Keeping our ponds, wetlands, lakes and streams healthy is a high priority for the City. Maintaining clean streets through spring and fall street sweeping, as well as homeowners keeping curbs and stormwater drains swept throughout the year, is key to keeping our waters healthy.
Weather permitting, we will begin street sweeping on Monday, April 18, and expect to be completed in about three to four days. The City attempts to clean all city streets twice per year (spring and fall). The spring sweep removes sediment and debris that has accumulated throughout the winter. If not cleaned, sediment and leaves will inhibit storm water facilities, and anything that goes down a storm drain flows directly to the nearest waterbody. Decomposing plant material in the water encourages the growth of harmful aquatic plants and algae. Street sweeping collects debris before it enters the storm water system and the debris is hauled to an approved landfill.
Mendota Heights contracts its street sweeping operations. The contractor uses multiple sweepers (typically four to six) to clear the streets in a short period of time. Due to the quick operation and multitude of sweepers, detailed schedules are unable to be determined.
When sweepers are in the neighborhood, residents can help by doing the following:
Keep all vehicles off of the street until sweepers have cleaned both sides of the street
Remind neighbors to keep vehicles off of the street until sweepers are finished
Keep trash cans behind the curb on collection day
DO NOT push/rake leaves, grass, or other debris into the street from your yard or adjacent yards (City Code).
The City removes what falls or is blown naturally on the hard surfaces before they can clog both storm grates and pipes, which can contribute to back-ups and/or flooding. Throughout the year residents can help by cleaning and sweeping out catch basins on their streets, and sweeping grass clippings back into their yards after mowing.
For questions please contact Public Works at 651-454-4059.
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.
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! The next meeting takes place 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.
Celebrate Earth Day (April 22) and International Compost Awareness Week (May 1-7) by boosting your compost skills. By keeping food scraps out of the trash, you are showing the Earth you care. More than one-third of what is thrown in the trash could be composted. You help create compost every time you use the Dakota County Organics Drop-off - there's even a convenient drop-off location at Mendakota Park. Learn more about the Dakota County Organics Drop-Off Program and upcoming composting education and events.
SSP compost site is open
The South St. Paul Compost Site is open. 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.
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.
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.
Youth from Mendota Heights, West St. Paul, and Inver Grove Heights communities will be selling gently used games, books, movies, clothing, and more at their very own ‘garage’ sales. Shop from 35+ sales and score yourself some good deals! This event encourages youth to practice money management, communication, and decision-making. Shoppers please enter through Door I; sales are cash only.
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.
The Par 3 Community Golf Course is open for the 2022 golfing season, weather permitting (it will be closed on Sunday, April 17). 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
