Friday News 08 17 2012
August 17, 2012
Dates to Remember:
August 21, 2012
2013 Budget Work Session 5:00 p.m.
City Council 7:00 p.m.
August 28, 2012
Planning Comm. 7:00 p.m.
September 4, 2012
City Council, 7:00 p.m.
September 11, 2012
Parks & Recreation Comm. 6:30 p.m.
September 12, 2012
Airport Relations Comm. 7:00 p.m.
Attachments:
Pipeline, Just the Facts
Friday News
Mendota Heights Weekly Report on City Activities
Mendota Heights City Hall
1101 Victoria Curve
www.mendota-heights.com
(651) 452-1850
Candidates for Local Office
The Candidate Filing Period for local offices
closed this week. There were three positions
up for election this year: the Mayor’s position
currently held by Sandra Krebsbach, the city
council position currently held by Mike Povolny
and the council position currently held by Jack
Vitelli.
We have two candidates for mayor—Sandra
Krebsbach and Ultan Duggan.
We have two candidates for city council—Mike
Povolny and Steve Norton.
Thank you to all candidates for your willingness
to serve the community.
Valley Park Trail
The northern end of Valley Park Trail has been
under construction since last fall. Originally
removed to access to water utilities, the trail
will remain in its current condition while Xcel
Energy works in the area. Xcel provided us the
following update:
Xcel Energy’s gas department is undergoing a
major system integrity project beginning the
week of August 13th. K S Energy Services is
the company’s contractor that will be working in
the area thru mid-October. Xcel Energy and K
S Energy Services will be utilizing the Valley
Park trail to transport equipment for the project
work. Once their construction work is complet-
ed, the trail will be restored and blacktopped.
They are anticipating that the trail will be com-
pletely restored by the late October/early No-
vember timeframe. Xcel Energy extends its
apologies for any inconvenience its project has
created for the Mendota Heights residents who
utilize the Valley Park trail system.
August 17, 2012
Friday News
Page 2
Mendota Heights City Hall
1101 Victoria Curve
www.mendota-heights.com
(651) 452-1850
Skate Park Improvements
One of our most consistently used park
amenities is the Rogers Lake Skate Park.
This week a couple new features were add-
ed—including a “Hubba Ledge” and three
new “grind rails”. Suggestions for these
improvements came directly from skate
park users, and are anticipated to be very
well received.
Jake Sedlacek and Terry Sullivan took the
opportunity to inspect the half-pipe with the
contractors. The surfacing on the half-pipe
has failed, Jake and Terry will work with the
contractors to put together a plan of action
to fix the underling failure and resurface the
feature.
DARTS
Justin Miller and Jake Sedlacek met with Greg
Konat, the new executive director for DARTS, a
community non-profit serving senior citizens in
Dakota County. Mr. Konat wanted to share the
wide range of services DARTS offers to seniors,
to help them “age well.” Justin and Jake were
impressed with the services for seniors, as well
as for care-givers. You can find out more at
their website: www.darts1.org.
Public Works
The Parks Crew picked up downed limbs in Wentworth Park and at the
Public Works Garage. The storage box was brought in from Mendakota Park
that was used by Parks and Recreation. They continue to spray weeds in
the parks and pedways, where needed. Replacement boards were installed
in the hockey rinks, where needed.
The Utilities Crew cleaned sanitary sewer lines on North and South Freeway Road,
South Lane, Oak Street, and the easement near Mendota Plaza. Roots were cut
in the sanitary sewer line on Hingham Court, Chippewa Avenue, and Annapolis
Street. A sanitary sewer and storm sewer inspection was completed at Whispering
Pines at Mendota Plaza.
The Streets Crew made up elections signs, and picked up tree limbs on
Kirchner Avenue and along Hunter Lane. A new sign post was installed on
Medallion Drive and at Mayfield Heights Road at Highway 13. A bent sign
post was replaced at Mendakota Drive at Dodd Road. The bent gate at the
Pilot Knob site was fixed. The ditch line was cleaned out south on Lexington
Avenue because of a sight distance complaint.
Engineering
(2012) Lemay Lake Road Reconstruction – Stormwater pond construction is
complete, and storm sewer installation is under way. Pavement reclaiming
is also under way. Substantial project completion is expected in October,
and an assessment hearing for the project is scheduled for the October 16 th
City Council meeting.
(2012) Marie Avenue Rehabilitation – The contractor has replaced worn or
damaged sections of curb, and is now making soil corrections in preparation
for placing pavement. Marie Avenue remains closed to through traffic. A
signed detour is provided. Construction is anticipated to last into
September. 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 last week
to go over design details for the project. The detailed information received
The Pipeline N E W S
L E T T E R
Public Works
Engineering
Code Enforcement
August 17, 2012
will be incorporated into the plans for construction. Staff is preparing a
scope change request for the Met Council to include the relocation of a small
portion Interstate Valley Creek Trail, which is adjacent to the intersection.
A stakeholder letter is scheduled to be sent out this fall to get input into the
project design from interested parties. The consultant is scheduled to
present an update to City Council at their September 18th meeting.
(2013) Hunter Lane/Orchard Place Neighborhood Improvements - 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. If the Feasibility Report
is accepted by Council, 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 7 th 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.
(2013) Highway 13 and Dodd Road Trail Construction – Staff is contacting
the consultant used originally for the design of trail gap connection projects
along Highway 13 and Dodd Road. These projects are programmed for
2013 construction. A grant application is necessary for funding to complete
the Dodd Road trail from Market Street to Marie Avenue. Application for a
DNR (Legacy funding) grant will be made early next year.
Engineering Intern Goes Back to School – This week, the Engineering
Department bid farewell to Kevin Shay, our
summer intern. Kevin is returning to
Purdue University, where he will be starting
his junior year in their Civil Engineering
program. Kevin provide much needed
assistance with our construction projects
this summer, and was extremely valuable in
helping get the data in our GIS system up-
to-date. Engineering staff took Kevin to
lunch, and he got to have his “exit
interview” in a very unique location (see
photo).
Interstate Valley Creek Trail (IVCT) Repairs – The following statement was
provided by Xcel Energy on the status of re-paving IVCT: “Xcel Energy’s
gas department is undergoing a major system integrity project beginning
the week of August 13th. K S Energy Services is the company’s contractor
that will be working in the area thru mid-October. Xcel Energy and K S
Energy Services will be utilizing the Valley Park trail to transport equipment
for the project work. Once their construction work is completed, the trail
will be restored and blacktopped. They are anticipating that the trail will be
completely restored by the late October/early November timeframe. Xcel
Energy extends its apologies for any inconvenience its project has created
for the Mendota Heights residents who utilize the Valley Park trail system.”
Staff continues to work with Xcel and regular updates on their gas main
project, which will culminate with the re-paving of IVCT.
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).
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 winte r.
08/17/2012
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
Medical Friday 0644 hours
Officer Denise Urmann responded to a call for medical help from an
82 YOA woman who was upset because she couldn’t vomit. The
dispatcher learned the woman had surgery 2 months earlier and was
now experiencing an upset stomach. She advised the house was
locked and the officers should force entry because she was too ill to
access the door and unlock it. Officer Urmann used a hooligan tool
to pry the door with little damage. HealthEast medics transported the
patient to the hospital.
Juvenile Complaint Friday 0815 hours
Caller wanted to make officers aware that there was strange goings
on in his neighborhood overnight. Officer Jenny Fordham learned
that the man found a construction barricade on his front steps and a
bottle of urine in the mailbox in the morning. The neighborhood has
been hit with all kinds of juvenile crime since early this year. When
this person(s) caught it will be huge surprise to mom and dad who will
have no idea that their child has done thousands of dollars of
damage to friends’ and neighbors’ property.
Burglary Friday 1000 hours
Officer Fordham along with Investigator Mario Reyes responded to a
local bike shop on an after the fact burglary. Employees found the
front door smashed and three expensive bikes missing. The building
was thoroughly searched and processed for evidence. Unfortunately
this is part of a metro-wide trend of stealing high end bikes. See:
http://www.startribune.com/local/minneapolis/166059626.html
Scammed Friday 1216 hours
Officer Scott Patrick received a fraud/scam call all that seems to be
making the rounds again. The notorious “bail money scam” involves a
potential victim (usually an elderly person) receiving a telephone call
on behalf of grandson reporting they are in jail. In this specific case,
“bail money” was wired to an unknown location. If you receive a call
or email with a sob story; #1- get a call back number, #2 - call family
and friends who could verify the story, #3 - work with your bank (tell
them what you are doing). Only if all your questions receive
appropriate answers should you ever consider wiring money! If all
else fails, call MHPD before you make a move. We will help you sort
through the potential scam and use official channels to see if
someone you know truly is in jail in a foreign country. If it seems
suspicious, it probably is!
“Just the Facts”
The latest news from the Mendota Heights Police Department
08/17/2012
Underage Consumption Sunday 0105 hours
Due to recent business burglaries, night shift officers have been spending a lot of extra time
patrolling the retail areas of the city. During one of these patrols, Officer Mike Shepard
observed an occupied vehicle parked in the lot at the Mendota Heights Plaza. He made
contact with the occupants of the vehicle and discovered they were juvenile males, out after
curfew and two of them had been drinking. Citations were issued for the appropriate
violations and parents were notified. Dakota County curfew times can be seen by clicking
here. With school right around the corner and rise in juvenile activity that occurs around
homecomings at area high schools, officers will strictly be enforcing these curfew
ordinances.
Burglary/Theft Monday 0932 hours
On Monday morning Officer Bobby Lambert took a report of a burglary. The residents
realized that someone had entered their garage (which had the door accidentally left
open overnight) and stole a bicycle valued at $2100 from it. Because the theft
was from an “attached” garage, that element makes this crime a burglary, not just a
theft. Officers have taken other similar reports of bike theft from open garages over the
summer. So if you see a neighbor’s garage door open at night, give them a call to help
prevent them from becoming a victim.
Theft from Vacuum Cleaner? Monday 1004 hours
Just when you think you have seen it all right? Officer Scott Patrick responded to the
Super America gas station on Hwy 110 on report of theft from the coin operated vacuum
cleaners that are near the car wash. Someone had pried the door open to access the
quarters; it is estimated that the company that operates these vacuums is out
around $250. It is unknown when this theft occurred since the machine hadn’t been
emptied since early July. A sign of the times . . . ?
Domestic/Warrant Arrest Tuesday 0203 hours
Officers Steve Meyer, Jeff VonFeldt, Mike Shepard and Todd Rosse responded to an
address on report of a domestic assault that had just occurred. The caller, a male, reported
that his girlfriend had just attacked him with a baseball bat; however, he did not have any
signs of injury. The assault ended up being unfounded, but the roommate of the caller, who
was a possible witness to this alleged assault had a felony warrant out of Ramsey County
for 5th Degree Drug Possession. So the roommate was taken into custody and transported
to the Ramsey County Jail. No charges are pending in the assault as it was unfounded.
More Warrants Wednesday & Thursday
Officers Peyton Fleming and John Larrive arrested two separate individuals on felony
warrants this week. During Officer Fleming’s incident, the man was nice enough to go to a
local gas station and called the police to take him into custody. Apparently he had a
conversation with his parole officer who convinced him to just turn himself in for the 1st
Degree DWI warrant. The following day, Officer Larrive received a call of a suspicious man
in the cemetery. Upon making contact with the party, he admitted to having a felony
warrant out of Pine County and was transported to the Dakota County Jail to await a shuttle
to Pine County.
Have a safe weekend! Jenny