2006-12-15 Friday News The Friday News
December 15, 2006
BROADBAND INTERNET WORKSHOP
Last Friday Councilmember Krebsbach, Stacy Kaiser, Jake Sedlacek and I all attended a
Regional Broadband Workshop that was put on by Dakota County at Thompson Park in West St.
Paul. It was a good workshop that convinced me that we (the country) should be heading toward
a steady diet of “fiber”. Installation of the needed fiber lines will be very expensive, but once in,
it will be by far the fastest way of communicating electronically. All the other electronic
technology is considerably slower. The workshop presenters showed an example of where pony
express would beat the internet in communication of a larger document from NY to LA. The
workshop was intended to be the foundation meeting for the formation of a Regional Broadband
task force. This Task Force will first seek participation and membership with the entire metro
region as its immediate goal. Mendota Heights’ role at this point would include participating in
discussion and providing input into regional solutions.
NICE WEATHER(?)
While the last week of November and first week of December provided excellent weather for
making ice, our week-long thaw will prevent Mendota Heights Rinks from opening this
weekend, as scheduled. Staff will be ready when (if) winter hits to have the rinks at Friendly
Hills, Marie and Wentworth parks open for the public. As a reminder, no ice on ponds or lakes
should be considered safe at this time of year.
CITY HALL ROOF
Work began Monday to replace the City Hall Roof. A crew of eleven workers removed all of the
old cedar shingles from the front side of the building and by nightfall, with the aid of some
portable lights, installed shingles over much of the area. Work has progressed throughout the
week, but with smaller crews. The north side roof is being worked on today, and gutter
installation on the front side has begun. All work should be completed next week. I was skeptical
that changing from cedar to asphalt shingles might cheapen the look of City Hall, but now that I
can see it, I think that it looks great!
VALLEY VIEW HEIGHTS PARK
Replacement of the playground equipment was completed this week. Special Park funding
approved by Council paid to remove the old timber play structure as well as the CCA treated
border timbers. A new structure, play components, non-toxic border timbers as well as wood-
fiber surfacing was installed. This type of surfacing provides accessibility to all of the
playground components. A hard surface access path and turf restoration will be completed in the
spring.
HAPPY HANUKKAH
Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights or Festival of Rededication, is an eight -day
Jewish holiday that starts on the 25th day of Kislev, which this year is held from sunset, December
15 to sunset, December 23. The festival is observed in Jewish homes by the kindling of lights on
each of the festival's eight nights, one on the first night, two on the second, and so on. We wish
those that celebrate this holiday “Happy Hanukkah”.
Respectfully submitted,
Jim Danielson
City Administrator
Attachments: Just the Facts, Pipeline, City Council Meeting Agenda, Pre-Application Meeting
Synopsis, SouthWest Review Articles “MH Par 3 rezoned residential”, “Catch special replay of
St. Thomas Academy Prep Bowl game” and “Mendota Elementary open house.”