2022-09-23 Friday News10/27/22, 10:11 AM Friday News 09/23/2022
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Friday News 09/23/2022
City of Mendota Heights sent this bulletin at 09/23/2022 12:41 PM CDT
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FRIDAY NEWS | September 23, 2022
THE LATEST
Makers Market
Aspen House-Youth Short Term Housing
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Dakota County, in partnership with Washington County and Nexus Family Healing, continue
to move forward with the development of Aspen House youth short term housing located at
2031 Victoria Road South.
Aspen House will have 12 beds and be staffed 24/7. The facility will provide temporary
housing of up to 90 days for youth 12-18 in crisis. The services and programming will build
on the strengths of the family while addressing their current support needs and transition
planning for reunification or longer-term solutions for the family.
After closing on the property in May, Dakota County has been busy working to update the
facility and get it ready for its new clientele. Property improvements include: exterior
fencing, a new roof, a commercial kitchen, energy efficient heating and cooling systems,
and a large conference room for on-site educational services which will be provided by ISD
197. Despite supply chain and labor shortages, Dakota County reports that they are on
track for Aspen House to begin serving youth before the end of October.
Dakota County and Nexus Family Healing would like to thank everyone involved in moving
this project forward. If you have questions about this project, contact Madeline Kastler,
Deputy Director of Social Services, at Madeline.Kastler@CO.DAKOTA.MN.US or
651.554.5918. Additional information is also available in the Dakota County Fall/Winter
2022 Newsletter: News| Dakota County.
Volunteer Opportunity- Rain Garden
Planting
Last Saturday, September 17, community volunteers including the Dakota County Master
Gardeners and homeowners planted approximately 800 plants and shrubs in seven
different raingardens within the Ivy Falls East neighborhood.
Four more raingardens will be planted this Saturday in the neighborhood.If you would like to
participate as a volunteer, please contact Krista Spreiter at
kspreiter@mendotaheightsmn.gov.
Raingardens are gardens that are designed to capture and treat rainwater runoff from
lawns, roofs, streets, and other impervious surfaces. Stormwater runoff from these areas
often carries pollutants such as oil, grease, and heavy metals, as well as grass clippings,
leaves, and lawn care chemicals. These pollutants would otherwise end up in our surface
waters, and in this case the Mississippi River that the neighborhood flows to. The
raingarden project was part of the Ivy Falls East Street Improvements project that began in
2021. Thank you to all of our participants and community volunteers for making the project
possible!
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Bike Ped Plan- Last Week to Share
Feedback
Mendota Heights has approximately 28 miles of paved trails and sidewalks and five miles of
wide shoulders or on-street bicycle infrastructure. The City is working on a plan to improve
the existing pedestrian and bicycle facilities and to plan for future investments.
After completing Phase 1 of the project, the city is now in Phase II, and is seeking feedback
on the take-aways from the initial public engagement process. According to the data from
Phase I, the top three concerns that community members have about Mendota Heights’ Bike and Pedestrian infrastructure are:
1. Trails and sidewalks are too icy or snowy in winter months; 2. There are no trails or sidewalks where I want to go; and 3. Not feeling safe walking or biking near motorized traffic and busy intersections.
The survey responses for bicycle and pedestrian facilities were input into an interactive
online map. The interactive online map is part of the second phase of the plan to collect
input identifying places where people think the City should place priorities on bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure investments. On the map( LINK HERE) use the icon options to
comment and leave your input. You can also attach a photo to support your comment. If you
have an idea or suggestion, you can drag that icon onto the map and draw a line showing a
potential new sidewalk or trail route. You can also like, dislike, or comment on icons placed
by others. Your insights will help the city to map issues and opportunities.
Feedback can be shared HERE through September 30.
Check out open positions at the City of Mendota Heights HERE
Open Positions include:
Seasonal Skating Instructor
Seasonal Warming House Attendant
Seasonal Rink Flooder
2022 Mayor/City Council Candidates
The following city council/ mayor candidates have filed to be on the ballot (in the order that
they filed with the City):
For Mayor -
Stephanie Levine
John Maczko
For City Council (two positions open) -
John Mazzitello
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John Mazzitello
Sally Lorberbaum
Jeff Nath
More information on the 2022 general election HERE
Candidate profiles available HERE
Weekly Construction Update
Centre Pointe Street Improvements
The contractor completed the final paving this week in the Centre Pointe Business Park,
Dakota Drive, and Carmen Lane. Acacia Boulevard was milled and also received the first
lift of asphalt. The contractor will be working Saturday on paving driveways and the trail
from Carmen Lane to Valley Park. There is limited work scheduled for next week but the
contractor should complete adding gravel shoulders to Dakota Drive and Centre Pointe
Drive. Final paving for Pilot Knob Road, Acacia, Commerce and Lemay is currently
scheduled for October 3 and 4. Please also see updates on the city website at
www.mendotaheightsmn.gov/projects
RECYCLING
Upcoming recycling events
Outdoor Gear Swap
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Costume Swap
Fix It Clinics
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Recent highlights:
The South St. Paul Compost Site is open and accepts grass clippings, sod, leaves
and other yard waste. Visit their website for information on hours of operation, type of
yard waste accepted, and costs. Note that hours/days of operation may change
based on weather conditions.
NATURAL RESOURCES
Are your garden plants looking worse for
the wear this year?
A great solution is to plant drought tolerant native plants! They will thrive when most of our
other landscape plants are struggling. Here are just a few natives that will make your
landscape shine during a drought:
Wild Petunia (Ruellia humilis) blooms profusely in the heat- June- August, likes
sunny dry sandy soils, and does well in difficult areas like along the edge of a
sidewalk or driveway.
Whorled Milkweed (Asclepias verticillata) grows in full sun and is a host plant for
Monarchs.
False Sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides) is a tall native with a cheery yellow
daisy like flower for a part shade to full sun that blooms July-September.
Bee balm (Monarda fistulosa) is an important food source & favorite of many native
bumblebees, deer resistant, & blooms in full sun June-August. The endangered
Rusty Patch Bumblebee was found on this plant in MH again this year!
Native grasses such as Little Bluestem, Prairie Dropseed and many native sedges
not only add texture to your landscape but also food for birds.
There are also many natives to choose for shady landscapes too! Drought tolerant native
plants will reduce your water bill, provide beauty, and much needed food for our pollinators
and birds. Many more native plants are needed to help our pollinators and birds so why not
try beautiful and low maintenance native plants in your landscape?
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Above: Wild Petunia, Whorled Milkweed, Little Bluestem, Heliopsis and Monarda
Recent highlights
Learn how to identify, control, and prevent the spread of the invasive species garlic
mustard.
Learn more about the Adopt a River program and access planning tools for your
cleanup event through the Freshwater Society.
The Lower Minnesota River Watershed District (LMRWD) is seeking volunteers to
serve on its Citizen Advisory Committee.
Create a beautiful garden to benefit pollinators, improve water quality, or stabilize
your shoreline with the Landscaping for Clean Water program. Learn more about
their Introductory, Design, and Maintenance classes -- get started today.
I'm planning a project near a surface water. Do I need a permit?
POLICE DEPARTMENT NEWS
Weekly Crime Report
Incident reports 9/16/2022-9/22/2022 Previous Weekly Crime Report/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 dakota911mn.gov.
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 mendotaheightsmn.gov/police.
Completed forms and general questions can be submitted via email to
pdrecords@mendotaheightsmn.gov.
PARKS & RECREATION
Stargazing
Monday, October 3, 2022 at 7:00-9:00 PM | Harmon Park, West St. Paul
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Are you Interested in Astronomy and space exploration? We have the event for you!
We invite you to learn about Minnesota’s night sky at our Stargazing Event at Harmon Park.
Participants will be able to stargaze with a telescope, followed by a presentation from the
Minnesota Astronomical Society. All ages are welcome. Registration is required for all
attending.
Free—All ages. Register online under Special Events HERE
Tour de Rec
Thursday, October 6, 2022 at 6:00- 7:00 PM | Mendakota Park
Join us for our free recreation program, Tour de Rec, which aims to bring recreation to
neighborhood parks.Tour de Rec staff will set up activities and equipment for youth ages 6-
12 years-old to enjoy; such as group games, sports, arts and crafts, and more!
Free drop in program, no registration required.
Children under 6 years old must be accompanied by an adult. Tour de Rec staff will arrive
and leave at the designated time. West St. Paul and Mendota Heights staff are not
responsible for any youth before or after listed time.
Upcoming Tour De Rec Dates are HERE
TPAC- Senior Programming
Register today to learn about senior programming for Mendota Heights residents. Join us
for a light lunch, a tour of the facility and learn all about the amazing programs Thompson
Park Activity Center offers for adults 55+
Preregistration is required. To register call 651-255-1140 or Register online under Special
Events HERE
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COMMUNITY CALENDAR
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
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
Natural Resources Commission: Channel 15/859 HD
Occasionally broadcasted channels may change; check Town Square Television's listings
for updates.
Upcoming Meeting Schedule
Planning Commission Work Session | September 28, 5:30 p.m.
City Council Meeting | October 6, 6:00 p.m.
Official Website of the City of Mendota Heights, Minnesota 1101 Victoria Curve Mendota Heights, MN 55118 Phone: 651-452-1850
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