2020-01-10 Friday NewsMendota 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, January 14
Park & Rec Comm Mtg | 6:30pm
Tuesday, January 21
City Council Mtg | 7:00pm
Tuesday, January 28
Planning Comm Mtg | 7:00pm
Tuesday, February 4
City Council Meeting | 7:00pm
Meeting Cancellation:
The Airport Relations Commission
Meeting scheduled for Wednesday,
January 15 has been cancelled.
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January 10, 2020
from the City of Mendota Heights
FRIDAY NEWS
Appointments made to Historic Pilot Knob Task Force
At its meeting on January 7, the City Council appointed six members to serve on the
newly established Historic Pilot Knob Task Force, with an anticipated seventh member
to be appointed in the near future. Members appointed to serve include Al Singer,
Autumn Hubbel, Christine Soutter, Dale Bachmeier, Juanita Espinosa, and Gail Lewellan.
The mission of the Task Force is to pursue short and long-term goals for the
preservation of, and improvements to Historic Pilot Knob.
Friendly reminder— dog licenses no longer needed
Effective January 1, 2020, the City is no longer issuing dog licenses. Microchip
technology installed by veterinarians has become commonplace and is more effective
than traditional metal licenses in reuniting pet owners with lost animals.
Mendota Heights’ Recreation
Program Coordinator
recognized
Congratulations to Recreation Program
Coordinator Meredith Lawrence, who
received the Minnesota Recreation and
Park Association’s (MRPA) Young
Professional and Student Network’s Meritorious
Service Award today! The Meritorious
Service Award program annually
recognizes contributions by members for
outstanding services performed through
additional volunteer service on MRPA
sections, committees, and networks.
Photo (L-R): City Administrator Mark McNeill, Recreation Program Coordinator Meredith
Lawrence, Assistant City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson.
Mendota Heights Receives MN Department of Natural
Resources Tree Planting Grant
Mendota Heights will be planting over 100 trees over the next two years! The goal of
the project is to help reduce the impact of tree loss due to Emerald Ash Borer (EAB).
EAB was confirmed in Mendota Heights in May of 2015, and is expected to eventually
infect and kill all untreated ash trees in the City (approximately 10,000 trees). The
planting project will help mitigate for this canopy loss by replacing diseased ash trees
with a large diversity of quality, comparable shade tree species in close proximity to
public trees that are removed, or will be removed. The project is made possible due to
a grant received from the MN Department of Natural Resources and the Environment
and Natural Resources Trust Fund.
Blade with the Blue
February 8
Join the MHPD 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.
Time: 1-2:30pm ages 6-9, 2:30-4pm ages 10-13
Cost: FREE
Location: Friendly Hills Park-Outdoor Rink
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
Location: Concord Exchange Building, South Saint Paul
Parks & Recreation
Learn more & register:
https://secure.rec1.com/MN/mendota-heights-
mn/catalog or at City Hall.
Ice rinks open for the season
Ice rinks are open for the season! Immediate
skating on the rinks is encouraged; this helps
compact the ice base for continued successful
flooding.
Please note only Marie and Friendly Hills Parks
will have a warming house attendant.
Wentworth Park’s warming house will be open,
however there will not be an attendant on-site.
OUTDOOR RINK LOCATIONS
Friendly Hills - 2360 Pueblo Lane
Marie Park - 1780 Lilac Lane
Wentworth Park - 739 Wentworth Avenue
WARMING HOUSE HOURS
For up-to-date information on rink conditions
and warming house availability throughout the
season, please call the hotline: 651-255-1174.
Rink conditions & availability are weather-
dependent. Outdoor rinks and warming houses
will be closed when the air temperature is
below zero.
Monday-Friday 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Saturday 10:00 am to 9:00 pm
Sunday 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Non-school/vacation
days and most 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Discover activities to
keep you moving this winter
The latest episode of the Community Parks Connection features
local parks and recreational activities happening this winter,
including a preview of the new playground at Wentworth Park!
View the episode at https://vimeo.com/380751741.
Recycle that wrap!
Did you know that plastic wrap around packs
of napkins, toilet paper and paper towel rolls
are recyclable at retail locations? Bring plastic
wrap, along with bubble wrap, air pillows from
shipping, and plastic grocery bags to retail and
grocery locations for recycling. Find an
extensive list of retailers who accept plastic film for collection:
https://www.plasticfilmrecycling.org/recycling-bags-and-wraps/find-
drop-off-location/
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/.
The 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.
Recycle holiday lights at City Hall
through January 31
Have a string that won’t light? City Hall is
collecting holiday lights, electrical cords,
appliance cords, and phone cords for recycling
courtesy of ProAct. Simply drop off items in a
collection bin located in the lobby of City Hall
during business hours.
Holiday Food Drive
ends January 31
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 January 31.
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.
Landscaping for clean
water in 2020
Receive grant funds and on-site assistance for
creating a beautiful landscape feature in your yard,
such as a raingarden, native garden or shoreline
stabilization! Landscaping for Clean Water is a
program for Dakota County residents that provides
assistance for creating landscape features that
promote clean water, benefit local pollinators, are
sustainable and low-maintenance, and look beautiful!
How does it work?
Attend a FREE introductory workshop where
you’ll learn gardening basics, and how to create
landscaping that can benefit our local water.
Sign up and attend a two-night Design Course
($25 one-time cost) that allows you to work
hands-on with staff to begin planning and designing
a garden in your yard.
Apply for the Landscaping for Clean Water Grant
by filling out an application.
FREE INTRODUCTORY WORKSHOPS
All hour-long workshops will start at 6:00 p.m.
Select one of ten different dates and locations.
MAINTENANCE WORKSHOPS
Already have a Raingarden or other Native Planting?
Attend a Maintenance Workshop and learn how to
maintain your raingarden or native planting year-
round!
Mendota Heights: Wed., March 4, 5-6:30 PM
Inver Grove Heights: Tues., March 31, 6-7:30 PM
Apple Valley: Wed., April 29, 5-6:30 PM
LEARN MORE & REGISTER
DakotaSWCD.org/cleanwater.html
Call: 651-480-7777
Email: SWCD@co.dakota.mn.us
The Lawns to Legumes Program
is accepting applications
Have you been looking for a way to help the endangered Rusty
Patched Bumble Bee and other pollinators? Or maybe you have
been wanting to create an environmentally-friendly, low-
maintenance landscape? The Lawns to Legumes program offers a
simple way to do both!
The MN Board of Water and Soil Resources is now offering
grants as part of the new Lawns to Legumes Program. This
program offers workshops, coaching, guides, and cost-share
funding for installing pollinator-friendly native plantings in
residential landscapes. These pollinator habitats could consist of
any of the following:
A Native Pocket Planting or garden with native, pollinator
beneficial flowers
Establishing a Pollinator Lawn by removing existing turf and
replacing with a pollinator seed mix that includes no-mow
fescues and low-growing flowers, or seeding no-mow
fescues and low-growing native flowers into existing lawn
Pollinator beneficial trees and shrubs
Establishing a Pollinator Meadow or a large area with a
diversity of native plants, such as a native prairie that
includes both native grasses and wildflowers
Individual Support Grants are available to Minnesota
residents for projects that establish pollinator habitat in their
yards. If awarded, up to $350 in grant funds are available to
applicants. To apply, visit Blue Thumb's Online Application Page.
The first application period ends February 28.
Minnesota Department of Transportation
stormwater repairs at Valley Park
The Minnesota Department of Transportation will be repairing
and replacing two outfalls, or stormwater outlet structures that
outlet into Interstate Valley Creek, beginning this winter. Tree
removal will be necessary in order to access the two
structures. Tree removal will begin this winter, and structural
work will take place in July of 2020. The access will begin at the
Xcel utility facility adjacent to I-35E in the northwest portion of
Valley Park, and continue approximately 700 feet to the south,
running parallel along I-35E. The goal of the project is to reduce
stormwater velocity coming from the outlet structures, and
also reduce or eliminate current erosion that is happening
around the structures. View a map of the project here.
For additional information, please contact::
Krista Spreiter, Natural Resources Technician
kristas@mendota-heights.com | 651-255-1123
Chris Chatfield, PE, Principal Water Resources Engineer
MnDOT Metro District
Christopher.Chatfield@state.mn.us | 651-234-7365.
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T he latest fro m t he Me n dota Hei g hts Police Depart me nt T he latest fro m t he Me n dota Hei g hts Police Depart me nt
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P hili p Mc Carty
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Cara H oga n
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Alex Ra n dall
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FLEEING IN A MOTOR VEHICLE — 9XX HWY 13 01/03/20, 1045 HOURS
Officer made a traffic stop on the 900 block of Hwy 13. The driver would not provide any identification and
ultimately fled in their vehicle. The officer did not pursue and a KOPS alert was issued for the vehicle.
DOMESTIC ASSAULT — 12XX NORTHLAND DR 01/03/20, 1344 HOURS
Officers responded to the 1200 block of Northland Drive on a report of a domestic assault. Officers located
the victim and suspect nearby. After speaking with the involved parties, and based on witness statements,
officers placed a male under arrest for domestic assault. The suspect provided a false name and date of
birth to officers, but was later identified, and had several outstanding warrants.
5TH DEGREE ASSAULT — 13XX NORTHLAND DR 01/03/20, 1544 HOURS
Officers dispatched to a disturbance at the 1300 block of Northland Drive on an adult female that assaulted
an adult female employee. Officers received statement from victim, located suspect and placed her under
arrest. Additional adult female that was involved was arrested for an outstanding warrant as well.
THEFT — 9XX OXFORD CT 01/04/20, 1159 HOURS
Party called to report a package theft from the 900 block of Oxford Ct sometime between 12/24/19 and
1/4/20. The value of the package is about $1000. There are no leads for follow up.
DOG BITE — 8XX MENDAKOTA CT 01/04/20, 1629 HOURS
Officers dispatched to a dog bite on the 800 block of Mendakota Court. Officers met with an adult female
who had a serious injury from a dog bite on her arm. The patient was transported to the hospital. The dog
was impounded and will be quarantined for the next ten days. The dog was declared dangerous.
TRAFFIC STOP/WARRANT ARREST — HWY 55 01/04/20, 2350 HOURS
Officer saw a vehicle travelling eastbound on Highway 62 from Lexington. Officer got behind the vehicle,
ran the plate, and found that the registered owner had a warrant. Officer stopped the vehicle on the
Mendota Bridge. The adult male driver was the registered owner and was taken to Dakota County Jail.
Vehicle was impounded.
MOTOR VEHICLE TAX EVASION — HWY 13/MENDOTA HEIGHTS RD 01/06/20, 0918 HOURS
Officer observed a vehicle driving on the roadway with no front or rear license plates. Officer conducted a
traffic stop and discovered the driver was revoked. The vehicle was not registered since November of 2018,
and the owner did not have motor vehicle insurance.
DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE — 7XX PONDHAVEN LN 01/06/20, 2247 HOURS
Officers dispatched to a domestic at the 700 block of Pondhaven Lane between an adult male and a
juvenile male. Officers arrived on scene and determined there was no crime committed. Juvenile male
transported to a different address for the night.
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DOMESTIC/WARRANT — 13XX NORTHLAND DR 01/07/20, 1704 HOURS
Dispatched to a domestic call at the 1300 block of Northland Drive. The reporting party stated that she
wanted the father of her child to leave. She stated the male pushed her. Officer arrived and spoke with
the reporting party who said that the male had left and that she did not know where he went. Officer
searched the area and located the male. The male was arrested for warrants.
THEFT — 14XX NORTHLAND DR 01/08/20, 0805 HOURS
Officers took a theft report that had occurred on the 1400 block of Northland Dr. The victim reported that
sometime in the past month, the catalytic converter was stolen off of their vehicle. No suspects or leads.
FOUND PROPERTY — 21XX LEXINGTON AVE 01/08/20, 0916 HOURS
Homeowner in the 2100 block of Lexington Ave found a handgun along side the roadway. Photos were
taken of the gun, which turned out to be a .177 caliber pellet gun. The gun had scratches on it and the
bottom portion of the grip was broke off. The serial number came back as clear. The item was placed in
property.
FALSE INFO TO POLICE — WINSTON CIR/WINSTON CT 01/08/20, 2302 HOURS
Officer conducted a traffic stop on the 600 block of Winston Ct. Officer asked the driver for their license
and the driver proceeded to be deceptive about not having their license on them and gave the officer a
false name. The driver later admitted to lying about their identity because they did not want to go to jail
and admitted to having their license in their wallet. The driver was identified by their MN license as the
registered owner of the vehicle who was also revoked. Driver was released with a citation for
Misdemeanor Give Peace Officer False Name and Misdemeanor Driving After Revocation.
VEHICLE TAX EVASION/THEFT — 11XX CENTRE POINT CURVE 01/09/20, 0338 HOURS
Officer observed a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot of a closed business. The vehicle was running and
was unoccupied. Officer ran the license plate of the vehicle and was alerted the registration was expired in
May, 2019 however the vehicle was displaying current 2020 stickers. Officer inspected the stickers and
observed they had been taped on. Officer ran the sticker number of the tabs and discovered the tabs
belonged on a different vehicle. Officer made contact with the owner who stated they bought the vehicle a
week ago and have not registered the vehicle yet. The owner was unaware the stickers did not belong to
the vehicle. Officer seized the license plates and is attempting to make contact with purchaser of the tabs
along with the previous owner of the vehicle.
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01/03—01/09 2020 YTD
Calls for Service 181 277
Police Reports 21 30
Citations 24 34
Warnings 47 58
Response Time Average 8.09 7.52
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
5-3-3:
REQUIREMENTS
INVOLVING DOGS
D. DOG WASTE
Waste Removal
Required: It is unlawful
for any person in
control of, causing or
permitting any dog to
be on any property,
public or private, not
owned or possessed by
such person, to fail to
remove excrement left
by such dog to a proper
receptacle.
Click Here for more
information on
Mendota Heights dog
ordinances.
THE SCOOP
ON POOP