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2010-09-03 Friday NewsM September 3, 2010 Candidate Information As you are well aware, candidates for local, state and federal office are trying to get there message out to voters. In Mendota Heights this week there was an excellent article in the Villager newspaper on all of our local candidates. In addition, Town Square Television will be airing a Mendota Heights mayor and city council candidate forum live on Thursday, September 16, 2010 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. This will be a live call in show if you want to ask the candidates for these two offices specific questions. Please take the time to learn about the candidates before election day. Thank you to Town Square Television for putting on this event. Water Meters to be Replaced F David McKnight attended a meeting at St. Paul Regional Water this week on the topic of replacing all of the water meters in Mendota Heights. St. Paul Water plans to R replace all of the water meters in a number of cities over the next three years. The purpose of the replacement is to install more accurate water meters and to get automated meters in each home and business that will make it easier to read for the I company. The meters will be replaced systematically by geographic area to afford the most efficient and economical use of water dollars. There is no upfront cost for the meter replacement and customers will not be asked for payment. The meters will D be more efficient to read and allow easier access resulting in less time for staff equating in savings for customers over time. Residents will receive a notification letter informing them of the project and asking them to schedule a time for meter Areplacement. St. Paul Water has contracted with Northern Water Marks Supply to complete this work. The meter installation contractors will have an ID, wear uniforms, Y travel in marked vehicles and have completed a background check. St. Paul Water will be working with our Police Department once we get close to installation time because we assume this will be a concern to some residents. Mendota Heights is scheduled to have the meters replaced in the fourth quarter of 2012. If you have questions or concerns on this project you can contact St. Paul Water. NForeclosure Update E Foreclosures continue to be an issue in Dakota County this year. Through July 2010 there were 216 Sheriff Sales, this compares to 182 for the same time frame in 2009. The number of notices of pendency filed in July 2010 was 298. The county as a whole W is in line to have the same amount of notices of pendency in 2010 as there were in 2009. Mendota Heights has had 10 Sheriff Sales in 2010, compared to having a total of 13 in all of 2009. The number of Mendota Heights notices of pendency filings through July 2010 is 16, compared to having a total of 48 in 2009. City staff attended a meeting this week at the Dakota County CDA offices on the topic of stopping foreclosure prevention scams. It seems for every crises we face, another one pops up with people trying to take advantage of those in trouble. On a related note, Dakota County and Mendota Heights had the highest number of property valuation appeals to the Minnesota Tax Court ever this past year. Mendota Heights had 80 property owners appeal their value to tax court. September 3, 2010 Schools Open with Roundabout This roundabout located at the intersection of Mendota Heights Road and Visitation Drive got its first test this week with the beginning of the school year at St. Thomas Academy and Visitation. The Police Department reported that the roundabout operated as expected with only one minor fender bender on Monday morning. City staff will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the roundabout. A big thank you goes out to Visitation and the Rogers Lake neighborhood for their patience this summer while the roundabout was being constructed and a temporary access to the school was used. City Offices to Close for Labor Day Mendota Heights city offices will be closed on Monday, September 6, 2010 in observance of the Labor Day holiday. This is a day for city staff to enjoy some time off. Thank you for your dedicated work to the city. City offices will open again for business on Tuesday, September 7, 2010 with normal business hours. Dates To Remember Labor Day (City Offices Closed) City Council Meeting Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Airport Relations Commission Meeting City Council Meeting Planning Commission Meeting r 9-6-2010 9-7-2010 7:00 p.m. 9-14-2010 6:30 p.m. 9-15-2010 6:30 p.m. 9-21-2010 7:00 p.m. 9-28-2010 7:00 p.m. Attachments Just The Facts, The Pipeline, City Council Meeting Agenda September 3, 2010 9/3/2010 7Lie latest scecs� frv� t6ie �Ker�<j'ata �eig6it��aliee j�eyartyrce�t The Mendota Traffic Safety Weekend Since 2009, 258 people have died on MN roads. In many cases they Heights g are the lucky ones; the far larger number of people with serious Police debilitating injuries is seldom reported in the news. Safety on the road Department is everyone's responsibility! In responding to crashes over the last thirty years, I have personally watched as cars have gotten safer and Support emergency medicine has gotten better. There are literally thousands of staff Kim Henning Minnesotans who owe their lives to the great paramedics and first Sandie Ristine responders in MN. Cars have gotten safer — emergency response has Susan Donovan gotten better — now it is your turn. Keep your eyes open and be a Cathy Ransom courteous, observant driver. This weekend, there are extra patrols Becky Pentel scheduled statewide to enforce traffic laws. The Dakota County Traffic Police Officers Safety Committee will be working the Burnsville I -35E & County Road Jerry Murphy 42. Have a safe Labor Day weekend!!!! Scott Patrick John Larrive Bobby Lambert Boat Thursday 1251 hours Tanner Spicer Officer Steve Meyer responded to a call about a boat tied to a tree in Todd Rosse Fort Snelling State Park. The boat registered locally, the owner was Chad Willson advised that while it might be handy, the park service does frown upon Jeff VonFeldt the practice. Denise Urmann 911 Thursday 1522 hours Michael Shepard The DCC 911 operator received a call from an elderly caller wondering Peyton Fleming if there was a restaurant in the motel. Officer Meyer verified that the Jenny Fordham School Resource only problem was phone dialing. Officer AOA (Road Rage) Thursday 1742 hours Steven Meyer Officer Todd Rosse responded to a local home to see who was driving Investigations a specific vehicle possible involved in a road rage incident. The owner Mario Reyes admitted to driving crazy and fast ... but nothing more. No citations Tanner Spicer issued by MHPD. Sergeants Gas Drive Off Friday 0647 hours Neil Garlock Local gas station called to report that a middle aged Asian man drove Brian Convery Eric Petersen off without paying for $9.69 worth of gas. Officer Jeff VonFeldt spoke Reserves with the employee ee who reported the man paid $20 towards the $29.69 Randy Pentel purchase and left. The employee thought language might be an issue. Gino Messina Officer VonFeldt attempted to contact the man in St Paul with out Jesse Meaner success. When no contact was made a citation was mailed. Andrew Quinlan Domestic Saturday 0045 hours Chief Officers VonFeldt and Fleming and Sgt Petersen responded to a home Ivfike after a tearful 911 call. Officer Fleming spoke with a victim, upset that Aschenbrener they had recently fallen for a song and dance you may know: "I will -1- 9/3/2010 change." She got the suspect with a violent past out of very serious charges a month prior after he kicked in her door and assaulted her. Last week, he threatened her at Target; and now, he let himself into a family member's home and made threats. Officer VonFeldt spotted the man near the victim's home and stopped him. The song and dance won't work this time; suspect was charged and taken to Dakota County Jail. Assist PublicNisit Saturday 1545 hours The DCC received a call from a hospice about a young man (25 YOA) who was requesting to see police cars and fire trucks. Officer Chad Willson responded with a goodie bag from the police department. Fence in Hole Sunday 1032 hours Resident called that a security fence around a city road construction project had fallen into the hole. The homeowner felt this was not safe and that the public works crew should be called in to re -install the fence. Sgt Garlock arrived on scene found the fence in the hole. Sgt Garlock pulled the fence out of the hole and put it back around the open utility hole and cleared. Medical Monday 1037 hours Neighbor called, concerned that the woman from next door borrowed a sharp knife so she could cook. They had been alerted by the husband that the woman had recently had a baby and was not well. Officers Patrick and Larrive arrived on scene, spotting a young girl leaving the house, crying. It was quickly learned that all knives and medications had been removed and the baby was not at the house. Officers located the resident, who had slit her wrists. Once everything was under control HealthEast Paramedics arrived on scene provide first aid and accepted a 72 health and welfare hold. The woman was transported to the hospital and family was notified for care of young girl. Hit and Run Wednesday 0142 hours Officer Mike Shepard responded to a hit and run (H&R) crash with someone following the suspect. The follower gave continual updates while they followed the suspect to WSP, St Paul and Mendota Heights, where the suspect stopped at an intersection. The suspect then threw their truck into reverse and rammed the follower at a high rate of speed, doing extensive damage to there truck and then fled again. The suspect vehicle was described as a maroon Toyota pick-up truck. The truck had Arizona plates (partial = 356) and has year- end damage. Upon speaking with the victim, Officer Shepard learned that she was not the original crash and that she was drinking, likely the reason she was brave enough to give chase. After SFST's and a PBT check of .076 she decided not to drive any more. Crime alert put out metro wide by Investigator Reyes. AOA Thursday 0530 hours WSPPD responded to a residence on the south end of town on an OFP (Court Order for Protection) the male suspect ran from the scene. All night long MHPD Officers monitored the radio calls of the man causing problems from one end of town to the other. Officer Shepard thought that breakfast was in order as the morning sun was coming up and headed out to find a bite to eat. It ended up being an interesting decision. As he pulled into the parking lot of a WSP restaurant, his attention was drawn to a man heading for the door at a full sprint. Once the man started running, he just knew it was the person WSPPD had been chasing from Marie to Moreland all night long ... did we mention he was only wearing a t -shirt — naked from the waist down? Officer Shepard' quickly moved into position and advised the man he was under arrest. WSPPD officers were close and also arrived on scene. The nak ed man, also high on meth, decided it was time to fight. He was tased multiple times before being taken into custody. Officer Shepard never did say if he got to eat breakfast. Officer cleared. l/am a p wt4.rc(,/^ -2- N E W S l� The PipelineLETTER Public Works Engineering September 3, 2010 Ha Labor Goy! Code Enforcement Happy kappy Labor Days Public Works The Parks Crew replaced the hour signs on the warming houses after removing them for painting. A downed tree limb was removed from the pedway on Marie Avenue by Valley Park. Total Weed Kill was sprayed onto pedways where weeds are growing through the cracks. Rich cleaned the sanitary sewer lines on Laura Street, Laura Court, Laura easement, Sylvandale Road, Sylvandale Court, and Sylvandale Court South. He cut the brush at the Culligan lift station and planted flowers. The lift station enclosure was painted with natural wood toner and the wet well painted black. There were several high water alarms at the Lilydale lift station last week, a loose resistor was found in the panel. The Streets Crew blacktopped cracks and potholes on Mendota Heights Road heading to Delaware Avenue. Curbs were removed, the broken storm pipe was removed at 1841 Walsh Lane, the pipe was bricked up and then backfilled with sand. A manhole was cut out and dug up on Chippewa Avenue. Bushes were trimmed on Highway 13 Frontage Road to correct a sight distance problem. Engineering Visitation Drive/Mendota Heights Road Roundabout - The roundabout is open and substantially complete. School has started and no problems are being reported. School staff and several area residents have called in with compliments on the project. The temporary access to Visitation from Lake Drive has been completely closed off. Landscaping along Lake Drive and replacement of the Visitation fence, along with the installation of the permanent street lights, is expected by September 15th. Highway 55/Mendota Heights Road Intersection - Bids were opened on Monday, August 23rd. Staff has completed the Bid Tabulation and award of the contract will be before Council at their September 7tH (Tuesday) meeting. The project should begin construction by September 15tH Residents should be aware of traffic revisions at this intersection beginning on September 15th and lasting for approximately 3 months. The project is scheduled for completion by mid-December. 2010 Reconstruction/Rehabilitation Project - Streets and trails were paved and sod was laid this week. The remaining concrete work should be complete on in a matter of days. If weather cooperates the final wear course pavement should be placed next week including a parking lot overlay in the city park. The contractor also completed two manhole fixes in other parts of the city, one on Walsh Lane and one on Chippewa and Annapolis. 2010 Sewer Rehabilitation (Lining) Contract) - Staff has received bids and selected a contractor for award of this project. The Award Resolution will be before Council at their September 7th (Tuesday) meeting. This project adds substantial time to the life span of our sanitary sewer system and helps to reduce our Infiltration/Inflow into the system; which, in turn, reduces our flow contribution to Metropolitan Council Environmental Services, and helps to reduce our overall sewer charges. Dodd Road Utility and Storm Drainage Work (MnDOT Project) - The contractor has projected this work to be completed during the coming week. Weather delays and utility coordination with outside businesses has caused the completion to slip from its original August 25th completion date. CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA September 7, 2010 — 7:00 P.M. Mendota Heights City Hall Call to Order 2. Roll Call Pledge of Allegiance 4. Agenda Adoption 5. Approval of the August 17, 2010 City Council Minutes 6. Consent Calendar a. Acknowledgement of the NDC4 Meeting Agenda b. Acknowledgement of the July 2010 Building Activity Report c. Acknowledgement of the July 2010 Treasurer's Report d. Authorize Insurance Agent of Record Quotes e. Approval of September 2010 Airport Relations Commission Meeting Date/Location Change f. Approval of Rescheduling of November 2, 2010 City Council Meeting g. Approval of Seasonal Rink Attendant and Rink Flooder Job Posting and Seasonal Rink Flooder Job Description h. Approval of Sign Permit for Orbit Systems (1333 Northland Drive) i. Approval of Sign Permit for Mendoberri (730 Main Street) j. Approval of Building Permit for Restaurant Technologies (2250 Pilot Knob Road) k. Approval of Third Amendment to the Mendota Plaza Development Agreement 1. Adoption of Resolution No. 10-66: "RESOLUTION ELECTING TO CONTINUE PARTICIPATING IN THE LOCAL HOUSING INCENTIVES ACCOUNT PROGRAM UNDER THE METROPOLITAN LIVABLE COMMUNITIES ACT" m. Adoption of Resolution No. 10-67. "RESOLUTION FORMALLY ACKNOWLEDGING THE RECEIPT OF THE GIFT FROM WILLIAM AND MARLENE FERGUSON TO THE CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS" n. Adoption of Resolution No. 10-68: "RESOLUTION FORMALLY ACKNOWLEDGING THE RECEIPT OF THE GIFT FROM THE FAMILY OF ROBERT JOHNSON TO THE CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS" o. Adoption of Resolution No. 10-69: "A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING MENDOTA HEIGHTS TO ENTER INTO A GRANT AGREEMENT WITH THE DAKOTA COUNTY TRAFFIC SAFETY GROUP" p. Adoption of Resolution No. 10-70: "RESOLUTION APPROVING FINAL PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND AUTHORIZING ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS FOR 2010 SANITARY SEWER REHABILITATION PROJECT" q. Approval of Contractors List r. Approval of Claims List 7. Public Comments 8. Bid Award a. 2010 G.O. Improvement Bond Issuance —Resolution No. 10-71: "RESOLUTION AWARDING THE SALE OF $1,055,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION IMPROVEMENT BONDS, SERIES 2010A FIXING THEIR FORM AND SPECIFICATIONS; DIRECTING THEIR EXECUTION AND DELIVERY; AND PROVIDING FOR THEIR PAYMENT" b. Resolution No. 10-72: "RESOLUTION ACCEPTING BIDS AND AWARDING CONTRACT FOR TRUNK HIGHWAY 55 AND MENDOTA HEIGHTS ROAD INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (S.A.P. 140-103-017) c. Approve Contract for Construction Oversight 9. Presentations a. Mendakota/Mendota Heights July 4'h Fireworks 10. Unfinished and New Business a Approval of Preliminary Levy for 2011 — Adoption of Resolution No. 10-73: "RESOLUTION ADOPTING 2011 PROPOSED BUDGET"; Resolution No. 10-74. "RESOLUTION APPROVING PROPOSED 2010 LEVY COLLECTIBLE IN 2011"; and Resolution No. 10-75: "RESOLUTION APPROVING FINAL 2010 TAX LEVY FOR SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICT NO. l COLLECTIBLE IN 2011" b. Scheduling of Election Canvassing Board Meeting c. Property Maintenance in Commercial Zones 11. Council Comments 12. Closed Session - Labor Negotiations/Teamsters 13. Adjourn Auxiliary aids for persons with disabilities are available upon request at least 120 hours in advance. If a notice of less than 120 hours is received, the City of Mendota Heights will make every attempt to provide the aids, however, this may not be possible on short notice. Please contact City Administration at 651-452-1850 with requests. This meeting is being taped by NDC4 (651-450-9891) and will replay on Friday at 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. on the NDC4 Government Channel 18.