Residents can take action to conserve water in Mendota Heights
The City of Mendota Heights is participating again in the Wyland National Mayor's Challenge to see which cities can conserve the most water. During the month of April, residents can take a pledge to help conserve water and improve the environment by selecting simple actions to take within their household and community. Mendota Heights will be competing against other cities of similar population. Residents have an opportunity to win prizes for themselves and a local charity. Learn more and take the pledge!
Are you thinking about serving your community as a firefighter?
Join the Mendota Heights Fire Department for an informal Hiring Open House to learn more. Get firsthand knowledge on what it takes to become one, learn about the training you’ll receive, ask questions, tour the station, and meet members of the team!
Mendota Heights firefighters are paid-on-call volunteers who respond to both fire and medical emergencies, serving Mendota Heights, Mendota, Lilydale, and Sunfish Lake. The department operates out of a newly built and remodeled state-of-the-art fire station. Many on the team will tell you that joining the “Fire Family” has been one of the most rewarding experiences of their lives. Our firefighters come from a wide range of backgrounds, most serving while managing diverse careers. Learn more about becoming a firefighter.
The City of Mendota Heights will be accepting applications to become a firefighter April 5 through May 18. Application information and materials will be available on the City's website when the application period opens. We look forward to connecting with you!
Are you ready for severe weather? Each year, Homeland Security and Emergency Management in collaboration with the National Weather Service sponsors Severe Weather Awareness Week in Minnesota. The week is designed to refresh, remind and educate everyone about the seasonal threats from severe weather and how to avoid them. It's also a great time to make and practice your emergency plan and build or refresh your emergency preparedness kit.
Each day of the week highlights an important seasonal weather safety topic.
In Minnesota, the 2022 statewide tornado drills are scheduled for Thursday, April 7. Outdoor warning sirens will sound in a simulated tornado warning. The first drill is intended for institutions and businesses. The evening drill is intended for second shift workers and families. This is an opportunity to practice severe weather preparedness in your home, school, and workplace.
Tee it up this weekend!
The Par 3 Community Golf Course is open for the 2022 golfing season, weather permitting. Players can enjoy the same affordable rates as last year, with special rates for senior and junior players. The course is currently walking only; pull carts are available to rent.
Players can also take advantage of specials available at the course (restrictions apply):
Senior Golf Pass (65+): $200
10-Round Punch Card: $100
Five-Hole Weekday Play Special: $5
Note that the Senior Golf Pass must be purchased at Mendota Heights City Hall during business hours; it is not available to purchase at the course.
Learn more about the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and how the Metropolitan Airports Commission is planning for its future. The public can view pre-recorded informational videos and attend a virtual open house from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on April 12. View videos, learn more, and join the open house at mspairport.com/experience-msp.
The City is accepting applications for seasonal Public Works Maintenance. Positions are open until filled; first consideration will be given to applications that were received by 11:30 a.m. 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
Participate in the Employers of Excellence program
The Dakota-Scott Workforce Development Board (WDB) invites area businesses and nonprofit organizations to participate in the 2022 "Employers of Excellence" program. All employers in Dakota and Scott counties are encouraged to participate. Contact WDB Director Mark Jacobs at 651-554-5622 for more information or go to personneldynamics.net/survey.asp to start the survey. The deadline for survey completion is now extended to April 15, 2022. Winners will be announced on May 25.
The Dakota County Multifamily Recycling Program works with apartments, condos, townhomes and senior living centers to improve recycling with free recycling bins and tenant resources like tote bags and labels.
While supplies last | Residents get 30 percent off when they order online using the promo code Dakota. Rain barrels and compost bins are sold-out for pickup at Mendota Heights, but can be ordered to be picked up from 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.)
Curly Leaf Pondweed is an aquatic invasive plant, with green to reddish-brown wavy leaves that grows in lakes, wetlands, and other surface waters, usually in shallow water up to depths of approximately 15 feet, and growing up to 15 feet long. It can often be seen just below the surface of the water and forms large, dense populations, outcompeting native aquatic vegetation. Curly Leaf Pondweed begins to grow very early in the spring, as soon as ice-out or just before, outcompeting native aquatic vegetation that requires warmer temperatures. It produces turions, or seed heads that begin to sprout in the fall.
CLP is native to Eurasia, Africa and Australia, and was likely introduced when common carp were introduced to the Midwest in the 1880s. It is spread through the movement of water craft and water equipment. To prevent the spread of CLP, and other aquatic invasive species, follow these important steps:
If you own a watercraft:
Carefully and thoroughly clean your watercraft every time you exit a waterbody. Some AIS are small and difficult to see, such as Zebra Mussels. To remove or kill them, spray with high-pressure water, and dry for at least 5 days.
Drain all water-related equipment, including boat, ballast tanks, portable bait containers, as well as bilge, livewell, and baitwell. Remove and keep drain plugs out and draining devices open while transporting.
Always dispose of unwanted bait in the trash. It is illegal to release bait into a waterbody or move aquatic animals from one waterbody to another. If you want to keep your bait, you must refill the bait container with bottled or tap water.
For more information contact: Krista Spreiter, Natural Resources Coordinator at 651-255-1123 or email Kspreiter@mendotaheightsmn.gov.
Image above courtesy of the University of MN Extension.
LMRWD is seeking volunteers to serve on its Citizen Advisory Committee
By joining the Lower Minnesota River Watershed District (LMRWD) Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC), you will be working with other energized volunteers to effect change in your community. The CAC is working to engage residents through education on actions that protect, improve, and restore water resources in the watershed. Use its interactive map to determine if you live within the LMRWD, and learn more and access application materials at lowermnriverwd.org/about/citizen-advisory-committee.
The LMRWD is a local, special-purpose governmental unit that works to solve and prevent water-related issues. The LMRWD spans five counties and 14 communities within its 80-square-mile boundary.
Spring is a great time for residents to pitch in and clean up a shoreline!
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.
The Emergency Alert Program is available through the Dakota Communications Center (DCC) at dakota911mn.gov.
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@mendotaheightsmn.gov.
Youth and families are invited to participate in recreational activities: games, sports, crafts, and more! This is a free drop-in program -- no registration required. If weather is questionable, please call 651-259-2671 to hear the status of the program by 5 p.m.
Cost: $20 per team (resident) | $25 per team (non-resident)
Join us for a recreational two-person scramble tournament just like the pro's do in Orlando. All participants must have their own golf clubs. Registration required.
Play recreational pickleball with Mendota Heights Public Safety personnel as we celebrate the opening of the new courts. All ages are welcome at this free community event. No registration required.
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.
COVID-19 RESOURCES
For information on COVID-19 and to connect to resources for vaccinations, boosters, testing, and more, visit mendotaheightsmn.gov/covid19.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Public Meetings
Meeting changes or cancellations are noted on the City's website mendotaheightsmn.gov/calendar. Meetings take place at City Hall unless otherwise noted. Meeting attendees should adhere to the posted City Hall safety guidelines.
Watch regular meetings online at townsquare.tv/webstreaming (available live or for replay) or on cable television:
City Council: Channel 18/798 HD Planning Commission: Channel 18/798 HD Parks and Recreation Commission: Channel 15/859 HD Airport Relations Commission (select meetings are broadcast): Channel 15/859 HD
