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 Get ready for this first-time recycling event!
Bring a toy no longer wanted or needed, and exchange it for a different toy; no limit! All donations must be clean, in good-condition, work properly, and have all parts and pieces. Visit the Toy Swap webpage for details on item acceptance. There will also be an optional canned food collection to benefit the local food shelf, and stop by The Free Book Buggie to take home a book! This event is open to residents of Mendota Heights, Lilydale, West St. Paul, South St. Paul, and Sunfish Lake.
Aircraft noise returning to more typical as runway reopens
Residents may notice aircraft noise returning to a typical aircraft activity level effective October 14, with the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport's reopening of Runway 17/35. This runway had been closed since early September for safety area restoration work adjacent to the runway, which temporarily shifted air traffic to Runways 12L/30R and 12R/30L that fly over Mendota Heights and Eagan.
Anyone with questions regarding airfield or aircraft noise and/or runway closures may call the Metropolitan Airports Commission's Community Relations Office at 612-726-9411.
Learn more about MSP airfield construction, maintenance, and impacts on air traffic patterns.
Image courtesy of the Minnesota Water Steward program.
Become a Minnesota Water Steward
Help protect our water by becoming a Minnesota Water Steward. Minnesota Water Stewards are certified residents and community leaders that work to prevent water pollution and educate community members to conserve and protect our surface waters. This program is a partnership between the Freshwater Society and the Lower Mississippi River Watershed Management Organization, as well as other cities, counties, watershed management organizations and non-profits.
The program is accepting applications for the 2022 program year. Training begins in January 2022 and runs through the spring. To learn more and apply, visit minnesotawaterstewards.org. You can also learn more at an upcoming virtual information session. Information sessions run about 45 minutes to an hour long and registration is required.
 Now hiring
The City of Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation is accepting applications for the following positions:
Warming House/Rink Attendants
Warming House/Ice Rink Attendants are responsible for opening and closing warming houses and ice rinks; maintaining rinks, warming houses and grounds cleanliness; shoveling and clearing excess snow off rinks and walkways; ensuring that rules and polices are followed and for interacting with the public in a professional, courteous and helpful manner. Hours vary, up to 20 hours per week, mid-December through early March (weather permitting). Evening and weekend hours required. The City’s outdoor ice rinks are located at Friendly Hills Park, Marie Park and Wentworth Park. You must be at least 16 years of age to apply.
Hourly Rate: $10.25 to $11.00, depending on qualifications. Position open until filled. First consideration will be given to applications received by 11:30am on October 29, 2021.
Skating Instructor
The Skating Instructor is responsible for instructing individuals at various levels and ages in learn-to-skate programs and performs a variety of duties including developing lesson plans, preparing materials, instructing classes and supervising participants. You must be at least 16 years of age to apply, and able to work Saturdays from 8:45am to 1:15pm from January 8 to February 12, 2022.
Hourly Rate: $15.75 to $16.25, depending on qualifications. Position open until filled. First consideration will be given to applications received by 11:30am on October 22, 2021.
Image courtesy of Dakota County.
Where to bring yard waste this fall
As you clean up the yard in cooler weather, remember yard waste – branches, leaves and grass clippings – are not allowed in your trash.
COVID-19 information
Vaccination locations:
- 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.
Booster shots:
- Providers can now offer Pfizer booster shots to Minnesotans who are eligible, and who previously received the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Learn more.
COVID-19 testing:
- 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.
BUSINESS NEWS
 Free virtual event for small businesses
Talk to legal experts about your business questions at a free virtual on November 17, from 9:30 to 11 a.m., hosted by the Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers and Open to Business, in partnership with the University of MN Law School. RSVP to events@mccdmn.org.
Upcoming events
Oct 16 | Wescott Library, Eagan
Oct 17 | Dakota Lodge, WSP
Oct 23 | Mendakota Park
Oct 31 | Dakota Lodge, WSP
 Residents can register for these reuse classes to gain new skills while helping reduce waste. Classes will take place at Mendota Heights City Hall. Registration is required; to register call Recycling Coordinator Cassandra Johnson at 651-552-4118 or email cjohnson@wspmn.gov.
Thursday, Nov 4 | 7-8pm
Monday, Nov 8 | 6-8pm
Thursday, Nov 18 | 7-8:30pm
 Fall Leaf Cleanup Week
It’s the Adopt-a-Drain Fall Leaf Cleanup Week. Storm drains along the curb feed directly into our lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands, many times unfiltered. Keeping them free of leaves, sediment, grass clippings, and other pollutants means healthier waterbodies in our community. Fall is an especially important time to keep the leaves that are collecting on our streets out of our storm drains. They may be a natural part of our environment, but they become pollution when large quantities flow to our water bodies, break down, and cause excessive algae growth next spring. Here are some steps you can take to help, courtesy of Adopt-a-Drain:
- Adopt an available storm drain near you at adopt-a-drain.org (or feel free to adopt more if you already have an adopted drain).
- Gather the tools you'll need. These might include a rake, trash grabber, dustpan, safety vest, gloves, bins for separating waste, and a yard or trash bag.
- Collect and separate trash and recycling from the area around your adopted drain.
- Rake or sweep up leaves, sediment and sticks and place in compost or a yard waste bag.
- Estimate and report the debris you collect from 10/11/2021-10/17/2021 and you’ll receive an Adopt-a-Drain tote bag (one per account).
- (Optional, but greatly appreciated!) Take a before and after photo of your efforts and share it on your Facebook or Instagram, and tag Adopt-a-Drain!
Tree removal at Par 3
Several diseased ash trees, as well as some diseased and invasive, non-native trees will be removed from the Par 3 Golf Course this fall. The ash trees have been infected by Emerald Ash Borer, a non-native insect from Asia that feeds on ash trees, eventually killing them. The ash trees to be removed are no longer treatable and must be removed due to safety reasons. Ten trees will be removed, and 14 replacement trees will be planted throughout the course in order to mitigate for the loss. Trees to be planted include: Swamp White Oak, disease-resistant Elm species, Hackberry, Ohio Buckeye, Prairie Gold Aspen, as well as others. For questions or concerns, please contact Krista Spreiter, Natural Resources Technician, at 651-255-1123 or KSpreiter@mendotaheightsmn.gov.
For more information on Emerald Ash Borer: mendotaheightsmn.gov/emerald_ash_borer
Recent highlights
FIRE DEPARTMENT NEWS
 Bonfire reminders
Recreational fires can be enjoyable in the fall, but to ensure they are safe there are important fire regulations to follow:
- In-ground fire pits or fire rings must be at least 25 feet from any structure, which includes fences and sheds
- Portable units, such as fire kettles and chimineas, must be at least 15 feet from any structure
- Burning materials must be clean, dry wood only (no refuse, grass, leaves, logs over three inches in diameter, paper, garbage, trade waste or other combustibles).
- A means of extinguishment must be in the immediate area
- Fires shall be extinguished within three hours after start and no later than 11 p.m.
- Fires must be constantly attended by a competent person of at least 16 years of age
- No fire shall be started or maintained in dry conditions or winds over 15 mph.
Recreational Fire Regulations can be found in 7-2-7 of City Code.
Free community events
 Sat, Oct 23 | 5-7pm
Celebrate the season by taking your little ghosts and goblins for a spooktacular trick or tee-ing experience. Visit four golf course holes for a treat, and enjoy festive games, arts, and crafts. Come dressed to impress for a costume contest at 6 p.m. — you could win a prize! Cider and snacks will be available. This event is geared for children ages 13 and under; adult supervision is required.
Location: Mendota Heights Par 3 Community Golf Course
 Sun, Oct 31 | 7-9pm
Enjoy a gigantic bonfire to celebrate the season! Please park on surrounding streets and not in the Mendota Plaza parking lot. The City will be supplying oak pallets for the bonfire so residents are not allowed to bring brush to the site. Thank you Paster Properties for the use of the bonfire site again this year!
Location: Lot behind Mendota Plaza
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