Dakota County, in partnership with Washington County and Nexus Family Healing, continue to move forward with the development of Aspen House youth short term housing located at 2031 Victoria Road South.
Aspen House will have 12 beds and be staffed 24/7. The facility will provide temporary housing of up to 90 days for youth 12-18 in crisis. The services and programming will build on the strengths of the family while addressing their current support needs and transition planning for reunification or longer-term solutions for the family.
After closing on the property in May, Dakota County has been busy working to update the facility and get it ready for its new clientele. Property improvements include: exterior fencing, a new roof, a commercial kitchen, energy efficient heating and cooling systems, and a large conference room for on-site educational services which will be provided by ISD 197. Despite supply chain and labor shortages, Dakota County reports that they are on track for Aspen House to begin serving youth before the end of October.
Dakota County and Nexus Family Healing would like to thank everyone involved in moving this project forward. If you have questions about this project, contact Madeline Kastler, Deputy Director of Social Services, at Madeline.Kastler@CO.DAKOTA.MN.US or 651.554.5918. Additional information is also available in the Dakota County Fall/Winter 2022 Newsletter: News| Dakota County.
Volunteer Opportunity- Rain Garden Planting
Last Saturday, September 17, community volunteers including the Dakota County Master Gardeners and homeowners planted approximately 800 plants and shrubs in seven different raingardens within the Ivy Falls East neighborhood.
Four more raingardens will be planted this Saturday in the neighborhood.If you would like to participate as a volunteer, please contact Krista Spreiter at kspreiter@mendotaheightsmn.gov.
Raingardens are gardens that are designed to capture and treat rainwater runoff from lawns, roofs, streets, and other impervious surfaces. Stormwater runoff from these areas often carries pollutants such as oil, grease, and heavy metals, as well as grass clippings, leaves, and lawn care chemicals. These pollutants would otherwise end up in our surface waters, and in this case the Mississippi River that the neighborhood flows to. The raingarden project was part of the Ivy Falls East Street Improvements project that began in 2021. Thank you to all of our participants and community volunteers for making the project possible!
Bike Ped Plan- Last Week to Share Feedback
Mendota Heights has approximately 28 miles of paved trails and sidewalks and five miles of wide shoulders or on-street bicycle infrastructure. The City is working on a plan to improve the existing pedestrian and bicycle facilities and to plan for future investments.
After completing Phase 1 of the project, the city is now in Phase II, and is seeking feedback on the take-aways from the initial public engagement process. According to the data from Phase I, the top three concerns that community members have about Mendota Heights’ Bike and Pedestrian infrastructure are:
1. Trails and sidewalks are too icy or snowy in winter months; 2. There are no trails or sidewalks where I want to go; and 3. Not feeling safe walking or biking near motorized traffic and busy intersections.
The survey responses for bicycle and pedestrian facilities were input into an interactive online map. The interactive online map is part of the second phase of the plan to collect input identifying places where people think the City should place priorities on bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure investments. On the map( LINK HERE) use the icon options to comment and leave your input. You can also attach a photo to support your comment. If you have an idea or suggestion, you can drag that icon onto the map and draw a line showing a potential new sidewalk or trail route. You can also like, dislike, or comment on icons placed by others. Your insights will help the city to map issues and opportunities.
The contractor completed the final paving this week in the Centre Pointe Business Park, Dakota Drive, and Carmen Lane. Acacia Boulevard was milled and also received the first lift of asphalt. The contractor will be working Saturday on paving driveways and the trail from Carmen Lane to Valley Park. There is limited work scheduled for next week but the contractor should complete adding gravel shoulders to Dakota Drive and Centre Pointe Drive. Final paving for Pilot Knob Road, Acacia, Commerce and Lemay is currently scheduled for October 3 and 4. Please also see updates on the city website at www.mendotaheightsmn.gov/projects
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
Are your garden plants looking worse for the wear this year?
A great solution is to plant drought tolerant native plants! They will thrive when most of our other landscape plants are struggling. Here are just a few natives that will make your landscape shine during a drought:
Wild Petunia (Ruellia humilis) blooms profusely in the heat- June- August, likes sunny dry sandy soils, and does well in difficult areas like along the edge of a sidewalk or driveway.
Whorled Milkweed (Asclepias verticillata) grows in full sun and is a host plant for Monarchs.
False Sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides) is a tall native with a cheery yellow daisy like flower for a part shade to full sun that blooms July-September.
Bee balm (Monarda fistulosa) is an important food source & favorite of many native bumblebees, deer resistant, & blooms in full sun June-August. The endangered Rusty Patch Bumblebee was found on this plant in MH again this year!
Native grasses such as Little Bluestem, Prairie Dropseed and many native sedges not only add texture to your landscape but also food for birds.
There are also many natives to choose for shady landscapes too! Drought tolerant native plants will reduce your water bill, provide beauty, and much needed food for our pollinators and birds. Many more native plants are needed to help our pollinators and birds so why not try beautiful and low maintenance native plants in your landscape?
Above: Wild Petunia, Whorled Milkweed, Little Bluestem, Heliopsis and Monarda
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
Stargazing
Are you Interested in Astronomy and space exploration? We have the event for you!
We invite you to learn about Minnesota’s night sky at our Stargazing Event at Harmon Park. Participants will be able to stargaze with a telescope, followed by a presentation from the Minnesota Astronomical Society. All ages are welcome. Registration is required for all attending.
Free—All ages. Register online under Special Events HERE
Tour de Rec
Join us for our free recreation program, Tour de Rec, which aims to bring recreation to neighborhood parks.Tour de Rec staff will set up activities and equipment for youth ages 6-12 years-old to enjoy; such as group games, sports, arts and crafts, and more!
Free drop in program, no registration required.
Children under 6 years old must be accompanied by an adult. Tour de Rec staff will arrive and leave at the designated time. West St. Paul and Mendota Heights staff are not responsible for any youth before or after listed time.
Register today to learn about senior programming for Mendota Heights residents. Join us for a light lunch, a tour of the facility and learn all about the amazing programs Thompson Park Activity Center offers for adults 55+
Preregistration is required. To register call 651-255-1140 or Register online under Special Events HERE
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
