American Red Cross of the St. Paul Area
The Red Cross offers a wide range of services, including disaster relief, senior citizen transportation, health and safety classes, crisis response and emergency social services, and youth job readiness. The St. Paul Area Red Cross serves Vadnais Heights, and is located at 176 S. Robert St., St. Paul. Contact them at 651-291-6789, or visit their website at www.stpaulredcross.org.
To donate blood or to find out donor center locations, contact the American Red Cross North Central Blood Services at 651-291-4607, or visit their website at www.yourbloodcenter.org. The Red Cross has donor centers throughout the Twin Cities area, including one at 3490 Lexington Ave., Shoreview.
Also, keep your eye open for announcements of blood drives held throughout the year in Vadnais Heights.
Animal Control
The City contracts with Animal Control Services, Inc. for this service. All impounded animals are held at Hillcrest Animal Hospital located at 1320 Highway 61, Maplewood, MN 55109, phone number 651-484-7211. Business hours listed below.
Mon-Wed-Fri: 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Tue-Thur: 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.
For animal complaints or in cases of emergency outside of normal business hours, call the Sheriff’s Department at 651-767-0640.
Block Party Trailer The Block Party Trailer, funded by Vadnais Heights Lions Club, may be rented by Vadnais Heights residents for neighborhood gatherings, birthdays, graduations and other outdoor celebrations.
The trailer includes tables, chairs, volleyball net and poles, bocce ball, parachute, ring toss, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, road barricades, and traffic cones. Click here for the reservation form.
Brush Drop Off/Compost Site Ramsey County offers disposal for leaves, grass, and soft-bodied plants. Brush and tree parts are accepted too. There is no charge for disposal. For additional information, contact, Ramsey County at 651.773.4455 or visit their web site at www.co.ramsey.mn.us and check under the "environment" heading.
Hours:
11:00 am to 7:00 pm, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Saturday
11:00 am to 5:00 pm, Sunday
Closed Tuesday and Thursday
Season: April through November
Building and Zoning Permits
Curt Hauser is the Building Official. He is responsible for ensuring that buildings are constructed and used in accordance with the Minnesota State Building Code. Curt can be reached at 651.204.6025 or by email at chauser.
Building inspection permits can be scheduled by contacting Diane Albrecht at 651.204.6015.
On-line forms Permits are required for most permanent improvements and work regulated by State or City codes. Examples of work requiring permits are:
State web site The State's web site offers information on residential building issues. Visit their site at http://www.buildingcodes.admin.state.mn.us
and then go to the specialty services and select residential.
Deck
To repair or rebuild an existing deck, a building permit is needed. This gives the opportunity to ensure that the new portions of the deck meet current codes. Click here for the residential deck information sheet.
Driveway
A permit is needed if you are expanding or adding to the curb openings, or expanding the parking surface, of a driveway. A permit is not needed for resurfacing existing driveway surfaces.
Heating and plumbing - separate permits are required for heating, wiring and plumbing work. A person may perform their own plumbing and electrical work on a home in which they reside, provided a permit is obtained and the work is inspected.
Please remember that, if you have hired a contractor, you should not be the individual to take out a building permit. Contractors are required to be licensed by the state and/or the city. Licensing verifies that the contractor has the required insurance to protect you in case of an accident. Many contractors have had their licenses suspended for failure to maintain insurance coverage or for fraudulent business practices. Beware of this tactic.
Most permits are issued within five business days, if the application is complete. Some minor permits can be issued immediately over the counter, but please allow extra processing time during the busy summer months.
Work authorized by a permit must begin within 180 days of issuance of the permit, must progress during each subsequent 180-day period, and must have a final inspection to avoid expiration of the permit. Expired permits must be renewed before work is completed.
To download a building permit, click here. To download a zoning permit, click here.
Bus Service
Lake Area Bus provides mini-bus service to any location in Vadnais Heights, Birchwood, Mahtomedi, White Bear Lake, White Bear Township, Willernie, to Maplewood Mall, and to the medical facilities in the Maplewood Mall area. Lake Area Bus also offers fixed routes with scheduled stops in the early morning and late afternoon.
Lake Area Bus receives funding from the Cities of Vadnais Heights, Birchwood, Mahtomedi, White Bear Lake, White Bear Township, and from the Metropolitan Council.
The fare is $2.00 each way for this curb-to-curb service. Service hours are 6:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. At no extra charge, you may transfer to a mainline Metro Transit bus at Maplewood Mall or to a Northeast Suburban Transit for destinations in Maplewood, North St. Paul, and Oakdale.
To schedule a ride, call at least two hours in advance of your desired pick-up time. If possible, arrange your ride the day before. To arrange a ride or for more information, call 651-644-8876 between 8:00 a.m.– 4:30 p.m., weekdays.
For those persons 60 years of age or older and qualified disabled adults under 60, who are residents of the WBL Area School District (ISD #624), special transportation services are available through the LionMobile. Call 651-653-3122 for information.
In addition, the Metropolitan Council’s Metro Transit has bus service routes on the boundaries of Vadnais Heights. It also has nearby park and ride locations. For complete information on routes, fares, schedules, and park and ride locations, visit www.metrotransit.com.
Cable Television
City council meetings are broadcast live on cable Channel 16 to Vadnais Heights cable subscribers. The meetings are replayed on Thursdays at 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., and on Saturdays, at 2:00 p.m. Comcast offers free universal service that includes Channel 16. Call 651-222-3333 for details.
Chambers of Commerce The White Bear Area Chamber of Commerce and the Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce serve Vadnais Heights. Check out their web sites at www.whitebearchamber.com and www.saintpaulchamber.com .
Christmas Tree Recycling Christmas trees will be picked up by your hauler at no additional charge on the first and second Wednesday following New Year’s Day. On other than the designated dates, a charge will apply for this service.
Clean-Up Day
Vadnais Heights Clean-Up Day is the perfect opportunity to clean out your garage and basement. The Clean-Up Day is held the fourth Saturday in April, from 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., in Community Park’s parking lot. Community Park is located on County Road F. A charge for your drop-off will be determined when you arrive.
Community Foundation
The Vadnais Heights Community Foundation assists a multitude of worthwhile projects, has improved many lives, and strengthens our community by combating deterioration and blight. In 2006, the Vadnais Heights Community Foundation merged with the St. Paul Foundation, to create the Endowment Fund, Fund for Teachers, and Operating Fund. The St. Paul Foundation is a private, non-profit 501(C)(3). For more information on the St. Paul Foundation, go to www.saintpaulfoundation.org
Foundation accomplishments include support for:
• Housing improvements through a low interest loan program;
• Opportunities for challenged youth;
• Playground improvements at Vadnais Elementary School and Community Park;
• Equipment for the Vadnais Heights Fire Department and Ramsey County Sheriff’s Department;
• Community planning projects;
• Communications initiatives, such as the City’s “News & Views” column in the Vadnais Press;
• Heritage Days and other celebrations; helped fund the Lake Area Transit.
Click here for the article "Foundation's Future is in your hands".
Community Service Fund
The Community Service Fund is a resource for the citizens of Vadnais Heights funded entirely by donations. As well as providing assistance for community events and projects, the fund is available to the City’s economically disadvantaged citizens for help with food, clothing, shelter, or medical needs.
Candidates for this assistance must have first exhausted any help from other agencies. Applications are available at City Hall. Questions should be directed to Joan Lenzmeier by email or call 651-204-6011.
Compost and Yard Waste
Ramsey County offers disposal for leaves, grass, and soft-bodied plants. Brush and tree parts are accepted too. There is no charge for disposal. For additional information, contact, Ramsey County at 651.266.1155 or visit their web site at www.co.ramsey.mn.us and check under the "environment" heading.
Hours:
11:00 am to 7:00 pm, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Saturday
11:00 am to 5:00 pm, Sunday
Closed Tuesdays and Thursdays
Season: April through November
Counseling Services
To deal with personal and family issues, counseling services are offered by the Community Counseling Center, 1280 Birch Lake Blvd., White Bear Lake. They can be reached at 651.429.8544 or by email at wblaccc@comcast.net.
The City of Vadnais Heights helps to fund the Counseling Center. Services are available to the community on a sliding scale, based on income.
