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2013-04-05 Friday News April 5, 2013 Dates to Remember: April 9, 2013 Parks and Rec Comm. 6:30 p.m. April 10, 2013 Airport Relations Comm. 7:00 p.m. April 16, 2013 City Council 7:00 p.m. April 23, 2013 Planning Commission 7:00 p.m. Attachments: Pipeline, Just the Facts, Spring Clean Up Flyer Friday News Mendota Heights Weekly Report on City Activities Mendota Heights City Hall 1101 Victoria Curve www.mendota-heights.com (651) 452-1850 The BUZZ The Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce holds a monthly meeting for Mendota Heights and West St. Paul businesses. Commissioner Tom Egan provided a “State of the County” presentation at The BUZZ Thursday morn- ing. He highlighted population growth, demographic trends, increased visits to county parks, and a snap- shot of the county’s finances. Overall, the state of Dakota County is very good. The BUZZ meets the first Thursday of every month, from 7:30 to approximately 8:15 a.m. You can find out more by visiting the chamber’s website at www.dcrchamber.com. Pilot Knob The city council considered two contracts for the on- going restoration and maintenance of the Pilot Knob Open Space Tuesday evening. Great River Green- ing was approved to continue to work on the site in accordance with the management plan adopted prior to the purchase of the second parcel of land. Great River Greening was also approved to conduct a demonstration project which will include grazing horses on the site as a vegetation management prac- tice. This work is being funded by a grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which also funded the removal of the utility lines/poles from the site in 2012. Great River Greening and city staff will be meeting with horse owners this weekend to discuss logistics and to coordinate volunteers. Spring Clean Up The attached flyer provides details on the 2013 Spring Clean Up for Mendota Heights residents. This event is successful year after year because of com- mitted volunteers. If you are interested in helping un- load cars and sorting waste, contact Jake Sedlacek at jakes@mendota-heights.com to sign up. rob Public Works The Parks Crew turned off the aerator at Rogers Lake, rolled up the hoses and brought them back to public works for storage. Maintenance was done on the snow blower for next winter and new chains were installed on the tires. Plows were taken off the trucks and stored in the water tower. All summer equipment was taken out of the water tower and brought to the shop. They started sweeping the trails. The Utilities Crew finished painting the break room/kitchen. Part was of the hallway was painted. The new generator was taken to total construction to get new wiring. New parts were ordered for the Mendota Heights Road force main due to the recent break. The Streets Crew continues to fill pot holes throughout the city with UPM mix. New hydraulic hoses were installed on the bucket of the John Deere Tractor. The new truck was picked up from Inver Grove Ford. The sign room was organized. Engineering City Projects (construction year) Dodd Road/Highway 110 Intersection Pedestrian Improvements (2013) – The completed plans and specifications are being routed through MnDOT for final approval. The project will be advertised for bid soon. We are anticipating a bid opening in May, with a contract award scheduled for the June 4th City Council Meeting. Construction will begin shortly after contract award. Hunter Lane/Orchard Place Neighborhood Improvements (2013) – Final plans have been approved and the project is authorized for bidding. Bid opening is scheduled for May 1st at 10:00am. Contract award is scheduled for the May 7th City Council Meeting with construction beginning in June. Crown Point & Overlook Neighborhood Rehabilitations (2013) – Staff conducted the bid opening on Wednesday. Asphalt Surfaces Technology Corporation is the apparent low bidder. Staff is currently verifying their bid documents. Contract award is scheduled for the April 16th City Council meeting. Construction start is anticipated in late May. Additionally, the project includes the Lexington Avenue trail rehabilitation (see the next project) and preventative maintenance (chip seal) The Pipeline N E W S L E T T E R Public Works Engineering Code Enforcement April 5, 2013 in the Evergreen Knoll, Hidden Creek Trail, and the Bachelor/Stanwich neighborhoods. Lexington Avenue Pedestrian Trail, Hwy 110 to Douglas Road (2013) – Project was bid with the Crown Point & Overlook Neighborhood Rehabilitation Project. Dakota County is assisting with project construction costs. Project includes pavement replacement, minor realignment, and pedestrian ramp replacement and/or new installation. Construction is anticipated in late May/early June. Highway 13 Trail Connection (2013) –The City has applied for a grant from the Department of Natural Resources for construction funding. If not funded through a grant, the City intends to construct the connection in 2013 with City funds. Project will connect existing trails between Riverside Lane and Lilydale Road County Projects (construction year) North Urban Regional Trail (NURT) Realignment/Greenway Study (2014) – Dakota County staff will be presenting the alignment alternatives to the District 197 School Board on April 15 to gather their opinions, and will present to the Dakota County Board of Commissioners on April 16th. Staff is recommending the Dodge Nature Center Alignment as the best fit for the Greenways Grant they received, and the Henry Sibley alignment as a reasonable alternative. The Board of Commissioners is expected to select an alignment alternati ve at that meeting. For more information, please contact the Dakota County Project Manager , Chris Hartzel, at 952-891-7106. Lexington Avenue Crosswalk (2013) – Construction of the center median and crosswalk on Lexington Avenue at Victoria will take place this summer. Construction is anticipated in July/August. Other Activities Lower Mississippi River Watershed Management Organization (LMRWMO) – Staff attended the monthly meeting of the LMRWMO on Thursday with both the City’s primary and alternate citizen representatives. Mary Jeanne Schneeman was elected the Board’s Treasurer. Updates were provided on the lake monitoring efforts, and upcoming projects. 4/2/13 The Mendota 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 Police Department Statistics 2011 2012 2013 2013 YTD March CAD calls for service 7618 8531 1797 642 Citations issued (DUI, domestic, etc.) 1818 1511 267 111 Warnings 996 1173 359 156 Police Reports 1030 1124 260 61 Arrests 217 218 48 19 Response time average 5:55 5:18 4:50 4:50 Domestic Assault Thursday 1805 hours Sgt Eric Petersen responded to the home of some frequent fliers. Dad reported that his 50-year-old son pushed him from his chair on to the floor. An argument had been going on at home about the 50-year-old twin boy’s illegal drug use. They were leaving the area as the call was dispatched. Sgt Peterson arrived on scene spoke with the victims in this incident verifying they had in fact been assaulted. A statewide KOPS Alert was placed on the suspects and their jeep. The victim refused medical help. Assist Thursday 2033 hours Officer Mike Shepard responded to a local college where staff reported a male student refused to leave. They informed that although they requested the man to leave, they were not certain that he did. Officer Shepard assisted walking in a staff and a student and found all clear; building secured. Neighbor Assist Friday 1303 hours A homeowner called to report the house next door was gushing water into his own home. Officer Scott Patrick arrived on scene and knew the house that had water coming from it was in foreclosure. The house was unlocked and the water was coming from an unattended sump pump. Officer Patrick assisted the caller in rerouting the water. Suspicious Activity Friday 1918 hours A resident called to report suspicious party at their door. The man was described as wearing a Century Link jacket inquiry of the data town for the weekend. After several questions about the service the customer became concerned. The city code allows current businesses with subscribers of the service to receive door-to-door visits by that provider. Officer Shepard checked it was in fact a Century Link employee. “Just the Facts” The latest news from the Mendota Heights Police Department 4/2/13 Suspicious Activity Friday 2319 hours A resident called to two hours after finding a man in the garage. Officer Denise Urmann responded to a residence and spoke with the homeowner reported that approximately 9 o'clock that heard something going on in the garage and went to investigate and has there been the garage door heard a man ran off. We afternoon evening squads advised. Prowler / Prostitution Saturday 0509 hours Officers Urmann and Meyer were dispatched to a local motel where they spoke with the night clerk who advised the motel next door called advising them about a large car moving through the parking lots with no lights. The car was GOA. 30 minutes later it was back. The man was sleeping or pretending to be a sleep when contact was made. When asked what he was doing he advised he was waiting for his girl who was getting some money. The female later came out and when questioned she first told a story that didn’t match the drivers. Officer Meyer then went inside and made contact with the person in the motel who admitted calling an advertisement in the Minneapolis Backpages for sex. They then admitted having sex with the woman, pointing out the used condoms and paying her before she left. The woman was found to have money and condoms matching what Officer Meyer had learned when interviewing the man in the motel. Citations were issued and everyone was released at the scene. Suspicious Package Saturday 1027 hours Officer Scott Patrick met with a party in the lobby of the Police Department with a rather suspicious package to be identified. After a short time Officer Patrick determined the piece was used for geo- caching. The party brought the piece back to where they found and replaced it for the geo-cachers. AOA Sunday 0045 hours Sergeant Eric Petersen handled a call from Lino Lakes Police Department about a thief who was caught stealing gas in their city. When the crook was being interviewed she admitted that she had done multiple drive offs around her home in Mendota Heights. Lino Lakes Police provided the license plate and suspect information. The crook had been changing license plates to make it harder to catch her. Referred to Investigations to match unsolved gas drive offs. Chainsaw Sunday 1818 hours Caller reported someone cutting down trees on a piece of bank owned property. Officer Todd Rosse arrived and found a homeowner behind the old Fischerville cutting down a dead tree in their back yard. The homeowner was doing spring spruce up. Medical / Crisis Sunday 1906 hours Officers Shepard and Rosse responded to a group home where one of the clients stabbed themselves in the stomach. Ouch. The knife was still in the wound when the call was when the officers arrived on scene. Staff was reporting the person to be non-violent (makes you wonder what they would consider violent) everyone was waiting on the front steps for help. Officers secured the scene and HealthEast Paramedics handled the transport. A 72 hour health and welfare filled out for the hospital. DAS Tuesday 1958 hours Officer Mike Shepard ran an in squad license plate check showing the registered owner of the auto to be suspended. Just to make sure it was the same person driving he also reviewed the driver’s photo. The driver was the R/O and was suspended. The car was stopped a short time later. Unfortunately the driver had multiple DAS tickets in the past. Transported to jail. AOA Wednesday 1428 hours A cell phone caller from the freeway reported seeing a pedestrian on the bridge climbing up on to the barrier wall. No vehicle observed. MNDOT had the person on camera and reported they did not appear to be a jumper and MSP was enroute to the scene. Sgt Neil Garlock was cancelled by the Trooper who arrived on the scene. Have a great weekend! 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 44 March 25, through March 31, 2013 Motivational Conference… The Dakota County Sheriff’s Office hosted the Fourth Annual three-day Motivational Conference from March 27th, through March 29th. The Motivational Conference was created by Correctional Lieutenant Hart to inspire, educate, and empower the inmates incarcerated at the Dakota County Jail. Over the course of the three-day event, the Sheriff’s Office welcomed musical guests, service providers from community organizations that provided valuable resources to offenders, an impact speaker that spoke about choices, an ex-offender panel, and a keynote speaker. More than 60 volunteers and observers helped make this event possible, and an average of 55 inmates attended the conference on a daily basis. Special recognition goes to Inmate Outreach Coordinator Emily Clary, Recreation Coordinator Loren Hansen, Inmate Counselor Hal Palmer, Correctional Sergeant Ben Verby, and Correctional Lieutenant Lawrence Hart. Over 1,830 “Served”… Staff in our “Permit to Carry” Unit has remained busy since the beginning of the year in handling an unprecedented number of applications. To date, the group has processed 1,587 new permit applications, but that number grows to over 1,830 when renewal permits and address changes are included. To put this in perspective, the group processed 2,814 for all of 2012, which broke the previous annual record by 65 percent. In order to meet the 30 day requirement for getting Featuring Sheriff’s Administrative, Communications, Support, and Parks, Lakes, and Trails Staff: Administration Steve Anderson Annette Baker Julie Ecker Detention Services Support Staff Sandy Burke Desiree Chartrand Kim Erlandsen Caitlin Harrison Melanie Heltne Kathy Karnick Casey King Kim Lechner Mary McPhetres Minnie Murphy Holly Ruiz Andrea Strenke Molu Thachil Betsy Winter Jessica Witschen Emergency Preparedness Dan Carlson Operations Support Staff Joanna Anderson Hilary Christie Ana Estrada Julie Fischer Lynda Jirak Janelle Mayer Linda Mischke Shona Murphy Jesse Monahan William Pope Parks, Lakes, and Trails Salah Ahmed Mark Albrecht Scott Blehm 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 44 March 25, through March 31, 2013 Click here to subscribe to this newsletter electronically.Page 2 permits sent out staff from other divisions have chipped in, along with putting in overtime and working weekends. The group was acknowledged for their efforts with a bagel breakfast on Wednesday. We want to thank our primary group consisting of Program Services Assistants Julie Fischer, Janelle Meyer, and Will Pope,with the assistance of Linda Mischke, Joanna Anderson, Lynda Jirak, and Hilary Christie, and Program Administration Supervisor Steve Anderson for all their hard work. Special Thanks… To Mr. John Nasseff on his generous donation of $10,000 to purchase two drug detection canines for the Dakota County Drug Task Force. Partnered with drug agents, the dogs are trained to detect a wide variety of drugs and are essential to the success of the task force. We want to thank Curt Enestvedt and Special Deputy (Retired) Bob Stowell for their assistance in obtaining this donation. Early Signs of Spring… Were evident this past week, with several roads flooding as a result of the snow melt. A few of the affected roads were 190th Street east of Highway 61, and Michael Avenue north of 190th. Barricades were set up to warn motorists and continually monitored by deputies. Congratulations… Go to Sergeant Rick Schroeder on his appointment as the Fire Chief for the City of Rosemount. The fire chief position is not a full-time endeavor, so Rick will continue as a supervisor in Investigation. Andrew Burt Ryan Googins Jordan Klug Matthew Lohmann Joshua Schauer David Steinberg Chaplains Jim Bzoskie Vern Hildebrandt Clayton McDougall Eddie Nestingen Cory Voll Don Voll Questions? Comments? Please contact the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office at 651.437.4700 or any of the following by email: dave.bellows@ co.dakota.mn.us julie.ecker@ co.dakota.mn.us (back row left to right) Sheriff Dave Bellows, Curt Enestvedt, and Retired Special Deputy Bob Stowell (front row) Sergeant Dan Bianconi and Agent Jeff Hanson of the Dakota County Drug Task Force Spring Clean Up 2013 Saturday, May 4 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Mendakota Park, 2171 Dodd Road For more information: Jake Sedlacek Asst. to the City Admin. 651.255.1142 jakes@mendota-heights.com Document Shredding: American Bank is hosting document shredding/recycling from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, 1060 Dakota Drive Sponsored by the City of Mendota Heights, funded in part by Dakota County Board of Com- missioners and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Every year Mendota Heights residents divert tons of trash from going to the landfill thorough the spring clean up. Don’t miss this opportunity to clean up your home/yard and ensure that materials are disposed of properly. Follow the signs on Mendakota Drive and enter from the west side of the park. ID with Mendota Heights address required Limited to Mendota Heights residents with passenger vehicles and small trailers only. We will accept: Car tires, furniture $5 each Mattresses/boxspring $10 each Home remodeling debris/misc. junk Volume-based fee Dehumidifiers $5 each Electronics Volume-based fee Scrap metals (remove all non-metal) Free Bicycles Free We will not accept: Yard waste, items that can be recycled at your curb, busi- ness waste or contractor debris Bring Your Donations: This year the Salvation Army will be on hand, collecting clothing, household items and furniture (There is no fee to donate items).