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Friday News 12 28 2012 December 28, 2012 Dates to Remember: 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. January 22, 2013 Planning Commission 7:00 p.m. Attachments: Pipeline, Just the Facts, Mendota- Lebanon Greenway Flyer Friday News Mendota Heights Weekly Report on City Activities Mendota Heights City Hall 1101 Victoria Curve www.mendota-heights.com (651) 452-1850 Dakota County Greenway Dakota County is in the process of planning con- nections between the Valley Park Trail (which ends at Hwy 110 and Dodd Road) and Lebanon Hills Regional Park in Eagan. The intent is to de- velop a greenway trail corridor, connecting natu- ral and cultural resources along the route. An open house to discuss the greenway has been set for January. This is your opportunity to provide input on trail alignments, and to share points of interest along the corridor. Check out the attached flyer for more detail. The open house will be from 6:00—8:00 p.m. at the Lebanon Hills Visitor Center (860 Cliff Road) on Tuesday, January 15, 2013. Planning Commission Opening We have an opening on the planning commission for a full three-year term starting in February 2013. The planning commission meets once a month to review requests such as wetlands per- mits, conditional use permits and development plans for residential and commercial properties. If you, or someone you know, is interested in serving, feel free to touch base with City Adminis- trator Justin Miller, or Asst. to the City Administra- tor Jake Sedlacek here at city hall to find out more about the role. Interested parties should submit a letter of inter- est and a current resume to Justin Miller no later than January 24, 2013. Holiday Office Hours City Hall will be open for regular hours on New Year’s Eve, and closed on Tuesday, January 1. Public Works The Parks Crew continued to flood the skating rinks in the parks. They plowed the rinks and pedways. Hockey goals were brought out to the rinks. Leaky fire hoses were replaced at Marie Park and Friendly Hills that were used to flood the rinks. The Utilities Crew plowed the cul-de-sacs and lift stations. The residents at 649 Marie Avenue called about a blockage in their sanitary sewer line. The sanitary sewer line was checked and the City’s line was clear. Assisted with changing out batteries on two fire trucks. The Streets Crew salted the streets after the snowfall on Sunday. They performed maintenance on the plow trucks and cleaned the shop. Engineering City Projects (construction year) Dodd Road/Highway 110 Intersection Pedestrian Improvements (2013) – 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. Final plans are anticipated over the winter with bidding and construction in 2013. Hunter Lane/Orchard Place Neighborhood Improvements (2013) –A second neighborhood informational meeting is anticipated later this winter to go over specific property design issues with residents. Final plan completion is expected in late winter/early spring with construction starting in June 2013. Crown Point & Overlook Neighborhood Rehabilitations (2013) – An open house will be held over the winter, if necessary, 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 designing the rehabilitation for construction during 2013. Dakota County has included this in their Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and will augment project cost. Plans will be included with one of the City’s s treet projects. The Pipeline N E W S L E T T E R Public Works Engineering Code Enforcement December 28, 2012 Highway 13 Trail Connection (2013) – Staff is planning 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 (Dodd Road) Rehabilitation & I-494 Ramp Improvements – City of Eagan is sponsoring a reconstruction project for Dodd Road south of Interstate 494 (including the south I-494 interchange ramp) in 2014. This project will impact traffic for Mendota Heights during construction. Reconstruction of the north interchange ramp is also scheduled for reconstruction by MnDOT in 2014 under a separate project. Rehabilitation of Dodd Road from I-494 to 7th Street in Saint Paul 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 Lower Mississippi River Watershed Management Organization (LMRWMO) – Staff is working with the LMRWMO’s consultant on the Watershed Restoration and Protection (WRAP) study. This program is looking at Rogers Lake and Lake Augusta for water quality. The WRAP program will produce lake management plans for each water body that the City and residents can use to better protect the water quality of the lakes. The next meeting of the LMRWMO Board will be February 7, 2013 at Mendota Heights City Hall. 12/28/2012 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 Jarrod Spicer Jim Knox Jeff Parker George Castillo Chaplains John Snider Lynn Liberman Frances Colon Alberto Vargas Butch Millett David Wick Chief Mike Aschenbrener AOA PC Pick‐up Thursday 1441 hours An in‐squad computer check verified a pick‐up & hold out of Spring Lake Park for registered owner of the vehicle for felony financial card fraud. After it was confirmed the woman was wanted out of Anoka County was present Sgt Petersen had the DCC confirm with Anoka County Communications that the pickup was still valid. The crook was transported to the Dakota County Jail to await transfer to Anoka. Welfare Check Thursday 2136 hours Officer Mike Shepard responded to a concerned mom’s request to check on her son at work. The mom advised she was on the phone with her son when he said something to the effect of “Mom I have to go an employee who was fired just come in” and then hung up. Officer Shepard found no problems and had the employee call his mom back. Counterfeit Money Friday 2354 hours Officer Jeff VonFeldt received a call of a man who had just passed a fake $50 from a wad of them. Officer Fleming quickly located and stopped the suspect vehicle while Officer VonFeldt gathered more information. With assistance from Officers Meyer and Shepard the money along with marijuana was taken into custody. Officer VonFeldt returned to the gas station and spoke with the clerk who relayed the story of the fake money. The man was booked into the Dakota County Jail, the Secret Service was advised. Monday morning Investigator Spicer received an alert from Lakeville PD looking for the same suspect passing fake $50 bills. The surveillance video matched the arrestee; LPD advised on crook’s booking info. 911 calls Friday Officer Shepard responded to the first non‐emergency call of the day to the 911 system. Upon arrival he learned that mom was teaching her special needs child how to use 911. Lesson learned…if you call we come. Second call of the day the 911 Dispatcher had someone punching numbers in while they were on the line. The call came from a local motel. The 911 Operator was eventually disconnected by the caller and the immediate follow‐up was answered by the front desk. They were not aware of any problems in the building. Possession of Drug Paraphernalia Sunday 0046 hours While working a traffic safety detail Sergeant Petersen stopped a car for fail to signal. A Farmington PD Officer assisted on the stop and “Just the Facts” The latest news from the Mendota Heights Police Department 12/28/2012 immediately observed on the front passenger seat a grinder used to prepare marijuana for smoking. When questioned the second time about having drugs in the car, the driver handed over the grinder. In return Sergeant Petersen handed him a citation for possession of drug paraphernalia and a small amount of marijuana. Exposer Sunday 0952 hours Officer Mike Shepard responded to assist a Dakota County Ranger after the Ranger learned of a “flashing” that had just occurred at the overlook site. Evidently, the reporting party received an unwanted view of some local scenery. Officer Shepard assisted in stopping the suspect and in the follow‐up investigation. The suspect was questioned while the Ranger returned to the overlook site and spoke with the caller. Officer Shepard asked the man what had occurred and received a story that didn’t quite match up with the details provided. The Ranger returned with a more detailed accounting of the activity at the park. The information was relayed to the driver who neither truly confirmed nor denied he incident. A citation for indecent exposure was issued to the exposing man who was then released at the scene. Theft Sunday 1204 hours Sergeant Eric Petersen received a call of a theft that occurred at a local restaurant. The victim reported they forgot their wallet, returned immediately and found his wallet, minus all cash back. The manager viewed the video and found an employee had picked up the wallet, briefly went off camera and then turned in the wallet, minus the cash. The suspect was interviewed by Sgt Petersen later in the day and confirmed the entire story except taking the missing cash. Further follow up needed. Neighbor Compliant Monday 1931 hours Caller reported neighbors parked in front of mailboxes. Officer Willson advised caller it was not against the law to park in front of a mailbox. Still wanted an Officer to check out the problem. Officer Willson checked the area nothing illegal seen. Runaway Warrant Thursday 0211 hours Officer Denise Urmann spotted a car left running in a church parking lot. As she pulled in, she watched one person climb from the back seat to the front seat. In making contact she found a 16 YOA male in the backseat and a 17 YOA female in the front. A computer check showed the young man to have an active warrant. For which he had a good story prepared on why she shouldn’t go to jail. Unfortunately mom didn’t answer the phone and Ramsey County Warrants confirmed the warrant. He was transported to Ramsey Juvenile Detention Center, the female was released. Suspicious Activity Friday 0325 hours A MNDOT plow driver called to report a large number of cars in the St. Peter’s Church parking lot. The driver was concerned as this is very unusual. Officer Steve Meyer responded and found the lot empty. What he did find was lots of tire tracks showing the last group of cars had been spinning doughnuts all over the lot. Officer Meyer followed the tracks in the snow to the scenic overlook on Hwy 13. The group was identified and warned about the driving behavior and that the area was closed. The group was from all over the metro; Lakeville, Coon Rapids, St Paul, Plymouth, Oakdale, New Hope, Woodville WI and New Market NH. All left the area without incident. Have a great weekend! All the best to you and yours in 2013. 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 30 December 17, through December 23, 2012 Any Landing You Can Walk Away From Is A Good One… A well-used phrase by aviators was found to be true again this past week when a pilot experiencing mechanical trouble set his plane down (absent landing gear) on a runway at Airlake Airport. The pilot, a 50-year-old man from Plymouth, had taken off from Crystal Airport and was in flight when his trouble started. He decided to put down at Airlake, but realized his landing gear would not drop, forcing him to make a “belly” landing. Even without the benefit of wheels, he made a near perfect landing on the runway and was not injured. Lakeville Police and Fire assisted the DCSO; in addition the FAA is also involved in the investigation. Deputy Bruce Lohmann and Sergeant Tim Samuelson responded from the DCSO. In Remembrance… Over the holiday a wreath was placed in memory of Deputy Luther Klug at the site of his accident. Luther was killed by a drunk driver while heading home at the end of his shift in 1996. Luther’s son, Jordan, a law enforcement student at Minnesota State-Mankato, was part of the contingent. Others included Sergeant Bruce Kammen, Deputy Ryan Fitzgerald, Sergeant Tim Samuelson, Park Ranger Scott Blehm, and Sergeant Chris Melton. Christmas in Jail… A recent article in the Minneapolis Tribune described life for an inmate in the Dakota County Jail over Christmas. The article highlighted the efforts of Pastor Jim Bzoskie and his crew on their work in making the day a little more special for the inmates. The entire article is referenced below. Thanks to Pat Pheifer, the reporter who wrote the article. http://www.startribune.com/local/south/184184301.html Featuring Sheriff’s Sworn Operations and Detention Services Deputies: Commanders John Grant Dan Scheuermann Captains Brad Jeska Joe Leko Jim Rogers Sergeants Dan Bianconi Jennifer Cho Scott Durdall Pat Enderlein Jim Gabriel Booker Hodges IV Jim Iliff Bruce Kammen Chris Melton Tim Samuelson Rick Schroeder Rob Shingledecker Special Duty Deputies Brad Billmeyer Terry Ecker Rob Hosking Thomas Jacobson Coreen Kulvich Blake Pederson Matt Regis Matt Schepers Rebecca Sherman Dave Sjogren Matt Wayne Dawanna Witt Deputy Sheriffs Scott Bensen Ryan Brown Lonna Broze Rhonda Doheny Sandy Dose Mike Fendrick Ryan Fitzgerald Tim Fletcher Dan Forrey Steve Forrey Tim Gonder 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 30 December 17, through December 23, 2012 Click here to subscribe to this newsletter electronically.Page 2 Patrol Notes… Deputies assisted the State Patrol at the scene of a fatality last week. The victim, a 50-year-old man from St. Paul, was traveling southbound on Highway 52 near 200th Street when he lost control of his car and crossed over the median into the northbound lane, striking an SUV head-on. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. Responding from the DCSO were Deputies Tom Hooper and Ryan Olson, Park Ranger Joshua Schauer, and Sergeants Jim Iliff and Tim Samuelson. Three hours later, deputies responded to another accident at that location when a car was broadsided while crossing over Highway 52. One person was transported from the accident scene. Deputy Jeff Leopold and Sergeant Tim Samuelson responded. The State Patrol handled the crash. Behind the Bars… The jail held an average of 241 inmates in custody over the past week. This represented a slight decrease from the prior week. Happy Birthday to You… Recent birthdays for Sheriff’s Office employees include Captain Jim Rogers (December 28th) and Deputy Brian Smidt and Correctional Deputy Mike Curry (December 29th). Happy birthday to you all! Amber Hentges Bryan Hermerding Tom Hooper Sidney Jones Krystal Johnson John Kane Jeff Leopold Jen Lenarz Brent Lohmann Bruce Lohmann Kim Mays Mark McKnight Peter Meyer Lester Mitchell Erika Morgan Jon Napper Ryan Olson Sean Qualy Jon Reiners Josh Sannes Bryce Schuenke Matt Schuster Dan Siebenaler Brian Smidt Phouthaivanh Sourignavong Gordy Steffel Steve Theriault Dmitriy Vecherkov Mike Vikesland Dan Vujovich Bryan Wagner Todd West 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 Best wishes from Sheriff Bellows and Chief Deputy Leslie for a Happy New Year! DAKOTA COUNTY GREENWAY COLLABORATIVE Mendota/Lebanon Hills Greenway Master Planning Process FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.HKGI.COM/PROJECTS/DAKOTA Dakota County envisions its greenways to provide multiple layers of benefits in water quality, habitat enhancement, recreation and non-motorized transportation. Mendota/Lebanon Hills Greenway Dakota County Greenway Vision 2030 The Dakota County Greenway Vision 2030 proposes more than a trail system - it suggests enhanced open space corridors that perform multiple functions and provide multiple community benefits in the areas of water quality, habitat, recreation and non-motorized transportation. The Dakota County Greenway Vision 2030 proposes a visionary network of multi-functional corridors that provide for habitat, recreation, water quality, and transportation. Currently, Dakota County is in the beginning stages of a year long effort to prepare a Master Plan for the Mendota/Lebanon Hills Greenway. The greenway master plan will be a long-term policy guide to improvements, acquisitions, management, and operations. The Mendota/Lebanon Hills Greenway’s proposed 11-mile route travels through Mendota Heights, Eagan, and Inver Grove Heights. The greenway will connect important regional destinations including: • Village at Mendota Heights • Dodge Nature Center Preserve • Friendly Marsh Park • Future and existing business parks in Eagan and Inver Grove Heights • Thomson Reuters • Numerous neighborhood parks in Eagan • Eagan Senior High School • Lebanon Hills Regional Park MENDOTA/LEBANON HILLS GREENWAY PLAN SCHEDULE 2012-2013 1. ORGANIZE THE EFFORTJuly - August 2012 2. UNDERSTAND WHAT EXISTSSAugust - September 2012 3. EXPLORE THE ALTERNATIVESOctober - January 2013 4. DRAFT MASTER PLANSJanuary 2013 - February 2013 5. FINALIZE MASTER PLANS AND APPROVALS March - June 2013 we are here The Dakota County Greenway Vision 2030 proposes a visionary network of more than 200 miles of multi-functional corridors that provide for habitat, recreation, water quality and transportation. Dakota County Greenway Collaborative SYSTEM WIDE: f Green signature f Consistent look/feel f Year-round interest f Filter stormwater f Grade-separated crossings TYPICAL URBAN TYPICAL SUBURBAN TYPICAL RURALGREENWAY TYPOLOGY 3OO-FT TYPICAL WIDTH 2OO-FT TYPICAL WIDTH 1OO-FT TYPICAL WIDTH LE B A N O N H I L L S RE G I O N A L P A R K BU R R O A K S P A R K TH R S H E R FI E L D S PA R K SU P E R T A R G E T WE S C O T T S T A T I O N PA R K NO R T H V I E W P A R K EA G A N S E N I O R HI G H S C H O O L DA K O T A H I L L S MI D D L E S C H O O L PI N E W O O D EL E M . S C H O O L GO A T HI L L PA R K WA L N U T HI L L P A R K TR A P P FA R M PA R K OA K P O N D HI L L S P A R K LA K E S I D E PA R K TH O M S O N RE U T E R S WO N D E R I N G PA R K BR I D L E R I D G E PA R K UP S YM C A CA R R I A G E HI L L S CO U N T R Y CL U B EX I S T I N G TR A I L S A N D WO O D L A N D EA G A N BU S I N E S S PA R K FR I E N D L Y MA R S H P A R K DO D G E N A T U R E CE N T E R P R E S E R V E FR I E N D L Y HI L L S P A R K FR I E N D L Y H I L L S MI D D L E S C H O O L KE N S I N G T O N PA R K TR I N I T Y S C H O O L AT R I V E R R I D G E CO P P E R F I E L D PO N D S P A R K ME N D O T A PA R K HA G S T R O M - KI N G P A R K VI L L A G E A T ME N D O T A H E I G H T S ME N D O T A PL A Z A YA N K E E D O O D L E R D WE S C O T T R D BA L D L A K E DI F F L E Y R D CL I F F R D ROBERT TR A I L S SC H W A N Z LA K E HO L L A N D LA K E MC D O N O U G H LA K E HA Y L A K E LEXINGTON AVE S LO N E O A K R D 55 14 9 I- 4 9 4 I- 4 9 4 I- 3 5 E I- 3 5 E A R GE N TA TRAI L D O DD R D 28 43 30 30 32 3 63 26 IN V E R G R O V E H E I G H T S INVER GROVE HEIGHTS SU N F I S H L A K E WE S T S A I N T P A U L EA G A N EAGAN ME N D O T A MENDOTA HEIGHTS MI N N E S O T A R I V E R GR E E N W A Y CO N N E C T I O N T O MI N N E S O T A R I V E R GR E E N W A Y CO N N E C T I O N T O MI S S I S S I P P I R I V E R TR A I L NO R T H U R B A N R E G I O N A L T R A I L CO N N E C T I O N T O EA G A N G R E E N W A Y CO N N E C T I O N T O HI G H L I N E G R E E N W A Y CO N N E C T I O N T O HI G H L I N E G R E E N W A Y Re c r e a t i o n D e s t i n a t i o n Ac t i v i t y C e n t e r Tr a i l h e a d Ne i g h b o r h o o d G a t e w a y Ex i s t i n g G r a d e S e p a r a t e d C r o s s i n g Po t e n t i a l G r a d e S e p a r a t e d C r o s s i n g Ag r i c u l t u r e 0 . 2 5 . 5 1 M I L E Me n d o t a / L e b a n o n H i l l s G r e e n w a y Re g i o n a l T r a i l A l t e r n a t i v e (e x i s t i n g / f u n d e d ) Re g i o n a l T r a i l A l t e r n a t i v e ( n o n - e x i s t i n g ) Ex i s t i n g L o c a l T r a i l Fu t u r e L o c a l T r a i l Fu t u r e R o a d s Ma j o r L o o p T r a i l NO R T H MEN D O T A / L EB A N O N H IL L S G RE E N W A Y 11 - 1 6 - 2 0 1 2 Me n d o t a / L e b a n o n H i l l s G r e e n w a y DR A F T P O T E N T I A L A L I G N M E N T S 1 1 . 1 5 . 1 2 FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.HKGI.COM/PROJECTS/DAKOTA