2021-01-29 Friday NewsFriday News 1/29/21
City of Mendota Heights sent this bulletin at 01/29/2021 01:19 PM CST
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FRIDAY NEWS | January 29, 2021
THE LATEST
Pond restoration underway
Cold and dry conditions this week allowed for good progress on two storm pond restoration
projects. The ponds at Lexington/Marie, and the Sutton neighborhood are being dredged by
S. M. Hentges & Sons Inc. to remove sediments which have accumulated over the years.
Completion of the work will restore the ponds to their design capacity.
The City typically budgets for this type of restoration work to be done on two ponds
annually. Work must be done under frozen conditions.
Learn more about sediment reduction and steps that you can take to improve surface water
quality in today's Natural Resources section.
COVID-19 vaccine information
Find information from the state on vaccine data, distribution process, and phase schedule
here. You can also access information and answers to questions on the Minnesota
Department of Health's vaccination webpage.
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/get-tested/testing-locations/index.jsp for more information.
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Update on filling City commission vacancies
The City Council interviewed five finalists for two openings on the Planning Commission,
and four finalists for one opening on the Parks and Recreation Commission by virtual
means on Wednesday, January 27. Formal appointments will be made at the February 2
City Council meeting.
Applications being accepted for the Dakota County
Small Business Relief Grant Program
Apply for the newest round through 5 p.m. Feb. 12, 2021
Mendota Heights small businesses that have been impacted financially by COVID-19 are
encouraged to apply; many small businesses, including bars, restaurants, and home-based
ones, may be eligible. While many Mendota Heights businesses have already received
grant assistance, there are still some that may be eligible and have not applied. If you don't
know if you are eligible or have questions, please call 651-675-4481 or
email smallbusiness@dakotacda.org. For details and application information visit Dakota
County's Small Business Relief Grant Program page.
Recent highlights
The Federal Aviation Administration is seeking input on the results of a national
Neighborhood Environmental Survey showing an increase in airplane noise
annoyance at lower noise levels; link here to the survey and comment by March 15,
2021.
Use caution on and near the ice at Rogers Lake, and follow posted signage while
aeration is underway.
The Parks and Recreation Commission is seeking a student representative; high
school sophomores or juniors encouraged to apply by February 1.
RECYCLING
It's easier than ever to recycle
Watch Insight 7's story on how Dakota County residents can reduce, reuse, and recycle,
and hear from Recycling Coordinator Cassandra Johnson on how a variety of local, multi-
city collection events are making it easier than ever: vimeo.com/499730820.
Upcoming recycling events
Dakota County Virtual Fix-It Clinic
Saturday, Feb. 20, 10 a.m.–noon | Register
Dakota County Live Green: Food Preservation (via Zoom)
Saturday, Feb. 27, 2–3:30 p.m.
Paper Shred Event
Saturday, April 10, 9 a.m.–noon | West St. Paul Sports Complex
NATURAL RESOURCES
Natural Resources Management Plan: Phase 1 Draft
available
Public presentation Feb. 2, 2021
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. The public
presentation on the NRMP Phase 1 draft will be at the City Council meeting on February 2,
2021, which begins at 6 p.m. The council will be asked to authorize a "Notice to Proceed"
for the remaining Phase 2 of the NRMP.
View the NRMP Phase 1 draft.
Steps you can take to improve surface water quality
You may have noticed some work happening in and around two of the City’s Stormwater
Ponds: The pond at the corner of Sutton Lane and Marie Avenue, and the pond at
Lexington Avenue and Marie Avenue. The City has hired a contractor to maintain these
ponds in conjunction with the Marie Avenue Road Improvements Project. This work is a
requirement of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, under the City’s Municipal Separate
Storm Sewer System (MS4) general permit. The work will include removing sediment that
has accumulated over time, in order to restore the stormwater basins to their original
functioning capacity.
Sediment and other pollutants enter stormwater ponds through storm drains located along
the curb in the street, and sometimes within open areas. Your home, yard, driveway, and
other areas on your property that collect rain water or snow melt drain to a storm drain near
your home. Keeping sediment and other pollutants out of streets, and those areas that drain
to the street and storm drains, increases the life of our stormwater ponds and saves on the
cost of maintenance. It also improves the water quality of our stormwater ponds and other
surface waters; benefiting aquatic life and improving the water quality in our lakes, rivers,
streams, and wetlands. Improved surface water quality also reduces algae and foul smells
for those that live near, or utilize our ponds, lakes, rivers and other surface waters.
Simple things you can do to help:
Keep leaves, grass, sediment, excess deicers and salt, and other pollutants off of
hard surfaces including streets, sidewalks, and driveways. Never dump anything in or
near a storm drain.
Use salt and deicers wisely. Only apply what is needed, and when effective. Road
salt is ineffective below 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Sweep up extra salt and re-use.
Use fertilizers and lawn chemicals sparingly. Instead of treating your entire lawn,
spot-spray weeds instead.
Clean up after your pet.
Visit adopt-a-drain.org and sign up to adopt a drain near your home. It’s easy and
requires approximately 15 minutes every two weeks.
Smart salting for our surface
waters
As you may have noticed, winter is in full-swing!
Keeping roads, walkways, and other paved surfaces
safe for drivers and pedestrians during times of snow
and ice are important. However, sometimes more de-
icing salt is used than what is necessary. This can be
harmful to our surface waters; including lakes, streams,
rivers, and wetlands, and the fish and wildlife that
depend on them. Only ONE teaspoon of salt can
permanently pollute FIVE GALLONS of water. This
includes our surface waters, such as our lakes, streams
and rivers. Chloride contamination from de-icing salt can
harm fish and other aquatic life and interfere with lake
turnover, leading to further water quality degradation. If chloride infiltrates into our aquifers
and other ground water sources, it can pollute our drinking water.
You can help to reduce over-salting and protect our surface waters by doing the following:
Do not over-apply! Use only four pounds per 1,000 square feet.
Use salt only when it will be affective. More salt does not mean less ice! Typical
deicing salt is only affective at 15 degrees Fahrenheit and above.
Shovel! The sooner and more snow you remove, the less ice is formed, and the
less salt is needed.
Choose a snow removal service that is certified by the MPCA in Level 1-Snow and
Ice Control Best Practices.
Sweep up extra salt and reuse it!
For more information on how you can help: Use de-icing salt sparingly to protect Minnesota
waters
POLICE DEPARTMENT NEWS
Just the Facts
Incident reports 1/22/21 - 1/28/21 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.
FIRE DEPARTMENT NEWS
New display sign is
live
Driving by the Fire Station you may
have noticed that the new electronic
display sign is running. The Fire
Department will be using this to
communicate fire safety and
prevention information, as well as
important City news and events.
Messaging on the sign is limited to
Fire Department, City, and general
public announcements. It is not
available for non-City or promotional messages.
PARKS & RECREATION
Three different designs are being considered for Marie Park; there's still time to vote for your favorite.
Help select the new playground design at Marie
Park
Vote for your favorite by 8 a.m. on Feb. 1, 2021
A subcommittee of the Parks and Recreation Commission and City staff have been working
with qualified vendors through a Request for Proposal process on a redesign of the
playground at Marie Park, located at 1780 Lilac Lane in Mendota Heights. The current
playground will be removed and a new playground is anticipated to be installed by June 1,
2021. There are three designs being considered, and your input is requested to help steer
the decision-making process on selecting a design that best fits our community needs.
While they might all be fun, your voting is limited to only one!
Two Open Houses were held this past week and thank you to all who participated. If you
have not already voted for your favorite playground design, you can review the designs
and vote via Polco by 8 a.m. Monday, February 1.
Athletic field and facility permit use requests
Due Feb. 1 for use March through July 2021
Permit requests to use City athletic fields and facilities from March through July 2021 are
due Monday, February 1. Reservations received after the deadline will be handled on a first-
come, first-serve basis. More information and application forms are available at mendota-
heights.com/parksrecreation.
Warming houses/ice skating
Warming houses are open at Friendly Hills Park and Marie Park. Due to capacity limitations,
the warming house at Wentworth Park is closed for the season.
Warming House Hours:
Monday thru Friday 4 - 9 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Sunday Noon - 6 p.m.
Rink lights are on automatic timers from dusk until 9 p.m., 7 days a week
Stay safe before heading to the rinks:
Call the ice rink/warming house hotline at 651-255-1174 for conditions and updates
Dress for the weather, bring proper gear, and plan your time outdoors according to
temperature and weather
The City has three hockey and three pleasure rinks located at:
Friendly Hills Park | 2360 Pueblo Lane
Marie Park | 1780 Lilac Lane
Wentworth Park | 739 Wentworth Ave (Warming house closed)
Let's get skating!
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
City Hall and Public Works will be closed Monday, February 15 in
observance of Presidents' 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 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 | February 2, 6:00 p.m.
City Council Work Session | February 9, 3:15 p.m.
Parks & Recreation Commission | February 9, 6:30 p.m.
City Council | February 16, 6:00 p.m.
Planning Commission | February 23, 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.
Public Works Building: Monday - Friday, 7 a.m.-3:30 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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