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2013-02-15 Friday News February 15, 2013 Dates to Remember: February 18, 2013 City Hall Closed for President’s Day February 19, 2013 City Council 7:00 p.m. February 26, 2013 Planning Commission 7:00 p.m. February 27, 2013 State of the City Address 7:30 a.m. March 5, 2013 City Council 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 Seeking Input on the Mississippi The National Park Service (NPS) is conducting a Scenic Assessment of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area and is seeking your input. The NPS has set up a web page to share what you love about the Mississippi River. You can check out what people are posting, or share your own favorite views of the river through the following website: https:// mymississippiview.crowdmap.com/main . Information is being collected through February 22, 2013, so log in soon. A Party for Sandie Staff held a farewell party for Sandie Ristine on Valentines Day. Sandie served as a part -time receptionist in the police department for a number of years. Best wishes to Sandie in her retirement. Emergency Preparedness The Governor’s Conference on Homeland Securi- ty and Emergency Management was held this week. While most news outlets are running sto- ries on the risk of wildfire, it should be noted that Minnesota emergency management staff are con- tinually working to prepare for all types of emer- gencies. For example, Dakota County staff are in the pro- cess of preparing and testing plans for dispensing medications to mission critical staff. It might not be newsworthy to some, but it is nice to know that plans are in place to maintain critical services in the event of a health-related disaster. Public Works The Parks Crew plowed cul-de-sacs, ice rinks, parking lots and trails throughout the city twice this past week. Plow truck 503 was repaired. Flooding, sweeping, and snow blowing of ice rinks also continued. The Utilities Crew plowed and shoveled the cul -de-sacs. Degreasing bacteria was added to the wet well at the St. Thomas lift station. The Streets Crew had an early start on Sunday morning with the freezing rain that changed over to snow. All city streets were plowed, sanded, and salted. Truck 308 broke down Sunday evening and had to be towed. They had another early start on Monday morning and all streets were again plowed, sanded, and salted. All wings and sanders were greased on the plow trucks. Thursday morning was the third early start of the week and all city streets were plowed, sanded, and salted again. A bent wing was fixed on one of the plow trucks and the cutting and wing edges were replaced. Engineering City Projects (construction year) Dodd Road/Highway 110 Intersection Pedestrian Improvements (2013) – The final plans have been approved by City Council. Staff has completed all the paperwork for MnDOT approval of the plans. The issue of pedestrian safety markings and signage on the free-right turn from westbound 110 to northbound Dodd will be re-addressed by MnDOT during construction. Bidding is anticipated in April/May with construction beginning in late spring. Hunter Lane/Orchard Place Neighborhood Improvements (2013) –A second neighborhood informational meeting is scheduled for February 27th from 6:30pm to 8:00pm at City Hall to go over specific property design issues with residents. Staff is designing the project in accordance with the parameters set by 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. The Pipeline N E W S L E T T E R Public Works Engineering Code Enforcement February 15, 2013 Crown Point & Overlook Neighborhood Rehabilitations (2013) – Design plans are proceeding. Final plans are anticipated by April for a construction start during the summer. Lexington Avenue Pedestrian Trail, Hwy 110 to Douglas Road (2013) – Staff is preparing plans for rehabilitation of the trail. Construction is expected during 2013. Dakota County has included this in their Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and will assist with project construction cost. Staff intends on including trail plans with the Crown Point & Overlook Neighborhood Rehabilitation project for bidding. 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. This will close one of the identified trail gaps in the City. 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 intends to construct the connection in 2013. County Projects North Urban Regional Trail (NURT) Realignment and Greenway Study – Staff has been working with Dakota County to review the alignment alternatives for the segment of the NURT between Warrior Drive and Mendota Road in Mendota Heights to north of Marie Avenue and Charlton Road in West Saint Paul. One of the alignment alternatives being considered would route the NURT through School District 197 property at Henry Sibley High School, parallel to Warrior Drive from Mendota Road to the Delaware and Marie Avenue intersection. Other alternatives include utilizing the existing Delaware Avenue Trail and building a trail through the Dodge Nature Center’s property east of Delaware Avenue. The County will be presenting the alignment alternatives to the City Council at their March 19th meeting, and they expect to select their alignment alternative in April. State Projects (construction year) Highway 13 Reconstruction: Mendota to I-35E (2015) – MnDOT is developing the project scope for reconstructing the remaining section of Highway 13 through Lilydale. The project would rebuild the portion of the highway left out of last summer’s resurfacing project from 2nd Street in Mendota to I-35E in Lilydale. The Lower Mississippi River Watershed Management Organization (LMRWMO) and the City of Lilydale have asked that additional storm water drainage be included in the project to help prevent or slow erosion to the Mississippi River bluff. Since this is an inter - jurisdictional drainage pattern, the LMRWMO performed a cost share calculation that divided the cost of the additional drainage wo rk as 89% Lilydale and 11% Mendota Heights. Mendota Heights has $40,000 budgeted for the 2015 scheduled work, and since part of that drainage comes from the County Right-of-Way on Lexington Avenue, Dakota County has budgeted a portion of the Mendota Heights share in their CIP. 2/15/13 Heights Police Department Support Staff Kim Henning Susan Donovan Trista Miller 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 Chad Willson Sergeants Neil Garlock Brian Convery Eric Petersen Reserves Randy Pentel Jarrod Spicer Jim Knox Jeff Parker George Castillo Chaplains Frances Cuenca Joel Detlefsen Lynn Liberman Butch Millett Sue Plucker John Snider David Wick Chief Mike Aschenbrener No Proof of Ins / No Drivers License Friday 0121 hours Officer Denise Urmann observed a car stopped in the middle of Hwy 13 just south of Hwy 110. As the squad car approached, the car started to drive away. A traffic stop was initiated and it was learned the person was just looking for her new place of employment. Unfortunately she did not have a MN driver’s license or proof of insurance in the car. Crisis Prevention Friday 0856 hours Officer Patrick provided some advice to an employer who was severing ties with a volatile employee. Thus far, the employee has only exhibited behaviors which concerned the caller; they have not received any threats from the employee. Advice given on how to proceed and prevent problems in the future. 911 Saturday 0945 hours Male called 911 and asked for medical information. He wouldn’t tell the 911 dispatcher what the problem and then hung up the phone. On his next call back, the man advised he was just looking to speak with someone who could provide info on medical triage. After tying up the 911 line a little longer it was learned the man couldn’t find a phone number for a help line. Officer Bobby Lambert responded and found no medical emergency. Littering Saturday 2339 hours Starting in mid‐December 2012, the PD began receiving complaints of late night trash dumping along Wentworth Avenue. Officer Shepard had begun attempting to track the trash as it appeared to have been from a tobacco shop. Over time, he was able to pinpoint the dates, times and business the trash was coming from. On Saturday night, after work, the suspect proceeded down Wentworth and onto Wachtler Avenue. Soon thereafter, upon following the vehicle, trash magically began appearing on the road and the suspect car was stopped. The driver first denied any involvement and then after further discussion, apologized. After a Miranda interview, the case was sent to the prosecutor for charging. Assist Sunday 1125 hours Caller reported water running from an outside faucet of a vacant home. Officer Patrick arrived on scene and was able to gain entrance into the house, locate the water main and shut it off. The realtor who “Just the Facts” The latest news from the Mendota Heights Police Department 2/15/13 has the property listed was notified of the problem. Suspicous Vehicle Monday 0424 hours Cell phone caller reported a suspicious vehicle in parking lot occupied by a lone man. The caller advised the man appeared to be vomiting. Officer VonFeldt checked the parking lot and located the vehicle. It was a plow driver waiting for his boss to arrive. Clear without incident. Threats Monday 1801 hours Officer Mike Shepard received a call from a local collection agency who was afraid one of the debtors was going to show up at the business. After speaking with the caller it was learned that no direct threats were made to the employee of the collection company. They had just threatened to get the money and bring it to them. Threats (long distance) Monday 2122 hours Every Monday for the past several weeks a drunk female from MN calls a police department in Mississippi to file complaints about a man. The duty Sgt spoke with Officer Shepard hoping to put an end to the drunken rants. The drunk female never leaves a name when she calls but they have deduced that she was in a long distance relationship that did not go well. The duty Sgt reported he thought the address was in our area. After some digging and with the help of St Paul PD, a name and address out of White Bear Lake was located. Information relayed to Mississippi and WBL. Welfare Check Tuesday 1737 hours Non‐custodial parent called to complain that 10 YOA was home alone sick. The reporting party’s sister responded to the house but was advised by ex‐husband to leave the property. Reporting party didn’t feel child should be home alone and sister awaited officer’s arrival. When Sgt Convery arrived at the home he was met by stepmom who had been checking on the child. It was soon determined no intervention was needed; child was safe and the situation was legal. Medical Tuesday 175o hours Officer John Larrive responded to an address along Hwy 110 when a 69 YOA female reported she was going into shock after breaking her arm and was going to transport herself to the hospital. (Not a good idea!) HealthEast ambulance arrived and transported the woman. ? 911 Tuesday 1942 hours The DCC handled a call for MHPD about altering a cell phone, the man had called 911 to report the traffic light at Hwy 110 and Dodd out of service. Now his cell phone will only call 911. Hence his discussion with the 911 dispatcher. The man was not happy to learn that we don’t alter the use of cell service and was referred to his provider. Concern Wednesday 1318 hours Officer Bobby Lambert was asked to call a person who was concerned about a conversation they had just had. The caller advised they while working out they overheard another party say some concerning things, talking about losing their job and about the Oakdale shootings. Officer Lambert advised the reporting party. 2/15/13 Crisis Wednesday 1448 hour Officer Bobby Lambert and Sgt Neil Garlock responded to the call of an 8 YOA in crisis. The call was dispatched while he was attempting to kick the windshield out of a car. Upon arrival the child had settled down to the point where the situation could be sorted out. After conversation with mom and a social worker, the youngster agreed to go with the ambulance to the hospital. Recognition On January 15, 2013 the MHPD Staff received the following recognitions:  Retiring Police Support Specialist Sandie Ristine for six years of service,  MHPD Reserve Police Officers Randy Pentel, Jesse Mettner, George Castillo Parker and Volunteer Coordination Rebecca Pentel for their time and contributions,  Thank you and Congratulations to Reserve Officer Jesse Mettner for his service and his new appointment as a West St Paul Police Officer.  Officer Tanner Spicer received a letter of commendation for his patience and training which resulted in preventing a suicide attempt off the Hwy 13 bridge last fall,  Peyton Fleming for five years of service with the department,  Officer Jeffory VonFeldt, Officer Peyton Fleming and Reserve Officers Jeffrey Parker and Randy Pentel for their work in organizing the 50th Anniversary of our police department, and  All our Reserve Officers/Coordinators received the President’s Volunteer Service Aware for achieving and surpassing the volunteer services standards, and  Reserve Officer Jerry Murphy received the Lifetime Service Award from the Office of President Obama for forty‐five years of volunteerism with MHPD. Congratulations to all and thank you for all your hard work and dedication to the pursuit of public safety. Have a great weekend! Mike & Kim 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 37 February 4, through February 10, 2013 A “Golden” Visit… On Friday, University of Minnesota Gopher Head Football Coach Jerry Kill spoke to jail inmates. Coach Kill talked about the challenges he experienced as a young man trying to get into coaching. His message was one on how to deal with adversity and not to give up when you hit obstacles. In addition to his personal struggles, he talked about his work with young athletes, many with personal struggles of their own. It was clear inmates were engaged in his personal message, but they also asked a number of football-related questions. Coach Kill was impressed with the level of knowledge the individuals displayed and the questions they asked, prompting him to offer members of the group the opportunity to handle his football duties at the U of M. At the end of his talk, Coach Kill was presented a caricature by Correctional Deputy Joe Engesser of the Coach holding a rose in one hand and a bowl with the letter “M” in the other (an inference to the Gophers making a trip to the Rose Bowl). Special thanks to Correctional Deputy Tom Schneider for arranging the Coach’s visit and his introduction to the group. Welcome… On Monday the DCSO welcomed our two newest deputies, though they did not have to go far from their previous jobs. Deputies Ryan Holmquist and Chris Hamblin worked 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 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 37 February 4, through February 10, 2013 Click here to subscribe to this newsletter electronically.Page 2 as correctional deputies in the jail. The two were sworn in by Sheriff Dave Bellows to make it official, though a more formal event with be held in the near future. Congratulations to Ryan and Chris. Weather Warnings… A snowstorm that hit the Twin Cities resulted in a number of collisions and cars going in the ditch. One accident involved a semi-trailer going off the road on County Road 47 at 240th Street. Deputies Pete Meyer and Ryan Brown and Park Ranger Matt Lohmann responded to the call. More Than He Bargained For… Last week Special Duty Deputy Terry Ecker was dealing with an eviction at a residence when he found objects that appeared to be military ordinance. The Bloomington Bomb Squad was requested and disposed of the devices quickly. They Will Never Find me Here… Deputy Brian Smidt, while driving on Northfield Boulevard, clocked a car travelling well over the speed limit. As he turned around to stop the driver, he could see they turned off their headlights and drove into a random driveway in an effort to not get stopped. After he pulled in behind the not-so-well-hidden driver, she confessed to her attempt to avoid getting a ticket for speeding. Unfortunately, her plan did not have a happy ending. Name Change… Last week we introduced our newest canine, “Ogi,” from the Czech Republic. Since that edition, “Ogi” has been renamed, “Thor,” and will begin training in March. Behind the Bars… The population in the jail averaged 233 per day last week. Since the beginning of the year, we have seen much lower jail populations compared with the same period in 2012. 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