2020-12-18 Friday NewsFriday News 12/18/20
City of Mendota Heights sent this bulletin at 12/18/2020 01:23 PM CST
Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.
FRIDAY NEWS | December 18, 2020
THE LATEST
City Administrator Mark McNeill (pictured right) presented a plaque of appreciation to retiring Mayor Neil Garlock, in
recognition of his service, during the December 15 City Council meeting.
In recognition of service
Mayor Garlock received recognition at the City Council meeting of December 15, 2020, to
honor his past four years of dedicated service to the community. He will be retiring as mayor
at the end of this year.
Liz Petschel was also recognized for her nearly ten years of dedicated and extensive
service as a City Councilor.
The City hopes to hold a recognition event for each at a later date. If you missed the awards
presentations they can be viewed here.
John Mazzitello appointed to City
Council
At its meeting on December 15, 2020, the City Council
appointed John Mazzitello to fill a seat vacancy through the
remainder of its term, ending December 31, 2022. Councilor
Mazzitello was immediately sworn in and participated in the
meeting. He most recently served on the City's Planning
Commission, and was previously the City's public works
director/city engineer for eight years.
Subscribe to updates from City of Mendota Heights
Email Address Subscribe
Share Bulletin
2021 final budget is adopted
At its December 1 meeting, the City Council adopted the final budget and levy for Fiscal
Year 2021.
The total amount of the approved budget is $10,482,617. This reflects a 4.32% increase
over the 2020 budget.
For the average-priced home in Mendota Heights (valued at $426,600), the city portion of
property taxes will increase by $45 in 2021.
Because of future economic uncertainties caused by the pandemic, earlier this year the City
Council had directed that a conservative budget be prepared. The resulting budget includes
no new employee positions, but does include money for the 4th of July fireworks, and the
summer concert series at Mendakota Park.
Significant one-time expenditures, including equipment and funding of the second phase of
the Natural Resources Plan update, totaled $469,200. $225,000 of that is to replace the
self-contained breathing apparatus systems that is needed by the Fire Department for
breathing gear which will no longer be OSHA-approved as of March 1.
Funding for these capital expenditures will come from a portion of the proceeds of the sale
of lots in the Village, where the Linden residential development is currently being
constructed.
More details can be accessed HERE.
Dial Back modifications announced
On December 16, 2020, Governor Walz announced modifications to Minnesota's recent Dial
Back.
Beginning Saturday, December 19:
Social Gatherings: Two households may gather indoors, 10 people max. Three
households may gather outdoors, 15 people max. Masks are strongly encouraged
and social distancing must be maintained.
Restaurants and Bars: Indoor dining continues to be closed to the public. You can
continue to support Mendota Heights businesses using drive thru, curbside, takeout,
and delivery. Outdoor dining may resume at 50% capacity, 100 people max. All
establishments must close outdoor service between 10:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m.
Gyms and Fitness Studios: May open with restrictions.
Youth Sports: Teams may resume practices on January 4.
For more information and complete details: Minnesota's Stay Safe Plan | Executive Order 20-103
Find a free COVID-19 community testing event
The Minnesota Department of Health is hosting both saliva and nasal swab testing events
throughout Minnesota. Tests are free and insurance is not required.
Visit mn.gov/covid19/for-minnesotans/if-sick/testing-locations/index.jsp for more
information.
Learn more about the COVIDaware MN app
You can help protect your community and add your phone to the fight against COVID-19
today! It’s free. It’s anonymous. It helps slow the spread of the coronavirus in our
communities. Visit covidawaremn.com for more information.
The City is accepting applications to fill
Commission vacancies
Application deadline December 31, 2020; two positions now open for the
Planning Commission
One opening will exist on the Parks and Recreation Commission. The term will start in
February 2021, and run for three years. The commission advises the City Council on
matters pertaining to parks and recreational programs, establishes regulations for the use
and operation of the parks and recreational facilities and prepares plans for the
and operation of the parks and recreational facilities, and prepares plans for the
improvement of the parks and recreational facilities. Meetings are held the second Tuesday
of every month beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Two openings will exist on the Planning Commission. One opening is to fill the remainder of
a seat vacated by newly appointed Councilor John Mazzitello, which will expire January 31,
2023. The other opening is for a term that will start in February 2021, and run for three
years. The Planning Commission reviews applications on general matters of planning,
zoning, development plans, transportation issues, and platting. The Planning Commission
holds public hearings and makes recommendations to the City Council for formal action.
The Planning Commission also plays a key role in comprehensive planning and
amendments to the zoning code. The majority of this Commission’s work relates to
conditional use permits, variances, critical area permits and wetlands permits for properties,
which can range from simple accessory structures up to large development plans. Meetings
are held on the fourth Tuesday of every month beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Interested persons should submit a letter of interest and a current resume to City
Administrator McNeill (markm@mendota-heights.com) no later than Thursday, December
31, 2020. Questions can be directed to City Administrator Mark McNeill at 651-452-1850.
Parks and Recreation Commission seeking student
representative
High school sophomores or juniors encouraged to apply by February 1,
2021
The Parks and Recreation Commission is accepting applications for a student
representative to serve in an advisory capacity. A student representative must be a
Mendota Heights resident attending one of the three high schools located in the city, and
preferably be a sophomore or junior. The student representative will serve as a
communication link for ideas, observations, concerns, satisfactions and questions to the
commission, and is a non-voting commission member that attends regularly scheduled
meetings. This one-year term begins upon appointment and ends May 31, 2022.
If you, or someone you know is interested in serving, contact Assistant City Administrator
Cheryl Jacobson by calling 651-452-1850. Interested parties should submit a letter of
interest and a current resume to Cheryl Jacobson no later than 4 p.m. on February 1, 2021.
Public meeting announcements
City Council meetings to continue at 6 p.m. start time
The City Council will continue to hold its regular meetings beginning at 6 p.m. moving
forward. Until further notice, these regular meetings will be available both online and in
person.
City Council special meeting scheduled for December 30, 2020 at 1 p.m.
In addition to some end-of-year business, the City Council is also expected to consider and
potentially approve modifications to the 2040 Comprehensive Plan update. Check the City
website for information on how to watch; public observers will be accommodated in the
Council Chambers.
Coming soon to your
mailbox
Be on the lookout for the Winter issue of Heights
Highlights to arrive in the mail. This issue
features:
A farewell from retiring Mayor Garlock
Spotlight on the Historic Pilot Knob Task
Force
Answers to snow removal questions
Tips on winter tree and shrub care
Cozy winter reads to uncover our natural
world
And more!
Next issue of Friday News will be January 8, 2021
Due to the holidays, there will not be a Friday News published for the next two weeks.
Watch for the next issue on January 8, 2021.
RECYCLING
One large load of string lights has already been dropped off for recycling.
Ends January 31
Thanks for keeping these tanglers out of the
trash and recycling carts!
We've already collected 292 pounds of holiday lights
for this drive, and it's still going! As you begin taking
lights down for the holidays swing by City Hall during
business hours and drop any broken or unwanted
lights into the collection barrel for recycling. In addition to holiday lights, you can drop
off electrical cords, appliance cords, and phone cords through the end of January. Lights
attached to wreaths, holly or trees must be removed first. Holiday lights are also accepted
year round at The Recycling Zone in Eagan.
NATURAL RESOURCES
Congratulations to our local Minnesota Water
Steward accepted applicants
Thank you and congratulations to the Lower Mississippi River Watershed Management
Organization's (LMRWMO) new Minnesota Water Steward accepted applicants! They will
begin their training in the new year:
Dan Trudeau, Mendota Heights
Erik Peterson, Mendota Heights
Analiese Miller, West Saint Paul
Camille Morse Nicholson, Saint Paul
Minnesota Water Stewards are certified community members that have gained the
knowledge and skills needed to help educate their fellow community members to improve
water health. The program was developed by the Freshwater Society in 2013.
Each year the Lower Mississippi River WMO sponsors at least two citizens to become
Minnesota Water Stewards. Stewards are certified by thorough training curriculum designed
by professionals in the fields of hydrology, stormwater management, groundwater health,
water policy, community-based social marketing, Landscape assessment and installation of
clean water practices.
City of Mendota Heights Natural Resources
Management Plan update
The City of Mendota Heights is currently updating its Natural Resources Management Plan
(NRMP). The plan will serve as a tool to help guide the City in creating decisions and
actions to conserve and manage its natural resources into the future. There will be a public
hearing and presentation on the draft of the Natural Resources Management Plan at the
City Council meeting on January 12, 2021. Watch for a copy of the NRMP draft to be posted
for review on the City’s website prior to the City Council meeting. Learn more about the
plan.
Look for small, yellow-brown spots on the underside of the needles. Photo from the Minnesota Department of
Agriculture.
Properly dispose of holiday greens when the
season is over
Elongate hemlock scales are very small insects that secrete a waxy coating for defense and
feed on the sap from plants. Please do your part to protect our environment when the
holiday season is over.
Inspect your holiday greenery for elongate hemlock scale. If you find small (~2mm
long) yellow-brown parallel-sided spots on the underside of needles, please take a
picture and report it to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) using
the Arrest the Pest Line.
Do not toss trees and greenery into backyard woods or your compost pile.
Use an organized tree and greenery pick-up or burn the greens. If burning please
follow the City's Recreational Fire Guidelines.
Recent highlights
Keep leaves and other debris from polluting waters; sign up to Adopt-a-Drain today.
Fall is the perfect time for buckthorn removal. Learn how to identify and remove this
invasive from your property.
POLICE DEPARTMENT NEWS
Just the Facts
Incident reports 12/11/20 - 12/17/20 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/.
Stay in touch through Nextdoor
As a way to reach more of the community and specific neighborhoods, in addition to their
popular Facebook page MHPD has expanded their social media channels to include
Nextdoor. Nextdoor accounts are verified based on your address, and the platform is
already used by 40% of the households in Mendota Heights. Learn more and sign up
at nextdoor.com.
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
Update on outdoor ice rinks and warming houses
Outdoor hockey and pleasure skating rinks are in the process of being flooded, however
due to warm temperatures it is unknown when these may open. Additionally, due to current
public health guidance and regulations, warming houses cannot open yet. Watch for
updates on Parks & Recreation's Facebook page and stay in touch by calling the ice
rink/warming house hotline at 651-255-1174.
Participate in a fun and free
weekly competition
It's a battle between Mendota Heights and West
Saint Paul's Parks and Recreation to see who will
win the Quarantine Cup! Receive a weekly activity
for your household to do on Mendota Heights
Parks & Recreation's Facebook page. Respond
as directed in the post to earn points for our city.
As you participate in activities, please remember
to follow all COVID safety guidelines.
Quarantine Cup Week #3: Post Your Pets
For many of us, our pets have been most of our social life in 2020. Post a pic of the furry,
feathered or scaly loved ones that have been keeping you company on Park & Rec's
Facebook page by Monday, December 21 at 9 a.m.
West St. Paul took the win over Mendota Heights for week #2, but it's still a win as we share
the wonderful cards and letters received with our community members.
Winter recreation programs
See what's coming up for winter fun and register for open programs
at secure.rec1.com/MN/mendota-heights-mn/catalog. Please note that programs may
change at any time in response to public health guidance and regulations.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Upcoming Holiday Closures:
City Hall | Dec. 24 & 25, Jan. 1
Public Works | December 25, Jan. 1
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 watch City Council, Planning Commission, and Parks & Recreation
Commission meetings live on Cable Channel 18, online
at townsquare.tv/webstreaming (available live or for replay), or through dial-in when offered.
Select Airport Relations Commission meetings are broadcast on Cable Channel 19.
Occasionally broadcasted channels may change; check Town Square Television's listings
for updates.
City Council Special Meeting | December 30, 1:00 p.m.
Parks and Recreation | Jan. 5, 6:30 p.m.
City Council | January 12, 6:00 p.m.
City Council | January 19, 6:00 p.m.
Planning Commission | January 26, 7:00 p.m.
City Business Hours
City Hall: Monday - Thursday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. | Friday 7-11:30 a.m.
Police Department: 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
Stay Connected with the City of Mendota Heights:
SUBSCRIBER SERVICES: Manage Subscriptions | Help | Unsubscribe from all Topics
Powered by
Privacy Policy | Cookie Statement | Help