2007-06-08 Friday NewsPARKS CELEBRATION
Teresa Gangelhoff reported that this year's Park Celebration was biggest, most successful one
yet, even better attendance than last year. Some of the newer events included a donkey cart ride
sponsored by Dr. Hinson and Skate Board Show sponsored by "The Third Lair" (there is a skate
board camp scheduled for July 30 — August 3rd). Torrential rain closed the event at about 2:30.
The 5K Run/Walk was held on Saturday morning with about 140 participants. My daughter's
teacher Dave Wolff, (who is within days of being 50) was the repeat winner at 17:59.
Bob Kowalski, Sage Market owner, reported to me that, although they had to cancel the band
because of rain, the Friday Night event was well attended and he was very happy with the
results.
THANKS to everyone who helped to make this year's event a great one.
PANDEMIC INFLUENZA TRAINING
The four cities working together on planning for an influenza pandemic hosted training for
employees and Council members from each city this week. 100+ attended the sessions on
Tuesday morning and another 100+ attended Wednesday afternoon. General feedback has been
positive, our staff and Council are thinking about what things we can do now to be prepared in
case pandemic ever does become reality. Sue McDermott was so moved by the training that she
has composed the following poem:
Pan Flu Hullabaloo
Before you get the pandemic flu,
It seems there is a lot to do.
Jake tells us we must make a kit
And fill it with a lot of s**t.
We must stock up for two whole weeks
So we can stuff our little cheeks.
And don't forget about your pet.
Stock up on dog food from the vet.
What happens if we lose our power?
Or the signals from the cell tower?
Then we'll be cooking on the grill
And drinking moonshine from our still.
So as the Boy Scouts say, `Be Prepared!"
For the pandemic and don't be scared.
WATER SUPPLY
Last Sunday's Pioneer Press had an article on water supply (attached). There was a table in the
article on water rates where Mendota Heights was shown to have the second highest Metro Area
rate. I called Steve Schneider, GM St Paul Water, to discuss the article, and he told me that it
was inaccurate. St Paul does not have a fixed charge, and West St. Paul and Falcon Heights
which also receive their water supply from St. Paul should have been shown to have equal rate as
St. Paul's. Mendota Height's water rate is slightly higher because we still have a 20% surcharge
on our bills. The charges for St. Paul and Minneapolis water are higher because they both use
surface water for their supply, which is much more expensive to treat than is well water.
Because of this, Minneapolis and St Paul have a much larger supply of water and do not have to
impose watering bans like the suburbs.
Respectfully submitted,
James Danielson
City Administrator
Attachments: Just the Facts, Pipeline, Park & Recreation Commission Agenda, ARC
Commission Agenda, Pioneer Press Article "Woodbury/Water wasters will pay up this
summer", "Sunfish Lake/Council debates paving street", and "Dakota County/Unlicensed vet
gets 5 %2 years".
06-08-07
-1-
06-08-07
junk cars under a tarp to a moving pod parked on the lawn too long. Officer Eric
Petersen met with the caller who was upset that the city was not actively enforcing
the laws they have on the books. He was advised that the PD would be dealing with
the junk car violation and the rest of the list was referred to Code Enforcement. The
caller had not spoken with any of his neighbors about the violations before calling
City Hall. Officer Petersen spoke with the wife of the "junk" car owner who agreed to
move the frame of his restoration project immediately. Officer Petersen will follow up
on the 10th to make certain this occurred.
Theft 06-03-07 1314 hours
Sergeant Neil Garlock met with a party at the PD after she discovered two
unauthorized withdrawals from her checking account. The withdrawals occurred on
the 1St and 2nd of the month. The victim had already spoken with the banks customer
service who traced the illegal activity to a single teller at a bank in Minneapolis.
Pertinent information exchanged, referred to investigations for follow up with MPD
and customer service.
Reckless and DOC (Stupidity) 06-03-07 2035 hours
Officer Mike Shepard spotted a car speeding on Wachtler. The car was only
traveling 5 mph over the posted 35 mph speed limit. What caught his attention was
the fact that the car was pulling a young man (20 YOA) down the road. When
stopped the young was asked why he would drive his car with someone on a
skateboard holding on. His reply was it was "stupid." Both the driver and skate
boarder were cited and released.
Theft 06-05-07 0927 hours
A sprinkler installation company called to report that someone had just stolen their
utility trailer. Officer Brian Convery arrived on scene and spotted the trailer parked
around the corner. No report.
Drunk 06-05-07 0348 hours
Cell caller reported a drunk female wandering around Hwy 13. Officer Chad Willson
located a very intoxicated female .27 on the PBT. She had no money, no phone and
no ride but it was her lucky day. Ramsey Detox was full. Officer Willson gave her
ride home to White Bear Lake.
Burglary 06=06=07 0213 hours
While on patrol Officer Tanner Spicer was flagged down by a cab driver who reported
that just moments earlier he had witnessed a man break into a nearby business. The
cab driver gave an excellent description of the suspect, his vehicle and the license
number of the car and total number of occupants. While Officer Spicer worked with
the owner, Officer Willson began searching possible locations for the suspect. A
short time later he located the suspect at the White Castle in Inver Grove Heights.
Everything was as the witness stated, vehicle, license number, number of occupants,
suspect description. After separating everyone statements were taken the suspect
was arrested and transported to the DC jail with formal charges pending.
Warrant Arrest 06-08-07 0037 hours
Officer Steve Meyer stopped a car for speeding 49 mph in a 40 mph zone and made
contact with the driver. The driver provided a MN ID Card and claimed to have a
license just not with him. A license check revealed an active warrant for 1St Degree
Robbery. The stop was quickly turned into a felony stop, the driver complied until he
was certain that he would be going to jail. At that point Officer Tanner Spicer
intervened and the suspect was forcefully taken into custody and transported to the
Sheriff's hotel to wait for a ride to Hennepin County jail. {fay aatw►di
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Public Works
The Parks Crew worked the Parks Celebration on Saturday - setting up and
cleaning up. Tree limbs were removed at Wentworth Park around the foul
line pole. A damaged foul line pole was removed from Valley Park.
Rich jetted the sanitary sewer lines on Mendota Heights Road (Dodd to
Huber Drive), Arbor Court, Arbor Court easement, Mendota Heights Circle,
Westview Terrace, Pond Haven Lane, Bridgeview Court, Brookfield Lane,
Heritage Drive, Concord Way, Bedford Court, Lockwood Drive, Kensington
Park easement and Wilshire Court.
The Street Crew cleaned up downed limbs from Sunday's winds. Catch
basins were cleaned. The street lights were out on Northland Drive after
the contractor, who is installing the traffic signals, broke the conduit and
wires. Patching of potholes was done on Wagon Wheel Trail. John Ambrose
and John Boland helped install countertops in the Police Department.
Engineering
Sue met with Bruce McManus to discuss a potential creek bank stabilization
project on Marie Creek. Sue and Ryan also met with Dakota County SWCO
for funding these types of projects through their community conservation
cost share program.
Sue had a chance to visit both Somerset and Mendakota Country Clubs to
discuss potential projects they have planned.
The contractor working on the Pilot Knob Road/Mendota Heights Road traffic
signal hit underground power lines and telephone lines.
The seal coating in Curley's Addition and Bridgeview Addition was completed
on Tuesday.
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
AGENDA
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Tuesday, June 12, 2007 - 6:30 P.M.
City Council Chambers
1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Approval of May 8 2007, Minutes
4. May Parks & Recreation Report (Available Tuesday)
5. Park Related Updates on Recent Council Action
a. LeMay Shores
b. Pilot Knob 1 grant opportunity
C. Tennis court repairs
d. Skate park - new components
e. Trail repairs
f. Valley Park tennis courts
g. Trail retaining wall repair at Dodd Road & Wentworth Avenue
6. Updates of Park and Trail Issues and Projects
a. NURT trail (Dodd to Delaware)
b. Trail on Highway 13
C. Huber Drive trail
d. Bleacher pads and accessible trails in 10 parks
e. Civic Center batting cages
f. Park "You Are Here" signs
7. 2008 City Budget Preparations
8. Adoption of Parks Five Year (2008-2013) Capital Improvement Plan
9. Par 3 Update (Available Tuesday)
10. Commission Comments
11. Adjourn
Auxiliary aids for persons with disabilities are available 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.
1
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
AIRPORT RELATIONS COMMISSION AGENDA
June 15, 2007 — Large Conference Room
Call to Order - 7:00 p.m.
2. Roll Call
3. Approval of the Minutes from the May 9, 2007 Airport Relations Commission
Meetings.
4. Unfinished and New Business:
a. Review Updated Plan of Action/Pamphlet
b. Update on May NOC Meeting (out of corridor violations)
c. Updates for Introduction Book
5. Acknowledge Receipt of Various Reports/Correspondence:
a. April 2007 ANOM Technical Advisor's Report
b. April 2007 ANOM Eagan/Mendota Heights Departure Corridor Analysis
C. Airport Noise Report, May 11, 2007.
d. Airport Noise Report, May 18, 2007.
e. Airport Noise Report, May 25, 2007.
f. Airport Noise Report, June 1, 2007.
6. Other Commissioner Comments or Concerns
7. Upcoming Meetings
City Council Meeting
NOC Meeting
MAC Meeting
NOC Cities Meeting
8. Public Comments
9. Adiourn
6-19-07 - 7:30
7-18-07 - 1:30
6-18-07 - 1:00
6-20-07 — 1:00 (Richfield)
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.
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City creates fee scale to deter its most r ioLm consumers
Y BOB SHAW
Pioneer r Pres s
'P,oeinCi ies,c r - ioneer Press
Ankle i...<s �.t € rDdated:`rKJ,•'L.it1'2007 E07:51? :::.<v NA CDTI
No one will say who it is, but the Water -Hog of Woodbury has become a bit of a legend.
City officials gasped when they heard the resident used an incredible 247,000 gallons of water during last summer's
drought - the equivalent of 4 feet of water on his lawn, and more than eight times the amount used by the majority of city
residents during the same dry span.
So, this summer, the city is getting serious about conservation. In a controversial move, Woodbury has created a scale
that increases the per -gallon charge for residential water use as the amount consumed goes up. At the top end, the
heaviest users would pay what could be the highest per -gallon rate in the state. The goal is to discourage those users from
consuming so much.
The champion water waster and 1,500 other water users who consume more than 90,000 gallons during the three-month
peak summertime quarter recently got a letter explaining the new rates - under which the heaviest users would pay five
times more per gallon than the lightest users. About eight in 10 residents won't see their bills grow at all under the plan.
The rate hikes are the talk of the cul-de-sacs.
"What can I do? I am not going to let my grass suffer," said Karen Quick, who waters the lawn on her 1 -acre lot in
Woodbury twice a day, easily putting her in the 90,000 -plus club.
While other cities have slight penalties - or none at all - for big water users, Woodbury's graduated billing system draws
applause from conservationists.
"This is very unusual, but this is good policy," said David Morris, vice president of the Institute for Local Self -Reliance and
a former member of the St. Paul Board of Water Commissioners.
Charging more for any limited resource is an effective way to cut back consumption, he said.
Under the plan, Woodbury customers who in the June -July -August period of 2006 used more than 150,000 gallons - the
highest threshold under the new scale and enough water for 3,000 baths - now pay up to five times more per gallon than
the lightest water users.
The rates increase like steps on a ladder: 88 cents per thousand gallons up to 30,000 gallons per quarter; $1.88 per gallon
between 30,000 and 60,000 gallons; $2.88 for 60,000 to 90,000 gallons; $3.88 for 90,000 to 150,000 gallons, and $4.88 for
more than 150,000 gallons.
Water conservation is a tough sell in Minnesota because the state is speckled with 10,000 lakes - and plentiful water
everywhere. Even tree -huggers who understand the need to save gasoline or electricity won't bother saving water.
"But this is not a water shortage problem. It is a delivery shortage problem," Morris said.
Woodbury is facing the probability of spending millions more on higher capacity water pipes, wells and towers - only
because of summertime peaks. Last year, that peak was almost 25 million gallons in a single day, up from 5 million gallons
on a typical winter day.
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"Our entire water system is built around that one highest day," said Klayton Eckles, Woodbury's deputy director of Public
Works.
"We don't tell anyone what they can or can't do," Eckles said. "But this infrastructure is really expensive."
Complaints come because the idea of paying higher rates for bigger purchases goes against common wisdom, said
Morris. Usually, people expect to pay less when they buy a larger amount of any consumer product.
"A 2 -liter bottle is less per liter than a 1 -liter bottle," said Morris. "That is a reasonable business principle."
But while penalties for high-volume users are rare in Minnesota, they are common in drier states. Cities in New Mexico, for
example, often charge double Woodbury's highest rate.
More importantly, the penalty rates kick in at a much lower level. New Mexico's rates begin to soar after as little as 3,000
gallons a month.
In the metro area, the cost of water, and the attitudes about conservation, vary:
• Blaine charges $1.06 per 1,000 gallons, up to 8,000 a month. Its highest rate is about twice that, for more than 50,000
gallons - but still half of Woodbury's top rate.
Public Services Director Bob Therres said punitive pricing wasn't necessary, and the city didn't incur extra costs to
accommodate peak usage days.
He encouraged year-round conservation. "Blaine is looking for people to be responsible all the time," he said.
• St. Paul is actually seeing a drop in summertime demand, said Steve Schneider, manager of St. Paul Regional Water
Services.
There is no urgent need for conservation, he said, so the city charges a flat rate of $2.34 per 1,000 gallons, with a slight
discount in the winter.
• Eagan water is a relative bargain - $1.25 per 1,000 gallons, plus a fee of $4.75 per quarter.
"Education is an important part of conservation," said Tom Colbert, Eagan's director of Public Works. "Without education,
people could easily be overwatering their lawns. We don't have an unlimited supply."
Overwatering is easy to do, especially on lawns with automatic irrigation systems.
A typical lawn needs about 6 extra inches of water per season, in addition to the 12 inches of rain that usually fall in a
summer, according to the University of Minnesota Extension Service.
Water users are getting the conservation message - at least in their homes. Woodbury officials said that since 1980, winter
use per capita has dropped from 83 gallons per day to 74.
But lawns have wiped out those savings. Woodbury's summer usage soared from 145 to 200 gallons per day over the
same period. And it's a fairly small number of ultra -thirsty customers who are the problem.
Woodbury officials produced a color -coded map separating seven levels of water -users. There, it's easy to spot the
thirstiest neighborhood - on Wedgewood Point near Prestwick Golf Course.
It's a cozy neighborhood, with pools and 1 -acre lots, where most homes use more than 120,000 gallons per summer.
Nancy Schlewitz stood in a doorway Tuesday, a little embarrassed because the lawn sprinkler was on despite the fact it
had rained an hour before.
"I'm mad it's on now. It shouldn't be on," said Schlewitz, holding her Shih Tzu, Louie. But she said the higher rates are
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"terrible" and unfair.
Karen Quick, Schlewitz's neighbor, said Midwestern suburbs were built with big lawns and the assumption of cheap,
plentiful water.
It is futile, she said, to expect homeowners to drastically cut back watering their lawns, no matter what it costs.
"I have talked with my neighbors, and no one is going to change anything they do," Quick said
Bob Shaw can be reached at bshaw@pioneerpress.com or 651-228-5433.
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Residents divided over razdoing city's last gravel read
Y LIALA EL AL
ormar Press
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An'i?': e Last ANI ADi
The Sunfish Lake City Council is grappling with the question of whether to pave the last gravel street in its town.
Turnout was heavy at Tuesday's council meeting, where the discussion of whether to pave Charlton Road took more than
two hours and pitted neighbor against neighbor in this small, tightly knit community of 541 people.
"I like the road just the way it is," said Arnie Bockstruck, who has lived on the road for 23 years.
The council asked Tim Hanson, an engineer contracted by the city, to create a proposal for the gravel and sand road
because of regular complaints to City Hall about why the road isn't paved and why so much money is spent maintaining it.
The road runs 3,500 feet, or about six -tenths of a mile, and varies in width from 23 to 25 feet. It costs the city about $5,000
a year to maintain; paved roads cost about $1,000 annually.
The issue has divided the street's residents: Twelve households want it paved, and 12 want to keep it gravel, according to
a survey conducted by the City Council last month.
Those who want it paved are concerned about the potholes and cracks in the road, as well as the dust dirtying their cars. A
paved road would make snow removal easier and provide a smooth path for emergency vehicles, walkers and joggers.
There also are too many washouts whenever there's heavy rainfall, Charlton Road resident Mike Hovey said in the city's
survey.
But those who prefer the gravel road were visibly upset and frustrated. They worry that a paved road would increase traffic,
speed and noise.
Chariton Road resident Holly Divine, 23, is concerned about how nearby animals would be affected by the pavement, as
we 11 as the debris that iiiight run off into Sunfish Lane. According to the engineer's repoi to the city, trees would have to be
removed in order for the road to be paved, which Divine said would take away from the "green" feel of the city.
"I just really wish that the integrity of Sunfish Lake is maintained in this decision," she said. "It's something that our
neighborhood is passionate about."
Hanson proposed five options for the road during Tuesday's meeting. The first three suggest paving the road but at
different widths; the fourth option is to redo the road with higher -quality gravel; the fifth is to do nothing.
Hanson recommended paving the road with 10 -foot -wide lanes at a cost of $303,650.
According to city regulations, residents would have to pay 80 percent of the construction costs. The city would pick up the
remaining 20 percent through taxes. That means those living on the road would pay a total of $242,920, which is $8,098
per parcel owned, if the council chooses the recommended plan.
Council Member Judy MacManus, who lives on Charlton Road, said she's disappointed with the engineer's report because
rustic road considerations are missing.
"It's insensitive to the value of Sunfish Lake," she said. "A major road is not suitable for a rural community."
Divine's father, Bill Hammett, presented the council with a Penn State University study that compares the costs of paved
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roads and gravel roads. It concluded that it's cheaper in the long run to have gravel roads and mentions the option of using
Driving Surface Aggregate, a durable rock material. Hammett said he would like the council to consider using DSA and to
keep the road unpaved.
"You're gonna get a better deal for the environment," he said. "Let's do the job right for everybody."
Mayor Molly Park was receptive to hearing new options and asked Hanson to revise the report to include alternative gravel
surfaces. The new report will be presented to the council at its July 3 meeting. The council plans to hold a public hearing
about the road in the near future.
The council also must address the issue of easements, which require the city to get permission from residents to do work
on a few feet of their property in order to pave the road.
"This is going to be a long process," Park said.
Council Member Richard Williams said: "It's a difficult project, and it's extremely sensitive to the residents who live along
the road. There's no easy answer here."
Liala Helal can be reached at Ihelal@pioneerpress.com or 651-228-2173.
Construction Options Presented At Tuesday's Meeting:
1) Paved road 22 feet wide with lanes 11 feet wide and side ditches: $337,430
2) Paved road 20 feet wide with lanes 10 feet wide: $303,650
3) Paved road 21 feet wide with curbing in certain areas for drainage: $301,140
4) Maintain existing gravel surface with class 5 gravel: $178,780
5) Do nothing/keep the road as it exists today: $0
To contact Sunfish Lake City Council members:
Mayor Molly Park, 651-455-8809
Cathy DeCourcy, 651-455-0899
Joel Bennett, 651-457-1349
Judy MacManus, 651-450-1779
Richard Williams, 651-554-1201
The city's Web site is www.sunfishiake.org.
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Dakota County / Unlicensed vet gets 51/2years
Pioneer Press
Press
Article LAsC'!:ry <atyr: ';`c;:l t_r€. 11: 26 `r' P',, -D'
For years, Thomas Koepke offered to neuter, vaccinate and declaw pets at bargain fees. He even made house calls, and
his 1993 Ford Ranger pickup truck served as an ambulance of sorts for his Andrew's Ark Mobile Ministries Veterinary
Clinic.
His clients thought he was a gift from God.
Koepke never let on that his veterinary license had been revoked in 2002 - or that in 1992, he had been convicted of
raping a child.
On Thursday, Koepke, 61, of Mendota Heights, was sentenced to prison for practicing veterinary medicine without a
license and possessing child pornography - 17 photos of boys with their pants off.
Authorities believe one of'the images depicts Koepke molesting a minor but dates back at least 30 years.
Dakota County Judge Michael Sovis sentenced Koepke to five years and five months in prison on the two counts. Koepke
received 219 days' credit for time served, and after his release, he will be on probation until 2017.
In August and October, the Minnesota Board of Veterinary Medicine received complaints that Koepke performed surgeries
in his home without a state license. After several scrapes with the board, he had his veterinary rights revoked in 2002 for
reusing dirty needles and syringes, among other violations.
In November, authorities searched his home and found a copy of his original license, which had been altered to appear in
good standing, as well as the controlled substances phenobarbital and pentobarbital, according to a criminal complaint.
They also found the 17 pornographic photos, all black and white, of four boys with their pants off. Koepke told investigators
the photos had been taken in the 1960s and 1970s, according to the complaint. A call to his public defender was not
returned.
Prosecutors were unable to pursue sexual molestation charges because the statute of limitations has expired.
"It's about time he received a significant punishment for the trauma he's caused to multiple young men in the past 30 or 40
years," Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom said.
"One of the individuals we believe is depicted in the photographs came forward and said he may have been one of the
young men involved," Backstrom said. "This kind of sexual abuse trauma can last a lifetime."
Prosecutors charged Koepke with seven criminal counts - including possession of illegal drugs and forgery - but agreed to
drop five of them as part of a guilty plea negotiated in April.
Koepke was previously convicted of first-degree criminal sexual conduct against a young boy in 1992, for which he
received a year in jail, a stayed prison sentence and 25 years' probation. Backstrom said the jail term was short because
the victim was reluctant to testify.
Koepke had two prior convictions for practicing medicine without a license in 2003 and 2004. In the most recent charges
against him, Backstrom and others familiar with the case said there was no evidence that any animals were injured as a
result of Koepke's illicit practice.
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"We had a lot of clients that were really upset that he wasn't around anymore," said Dr. Michael Foster, owner of
Southview Animal Hospital in Inver Grove Heights, which inherited many of Koepke's four -footed patients. "He did the
house -call stuff."
Frederick Melo can be reached at finelo@pioneerpress.com or 651-228-2172.
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