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2019-08-16 Friday NewsPublic Safety Questions Posted – We Want to Hear From You The City’s new civic engagement tool through Polco is gaining participation. This free online program enables residents to provide feedback to posted questions via their preferred digital device, at a convenient time and place. If you’re not on Polco yet, now’s a great time get started! Current questions are posted focusing on public safety and the Mendota Heights Police Department. Participate in Polco by visiting https://polco.us/mendotaheights or by downloading the app for iOS or Android. Multiple I-494 Lane, Ramp Closures Again! August 16-19 Motorists traveling on I-494 in Mendota Heights, Eagan and Inver Grove Heights should plan on major delays for the fourth weekend in a row as both directions of I-494 will have lane and ramp closures beginning at 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16, weather permitting. The left lane of eastbound I-494 between I-35E and Highway 62/Old Highway 110 will close beginning at 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16 as crews set up the movable barrier in order to pave westbound I-494. Several ramps between Highway 52 and I-35E will close beginning at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16, including:  Highway 52 to westbound I-494  Highway 3 to westbound I-494  Dodd Road to and from westbound I-494  Westbound I-494 to I-35E also will close when crews are present Crews will then reduce westbound I-494 to a single lane between Highway 52 and I-35E by 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16. All lanes and ramps are expected to reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 19. The closure is needed as crews resurface the road. Residents who live near this area may hear noise as crews work around the clock to remove pavement, set barrier and pave the road. The lane and ramp closures are part of a larger project on I-494 to repave the road, update drainage and repair seven bridges on an eight mile stretch I-494 between the Minnesota River and Third Avenue in South St. Paul. During the two-year project, motorists can expect 14 full or partial closures of I-494. Work is scheduled to be completed by fall 2020, weather permitting. Upcoming Public Meeting Dates August 20 City Council Workshop | 5:00pm City Council Mtg | 7:00pm August 21 Airport Rel Comm Mtg | 6:00pm August 27 Planning Comm Mtg | 7:00pm September 2 City Hall & Public Works Closed September 3 City Council Mtg | 7:00pm September 10 Parks & Rec Comm Mtg | 6:30pm Stay Connected: Facebook.com/ MendotaHeightsMN Facebook.com/ MHParksandRec Facebook.com/ MendotaHeightsPD Twitter.com/ @mendota_heights Twitter.com/ @mheightsPD August 16, 2019 from the City of Mendota Heights Mendota Heights City Hall 1101 Victoria Curve www.mendota-heights.com 651.452.1850 City Hall Lobby Hours M-TH: 7am-4:30pm F: 7am-11:30am Police Department Lobby Hours M-F: 8:00am-4:30pm FRIDAY NEWS Stay Connected: Stay up-to-date on this project by signing up for email updates at the project website: www.dot.state.mn.us/metro/projects/i494invergroveheights/. Facebook.com/mndot | Twitter: @mndotnews | Mndot.gov/knowyourroute For real-time travel information anywhere in Minnesota visit www.511mn.org or dial 5-1-1. Spread the Word— Subscribe to Weekly City News Online Visit www.mendota-heights.com. Go to Our City/City Publications/Subscribe to Friday News For subscription removals or other questions, please email Communications Coordinator Sharon Deziel at sharond@mendota-heights.com. Green Your Trip to the MN State Fair  Carpool or take Metro Transit: Most stops are serviced every 15 minutes and are super affordable—about $5 cash roundtrip! To find a bus stop, visit MetroTransit or call 612- 373-3333. You can even find places to park and ride for free.  Bring your own bottle: Bring a few reusable water bottles filled with ice that will melt as the day goes on. Refill bottles at restrooms or fill stations on site. There are many water fountains and refill stations located throughout the Fair, especially at restroom blocks. Bring your own bottle to cut down on plastic and save money to enjoy the good stuff— fried food!  Compost your cob. Make sure to drop your eaten cob into a cob composting box located next to the vendor. There are also organics recycling containers set up at the Eco- Experience Building for other compostable items to such as bones and wooden sticks.  Food on a stick: Buy foods with less packaging so you have less to throw away.  Bring a bandana: Use the bandana as a napkin, and you can tie it to your shorts or throw it in your bag when not needed, or mop a sweaty brow. This will help cut down on napkin waste.  Souvenir cup: Purchase the souvenir pop cup to refill throughout the day. Most beverage stands give a slight discount for cup refills.  Say no to plastic junk: Who needs 10 compass keychains anyway? Don’t take the plastic freebies that booths give away. Refrain from bringing wasteful trinkets into your home that require storage and care. Just say no! Fire Prevention Safety Tips From the Archives 1992—Kicking off summer with the annual celebration at Mendakota Park.  Look for fully sprinklered housing when choosing a dorm or off-campus housing.  Make sure you can hear the building alarm system when you are in your dorm room.  If you live in a dormitory, make sure your sleeping room has a smoke alarm, or your dormitory suite has a smoke alarm in each living area as well as the sleeping room. For the best protection, all smoke alarms in the dormitory suite should be interconnected so that when one sounds, they all sound.  If you live in an apartment or house, make sure smoke alarms are installed in each sleeping room, outside every sleeping area, and on each level of the apartment unit or house. For the best protection, all smoke alarms in the apartment unit or house should be interconnected so that when one sounds, they all sound.  Test all smoke alarms at least monthly.  Never remove batteries or disable the alarm.  Learn your building’s evacuation plan and practice all drills as if they were the real thing.  If you live off campus, have a fire escape plan with two ways out of every room.  When the smoke alarm or fire alarm sounds, get out of the building quickly and stay out.  Stay in the kitchen when cooking.  Cook only when you are alert, not sleepy or drowsy from medicine or alcohol.  Check with your local fire department for any restrictions before using a barbeque grill, fire pit, or chimenea.  Check your school’s rules before using electrical appliances in your room. Source: nfpa.org/education Sept 7 | 7pm Movie Night Mendakota Park Sit back and watch a family-friendly movie on the big outdoor screen! The movie will be selected by vote. Will it be The Goonies or Grease? Vote on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ MHParksandRec/ or https:// www.facebook.com/MendotaHeightsMN/. Try a Music Together Class for Free! Tuesday, Sept 10 | 6-6:45pm or Wednesday, Sept 11 | 10-10:45am Harmon Park, West St. Paul Ages: Birth-Kindergarten Bring the little ones and enjoy a free demonstration of Music Together featuring songs, rhythmic rhymes, movement, and instrument play. This is a free introduction to a 10-week class that will run September 17-November 20. Visit https:// secure.rec1.com/MN/mendota-heights-mn/ catalog under Youth Programs to learn more. Mendota Heights Par 3 Play the 9-hole, par 27 golf course or 9-hole footgolf course. Footgolf is a combination of golf and soccer. Bring your own ball or rent one at the course. Call 651.454.9822 to schedule a tee time at the Par 3. Tee times are recommended for golf and footgolf. Visit https://www.mendota-heights.com/par3 for current rates. The course is located at 1695 Dodd Road in Mendota Heights. September 21 | 7pm at Garlough Park (West St. Paul) Light up the night at the first annual, family- friendly Glow Dash! Enjoy music and games before you walk, run, or push a stroller through a lighted 1.36 mile dash. This event is for all ages and abilities (no dogs please). Wear your favorite glow gear, and every participant will receive a swag bag filled with glow-in-the-dark accessories and more. Refreshments available after the event. Sponsored by the Mendota Heights, West St. Paul, and South St. Paul Parks and Recreation Departments. Cost: $10 Early Bird Deadline Sept. 7 | $15 after Sept. 7 Register under Special Events: https://secure.rec1.com/MN/mendota- heights-mn/catalog Sunday, August 18 at 2pm $15 per participant Join the MH Police and Fire Departments for a recreational round of golf at the Par 3. Meet and mingle with officers and firefighters who serve your neighborhood. Groups are welcome to register together, and groups/participants without foursomes may be paired with others for play. All ages are welcome! Participants receive a T-shirt and light refreshments will be provided. Register at https://secure.rec1.com/MN/mendota-heights-mn/catalog. Create an account and view youth and adult programs at: https://secure.rec1.com/MN/mendota- heights-mn/catalog Parks & Recreation Last chance to Register! Sept 11 | 6:30pm Mendakota Park In partnership with Anytime Fitness, all ages are invited to participate in this Team Training session. Workouts feature a large-group-style circuit training for all fitness levels. Classes last 45 minutes to one hour. Free Outdoor Fun Continues! Field Trips Registration Open for Fall Non-School Days October 17 | Bunker Park Stables Ages: 8 and up | $47 per child October 18 | Sever’s Corn Maze and Eden Prairie Community Pool Ages: 6-12 | $35 per child Reserve early! https://secure.rec1.com/ MN/mendota-heights-mn/catalog VOTE for your FAVORITE Emerald Ash Borer Emerald Ash Borer was first found in Mendota Heights in May of 2015. The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is an invasive insect from Asia that feeds on ash trees, killing them within 3-5 years if not treated. City Staff has begun notifying residents if it is suspected that ash tree(s) on their property are infected with EAB. Removal is not required by City Code, but is encouraged to help slow the spread, and prevent dead and dying ash trees from becoming a safety hazard. Signs of EAB infestation:  Canopy die-back  Blond patches on branches and/or trunk  Woodpecker damage  Splitting bark  D-shaped exit holes If you have an ash tree on your property that is in the early stages of infection, or has not yet become infected, treatment may be an option. The City has continued its partnership with Rainbow Treecare to offer treatments to residents at a discounted rate. Consider treating your ash tree if:  The size of your ash tree is greater than 10” in diameter  It does not compete with other trees, utility lines, or structures  Has less than 30% canopy decline if infested  Is healthy and of sound structure Contact Rainbow Tree Care directly if you are interested in taking advantage of this program: Rainbow Treecare's Discount Program for Mendota Heights. EDDMapS Have you spotted invasive plant, animal, or insect species in Mendota Heights? Help track invasive species in the community by using EDDMapS (Early Detection and Distribution Mapping System) to report invasive species. It is simple and easy to use. How it works:  Create an on-line account: https:// www.eddmaps.org/index.cfm?freg  Click on Report Sightings from the Menu at the top of the Home Page.  Enter the species information (you can search for species in this field) and location. If you are at the location, and have a smart phone, you can use your phone’s GPS to pinpoint the location on the site’s mapping tool.  Upload photos of the plant (optional).  Click on Submit Report at the bottom of the page. You’re done! All data is reviewed by state verifiers, and a site visit is conducted to verify. Images from https://eddmaps.org Sponsoring Two Participants for the Fall Master Water Stewards Class Are you concerned about water pollution? Is there a water quality problem in your neighborhood that you want to fix? Want to get off the sidelines and make real change? The Master Water Stewards program is a great opportunity to learn how to solve environmental problems in your community and find a local network of energized leaders. The Lower Mississippi River Watershed Management Organization (LMRWMO) is sponsoring two participants for the Fall 2019 Master Water Stewards Class, a $2,250 value for the classes. Applications are being accepted until September 9, 2019. Note this deadline is earlier for residents of the LMRWMO than the typical application deadline. The two successful applicants will be asked to provide $250 towards the classes, which will be reimbursed upon completion. Apply Now! Applications are available at masterwaterstewards.org. Please contact Joe Barten, LMRWMO Administrator, at (651) 480-7784 with any questions. Adopting a storm drain simply involves keeping it free of sediment, trash, leaves, and other debris by sweeping and collecting it at least twice a month. It is a simple, easy way you can help do your part to improve water quality in our community! Online sign-up at: https://www.adopt-a-drain.org/ Would you Like to Learn More About Recycling or Composting? Meet others who are excited about waste reduction and have the chance to inspire others to help reduce waste in Dakota County. Over a 6-week period with one class each week, participants hear presentations from local and regional experts on waste reduction, recycling, composting and solid waste and go on field trips to relevant sites. Upcoming classes: Tuesdays, Sept. 24–Oct. 29 | 6:30-9 p.m. Eagan Community Center 1501 Central Parkway, Eagan Optional tour day: Wednesday, Oct. 23 | 9 a.m.–2 p.m. (tentative) Registration opens Aug. 15 Be the first to know about the next class. Contact Jenny Kedward at 952-891-7043 or jennifer.kedward@co.dakota.mn.us. Register and learn more: https://www.co.dakota.mn.us/ Environment/CommunityInvolvement/ MasterRecycler/Pages/default.aspx Greener Back-to-School Shopping Hopefully your child has some school supplies left from last year so you don’t have to buy everything all over again. You can reduce the chemicals your child is exposed to by purchasing more eco-friendly supplies; keep an eye out for:  Items labeled “non toxic” or “BPA free”  Prioritize buying paper over plastic whenever possible  Metal rulers which will last a lifetime over plastic that can chip and crack  Pencil highlighters will never dry out and are unique and fun  Recycled paper content notebooks  Upgrade a plastic lunchbox to a metal one that will last years Visit Wisdom Supply Co for zero-waste school essentials!   1   The latest from the Mendota Heights Police Department AUGUST 16, 2019 The following are some of the most critical Minnesota Traffic Laws governing bicyclists, pedestrians and motorists, found under MN State Statute 169. Following the law and ensuring common courtesy will help keep you and your loved ones safe. BICYCLISTS Ride on the road and ride in the same direction as traffic. Obey all traffic control signs and signals, just as motorists must do. Signal turns and ride in a predictable manner. Use a headlight and rear reflectors when it's dark. Watch for and yield to pedestrians and call out your approach. MOTORISTS When passing a bicycle or pedestrian, motor vehicles shall leave at least 3 feet clearance until safely past the bicycle or pedestrian. Treat every corner and intersection as a crosswalk, whether it’s marked or unmarked, and stop for crossing pedestrians PEDESTRIANS Pedestrians must obey traffic control devices, and if no traffic control device is present, motorists are to stop for crossing pedestrians within a marked crosswalk or at an intersection with no marked crosswalk. Walk on the left side of the road, facing traffic, when walking on a street, and to the right on a paved sidewalk or walkway. CHIEF Kelly McCarthy CAPTAIN Wayne Wegener SERGEANTS Eric Petersen Tanner Spicer Peyton Fleming POLICE OFFICERS John Larrive Todd Rosse Chad Willson Philip McCarty Weston Raberge Peter Renteria Cara Hogan Tony Patton Ryan Yauch Tommy Albindia Eric Hagelee Leif Vandersteen INVESTIGATIONS Nick Gorgos SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER Steve Hilyar COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICER Josh Rosenberry SUPPORT STAFF Kim Richter Trista Miller Shayna Hoechst Becky Pentel RESERVES Jim Knox Jeff Parker CHAPLAINS Butch Millett John Snider Alberto Vargas Lynn Liberman Sue Plucker Joel Detlefsen Mike VerWay   2          THEFT—2XXX LEXINGTON AVE S         08/08/19, 1812 HOURS  Officer took a report of a theŌ that occurred someƟme within the past two weeks. The storage unit of his  apartment was forced and an item was stolen. No suspects at this Ɵme.    WARRANT ARREST— LEXINGTON AVE S/HWY 62      08/09/19, 0047 HOURS  While on regular patrol duƟes, officer ran a license plate of a vehicle and was alerted the registered owner  has an acƟve warrant for their arrest. Officer iniƟated a traffic stop and the driver was idenƟfied as the  owner. The driver was arrested and booked into the Dakota County Jail for the warrant. Vehicle was         impounded to Mark’s Towing.     ACCIDENT—9XX SIBLEY MEMORIAL HWY       08/09/19, 1819 HOURS  Officer responded to a property damage crash that occurred in a parking lot and parƟes were arguing about  the incident.  Crash was invesƟgated. Cleared with report.     BURGLARY— X LILYWOOD LN         08/10/19, 1058 HOURS  Responded to a residenƟal burglary where a shaƩered window was found by a neighbor. Officers cleared  the residence, took photos and evidence. Owner was noƟfied by phone and noƟfied of next steps. Case    under invesƟgaƟon.    IDENTITY THEFT—2XXX HERITAGE DR        08/10/19, 1413 HOURS  Resident reported being a vicƟm of idenƟty theŌ. Resident was called by Verizon to verify a purchase of  electronics she had not made. Resident was advised by Verizon that the electronics were set to be shipped  to an address in CoƩage Grove but they would not provide a name or address. Case pending InvesƟgaƟon.    DWI—HWY 62/DELAWARE AVE         08/11/19, 0222 HOURS  Officers observed a vehicle traveling above the posted speed limit. Officers stopped the vehicle and found  signs of impairment. Officers arrested the driver, who refused PBT and the evidenƟary test, and charged  him with 3rd Degree DWI –Test Refusal.      THEFT—2XXX PILOT KNOB RD         2018—2019  Responded to a report of theŌ of money that happened between October 2018 and January 2019. The    suspect is a former employee. InvesƟgaƟon in ongoing.    DRUGS/WARRANT—HWY 13/ACACIA DR       08/11/19, 1038 HOURS  An officer performed a traffic stop on a vehicle and during the traffic stop, it was determined the driver had  an acƟve felony   arrest warrant. The driver was ulƟmately taken into custody and then found to have a  controlled substance and paraphernalia in her possession. Formal charges pending.    3         RECOVERED STOLEN VEHICLE—8XX WAGON WHEEL TRL     08/11/19, 1317 HOURS  Dispatched to a parking complaint. ReporƟng party informed dispatch that the vehicle had not moved in six  days. The license plate provided was  not on file. Checked the VIN which came back as stolen out of West St  Paul. Status was confirmed and impounded by Mark's Towing. Plates were removed and entered into    property.    SLUMPER/FLEEING—1XXX SIBLEY MEMORIAL HWY      08/11/19, 1304 HOURS  Officers were called to check the welfare of two persons slumped over in a car. Upon officers arrival the  vehicle leŌ the area at a high rate of speed and endangered other motorists. Officers terminated pursuing  the vehicle for public safety reasons. Subsequent invesƟgaƟon found that the license plate on the car       belonged to another junked car. InvesƟgaƟon into idenƟfying the driver is ongoing.    THEFT—2XXX PILOT KNOB RD         07/24/19, 1307 HOURS  Dispatched to a report of theŌ of Ɵres. Suspect ordered and picked up Ɵres from a wholesaler under false  pretenses using a business account. The theŌ was discovered when the business disputed the invoice. Vid- eo obtained and a suspect was idenƟfied and contacted. Suspect agreed to pay for the Ɵres and vicƟm  agreed to drop charges.    BURGLARY—8XX WESTVIEW CT         08/10/19, 1107 HOURS  Resident reported a tool box was taken from inside his aƩached garage. The theŌ happened someƟme    between Saturday 8/10 and Tuesday 8/13. Replacement cost is esƟmated at $500.     WELFARE CHECK—5XX STAPLES AVE        08/13/19, 1427 HOURS  Officers were called to check on the welfare of a female who kept calling the Police Department to report  speeding violators and sounded like she was intoxicated. On scene, officers found that the woman was  heavily intoxicated and didn't know where her child was. AŌer locaƟng the child, the grandfather was  called and the woman was taken to the hospital. She will be charged with child neglect. Forwarded to Child  ProtecƟve Services.     DWI—7xx SOUTH PLAZA DR          08/14/19, 2030 HOURS  Officers responded to reports of a man who was acƟng strangely in a business in the area. Upon arrival  officers located the man in a nearby parking lot. The male showed signs of impairment and field sobriety  tests were conducted. The male showed more signs of impairment and he was placed under arrest.    MOTORCYCLE VS OFF‐LEASH—ACACIA DR/PILOT KNOB RD        08/14/19, 1534 HOURS  Responded to report of a motorcyclist down. Original report was that there were injuries. Officer arrived  and spoke with operator who stated he was not injured. Driver stated crash was caused by a dog off-leash  that ran out into the street. Dog got in front of motorcycle, operator stopped, cycle Ɵpped and a second  dog then ran up and bit the operator. Dog handler issued a citaƟon for ordinance violaƟon.    4           TRAFFIC STOP/DRUGS—Marie Ave/Dodd Rd      08/15/19, 0743 HOURS  Officer stopped a vehicle for speed  and driver admiƩed to speeding. Vehicle smelled of marijuana. Drugs  were  recovered  in  the  vehicle.  Driver  was  released  pending  formal  charges.  Case  referred  to  county      aƩorney for felony drug charges.    THEFT FROM MV—1XXX SIBLEY MEMORIAL HWY     08/15/19, 1938 HOURS  Officer dispatched a theŌ from motor vehicle. The reporƟng party stated that his rear window on the driver  side had been broken and items had been taken from the vehicle. Officer gathered informaƟon and report  wriƩen.     CAR VS TREE—DODD/BEEBE AV        08/15/19, 2004 HOURS  Officer responded to an accident involving one vehicle and a tree limb that had broken off and fallen on her  car while traveling on Dodd Rd near Beebe Ave. No injuries were reported. Minor damage done was to the  windshield. Tree was blocking the road and cleared by Mendota Heights Fire Department. Report only.                               5   08/09—8/16 2019 YTD Calls for Service 185 7607 Police Reports 18 732 Citations 37 1124 Warnings 49 1626 Response Time Average 5.93 6.48 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 Vacation/House Check Request online form is available on our website; you can also complete a form found in our lobby, or simply give us a call! MHPD offers a Medication Disposal Box in the lobby of the PD where Dakota County residents can safely & anonymously dispose of their prescription drug medication. This program is mainly meant to keep narcotics off the streets and dispose of medications in environmentally sound ways. ** No needles/sharps. Visit the Green Guide for tips. ** Please visit the Dakota County Recycling Zone for helpful resources for all safe disposal solutions. Car Seat Checks—TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE Please visit the MN DPS for more information. Questions/Comments? Email us at: pdrecords@ mendota-heights.com Questions? Call our Non-Emergency Line @ 651.452.1366. Need Public Safety Response? Call 911 Individually we can make a difference, but TOGETHER we create CHANGE! Thanks for working with us to support Neighbors, Inc.