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2016-02-12 Friday NewsDATES TO REMEMBER: February 15 President's Day City Offices Closed February 16 City Council 7:00 p.m. February 23 Planning Commission 7:00 p.m. Thursday, March 3 City Council 7 p.m. March 8 Parks Commission 7 p.m. March 9 Airport Commission Open House 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 12, 2016 FR.DDAY NEWS City of Mendota Heights Weekly Update State of the City Address "We've Begun" Hosted by the Chamber of Commerce, Mayor Sandra Krebsbach presented the 2016 State of the City Address on Tuesday, February 9th. The Mayor shared this past year's successes and highlights for 2016. If you didn't have a chance to attend or watch the live presentation, it will be replayed on Cable Channel 18 the following days and times: • Friday, February 12 at 4:00 p.m. • Saturday, February 13 at 4:30 p.m. • Sunday, February 14 at 8:00 p.m. • Monday, February 15 at 10:30 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. • Tuesday, February 16 at 4:30 p.m. • Wednesday, February 17 at 10:30 a.m. • Thursday, February 18 at 1:00 a.m. , 11:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. IThe 2016 State of the City Address is available online at www.mendota- heights.com. Click Agenda/Minutes and then Watch Live or On Demand. 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. Mendota Heights SK Run/Walk Event Sixteen weeks and counting... it's time to start training for the Mendota Heights 11th Annual 5k Run/Walk. This year's event will take place on Saturday, June 4th. Early registration fee is $25 and all race proceeds go directly to Special Olympics. So save the date and start your training program for the 11th Annual 5k Run/Walk. lRegistration forms are available online at www.mendota-heights.com. NEWS LETTER Public Works Enaineerina Code Enforcement Public Works The Pipeline February 12, 2016 The Parks Crew continue to pick up the trash daily in the parks. The ice rinks continue to be flooded and swept. They plowed the pedways. The equipment and trucks were cleaned. An OSHA class was attended. The Utilities Crew checked the seven lift stations daily. He completed 7 hours of the 30 hour online OSHA class. The floats were cleaned at the main lift station and grease eating bacteria was added. The Streets Crew salted and plowed the main streets where it was needed. More salt was delivered and the salt pushed up in the bin. Snow was hauled out of the back shop. Two temporary mail boxes were installed on Pontiac Place and will be replaced with permanent ones in the spring. Welding on the sprayer for the parks John Deere equipment was done. Plow 312 was returned from Kremer Springs and the plow reattached. Plow trucks 303, 304 and 308 had new curb rubbers installed on the wings. The bent cutting edge on the parks V -plow was fixed and straightened. Enciineerinci City Proiects (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 16th 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 Proiects New Information in Italics Highway 110 Greenway Trail Crossing (2017) - County Board officially selected the modified box culvert as their preferred crossing type. County staff will now proceed with the design of the structures. 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 Proiects New Information in Italics Highway 13 Slope Repair (2015-2016) -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 closes 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(a)state.mn.us. Highway 149 (Dodd Road) Rehabilitation (2018) - Staff met with representatives from MnDOT and Dakota County to discuss potential grant opportunities to extend pedestrian facilities along Dodd Road north of Marie Avenue. This project will replace the pavement surface of Highway 149 from I-494 north to West 7th 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(a)state.mn.us. The project web page is: http://www. dot. state.mn.us/metro/projects/hwy149hiahbridae/index.htmI 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(a)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 17th 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 (April 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 6:00pm - 9:00pm. Invitations will be sent out in the coming weeks. 1 CHIEF Mike Aschenbrener SERGEANTS Eric Petersen Tanner Spicer Peyton Fleming Bobby Lambert POLICE OFFICERS John 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 SUPPORT STAFF 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 FEBRUARY 12 2016 A�uurw�O�l� �r�aac� C�a�a�o�a@w In January alone, 25 people were killed on Minnesota roads due to traffic related incidents. At the end of January last year, there 9 people were killed. The Office of Traffic Safety Director, Donna Berger states "People say goodbye before their loved ones drive away, never giving it a thought that it could be the last time they see that person. It is time to make driving your number one priority when you are behind the wheel. All of our lives de- pend on drivers paying attention, buckling up, driving the speed limit and never driving drunk." What a powerful message she leaves with us all. You may think that you are a great driver and this message doesn't apply to you but, it's the people driving all around you that may be the reason for your death. It is the people left behind that suffer the loss of a loved one. Driving is for getting to and from location. Please, stay alert and aware of your surroundings, avoiding distraction. Follow the laws and spread the message to others. Did Von KoW Submitted g police Office y, Jennifer Fordham As most of our residents know, we have a county -wide dispatch center that is physically located in Rosemount. It is called the Dakota Communications Center, or as we like to call it I the DCC. Many people ask how best to call 9-1-1 now that many people have opted to discontinue using a "landline" or a "hard -wired" phone. Using a cell phone is still a great way to call 9-1-1 but dispatchers are not be able to see I"where" the call is coming from, unlike calls that come in from a landline. So be prepared to I give your location. Occasionally cell phone 9-1-1- calls made in this area could end up at a 9-1-1 call center that is NOT the DCC (more than likely Ramsey County/St. Paul or the MN I State Patrol) but as technology improves, we are seeing less of these transfer situations. Another question we get frequently is, "Can I text to 9-1-1?" This is called NEXT GENERATION I _ 9-1-1. DCC Supervisor Troy Ruby, explained to me that this new technology is still being developed and is not expected in 2016. There are lots of technical glitches that need to be I ironed out before the transition happens. We, as your emergency responders will share that information with you as it becomes available. Lastly, many people ask if they can use a cell phone to call 9-1-1 if they do NOT have a data plan and the answer to that is yes! For example, if you have young children or teens who may use an old phone for music and apps but there is no active data plan, they will still be able to call 9-1-1 with that device. So, that good news is that you do not need to run out and add a I data plan ($$) to that phone. However, if you discontinue your landline service, you will not I have the ability to call 9-1-1 from the landline phone. For more information about 9-1-1 and other initiatives such as community notifications information check out the DCC website at: http://www.mn-dcc.org i THEFT 01� Q@Q9 @QTOOO WEDNESDAY 1611 HOURS Officer Robin Nelson responded to a care facility where an employee reported a fellow employee stole her Nike tennis shoes. Discussions were had with both parties; accused party denied theft of shoes. No other evidence or information to follow-up on; case inactive. STOLEN PLATES THURSDAY 1415 HOURS A homeowner called to report her vehicle had different plates on it than those that belonged on the it. Of- ficer Nelson responded and found when the homeowner went to the DMV to obtain a copy of the vehicle registration on her Town & Country van, she provided her current plate number. However, the DMV em- ployee stated that plate belonged to a Dodge Caravan. Further investigation found an entirely different plate on the front of the vehicle belong to an Acadia. Neither plate showed up in the system as stolen. Upon con- tacting the RO's of the incorrect plates, one party noticed a plate missing but thought it had fallen off and hadn't reported it. The other party out of Owatonna has not yet been reached. Case pending. MEDICAL THURSDAY 2356 HOURS I Party called to report a possible overdose at a residence. Officers Urmann and Shepard, along with Sergeant Lambert, responded and found one party doing CPR and another party standing by. Medics and MHFD had been called to assist but the party was found deceased. Case under investigation. ANIMAL BITE FRIDAY 1415 HOURS I Reporting party responded to the police department to report his daughter had been bitten by a dog. The father reported his ex-wife had left their daughter for a short time in the care of his ex-wife's boyfriend and during that time, his daughter had been bitten by the dog and required stitches. Officer Nelson met the boy- friend at the residence and learned the boyfriend was actually dog -sitting the animal and that the incident happened so quick he wasn't sure what happened but believe the animal either nipped her in surprise or got her in the face with his paw. He knew the immunizations were current but he would the owner for docu- mentation. Officer Nelson also spoke with the mother and learned the dog has never been aggressive before, did not believe the animal meant to inflict harm and had simply hoped to handle the situation civilly. It was later learned the wound was caused by a scratch and not a bite and therefore does not fall under any state or MH ordinance violations. Case closed; parties to resolve civilly. MEDICAL SATURDAY 0123 HOURS I Officer Denise Urmann responded to assist a male party whom the caller said was stuck in his vehicle in the snowbank and was not responding to the reporting party. Upon arrival, she found the male very disoriented and but calling for help. Once they got to the male, they learned the man was having a medical situation which medics were able to help resolve. A reserve officer responded and drove the man home in his car and informed his wife of the situation. Officers cleared. 3 QQ ° 1 @Qq @QTOOO THEFT OF GAS SUNDAY 1133 & 1924 HOURS A local gas station reported two thefts of gas on the same day. The first was taken by Officer Nelson, the second by Officer Mike Shepard. The first involved vehicle was a blue 2014 Dodge Caravan; the second was a white Chevy Suburban. Both cases have viable suspect information for follow up and are pending. PROPERTY DAMAGE MONDAY 0857 HOURS Officer Shepard took a report from an employee of a group home who found her car vandalized with the window smashed out but items in plain view were not stolen. Possible suspects and witnesses were inter- viewed but no viable information was learned. Case inactive. HARASSMENT MONDAY 1633 HOURS Officer Todd Rosse met with a party in the lobby of the police department who reported receiving harassing text messages. The messages involved family situations and allegations and the sender was becoming more aggressive. However, the victim only wanted to inform us and did not want action taken in fear the suspect would take further action. Officer Rosse recommended several courses of action, including getting a harass- ment restraining order. Information documented, case closed. ACCIDENT TUESDAY 1536 HOURS Officer John Larrive responded to a parking lot on report of an accident that occurred when one of the vehi- cles failed to stop at the stop sign. Both vehicles were towed, and minor injuries were reported but both par- ties refused medics. Officer cleared. OPERATION GUARDIAN ANGEL WEDNESDAY ALL DAY ' Numerous MHPD officers worked with several local and state agencies to coordinate an undercover opera- tion. The goal of Operation Guardian Angel is to target the online trafficking of minors. This operation resulted in the arrest of five suspects. Formal charges pending. I FRAUD THURSDAY 1647 HOURS Officer Tanner Spicer met with a victim in the lobby who reported her credit card had been used fraudulently and suspected her daughter. Case pending. 4 Just a friendly reminder... EVEN THOUGH WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINTER SEASON, THERE ARE STILL RULES AND REGULATION INVOLVING RESTRAINING YOUR PET. MHPD RESPONDS FRE- QUENTLY TO REPORTS OF DOGS BEING OFF LEASH IN CITY PARKS & ON PATHS. According to MH ORD 8-4-6: ANIMALS IN PARKS: Within a public park: C. Dogs To Be Restrained3: No owner of a dog shall permit his dog to be at large in city parks, but shall keep such dog under restraint at all times. "Restraint", as used herein, shall be deemed to mean controlled by a leash not exceeding six feet (6') in length. (1981 Code 913 § 8; amd. 2003 Code) • ALL DOGS MUST BE DN A LEASH Please send us your positive feedback on our staff to: pdrecords@ mendota-heights.com 2 our feedback is greatly appreciated and helps boost the morale of our staff. o � I I 02/05 - 02/11 2016 YTD Calls for Service 105 840 I I Citations 13 92 I Warnings 15 111 Police Reports 19 115 I I Response Time Average 3.94 4.67 I Check out the MH Crime Map! Click below to search your neighborhood: https://www.raidsonline.com 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, MN 55118 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. `b 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. ZTo schedule an appointment, call 651.452.1366 or email f f jennyf@mendota-heights.com to contact Officer Jennifer Fordham. 0 MHPD has a Medication Disposal Box in the lobby of the '�-i PD where Dakota County residents can safely and Nlift anonymously dispose of their prescription drugs and ' over-the-counter medication. Take it to THE BOX (-fiAVE A 5.4FE- WE5E51G!