THE LATEST?
Absentee Voting for the Primary Election begins this Friday June 24, 2022.?
Not available on election day? You can vote by casting an absentee ballot prior to Election Day. Absentee voting means voting by mail or in person before Election Day, instead of at the polling place. Absentee ballots are ready 46 days before an election. Any voter may vote absentee.?
You may pick up an absentee ballot at City Hall, or request an absentee ballot be mailed to you either at City Hall or through the MN Secretary of State website:?HERE
There are two upcoming elections this year:?
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Primary Election: August 9, 2022- Absentee Voting Open 6/24-8/8
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General Election: November 8, 2022- Absentee Voting Open 9/23-11/8
Absentee Ballots can be mailed, dropped off inside city hall, or dropped in the blue secure drop box in front of City Hall.?
More information on absentee voting available on the City's website HERE
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 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.
The pedestrian/bike trail adjacent to the westbound lanes of the Mendota Bridge reopened Tuesday, June 21. The westbound driving lanes reopened Wednesday, June 22.
Beginning Thursday, June 23 through mid-August the eastbound lanes of Hwy. 55 over the Mendota Bridge were closed.
Visit MnDOT'S Highway 55 project page for the latest.
 Free music in the park
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:
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Summer Seasonal Recreation
Fall Seasonal Recreation
Visit job postings at?mendotaheightsmn.gov/employment.
Mendota Heights has a compost drop site at?Mendakota Park? where residents can drop off food scraps, and compostable paper products. It is a free, convenient, and easy way to manage organics and reduce the amount of trash sent to the landfill.? ? ?
There are 843 households from Mendota Heights that have registered for the organics drop-off program.?
- 18% of all households in Mendota Heights have registered.?
- The next highest percentage of registered households from an individual city are Hastings and West St. Paul, both at 8%.?
- The Countywide Average is 5% of households that have registered for the program.?
Sign up to participate:?
More information about the Organic's Recycling Program can be found HERE
Soaring Temperatures Reduce Departure?Altitude of Aircraft
Aircraft departing in warmer weather do so at lower rates of climb than during periods of cooler weather. During heat waves, the air has lower density which increases the runway length aircraft need during take-off and decreases lift and altitude gained as aircraft depart the airport.
The chart below shows average departure altitudes during the winter (January 19, 2022 through January 26, 2021 with a low of -16??F) in blue and average departure altitudes from last summer (July 22, 2021 through July 29, 2021 with a high of 93??F) in red. To compare aircraft departure altitudes, concentric rings near Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) runway were applied every mile between one mile and ten miles. Total average departure altitudes for flights at each ring are shown in the chart.?
Within three miles of MSP, during the two time periods used for comparison, aircraft were almost 400 feet lower in the hot period than during the winter. At nine and ten miles from MSP, aircraft altitudes averaged about 1,300 feet lower in summer compared to winter.
You? may notice this change in departing aircraft but can rest assured aircraft are able to safely operate just as they do in cooler temperatures.? The departure altitudes are normal and expected when temperatures soar.
 Visit Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) Community Relations website to learn more about MSP Airport and aircraft noise
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?and can speak with their tax professional about this credit to help determine their eligibility.
 Clear out mattresses at a discount
Certified Recycling 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 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 or call 952-894-1448.
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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.
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Upcoming recycling events
Aug 1-12
Mendota Heights City Hall Parking Lot & Other Locations
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Recent highlights:
 The City of Mendota Heights is updating its Natural Resources Management Plan (NRMP). The plan will serve as a tool to help guide the City in making decisions and taking actions to conserve and manage its natural resources. A public presentation of the NRMP draft was given by the City?s consultant, Resource Environmental Solutions (RES), at the regular meeting of the City Council on May 17, 2022.? Click HERE to view the presentation. Members of the public are invited to comment on the NRMP. Please submit comments or questions by Friday, July 8, 2022, to Krista Spreiter, Natural Resources Coordinator, at 651-255-1123, or via Email at: [email protected].
View the Natural Resources Management Plan Here
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Recent highlights
Weekly Crime Report
Incident reports 6/17/2022 - 06/23/2022
Previous Weekly Crime Report/Just the Facts?publications are available in the Laserfiche archive system on the City's website.?
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Sign up for emergency alerts
The Emergency Alert Program is available through the Dakota Communications Center (DCC) at?dakota911mn.gov.
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Stay in touch through Nextdoor
The MHPD has expanded their social media channels to include Nextdoor. Learn more and sign up at?nextdoor.com.?
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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 [email protected].
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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.
 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!?
 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.?
View the Tour de Rec summer schedule.
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.?
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