Mendota City Council Enlists Public Help in Pothole Repair, Reviews Water Quality Practices

The Mendota City Council is betting that what the city lacks in income the population will make up for with a willingness to pitch in when it comes to road repair this spring.

Road commissioner Dan Dahlberg will return to town first thing in May, after which the council wants to plan an official volunteer date to with citizen participation.

“I’ve got a tamper,” said council member Alan Rahlston.

“I’ve got a strong friend named Josh,” joked council member Adam Strain, referring to council colleague Josh Lee.

Storm Water Pollution Prevention Hearing

City Administrator Jennifer Bruestle provided the annual review of the city’s Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program. The program and public hearing are required for the permit city’s need to discharge untreated storm water runoff back into the natural environment. The goals of the program are to educate residents, plan and review potential impacts on storm water quality, and document activities to maintain the storm water system, which in Mendota’s case includes street sweeping and maintenance of the culverts.

Information is sent out with sewer bills about water quality best practices to fulfill the education requirement, and the council provides a review of all new building projects that may impact water quality to meet the review standard, said Bruestle.

New Traffic Issue

Speeding from Lucky’s 13 through the neighborhood rather than heading directly down Highway 13 has grown in popularity, according to Strain. The increased traffic is noticeable during the day and night. said he was informing his patrols to watch for the new pattern. The best thing residents can do is to call police when they see a car speeding through the neighborhood, and provide a license plate and description if possible. While police can’t give someone a speeding ticket if they did not witness the violation, they can look for repeat offenders and check for things like suspended licenses.

Also in Mendota:

• The council will pursue an audit of the city’s charitable gambling after a dramatic drop in revenue was identified as being the source of the enterprise fund’s low balance. Check back with Patch for more information.
• The council wants additional quotes for pond treatment this summer, which would cost $878 under their existing contractor, according to council member Joan Perron.
• Alan Rahlston presented an idea brought to him by a local business to allow for businesses to post colorful pennants down Sibley Memorial Highway. The council would be responsible for creating design standards for the pennants, and the businesses would be responsible for the cost.