THE LATEST
Polling locations have changed for some residents due to redistricting
 You might have a new polling place this upcoming election. Congressional and state legislative boundaries have been updated through the redistricting process. Redistricting is required after each U.S. census to make the election districts more equal in population. The Minnesota Special Redistricting Panel released the congressional and legislative redistricting plan on February 15, 2022.
The new Redistricting Plan places the entire city of Mendota Heights in Congressional District 2, the same as the previous plan. For the state districts, the city is now divided into two state senate districts, which are districts 52 and 53. The city will continue to be in two legislative districts as before, although the boundaries of the districts have changed. The breakout of the districts is as follows:
Mendota Heights Precinct 1 – State Senate District 53; Legislative District 53A
Mendota Heights Precincts 2, 3, 4, and 5 – State Senate District 52; Legislative District 52B
The City Council recently reestablished precinct lines and polling locations for the city of Mendota Heights. Some residents will have a new voting location, since a minor adjustment to the precinct lines between Precincts 3 and 4 was made. A small area from Precinct 3, located south of Highway 62, was moved into Precinct 4. The residents who live in this area will now vote at St. Thomas Academy for all state, county, and city elections.
Dakota County will be mailing a postcard to all registered voters in the city, regardless of whether their polling location has changed or not. The postcard will let each registered voter know which districts they are in and where their polling place is located.
Voters can also look up their polling location through the City’s website, or on the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website, which is anticipated to be updated with redistricting information by mid-May.
If you have any questions about elections, please contact City Clerk Lorri Smith at (651) 255-1138 or Deputy City Clerk Nancy Bauer at (651) 255-1149.
Spring Tree Sale update
The Mendota Heights Resident Tree Sale that began on March 14 sold out quickly. Thank you to all who purchased trees! Sixty trees were sold, which will help to replace canopy lost to Emerald Ash Borer, expand tree diversity, improve air and water quality, provide food and habitat for wildlife and pollinators, and shade and beauty for homeowners. If you were unable to purchase a tree this year, watch for the sale to return next year around this time.
 Apply now for these positions:
Summer Seasonal Public Works
The City is accepting applications for seasonal Public Works Maintenance. Positions are open until filled; first consideration will be given to applications received by 11:30 am on April 1, 2022. Learn more and link to application materials.
Summer Seasonal Recreation
The City is accepting applications for these fun part-time positions:
You must be 18 years of age or older to be an instructor, and 16 years of age or older to be an assistant or clubhouse worker. Click on links above for more information and application materials, or visit job postings at mendotaheightsmn.gov/employment.
BUSINESS NEWS
 Free virtual event for small businesses
In partnership with the University of Minnesota Law School, the Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers is offering a free virtual event for small businesses seeking assistance with legal questions. Space is limited; learn more and register.
Upcoming events
March 19, Noon–3 p.m.
South St. Paul Community Center, 100 7th Ave N, South St Paul
April 16, Noon–3 p.m.
Inver Glen Library, 8098 Blaine Ave., Inver Grove Heights
While supplies last | Residents get 30 percent off when they order online using the promo code Dakota. Pre-ordered bins and barrels can be picked up at the Mendota Heights Public Works Facility on Saturday, May 14, from 9 a.m. to noon, or at any of the other distribution events in the metro area based on ordering. Rain barrels are sold-out for pickup at Mendota Heights, but can be ordered to be picked up at another location as available.
April 23, 9am-Noon
WSP Sports Complex, 1650 Oakdale Ave, WSP
(Please note this date was incorrectly shown as April 30 in the City's March/April Heights Highlights printed newsletter - the correct date is April 23.)
Quick Links:
  Have you seen #MaskTrash?
Above: A selection of images tagged #MaskTrash on Instagram. With the necessary use of masks during the pandemic, a sad side effect has been discarded masks littering the ground and making their way into the water. There are plenty of documented cases of wildlife being tangled in masks, and the commonly used surgical masks are made of polypropylene, which constitutes one of the most abundant microplastics in some water bodies.
Spring is a great time for residents to pitch in and clean up a shoreline of trash like masks!
ANYONE can mobilize a group and plan a cleanup event! Participating in Freshwater's Adopt a River program will support you with the planning tools you need.
When and where should you plan a cleanup? Who should you invite, and how can you get started? Freshwater has all the answers for you at freshwater.org/adopt-a-river.
What if I want to clean up, but not a shoreline? That's great, too! Our streets are an extension of our shorelines. Most storm drains flow directly into lakes and rivers. That means everything we do on land affects our water. Check out Freshwater's community cleanup page for info on other cleanups.
 Stop by City Hall for free giveaways and learn simple ways you can protect our surface waters
Sat, April 23 | 9am-Noon
- Enter the drawing to WIN a free 10-gallon container tree or a gift certificate to Prairie Moon Nursery.
- Pick up your free pollinator seed packet, and plant a pocket prairie for pollinators!
Join us in spring cleaning our parks
Sat, April 23 | Supply pickup 9am-Noon
Spend the day at a local Mendota Heights park assisting with waste removal. Garbage, recycling, and organics bags will be available for pick up at City Hall from 9 a.m. to Noon on Saturday, April 23. Collected materials can be left in or near garbage receptacles at each City park. Volunteers should wear appropriate attire, including protective gloves, closed-toe shoes, and dress for the weather. Safety vests are also available for loan if desired.
Attend the virtual ‘Resilient Yards’ workshop
Thurs, April 28 | Noon-2pm
Home gardeners, take climate action in your yard! The City of Mendota Heights is sponsoring a Blue Thumb workshop offering ways you can make your landscape more resilient to excessive heat, drought, flooding rains and other weather-related challenges that we are experiencing more frequently.
This workshop is great for do-it-yourselfers. It offers an overview of resiliency and information on redirecting runoff, assessing your site, designing with native plants, using trees and shrubs, turf alternatives, protecting pollinators and more. There are two parts to this workshop. After registering, you’ll receive an online presentation with a series of videos to watch at your convenience. The presentation will include prompts to help you get started on plans to incorporate some of these tactics in your yard. At the workshop, offered virtually, you’ll meet in small breakout groups for assistance from landscape designers and other experts such as Master Gardeners. Bring your ideas and your questions!
The virtual workshop will be held from Noon to 2 p.m. on April 28. The cost is $15. For more information and to register, check the Blue Thumb website at bluethumb.org/events/, or call Metro Blooms at 651-699-2426.
Blue Thumb is coordinated by Metro Blooms, a nonprofit that partners with communities to create resilient landscapes and foster clean watersheds, embracing the values of equity and inclusion to solve environmental challenges.
Landscaping for Clean Water Classes
Create an addition to your home landscaping that is not only attractive, but will benefit our lakes, streams and wetlands! Landscaping for Clean Water classes will help you beautify your landscape and provide cleaner water.
Three LIVE virtual Landscaping for Clean Water introduction classes are being hosted in partnership with the watershed organizations here in Dakota County. The classes provide an overview of local water quality challenges and provide beautiful and practical ways of reducing runoff pollutants that are causing issues. The Landscaping for Clean Water program makes it easy to realize the positive impacts raingardens, native gardens, and shoreline stabilizations can have on your aesthetic and environmental surroundings.
Want to participate, but can’t make the live event? The introduction class will also be offered as a pre-recorded option, so you won’t miss a beat in learning how you can plant for clean water this year. After attending an introductory class, sign up for the $25 raingarden design workshop where you will receive design assistance to create a functioning raingarden specific to your own yard.
Participation in the introductory classes is free, but registration is required. Visit dakotaswcd.org/services/landscaping-for-clean-water or call 651-480-7777 for more details.
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Recent highlights
 Get started planning your summer of fun!
Registration is open for summer recreation programs and programs are filling quickly. There are tons of activities for all ages to enjoy! Visit the Summer Fun webpage for details.
Adult Softball League registration is open
Registration is now open for the Mendota Heights Adult Softball League. All leagues play "D Level" softball. If you are interested in registering a team, contact Recreation Program Coordinator Meredith Lawrence, mlawrence@mendotaheightsmn.gov.
Register now for Spring Break activities
Ice Skating & Bowling Field Trip
Mon, March 28 (Non-school day)
Time: 8am-4:30pm
Ages: 6-12
Cost: $34 per participant (resident)
Location: Drop Off/Pick Up at Doug Woog Arena, SSP
Ice skate inside the arena in the morning and bowl the afternoon away at Concord Lanes; rental skates included. Registration required.
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SeaQuest & Sports in the Dome
Tues, March 29 (Non-school day)
Time: 8am-3:30pm
Ages: 6-12
Cost: $36 per participant (resident)
Location: Drop Off/Pick Up at WSP Regional Athletics Center Dome
Touch, see, and interact with animals from five different continents, then enjoy afternoon group games and free time. Registration required.
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For information on COVID-19 and to connect to resources for vaccinations, boosters, testing, and more, visit mendotaheightsmn.gov/covid19.
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