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Friday News 08 31 2012 August 31, 2012 Dates to Remember: 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. September 24, 2012* Planning Commission 7:00 p.m. *Note date change Attachments: Pipeline, Just the Facts, 2012 Candidate Forum 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 Offices Closed On Monday Just a reminder: City Hall will be closed on Mon- day, September 3, in observance of Labor Day. Local Election Public Forum Candidates for mayor and city council have been invited to participate in a live public forum hosted by Town Square TV on Wednesday, September 12, 2012. The forum will be broad- cast live on local cable access channel 14, and will be available on-demand. A press release has been attached, with more details. Water Meter Replacement Mendota Heights residents will be receiving let- ters from St. Paul Regional Water Service in the next two to four weeks regarding the change- out of water meters. SPRWS is in the process of changing over all water meters in their sys- tem, and are approximately 86% complete. The new radio-read water meters will be provide more accurate readings, eliminating estimating water charges. The replacement process is quick and will be completed at no additional charge to water service customers. The SPRWS website has more information on the meters: https://www.saintpaulwater.com/meters/ Wireless Technology Upgrades City staff have been working with representa- tives from T-Mobile and Sprint on upgrades to wireless antennas in Mendota Heights. Exist- ing sites will be upgraded to provide faster wireless data services, no new locations are being proposed at this time. Public Works The Parks Crew removed a large hanging tree limb from a willow tree on Huber Drive and Pond View. Blacktop sealer was put down on the hockey rink at Friendly Hills. Cracks were filled around the posts where water leaks when the rinks are being flooded. New hockey boards were installed at Marie Park, Friendly Hills Park, and Wentworth Park to replace broken ones. The Streets Crew painted crosswalks in Town Center and along the Highway 110 frontage road. A catch basin was rebuilt on Medallion Drive by the school district’s bus garage. Cottonwood tree limbs were removed from John Street. There was a power outage at the Mendota Heights Road lift station on Saturday at 7:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. in order for Xcel Energy to complete work at the St. Thomas Academy construction site. The Utilities Crew assisted the Parks Crew in cleaning up a downed tree and hockey rink crack filling. Spraying weeds along the pedways and right-of-ways continues. The utility seasonal employee has left to return to college. Engineering City Projects (construction year) Lemay Lake Road Reconstruction (2012) – Storm sewer installation is ongoing and should be complete next week. Curb installation took place on Thursday and grading of Lemay Lake Road continues. Substantial project completion is expected in October, and an assessment hearing for the project is scheduled for the October 16th City Council meeting. Marie Avenue Rehabilitation (2012) – The first lift of asphalt was placed this past week. Sod is scheduled for installation next week. The second lift of asphalt (wear course) is expected in late September to early October. An assessment hearing for the project is scheduled at the October 2 nd City Council meeting. Diane Road Neighborhood & Mendota Heights Road Rehabilitations (2012) – These projects were completed earlier this summer. An Assessment The Pipeline N E W S L E T T E R Public Works Engineering Code Enforcement August 31, 2012 Hearing for the projects is scheduled at the October 2 nd City Council Meeting. Dodd Road/Highway 110 Intersection Pedestrian Improvements (2013) – The consultant is continuing work on design plans for the project and coordination with MnDOT for project requirements. Staff has submitted a scope change request for the Met Council to include the relocation of a small portion of 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. Hunter Lane/Orchard Place Neighborhood Improvements (2013) - The Feasibility Report for the project was approved at the August 21 st City Council Meeting, and a public hearing on the project was ordered for October 2nd. There will be an informal neighborhood meeting on September 17th at City Hall. The formal public hearing on October 2nd will be part of the regularly scheduled Council Meeting. Crown Point & Overlook Neighborhood Rehabilitations (2013) – An informational meeting was held on August 27th at City Hall. Residents that attended were presented with the anticipated project schedule, scope of work, and proposed assessments. A formal public hearing for the project is scheduled before City Council at their September 18th meeting. Verizon to Work On Fiber Optic Line at Historic Pilot Knob – Representatives from Verizon will be working on the Historic Pilot Knob site next week to adjust the elevation of their underground fiber optic lines. The work is estimated to take approximately five days, and the disturbed areas will be fully restored when the project is completed. Old Sibley Memorial Highway – MnDOT has informed other affected agencies, including the City of Mendota Heights, of their intention to vacate 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. 08/31/2012 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 It’s Back to School Time! Parents and kids are excited to be getting back to school, right? Some will be taking their first official bus rides, or some may be allowed to walk to school alone for the first time. While we remind our children about Stranger Danger, we also need to remind them of general safety in and out of school. Equally important, as drivers of the most dangerous weapon around – a vehicle – we need to be safety conscious as well. Keep your eyes on the road, minimize driving distractions and watch out for pedestrians and bicyclists. Remember, we share the road, we don’t own it. Check out the attached safety sheet and review it with your family members. Suspicious Activity Thursday 1014 hours A local bank called to report a man who was asking questions that were out of the ordinary for the banking world. While the situation did not lead to a crime, it did provide a great opportunity for MHPD staff to educate the bank staff on safety and crime prevention. After a brief overview, an employee meeting was set up for MHPD to come in provide some “What to do when…” training. This is just one example of the importance of crime prevention activities, a role MHPD embraces and encourages. With Night to Unite nearly a month past, we have already held a second meeting with a group of business owners and have one meeting set with a hosting neighborhood. We really enjoy meeting our residents and providing factual information about what goes on in your neighborhood! We encourage interested citizens to set up a neighbor meeting – call 651-452-1366 for more information. Warrant Arrest Thursday 1025 hours A traffic stop resulted in Officer Jen Fordham clearing a $1000 Hennepin County felony warrant on a local young man who had missed his court date the day before. This same young man is known to take his frustrations out on mom and dad, had displayed these same behaviors two days prior, and had been instructed by his attorney and law enforcement that it was critical for him to be at court, advice he ignored. Due his lack of personal responsibility, he not only was the recipient of a warrant arrest, but his poor puppy accompanying him in the vehicle was impounded. Motorized boat Friday 0932 hours Dakota County Lakes and Trails responded to report of a boat with “Just the Facts” The latest news from the Mendota Heights Police Department 08/31/2012 an electric motor that had just come off of Rogers Lake. The boater was advised that no motors are allowed on any city lakes. Child Welfare Friday 0928 hours Officer Bobby Lambert responded to the intersection of Dodd and Hwy 110 after a cell phone caller reported: 5-6 YOA bicyclist, with blonde hair, wearing a bike helmet was attempting to cross the highway alone. Checked the entire area, UTL. Neighbor Dispute Friday 2009 hours Caller was waiting in her house, reporting her neighbor threatened to kill her. Caller’s husband and neighbor were reportedly still screaming at each other. Sergeant Petersen drew the short straw and responded to the residence where he learned the argument was over a dog. The dog involved in the dispute didn’t even belong to the instigators. Everyone separated and asked not to talk to each other again. Dog Friday 2019 hours Caller reported confining a stray dog in their yard less than ½ a block from the last call. The loose dog was taken to into custody and turned over to 4 Paws Animal Control with no idea of how much trouble he caused down the block. Not A Drop DUI Saturday 0108 hours Officer Urmann stopped a vehicle weaving over a fog line at 35E and Hwy 13. Upon stopped the vehicle, the smell of marijuana wafted out. The young man informed Officer Urmann when asked that he had smoked marijuana before the fair. He also first informed her he had not been drinking, but when asked again, he stated, “Not that I’m aware of.” The PBT answered the question with a positive result of .91. (Oh, now I remember, I had that one drink….) He was arrested by citation for Under 18 Drink and Drive and his father came to pick him up at the station. Crash Tuesday 0749 hours Officer John Larrive responded to a crash on Hwy 13 at I35E. While enroute Officer Larrive learned that one of the drivers was attempting to leave the scene. When he arrived both were at the Holiday Station. In speaking the drivers, it was learned that the driver who rear-ended the vehicle at the stoplight was attempting to leave because she didn’t have car insurance. Her parting gift was a citation issued by Officer Larrive. Vandalism Tuesday 1258 hours Property manager reported that the building she manages has been having minor acts of vandalism over the past few weeks. She advised Officer Jenny Fordham that today they found a raw chicken breast in the office drop box, creating a horrible smell, and someone had pooped in the pool. DOC Tuesday 1345 hours A woman reported being harassed for the second time in a week by another woman she has an ongoing issue with. She moved here from out of state and lived with some acquaintances for a few days. No contract was signed, but the harassing party insisted money was due. Last week she spoke with Officer Bobby Lambert who provided her some guidance. However, the woman was again approached and called many names before the suspect threw what was believed to be juice on the victim. The victim identified the suspect for Officer Fordham who prepared the case for formal charges by 08/31/2012 the city attorney. Car vs Bike Tuesday 2056 hours Sergeant Convery and HealthEast responded to a report of a bicyclist who turned into an oncoming vehicle and was thrown. The cyclist was transported to the hospital. It was also determined that the cyclist had been drinking prior to the incident; upon running his DVS information for the crash report it was learned he is to consume any alcohol. Report to be forwarded to DPS. Thefts Wednesday 1107 hours A subcontractor at a local construction site called to report that they were missing some tools. While on scene, another subcontractor advised Sergeant Garlock that he was also missing tools. Both had secured the equipment inside of the alarmed building at the end of the work day and the tools were gone in the morning. A check of the time frame revealed no alarm activations occurred during the time the crews were off site. Referred to investigations for follow up. Theft Wednesday 1837 hours Victim reported to Officer Willson that this morning when they left for work they noticed their car door was open and they were missing the am/FM/CD along with a dozen CD’s. They don’t have any model or serial numbers for the stereo; no leads. This is just one of several theft from vehicles reported between Wednesday and Thursday. Among the items stolen were a GPS, laptop, money and many other items; NOTE: none of the vehicles were locked. Crisis Thursday 0133 hours Officer Steve Meyer responded to a call from a concerned neighbor about the paranoid behavior his neighbor is exhibiting. The caller said there has been a steady progression of bizarre claims over the last two years. The recent claims involve break ins and vandalism. The neighbor stated people were sneaking onto her property and leaving dead frogs. Tonight the neighbor was spotted checking the yard with a flashlight. After a conversation with the party, she agreed to call if she thought someone had broken into her home or was leaving dead animals on her property. Discussed basic home safety with them and ensured her general safety. Clear, no transports. Have a great weekend! Mike & Kim