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Friday News 08 10 2012 August 10, 2012 Dates to Remember: August 14, 2012—Minnesota Primary Election Day *No Parks and Recreation Commission meeting* August 21, 2012 City Council 7:00 p.m. August 28, 2012 Planning Comm. 7:00 p.m. September 4, 2012 City Council, 7:00 p.m. Attachments: Pipeline, Just the Facts, 2012 Mendota Heights Precinct Map Friday News Mendota Heights Weekly Report on City Activities Mendota Heights City Hall 1101 Victoria Curve www.mendota-heights.com (651) 452-1850 Election Update A copy of the new precinct map has been at- tached to this Friday news for everyone plan- ning on voting in the state primary election this Tuesday, August 14, 2012. There is no primary election for our municipal offices, the filing period for City Council and/or Mayor is open until Tuesday August 14, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. City staff continues working to ensure that the voting process is open, fair and accessible to all citizens. Youth Safety Camp Kaposia Park in South St. Paul was teeming with kids this week, as we offered our annual youth safety camp in partnership with West St. Paul and South St. Paul. There were 126 at- tendees, including 43 from Mendota Heights this year. The camp is staffed not just by rec- reation staff, but includes volunteers from the police and fire departments. In-between water balloon fights, participants learned safety tips relating to school busses, the internet, stranger danger, fire safety, and much more. While there was plenty of fun, the mission of safety camp is to give kids knowledge and skills that will last a lifetime. Night to Unite It was a beautiful evening this past Tuesday, and several neighborhood took advantage of the weather to host gatherings for the National Night to Unite. The Police Department encourages neighbor- hood leaders to contact Officer Denise Urmann, who will be coordinate follow up meetings to discuss crime prevention strategies. Public Works The Parks Crew started spraying total weed kill in the parks as needed along fence lines, backstops, etc. The cracks in the pedways were also spayed. The Groundmaster was repaired to fix a hydraulic leak and the hydraulic valve was replaced. Picnic tables were brought to Ivy Falls for the Night to Unite event. The Utilities Crew cleaned sanitary sewer lines on Fox Place, Aztec Lane, Hokah Avenue, Creek Avenue, South Plaza Drive, Callahan Place and the easements in Dodd Road and Mendakota Park. The storm pipe in front of 620 Marie Avenue was cleaned. The Streets Crew cut up trees along Marie Avenue near Valley Park. The debris was then chipped. Barricades were dropped off for Night to Unite events and then picked up the next day. Stump grindings were cleaned up at Marie Park and Valley Park. A sink hole by 590 Maple Park Drive was filled in with black dirt and grass seed. Firearm holding brackets were fabricated and welded for the new police squads. Broken tree limbs were cut down on trees along Mendota Heights Road and the trees were trimmed. Engineering (2012) Lemay Lake Road Reconstruction – Tree and vegetation clearing is completed. The stormwater pond construction is nearly complete, and storm sewer installation is expected to begin next week. Substantial project completion is expected in October, and an assessment hearing for the project is scheduled for the October 16th City Council meeting. (2012) Marie Avenue Rehabilitation – The roadbed has been restored and the contractor will begin replacing worn or damaged sections of curb next week. Marie Avenue remains closed to through traffic. A signed detour is provided. Construction is anticipated to last through August. An assessment hearing for the project is scheduled at the October 2nd City Council meeting. (2013) Dodd Road/Highway 110 Intersection Pedestrian Improvements – Staff and the consultant met with MnDOT representatives on site Wednesday to go over design details for the project. The detailed The Pipeline N E W S L E T T E R Public Works Engineering Code Enforcement August 10, 2012 information received will be incorporated into the plans for construction. Since the plans will need MnDOT approval before construction, this meeting was highly productive and will save time in the MnDOT review process for the final plans. A stakeholder letter is scheduled to be sent out this fall to get input into the project design. The consultant is scheduled to present an update to City Council at their September 18th meeting. (2013) Hunter Lane/Orchard Place Reconstruction - A resident survey letter has been sent out to get preliminary issues identified for preliminary project design. The Feasibility Report for the project is scheduled for the August 21st City Council Meeting. A neighborhood meeting is scheduled for September 17th followed by a formal public hearing before City Council on October 2nd. (2013) Crown Point & Overlook Neighborhood Rehabilitations – The Feasibility Report for these projects was approved at the August 7th City Council Meeting. A neighborhood meeting is scheduled for August 27 th, and a formal public hearing is scheduled before City Council at their September 18th meeting. Interstate Valley Creek Trail (IVCT) Repairs – Staff met with representatives from Xcel Energy and the developer of the Lilydale Apartments on Tuesday to talk about the schedule for re-paving IVCT. The development agreement between the City of Mendota Heights and the developer stated the developer was to repave the trail upon completion of the water service connection to the new development. Due to natural gas main work needing to be accomplished by Xcel energy, re-paving of the trail was delayed until Xcel can complete their work in order to avoid re-paving a portion of the trail twice. Xcel’s project completion date is October 15 th, and the trail is anticipated to be paved by that date. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Tour – Staff conducted a tour of the storm damage from the June 19th straight-line-winds for FEMA on Thursday. The reimbursement submittal request criteria was reviewed and staff showed the FEMA representative areas hardest hit by the storm. After the tour PW staff coordinated with the Police Chief to ensure we had all the proper documentation assembled to send into FEMA for reimbursement. 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 – 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 since May. 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. Work in Mendota Heights, Mendota, and Lilydale is substantially complete. Minor punch-list items remain. Old Sibley Memorial Highway – MnDOT has informed other affected agencies, including the City of Mendota Heights, of their intention to give up the right-of-way for Old Sibley Memorial Highway from Highway 13 at Mendota Heights Road to Highway 13 near Saint Peter’s Church. MnDOT has decided that before any open houses or other forms of public meetings take place, they should meet with the Dakota County Board of Commissioners and Mendota Heights City Council to discuss potential alternatives. These meetings will likely be held over the winter. 08/10/2012 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 Night to Unite a huge success! The Night to Unite event was a huge success, continuing a tradition of growing the neighborhood parties. When the decision was made a few years ago to break up the big community celebration there was much anguish while the merits of the change were discussed. Eventually it was decided the extra work of pushing neighborhood parties would be worth the effort. The effort to recruit block captains and party hosts is paying big dividends around the city as neighbors take the time to learn more about their neighbors and neighborhood. A big thanks to the Block Party Hosts, Police Officers, Fire Fighters and Paramedics who took time to attend the parties around the city. While Night to Unite is step one, the next big step is to schedule meeting #2. At that meeting we will take the time to prepare crime statistics for your neighborhood. You will get the real facts behind the stories you hear as well as finding out about some of the other services we offer throughout the year. To schedule call 651-452-1366 or go to our web page and send us a message. AOA Crisis Friday 0945 hours Officer Scott Patrick attempted to assist West Hennepin Public Safety Department who had a suicidal female on a phone call. The trace placed the call near the STA football fields. Officer Patrick checked the area; he was not able to locate the woman. Why Me? Friday 2022 hours Officer Mike Shepard stopped a man who had a 3 & 5 YOA on his motorcycle with him (yes, at the same time), neither were wearing a helmet or eye protection (but Dad was, lest he get a bug in his eye…). The motorcycle was observed on Hwy 13 and when Officer Shepard turned his fully marked black and white around the car quickly turned off the highway onto a residential street turned at the next corner, with the squad now following with all emergency lights activated. The siren was activated; still, two more blocks were covered before the motorcycle stopped. The most astounding part was the man was upset with “Just the Facts” The latest news from the Mendota Heights Police Department 08/10/2012 the officer: it was a family thing and he always takes his kids for a ride around the neighborhood. Sure it’s illegal, but….  The number one killer of children in the US is injuries from vehicle crashes. http://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/ChildInjury/. Child injuries are preventable. Forwarded to the County Attorney for traffic and child endangerment charging. Directions Saturday 0105 hours Lost motorist thought it was a good idea to call 911 looking for directions. Officer Shepard arrived on scene and spoke with the caller, who was first provided directions on when to call 911 and then given directions. Suspicious Saturday 0336 hours While on patrol in the southeast corner of the city Officer Fleming spotted an open garage door. With a car parked inside which had an open door. Hanging out of the open door was a pair of legs. Much to the relief of Officer Fleming, the legs belonged to a 25 YOA resident of the home who was talking on the phone and didn’t want to wake mom up. Down by the River Saturday 0947 hours State Patrol dispatch relayed a call from a person who could hear an electric guitar down by the river. Officer John Larrive responded and began checking the area. He was unable to locate the source of the music. A short time later the MSP communications center received another call about the guitar. This caller thought the music maybe coming from St. Paul. No musician located down by the river. Crisis Saturday 1826 hours Officer Mike Shepard responded to the call of a man running through a neighborhood screaming. The man found the squad as soon as it rolled into the area. The man came over screaming “Take me to jail!” While this was occurring, information was coming in from the group home the man had fled from. After a short time a 72 health and welfare hold was signed and HealthEast ambulance transported the man to the hospital. Assist Monday 2138 hours 74 YOA father-in-law went for a walk and has not returned. Officer Todd Rosse found the man on his return trip. He admitted he normally walks to the Overlook and home but tonight took a detour to a local tavern. Hey Mom the call is for you Tuesday 1611 hours The 911 operator at the DCC dispatched Officer John Larrive to a 911 hang up call. On the call back an 11 YOA answered the phone, he quickly blamed the call on his 3 YOA little brother. Officer Larrive spoke with an embarrassed mom and the youngsters were advised of the use of 911. Civil Complaint Thursday 1629 hours Officer Jenny Fordham received a call from a young lady who was renting from her dad but wasn’t allowed in the residence and was seeking help in dealing with the landlord/dad. Some assistance and direction provided. Have a great weekend! Mike & Kim