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2012-05 Heights HighlightsHeights Highlights MENDOTA HEIGHTS GOVERNMENT NEWS SPRING 2012 : Issue 91 INSIDE... Mayor’s Message ............................Page 2 Help Protect Our Lakes, Streams and Ponds ............................Page 3 Summer Road Construction ............................Page 3 Mendota Heights Men and Women Celebrate 50 Years ............................Page 4 Redistricting ............................Page 5 Parks and Recreation .........................Page 6-7 A small town feel in an urban setting City of Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation invites you to the 25th annual “Celebrate Mendota Heights Parks” on June 1 and June 2, 2012 Be sure to bring your family, friends and neighbors to kick off summer and celebrate our beautiful Mendota Heights parks. This annual event brings our community together to celebrate the natural beauty of our city and to show our appreciation for all those who make our parks such an outstanding amenity. Celebrate Mendota Heights Parks is made possible by the generous support of residents, community groups and area businesses. If you are interested in making a donation or volunteering for this year’s event, please contact City Hall at 651-452-1850 or contact us via our website at www.mendota-heights.com. Friday, June 1, 2012 Free Park Celebration Kick-Off Event Music in the Park by the band “Fu-ga-we Tribe” 6:30 p.m. Market Square Park Village at Mendota Heights Saturday, June 2, 2012 5K Run/Walk 9:00 a.m. Market Square Park Village at Mendota Heights Pre-registration at city hall $20 or day of race $25 Day in the Park Celebration Mendakota Park 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free games and events including a petting zoo, pony rides, fire truck rides, USTA tennis party, soccer kick, inflatables, face painting, hockey shoot, prizes and much more! Under the Pavilion: 11:30 a.m. Music by “The Splatter Sisters” 12:30 p.m. “Magic Maniac” with America’s Got Talent Finalist Kevin Hall. Dakota County Historical Society will have a display at the park celebration and Pilot Knob Tours will be available at Historic Pilot Knob. Area fitness groups will also be on hand to give the community information on how to stay active in Mendota Heights and how you can join the many fitness clubs in the area. Be sure to take in a game or two at the Mendakota baseball fields all weekend during the Mendota Heights Athletic Association in-house ball tournament. Concessions will also be available with proceeds going to MHAA. More events to be added. Please check the website for updates! Celebrate Mendota Heights Parks 25th Anniversary Schedule of Events 2 : HEIGHTS HIGHLIGHTS HEIGHTS HIGHLIGHTS : 3 MAYOR’S MESSAGE Mayor Sandra Krebsbach Its spring and Mendota Heights has much to look forward to in the coming months. The first weekend of June holds two notable anniversaries. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Mendota Heights Police Department. Everyone is invited to an open house at City Hall on Sunday, June 3rd from 12:00 p.m. through 4:00 p.m. in honor of their fiftieth year of service to the city. Tours of the department, explanations of the equipment used to do the job, and displays of the department’s history will be on hand. Saturday, June 2nd will be the 25th anniversary of “Celebrate Mendota Heights Parks”. The parks celebration begins with the 5K Run/Walk at the Mendota Village, managed by the Mendota Heights Police Department. They protect and encourage the participants as well as raise thousands of dollars for the Special Olympics. The Saturday “Celebrate Mendota Heights Parks” activities include face painting, a petting zoo, inflatable jumpers, fire truck rides, an active living/wellness tent at Mendakota Park, and tours of Historic Pilot Knob. In addition, the Mendota Heights Athletic Association will be holding an in-house baseball tournament at Mendakota Park. Join us on Friday evening at 6:30 pm at Market Square Park before the celebration begins for a concert by the Fu-ga-we Tribe Variety Band. Here are some 2012 spring and summer highlights and notes of appreciation: Mendota Heights Athletic Association, a non-profit organization of volunteers, parents and one staff person, provides T-ball, softball, baseball, basketball, football, volleyball, and soccer programs for children and youth in Mendota Heights. Sibley Area Sting, another non-profit athletic association, provides competitive soccer opportunities. Youth hockey is now provided by the Sibley Area Youth Hockey organization. Thank you to these dedicated volunteers. The City of Mendota Heights has a part-time recreation programmer, Teresa Gangelhoff, who plans recreational activities year-round. The spring and summer events are listed in this edition of the Heights Highlights and are found at www.mendota-heights.com. These activities include tennis and golf lessons, day trips, and summer playground programs at our neighborhood parks. Sign-ups for activities has been very brisk, so be sure to contact the city soon before your activity fills up. A summer event “not to be missed” is the Cliff Timm Fishing Derby at Rogers Lake Park. Youth age 14 and under fish from the pier or the shore. This year’s derby is June 27th from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. There are generous prizes donated by the Cliff Timm Trust, Gander Mountain, the Kipp Family, and Midwest Extreme Outdoors. The event is named in memory of Clifford Timm, a West St. Paul resident, who donated funds for the fishing pier and the fishing derby. The Mendota Heights Par 3, located at 1695 Dodd Road, is open and ready for golfers. Thank you to the adult league members for your continued loyalty to the Par 3. It is the place for children, young golfers, new golfers and those who consider “a walk improved” with a golf game. The clubhouse is open and serving refreshments and has a supply of golf essentials such as balls, gloves and tees. Mendota Heights would like to start a clubhouse photo gallery of signed photos of golfers who learned to play at the Par 3 and who went on to be high school golfers, tournament winners and other notable golf accomplishments. If you know of any prominent golfers who got their start at our Par 3, let us know. Bicycling is a Mendota Heights activity for residents and bicyclists from surrounding areas who enjoy the trails through the city and along the bluffs. We welcome them and hope that everyone travelling through the city keeps a watchful eye for our cycling friends. Be sure to experience the view from Pilot Knob - it is magnificent. Mendota Heights owns this extraordinary open space and respects its history. It is being restored over time to pre-settlement vegetation and with the recent award of $75,000 from the American Express and Partners in Preservation grant program, the wooden utility poles will be buried further enhancing the experience of Pilot Knob. Finally, thank you to the Public Works department for maintaining the parks, open spaces and rights of way, keeping the city green and beautiful. Thank you as well to all our residents for creating this graceful city with your lawns, trees and landscaping. Have a enjoyable spring and summer. Help Protect our Lakes, Streams & Ponds Summer Road Construction It is said there are two seasons in Minnesota: winter and road construction. 2012 is scheduled to see a wide variety of road construction projects throughout Mendota Heights. Residents should be aware of these projects and plan their travel around the City accordingly. Also, please give construction workers a break by avoiding driving through construction sites if at all possible. This will help the contractors complete the projects on time, and will minimize risk to both drivers and construction workers. Projects scheduled for construction during the summer of 2012 are: City Projects: Contact the City Engineering Department at 651-452-1850. LeMay Lake Road Neighborhood Reconstruction – Construction is expected to begin in early July with substantial completion of the project by the end of September/early October. Kendon Lane, Furlong Avenue, and Victory Avenue will be reconstructed to include the installation of storm sewer, curb and gutter, and a new pavement surface and road base. Access for area residents will be maintained throughout the project. Diane Road Neighborhood Rehabilitation – Construction is expected to begin in June with substantial completion by early October. The Diane Road neighborhood; including Diane Road, Celia Drive, Rae Court, Adeline Court, Nina Court, Barbara Court, and a portion of Douglas Road (east of Victoria) will have the street pavement rehabilitated through pavement replacement or mill-and-overlay treatment. Access for area residents will be maintained throughout the project. Mendota Heights Road (Delaware to Dodd) Rehabilitation – Construction is expected to begin in June with substantial completion by early October. Mendota Heights Road will receive pavement rehabilitation through mill-and-overlay treatment. A right turn lane will be added to westbound Mendota Heights Road at Dodd Road, and the trail will receive a pavement overlay. Access for area residents will be maintained throughout the project. Marie Avenue (Delaware to Dodd) Rehabilitation – Construction is expected to begin in July with substantial completion by early October. Marie Avenue will receive pavement rehabilitation and watermain replacement. New striping will be added to assist in speed control. Right turn lanes will be striped (no expansion of paved surface) to westbound Marie Avenue at Dodd Road and eastbound Marie Avenue at Delaware. Although excavation will be necessary to replace the watermain, the existing curb lines will remain in place. Access for area residents will be maintained throughout the project. County Project: Contact Dakota County Transportation Department at 952-891-7500 Lexington Avenue (Vail Drive to Mendota Heights Road) Rehabilitation – Construction is expected to begin as the MnDOT Highway 110 project comes to a close, and should be completed by the end of September. Lexington Avenue will receive a pavement replacement. No expansion of the travelled surface is planned, and no additions of storm sewer or curb and gutter are anticipated. State Projects: Contact MnDOT Metro District Information, J.P. Gillach (651-234-7503, james.gillach@state.mn.us). Highway 13 Resurfacing – Highway 13 is scheduled for resurfacing from I-35W in Burnsville to Annapolis Street in Mendota Heights. There will also be drainage and ADA improvements along the corridor. The project is proposed to be constructed in segments to minimize traffic impacts. The portion of Highway 13 from 2nd Street in Mendota to I-35E in Lilydale is exempted from this project due to that segment having its own reconstruction project scheduled for 2015. Further information can be found at the MnDOT project web page: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/metro/projects/hwy13burnsville/index.html Highway 110 Resurfacing (I-35E to Highway 13) – The project is expected to take only a few weeks to construct, and is scheduled to begin in May. The project consists of pavement resurfacing form Lexington Avenue east to the I-35E Bridge and spot repairs from Lexington Avenue to Highway 13. Access to impacted properties will be maintained throughout the project, but residents should expect periodic traffic reductions to one lane in either direction. Every year, the water bodies around Mendota Heights become an issue. Algae and weed growth become nuisances to residents. Additionally, sediments and other debris can fill in ponds reducing their water treatment capability making them less of an aesthetic amenity for neighborhoods. As summer approaches, here are some small steps you can do to help protect our water and help keep our City water bodies clean and pollution free: 1. FERTILIZE SMART Use a phosphorus-free fertilizer – Phosphorus feeds weeds and algae in lakes and ponds. Sweep up fertilizer that spills onto hard surfaces – This helps to prevent fertilizer from getting into the storm drain and ultimately to our ponds and lakes. 2. GRASS - DON’T BLOW IT OFF Remove grass clippings and leaves from the street, sidewalks, trails, and driveways – Grass clippings and leaves in the street end up in the storm sewer, where they are carried to ponds and lakes. Yard waste contains nutrients that, like fertilizer, feed algae and other aquatic plants in our ponds and lakes. Please leave your clippings on your lawn, compost them, or bag them up and bring them to a proper disposal site. 3. SCOOP THE POOP Pick up after your pets – Rainwater washes pet waste into lakes and streams. Pet waste contains bacteria that can cause illness. It also contains nutrients that can cause excessive algae and weed growth in ponds and lakes. 4. KEEP A HEALTHY LAWN Aerate your lawn, seed bare patches and mow at a higher setting – A healthy, vigorous lawn needs less watering, less fertilizer, and less maintenance. Aerating helps loosen soil, seeding bare patches helps prevent erosion, and mowing at a higher setting (2.5 to 3 inches) develops deeper, healthier roots and has a competitive advantage over weeds. 5. ADOPT A STORM DRAIN Keep storm drains free of leaves, trash, seeds, and grass clippings – Storm drains are directly connected to the nearest pond or lake, and are often unfiltered. Water running into storm drains can carry anything dumped nearby including leaves, grass, sediment, oil, and chemicals. Keeping storm drains clear will protect the water quality of nearby ponds and lakes. 6. REPLACE TURF WITH NATIVE PLANTS Replace high-maintenance lawn for low-maintenance plants and grasses – Native plants develop deeper root structures than turf, reducing runoff and allowing for better water infiltration. More information on designing a native garden is available at www.bluethumb.org. 7. VEGETATIVE BUFFER If you own shore land on a pond or lake - A vegetative buffer adjacent to a water body helps to protect it; and, in many cases, may be required by city ordinance. The City of Mendota Heights recommends the following activities allowed in designated buffers. - Trees cannot be planted in a wetland buffer. They shade out other plants, killing them and reducing soil stabilization. - Existing trees (even dead ones) cannot be removed from a wetland unless permitted by the City. - The only mowing allowed in a wetland buffer is that which is prescribed for native plant management. - Landscaping with plants, mulch, rock or other landscape material is not allowed in a wet- land buffer. However, you can replace noxious and invasive, non-native plants with native plants (excluding trees) adapted to the habitat of the wetland. - Herbicides may only be used to remove noxious and invasive, non-native plants, and must be done in strict accordance with product guidelines. - Composting or disposing of leaves and grass is not allowed in a wetland buffer. Mendota Heights Spring Clean-Up Day 2012 Each year, the City of Mendota Heights diverts literally tons of material from going to landfills through the Spring Clean Up. This year the Spring Clean Up will be held on Saturday, April 28, 2012 at Mendakota Park from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This year we are partnering with Dakota County who will collect household hazardous wastes and electronics for free. We will collect the same materials as usual – miscellaneous rubbish, scrap metal, tires, bicycles, mattress/box springs, etc. We will have plenty of volunteers on hand to unload your vehicle, but you will need to bring a valid ID. Electronics, household hazardous waste, bicycles and scrap metal are all collected free of charge. There is a volume based fee for dehumidifiers, tires, mattress/box springs and rubbish. Sorry, but we cannot accept yard waste, contractor debris or items which can be recycled at the curb. Check out our website for a more detailed list of items! Spring clean-up is made possible by a grant from Dakota County Environmental Management and the Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance. 4 : HEIGHTS HIGHLIGHTS HEIGHTS HIGHLIGHTS : 5 One of the reasons why Mendota Heights is considered to be a premier community in the Twin Cities is due to the fact that our residents take pride in their properties. Just drive around any of our neighborhoods and you will find beautifully manicured lawns, up-to-date exterior painting and siding, and organized storage of trash bins and automobiles. For the most part, this is also true of our commercial and industrial properties. These non-residential uses provide not only a service to our residents by creating jobs and shopping opportunities, but also diversify our solid property tax base and help keep our tax rate among the lowest in Dakota County. Making sure that all of our properties are kept up to our community standards is just one reason why the City of Mendota Heights is reviewing a proposed commercial property maintenance code. This proposed ordinance will provide the city with tools to enforce maintenance standards on the small percentage of commercial and industrial properties that have issues which are not addressed in our current city code. We invite all residents, but especially our commercial and industrial property owners, to review the proposed ordinance on the city’s website at www.mendota-heights.com. Further, the planning commission will be holding a public hearing on the draft ordinance at their May 22nd meeting, held at 7:00 pm in the city council chambers. For more information, or if you have any questions, please contact Assistant to the City Administrator Jake Sedlacek at (651) 452-1850 or jakes@mendota-heights.com. Mendota Heights and West St. Paul will be hosting the 5th Annual Citizens Police Academy September 20th – November 15th. Classes run from 6:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. on Thursday evenings. Citizens Police Academy is a nine week course designed to give citizens a working knowledge of the operations and responsibilities of the Mendota Heights and West St. Paul Police Departments. Students will be given hands on instruction in aspects of criminal investigation, traffic stops/patrol, use of force techniques and field sobriety testing. The Citizens Police Academy is open to all residents or business owners in Mendota Heights, West St. Paul and Sunfish Lake. This is the fifth year and each year the class exceeds student’s expectations. Our officers look forward to working with and getting to know citizens outside of their normal law enforcement work environment. The 2012 Citizens Police Academy will help you become a more “Armed and Informed” citizen. For more information you can stop by Mendota Heights City Hall and pick up a brochure and application or you can go online at www.mendota-heights.com. If you have any questions you can also call Becky at the Mendota Heights Police Department – 651.255.1191. Armed and Informed Mendota Heights Men and Women in Blue Celebrate 50 Years! Redistricting: New Precinct Boundaries and Polling Places Commercial Property Maintenance Code Proposed The Mendota Heights Police Department will be celebrating 50 years of service to the city in June 2012. The year was 1962 and the month was June when Police Chief Martin Baldwin donned his uniform and for the first time the city had a police department they could call their own. Numerous chiefs and officers would follow Baldwin and help to shape the great department we now know as MHPD. The Mendota Heights Police Department would like to invite the public to an open house on Sunday, June 3, 2012 from 12:00 p.m. through 4:00 p.m. in honor of their fiftieth year of service to the city. Tours of the department, explanations of the tools used to do the job, and displays of the department’s history will be on hand. Please come, meet and get to know the police officers and police reserves who take pride in protecting and serving the City of Mendota Heights. The return of nice weather means an increase in criminal activity. Thefts from autos are on the rise. Thieves are opportunists and look for easy targets. Some take advantage of parks, recreational areas and gas stations because visitors often leave purses and wallets behind in their vehicles. Others walk neighborhoods looking for unlocked vehicles and garages. When they see something of interest, they break out a window and grab the valuables. Don’t be a victim! • Always lock your vehicle. • Never leave valuables in your vehicle. • Never leave identifying paperwork in your vehicle. • Never place wallets, purses, briefcases or bags in glove boxes, under seats or in the trunk. Remember, if you do become a victim of theft, the inconvenience does not end with a broken window, some missing credit cards and cash. Many victims will also become victims of credit card fraud, check forgeries and even identity theft. Help reduce these crimes by reporting any suspicious activity immediately to the Mendota Heights Police Department by dialing 911. Relay the license plate number and descriptions of any suspicious persons to the police dispatcher. Help our police department reduce thefts from auto and related crimes by taking the opportunity away from the thief! Lock it or Lose it The 2012 General Election ballot will include the Mendota Heights city offices of mayor and two councilmembers. The term of office for mayor is two years. The term of office for a councilmember is four years. Affidavits of candidacy for the city offices can be filed with the city clerk at the Mendota Heights City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, MN 55118. The city clerk’s office is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The closing time on the last day of filing will be 5:00 p.m. Filing for the 2012 municipal election opens on July 31, 2012 and closes on August 14, 2012. Candidates for a city office must be eligible to vote in Minnesota, must be at least 21 years of age when assuming office, and must be a resident of Mendota Heights for at least thirty days prior to the election. 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P L TOMTHUMBBLVD PONDVIEWCT WESTVIEWCIR SPRINGCREEKCIR FIELDSTONECT HAVERTONCIR SYLVANDALECTS HIGHPOINTCT PON D VIEW TER MENDOTA HWY110 HWY 11 0 PRIVATEROAD PRIVATE ROAD HWY13 VALLEY C URVE R D JUPITER DR HEIGHTSLN VICKILN RIVERSIDELN ASPEN WAY BIRCHCT HEIGHTSCIR E G ENTIANR D NOR T H L A N D DR DELAWAREAVE DELAWARE AVE MARIEAVE MOHICANCT D S T CANTON CT DODDRD DODDRD DODDRD DODDRD LEXINGTONAVE MARIEAVE MENDOTAHEIGHTSRD PERRONRD PILOTKNOB RD tu110 §¨¦494 tu110 §¨¦35E Mendota Lilydale St. Paul We s t S t . P a u l Su n f i s h L a k e Eagan LakeAugusta Lake LeMay Rogers Lake Gun Club Lake FIRE HALL Copperfield Pond PickerelLake MississippiRiver SomersetGolf Course(Private) F ort Snelling State Park ResurrectionCemetery City Halland Police Public WorksGarage Mendakota Golf Course(private) St. ThomasAcademy HenrySibleySeniorHigh MendotaElem. Friendly HillsMiddle School Par 3 (Public) AcaciaParkCemetery Vento's View(Wildlife Viewing Station) RamseyCountyPark ÊÚ ÊÚ Scenic Overlook(Dakota County) St. Peter'sCemetery MENDOTABRIDGE Minn es ota Rive r SomersetElementarySchool DodgeNature Center tu13 tu13 tu55 tu13 §¨¦494 §¨¦494 tu55 §¨¦35E §¨¦35E Eagan §¨¦494 Mendakota Golf Course(Private) BrownCollege Convent of theVisitation School FriendlyMarsh Cordon Blue IceArena 23 1 4 5 52B 52A : Precincts City Boundary Pct. 5 Friendly Hills Middle School (Gymnasium) 701 Mendota Heights Road Pct. 2: Henry Sibley High School 1897 Delaware Avenue Pct. 4: Saint Thomas Academy 949 Mendota Heights Road Pct. 1: Somerset School 1355 Dodd Road Pct. 3: Mendota Elementary School 1979 Summit Lane House Legislative Boundary (52A & 52B) Mendota Heights is fully encompassed within: School District I.S.D. 197 Senate District 52 Congresssional District 2 On February 21, 2012 the State of Minnesota Appellate Courts released the Final Order Adopting a Congressional Redistricting Plan. Every ten years, following the completion of the United States Census, the seats in the United States House of Representatives are reapportioned among the states according to their respective populations. The United States Constitution requires congressional election districts to be nearly equal in population as is practicable. Minnesota’s 2010 census population of 5,303,925 entitles it to retain the eight congressional seats it has been apportioned since the 1960 census. Minnesota’s total population increased by 7.8 percent during the last decade, but the growth was not uniform. Therefore the Minnesota Legislature re-drew the state’s congressional and legislative districts to better reflect the state’s population. The 2012 redistricting plan placed the City of Mendota Heights into two legislative districts. 52A encompasses properties north of Highway 110 while 52B consists of properties mostly south of Highway 110. Mendota Heights is now located in Congressional District Two, which puts the city with the rest of Dakota County. With the new legislative districts, several of our city precincts and polling locations needed to be changed. At their March 20th meeting, the Mendota Heights City Council approved a new precinct map and polling locations. For the 2012 primary and general elections, our polling places will be: Precinct 1: Somerset Elementary School, 1355 Dodd Road Precinct 2: Henry Sibley High School, 1897 Delaware Avenue Precinct 3: Mendota Elementary School, 1979 Summit Lane Precinct 4: St. Thomas Academy, 949 Mendota Heights Road Precinct 5: Friendly Hills Middle School, 701 Mendota Heights Road Dakota County will be notifying all voters in the city about their polling locations this summer. The state’s primary election will be August 14th and the general election will be November 6th. RECREATION www.mendota-heights.com Fun in the Summer Sun 2012 2012 Parks and Recreation Registration Summer Recreation Programs: Go to www.mendota-heights.com to register or register in person at Mendota Heights City Hall (1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights.) We regret that registrations will no longer be accepted by mail. Please check our website for complete program information or call City Hall at 651.452.1850 for additional information. Here is what is in store for some summer fun in the sun….. Summer Playground Schedule 2012 Summer Playground Program will be held at Mendakota Park. In the event of rain the program will be held at the Mendota Heights Fire Hall. Program will be held on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday of each week. Morning Sessions for ages 4 to 7 Sorry a.m. classes are full. Please call for waitlist. Afternoon Sessions for ages 7 to 10, 12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Cost $48.00 Week One: Summer Fun and Sun, June 11 to 15, 2012 Get outdoors and explore the parks and trails. Children will be introduced to GPS and a compass to find treasures, crafts, plant flowers and more. Week Two: Happy Trails and Tails, June 18 to 22, 2012 Discover our nearby parks and trails using a compass and GPS to find our way. Camp songs, crafts, games, treasure and scavenger hunts. A K9 dog demonstration and a speaker on pet care and animal safety will join us. A Mendota Heights Police Officer will demonstrate safety on our bikes and trails. Week Three: Nature/Fishing Week, June 25 to 29, 2012 Time to get back to nature! Learn about Minnesota fish & their habitat. MinnAqua program will be introduced and we will enjoy a fishing day at Rogers Lake. Week Four: Pirate’s Bounty, July 9 to 13, 2012 Sail away with our crew and discover a bounty full of fun. Pirate games, crafts and a treasure hunt fit for a modern day pirate using GPS, maps and a compass. Week Five: Water Works, July 16 to 20, 2012 This week is packed full of water activities and you are going to get soaked! Bring your bathing suit each day and we will have BUCKETS of water fun, crafts and games. Week Six: Funtastic Favorites, July 23 to 27, 2012 The final week staff will take the most popular games and favorite activities from all the previous weeks and combine them into one FUNTASTIC week. More fun than a barrel of monkeys! Summer 2012 Youth Trips Join us on fun, well chaperoned weekly youth trips. Invite your friends and siblings. Trips depart and return at Mendota Heights City Hall. Deadline to register is Tuesday prior to the trip.  Space is limited so register early. All trip fees include chaperones, bus (no bus for WSP pool day) and activity fee and lunch if noted. Family/Youth Trip to Crystal Caves and Eau Galle Park for Ages 6 and Up (or under 6 if accompanied by adult) June 14, 2012 Cost: $24 Child and $15 Adult. Pickup/Return: 8:30 a.m. to 3:40 p.m.  Here’s an opportunity for families to join us on a youth field trip! Hike Eau Galle Recreation Area in Wisconsin with a park ranger and take a tour of the dam. Enjoy the playground and a picnic lunch. Head to nearby Crystal Caves on a guided tour learning about the caves, the formations and pan for gems just like the miners did. Bring a sweatshirt or jacket as the caves are chilly – brrrr…. ValleyFair for Ages 10 and Up (younger children may attend if accompanied by an adult) June 28, 2012 Cost: $32 Pickup/Return: 9:00 a.m. to 6:20 p.m. Gather your friends and family and come spend the day at the best amusement park around. Ride the Powertower, Renegade, Steel Venom and Excalibur! Bring your suit and towel for the waterpark. Bring extra money to purchase lunch or snacks. Apple Valley Aquatic Center for Ages 7 and Up July 12, 2012 Cost: $18 Pickup/Return: 10:20 a.m. to 3:25 p.m.      Cool off in this huge pool full of activities from thrilling waterslides to a sand and water play area. Take a ride on the lazy river or try the new thrilling Superbowl Slide! Bring a bag lunch, swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, change of clothes and money for concessions. Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Minnesota Twins vs. Baltimore Orioles for Ages 8 and Up July 19, 2012 Cost: $26 Pickup/Return: 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Spend the day outdoors at Target Field cheering on the Minnesota Twins as they play host to the Baltimore Orioles. Bring money for lunch and concessions. Mendota Heights and West Saint Paul Park and Rec Day at the West Saint Paul Pool for Ages 6 and Up July 26, 2012 Cost:  $10 Please note: no bus transportation for this event, please drop off/pick up your child at WSP Pool at 92 West Orme in West Saint Paul Time: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Begin the day with fun and games, activities and prizes outside followed by a picnic lunch and swimming and more swimming in the afternoon. Please bring a towel, change of clothes, sunscreen and extra money if you want to purchase concessions. An afternoon snack will be provided. Minnesota Twins vs. Chicago White Sox Kids and Family day for Ages 8 and Up August 1, 2012 Sorry this trip is full. Cliff Timm Memorial Fishing Derby Bring your fishing pole down to the Rogers Lake Fishing Pier to try to catch the “BIG ONE” and for a chance to win prizes for the most fish, biggest fish or smallest fish caught. We would like to thank the following sponsors for this annual fun event: Cliff Timm Trust, Gander Mountain, the Kipp Family and Midwest Extreme Outdoors. Date: June 27, 2012 Ages 14 & under (Parent/guardian must accompany participants) Fee (non-refundable): $8.00 per child. Time: 5:30 p.m. check in, 6:00 p.m. fishing begins, 7:00 p.m. awards and prizes. Must pre-register at City Hall or online, no registrations taken at the derby 2012 Safety Camp August  7, 8, and 9, 2012 Safety Camp is an experience many children remember for a lifetime. Instructors for camp include recreation staff and volunteers from local police and fire departments. Each camper will receive a camp T-shirt. Topics include stranger safety, weather safety, drug awareness, animal safety, home safety, first aid and much more. At the conclusion of camp on Thursday campers join their families for a short program and refreshments. Days and Time: Tuesday and Wednesday, August 7 and 8, 2012 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Thursday, August 9, 2012 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Ages: Children entering the 3rd and 4th grades in the fall of 2012 Fee:  $30.00 (includes lunch and snacks) Location: Kaposia Park located in South Saint Paul   Thank you to the following sponsors: South Saint Paul VFW, City of Mendota Heights, West Saint Paul and South Saint Paul Police and Fire and Parks and Recreation Lace up your shoes and join Simple Steps Simple Steps is a FREE walking program that fits your lifestyle. When it comes to your health, every step counts! Enjoy time walking with family and friends while boosting energy and reducing stress. Join the thousands of people in Dakota County who have participated in Simple Steps since 2007. Learn about great new places to walk in Dakota County and be eligible to win prizes just by tracking the number of minutes walked. It’s easy–ask a friend and start walking. Register online starting March 15 at www.dakotacounty.us (search Simple Steps) or call 651-554-6100. Find “Dakota County Simple Steps” on Facebook! The City of Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Presents The Puppet Wagon Free Performances every Monday at 11:45 June 11-July 30 (No show on July 2, 2012) Market Square Park in the Village at Mendota Heights (Highway 110 and Dodd) The puppet wagon provides fun for the whole family. Enjoy themed shows, dance with the puppets and make a craft! Don’t forget to bring puppet mail, which the puppets will read aloud! Bring your lunch or snack, lawn chair or blanket. Local businesses will provide lunch specials! In the event of inclement weather, puppet show is cancelled. Summer Performances in the Park Friday, June 1, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. at Market Square Park: Fu-ga-we Tribe – Variety Band Saturday, June 2, 2012 at 11:30 a.m. at Mendakota Park: Splatter Sisters – Classic kids/family music Saturday, June 2, at 12:30 p.m. at Mendakota Park: Magic Maniac with Kevin Hall Magic Wednesday, June 13, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. at Henry Sibley High School Parking Lot: Teddy Bear Band Wednesday, June 20, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. at Market Square Park: Steve Clarke and Working Stiffs Wednesday, July 18, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. at Market Square Park: Connie Evingson - Jazz Monday, July 23, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. at Market Square Park: Northern Wind Concert Band Wednesday, August 1, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. at Market Square Park: Echoes of Elvis (co-sponsor TPAC) Wednesday, August 15, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. at Market Square Park: Kid’s Dance Back - Hip Hop music with petting zoo and face-painting too! Thompson Park Activity Center (TPAC) for 55 + Adults If you are looking for activities and fun, check out Thompson Park Activity Center located at 1200 Stassen Lane (Butler and Highway 52) in West St. Paul. This is our area Northern Dakota County Tri-District Community Education 55+ center. Mendota Heights residents are welcome to join classes or take part in any of the activities. If you would like to get on the TPAC mailing list for the “Thompson Times” which lists all upcoming activities and classes, or need more information on what is offered, please call the Thompson Park Activity Center at 651-403-8300 or stop in for a visit. Mendota Heights Athletic Association Mendota Heights Athletic Association sponsors youth baseball, basketball, football, hockey, soccer, softball and volleyball. For more information please visit their website at www.mendotaheightsathletics.com to register. Program information and registration is available on our website at www.mendota-heights.com or at City Hall at 651.452.1850 HEIGHTS HIGHLIGHTS : 76 : HEIGHTS HIGHLIGHTS MENDOTA HEIGHTS TENNIS PROGRAM 2012 Join your friends, have fun and stay fit. Our tennis programs are game based and utilize the USTA Quick Start program. Learn to play and enjoy the game of tennis. Dates/Days: June 11 through July 26, 2012 Leagues and lessons meet on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays Little Tennis meets on Thursdays. Location: Visitation School Tennis Courts Little Tennis ages 4 to 7 years: Introduces young children to tennis using mini nets. Parent/chaperone is required to stay for the session. Sessions: I: 8:30 a.m. to 9:10 a.m. II: 9:15 a.m. to 9:55 a.m. III: 10:00 a.m. to 10:40 a.m. IV: 10:45 a.m. to 11:25 a.m. V: 11:30 a.m. to 12:10 p.m. Cost: $45 Tennis Lessons ages 7 and up: NEW - we have combined our lessons to include all levels in each hour. Participants will warm up together then break out with instructors for beginning, intermediate and advanced play. Now you can drop all of your children off for one session! Beginner: Learn the basics of tennis, sportsmanship, general etiquette and develop strokes and service in a fun, supervised environment. Intermediate: Players with some tennis experience will learn about game play, positioning and improving strokes along with sportsmanship, tennis etiquette, and how to apply strategies and tactics for game play. Advanced: Players with previous tennis experience who have a mental and physical grasp of tennis fundamentals will focus on refining their game and preparing for competitive play in both singles and double competition. Sessions: I: 8:30 a.m. to 9:25 a.m. II: 9:30 a.m. to 10:25 a.m. III: 10:30 a.m. to 11:25 a.m. Cost: $75 In House League Play for ages 10 and up: Instructors will divide participants into singles or doubles play each day and will be on hand to keep the matches moving. Instructors will provide coaching on serving, strokes, footwork and scoring. Please note youth must attend try outs to be admitted to this program. Try outs will be held the first day of class. Session: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Cost: $80 Recreational Traveling Team for ages 10 to 16 years old: This program is a perfect fit for players who are ready for more competition and may be considering trying out for Jr. High and High School teams. Instructors will help develop them to the next level. Games and practices are held on Mondays and Wednesdays. The team will also practice on the first three Tuesdays of the program. Players will compete in three home matches and three matches in neighboring communities. Transportation to matches will not be provided. Please note youth must attend try outs to be admitted to this program. Try outs will be held the first day of class. Session: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Cost: $80 Fun Day: Wednesday July 25, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. we will wrap up the season for Tennis Lessons, In-House and Traveling Team with fun, games, a picnic lunch and prizes. Golf Programs at Par 3 Junior Golf League for ages 6-15 years Fee: $110.00 No play week of July 2, 2012. Monday mornings: June 11 - August 20. Wednesday mornings: June 13 - August 22. Thursday mornings: June 14 - August 23. Golf Lessons -Tuesday Evening Class: Fee: $60, Beginners 5:00 to 6:30 p.m., Intermediate 6:45 to 8:15 p.m. Session I: May 29 and June 5, 2012 Youth Golf Camps for ages 6-13 years Fee: $110.00 Camps run every week starting June 11 and end the week of August 20. Morning camps run 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Afternoon camps run 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (Please see website for more information). City of Mendota Heights 1101 Victoria Curve Mendota Heights, MN 55118 www.mendota-heights.com HEIGHTS HIGHLIGHTS City Directory Council Members: Sandra Krebsbach, Mayor 651.454.5696 Jack Vitelli 651.455.5625 Ultan Duggan 651.452.5179 Liz Petschel 651.454.3256 Mike Povolny 651.454.0926 Staff Members: City Hall 651.452.1850 Justin Miller, City Administrator John Maczko, Fire Chief John Mazzitello, Public Works Director Jake Sedlacek, Assistant to Administrator Paul Berg, Code Enforcement Officer Kristen Schabacker, Finance Director Teresa Gangelhoff, Recreation Programmer Police Department Emergency 911 Any call for service 911 Administration Weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 651.452.1366 Mike Aschenbrener, Chief of Police Public Works Facility 651.454.4059 Tom Olund, Public Works Superintendent City of Mendota Heights 1101 Victoria Curve Mendota Heights, MN 55118 www.mendota-heights.com SPRING 2012 : Issue 91 Copyright 2012, City of Mendota Heights This year’s event, sponsored by Gateway Bank, will take place on Saturday, June 2nd at 9:00 a.m. at the Village in Mendota Heights. Registration is $20 before 6 p.m. on June 1st and $25 the day of the race. Registration forms may be found on our website at www.mendota-heights.com or at City Hall. Registration for the race includes a t-shirt, race day refreshments and a chance to win one of thousands of dollars’ worth of great door prizes! Awards will be presented to the top three males and the top three females in the following categories: age 19 and under, ages 20 to 49 and ages 50 and over. Proceeds from the race are donated to Special Olympics and helps kids achieve their goals and dreams. If you would like to make an additional donation to the Special Olympics please include a separate check written to the Special Olympics and thank you for your continued support of this important program! Race Number and 5K T-Shirt Pick-up will be Friday, June 1st at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, MN 55118 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. or Saturday morning before the race at the Village at Mendota Heights from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Find us on Facebook – Get all your up-to-date information about Mendota Heights by “liking” us on Facebook. Find us at www.facebook.com/MendotaHeightsMN. Learn about park and recreation activities, city news, and much more – all delivered to your smartphone or computer. The Mendota Heights Par 3 Golf Course is a great place to enjoy the outdoors, and maybe chase some birdies (pars aren’t too hard to find, either). The Par 3 opened in 1961 just five years after the City of Mendota Heights was established. The Mendota Heights Par 3 may be the best value in golf in the Twin Cities area and is a great place for you to grow your golf game. The course opened in March this year, and we will welcome summer with a free Swing into Summer Golf open house on Saturday, June 9, 2012: From 9:00 a.m. through 12:00 p.m. We will have instructors on hand providing tips on golf stance, grip, putting, chipping and course etiquette. We’ll also have free hot dogs and prize drawings. Our Women’s League is on Wednesday evenings and our brand new Senior’s League will be on Friday mornings. There are a variety of youth programs starting the week of June 11th – check out the city webpage for more information. The city hopes to partner with local businesses this year for special deals - make sure to “like” us on Facebook to hear about the latest promotions. See you at the course! When you hear an activated siren sounding – what do you think of? Depending on your age or experience, you may automatically think it’s a weather alert, or possibly a Civil Defense Siren. You also may just think it’s a test; as you probably know, the sirens are still tested the first Wednesday of each month at 1:00 p.m. Now that weather alert season has arrived, we would like to stress the following with you: Please don’t let your automatic reaction or complacency dictate your response. An activated siren could be sounding for any number of emergencies and should inspire thoughtful action. The main purpose of outdoor warning sirens is to direct people to turn on their television, radio, weather radio or internet to find information about why the siren in their area is activated. If you’re a sound sleeper (or maybe you’re a loud snorer) and you sleep thru nearly any noise, you might want to ensure you keep a weather radio plugged into a nearby location to alert you. Also, ensure you teach/remind your younger family members of this also so you work together to ensure the safety of your household. The City of Mendota Heights owns five sirens strategically placed throughout the city that have all been recently upgraded to include a battery back-up system ensuring they work when the power goes out. Over the years, our partners, including the National Weather Service, have worked hard to reduce the size of areas impacted by severe weather alert to be smaller. Find out how the National Weather Service and NOAA work together to keep you safe: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr; there you will find useful tools and ideas. Each year all of the Dakota County Emergency Managers agree upon a uniform policy for sounding the sirens, www.co.dakota.mn.us/Department/Sheriff/EmergencyPreparedness.htm. Outdoor Warning Sirens Birdie Watching Lace up your running shoes… For the 7th Annual Mendota Heights 5K Run/Walk on June 2, 2012