2007-02-16 Friday Newsw
The Friday News Lz"eff�,i
February 16, 2007
OFFICE CLOSED
City offices will be closed on Monday, February 19th for observance of President's Day.
FIREFIGHTER'S RELIEFE ASSOCIATION RECOGNITION BANQUET HELD
Last Saturday was the Fire Department's annual Retirement and Awards Banquet at Mendakota
Country Club. The event was very well attended with such dignitaries as the Inver Grove
Heights Fire Chief; the West Saint Paul Fire Chief, Steve Golias, Mendota Mayor; many retired
Mendota Heights firefighters and Mendota Heights Mayor and City Council members. The
Department had just completed a selection process for their four Captains and the Chief
announced during his presentation who was selected. Keith Stein, Scott Goldenstein, Scott
Henning and Jeff Stenhaug were all reappointed. Congratulations to all of them! The highlight
of the evening was Marc Connolly. Marc was retiring after 35 years of service with the
Department, and a slide show had been prepared of his history in the Department. Marc received
several gifts, a black box ??, a leather fire helmet and a ring. After all this for Marc, it was the
Chiefs turn to announce the "Firefighter of the Year" Award. During John's presentation, it
became clear who it would be - MARC. Well deserved! Then, after a motion from Marc to
adjourn, the event was over.
MAC AT THE LEGISLATURE
On Wednesday, Councilmember Sandra Krebsbach, ARC Chair Liz Petschel, Jake Sedlacek and
I attended a Local Government and Metropolitan Affairs committee meeting in the House of
Representatives. The topic was MAC Oversight — Jeff Hamiel and two of his staff presented on
MAC structure, finance, NWA and "rate relief." We had thought that our bill regarding MAC
representation might come up for discussion. While our bill was not discussed, it was a good
opportunity to hear the overview on MAC, and to see what questions legislators had — reliever
airports, NWA, and MAC appointments were some of the questions posed to MAC staff. On the
whole, legislators were very engaged in the discussion. The experience provided some good
insight for how to present our bill when it is heard.
ANNUAL GET TOGETHER NEXT FRIDAY!
This is officially your last reminder — the Annual Get Torther for all employees,
Commissioners and Council is next Friday, February 23` at the Lilydale Pool and Yacht Club.
The event begins at 4:30 p.m. and spouses are welcome. Please remember to RSVP to Nancy
Bauer at 651-255-1149.
Respectfully submitted,
James Danielson
City Administrator
Attachments: Pipeline, Just the Facts, Invitation for Annual Get -Together, Pioneer Press article,
"Golf Course Deserves Support", Sun Current article, "Two Truckers Die After Crash in IGH",
Pioneer Press article "Truckers Who Died in Crash from Iowa, Illinois", Sun Current articles,
"MH Council Approves Schedule for Par 3 Referendum" and "Trail Upgrades Planned in SSP,
MH", Pioneer Press Article "Closeout on Condos".
NEWS PM
LETTER eipe ane
Public Works 3�J
Engineering '��� February 16, 2007 =�
Code Enforcement Y. � � . r
Uva�h�z.��az
Public Works
The Parks Crew checked the ice rinks and warming houses daily. Snow was
broomed and blown from the rinks. They were flooded, as needed. Parts
on plow 503 were replaced, as needed.
Rich changed the condensation heater at the Centre Pointe lift station. He
finished his record keeping for sanitary sewer cleaning in 2006, this included
filling out utility maintenance cards for each street or easement line
cleaned.
The Street Crew put down salt on Mendakota Drive where there was a water
main break. The Mendakota Park parking lot was salted because it was
used as a detour. Trash was picked up in the Bunker Hills neighborhood
where someone had dumped it. Salt was put down on Victoria Road where
ice had formed across from the County Day School. Cold mix was put in the
hole from the water main break on Dodd Road and Lake Drive.
Engineering
There was a water main break on Sunday at Mendakota Drive. Traffic had
to be detoured through the parking lot at Mendakota Park. St. Paul
Regional Water was working on fixing the damages.
A neighborhood meeting was held on Thursday to discuss the Copperfield
street rehabilitation project. 12 residents were in attendance.
Time Warner Telecommunication is completing a directional bore for high
speed internet on Pilot Knob Road between Pilot Knob Road and Executive
Drive.
Z e latest newsIr-m, t`ce *eg&A �feig6ctsPalite �eyortHLent
02-16-2007
The
AOA KOPS 02-08-07 1837 hours
Mendota
While on patrol Officer Denise Urmann spotted an occupied van
Heights
sitting in the corner of Plaza lot. After running a license check
Police
she learned that the Farmington PD had placed a KOPS alert on
the driver of the van. When Officer Urmann made contact with
Department
the Ione occupant she learned that it was the subject of the alert.
The female subject was depressed because social services had
Support
just taken away 7 of her children. Officer Urmann made contact
Staff
with Farmington PD and discussed the situation with them. The
Ina
driver agreed to drive to Farmington to meet with them and
Hosning
Christina Hoss
hri
discuss the situation.
Sandie Ristine
Cathy Ransom
DAS 02-09-07 1535 hours
Officer Eric Petersen spotted a car with expired registration
Police
traveling on Dodd Road. An in -squad computer check revealed
Officers
that the registered owner's driving privileges were suspended.
Jerry Murphy
After stopping the car, Officer Petersen cited the female
Brian Convery
owner/driver and her car were towed by Southeast Towing. The
Bobby Lambert
driver and her two small children were transported home to
Eric Petersen
Eagan.
Todd Rosse
Suspicious Activity 02-09-07 1956 hours
Tanner Spicer
Chad Willson
Caller reported that it appeared someone had been in the house
Jeff vonFeldt
during the day. Officer Todd Rosse checked the house and
Jenny Fordham
determined the most likely cause was the power outage earlier in
Steven Meyer
the day. Clear with no further calls.
Denise Urmann
Careless Driving 02-09-07 2157 hours
iMichael Shepard
While in route to a call Officer Rosse observed a pickup racing
across the parking lot at 950 Mendota Heights Road. The Chevy
Investigations
pickup continued from the parking lot onto the road at a very high
T'vfario Reyes
rate of speed without stopping, cutting off a car traveling down
Scott Patrick
Mendota Heights Road. Officer Rosse pulled in behind the truck
as it accelerated hard, causing it to swerve across the center line.
Sergeants
Donn Anderson
The truck did stop for the red light when it reached Dodd Road
Neil Garlock
and to sweeten the deal, accelerated hard when the light turned
John Larrive
green, spinning his tires. He was stopped immediately on Dodd
Road and cited for careless driving.
Chief
Medical 02-10-07 1235 hours
Mike
Officer Eric Petersen assisted Healtheast ambulance in loading a
Aschenbrener
-1-
02-16-2007
person who had fallen the night before and could not get to a phone. The poor
individual was on the floor all night waiting for help.
4th Degree DUI 02-10-07 2206 hours
Officer Convery noticed a vehicle traveling well below the posted speed limit on Hwy
13. The car made an abrupt move as if it was going to turn and then corrected and
continued down the road slowly. As he drove past the car in his fully marked black
and white squad he watched the car in the rearview mirror. The car immediately
signaled a turn, completed a u -turn and drove down the wrong side of the road finally
pulling into a parking lot. Officer Convery made contact with the car in the lot. The
driver said it was the passengers' fault since she was telling her where to go. The
driver failed all SFST's and was arrested for DUI. The passengers had also been
drinking and were instructed to find a sober driver. At MHPD the driver was read the
MN Implied Consent Advisory and agreed to test. She tested a .096 on the
Intoxilyzer she was cited and released to a sober friend.
1" Degree DUI 02-10-07 2357 hours
Officer Brian Convery was still driving his fully marked black and white squad when
he spotted a Ford Crown Victoria sitting at the gas pumps at the Holiday. The car
was not moving but the back tires were spinning, creating a large cloud of black and
blue smoke, but when Officer Convery shined the spotlight on the driver he quickly
stopped. When Officer Convery went over to speak with the driver he learned that
he did not have a license. The man was removed from the car and immediately
began acting very nervous, checking his pockets, etc. When the suspect was asked
to stop, he explained "I was just looking for the bag." When asked what and where
"it" was he said he "used to be a drug user and his drug of choice was cocaine" but
he didn't think he had any on him (he was just obviously intoxicated). When was
asked to do SFST's, he advised he wasn't driving - he wouldn't do that, he had three
previous DUI's. The driver failed all SFST's and was placed under arrest. At MHPD
he was read the MN Implied Consent Advisory and agreed to test. The Intoxilyzer
revealed a BAC of .09. The man wanted to call his attorney again, because he was
concerned about the 54 months in prison hanging currently hanging over his head.
He was served the vehicle forfeiture notice and transported to the Dakota County jail
to be formally charged with felony DUI.
DOC / Detox 02-11-07 0210 hours
Officer Tanner Spicer's attention was drawn to a large group of people in front of
Moose Country. They appeared to be arguing. Officer Spicer saw one of the men
reach out and punch another person in the face. When Officer Spicer attempted to
take the man into custody, a scuffle ensued resulting in the suspect going to the
ground. He was taken into custody and it was learned he was very intoxicated (.196
BAC). The man was checked for injuries by Healtheast Ambulance, a bandage was
put on his chin and he was transported to Ramsey Detox. He was cited for
Disorderly Conduct.
Unsafe Change of Course 02-12-07 2002 hours
Officer Mike Shepard witnessed a car cut off another car causing the second driver
to take evasive action to avoid being run into. When stopped the driver was upset
because this type of stuff happens all the time. He promised to see Officer Shepard
in court. Ham aP"4t~/,,W/ A14
- 2 -
Celebrate Our Camaraderie!
Mendota Heights Annual Get Together
For All City Employees, Commissions & Council
At The Pool & Yacht Club
Lilyale
Friday, February 231,1, 2007
4:30-7:00 PM
Cash bar and lots ocgreat appetizers!
PLEASE
R.S.V. P.
Nancy Bauer
(651) 255.1149