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Friday News 06 22 2012 June 22, 2012 Dates to Remember: June 26, 2012 Planning Commission, 7:00 p.m. July 3, 2012 City Council, 7:00 p.m. Independence Day—July 4, 2012 July 10, 2012 Parks & Recreation Comm. 6:30 p.m. July 11, 2012 Airport Relations Comm. 7:00 p.m. Attachments: Pipeline, Just the Facts, DCSO Newsletter, MnDOT Press Release Friday News Mendota Heights Weekly Report on City Activities Mendota Heights City Hall 1101 Victoria Curve www.mendota-heights.com (651) 452-1850 The Silver Lining We all know that living in Minnesota that in- cludes the inevitably of unpredictable weather. Yet, when we experience a storm like the one that went through early Tuesday morning, it can still come as a surprise. Mendota Heights Fire Department, Public Works and Police Depart- ment staff, as well as our Dakota County Com- munications Center staff, were up to the task of responding to a storm which packed a real wal- lop. Almost immediately after the storm hit, staff were on the streets, assessing damage, priori- tizing responses and fielding hundreds of calls from dispatch. As residents emerged from homes to assess damage to their properties, the silver lining for them was that amidst the damage, they could be assured that basic city services were availa- ble, including (but not limited to) storm and sani- tary sewers, roads and public safety. A tremendous thank you goes out to all of our staff who responded swiftly, efficiently and ef- fectively in the wake of the storm. You will find more details about their activities in The Pipe- line and Just the Facts. Cliff Timm Fishing Derby There are a handful of spots still available for the Cliff Timm Fishing Derby at Rogers Lake Park, Wednesday, June 27. You must pre- register for this event for youth 14 and under on-line or at City Hall. Check-in starts at 5:30, fishing at 6:00 p.m. and prizes at 7:00 p.m. Be- yond the fishing, there will be casting contests, a touch tank from MN Sea-Life Aquarium and refreshments from Fischerville Coffee Shop. Public Works Public works have worked together this week assisting each other in the clean up from storm damage. Crews were called in early on Tuesday morning as the storm that hit caused extensive damage to trees and overhead utilities. Large trees blocking major roadways were targeted first. Thank you public works for all your hard work and long hours this week. Engineering Lemay Lake Road Reconstruction –Bid opening took place on June 13th. Valley Paving was the apparent low bidder. Contract award is scheduled for the June 19th City Council meeting. Construction is anticipated to begin in early to mid-July. Marie Avenue Rehabilitation – Water main construction is making good progress despite the weather which has sent several storms through town. The contractor adjusted their activities on site to accommodate residents who otherwise would have been stranded due to downed power lines at Marie and Delaware. Thank you to Northdale Construction and Hardrives, Inc. for assisting the city in the storm clean up. Marie Avenue is closed to through traffic. A signed detour is provided. Construction is anticipated to last through July. Diane Road Neighborhood – The contractor is working through the final punch-list items. Project is otherwise complete. An assessment hearing is scheduled for October. Mendota Heights Road Rehabilitation – The final lift of asphalt was installed and striping completed. The contractor is working through the final punch- list items. Project is otherwise complete. An assessment hearing is scheduled for October. Wagon Wheel Trail Bicycle/Pedestrian Connection – The contractor has placed the final lift of asphalt and completed the trail extension from I-35E to Lexington Avenue. Work should be completed following a final walk through by city staff. The Pipeline N E W S L E T T E R Public Works Engineering Code Enforcement June 22, 2012 Dodd Road/Highway 110 Intersection Pedestrian Improvements –Consultant will be surveying on-site over the next several weeks, and will be scheduling a mid-summer update before City Council. MnDOT Projects The following projects are under the direction of MnDOT and Dakota County. They are presented as information only. For more information on MnDOT projects contact J.P. Gillach (651-234-7503, james.gillach@state.mn.us). Highway 13 Resurfacing (MnDOT) – The Resurfacing of Highway 13, along with drainage improvements and ADA upgrades between I-35W and Annapolis Street (Burnsville to St. Paul) has been underway for a month. The portion of Highway 13 from 2nd Street in Mendota to I-35E in Lilydale will be exempted from this project and reconstructed in 2015 under a separate MnDOT project. The Highway 55 to Highway 110 portion of the project is paved and striped. Highway 13 north of Wachtler Avenue to Sylvandale Avenue is closed to through traffic through June 26th. A signed detour for traffic is provided. Highway 110 Resurfacing (MnDOT) - A small portion of Highway 110 from Lexington Avenue east to the I-35E Bridge, along with spot repairs between Lexington and Highway 13 is being resurfaced. Construction is underway and is anticipated to continue through the end of July. Ramp form westbound Highway 110 to Southbound I-35E will be closed on Monday June 18th through June 25th. Ramp from southbound I-35E to eastbound Highway 110 will remain open. Highway 110 WILL BE CLOSED THIS WEEKEND at the highway 13 intersection. Use signed detour routes. 06/22/2012 The Mendota Heights Police Department Support Staff Kim Henning Sandie Ristine Susan Donovan Becky Pentel Police Officers Jerry Murphy Scott Patrick John Larrive Bobby Lambert Tanner Spicer Todd Rosse Chad Willson Jeff VonFeldt Steven Meyer Denise Urmann Michael Shepard Peyton Fleming School Resource Officer Jennifer Fordham Investigations Mario Reyes Tanner Spicer Sergeants Neil Garlock Brian Convery Eric Petersen Reserves Randy Pentel Jesse Mettner Jarrod Spicer Jim Knox Jeff Parker George Castillo Chaplains John Snider Lynn Liberman Frances Colon Alberto Vargas Butch Millett David Wick Chief Mike Aschenbrener Senator Kolbachar Friday 1400 hours There was panel discussion announcing the Re-Authorization of the Violence Against Women’s Act. Senator Amy Kolbachar spoke about the importance of continued funding for victim’s services, with many in attendance, including Dakota County Sheriff Dave Bellows, & Attorney Jim Backstrom, Hastings Police Chief Paul Schnell, and Bobby Holberg for the Minnesota Coalition For Battered Women and Donna Dunn Executive Director for Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault. Mayor Krebsbach introduced the speakers who discussed the need for continued support of the services that police officers rely on daily to ensure the victims of crimes are provided services to assist them and their families. This federal funding is most utilized by Dakota County residents in the middle of the night when a battered woman is in need. Storm Tuesday 0425 hours At 0425 hours Officers Fleming and Urmann were handed the first of many calls in what would be a busy morning dealing with a severe weather event. The National Weather Service had tracked a storm from the Dakota’s all the way to the twin cities. The storm had been traveling at 50 mph in a northeasterly direction. When it hit Mendota Heights we experience straight lines winds in the 75-80 mph category in parts of town. The main damage was located from the intersection of Hwy 110 and Lexington Avenue to the intersection of Dodd Road and Delaware Avenue. There was minor damage in other areas. Fleming, Urmann, Larrive and Garlock responded two 28 calls directly related to storm activity. They assisted with barricading roads checking homes, directing fire to the dozen homes they inspected for safety after trees or power lines fell on them. For the first few hours until the public works crews managed to catch up many roads in the impacted areas were totally impassable due to trees and power lines down. There were no injuries reported related to storm activity although the normal medical calls did come in while the storm and initial response was going on. During the height of the storm the fiber optic cable serving city hall and fire was severed and “Just the Facts” The latest news from the Mendota Heights Police Department 06/22/2012 both buildings generators failed. Comcast and NDC4 assigned personnel to begin tracking the fiber break and fortunately, power was quickly restored to both building. City staff continues to assess the damage done and recovery and clean-up efforts are underway. See attached press release about street side pick-up of storm related debris. Special Olympics Torch Run Tuesday 1700 hours Tuesday evening the Dakota County leg of the Special Olympics Torch run made its way across Dakota County. The run was supported by multiple agencies, volunteers, family members, reserves and police officers from around the county. Donations are being accepted at MHPD by Officer Jenny Fordham or you may buy a T-shirt from her to support the cause. Contact her at jennyf@mendota-heights.com to make a donation or buy a shirt. 06/22/2012 Fraud Monday 1130 hours Caller reported that her husband was the victim of a “phishing” scheme through his email account. Fortunately, she overheard the conversation and immediately called the bank to report the activity. The bank assisted by creating new accounts. NEVER, EVER RESPOND TO AN EMAIL WITHOUT VERIFYING WHO YOU ARE DEALING WITH. LOOK UP THE NUMBER ON YOUR CREDIT CARD OR LOG INTO YOUR ASSIGNED ACCOUNT TO VERIFY THE MESSAGE WAS FOR REAL. Lost Ring Monday 1247 hours Officer John Larrive was dispatched to a local business where an employee reported she took her ring off when she washed her hands and unfortunately left it behind. When she returned the ring was gone. A photo will be provided to allow us to check the pawn database. Crisis Monday 2123 hours Sergeant Convery along with Officers Urmann and Rosse responded to the call of a naked man running down the road out of control. When they arrived the caller pointed out a window the man had smashed out before running away. The officers eventually tased the man as he was out of control. They immediately became concerned because the man was sweating profusely and appeared totally out of touch with reality, ranting screaming and continuing to work himself up. This syndrome is called ‘excited delirium’ and can result in sudden death. The man’s parents arrived and explained that the man has a history of mental illness and illegal drug use. The parents provided enough information to HealthEast Paramedics to assist them in directing the man to the proper hospital for care. Burglary Wednesday 0220 hours Officer Denise Urmann along with Officer Chad Willson and Sergeant Convery responded to a burglary in progress in Lilydale. The caller unfortunately took the time to look up the police department non-emergency number to call. The burglar had kicked in the front door of a local business, crawled in through the hole, stole some items, then crawled out and jumped into a waiting mini-van. The crooks fled north into St. Paul on I35E. The case has been tied to several similar break-ins around the south metro. Investigations is looking into the burglary. Have a great weekend! Mike Above at the start of the run. To the right Officer Jen Fordham and MHPD intern Ryan Hinze with torch. Below a group of Reserve Officers from the Dakota County. D AKOTA C OUNTY S HERIFF The Front Row “A front row seat to the greatest show on Earth...” Dave Bellows, Sheriff Tim Leslie, Chief Deputy Volume 8, Week 3 June 11, through June 17, 2012 Unrelenting Weather… Over the course of the last several days, Dakota County has experienced significant impacts from heavy rainfall and the associated flooding, along with a second storm that produced strong winds resulting damage across the county. The first storm hit southern Dakota County last Friday, with heavy rain creating flooding and substantial road erosion. Deputies and road maintenance crews worked throughout the storm and afterward, closing off and monitoring roadways that were impacted by the storms. A second storm on Tuesday morning left a wide swath of damage to buildings and cars, and downed trees across Dakota County. Nice work to everyone working during the storm and involved in recovery afterward. In Defense of Women… Senator Amy Klobuchar visited Mendota Heights last week, heading a panel discussing the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). The VAWA Act, which was first enacted by Congress in 1994, has resulted in reducing sexual and domestic violence in the home. An audience consisting of law enforcement officers, women’s advocates, and the public attended the hour-long event. Other members of the panel included County Attorney Jim Backstrom, Sheriff Dave Bellows, Hastings Police Chief Paul Schnell, Program Manager Featuring Sheriff’s Volunteer Units and Information Technology Support Staff: Information Technology Support Dan Anderson Lisa Blount Chance Munger Special Deputies Juan Balli Louis Henderson Anthony Pojman Randal Smith Dave Stanek Tom Wilson Special Deputies Sheriff’s Office Liaison: Sergeant Booker Hodges Mounted Patrol Bonnie Brauninger Tim Burns J. B. Dudley Mike Dudley Ron Hart Ann LaBelle Maggie Mell Wendy Pressnall Kourtney Rose Cathy Snyder Mounted Patrol Sheriff’s Office Liaisons: Sergeant Booker Hodges Deputy Sean Qualy D AKOTA C OUNTY S HERIFF The Front Row “A front row seat to the greatest show on Earth...” Dave Bellows, Sheriff Tim Leslie, Chief Deputy Volume 8, Week 3 June 11, through June 17, 2012 Click here to subscribe to this newsletter electronically.Page 2 Bobbi Holtberg of the Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women, and Director Donna Dunn from the Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault. Running/Biking for Special Olympics… Several members of the DCSO and their family members, along with law enforcement officers from across Dakota County, participated in this year’s run and bike ride. The event started at the Dakota Communications Center with a run of over two miles. Participants then biked a distance of six miles around the City of Eagan, which completed the event. Staff from the DCSO included Deputy Jen Lenarz, Detective Coreen Kulvich, and Chief Deputy Tim Leslie, along with his wife, Julie. Deputies Bruce and Brent Lohmann provided additional protection for the participants. Our Condolences… To Correctional Deputy Joe Engesser on the passing of his mother, Dolly Engesser, from Blue Earth, Minnesota. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Engesser Family. Happy Birthday… Employee birthdays during the upcoming week include Deputy Tim Fletcher (June24th) and Deputy Jeff Leopold (June 28th). Happy birthday to you both! Explorer Post 523 Sheriff’s Office Liaisons/Advisors: Deputy Tim Fletcher Sergeant Jim Iliff Detective Dawanna Witt Chaplains Jim Bzoskie Vern Hildebrandt Clayton McDougall Eddie Nestingen Cory Voll Don Voll Questions? Comments? Please contact the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office at 651.438.4700 or any of the following by email: dave.bellows@ co.dakota.mn.us julie.ecker@ co.dakota.mn.us “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit.” --Aristotle (left to right) County Attorney Jim Backstrom, Senator Amy Klobuchar, and Sheriff Dave Bellows Minnesota Department of Transportation Metropolitan District 1500 County Road B2 West Roseville, MN 55113 News Release An Equal Opportunity Employer Date: June 22, 2012 Contact: Kirsten Klein 651-234-7506 To be released: Immediately Non-rush hour lane closures scheduled for Interstate 35E June 25-29 Slope paving and bridge repair continues (Roseville, Minn) – Motorists may encounter delays on both directions of I-35E at Highway 110 in Mendota Heights as the roadway is reduced to a single lane beginning Monday, June 25. Southbound I-35E at 110 will be reduced to a single lane at 9 a.m. June 25-29. The lanes will reopen each day by 3 p.m. In addition northbound I-35E will be reduced to a single lane from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 25-29. The closures are needed as crews make repairs on the underside of the bridge deck and slope paving at the Highway 110 Bridge. This work is part of a larger project to repair and resurface the Highway 110 bridges spanning I-35E. For more information visit the project’s website at http://www.dot.state.mn.us/metro/projects/hwy110mendota/index.html For real-time travel information anywhere in Minnesota visit www.511mn.org # # # #