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2020-02-07 Friday News Public Meeting Announcements There will be a City Council Work Session on Wednesday, February 19, from 4:15pm to 5:30pm to discuss the Wentworth Park Warming House, Lexington Avenue Walking Trail, 2020 goals, and the City Administrator annual evaluation process. 19 FEB 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 Tues., February 11 Parks & Rec Comm | 6:30pm Mon., February 17 Presidents’ Day City Hall & Public Works Closed Tues., February 18 City Council Mtg | 7:00pm Wed., February 19 City Council Work Session | 4:15pm Thurs., February 27 Planning Comm Mtg | 7:00pm (Note changed meeting date) Sat., February 29 City Hall Open for Absentee Voting | 10:00am-3:00pm Mon., March 2 City Hall Open for Absentee Voting | 7:00am-5:00pm Wed., March 4 City Council Mtg | 7:00pm (Note Wednesday meeting date) Stay Connected: Facebook.com/ MendotaHeightsMN Facebook.com/ MHParksandRec Facebook.com/ MendotaHeightsPD Twitter.com/ @mendota_heights Twitter.com/ @mheightsPD February 7, 2020 from the City of Mendota Heights FRIDAY NEWS Nominate an outstanding volunteer today Nominations are being accepted through March 13 for the fourth annual Garold 'Jerry' Murphy Community Service Award. This award is presented in April, during National Volunteer Week, to an individual who exemplifies outstanding volunteer service to the cities of Mendota Heights, Mendota or Lilydale. Candidate eligibility information and a nomination form can be found at http://bit.ly/JMServiceAward2020. Nomination forms may also be picked up at City Hall during business hours. Thank you Commissioner Miller Retiring Parks and Recreation Commissioner David Miller was presented with a Recognition of Service Plaque by Mayor Neil Garlock at the February 4 City Council meeting. Commissioner Miller has served for ten years on the Parks and Recreation Commission, and has served the maximum limit of three consecutive terms. New rules for the keeping of domestic chickens in 2020 In 2017 the City adopted Ordinance No. 508, which allowed for the keeping and raising of domestic chickens on residential properties. After a one-year review period, at its meeting on February 4 the City Council supported implementing new rules and regulations regarding chickens on properties as follows:  Increase the number of allowable chickens from four to six  Reduce the annual permit to a one-time $15 fee (no annual renewal fee)  Increase the maximum allowable size of backyard structures with a chicken coops  One-year inspection for first-time permit holders and complaint-driven inspections thereafter  Composting of bedding and chicken waste is allowed on-site (unless there is a complaint) Permits for the Keeping of Domestic Chickens are available on the city’s website, or you can pick up an application at City Hall during business hours. If you have any questions regarding these new regulations or the permitting process, please contact Community Development Director Tim Benetti at (651) 255-1142 or timb@mendota-heights.com. Image courtesy of Dakota County Absentee voting underway Absentee voting is available for those who wish to vote before the Presidential Nomination Primary on March 3. There are two ways to do so:  Absentee vote in person: Vote at the Mendota Heights City Hall or at any Dakota County Office during regular business hours.  Absentee vote by mail: An application for an absentee ballot can be obtained at MnVotes.org. Remember, if voting by mail, your voted ballot must arrive by Election Day for the vote to count, so please allow enough time for postal delivery. City Hall will be open extended hours for absentee voting on:  Saturday, February 29 | 10:00am-3:00pm  Monday, March 2 | 7:00am-5:00pm Are you pre-registered to vote? Residents are strongly encouraged to pre- register to vote by February 11 to save time at the polls. If you have moved, changed your name, or have not voted in the last four years, you will need to register to vote. Go to MnVotes.org to register to vote, or to check to see if you are already registered to vote. You can also print off a registration form from this site. A registration form can also be completed at City Hall, any Dakota County office, or any License Center. Census workers needed Minnesota needs 7,500 census workers this year. Are you interested in being one of them? The U.S. Census Bureau is hiring for a range of temporary, flexible jobs that make a difference in every community. The 2020 Census determines how more than a trillion dollars are spent locally for schools, roads, hospitals and much more. That means you could earn extra income while shaping your community’s future. Pay starts at $22 per hour in Dakota County. Learn more and apply at 2020census.gov/jobs. Dakota County is updating its 2040 Transportation Plan and needs your input Help identify what's working well, what needs to improve and what to prioritize in the transportation system by filling out the online survey and the interactive map on the project website: https:// zan.mysocialpinpoint.com/dakotacountytransportation. For questions, comments or suggestions on upcoming events, please contact the transportation plan's engagement staff via email at tholmes@zanassoc.com. Registration is open for the Officer Scott Patrick Memorial 5K Walk/Run Register for the 15th Annual Officer Scott Patrick Memorial 5K Walk/ Run to benefit Special Olympics Minnesota. The event will be held on Saturday, June 6 at The Village of Mendota Heights. Registration is $25 before June 6, or $30 on the day of the event. Registration forms are available at City Hall or on the city’s website. Are you interested in opening a restaurant or food business in Dakota County? Attend a free seminar! Open to Business is hosting Food Business Start Up 101 on February 26 from 6:00pm to 8:30pm at the Dakota County Community Development Agency (CDA) in Eagan. You’ll learn  How to assess your idea and financial readiness  Key steps and cost considerations  Receive resource information for ongoing assistance Learn more & register: https://o2bfoodstartup101.eventbrite.com ** Registration opens at 8:00am on Monday, March 2 for spring/ summer recreation programs ** Program information will be available soon in the spring newsletter and on the City website.  Summer Camps  Field Trips  Golf Leagues & Programs  Tennis Leagues & Programs Register online or at City Hall during business hours. 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 Event Cancelled Due to low enrollment, the 2020 Royal Ball scheduled for February 9 has been cancelled. All families currently registered have been contacted and a refund has been issued. For questions please contact Recreation Program Coordinator Meredith Lawrence at 651-255-1354. Parks & Recreation Learn more & register: https://secure.rec1.com/MN/mendota-heights- mn/catalog or at City Hall. Let’s get skating! Ice rinks for pleasure skating and hockey are open for the season! 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 holidays 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. * Save the Date * Spring Shred Event—Saturday, April 18 9:00am-noon | West Saint Paul Sports Complex Big improvements make the Recycling Zone more convenient—residents can now stay in their vehicle when dropping off items Dakota County is making it easier and quicker to drop off items at the Recycling Zone in Eagan. The newly renovated facility includes a convenient drive-thru process in which drivers won’t leave their car when dropping off recycling, electronics and household hazardous waste. Upon entering the parking lot, drivers will stop at a kiosk and provide their driver’s license or identification to be scanned by a Recycling Zone employee. They will be directed to one of three drop-off lanes, depending on their items. Drivers must stay in their vehicles while staff unload their items. To make unloading safe and efficient, customers are asked to use a container such as a cardboard box that can be left at the Recycling Zone. The Recycling Zone is making other improvements. The popular reuse area soon will have a separate entrance with more space for people to grab free paint, pesticides, household cleaners and more. The reuse room is expected to open soon. Also, new signs inside and outside the facility will help guide customers. Recycling Zone hours are 9 a.m.–8 p.m. Wednesday, noon–8 p.m. Thursday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m.– 5 p.m. Saturday. It is closed Sunday–Tuesday. The Recycling Zone serves 174,000 Dakota County households and saw an average of 64,000 visitors per year over the past five years. In 2018, nearly 3.6 million pounds of household hazardous waste and electronics were managed at the Recycling Zone. For more information visit Dakota County’s website: www.dakotacounty, search Recycling Zone. Greener 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. Try your hand at making paper flowers with the help of the kids that can be recycled later. Perhaps skip flowers altogether and use that money toward a nice dinner. Dining out When dining out this Valentine’s Day, don’t forget to bring a to-go container from your house for the inevitable leftovers—less trash to deal with later! Photo courtesy of Dakota County Did you know you can recycle ripped, torn and stained clothing items? Thrift stores will take them and sell on the secondary market for insulation, moving blankets or maybe even dog bed stuffing. Simply put your items in a separate paper bag labeled “rags” and drop off at your nearest thrift store or USAgain Spring tree sale for Mendota Heights residents Start planning for spring! Purchase a quality shade tree for your landscape at a discounted rate of $45. Trees come in a 10 gallon potted container and have a trunk width of approximately 1” in diameter. On-line ordering begins Wednesday, March 11 at 9am. Follow the link on the City’s webpage or visit https://treetrust.org/ get-a-tree/mendotaheights/. Trees must be ordered by May 8. Pick-Up: Saturday, May 16 at the Mendota Heights Public Works Facility Availability: Ordering is limited to two trees per resident. The number of trees and tree species are limited, and available on a first- come, first-served basis. Tree Selections:  Kentucky Coffee Tree  Japanese Tree Lilac  Hackberry  Linden  Bur Oak Planting trees helps beautify Mendota Heights, replaces canopy cover lost due to Emerald Ash Borer, improves air and water quality, and provides food and habitat for birds, pollinators, and other wildlife. Earth and Arbor Day — free community event Saturday, April 25 Educational Booths and Activities City Hall | 10am – 12pm World of Wildlife – Minnesota Zoomobile Program City Hall | 11am – 11:45am Volunteer Tree Planting Event Hagstrom King Park | 1:00pm Watch for additional details on the City’s website and social media. Aeration underway at Rogers Lake — exercise caution on and near the ice The City of Mendota Heights has obtained a permit from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to install and operate an aerator on Rogers Lake during the winter months. The purpose of the aerator is to maintain healthy oxygen levels for water quality, as well as prevent winterkill of fish and other aquatic life. If using Rogers Lake during aeration operation, please exercise caution and remember ice is never 100% safe. Heed posted warning signs and stay well away from open water that may be created by the aerator. Always drill test holes periodically as you move across ice to gauge thickness. For more information on lake aeration, visit https:// www.dnr.state.mn.us/eco/lakeaeration/index.html 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 The LMRWMO wants to hear from you The Lower Mississippi River Watershed Management Organization (LMRWMO) is in the process of updating its 10-year Watershed Management Plan, and they need your input! Take 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. Please submit comments by March 1, 2020. The LMRWMO Organization provides a valuable forum for member cities to evaluate and resolve drainage and water quality issues within the watershed. To learn more visit their website: Lower Mississippi River WMO. Landscaping for clean water workshops 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. 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/.   1   The latest from the Mendota Heights Police Department FEBRUARY 6, 2020   CHIEF Kelly McCarthy CAPTAIN Wayne Wegener SERGEANTS 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 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 Those who have witnessed or had a loved­one involved in a damaging or life threatening event can experience symptoms of trauma. Maybe a loved one had a car accident, you witnessed or were a victim of a crime, or a family member had an incident that violated their sense of security. It might not happen right away, but over time, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms can develop. After an incident, the first priority is managing the aftermath —seeking medical attention, managing repairs, dealing with police and/or insurance. This uses up resources like energy, time or money, leaving us feeling unable to deal with our emotions. But emotional care is a priority too, not just for yourself, but for family members, as symptoms can also develop due to fear of a recurrence or the reality of nearly losing a loved one. You might see signs of anxiety, hyper­vigilant awareness, avoidance or withdrawal, short temper and other symptoms. MAKE MENTAL HEALTH A PRIORITY! Be good to yourself and your impacted family members by listening to them and to your own body; and allowing for time to recover. See a doctor, a therapist, do some research on the topic and find resources. It’s OK, it’s normal and it can be treated. Take the time to deal with it on the front end, because if left unchecked, PTSD can manifest more severely down the road and be­ come more damaging to you and those you love.   hƩps://www.verywellmind.com/     2           PARK/ATV VIOLATION— 2XXX APACHE ST       01/31/20, 0757 HOURS  Officers responded to take a report of an off‐road vehicle that had previously driven through a park. The  vehicle was eventually located at a residence; owner had priors for similar violaƟons.  The driver was cited  for mulƟple violaƟons stemming from the    incident.  TS—DAR — HWY 62/LEXINGTON AV        01/31/20, 0131 HOURS  Officer conducted a traffic stop. Driver originally stated he did not have his license on him or any form of  idenƟficaƟon. Driver stated he had been issued a license out of Florida. AŌer invesƟgaƟon, Officer discov‐ ered the driver was revoked out of Minnesota, was never issued a driver's license out of Florida, and had an  unserved order for protecƟon. Driver was arrested for Misdemeanor Driving AŌer RevocaƟon and was  served with his order for protecƟon noƟce. Driver was booked and released from the Dakota County Jail  and the vehicle was impounded.   DOMESTIC ASSAULT — 1080 HWY 110       01/31/20, 2345 HOURS  Officers responded to a report of domesƟc violence. Both parƟes were intoxicated and had injuries con‐ sistent with assault. AŌer speaking with both parƟes, both were taken into custody. The female was          arrested for DWI and DomesƟc Assault and the male was arrested for DomesƟc Assault.  Both were       transported with their citaƟons to jail. Cleared by two adult arrests.   DISTURBANCE — 1XXX NORTHLAND DR       02/01/20, 0236 HOURS  Officer was dispatched on a report of a commercial fire alarm. Officer arrived and guests immediately      advised the officer a woman in a green and yellow shirt was acƟng strange and pounding on doors. They  also believed she may have pulled the fire alarm. Officer made contact with the female in quesƟon who   admiƩed to pulling the fire alarm because she forgot her key and could not enter the hotel. Female was  arrested and booked and released from the Dakota County Jail.   2ND DEG DWI — HWY 62/HWY 13        02/02/20, 0236 HOURS  Officers stopped a driver for driving with a suspended drivers license. Further invesƟgaƟon showed that he  was under the influence of narcoƟcs. The driver was arrested and a blood draw search warrant was com‐ pleted. The driver was transported to the Dakota County Jail.   TS—DWI — 35E/WAGON WHEEL TRL        02/02/20, 2307 HOURS  Officer conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle with an equipment violaƟon. The adult male driver was found  to be intoxicated and placed under arrest for DWI.  DAS/WARRANT — PILOT KNOB/NORTHLAND AV      02/03/20, 0154 HOURS  Officer conducted a traffic stop. AŌer idenƟfying the driver, it was learned he had a suspended license and  a warrant for arrest. Subject was able to produce enough cash for the bail amount and was ulƟmately let  go with a new court date. Cleared with report.     3         HARASSMENT — 1XXX NORTHLAND DR       02/04/20, 2320 HOURS  Officer responded to a business for a report of harassing communicaƟons. The reporƟng party stated that  she has been receiving harassing and obscene phone calls mulƟple Ɵmes a night for a couple weeks. Officer  discovered employees of a nearby business has been receiving the same calls. InformaƟon gathered and  report wriƩen. Case acƟve.  THEFT—AUTO PARTS — 1XXX DELAWARE AVE      02/05/20, 0849 HOURS  Officers were called reference a theŌ of a catalyƟc converter from a parked vehicle. Security footage of the  area during the theŌ was reviewed but no video of evidenƟary value was found. The case is inacƟve.    CIVIL— 2XXX PILOT KNOB RD         02/05/20, 0931 HOURS  Officers received a report of party who had their photo used on the internet without their permission.  Officers reviewed the situaƟon and it was determined not to be a criminal issue. Closed as assisted/advised.  THEFT— 7XX NORTH PLAZA DR         02/05/20, 1938 HOURS  Officers were dispatched to reports of a theŌ from a restaurant. Caller reported that a male around 16 or  17 leŌ without paying for the food. Officers learned that the caller had called in the order as takeout and  was a familiar face to the business. Officers traced the phone number to a residence in Inver Grove Heights  and spoke to the suspect. Suspect's story didn't add up and he was cited for theŌ. CitaƟon was mailed to  his residence.      4   #1— REMEMBER YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LIVES OF EVERYONE AROUND YOU! #2—DO NOT SPEED! BE VIGILANT FOR POSTED SIGNS AND FOCUS ON KEEPING A STEADY, SAFE SPEED. #3—NO DISTRACTIONS! EAT AT HOME, HANDS OFF THE PHONE, LIMIT # OF PASSENGERS PER LAW! #4—MAKE TURNS CAREFULLY, ESPECIALLY LEFT TURNS, AND SIGNAL YOUR TURNS AND LANE CHANGES. #5—DRIVE WITH LIGHTS ON AT ALL TIMES TO KEEP YOU MORE VISIBLE, NO MATTER THE WEATHER OR TIME OF DAY. #6—BE A DEFENSIVE DRIVER, PREPARE FOR THE UNEXPECTED BY MAINTAINING A SAFE DISTANCE. #7—BE VIGILANT! WATCH FOR PEDESTRIANS, CYCLISTS, KIDS AND CRITTERS. #8—CALL 911 IF YOU’RE IN AN ACCIDENT OF ANY KIND. 01/31—02/06 2020 YTD Calls for Service 193 1199 Police Reports 14 129 Citations 65 226 Warnings 91 314 Response Time Average 7.80 7.36 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