2013-01-18 Friday News
January 18, 2013
Dates to Remember:
January 22, 2013
Planning Commission 7:00 p.m.
January 25, 2013
Annual Leadership Dinner, 6:00 p.m.
at Mendakota Country Club
January 24, 2013
City Council Goals Work Session
February 5, 2013
City Council 7:00 p.m.
February 12, 2013
Parks and Rec Comm 6:30 p.m.
February 13, 2013
Airport Relations Comm 7:00 p.m.
Attachments:
Pipeline, Just the Facts
Friday News
Mendota Heights Weekly Report on City Activities
Mendota Heights City Hall
1101 Victoria Curve
www.mendota-heights.com
(651) 452-1850
Staff Recognition
Several staff members were recognized for years
of service to the city at the city council meeting
Tuesday night:
Peyton Fleming, PD Five Years
Rick Griep, FD Ten Years
Michelle Parker, FD Ten Years
John Ambrose, PWD Fifteen Years
Rich Burrows, FD Fifteen Years
John Boland, FD Fifteen Years
Tracy Wilcziek, FD Fifteen Years
Nancy Bauer, PWD & FD Twenty Five Years
The council expressed their gratitude to all em-
ployees for providing great service to the commu-
nity.
Dodd and 110 Pedestrian Updates
City council received a presentation Tuesday
night on updates to the intersection of Highway
110 and Dodd Road.
SRF consultants showed a number of changes to
improve safety for pedestrians moving through
the intersection. Council provided comment on
the plan, and gave staff the green light to move
ahead with improvements.
Ice Rink Update
Terry Blum and his crew of flooders managed to
keep outdoor ice in good shape despite last
week’s warm weather. All rinks are in great con-
dition for our long week.
Of interest, city council authorized staff to move
ahead with hiring the process for summer staff in
the parks and at the Par 3, as planning is well un-
derway for the summer.
Public Works
The Parks Crew put salt down on the icy trails at Friendly Hills Park and
Wentworth Park. The snow was banked up around the general skating rinks
to prepare for flooding (water was leaking over the banks). Unit 506 was
worked on (more brush rings were added to the broom for added
efficiency). The rinks were flooded and broomed. They attended the annual
safety training meeting, and started the aerator at Rogers Lake.
The Utilities Crew attended the annual safety training. The jet truck was
washed and waxed. The main lift interior was cleaned and the floors
washed. A bathroom vent was installed in the men’s bathroom.
The Streets Crew started early on Friday morning because of icy streets. All
city streets were salted. All plow trucks were washed. On Wednesday
morning all streets were salted again because of a light dusting of snow.
They met with Dakota County Highway Department regarding a cottonwo od
tree that needs to be taken down on Lexington Avenue. The bobcat was
washed, steam cleaned and greased. An electrical problem was worked on
for plow truck 303. They also attended the annual safety training meeting.
Engineering
City Projects (construction year)
Dodd Road/Highway 110 Intersection Pedestrian Improvements (2013) –
The consultant provided the City Council with an update and review of the
final design plans at the January 15th City Council meeting. The final plans
were approved by City Council and staff was authorized to seek bids for
construction. One remaining issue is the status of a marked crosswalk at
the northeast corner of the intersection. Staff will work on this issue with
State officials between now and bidding the project. Construction is
anticipated in spring of 2013.
Hunter Lane/Orchard Place Neighborhood Improvements (2013) –A second
neighborhood informational meeting is tentatively scheduled for February
27th form 6:30pm to 8:00pm at City Hall to go over specific property design
issues with residents. Design plans are proceeding in accordance with the
The Pipeline N E W S
L E T T E R
Public Works
Engineering
Code Enforcement
January 18, 2013
parameters set by City Council when the project was ordered last October.
Final plan completion is expected in March with bidding and contract award
in April/May and construction starting in June.
Crown Point & Overlook Neighborhood Rehabilitations (2013) – Design plans
are proceeding. Final plans are anticipated by April for 2013 construction.
Lexington Avenue Pedestrian Trail, Hwy 110 to Douglas Avenue (2013) –
Staff is preparing plans for the rehabilitation for construction during 2013.
Dakota County has included this in their Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)
and will assist with project cost. Plans will be included with the Crown Point
& Overlook Neighborhood Rehabilitation project for bidding, and
construction is anticipated for the summer.
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. The project may be
delayed until 2014 if MnDOT can include it for funding as part of their trail
gap program for 2014 (Highway 13 is a State Right-of-Way). If not chosen
for MnDOT funding in 2014, the City inten ds to construct the connection in
2013. More information will be published about this project over the winter.
County Projects
North Urban Regional Trail (NURT) Realignment and Greenway Study – Staff
is working with Dakota County and their consultant on a study analyzing
potential realignment corridors for the NURT between Warrior Drive in
Mendota Heights and Charlton Avenue in West Saint Paul. The NURT is
currently located along the north side of Highway 110, and there are a
number of realignment alternatives being looked at to connect the NURT to
the northeast corner of Charlton and Marie in West Saint Paul. One
alternative being looked at is connecting the NURT to Marie Avenue along
Warrior Drive on School District property. A public Open House is scheduled
for February 6th at the West Saint Paul City Hall to present alternatives and
gather public input.
State Projects
Highway 149 (Dodd Road) Rehabilitation & I-494 Ramp Improvements –
Dodd Road is proposed for reconstruction by the City of Eagan south of I-
494 in 2014. This project will impact traffic for Mendota Heights during
construction. Reconstruction of the north interchange ramp is scheduled for
reconstruction by MnDOT, also in 2014 under a separate project. This
project may include a revised signal and turn lane pattern for the
interchange. Rehabilitation of Dodd Road from I-494 to 7th Street in Saint
Paul is planned for 2015 by MnDOT. Preliminary scope of the project
includes curb replacement, new curb installation, drainage improvements
and pavement replacement. All these projects are in the preliminary stages
of design. More information will be shared as the designs progress.
Other Activities
Future Cities Competition – Staff has been working with Friendly Hills Middle
School (FHMS) students on their entries in the annual Future Cities
Competition. Staff met with the teams on Tuesday to go through the dress
rehearsal for their presentations this Saturday at the State competition,
which is sponsored by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).
Students are asked to plan a city of the future given specific criteria and
problems to solve. This year’s theme is “Rethinking Runoff” and the teams
are coming up with innovative ways to improve surface water quality. FHMS
is entering three teams into the competition which will be judged this
Saturday from 7:30 to 4:00 at the University of Minnesota Science,
Teaching, & Student Services Building. FHMS has won awards in past
competitions and it is expected that at least one team from the school will
be selected as a finalist.
Mayfield Heights Road Pavement – Staff met with representatives from
Saint Paul Regional Water Service (SPRWS) on Tuesday to discuss the
pavement condition on Mayfield Heights Road that was placed after a water
main break was repaired last summer. The road surface is very uneven,
and deemed unacceptable by the City. SPRWS agreed to mill and overlay
the section in the summer at no cost to the City.
American Public Works Association (APWA) Conference Committee – Staff
participated in the planning committee for the upcoming spring conference
for the Minnesota chapter of APWA on Thursday. This year’s conference
theme will be, “Looking Ahead – Forecasting Changes in Public Works.”
Topics to be discussed at the conference include near-term economic future,
generational turnover, environmental sustainability, and preventative
maintenance innovations. The conference will be held May 8-10, 2013 in
central Minnesota.
01/18/2013
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
Jeff VonFeldt
Steven Meyer
Denise Urmann
Michael Shepard
Peyton Fleming
School Resource
Officer
Jennifer Fordham
Investigations
Mario Reyes
Chad Willson
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
Special Olympics Minnesota
It is time for a dip in the lake? On Saturday, January 26, the Larrive’s – Jenny
& John – will be jumping into White Bear Lake to raise money for Special
Olympics Minnesota. Click http://www.plungemn.org/find, enter Larrive and
help all of the Special Olympic athletes in Minnesota achieve their dreams.
This is a great organization that sticks to its mission and helps young athletes
develop into everything they have dreamed about.
Juvenile Assist Friday 1211 hours
Officer John Larrive responded to a local school when the requested
assistance with an out of control youth. Eagan PD made contact with the
parents to pick the student up. While on scene the youth calmed down. An
hour later Officer Larrive returned to monitor the pick‐up. Clear no issues.
Civil Stand By Friday 1630 hours
Officer John Larrive was met at MHPD by a woman requesting a stand by
while she dropped her 8 YOA daughter off at a birthday party. Really? Officer
Larrive did arrive and followed the woman to the house, standing by outside
while mom walked the youngster to the door. Once the childe was inside
though, a screaming match erupted between that mom and another mother
at the party. After further “discussion” the woman eventually left –with the
daughter. A few days later the other involved mother stopped at MHPD to
get a copy of the report as the initial complainant was now claiming that she
received a broken finger in the incident; however, no injuries were noted at
the time of the squabble. Closed.
AOA Friday 2016 hours
Sergeant Petersen along with Officers Rosse, Meyer and Shepard assisted
WSPPD on a shots fired called. The caller was screaming that her husband
was shot and lying on the driveway. Several other agencies assisted with the
scene including SPPD and there K‐9.
She’s Soaked! Saturday 0257 hours
Caller reported a soaking wet unknown female showed up at her front door.
The 27 YOA woman told the caller she walked to the house. The woman was
“Just the Facts”
The latest news from the Mendota Heights Police Department
01/18/2013
intoxicated (surprise) and she was brought home to St Paul.
Water Main Break Saturday 0754 hours
Citizen reported lots of water running down Rogers Avenue onto (into) several properties. St Paul water
notified. A crew was immediately dispatched to the area. Mendota Heights Public Works also notified
of the situation.
Medical Sunday 1327 hours
Caller reported 59 YOA female with severe headache, possible panic attack, completely ashen‐faced
with body aches. As Officer Larrive was arriving, the caller’s speech became slurred and then reported
that they were going to pass out; upon arrival he worked with HealthEast to assess the situation;
however, the party refused care.
Welfare Check Sunday 1521 hours
911 cell phone caller reported that her husband was out with a man who appeared to have been beaten
up, was found in front of city hall and he was pacing and didn’t seem right. The caller was not willing to
get out of her car to help find out more information. Sergeant Neil Garlock arrived on scene and found a
party well known to him. HealthEast Ambulance was cancelled and the man’s brother was called. The
intoxicated party who reported he had some trouble climbing over a fence was turned over to his
family. A PBT revealed a BAC of .214.
Assist Monday 0011 hours
Taxi driver called to report he had left a mean drunk couple on the side of the road. One of them left a
coat in the taxi. In speaking with Sgt Convery it was learned the couple was upset because they driver
wanted directions to where they wanted to be dropped off. The woman became upset and hit the cab
driver in the head. After some quick detective work, the coat was returned to the drunk at a friend’s
home on Twin Circle.
Suspicious Activity / DUI Monday 1509 hours
Officers John Larrive and Bobby Lambert along with a MSP Trooper responded to a local gas station on a
call from a customer about some strange behavior. The caller reported that a man and young woman
came into the store, stumbling; the woman couldn’t keep her eyes open but did not smell of alcohol.
The two joined a third in the car and they began hitting each other. The car drove off but was stopped a
short distance down the road. The driver reported his friend may have accidentally overdosed on his
medication. The young woman in the back seat was attempting to keep the man awake. HealthEast
ambulance was called for the young man who was out of it and suffering some type of drug reaction.
The driver was arrested by the Trooper for driving under the influence of drugs. The woman was
dropped off to call for a ride and the car was towed.
Crisis Monday 2145 hours
911 caller reported he had been drinking and needed to go to detox. Officer Todd Rosse spoke with the
young man who reported he had not slept in days as he was taking medications for other mental health
reasons. HealthEast Paramedics examined the young man and opted to taking him to the hospital for a
more complete evaluation of his problems.
Disturbance/Trespass Thursday 0027 hours
Local bar called for assistance in trespassing two persons who had been removed from the bar and were
now refusing to leave the parking lot. One of the parties told the staff that they keep guns in their car.
Sgt Petersen arrived on scene and soon located the two eating Chinese carryout. The woman jumped
out of the car and told the officer she wanted to talk with him but only after being Mirandized. Once
other officers arrived on scene it was confirmed that no guns were present. Staff from the bar notified
the two they were not welcome there again. The two were PBT’d (surprise ‐alcohol was involved) and
given a ride home. 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 33
January 7, through
January 13, 2013
Patrol Notes...
On January 8th, Deputies
Hentges, Leopold, Smidt,
and Vecherkov responded
to County Road 47 and 250th
Street West on a crash with
injuriesinvolving a semi
and a minivan. The driver of
the minivan slid through a
stop sign and struck the side
of a semi, which then rolled
over the front of the van.
The driver of the minivan
was extricated from his
vehicle and sustained non-
life threatening injuries.
Although the driver of the
minivan was lucky enough to survive a crash with a semi, he was not lucky enough
to avoid a citation for failing to stop at the sign and driving after suspension.
On Saturday January 12th, an
off-duty state trooper
witnessed a driver
demonstrating erratic driving
conduct on Highway 52 near
Randolph. The off-duty trooper
witnessed the driver eventually
lose control and roll the
vehicle. Amazingly, the driver
walked away without a scratch.
It was learned that the driver
was using his phone, became
distracted, and went off the
road. Distracted driving due to
cell phone use and texting
continues to be an increasing
threat to public safety.
Sergeant Bruce Kammen and Special Duty Deputy Matt Regis responded to the
crash.
School Safety...
Patrol deputies have madeconscious efforts to connect with local
schools in light of theConnecticut school shooting. The
goal is to increase thecomfort level of students and
faculty to the presence ofdeputies, evaluate current
school safety protocol,and become more involved in
school lock-down drills.This past week, Deputy Ryan
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 33
January 7, through
January 13, 2013
Click here to subscribe to this newsletter electronically.Page 2
Fitzgerald participated with students and faculty at St. John the Baptist Elementary
in Vermillion with their lock-down drill. Deputy Ryan Olson visited with Randolph
High School and Elementary staff to discuss their safety measures.
Investigations...
On Tuesday afternoon, investigators and patrol deputies responded to the Vermillion
River in Hastings upon a citizen’s discovery of human remains on the shore. The
body appeared to have been there for a long duration. The BCA, Hastings Police
Department, and Hennepin County Medical Examiners’ Office is assisting with the
investigation. Captain Jim Rogers, Sergeant Rick Schroeder, and Detectives
Thomas Jacobson and Mike Fendrick are working on the case.
Explorers in Action...
On Friday, January 11th,
the DCSO explorer post,
led by Detective
Dawanna Witt, Deputy
Tim Fletcher, and
Correctional Deputy
Kent Themmes,
attended Feed My
Starving Children for the
Explorer’s monthly
community service
event. They invited
family and friends to join
in the event. Armed with
hairnets, the team
packaged 103 boxes,
which is equivalent to 22,000 meals that will feed approximately 61 children for an
entire year! We are proud of our Explorers and what they provide to the community.
Our Condolences...
The Sheriff’s Office sends sincere condolences to Retired Correctional Corporal
Sheila Hamilton upon the death of her husband, Donald, on Tuesday, January 15th.
The complete obituary can be found here:
http://www.wisefamilyfh.com/services.asp?locid=1&page=odetail&id=921
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