2003-10-24 Friday News
The Friday News
October 24, 2003
Jim Danielson New City Administrator
On Tuesday night the City Council appointed Public Works Director Jim Danielson as the new permanent
Administrator for Mendota Heights. The Council could not have made a better decision. Jim has worked for
the City for 24 years and has served as acting administrator on a number of occasions. He will do a fantastic
job for the City! Congratulations Jim!
Met Council Regional Development Framework
The Metropolitan Council is seeking public feedback on its proposed Regional Development Framework,
which will be used to help guide the region's projected growth by the year 2030. They will be holding four
meetings:
· Nov. 10, 7-8:30 p.m., Blaine City Hall, 10801 Town Square Dr.
· Nov. 12, 7-8:30 p.m., Scott County Courthouse, 200 Fourth Ave. W., Shakopee
· Nov. 20 , 6:30-8 p.m., Metro Transit Heywood Building, 560 Sixth Ave N., Minneapolis
· Nov. 21, 7:30-9 a.m., Maplewood Community Center, 2100 White Bear Ave.
Council Chair Peter Bell and staff members will be present at each meeting to outline the proposed
Framework, respond to questions and receive feedback from the public. There will also be public information
displays in the Hennepin County Government Center skyway over the noon hour on Nov. 13 and in the
downtown St. Paul skyway on Nov. 18. On Dec. 3, the Met Council will hold a formal public hearing to
receive comment on the Framework. The hearing will be conducted in two locations: 11:30-1:30 p.m., Metro
Transit Heywood Building, 560 Sixth Ave. N., Minneapolis; 3-6 p.m., Metro Council Chambers, 230 E. Fifth
St., St. Paul. The draft approved for public discussion is posted on Council's Web site at
www.metrocouncil.org. Paper copies may be obtained by calling the Council's Data Center at 651-601-1140
or by e-mail at data.center@metc.state.mn.us .The Framework is scheduled for final action at the Council's
Jan. 14 meeting.
Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery
Remember that Saturday is daylight savings. Set your clocks back one hour! It’s also a good time to replace
the batteries in your smoke detectors. If your detector is dirty, vacuum it out. Remember to test your
detectors once a month and replace them every ten years.
Commission Appointments:
There are a number of Commission appointments that expire on January 31, 2004: Planning Commission:
Eric Hesse (served 3 years), Chris Dolan (served 3 years) Sally Lorberbaum (served 9 years, 3 months);
Parks and Recreation Commission: Paul Portz (served 3 years), Dave Libra (served 11 years); Airport
Relations Commission: Vern Edstrom (served 3 years), and John Roszak (served 6 years). On Tuesday, the
City Council asked that those Commissioners who are interested in being reappointed, please send a letter to
the City expressing your desire to serve again. Letters should be directed to Linda Shipton, and should be
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received no later than November 15.
Flu Shots
For those interested, the flu shots have been scheduled for Tuesday, October 28 from 9 - 9:30 in the large
conference room. The cost is $15.
Annual Halloween Bonfire
The City’s annual Halloween Bonfire will be held on Friday evening, October 31, at its normal location
behind the Mendota Plaza Shopping Center. Once again, the members of the Mendota Heights Fire
Department have volunteered to carry out this annual tradition. As has been done in the past, it is proposed
that the City fund hot dogs and refreshments to be handed out by the members of the Fire Department and
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other volunteers. Residents will be able to deposit their brush at the site beginning October 19 and ending
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October 29.
Meeting to Consider Nomination of Pilot Knob to National Register of Historic Places
On Tuesday, October 28, at a meeting of the State Review Board of the Minnesota Historical Society, the
board will consider nomination of the Oheyawahi/Pilot Knob to the National Register of Historic Places. The
Preservation Office staff will make an informal presentation on program activities at 7:00 PM. The meeting
will be called to order and consideration of the meeting’s agenda will begin at 7:30 PM in the Cargill
Commons, MacMillan Education Wing of the Minnesota Historical Society History Center, 345 Kellogg
Boulevard West, St. Paul, Minnesota. All owners of properties to be nominated will receive a statement of
the results of listing on the National Register. Inclusion on the National Register constitutes official
recognition of the historical importance of these premises. Written comments should be directed to
Secretary, State Review Board, State Historic Preservation Office, Minnesota Historical Society, 345
Kellogg Blvd. W., St. Paul, Minnesota 55102-1906.
Public Comments on the EAW
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Please note that public comments on the Bluffs project EAW will be accepted by the City until October 30.
Please direct all comments to Cari Lindberg, 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, MN 55118. Comments
may also be faxed to 651-452-8940 or emailed to Caril@mendota-heights.com.
Council to Decide on Prosecutor in November
On Tuesday night, the City Council interviewed three firms interested in becoming the City Prosecutor:
Lehman & Lutter, Grannis & Hauge, and Leonard O’ Brien. Since there was one Council member missing,
the group decided to wait until the second meeting in November to make a final decision on the prosecutor
appointment when all could be present.
Auditor Interviews
On Friday, Mayor Huber, Council member Mary Jeanne Schneeman and staff will interview four firms
interested in becoming the City’s auditor: Eide Bailly, Tautges Redpath, Abdo Eick and Meyer, and
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MMKR. We plan to make the formal appointment at the November 4 City Council meeting.
November 4 City Council Meeting Time Change
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Please note that the November 4 City Council meeting will begin at 8:00 PM as this is election day.
Update on Judy Wonick
I am happy to report that Judy Wonick is doing much better. She is off the ventilator and they hope to move
her out of intensive care this week. Please continue to keep her in your thoughts and prayers.
Final Thought
“The charm of history and its enigmatic lesson consist in the fact that, from age to age, nothing changes and
yet everything is completely different.” Aldous Huxley
Respectfully Submitted,
Cari Lindberg
Administrator
Attachments: Just the facts, Planning Commission agenda, and Pioneer Press article “Future of golf course
in flux.”