THE LATEST
 Two officers with the Mendota Heights Police Department visit with a neighbor (photo above); another gathering featured recycling and natural resources information (photo below).
Night to Unite boasts record-breaking turnout
Thank you to all who came out for Night to Unite on August 3 and to the captains who hosted neighborhood gatherings! It was a record-breaking year with forty-three registered parties -- the largest number ever. This opportunity for connection helps support safer communities. If you missed this year's event, Night to Unite takes place yearly the first Tuesday evening in August.
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 Marie Park tree donation
The Mendota Heights Mom’s Club held a tree planting event at Marie Park on Thursday morning of this week. The hackberry tree was a $200 donation from the Mom's Club and was planted in memory of Charlie Schifsky, daughter of Jo and Toby Schifsky, who passed away in 2019 at the age of seven.
 Water conservation measures continue
Odd/even outdoor watering schedule urged
As of this time, the Saint Paul Regional Water Services is continuing in the voluntary odd/even water conservation stage. Depending on river volumes, the next higher level would be mandatory odd-even watering. If the drought situation worsens, additional measures would be added. For more information and water-saving tips, visit stpaul.gov/water. Please do your part to reduce your use of water!
 Accepting applications for Police Officer
The City of Mendota Heights is currently accepting applications for the position of Police Officer. Successful candidates must have an Associate's degree in law enforcement or related field, and be licensed by the P.O.S.T. Board or eligible for licensing by September 1, 2021. Candidates must be committed to community policing and be team oriented with strong communication and interpersonal skills. Other requirements include a valid driver's license and the ability to pass a thorough background investigation, psychological evaluation, and a physical examination including drug testing.
Starting salary: $5,538 to $6,335 per month (DOQ), educational incentive pay up to 9% for Bachelor degree holders after twelve months of continuous employment, and excellent benefits. Interested applicants must submit a resume, city employment application and application supplement by 4:30 p.m. on August 12, 2021. Applications must be received, not postmarked, by the deadline for consideration.
Learn more and link to application materials.
 COVID-19 information
- Minnesotans twelve years of age and older who receive their first dose between Friday, July 30 and Sunday, August 15 will be eligible for a $100 Visa gift card to spend however they choose, limited to the first 24,330 eligible submissions. Details.
- Walk-ins for Minnesotans are available at any state community vaccination sites; vaccinations are available for ages twelve to seventeen at sites administering the Pfizer vaccine.
- 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.
 Last call for pickleball
Tournament registration closes Monday, August 9 at 8 a.m.
Fourteen slots out of thirty-two teams remain for the Parks Celebration's first-ever free Pickleball Tournament. The tournament is open to pairs of any age. One team member must be a resident of Mendota Heights. Get in on the fun and register your team! The tournament will take place at Marie Park on August 15, from 8 to 11 a.m.
Recent highlights
 Fix It Clinics are restarting!
After a long hiatus from COVID-19, the County is resuming Fix It Clinics again! These popular clinics offers residents a chance to learn how to fix broken household items with experienced volunteers’ help. FREE to attend, these clinics keep thousands of pounds of material from heading to the landfill each year.
Shoe & Clothing recycling event a success
The weights are in for items collected at the clothing and shoe drop-off that took place in July. Mendota Heights' collection bins totaled a whopping 2,245 pounds. Thank you to all who donated!
Upcoming events
Aug 22 | Trapp Farm Park, Eagan
Sept 19 | Whitetail Woods Park, Farmington
Through Sept 6 | Special rate for Dakota County residents
Sept 11 | Mendakota Park
Take home FREE compost for your garden.
 Let's get to 750 program sign-ups!
New drop-off location at Mendakota Park is open
Participate the Mayor's Challenge by joining 655+ other Mendota Heights households that are recycling food waste/organics from home through the Dakota County Organics Drop-off Program. By signing up for the program, you simply collect organic waste items, such as food scraps and paper towels, and conveniently drop them off at Mendakota Park's drop-off site for free. Unlike backyard composting, all food scraps, including meat, bones and dairy products, are accepted. Collected items are recycled into compost.
All registered participants receive free compostable bags to use at home, along with helpful tips to get started. To learn more and sign up, visit dakotacounty.us and search organics, call 952-891-7557, or email organics@co.dakota.mn.us.
Weed of the Month
Preventing the spread of invasive plants
Our summers are often spent enjoying the great outdoors, and taking advantage of the plentiful parks, trails, and natural areas in Mendota Heights and the surrounding area. You may not be thinking about invasive plants while enjoying summer recreation, but invasive plants can be accidentally spread as we enjoy summer recreation such as camping, hiking and biking.
When moving through an area with invasive plants, seeds and other plant material can be transferred via footwear, clothing, bikes, and other equipment, or even on your pet. These seeds can move to un-infested areas where they can invade, disrupting our local ecosystem and suppressing or outcompeting native vegetation that is vital food and habitat for wildlife.
What can we do?
- Clean equipment, pets, and clothes before leaving an area
- Do not pick plants or transplant plants from one area to another
- Sweep out your RV or tent before leaving the campground
- Spray down vehicles, trailers, and bikes with water or compressed air
Recent highlights
 Dry conditions across the state continue, with statewide fire and burning restrictions by the Department of Natural Resources affecting many outlying areas. Please practice care when enjoying recreational fires this summer and into the fall, by remembering to:
- Have a means of extinguishment readily available
- Keep fires a manageable size of no larger than three feet diameter by three feet high
- Attend fires at all times by a competent person at least sixteen years of age
- Burn clean, dry wood only (no refuse, grass, leaves, logs over three inches in diameter, paper, garbage, trade waste or other combustibles)
- Keep fires at least twenty-five feet away from buildings or structures, and portable fire containers at least fifteen feet away; keep away from any combustible materials and watch for overhead clearance
- Be aware of wind speed and weather: fires should not be lit when winds are over fifteen miles-per-hour or in dry conditions
The above items are required by City ordinance for recreational fires. Thank you in advance for your fire prevention efforts!
Just the Facts
Incident reports 7/30/21 - 8/5/21
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 mendotaheightsmn.gov/police. Completed forms and general questions can be submitted via email to pdrecords@mendota-heights.com.
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 Supporting safe communities
Thank you to all who participated in the Little Tykes Safety Camp on July 30 in conjunction with the City of West Saint Paul. Parks and Recreation, Fire, and Police spent the day teaching safety and building connections.
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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August 10 | 1:30-2:30pm at Mendakota Park
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August 17 | 12:30-1:30pm at Harmon Park
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 Parks Celebration Weekend
Sampling of the Suburbs Food Truck Festival
Fri, August 13 | 4-8pm at Mendakota Park
Enjoy a variety of tasty foods and treats available for purchase.
Rockin' Hollywoods Live in Concert (Free)
Fri, August 13 | 7-8:30pm at Mendakota Park
Dance to classic rock and roll music from this iconic band.
Community Coffee Connection (Free)
Sat, August 14 | 8-9:30am at City Hall
Bring a lawn chair, meet new friends, and chat with some of the commissions, City staff, local nonprofits, and community groups over complimentary coffee and breakfast bars. Discover resources, learn about a volunteer opportunities, and find out how you can help others -- right here in our community. Stop by and you'll also receive a book from The Free Book Buggie while supplies last! Attendees are encouraged to bring a nonperishable food item donation to benefit neighbors in need. Suggested items include canned meats, canned fruit, canned vegetables, and peanut butter.
In attendance will be:
- 360 Communities
- Airport Relations Commission members and Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) staff
- Dakota County Library
- The Free Book Buggie
- Mendota Heights Fire
- Mendota Heights Police
- Neighbors, Inc. - Food Drive
- Northern Dakota County Beyond the Yellow Ribbon
- Open to Business
- Parks and Recreation Commission members
- Other City staff members
Parks Celebration Festival (Free)
Sat, August 14 | 11am-2pm at Mendakota Park
Enjoy inflatables, a petting zoo, rock climbing wall, putting green, and more. Visit with sponsors and take part in their booth activities.
Magic Show (Free)
Sat, August 14 | 6-7pm at Mendakota Park
Wrap up the day with the ACME Magic Factory show featuring magic, humor and fun for children and families of all ages.
Pickleball Tournament (Free)
Sun, August 15 | 8-11am at Marie Park
Community Bike Ride (Free)
Sun, August 15 | 3-5pm at Mendakota Park
Decorate those wheels and get ready for a family-friendly bike ride. The route begins and ends at the park, with free snacks upon completion.
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