Currently Mendota Heights is experiencing Severe to Extreme Drought conditions according to the most recent data released by the U.S. Drought Monitor. This is the third subsequent growing season that Mendota Heights has experienced some degree of drought conditions. What this means for your trees and other vegetation in your landscape is that they may be showing slight to severe signs of drought stress, including:
Lighter green to yellow-green foliage during the growing season
Leaf scorch around the margins of trees and shrubs
Wilting Leaves
Premature fall color or leaf drop
Stunted shoots
Over-production of seeds
Drought stress can cause your trees and other vegetation to be more susceptible to diseases and pests. It can also cause long-term damage to root systems throughout the winter, as soil moisture helps to protect root systems from frost and freeze. To help mitigate effects of drought on your trees, shrubs, and perennials, continue to water these species up until ground freeze. Turf grass is more resilient in cooler temperatures, so it may not need extra watering unless it is newly established seed or sod. Ensure any trees, shrubs, and perennials that have been planted in the last two-three years are receiving at least 1? (about 20 minutes/week from a garden hose at a slow trickle, or 20-30 minutes/week from a sprinkler) of water per week up until ground freeze.
Mayor for the Day
The League of Minnesota Cities is once again encouraging our state?s 4th, 5th, and 6th graders to share ideas about how they would make cities better through submitting essays in the League?s ?Mayor for a Day? essay contest.
Contest information can be found at lmc.org/mayorforaday.?Three winning students will be chosen from among submitted entries. Each winning student will receive $100 and will have their essay published in a future issue of Minnesota Cities magazine.
New Sewer Rates
Third quarter utility bills were mailed out from the city with the new sanitary sewer rates.
The sanitary sewer charge on your quarterly sewer bill is based on your first quarter (January, February, March) water consumption. Water usage during this quarter is typically the lowest of any of the other quarters. Your usage is reviewed on a yearly basis after first quarter, and that is how you will be billed for the following four quarters. The base quarterly charge is $25.64 for sanitary sewer and properties are billed $4.67 per unit of water consumed (100 cubic feet per unit).
This year, rates were changed to charge more equitably for usage, simplify the billing system, promote water conservation, and to keep pace with expenses.
Our partners at Great River Greening have a big volunteer event happening in Copperfield Ponds Park this Saturday. 75 volunteers will work alongside Great River Greening staff to remove invasive buckthorn and plant native shrubs and wildflowers at Copperfield Ponds Park.?
Please be patient with additional traffic or parking limitations from 9 a.m.-12 p.m.?
Mendota Heights Fire Department Open House
Saturday, October 15, 2022 from 10am-1pm
Learn fire prevention and life safety education through fun, interactive games and activities at the Mendota Heights fire station.? Kids of all ages can play Snuffer?s Grand Prize Game, Fire Safety BINGO, run through the junior firefighter challenge course, tour the fire station, see demonstrations, emergency vehicles, and more! Those who are interested in learning more about becoming a Mendota Heights Firefighter can get details and chat with a firefighter at the recruitment station.
Check out open positions at the City of Mendota Heights HERE
Open Positions include:?
Seasonal Skating Instructor
Seasonal Warming House Attendant
Seasonal Rink Flooder
Weekly Construction Update
Centre Pointe Street Improvements
The contractor, Bituminous Roadways, ?completed milling and final paving for Pilot Knob Road, Acacia Boulevard, Carmen Lane, Commerce Drive and Lemay Avenue on October 3 and 4.? Roadway striping is scheduled for Saturday, October 8.? This work will substantially complete this project.? Please also see updates on the city website at mendotaheightsmn.gov/projects
Westbound I-494 closes near Mendota Heights Oct. 7-10
Motorists traveling westbound on Interstate 494 in Mendota Heights will encounter a full closure and detour as crews continue to paint the Highway 55 bridge over the roadway. Beginning at 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7, westbound I-494 will be closed at I-35E. In addition to the road closure, the ramps from both north and southbound I-35E to westbound I-494 will also be closed. Motorists in the area are advised to follow the signed detour using southbound I-35E and northbound Highway 77 or find an alternate route.
All lanes and ramps are expected to reopen by 5 a.m., Monday Oct. 10.
When possible, motorists should avoid cutting through neighborhoods and help keep the community safe by using posted detour routes.
These lane and ramp closures are part of a larger project on Highway 55 between Minneapolis and Inver Grove Heights. All construction activities and traffic impacts are weather permitting and subject to change. MnDOT will maintain access to all businesses and residences throughout the project however, you may have to use a different route.
Construction is expected to be complete by the end of October 2022.?
Absentee Voting is now open at City Hall in Mendota Heights!
Voters can register to vote, pick up an absentee ballot, and cast their ballot at City Hall. If you have requested a ballot through the mail, you can drop it off at the secure ballot drop box at city hall. If you would like to request an absentee ballot through the mail, Click Here?
Residents can submit their absentee ballot at any of the following locations:?
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.? ??
NATURAL RESOURCES
Yard Clean Up Tips
During the summer months lawns are mowed several times throughout the season. When grass clippings from all those mowings make it into the street, sidewalk, and eventually storm drains, it means increased nutrients, algae growth, and lower water quality for lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands. Now that the leaves have begun to fall, those leaves also add unwanted nutrients to surface waters. Remember to keep grass clippings and leaves out of streets, gutters, and storm drains. When leaves and yard waste are washed into storm drains, they end up in surface waters, where they then release nutrients that contribute to algae growth and algae blooms the next spring. These extra nutrients also cause low oxygen levels, fish kills, and unsafe swimming and recreation conditions.
Rake up grass clippings, leaves, branches, and debris from your yard, and dispose of them properly. Here are some good options:
Compost yard waste in your backyard. Adding leaves and grass clippings to a compost pile is an inexpensive way to add nutrient rich fertilizer to your gardens.
Bring leaves and grass clippings to a compost site or other acceptable disposal site. Many sites take leaves and other yard waste free of charge or for a small fee. A list of sites in our area can be found here.
Till leaves directly into a garden, for added organic matter.
Short on time? Use a service such as TaskRabbit to hire out the task of raking and/or removing your leaves and yard waste for you!
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].
PARKS AND RECREATION
Fall Golf Rates- Starting October 1
Senior Programming with Thompson County Park Activity Center
Thursday, October 13 from 11:00am ? 2:00pm | Thompson County Park
*Pre-registration required
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
Dog Day
Sat, October 15 from 1-3 p.m. Mendota Heights Dog Park
Bring your dog to socialize with other pups! Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation will be providing fun dog play equipment, prizes and more.
MEA Field Trip
Register today for the upcoming MEA Field Trip ? Drkula Bowl and Movie MEA Thursday, October 20, 2022 at 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Ages 6-12
Spend the morning at Harmon Park playing games, then head to Drkula?s to go bowling and eat lunch. After, catch a movie and head back to the park. Note: Exact movie and locations are TBD. Pizza included. In partnership with the cities of Inver Grove Heights, West St. Paul and South St. Paul.
Saturday, October 22 from 5-7 p.m. Par 3 Golf Course
Celebrate the season by taking your little ghosts or goblins for a Spooktacular trick-or-teeing experience. Get in costume and visit golf course holes for a treat and enjoy festive games, arts and crafts. In the case of inclement weather, the event will be moved to Sunday, October 23. Ages 13 and under. Adult supervision is required.
Meeting changes or cancellations are noted on the City's website mendotaheightsmn.gov/calendar. 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?(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
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
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