Zoning Code Update Public Hearing

The Zoning Code Update kicked-off in 2022, and after significant discussion and review by the Planning Commission, City Council, and City Staff, the draft ordinance and map are available for the last step in the review process.

A Public Hearing will be held at the Planning Commission’s regular meeting on July 23, 2024 beginning at 7 p.m.

Your input is valuable! Please visit the City’s website to review the current draft of the Zoning Code Update and Proposed Zoning Map, then share your thoughts about the documents by e-mailing City Staff at [email protected].

Serve on the Parks Commission

Mendota Heights residents are invited to apply for an open position on the Parks and Recreation Commission.  

This Commission advises the City Council on matters pertaining to parks and recreation programs. The Commission also makes recommendations relating to the acquisition, development and improvement of the City’s parks and recreational facilities and advises the Council on the establishment of written rules and regulations for the use and management of city parks. 

 Meets: 2^nd Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m.

 There is currently one (1) open seat, a mid-term appointment ending Jan. 31, 2026. 

Aspen House Community Forum

Join Dakota County for a community forum held Wednesday, June 26, 6 p.m. at Kaposia Library, 131 Seventh Ave. N., South St. Paul.

Learn about Aspen House, a youth shelter located in Mendota Heights. Nexus Family Healing, in partnership with Dakota County, will present year-to-date outcomes followed by an opportunity for discussion and questions.

Share your thoughts, concerns and questions about Aspen House. Your feedback helps shape our community.

For more information, contact Suzanne Tuttle, Social Services Deputy Director, at 952-891-7326 or suzanne.tut​[email protected]. 

Night to Unite 2024

Each year on the first Tuesday night in August, the City of Mendota Heights hosts Night to Unite, a summer evening dedicated to celebrating and strengthening the commitment to a safe community.

For residents, this is an opportunity to put together a neighborhood celebration, turn on the front porch lights, gather with neighbors and friends, get to know one another, catch up on things, play some games with the kids, enjoy a few hot-off-the-grill favorites and build a sense of community.

Night to Unite 2024 is Tuesday, Aug. 6.

Neighborhood representatives are asked to register their Night to Unite events by Aug. 2, so members of the Police, Fire and Ambulance service can stop by to visit.

Register your neighborhood event today!

Fresh Air Fridays Photo Challenge

Are you participating in Fresh Air Fridays this summer? Snap a photo of the ways in which you are making weekly changes to make a positive impact on the environment, and enter to receive a gift basket filled with items to help you embrace sustainability at home!

Still need to take the pledge? Join dozens of residents who have already made a commitment by signing up today.

Volunteer Pollinator Planting at Rogers Lake Park Sign

 On Thursday, June 27, Master Gardeners and community volunteers assisted City Staff in planting native pollinator plants and shrubs around the park sign at Rogers Lake Park.

The City continues to look for opportunities to plant native plants, trees and shrubs within City parks and open spaces where opportunity allows. The landscaping in front of the Rogers Lake Park sign was in need of a refresh, so the existing landscaping was replaced with native grasses, flowers, and shrubs. Native plants offer many benefits including drought and flood resilience, erosion control and soil stabilization, and habitat for pollinators and other wildlife.

Tree of the Month: Northern Catalpa

The Northern Catalpa is a native deciduous tree species in the Bignonia family. It is a large overstory tree (40-60 feet) with a fast growth rate. Northern catalpa prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soil, but can also tolerate dry sites, occasional flooding, and road salt. It has large, white, fragrant blooms in late spring through early summer, but can produce messy fruit. Its leaves are large and heart-shaped.

The Northern Catalpa’s native rang includes the lower Midwest and throughout most of the southern United States. It makes up less than .1% of the tree canopy in Mendota Heights.

Weed of the Month: Creeping Bellflower

Creeping bellflower is a showy, 3-5’ tall perennial with many purple bell shaped flowers along a single spike, usually on just one side, blooming in mid-summer. Creeping bellflower has alternate, lanceolate, toothed leaves. It is often spotted in ditches and open areas. It is a prolific seed producer, producing upwards of 15,000 seeds per plant. Creeping bellflower often invades mesic forests and woodland edges. Its roots are tuberous rhizomes, which makes it difficult to hand-pull. Minnesota does have a native bellflower (American Bellflower or Campanula americana), which can be differentiated by its bluish-purple flowers that grow on both sides of the plant.

To prevent the spread of this invasive:

• The best control is to remove small populations before they have a chance to spread.
• Small populations can also be cut back, and then smothered by covering the plants and area with layers of newspaper sheets, covered with soil and mulch. They can also be smothered using black plastic, which must remain in place for the entire growing season, and then can be removed.
• Large populations can be treated with a herbicide in the fall when native plants have gone dormant, but the rosettes of Creeping bellflower are still green. Always follow manufacturer directions and only apply in favorable conditions (calm winds, with no precipitation in the forecast).

Weekly Crime Report

The Mendota Heights Police Department provides a weekly list of incidents taking place in our community. Historical crime reports are available in the Laserfiche archive system. 

Tour de Rec

Tuesdays
1:30-2:30 p.m.

Join us for this free weekly activity throughout the summer, at locations throughout the City:

July 16 - Splash Pad at Harmon Park

July 23 - Spectacular Science at Wentworth Park

Music in the Park: Buster Phalen

Wednesday, July 24; 6 p.m.
Market Square Park

Join Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation on various Wednesday evenings this summer for Music in the Park at Market Square Park! Bands will feature family friendly music for everyone. Don't forget your lawn chair!

Buster Phelan performs rock, popular, rhythm and blues and cover tunes. Stop out and sing along!

Cliff Timm Memorial Fishing Derby

July 18; 4-7 p.m.
Rogers Lake

Bring your little one down to the fishing pier to catch the big one! All participants receive a prize. Children must be accompanied by an adult, register the child only. Snacks and beverages provided, and one lucky participant will win a Minnesota Lifetime Fishing License. Registration required: MendotaHeightsMN.gov/Register.

Save the Date: Parks Celebration 2024

Aug. 9-11

Don't miss this annual community celebration filled with three days of free fun for the whole family!

Find details at MendotaHeightsMN.gov/ParksCelebration.

Primary Election Day

Aug. 13
7 a.m.-8 p.m.

To vote in person on Primary Election Day, visit your assigned precinct. New this year, if you are voting in Precinct 4 and previously voted at St. Thomas Academy, your new precinct location is Friendly Hills Elementary, which is also the location of Precinct 5.

Absentee voting is taking place now. You can request an absentee ballot online, or in person at City Hall, then be sure to return your completed ballot by 8 p.m. on Aug. 13.

Find everything you need to know about the Election at MendotaHeightsMN.gov/Elections.