In early 2022, the city received a grant through the State Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP) from the Minnesota Department of Health and Dakota County in order to develop a plan for bicycling and walking improvements in the community. The master plan will be used to guide decision-making regarding future investments in and prioritization of improvements to the bike and pedestrian system, will provide a foundation for seeking funding assistance for improvements, and aims to result in a more bike-able and walkable Mendota Heights. Share your thoughts at: Mendota Heights Issues/Opps Map | Social Pinpoint (mysocialpinpoint.com)
Park Light Changes
Lights at Marie Park will be available for nighttime pickleball play starting tonight--Thursday, August 18. A light dial was installed on the side of the warming house to enable lights to be activated for 60 minutes and then automatically shut off. Users will be responsible for turning the lights back on via dial if additional recreation time is desired past 60 minutes. The lights will not be able to be utilized after 9:00pm. The lights will be available via dial until the pickleball nets are removed at the end of the season. Questions or concerns should be directed to Meredith Lawrence, Parks and Recreation Manager-- (651)-255-1354 or mlawrence@mendotaheightsmn.gov
Mendota Heights Trailhead Opening
MSP Airport
2022 Mayor/City Council Candidates
The following city council/ mayor candidates have filed to be on the ballot (in the order that they filed with the City):
For Mayor -
Stephanie Levine
John Maczko
For City Council (two positions open) -
John Mazzitello
Sally Lorberbaum
Jeff Nath
More information on the 2022 general election HERE
Weekly Construction Update
Centre Pointe Street Improvements
The contractor will continue with concrete work in the Centre Pointe Business Park, and Dakota Drive next week. The concrete work was completed on Waters Drive. Storm Sewer improvements were also completed on Dakota Drive. The contractor is looking to start work storm sewer work on Carmen Lane on August 22nd. The contractor will be reclaiming the existing pavements on August 29th and 30th. Residents in the Crown Pointe neighborhood will be mailed a letter with additional information. Please also see updates on the city website at www.mendotaheightsmn.gov/projects
Highway 55/Mendota Bridge
The Mendota Bridge has reopened. The Highway 55 Bridge over I-494 and I-35E is behind schedule and is currently planned to open August 29th. The pedestrian path adjacent to the westbound lanes will need a future closure to replace the guardrails on the bridge. These dates are subject to change based on concrete curing times and weather.
Residents of Mendota Heights, Sunfish Lake, and Lilydale can drop off any size of mattresses and box springs for recycling. Mattresses $10 each, box springs $10 each, and crib mattresses $5 each. Payment by cash or check only. Identification is required. No other items will be accepted at this event.
For questions and more information, contact Recycling Coordinator Cassandra Johnson at 651-255-1347 or email cjohnson@mendotaheightsmn.gov.
Sponsored by the City of Mendota Heights, Lilydale, and Sunfish Lake. Funded in part by Dakota County and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Did you know?
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.
September 10, 10am-1pm: Back Parking Lot of Wakota FCU
Recent highlights:
The South St. Paul Compost Site is open and accepts grass clippings, sod, leaves and other yard waste. 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.
NATURAL RESOURCES
Ash Tree Update
It has now been seven years since Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) was first discovered in Mendota Heights. To date, approximately 150 public ash trees have been removed within Mendota Heights. You may have noticed dead or dying ash trees around Mendota Heights, or you may have ash trees on your property that have been infected by EAB. EAB is a non-native insect that attacks and kills ash trees. Signs of infestation include thinning foliage, light-colored patches of bark, woodpecker damage, cracking of bark, D-shaped exit holes, and S-shaped insect galleries underneath the bark.
The City is currently removing public ash trees that have become infected; placing a priority on trees that pose the greatest public safety concern. If you think you may have an ash tree near your property that is within public property or Right-of-Way that may be a public safety concern, please contact City Staff.
If you have an ash tree on your property that is not being treated for EAB, it is recommended to seek consultation from a certified arborist to determine the health of the tree and whether it may pose a safety hazard. Infected ash trees located on private property are the responsibility of the property owner.
Please consider replanting with a comparable shade tree species to replace ash tree(s) that were lost due to EAB. A list of recommended trees for replanting, as well as general information on EAB identification, treatment, and management can be found on the City’s websitehttps://mendotaheightsmn.gov/emerald_ash_borer
If you have questions or concerns regarding EAB, please contact City Staff:
Krista Spreiter
Natural Resources Coordinator
Phone: 651-255-1123
Email: KSpreiter@mendotaheightsmn.gov
Increased Algae in Ponds and Wetlands
You may have noticed an increase in algae in your local pond, wetland, or lake lately. Algae growth is caused by warm water temperatures and excessive nutrients in our surface waters from stormwater runoff, as well as runoff from irrigation. The largest contributors are leaves, grass clippings, fertilizers, and animal waste. We can all do our part to help reduce the amount of nutrients and subsequent algae growth in our ponds, wetlands, lakes, rivers, and other surface waters. Here are some ideas:
Adopt a Storm Drain!
Find the storm drain nearest to your home along the curb, and sweep and collect leaves, grass clipping, garbage, and other debris that has settled around it, to keep it from entering our storm sewer system: https://www.adopt-a-drain.org/
Keep leaves and grass clippings off of paved surfaces.
Direct your mower away from your driveway, sidewalk, and street, so that grass clippings end up in your yard, and not in the storm sewer system. Sweep up and rake up any leaves and grass clippings and dispose of them properly.
Only irrigate enough to keep your lawn and landscape healthy.
Over irrigating not only depletes drinking water resources, it contributes to runoff to our surface waters that contain excess nutrients and other pollutants.
Install a raingarden or other landscaping that can help reduce stormwater runoff.
Raingardens are planted depressions designed to store and infiltrate stormwater runoff, while filtering pollutants that would otherwise enter our surface waters. For more information on raingardens, click Here. Shoreline buffers and native plantings also benefit our surface waters, as well as adding beautiful habitat for pollinators and wildlife. To learn how to learn more about how to install shoreline buffers, raingardens, and other landscape features to improve water quality, visit: Landscaping for Clean Water.
Bilingual Smart Salting Workshops
MPCA Smart Salting for Property Management in Spanish Training
Annual property damage from salt use is high. Uncover ways to use less salt on your property while providing a high level of safety by getting Smart Salting certified. To reduce the amount of salt polluting our lakes, rivers, and groundwater the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency offers a training certification for property management to provide strategies that will not only save your organization money but will also protect Minnesota’s water resources.
This training is perfect for management-level property managers, business owners, private contractors, and those who perform winter maintenance. Instruction will be provided in English by Bolton & Menk, Inc. and the MPCA. Live translation and interpretation into Spanish will be provided by All in One Translation. Trainings are funded by the Lower Mississippi River Watershed Management Organization.
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.
PARKS & RECREATION
Bogey with the Red & Blue
Par 3 Golf Course
Registration: $5
Join the Mendota Heights Police and Fire Departments for a recreational round of golf (9-holes). Meet and mingle with officers and firefighters who serve your neighborhood. Each single participant must register but you can golf with a specific foursome if you’d like. Participants without foursomes will be paired with others to create groups. Participants of all ages are welcome. Light refreshments will be provided.
Join us for a unique night time golfing experience. Teams of 4 will participate in a 9-hole glow golf tournament on a decorated course using glow golf balls and pins. Registration required.
Tune up your bike, grab your helmet, and join community members on a monthly summer bike ride. Folks on Spokes rides are casual with an emphasis on social. Routes are between 7-15 miles, with stops every 3-4 miles, at an average pace of 8-10 MPH. Rides will start and finish at the same location, and take place in Mendota Heights or neighboring cities. This a free event, however registration is required to be on the email list that announces routes. Route information is sent via email about one week prior to ride dates. This program is in partnership with the Cities of WSP and SSP.
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
