THE LATEST
 Nearing completion
The playground structure at Marie Park is almost finished, and work is underway to set the border. A shipment of surfacing woodchips will arrive next week to be blown in once the border is ready. During this final leg of construction, please mind the caution tape and continue to refrain from playing on any of the structure until the playground is officially opened. Additionally, please remind any youth attending the park of this important safety information. We appreciate your patience and look forward to opening soon.
Attend the Ribbon Cutting
The public is invited to a ribbon cutting to officially open the new playground on Thursday, July 1 at 5 p.m. Stop by Marie Park to play on all of the new features, and while you're there enjoy a treat from the ice cream truck!
Council plans for transition of City Administrators
City Administrator Mark McNeill recently informed the Mendota Heights City Council that it is his intent to retire as City Administrator at the end of September. McNeill has served as City Administrator in Mendota Heights since February, 2015. He has previously served as City Administrator for Shakopee and Savage in Minnesota, and for Mason City, Iowa, as part of a 45-year career in local government.
The City Council met earlier in June to determine the process for finding the next Mendota Heights City Administrator. While an outside search was considered, they weighed the number of other cities in the metropolitan area which are similarly recruiting for their cities’ chief administrative officer right now, and determined that current Assistant City Administrator for Mendota Heights, Cheryl Jacobson, had all of the experience and qualifications which were needed to do the job.
On Tuesday, June 8, the Council interviewed Ms. Jacobson. Following that, they conditionally offered the job to her, which was accepted. It is expected that the City Council will take action to make the hire official at its July 6 meeting. McNeill and Jacobson would work together until McNeill’s departure to ensure a smooth transition.
Said Mayor Stephanie Levine, “We are thrilled that Cheryl Jacobson has accepted the position of City Administrator. She understands and appreciates our community and has the broad skill set and experience to guide our city as we work to accomplish our strategic goals.”
Encountering coyotes
Coyotes live among us, and although they can be a threat to domestic pets, healthy coyotes are not typically a threat to humans. If you are confronted by a coyote that does not immediately run away:
- Shout, wave your arms and make loud noises to frighten it away.
- Carry and use a noisemaker, such as a loud whistle or air horn.
- Carry a metal can with coins or rocks in it to shake or throw if needed.
- Be persistent with your actions when hazing a coyote
- Call 9-1-1 to report sick/injured coyotes, or any aggressive coyote behavior
For the safety of pets and to prevent coyote confrontations:
- Do not leave pet food or garbage outside.
- Do not leave dogs or cats outside unattended for long periods of time.
- Per City Code, dogs must be leashed when walking in parks, on trails, and in any public areas.
- Per City Code, no citizen can discharge a firearm or trap these animals.
Additional resources:
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources/Nuisance Animals
The Humane Society of the United States/Coyotes and People
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In recognition of service
After fifteen years of being the "front door" to City Hall visitors, Office Support Assistant Pam Deeb is retiring. Pam has served at City Hall in the front reception area, assisting the public with customer service and supporting City departments. The City is grateful for her dedicated and friendly service, and wishes her the best. She will be missed!
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Public meeting announcements
There are three public hearings scheduled to take place during the next regular meeting of the Planning Commission, beginning at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 22:
- Ordinance No. 568 amending Title 12 – Zoning for a new Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area Overlay District Ordinance
- Ordinance No. 566 amending parts of City Code Title 5 – Police Regulations and Title 12 – Zoning to allow temporary keeping of goats for controlled grazing purposes
- A hearing to consider a new preliminary and final plat of Sweeney 2nd Addition located at 777 Wentworth Avenue in Mendota Heights
Information regarding these public hearings can be found in the Planning Commission June 22, 2021 Agenda Packet.
 COVID-19 information
- The first 100,000 Minnesotans, ages 12 and older, who get their first COVID-19 vaccine through June 30 will be eligible for a special reward.
- Walk-ins for Minnesotans age 12 to 17 are possible at any state community vaccination sites that are administering the Pfizer vaccine.
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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.
Image courtesy of Dakota County.
Rent for summer fun - no maintenance required
Enjoy the Minnesota summer by borrowing outdoor gear instead of buying new. Renting lets you try out a new activity without investing in equipment that may end up not getting used or quickly outgrown. It helps the planet, too, because fewer resources are being used to make new stuff.
Dakota County Parks offers equipment rental for kayaks, canoes and paddleboards at the Lebanon Hills Visitor Center. Borrow fishing equipment for free, too. Rent outdoor gear from tents to climbing crampons at REI in Bloomington or the University of Minnesota Outdoor Rental Center.
Upcoming events
June 26 | 10am - 1pm at Wakota Federal Credit Union, South St. Paul
July 3 - 10 | Drop off at City Hall's parking lot
July 11 | 9 a.m. to noon at West St. Paul Public Works
Take home FREE compost for your garden.
Lake monitoring volunteer needed
The City is looking for a volunteer to participate in the Citizen-Assisted Monitoring Program (CAMP) for Lemay Lake. The CAMP program is a lake monitoring program created by the Metropolitan Council, and sponsored by the City, to collect and analyze water-quality data from lakes in the Twin Cities area. The data is used by the City, organizations, and residents to make decisions regarding lake management.
Volunteers monitor and take surface water samples from a specific location on the lake every two weeks from mid-April through mid-October. Data such as temperature, clarity, weather and lake conditions are also taken during monitoring.
To volunteer as a CAMP member on Lake Lemay in Mendota Heights, please contact Natural Resources Technician Krista Spreiter, CWD, email kristas@mendota-heights.com or call 651-255-1123. For more information regarding the CAMP program, please visit the Metropolitan Council’s Citizen-Assisted Monitoring Program page.
Recent highlights
Just the Facts
Incident reports 6/11/21 - 6/17/21
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.
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Upcoming events
Kidsdance (Free)
Wednesday, June 23 | 6pm
Mendakota Park
Grown-ups and kids alike will enjoy this mega-fun dance party. Family-friendly Kidsdance plays the hottest new music as well as the coolest classics – with tons of activities that will get everyone moving.
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Drop-in Program (Free)
Join us on Tuesdays for the City's traveling program that brings recreation to local neighborhood spots. Staff will set up activities and equipment for youth ages six to twelve to enjoy. There will be games, sports, arts, crafts, and more. No registration required.
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June 22 |12:30-1:30pm at Covington Court Apartments Greenspace
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June 29 |1:30-2:30pm at Mendakota Park
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July 6 | 12:30-1:30pm at Harmon Park
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Recent highlights:
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