Help improve biking and walking systems in Mendota Heights
The City of Mendota Heights is actively working on a plan for recommendations and improvements to bicycle and pedestrian facilities. The planning process includes evaluating where current trails, sidewalks, and on-street facilities are located and where there are gaps and barriers to bicycle and pedestrian movement throughout the city. Currently, there are approximately 28 miles of paved trails and sidewalks in Mendota Heights, with an additional 5 miles of wide shoulders or on-street bicycle facilities. In addition, Dakota County owns and maintains regional trails in the city to provide non-motorized connections within and outside the community. The final plan will aim to identify strategies to increase access to and participation in bicycling and walking throughout the community, as well as identifying and prioritizing physical improvements that will make the system safer and more connected.
A State Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP) grant is being used to fund the project process. Part of the process includes reaching out to residents and stakeholders to gain input on how people bike and walk in the city today and their desires for future improvements. Strategies and initiatives in the plan will focus on improvements that include education, encouragement, enforcement, evaluation, equity, and engineering. The planning process is expected to be finished in the fall of 2022.
The city is asking for residents and visitors to provide input online now through April 28, 2022.
Future input opportunities to comment on draft recommendations and priorities will be available in the summer of 2022. Stay up to date on the project’s process and future input opportunities at mendotaheightsmn.gov.
Supported by the Statewide Health Improvement Partnership, Minnesota Department of Health and the Dakota County Public Health Department.
Natural Resources Management Plan Update
Draft available for public comment
The City of Mendota Heights is currently updating its Natural Resources Management Plan (NRMP). The plan will serve as a means to guide the City in shaping policy and decision making in order to continue to conserve, enhance, and manage its natural resources. Members of the public are invited to comment on the current draft of the NRMP. Please submit comments and questions by April 21, 2022, to Krista Spreiter, Natural Resources Coordinator, at 651-216-9063 or by email at: KSpreiter@mendotaheightsmn.gov.
At the City Council meeting on April 5, Mendota Heights Firefighter Dan Johnson was officially promoted to the rank of Fire Captain. Captain Johnson's badge was pinned on by his spouse and fellow firefighter Becky Johnson. Congratulations and thank you for your continued service!
Help us name our newest snowplow!
As part of the Touch-a-Truck free community event on May 14 (rain date May 15), Mendota Heights residents can help us name the newest snowplow that has joined the fleet! Name submissions will be accepted through 11:59 p.m. on April 24. After the close of name submissions, Mendota Heights Public Works and City Staff will narrow the choices to five, to be voted on by attendees at the Touch-a-Truck event.
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, and is engaged in a friendly competition against West St. Paul. Residents have an opportunity to win prizes for themselves and a local charity. Learn more and take the pledge! Follow along by checking the current city standings.
Are you thinking about serving your community as a firefighter?
Accepting applications through May 18
Join the Mendota Heights Fire Department for a Hiring Informational Meeting 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! Meetings take place Tuesday, April 12, from 6 to 8 p.m. or Saturday, April 30, from 10 a.m. to noon. Please plan to arrive at the meeting start time for a presentation.
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.
Your feedback is needed to help improve high speed Internet service
The Dakota Broadband Board is currently conducting a survey to assess high speed Internet needs and access. The survey results will help ensure that all citizens and businesses in Dakota County have equitable and adequate access to broadband service.
Northern Dakota County Beyond the Yellow Ribbon updates
The newest issue of Yellow Ribbon News is now available. Read the latest and learn how you can get involved in supporting this organization that helps active-duty service members and their families, as well as Veterans.
You're invited
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.
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 South St. Paul Compost Site is open effective today, April 8. Visit their website for information on hours of operation, type of yard waste accepted, and costs. Note that hours/days of operation may change based on weather conditions.
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.)
As our temperatures start to rise and the snow melts, what is left behind is often a plethora of trash around businesses, parking lots, streets, and waterways. Litter is perhaps most visible at this time of year, but it is also a problem throughout the year. Trash and debris, especially plastic, is washed away with rain events and snow melt, polluting our lakes, rivers, and other surface waters. All of this trash and plastic pays a heavy toll on wildlife as well, as aquatic life and birds often ingest it or become entangled with it.
What can you do?
Do not litter. Littering is prohibited by City Code, and is considered a misdemeanor and subject to a fine. Dispose of trash, recyclables, and organics in the proper receptacles. For disposable options and more information: co.dakota.mn.us/Environment/Residential.
Encourage and teach children the importance of not littering.
If you see trash, pick it up, as long as you feel safe doing so.
If you notice dumpsters or trash receptacles overflowing, notify the business or property owner.
Organize or join a local clean-up effort. Below are some local clean up events and opportunities.
As ice retreats on our lakes and other waterbodies, sometimes several dead fish are left behind, commonly referred to as winter fish kill. Snow and ice cover can limit the amount of oxygen available in water bodies, as aquatic vegetation produces less oxygen, and even uses dissolved oxygen in the water if the vegetation dies over the winter. Oxygen depletion can lead to fish kills, which can be worse in winters with early snowfall or ice cover, and low water levels. Due to the drought experienced last summer, many of our water bodies experienced low water levels at the start of the winter.
Other causes of fish kills can include pollution sources, such as high temperatures of discharge water, chemical spills or dumping, pesticides and fertilizers, and nutrient-rich stormwater runoff from leaves, grass clippings, and other yard waste. To report a fish kill, or for more information, visit the MN Department of Natural Resources.
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.
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.
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.
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
