2021-12-10 Friday News12/10/21, 4:34 PM Friday News 12/10/2021
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Friday News 12/10/2021
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FRIDAY NEWS | December 10, 2021
THE LATEST
Congratulations Officers and Sergeant!
Above: Officers Kyle Pagel (right) and Beau Jacobson (left) taking their oath of office from Mayor Levine; pictured below
Sergeant Phil McCarty being congratulated by the mayor after his swearing in.
At the City Council meeting On
December 7, 2021, Mayor
Stephanie Levine gave Officer
Kyle Pagel and Officer Beau
Jacobson the oath of office for
police officers, and the oath of
office for police sergeants to
Sergeant Phil McCarty. Their
families were in attendance and
participated in the badge pinning
ceremony.
Officer Pagel was born in raised
in Minnesota before enlisting in
the United States Marine Corps. Upon return, he attended Alexandria Technical College
where he majored in law enforcement. His father, sister, brother-in-law, and his mother
participated in his badge pinning ceremony with his mother pinning his badge.
Officer Jacobson has worked as a corrections officer for the Mille Lacs County Sheriff’s
Office and as a patrol officer, school resource officer, and DARE instructor in Williston North
Dakota. Officer Jacobson has a lot of experience working with youth through his work
serving as a Community Engagement Team member and Youth Hockey Goalie
Development Program coordinator. For the badge pinning, he was joined by members of his
family including parents, godparents, and fiancé. Beau’s grandfather pinned his badge.
Sergeant McCarty started his career in southern Minnesota and has served Mendota
Heights since 2015. His experience includes assignments as an investigator, field training
officer, firearms instructor, and coordinator for our Reserve Program and Community
Emergency Response Team. Sergeant McCarty was promoted to sergeant in 2021. His
brother, who serves as a police officer in West St. Paul, pinned his badge.
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2022 budget and tax levy approved
At its meeting on December 7, 2021, the City Council passed the 2022 fiscal year budget
and tax levy.
What is a tax levy?
A tax levy is the amount of money that public agencies raise through taxes in order to fund
the budget. The number of properties within a taxable district will influence how much each
property has to contribute. Many different projects affect how the budget changes. Some
things increase in cost, some things decrease. Additional details about what projects are in
the budget can be found HERE.
The Mendota Heights city levy for 2022 will increase 6.79%.
How does the City Council decide on the budget?
The process of developing the annual budget takes several months and includes many
conversations with the City Council, staff, and residents. In August, the City Council held
three budget work sessions to discuss the proposed 2022 budget. It considered priorities for
expenditures, and then balanced those needs with revenues which would be available to
fund that for the upcoming year. A preliminary budget was proposed in September which
the County used to send out parcel specific tax statements in November.
The final budget approved by the City Council was $74,465 less than the original
preliminary budget reflected on resident’s property tax statements from Dakota
County.
How will this affect me?
The City is just one of several agencies who can affect a person’s tax bill each year.
Property taxes are based on the assessed value of a property as set by the County
assessor’s office each year. Overall, the value of residential properties in Mendota Heights
increased by an average of 3.75% between 2021 and 2022.
Accounting for the change in valuation of the average home in Mendota Heights, the
proposed 6.79% levy increase will increase the city portion of property taxes on an
average value house ($438,000) from $1,640.55 in 2021, to $1,766.89 in 2022.
Join in a Community Conversation
Mendota Heights residents and general public are invited to take part in a Community
Conversation regarding the Phase III development of At Home Apartments at Mendota
Plaza as part of a City Council work session. The session will be moderated by a facilitator
to solicit feedback on the community's ideas and thoughts regarding what the public would
like to see as part of the proposed development. This will take place on Monday, December
13, 2021, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Mendota Heights City Hall in the Council Chambers. All are
welcome to attend.
For more information regarding the proposed Phase III At Home Apartments Planned Unit
Development view the November 16, 2021, City Council meeting replay and November 16,
2021, City Council agenda packet.
P li Offi
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Police Officer
The City of Mendota Heights is currently accepting applications for a full-time Police
Officer. Mendota Heights is a community supportive of law enforcement. We invite
compassionate candidates who are committed to community policing and skilled in building
relationships to apply for this position. Successful candidates must have an Associate’s
degree in law enforcement or a related field, and be licensed by the P.O.S.T. Board or
eligible for licensing by February 1, 2022.
Interested applicants must submit a resume, a city employment application and the
application supplement by 4:30 pm on January 7, 2022.
Learn more and link to application materials.
Seasonal Positions
Are you or someone you know looking for a seasonal part time job this winter? Check out
Mendota Heights’ open seasonal positions below:
Rink Flooder: Learn more and link to application materials.
Warming House/Rink Attendant: Learn more and link to application
materials.
Winter Parking Restrictions are in effect
Overnight parking is prohibited on any public street, from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m., between
November 1 and March 31. Additionally, as snow season approaches a reminder that
parking is prohibited during any snowfall of two inches or more, until the street is plowed
curb-to-curb. Please remind young drivers and any overnight guests and avoid a citation.
COVID-19 information
Kids:
Children age 5-11 years old are now eligible to get vaccinated. Minnesotans can use
the Find Vaccine Locations map to find providers offering Pfizer vaccine for 5-11 year
olds.
Minnesota has launched ‘Kids Deserve a Shot,’ a vaccine incentives program
rewarding Minnesotans 12-17 years old for completing their COVID-19 vaccine
series.
Vaccination locations:
Walk-ins for Minnesotans are available at any state community vaccination sites.
Booster shots:
All Minnesotans age 18 and older are recommended to get a COVID-19 booster
shot. The timing of your booster shot depends on the vaccine you received for your
initial vaccine series. Learn more.
COVID-19 testing:
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.
Recent highlights:.
Join close to 16% of Mendota Heights households that are participating in the Dakota
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County organics drop-off program; learn more and sign up today!
RECYCLING
Holiday reminders
During the holidays, use this helpful list as a reminder of what can go into your recycling
cart and what to keep out of it. If you're uncertain about an item, check the Dakota County
Recycling Guide.
Events
Holiday Lights Recycling at Mendota Heights City Hall
Drop off holiday string lights and electrical cords at Mendota Heights City Hall for free
through Jan. 31. Lights can be dropped off in the main lobby during business hours
(Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Fridays 7 to 11:30 a.m.) While
components of string lights and electrical cords can be made into new products, they don’t
belong in your recycling cart. They wrap around machines at sorting facilities and cause
damage
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damage.
Lights can also be dropped off at other participating locations within Dakota County, and
The Recycling Zone in Eagan also accepts them throughout the year. Thank you for
keeping our city clean and green!
City of Inver Grove Heights Winter Clothing Swap
Open to the community, Friday, Dec. 10, 4:30–7:30 p.m.
Veterans Memorial Community Center, Inver Grove Heights
Sports Equipment Donation
Burnsville Ice Center during Ice Center hours | Through Dec. 17
NATURAL RESOURCES
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Photo above courtesy of MN Department of Natural Resources; photo below courtesy of MN Department of Agriculture.
Weed of the month
Winged Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus)
Winged burning bush (Euonymus alatus) is a non-native
invasive shrub that grows typically five to ten feet tall, with
distinctive wings or rough vertical edges on its branches. It
gets its name for its bright red foliage in the fall. During the
summer it has dark green, opposite leaves, with toothed
edges that are oval in shape, tapering to a point. It is shade
tolerant, but can grow in a wide variety of conditions. It is
often found in woodlands and woodland edges, including
Valley Park. This invasive spreads by producing an
abundance of seed, which is transported by birds and other
wildlife. Red berries appear from September to October.
Currently it is on the MN Department of Agriculture’s
Specially Regulated Plant list, due to its production phase-
out period, ending in 2022. It will be placed on the
Restricted Noxious Weed list in 2023, when the sale of the
species will be prohibited.
Control methods for Winged Burning Bush:
Hand-digging or pulling of small populations.
Herbicide application. This is best done in early spring or late fall when other
native vegetation is dormant. Cutting and immediate treatment of the stump with a
systemic herbicide is recommended.
For more information: Minnesota Department of Agriculture or contact Krista Spreiter,
Natural Resources Technician at 651-255-1123 or email Kspreiter@mendotaheightsmn.gov.
Recent highlights
Lawns to Legumes cost-share program grants are now available; learn more about
Individual Support Grants and Neighborhood Demonstration Grants for installing
pollinator-friendly native plantings. Individual Support Grant applications are due
Februrary 15, 2022.
The Minnesota Water Steward program is accepting applications for its 2022
Program Year; training begins in January and runs through the spring.
Several diseased ash trees, as well as some diseased and invasive, non-native trees
will be removed from the Par 3 Community Golf Course this fall, and replaced by 14
trees of diverse varieties.
POLICE DEPARTMENT NEWS
Just the Facts
Incident reports 12/3/21 - 12/9/21 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.
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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 mendotaheightsmn.gov/police.
Completed forms and general questions can be submitted via email to
pdrecords@mendotaheightsmn.gov.
PARKS & RECREATION
Register now for winter activities
Sports Unlimited Soccer Camp
Wed., Dec 29 & Thurs., Dec 30 | 9am-noon
Ages: 6-12
Cost: $49 per person (resident)
Location: West St. Paul Sports Complex
Learn the rules of soccer while working on team play and
sportsmanship through skill development and games. Individual
skills taught include shooting, passing, and dribbling, along with
learning the strategies of offense and defense.
REGISTER
Outdoor Skating Lessons
Saturdays, Jan 8 - Feb 2 | check registration for times
Adult & Tot: Ages 3-5
Beginner: Ages 6-12
Cost: $35 per child (resident)
Location: Marie Park's outdoor skating rink
Limited spots remain - register today!
REGISTER
Teen Bean Bag Tournament
Saturday, Jan 15 | 11am-1pm
Ages: 12-16
Cost: $10 per person (resident)
Location: Veterans Memorial Community Center
Missing some yard games? Get your friends together and have fun throwing bags in this
double-elimination tournament. Prizes will be awarded for 1st and 2nd place teams. Rules,
instructions, and scorecards will be provided to each team.
REGISTER
Ice Hockey Camp by Sports Unlimited (non-school day)
Monday, Jan 17 | 11am-2pm
Ages: 5-10
Cost: $26 per person (resident)
Location: Marie Park's outdoor hockey rink
Learn the rules of hockey while working on team plan and sportsmanship. Participants will
practice skills including stick handling, passing, and shooting, and must bring ice skates, a
hockey stick, and hockey helmet (pads and gloves also recommended).
REGISTER
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REGISTER
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
City Hall and Public Works will be closed for the holidays on Friday, December 24,
and Friday, December 31.
Public Meetings
Meeting changes or cancellations are noted on the City's website
mendotaheightsmn.gov/calendar. Meetings take place at City Hall unless otherwise
noted. Meeting attendees should adhere to the posted City Hall safety guidelines.
Watch regular meetings online at townsquare.tv/webstreaming (available live or for replay)
or on cable television:
City Council: Channel 18/798 HD Planning Commission: Channel 18/798 HD Parks and Recreation Commission: Channel 15/859 HD Airport Relations Commission (select meetings are broadcast): Channel 15/859 HD
Occasionally broadcasted channels may change; check Town Square Television's listings
for updates.
Upcoming Schedule
City Council Work Session "Community Conversation" | Dec 13, 4:00 p.m.
Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting | Dec 14, 6:30 p.m.
City Council Meeting | Dec 21, 6:00 p.m.
Planning Commission Meeting | Dec 28, 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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