This issue highlights proposed sanitary sewer rate changes and more...





Having trouble viewing this email?? [ [link removed] ]View it as a Web page [ [link removed] ].






Mendota Heights, Minneosta




*FRIDAY NEWS | June 17, 2022*






THE LATEST?

City proposes sanitary sewer rate changes

The City of Mendota Heights is proposing to adjust the rate structure on how residents and commercial customers are billed for sanitary sewer services in order to charge more equitably for usage, simplify the billing system, promote water conservation and keep pace with expenses.?

As proposed, the quarterly base fee for metered residential and commercial service will decrease and no longer include discharge, while the usage rate will increase from $3.50 to $4.67 per 100 cubic feet. Based on this structure, over 40% of residential customer should see a decrease in their sanitary sewer bill, while the average consumer will see an increase of less than $10 per quarter.?

The late fee will change from a flat fee of $4.00 to 5% of the total bill and the grace period for late payments will increase from 21 to 30 days.??

This initiative will be presented by City staff at the July 19 regular City Council meeting scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.

*LEARN MORE* [ [link removed] ]

________________________________________________________________________

Free music in the park

Wed, June 29 | 6-6:45pm |?Mendakota Park [ [link removed] ]

Enjoy live Music in the Parks with the little ones! Get out and dance to popular tunes by this kid-friendly, fun, and energizing DJ.

________________________________________________________________________

We are Hiring! Join the City of Mendota Heights team and apply now for these positions:

?

Communications Coordinator: Part-Time [ [link removed] ]

?

Police Officer [ [link removed] ]

?

Summer Seasonal Recreation

* *Tennis Instructors [ [link removed] ]*

?

*Fall Seasonal Recreation*

* *Clubhouse Workers [ [link removed] ]*

Visit job postings at?mendotaheightsmn.gov/employment [ [link removed] ].

________________________________________________________________________

BUSINESS NEWS

[ [link removed] ]

Did you start a business during COVID-19?

Employers who started businesses after February 15, 2020, may be eligible for the Employee Retention Credit consisting of a refund of 50% of qualified wages or up to $10,000 per employee per year. This credit has been extended specifically for these employers with payroll in Q3 and Q4 of 2021. Employers can learn more at?irs.gov/newsroom/employee-retention-credit-2020-vs-2021-comparison-chart [ [link removed] ]?and can speak with their tax professional about this credit to help determine their eligibility.

________________________________________________________________________

RECYCLING
Open trailer truck with two people in safety yellow vests loading black car tires.
Thank you for keeping the community clean and green!

The Tire Collection event was a success this past Saturday with 167 tires collected from residents! Thank you to all who participated. If you missed the event, tires can be dropped off at?The Recycling Zone [ [link removed] ] in Eagan for a small fee.

?

Clear out mattresses at a discount

Certified Recycling [ [link removed] ] is offering a special pickup rate for Dakota County residents through Labor Day (Sept. 5) on mattresses or box springs. Certified Recycling disassembles items and sends the metal, wood and cloth to businesses that can make new products. Even better, quality mattresses are donated to Bridging [ [link removed] ] and given to people pursuing housing stability.

*Cost* ? recycling is $45 for the first item and $25 for each additional item; use the code DC2022 to waive the pickup fee, too.

*Accepted* ? any size mattress or box spring, no limit.

*Not accepted* ? items with a history of bedbugs or contaminated with blood or hazardous waste.

Get information and schedule a pick up at certifiedrecycling.org [ [link removed] ] or call 952-894-1448.

?

Reminder: Plant pots don?t go in the recycling cart

Recyclers don't like plant pots or plant tags. The Home Depot garden centers in Apple Valley and Burnsville are accepting pots (max five at a time) as well as Lowe?s in West St. Paul. Or, offer yours up to Dakota County Master Gardeners or other local organizations for their annual plant sales.

?

*Upcoming recycling events*

Dakota County Fix-It Clinics [ [link removed] ]

*June 18 *| Noon?3 p.m.*
*Galaxie Library,?14955 Galaxie Ave, Apple Valley

?

Shoe & Clothing Recycling Drop Off (Good Condition Items) [ [link removed] ]

*Aug 1-12*
Mendota Heights City Hall Parking Lot & Other Locations

?

Recent highlights:

* Join 18% of Mendota Heights households participating in Dakota County's Organics Drop-Off Program; learn more and sign up. [ [link removed] ]
* The South St. Paul Compost Site is open and accepts grass clippings, sod, leaves and other yard waste. Visit their website [ [link removed] ] 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
Green scum floating on top of pond water.
*Why is My Pond Green?*

As temperatures rise, you may start to notice a green mat of algae covering our ponds and wetlands. Algae growth is caused by warmer water temperatures along with excessive nutrients in our surface waters. These nutrients enter our surface waters via stormwater, that carries with it 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. The water that enters our stormwater system is not always treated by a storm pond or other means of treatment. It often goes straight to our surface waters! You can sign up to officially adopt a storm drain, collect and track how much is removed, and help monitor the impact, through the website: _adopt-a-drain.org [ [link removed] ]_


* *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. Leaves and grass clippings add excess nutrients to our surface waters, which in turn causes algal growth, which affects water quality and can harm fish and other aquatic life. Mulch or compost grass clippings, leaves, and other yard waste instead.??

* *Direct downspouts away from paved surfaces.
*Allow stormwater runoff from roofs and other impervious surfaces to soak into the ground instead of running onto paved surfaces, into the storm sewer system, and eventually our surface waters, carrying nutrients and pollutants with it.

* *Plant a vegetative buffer.
*If you live on a pond, lake, wetland, or other surface water, plant a buffer of native plants at the water?s edge of at least 10 feet in width. This not only prevents shoreline erosion, it helps filter the nutrients and other pollutants that are being carried with stormwater via overland flow. For more information on shoreline buffers, visit: Restore Your Shore [ [link removed] ].

* *Install a raingarden.
*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 [ [link removed] ].

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 [ [link removed] ].

________________________________________________________________________

Recent highlights [ [link removed] ] [ [link removed] ]

* Learn how to identify, control, and prevent the spread of the invasive species garlic mustard. [ [link removed] ]
* Spring is a great time for citizens to pitch in and clean up a shoreline! Learn more about the Adopt a River program and access planning tools for your cleanup event through the Freshwater Society. [ [link removed] ]?
* The?Lower Minnesota River Watershed District (LMRWD) is seeking volunteers to serve on its Citizen Advisory Committee. [ [link removed] ]??
*

Create a beautiful garden to benefit pollinators, improve water quality, or stabilize your shoreline with the Landscaping for Clean Water program. Learn more about their Introductory, Design, and Maintenance classes -- get started today. [ [link removed] ]


* I'm planning a project near a surface water. Do I need a permit? [ [link removed] ]
________________________________________________________________________

POLICE DEPARTMENT NEWS

pd logo med
Weekly Crime Report

Incident reports 6/10/2022 - 06/17/2022? [ [link removed] ]
Previous "Weekly Crime Report/Just the Facts"?publications are available in the Laserfiche archive system on the City's website [ [link removed] ].?

?

Sign up for emergency alerts

The Emergency Alert Program is available through the Dakota Communications Center (DCC) at?dakota911mn.gov [ [link removed] ].

?

Stay in touch through Nextdoor

The MHPD has expanded their social media channels to include Nextdoor. Learn more and sign up at?nextdoor.com [ [link removed] ].?

?

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 [ [link removed] ]. Completed forms and general questions can be submitted via email to [email protected].


________________________________________________________________________

PARKS & RECREATION



Gearing up for summer fun

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 stopes 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.

Upcoming ride dates (routes to-be-announced)


* July 26, 6 p.m.
* Aug 19, 9 a.m.

*Register to Join* [ [link removed] ]

________________________________________________________________________

Save the dates!

Mark your calendars and head out to the parks for live music and entertainment this summer. The concerts are free to attend!?


* *June 29:* *DJ Party Unit* [ [link removed] ] @ Mendakota Park (6:00-6:45pm) Great for KIDS!
* *July 13:* *Up South [ [link removed] ]* @ Market Square Park (6:00-7:30pm)
* *July 27:* *Sons of Groove [ [link removed] ] *@ Mendakota Park (6:30-8:00pm)
* *August 12: Funktion Junction [ [link removed] ]* @ Mendakota Park (6:30-8:00pm)
* *August 24: Rockin' Hollywoods [ [link removed] ] *@ Mendakota Park (6:00-7:30pm)
________________________________________________________________________

*Free drop-in program - no registration required*

Join us on Tuesdays this summer for the City's traveling program that brings recreation to local neighborhood spots. Staff will set up activities and equipment for youth to enjoy: games, sports, arts, crafts, and more! Supervision is provided during the listed event time only; for ages 6-12. This program is in partnership with West St. Paul.?


* *June 21:*?12:30-1:30pm at?Southview Park [ [link removed] ], WSP
* *June 28:*?1:30-2:30pm at?Mendakota Park [ [link removed] ]

*View the Tour de Rec summer schedule [ [link removed] ]*.

________________________________________________________________________

*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 [ [link removed] ]?for?details.?






COMMUNITY CALENDAR

*Public Meetings*

Meeting changes or cancellations are noted on the City's website mendotaheightsmn.gov/calendar [ [link removed] ]. 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 [ [link removed] ]?(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
* Natural Resources Commission: Not yet televised

"Occasionally broadcasted channels may change; check Town Square Television's listings [ [link removed] ] for updates."

Upcoming Schedule

* *City Council Work Session* | June 21, 4:00 p.m.
* *City Council* | June 21, 6:00 p.m.
* *Planning Commission* | June 28, 7:00 p.m.

City Business Hours

*City Hall:*?Monday - Thursday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. | Friday 7-11:30 a.m.

*Police Department:* Monday - Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

*Public Works Building*: Monday - Friday, 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

*City Hall Contact Information [ [link removed] ]*






*Official Website of the City of Mendota Heights, Minnesota [ [link removed] ]*
1101 Victoria Curve Mendota Heights, MN 55118
Phone: 651-452-1850








Stay Connected with the City of Mendota Heights: Facebook [ [link removed] ] ? Facebook [ [link removed] ] ? Facebook [ [link removed] ]? ?Twitter [ [link removed] ]? ?Twitter [ [link removed] ]? Govdelivery [ [link removed] ] SUBSCRIBER SERVICES:
Manage Subscriptions [ [link removed] ] ?|?Help [ [link removed] ]??|?Unsubscribe from all Topics [ [link removed] ]

________________________________________________________________________

This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: City of Mendota Heights ? 1101 Victoria Curve Mendota Heights ? MN 55118 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]