Loading...
2007-08-17 Friday NewsPOWER OUTAGE Last Saturday morning's storm knocked out most of the power in Mendota Heights north of TH 110 and west of Dodd Road, including Mendota Heights City Hall. City Hall was out of power from 3:30 am to 10:30 am. The emergency generator blew a water pump, so the Police Department was in the dark for this time frame. Police had a number of false alarms to respond to once the power came on, because it triggered false alarms. Otherwise, only a few limbs were down that were cleaned up by Public Works on Monday. On Tuesday of this week Council Members Vitelli, Krebsbach and Duggan attended the ground breaking at Town Center for the ABC Building. Ross had invited the contractors, the architects, his staff and the City to the event. Approximately 35 people were there. After Ross gave a presentation thanking everyone involved, pictures were taken and a lunch was provided (Tube steaks). This ground breaking was a particularly significant event because it represents "the beginning of the end". This is the last and largest office/retail building at The Village. Safety Camp was once again a great success, the three day camp was held this week in conjunction with West St. Paul and South St. Paul at Kaposia Park in South St. Paul. Just over 60 Mendota Heights youth attended, learning about weather safety, bus and car safety, drug awareness, gangs, internet safety, and much more. Teresa reported that even with all the learning going on, the kids still managed to have a good time. Special thanks go out to South St. Paul VFW for sponsoring the event again this year, and our adult leaders Teresa Gangelhoff, Barb Kassel, Mario Reyes, Ken Weisenburger, Brian Convery, Mickey Henne and Mary Hapka. Council Member Jack Vitelli informed us at City Hall that he became a Grampa again (#14) on August the 12th. Son Mark and wife Carol became proud parents of a baby boy named Vincent James Vitelli. Vincent was 8 lbs 2 oz and 21 inches. Vincent was named after his great -great grandfather Vincenzo who immigrated from Lanciano, Italy 94 years ago. Congratulations to Grampa & Gramma, mom, dad and little "Vinny" Respectfully submitted, James Danielson City Administrator Attachments: Just the Facts, Pipeline, City Council Agenda, Pre -Application Meeting Synopsis, Pioneer Press Article "Lilydale / Board backs sale of open land" and Star Tribune Article "Airport comings and goings will add to neighborhood buzz". 08-17-07 mm F _- 17 to the MHPD to make a report. The reporter stated his wife had left her purse on the back seat of the mini -van while she was bring items inside. When she returned the purse was gone. Several items of value were inside the purse including a cell phone. Nextel was notified of the theft. They immediately verified that the phone was still in use and began the process of setting up a trace on the phone. Advised about identity theft and how to handle the rest of the missing items. Assist 08-14-07 0830 hours A local business owner faxed in a theft report to Officer Bobby Lambert. Officer Lambert spoke with the victim who advised that on 08-01-07 she had terminated an employee who was now refusing to return $2500 worth of company property. After a short conversation with the ex -employee arrangements were being made to return the property. Theft from Vehicle 08-14-07 1900 hours Homeowner called to report that sometime since Saturday morning stereo equipment was removed from his truck parked in his driveway. On Saturday the truck was parked at the end of the driveway. Just before calling he noticed the seats pushed forward in the truck and when he looked in the truck and saw his stereo stuff was missing. No suspects. Careless Driving 08-15-07 0105 hours Officer Peyton Fleming watched a car use the entrance ramp from Hwy 13 onto 135E as a drag strip. The car accelerated hard enough to smoke the back tires and very quickly make it up to 80 mph in the 55 mph zone. The car was stopped a very short time later. The young man who was driving had also been drinking. Who says alcohol impairs your judgment? The young man was asked to SFST's which he failed. Everyone in the car had been drinking. The driver was cited, the car was impounded and everyone was given a ride home. Theft from uto 8-15-7 1121 hours Sergeant Neil Garlock spoke with a resident who reported that their laptop computer was missing. The computer was in a leather carry case in an unlocked car sitting in the driveway. The theft occurred sometime during the night. No suspects. Theft by Swindle 08-15-7 1505 hours Officer Jen Fordham responded to a local gas station. An employee had a short change scammer trapped inside the store. The on duty manager recognized the would be thief from an incident that had occurred in 2006. In that instance, the thief purchase a small dollar item and then use distraction techniques to make change and get all of his money back and considerably more. When the store employees reviewed the video it was very clear that they had been swindled. At that time we were unable to locate a suspect. Officer Fordham arrived on scene and took custody of the thief who knew nothing about why he was being detained. He was transported to MHPD where Investigator Mario Reyes interviewed him. Investigator Reyes reported that several departments in the south metro were interested in having a conversation with the suspect about similar thefts in their cities. He then reviewed the video of the 2006 theft, confirmed that it was the same suspect and consulted with the prosecuting attorney. The thief was transported to the DC jail. He was booked on an attempted theft for today's incident and theft for the 2006 incident. /&* a,$~t sueeA CAU, —2— Loge tnrorcement �4, Public Works The Parks Crew removed rec rocks from the infield at Mendakota Park on field #3, put down new rec rock, and leveled it out. Old turf was removed from in front of the soccer goal on the west field at Kensington Park and new sod put in. Other areas were resodded as needed. Downed tree limbs were picked up from parks and along pedways from the storms that came through. Lines were painted on basketball courts in the neighborhood parks. Fields were dragged for a church league tournament. The soccer fields were fertilized at South Kensington Park. A pump was plugged with a hand towel at the Lilydale lift station. The towel was removed by Braun Pump. Rich cleaned sewers on Mary Adele, Patricia Street, Theresa Street, and Timmy Street. There were roots found on Timmy Street and Theresa Street. Rich did a sewer inspection at the Mendota Heights Par 3 Golf Course. There were power outages on Saturday, August 11, at the Lilydale lift station - Mike Maczko responded, Center Pointe on Saturday morning - Terry Blum responded and Centre Pointe on Saturday evening - George Noack responded. The Street Crew met with a John Deere factory warranty representative because the backhoe is settling and the representative authorized to have it repaired. Brush was trimmed back to clear sight distance on Douglas and Victoria. Catch basins were cleaned. Trees were cleaned up after Monday night°s storms. Trees blocked streets on South Lane, Summit Lane, end of Spring Street, and Delaware Avenue. A permanent pedway sign was installed on Wachtler and Highway 13. Tom Knuth, Ryan and Sam staked curb in the Kipp Addition. Storm sewer is being installed this week in the Kipp Addition. Ryan and Sam are surveying the Ivy Falls neighborhood. Water main is being replaced this week in the neighborhood. Thursday was Mandy's last day as she is returning to school in Ames, Iowa. CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA August 21, 2007 — 7:30 P.M. 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Pledge of Allegiance 4. Agenda Adoption 5. Approval of Minutes from the August 7, 2007 City Council Meeting. 6. Consent Calendar a. Acknowledgement of the Park & Recreation Minutes. b. Acknowledgement of the Fire Department June & July 2007 Monthly Report. C. Acknowledgement of the July 2007 Treasurers Report. d. Authorization for Mayor to sign Engagement Letter with FILE Tautges Redpath for 2007 Audit. e. Approval of Police Services Contract Terms with Lilydale f, Approval of Parking Lot Construction at 1110 Centre Pointe Curve. g. Adoption of Resolution No. 07-76. "A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A 20 MPH SCHOOL SPEED ZONE ON MENDOTA HEIGHTS ROAD". h. Adoption of Resolution No. 07-77. "RESOLUTION WHICH AUTHORIZES THE CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS TO REQUEST A MN/ OT COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT PROJECT i. Adoption of Resolution No. 07-78: "DENYING A SIGN PERMIT FOR MENDOTA PLAZA99 . j. Approval of the List of Contractors. k. Approval of the List of Claims. 7. Public Comments 8. Presentation Medal of Valor to Melanie Masching 9. Public Hearin LeMay Shores — Vacation of an Easement. Resolution No. 07-79: "A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE VACATION OF A DRAINAGE AND UTILITY EASEMENT". 10 Unfinished and New Business a. Discussion of Concept Plan for 994 Wagon Wheel Trail. b. Discussion of City Hall Landscape Plantings. c. Discussion of Pilot Knob Phase 11 Management & Restoration Plan. d. Discussion of Par 3 Financial Report Status, I" Operating Month. e. Discussion of Planning Commission Vacancy. f. Adjourn to Budget Workshop. 11. Council Comments 12. Adjourn 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. This meeting is being taped by NDC4 (651-450-9891) and will replay on Friday at 1.00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. on the NDC4 Government Channel 18 CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DATE: August 16, 2007 TO: City Council, Commission Members, and City Administrator FROM: Jake Sedlacek, Assistant to the City Administrtor'` SUBJECT: Pre -Application Meeting Synopsis Staff met with six potential planning applicants on Wednesday, July 25, 2007. Steve Grittman, Carrie Furman, Paul Berg and Jake Sedlacek were present. Gale Washenberger and Ed Kanter, 1773 S. Victoria Rd Gale Washenberger was the subject of a code violation complaint in 2006 regarding the screening of a motor home at 1773 S. Victoria Rd. As a resolution to the complaint, staff recommended a combination of plantings and landscaping. Ms. Washenberger implemented the staff recommendation, but the recommended Arborvitae plantings did not survive. In early 2007 new plantings were made, but with smaller Arborvitae, at a slightly greater distance between plantings then had been recommended. The complainant from 2006 renewed their concerns, emphasizing that the current plantings did not meet the staff recommendation. Ms. Washenberger explained how she had been working to resolve the complaint regarding screening of the RV. The new plantings were made on the recommendation of Gertens, in order to ensure the success of the Arborvitae. The plantings are doing well, and all other code compliance issues are being addressed. Ms. Washenberger will continue to work with Paul Berg to ensure code compliance. Jeramiah Battles is an architect working with the Petermanns who would like to add a front porch to their home at 710 Wentworth Ave. Mr. Battles was concerned with the application of the string rule regarding the front yard setback of this home. Staff reviewed the plans for the porch, and found it to be within the required front yard setback. Mr. Battles will work with Paul Berg to procure the necessary building permits for the project. No planning action is anticipated. Mike Doyle, 2150 Dodd Road Mr. Doyle was in to discuss code issues at 2150 Dodd Road. A retaining wall in the rear of the property is partially collapsed, and material from the parking area behind the principal structure is washing into the adjacent (city owned) parcel. A number of options to address the failing retaining wall were discussed, as well as parking requirements in the B-2 zoning district. Mr. Doyle does intend to address any code violations, but is in the process of making business decisions which would impact how violations would be resolved. Mr. Doyle will be contacting Sue McDermott to discuss stormwater issues on the site and in the area. Peter Vesterholt, re. 1201 Northland Drive Mr. Vesterholt is an architect representing AppTec, who is looking to reconfigure the interior layout of the building at 1201 Northland Drive. Staff reviewed the preliminary plans, and advised the applicant that there appear to be no actions which would trigger a planning Planning Meeting 811312007 Page I of 2 application. Mr. Vesterholt will work with Paul Berg to procure the necessary building permits. No planning action is anticipated at this time. Dave Olson, 1049 Douglas Rd Mr. Olson is considering constructing an accessory shed larger than 144 square feet, which would require a Conditional Use Permit. Staff reviewed the process for applying for both a CUP, and a Critical Area Permit (as his home is in the critical area), and provided materials for the planning application. Mr. Olson would like to have materials submitted for consideration at the September Planning Commission meeting. Planning Meeting 8/13/2007 Page 2 of 2 Lilydale / Board backs ale of open land BY LIALA i"i is AL Pioneer Press Twin iii .coo-Pi€rnws Press Despite emotional testimonies from Lilydale residents, the city's planning commission decided last week to recommend selling the city's last undeveloped parcel of land for single-family housing. Residents said the city should preserve the land and presented evidence that eagles have been spotted there. They also opposed what they said was a short-sighted solution to the city's $231,000 deficit. The land is valued at about $350,000. Commission members denied the sale is about erasing debt. At Monday's City Council meeting, Marilyn Lundberg, the Ione council member opposing the sale, proposed a food and beverage tax to raise the money to save the land. Lilydale resident Lucille Collins doesn't believe there's any reason other than cash that the city is selling the land. "If they didn't need the money, why would they sell it now? All these years nobody touched it," Collins said. The controversial property of about an acre lies along Minnesota 13. It's also within the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area and the state -designated Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area, which provides a migrating path for thousands of birds every year as well as a habitat for wildlife, said Jim Von Haden, with the National Park Service of the U.S. Interior Department. Von Haden said the department is opposed to sale and development of the land, though it has no regulatory authority to stop the city from doing so. Planning commission member Don Campbell says development of elegant, upscale housing can enhance the value of the city- and drive property values up. "When people come to Lilydale, they talk about the view of houses, not about walking up into the forest," Campbell said. "I have a different view of what beauty is to the eye." The fight is over land donated to the city in 1974 by the late John Thomson as "permanent open space." But now, city officials claim they can't find Thomson's will, and there are no documented rules for use of the land. "Nowhere is it noted the desirability or wishes of John Thomson. The lack of notation actually can be interpreted as lack of interest in its use," said Anita Pampusch, a member of the planning commission and the City Council. But many who were close to Thomson, including Collins, said he wanted public land reserved for wildlife. Another concern is runoff. The land sits on a sloping hill that could cause excess runoff into the city if it's developed. Because of this, the city's comprehensive plan currently prohibits building on land that slopes more than 18 degrees. To get around this, the commission recommended the council amend the plan to allow it. They also voted to change the zoning ordinance from "passive open space" to "single-family development unit." Residents presented the commission with petitions against selling the land. One had about 60 signatures from residents of a Lilydale townhome complex. Another had more than 450 signatures from Lilydale and residents of Mendota Heights who live on the border of the property. "My own view is that they don't understand the circumstances," said Lilydale Mayor Tom Swain. "This is still a very small piece of land that doesn't have any use other than residential. It's surrounded by housing. If it was a large tract of land, then maybe you could make a justification for keeping it passive open space." Lundberg, the council member opposed to the development, proposed enacting a tax of a quarter or one-half percent at city bars and restaurants as a "better way to raise money for our city than selling our dedicated open space." Lilydale residents would have to vote on a referendum, and the tax would have to be approved by the state Legislature. Rep. Rick Hansen agreed to sponsor a bill for the tax if residents approved it. "I think this would be a short-term help to our financial situation," Lundberg said. But a similar bill aimed at shoring up the city's finances failed during this year's legislative session because Sen. Jim Metzen did not approve it, out of concern for the owners of food and liquor establishments. "He said he would pass a bill only if the restaurants were in favor of it, which is as likely as hell freezing over," Swain said Monday. "We could try again, but I'm just not at all comfortable that Senator Metzen would advocate this legislation." Some residents of the affluent community of 600 say they want to buy the last undeveloped property themselves to preserve it. Others said they would be willing to pay more taxes to keep it. "It's a shame that the monetary needs of the city of Lilydale supersede the legacy that we have to give our children," said Anna MacCormick Pampusch argued that 56.3 percent, or 323.4 acres, of Lilydale is already park or open space and that this is not the last green space in the city. The council will decide whether to accept the commission's recommendation and sell the land at its next meeting Monday. Until then, many Lilydale residents are busy calling elected and government officials to help save the land. "We're going to keep working on this. We're going to find somebody," Collins said. "The City Council should remember there's always going to be another election. And people don't forget." Liala Helal can be reached at Ihelal@pioneerpress.com or 651-228-2173. If You Go The Lilydale City Council will make a decision on the land sale at its meeting next Monday. Council meetings begin at 4:30 p.m. at City Hall, 1011 Sibley Memorial Highway. To contact City Hall, call 651-457-2316. Close Window I ' Send To Printer 13tarTribune com 141J'fDJL,AP0,L. S- Si P.�i �� , �i �� , :� i • t • i • `• • •• • • •' 4: MIN Starting idr' r.main runway at ter' Paul International • -i for repairs.patterns of landings and takeoffs may surprise folks, but the changes are only temporary. By Star Tribune Last update: • IM; 8 • PM The thunder of jet aircraft straight overhead will reach a whole new audience beginning today. For the next two months, parts of Minneapolis and St. Paul that have been all but spared airplane noise in the past will feel a jolt as the folks who run the Minneapolis -St. Paul International Airport close a main runway for repairs and shift the planes around. "We will get calls," said Vern Wilcox, a Bloomington City Council member whose constituents will also be affected. Perhaps the greatest surprise is to people in Minneapolis who thought they had a deal: A new north -south runway that opened in October 2005 wasn't supposed to route heavy air traffic to the north, toward downtown, even though it is pointed that way. It turns out, though, that the fine print allows for exceptions under certain circumstances. "I certainiy didn't realize that," said Minneapolis City Council Member Scott Benson, a civic activist at the time the deal was forged. On the other hand, officials are hoping that the Interstate 35W bridge collapse will help remind those affected by the runway work that aging pieces of transportation infrastructure do need to be shut down and overhauled from time to time, even if that annoys folks. "Concrete has a lifespan," said Wilcox, an airport liaison for Bloomington whose private - sector background is in construction management. "The airport has needed emergency repairs in the past when things were starting to break loose on the surface. The weight that hits those babies when planes come down is just fantastic. It's pretty heavy abuse. The surface starts to break down." Depending on the location, some people will get fewer flights. For others, it'll be mixed. "I will wind up with more noise from one runway and less from another," said Bill Kilian, a Richfield City Council member who lives near the airport. Actual numbers of flights in different directions will vary according to weather conditions, airport officials say. But in general, they say, the pathways north toward downtown Minneapolis, and through Highland Park toward downtown St. Paul, will see significant traffic where there's been relatively little before. At the same time, they add, people in parts of Bloomington and Mendota Heights who already get a fair amount of noise will see quite a bit more at times. The winners, at least through mid-October, added Melissa Scovronski, the Metropolitan Airports Commission's public affairs coordinator: those living beneath the pathway of the runway to be dug out and fixed, "since no aircraft will be landing on that runway during this timeframe." David Peterson - 612-673-4440 - dapeterson@startribune.com © 2007 Star Tribune. All rights reserved. WHERE E FLIGHTS WILL GO Beginning today, hundreds of jets will disturb the peace in new parts of the Twin Cities. The reason: A two-month shutdown of one major runway for reconstruction will divert flights. North/South runaway76eparture Cross d way More takeoffs andMore takeoffs into east landings to the north Bloomington and more over Minneapolislandings coming in DeparWrese 655over St. Paul Arrivals: 375 Arrivals: 302 B Source: Metropolitan Airports Commission RAYGRUMNEY • Star Tribune Note: Figures are daily averages under certain common weather, conditions, and may vary.