Mendota News
Fall 2013
Rake your Leaves
Save a Lake or River
City of Mendota
P O Box 50688
Mendota, MN 55150
651-322-0827
Email:
cityofmendota@gmail.com



Mayor: Brian Mielke
Council Members:
Joan Perron
Josh Lee
Alan Ralston
Erick Lehet

Did you know that tree leaves
contain phosphorus? That’s the
same nutrient that can turn lakes
and rivers green with algae
growth. You can help protect
water this fall by:
Raking or sweeping leaves from your street and storm
drains;
Composting leaves and grass clippings in your yard or at a
community yard waste collection site;
Never disposing of leaves in wetlands or near bodies of
water;
Keeping the street clean of other materials that contain
phosphorus such as grass clippings and eroded soil.
Be Prepared
Having the tools and plans in place in case
of an emergency is just as
important as having a working smoke
alarm in case of a fire. All families should
have an Emergency Supply Kit that would
sustain your family for at least three days.
Clerk:
KimberLee West
Building Official:
David Neameyer
651-600-2176
Police Chief:
Mike Aschenbrener
City Attorney:
Tom Lehmann
651-439-2878
The City of Mendota
holds City Council
Meetings the second
Tuesday of the month.
Your kit should include:
1. One gallon of water per person per day for drinking and
sanitation needs.
2. A supply of non-perishable food such as protein bars, dried
fruit,
and canned foods (don’t forget a can opener).
3. Warm clothes and a sleeping bag for each member of your
family.
Have a Plan
Develop a plan with your family in advance for what you will do in
an emergency situation, including a communications plan. You
may not be together when an emergency occurs. Determine a
location where all family members will meet if your family cannot
meet at your home.
This is the basic information for emergency preparedness. More
detailed information can be obtained at www.ready.gov.
Home Composting
Did you know that in 1996, organic material, much of which consists of lawn
clippings and leaves, accounted for about one-sixth of municipal solid waste in
Minnesota (yard waste has been banned from landfills since 1994).
Residents are encouraged to reduce the amount of yard waste that they dispose of
by composting and changing their lawn care practices. Here are some tips to help
make the most of your yard waste:
1. Start a compost pile in your back yard. Composting is very easy to do, and
finished compost can be used as a soil amendment to benefit your lawn and
garden. A compost pile allows you to recycle" your lawn, garden and food waste
into natural fertilizer, thus eliminating your reliance on chemical fertilizers.
2. Leave clippings on the lawn. Grass clippings left on the lawn are a good source of free fertilizer, and can provide
much of the nitrogen needed for a healthy lawn.
3. If you're just starting a compost pile, start with a layer of 4–6 inches of browns (twigs, leaves, etc.) then add a layer
of greens (food waste or grass clippings).
What to put in a compost pile
Grass clippings
Leaves
Garden debris
Vegetable and fruit scraps
Coffee grounds
Egg shells
Sawdust and wood chips
Cornstalks and straw
What stays out
Food with meat, dairy, or oils
Pet feces
Diseased plants
Weeds gone to seed
Ash from charcoal or coal
Should you choose not to compost, deliver your yardwaste and tree trimmings to a commercial yardwaste and tree
trimmings into compost and mulch, which can be used for lawn, garden, and landscaping projects.
Compost bin made from recycled pallets
Compost Sites in Dakota County
You can drop off your unwanted yard and tree wastes at
any of the sites listed below. Yard waste must be placed
in a container you will take home with you, or a
compostable bag (available at most local retail,
hardware, discount, and nursery stores). Hours and fees
vary, so be sure to call first for specific information.
Locations:
Gertens
805 Yankee Doodle Road, Eagan
Ph: (651) 450-1501
South St. Paul Compost Site
494 to Hardman Ave, S. St. Paul
Ph: (651) 554-3204
Empire Township - NRG Processing Solutions
16454 Blaine Avenue, Farmington
Ph: (651) 423-4401
Snow Removal
The City of Mendota asks residents to be aware of city ordinances
relating to parking and snow removal. Please do not park in such a
manner as to obstruct or interfere with snow plowing or snow
removal.
Also, it is unlawful for any person to deposit snow/ice into the
roadway. All snow and ice should be removed from public sidewalks
12 hours after the snow has ceased to fall.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Plan and Prepare for Winter Driving
Plan
Make sure your vehicle is equipped with jumper cables,
road flares, a shovel, windshield scraper, tow rope, and
a winter survival kit.
Prepare
Test your anti-freeze, battery, brakes, exhaust and
lights. Never travel with less than a half tank of gas.
Pay Attention
Listen to weather forecasts, road reports, and storm warnings.
Notify Others
When roads are in poor driving condition, always tell someone where you are going and the route,
then report a safe arrival.
Cut the Cruise
Never use cruise control when roads are slippery. It can reduce your control of the vehicle if your
tires begin to slip or skid.
Current road condition can be found online or by calling the 24-hour Statewide Road Condition
Information Number: 1 (800) 542-0220.
Did you know :
2012 Minnesota Statues
169.475 USE OF WIRELESS
COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE
Subdivision 1. Definition:
For purposes of this section, "electronic message"
means a self-contained piece of digital communication
that is designed or intended to be transmitted between
physical devices. An electronic message includes, but
is not limited to, e-mail, a text message, an instant
message, a command or request to access a World
Wide Web page, or other data that uses a commonly
recognized electronic communications protocol. An
electronic message does not include voice or other
data transmitted as a result of making a phone call, or
data transmitted automatically by a wireless
communications device without direct initiation by a
person.
Subdivision 2. Prohibition on use: No person may
operate a motor vehicle while using a wireless
communications device to compose, read, or send an
electronic message, when the vehicle is in motion or a
part of traffic.
Subdivision 3. Exceptions: This section does not
apply if a wireless communications device is used:
(1) solely in a voice-activated or other hands-free
mode;
(2) for making a cellular phone call;
(3) for obtaining emergency assistance to report a
traffic accident, medical emergency, or
serious traffic hazard, or to prevent a crime
about to be committed;
(4) in the reasonable belief that a person's life or
safety is in immediate danger; or
(5) in an authorized emergency vehicle while in the
performance of official duties.
History: 2008 c 350 art 1 s 38
Take the Pledge to Never
Text and Drive at
itcanwait.com
100,000 crashes a year
involve drivers who are
texting
75% of teens say texting
and driving is “common”
amoung their friends
According to 77 percent
of teens, adults tell kids
not text or email while
driving — yet adults do it
themselves "all the
time."
Almost all teens
(nine in 10) expect a
reply to a text or
email within five
minutes or less,
which puts
pressure on them to
respond while
driving.
97 percent of teens say
texting while driving is
dangerous — but 43
percent admit to doing
so.
Facts from:
AT&T commuter and teen driving
survey findings