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Friday News 4/23/21
City of Mendota Heights sent this bulletin at 04/23/2021 12:19 PM CDT
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FRIDAY NEWS | April 23, 2021
THE LATEST
Drop off unwanted prescription medication
Saturday, April 24 | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Mendota Heights Police Department will be collecting unused prescription medications
to be disposed of free of charge during the Prescription Drug Take Back event at City Hall's
main entrance. Note that sharps or needles will not be accepted. Unused Epi-pens that
have expired or are no longer needed will be accepted if they are in their original safety
packaging.
If you cannot make it to this event, you can always drop these items off 24/7, any day of the
year, in the green drop box in the Police Department lobby.
Help spring clean a park this weekend
If you weren't able to stop by the Earth & Arbor Day event at City Hall this morning, you can
still celebrate by helping to clean a Mendota Heights Park this weekend. Simply pick up
trash at any park, and leave collected materials in or near garbage receptacles. Volunteers
should wear appropriate attire, including protective gloves, closed-toe shoes, dress for the
weather, and should follow current COVID-19 safety guidelines. Thank you for keeping our
recreational areas clean and green!
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Help Mendota Heights conserve water
During the month of April, you are invited to take part in the My Water Pledge challenge!
Simply pledge online under “Mendota Heights, Minnesota” and select the specific steps
you’d like to take to conserve water, energy and other natural resources at home, in your
yard, and in the community. This is a friendly competition between cities across the United
States, and cities with the highest percentage of residents who take the challenge win.
Participants can choose to enter the prize drawing, and also have an opportunity to
nominate a local nonprofit to receive a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vehicle.
Learn more and take the pledge at mywaterpledge.com
Has COVID-19 made it hard to pay your rent?
If you have experienced hardship due to the pandemic and need assistance to pay your
rent or utility bills, you may be eligible for COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance.
RentHelpMN is currently accepting applications for assistance with past-due rent, past-due
utilities, and upcoming rent. Eligible Minnesota renters can receive help with rent and utility
bills dated on or after March 13, 2020. Note that this program is only available to eligible
renters, not homeowners. Learn more and apply at renthelpmn.org.
High school student Quinn Hendel showcases his $250 award surrounded by school and community members, including
Mendota Heights Mayor Levine (far left).
Local high school student receives statewide
Escape the Vape contest award
Congratulations to Henry Sibley High School student Quinn Hendel who received a second-
place award in a statewide contest supporting teen health for his video “Not Your Everyday
Teacup Pig.” Quinn received an award of $500 to be shared 50/50 with his school. The City
of Mendota Heights is a partner in the Minnesota Tobacco Free Alliance. View the Escape
the Vape public service announcement award-winning videos.
Residents in 55118 zip code eligible for State
Fairground appointments
Mendota Heights residents living in the 55118 zip code, and who are 16 years of age and
older, are eligible to receive a free COVID-19 vaccination at the Minnesota State
Fairgrounds. This site is being operated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency
and is offering appointments through June 9. See the MN State Fairgrounds COVID-19
Vaccination flier for details.
Vaccination flier for details.
COVID-19 vaccine information
All Minnesotans 16 years of age and older are eligible to receive a vaccine. 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.
Spring newsletter on its
way
Watch mailboxes for the latest issue of
Heights Highlights to arrive. This issue
features:
- Service recognitions
- Commission member changes
- Upcoming event information
- Community development updates
- Dog owner do's and don'ts
- $5 off of a round of golf or footgolf
coupon
And much more! The newsletter is sent to
every mailbox within Mendota Heights.
Diseased trees removed
Wentworth Park was closed April 22 to allow for the removal of eight diseased ash trees,
and one dying box elder tree. The trees being removed will be replaced over the next
months with a variety of species, so that future tree diseases (i.e; Dutch elm, EAB, and oak
wilt) aren’t as devastating to a monoculture of trees.
One large existing tree was also removed from Marie Park recently. That tree had been
infested with emerald ash borer (EAB), and was also dying as a result. It was determined to
be safest to remove this tree at the same time as the playground demolition was taking
place.
The removal of diseased and dying trees, and replacement with diversified varieties, is part
of the City's ongoing Natural Resources Management Plan to preserve and restore tree
canopy.
Register today for the Family Golf Season Kickoff
Saturday, May 1 | 9 a.m. shotgun start
Join us for a family-friendly start to the 2021 Golf Season at the Mendota Heights Par 3. Tee
times can include family and friends. Registration price includes one round of golf, a snack,
beverage, and tournament golf ball. $20 per person.
Register under Par 3 Programs
Recent highlights
Now hiring for a seasonal Tennis Instructor and Tennis Assistant.
City to take ownership from MnDOT of 1.35 mile section of Old Sibley Memorial
Highway.
RECYCLING
Upcoming recycling events &education
Upcoming recycling events & education
Toxics in Packaging Clearinghouse Update (Free)
April 28, 11 a.m.–noon
Curbside Appliance Pickup Event (Fee)
Monday, May 3 | Reservations required in April
MNCC Plate to Garden Event & Compost Awareness Week
Saturday, May 8
International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW) is May 2-8. The Minnesota Composting
Council will be celebrating all week long with different compost-related activities, ending in a
Plate to Garden event at the Urban Growler in St. Paul.
St. Louis Park Gardener's Swap
Thursday, May 20, 5:30-7pm
This free event is open to everyone and is a great opportunity to share extra plants or clear
out gardening tools you no longer use, then take home new treasures. No items may be
sold at this event; everything must be given and taken freely. Visit the website for details on
what items you may bring.
Boat Wrap Recycling
Through May 31
Drop off boat wrap at Lighthouse Motorsports and Marine in Rosemount during regular
business hours. Call 651-322-4420 before dropping off. The type of plastic used to wrap
boats requires special handling and cannot be placed with regular home recycling. Remove
all straps, cords, rocks and gravel. Transhield covers and fabric liners, including plastic wrap
with fabric, are not accepted.
South St. Paul Compost Site is open
Take home FREE compost for your garden.
The Compost Site is open Friday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (operation is
weather dependent). The compost site accepts yard waste such as grass clippings and
leaves. Fees are $0.50 per standard sized bag and $1 per larger plastic bag or barrel.
Volume-based fees are charged for pickup truck loads.
NATURAL RESOURCES
Avoid planting Siberian Squill
While Siberian Squill (Scilla siberica), may look like a beautiful spring-blooming wildflower, it
is a non-native ornamental garden plant that has become invasive. It is still sold in garden
centers and elsewhere in Minnesota and other states as well. Please avoid planting it and
remove any plants in your yard.
If you are looking for something similar to plant in your yard, here are some great native
alternatives:
Jacob’s Ladder (Polemonium reptans)
Woodland Phlox (Phlox divaricata)
Bl d G (Si i hi tif li )
Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium)
For more information: extension.umn.edu/identify-invasive-species/squill or contact Krista
Spreiter, Natural Resources Technician at 651-255-1123 or kristas@mendota-heights.com.
Register for the Landscaping for Clean Water
Program
Offered by the Dakota County Soil & Water Conservation District
Introductory Classes
The free Introduction to Clean Water class focuses on general water quality practices of
raingardens, native gardens and shoreline stabilization.
Wednesday, April 28, 6 p.m. Monday, May 3, 6 p.m.
Design Course
After completing the Introductory Class, you are eligible to enroll in the Design Course with
an opportunity to apply for a $250 cost share grant for your project (available to Dakota
County residents and Lower Mississippi River WMO residents in Ramsey County).
Maintenance Workshops
Learn how to maintain and promote the health, performance, and beauty of your garden
throughout the season.
Spring – Workshop video available Summer – June 10, 5 p.m. Fall – Sept. 23, 5 p.m.
Turn your yard into a bee lawn
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. If you can’t
attend your workshop live, it will be recorded so that
you can watch later at your convenience. Scholarships are also available upon request—
please call (651) 699-2426 to sign up.
Register at bluethumb.org/events
Recent highlights
Dakota County is looking for volunteers for the Wetland Health Evaluation Program.
Learn more and sign up at mnwhep.org.
Learn how to identify, control, and prevent the spread of invasive knotweeds.
Dakota County is seeking volunteers to become aquatic invasive species (AIS)
detectors; course registration is open and scholarships may be available.
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 4/16/21 - 4/22/21 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
See-a-Truck
Saturday, May 15 | 10 a.m. to noon at Mendakota Park
Join us for a behind the scenes tour and get up and close to tons of big rigs—fire trucks,
police squads, mowers, plow trucks, and more! Activities will include kids games, photo
opportunities, and refreshments. This is a free community event - no registration required.
Officer Scott Patrick Memorial 5K Walk/Run
Saturday, June 5 | 9 a.m. at Market Square Park
Participate in the Officer Scott Patrick Memorial 5K Walk/Run to benefit Special Olympics of
Minnesota. Registration is $25 before June 5 or $30 on the day of the event. Register online
under Special Events or use the registration form. Registration forms are also available at
City Hall during business hours.
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 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.
Planning Commission | April 27, 7:00 p.m.
City Council Work Session | April 28, 4:00 p.m., to be held virtually
City Council | May 4, 6:00 p.m.
Parks & Recreation Commission | May 11, 6:30 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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