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2009-03-27 Friday NewsMarch 27, 2009 Clean up Those Clubs Clubhouse Manager Tom Perkins is hoping to have the Par 3 open for business next week. The course is in good shape, if the weather will cooperate, this would be the earliest start in years for the Par 3. Greens fees for 2009 are $10 on weekdays, $12 on weekends and holidays. Kids and Seniors can take a dollar off for their rounds. Rogers Lake Staff hosted a meeting Friday morning this week with the Minnesota DNR to discuss the neighborhood concern about the weeds in Rogers Lake. There was an overflow crowd in the large conference room with 10 residents, three DNR staff, a Dakota County Soil and F Water District employee, Gary Loefek the St. Thomas Environmental Sciences teacher, one Council Member and four City staff members. The majority of the discussion centered on lake weeds. Tim Ohmann an Aquatic Plant Management Specialist with theMinnesota DNR was our technical expert on water quality. Tim made it very clear that the weeds in question contribute significantly to Rogers Lake status as currently a very healthy lake. Gary Loefek, St. Thomas Academy, reported on the amount of oxygen in the lake and Tim was surprised that the lake seemed to be even healthier than he even thought. Tim in- formed everyone that there are two ways that are permitted to remove weeds — chemically and mechanically. I was surprised to hear that the Minnesota DNR prefers the chemical means. Cutting the weeds with a harvester — disturbs the bottom and puts many of the set- tled out particles back in suspension. Tim informed us that without further study, 16 acres of the lake cold be chemically treated. With the help of Gary Loefek we arrived at a plan for treating the lake this year (on a trial basis). Staff will prepare a proposal to present to the City Council for their consideration at the next City Council meeting on April 7t1, N Managers Meeting I attended the Dakota County Managers meeting this morning, where there were a couple E of topics that caught my interest. The Managers subcommittee group meeting on Broad- band accessibility presented concepts for an educational piece that would be run on local Wcable, and available via web -streaming. The goal of the piece is to remind our citizens of the wide technological opportunities available with fast and reliable internet service. The s hope is that customers will demand better service from the private companies which pro- vide these services. There was also brief discussion on reviving the High Performance Partnership (HiPP). HiPP in the past has focused on opportunities for communities across the county to partner for cost and/or service delivery efficiencies. Jake and Council Mem- ber Krebsbach have volunteered to serve on a steering committee which will consider the need to determine the need to re-establish HiPP. March 27, 2009 Dates to Remember in April City Council Meeting 4-7-09 7:00 p.m. Airport Relations Commission 4-8-09 7:00 p.m. Parks and Recreation Commission Mtng 4-14-09 6:30 p.m. City Council Meeting 4-21-09 7:00 p.m. Planning Commission Meeting 4-28-09 7:00 p.m. Attachments Just the Facts, Pipeline, Upcoming Park/Recreation/Community Events, Southwest Review Article "Rogers Lake Stuck in the Weeds," Southwest Review Article "There's no place like home," TwinCities.Com Article: "Eighteen girls are competing with their mechanical marvel," StarTribune.com article: "Mendota Heights company: Smart phone apps." Have a great weekend! ! March 27, 2009 3/27/2009 Tlie latest yterps frv�n tie /tile�R'ata �feiq`its�'alice �e�artlneni The 911 Hang-up 03-18-2009 10:26hrs Mendota Sgt. Neil Garlock responded to a 911 hang-up. Dispatch called the residence back and the female stated she thought her infant Heights had eaten an Advil. She was connected to Poison Control and Police they advised her child would be fine and that medics were not Department needed. If you call 911, Don't Hang Up! Officers will respond either way. support Medical 03-20-2009 16:29 hrs Staff Officer Todd Rosse responded to a local gas station on a male Kin Henning passed out at the pumps. Male party regained consciousness Sandie Ristine ` and it was learned that he was a diabetic. Party refused medical Susan Donovan' transport against the advice of the paramedics. A relative was Cathy Ransom contacted and gave him a ride home. Becky Pentel possession of Marijuana 03-20-2009 23:27 hrs Police Officers Officer Steven Meyer observed a vehicle stopped on highway Jerry Murphy waiting for red arrow. The rear passenger door of vehicle opened Scott Patrick and a person leaned out. Immediately upon seeing the squad he Bobby Lambert reentered vehicle and shut the door. A traffic stop was initiated on Tanner Spicer the vehicle to investigate. Upon approaching the vehicle, Officer Todd Rosse Meyer smelled a strong odor of burnt marijuana and saw smoke Chad Willson emanating from the interior of the vehicle. Occupants and vehicle Jeff VonFeldt Steven Meyyerer were searched, passenger found to be in possession of Denise Urmann marijuana. Driver and passenger were cited for the violations. Michael Shepard Potentially Dangerous Dog 03-21-2009 12:42 hrs Peyton Fleming Officer Chad Willson responded to location on report of a dog attacking another dog on private property. Contact was made School Resource with both animal owners. Neither dog sustained injuries in the Officer Jenny Fordham attack. One dog was declared potentially dangerous and owner provided documentation about placing the animal in compliance Investigations with state statutes and city ordinances. Remember — keep your Mario Reyes animals under control or YOU will be held responsible! Eric Petersen Theft from Auto 03-21-2009 17:08 hrs Officer Michael Shepard responded to a report of a vehicle break Sergeants Neil Garlock in at a local business. While the owner was on a bike ride, John Larrive someone broke the passenger's side front window of her van and Brian Convery stole her purse. Victim was advised to cancel cards and flag accounts. There are no suspects at this time. Chief Juveniles 03-21-2009 23:16 hrs M�1�e While on routine patrol, Officer Steven Meyer came across some A scl-i enhren er 3/27/2009 juveniles on the paths with vehicles at Rogers Lake Park. Apparently they needed more light to play basketball after the park closed! Juveniles were advised to move along. All city parks close at 10 pm. County parks close at dusk. Drunk Person 03-22-2009 02:00 hrs While on routine patrol past a local bar, Officer Jeffory Vonfeldt noticed an adult female in the middle of the parking lot on her hands and knees with her pants all the way down to her feet urinating. It was apparent she was extremely intoxicated. The female refused to give a breath sample and was transported to Ramsey County Detox. She received citation for disorderly conduct. Drunkenness 03-24-2009 23:59 hrs Officers responded to a local motel on a report of a possible domestic in progress. The reporting party informed officers that her and her girlfriend had been drinking and got into a verbal fight. The female who had rented the room wanted the other one out. The second female stated she had no where to go and no one to come get her. Due to her being extremely intoxicated and unable to care for her self, officers provided her with transportation and a room for the night at Ramsey County Detox. Warrant Service 03-25-2009 23:15 hrs Officers Fleming and Vonfeldt assisted Dakota County Warrant Division in serving multiple warrants on a local resident. There were several outstanding "body only" night -capped warrants (they can be served anytime night or day) for this person. Upon arrival, Officers knocked on the door and spoke with the suspect's father. He woke his son up and told him who was waiting at the door. The suspect came to the door and was taken into custody without incident. He was transported to the DC Jail. Assist other Agency 03-26-2009 10:35 hrs Officer Todd Rosse responded to an address in Inver Grove Heights to assist with a Bank Robbery that had just occurred. A black male wearing a ski mask entered the bank, asked where the money was and told everyone to get down. He displayed a silver handgun. Two employees ran away and escaped. Witnesses said they saw the suspect get into his vehicle and leave the parking lot at a high rate of speed. Unfortunately, for him, he cut off a squad that was responding to the robbery he had committed moments before, the one he was now fleeing from. The robber panicked when he realized there was a squad in front of him and another behind him. He proceeded to smash into a telephone pole as he tried to escape and then ran on foot. Officers chased the man down and arrested him. The man confessed to several robberies and to stealing his get away vehicle. Public Assist 03-26-2009 11:24 hrs Sergeant Neil Garlock was called to a local business to stand by and keep the peace while some employees got the news they were being laid off. The manager was concerned that one of the employees in particular would not handle the news well. There was no report of trouble after the notifications were made. Assist Other Agency 03-27-2009 02:00 hrs; Sergeant Convery along with Officers Spicer, Fleming and Urmann assisted State Patrol and Trooper 7 (helicopter equipped with FLIR, forward looking infrared technology) in setting up a perimeter for a drunk driver that fled on foot from a traffic stop in the area of Hwy 13 & 135E. West St. Paul K-9 and Officers from Eagan, Dakota County Sheriff and St. Paul Police assisted in the search. Despite the team work of six agencies, the suspect was not located. 116, ap"we alm,4*11 Oe#/& 3/27/2009 REFERENCE SECTION ACRONYMS FOR NEWSLETTER USE: DAR - Driving after Revocation — loss of license requires a written and driving test DAS -Driving after Suspension — requires you to pay outstanding judgments DAC - Driving after Cancellation — license taken away due to fraud or other issues DAW -Driving after Withdrawal DACIPS - Canceled Inimical to Public Safety — generally a long term period where the driver can not obtain a license due to chemical/alcohol problems or medical conditions. DWI or DUI — Generic term for a drive under influence arrest, can be alcohol, drugs (both prescription & illegal) can be misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor or felony. SFST-Standardized Field Sobriety Tests BAC -Blood Alcohol Concentration PBT - Preliminary Breath Test (handheld device used in the field) W/B - west bound E/B - east bound SIB - south bound NIB - north bound Detox - Ramsey County Associated with Regions hospital or private facility associated with an area hospital WSPPD -West St. Paul Police IGHPD - Inver Grove Heights Police MSP- Minnesota State Patrol Trooper 7 - MSP Helicopter equipped with FLIR (forward looking infrared) DCSO - Dakota County Sheriff Office EPD - Eagan Police Department MAAG or SWAT —Mutual Aid Assistance Group or Special Weapons and Tactics AOA- Assist Other Police Agency GOA- Gone on Arrival UTL-Unable to locate ID - Identified or identification RO — Registered owner of a motor vehicle D/L or DL — driver's license K9 - specially trained police dog, general use, drugs, bombs etc. OFP — Order for Protection can be temporary or permanent *Note you will vary rarely hear ten codes used in the future as Emergency Services moves to follow national ICS (incident command system) plain English rules. 10 -50 -property damage accident 10 -52 -personal injury accident 10 -33 -emergency radio traffic 10-54 - fatal crash 10 -56 -drunk driver ..3_ NEWS LETTE R Public Works Engineering Code Enforcement Public Works The 1911, Pipefin,C. March 27, 2009 The Parks Crew took out the "thin ice" signs at Rogers Lake. Tree limbs were trimmed along the pedways. John and Cliff attended classes for the new groundsmaster 5910 mower at Minnesota Toro. Rich put a new jet hose on the jet truck. He cleared a frozen storm sewer on Fourth Avenue and Vandall Street with the jet truck. He checked Lilydale's storm sewer outlet that flows into the Mississippi River and everything looked good. The Streets Crew filled pot holes on Mendota Heights Road from Dodd Road to Delaware Avenue and in the Friendly Hills area and Huber Drive. Blue Chip Tree Services cut off broken limbs on trees on Fox Place and on the city lot on Dodd Road and Marie Avenue. The Streets Crew then cleaned up the brush. Lumber was unloaded and piled up in back of the shop that was hauled in by P.C.A. from the house demolition on Wentworth Avenue. A pot hole was filled next to the storm grate on Northland Drive. ENGINEERING John and Council Member Vitelli met with State Representative Rick Hansen on Wednesday to discuss the issues at Rogers Lake. Rep. Hansen offered to meet with the residents on April 8th. Staff is currently setting up this meeting. John met with Ms. Cynthia Schanno at 788 Monet Court to discuss an erosion problem on her property that drains into a City stormwater easement. Staff will continue to work with Ms. Schanno to resolve the issue. Staff is preparing for the upcoming neighborhood meeting for the 2009 street rehabilitation project. Cherry Hill Road, Farmdale Road, Park Place Drive, Boardwalk, Bluff Circle Summit Lane, Victoria Court, Mayfield Heights Road, and Mayfield Heights Lane are anticipated to receive a "mill -and -overlay" rehabilitation this summer. The neighborhood meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 16th. Notifications will be sent out Monday. Staff met with representatives form the DNR, as well as with residents of the Rogers Lake area on Friday to discuss the issues pertaining to the condition of the lake. An update on Staff's progress will be presented at the April 7th Council Meeting. I Upcoming Park /Recreation /Community Events: I Mendota Heights Par 3 Golf Course MH Parks & Recreation Programs Monday, April 6th Tuesday, April 7th Saturday, June 6th Saturday, June 6th 9am to 4pm @ 9:30arn to 3:30 pm @ April 1t - Scheduled to open for season - 651.454-9822 Registration Required @ 651.452-1850 Family Martial Arts Academy - 780 South Plaza Drive Thompson Park Activity Center - 1200 Stassen Lane - WSP All Day "Annual Parks Celebration" @ Mendakota Park & other locations 9:00 Start Time 5K Run / Walk @ Village Center - call City Hall 651.452-1850 For information regarding "Summer 2009 Parks & Recreation Programs" Tennis - Golf Leagues / Lessons - Fishing Derby - Safety Camp - Skateboard Camp - Youth Trips - Youth Nature/Fun/Group Activities - Adult softball leagues - call 651.452-1850 or www.mendota-heights.com Mendota Heiqhts Athletic Association www.mendotaheightsathietics.com or Amelia 1 957aaol.com Sunday, April 19th 11:15am to 12:30pm "Softball Clinic"@ Henry Sibley HS Gym Sunday, April 19th 12:30pm to 4:15 pm "In -House Baseball Clinic"@ Henry Sibley HS Gym Monday, May 111h 6th th (Week of) "In -House Season Begins" Sat. / Sun. June 6 /7 K-6 grade baseball -"Mid-Year In -House Tournament" @ Mendakota Park Fri / Sat / Sun, July 10, 11 & 12 "Super Weekend" (season end: baseball & T -ball games) Community Events: Wednesday, April 22nd 1:00pm to 4:00prn Saturday, April 25th Saturday, May 2nd 8:30am to 12:30pm 8:00arn to 2:00prn * * *NEW TIME * * * Thursday, June 251_1 1,30 am - Speakers - Light refreshments Pilot Knob - Corporate Earth Day Event - 25 volunteers -brush hauling and general site maintenance - volunteers welcome Pilot Knob -"Spring 2009 Restoration Event" - 50 + volunteers Pre -registration required volunteer(a)greatrivergreening.org or Call 651.665-9500 ext. 11. Mendota Heights Annual "Spring Clean Up" @ Mendota Plaza 8:00am to 2:00 pm - Call City Offices for info: 651.452-1850 Pilot Knob Dedication Ceremony 1. Two Historical signs funded by Mn Historical Society 2. City Purchase of 15 acre Phase 2 site from Acacia Cern 3. Recognition of new funding sources, grants, volunteer efforts June 2006 to June 2009 Scheduled Use of Meeting Rooms at City Hall by Community Groups Thursday, April 2nd @ 7:00 pm MH Rec Program Softball Managers meeting in Council Chambers Thursday, April 9th @ 7:00 pm Mendota Heights Job Club sponsored by St. Paul's United Methodist Church held in the Large Conference room Monday, April 13th thru Thursday, April 161h -8:00amto4:30pm 2010 Census Training in Council Chambers March 27"' Friday News - gk Southwest Review ( Rogers Lake stuck in the weeds Page I of 1 MINI' ()" r U)k _t may, SOU-ffil-WeStReviewNews-com Monday, March 23, 2009 Rogers Lake stuck in the weeds Danielle Cabot Review Staff Monday, March 23, 2009 Rogers Lake in Mendota Heights has a problem. For a children's fishing contest last summer, residents had to harvest the lake weeds just so kids could cast a hook off the dock, and actually get it back without a helping of green stuff. Resident Randy Johnson says he can't take his canoe out much later than May without having to paddle through thick growth rather than clear water. Residents of the 99 -acre lake in southeast Mendota Heights took these weedy concerns and more to the City Council March 17 to plead their case for the city to take action, before the amenity transitions into marsh. That could happen in the next 50 years, according to Garry Loufek, who teaches environmental science at St. Thomas Academy. As plant life continues to flourish, that nutrient rich material will continue to build up the bottom of the lake. Loufek's students have tested the lake's water quality throughout the years. Just 10 years ago, they launched a floating dock off a southern peninsula of the lake, swimming it out into the relatively shallow, 8 -foot depths. That dock is now landlocked and surrounded by cattails, Loufek told the council members. To open the discussion, Mayor John Huber said, "I think we're still in an information gathering mode on a lot of fronts." Rogers Lake is only 8 feet deep to start with, and excessive runoff, sediment and plant -feeding nutrients will hasten its transformation into something more solid, but that progression is not inevitable, Loufek said. If the community and watershed can reduce runoff and provide filtering buffers around the lake, the succession to marsh could be prevented. Resident Pat Hickey has led the most recent neighborhood initiative to restore recreation to Rogers Lake. "It's a true natural resource and a treasure to have in Mendota Heights." Hickey said the city needs to start turning information into a plan of action. He said the city should obtain full and detailed knowledge of the chemical treatment process and determine the best treatments and costs for reducing weeds, cattails and pond "scum" starting this spring. Such treatments would require ongoing maintenance, something the city did for Rogers Lake decades ago to provide a swimming area, according to City Administrator James Danielson. Neighbors open to helping Creating generous buffers on shoreline property could also reduce the sediment and nutrients running into the lake. The residents who spoke at the meeting expressed a willingness to contribute some funds for cleanup in exchange for water they could then canoe and fish in. Resident Bill Niemeyer said he has an extensive stretch of shoreline, without any buffer area at all. "I think I need some education. I think that's an important piece." Increasing the lake's water level is one unknown that is under consideration. Increasing the water level may be another way to dilute the nutrients and free up the surface for recreation. Or, it may pose a threat to surrounding properties. "So I should buy flood insurance now?" joked one resident. A meeting with city officials and the DNR is scheduled March 24 to discuss options such as harvesting the weeds and chemical treatments. However, paying for the recurring treatments, as much as $1,000 for an hour for harvesting, is not in the 2009 budget. City Council member Sandra Krebsbach suggested that this may be an appropriate use of the environmentally bound dedicated sales tax revenue, or other funds would have to be found. City Council member Jack Vitelli encouraged Loufek to prepare research on similar lakes and how they have been treated. "If you've got a problem chances are someone has attacked it already." The parks and recreation committee has already approved a resolution for the city staff to explore options, and a basic action plan could be ready in two weeks. Danielle Cabot can be reached at southwest@lillienews.com or 651-748-7815. Content © 2009 Software © 1998-2009 1upl Software, All Rights Reserved http://www.southwestreviewnews.com/print.asp?ArticleID=3990&SectionlD=62&SubSec... 3/27/2009 Southwest Review I There's no place like home Page 1 of I P131 ll l(K.> 0 culk.1 SouthwestReviewNews.com Tuesday, March 17, 2009 There's no place like home New service program strives to help seniors age in place Jennie Betchwars Review staff Tuesday, March 17, 2009 submitted photo Left to right: Instructor Leah Hanisch from Center Flow Pilates with RBV members Dusty Mairs, Thelma Hunter, Dorothy Greig, Roxanne Sands and Edythe Abrahamson, At the heart of the River Bluffs Village program is a simple goal: help residents age in place. The program serves adults ages 55 and older in the Lilydale, Mendota, Sunfish Lake and northern Mendota Heights areas, and is the result of a partnership between community residents and DARTS, a West St. Paul -based nonprofit service agency. "We do our best to provide members with essential services and a variety of social opportunities, with the long term goal of keeping them in their homes," said Sherri Weiss, the director of communication for DARTS. Through River Bluffs Village, members have access to ride services, social and recreational activities, and household resources. In addition to existing bus services from DARTS, membership with River Bluffs Village offers private car or personal driver services options. Members also have access to a pre-screened vendor list and receive eight complimentary handyman hours. "A lot of the services those vendors provide are convenience -based," said Program Director Jessica Hagemann. "Our members just want to make their lives easier so they can enjoy their retirement." Getting out and about One of River Bluffs Village's biggest selling points with members has been access to social and recreational activities with other community residents. Members meet every week for creative writing and Pilates classes, while other social events and outings are offered throughout the month. Future events include a lunch at Le Cordon Bleu, a trip to the Schubert Club in April, and attending the "Church Basement Ladies" show in May. "We try to plan a variety of cultural events, as well as some lighter ones, in an attempt to meet whatever our members' interests are," Weiss said. Memberships are available at two price and service levels, and range from $480 to $1,040 for a single person and $640 to $1,180 for a two -person household. Following an urban lead DARTS' mission is to partner with community members and other organizations to respond to community needs. When local residents expressed an interest in a similar program, Beacon Hill Village in Boston, DARTS Executive Director Mark Hoisse said he saw a perfect opportunity to do just that. Hoisse, along with Hagemann, presented highlights of the program to the Mendota Heights City Council Feb. 17. He told the council that similar programs have formed in metro areas across the nation, but few have been created to serve suburban areas. "The program was very unique, very enriching for the community," Hoisse said. "We wanted to see if we could test this out in a suburban community." Seeing a need for increased transportation and other services for the aging population in the communities they serve, DARTS created a similar model with a unique suburban approach. After a year of planning, River Bluffs Village opened to members on Jan. 15. "We asked ourselves, 'What's this next generation going to want in terms of services? Hoisse said. "We hear a lot of people say they don't want to move -'They're going to have to carry me out.' That's kind of the genesis of it." Growing needs The program addresses a growing need for services, particularly transportation, among Minnesota's senior population. A 2005 study by the Minnesota Board of Aging found that as the Minnesota population ages, transportation needs increase. The survey found that only 6 percent of 50- to 59 -year-olds lacked transportation. For ages 75 and older, however, that number jumped nearly 11 percent, to about 18 percent reporting they lacked transportation. Funding for the program's first three years comes from the Colorado -based Daniels Fund, established in 1997 by Bill Daniels, a pioneer in cable television. The goal of the program is to eventually be self-sustaining through membership fees, said Hagemann. The program's membership base currently consists of 19 members, and that number is quickly growing. The program has set a goal of 60 members by the end of its first year, and would like to eventually have as many as 300 or more members. "Word of mouth is helping us to get quite a bit of phone calls," she said. Council Member Jack Vitelli said he was impressed by the program, particularly its goal to become funded solely through membership fees. "I'm pleased to see it doesn't add an additional burden to Dakota County or additional communities," he said. "I'm very impressed." The program's long-term goal of becoming self -sustainable has been a major selling point, agreed Weiss. "I think that attracts attention because it's not always easy to do," Weiss said. "That's part of the wave of the future for nonprofits. They're going to have to be more creative with their revenue streams." Content @ 2009 Software @ 1998-2009 1 upl Software, All Rights Reserved h-ft-p://vAvw.southwestreviewnews.com/print.asp?ArticlelD=3970&SectionlD=109&SubSe... 3/27/2009 Eighteen girls are competing with their mechanical marvel, a robot named Eva, in demon... Page 1 of 3 Award-winning robotics team is from Convent of the Visitation School in Mendota Heights Updated: 03/22/2009 11:39:19 PM CDT A pit crew making adjustments to the robot. Girls at Convent of the Visitation School in Mendota Heights are proving that playing with robots is not just for boys. For three years, the all -girls team has competed in FIRST Robotics challenges throughout the Midwest with their robot creations. (Photos courtesy of Ali Stinson, Convent of the Visitation School) By Maricella Miranda mmiranda@pioneerpress.com The Robettes are hard to miss. a M S Print Powered By http://www.twincities.com/ci_11973 823?IADID=Search-www.twincities.com-www.twinc... 3/27/2009 p FOUR MO, RU"'AGE YOURSELF IT M T T 0D RM A COMF LETE 5 TF P 3 Y S TE P G U ID E 7 -, W rLow WodDlVD.com Now! Visit GetYo u ' a M S Print Powered By http://www.twincities.com/ci_11973 823?IADID=Search-www.twincities.com-www.twinc... 3/27/2009 o�l� e6nvvv��)th��zn�oha�ioa} aro�otouo��d�vo imdez�ou— ���l�o�o�__ur�cVno�___`= marvel, Eva, With bright pink tights, pinkMeeoeeondnavyskirta. members ofthe FIRST Robotics team from the Convent ofthe Visitation School stand out. They say it's anadvantage. "They recognize uosmthe all -girls team."said BizobethBnenze|. 16, an 11th-grmdoronRnbettes Team 2177."They may think we're not taking itao seriously anthey are, but once they see uom competition, they see that vveare fierce competitoro." TheRnbette —theotate'aonlyall-gideteem—will compete next month etthe Minnesota FIRST Regionals at the University of Minnesota. The international program, FIRST Robotics, challenges students and Eva, the robot. their professional mentors to create a robot ooe team insix weeks, and then tocompete against other students using their machines. The acronym stands for "For Inspiration and Recognition cf Science and Technu|ogy." It's the third year the RobettanofMendota Heights will compete in the state regionals. The girls will face 8Oother Minnesota teams etthat level. Four years ago only two teams competed. Their first year, the team members won the Rookie Inspirational Award, whichhonor new teams' successes inhelping tnpromote engineering in their schools and communities. After that, they scored o Hall of Fame rookie oward, on entrepreneurial eward, became state regional finalists and won two electrical awards etthe Minnesota State Fair. Page 2 of 3 But like many successes, the Robetteohad orocky The team started inone teen's garage. They recruited professionals from Boston Scientific to mentor them. The first year, the sole goal was getting the robot built, said Liv Anda Knotterud.the teams' programming mentor and faculty adviser. Now, the 1O'memberteam has organized itself into categories: public relations, electrical, mechanical and programming. The group competes throughout the Midwest. "Our team definitely isknown inthe achoo." Knatterud said. For this year's robot, the Robetteaspent 96 hours over six weeks building ^Evo.^ The task was tomake omachine that could shoot and gather balls using parts from akit. |naddition tnthe kit, the group put $3.DO0inparts into the machine. Eva has already competed this year inKansas City, where she won a judges award. "At first, dthey doubt us, once they see our robots, they definitely recognize that we are ... here to oompete, not only foidy, but with integrity and with gracious professionalism," Bmnze| said. "They recognize us ouvery viable competitors." Eighteen girls are competing with their mechanical marvel, arobot named Eva' in deznon— N1ariceUeMiranda can bareached ctG51-2285421. - The FIRST Robotics regionadcompetitionain Minnesota will beApril 2-4otWilliams Arena and MohucciArena otthe University ofMinnesota Twin Cities campus. More information is available at mnfiretregiona|.org . Page 3 of 3 ://vvvvvv.nwzoonaem.oVzn/cx_//�l /-LI1,cj//j-3cuzuo-vvvvvv.Lvv/noozes. ~ 3/2/{/009 Mendota Heights company: Smart phone apps Mendota Heights company: Smart phone apps Twin Cities companies are early players in a new and nearly untouched market: writing software for smart phones. By STEVE ALEXANDER, Star Tribune Last Update: March 20, 2009 - 9:07 PM The ITR Group of Mendota Heights is trying to be smart about smart phones by writing software that makes them do more. It's a new and wide-open market in which hundreds of mostly small U.S. software companies compete for estimated. annual development revenue of more than $1 billion. Their software -- called "apps," or applications -- are small programs you can download from online stores that today are run by smart -phone marketers Apple, Google and BlackBerry maker Research In Motion, and in the future by Microsoft and Palm. Apple reported earlier this month that iPhone and iPod Touch users have downloaded more than 800 million. of the applications from Che Frunes App Store. ,,Two years ago, the smart -phone app market didn't exist," said Todd Montpetit, president and Advertisement Page 1 of 2 owner of the 150 -employee software and contract programming firm. "We saw an opportunity to be an early player in a technology we thought would really take off someday. Now, with. the number of smai-t-phone apps growing, I You don't need a huge market share to make money on it." Today, about 20 of ITR's employees work on smart -phone apps. Other smart -phone app creators in the Twin Cities include Concrete Software of Eden Prairie and. DoApp Inc. of Minneapolis. But being in on the ground floor of a new software market carries some uncertainty: At a Dow Jones Wireless Innovations conference in California earlier this week, investors were sharply divided over whether smart -phone app makers should focus their efforts on one or two types of smart phones, or try to leverage their sof [ware investments by writing the same app for :n -five different phones, all using different technologies. ..Com ITR has opted for the latter strategy, which. Montpetit said will differentiate it from other firms writirig smart -phone apps. Mark Lowenstein, an analyst with Boston consulting firm Mobile Ecosystem, who spoke at the conference, doesn't claim to know which smart -phone strategy is right. But he said the the, news you want delivered r'12 --ht to your inbox SIGN UP NOW AT sta rtlri b u n e,.Ic oinn/n ewsl ette vs Print Powered By http://www.startribune.com/business/41609102.html?elr=KArksUUUU SWTH,bune 3/27/2009 Mendota Heights company: Smart phone apps uncertainty isn't keeping new software companies from entering the market. ",Right now, we see a continuing robust cycle of new developers coming into the market," Lowenstein said in an interview. "There are a couple of hundred firms doing smart -phone app development, ranging from large companies to a Couple Of guys in a garage." For corporate customers Some of ITR's work is available online. You can download. ITR's $2.99 entertainment app, Magic Show, or its $1.99 medical self-diagnosis app, Symptom.MD, from Apple's iTunes App Store. Like all of ITR's apps, they were custom. -written for corporate customers. ITR's soon-to-be released apps include "Stacks," an Whone app resembling Teti -is that will be available April 9. Apple's new iPh.one operating system, Whone OS 3 3.0, due out this summer, is expected to generate new software opportunities for companies Such as ITR because it adds features such as Cutting and pasting documents, wirelessly sending data to a printer or actually selling more software to consumers. It's this last feature that intrigues Brian Tracy, ITR director of technology operations. For example, under the 3.0 operating system a game app will be z:1 Page 2 of 2 m-1 1, t 'b ne" star ri u clo fn able to let consumers download additional game levels at additional cost. That .extra revenue should trickle down to ITR in the -form of higher development fees, he said. The company already charges $2,500 to $ 100,000 for designing Whone apps, depending on their complexity. Bigger chunk of revenue Last year ITR got 5 percent of its $20 million in revenue from smart -phone software, Montpetit said. This year, he expects smart -phone apps will. account for about 15 percent of the firm's projected $22 million in revenue. ITR, which. was started in 1.997 as Information. Technology Recruiters. gets the rest of its business from software or contract programmer work for corporate customers Such as Target, Best Buy and UnitedHealth Group. Steve Alexander - 612-673-4553 Print Powered By F,­ http://www.startribune.com/business/41609102.html?elr=l,,'ArksUUUU 3/27/2009