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2016-08-26 Friday NewsCity of Mendota Heights Weekly Update Mendota Heights City Hall 1101 Victoria Curve www.mendota-heights.com (651) 452.1850 Visit us on: Facebook.com/ MendotaHeightsMN Twitter.com/ @Mendota_heights DATES TO REMEMBER: Tuesday, September 6 Council Workshop 5:00 p.m. City Council Meeting 7:00 p.m. Thursday, September 8 Council Workshop 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 13 Parks and Rec Commission 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 20 City Council 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 27 Planning Commission 7:00 p.m. Attachments: Pipeline, Just the Facts Aug 26, 2016 Mendota Heights Candidate Forum Wednesday, August 31, 2016 8:30 – 9:30 p.m. WCCO Radio Anchor/Reporter Adam Carter will host a candidate forum for Mendota Heights Mayor and City Council candidates. The forum will be televised LIVE on Town Square Television’s Community Channel (Comcast Xfinity Channel 14 or CenturyLink Prism Channel 8414), and streamed LIVE at www.townsquare.tv. Candidates for Mayor include: Neil Garlock, Sandra Krebsbach, Randy Pentel Candidates for City Council (2 to be elected) include: Joel Paper, Jeff Parker, Mike Povolny, Steve Norton, Jay Miller Master the art of recycling The Master Recycler and Composter program provides training on waste reduction, recycling, composting and solid waste. The six-week course includes a training hand- book, hands-on demonstrations, presentations from local and regional experts and field trips. Visit www.dakotacounty.us, search Master Recycler for more details. Thursdays, October 6 – November 11; 6pm-9pm Lebanon Hills Visitor Center, 860 Cliff Road, Eagan $30 fee covers course materials and field trip transportation Hwy 13 Slope Repair Update The private contractor is continuing work on the concrete wall at the site to the east of Wachtler Ave. The remaining work on the slope has been completed. The topsoil placement and hydro seeding were finished this week. There are some pavement and curb repairs that will take place next week. The contractor is still on track to open the road by the end of business on Friday, September 2nd. 2016 Concert Series Wednesdays 6:30 p.m. @ Market Square Park Rain or Shine Aug 31…The Percolators (a variety of acoustic, rock, and jazz) Public Works The Parks Crew installed signs at the Pilot Knob site. Work was done on the new entryway for Pilot Knob. Grass was cut throughout the city. Fields were dragged, chalked and striped. Trash was pickup in the parks daily. The new soccer goals were assembled and placed. The Utilities Crew checked the lift stations daily. Both generators were exercised. A new water fill station was installed at Public Works. The sprayer was prepared for fall broadleaf control. The Streets Crew did blacktop repairs in the Ivy Falls area. A street sign was replaced on William Court. They attended an equipment expo at the Dakota County shop. Signs were picked up that were left by a contractor on High Point and Stone Road. Trucks 301 and 302 were washed. Training was done for operating the controls (sander, wing, etc.) on the new plow truck. Engineering – Project descriptions simplified for easier reading. For more information, please contact the Engineering Department at (651) 452-1850. City Projects (construction year) Mendota Road Neighborhood Improvements (2016) –Contractor is working on installing topsoil for new sod along Mendota Road. Xcel Energy is starting a gas line replacement which will affect improvements already installed by the city contractor, this work is independent of the city project. Update of Local Surface Water Management Plan (LSWMP) – Staff is expecting a draft plan any day now. The draft plan is expected to be before City Council in September. Watershed Management Organization approval is expected in October with final City adoption in January 2017. Lake Augusta Alum Treatment (2017) –The Lower Mississippi River Watershed Management Organization (LMRMWO) will be managing the project that will apply alum to the lake to reduce the amount of phosphorus in the water. The grant received for the treatment includes the treatment of Sunfish Lake. The City of Sunfish Lake is trying to collect the City matching funds from residents. Because the LMRWMO has to wait for the Sunfish Lake matching funds, treatment is expected shortly after ice-out in the spring of 2017. If Sunfish Lake is unable to The Pipeline N E W S L E T T E R Public Works Engineering Code Enforcement August 26, 2016 collect the matching funds, the LMRWMO will proceed with Lake Augusta on its own. County Projects Highway 110 Greenway Trail Crossing (2017) – County staff continues to coordinate the trail alignment with representatives from MnDOT, Mendota Plaza, and Dodge Nature Center. Design is anticipated to be complete in time to bid with the MnDOT Highway 110 Rehabilitation project (see below). For more information contact Jacob Rezak, Project Manager, at 952-891-7981 or jacob.rezak@co.dakota.mn.us East-West Transit Study –The TAC discussed the final goals and objectives of the study to be presented to the policy makers later this year. State Projects Highway 13 Slope Repair (2015-2016) – Highway 13 is now closed and will reopen on September 2nd. MnDOT issued a permit for the closure. The contractor has completed all portions of the retaining wall. They are fine grading out the area and will be installing the turf reinforcement mat and landscaping. The project remains on schedule for re-opening the highway no later than September 2nd. The City’s Facebook site and web page will also be used to communicate further updates. Highway 110 Rehabilitation (2017) –Construction is scheduled to begin in the spring with the directional closures of Highway 110 beginning in early June. For more information contact Molly Cline, MnDOT Project Manager, at 651-234-7723 or molly.cline@state.mn.us. Highway 149 (Dodd Road) Rehabilitation (2018) – Staff is assisting the MnDOT project team in incorporating a trail gap segment between Maple Street and Marie Avenue. Staff attended a Project Management Team (PMT) meeting on Tuesday where pedestrian crossings and intersection configurations are being discussed. The intersections of Dodd and Decorah/Wagon Wheel are being analyzed for a safe pedestrian crossing, as is the intersection of Emerson and Dodd (at Somerset Elementary School). Contact Tara McBride, MnDOT Project Manager at 651-234- 7506, or tara.mcbride@state.mn.us for more project information.   1   The latest from the Mendota Heights Police Department CHIEF Mike Aschenbrener SERGEANTS Eric Petersen Tanner Spicer Peyton Fleming POLICE OFFICERS John Larrive Todd Rosse Jeff VonFeldt Denise Urmann Michael Shepard Nick Gorgos Robin Nelson Steve Hilyar Phillip McCarty Weston Raberge INVESTIGATIONS Chad Willson SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER Jennifer Fordham SUPPORT STAFF Kim Henning Trista Miller Shayna Hoechst Becky Pentel RESERVES Randy Pentel Jim Knox Jeff Parker Jon Clayton Dan Iverson CHAPLAINS Butch Millett John Snider Alberto Vargas Lynn Liberman Sue Plucker Joel Detlefsen Lenny Andrie AUGUST 26, 2016     ZIPPER MERGE When a lane is closed in a construction zone, a zipper merge occurs when motorists use both lanes of traffic until reaching the defined merge area, and then alternate in "zipper" fashion into the open lane. Zipper merge vs. early merge When most drivers see the first “lane closed ahead” sign in a work zone, they slow too quickly and move to the lane that will continue through the construction area. This driving behavior can lead to unexpected and dangerous lane switching, serious crashes and road rage. Zipper merging, however, benefits individual drivers as well as the public at large. Research shows that these dangers decrease when motorists use both lanes until reaching the defined merge area and then alternate “zipper” fashion into the lane. So I'm supposed to merge late? Yes! As you see the “lane closed ahead” sign and traffic backing up, stay in your current lane up to the point of merge and drive at a more cautious speed. Then take turns with other drivers to safely and smoothly ease into the remaining lane. Don't worry about being "Minnesota nice." When traffic is heavy and slow, it is much safer for motorists to remain in their current lane until the point where traffic can orderly take turns merging. When not to do the zipper merge When traffic is moving at highway speeds and there are no backups, it makes sense to move sooner to the lane that will remain open through construction. The bottom line is to merge when it is safe to do so. BENEFITS Reduces differences in speeds between two lanes. Reduces the overall length of traffic backup by as much as 40 percent Reduces congestion on freeway interchanges Creates a sense of fairness and equity that all lanes are moving at the same rate. InformaƟon provided by the Minnesota Department of TransportaƟon    2   FOUND PROPERTY FRIDAY 1135 HOURS Officer Mike Shepard responded to a local parking lot regarding a large number of keys being found left in the lot. There was no identifying information on them so the keys were put into evidence at the MHPD. WARRANT ARREST/AOA SATURDAY 0356 HOURS Officer Steve Hilyar and Officer Jenny Fordham located a male standing on corner next to a bus stop. The officers asked if the man needed help and was told that he had missed the bus earlier and was trying to get home to Minneapolis. In doing a routine name check on the individual it had revealed he was wanted for two separate warrants out of a surrounding county. The man was arrested for his warrants and was transported to jail. DAMAGE TO PROPERTY/THEFT SATURDAY 0857 & 1005 HOURS Officer Mike Shepard took two separate reports regarding vehicles being broken into in a local parking lot. One of the victims had her vehicle window broken out although nothing from inside the vehicle had been taken. The other victim reported that her vehicle window had also been broken out and her purse that had been stolen. The victim was advised to cancel all of her credit cards as soon as possible. There is no suspect information at this time. THEFT SATURDAY 1222 HOURS Sergeant Tanner Spicer responded to the MHPD lobby regarding a report of theft. The victim reported that the night before his son had a party at his residence. Two handguns he owned had been stolen by two unwelcomed males who had attended the party. Sergeant Spicer interviewed the victims son and a number of other attendees and identified the two suspects. Both suspects were eventually located and arrested for felony theft. The thieves were arrested later in the week and charged with Felony Theft—Firearm. PUBLIC URINATION SUNDAY 0209 HOURS While conducting a routine business check, Sergeant Peyton Fleming observed a male urinating in the parking lot of a local bar. Sergeant Fleming made contact with the male who when asked what he was doing, apologized and said he was unable to get back inside the bar to use the restroom. The male was cited and released. CHECK WELFARE SUNDAY 1216 HOURS Officer Denise Urmann and Sergeant Tanner Spicer responded to check the welfare of a male down on a local bike path. The officers located the male who was in and out of consciousness, had signs of impairment and evidence of track marks. The male was transported via ambulance to the hospital.   3   DAR/DRUG PARAPHERNALIA MONDAY 1634 HOURS While on routine patrol, Officer Weston Raberge, with Officer John Larrive, stopped a vehicle for an equipment violation. The driver admitted to not having insurance and came back with a revoked license status. While conducting the stop, the officers smelled marijuana coming from the vehicle and observed marijuana paraphernalia inside the vehicle. Ultimately the vehicle was impounded and the driver was cited for no insurance, driving after revocation and drug paraphernalia. DAMAGE TO PROPERTY TUESDAY 0921 HOURS Officer Todd Rosse responded to a local residence regarding a report of vandalism and damage to property. The victims stated that a political sign placed in their yard had the exterior edges damaged/burned sometime over the weekend. The victims stated that this was the 3rd sign that had been tampered with since July; the first two were stolen entirely. No suspects or witnesses at this time. ACCIDENT TUESDAY 1550 HOURS Officer Weston Raberge responded to an accident where two vehicles had collided. While at the stop sign, the driver attempted then to turn right and collided with the passenger side of an oncoming vehicle. No citation, no injuries. State accident report completed and officer cleared. ACCIDENT WEDNESDAY 1743 HOURS Officer Jenny Fordham responded to the location of an accident that occurred in a school parking lot. While backing out of a parking spot, the vehicle struck a neighboring vehicle in the passenger door. The parties exchanged information; no injuries or citations. Officer cleared. JUV DETENTION THURSDAY 1348 HOURS Dakota County Juvenile Detention Center (JDC) authorities contacted our agency to help with a detention order. A local juvenile female failed to cooperate with her court ordered placement. Officer Urmann and Sergeant Spicer responded to the residence and placed the juvenile into custody and transferred her to the care of JDC staff. Officers cleared. STOLEN VEHICLE THURSDAY 1630 HOURS Area officers responded to an area just outside our city on a possible pursuit; this was cancelled right about the time Sergeant Spicer was in position. On his way back thru the city, he spied a similar vehicle, and the driver exhibited suspicious behavior. He pulled over and the driver passed him; plate came back as stolen. A traffic stop was immediately initiated and the driver was arrested for possession of stolen property. Pending.   4   MHPD HAS HIRED POLICE OFFICER WESTON RABERGE   Weston grew up in  Rosemount, MN. AŌer  graduaƟon, worked for  two years at the CoƩage  Grove Fire Department  as fire and EMT.  He  then decided he wanted  to be more proacƟve  than reacƟve and decid- ed to switch gears.    He signed on with the  Air Force to gain law en- forcement experience &  served 6 years. With Se- curity Forces, and the  past two years was Staff  Sergeant.  Weston also pursued a  degree in law enforce- ment,  graduaƟng from  Colorado ChrisƟan   Uni- versity in 2016 with a  degree in Criminal Jus- Ɵce.   Weston and his wife    Jana welcomed a new    baby girl, Charliegh, to  their family earlier this  year.  Welcome aboard!  08/19‐08/25 2016 YTD Calls for Service 132 5618 Citations 7 513 Warnings 9 514 Police Reports 20 653 Response Time Average 8.53 5.23 Check out the MH Crime Map! Click below to search your neighborhood: https://www.raidsonline.com 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, MN 55118 If you are a Mendota Heights resident and you are going out of town or on vacation, you can notify MHPD of your outing and we will be more than happy to keep a watchful eye on your home while you are away. The House Check Request online form is available on our website; you can complete a form found in our lobby, or simply give us a call and we’ll help you out. MHPD offers monthly Car Seat Safety Checks. To schedule an appointment, call 651.452.1366 or email jennyf@mendota‐heights.com to contact Ofϐicer Jennifer Fordham. MHPD has a Medication Disposal Box in the lobby of the PD where Dakota County residents can safely and anonymously dispose of their prescription drugs and over‐the‐counter medication. Please send us your positive feedback on our staff to: pdrecords@ mendota-heights.com Your feedback is greatly appreciated and helps boost the morale of our staff. HAVE A SAFE WEEK!