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2020-01-17 Friday NewsFEB Public meeting announcements Please note that the Planning Commission Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, February 26 has been moved to Thursday, February 27 at 7:00pm. 27 Mendota Heights City Hall 1101 Victoria Curve www.mendota-heights.com 651.452.1850 City Hall Lobby Hours M-TH: 7:00am-4:30pm F: 7:00am-11:30am Police Department Lobby Hours M-F: 8:00am-4:30pm Upcoming Public Meeting Dates Mon., January 20 City Hall Closed (Public Works Open) Tues., January 21 City Council Mtg | 7:00pm Tues., January 28 Planning Comm Mtg | 7:00pm Tues., February 4 City Council Meeting | 7:00pm Tues., February 11 Parks & Rec Comm | 6:30pm Mon., February 17 City Hall & Public Works Closed Tues., February 18 City Council Mtg | 7:00pm Thurs., February 27 Planning Comm Mtg | 7:00pm Stay Connected: Facebook.com/ MendotaHeightsMN Facebook.com/ MHParksandRec Facebook.com/ MendotaHeightsPD Twitter.com/ @mendota_heights Twitter.com/ @mheightsPD January 17, 2020 from the City of Mendota Heights FRIDAY NEWS Aeration underway at Rogers Lake — exercise caution on and near the ice The City of Mendota Heights has obtained a permit from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to install and operate an aerator on Rogers Lake during the winter months. The purpose of the aerator is to maintain healthy oxygen levels for water quality, as well as prevent winterkill of fish and other aquatic life. If using Rogers Lake during aeration operation, please exercise caution and remember ice is never 100% safe. Heed posted warning signs and stay well away from open water that may be created by the aerator. Always drill test holes periodically as you move across ice to gauge thickness. For more information on lake aeration, visit: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/eco/lakeaeration/index.html Absentee voting begins today Absentee voting is available for those who wish to vote before the Presidential Nomination Primary on March 3. There are two ways to do so:  Absentee vote in person: Vote at the Mendota Heights City Hall or at any Dakota County Office during regular business hours.  Absentee vote by mail: An application for an absentee ballot can be obtained at MnVotes.org. Remember, if voting by mail, your voted ballot must arrive by Election Day for the vote to count, so please allow enough time for postal delivery. City Hall will be open extended hours for absentee voting on:  Saturday, February 29 | 10:00am-3:00pm  Monday, March 2 | 7:00am-5:00pm Are you pre-registered to vote? The 2020 Presidential Nomination Primary will take place on Tuesday, March 3. Residents are strongly encouraged to pre-register to vote by February 11, 2020, to save time at the polls. If you have moved, changed your name, or have not voted in the last four years, you will need to register to vote. Go to MnVotes.org to register to vote, or to check to see if you are already registered to vote. You can also print off a registration form from this site. See the Orbit Earth Expo in action! If you missed this unforgettable science experience catch it in action. View Insight 7’s story at https://vimeo.com/384550429 . Blade with the Blue February 8 Join the MHPD for a fun day of recreational hockey skills and games. Participants will enjoy friendly challenges in fastest skater, passing, shooting accuracy, and longest goal. After the challenges, team up with police officers for 3-on-3 hockey games. Children must provide their own equipment. Time: 1-2:30pm ages 6-9, 2:30-4pm ages 10-13 Cost: FREE Location: Friendly Hills Park-Outdoor Rink Royal Ball February 9 | 3-5pm Registration is open for the fifth annual Royal Ball! There will be crafts, games, meet-and-greet with real princes and princesses, a DJ, refreshments, and dancing. Space fills quickly for this popular event! Cost: $22 per child Ages: 10 (4th grade) and under Location: Concord Exchange Building, South Saint Paul Parks & Recreation Learn more & register: https://secure.rec1.com/MN/mendota-heights- mn/catalog or at City Hall. Let’s get skating! Ice rinks for pleasure skating and hockey are open for the season! Please note only Marie and Friendly Hills Parks will have a warming house attendant. Wentworth Park’s warming house will be open, however there will not be an attendant on-site. OUTDOOR RINK LOCATIONS Friendly Hills - 2360 Pueblo Lane Marie Park - 1780 Lilac Lane Wentworth Park - 739 Wentworth Avenue WARMING HOUSE HOURS For up-to-date information on rink conditions and warming house availability throughout the season, please call the hotline: 651-255-1174. Rink conditions & availability are weather- dependent. Outdoor rinks and warming houses will be closed when the air temperature is below zero. Monday-Friday 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm Saturday 10:00 am to 9:00 pm Sunday 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm Non-school/vacation days and most 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm Discover activities to keep you moving this winter The latest episode of the Community Parks Connection features local parks and recreational activities happening this winter, including a preview of the new playground at Wentworth Park! View the episode at https://vimeo.com/380751741. 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/. The LMRWMO wants to hear from you The Lower Mississippi River Watershed Management Organization is in the process of updating its 10-year Watershed Management Plan, and they need your input! Make your voice be heard by taking their brief survey. By answering just a few short questions, you will help the WMO to better understand your concerns, priorities and goals for the health of the watershed. The Lower Mississippi River Watershed Management Organization provides a valuable forum for member cities to evaluate and resolve drainage and water quality issues within the watershed. To learn more about the LMRWMO, visit their website: Lower Mississippi River WMO. Recycle holiday lights at City Hall through January 31 Have a string that won’t light? City Hall is collecting holiday lights, electrical cords, appliance cords, and phone cords for recycling courtesy of ProAct. Simply drop off items in a collection bin located in the lobby of City Hall during business hours. Holiday Food Drive ends January 31 City Hall is collecting shelf-stable food and toiletries for Neighbors, Inc. Donations may be dropped off in the lobby during City Hall business hours. The donation drive will run through January 31. 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. Not sure if something can be recycled? Check out the County’s Green Guide; simply type in your item and it will explain how to dispose or recycle it properly! Easy information at your fingertips! Spotlight on shredded paper Shredded paper must go in the trash or be brought to The Recycling Zone in Eagan, in a paper bag. Even though shredded paper is a high-value material, it creates confetti on the floor at recycling facilities, and often ends up in the glass stream, contaminating the whole load. If you can, wait to bring your confidential material to the spring paper shred event on April 18 to be shredded on site. Save the Date Spring Shred Event | Saturday, April 18, 9:00am to noon West Saint Paul Sports Complex. Landscaping for clean water in 2020 Receive grant funds and on-site assistance for creating a beautiful landscape feature in your yard, such as a raingarden, native garden or shoreline stabilization! Landscaping for Clean Water is a program for Dakota County residents that provides assistance for creating landscape features that promote clean water, benefit local pollinators, are sustainable and low-maintenance, and look beautiful! How does it work?  Attend a FREE introductory workshop where you’ll learn gardening basics, and how to create landscaping that can benefit our local water.  Sign up and attend a two-night Design Course ($25 one-time cost) that allows you to work hands-on with staff to begin planning and designing a garden in your yard.  Apply for the Landscaping for Clean Water Grant by filling out an application. FREE INTRODUCTORY WORKSHOPS All hour-long workshops will start at 6:00 p.m. Select one of ten different dates and locations. MAINTENANCE WORKSHOPS Already have a Raingarden or other Native Planting? Attend a Maintenance Workshop and learn how to maintain your raingarden or native planting year- round! Mendota Heights: Wed., March 4, 5-6:30 PM Inver Grove Heights: Tues., March 31, 6-7:30 PM Apple Valley: Wed., April 29, 5-6:30 PM LEARN MORE & REGISTER DakotaSWCD.org/cleanwater.html Call: 651-480-7777 Email: SWCD@co.dakota.mn.us The Lawns to Legumes Program is accepting applications Have you been looking for a way to help the endangered Rusty Patched Bumble Bee and other pollinators? Or maybe you have been wanting to create an environmentally-friendly, low- maintenance landscape? The Lawns to Legumes program offers a simple way to do both! The MN Board of Water and Soil Resources is now offering grants as part of the new Lawns to Legumes Program. This program offers workshops, coaching, guides, and cost-share funding for installing pollinator-friendly native plantings in residential landscapes. These pollinator habitats could consist of any of the following:  A Native Pocket Planting or garden with native, pollinator beneficial flowers  Establishing a Pollinator Lawn by removing existing turf and replacing with a pollinator seed mix that includes no-mow fescues and low-growing flowers, or seeding no-mow fescues and low-growing native flowers into existing lawn  Pollinator beneficial trees and shrubs  Establishing a Pollinator Meadow or a large area with a diversity of native plants, such as a native prairie that includes both native grasses and wildflowers Individual Support Grants are available to Minnesota residents for projects that establish pollinator habitat in their yards. If awarded, up to $350 in grant funds are available to applicants. To apply, visit Blue Thumb's Online Application Page. The first application period ends February 28. Minnesota Department of Transportation stormwater repairs at Valley Park The Minnesota Department of Transportation will be repairing and replacing two outfalls, or stormwater outlet structures that outlet into Interstate Valley Creek, beginning this winter. Tree removal will be necessary in order to access the two structures. Tree removal will begin this winter, and structural work will take place in July of 2020. The access will begin at the Xcel utility facility adjacent to I-35E in the northwest portion of Valley Park, and continue approximately 700 feet to the south, running parallel along I-35E. The goal of the project is to reduce stormwater velocity coming from the outlet structures, and also reduce or eliminate current erosion that is happening around the structures. View a map of the project here. For additional information, please contact:: Krista Spreiter, Natural Resources Technician kristas@mendota-heights.com | 651-255-1123 Chris Chatfield, PE, Principal Water Resources Engineer MnDOT Metro District Christopher.Chatfield@state.mn.us | 651-234-7365. 1 The latest from the Mendota Heights Police Department JANUARY 17, 2020 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 Alex Randall Jared Powell INVESTIGATIONS Nick Gorgos SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER Steve Hilyar COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICER Coming Soon 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 RED FLAG BANDITS Should you send outgoing mail from your mailbox? NO unless it’s your only option. If you are sending checks, bill payments, or anything with sensitive information that can be used for identity theft, we recommend bringing it directly to a blue USPS collection mailbox or directly to the post office. Best solution is to use your bank’s online payment solution for secure payments. If you must send mail, do not put the flag up! The red flag is a signal to thieves that says, “Come steal my mail!” In locking mailboxes, the outgoing mail is in a separate area from incom- ing mail and more open to theft, so if you must, use that area but DO NOT put the red flag up. Preventing Mail Theft  Promptly pick up mail  Deposit mail close to your pickup time  Inquire about overdue mail  Don’t send cash  Ensure prompt retrieval  Use hold service for pick up  Request signature upon receipt  File your change of address Fall Victim to Identity Theft?  Analyze the situation  Check your financial accounts  Secure proof of identity  File a complaint with FTC  File a police report  Keep a record of actions  Order credit reports for review  Don’t ignore the activity 2 FOUND PROPERTY — 2XXX LEXINGTON AVE 01/08/20, 0916 HOURS Homeowner found a handgun alongside the roadway. Photos were taken of the gun, which turned out to be a .177 caliber pellet gun. The gun had scratches on it and the bottom portion of the grip was broken off. The serial number came back as clear. The item has been placed in property. DISORDERLY CONDUCT — 1XXX DELAWARE AVE 01/09/20, 1300 HOURS Responded to a report of a juvenile male acting disorderly. The juvenile was subsequently detained and released to their parent. Citation for Disorderly Conduct was issued to the juvenile. Case is closed. 4TH DEG DWI — 35E/WAGON WHEEL TRL 01/10/20, 0144 HOURS 911 caller reported vehicle swerving on southbound I-35E from W. 7th. Officer located the suspect vehicle at 35E and Wagon Wheel Trail and observed the vehicle was swerving onto the shoulder multiple times. Officer initiated a traffic stop and spoke with the driver. Officer conducted a field sobriety test and observed clues of impairment from a controlled substance. Driver was placed under arrest. Driver was booked and released from the Dakota County Jail and charges pending blood test results. HARASSMENT — 2XXX PILOT KNOB RD 01/10/20, 0742 HOURS Officers responded to take a report of harassment. The reporting party told officers that he did not like the way his boss was speaking to him and that he wanted to report an assault that took place in July, 2019. A report was completed to document it, but the incident did not rise to criminal charges. Case Closed—Civil GM TAX EVASION — 2XXX PILOT KNOB RD 01/10/20, 1330 HOURS Observed vehicle matching a suspicious vehicle from December, 2019. Ran the license plate, registration came back as expired, February, 2018. Registration on the vehicle displayed February, 2019. Stopped vehicle, identified driver, confirmed expired status, removed plates for evidence and impounded vehicle . Case pending formal complaint. 4TH DEG DWI — 35E/HWY 13 01/10/20, 1633 HOURS Officers observed a vehicle in the ditch on the off ramp from North 35E to Hwy 13. Officers stopped out with the vehicle and driver smelled of consumed alcohol. Driver admitted to drinking prior and field sobriety tests were performed. Driver showed signs of impairment and refused to submit to a PBT. Driver was placed under arrest for DWI and submitted to an evidentiary breath test. Driver was transported to jail and his vehicle was towed. 3RD DEG DWI — 35E/HWY 13 01/10/20, 2133 HOURS Officer was dispatched to a driving complaint with a follower on Dodd Road. Officer caught up to the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop. After administering SFST's, the driver was placed under arrest for DWI. The driver took the DMT test and was booked into Dakota County Jail for DWI. Case pending formal charging. WARRANT ARREST — DELAWARE/EMERSON 01/11/20, 1657 HOURS Officer ran plate of vehicle on Delaware at Emerson. The registered owner of the vehicle was revoked and had a warrant for the revocation and no proof of insurance. The vehicle was stopped and the driver was the registered owner of vehicle. The warrant was confirmed active with the issuing jurisdiction. The driver was transported to Da- kota County Jail to satisfy the warrant and cited for Driving After Revocation. (DAR). 3 4TH DEG DWI — 1XXX NORTHLAND DR 01/12/19, 0352 HOURS Officers were dispatched to a report of a suspicious vehicle. Officers arrived and spoke with the driver who appeared to be impaired. Officers completed a field sobriety test and determined the driver was impaired by a controlled substance. The driver was arrested, booked and released from the Dakota County Jail. The vehicle was impounded. Charges are pending test results. MAIL THEFT — MULTIPLE LOCATIONS! 01/12/19—01/13/19 NOTE: US FLAG = GOOD! MAILBOX FLAG = BAD! If you didn’t read page 1 yet, be sure you do and share it! Officers dispatched to Mohican Ln, Pond View Terrace, Crown Point Dr, and Field Stone Dr on reports theft of mail from mailboxes. Reporting party said that their mail was possibly taken from the day before but was not sure if any items of value were missing. Cleared as information only. BUT THEN, thanks to a prompt, watchful caller on 01/13 @ 1324 hours... Squads were dispatched to the 1000 Block of Clement St. on a mail theft in progress. Witness was able to obtain a license plate number and description of the vehicle and suspect. While en route to the location, officers observed suspect vehicle south on Hwy 13. Suspect threw mail out the window when he saw squads. Suspect taken into custody without incident. Several pieces of mail were located inside the vehicle. Suspect provided statement and booked into DC Jail and vehicle towed. Cleared by arrest. CONSIDER USING: USPS INFORMED DELIVERY FORFEITURE IMPOUND — HWY 13/RIVERSIDE LN 01/14/19, 0855 HOURS Vehicle was traveling N/B Hwy 13 at Riverside Lane. Ran license plate, came back as registered to City of West St Paul. Vehicle stopped, driver identified by MN drivers license. Contacted West St Paul PD, vehicle was a forfeiture that they had won, but they could not locate the vehicle. West St Paul arrived and took custody of the vehicle and driver. Case Status: Cleared by citation. HARASSMENT — 7XX MOHICAN LN 01/15/19, 1730 HOURS Officers responded to a phone call regarding a possible violation of a harassment restraining order. Case is under investigation. THEFT BY SWINDLE — 1XXX CULLIGAN LN 01/16/19, 0823 HOURS Officers took the report of fraud, where the victim was tricked into wiring an unknown suspect a large sum of money. Victim was unable to recover the funds. Case under investigation and victim was advised on identity theft. (See pg1) BURGLARY — 1XXX SIBLEY MEMORIAL HWY 01/16/19, 1032 HOURS Resident discovered multiple vehicles had been broken into. The vehicle was parked, locked in a secure, attached garage connected to the housing portion of the condominium complex. It is not know what, if any items were taken. The suspect gained entry by shattering the passenger window on the vehicle. There is no video surveillance inside the garage. Case Status: Inactive 4 FRAUD — 2XXX CENTRE POINTE BLVD 01/16/19, 1151 HOURS Officers responded take a report of fraudulent checks being issued from a business bank account. The incident is under investigation. DAC-IPS* — 2XXX CENTRE POINTE BLVD 01/16/19, 1938 HOURS Officer ran plate of vehicle and found the registered owner of vehicle on file as Driving After Cancellation, Inimical to Public Safety (DAC-IPS). Vehicle was stopped and the officer found the driver was the registered owner. Driver was arrested and charged with DAC-IPS and as well as an Ignition Interlock Violation. Driver was transported to Dakota County Jail. Case status clear with adult arrest. * Inimical to Public Safety: Drivers who have had three or more alcohol or controlled substance violations may have their driving privileges cancelled as Inimical to Public Safety. Their driving privileges may be re-instated after completing an extensive list of rehabilitation requirements. 5 01/10—01/16 2020 YTD Calls for Service 466 12,035 Police Reports 54 1154 Citations 62 1807 Warnings 63 124 Response Time Average 7.11 7.36 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 CITY OF MH SNOWPLOW SAFETY Last year in MN, there were 72 crashes involving vehicles that hit snowplows. This is typically caused by inattentive drivers, motorists driving too close to the plow or motorists driving too fast for conditions. Operators have much to monitor and control, and their ability to see behind them is limited by side mirrors. Their vision can also be hampered by the snow clouds they create while plowing.  Check road conditions at www.511mn.org or call 511.  Be patient.  Stay back at least five car lengths behind the plow.  Slow down to a safe speed for current conditions.  Buckle up and ensure children are properly secured.  Avoid unnecessary travel if road conditions are poor.