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Friday News 12 21 2012 December 21, 2012 Dates to Remember: December 24 and 25, 2012 City Hall Closed December 26, 2012 Planning Commission 7:00 p.m. January 1, 2013 City Hall Closed January 8, 2013 Parks and Rec. Comm. 6:30 p.m. City Council 7:00 p.m. January 9, 2013 Airport Relations Comm. 7:00 p.m. January 15, 2013 City Council 7:00 p.m. Attachments: Pipeline, Just the Facts, Jack Vitelli Day Proclamation Friday News Mendota Heights Weekly Report on City Activities Mendota Heights City Hall 1101 Victoria Curve www.mendota-heights.com (651) 452-1850 Jack Vitelli Day This past Tuesday was recognized as Jack Vitelli Day in Mendota Heights, marking Jack’s last city council meeting. Many well-wishers attended a reception in Jack’s honor prior to the city council meeting, a testament to the positive impact Jack has had in his tenure on the city council. Jack will not be idle with his newly found free time, working on projects, spending time at the cabin and enjoying his grandchildren. Jack with Brian Convery and Mario Reyes Foreclosure Update Dakota County Community Development Agency provides us with regular reports on residential foreclosures throughout the community. The news is positive for Mendota Heights and the county as a whole. Through the end of Novem- ber, our community has had 11 foreclosure sales, compared to 25 for the same period in 2012. Ad- ditionally, the Notice of Pendency filings (the first step in the foreclosure process) are also down, with 29 filings through the end of November, com- pared to 43 for the same period in 2012. Let’s hope the housing market struggles are behind us. Holiday Office Hours City Hall will be closed on Monday, December 24 and Tuesday, December 25 next week. Offices will be open for regular hours on New Year’s Eve, and closed on Tuesday, January 1. WHEREAS, Councilmember Jack Vitelli has served on the Mendota Heights City Council for three terms, a total of twelve years; and WHEREAS, Councilmember Vitelli has always been a strong advocate for the residents, taxpayers, businesses and staff of Mendota Heights; and WHEREAS, while on the city council, Councilmember Vitelli served on designated subcommittees on the Mendota Heights Par 3, the Village at Mendota Heights, and Mendota Plaza, among others, as well as serving on the Mendota Heights Planning Commission prior to his election to the city council; and WHEREAS, Councilmember Vitelli has chosen to retire from city council service effective at the end of 2012; and WHEREAS, the City Council, staff, and Mendota Heights community wishes to honor Councilmember Vitelli's dedication, insight and contributions to the City and will miss his bright and positive presence around City Hall; and WHEREAS, Councilmember Vitelli will be enjoying his time at the cabin, woodworking, and spending more time with his grandchildren; and WHEREAS, Councilmember Vitelli's last city council meeting will be December 18th, 2012. NOW THEREFORE BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Mendota Heights declares December 18, 2012 as k 1uitness i*Tjereof lj' abe lyereunto set nrp kilt( aub cause tije %eal to be affixeir inapor Bate December 4, Public Works Parks Crew continued flooding of the ice rinks. They plowed the cul-de-sacs, parking lots and rinks. Unit #501 was serviced. They tested all the batteries in warming house smoke detectors, and repaired the door to the warming house at Marie Park. Utilities Crew completed a sanitary sewer inspection at 755 Wentworth Avenue. They assisted the Streets Crew with the snowfall by plowing the cul-de-sacs and the middle area of the city. A fire hydrant flag was changed on Kendon Lane. The Streets Crew picked up a 46” tv that was dropped on Warrior Drive across from Sibley Court. A sign was installed for the roundabout that had been run over. Work was done on truck 303, the hydraulic fitting was leaking and fixed. It was an early start on Thursday plowing and salting the streets with the overnight snow fall. Engineering City Projects (construction year) Dodd Road/Highway 110 Intersection Pedestrian Improvements (2013) – The consultant is setting up a utility coordination meeting with the owners of all private utilities in the intersection. The consultant will be providing the City Council with an update and review of the final design plans at the January 15th City Council meeting. The final plan coordination through MnDOT offices is taking slightly longer than anticipated. Final plans are anticipated over the winter with bidding and construction in 2013. Hunter Lane/Orchard Place Neighborhood Improvements (2013) – Staff is working on the final design plans. A second informational meeting is anticipated later this winter to go over specific property design issues with affected residents. Final plan completion is expected in late winter/early spring with construction starting in June 2013. Crown Point & Overlook Neighborhood Rehabilitations (2013) –Staff is working on the final design plans. If necessary, a neighborhood open house The Pipeline N E W S L E T T E R Public Works Engineering Code Enforcement December 21, 2012 will be held over the winter to work out specific design issues with property owners. Final plans will be prepared anticipating spring 2013 construction. Lexington Avenue Pedestrian Trail, Hwy 110 to Douglas Avenue (2013) – Staff is preparing design plans for a trail rehabilitation project to be completed during the summer of 2013. Dakota County has included this project in their Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) to augment project cost. The City is responsible for 55% of the construction cost and design services, and the County will provide 45% of the construction cost. Plans will likely be bid with one of the City’s street projects this sprin g. Highway 13 Trail Connection (2013) – Staff is anticipating construction of a trail connection along the south side of Highway 13 to connect the pedestrian trail from Riverside Lane to Lilydale Road. More information will be published about this project over the winter. State Projects Highway 149/Interstate 494 Ramp Improvements – Staff has been talking with both MnDOT and the City of Eagan about the pending reconstruction project for Dodd Road south of Interstate 494 in Eagan. This project will impact traffic for Mendota Heights during construction and a pedestrian trail extension is included in the project that will bring the trail up to the south side of the I-494 Bridge. Reconstruction of the south interchange ramp at Dodd an I-494 is included in the City of Eagan sponsored project, and the north ramp is scheduled for reconstruction by MnDOT under a separate project. Resurfacing of Dodd Road from I-494 to Annapolis Street in Mendota Heights is also planned for 2015 construction. All these projects are in the preliminary stages of design and more information will be shared in the near future. Other Activities Five-Year Infrastructure Plans – Council approved the 2013-2017 Street Improvement Plan (SIP) and Sanitary Sewer Improvement and Maintenance Plan (SSIMP) at their December 18th meeting. Projects within the plans are prioritized based on infrastructure need and available resources. The updated plans will be published on the City web page by the end of the year. Staff is also completing a Trail Improvement and Maintenance Plan (TIMP) for Council review in 2013. The TIMP was presented in draft form to the Parks and Recreation Commission on December 11 th. The Commission will be offering suggestions on prioritization of trail projects and potential funding sources. Once approved by the City Council, the plan will be posted on the City’s web-page along with the other Infrastructure Plans. Lower Mississippi River Watershed Management Organization (LMRWMO) – Staff attended the monthly LMRWMO meeting on Thursday. At the meeting the Board approved a fee schedule for Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District to provide administrative services to the LMRWMO, received an update on the Watershed Restoration and Protection (WRAP) study, approved the 2013 meeting schedule, and debated making a cost share allocation determination for a project in Inver Grove Heights, West Saint Paul, South Saint Paul, and Sunfish Lake. The next meeting of the LMRWMO Board will be February 7, 2013 at Mendota Heights City Hall. 12/21/2012 The Mendota Heights Police Department Support Staff Kim Henning Susan Donovan Becky Pentel Police Officers Jerry Murphy Scott Patrick John Larrive Bobby Lambert Tanner Spicer Todd Rosse Chad Willson Jeff VonFeldt Steven Meyer Denise Urmann Michael Shepard Peyton Fleming School Resource Officer Jennifer Fordham Investigations Mario Reyes Tanner Spicer Sergeants Neil Garlock Brian Convery Eric Petersen Reserves Randy Pentel Jesse Mettner Jarrod Spicer Jim Knox Jeff Parker George Castillo Chaplains John Snider Lynn Liberman Frances Colon Alberto Vargas Butch Millett David Wick Chief Mike Aschenbrener Thank you! Tuesday night Officer Denise Urmann along with Reserve Officers Jeff Parker and Randy Pentel joined other officers and reserves from around Dakota County in making the trek to KARE 11. On the final run, two of the squads were packed full. Thank you to everyone who helped the USMC Reserves make Christmas special for children. Crisis Friday 0044 hours Officer Peyton Fleming received a call transferred from the Ramsey County Communications Center which they had received from an Internet security company. Ramsey County had received the call because the IP (Internet Protocol, a unique identifier to each online device) indicated the computer was inside of Ramsey County. The security company was monitoring a man as he was telling his friends he would kill himself. Officer Fleming checked a local address without success. A records check showed possible addresses in St Paul, an emergency locate on a cell phone belonging to the young man showed it was located in St. Paul. A short time later SPPD had located the man who was transported on a health and welfare hold to the hospital. Crisis Friday 0959 hours Caller waiting in lobby at a local condominium for assistance on a welfare check. Officer John Larrive met the caller who advised a co-worker had left work early after saying he didn’t want to live. The man had lost a family member to cancer and was not coping. With the help of the DCC, a unit number was located. The man was home, had taken way to many prescription pain medications. HealthEast Paramedics arrived on scene and transported the man to the hospital on a health and welfare hold. Disturbance Friday 2354 hours Officer Jeff VonFeldt responded to a group home where two adult males were arguing. One of the two decided to leave. Officer VonFeldt assisted staff in locating a safe place for the man to stay. A short time later his uncle arrived and took him home for the night. Parking Complaint Saturday 1549 hours Caller complained about a 70 foot long truck parked running in the road. The caller wanted to open windows but doesn’t like the smell of diesel fuel. The truck was dropping off stone. As it was 33⁰ and raining it is highly likely that something else was driving the call like… “I hate my neighbor so I will call the cops on them.” Truck finished off loading and left. “Just the Facts” The latest news from the Mendota Heights Police Department 12/21/2012 Recycling Sunday 0238 hours Most of us recycle used electronics responsibly, but every now a then we receive a call of a TV in the middle of the roadway. Officer Fleming moved/dragged the large Sony television to the side of the road and notified public works to remove it on Monday. AOA Crisis Sunday 0333 hours Officer Peyton Fleming assisted the WSPPD on a crisis call where a 23 YOA , 6’7”, bi-polar man was going to kill his family. Caller had stepped out into hallway to say there were 5 people in an altercation; the 911 Dispatcher could hear the screaming in the background. The fight broke up before officers arrived. Assisted WSPPD in sorting out the issues. Dog Monday 1332 hours Four calls on a loose dog, later it was in custody and headed to Four Paws Animal Control. The first caller reported a scared standard poodle standing in the middle of Hwy 149, the second described a group of people trying to corral the dog. If it wasn’t scared to start with, pretty sure it is now. The third was a report on where the dog lived. The last call Officer Larrive met with a man who had captured the wayward poodle. Parking Complaint Monday 2056 hours Officer Chad Willson received a call from a very upset person reporting cars parked in the center of their cul-de-sac. He began checking the neighbors to see where the cars belonged unfortunately he was called away before locating the cars’ owners. Stolen Tow Truck Tuesday 1417 hours Caller reported someone just stole their tow truck. The truck is a red 1996 Chevrolet one ton with no markings. The caller also reported his boss was in a white BMW following the truck. The caller relayed that there was a rusty Dodge Caravan traveling with the tow truck. When the Caravan figured out they were being followed the Caravan turned off. Shortly after crossing the river on I494, the tow truck was stopped and the driver taken into custody without incident. The driver admitted he was being paid to steal the tow truck. After being given an opportunity to discuss the situation, the man was transported to the Dakota County jail. After review of the facts, the County Attorney charged the suspect that was arrested. As of today he has not made bail. Investigations is back tracking the mini-van. ? Tuesday 1551 hours A regular customer called 911 to report he had been threatened by a man with a knife. The victim was described as irate, rude, uncooperative and refusing to listen. Sergeant Neil Garlock and Investigators Tanner Spicer & Mario Reyes responded to the call. Sgt Garlock found a steady customer who refers to himself as “the most hated man in MH,” in the middle of the street and quite animated. The investigators spoke with the other half of the incident, who gave a completely different story (more in matching with the caller’s past history). Smash and Grab Wednesday 0345 hours MHPD had staked out a local business for hours late Tuesday and Wednesday based on a crime trend reported out of the State Fusion Center. Unfortunately as soon as the Officers responded else where the business was hit. Based on the very limited time the crooks were able to spend in the store, the damage likely outweighed the loss of property. Traffic Complaint Wednesday 0831 hours Received a call about a parent dropping of a child at school every morning. The parent drives their SUV into the bus drop zone backing up the buses. The caller has been unable to make contact with the parent to end the unsafe practice. Have a great weekend! Mike D AKOTA C OUNTY S HERIFF The Front Row “A front row seat to the greatest show on Earth...” Dave Bellows, Sheriff Tim Leslie, Chief Deputy Volume 8, Week 29 December 10, through December 16, 2012 Tis the Season… The Sheriff’s Office was in full Christmas spirit for our annual holiday luncheon. The gathering was well-attended by current DCSO staff, with a large number of our retired members stopping by for a little lunch and to renew old friendships. Our retired friends included Sheriff Don Gudmundson, Tom Zehoski, Bob Wilson, Bob Bennett, Norm Gould, Vicki Krick, Sharon Drews, and Ken Tolonen, along with Steve Theriault and Steve Forrey (“kinda retired”). We want to thank Program ServicesAssistants Holly Ruiz, Mary McPhetres, Molu Thachil,Sandy Burke, and Melanie Heltne for organizing the gathering . Christmas was made a little better for three families. For the 11th year, the DCSO “adopted” three families by donating gifts. The Dakota County Community Development Agency provides the names and the DCSO takes it from there. Our Explorers group gets involved, too, by donating gifts for one of the families. As is the case every year, we want to thank Program Services Assistants Jessie Monahan and Shona Murphy for coordinating the gathering and wrapping of gifts. For the second year, members of the Patrol Division selected a family for Christmas. Gifts were purchased with their donations and, in lieu of Santa’s sleigh, they delivered the packages in squad cars. Special thanks to Deputy Brian Smidt for his work in coordinating this year’s delivery. The DCSO held our ninth annual FBI National Academy gathering at Thompson Park. The DCSO has two current graduates, Sheriff Dave Bellows and Commander Dan Featuring Sheriff’s Jail Staff: Commander John Grant Captain Brad Jeska Correctional Lieutenants Lawrence Hart Jodi Rolloff Correctional Sergeants Scott Fuchs Deb Fyten John Heger Chuck Stemig Ben Verby Correctional Corporals Farrel Byrd Damion Giles Virginia Jones Gary Millbach Julienne Oppong Lisa Peterson Christine Winfrey Correctional Deputies Jason Aguirre Craig Altendorfer Brett Biffle Tim Bowman Courtney Brown George Castillo Mia Cha Stacy Cress Russell Crissman Mike Curry Joe Engesser Ryan Fitzhenry Mandy Fredrickson Tchad Guckin Christopher Hamblin Kelvin Hannah Jerry Hanson Adam Henry Arturo Herrera D AKOTA C OUNTY S HERIFF The Front Row “A front row seat to the greatest show on Earth...” Dave Bellows, Sheriff Tim Leslie, Chief Deputy Volume 8, Week 29 December 10, through December 16, 2012 Click here to subscribe to this newsletter electronically.Page 2 Scheuermann, along with former members Captain Jeff Schwartz, Captain Steve Theriault, Captain Mike Scott, and Commander Blair Anderson. Approximately 100 members from across Minnesota and into Canada attended the event. Any Time, Any Place… A suspected drunk driver was performing field sobriety tests for Deputy Ryan Brown and Jeff Leopold when a truck drove up behind their squad. The driver of the truck stopped and then suddenly accelerated away, drawing the attention of Sergeants Booker Hodges and Tim Samuelson. After a short pursuit, the suspect was stopped when Sergeant Hodges performed a “PIT” on the car. The second driver was arrested for suspected drunk driving and felony fleeing a peace officer. Nice work to all on this one. Congratulations… Sergeant Rick Schroeder was given a plaque by Sheriff Bellows for his three years as a member of the Mutual Agency Assistance Group (MAAG Team). Birthdays… Deputies Mike Fendrick and Dan Forrey are celebrating their birthdays on December19th. Happy birthday to you both! On behalf of Sheriff Dave Bellows and Chief Deputy Tim Leslie, warm wishes for a safe and happy holiday season! Ryan Holmquist Dan Hoover Katie Hoover Muhammed Jackson Cheri Johnson Blair Jones Anna Kochendorfer Theresa Lambert Joshua Loahr Lucio Marquez-Zazueta Darin McGowan Frantz Moise Lana Opp Tim Parker Lawrence Peltier Norman Picha Brandon Pitts Cartier Russell Jacob Schak Tom Schneider Phil Simpson Adam Smith Christopher Steel Sara Steinhoff Kent Themmes Tina Tyler Anthony Welin Greg Wisher Xue Yang Programs Staff Emily Clary Loren Hanson Hal Palmer Questions? Comments? Please contact the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office at 651.438.4700 or any of the following by email: dave.bellows@ co.dakota.mn.us julie.ecker@ co.dakota.mn.us Operation Curtain Call January 16, 2013 We are seeking youth (14 & up) and adult volunteer role players to assist in a Disaster Exercise to practice reunification and family assistance in the City of Minneapolis and in the metro area. Role players will play parts that included family members, survivors, and friends. All role players will be provided information and scripts. Training will be provided. The hours are between 8:00 and 3 pm half and/or full day of the exercise. Parking and lunch (for full day volunteers) will be provided. Please notify by Dec 14 of your interest to participate in this important community exercise. If you are interested in participating, please contact Jonathan Bundt at 952-922-0422 or jonathan@masaconsulting.com Participation Agencies: American Red Cross; City of Minneapolis: Health and Family Support, Emergency Management; Minneapolis Public Schools; Hennepin County: Human Services, Public Health, Emergency Management, Medical Examiner; Metro Hospitals, MN Depart Health, MN Emergency Services Chaplains; University of Minnesota Academic Health Center; City of Bloomington Public Health; Downtown Emergency Advisory Committee (DEAC), St. Paul-Ramsey County Public Health