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Friday News 7/17/20
City of Mendota Heights sent this bulletin at 07/17/2020 12:26 PM CDT
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FRIDAY NEWS | July 17, 2020
THE LATEST
Participants were seen enjoying good weather during this year's "virtual" race.
Modified 5K receives community support
294 participants registered for the fifteenth annual Scott Patrick Memorial 5K race, which
was held as a virtual race last weekend. Runners and walkers were able to choose their
own 3.1 mile route, but several traveled the traditional route, from The Village at Mendota
Heights, to Henry Sibley High School, and back again.
According to Race Director Neil Garlock, $9,266 was raised for Special Olympics
Minnesota. “We were disappointed that we couldn’t run a traditional race this year,” said
Garlock, "but we still had a great turnout. I am looking forward to a bigger and better
traditional race next year.”
Mark your calendars for next year's race set for June 5, 2021.
View race results for the top ten male and female finishers here.
Thank you to all who participated in the virtual Officer Scott Patrick Memorial 5K Walk/Run
for Special Olympics Minnesota! If you missed the event, there's still time to purchase this
year's race T-shirt for $10 each at City Hall during regular business hours (7 a.m. - 4:30
p.m. M-Th, 7 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. F). Pay by cash, credit card, or check (payable to City of
Mendota Heights); shirts are available while supplies last.
Continue to Stay Safe Mendota
Heights
Minnesota’s Stay Safe order is in effect. It is important
to note that protections for those in our communities
that are most vulnerable to the virus are still in place
and are those at greatest risk of serious illness are
encouraged to continue staying home. For more
information visit mn.gov/covid19.
VOTE NOW by Absentee
Absentee voting for the August 11 primary is available for
those who wish to vote before election day. Due to
COVID-19, residents are encouraged to vote by mail this
year if possible.
There are two ways to vote absentee:
Absentee Vote by Mail
Apply for an absentee ballot at MNVotes.org. After applying for your ballot it will be mailed to
your home and it can be returned right away.
Absentee Vote in Person
Absentee voting is underway through August 10 at City Hall during regular business hours.
Extended hours will be available:
Saturday, August 8, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Monday, August 10, until 5 pm.
In-person voters may experience longer wait times to allow for new safety procedures.
Residents encouraged to preregister to vote by July
21
The Minnesota State Primary will take place August 11. If you are not already registered to
vote, you may preregister up until 5 p.m. on July 21. After that date, you must register at
the polls or when you cast your absentee ballot. Voter registration can be completed online
at MNVotes.org, or print out a paper form and mail it in. If you are unsure if you are
registered to vote, you can also check your registration status at this website.
You will need to register if you have never voted before, if you have changed your name or
address since you last voted (including moving to another apartment in the same building),
or if you have not voted in four years.
Minnesota does allow voters to register on Election Day at the polls with the required
identification, however voters are encouraged to preregister as much as possible.
Filing for City Offices begins July 28
The filing period for Mayor (2 year term) and two City Council seats (4 year terms) begins at
7 a.m. on Tuesday, July 28, 2020 and ends at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, August 11, 2020. The
filing fee is $5.00. Candidates must file an Affidavit of Candidacy with the City Clerk’s office.
The requirements for running for public office include:
Candidate must be eligible to vote in Minnesota.
Candidate is, or will be on assuming the office, 21 years of age or older.
Maintained residence in Mendota Heights for 30 days before the General Election.
Candidates’ names will be placed on the November 3, 2020 General Election ballot. Link to
the public notice here.
Upcoming MAC Summer Listening Session
The public is invited to join the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) via Skype on
Wednesday, July 22, at 6 p.m. for the MSP Summer Listening Session. The Noise
Oversight Committee (NOC) sponsors these quarterly meetings for citizens to allow for an
engaging, two-way dialogue between the public and the MAC committee tasked with
addressing MSP airport noise topics. Link to the meeting agenda and call-in details.
Recent highlights:
The Mendota Heights Par 3 golf course is open for play with new safety rules; tee
times required (call 651-454-9822).
Putting in a backyard swimming pool this summer? What you need to know about
permits.
Locate free lunches for children and students using this interactive map.
Apply for a census job; pay starts at $22/hour in Dakota County.
Dakota County extends protective equipment donation drive; donate items at
Western Service Center and all Library locations.
NATURAL RESOURCES
Why is the pond green and smelly?
This time of year and into early fall, you may notice your local stormwater pond or wetland is
becoming more green and less attractive, and may even be producing an unpleasant odor.
This is mainly due to high amounts of algae, which increase with high temperatures and
large storm events that wash nutrients and other pollutants into our surface waters.
What is a stormwater pond and how does it differ from a wetland?
Stormwater detention ponds are designed and constructed to reduce flooding and treat
stormwater runoff before it enters our lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands. They are
manmade features that trap sediments and other pollutants carried by rainwater runoff from
paved surfaces such as roads and parking lots, as well as lawns and roofs. Some of these
pollutants include oil, bacteria, fertilizer, heavy metals, and organic contaminants such as
animal waste, grass clippings, and leaves. Wetlands are naturally-occurring wet areas.
Sometimes wetlands hold water year-round, and others are only wet seasonally or for a
short period of time. Like stormwater ponds, they also aid in providing storage for flood
waters, but they are not manmade and have not been excavated or designed for
stormwater treatment. Wetlands are protected under the Minnesota Wetland Conservation
Act (WCA), which prohibits filling, draining, or otherwise disturbing a wetland without a
permit. Before the WCA came into effect, wetlands were often excavated to be used as
stormwater ponds, and still are used as such. However, these ponds are still protected by
the WCA as wetlands.
How can I reduce the amount of algae and pollutants in my stormwater pond or
wetland?
Collect leaves, grass clippings, and other yard waste and dispose of them properly, or
mulch what you can into your lawn and garden. Don’t allow grass clippings, leaves,
and other yard waste to runoff into the street, storm drain, and into your pond or other
surface water.
Pick up after your pets regularly on your own property, and always pick up after them
while out on walks.
Install a raingarden, or redirect your downspouts off of paved surfaces and onto
gardens and landscaped areas instead.
Create a native plant buffer around your stormwater pond or wetland.
What’s that blooming?
Have you noticed a white flowering plant recently blooming,
perhaps along roadsides, trails, or woodland edges? It may
be Japanese Hedge Parsley. Japanese Hedge Parsley is
an invasive flowering plant with tiny, white clusters of
flowers. The leaves are alternate, and look similar to parsley
or carrot that stay green until late fall. In its second year
plants grow to two to six feet in height. If you think you have
these invasive plants on your property, do what you can to
remove them in order to control their spread. They are
easily hand-pulled, but you may need to use a broad-leaf
herbicide for large infestations. If you are unsure if you have
invasive plants in your yard, City Staff can help you with
identification. You can also report sightings at mda.state.mn.us/plants-insects/arrest-pest.
There are also additional resources available through the Minnesota Department of
Agriculture mda.state.mn.us/plants-insects/noxious-invasive-weed-program.
For more information on invasive plants contact Natural Resources Technician Krista
Spreiter, CWD, kristas@mendota-heights.com or 651-255-1123.
Recent highlights
Learn about the Emerald Ash Borer discounted treatment program available for
residents in partnership with Rainbow Tree Care.
Tree planting at Hagstrom King Park through the Minnesota Department of Natural
Resources Tree Planting Grant.
Keep surface waters clean by adopting a neighborhood storm drain.
Attend a virtual Landscaping for Clean Water introductory or maintenance workshop;
apply for $250 in grants and on-site assistance
MnDOT stormwater repairs at Valley Park
RECYCLING
Tire collection event a success
Thank you to all who participated in the event on July 12. Residents dropped off 147 tires
for recycling, keeping the community clean and eliminating sources of pooled water that
attract mosquito breeding. If you missed the event, bring tires to The Recycling Zone in
Eagan.
Plastic bags
Due to market conditions, City Hall is NOT accepting plastic bags for recycling at this time.
How to store sweet corn
Leave husks on fresh corn cobs and store them open in the
refrigerator. Eat them as soon as you can, as they lose
flavor and texture quickly. Buy corn when it’s in season and
store it in the freezer by blanching, cutting from the cob, and
transferring to an airtight container. For more tips on food
storage, visit Eureka Recycling’s website.
FIRE DEPARTMENT NEWS
Apply to become a firefighter: attend
an informational session this week
Are you looking for a way to give back to your community? The
Mendota Heights Fire Department is accepting applications to
g p p g pp
become a firefighter until 4 p.m. on July 27. Learn more about this
exciting opportunity by viewing the video above.
Informational sessions are being offered for interested candidates to
attend. These will be held at the Fire Station and reservations are
required:
July 21, 7 - 9 p.m.
July 22, 8 - 10 a.m.
July 23, 7 - 9 p.m.
For complete details and to RSVP for an informational session, visit mendota-
heights.com/employment.
POLICE DEPARTMENT NEWS
Just the Facts
Incident reports 7/10/20 - 7/16/20
Previous Just the Facts publications are available in the
Laserfiche archive system on the City's website.
Sign up for emergency alerts
The Emergency Alert Program is available through the Dakota Communications Center
(DCC) at mn-dcc.org/community-notification/.
For immediate public safety response and non-
emergency police assistance call 9-1-1
The Police Department will also continue to process requests for police reports, gun
permits, etc. Link to the forms under Public Resources at mendota-heights.com/police.
Completed forms and general questions can be submitted via email to
pdrecords@mendota-heights.com.
PARKS & RECREATION
The Teddy Bear Band is
coming to town
July 29, 6-7 p.m. at Mendakota Park
At this free community event enjoy socially-distanced
interaction with this family-friendly band, whose mission
is to help children gain and maintain a positive sense of
self, and develop an appreciation of their own abilities. Participants are encouraged to bring
their own teddy bear or stuffed friend. This event is limited to 240 (non-bear) participants.
Summer Safety Camps go virtual
Safety Camps have been shifted to an online experience this year. Join the West St. Paul
and Mendota Heights Police Departments (MHPD), South Metro Fire Department, Mendota
Heights Fire Department, and other great community organizations to learn about fire
safety, public safety, nature safety, and more through engaging videos. In addition to the
videos, children will have the option to participate in up to three live Q&A sessions with the
MHPD at varying times. Choose to attend all three Q&A sessions or tune into one to ask
questions, get answers, and interact with officers and other camp participants. Q&A
sessions will last about 30 minutes. Participants will also receive a supply and swag bag
with a Safe Kids Safety Camp t-shirt, snacks, craft and activity supplies, and more. The bag
will need to be picked up curbside at City Hall on the specified date.
Little Tykes Camp
Grades K-2 | Cost $15
Online link active July 31-August 21
Swag bag pickup July 30 at City Hall, 9-10am or 5-6pm
Register by July 24: secure.rec1.com/MN/mendota-heights-mn/catalog
Safe Kids Camp
Grades 3-5 | Cost: $15 (reduced rate)
Online link active August 18-September 8
Swag bag pickup August 17 at City Hall, 9-10am or 5-6pm
Register by August 10: secure.rec1.com/MN/mendota-heights-mn/catalog
Summer recreation
registration
Registration is open. Please note that
programs/events may be subject to change
based on state and federal safety
guidelines. Browse programs &
register: secure.rec1.com/MN/mendota-heights-mn/catalog.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Public Meetings
Meeting changes or cancellations are noted on the City's website mendota-
heights.com/calendar. Meetings take place at City Hall unless otherwise noted. Meeting
attendees should adhere to the posted City Hall safety guidelines and be aware that
capacity in the City Council Chambers will be limited. As much as possible, the community
is encouraged to continue watching broadcasted meetings live on Cable Channel 18 or
online at townsquare.tv/webstreaming (available live or for replay).
City Council Work Session July 21, 4 p.m.
City Council (Regular Meeting) July 21, 5 p.m.
Planning Commission July 28, 7 p.m.
City Council August 4, 5 p.m.
City Business Hours
City Hall Business Hours: Monday - Thursday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. | Friday 7-11:30 a.m.
Police Department Business Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
City Hall Contact Information
Official Website of the City of Mendota Heights, Minnesota
1101 Victoria Curve Mendota Heights, MN 55118
Phone: 651-452-1850
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