THE LATEST?
 Townsquare TV is hosting a candidate forum for the Mendota Heights Mayor and City Council elections.? The Forum will be available to watch live on Thursday September 22, at 7:30PM . The public is invited to submit questions until September 15 for possible use during the forums. To submit your question, fill out the form at:?https://townsquare.tv/questions-candidates?
 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)
 Are you looking for ways to connect with your neighbors? The Mendota Heights Volunteer program is the place to look! Sign up on the city website and get connected to upcoming events and activities that need volunteers. More information on the city website:?
Sign up HERE for the following opportunities:
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Event volunteers are needed for fall park events
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Natural Resources volunteers are needed for fall invasive and restoration projects
 Help protect pollinators in your yard by planting a pollinator-friendly landscape feature. You can help protect the MN State Rusty Patched Bumble Bee, Monarchs, and other at-risk and endangered pollinator species by installing pollinator habitat such as a native pollinator garden, trees, and shrubs. Lawns 2 Legumes is now offering cost-share grants to private landowners to help cover the costs of installing a pollinator project. Lawns 2 Legumes is taking applications for grants now through January 18, 2023. Click HERE for to apply and for more information.
Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) Runway 17/35 will be closed for up to six weeks for a runway safety area restoration project beginning on Sept. 6, 2022.?The work for this project is intended to restore runway safety area slopes to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) specifications.
The runway safety area is the area adjacent to a runway that is designed to reduce the risk of airplane damage in the event of an aircraft excursion from the runway.
The safety area must be maintained so that it is clear of debris, and drained and graded so that it is able to support aircraft, snow removal equipment and aircraft rescue and firefighting operations.?
When one or more runways are closed at MSP, the arrivals and/or departures that would normally use that runway are directed by air traffic control to use an open runway. To ensure the safety of the construction crews and aircraft while Runway 17/35 is closed, aircraft will use Runways 12L/30R and 12R/30L (parallel runways).
Runway use and flight activity information are available on the MAC?s FlightTracker. Anyone with questions about runway closures may call the MAC Community Relations Office at 612-726-9411.
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
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For City Council (two positions open) -
John Mazzitello
Sally Lorberbaum
Jeff Nath
More information on the 2022 general election HERE
Centre Pointe Street Improvements
The contractor completed the first lift of paving this week in the Centre Pointe Business Park, and Waters Drive.? Curbing was installed on Carmen Lane and the contractor is preparing the base for paving.? The contractor also completed the base work on Dakota Drive to repair soft areas.? ?The contractor will be paving Dakota Drive and Carmen Lane next week.? Please also see updates on the city website at www.mendotaheightsmn.gov/projects
NB I-35 E closing this weekend for bridge painting
If your plans include traveling on I-35E over the next couple of weekends you may encounter a detour between Hwy 77/Cedar Ave. and I-494 as crews paint the Hwy 55 bridge over I-35E. ??
Beginning at 9 p.m. Friday, September 9, northbound I-35E will be closed between Hwy 77 and I-494. In addition, the following ramps will also be closed beginning approximately one hour before the road closes:
- Hwy 77/Cedar Ave.
- Cliff Rd.
- Diffley Rd.
- Pilot Knob Rd.
- Lone Oak Rd.
The signed detour will utilize northbound Hwy. 77 and eastbound I-494 to bypass the closure. All lanes and ramps are expected to reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, September 12.
Weather permitting southbound I-35E will be closing in the same area the following weekend (Sept. 16-19) to complete the paining over I-35E.
You will still encounter lane closures in both directions of Hwy 55 as well as off-peak lane closures on I-494 and I-35E near Eagan and Mendota Heights, as crews finish up their work.
When possible, motorists should avoid cutting through neighborhoods and help keep the community safe by using posted detour routes.
Construction is expected to be complete by October.?All traffic impacts are tentative and weather dependent.
For more information, visit the Hwy 55 Minneapolis to Inver Grove Heights webpage.
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Upcoming recycling events
- September 10, 10am-1pm: Back Parking Lot of Wakota FCU?
- September 17, 12-3pm : Wescott Library
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.? ??
This week and weekend you may notice some work being done within Valley Park. Two areas within Valley park will continue to be restored by native restoration contractors.
The area surrounding Interstate Valley Creek, west and south of Bluff Cir will be treated for buckthorn that was removed last winter. This is part of the Valley Park Forest Enhancement project, which entails removal of invasive species, follow-up treatments, and revegetation of native groundcover and understory plant species. The project is funded by the State of MN Conservation Partners Legacy Grant program.
The area north of the picnic shelter and east of the trail will be treated for invasive amur maple as part of the on-going restoration work done in partnership with Great River Greening. Once invasive species have been removed and treated, seeding of native plant species will begin next spring.?
Restoration in Progress
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 Be on the lookout for Red Hailstone, a herbaceous vine that has started to show invasive tendencies in Minnesota, growing up to 18 feet in a year and smothering vegetation, much like Kudzu. It gets its name from the red fruit produced by the male plant. Red Hailstone has a single, bell-shaped, yellow flower that blooms from July to September. Leaves are alternate, toothed, and heart-shaped, growing up to 2 ? inches long. Red Hailstone grows quickly, and attaches itself easily to surrounding vegetation using its many downy-hooked hairs. It has been spotted smothering woodland edge vegetation and habitat, as well as invading farm fields. Red Hailstone has been found in surrounding counties, and has been found in southern Dakota County.
Control methods for Red Hailstone:
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.
Class:? Monday September 19, from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm??Register HERE
 Recent highlights
Weekly Crime Report
Incident reports?9/2/2022-9/8/2022
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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Saturday, September 17?? 7:30pm - Two Rivers High School
Movie in the Park is back at Two Rivers High School. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket and get ready to enjoy The Lego Movie underneath the stars. In the event of inclement weather check social media and the city website for updates. All children under the age of 10 must be accompanied by an adult.? FREE
Saturday, September 24?? 9:00am to 3:00pm - Two Rivers High School
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