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2021-05-07 Friday News5/7/2021 Friday News 5/7/21 https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MNMENDOTAHEIGHTS/bulletins/2d7f3fd 1/9 We only use cookies that are necessary for this site to function, and to provide you with the best experience. Learn more in our Cookie Statement. By continuing to use this site, you consent to the use of cookies. Friday News 5/7/21 City of Mendota Heights sent this bulletin at 05/07/2021 01:07 PM CDT Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. FRIDAY NEWS | May 7, 2021 THE LATEST Wood ducks enjoying a swim near the nesting box in the stormwater pond at Ivy Hills Park. Photos courtesy of Gail Lewellan. Spring nesting in the parks Did you know that the City has crafted and and installed wood duck houses throughout the parks system? The City maintains 26 wood duck houses and five bluebird houses, with plans to build more next winter. There are also numerous other privately installed bird houses on Rogers Lake and other small ponds. These wooden nesting structures are a conservation tool that have helped to increase wood duck populations that were once on the verge of extinction. The structures help to prevent predators from accessing eggs and hens, and through proper placement they promote nesting. Now is a great time to keep your eye out for these feathered friends! Subscribe to updates from City of Mendota Email Address e.g. name@e Subscribe Share Bulletin 5/7/2021 Friday News 5/7/21 https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MNMENDOTAHEIGHTS/bulletins/2d7f3fd 2/9 COVID-19 information Find a vaccination location All Minnesotans 16 years of age and older are eligible to receive a free vaccination. Sign up for the Minnesota COVID-19 Vaccine Connector. Links to additional vaccine information: State of Minnesota COVID-19 Response vaccination webpage. Minnesota Department of Health vaccination webpage. Walk-ins are now welcome Walk-ins for Minnesotans age 16 years and older will be accepted at state community vaccination sites in Bloomington (Mall of America), Saint Paul (Roy Wilkins Auditorium), Lino Lakes and Oakdale. Walk-ins for Minnesotans age 18 years and older will be accepted at Mankato, Duluth, Rochester and St. Cloud. Parental/guardian consent required for 16- and 17-year-olds. State Fairgrounds 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 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. Make an appointment online for this site online or call 833-431-2053. Find a free community testing event The Minnesota Department of Health continues to host 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. Has COVID-19 made it difficult for you to pay for internet service? 5/7/2021 Friday News 5/7/21 https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MNMENDOTAHEIGHTS/bulletins/2d7f3fd 3/9 The Federal Communications Commission has launched a temporary program to help families and households struggling to afford Internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Emergency Broadband Benefit provides a discount of up to $50 per month toward broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers. Eligible households can enroll through a participating broadband provider or directly with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) using an online or mail in application. Households can apply beginning May 12. Learn more about the benefit, including eligibility and enrollment information, by visiting fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit, or by calling 833-511-0311. State of the City address Tuesday, May 18 | 5 p.m. Please join Mayor Stephanie Levine as she presents the 2021 State of the City address for Mendota Heights. Mayor Levine will review 2020, and outline the City’s plans looking ahead throughout 2021. This event will be LIVE in the Mendota Heights City Council Chambers—1101 Victoria Curve. For people wishing to attend in person, doors will open at 4:30 p.m., with the State of the City presentation to begin at 5 p.m. The presentation will be followed by time for questions and answers. It will conclude promptly at 5:45 p.m., so as to allow sufficient time to changeover the Council Chambers to the regular City Council meeting, which begins at 6 p.m. Because of current social distancing restrictions, seating in the Council Chambers will be limited. We ask that people planning to attend in person to RSVP to City Hall by 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 12. Seats will be available on a first come, first served basis. If you can’t join us in person, you can watch it live via NDC4/Town Square Television webstreaming, or view on Comcast Channel 18. Hiring for City Hall Office Support Assistant The City of Mendota Heights is hiring for an experienced professional to join our administrative support team as an Office Support Assistant. This position performs administrative work coordinating and completing a variety of clerical and administrative support tasks including answering a multi-line telephone, routing calls, providing information in person and over the phone, and processing permits. The position assists the public and city departments with general administrative work and clerical tasks. This is a part-time job share (approximately 20 hours per week), non-exempt, non-union position with the following schedule: Thursday, Friday and every other Wednesday. The schedule may vary from time to time. Minimum Qualifications: High School Diploma or equivalent Two years of experience in general office and administrative clerical work, including customer service Microsoft Office Suite or equivalent and proficiency in programs such as Word, Excel, and Outlook Hiring Salary Range: $23.14 to $25.65 per hour Interested applicants must submit a cover letter/letter of interest, resume, city employment application and application supplement to Cheryl Jacobson, Assistant City Administrator by 4 p.m. on May 18, 2021. Completed applications must be received by the deadline for consideration. Learn more and download application materials at mendota-heights.com/employment. Application materials are also available at City Hall, or by calling 651-255-1356. Recent highlights Now hiring for a seasonal Golf Assistant, Tennis Instructor and Tennis Assistant. Apply today! Has COVID-19 made it hard to you to pay your rent? Visit RentHelpMN to see if you are eligible for emergency rental assistance. 5/7/2021 Friday News 5/7/21 https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MNMENDOTAHEIGHTS/bulletins/2d7f3fd 4/9 BUSINESS NEWS Sign up for this free and informative session Businesses seeking guidance on the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Forgiveness process are invited to a question and answer session being hosted by Open to Business. This is a free virtual event taking place on May 18, from 9 to 10 a.m. Space is limited so that all attendees may engage with the panel. RSVP by email to events@mccdmn.org. RECYCLING Don't toss your plant pots in the recycling! Why? Recyclers don't like black plastics because optical sorting machines cannot identify them and manufacturers don't like them because they cannot dye the plastic another color. Several local stores are accepting empty plant pots, including Home Depot in Eagan and Inver Grove Heights, and Lowes in West St. Paul. 5/7/2021 Friday News 5/7/21 https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MNMENDOTAHEIGHTS/bulletins/2d7f3fd 5/9 Upcoming recycling events MNCC Plate to Garden Event Saturday, May 8 International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW) ends May 8. The Minnesota Composting Council will be celebrating with 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 June 15 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 Weed of the Month Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata) Garlic Mustard is a highly aggressive invasive that produces hundreds of seeds. Garlic Mustard blooms in late spring and early summer. Flowers are white, and form small, rounded clusters. Leaves are triangular, and heart-shaped with toothed edges. The plant was introduced to North America in the 1800s for its herbal and medicinal qualities, and used as a ground cover. This invasive spreads its numerous seeds via wind and outcompetes native low-growing plant species by emerging early in spring and blocking sunlight. Garlic mustard is on the State of Minnesota’s Restricted List. Control methods: Removal is easily done by hand-pulling. For more information: Minnesota Department of Agriculture or contact Krista Spreiter, Natural Resources Technician at 651-255-1123 or kristas@mendota-heights.com. 5/7/2021 Friday News 5/7/21 https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MNMENDOTAHEIGHTS/bulletins/2d7f3fd 6/9 Preordered tree, compost bin, and rain barrel sale pickup this Saturday At Public Works from 9 a.m. to noon Residents who preordered trees from the Spring Tree sale, and compost bins/rain barrels from the Recycling Association of Minnesota (RAM) sale, must pick them up this Saturday, May 8, from 9 a.m. to noon. Items can be picked up at the Public Works facility, 2431 Lexington Avenue South, in Mendota Heights. Artwork in Valley Park Many have noticed the growing number of works of art, ornaments, and other creations that have been left along the trails in Valley Park. While the artwork can be appreciated by park users, please remember to not hang or attach objects, including ornaments and artwork, to living trees and plants. This can damage our trees, shrubs, and plants, especially if left in place long-term. Thank you for helping to keep our forests healthy! Recent highlights Use these great native options to avoid planting Siberian Squill. Learn how you can create beautiful raingardens, native gardens, and shoreline stabilizations and receive grant assistance for your project through the Landscaping for Clean Water Program. Dakota County is looking for volunteers for the Wetland Health Evaluation Program. Learn more and sign up at mnwhep.org. 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. FIRE DEPARTMENT NEWS Take a virtual tour of the new Fire Station If you've been anxiously awaiting a live tour of the new station, view this video produced by Insight 7 for a comprehensive virtual tour. Chief Dreelan takes you through each area, and explains how the new features provide major improvements for our 5/7/2021 Friday News 5/7/21 https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MNMENDOTAHEIGHTS/bulletins/2d7f3fd 7/9 firefighters and the community. The tour lasts about twelve minutes. POLICE DEPARTMENT NEWS Just the Facts Incident reports 4/30/21 - 5/6/21 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 Resident feedback sought to help develop Strategic Plan for Parks and Recreation Survey ends May 21 The City of Mendota Heights is developing a Strategic Plan that will provide long term direction and guide future maintenance and improvement decisions for the City's parks and recreation system. Please help prioritize Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation opportunities, by taking this online two-minute survey via Polco. Permit requests open for field and facility rentals Due June 1 for first consideration on events August through November Permit requests for field and facility reservations at Mendota Heights parks, for events taking place August through November of this year, are due on June 1, 2021, for first consideration. Reservations received after the deadline will be handled on a first-come, first serve basis. For more information and to download forms visit mendota- heights.com/parksrecreation. Par 3 Golf Course aeration scheduled Wednesday, May 12 Weather permitting, the Par 3 Community Golf Course to be closed for aeration on Wednesday, May 12, until 3 p.m. 5/7/2021 Friday News 5/7/21 https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MNMENDOTAHEIGHTS/bulletins/2d7f3fd 8/9 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. Parks & Recreation Commission | May 11, 6:30 p.m. State of the City Address | May 18, 5:00 p.m. City Council | May 18, 6:00 p.m., In-Person Meeting Format Airport Relations Commission | May 19, 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 Stay Connected with the City of Mendota Heights: SUBSCRIBER SERVICES: Manage Subscriptions | Help | Unsubscribe from all Topics Powered by 5/7/2021 Friday News 5/7/21 https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MNMENDOTAHEIGHTS/bulletins/2d7f3fd 9/9 Privacy Policy | Cookie Statement | Help