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2019-09-06 Friday NewsUpcoming Public Meeting Dates September 10 City Council Workshop | 4:00pm Parks & Rec Comm Mtg | 6:30pm September 17 City Council Mtg | 7:00pm September 18 Airport Rel Comm Mtg | 6:00pm September 24 Planning Comm Mtg | 7:00pm October 2 City Council Mtg | 7:00pm Stay Connected: Facebook.com/ MendotaHeightsMN Facebook.com/ MHParksandRec Facebook.com/ MendotaHeightsPD Twitter.com/ @mendota_heights Twitter.com/ @mheightsPD September 6, 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 Plan Ahead for Full Closure on I-494 Near Mendota Heights This Weekend Motorists traveling both directions on Interstate 494 between Highway 5 in Bloomington and Highway 149/Dodd Road in Mendota Heights will encounter a full closure beginning at 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6 through 5 a.m. Monday, Sept. 9. Crews will begin closing the following ramps at 7 p.m., prior to the full closure:  Dodd Road to westbound I-494  I-35E to and from westbound I-494  Pilot Knob Road to/from westbound I-494 Pilot Knob Road motorists will have access to eastbound I-494. Traffic will be detoured around the closure via I-35E and Highway 77/Cedar Avenue. Motorists also should expect single-lane traffic on eastbound I-494 between Highway 77/ Cedar Avenue and Highway 5, and westbound I-494 between Highway 149/Dodd Road and I-35E. Beginning at 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6, the westbound I-494 ramp to southbound Highway 52 will close through 2 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 7. Motorists are advised to use alternate routes. During the closure, motorists should plan ahead and give themselves additional time to reach their destinations. The closure is needed so crews can install a pipe beneath the road as part of a larger project on I-494 to repave the road, update drainage and repair seven bridges on an eight-mile stretch of I-494 between the Minnesota River and Third Avenue in South St. Paul. During the two-year project, motorists can expect 14 full or partial closures of I-494. Work is scheduled to be completed by fall 2020, weather permitting. For more information about this project or to sign up for email updates, visit mndot.gov/ metro/projects/I494invergroveheights. For updated road condition information, call 511 or visit 511mn.org. Gather for a Free Outdoor Movie at Mendakota Park on Sept. 7 | 7:30 pm start And the winner is The Goonies! Sit back and watch this family-friendly movie on the big outdoor screen. The film about a group of young misfits who discover an ancient map and set out on a quest to find a legendary pirate's long-lost treasure. Bring a lawn chair and blanket, and enjoy this feature under the stars. Children under 10-years-old must be accompanied by an adult. Sponsored by the City and TriDistrict Community Education. This event is weather dependent and is subject to change without notice. Sponsorship Applications Accepted Until Sept. 20 Sponsoring Two Participants for the Fall Master Water Stewards Class The Lower Mississippi River Watershed Management Organization (LMRWMO) is sponsoring two participants for the Fall 2019 Master Water Stewards Class, a $2,250 value for the classes. Applications are being accepted until September 20, 2019. Note this deadline is earlier for residents of the LMRWMO than the typical application deadline. The two successful applicants will be asked to provide $250 towards the classes, which will be reimbursed upon completion. Apply Now! Applications are available at masterwaterstewards.org. Please contact Joe Barten, LMRWMO Administrator, at (651) 480-7784 with any questions. Join Your Neighbors to Protect Your Water Across the greater Twin Cities metropolitan area and beyond, individuals are joining with neighbors to make a significant difference in the health of water in their communities. By becoming trained and certified as Master Water Stewards, they have dreamed up, created, and installed projects that make measurable impacts on water health. Applications are now being accepted for the next cohort of Master Water Stewards who want to make a difference in their community. Priority deadline is September 20. Master Water Stewards volunteer 50 hours of community service in their initial year of certification, at least 25 hours each subsequent year, and attend eight hours of continuing education to maintain their certification. To date, stewards have accomplished a tremendous amount through their service. They:  Have connected with thousands of people through outreach and educational events  Have installed or planned more than 150 projects, including rain gardens, rain barrels and cisterns, permeable pavers, pollinator gardens, tree plantings, neighborhood outreach events and buckthorn removals.  Are preventing millions of gallons of polluted runoff from entering our lakes, rivers, and creeks each year. In the process these efforts are removing algae-causing organic material, animal waste, gas and oil spillage, excess salt, and other debris from our neighborhood streets. To learn more, citizens can visit masterwaterstewards.org or attend an upcoming information session at one of the following locations (all applicants welcome at either of the following sessions).  September 10, 6-7 pm – Freshwater Society, 2424 Territorial Road W, Saint Paul  September 17, 6-7 pm – Dakota County Western Service Center, 14955 Galaxie Ave, Apple Valley Find more information at masterwaterstewards.org. Take Part in a MnDOT Statewide Pedestrian System Plan Survey State highways often function as community main streets—places where people shop, work, go to school, and much more, using many forms of transportation. Walking is an essential part of Minnesota’s transportation system and an important contributor to the health of our communities. For these reasons, MnDOT is currently working on a Statewide Pedestrian System Plan. To help guide the plan, and prioritize future pedestrian improvements and investment on the state highway system, please take part in a short online survey at https://www.minnesotawalks.org/ participate/ . The survey takes about five minutes to complete. To learn more, visit the MnDOT Statewide Pedestrian System Plan at https://www.minnesotawalks.org/. Try a Music Together Class for Free! Tuesday, Sept 10 | 6-6:45pm or Wednesday, Sept 11 | 10-10:45am Harmon Park, West St. Paul Ages: Birth-Kindergarten Bring the little ones and enjoy a free demonstration of Music Together featuring songs, rhythmic rhymes, movement, and instrument play. This is a free introduction to a 10-week class that will run September 17- November 20. Visit https:// secure.rec1.com/MN/mendota-heights-mn/ catalog under Youth Programs to learn more. September 21 | 7pm at Garlough Park (West St. Paul) Early Bird Registration Ends Sept. 7 Light up the night at the first annual, family- friendly Glow Dash! Enjoy music and games before you walk, run, or push a stroller through a lighted 1.36 mile dash. This event is for all ages and abilities (no dogs please). Wear your favorite glow gear, and every participant will receive a swag bag filled with glow-in-the-dark accessories and more. Refreshments available after the event. Sponsored by the Mendota Heights, West St. Paul, and South St. Paul Parks and Recreation Departments. Cost: $10 per participant Early Bird Deadline Sept. 7 | $15 per participant after Sept. 7 Register under Special Events: https://secure.rec1.com/MN/mendota- heights-mn/catalog Create an account and view youth and adult programs at: https://secure.rec1.com/MN/mendota- heights-mn/catalog Parks & Recreation Sept 11 | 6:30pm Mendakota Park In partnership with Anytime Fitness, all ages are invited to participate in the last Team Training session for this summer. Workouts feature a large-group-style circuit training for all fitness levels. Classes last 45 minutes to one hour. Last Free Workout of the Season Field Trips Registration Open for Fall Non-School Days October 17 | Bunker Park Stables Ages: 8 and up | $47 per child October 18 | Sever’s Corn Maze and Eden Prairie Community Pool Ages: 6-12 | $35 per child Reserve early! https://secure.rec1.com/ MN/mendota-heights-mn/catalog Mendota Heights Par 3 · 651.454.9822 Keep the Husk on the Corn When Storing Did you know it is best to leave the husks on corn and store in the open in the fridge? The husks help keep the corn moist. Eat as soon as you can, as it loses flavor and texture quickly, or cook and freeze for later use in soups, salsas and whatever else! For more food storage tips visit: http://makedirtnotwaste.org/at-home/food-storage-tips. Would you Like to Learn More About Recycling or Composting? Meet others who are excited about waste reduction and have the chance to inspire others to help reduce waste in Dakota County. Over a 6-week period with one class each week, participants hear presentations from local and regional experts on waste reduction, recycling, composting and solid waste and go on field trips to relevant sites. Upcoming classes: Tuesdays, Sept. 24–Oct. 29 | 6:30-9 p.m. Eagan Community Center 1501 Central Parkway, Eagan Optional tour day: Wednesday, Oct. 23 | 9 a.m.–2 p.m. (tentative) Registration is open! Be the first to know about the next class. Contact Jenny Kedward at 952-891-7043 or jennifer.kedward@co.dakota.mn.us. Register and learn more: https://www.co.dakota.mn.us/ Environment/CommunityInvolvement/ MasterRecycler/Pages/default.aspx Register for Dakota County’s Annual Tour de Trash Tuesday, September 17 | 8:30am-2pm Dakota County is offering its annual Tour de Trash, a field trip for residents to learn what happens to their trash and recyclables. Participants will visit a landfill, compost site, recycling center and The Recycling Zone. Tour guides will explain what is happening at each facility and answer questions. A $10 registration fee covers busing, handouts and lunch. Register at www.dakotacounty.us, search Tour de Trash. It’s Time for Fall Tree Planting There are many advantages to planting trees in the fall. Trees are able to put more of their energy into establishing a healthy root system, instead of putting all of their energy into foliage during the growing season. Additionally, they are better able to retain moisture due to cooler temperatures, and are less likely to be inflicted by pests and diseases in cooler weather. Tips and recommendations for planting:  When planting in the fall, you can plant up until ground freeze (which may be even after it snows).  It is very important to pick the correct place for your tree. Follow the light and moisture needs of the species, and plant away from overhead utility lines.  Call for utility locates! Once utilities have been located, dig a hole at least twice the diameter of the root ball or pot, and only as deep as the root ball. Never bury or cover the root collar, or flared section of the trunk with soil or mulch.  Remove any tags, containers, or wrapping, including burlap and twine.  Prune only branches that are broken, dead, or competing leaders, if more than one is present. Do not prune oaks before November 1st.  Find the top of the root system and remove any excess soil. Prune any encircling roots.  Backfill with the same soil that was removed from the hole, breaking up any compacted soils.  Water the entire root zone and top with 2-3 inches of mulch, pulling the mulch away from the trunk at least two inches.  If the root ball is unstable, or if the soil medium is very loose, stake your tree using wide rope, or straps, protecting the trunk with tree wrap, canvas, or other soft material. Use 2-3 stakes low on the trunk.  Continue to water your newly planted tree up until ground freeze. Image source: US Forest Service Tree Owners Manual. What is Illicit Discharge? The Environmental Protection Agency defines Illicit Discharge as any discharge to the storm sewer system that is not composed entirely of stormwater, except for some allowable discharges such as irrigation water and hydrant flushing. Some examples of Illicit Discharge:  Sediment-laden water from construction sites  Improper vehicle washing  Dumping or spilling of paint, oil, cleaners, fertilizer, and other household chemicals How do I report an Illicit Discharge? Contact: Krista Spreiter, Natural Resources Technician kristas@mendota-heights.com | 651-255-1123 | F: 651-452-8940 -- or -- Mendota Heights Police Department | 651-452-1366 We Want to Hear From You! The City uses an online civic participation tool through Polco that residents can participate in via their preferred digital device, at a time and place convenient for them. Community survey questions are posted periodically on a wide range of topics. Users can remain anonymous, and responses are viewed as totals. Responses enable the City to effectively survey performance and programs, gain insights into public attitudes and opinions, and uncover new ideas and solutions. Users can see survey results and how others in the community are responding, and have an opportunity to comment on topics if desired. Set up a free account at https://polco.us/mendotaheights or download the app for iOS or Android. Once an account is established users can receive notifications when new questions are posted. 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. Emerald Ash Borer City Staff has begun notifying residents if it is suspected that ash tree(s) on their property are infected with Emerald Ash Borer. Removal on private property is not required by City Code, but is encouraged to help slow the spread, and prevent dead and dying ash trees from becoming a safety hazard. The City has also begun removals of infected ash trees within the Right-of-Way along public streets, and within City-owned land. EAB is an invasive insect that attacks and kills ash trees. Signs of EAB infestation:  Canopy die-back  Blond patches on branches and/or trunk  Woodpecker damage  Splitting bark  D-shaped exit holes If you have an ash tree on your property that is in the early stages of infection, or has not yet become infected, treatment may be an option. The City has continued its partnership with Rainbow Treecare to offer treatments to residents at a discounted rate. Contact Rainbow Tree Care directly if you are interested in taking advantage of this program: Rainbow Treecare's Discount Program for Mendota Heights. Regardless of your choice or ability to treat your ash tree, consider replacing your ash tree with another shade tree species. Some good options for replacement shade tree species are:  Basswood (Linden) Tilia Americana  Bur Oak Quercus macrocarpa  Cathedral Elm Ulmus ‘Cathedral’  Hackberry Celtis occidentalis  Ginkgo Ginkgo biloba  Ironwood Ostrya virginiana  Kentucky Coffee Tree Gymnocladus dioicus  White Oak Quercus alba For More information, please visit: Mendota Heights EAB webpage. 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. 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/ From the Archives A view from Marie Avenue and Victoria looking west—1982. 1 The latest from the Mendota Heights Police Department SEPTEMBER 06, 2019 CHIEF Kelly McCarthy CAPTAIN Wayne Wegener SERGEANTS Eric Petersen Tanner Spicer Peyton Fleming POLICE OFFICERS John Larrive Todd Rosse Chad Willson Philip McCarty Weston Raberge Peter Renteria Cara Hogan Tony Patton Ryan Yauch Tommy Albindia Eric Hagelee Leif Vandersteen Alex Randall INVESTIGATIONS Nick Gorgos SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER Steve Hilyar COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICER Josh Rosenberry 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 This advice applies to accidents when you are not seriously injured. If you are seriously injured, call 911 immediately, or if you cannot, try to get the attention of someone else, and wait for the first responders to arrive. Failure to stop at the scene of a collision in which you are involved can result in your arrest warrant. You could be convicted of hit and run. You must report the collision. 2 STREET RACING — HWY 494 WEST BOUND 08/31/19, 0217 HOURS Officer was alerted to possible street racing by a neighboring police department on westbound 494 from Concord Street. Officer was at 494 and Dodd Road and observed two vehicles actively racing. Officer initiated a traffic stop on both vehicles and both drivers were arrested. It was later discovered one of the drivers was a juvenile and was released to their parent. Both drivers were issued citations for Misdemeanor Street Racing and both vehicles were impounded. The adult driver was booked and released from the Dakota County Jail. 3rd DEG DWI — PILOT KNOB ROAD 08/31/19, 2318 HOURS Officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle who made an illegal left turn onto Pilot Knob Road from Northland Drive. While speaking with the driver, the officer could smell the odor of consumed alcoholic beverage coming from the driver's breath. Officer conducted a field sobriety test and arrested the driver for DWI. Driver was booked and released from the Dakota County jail and the vehicle was impounded. 4th DEG DWI — DODD ROAD 09/01/19, 0050 HOURS Officer initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle for a speeding violation on Dodd Road near Delaware Avenue. While speaking with the driver, the officer could smell the odor of consumed alcoholic beverage coming from the driver's breath. The driver performed a field sobriety test and was placed under arrest for DWI. The driver was booked and released from the Dakota County jail for Misdemeanor 4th Degree DWI. The vehicle was legally parked on the road. FLEEING — 5XX MENDOTA HEIGHTS ROAD 09/01/19, 0124 HOURS Officer observed a vehicle parked in a park after hours on the 500 block of Mendota Heights Road. When the officer initiated a stop, the vehicle took off. Officer followed vehicle before discontinuing. A nearby agency reinitiated the pursuit. The vehicle eventually stopped and the driver fled on foot. Driver was taken into custody by assisting agency and turned over to MHPD. Driver booked into Dakota County Jail. THEFT — 7XX HWY 110 09/01/19, 1558 HOURS Officer arrived at a business near the 700 block of Highway 62 and was told by an employee that a theft had just occurred. Officer gathered video of the incident and suspect. Officer downloaded images into the case file. Forwarded to investigations. 4th DEGREE DWI — MENDOTA HEIGHTS ROAD 09/02/19, 0110 HOURS Officer located a vehicle stopped in the middle of the intersection of Highway 55 and Mendota Heights Road. While speaking with the driver, officer could smell the odor of consumed alcoholic beverage coming from inside the vehicle. Officer also observed an open alcohol container in the center console. Driver performed a field sobriety test and was ultimately arrested for DWI. The vehicle was impounded and driver was booked and released from jail for Misdemeanor 4th Degree DWI. 3 SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES — 7XX HAVENVIEW COURT 09/03/19, 0125 HOURS While on routine patrol of the 700 block of Havenview Ct officers found a vehicle whose plates didn't match. Upon further investigation it was determined that the vehicle was stolen. No suspects were located and the investigation is ongoing. THEFT — 17XX DOUGLAS COURT 09/05/19, 0631 HOURS Officers responded to the 1700 block of Douglas Court for a reported theft from vehicle. The reporting party showed officers that her passenger side window had been broken out and her purse had been stolen. The reporting party was instructed to cancel her debit card. It is unknown at this time if the card was used. 4 08/30—9/05 2019 YTD Calls for Service 152 8221 Police Reports 17 794 Citations 25 1206 Warnings 31 1739 Response Time Average 7.10 6.50 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 We are so happy that our local high school has a beautiful new stadium to enjoy playing in and watching their school sports at. Please remember when going to activities at the stadium to make sure you are parking legally and are respectful to the neighbors in the area. Also make sure to watch for traffic when walking to the stadium from the surrounding areas and have a great time!!!