Loading...
2009-09-04 Friday News]PI PRELIMINARY BUDGET AND LEVY SET On Tuesday night, City Council adopted a preliminary budget and tax levy for 2010. Kristen Schabacker noted in her memo to Council that "The total budget for 2010 is $6,150,140, which is only 0.63% greater than the 2009 budget." The entire city levy is only $101,270 more than 2009. While the proposed levy for 2010 is a 1.66% increase over the final levy for 2009, all homes in Mendota Heights should see a decrease in the city portion of their taxes,, due to reduced home values. The Council expressed pride in ajob well done in a tough budget year. k 1107093 September 4, 2009 t1l"'t"IvIl ai-` 15191o" - iT" F'Ove-day forecast Tomorrow Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Sep 05 Sep 06 Sep 07 Sep 08 Sep 09 Mostly Sunny ...... . ........ Partly Cloudy Partly Cloudy Mostly Cloudy T -storms H 780 Hi: 79 0 Hi: 800 H 830 Hi: 730 Lo: 580 Lo: 600 Lo: 600 Lo: 630 Lo: 560 Attachments Just The Facts,, Pipeline, ARC Agenda, Southwest Review articles: "Roundabout plan riles Men- dota Heights neighborhood" and TwinCities.com article "Mendota Heights neighbors fret pro- posed 'temporary' road in Visitation traffic plan" Upcoming Park/Recreation/Community Events. P.S. The final music at the Village will be on Thursday, September 10th at 7:00 PM at Market Square and will be featur- ing Connie Evenson. kO997855 WVVW-fG'tOSe8f Ch -COM September 4, 2009 9/4/2009 Tt000loff Agar t tA-- rlJl/l Y,S S i'i , Y Jfr! Sk 1 J J 7�e latest mer-�r�s v tie �Ce ataei�t1'ali�e ,fie ��tr�et n Dakota County Traffic safety saturation Patrols Men d c�ta Keep your eyes open for increased traffic enforcement state wide Heights and in Dakota County watch out in the 1494 & Hwy 52 areas. The DCTSC will focus enforcement efforts on the area specifically to Police off the roads. The opening get drunk drivers p g weekend of summer I�epartrnent was deadly in Dakota County let's try and make sure that we are Suort Pp all here to welcome in a beautiful fall. Staff Local Hero! 08-28-09 2230 hours I Ienntng Ifou have been watching theyou heard about a State y news Sandie Rist�ne Trooper who apprehended juveniles who were going to prank the Susan Donovan Governor's house in Eagan. It has been learned that this trooper Cath Ratlsot� Y Becky P e�.tel our ve own Curt Thurmes, who is stationed in this area and has � worked out of our City Hall/Police Department for many years. Police'Officers Trooper Thurmes did sustain injuries in this apprehension but Jerry Murphy was back at work this week to tell the story. It was unknown at sott T'atrlck the time it was just a juvenile rank. Trooper Thurmes, who was p p Robb Latnbett y Tanner Spicer working the overnight shift at Governor Pawlenty s house, saw Todd Russe' two unknown parties running at a dead sprint towards the front Chas,, door of the house. After this heroic apprehension, it was learned Jeffor�'eldtthat ..... they were juvenile males who lived in the neighborhood (so .... .. Steven they knew the house belonged to the governor). They just didn't L7entsertnann count on the fact that the Governor and his family have 24 hour Lichael Shepard protection by the MN State Patrol. This will hopefully prevent any Peyton Flemg rank attempts in the future! p Way to p y go Curt! School Resource OFP Violation 08-27-09 0028 hours Officer fen n�r Fordham r was asked to call a complainant who wished to Officer S p I Ce p note that her ex-husband, whom she has an Order for Protection Investigations (OFP) against, had again violated the order by approaching her 1Vlario Reyes; at their son's football game. She informed Officer Spicer she did ser Li Eric I'ete. ... .... ... not want any action taken, just documentation only. Officer Spicer Sergeants advised her he could not do that, and that charges would be Neil warlo::: ck pressed, but after not being able to determine her ex-husbands Jahn`Larve whereabouts, passed on the information to day shift so that he Bran Connery could be located at work. He was arrested the next day and . transported to the Dakota County Jail for violating the OFP. It Chief was learned after the suspect was read Miranda that he regularly visited at the request of the victim. 9/4/2009 Domestic Dispute 08-30-09 2021 hours Caller reported some loud arguing going on nearby and was concerned of welfare. Officer Mike Shepard responded and found both parties uninjured and not in fear of each other. They agreed to separate for the night. Officer cleared. DWI Arrest 09-01-09 2102 hours Officer Urmann was advised by State Patrol of a possible drunk driver. Officer Urmann then observed the vehicle swerving and crossing fog lines. The driver initially stated they had not had anything to drink. After being asked again, the driver admitted to having Aga couple of drinks." A PBT test resulted in a .201 well over twice the legal limit. The driver subsequently was administered a urine test and was transported to Dakota County Jail. Charges pending urine results. REM Sleep 09-02-09 0237 hours Officer VonFeldt overheard Dakota County in pursuit with a vehicle which listed back to a Mendota Heights resident. After waking the couple, they were made aware their vehicle had been stolen and was currently involved in a pursuit. This surprised the owners as they made sure to show Officer VonFeldt they had both sets of keys to their stolen car. The suspects in this incident were apprehended in rural Dakota County after the MSP helicopter spotted the man sitting on top of a silo. He was transported to the Dakota County Jail. His female passenger was caught a short distance away. They are being held for more than one felony offense ... possession of stolen property and fleeing police in a motor vehicle just to name a few. Fenced In 09-02-09 1400 hours Officer Rosse was asked to respond to a residence to assist with our local wildlife. Upon arrival, he found a deer, after trying to jump the fence, had gotten its hoof stuck in the fence. Officer Rosse requested a tool to cut the fence, and the deer, exhausted from struggling, did run, but just a few yards away. He advised the party to call after a few hours to see if the poor thing was able to recover or needed to be put down. Reportedly, the deer did survive the experience and has not been seen since. Vision Problem 09-02-09 1615 hours Sergeant Garlock responded to a residence to take a report of a stolen ladder, taken from her garage. The reporting party was confident it had been taken by her ex- husband. Sergeant Garlock agreed to give the gent a call and ask him to return the ladder. Before he could do so, he received a call from the complainant. Her son had found the ladder — just in the backyard where he had left it. 'Officer cleared. "Match" the Suspect 09-03-09 1240 hours Officer Jennifer Fordham took a report at the lobby of the MHPD on credit card fraud. These calls are relatively common in this day and age but the suspect in this case stands out from the crowd. Whoever illegally obtained this credit card information used it to open an account on Match.com and posted photos of themselves on the website! The credit card has since been cancelled and Match.com has been notified of the fraudulent payment. Investigators will follow up with Match.com in hopes of matching a name on the suspect to the photo they posted! 11ape a Aff 066144 Ido* Pao ~410(l k4r & SOA & crelow -2- A,LR 1;G2✓+A' .Rol 6+'Y/+. Y., PY The Parks Crew repaired the washed out 1 y in Wentworth Park near the pond. New gravel was put down and then it was blacktopped. Graffiti was removed on the pedway in Mendakota Park near the batting cage. The soap dispenser was repaired in the men"s bathroom at Mendakota Park. The toilet was repaired in the women's bathroom at Kensington South Park. .kich sprayed broadleaf weeds at Kensington Park, Mendakota Park, Fire Hallf Rogers Lake Park, City Hall and Friendly Hills Park. The Streets Crew fixed a washout along the road by 1840 Hunter Lane. The washout was filled with mix and a blacktop curb was made to prevent it from washing out again. Blacktopping was done along the new curb that was put in at ]unction Lane and Chippewa Avenue from the broken storm pipe. On Mendota Heights Road at Delaware Avenue cracks and potholes were blacktopped. RFP"s were mailed to four consultants for the rehabilitation of the city water tower. The tower is in need of having the existing lead-based paint removed and recoated as well as other structural modifications. T.H. 55 and Mendota Heights Road intersection improvements are still in the design phase. The city and consultant are in the process of analyzing the scope of the improvement to keep the project within initial cost estimate. Visitation Drive and Mendota Heights Road intersection improvement has been a hot topic within the city. Staff has fielded numerous inquiries regarding the project. The project will be discussed at the September 15, 2009 City Council meeting. Cherry Hill 2nd Rehabilitation project is currently under construction. The contractor is scheduled to begin milling and paving streets starting on Tuesday September 8th. AIRPORT RELATIONS COMMISSION AGENDA Thursday, September 10, 2009 — City Council Chambers I Call to Order - 7:00 p.m. 2. Roll Call 3. Approval of the Minutes from the August 12, 2009 Airport Relations Commission Meeting. 4. Unfinished and New Business a. Introduction of John McDonald, MAC Commissioner b. Updates for Introduction Book 5. Acknowledge Receipt of Various Reports/Correspondence: a. July 2009 NOC Technical Advisor's Report b. July 2009 Eagan/Mendota Heights Departure Corridor Analysis C. August 7, 2009 Airport Noise Report d. August 14, 2009 Airport Noise Report e. August 21., 2009 Airport Noise Report f. August 28, 2009 Airport Noise Report 9. MSP Long Term Comprehensive Plan Update h. 2010 CIP 6. Other Commissioner Comments or Concerns 7. Upcoming Meetings Noise Oversight Committee 9-16-09 1:30 p.m. MAC Full Commission Meeting 9-21-09 1:00 p.m. C1L-11+-111 C111-111111*1 0�1'�;-00 7-00 .Y lVlk-A-A1116 -/ 1 -11 V -/ / . V V Planning Commission Meeting 9-22-09 7:00 p.m. 8. Public Comments 9. 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. This may not, however, be possible on short notice. Please contact City Administration at (651) 452-1850 with requests. So Mf0,,­.,;,tay, August 35,11, 2009 Roundabout plan. riles Mendotalleights neighborhood. Danielle Cabot Review Staff Moridlaw. Auriusi. 31, 12009 A group of Rogers Lake residents are raising concerns about a plan meant to fix major traffic troubles at Convent of the Visitation School in Mendota Heights. Plans for a roundabout are already underway at Visitation Drive and Mendota Heights Road. Temporary access... Residents circulated a petition last week asking the city to ensure that no additional access to Lake Drive be granted by the city to the school. Hundreds of cars turn onto and off Lake Drive and Dodd Road every school week as students, staff and parents commute to Visitation and St. Thomas Academy. . . .. ...... The residents said they are already concerned about what Public Works Director John Mazzitello calls a construction access" that will route traffic from the north end of the campus complex onto Lake Drive during roughly two weeks of construction planned next summer. I Mazzitello said he has been told residents are upset because they didn't receive much information upfront about the additional access being developed until recently. However, Mazzitello said that is because to planners, it was a relatively minor detail and will only be in use for two weeks. After traffic resumes on Visitation Drive, he said the temporary gravel road will be landscaped over again. ... or permanent? However, in information posted on Visitation School's website about what turned out to be a poorly attended public op en house on the topic, the school refers to an "accessory entrance." .M� odc HOW 's "Also up for discussion will be the possibility of this accessory entrance becoming a permanent entrance in order to reduce the traffic congestion occurring on Visitation Drive, especially in the mornings, states the information. The petition argues that popular temporary solutions tend to become permanent fixtures. Residents are concerned this additional outlet will funnel cars directly onto the residential streets of Bluebill Road, Kresslin and Rogers Avenue. "That's not going to be temporary - you know that," said Charles Mertensotto, a resident of Rogers Road and former mayor and city council member. "Once they create an opening... it will never change. People will like a shortcut." According to Mertensotto, the transitioning nieghborhood discovered on Night to Unite this year that more than 40 elementary or younger -aged children lived near the intersection of Rogers Road and Bluebill Drive alone. Residents are also unconvinced that the roundabout itself will alleviate the congestion. They fear it may even send more traffic west and north on Lake Drive and into their neighborhood. A lengthy process The school and the city got together in 2007 to commission a traffic study as a result of numerous crashes at the busy intersection. Since 2006, 10 crashes requiring a police report have occurred during the time periods of 6:45 to 8 a.m. and 2:45 to 4 p.m. One substantial personal injury and two major incidents that totaled cars have occurred. The study results found that stop signs and even a traffic light would not solve both the congestion and the safety hazards caused by numerous drivers making lefthand turns onto Mendota Road on their way to Dodd Road. The design of a roundabout is particularly appealing from a safety route because it eliminates the possibility of a 7 -bone" type crash. The max speed in a roundabout tops out at about 20 mph, and only right turns are possible. The design allows for merging into and out of the traffic, but a car will never cross over another lane of traffic, said Mazzitello. As for the anxiety of parents concerned about teens entering a new driving scenario, Mazzitello said he was confident the students could master the new entrance and exit. "High-schoolers and kids in general learn very quickly. Just ask any one of them to program your DVD player for you." Just to be sure, WSB Associates are planning to offer instruction on using the roundabout to students, parents and faculty. The project has been fast -tracked as a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act's federal stimulus money, which is another reason residents are trying to aggressively stop the access, Mertensoto said. The city received $310,000 to construct the project, but it must have the contracts signed by Nov. 15. Visitation School contributed $20,000 to the project; St. Thomas Academy contributed $25,000 and the city is matching the schools' contributions to fund the rest of the project. City staff is putting a project update and a public hearing on the agenda for the next city council meeting, at 7 p.m. Sept. 15. Danielle Cabot can be reached at southwest@lillienews.com or 651-748-7815. . ..... ................ .. ..... ........ ............ ... ..... .. . ... ... ................. ..... .... . . -1,1-1_11 . ......... .. ........ . .... . . ........ . . .. .. ...... .. ... Content @ 2009 Software C 1998-2009 1 up! Software, All Rights Reserved w C,Itie. IN in S C-11 0 M Mendota Heights U neighbors fret proposed 'temporary' road in Visitati"on traffic plan 47f'r 5-,-!.rnporary' road pronnised dzxriin�q Visitation, project By Nick Ferraro UP0,113,terl": 0�d 02,12"009 11 .1 53, Residents of the Rogers Lake neighborhood in Mendota Heights are concerned city officials are giving them the runaround over a planned roundabout at the Convent of the Visitation School. They say a plan for a temporary road that would be used during construction of the roundabout would send more traffic from Visitation and St. Thomas Academy into their neighborhood. And they're afraid the temporary road, which would leave Visitation's parking lot and divert cars to Lake Drive during construction, will become permanent. "We already have a problem with St. Thomas students — cars — coming down Lake Drive," said Charles Mertensotto, who is among 60 residents who signed a petition objecting to the access. City Administrator Jim Danielson said that while Visitation once wanted the access to be permanent, it will only be there during the two or three weeks the roundabout is being built at Mendota Heights Road and Visitation Drive. Advertisement Mertensotto, a former Mendota Heights mayor and city council member, doesn't buy it. "The city calls it temporary, but we know better than that," said Mertensotto, who has lived in the neighborhood since 1959. "The pressure will come from all the people who like the shortcut." But Brian Wenger, chair of the Visitation Buildings and Grounds Committee, said the school is not pushing for permanent access. "We would like the roundabout to be the permanent solution," Wenger said, adding that the idea was discussed by school officials. The traffic impact on the neighborhood because of the temporary access would be low, he said, because construction would take place next summer before school starts. The idea of an access to Lake Drive first came up when Visitation was built in 1963, and the city's leaders rejected it, Mertensotto said. He said no other city councils have strayed from the planning standard that municipalities should not — for safety reasons — allow traffic from an institution to be diverted through a residential neighborhood. The neighborhood, built in the 1950s, is in transition and attracting families again, Mertensotto said. He said 42 preschool and elementary children live in the area of Rogers Avenue and Bluebill Drive. I Some parents have turned to placing their own signs that warn cars to slow down and watch for children, Mertensotto said. In 2007, the city hired an engineering consulting firm to do a traffic study of the area. Officials from both schools pushed for the study, Danielson said, after a number of crashes at the busy intersection, Dyt By Print Poweml,ed inCiti s"', including one in which a student was seriously injured. The study notes traffic along Mendota Heights Road is increasing at a "high rate" of 4 percent to 6 percent a year and that the intersection is the only access to Visitation for school buses, parents and employees. The consultant recommended eight alternatives for the area, with the roundabout rated as the second best (the first was a roundabout at Lake Drive and Mendota Heights Road with a right-in/right-out access at Visitation Drive). State transportation officials have said studies show roundabouts improve safety by virtually eliminating T-bone crashes. They also allow for smoother traffic flow because cars rarely have to stop — only slow and yield — before entering them. The city presented the idea of a roundabout at Visitation Drive to the schools last fall and they agreed to it, Danielson said. The city applied for funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and in June learned it would receive $310,000 in federal stimulus dollars for the project, which is estimated to cost $400,000. Visitation agreed to chip in $25,000 for the project, while St. Thomas has pledged $20,000. The city agreed to match the schools' contributions out of its state aid account. If the council approves the roundabout this fall, construction would begin next summer. The city's project consultant will give the council an update at its Sept. 15 meeting. Residents will be allowed to comment, Danielson said. Advertisement "There are some deadlines for getting the federal funds," Danielson said. "Our city engineer is worried that if we don't get this temporary access to Lake Drive — if the residents don't want it — it's going to affect the viability of the project. It would essentially kill the project." Michelle Schlehuber, who has two young children at Visitation, said she favors the roundabout over stoplights. Last October, after picking up her children, a motorist slammed into her car while she was waiting to make a left-hand turn onto Mendota Heights Road. "It's a terrible left turn from Visitation with poor visibility," she said. "And cars drive fast on Mendota Heights Road. It's really a recipe for disaster if nothing is done." But Schlehuber, who lives in Sunfish Lake, said she understands the traffic concerns of the Rogers Lake residents. "I would feel the same way if I lived back there. It's just unfortunate that situation is casting a shadow on the need for a change," she said. Nick Ferraro can be reached at 651-228-2173. ,Print Powered By ... ... .. .... . Upcoming Park IR-ec-reation /Community Events.* Mendota He ts Par 3 GoIL Co urse Clubhouse: 651.454-9822 Saturday, Sept 26 th 11:00 am 2 "d Annual Cily Golf Outing (Food - Prizes) www.mendota-heicihts.com Golf starts @ 11:00 am - Reg Green Fee - Light Lunch Sunday, October 4 th All Day Customer Appreciation Day at Par 3 - $3.00 Round of Golf I F 91 nkwkv IE For information regarding "Fall and Winter Parks & Recreation Programs" call 651.452-1850 or www. mend ota-h eiQ hts. am I pill 116"iI ini, 11111 in 0 Iff-V Co ut vents. '6. September 12th, 2009 8:30 to 12:30 Pilot Knob Volunteer Restoration effort - All welcome September 11 1h, 12, & 13th, 2009 Mendota Mdewakanton Dakota Community "Pow Wow" held in City of Mendota - $5.00 entry button required. October 4th, 2009 - Sunday Pilot Knob Preservation Association will be using the Historic Pilot Knob I site for a "Pipe Ceremony" recognizing restoration efforts - Open to All November 21't, 2009 Saturday Firemen's Dance - contact Nancy at City Offices for info / tickets Scheduled Use of City Hall meefinpr Rooms - -Cy Use of a meeting room can be scheduled with the City Hall receptionist - 651.452-1850 +1, Tuesday, September 8"' 6: -3 -0 p rn Wednesday, September 9th 6:00 to 6:50 Wednesday, September 9th 7:00 prn Wednesday, September 9 th 4:00 prn Thursday, September 1 oth 7:00 pm Monday, September 14 1h 6:30 to 10:00 Monday, September 14 th 7:30 to 9:30 Tuesday, September 15 th th 7:00 pm Wednesday, September 16 600 to 1000 Friday, September 18th Saturday, September JW� Sunday, Septe mber 20 th Park and Recreation Commission in Council Chambers Sch Dist 197 "Listening Session" in large conference room Sch Dist 197 Monthly Board meeting in Council Chambers Interviews for City Administrator Airport Relations Commission meets in Council Chambers Meeting will be cable cast e" Mendota Heights Garden Club meets in Council Chambers M H A A monthly board meeting in large conference room City Council meeting MH Police Citizens Academy will use the Council Chambers ,11:00 to 7:00 City Administrator's Retirement Farewell @ Menda All day Be oil. r99 ap v pq�lphaM r§ ppetl 4 49,9 P9Y All d6v Roth 4aco will be using Council Chambers & meeting roqo� September 4th, 2009 Friday News - gk