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2014-04-18 Friday NewsFriday News Mendota Heights Weekly Report on City Activities Pilot Knob 2014 Grazing Project In 2013, a demonstration project using horses to graze selected areas of Pilot Knob Hill was very successful. At this week's meeting, the Mendota Heights City Council accepted Great River Greening's Management Intensive Graz- ing Plan that will include horses as well as in- troduce goat browsing. Goat browsing is a management tool for control of broadleaved plants including buckthorn and invasive species including overabundant native Canada goldenrod. Goats will begin grazing sometime in late July. Mendota Heights 5K Run/Walk Event Seven weeks and counting... There are a num- ber of "couch to 5K" training programs available online to prepare you for the Mendota Heights 9th Annual 5K Run/Walk. This year's event will take place on Saturday, June 7th. Early registra- tion fee is $25 and all race proceeds go directly to Special Olympics. So save the date and start your training program for the 9th Annual 5k Run/Walk Dates to Remember: April 22, 2014 Planning Commission 7:00 p.m. May 3 Clean-up Day Mendakota Park May 6 City Council 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m. Attachments: Pipeline, Just the Facts, & Dakota County Big Band Dance Flyer Mendota Heights City Hall 1101 Victoria Curve www.mendota-heights.com (651) 452-1850 Facebook.com/MendotaHeightsMN Twitter.com/@mendota_heights April 18, 2014 DAKOTA COUNTY BIG BAND DANCE Saturday, May 3, 2014 - 6:30 p.m. - II:00 p.m. Rosemount Community Center 13885 South Robert Trail, Rosemount, MN, 55068 Sponsored by the Dakota County Historical Society Help DCHS celebrate its 75th Diamond Anniversary 1939 - 2014 Swing Dance lessons by the U of M Ballroom Dance Club 6:30 to 7:30 Swing Dance to the music of 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Advance Reservation $15.00 each before April 26 After April 26 and at the door $20 Reservations may be made by calling 651-552-7548 by April 26, 2014. Feel free to dress as your favorite character from a great film of 1939! Google "Movies of 1939" for inspirations! Food and Cocktails available for purchase Raffle for great prizes www.dakotahistory.org NEWS LETTER Public Works Engineering Code Enforcement The Pipeline April 18, 2014 Public Works The Parks Crew did their daily trash pickup. The ball fields were dragged in all the parks and the bases were installed where needed. Repairs were made to the broom on the bobcat. They continue to sweep the trails. Tree limbs left over from last fall's trimming were chipped. The lacrosse field at Friendly Hills Park was striped. New trash barrels were picked up to replace the rusted trash barrels in the parks. The Utilities Crew checked the lift stations daily. Sump manholes were cleaned and vacuumed. The lift stations were cleaned and vacuumed. The floats were cleaned at the Veronica lift station. The Mendota Heights Road sanitary sewer line was cleaned from Lloyd's BBQ downstream to the lift station. Roots were cut and jetted on William Court and then treated with root killing chemicals. The Streets Crew started to clean up sod damage to resident's yards from snowplowing. Mailbox repairs from snowplowing also continues. Potholes were filled with cold mix. A tree limb was taken down that was hanging in an undeveloped city right-of-way. 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 water main will need to be lowered in conjunction with this project. Staff is coordinating this issue between Saint Paul Regional Water Service and the trail contractor to work the repair in to the schedule. Victoria Road Reconstruction & Rolling Green Neighborhood Rehabilitation (2014/2015) - Plans have been submitted to MnDOT for their review and approval. 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, and staff is drafting a Joint Powers Agreement with Lilydale for this work. 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. The project will be bid with the Victoria Road/Rolling Green Neighborhood project, and construction is expected 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. The County has awarded the project to McNamara Construction, and work is anticipated to begin in late June/early July. 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. Construction is expected to begin in July. 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. A pre -construction meeting is scheduled for April 24th. City staff will be in attendance. 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. The project will be advertised for bid as soon as final plans are received from MnDOT. 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. SUPPORT STAFF Kim Henning Trista Miller Lisa Brandt Becky Pentel POLICE OFFICERS Jerry Murphy Scott Patrick John Larrive Bobby Lambert Tanner Spicer Todd Rosse Jeff Vonfeldt Steven Meyer Denise Urmann Michael Shepard Peyton Fleming SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER Jennifer Fordham INVESTIGATIONS Mario Reyes Chad Willson SERGEANTS Neil Garlock Brian Convery Eric Petersen RESERVES Randy Pentel Jim Knox Jeff Parker George Castillo CHAPLAINS Frances Cuenca Joel Detlefsen Lynn Liberman Butch Millett Sue Plucker John Snider David Wick CHIEF Mike Aschenbrener 1 APRIL 18, 2014 lust the Fats" The Latest frovv. the Mewdota +-tei,glits PoU ce Depot r w..ewt Police Reserve Program Honored for Volunteer Service On Tuesday April 15, 2014 at the Mendota Heights City Council meeting, the Mendota Heights Police Department Reserve Officers were recognized for their service to the city in 2013. Randy Pentel Randy Pentel Jim Knox Becky Pentel Jeff Parker Jerry Murphy George Castillo Lifetime Service Award Presidential Gold Presidential Gold Presidential Silver Presidential Silver Presidential Bronze Presidential Bronze 4000+ hours 1253 hours 561 hours 356 hours 253 hours 140 hours 132 hours Police Reserves are non -licensed, volunteer members of the department who perform non -precarious Police functions in support of the full-time staff. We are blessed to have a dedicated team of volunteers to complement our police staff. Did V•u Know! officer swim ;,.._ed g tt pa trick Trac-Ra T',ciezetc — PDLf.ce Revevtu.el There is often a perception that police departments perform heavy traffic enforcement as a means of generating revenue for their government entity. The reality is that fines imposed on violators are in fact mostly distributed to non -law enforcement agencies. A typical speeding citation with a fine of $120.00 is broken down as follows: Fine: $120.00 Surcharge to the county $75.00 Law library fee $5.00 State General fund $13.33 Issuing agency $26.66 Balance: $00.01 As you can see, once you factor in the costs associated with a prosecuting attorney, ad- ministrative overhead not to mention police officers time for not only enforcement but also reports and court time, It is clear there minimal financial motivation to issue a traffic citation. While it not seem like it when you receiving a citation, ensuring the safety and peace of our communities is our primary concern. 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 4 \At Traffic Accident T Idgnoo Thursday 1519 hours Officer John Larrive responded to a traffic accident at the intersection of Darla Court and Delaware Avenue. Vehicle #1 was stopped in traffic south bound on Delaware Avenue. The driver of vehicle #2 was following vehicle #1. The driver of vehicle #2 said she looked away and did not see that traffic had stopped. Vehicle #2 struck vehicle #1. Damage to vehicle #1 is to the rear area and there was front end damage to vehicle #2. There were no injuries to either driver. Theft Friday 1758 hours • Officer Peyton Fleming responded to a report of a theft of a cell phone from Friendly Hills Middle School. The father of the victim reported that his daughter's cell phone had been stolen from her locker at school earlier that day. Dispatch advised the victim's cell phone was being tracked to an apartment building in West Saint Paul. Officer Fleming responded to the site where the cell phone was thought to now be located. Unfortunately, the cell phone was deactivated prior to his arrival. Officer Fleming did a search of the lobby area of the building but was unable to locate anyone. Officer Fleming advised the victim to deactivate the cell phone through his cell phone provider. There are no suspects at this time. Vehicle Fire/DWI Friday 1904 hours Officer Peyton Fleming was dispatched to a vehicle fire. Upon arrival he made contact with the driver who stated she was on her way home from the Mall of America and was looking for a gas station. Officer Fleming detected an odor of alcohol coming from her breath and that she had difficulty standing without assistance. When asked how much she had to drink she responded that she had had one glass of wine two hours prior. Officer Fleming conducted a series of field sobriety tests and a digital PBT which resulted in a BAC of .151. The driver was placed under arrest for DWI. Once back at the Mendota Heights Police Department the driver stated she would submit to a blood test to determine blood alcohol level. HealthEast Paramedics were called and responded to the police department to complete the blood draw. The driver was transported to Dakota County Jail where she was booked and released. This case is pending while awaiting results from the MN BCA Laboratory. The remains of the car were towed by South East Towing. Disorderly Conduct Saturday 0154 hours Officer Steve Meyer was pulling into the parking lot of a popular bar when he observed the manager fighting I with a male outside the front doors. Officer Meyer called for back-up and then approached the man who was now lying on the ground on his back. The suspect was helped up by his friends and continued to try to i fight with the bar manager. Officer Meyer escorted the suspect to his squad car all the while the suspect 1 continued to yell and scream profanities. The manager advised Officer Meyer that the altercation began 1 when he saw the suspect urinating on the outside deck of the bar. When the manager asked him to stop and 1 leave the establishment the suspect refused. The suspect was cited for disorderly conduct and transported to Dakota County Jail. This case was cleared by Adult Arrest. — — ^WGIGIL]i I 1 I Identity Theft T Idgnoo Saturday 1932 hours • 1 Officer Michael Shepard was dispatched to make phone contact with a gentleman regarding a possible identity I theft. The victim stated that he received a credit card in the mail replacing the temporary card the company had 1 previously mailed to him. He advised Officer Shepard that he had not applied for a credit card from this I company nor had he received the temporary card to which the company was referring. Later that day the victim 1 1 contacted the Mendota Heights Police Department with more information. The card sent was a "reloadable i I green dot debit card" which holds no value and only works if the card holder deposits money into the account I first. The victim was unable to get any information from the debit card company without a police report. At 1 this time it is unclear if any crime has occurred and the case is currently inactive. 1 I 1 Damage to Property Sunday 0200 hours 1 1 1 1 I I Officer Scott Patrick responded to a residence to take a damage to property report. The resident stated that she 1 1 has experienced ongoing vandalism to her vehicle and residential property. This time the vandals caused I 1 damage to a wooden fence, threw bricks on the pool cover and threw dirt on her vehicle. Extra patrols to the I area are being provided and this case is under investigation. 1 1 Officer Todd Rosse met with a resident regarding a report of mail theft. The resident stated that she had put 1 I two pieces of mail in her residential mailbox located across the street from her house. When she went to put I Theft of Mail Monday 1937 hours I 1 more mail in her box at a later time she discovered the other mail was now missing. The resident stated a I 1 neighbor had found one of the envelopes in his yard which was torn and the contents were no longer inside. 1 The resident was strongly urged not to use her residential mailbox to mail items containing personal I information such as personal checks. At this time there are no suspects or witnesses. 1 1 I 1 Distracted Driving Enforcement Another Dakota County Traffic Safety Project is in progress, targeting Distracted Driving! The project is I 04/11-04/20 I 1 occurring throughout every Dakota County city. Do you (or have you done) any of the activities below while I 1 driving? If so, now is a great time to improve those nasty driving habits and set good examples for your 1 passengers. Many of us have done at least one of these at some point; maybe experienced a near -miss accident or I been involved in one as a result. Sometimes, it's simply distracting to other drivers who catch you doing it! 1 Always remember, a vehicle, while often necessary and primarily safe, is a also a killing machine. 1 I 1 1 1 1 1 r PRACTICE SAFETY AND AVOID THE FOLLOWING WHILE DRIVING: • Using your cell phone • Putting make-up on, shaving, reading • Dealing with children/passengers in the car • Changing radio stations or other gauges • Plugging in chargers, iPods, and other "car toys" • Eating, drinking, spilling food/beverages HP D �sTAFF Please send us your positive feedback on our staff to: Calls for Service Citations Warnings Police Reports Response Time Average 1100TPGIO 04/11-04/17 2014 YTD 143 2364 28 564 21 18 309 274 5.17 5.78 Check out the MH Crime Map! Click below to search your neighborhood: http://mendota.prophoenix.com/CS/CrimeMapping.aspx 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 i If you are a Mendota Heights resident and you are going out of town or on vacation, you can notify MHPD of your outing and we will be more than hap- py to keep a watchful eye on your home while you are away. The House Check Re- quest online form is available on our website; we have similar forms in the MHPD lobby and we will take your info over the phone. MHPD offers monthly Car Seat Safety Checks. To schedule an appointment, call 651.452.1366 to contact Officer Jennifer Fordham. pdrecords@ ; THE BOX mendota-heights.com Your feedback is greatly appreciated and helps boost the morale of our staff: 4 MHPD has a Medication Disposal Box in the lobby of the PD where Dakota Coun- ty residents can safely and anonymously dispose of their prescription drugs and over-the-counter medication.