2019-11-22 Friday News Due to the Thanksgiving Holiday, there will be no Friday News on
November 29. Watch for the next issue on December 6. Have a wonderful holiday!
Help a neighbor in need
this holiday season
City Hall is collecting shelf-stable food and toiletries for
Neighbors, Inc. Donations may be dropped off in the lobby
during City Hall business hours. The donation drive will run
through the holiday season.
Gathering to
discuss crime
Police Chief Kelly McCarthy led a
community discussion on crime on
November 20. During the meeting
crime data on burglary, theft, traffic
enforcement and DUI arrests was
presented. Chief McCarthy also spoke of the department’s increased emphasis on
traffic and DUI enforcement. Attendees had an opportunity to ask questions. Thank
you to all who attended!
Mendota Heights City Hall
1101 Victoria Curve
www.mendota-heights.com
651.452.1850
City Hall Lobby Hours
M-TH: 7:00am-4:30pm
F: 7:00am-11:30am
Police Department Lobby Hours
M-F: 8:00am-4:30pm
Upcoming Public
Meeting Dates
Tuesday, November 26
Planning Comm Mtg | 7:00pm
Thursday, November 28
City Hall & Public Works Closed
Friday, November 29
City Hall Closed
(Public Works Open)
Tuesday, December 3
City Council Mtg | 7:00pm
Tuesday, December 10
Parks & Rec Comm Mtg | 6:30pm
Tuesday, December 17
City Council Mtg | 7:00pm
Thursday, December 19
Planning Comm Mtg | 7:00pm
Stay Connected:
Facebook.com/
MendotaHeightsMN
Facebook.com/
MHParksandRec
Facebook.com/
MendotaHeightsPD
Twitter.com/ @mendota_heights
Twitter.com/
@mheightsPD
November 22, 2019
from the City of Mendota Heights
FRIDAY NEWS
Progress at the
Fire Station
Interior work has begun at the
new addition to the fire station!
The addition is anticipated to be
ready by April 1, and upon the
addition’s completion fire
operations will move into the
new space so that the existing
building can be remodeled. Final
completion is anticipated mid to late summer. Progress on construction moved more
slowly than desired this year due to delays in undergrounding of the existing power
lines and a wet construction season.
Decorating for the
holidays? Did you know
that two of every five
home decoration fires are
started by candles. Candles
and open flames are the
third leading cause of Minnesota
structure fires. Nationally, residential
candle fires peak in December.
Candle Safety Tips
Choose flameless candles. Most offer the same flicker
effect as real candles and come in scented varieties.
Keep traditional candles in a sturdy container that
cannot be tipped over.
Extinguish candles before leaving the room or going
to sleep.
Use flashlights — not candles — for emergency
lighting if the power goes out.
Source: Minnesota State Fire Marshal Division Fact Sheet, A Division of the
Minnesota Department of Public Safety
Seasonal reminders
The Winter Parking Ban is currently in effect with no
overnight parking on any public streets between 2 a.m. and
6 a.m.; please remind overnight guests and young drivers of
this important information. Additionally, when it snows 2” or
more, or there is a high probability of a 2” or more snowfall,
a Snow Emergency may be declared and plows will go into
action. Please keep all vehicles off of City streets until roads
are plowed curb-to-curb. Thank you for keeping Mendota
Heights a safe and operational community!
Take part in the 2019 Mendota Heights Community
Survey through December 15
The 2019 City of Mendota Heights’ Community Survey is designed to help
Mendota Heights follow trends in community sentiment to better serve
residents. The survey consists of 16 questions and was designed to cover
topic areas more generally, so that later we can dive into individual results
that impact our city. The survey is taken online via any preferred digital device
and takes just a few minutes to complete.
To take part, link directly to the survey and begin answering questions. At
the end you will be directed to set up a free Polco account if you do not already have one. Once an account is
established, users can receive notifications when new questions are posted. Participants can remain anonymous and
responses are viewed as totals. Users can see survey results and how others in the community are responding, and
have an opportunity to comment on topics if desired.
Seasonal Skating Instructor
The City of Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation
is accepting applications for a seasonal Skating
Instructor. Hourly Rate: $15.50 to $16.25, DOQ
To apply: Complete a city application and
application supplement. Position open until filled.
Seasonal Warming House/Rink Attendant
The City of Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation
Department is accepting applications for part-time,
seasonal Warming House/Rink Attendants for
Mendota Heights’ outdoor ice rinks. Hourly
Rate: $10.00 to $10.75
To apply: Complete a city application and
application supplement. Position open until filled.
Seasonal Rink Flooder
The City of Mendota Heights Public Works
Department is accepting applications for part-time,
seasonal Rink Flooders for Mendota Heights’
outdoor ice rinks. Hours: Hours vary, up to 25
hours per week, mid-December through early
March (weather permitting). Evening and weekend
hours required. Hourly Rate: $10.00 to $10.75.
To apply: Complete a city application and
application supplement. Position open until filled.
Fire Prevention Safety Tips
Visit https://www.mendota-
heights.com/employment for more
information, application materials
and instructions.
Now Hiring – Apply Today!
Flag football camp
December 26—27 | 10am-1pm
Learn the rules of flag football while working on team play and
sportsmanship through skill development and games. For ages 6-12; $50
per participant. This activity will take place at the Regional Athletic
Center (West Saint Paul Dome).
Learn more and register:
https://secure.rec1.com/MN/mendota-heights-mn/catalog or at City Hall.
Royal Ball
February 9 | 3-5pm
Registration is open for the fifth
annual Royal Ball! There will be
crafts, games, meet-and-greet
with real princes and princesses,
a DJ, refreshments, and dancing.
Space fills quickly for this
popular event!
Cost: $22 per child Ages: 10 (4th grade) and under
Concord Exchange Building, South Saint Paul
Register: https://secure.rec1.com/MN/mendota-heights-mn/catalog or
at City Hall.
Registration is open for these winter break
adventures!
Register: https://secure.rec1.com/MN/
mendota-heights-mn/catalog or at City Hall.
Drakulas Bowling & Movie
December 26
Enjoy fun and interactive bowling followed by
the movie Spies in Disguise.
Ages: 6-12 Cost: $27 per child
Time: 9:15am-4:00pm (bus from City Hall)
Conquer Ninja Warrior Gym &
South Saint Paul Pool
December 27
Train and compete like ninjas in the morning,
and enjoy swimming the afternoon away at
Central Square Community Center Pool.
Ages: 6-12 Cost: $35 per child
Time: 9:30am-3:30pm (bus from City Hall)
Orbit Earth Expo
December 30 | 1:30-2:30pm
Orbit Earth Expo is coming
to the City of Mendota
Heights and Tri District
Community Education for
an unforgettable science
experience. Orbit Earth
Expo is interactive and
entertaining. Orb (a 14-
foot inflatable model of
Earth) and his friends will
take your family on a
journey to space to create cycles, systems and relationships between
the Earth, Moon and Sun. You’ll manipulate the models to create
eclipses, seasons, moon phases, creation of winds, day/night cycles,
rotation vs. revolution, order of the planets, and more! Admission is
limited and registration is required. Thank you to the ISD 197
Education Foundation for their help in making this free event possible.
Cost: FREE Location: Mendota Elementary Register: https://secure.rec1.com/MN/mendota-heights-mn/catalog or
at City Hall.
Parks & Recreation
Reduce food waste this
holiday season
The holidays bring fun, family and friends, but can
also lead to abundant leftovers and consequently
food waste. This holiday season, collect turkey
bones and veggie peels to make into a healthy
broth or stock that makes both environmental
and economical sense. Follow these easy steps:
1. Fill a large crock pot with bones, veggie/onion
peels and a couple bay leaves and peppercorns
(optional).
2. Add a splash of vinegar which helps pull
nutrients out of the bones.
3. Cover and cook on low for 24 hours.
4. Strain with a fine sieve or cheesecloth and
freeze in glass jars—leave 3-4 inches of space
at the top so they don’t explode in your
freezer.
And if you’d really like to help reduce food waste,
compost your food scraps at West Saint
Paul’s Thompson Park drop site for free.
They even provide free compostable bags to use!
Sign up for the drop site: Call 952-891-7557 or
email organics@co.dakota.mn.us.
Composting helps divert material from the landfill
and reduces the amount of methane that is
produced from the decomposing food. You’ll be
amazed at how little trash your family produces
once you start composting veggie scraps, peels,
pits, egg shells, used tissues, pizza boxes, egg
cartons and pet fur. You might even be able to call
your trash hauler and request a smaller trash can
and save money in the process! For more
information visit https://www.co.dakota.mn.us/
Environment/Residential/Organics/Pages/organics-
drop-off.aspx.
Fall Clean Up—Yard Waste Options
It is illegal in Minnesota to dispose of yard and tree waste
(grass, leaves, small brush, plant materials) with your
household garbage. This means it must be bagged in a
compostable paper bag or reusable container and kept
separate from your trash bin. Fall yard waste options
include:
South Saint Paul Compost Site: Is now CLOSED
Gertens
Inver Grove Heights and other locations
Please call for hours and pricing
S&S Tree Horticultural Specialists/Davey’s Tree
405 Hardman Ave. S., South St. Paul
Hours: Saturdays only | 7am-5pm Materials accepted: brush and tree waste
No stumps; no bags accepted at this site—plastic or
compostable
FREE disposal
Recycle Holiday Lights
at City Hall through
January 31
Have a string that won’t light?
City Hall will once again be
collecting holiday lights, electrical
cords, appliance cords, and phone
cords for recycling courtesy of
ProAct. Beginning November 15 simply drop off items in a
collection bin located in the lobby of City Hall. Please note
that cord adapters, battery packs, plastic rope lights, CFL
lights, garland/fake trees, and statuary/metal fixtures are
NOT accepted. Items may be dropped off Monday through
Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Fridays 7:00 a.m. to
11:30 a.m. Holiday lights are also accepted year-round at The
Recycling Zone in Eagan.
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/.
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.
The Lower Mississippi River
Watershed Management
Organization (LMRWMO)
wants to hear from you!
The Lower Mississippi River Watershed
Management Organization is in the process
of updating its 10-year Watershed
Management Plan, and they need your
input! Make your voice be heard by taking
their brief survey. By answering just a few
short questions, you will help the WMO to
better understand your concerns, priorities
and goals for the health of the watershed.
The Lower Mississippi River Watershed
Management Organization provides a
valuable forum for member cities to
evaluate and resolve drainage and water
quality issues within the watershed. To
learn more about the LMRWMO, visit their
website: Lower Mississippi River WMO.
Fall lawn care practices for water quality
Fall yard care practices can make a big impact on the health of your
landscape, as well as water quality. Here are some tips to master fall
lawn care to ensure a healthy lawn next spring, as well as healthy
lakes, rivers, and other surface waters in our community.
Rake your leaves and dispose of them properly. All those dead
leaves covering your lawn are full of phosphorous and nitrogen
that cause excess algae, fish kills, and fill our surface waters with
bacteria.
Take leaves to a yard waste disposal site, mulch, or compost
them in your own backyard in a contained bin or barrel.
Aerate your lawn. Aerating is one of the simplest ways to
improve the health of your turf grass, which in turn requires less
fertilizer and maintenance.
Not all lawns need to be fertilized. Determine if fertilizing is
necessary first, by getting a soil test from the University of
Minnesota. If you do need to fertilize, fall is the time to do it.
Patch bare spots with seed or sod. Fall is the best time for
seeding, and will encourage thicker turf grass in the spring,
eliminating bare soil that can cause erosion. Try to work heartier
varieties of perennial grass into your turf, such as fescues that
require less maintenance. Look for areas of your lawn that are
seldom used, and convert these areas to native plants, trees, or
shrubs, or try a no-mow seed mix. No-mow turf grass grows to
a height of 4-6”, requires almost no maintenance, is drought-
tolerant, and does not need to be cut (see above photo).
Photo credit: Sue Light
1
The latest from the Mendota Heights Police Department
NOVEMBER 22, 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
Jared Powell
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
EMERGENCY MEDICAL ATTENTION VS
BASIC MEDICAL ATTENTION
2
3
THEFT — 7XX MENDOTA HEIGHTS RD 11/15/19, 1620 HOURS
Officers took the report of a theŌ that occurred on the 700 block of Mendota Heights Road. The reporƟng party had
their cell phone stolen out of their locker someƟme during the day. This case is under invesƟgaƟon.
5TH DEG ASSAULT — 1XXX DELAWARE AVE 11/18/19, 1445 HOURS
Responded to the 1000 block of Delaware Avenue to invesƟgate an assault between two juveniles. Case is under
invesƟgaƟon.
MEDICAL — 1XXX SIBLEY MEMORIAL HWY 11/19/19, 0229 HOURS
Officer dispatched to the 1000 block of Highway 13 on an adult female having a medical issue. The paƟent was
unable to open the door for paramedics and officer was unable to obtain keys. The paƟent gave permission for
officers to force the door. Entry was gained and the paƟent was transported to the hospital.
THEFT — 1XXX WARRIOR DR 11/20/19, 1752 HOURS
Vehicle owner reported catalyƟc converter was removed from vehicle while parked along the 1000 block of Warrior
Drive during school hours. There are no suspects at this Ɵme. Case status closed with report.
5TH DEG ASSAULT/FALSE INFO — 1XXX COMMERCE DR 11/20/19, 2315 HOURS
Officers were dispatched to the 1000 block of Commerce Drive to respond to an assault. Officers arrived and made
contact with the vicƟm and suspect. Suspect provided false informaƟon to police and resisted arrest. Suspect was
idenƟfied and released with a citaƟon. Case status cleared with a citaƟon.
AOA — HWY 62/ROBERT TRAIL 11/06/19, 2333 HOURS
Officer assisted State Patrol on a traffic stop at Highway 62 and Robert St. Trooper arrested the driver for DUI and
recovered narcoƟcs. Case status report only.
IDENTITY THEFT — 1XXX MENDOTA HEIGHTS RD 11/21/19, 0956 HOURS
Officers were dispatched to the 1000 block of Mendota Heights Road on a report of idenƟty theŌ. ReporƟng party
stated that there had been some fraudulent acƟvity with an employee’s direct deposit forms. Officers determined
that idenƟty theŌ had occurred. Case status is acƟve/pending.
IDENTITY THEFT — 1XXX RIVERSIDE LN 11/21/19, 1329 HOURS
Officers took a report of idenƟty theŌ on the 1000 block of Riverside Lane. Someone accessed the vicƟm’s accounts
and made changes before using the vicƟm’s credit card. There are no suspects or leads in this case.
CHILD ABUSE — 1XXX DODD RD 11/21/19, 1325 HOURS
Officers were dispatched to a school on suspicion of child abuse. Officers responded and determined that the crime
had not occurred in Mendota Heights. Staff advised to contact Child ProtecƟve Services in Ramsey County where
abuse may have occurred. Officers took photos of the injury for invesƟgaƟve purposes for Ramsey County.
4
11/15 ‐ 11/21 2019 YTD
Calls for Service 163 10,780
Police Reports 15 1044
Citations 29 1605
Warnings 56 2353
Response Time Average 8.57 6.64
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
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