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2014-04-04 Friday News - - Ώ - - N E W S The Pipeline L E T T E R Public Works Engineering April 4, 2014 Code Enforcement Public Works The Parks Crews did their daily trash pickup. The aerator was shut down for the year at Rogers Lake. Truck 501 was picked up from the auto body shop. A new lift gate was installed on truck 501, which replaced the old rusted out gate. The water meters were installed at Kensington South and Mendakota The Utilities Crew checked the lift stations daily. The main lift station had a high water alarm on Tuesday at 12:00 pm. The alarm was caused by grease and wipes stuck to the transducer and wet well walls. The grease was scraped off and the transducer was cleaned. A sanitary sewer inspection was done for a repair on Woodridge Drive. They attended a wellness committee meeting. A storm pipe that was blocked by ice was jetted in Sunfish Lake. The Streets Crew did mailbox repairs. The culvert from Huber Drive to Highway 110 and Dodd Road was cleaned because it was plugged with trash. Pothole patching was done. Trash on Hunter Lane was picked up. The shop was cleaned. They attended CPR training. Engineering City Projects (construction year) Hunter Lane/Orchard Place Neighborhood Improvements (2013) The project is considered substantially complete and the final lift of wear course asphalt will be placed in the spring. Highway 13 Trail Connection (2014) Construction will not begin until the spring. A utility conflict with Saint Paul Regional Water Service needs to be resolved prior to construction. Staff is meeting with Saint Paul Regional Water Service and the contractor on Monday to work out this issue. Victoria Road Reconstruction & Rolling Green Neighborhood Rehabilitation (2014/2015) A notice letter was sent out earlier this week informing affected property owners of a neighborhood open house scheduled for th Wednesday, April 9 at 6:30. The open house is at City Hall. At the open house, people will be able to review what is proposed to take place adjacent to their property and identify any specific issues the project may be able to address. The first (2014) phase of the project will reconstruct Victoria from Lilydale to Marie Avenue and rehabilitate the Stratford/Walsh/ Rolling Green neighborhood. The Lilydale portion of Victoria from Caren Road to Highway 13 is included in the 2014 construction phase. The remainder of Victoria was put off to a future date, but it is anticipated for construction in 2015. Wentworth Avenue & Pilot Knob Road Trail Rehabilitation Projects (2014) The trails on Wentworth (Wachtler to Dodd) and Pilot Knob Road (Mendota Heights Road to Highway 13) are scheduled for rehabilitation this summer. Projects will reclaim the existing pavement and install ADA compliant ramps and a new paved surface along each trail. Dakota County is participating in cost sharing since these trails are in County right-of-way. Construction is anticipated to begin in June/July. County Projects Delaware Avenue Resurfacing (2014) Dakota County is planning on resurfacing Delaware Avenue from Highway 110 south to I-494. This project will not widen or alter the lane alignment of Delaware, but will provide a new asphalt driving surface and new striping. Construction is anticipated to begin in late June. Lexington Crosswalk at Victoria (2014) The median and crosswalk are scheduled for installation this summer. This project will install a center median in Lexington on the north side of the Victoria intersection and provide for a crosswalk to connect the trails on the east and west of Lexington. The left turn lane from southbound Lexington to eastbound Victoria will be removed as part of this project. A JPA with Dakota County st for the project was approved by City Council at their April 1 meeting. State Projects State Publishes Construction Schedule (2014) The State Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has published their construction project list for 2014. The online list of projects with contacts, schedules, and updated information can be accessed at the State project web page at: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/roadwork/current.html#four. Highway 110 & Lexington Avenue Signal Replacement (2014) The existing signal will be replaced this summer with a new LED signal with flashing yellow arrow for the left turn lanes on Lexington. I 35E & Marie Avenue Drainage and Erosion Control Improvements (2014) Storm Water Runoff at the northeast corner of I-35E and Marie Avenue has caused erosion that has exposed utility pipes and conduits. Since a portion of the runoff comes from the Interstate right-of-way, MnDOT has taken the lead in designing a solution. MnDOT has asked that the City administer the construction contract for the improvement. A Cooperative Construction st Agreement was approved by City Council at their April 1 meeting. Highway 13 Reconstruction (2015) The section of Highway 13 that was not rehabilitated in 2012 is scheduled for reconstruction in 2015. This section is from I-35E south and west to 2nd Street in Mendota. This section will receive a widened shoulder, curb, gutter, and storm sewer to help alleviate drainage and erosion problems in Lilydale. Highway 149 (Dodd Road) Resurfacing (2017) Dodd Road is scheduled to be resurfaced from Highway 55 in Eagan to Annapolis Street in 2017. There are no plans to widen the State Highway, but some alterations for drainage and public safety are possible. Originally scheduled for 2015, the project was delayed to coincide with the Highway 110 rehabilitation project. Dodd Road will receive another sealcoat (chip seal) in 2014. Highway 110 Resurfacing (2017) Preliminary project scoping has begun. This project will not reconstruct or alter the alignment of the state highway, but modifications to access points, traffic signals, shoulders, drainage, and pedestrian facilities are likely. The project is scheduled to take place between the I-35E bridge and the I-494/Highway 52 interchange. Other Activities Saint Paul Regional Water Service (SPRWS) Annual Meeting Staff attended the annual meeting of SPRWS for Suburban customers. SPRWS explained their new rate for 2014 (an increase of 1.7%), and some organizational restructuring they are undertaking to increase efficiency. Frozen service lines have been a problem this winter because of the length and severity of cold we experienced since November. Some homeowners are being asked to run water constantly to avoid service line freezing. SPRWS will deduct this amount from water bills, and the City will use the reduced numbers to set annual sewer rates. For more questions, please call the City Engineering Department or SPRWS at 651-266-6350. 04, 2014 APRIL The latest from the Mendota Heights Police Department SUPPORTSTAFF PayAttentionandDrive! DistractedDrivingAwarenessMonth ³± ¥¨¢¢± ²§¤² POLICEOFFICERS $±¨µ¨­¦$¨²³± ¢³¨®­²)­¢«´£¤: Steven SCHOOLRESOURCE OFFICER INVESTIGATIONS Statute:MS169.475 ClickHere SERGEANTS S u b m i t t e d B y : How to obtain a Permit to Carry RESERVES MinnesotaPersonalProtectionAct CHAPLAINS applicationform MinnesotaStateStatute624.714 authorizedtraining CHIEF Њ BCAwebsite Theft from Motor Vehicle Thursday 2011 hours Officer Michael Shepard spoke to complainant regarding a theft from motor vehicle and learned when she had returned to her vehicle after work, her passenger side front window was broken out and a bag had been stolen from the vehicle. However, nothing of value was reported missing. No suspects. Case inactive. Theft Friday 1158 hours Officer John Larrive was dispatched to a local business on a report of a theft. He met with the HR Manager who stated an employee used a customerÓs remaining balance on a gift card to make a purchase. It turns out, the customer had called the employee and asked about the balance on the gift card and then told the customer there was a zero balance. However, the following day, an order was placed using that gift card number. The HR Manager does have documentation proving the transaction. Under investigation. Civil Saturday 0116 hours Officer Tanner Spicer was dispatched to call a reporting party in reference to his missing vehicle. The RP stated he loaned his vehicle to a friend who was to later pick him up from work; however, she changed the plan, choosing to not return the car at all. RP was advised that since he gave her permission to borrow the car that this is considered a civil matter until he comes into the PD to file a stolen vehicle report. Drunkenness Saturday 2251 hours Officer Tanner Spicer, along with Sergeant Eric Petersen and Officer Todd Rosse were dispatched to a local bar on a report of an out of control drunk female. Upon arrival, the woman was located, but ran around the vehicles in the lot in a futile attempt at evading officers. It was evident she was extremely intoxicated, but she refused a PBT and was then transported to Ramsey County Detox. DWI Sunday 0113 hours While on routine patrol, Officer Peyton Fleming observed a vehicle entering St. PeterÓs Church and Fleming found it odd because the church was closed. The vehicle then left the parking lot and as he was following it, he lost sight of it and had to speed up in excess of 80 mph to locate it again. Fleming initiated a traffic stop and approached the vehicle. Upon making contact with the driver, Fleming noticed bloodshot eyes and slurred speech. In asking how much he had to drink, he stated one drink around lunch time. The male was then asked to step out of the vehicle to perform field sobriety tests; he failed testing. The male was then placed under arrest for DWI. Fight/Medical/Weapon Sunday 0228 hours Sergeant Eric Petersen along with Officers Fleming, Rosse and Spicer were dispatched to a local gas station parking lot on a report of a fight. When officers arrived, they saw a man with blood coming from the top of his head. When asked what happened, he stated, ÐNothing.Ñ HealthEast was called to the scene and shortly after it was discovered that 3 other males were involved in the dispute. Two brothers got into a fight while the other two individuals tried to separate it. All parties were intoxicated and they did not wish to press charges. The vehicle was searched and a handgun was found. The owner of the handgun had a valid permit to carry, yet due to his intoxication and the fact the vehicle had to be left at the scene, the gun was brought to MHPD for safe-keeping. One individual was transported by medics while the other three were given a sober ride by officers. Ћ Runaway Sunday 1214 hours Officer Bobby Lambert was dispatched to call a concerned mother regarding her son who left home a few days prior and refuses to return home. The mother heard he was staying at a friendÓs house so she contacted the parents of the friend. The friend was directed to give him a ride back home but instead, went to McDonalds where he again refused to go home. The juvenile then left with two unidentified females. Later in the day, Lambert was notified that the juvenile had returned home. Theft from Motor Vehicle - AGAIN Monday 0902 hours Officer John Larrive was once again called to a regular apartment complex on a theft from motor vehicle in an underground garage. The victim returned to his vehicle several days later to find the glove box had been rummaged through. A GPS unit as well as $60.00 cash was stolen. There is no video surveillance and no suspects at this time. Theft from Motor Vehicle - AND AGAIN Wednesday 1725 hours Officer Peyton Fleming was dispatched to a local restaurant on a report of a theft from motor vehicle. Upon arrival, Fleming met with the complainant who stated he had his car parked in the lot for a short time outside the business and when he returned, he found items missing including a briefcase containing an iPad, checkbook, passports and miscellaneous items. The suspect gained entry to the vehicle because the owner had left his dog in the car with the window rolled down a little. A short time later, dispatched relayed a message that the items had been found at a nearby Walgreens parking lot. It appeared as though everything was still in the briefcase with the exception of the iPad. The suspect vehicle was on surveillance at Walgreens and the iPad did have a locate feature on it which gave an address close to that of the suspect vehicle. Under investigation. Hit & Run Thursday 0153 hours Officer Denise Urmann was dispatched to assist WSPPD on a hit and run accident report where a vehicle was smashed into a tree in someoneÓs yard. It appeared as though the vehicle had been traveling at a high rate of speed, did not stop at an intersection and went right through the victimÓs front yard and into the tree. Airbags had been deployed and the vehicle plate came back not on file. In searching the glove compartment a drivers license application along with the vehicles registration was found. A cell phone was also found under the driverÓs seat. Urmann made a call to the registered owner and asked her if she knew the location of her vehicle; she stated it was behind her house. Urmann proceeded to tell her that it was not and what condition it was found in. Urmann explained the cell phone she had found and the woman said it was her sonÓs phone but her son was with her; however, another son of hers was homeÈ charges pending. DWI Thursday 1343 hours While on routine patrol, Officer Michael Shepard observed a vehicle traveling without headlights on during rain/sleet and failed to change lanes for ShepardÓs squad car that was at the side of the road with emergency lights activated. Shepard proceeded to pull the vehicle over and upon approaching the lone male occupant, immediately could smell an alcoholic beverage coming from the male. The driver stated he had only had one beer at BogeyÓs, but Sgt Garlock, assisting at the scene, knew he was lying because BogeyÓs was not yet open for the day. The male was then asked to perform field sobriety tests which he failed. The male was then placed under arrest for DWI and when searching him, a small container of marijuana was also found. He was transported to Dakota County Jail where he was booked and released. Ќ ΒȝΑΖȡΓȝΏΒ2014YTD CallsforService1002,043 MHPD Reserves Citations14502 do not go Warnings21228 unnoticed! In2013,the PoliceReports16228 ReserveUnit ResponseTimeAverage5.555.91 volunteeredalmost 2,700hourstoour community. AttheApril15th CouncilMeeng ReserveOcers willberecognized fortheir outstandingwork anddedicaon. IfyouareaMendotaHeightsresidentandyouaregoingoutoftownoron The following Presidential vacation Awards will be (®´²¤#§¤¢ª presented: 2¤°´¤²³ Bronze Jerry Murphy George Castillo Silver Becky Pentel Jeff Parker CarSeatSafetyChecks Gold Randy Pentel Please send us your positive feedback on our staff to: pdrecords@ mendota-heights.com MedicationDisposalBox Your feedback is greatly appreciated and helps boost the morale of our staff. Ѝ Have a Safe Week!