2008-02-08 Friday NewsGRG told us that they will take the necessary actions to insure that work for both of these
grants is completed on time and the funding is not lost. Signs and other interpretive facili-
ties will all be run through the City Council for approval prior to installation.
The GRG also updated us on Restoration Activities for 2008, which have already began
on the new Acacia Cemetery site with Dakota County inmates and sentence-to-serve indi-
viduals doing brush and tree removal.
Heights Highlight Due Out
Mary Hapka is the editor for the Heights Highlight and has finished the winter edition.
She told me it has gone to the printer and she reports that it will be printed and sent to the
post office on Monday. It usually takes about a minimum of a week for the post offices to
deliver them (North of TH110 is zip code 55118, which is the West St. Paul Post Office
and south of TH110 is 55120, which is the Eagan Post Office). If you want an early look,
the newsletter has already been posted on the City’s web site.
Robert Street Corridor Transit
Mary Jeanne sits on the Robert Street Corridor Transit Feasibility Study Steering Commit-
tee and invited Jake to attend their meeting on Thursday. This group has been working
hard to evaluate different transit alternatives in Dakota County. Jake was impressed by
the great representation on this body from state, regional and local agencies. Rick Nau
from URS presented on findings to date relating to the transit alternatives, and recom-
mended that the group pursue further analysis of an alternative which would utilize a com-
bination of Light Rail and Bus transit.
Baby Shields Arrives
Congratulations to Firefighter Tom Shields, wife Sarah and daughter Maris on the birth of
the newest member of the Shields household. Danielle (Dani) Sandra Shields was born on
February 3rd at 12:06 a.m. She weighed 7 lbs. 8 oz. and was 20 inches long. All are well
and they went home on Tuesday. They said photos and more information will be sent
soon. Congratulations and best wishes to the Shields family.
Pilot Knob Update
Last week the City finalized the purchase of the Acacia Cemetery part of
Pilot Knob, we now own about 25 total acres. This week Sue, Guy and I
met with the staff from Great River Greening (GRG) the consultants the
City hired to help restore the site, to discuss this year’s work. GRG plans
for and supervises the restoration work. They also help the City apply for
grants. At the meeting they informed us that there are two deadlines for
grants that occur this year. 1.) A Minnesota Historical Society grant for
installing historical interpretive signs for the site expires on July 31st this
year. 2.) A Flint Hills, MPCA administered grant to install interpretive
facilities expires on December 31st this year.
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February 8, 2008
Page 2 FRIDAY NEWS : FEBRUARY 8, 2008
Park & Recreation Commission Meeting 2/12/08
Airports Relations Commission Meeting 2/13/08
City Council Meeting 2/19/08
DCC Board of Directors 2/21/08
Planning Commission Meeting 2/26/08
February Dates to Remember
Attachments
Just the Facts, Pipeline, Park & Recreation Agenda, ARC Agenda, Twincities.com Article
“City gets last Pilot Knob land”, Villager Article “Eritreans to build Mendota Hts church”,
“Met Council committee approves rezoning of Lilydale bluff” and MNSUN Article
“Mendota Heights looks to control deer populations” and “Northern Dakota County cities to
web stream government meetings”. StarTribune.com Article “Golf courses make good
neighbors until owners want to sell”.
Other dates to Remember:
2/12/08 - Lincoln’s Birthday
2/14/08 - Valentines Day
2/18/08 - Presidents’ Day (City Offices Closed)
2/22/08 - Washington’s Birthday
2/29/08 - Leap Day