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Friday News 10 12 2012 October 12, 2012 Dates to Remember: October 13, 2012 Fire Prevention Open House, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. October 16, 2012 City Council 7:00 p.m. October 23, 2012 Planning Commission, 7:00 p.m. October 30, 2012 Council Work Session, 5:00 p.m. City Council, 7:00 p.m. Attachments: Pipeline, Just the Facts, Fire Prevention Open House Flyer, Fright Night Golf Flyer Friday News Mendota Heights Weekly Report on City Activities Mendota Heights City Hall 1101 Victoria Curve www.mendota-heights.com (651) 452-1850 Seasonal Job Opportunities The Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation De- partment is seeking energetic seasonal part-time warming house/ice rink attendants and rink flood- ers for the 2012/2013 winter season. For additional information and application materi- als visit our website at www.mendota- heights.com. Application materials are also avail- able at Mendota Heights City Hall located at 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, MN 55118 or by calling 651.255.1356. All applicants must submit a city application to Human Resources by 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 24, 2012. Open Burning Ban Due to the extremely dry weather conditions, all outdoor fires including recreational fires have been banned until further notice throughout Dako- ta County. The Halloween Bonfire at Mendota Plaza and the collec- tion of brush from residents for the bonfire have been put on hold until October 25, 2012. A determination will be made prior to the 25th as to whether or not conditions are safe enough to hold the Halloween Bonfire this year. Please check back after the 25th for further information, or call City Hall with any questions. Residents are encouraged to bring their brush to a local compost site for disposal. Search recy- cling on Dakota County’s website for more details: www.dakotacounty.us. Fire Department Open House Don’t forget the open house at the Fire Depart- ment tomorrow, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. See the attached flyer for more details. Public Works Parks Crew cleaned up and closed bathrooms for the season. Water meters were removed from buildings at Mendakota and Kensington South Parks. The sprinkler systems were blown out at city hall, fire hall, and Kensington South & Mendakota Parks. Water lines were blown out in the buildings at Mendakota & Kensington South Parks and buildings were winterized. Broken sprinkler heads were repaired at Mendakota & Kensington South Parks. Playground equipment at Valley Park was repaired. Utilities Crew did a sanitary sewer inspection at 25 Coleshire Road. Tree roots had broken the homeowner’s service. He assisted the Street Crew with blacktop patching. He watered trees on Marie and Ivy Parks with the jet truck. Root killing chemicals were applied in the Marie Avenue sanitary sewer lines in 3 different places. Streets Crew replaced a mail box post on Callahan Place. Tires were picked up on Marie Avenue. They finished blacktop patching on Dakota Drive, Pond Haven Court, Pond View Court, and Crown Point Drive. Patching was started on Marie Avenue from Victoria Road to the floating bridge. Engineering City Projects (construction year) Lemay Lake Road Reconstruction (2012) – The project is substantially complete. Wear course installation will take place this fall as soil tests prior to pavement revealed an outstanding foundation for the pavement surface. An assessment hearing for the project is scheduled for the October 16 th City Council meeting. Dodd Road/Highway 110 Intersection Pedestrian Improvements (2013) – The consultant continues to work with MnDOT, evaluating design elements for the pedestrian safety improvements to ensure they meet their design requirements. An update for City Council from the consultant is anticipated in December. Final plans are anticipated in late fall/early winter with bidding and construction in 2013. The Pipeline N E W S L E T T E R Public Works Engineering Code Enforcement October 12, 2012 Hunter Lane/Orchard Place Neighborhood Improvements (2013) - An informal neighborhood meeting was held on September 17th at City Hall, and a formal public hearing was held at the October 2nd City Council meeting. City Council closed the public hearing on October 2nd, but delayed a decision on ordering design of the project so staff could come up with alternatives based on their comments. Discussion of ordering the project will continue as part of the October 16th City Council agenda. Crown Point & Overlook Neighborhood Rehabilitations (2013) –A formal public hearing for the project took place before City Council at their September 18th meeting. Residents were able to ask questions and have issues clarified before the project was ordered by the Council. If necessary, a second neighborhood open house will be held over the winter to work out specific design issues with property owners. Final plans will be prepared and bids are anticipated in the spring for 2013 construction Other Activities Saint Paul Regional Water Service (SPRWS) Water Meter Replacements – SPRWS will be replacing water meters on residences this fall. Residents are encouraged to contact SPRWS’ contractor, Northern Water Works Supply to schedule a time for their meter replacement. Northern Water Works Supply can be reached at 1-888-497-4171, or appointments can be made at their web page www.nwwsonline.com. Future Cities Competition – Staff continued to mentor and assist the middle school teams at Friendly Hills Middle School in the 2012 Future Cities Competition. Each year, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) sponsors the competition that asks teams of 5th through 8th graders to conceptually develop a city of the future. Each year has a specific theme, and this year’s theme is “Rethinking Runoff.” The teams are judged on four different products in the competition: a SimCity model of their city, a scale model of their city, a written report, and an oral presentation about their city. Friendly Hills Middle School has won various awards in this competition for the past three years, and is in a position to finish near the top of the competition once again. Girl Scouts 100th Anniversary Day of Service – The Girl Scouts of America will be commemorating their 100th anniversary with a national day of service on October 13th. A group of Girl Scouts from Mendota Heights will be volunteering to clean up Ivy Hills Park (weather permitting). Their work will include trash removal, raking leaves, clearing and marking of a rea storm drains, and disposal of materials at local compost sites. For more information call the Engineering Department at City Hall. 10/11/2012 The Mendota Heights Police Department Support Staff Kim Henning Sandie Ristine Susan Donovan Becky Pentel Police Officers Jerry Murphy Scott Patrick John Larrive Bobby Lambert Tanner Spicer Todd Rosse Chad Willson Jeff VonFeldt Steven Meyer Denise Urmann Michael Shepard Peyton Fleming School Resource Officer Jennifer Fordham Investigations Mario Reyes Tanner Spicer Sergeants Neil Garlock Brian Convery Eric Petersen Reserves Randy Pentel Jesse Mettner Jim Knox Jarrod Spicer Jeff Parker George Castillo Chaplains John Snider Frances Cuena Butch Millett Lynn Liberman Sue Plucker Chief Mike Aschenbrener Congratulations Jerry Murphy #2251 On Monday October 8th, 2012, Officer Jerry Murphy was inducted into the Minnesota Golf Hall of Fame. Officer Murphy is unique at the Mendota Heights Police Department in many ways; he donates his time, he holds a part-time police officer license and he is the longest serving member of the department (1967). Officer Murphy has been volunteering longer than most of the staff has been alive. The induction ceremony was held at the North Oaks Country Club during a Wee One Foundation event. Fitting for Jerry to choose an event that helps others with unexpected expenses related to medical problems. Jerry was nominated by a group of his peers, from the Golf Course Superintendents Association. He was inducted by the Executive Directors of the MN Professional Golfers Association and the MN Golf Association. Accolades around his professional life were rattled off one after another, from being only one of three course superintendents in the hall of fame, to spearheading national events to bring recognition to MN golf. Getting to know Officer Murphy leads me to believe that there is nothing more rewarding to him than spending an evening with the kids of ISD 197 Early Learning Program at the Trucks and Travel Event. He has volunteered countless hours on details of every fashion without hesitation. He has stepped forward whenever action is needed to make the community safer, always deferring credit to someone else. Congratulations Officer Jerry Murphy on your induction into the MN PGA-MGA Golf Hall of Fame. Left to Right: Sergeant Brian Convery, Volunteer Coordinator Becky Pentel, Reserve Officer Jim Knox, Officer Jerry Murphy, Reserve Officer Randy Pentel, Larry Record (nomination coordinator), Police Chief Mike Aschenbrener “Just the Facts” The latest news from the Mendota Heights Police Department 10/11/2012 Theft/DAR Wednesday 0238 hours Officer Peyton Fleming and Officer Jeff VonFeldt were advised that a gas drive off just occurred at the Holiday Station. Officer Fleming caught up with the mini-van on I35E near the Randolph exit. A traffic stop was conducted and when asked for their license, the driver stated they didn’t have one. They were immediately arrested. The driver denied stopping for gas. At the station, the attendant positively identified the thief who drove off without paying for $60 worth of gas. Crash Thursday 0047 hours Officer Peyton Fleming responded to a head-on crash on Hwy 13 at Lilydale Road. Upon arrival, Officer Fleming determined they would need assistance from MHFD to extract at least one person from the car. MN State Patrol arrived to handle the crash report and the arrest of the drunk driver involved. DAS/No Seatbelt Thursday 1507 hours Officer John Larrive stopped a car for the second time in a half an hour. The first time the driver was cited and allowed to leave the vehicle parked in the parking lot of a local business. On that stop he was cited for DAS; warned for No D/L in Possession and No Proof of Insurance. Officer Larrive cleared that stop to a pending call. He was cancelled en route to the call, pulled over and stopped alongside of the road. The car from the previous stop was soon spotted driving towards him. The car was stopped again, citations were issued for DAS, No Proof of Insurance, No Seatbelt along with another DAS, a tow was ordered to the scene. After receiving his tickets he was released. Barking Dog Friday 1921 hour Anonymous neighbor called about barking dog. Officer Bobby Lambert spoke with the dog’s owner. They advised they would drop the dog off at the Humane Society the next day as they too are tired of the barking. The dog was brought inside for the rest of the evening. Stolen Vehicle Friday 1248 hours Caller reported that they went to the motel last night and now their car was missing. The caller advised they were told by a third person, not involved, that another person had taken the car to McDonalds. As Sergeant Garlock attempted to piece the incident together, he learned the caller just recently bought the car, it was not likely registered to the current owner and they didn’t know the license plate number. While talking with the victim they decided to check some potential addresses before stopping at MHPD to make an official report. Theft/Campaign Signs Friday 2229 hours Caller spoke with Officer Peyton Fleming reporting that five campaign signs were missing, no suspects. Officer John Larrive spoke with the caller who reported that between 0930 and 1141 hours on Saturday morning someone stole both his and the neighbors’ campaign signs. No suspects. At 2112 hours, caller reported that two blocks of “vote no” signs were taken, the caller didn’t say vote no about what, just that the signs were gone. Crash Saturday 2228 hours Caller witnessed a 2000 Buick sedan crash into a light pole in the parking lot of a local business. The driver, a 16 YOA boy, was not injured but his passenger, a 14 YOA girl, reportedly struck her head on the windshield, causing the windshield to break. HealthEast Paramedics examined the girl who was released to parents. The car received several thousand dollars in damage, while the concrete base to the light pole received minor damages. Domestic/Warrant Sunday 1352 hours Caller requested help with his ex-wife. She is following him around yelling at him and he is attempting to watch his son’s football game. Officer John Larrive met the man in the parking lot. While speaking with the caller, it was learned the man had an active arrest warrant out of Washington County. The caller posted $115 bond and was advised on the domestic situation. 10/11/2012 Road Rage Monday 1703 hours Officer Meyer was dispatched to the Village area to see an enraged bicyclist. The 911 Dispatcher described the bicyclist as very excited and upset about “almost being taken out.” The man chased down the SUV until it parked, but the driver would not get out of the vehicle. Officer Meyer spoke with the man who was not happy to learn that no crime had occurred. Suspicious Vehicle Monday 2359 hours Caretaker called to report a suspicious vehicle. Officers Meyer and Urmann arrived and found two adult, teenagers, embracing. They advised they picked the spot based on the hope they wouldn’t be bothered, right outside of a building full of senior citizens. Not a good choice. Unfortunately the car smelled of marijuana. After a brief discussion some paraphernalia was turned over, the driver was cited and both released at the scene. Theft Tuesday 1452 hours Sergeant Neil Garlock responded to the home of a man who wished to report a transmission missing. The transmission has been on a pallet covered by carpet alongside of the garage since the 1970’s. Sometime in the past few days, the carpet was moved and now the transmission is missing. The caller tends to keep to himself and didn’t have a phone. No documentation on the missing auto parts. Suspicious Person Tuesday 1454 hours Caller reported a man wearing a “hoodie,” otherwise known as a hooded sweatshirt, carrying a steel pipe and a pair of scissors. The man was in the area of Delaware and Marie thirty minutes before the call. Officer Patrick and WSPPD looked for the man. Not located, no idea what he was doing. Suspicious Persons Tuesday 1931 hours Caller reported they had run into a man in camo carrying guns that had two handles. Officer Urmann contacted the caller and spoke with another trail user. The other person advised they had run into the MBRB deer hunters on the trail in the past but didn’t see anyone today. The caller was advised it was likely hunters. **There are signs posted at the access points to the parks for any area that is being hunted. The hunters are not in areas commonly used by people. Harassment Wednesday 0858 hours Sgt Neil Garlock met with a party who was concerned about a co-worker recently terminated. The co-worker has a history of intimidating behavior and was terminated when the co-worker stood up to him and reported the behavior. Advised. Suspicious Behavior Wednesday 1737 hours Caller reported a juvenile male walked past their house dressed in a camo hoodie. Not sure why but the caller stated it was very suspicious. Officer Mike Shepard spoke with the 17 YOA boy advising him of the callers concerns. Disturbance Wednesday 1914 hours Officer Steve Meyer was dispatched to a report of a man yelling at kids. He learned that the caller’s kids were skateboarding down the street, a dead end, when the neighbor started screaming at them. Dad went to speak with the man and received the same treatment. When Officer Meyer went to find out the yeller’s side of the story he wouldn’t answer the door. Suspicious Wednesday 2256 hours Resident reported a man standing in front of their house for the past two hours. Officer Denise Urmann spoke with the man who was obviously intoxicated. He was waiting for his wife to come and pick him up rather than drive home. The wife arrived problem solved. Have a great weekend! Mike & Kim Mendota Heights Fire Prevention Open House Saturday, October 13, 2012 10:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. Mendota Heights Fire Station 2121 Dodd Road Honor fallen firefighters at 10:00 a.m. with a memorial service (bagpipes provided by Minnesota State Fire Service Memorial Pipe Band) Fire sprinkler demonstration at 2:30 p.m. Fire truck rides Fire prevention bingo Free hot dogs and pop Plus much more! Fright Night Golf Here’s your opportunity to have a “spooktacular” time golfing under the stars. Come celebrate the season with glow in the dark golf balls, glowing flag sticks and glowing necklaces. You won’t believe your eyes! Tee boxes, fairways, flagsticks and your golf shots will all be glowing. When: Friday, October 26, 2012 Time: Check In 6:30pm, Shotgun start at 7:00pm Fee: $17.00 per person, pre-registration required by Tuesday, October 23. Register at: www.mendota-heights.com, the clubhouse or city hall. Who: All ages welcome, first 36 golfers , 20 golfers minimum Where: Mendota Heights Par 3 Golf Course What to bring: Your own clubs, we provide the glow balls. We do have a limited amount of rental clubs available. Only use irons to drive glow balls. Thin-faced or hybrid golf clubs may become damaged by the hardness of the glow ball. Feel free to wear a costume, extra glowing gear and a flashlight, as well. In case of inclement weather, call the clubhouse for further information. Mendota Heights Par 3 Golf Course 1695 Dodd Road (651)454-9822