THE LATEST
 WHEP volunteers at a recent monitoring exercise. Dakota County's Wetland Health Evaluation Program engages citizen volunteers to help monitor wetlands in their community by conducting invertebrate and vegetation sampling throughout the growing season to evaluate wetland health.
Thank you to our Mendota Heights WHEP team
The City would like to thank all of the Wetland Health Evaluation Program (WHEP) team members who have volunteered to monitor two of our wetlands in Mendota Heights this year. Copperfield wetland and the City Hall wetland will both be monitored by WHEP team members. The City has monitored 18 wetlands within Mendota Heights since the start of the WHEP program, and has 22 years of wetland data.
Team leader Darcy Tatham has been monitoring for 18 of those years. Additional team members include John Bottomley, Jim Chastek, Joan O'Donnell, Gayl Gustafson, Jamie Nikolai, Caitlin Noseworthy, Eliza Pessereau, Angela Richardson, Emma Richardson, Michelle Skog, Mary Stade, Camille Wang, and Noelle Wang.
Dakota County's Wetland Health Evaluation Program engages citizen volunteers to help monitor wetlands in their community by conducting invertebrate and vegetation sampling throughout the growing season to evaluate wetland health. The data is then used by city and county staff and decision makers to help track and manage wetlands, as well as evaluate impacts due to land use changes and stormwater runoff.
Thank you to all of our Mendota Heights WHEP volunteers!
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 Marie Park playground ribbon cutting
The new playground is nearly complete pending installation of swings, benches, and one of the sand diggers. 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!
 City fireworks return
Celebrate freedom with a grand display of fireworks! They will be launched from Mendakota Country Club on Sunday, July 4; the launch typically begins around 10 p.m. Good places to view them from include Mendakota Park, Rogers Lake Park, Mendota Plaza, The Village of Mendota Heights, City Hall, and Two Rivers (Henry Sibley) High School. Thanks to Mendakota Country Club for again hosting this year's event.
 Registration open for Night to Unite
Night to Unite will take place on Tuesday, August 3, from 5 to 8 p.m. This event brings together neighbors and local public safety to help prevent crime. Neighborhoods are invited to host parties such as potlucks, cookouts, and ice cream socials to help build community and meet new friends. Mendota Heights Public Safety will stop by registered parties with their emergency vehicles to check out, visit with neighbors, and answer any questions you may have. Those interested in hosting a party must register by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, July 30. Night to Unite 2021 Registration Form
Organics drop-off site opening soon in Mendota Heights
Dakota County is making it easier for residents to reduce waste by opening a new organics drop-off site July 16 at Mendakota Park in Mendota Heights.
Residents will be able to bring organics, such as food scraps and paper towels, to the site for free. All registered participants receive free compostable bags to use at home and helpful tips. To sign up, visit dakotacounty.us and search organics, call 952-891-7557, or email organics@co.dakota.mn.us.
Unlike backyard composting, all food scraps, including meat, bones and dairy products, are accepted. The Mulch Store, a commercial compost facility, processes the materials at higher temperatures to kill bacteria and turn them into nutrient-rich compost.
Since opening the first organic drop-off site in 2016, more than 6,000 Dakota County households have registered for the program. Across the five current locations, more than 10,000 pounds of food scraps are kept out of the landfill each week.
Learn more about organics recycling and sign up for the drop-off program at an Open House at Mendakota Park on Saturday, July 17, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
What does City Code say about construction and other outdoor noises?
Along with warmer weather comes outdoor activities, and open windows. This combination can generate questions as to what the City’s limitations are for outdoor noise.
In general, the City Code (12-1E-1) follows State noise limitations, which permits most exterior construction activities from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. “Construction” is generally determined to be work which uses power equipment (skid steer loaders, dump trucks, etc) for activity relating to building, and landscaping/grading. Noise limits are also applied to the use of power hand held tools by contractors or builders who are engaged in activities like concrete work and framing.
Lawn mowing, leaf blowing, snow removal and like activities by homeowners are not construction activities, and therefore are not bound by those hours. But…be neighborly!
Residents encouraged to report power outages if they occur
Xcel Energy's electric grid is built to handle severe conditions, including long, hot spells where the system is running at full capacity. While our summer has started out with high temperatures, Xcel Energy has been very busy making sure electricity is flowing to all customers. Electric reliability can be partially attributed to timely infrastructure investments, partially to actively monitoring and managing the electrical grid, and partially to Xcel's participation in a regional grid organization. While the electric grid is getting smarter every day, it is important for customers to let them know when something is wrong.
If you experience an outage, please report it as soon as possible by calling 1-800-895-1999, through Xcel Energy's mobile app, or online at Xcelenergy.com. If you have not done so lately, please take a moment to log into your Xcel account to ensure that your contact information is up to date. Outage and other important messaging may not get to you if contact information is outdated. The Xcel Energy app, available for Android and Apple users, provides instant access to bills and messages and an easy way to report outages to your service.
 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.
 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
July 17 | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Mendakota Park
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 6/18/21 - 6/24/21
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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 Let's dance
Grown-ups and kids alike enjoyed Wednesday's Kidsdance DJ outdoor music at Mendakota Park. Mark your calendars for the next free community concert featuring Teddy Bear Band at Mendakota Park on July 14 at 6 p.m.
Upcoming events
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 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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July 13 | 1:30-2:30pm at Mendakota Park
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