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2016-02-05 Friday NewsDATES TO REMEMBER: February 9 State of the City Address 7:30 a.m. City Council Financial Workshop 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Parks �ommission Canceled February 10 Airport Commission 7:00 p.m. February 15 President's Day City Offices Closed February 16 c�ry coun��i 7:00 p.m. February 23 Planning Commission 7:00 p.m. Attachments• Pipeline, Just the Facts Mendota Heights City Hall 1101 Victoria Curve www. mendota-heights.com (651) 452.1850 Visit us on: � Facebook.com/ MendotaHeightsMN Twitter.com/ @Mendota_heights February 5, 2016 o �o City of Mendota Heights Weeldy Update State of the City Address Please join us Tuesday morning, February 9, 2016 as Mayor Sandra Krebsbach provides the State of the City Address. Hosted by the Chamber of Commerce, this event is open to all businesses and residents. The State of the City Address will be held at City Hall, starting at 7:30 a.m. Airport Relations Commission Open House The Airport Relations Commission (ARC) invites you to an Open House on Wednes- day, March 9th. The Open House will be held at Mendota Heights City Hall begin- ning at 7 p.m. Representatives from the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will be joining ARC to talk about is- sues of interest to Mendota Heights residents. The agenda will include a discussion on airport noise, a remodeling update for Terminals 1 and 2, and an overview of MSP's economic impact for the region. 2016 Paint-A-Thon The Metro Paint-A-Thon helps seniors and people with physical disabilities continue to live independently in their own homes. Volunteer teams are formed to assist in repainting the exterior of selected homes. Applications are being accepting through April 14, 2016. For additional information, visit www.gmcc.org/paintathon or contact Molly Chandler at 612.276.1579. Did you know... You can contact city hall through interactive forms on our website: www.mendota-heights.com Report potholes, request that the police check your house while you are on vaca- tion, or simply ask any other question. Click on the "online interactive forms." � � Remember to keep fire hydrants clear of snow. This will help firefighters save time in the event of a fire. r A N E W S ,�y�r►°'�!� Th e P i pe I i n e �-��� � ���� LETTER �'�'' �.�'� Public Works ���� February 5, 2016 Engineerina � � `� �� Future Cities Competition - Staff attended the Future Cities Competition at Dunwoody Institute on January 23rd. Staff has been assisting three teams of 6t" through 8t" grade students from Friendly Hills Middle School in preparing for the competition. Future Cities is a national competition where 6rn_Srn 9rade students are asked to develop a city of tomorrow while addressing a specific theme within their city. This year's theme was "Waste Not, Want Not, " and required students to focus on the transport and handling of solid waste. All three teams from Friendly Hills did extremely wel% and one brought home the award for "Building a World of Difference," which is awarded to the improving and sustaining quality of life in a future city through advancements that provide efficient, clean renewable energy, low impact water and wastewater treatment and innovative telecommunication solutions. Future City teams will be at the March 3rd (Thursday) City Council Meeting to talk about their experience. .. � �� � � '�' m � _ � a,.T�f � �. � k"2 � �j� ,. � ��'``� � � j� ;�,. • � �f r � ` �t �.d � �. f _ , 1 � Is�' iE.F �. ; _ �' ` '�' � �_ r _ _ � _ � �~�, =- �::-.; _•" w :, , t ;�i ,��„ , y ;: - � �'' � �,. . � y� � � ,,,�ar.��, - � �� ' �" � �-.y -_ - �. ; � , v�� � . i_ �. � �� "�, , •-..- `.- .. . ... • � ' � _ . _ r. - .� Public Works The Parks Crew picked up trash daily in the parks. They plowed snow this week. They also swept and cleared snow from the rinks. A new sink and cabinets were installed in the break room. The Utilities Crew checked the lift stations daily and plowed and shoveled at the lift stations. Cul-de-sacs were plowed and assisted was provided with plowing the trails. Grease eating bacteria was added to the Mendota Heights Road wet well. The Streets Crew plowed the streets three times during and after Tuesday's snowstorm. Some streets were plowed four times. A new paint sprayer is being fabricated. Mailboxes were fixed that were damaged by the plows. After plowing, routine maintenance was done on the trucks. Plow truck 312 has a broken spring and was taken to Kraemer for repairs. Engineering City Projects (construction year) New Information in Italics Victoria Road Reconstruction & Rolling Green Neighborhood Rehabilitation ,�2014/2015� - A new pedestrian ramp at Stratford and Victoria will be installed in the spring. Staff is working with an adjacent property owner on potential drainage modifications to be completed in the spring. Warranty and punch list items will also be completed in the spring. Mendota Road Neighborhood Improvements (2016� - A second neighborhood meeting to go over design issues specific to individual property owners is anticipated in February. Parking restrictions will be presented to City Council at their February 16t" meeting. Residents were asked to complete a survey at the beginning of the project design and asked if they wanted on street parking or not. The parking restrictions are based on the results of that survey. The project is expected to be bid in March 2016. Project will consist of reconstructing Mendota Road (Hwy 110 Frontage Road) from Delaware Avenue to Oak Street, and rehabilitating Warrior Drive, High Ridge Circle, and Sibley Court. County Projects New Information in Italics Highway 110 Greenway Trail Crossing (2017� - Staff attended the County eoard meeting on Tuesday where the eoard officially selected the modified box culvert as their preferred crossing type. County staff will now proceed with the design of the structures. Staff also attended a Project Management Team Meeting on Thursday where the final design was kicked off. If approved, the pedestrian crossing project would be constructed with MnDOT's rehabilitation project for Highway 110 in 2017. Traffic Signal Improvements: I-494 & Pilot Knob Road (2016) - Staff reviewed plans for the signal modification project and provided comments to the County. The project will replace the existing signal with a new one, including the ��flashing yellow" left turn signal from Pilot Knob Road onto the I-494 on-ramps. Construction is anticipated to begin in July. State Projects New Information in Italics Hi�ghway 13 Slope Repair (2015-2016� - Highway 13 re-opened on January 25th. Additional work will need to be completed in the spring. MnDOT directed the contractor not to commence with work until June - after school is done for the year. In June of 2014, bluff slopes in this area failed during a large rain storm. This private property repair project is intended to restore and stabilize the bluff slope by constructing a retaining wall and revegetating the slope. When the highway c/oses again, the posted detour route takes traffic along Dodd Road, Wentworth Avenue and Wachtler Avenue. See the City Web Page for a detour route map. Highway 110 Rehabilitation (2017� - MnDOT will be requesting Local Government Concurrence from Mendota Heights for on this project at the March 3rd (Thursday) City Council meeting. MnDOT staff is currently working on easement identification and right-of-way issues. They are also developing a construction schedule that may include one-way highway closures during construction. This project will resurface Highway 110 between I-35E and I-494, including drainage improvements. Several access changes and turn lane extensions are proposed with the project, including changes to accesses across the median as well as closing the right-in/right- out to the east of Lexington Avenue. For more information about this project, contact Molly Cline, MnDOT Project Manager, at 651-234-7723 or molly.cline@state.mn.us. Highway 149 �Dodd Road) Rehabilitation (2018� - Staff inet with representatives from MnDOT and Dakota County to discuss potential grant opportunities to extend pedestrian facilities along Dodd Road north of Marie Avenue. While grant money may be available, right-of-way acquisition along the corridor may be a challenge. If grant money can be used for right-of-way acquisition, or if adjoining residents will grant low-cost easements, the addition of pedestrian facilities along Dodd Road will be more likely. This project will replace the pavement surface of Highway 149 from I-494 north to West 7t" Street in Saint Paul. The project also includes a complete re-decking of the High Bridge. Also included in the project will be drainage improvements, curb replacement in specified areas, trail rehabilitation from Hwy 110 south to Mendakota Park, and new trail construction from Maple Street north to Marie Avenue. For more information, contact Tara McBride, Project Manager at 651-234-7506, or tara.mcbride@state.mn.us. The project web page is: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/metro/projects/hwy149highbridge/index.ht ml Highway 13 Drainage Repair (2016� - MnDOT will be correcting and repairing erosion on the north side of Highway 13 between Fremont Street and Annapolis Street beginning next week. No traffic impacts on Highway 13 are anticipated other than the closing of the bluff-side shoulder. The project is estimated to be complete by March 1St. For more information, please contact Tara McBride, Project Manager at 651-234-7506, or tara.mcbride@state.mn.us. Other Activities New Information in Italics Saint Paul Regional Water Service (SPRWS) Water Service Agreement - Staff is scheduling several additional approvals that will need to take place in conjunction with the approval of the new Omnibus Agreement with SPRWS. It is anticipated that all approvals will be complete by June 2016. Once the signed Omnibus Agreement is returned by SPRWS, staff will begin bringing these approvals before City Council. These approvals include: 1) A Lease Agreement for cell tower use and City storage at the water tower site - anticipated at the November 17t" City Council meeting; approved 2) An amended City Ordinance to reflect the new agreement; 3) An easement agreement(s) for SPRWS access to the water tower across city property and water mains not located within City Right-of-Way; 4) Conveyance of deed, title, and ownership of the system; 5) An amended Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) with the other municipal partner agencies (West Saint Paul, Maplewood, Falcon Heights, Lauderdale) to gain a second seat on the Board of Commissioners. City-Wide Trail Plan Update - Staff has submitted an application for a Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP) grant from Dakota County. This grant will fund the completion the City-wide Trail Improvement and Maintenance Plan (TIMP). The updated TIMP will benefit the renewal & revision of the City's Comprehensive plan and can be used for grant applications related to trail development, maintenance, and improvement. Engineering Basics Seminar (Apri/ 6, 2016 - Eagan Community Center� - Staff has been working with other Public Works/Engineering staff from other municipalities in Dakota County to build a curriculum for a seminar covering the essential functions of City Engineering/Public Works staff. The seminar is intended to offer background in infrastructure systems (streets, traffic, water supply & distribution, sanitary sewer, surface/storm water, environmental, etc.) to city officials that do not have an engineering background. Participants in the seminar may include City Council members, appointed commission members, director/management level City staff. Due to other conflicting events, the seminar has been rescheduled for Wednesday, April 6t", 2016 at the Eagan Community Center from 6:OOpm - 9:OOpm. Invitations will be sent out in the coming weeks. City Engineers Association of Minnesota (CEAM� Annual Conference - Staff attended the annual conference at the Earl Brown Heritage Center in Brooklyn Center Wednesday through Friday of last week. Among the topics discussed were communications both interna/ and external to the City, emergency management application for GIS systems, and updates from various state and metro agencies. 1 CHIEF Mike Aschenbrener SERGEANTS Eric Petersen Tanner Spicer Peyton Fleming Bobby Lambert POLICE OFFICERS )ohn Larrive Todd Rosse Jeff VonFeldt Steven Meyer Denise Urmann Michael Shepard Nick Gorgos Robin Nelson Steve Hilyar Phillip McCarty INVESTIGATIONS Chad Willson SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER Jennifer Fordham SUPPORTSTAFF Kim Henning Trista Miller Shayna Hoechst Becky Pentel RESERVES Randy Pentel Jim Knox Jeff Parker CHAPLAINS Butch Millett John Snider Alberto Vargas Lynn Liberman Sue Plucker Joel Detlefsen Lenny Andrie FEBRUARV 05 2016 F� �� � i � � I �fi�NiE�"f�C 'V��t���ICE � The Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women (MCBW) tracks homicides in which the known or I suspected perpetrator was a current or former intimate partner or the homicide is the result of domestic violence between current or former intimate partners. This includes family � members, friends, and interveners who are killed as a result of the domestic violence being I perpetrated by a current or former intimate partner. For over 25 years, MCBW has been producing the annual "Femicide" Report. The reports list the number of people killed; however, they do not reveal the enormous number of people impacted by those deaths, nor do the reports reflect the hundreds of thousands of individuals who, across these years, have experienced domestic violence and survived. The number of Minnesotans killed due to domestic violence varies from year to year. Last year 34 Minnesotans were killed due to violence from a current or former intimate partner. 2015 OVERVIEW: • At least 22 women were murdered in cases where the suspected, alleged, or convicted perpetrator was a current or former husband, boyfriend, or male intimate partner. • At least 9 friends, family members or interveners were murdered in domestic violence-related situations. • At least 3 men were murdered in a case where the suspected, alleged, or convicted perpetrator was a current or former intimate partner. • At least 17 minor children were left motherless due to domestic violence murders. �� � � Y� O ��� K n SUbrnitted PeJ'ton F�e e B�: ming It's that time of year and Super Bowl 50 is fast approaching. There has been a long time myth that seems to come up this time of year that during the Super Bowl, incidents of domestic violence increase significantly. It's likely this myth resulted from football being considered one of the more violent sports, and large male audience combined with alcohol consumption resulted in men taking their aggressions out on their spouse. However statistics do not back this myth up. According to a press release from the Equal Justice Foundation, the myth started at a January 1993 press conference held prior to the 1993 Super Bowl. Los Angeles County Supervisor and former State Senator Sheila Kuehl stated the Super Bowl was "The biggest day of the year for violence against women" and a"Day of dread." Kuehl, part of a feminist group at the time, stated that forty percent more women were victims of domestic violence than normal. There was no basis for the claim and it was not backed up with any data. After the press conference it was picked up by other media outlets and began to spread. This myth continued until a reporter tracked down the researcher cited in the press conference who stated that the information they provided was misrepresented. Despite all the facts debunking the myth, it continues to be talked about today. So now, you know, as I again attempt to set the record straight. � z D 0 C�C� ° G� C�C��C�C�000 ACCIDENT/DAR WEDNESDAY 0505 HOURS Officer Phil McCarty responded to an accident where injuries were reported, but the driver was refusing an ambulance. Upon arrival, he noticed one vehicle in the intersection and one parked on the shoulder. The driver of the vehicle in the intersection stated he was rear-ended while stopped at a stop sign. Upon approaching the striking vehicle, the driver handed him her MN ID card (not a DL) and proof of insurance, informing him she was suspended. She stated she had looked down to grab something in her car, and when she looked back up it was too late to stop and she struck the other vehicle. Upon running her ID, Officer McCarty found she was actually revoked and the plates were revoked as well. Both vehicles were towed, but not before the revoked plates were removed. The revoked driver was cited for Displaying Revoked Plates, Failure to Drive with Due Care and Driving After Revocation. Neither driver wanted medical care on scene. Officer cleared. ACCIDENT WEDNESDAY 0923 HOURS Officer Nick Gorgos and Mike Shepard, along with Sergeant Peyton Fleming responded to a report of a single car accident with injuries. Upon arrival they found the confused and disoriented driver, who stated she had been on her way to work but had no memory of what happened. Her windshield was the only part of the vehicle that sustained damage, and while officers initially thought she struck a sign, no property damage was found. She was taken to the hospital by ambulance and officers cleared. CHECK WELFARE WEDNESDAY 0925 HOURS Officers were asked to check the welfare of a suicidal male whose phone has been pinged within a neighborhood. The area was searched by Officers McCarry, Shepard and Jeffory VonFeldt, but the subject was not located. Officers worked with the reporting party and other agencies to locate the subject, and put out an ATL alert, but at the time of this publication, the subject has not been located. FRAUD WEDNESDAY 1837 HOURS Victim reported to Officer Shepard that his credit card was used fraudulently via the internet. He simply wanted a case number for his insurance company; he had suffered no financial loss. Nothing further. SHOPLIFTING WEDNESDAY 1100 HOURS Officer Robin Nelson responded to a local business on report of a theft of several phone chargers. The surveillance footage shows a female suspect taking the items and putting them her purse. Suspect information and leads were followed up on but unsuccessfuL Case Inactive. IDENTIT'Y THEFT THURSDAY 1639 HOURS Officer Mike Shepard took a lobby report from a resident reporting identity theft. The victim reported he had applied for a loan and discovered an outstanding balance with Verizon, even though he never initiated the account. The account was 1 1/2 years old. Victim needed a case number for Verizon to take further action. Suspect information not available, case inactive. � — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — � 3 D 0 C�C� ° G� C�C��C�C�000 DISTURB PEACE/PROPERTY DAMAGE SATURDAY 2303 HOURS Officer responded to a report of an intoxicated female who had thrown a bottle and struck a windshield. Upon arrival, Officer VonFeldt, along with McCarty and Sergeant Fleming, quickly located the female and found she was clearly intoxicated and upset over some personal issues and threw a bottle, which struck a vehicle. While viewing the damage to the vehicle, the owner was spoken to. He informed officers he did not wish to pursue charges and wished to work it out civilly between them. The parties exchanged information and after arranging for a sober driver for the female, everyone cleared the scene. WARRANT SERVICE SUNDAY 0158 HOURS While on patrol, Officer McCarry ran a plate inquiry and found the registered owner had a warrant for Fail- ure to Appear. The vehicle was stopped and the driver was identified as the registered owner. He was placed under arrest, while still holding his newly purchased cigar and chips. The owner told the officer he did not want him entering his car, so they were placed on top of the car. After being transported and processed for the warrant, the suspect found his money to pay the bond was not in his wallet, but still in his car. The handcuffed suspect was taken back to the car and told Officer McCarry to unlock it for him and where to search for it. The money was found, but was not enough to satisfy the bond. He was escorted to jail for the warrant. IDENTIT'Y THEFT SUNDAY 1718 HOURS A resident came into the lobby to report that his wallet had been lost and a credit card used. Officer Gorgos met with the owner and learned he thought he had left it on the counter at store and when he returned it was gone. Transaction information was obtained for follow-up. The next day, the owner called to inform Officer Gorgos the wallet was found and transaction information was accounted for. Case Unfounded. AUTO THEFT TUESDAY 0958 HOURS A homeowner went outside to find their vehicle had been stolen. It had been left unlocked in the driveway with the keys inside. Officer John Larrive took the report and he and Officer Todd Rosse took several related reports came in from the same neighborhood of cars being rummaged through and small items and change being stolen. Case under investigation. ACCIDENT/DAS TUESDAY 1257 HOURS Officer Larrive responded to three car accident that occurred when a bus got stuck and conditions were slippery. While trying to stop, one vehicle rear ended the car in front of him, which then struck the vehicle stopped behind the bus. One driver was found to have a suspended DL and was issued a citation. SLUMPER/AOA TUESDAY 0525 HOURS Officers McCarty and VonFeldt responded to assist MN State Patrol with a possible slumper. Officer VonFeldt located the vehicle and upon approaching the vehicle and knocking on the window to get his attention, the driver awoke, saw the officer and when asked to roll down his window, the sleepy man began to drive. Officer VonFeldt followed him with light and sirens and watched as the driver stopped in the middle of an intersection, causing traffic to stop (thankfully) and then meandered on to a stop at the next intersection. The driver was ordered out of the vehicle and making contact with him it became clear he was under the influence of alcohol. He was turned over to MSP for processing. Officer VonFeldt cleared. 4 � �I��� Aut t0 thC r��Gwt SwOW REMOVAL OF SNOW, ICE, DIRT AND RUBBISH FROM SIDEWALK ORDINANCE 8-1-2: A. Accumulations Prohibited; Nuisance Declared: All snow, ice, dirt, and rubbish remaining on a public sidewalk more than twenty four (24) hours after its deposit thereon is hereby determined to be a public nuisancel. The owner and the occupant of any property adjacent to a public sidewalk shall use due diligence to keep such walk safe for pedestrians. No such owner or occupant shall allow snow, ice, dirt or rubbish to remain on the walk longer than twenty four (24) hours after its deposit thereon. (1981 Code 701 § 2) Please send us your positive feedback on our staff to: pdrecords@ mendota-heights.com Your, feedback is,greatly rz�rpreciated and Tzelps boost the morale ofour staff � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 1 � p � � �a aa� � � � 01/29 - 02/04 2016 YTD � I Calls for Service 148 722 � � � I Citations 11 78 � � Warnings 20 96 I I Police Reports 17 78 � � I I Response Time Average 4.43 4.76 � � Check out the MH Crime Map! � I Click below to search your neighborhood: htt�s://www.raidsonline.com � � 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heig;hts, MN 55118 , � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �«. � � � , 'c�, '�, �Id�kP ii lt= THE B(y� If you are a Mendota Heights resident and you are going out of town or on vacation, you can notify MHPD of your outing and we will be more than happy to keep a watchful eye on your home while you are away. The House Check Request online form is available on our website; you can complete a form found in our lobby, or simply give us a call and we'll help you out. MHPD offers monthly Car Seat Safety Checks. To schedule an appointment, call 651.452.1366 or email jennyf@mendota-heights.com to contact Officer Jennifer Fordham. MHPD has a Medication Disposal Box in the lobby of the PD where Dakota County residents can safely and anonymously dispose of their prescription drugs and over-the-counter medication.