2021-03-26 Friday NewsFriday News 3/26/21
City of Mendota Heights sent this bulletin at 03/26/2021 01:29 PM CDT
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FRIDAY NEWS | March 26, 2021
THE LATEST
Street sweeping set to begin Monday,
March 29
Please keep vehicles off your street until both sides have been swept.
Keeping our ponds, wetlands, lakes and streams healthy is a high priority for the City of
Mendota Heights. Maintaining clean streets through spring and fall street sweeping, as well
as homeowners keeping curbs and stormwater drains swept throughout the year, is key to
keeping our waters healthy.
Weather permitting, we will begin street sweeping on Monday, March 29 and expect to be
completed in approximately three to four days. The City attempts to clean all city streets
twice per year (spring and fall). The spring sweep is intended to remove sediment and
debris that has accumulated throughout the winter. If not cleaned, sediment and leaves will
inhibit storm water facilities, and anything that goes down a storm drain flows directly to the
nearest waterbody. Decomposing plant material in the water encourages the growth of
harmful aquatic plants and algae. Street sweeping collects debris before it enters the storm
water system, and the debris is hauled to an approved landfill.
Mendota Heights contracts its street sweeping operations to a local contractor. The
contractor uses multiple sweepers (typically four to six) to clear the streets in a short period
of time. Due to the quick operation and multitude of sweepers, detailed schedules are
unable to be determined.
When sweepers are in the neighborhood, residents can help by doing the
following:
Keep all vehicles off of the street until sweepers have cleaned both sides of the street
Remind neighbors to keep vehicles off of the street until sweepers are finished
Keep trash cans behind the curb on collection day
DO NOT push/rake leaves, grass, or other debris into the street – from your yard or
f dj t d Thi i ill l d hibit d b Cit C d
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from adjacent yards. This is illegal and prohibited by City Code.
The City removes what falls or is blown naturally on the hard surfaces before they can clog
both storm grates and pipes, which can contribute to back-ups and/or flooding. With the
help of residents who clean up yards and open areas, in conjunction with the fall sweep, our
community will be set for spring runoff and be a cleaner, safer place to live. Additionally,
throughout the year residents can help by cleaning and sweeping out catch basins on their
streets, and sweeping grass clippings back into their yards after mowing.
For questions please contact Public Works at 651-454-4059.
COVID-19 vaccine information
As of March 30, all Minnesotans 16 years of age and older will be eligible to receive a
vaccine. Learn more about who's getting vaccinated and sign up for the Minnesota COVID-
19 Vaccine Connector to help find out when, where, and how to get a COVID-19 vaccine.
Links to additional vaccine information:
State of Minnesota COVID-19 Response vaccination webpage.
Minnesota Department of Health 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.
Welcome Airport Relations Commissioner Hamiel
At its meeting on March 16, 2021, the City Council appointed Jeffrey Hamiel to the Airport
Relations Commission to serve the remainder of a vacant term through January 31, 2022.
Commissioner Hamiel has served as the Executive Director and CEO of the Minneapolis/St.
Paul Metropolitan Airports Commission for more than three decades, and is a nationally-
recognized leader in the air industry.
Do you enjoy golf or tennis, and teaching?
Hiring for Golf Instructor and Tennis Instructor
The City of Mendota Heights is accepting applications for the following summer seasonal
positions:
Tennis Instructor | Must be 18 years of age or older
Tennis Assistant | Must be 16 years of age or older
Golf Instructor | Must be 18 years of age or older
Public Works Seasonal Maintenance Workers | Must be 18 years of age or older
mendota-heights.com/employment
BUSINESS RESOURCES
Small business opportunities
Apply for Business Boot Camp (Free)
Business Boot Camp is a new program of Open to Business designed to provide support
and in-depth assistance specifically for existing businesses. Over the course of four weeks,
participants will engage in a multi-session curriculum tailored to their business needs and
goals. Working with a team of advisors, participants will dedicate focused time to set
strategic objectives, think critically, and develop strategies relevant to their unique situation.
Boot Camp graduates will finish the program with a custom work plan and actionable steps
to take to reach their goals.
Interested businesses can apply at surveymonkey.com/r/2PBB8ZB.
New to Open to Business?
Open to Business is a program of the Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers
which provides free and confidential business advice, resources, and access to capital for
startup and existing businesses in the Twin Cities and surrounding region. Contact
info@mccdmn.org or visit opentobusinessmn.org to connect with a Business Advisor and
learn more.
RECYCLING
Take part in a fun challenge for the whole family
Get ready for the Reduce Your Wasted Food Challenge! The challenge is being hosted by
the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and will span five weeks beginning April 19. By
signing up, participants will receive tools to track their wasted food at home, learn to prevent
waste, and save money. Note that we mistakenly reported in the last issue that this was a
friendly competition with our neighboring city of West St. Paul. We are not competing
against one another, however the cities of Mendota Heights, West St. Paul, and South St.
Paul are all participating in the challenge. We hope this hasn't dampened your team spirit to
participate! Learn more and sign up as the “Mendota Heights Team”.
Upcoming recycling education & events
South St. Paul Compost Site
Plans to open for the season Friday, April 9
Paper Shred Event (Free)
Saturday, April 10, 9 a.m.–noon | West St. Paul Sports Complex
Curbside Appliance Pickup Event (Fee)
Monday, May 3 | Reservations open in April and are required
Recent highlights
The City will not be hosting a Spring Clean-Up event this year; learn ways that you
can conduct your own environmentally-friendly spring cleaning.
NATURAL RESOURCES
Volunteer to help plant at Valley Park
Saturday morning, May 22
Great River Greening has a volunteer opportunity to work alongside their staff planting and
protecting important native plugs and shrub species at Valley Park. This planting will
continue restoration work being done throughout the corridor adding important pollinator
resources and habitat. Learn more and register.
Photo shared from University of Minnesota/Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center (MAISRC) webpage.
Become an aquatic invasive species detector
Dakota County is looking for volunteers to become aquatic invasive species (AIS) detectors.
The commitment includes an online course to learn principles of aquatic ecology; AIS
identification, impacts, and biology; Minnesota rules and regulations; and how to prevent the
spread of AIS, perform surveillance, and report potential AIS findings. Dakota County will
reimburse the $150 course fee for up to seven residents who complete it. Registration for
the AIS Detectors Core Course is now open at maisrc.umn.edu/ais-detectors/detectors-
course.
Landscaping for Clean Water Program
Dakota County Soil & Water Conservation District will again be offering their Landscaping
for Clean Water Program, through their partnership with the City of Mendota Heights and
other partners. The program offers three classes: Introduction to Clean Water, Design
Course, and Maintenance Workshop. Through these classes and workshops, you’ll learn
about Minnesota’s natural resources and how what we do in our yards can improve our
surface water, ground water, wildlife habitat, and other natural resources. Residents can
also apply for a $250 cost share grant to help with project installation expenses.
Learn more and register: dakotaswcd.org/services/landscaping-for-clean-water.
Blue Thumb workshops for your yard
Registration open
Do you like spending time in your yard? Learn how to make your outdoors more beautiful
and more environmentally friendly. Come to a Blue Thumb workshop to learn DIY ideas for
projects that strengthen your yard, help protect nearby lakes and streams and create habitat
for bees and butterflies.
The actions you take in your yard can make it more resilient to extreme weather events like
severe heat and heavy downpours. What you plant and where you plant can provide shade
and cool things off around your home. Raingardens and other green stormwater practices
will soak in rainwater, reducing runoff into storm sewers that empty polluted water into our
lakes and streams. Your planting choices can also make a big difference for the creatures
who live there. A resilient yard is full of life, providing habitat for pollinators and other
wildlife. Learn more by attending a virtual workshop! And if you can’t attend your workshop,
it will be recorded so that you can watch later at your convenience.
Planting for Pollinators Workshop
Thursday, April 22, 6-7:30 p.m. | $15
This workshop includes information from the
Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources’
Lawns to Legumes program, which helps residents
create pollinator-friendly landscapes in their yard.
Learn about pollinator health, and how you can help
bees and butterflies by installing pocket plantings,
trees and shrubs, bee lawns, pollinator meadows,
and more.
Register at bluethumb.org/events
Bee Lawn Workshop
Thursday, May 6, 6-7:30 p.m. | $15
Learn how to create a bee lawn! Bee expert and
Metro Blooms landcare professional James Wolfin
explains the steps for turning your turfgrass lawn into
a beautiful, flowering bee lawn. Flowering bee lawns
protect bees and butterflies, improve water quality,
and create a healthier environment.
Register at bluethumb.org/events
Recent highlights
The Lower Mississippi River Watershed Management Organization is updating its
Watershed Management Plan to guide its activities for the next ten years. As part of
this process the public is invited to participate in a brief survey so they can better
understand concerns, priorities and goals for the health of our local water resources.
POLICE DEPARTMENT NEWS
Just the Facts
Incident reports 3/19/21 - 3/25/21 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
The MHPD has expanded their social media channels to include Nextdoor. 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
PARKS & RECREATION
Programs are filling fast
Browse the 2021 Summer Recreation Catalog available through the Parks & Recreation
webpage. You can also filter programs online and register now
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.
Adult Softball League registration open
Registration is now open for the Mendota Heights Adult Softball League. There are open
spots for the Women's Tuesday Night League and Tuesday and Thursday Men's League.
All leagues play "D Level" softball. If you are interested in registering a team, please contact
Recreation Program Coordinator Meredith Lawrence, meredithl@mendota-heights.com.
Early Birdie Special ends today
Golfers can enjoy an Early Birdie Special of $10 per round through today at the Mendota
Heights Par 3 Community Golf Course. The course is currently walking only, and masks are
required in the Clubhouse. Call 651-454-9822 for a tee time.
Subscribe to Par 3 golf news
Stay in touch with the Mendota Heights Par 3 Community Golf and Footgolf Course by
subscribing to News from the Nine, conveniently delivered to your email inbox. Stay
connected with course opening and closing notifications; course conditions; registration
information for lessons, leagues, tournaments; special event information; playing tips;
promotions; and more. Subscribe at mendota-heights.com/par3 or click on Manage
Subscriptions under Subscriber Services below.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
The Public Works facility will be closed Friday, April 2
(City Hall will be open 7-11:30 a.m.)
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 | April 6, 6:00 p.m.
Parks & Recreation Commission | April 13, 6:30 p.m.
City Council | April 20, 6:00 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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