This issue highlights upcoming events, an update on Aspen House, volunteet opportunities and more





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Mendota Heights, Minneosta




*FRIDAY NEWS | September 23, 2022*






THE LATEST?
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Makers Market
Makers Market [ [link removed] ]________________________________________________________________________

Aspen House-Youth Short Term Housing

Aspen House

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 [email protected] or 651.554.5918. Additional information is also available in the Dakota County Fall/Winter 2022 Newsletter: News| Dakota County [ [link removed] ].

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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 [email protected].?

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!

volunteers [ [link removed] ]
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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) [ [link removed] ] 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.

Feedback can be shared?HERE [ [link removed] ]?through September 30.?

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Bike Ped [ [link removed] ]________________________________________________________________________

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Check out open positions at the City of Mendota Heights HERE [ [link removed]? ]

Open Positions include:?


* Seasonal Skating Instructor
* Seasonal Warming House Attendant
* Seasonal Rink Flooder
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2022 Mayor/City Council Candidates

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 ? *For City Council (two positions open) -* John Mazzitello Sally Lorberbaum Jeff Nath More information on the 2022 general election HERE [ [link removed] ] Candidate profiles available HERE [ [link removed] ] ________________________________________________________________________

Weekly Construction Update

*Centre Pointe Street Improvements*

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 [ [link removed] ]

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construction [ [link removed] ]
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RECYCLING

*Upcoming recycling events*

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*Outdoor Gear Swap [ [link removed] ]*

Outdoor Gear Swap [ [link removed] ]
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Costume Swap [ [link removed] ]

Costume Swap [ [link removed] ]
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Fix It Clinics [ [link removed] ]

Fix It Clinic
Recent highlights:

* 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.? ??
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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?

Native Plants

Above: Wild Petunia, Whorled Milkweed, Little Bluestem, Heliopsis and Monarda

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

* Learn how to identify, control, and prevent the spread of the invasive species garlic mustard. [ [link removed] ]
* 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] ]??
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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] ]
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POLICE DEPARTMENT NEWS

pd logo med
Weekly Crime Report

Incident reports?9/16/2022-9/22/2022 [ [link removed] ]
Previous "Weekly Crime Report/Just the Facts"?publications are available in the Laserfiche archive system on the City's website [ [link removed] ].?

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Sign up for emergency alerts

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

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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 [ [link removed] ].?

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


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PARKS & RECREATION

Stargazing

*Monday, October 3, 2022 at 7:00-9:00 PM | Harmon Park, West St. Paul*

stargazing [ [link removed] ]

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 [ [link removed] ]

Tour de Rec

*Thursday, October 6, 2022 at 6:00-?7:00 PM | Mendakota Park?*

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.?

Upcoming Tour De Rec Dates are HERE [ [link removed] ]

TPAC- Senior Programming

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 [ [link removed] ]

TPAC




COMMUNITY CALENDAR

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] ]*

*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: Channel 15/859 HD

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

Upcoming Meeting Schedule

* *Planning Commission Work Session?**| *September 28, 5:30?p.m.
* *City Council Meeting* | October 6, 6:00 p.m.





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








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