2007-07-13 Friday NewsFISHING DERBY
The Friday News
Iuly 13. 2007
--7
This year's Fishing Derby was held on Wednesday evening of this week. There was a brief
thunderstorm just before the start of the event that scared a few participants off, but 47 out of 60
registered kids showed up and caught 371 fish (the most ever). The kids caught sunfish, bass
and a few bullheads. Teresa also told me that she had to have her husband tell her that "the big
guy" at the event with his daughter was Matt Birk.
The big winners at the event were:
REQUESTED
Biggest:
Matt Bachman
7 years old 41/2 oz
Smallest:
John Tacke
13 years old 1/2 oz
Most:
Sydney Stockton
11 years old 53 fish
Best Cast:
Jenna Elliot
13 years old
Teresa thanks all of her volunteer helpers: Barb Kasel, Kathy Swanson, Nancy Bauer, Dick
Spicer and Larry Craighead.
PILOT KNOB — SITE ACQUISITION STATUS
The City received positive news this week from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
regarding funding approvals for two of the three grants applied for by the City in March. We are
trying to acquire 15 acres of land from Acacia Cemetery to add to the 8+ acres that we already
own on Pilot Knob. An appraisal of the 15 acre site established a purchase price of $1,888,000
plus $50,000 for transaction costs ($1.938 million). A summary of the funding requested and
confirmed follows:
I r
V
REQUESTED
CONFIRMED
1. DNR — Natural and Scenic Area grant
$500,000
$300,000
2. DNR — Remediation Fund grant
$500,000
$327,000
3. DNR — Metro Greenway grant
$200,000
pending
4. Dakota County Farmland & Natural Area
$400,000
$400,000
5. TPL — Metro Conservation Corridors
$100,000
$100,000
6. TPL — Private fundraising
$100,000
pending
7. City of Mendota Heights
$400,000
$400,000
$2,200,000
$1,527,000
I r
V
HOLLYWOOD OR BUST!
Assistant to the City Administrator Jake Sedlacek and his wife Heidi spent the day Thursday
filming an episode of a show for the Home and Garden Network (HGTV). The show is called
"My house is worth WHAT?" The show looks at families who have made improvements to their
homes, and are considering either upgrading or moving. The film crew was at Jake's house for 9
hours! Without giving away the surprise ending, Jake hinted that sweat equity pays off. The
show is set to air around the first of the year!
4TH OF JULY BABY
Congratulations go out to Parks and Recreation Commissioner Tom Kraus and his wife on the
arrival of their daughter Grace Elizabeth. Grace Elizabeth was born on the 4'h of July at 7:13
p.m. weighing 7 lbs. 14 oz and 20 '/2 inches long. Mother and Grace are at home and doing
well.
Respectfully submitted,
Jim Danielson
City Administrator
Attachments: Just the Facts, Pipeline, City Council Meeting Agenda, Pioneer Press Article
"Little fire for a prairie" and Schneeman's practice family fitness in triathlon", Progress found in
reducing illegal alcohol sales to DC minors and No progress in reducing tobacco sales to DC
teens in 2006
Tie latest�ervs frvyn tie McAR'vta �feiy6ctsPalace j�e�acrt er�t
J
07-13-07
Taste of MN Traffic Detail
Each evening the Taste of Minnesota celebration directs all traffic out
onto Hwy 13 in Lilydale. MHPD Officers along with the WSPPD
Reserves worked every night to ensure that the traffic flowed smoothly
from the event. Sergeant Garlock reported that the event went off
without incident. Traffic flow was changed by event scheduling which
actually meant more work over a longer period time but caused less
back up. Thank you to the WSPPD Reserves for all the time they
volunteered directing traffic every night.
Theft from Auto 07-05-07 1145 hours
Victim reported to Officer Brian Convery that upon returning from the
walk on the Big Rivers Trail she found a window smashed out of her
car. Her purse was missing from under the seat. She was advised on
what steps to take to prevent identity theft issues.
Check the Welfare 07-05-07 1903 hours
Caller reported several lawn chairs near a small cliff behind an
apartment in Lilydale. They reported seeing a man fall over and not
come back up. Officer Mike Shepard arrived on scene and found a
very intoxicated man who was having a hard time climbing up the
slippery grass. The partiers were in walking distance of their home.
Barking Puppy 07-06-07 0913 hours
Sergeant Neil Garlock responded to an anonymous call of a small
puppy that gets left out all day. The area was checked unfortunately
the caller left a bad address and wanted to remain anonymous. There
was no way to re -contact them to get more information about the
barking puppy. Unable to locate (UTL) the problem.
Junk Cars 07-06-07 1348 hours
Officer Brian Convery received a call of "junk" cars parked in a yard.
He attempted to follow up with the homeowner without success. A
letter was sent advising of the violations and that citations would be
issued if the cars were not functional, insured and properly parked
within 14 days. No response from the homeowner.
Counterfeit Money 07-09-07 0956 hours
A local gas station called to report that they had received a counterfeit
$100 bill from a customer. The employee remembers the transaction
and they have video of the exchange. Officer Eric Petersen responded
and handled the initial call investigations will follow up. Counterfeit
$100 bill placed into evidence. Referred to investigations.
Suspicious Activity 07-09-07 1838 hours
Officer Todd Rosse responded to the area of Diamond Jim's Mall when
a caller reported two occupants jumped out of a Jeep Cherokee and
-1-
07-13-07
quickly switched license plates. The license they put on the Jeep did not belong on it. The
suspects were gone in a flash. Officer Rosse immediately located a Jeep matching the
description unfortunately it was the wrong vehicle. No further calls involving a Jeep. UTL.
Who do you call? 07-10-07 0603 hours
When everyone else is closed for business who do you call? A cell phone caller contacted
the 911 dispatch center and requested that a large pot hole on Lilydale Road be fixed or
clearly marked. Officer Steve Meyer checked and the hole was under the trestle bridge.
Dakota County Public works notified.
Harassment 07-11-07 2120 hours
Sergeant John Larrive responded to a local residence about on going harassment by the
mother-in-law. She drives by, calls repeatedly and knows she is not welcome. The caller
reported that she had attempted to get a restraining order recently but was denied because
of lack of documented history. The mother-in-law stopped the caller's 8 YOA son in the
street and gave him a gift today. Caller is concerned that this will lead to her son getting into
the car with her. Grandma has no legal standing. She was advised on possible courses of
action. When Sergeant Larrive attempted to contact the mother-in-law she was rude and
told him that she had rights and would go to jail to prove her point.
AOA 07-11-07 0032 hours
Officer Steve Meyer responded to assist WSPPD with a possible abduction in progress. The
reporting party was at a business on Robert Street and the suspects left in a white car.
Suspect vehicle located just a few blocks away. Officer Meyer assisted with the arrest of the
occupants for several unrelated offenses.
Assist 07-12-07 0038 hours
Airport taxi called for help as they were having problem with a group of drunken people being
dropped at 1015 Hwy 13. Someone in the group was so intoxicated they got sick in the back
of the cab and were now refusing to pay. Just before Officer Shepard arrived the drunks
decided to pay. The cabbie called back and cancelled the officer.
Not a Drop DUI 07-12-07 0143 hours
Officer Steve Meyer watched a car make a left hand turn onto Dodd Road without stopping
for a stop sign. In making contact with the driver it was immediately obvious that he had
been drinking. He admitted to drinking but not to being intoxicated because he was the
designated driver. Unfortunately he was only 18 YOA. The driver was asked to do SFST's
and had a really hard time stating he couldn't do some of them even when he was not
drinking. The last test was the PBT it revealed a BAC of .05. The young man was placed
under arrest during the pat down some marijuana and a pipe was found in a pants pocket.
The under age passengers that had been drinking were cited and released to a sober friend.
Damage to Property 07-12-07 0754 hours
Parks Department Supervisor Terry Blum reported that the Roger's Lake Skate Park has
been repeatedly damaged since mid June. Officer Fordham met with Blum at the park
where the damage was pointed out a photographed. Officer Fordham will be making contact
with the young people who frequent the park to see if the culprits can be located. Park goers
will be advised that further problems will result in the park being closed. Several pieces of
damaged property were removed for safety reasons.
Warrant Arrest / Possession of Controlled Substance 07-13-07 0048 hours
While on patrol Officer Steve Meyer had to take evasive action to avoid a car in his lane
coming straight at him. When stopped the driver immediately declared that he was sober
and thought it was a turn lane. The driver was very nervous and when asked if he had has
his driver's license his response was "maybe because it was on again off again due to child
custody issues." A computer check revealed that he was revoked and had two active arrest
warrants. When the driver was search Officer Meyer found two pink pills in his shirt pocket
the driver said he needed them that they were prescription. When asked what for he couldn't
remember. When searching the car, for the tow, a meth pipe and drugs were located along
with a box of checks belonging to someone else. The driver claimed no knowledge blaming
everything on his girlfriend who owned the car. Then adding lots of people drive the car the
stuff could belong to anyone. He was transpclted to the DC jail to be charged with the drug
violations and to await transfer to Hennepin and Carver counties.
•
The P 1 ' 11'1 E'
L E T T E R I'
Public Works
Engineering July 13, 2007
Code Enforcement��k� W
Public Works
The Parks Crew trimmed trees along the pedway on Wentworth Avenue. The sprinkler system
at City Hall and Mendakota Park was worked on. Broken boards were repaired on the park
bench at Mendakota Park along the pedway.
Engineering
The retaining wall along Wentworth Avenue west of Dodd Road, which had deteriorated due to
road salt, was replaced on Monday by Blaeser Landscape and Construction. This trail section
and retaining wall were originally installed adjacent to Wentworth in 1990 near the Somerset
19 Condominiums. Approximately one hundred and fifty feet of old concrete modular block
wall was removed and replaced with a natural stone product and drain pipe, that will not be
affected by winter road salt. The foreman of the five man crew reported that many of the
residents at Somerset 19 favorably commented on the new wall construction.
Six contractors submitted bids last week to Dakota County for construction of the NURT trail
along the north Highway 110 frontage road from Dodd Road easterly to Delaware Avenue. This
federally funded project, administered by Dakota County, had a construction estimate of
$750,000. The low bidder, Max Steininger, Inc. (Eagan, MN) submitted the successful low bid
of $682,213.69. Work is scheduled to begin later in July with completion expected in
September. City staff plans to attend the contractor's pre -construction meeting and will
periodically monitor the project and provide assistance, if requested. The trail segment along
Town Center will be illuminated by light bollards identical to ones in the Village at Mendota
Heights / Town Center development located on the northeast corner of Highway 110 and Dodd
Road / Highway 149.
On Tuesday a representative from EMI gave a presentation on a new product for street
overlaying. The process is similar to the slurry seal which has been utilized in the past with
poor results. It is a cheaper application than a full mill and overlay but until performance over
time is tested and positive feedback received the city has no plans to install it on any streets.
There were two bid openings on Wednesday. The first was for the Ivy Falls reconstruction
project, seven bids were submitted for the project. The low bidder was Park Construction at
$819,000, well below the estimate of $940,000. The project should get started before the end
of the month. The other opening was for the sewer lining project. Last year a portion of the
cities sewer system was cleaned and televised and problem areas were noted for repair
(problems in the sewer are generally infiltration of groundwater, cracked pipes, missing
pieces, etc...). A liner will be installed in the deficient areas to extend the life of the system
and reduce the quantity of water sent to the treatment plant. The low bidder for this project
was Michel's Corporation with a bid of $89,000 with the estimate being $107,000. It appears
to be a good year to have projects going and contractors being competitive for the work.
An application was submitted to Dakota County SWCD for a stream bank restoration project
along Marie Creek. A number of properties have been experiencing major erosion after storm
events and the project would install innovative armoring and greening techniques to stabilize
the banks and minimize further damage.
The Kipp addition project is getting underway. Clearing trees started on Thursday and the
contractor expects to get the utilities started early next week.
�1191om• •
July 17, 2007 — 7:30 P.M.
Call to Order
Z Roll Call
3. Pledge of Allegiance
4. Agenda Adoption
5. Approval of Minutes from the July 3, 2007 City Council Meeting.
6. Consent Calendar
a. Acknowledgement of the June 2007 Treasurer's Report.
b. Acknowledgement of the No Parking Ordinance Update.
c. Authorization for Date Change for ARC August Meeting.
d. Authorization for Preparation of Easement Descriptions for Trail Connections...
e. Acceptance of Resignation from Planning Commission Chair, Chris Dolan,
f. Approval of Permit Request for Six Foot Fence at 2475 Highway 55, Tempco
Manufacturing Co., Inc.
g. Approval for Parking Lot Construction at 1110 Centre Poo me Curve,
h. Adoption of Resolution No. 07 66. "RES®L,UTION ESTABLISHING
PROCEDURES RELAT@ISG TO COMPLIANCE WTK REIMBURSEMENT
BOND REGULATIONS UNDER THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE."
i. Adoption of Resolution No. 07-66: 66RESOLUTION ORDERING
PREPARATION OF FEASIBILITY REPORT FOR THE AVENUES
NEIGHBORHOOD (CITY PROJECT NO. 200208), KAY AVENUE/WALSH
LANE (CITY PROJECT NO. 200209) AND CALLAHAN PLACE (CITY
PROJECT NO. 200213) STREET RECONSTRUCTION PROJECTS990
j. Approval of the List of Contractors.
k Approval of the List of Claims.
7. Eublic Comments
a. 2006 Audit Report — Jeff Wilson
c. ARC Plan of Action — Liz Petschel, ARC Chair
a. 2007 Sanitary Sewer• • Project Project N• 200715
Resolution No. 07-67: "RESOLUTION ACCEPTING BIDS AND
AWARDING CONTRACT FOR 2007 SANITARY SEWER
REHABILITATION .-O • 200715).
• Ivy Falls Addition Street Reconstruction• -ct — Project No.20061
"RESOLUTIONResolution No. 07-68: 1
AWARDING O- DD
RECONSTRUCTION (PROJECT NO. 200603).
t � .
a. Discussion of Bourn Property, 1181 Bourn Lane.
AuNfflary aids for persons w th dasabi9ffies are available upon request at least 120
hours on advance. It a nofte of less than 120 hours os received, the Clay of Mendota
HMghts will make every attempt to provide the aMs, however, thoe may not be
possible on shorn notice. Please contact 0ty Administration at 452-1860 with
pe aat ,. TMe meetlr�g is being tapedN and will replay on
Friday at 1:00 p.m. and 7.00 porno an the HOC6 Government Channel 18
ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS WWW.TWINCITIES.COM
SATURDAY, JUNE 30, 2007 C 5B
MENDOTA HEIGHTS
Conservationists burn
invasive weeds to regrow a
prairie as it was in the 1800s
BY LIALA HELAL
Pioneer Press
A fire Thursday in Mendota Heights
sparked the comeback of Minnesota
prairies and savannas.
The controlled fire ignited grassy areas
on the city's 8% -acre Pilot Knob Hill as part
of a more than two-year effort to restore
the site's natural features from the 1800s.
The burn cleared the site of weeds and
invasive. plants and left the soil warm.
enough for native plants to. grow. Eventually,
the natural topography of prairies and oak
Prairie fire
(continued from Page 1B)
sprout from their roots," Tix
said. "They'll actually grow very
vigorously,,
Controlled burns also are
good for the soil.
"The blackening of the soil
heats it up and extends the
growing season," Buck said. "It
releases nitrogen and gives
plants a brief little fertilizer in a
natural way."
Next week, restorers will
gently scratch the bare soil's
surface to release more of
the invasive seeds. Once they
grow, in about a month, .project
workers Will kill them off and
begin adding native seeds in the
fall.
"This is all part of the
process for getting rid of the
bad stuff. Then we can plant
what we want," Tix said. "It'll
be a diverse mix of native
prairie grass and wildflower
species."
Prairie and savanna eco-
systems provide a habitat like
no other for wildlife, Tix said.
Red-headed woodpeckers and a
rare plant species, kittentails,
will thrive on this land.
"It provides an important
habitat for a lot of species that
are struggling with develop-
ment and other things we're
doing to the land that makes it
SO difficult for them to survive,"
Tix said. "There's a good popu-
lation of turkeys nearby. When
it becomes native prairie, they'll
do extra well."
A secondary benefit of the
burn is that it prevents bigger,
uncontrolled fires.
"It wouldn't have taken
much to start a fire here," Buck
said.
Another burn is scheduled
three years from now.
The location is unique
because of its sacredness to the
Dakota, Tix said. Pilot Knob is
known to the Dakota people as
"Oheyawahi," which means "a
hill much visited."
"It's important that the
next generation knows what an
actual prairie and savanna
looks like," Buck said.
Tix added, "We want people
to understand the importance of
savannas that existed before European set-
tlement will return. The historic site, which
in 1850 was a prairie the Dakota people used
for sacred, ceremonies and burial rituals,
contains some of the rarest and most threat-
ened plant communities in Minnesota.
"Restoring the Iand helps us stay con-
nected to our natural Minnesota heritage,"
said Wiley Buck, the restoration ecologist
for Great River Greening, the nonprofit
company working on the project.
The fire helps the land because native
plants thrive ift- burned areas, said Daniel
Tix, Great River Greening's conservation
director. ,
"Most roots stay underground, so. the
fire opens up the soil and makes it nice and
warm and sunny so (the native plants) can
PRAIRIE FIRE, 6B
Firefighter Bill Ramsden works on a prescribeCOUTESY d burn Thursday
�E� Tix
morning at the historic Pilot Knob Hill site in Mendota Heights,
overlooking the Minnesota River valley. Several fires were allowed to
burn in this area for more than three hours to remove invasive
vegetation and begin restoring the land's natural prairie and savanna.
our native landscape. ... This Liala Helal can be reached at
Iand has been very important lhelal@pioneerpress.com or
in shaping our history." 651-228-2173.
Page 1 of 2
;_ s; ,mans practice
Thennuat Life 'T!me Fitness Triathlon is a serious corn petition for sonne, but to one -41yg it's
an exercise In camaraderie.
By BRUCE BROTHERS
Pioneer Press
T�-ii,kCifles.ctam-Pioneeir Press
?iS':t:.if'_Cin. 'Urpdated.137j;08 X2:1 7 11:45.07PNI x41
Saturday will dawn as part athletic contest, part family reunion and part party for the Schneeman clan of Mendota Heights,
all linked by the key ingredient of participation.
More than two -dozen members of the extended family will convene for this weekend's annual Life Time Fitness Triathlon,
an event in which professionals compete for a chunk of the $250,000 prize money and thousands of others fall in behind,
competing in an attempt, in the words of Julie Gough, a Schneeman sister, "to just try to cross the line. Just everybody
gets involved, kind of for fun."
According to Eric Schneeman, one of Julie's brothers, all roads in mid-July lead to the three -sport event at Lake Nokomis.
"We talk about it before and afterward. It turns into more of a party than anything else," he said.
It's about family and fitness, said Chris Schneeman, another brother.
"That's a good theme," he said. "It almost sounds like a slogan."
A fraternity of fitness flows through the Schneemans' blood.
Gough said it all started early. She comes with her family from Hinsdale, III., then travels to the family cabin in Park Rapids,
Minn., for more socializing.
"My mom started running marathons when she was in her 40s, as well as my dad, so they kind of put the bug in us," she
said. 'They're 74 and 75 but extremely active. They play tennis. Dad swims and Mom golfs."
Chris pointed out that his father, Dan, was a standout in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference when he swam
for what was then the College of St. Thomas.
"Dan Schneeman still holds, I think, the MIAC record for one -mile swim," Chris said, adding with a chuckle, "It helps that.
they discontinued the event and went to meters. He's always been just a really good long-distance swimmer."
Chris' mom, Mary Jean, remembers signing up for Grandma's Marathon in Duluth, Minn., 15 or more years ago and
finishing in a time of 3 hours, 57 minutes.
"I wasn't registered as a grandma, but if I would have been I would have won it," she said of Grandma's "grandma
division."
The kids and the 38 grandkids "are quite athletic, even the younger generation," said Eric's wife, Kathy, a mother of seven.
She also runs marathons.
Chris, 51, said this triathlon "has turned out to be a great family thing."
Eric, 43, added, "It's a great time; they're great fun to do. And the Life Time thing is a fun event because it's such a
production."
Julie said of watching from the sidelines: "It's so exciting just to see people, how thrilled they are, I think I cried about four
different times. People on prosthetic limbs come through, an 87 -year-old woman came through, and a father pushing a son
http://www.twincities.coinlportletlarticlelhtml/fragmentslpn'nt_article.j sp?articleId=63297... 7/11/2007
Page 2 of 2
in a wheelchair... it was just incredible."
Julie, 50, decided to move from the cycling leg of a relay team to the sprint triathlon this year, even though she was wiped
out by the heat last year. She said the family has rounded up the usual suspects to participate.
"We have a lot of people coming," she said. "I think last year there were about 22 of us in combination. Some did the full
Olympic distance or the relay, some the sprint or the sprint relay."
Because the heat has become an annual concern, events begin at 7 a.m. Saturday, an hour earlier than in previous years.
"So we're going to have to curtail the Friday night party a little bit," Chris said with a laugh.
The party eventually moves to their cabin at Lower Bottle Lake up north, but the real highlight is the triathlon on Saturday,
Eric said.
"It's a neat experience, and it's really fun to do with your kids," he said. Because participants start in waves, he added, "you
can't do it with someone. But they're there at the beginning, and they're there at the end."
That's one reason their mother, Mary Jean, the matriarch, will feel a tiny bit left out at Nokomis. The kids and grandkids,
she noted, "have more darn fun getting ready for it."
Not everyone in the family is quite so gung-ho.
"I have one member of my family, who will remain unnamed, who doesn't want to do it because it's so expensive," Julie
said, citing the individual fee of $150 and the relay team fee of $250. "But you're getting a lot more than you pay for."
Just being in the middle of it, she added, "is sort of a priceless experience."
Bruce Brothers can be reached at bbrothers@pioneerpress.com.
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Dakota County Public Health Department
Progress found in reducing illegal alcohol sales to
Dakota County minors
INTRODUCTION:
Alcohol use by underage youth is a major concern in Dakota County. Alcohol is the drug most
commonly used by teens. According to the most recent Minnesota Student Survey, nearly two out of
three high school seniors in Dakota County reported drinking in the past year, and almost one-third said
that they drank five or more drinks at one time in the past two weeks.
Since 2001, the Dakota County Public Health Department has collected data on alcohol compliance
checks conducted in the county by law enforcement agencies. Compliance checks are an effective tool to
reduce youth access to alcohol.
2006 FINDINGS:
How many alcohol compliance checks were conducted in Dakota County?
In 2006, 640 alcohol compliance checks were conducted by city and county law enforcement agencies in
Dakota County, the highest number reported in the past five years.
How many licensed alcohol establishments were checked?
In 2006, 372 (98%) of the 381 licensed establishments in Dakota County were checked at least once, an
increase from the 81% checked in 2005.
How many cities checked all or nearly all of their licensees?
In 2006, law enforcement in all ten cities in the county with fifteen or more licensees checked at least
90% of their alcohol outlets. In 2005, eight of those cities checked 90% or more of their establishments.
How many of the compliance checks resulted in an illegal alcohol sale?
In 2006, 50 (8%) of the 640 compliance checks conducted in the county resulted in an illegal sale. The
rate has ranged between 8% and 12% since the county began compiling data in 2001.
- more -
How does the rate of illegal sales compare to the overall rate for Minnesota?
The 8% of checks in Dakota County that resulted in an illegal sale is similar to the Minnesota rate of 9%,
as estimated by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.
Alcohol Compliance Checks in Dakota County
Percent of Checks Resulting in an Illegal Sale
20%
16% 16%
15% ®'
12% 12%°
10%
9% - 10% 9%
117° 8%
9%1 0
®"7% 9%
5%
0%
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
-Overall county rate - •m- - . NTnnesota rate (DPS -funded checks)
ACTION STEPS:
The Dakota County Public Health Department is committed to working with law enforcement, retailers,
teens, and parents to reduce the rate of illegal alcohol sales in Dakota County to less than 8%.
In addition to collecting and publicizing the results of compliance checks, the Public Health
Department will continue to:
• Recruit and train youth to assist law enforcement officers to check licensed establishments.
• Increase public awareness and mobilize community action to decrease youth access to alcohol.
• Work with schools and other youth organizations to spread the word about the health hazards of
alcohol use and the connection to other youth risk behaviors.
The Public Health Department recommends that retailers assist in reaching this goal by:
• Insisting that all employees follow the law that prohibits selling alcohol to underage youth.
• Establishing a clear store policy.
• Providing training to all employees.
• Communicating the potential criminal and civil penalties to employees and management for
illegal alcohol sales.
The Public Health Department recommends that law enforcement agencies and city officials assist in
reaching this community -wide goal by:
• Conducting at least one unannounced compliance check on every licensee.
• Conducting a follow-up check on establishments that fail a check.
• Providing meaningful penalties for licensees who sell illegally to minors, including license
suspension or revocation for multiple violations.
• Communicating with licensees about the purpose of compliance checks and the penalties for
violations.
The Public Health Department recommends that parents and teens assist in reaching this goal by:
• Discussing the health and safety impact of alcohol.
• Supporting efforts to prevent youth alcohol use.
• Encouraging adults who use alcohol to be positive role models regarding their use.
• Reporting retail establishments that sell alcohol illegally to minors.
- more -
Alcohol Compliance Checks Conducted in Dakota County in 2006
City
Licensed `
alcohol
vendors
Compliance
checks,
conducted
Illegal sales
to minors
%Illegal sales
to.minors
Licensees
checked at
least once
% of licensees
checked at
least once
Apple Valley
34
64
2
3%
33
97%
Burnsville
69
125
10
8%
66
96%
Castle Rock Township*
2
2
0
0%
2
100%
Coates*
2
3
1
33%
2
100%
Douglas Township*
1
1
1
100%
1
100%
Eagan
59
58
4
7%
57
97%
Empire*
1
1
0
0%
1
100%
Farmington
19
34
4
12%
19
100%
Hampton Township*
2
4
1
25%
2
100%
Hampton*
3
5
1
20%
3
100%
Hastings
31
68
0
0%
30
97%
Inver Grove Heights
28
36
2
6%
28
100%
Lakeville
31
59
0
0%
31
100%
Lilydalet
7
7
2
29%
7
100%
Marshan Township*
2
2
0
0%
2
100%
Mendota Heights
9
9
3
33%
9
100%
Mendotat
3
2
0
0%
2
67%
Miesville*
2
4
1
25%
2
100%
Nininger Township*
1
0
--
--
0
0%
Randolph Township*
1
1
0
0%
1
100%
Randolph*
2
4
1
25%
2
100%
Rosemount
15
15
3
20%
15
100%
South St. Paul
18
18
5
28%
18
100%
Vermillion*
3
5
1
20%
3
100%
West St. Paul
36
113
8
7%
36
100%
TOTAL
381
640
60
8%
372
98%
* Dakota County sheriff conducts compliance checks in these communities
t Police services provided to Mendota and Lilydale by Mendota Heights Police Department
Additional information about strategies and programs to prevent underage alcohol use is posted on the
Dakota County website at: www.DakotaCounty.us/PublicHealth.
For more information about this report, contact Shannon Bailey, 651-554-6164, or e-mail:
shannon.bailey@co.dakota.mn.us.
June 27, 2007
w
Dakota County Public Health Department
No progress in reducing tobacco sales to
Dakota County teens in 2006
INTRODUCTION:
Tobacco use by teens is a major concern in Dakota County, despite a significant reduction in smoking
rates in the past ten years. In the most recent Minnesota Student Survey, more than one-quarter of high
school seniors reported regular smoking.
Since 2000, the Dakota County Public Health Department has collected data on tobacco compliance
checks conducted in the county by law enforcement agencies. Compliance checks are an effective tool to
reduce youth access to tobacco. Minnesota state law requires that all tobacco retail establishments be
checked at least once per year.
2006 FINDINGS:
How many tobacco compliance checks were conducted in Dakota County?
In 2006, 429 tobacco compliance checks were conducted by city and county law enforcement agencies
in Dakota County, down slightly from the past two years.
How many tobacco retail outlets were checked?
In 2006, 302 (91%) of the 332 tobacco retailers licensed in Dakota County were checked at least once,
an increase from the 85% that were checked in 2005. However, 30 established that are licensed to sell
tobacco did not receive a required compliance check in 2006.
How many cities checked all or nearly all of their licensees?
In 2006, 6 out of 10 larger cities in the county with 12 or more licensees checked at least 90% of their
retailers. In 2005, 7 of those cities checked 90% or more of their retailers.
How many compliance checks resulted in an illegal tobacco sale?
In 2006, 55 (13%) of 429 compliance checks conducted in the county resulted in an illegal sale, the same
rate as 2005. Since 2000, the rate of illegal sales has dropped 12 percentage points, but during the past
four years about one of every eight checks has resulted in an illegal sale.
- more -
How does the rate of illegal sales compare to the overall rate for Minnesota?
The 13% of checks in Dakota County that resulted in an illegal sale is above the Minnesota rate of 10%,
as estimated through Synar checks conducted by the Minnesota Department of Human Services. 2006 is
the first year that the county illegal sales rate was higher than the Minnesota rate.
ACTION STEPS:
The Dakota County Public Health Department is committed to working with law enforcement, retailers,
teens, and parents to reduce the rate of illegal tobacco sales in Dakota County to less than 10%.
In addition to collecting and publicizing the results of compliance checks, the Public Health
Department will continue to:
• Recruit and train youth to assist law enforcement officers to check licensed establishments.
• Increase public awareness and mobilize community action to decrease youth access to tobacco.
• Work with schools and other youth organizations to spread the word about the health hazards of
tobacco use and secondhand smoke and the connection to other youth risk behaviors.
The Public Health Department recommends that retailers assist in reaching this goal by:
• Insisting that all employees follow the law that prohibits selling tobacco to underage youth.
• Establishing a clear store policy.
• Providing training to all employees.
• Communicating penalties for employees and store management for selling to underage youth.
The Public Health Department recommends that law enforcement agencies and city officials assist in
reaching this community -wide goal by:
• Conducting at least one unannounced compliance check on every licensee, as required by
Minnesota law.
• Conducting a follow-up check on establishments that fail a check.
• Providing meaningful penalties for those retailers who sell illegally to minors, including license
suspension or revocation for multiple violations.
• Communicating with licensees about the purpose of compliance checks and the penalties for
violations.
The Public Health Department recommends that parents and teens assist in reaching this goal by:
• Discussing the health impact of tobacco use and secondhand smoke.
• Supporting efforts to prevent youth tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke.
• Encouraging youth and adults who smoke to quit.
• Reporting retail establishments that sell tobacco illegally to minors.
- more -
Tobacco Compliance Checks in Dakota County
Percent of Checks Resulting in an Illegal Sale
30%
® 28%
25%
0 19% 19%
15%
i9 ..... • - 15% 14% 13%
10%
9% 9% 10%
5%
0%
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
-�---Overall county rate ®• .. Minnesota rate (Synar checks)
ACTION STEPS:
The Dakota County Public Health Department is committed to working with law enforcement, retailers,
teens, and parents to reduce the rate of illegal tobacco sales in Dakota County to less than 10%.
In addition to collecting and publicizing the results of compliance checks, the Public Health
Department will continue to:
• Recruit and train youth to assist law enforcement officers to check licensed establishments.
• Increase public awareness and mobilize community action to decrease youth access to tobacco.
• Work with schools and other youth organizations to spread the word about the health hazards of
tobacco use and secondhand smoke and the connection to other youth risk behaviors.
The Public Health Department recommends that retailers assist in reaching this goal by:
• Insisting that all employees follow the law that prohibits selling tobacco to underage youth.
• Establishing a clear store policy.
• Providing training to all employees.
• Communicating penalties for employees and store management for selling to underage youth.
The Public Health Department recommends that law enforcement agencies and city officials assist in
reaching this community -wide goal by:
• Conducting at least one unannounced compliance check on every licensee, as required by
Minnesota law.
• Conducting a follow-up check on establishments that fail a check.
• Providing meaningful penalties for those retailers who sell illegally to minors, including license
suspension or revocation for multiple violations.
• Communicating with licensees about the purpose of compliance checks and the penalties for
violations.
The Public Health Department recommends that parents and teens assist in reaching this goal by:
• Discussing the health impact of tobacco use and secondhand smoke.
• Supporting efforts to prevent youth tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke.
• Encouraging youth and adults who smoke to quit.
• Reporting retail establishments that sell tobacco illegally to minors.
- more -
Tobacco Compliance Checks Conducted in Dakota County in 2006
City
Licensed Compliance
tobacco checks'
vendors conductedleast
Illegal sales%Illegal
to minors
sales
to minors ``
Licensees
checked at
once
% of liven"sees
checked at
east once
`.
Apple Valley
32 28
1
4%28
88 %
Burnsville
53 48
4
8%
47
89%
Castle Rock Township*
1 2
0
0%
1
100%
Coates*
1 2
0
0%
1
100%
Eagan
60 57
8
14%
56
93%
Farmington
12 11
1
9%
11
92%
Hampton*
2 4
0
0%
2
100%
Hastings
25 59
2
3%
18
72%
Inver Grove Heights*
35 67
10
15%
34
97%
Lakeville
29 28
4
14%
27
93%
Lilydalet
5 5
0
0%
5
100%
Mendota Heights
5 5
1
20%
5
100%
Miesville*
1 2
1
50%
1
100%
Randolph Township*
2 4
0
0%
2
100%
Randolph*
2 2
1
50%
1
50%
Rosemount*
12 23
3
13%
12
100%
South St. Paul
25 21
10
48%
21
84%
Vermillion*
1 2
1
50%
1
100%
West St. Paul*
29 59
8
14%
29
100%
tOTAL"
332. 429%.55
13%,302
91%,
* Dakota County sheriff conducts compliance checks in these communities
t Police services provided to Lilydale by Mendota Heights Police Department
Additional information about strategies and programs to prevent teen tobacco use is posted on the
Dakota County website at: www.DakotaCoLinty.us/PublicHealth.
For more information about this report, contact Shannon Bailey, 651-554-6164, or e-mail:
shannon.baileygco dakota mn us.
May 30, 2007