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2005-09-23 Friday NewsNCMEC SCHCOOL Police Chief Mike Aschenbrener is leaving this Saturday along with John Longtin, District #197 School Superintendent to attend the Chief Executive Officer Safe Schools forum to be held in Alexandria, VA. This forum is an overview program for helping schools and police work together in a partnership for insuring safer schools. Classes start at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday and run through Monday. The program is being put on by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the organization that does the missing children posters on milk cartons and who are one of the sponsors for "America's Most Wanted". Mike and John's tuition, airfare and hotel are all being paid for by NCMEC. Mike and John's attendance of this class allows School Resource Officer Jennifer Fordham to be eligible to attend three classes put on through the NCMEC specifically designed for SRO training. SIERRA CLUB BIDE TOUR — STOPS IN MENDOTA HEIGHTS This last Saturday the Sierra Club held a bike tour of Northern Dakota County. Ross Fefercorn joined the tour, which began in Raspberry Park in St. Paul. Ross said that it is a short 20 -minute bike ride from St. Paul to Town Center in Mendota Heights. When we heard of the tour, we were unsure whether Mendota Heights was going to be a good example or a bad example of development; however Ross said that Mendota Heights and Town Center were shown as a very good example of futuristic and environmental redevelopment. Ross said that he gave a 30 -minute presentation on his project, during which he heard participants say that they liked the NURP ponds with the decorative fountains, they liked the underground parking, which protects green space and they liked the mixed use aspects of the Village, which bring people and businesses together. OPUS OPEN HOUSE On Thursday of this week Police Chief Mike Aschenbrener and I attended the OPUS sponsored open house, held at the sales office for their new "Summit" development. The development, which is a redevelopment of the EcoLab Site, received its final approvals this Tuesday from the City Council. The "Summit" is a mixture of Town -homes an one four story Condominium. The open house was being conducted for prospective buyers and was very well attended. The buyers were given a choice of their lot on a first come first serve basis, because of that, some buyers started lining up for the event at 9:00 A.M. and the event did not start until 4:00 P.M. It looks like they are going to be hugely successful. (Prices attached) Respectfully submitted, Jim Danielson City Administrator Attachments: Just the Facts, Pipeline, Planning Commission Meeting Agenda, St. Paul Pioneer Press Article "Runway party invites censure", Star Tribune Article "A name of fame, but an anniversary of shame", OPUS Open House Attachement, and Letter to Fire Chief from Kenneth Garelick. N E W S immim Pmip ine L G T 1 E R the elm Public Works Engineerings Code Enforcement September 22, 2005 �y The Parks Crew took down the nets at Mendakota Park in preparation for winter. They weed whipped around the signs along the pedways on Mendota Heights Road, Marie Avenue, Lexington Avenue, Huber Drive, Wachtler Avenue and Wentworth Avenue. They replaced dog waste signs at Mendakota Park on the west end of the park by the pedway entrance. Downed tree limbs needed to be cleaned up after Wednesday night's storms came through. Rich cleaned sewers on Wachtler Avenue after the sewer line was repaired and he found some gravel. On Saturday evening, there was a power outage at the Northland lift station. John Boland responded to the alarm and the power was out for four hours. On Sunday morning, the alarm went off again at the Northland lift station and Tom Olund responded. Tom hit the reset button and the pumps starting working. Rich graded and regraded the area of the Wachtler Avenue sewer repair and then put down black dirt and seed. The Street Crew patched potholes on Butler Avenue, Spring Street, John Street, Ellen and Junction Lane. They attended a construction expo. Seminars attended were; Equipment Safety, Tree Trimming and Chainsaw Safety, Loading Equipment, and, Chains and Load Binders. Old, unnecessary signs (yellow diamond) were removed from the Somerset neighborhood. A dead elm tree was removed from the right-of-way of the Victoria Townhomes. They also, cleaned up tree branches and catch basins from Wednesday night's storms. Engineering Century Fence completed street striping on Wednesday. Paul issued a building permit to Verne V. Olson, Inc. for a tenant finish space in the Town Center development. The tenant space is for Caribou Coffee. The estimated value of the permit is $167,000.00. Issue # 09-35 09/23/2005 _,_ Issue # 09-35 09/23/2005 damage to property report. Overnight a car had driven on two of the greens causing extensive damage. Additionally one of the marker flags was jammed into a green causing further damage and the port-a-pottie was tipped over. No suspects, no witnesses. Theft from Auto / Damage 09-17-05 1500 hours Sergeant John Larrive took a walk up report from a victim whose car was damaged between 0900 and 0930 hours this morning. The car was parked in the Great Rivers Trail lot located near the trestle in Lilydale. The complainant reported that when she returned to her car her mountain bike, Coach purse, wallet, XM -radio, camera, tennis racket and T -Mobile phone were all missing from her car. Remember to never leave anything of value in your car! Suspicious Persons 09-17-05 2101 hours Officer Todd Rosse responded to the new development on the corner of Hwy 110 and Dodd Road. A neighbor reported a dark SUV with no plates in the area of the new commercial buildings. Officer Rosse located two men inspecting the buildings. They were looking for places to locate a new pizza business in the area. They left the area after speaking with Officer Rosse. Possession of Marijuana 09-17-05 2354 hours Officer Tanner Spicer observed a car in the Overlook Site after park hours. When he made contact with the driver it was immediately obvious the parties were smoking marijuana in the car. A pipe and drugs were in plain view on the front console. A closer inspection of the vehicle revealed a couple of bags of marijuana. Citations were issued for the drugs and being in the park after hours. _ 09-18-05 0135 hours While on patrol, Officer Jeff VonFeldt ran a random vehicle license check. The check showed the R/O of the vehicle to be suspended. The driver matched the physical description of - owner.The driver admitted to knowing he was suspended. citedwas and released the towed to Southeast Towing. CSC 09-19-05 0439 hours Officer Jeff VonFeldt responded to take a juvenile runaway call. Upon arrival at the residence the 14 YOA female had returned home. A short time later Officer VonFeldt located a juvenile male walking in the area. The young man had been drinking and indicated that he was coming from his girl friend's house. Further investigation revealed the two had met on the internet and didn't even know each other's last name. They had slipped away and had sex outside. The investigators were called in due to the large age difference between the suspect and victim. The case is open pending further follow-up. Felony DUI 09-19-05 2359 hours Officer Jeff VonFeldt stopped a car that was weaving off and on the road. The driver was intoxicated and failed all SFST's. The driver agreed to provide a breath test that revealed a BAC of .11. He was transported to the Dakota County Jail and his car was towed for forfeiture. Ham amt w -6,W/ O /#%, _2_ CITY • MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA • 27, 2005 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Approval of August 23, 2005 Planning Commission Minutes. 4. Hearings a. Case No. 05-42: Joseph & Betty Schuster, 1900 Wachtler Avenue:--- Request for Preliminary Plat for a Simple Subdivision. Public Hearing 7:30 p.m. b. Case No. 05-43: Troy Buege, 600 Valley Lane — Conditional Use Permit and Variance to allow reconstruction and expansion of a detached garage and driveway within a required side yard setback. Public Hearing 7:45 p.m. c. Case No. 0544: David Olsen, 2540 Arbor Court — Conditional Use Permit to allow construction of an attached garage in excess of 1,200 square feet. Public Hearing 8:00 p.m. d. Case No. 0545: Paul Haggerty, 645 Sibley Memorial Highway — Critical Area Permit for construction of a fence. Public Hearing 8:15 p.m. e. Case No. 0546: Maureen Haggerty, 790 Ridge Place — Conditional Use Permit for a fence within street setbac k area and Wetlands Permit. Public Hearing 8:30 p.m. f. Case No. 0547: Alice Baier, 741 Mohican Court — Conditional Use Permit for construction of a fence. Public Hearing 8:45 p.m. g. Case No. 05-48- Rod Cina, 1281 Delaware Avenue — Side Yard Setback Variance for an attached garage. Public Hearing 9:00 P.M. h. Case No. 05-49: Tim Dyrhaug, 1010 Sibley Memorial Highway — Variance for Fence Height and Critical Area Permit. Public Hearing 9:15 p.m. i. Case No. 05-50: Lawrence Fryklund, 1240 Dodd Road — Variance to allow reconstruction of a driveway within the required side yard setback. Public Hearing 9:30 p.m. Case No. 0551: Mike Doyle (CSN), 2150 Dodd Road — Parking Lot Variance. Public Hearing 9:45 p.m. k. Case No. 05-52: Quinn Hutson for St. Peters Church, 1405 Sibley Memorial Highway — Preliminary and Final Plat, Conditional Use Permit, Variance and Critical Area Permit to convert an existing single family home into a storage facility. Public Hearing 10:00 P.M. Case No. 05-53: Mendakota Animal Hospital, 1938 Dodd Road — Variance to Sign Setback Regulations. Public Hearing 10:15 p.m. m. Case No. 05-54: City of Mendota Heights, Kingley Court — Wetlands Permit and Critical Area Permit for a Sanitary Sewer Protection Protect. Public Hearing 10:30 p.m. 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, however, this may not be possible on short notice. Please contact City Administration at 452-1850 with requests. Runway party invites censure Posted on Fri, Sep. 23, 2005 Runway party invites censure Officials say it rubs salt in noise -weary residents' wounds BY CHARLES LASZEwSKI and RACHEL E. STASSEWBERGER Pioneer Press It's just 8,000 feet of concrete, but it has spawned questions about noise, clowns and its necessity. Page 1 of 2 All that, and the new $785 million north -south runway at the Minneapolis -St. Paul International Airport doesn't even open to planes until Oct. 27. On Thursday, three Democratic lawmakers criticized the Metropolitan Airports Commission for daring to throw a $150,000 party to inaugurate it. "The fact that a party is being held is insensitive and wrong, and we think it ought to be canceled," said Rep. Dan Larson, DFL -Bloomington. The runway has been under construction since 1999 and is needed "to provide adequate runway space," said MAC spokesman Pat Hogan. It developed out of the legislative battle in 1996 over whether to expand the airport or build a new one in Dakota County. At the time, the airports commission and Northwest Airlines predicted they would need another runway to handle an expected surge in airplane travel through 2010. Those projections have been accurate, and even Northwest's recent filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection will not change the necessity for the runway, Northwest spokesman Kurt Ebenhoch said. Northwest has 540 departures a day from the airport's three runways. In contrast, Northwest has 573 daily departures from its hub in Detroit, which has six runways, Ebenhoch said. Adding the fourth runway, with three of four running parallel for simultaneous use, will cut delays in takeoffs and landings during poor weather, he said. Even with Northwest's financial problems, no one thinks the runway was a mistake. "Somebody is going to be flying airplanes in there, whether it's Northwest or a discount airline," said Sen. Ann Rest, a New Hope DFLer who was on the committee that recommended expanding the current airport. "People aren't traveling less." John Adams, a geography professor at the University of Minnesota, said while there are a number of uncertainties about the airline industry and people's travel habits, the new runway is still a good investment. The metropolitan area's population could grow by a million people in the next 20 years. The new runway, which is part of the larger 2010 plan that has poured $3.1 billion into new gates, parking and other airport improvements, will handle 37 percent of departures and 17 percent of arrivals by 2007, Hogan said. It also will spread out the noise to Bloomington, Eagan, Apple Valley and Burnsville as planes take different routes to and from the airport, Hogan said. Some places plagued by jet noise will hear less. The noise spread doesn't make suburban folks happy, and even officials in Richfield, which long has suffered conversation -disrupting airplanes, foresee an increase in noise. Pam Dmytrenko, assistant to the Richfield city manager, said the new runway will create more low -frequency noise, a problem different from the loud roar of the jetliner. It's the sound you feel, more than you hear, and it makes the house shake, the windows rattle and your bobble -head doll collection fall off the mantel, she said. Unfortunately, the Federal Aviation Administration does not recognize low -frequency noise, so there is no federal money to help residents, Dmytrenko said. The city is working with the airports commission to relocate people affected by the http://www.twincities. comlmldltwincities/news/legislature/1271773 7.htm?template=conte... 9/23/2005 Runway party invites censure Page 2 of 2 noise, but it will take years with the money available to move residents from 200 single-family homes and 230 apartment units that qualify, she said. Hogan said airport officials are working to get federal money to help mitigate some of the noise at those low -frequency spots. But the MAC isn't working hard enough, according to several DFL state lawmakers. And the lawmakers think having a party to celebrate the opening of a runway while residents near the airport are suffering from noise pollution is "tactless." Making matters worse, lawmakers from districts near the airport said, the MAC isn't just holding a simple ribbon cutting — they're throwing a massive party Saturday and paying for most of it with public money. The $150,000 event, including three bands and a 5 -kilometer run, will be paid for through $40,000 in corporate contributions and $110,000 in airport concession fees. "By the MAC having a public event to celebrate this is essentially dancing on our grave," said Larson, shouting to make himself heard over the airplane noise in Richfield. Hogan said the MAC does not plan to cancel the party, designed to let the public get their first — and perhaps only — chance to walk on the new runway's tarmac and celebrate the near completion of a $3.1 billion airport expansion. "I think it is too bad that anybody would want to take a positive community event and use it for political gain," Hogan said. Naomi Scott contributed to this report. Charles Laszewski can be reached at 651-228-5458 or claszewski@pioneerpress.com. "FATOT"Re-1-61 The Metropolitan Airports Commission will hold its free community runway event Saturday. It begins at 8 a.m. with registration for a 5K race and continues until 5 p.m. with bands, food, planes and other aviation equipment. Free parking is available in lots on the airport's west side, along Longfellow Avenue (the street immediately east of Cedar Avenue and accessible from 66th Street and 24th Avenue) and on 82nd Street between 24th and 28th avenues near the Mall of America. 20v St. Paul Pioneer Pres, and wire service sources. Ali RiL? its Reserved. ;tt;:p::'i W,t-.t• wircities.aun http://www.twincities. comlmldltwincities/news/legislature/ 1271773 7.htm?template=conte... 9/23/2005 Anmedf ai-d ame but al B2 ® Star Tribune Friday, September 23 o 2005 0 (of hame versan s nri this the Stars and Stripes 1A.Y years ago, ftsi flew overthe*place we would call Minnesota. Ifs about time we noticed. I vote r both. "The Treaty ofj WQ5:was Two hundred years ago to- suspect, dubious ;guesti?nable,;-i:.�- day, on behalf of the United and just plain di atq.- S�-o Nunpa says. WiidiN 8taibs,a yqqng Army,lieuten- 6&. namediZebu16nM. Pike tone for the legal#64.#'ealing. signed the first treaty with the of Indian lands that liapperied` Dakota or Sioux Indians in what would-be, half a century later." Mato Nunpa, '&,wdbe later, theAaf6 of Mijin6o' ta��,,' part of tradiilonOaaotacer-, . Itwas P'feitty'rftuch'alf emonies to obgervb'he a=;1 downhillfor versary today on Pike Island, Indians `after':• a low, wood6d isla,hd.Ai. th at that ;b pt the Mississippi Perhaps Minfiesota-rivers in Fort and . explains: S1,ere the Snelling. tPark, w y�q e treaty was signed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . attenti6iihas. ::.It wont be an adademic...: PePll-pglq to coizim&noratiow. Mato Nunpa, the bicen-th -P �r D ikota plan to; assert termial. of an iwhat they believe is 11:l pg 4!qaty .-W eventthat led Nd (61MV., ' trade right to fish the river by tra •to the found- mithods,'usPC ing of)ur '...ialfridi baited COLUMNIST State`Ifjj� Maybe "'ait-eisiftoMby Baine we.' are: too - 'rt' Wardgils, they 99 to court . ashaiifedof.the way f4eori L 91interpretation tq,,4�40d` dir`-;...; nal inhabitants were buffied of atte'j the of us fdrgot. and cheatedio out of 1he'if fibiiestf 11 di pike". JUS following to observe the occasion. 1: * r are Eitfie* that, or We are dumb ..des:when,!�.att. "`­ W hF h "g-&616tte tolbbgjmap_�. as rocks. the14 t.041ev.1e Won _P I vote r both. s! K1AppR_'f -pjpa. t- L� -.:,British and dyirigy4 While most Minnesotans ' I' 'k, exp upper reaches b treating Brits set off may not ow much about the theterritories.­­-kqiiirOd in, nition''s, in a terrific ei ty6f: i805, th6ie are S'** Ti6a... the.Louisiana c Pur'14�6 and to Other states on tl th . 'd ridants ..thos Who.. o: e descendants "k; ' gibje.sR68, ff, e Id - '. I . . Te orts, seek , Out possible "Mississippi do more of the D' 6ta tribes that livedto Pj,-th" claim.. -ber his name than''IV here then still live hefo now, " Fort Snelluig, begunari 1819, : does; which is too b. and they know the story....WbUl 0 be built on-thebluff "It was shameful," says Iny. above the island where Pike ths in the Win AtiE 61d friend Aegotidted -his treat I'' id Chris. Mato treaty by,-;.,. a Dakota hi's�t"'o'ria'n"and '��c'olle�ge- the is1q.'x'idjfi the "bdt b6loi4--'. yeags...,agotod'' I .: .. U... --.A - . " . . -VI ge-. -:6 .. ". Ispirts:A *tons 1 z6 professor who teaches fildi ef6rt,-.D btais *1 ,-- iyi:e. nous Nations and -;Dakota Stud linger of IJ00. bak6iiirii�i�!: ies at Southwest prisoned'mh ; sYconditiojas'- 2.000intrade g! during the winter ql ih f gn er o 1862-63 Mffih' ty in Marshall, 'ffi h e quite material believes (as do 1) imi treaty with a an sota!s treaty history'..h - �' most of them women and u -=.Who* Probably. dei " A ' " �qpi _11014— 'on .'M C a ie for Mi Co n: -ti0, an, lgi°l.. int dr taughtstate schools p The 1805 treatywas ifhe-'fifif;,," JELICULY 0 orn e The place where Minnesota authority to sign away a prime in V�Wchih i A the bega�, says Mato Nunpa, is piece of the homeland of the jole'd "or, 'e t6 "haunted." Although most Minneso- entire Sioux Nation, let al one for a amounting :to., about their homeland: not si 6 tans know little or nothing of price a penny an aCr (that (that Wo cq. Pike's connection to our state (and probably think the island it is a story that might cause marked but it m lead to e re Mato Nunpa pointszio t nam 6d for him was* named fur mixed emotions, the place and 0!1�p when the best, only A few ii�� a fish), he is one of the most fmotis pam6s, in the annals,.pf. American flag was first raised at is a story of the s Fires or k6 & 6v&jvnjjnd6td_Th' embering that needs remembering. -Pike. Dakota nation moitil. weercs ago, kjov. my announced that )om t a,. commis - '00 the*4tes cel- ' its-J50th birthday :'-2 Q08, a mere 31 4(the deadline Ig.ford spot on the next Tuesday). My late start; gun with today's. Pike's treaty. ' Lte than never. mne6otans re - o we will be , ry, an island in the Win Cities where IlepS. and opened e ppi River Valley n story under .bulon M. Pike. ti v V -�a s •3 ��e�F � �$ � ^u 3-z� ��,y��L 1k, a �om a` ka.Y u• ti s� k , 1 Eft z "'r� G \ -• 'd' � R b �� i W l ;x 4S �. Yy5 �.a C b pi<a sv k 't � � ii'�a � N•�j-� v7�,tk t � ""a'T,S.,�'d�a, F Z, Y y% vYi F 6A CM'S OF NIAE'..11<11 �-ffrznd Condominiums Bandana Conkat MeRlboulme M Naval-ra �= M - S(M W) 3 v- 1` 9 U /09,%9nUo 4 NO �* 3 1=11=11 Prices subject to change without notice. Prices current as of September 22, 2005. ZrN Grand —QpeninLy Price Ranges Florence (B Unft) 1,947 sq ft. Main Floor 119308 sq ft. Lower Leven 39255 sq ft. `dotal 1=1 Lookout n Basement TLI.Itsczny (A UIi11Il t) 19744 sig ft. Mian Floor 19342 sq ft. Lower ILeve� 39086 sq fto Tonal Walkout Lookout Full Basement �1, 2tl► llldlt► C.' ttll�l► ti1t►!! • Prices subject to change without notice. • Prices current as of September 22, 2005. KENNETH D. GARELICK 829 DEER TRAIL POINT MENDOTA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA 55118 (651) 452-2807 August 25, 2005 John Maczko, Chief Mendota Heights Fire Department 2121 Dodd Road Mendota Heights, MN 55120 Fire Call — June 27, 2005 —1745 Lansford Lane Dear Chief, Firefighters and Families, I - Our family would like to thank the entire department for their efforts during the fire at our home. Although we were overwhelmed with emotion that night, we marveled at the courage of so many who risked their lives in an attempt to save our home. We will never forget that and thank God everyone involved, our family and all department members were safe. We want all of you to know that positive energy and a renewed outlook is helping us make a new life just three blocks away. We truly believe in a community where neighbors and so many people are so caring, supportive and thoughtful. Words can't adequately express our appreciation, but we hope that the department will put the enclosed donation toward a good cause. With much admiration, PUP&, i September 18, 2005 Fire Chief Jon Maczko 2121 Dodd Road Mendota Heights, MN 55120 Dear Chief Maczko: This letter is to inform you, that I am retiring from the Mendota Heights Fire Department on August 20, 2005, after 16 years of service. Thank you. Sincerely, Tim Oster