am to 12:00pm. Please note there was an
error in a post card sent regarding the pick-up location. Trees should be picked up at
Public Works, 2431 Lexington Ave. S. in Mendota Heights.
Register Today for the Officer Scott Patrick
Memorial 5K Walk/Run Supporting Special
Olympics Minnesota
Saturday, June 1
Registration: 7-8:30am | 5K Start Time: 9am
@ The Village at Mendota Heights | Main Street & Market Square
Support more than 8,200 athletes of Special Olympics of Minnesota by
participating in the 5K on Saturday, June 1. Proceeds support year-
round sports training and competition for these talented athletes.
Registration is $25 before 6pm on May 31, or $30 on the day of the
event.
Participants will receive a T-shirt and have an opportunity to compete
for awards in age categories 19 and under, 20-49 Open Division, and
50+ Master Division. There will be an awards ceremony and prize
drawing upon conclusion of the race near the finish line.
Register online: https://secure.rec1.com/MN/mendota-heights-mn/
catalog or in-person at City Hall. Registration forms are available on the
City website and at the City Hall counter.
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:
June 4 | 7:00 pm City Council Meeting
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.
Town Square Television’s Insight 7 Story
on the Officer Scott Patrick Memorial 5K
View a story featuring this community fundraising event at https://
vimeo.com/333638893. This will also replay on Comcast Xfinity
Channel 14/CenturyLink Prism 8414/8914HD through June 7.
Accepting Applications for a
Police Officer
The City of Mendota Heights is currently
accepting applications for the position of
Police Officer.
Successful candidates must have an Associate's
degree in law enforcement or related field,
and be licensed by the P.O.S.T. Board or
eligible for licensing by Sept. 1,
2019. Candidates must be committed to
community policing and be team oriented with
strong communication and interpersonal
skills. Other requirements include a valid
driver's license and the ability to pass a
thorough background investigation,
psychological evaluation, and a physical
examination including drug testing.
2019 starting salary is $5,220 -$5,971 per
month (DOQ), plus excellent benefits
including educational incentives.
Interested applicants must submit a letter of
interest, city employment application and
application supplement by 4:00pm on May 17,
2019. Applications must be received, not
postmarked, by the deadline for
consideration. Application materials are on
the City website: https://www.mendota-
heights.com/employment.
Spread the Word—
Subscribe to Weekly City News Online
Visit www.mendota-heights.com. Go to Our City/City Publications/
Subscribe to Friday News
For subscription removals or other questions, please email Communications Coordinator
Sharon Deziel at sharond@mendota-heights.com.
Home Improvement Loans
No Interest—No Monthly Payment
Does your home need repairs that you can’t afford to make? The
Dakota County Community Development Agency (CDA) may be able to
help!
The CDA’s Home Improvement Loan (Loan) is an interest free loan
program for low and moderate income homeowners in Dakota County.
The Loan is repayable when your home is sold or you no longer live
there – there are no monthly payments! Loans range from $15,000 to
$25,000 and are commonly used for replacing roofs, siding, windows,
furnaces, doors, and driveways.
Visit the City website for more information. You can apply for a Home
Improvement Loan by returning a completed application to the CDA.
Applications can be downloaded from the CDA’s website at
http://www.dakotacda.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/
CED_Home_Loan_App.pdf or request an application be mailed to you by
calling 651-675-4465.
FREE Community Events at Mendakota Park
Friday, May 31at 8:30pm: Watch Mary Poppins
Returns on the big outdoor screen.
Saturday, June 1 - 11am-2pm: Attend the annual
Parks Celebration featuring bounce houses, a petting
zoo, rock climbing wall, sports games, activities,
booths to visit, and more!
Wednesday, June 19 at 6:45 pm: Teddy Bear Band in concert
Wednesday, July 24 at 6:30pm: Kidsdance DJ
Thursday, August 8 at 7:00pm: The Goombas
FREE Summer Workout Series at Mendakota Park
Get outside for a family-friendly workout! Parks and Recreation has
partnered with Anytime Fitness to offer a free summer workout series.
All ages are invited to try out Team Training Sessions, which is a large
group style circuit training workout for all fitness levels. Sessions begin
at 6:30pm on June 12, July 17, August 14, and September 11.
Mendota Heights Par 3 is Open
The Par 3 is open! Play the 9-hole, par 27 golf course or 9-hole footgolf
course. Footgolf is a combination of golf and soccer. Bring your own ball
or rent one at the course.
Call 651.454.9822 to schedule a tee time at the Par 3
Tee times are recommended for golf and footgolf. Visit https://
www.mendota-heights.com/par3 for current rates. The course is located
at 1695 Dodd Road in Mendota Heights.
Spring/Summer
** Registration is Open **
Users will need to create a new account
in order to register. Create an account
and view youth and adult programs at:
https://secure.rec1.com/MN/mendota-
heights-mn/catalog
Golf lessons & leagues
Tennis lessons & leagues
Field trips
Summer camps
Summer playground program
Recreation Fee Assistance
Program Available
A Recreation Fee Assistance Program is
available to eligible Mendota Heights
residents for participation in recreation
programs. Visit https://www.mendota-
heights.com/parksrecreation for
qualification details, eligible program
information, and an application. For more
information contact Recreation Program
Coordinator Meredith Lawrence:
meredithl@mendota-heights.com |
651.255.1354
Parks & Recreation
Bogey with the Red & Blue Event
Sunday, June 23 at 2pm | $15 per participant
Join the MH Police and Fire Departments for a recreational round of
golf at the Par 3. Meet and mingle with officers and firefighters who
serve your neighborhood. Groups are welcome to register together,
and groups/participants without foursomes may be paired with others
for play. All ages are welcome! Participants receive a T-shirt and light
refreshments will be provided. Register at https://secure.rec1.com/MN/
mendota-heights-mn/catalog under Par 3 Programs.
From the Archives
A prescribed burn at the Pilot Knob Natural Area June, 2007.
May is Arbor Month
Help celebrate Arbor Month by planting a tree, or
several! Trees offer many benefits including: Reduction in energy needs when planted strategically
near homes and business
Absorb and filter air pollutants
Provide oxygen
Reduce the urban ‘heat island’ affect
Intercepting rain during storm events and producing
less stormwater runoff
Erosion prevention
Promote infiltration and groundwater recharge
Filtering of pollutants, sediment, and nutrients in
rainwater runoff, before it enters our storm sewer
system and surface waters like the Minnesota and
Mississippi Rivers, and our local lakes, streams, and
wetlands
Provides habitat and food for wildlife
Beautifies your property and neighborhood!
Successful Tips for Tree Planting:
Choose a tree species that is suited to our local
climate and the specific location in your yard.
Plant for diversity! Choose a tree species that is not
already abundant in your yard or neighborhood. This
protects our community forest canopy against tree
diseases and diseases caused by pests like the
Emerald Ash Borer.
CALL BEFORE YOU DIG! Call 811 at least 48 hours
in advance of your planting project.
Dig your hole at least twice as wide as the width of
the root ball, and only as deep as the root ball. Do
not plant your tree too deep! This causes girdling
roots and will eventually kill your tree. The root
collar should always be exposed.
Remove all burlap, string, containers, tags, and any
other packaging.
Remove problem roots. Prune any circling roots at
the point that they turn.
After placing your tree in the hole, backfill with the
same soil. Make sure the trunk is straight.
Water the entire root area, and cover with a layer of
2-3 inches of mulch. Pull the mulch away from the
trunk, so that it is at least 3 inches away.
Continue to care for your tree! Water your tree
whenever soil is dry at 4-6 inches below the surface.
Resources and more information:
USDA Tree Owner’s Manual: https://www.fs.usda.gov/
Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5368392.pdf
University of Minnesota: https://extension.umn.edu/
node/22626
Tree Trust How-to Video: http://treetrust.org/get-a-tree/
Compost Bin and Rain Barrel Sale
Don’t miss the Recycling Association of Minnesota’s annual
compost bin & rain barrel sale! Dakota County Residents can enjoy
30% off of their order by applying promo code “Dakota” at check
out. Orders will need to be picked up at your selected distribution
site. The closest remaining pick-up location is June 1 in St. Paul.
Learn more and order online: https://recycleminnesota.org/work/
compost-bins-rain-barrels/
Are You Ready to Start Composting
in Your Backyard?
Visit the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency website to get started.
Check it out to learn what you can compost at home and what you
cannot, where to place your pile and how to build it. Did you know
a good compost pile contains a mixture of ‘green’ and ‘brown’
material? Composting is not only great for your soil and home
garden, but it will greatly reduce the amount of trash in your home’s
trash container—you could possibly downsize your container
through your hauler and save money!
On the other hand, if you’d rather collect your food scraps and take
them to a drop off location, check out West St. Paul’s organics drop
off site. It is FREE for anyone who lives or works in Dakota County
and so easy to use. They even supply free compostable bags to fill
with your scraps.
Outdoor Items Fix-It Clinic
Saturday, June 1
Noon-3pm
Lebanon Hills Visitor Center
Lebanon Hills Regional Park
860 Cliff Road, Eagan
Get outdoor gear, bikes, clothes, and other
equipment fixed for free and learn valuable repair
skills. In partnership with Dakota County
Environmental Resources.
Adopting a storm drain simply involves keeping it free
of sediment, trash, leaves, and other debris by sweeping
and collecting it at least twice a month. Please use
caution and follow the safety procedures on the Adopt-
a-Drain website. You can even track how much you are
collecting using the website. It is a simple, easy way you
can help do your part to improve water quality in our
community! Online sign-up at: https://www.adopt-a-
drain.org/