THE LATEST
Congratulations Officers and Sergeant!
 Above: Officers Kyle Pagel (right) and Beau Jacobson (left) taking their oath of office from Mayor Levine; pictured below Sergeant Phil McCarty being congratulated by the mayor after his swearing in.
At the City Council meeting On December 7, 2021, Mayor Stephanie Levine gave Officer Kyle Pagel and Officer Beau Jacobson the oath of office for police officers, and the oath of office for police sergeants to Sergeant Phil McCarty. Their families were in attendance and participated in the badge pinning ceremony.
Officer Pagel was born in raised in Minnesota before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. Upon return, he attended Alexandria Technical College where he majored in law enforcement. His father, sister, brother-in-law, and his mother participated in his badge pinning ceremony with his mother pinning his badge.
Officer Jacobson has worked as a corrections officer for the Mille Lacs County Sheriff’s Office and as a patrol officer, school resource officer, and DARE instructor in Williston North Dakota. Officer Jacobson has a lot of experience working with youth through his work serving as a Community Engagement Team member and Youth Hockey Goalie Development Program coordinator. For the badge pinning, he was joined by members of his family including parents, godparents, and fiancé. Beau’s grandfather pinned his badge.
Sergeant McCarty started his career in southern Minnesota and has served Mendota Heights since 2015. His experience includes assignments as an investigator, field training officer, firearms instructor, and coordinator for our Reserve Program and Community Emergency Response Team. Sergeant McCarty was promoted to sergeant in 2021. His brother, who serves as a police officer in West St. Paul, pinned his badge.
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2022 budget and tax levy approved
At its meeting on December 7, 2021, the City Council passed the 2022 fiscal year budget and tax levy.
What is a tax levy?
A tax levy is the amount of money that public agencies raise through taxes in order to fund the budget. The number of properties within a taxable district will influence how much each property has to contribute. Many different projects affect how the budget changes. Some things increase in cost, some things decrease. Additional details about what projects are in the budget can be found HERE.
The Mendota Heights city levy for 2022 will increase 6.79%.
How does the City Council decide on the budget?
The process of developing the annual budget takes several months and includes many conversations with the City Council, staff, and residents. In August, the City Council held three budget work sessions to discuss the proposed 2022 budget. It considered priorities for expenditures, and then balanced those needs with revenues which would be available to fund that for the upcoming year. A preliminary budget was proposed in September which the County used to send out parcel specific tax statements in November.
The final budget approved by the City Council was $74,465 less than the original preliminary budget reflected on resident’s property tax statements from Dakota County.
How will this affect me?
The City is just one of several agencies who can affect a person’s tax bill each year. Property taxes are based on the assessed value of a property as set by the County assessor’s office each year. Overall, the value of residential properties in Mendota Heights increased by an average of 3.75% between 2021 and 2022.
Accounting for the change in valuation of the average home in Mendota Heights, the proposed 6.79% levy increase will increase the city portion of property taxes on an average value house ($438,000) from $1,640.55 in 2021, to $1,766.89 in 2022.
 Join in a Community Conversation
Mendota Heights residents and general public are invited to take part in a Community Conversation regarding the Phase III development of At Home Apartments at Mendota Plaza as part of a City Council work session. The session will be moderated by a facilitator to solicit feedback on the community's ideas and thoughts regarding what the public would like to see as part of the proposed development. This will take place on Monday, December 13, 2021, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Mendota Heights City Hall in the Council Chambers. All are welcome to attend.
For more information regarding the proposed Phase III At Home Apartments Planned Unit Development view the November 16, 2021, City Council meeting replay and November 16, 2021, City Council agenda packet.
 Police Officer
The City of Mendota Heights is currently accepting applications for a full-time Police Officer. Mendota Heights is a community supportive of law enforcement. We invite compassionate candidates who are committed to community policing and skilled in building relationships to apply for this position. Successful candidates must have an Associate’s degree in law enforcement or a related field, and be licensed by the P.O.S.T. Board or eligible for licensing by February 1, 2022.
Interested applicants must submit a resume, a city employment application and the application supplement by 4:30 pm on January 7, 2022.
Seasonal Positions
Are you or someone you know looking for a seasonal part time job this winter? Check out Mendota Heights’ open seasonal positions below:
Winter Parking Restrictions are in effect
Overnight parking is prohibited on any public street, from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m., between November 1 and March 31. Additionally, as snow season approaches a reminder that parking is prohibited during any snowfall of two inches or more, until the street is plowed curb-to-curb. Please remind young drivers and any overnight guests and avoid a citation.
COVID-19 information
 Kids:
- Children age 5-11 years old are now eligible to get vaccinated. Minnesotans can use the Find Vaccine Locations map to find providers offering Pfizer vaccine for 5-11 year olds.
- Minnesota has launched ‘Kids Deserve a Shot,’ a vaccine incentives program rewarding Minnesotans 12-17 years old for completing their COVID-19 vaccine series.
Vaccination locations:
Booster shots:
- All Minnesotans age 18 and older are recommended to get a COVID-19 booster shot. The timing of your booster shot depends on the vaccine you received for your initial vaccine series. 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.
Recent highlights:.
Holiday reminders
During the holidays, use this helpful list as a reminder of what can go into your recycling cart and what to keep out of it. If you're uncertain about an item, check the Dakota County Recycling Guide.
Events
Drop off holiday string lights and electrical cords at Mendota Heights City Hall for free through Jan. 31. Lights can be dropped off in the main lobby during business hours (Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Fridays 7 to 11:30 a.m.) While components of string lights and electrical cords can be made into new products, they don’t belong in your recycling cart. They wrap around machines at sorting facilities and cause damage.
Lights can also be dropped off at other participating locations within Dakota County, and The Recycling Zone in Eagan also accepts them throughout the year. Thank you for keeping our city clean and green!
Open to the community, Friday, Dec. 10, 4:30–7:30 p.m.
Veterans Memorial Community Center, Inver Grove Heights
Burnsville Ice Center during Ice Center hours | Through Dec. 17
 Photo above courtesy of MN Department of Natural Resources; photo below courtesy of MN Department of Agriculture.
Weed of the month
Winged Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus)
Winged burning bush (Euonymus alatus) is a non-native invasive shrub that grows typically five to ten feet tall, with distinctive wings or rough vertical edges on its branches. It gets its name for its bright red foliage in the fall. During the summer it has dark green, opposite leaves, with toothed edges that are oval in shape, tapering to a point. It is shade tolerant, but can grow in a wide variety of conditions. It is often found in woodlands and woodland edges, including Valley Park. This invasive spreads by producing an abundance of seed, which is transported by birds and other wildlife. Red berries appear from September to October. Currently it is on the MN Department of Agriculture’s Specially Regulated Plant list, due to its production phase-out period, ending in 2022. It will be placed on the Restricted Noxious Weed list in 2023, when the sale of the species will be prohibited.
Control methods for Winged Burning Bush:
- Hand-digging or pulling of small populations.
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Herbicide application. This is best done in early spring or late fall when other native vegetation is dormant. Cutting and immediate treatment of the stump with a systemic herbicide is recommended.
For more information: Minnesota Department of Agriculture or contact Krista Spreiter, Natural Resources Technician at 651-255-1123 or email Kspreiter@mendotaheightsmn.gov.
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Recent highlights
Register now for winter activities
Sports Unlimited Soccer Camp
Wed., Dec 29 & Thurs., Dec 30 | 9am-noon
Ages: 6-12
Cost: $49 per person (resident)
Location: West St. Paul Sports Complex
Learn the rules of soccer while working on team play and sportsmanship through skill development and games. Individual skills taught include shooting, passing, and dribbling, along with learning the strategies of offense and defense.
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Outdoor Skating Lessons
Saturdays, Jan 8 - Feb 2 | check registration for times
Adult & Tot: Ages 3-5
Beginner: Ages 6-12
Cost: $35 per child (resident)
Location: Marie Park's outdoor skating rink
Limited spots remain - register today!
Teen Bean Bag Tournament
Saturday, Jan 15 | 11am-1pm
Ages: 12-16
Cost: $10 per person (resident)
Location: Veterans Memorial Community Center
Missing some yard games? Get your friends together and have fun throwing bags in this double-elimination tournament. Prizes will be awarded for 1st and 2nd place teams. Rules, instructions, and scorecards will be provided to each team.
Ice Hockey Camp by Sports Unlimited
(non-school day)
Monday, Jan 17 | 11am-2pm
Ages: 5-10
Cost: $26 per person (resident)
Location: Marie Park's outdoor hockey rink
Learn the rules of hockey while working on team plan and sportsmanship. Participants will practice skills including stick handling, passing, and shooting, and must bring ice skates, a hockey stick, and hockey helmet (pads and gloves also recommended).
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