2020-08-28 Friday News0
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Friday News 8/28/20
City of Mendota Heights sent this bulletin at 08/28/2020 12:06 PM CDT
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FRIDAY NEWS | August 28, 2020
THE LATEST
Practice safety when using or driving by pedestrian islands. Pictured above is the island on Dodd Road at the
intersection with Wagon Wheel Trail and Decorah Lane.
Pedestrian island safety. . .
The City periodically receives comments about the traffic island which has been constructed
on Dodd Road at the intersection with Wagon Wheel Trail and Decorah Lane. Concerns are
often raised on social media about the number of times that traffic signs have been knocked
down by passing traffic, and whether it is safe for pedestrians.
The island was constructed by MNDOT in 2018 as a pedestrian safety feature. Without it,
walkers seeking to cross Dodd Road had to wait for traffic to clear in both directions before
starting across. The construction of the island provides an ability to safely cross half the
road width (one traffic lane, and the turn lane) at a time. This is similar to the traffic island on
Lexington which was constructed a number of years ago, by City Hall.
The City is aware of five times that one or more signs have been damaged by passing
traffic. The majority of the times that the signs are damaged are as a result of left turning
traffic from Wagon Wheel Trail onto north-bound Dodd, cutting the corner too tightly.
Another instance was a result of vehicle sliding during a snow storm. In each case, MNDOT
was summoned to replace the damaged signs.
Pedestrians crossing Dodd Road should always watch for traffic, and cross only when it is
safe. Professional traffic engineers believe that the addition of the traffic island makes the
ability to cross Dodd Road safer.
Candidate forum announced
Submit questions by Sept 3
Town Square Television is hosting an upcoming candidate forum for Mendota Heights
Mayor and City Council candidates. The public is encouraged to submit questions for
possible use during the forum to townsquare.tv/shows/2020-candidate-forums by Thursday,
September 3.
Watch the forum LIVE on Thursday, September 10 at 8:30 p.m. via Comcast Xfinity Channel
14, online at townsquare.tv/webstreaming, or at Town Square Television's Facebook page.
Election information
Preregister to vote
Residents are encouraged to preregister to vote if they are
not already registered. You may preregister up until 5 p.m.
on October 13, 2020. After that date, you must register
when you vote. To check your registration status or to
register visit MNVotes.org. You can also print out a paper form or obtain a paper form from
City Hall.
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.
Apply for an absentee (early) voting ballot
To vote by mail, visit MNVotes.org to apply for an absentee ballot to be mailed to you.
In-person absentee (early) voting begins Sept. 18
Vote at City Hall beginning Friday, Sept 18. Voting will be available during regular business
hours, 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 7 to 11:30 a.m. on Fridays. Extended
absentee voting hours will be available Saturday, October 31, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and
Monday, Nov 2, until 5 p.m.
Recent highlights:
How to use the Reduced Conflict Intersection around the Crown Point neighborhood.
Door-to-door soliciting in Mendota Heights: what's allowed and what isn't.
Review these regulations on the placement of campaign yard signs.
Officer Scott Patrick Memorial 5K T-shirts available for sale while supplies last.
Dakota County extends protective equipment donation drive; donate items at
Western Service Center and all Library locations.
RECYCLING
Thanks for your clothing and shoe
donations
The shoe and clothing recycling event was a success this year.
8,169 pounds of clothing was collected from all of the participating
cities to be recycled or reused. If you missed the event, you can
find permanent drop boxes around the community by visiting
USAgain’s website and typing in your zip code.
Did you know?
Forty percent of all food in America is wasted. The average family of four loses $1,500 per
year on wasted food. Reduce the amount your household tosses by knowing how to store
food properly to extend its shelf life, and only buying what you need. Visit
SaveTheFood.com for great shopping and storage tips, along with recipes to use up those
odds and ends in your fridge.
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NATURAL RESOURCES
Photo by Peter Myers courtesy of Great River Greening.
Help remove invasive brush at Copperfield Ponds
Great River Greening is seeking volunteers to help remove invasives, including Amur Maple
and buckthorn, at Copperfield Ponds on Saturday, October 10. Volunteers will be able to
see their progress in real time as they open up trail views by clearing the dense understory
of invasive species and creating space for native plant restoration. Amur Maple is a species
native to China and Japan, which is widely planted as an ornamental shrub. Like buckthorn,
it has escaped its landscape setting to invade our natural areas.
The event will take place over three shifts: 7:30-9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., and 1:30-
3:30 p.m. Face coverings and distancing will be required. Preregistration is required at
givepulse.com/event/195464.
Refer a friend promotion
Adopt-a-drain has kept our local waterways cleaner and
healthier with 7,000+ storm drain adopters who have
adopted over 12,000 drains, keeping over 200,000 pounds
of debris out of our lakes, rivers and streams.
Their largest community outreach effort, The Minnesota
State Fair, was cancelled this year, so they're hoping you
can help spread the word! If you've already adopted a drain,
refer a friend to do so also. For any new adopter that names
you as their referrer when they sign up between now and Labor Day (9/7/2020), both you
and the new adopter will receive a free Adopt-a-Drain tote bag—perfect for showing off your
dedication to the environment (while supplies last). They can find adoptable storm drains
near them and sign up in just a few minutes by visting adopt-a-drain.org.
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.
MnDOT stormwater repairs at Valley Park
POLICE DEPARTMENT NEWS
Just the Facts
Incident reports 8/21/20 - 8/27/20
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.
Face coverings available for purchase while
supplies last
Purchase a limited-edition MHPD neck-gaiter-turned-face-mask for $10.00 each at the
Mendota Heights Par 3 golf course, 1695 Dodd Road in Mendota Heights. The face
coverings are being sold at cost and must be purchased with a credit or debit card.
PARKS & RECREATION
Free outdoor movie night
Saturday, September 12 | 7:30 p.m.
Mendakota Park
Enjoy The Lion King on the big screen (the 2019 remake of
the original animated classic). Bring a blanket and snacks,
and watch the show under the stars! There will be limited
attendance capacity and tickets will be handed out at the
park before the show, with social-distancing measures in
place.
View the COVID-19 Preparedness Plan for this event.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
City Hall and Public Works will be closed on Monday, September 7 for Labor Day.
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 Sept 1, 6 p.m. (Note change in start time)
Parks & Recreation Commission September 8, 6:30 p.m.
City Council Sept 15, 6 p.m.
Airport Relations Commission Sept 16, 6 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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