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2011-07-08 Friday News July 8, 2011 July 8, 2011 Thank You A big thank you goes out to everyone who was involved with the fireworks on July 4th at Mendakota. Thank you to the city council for again agreeing to donate money to help sponsor the show along with Mendakota Country Club. In addition, the work performed by the Police, Fire and Public Works departments enabled the show to go on with no problems reported. Large crowds gathered around the city to watch the fireworks show and celebrate the holiday. Another example of the great work that the city and city staff members do to help support the community celebrations that occur in Mendota Heights. Thank you again to all of those involved! Solicitor Ordinance On Tuesday, July 5, 2011 council approved a new ordinance pertaining to solicitors. The new code, which will go into effect on Monday, July 11, 2011, is much more prohibitive and provides for no city licensing process. Title 3, Chapter 3 prohibits all peddlers, professional fundraisers and transient merchants, with exceptions for certain activities listed in the code. Per the new code, all non-commercial solicitors and canvassers are required to register with the office of the city clerk. Licensing and registration was previously performed by the police department. If you should have any questions or would like more information on this code update, the complete ordinance language will be added to the city website on Monday, July 11, 2011 or you may contact Sandie Thone. Commercial Property Review At their meeting this past Tuesday the city council asked staff to draft a commercial property maintenance ordinance similar to the current residential property maintenance ordinance for consideration. City staff will be working with our contract planner to look at this issue in the upcoming months. Two commercial properties have created concern that the city may need an enforcement tool to ensure that commercial buildings are be in good and safe condition. Council felt that implementation of the residential property code was positive for the city, and that similar regulation for business properties should not cause too much of a stir. Staff will bring back options for the council to consider in the near future. If you have any input on this issue please let us know. Friday News Mendota Heights Weekly Report on City Activities Mendota Heights City Hall 1101 Victoria Curve www.mendota-heights.com (651) 452-1850 July 8, 2011 Attachments The Pipeline, Just the Facts July 8, 2011 Dates to Remember July 12, 2011 6:30 p.m. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting July 13, 2011 7:00 p.m. Airport Relations Commission Meeting July 19, 2011 7:00 p.m. City Council Meeting July 26, 2011 7:00 p.m. Planning Commission Meeting August 2, 2011 7:00 p.m. City Council Meeting Page Two City Administrator Search Process With the impending departure of the city administrator, the city council will soon discuss the process for filling the position. The city council has scheduled a work session for Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. to review the job description, discuss interim and long term options and other items related to the process itself. The work session will be held at city hall prior to the regular city council meeting. It appears that the last day for the current administrator will be in mid-August. The city council is the direct supervisor of the city administrator and will make all decisions with regard to the vacancy process and filling the position. A summary of the process selected will be included in a future Friday News once all of the decisions are made. Stay tuned for additional information. Pilot Knob Update If you have not been out to Pilot Knob this summer you are missing out. The property continues to transition to its original state with the plantings that Great River Greening has done over the past few years. In addition, last year a gravel trail was installed in the southern and eastern section of the property that makes exploration of the property easier. City staff also met with Great River Greening this week about the parking lot that will be built at the site this year. A small lot will be built near the entrance to the property. Visitor parking will be relocated from the street to the off-street parking lot. The entrance will be more visible for newcomers. Please check out this Mendota Heights’ treasure this summer!