Loading...
2013-04-12 Friday News April 12, 2013 Dates to Remember: April 16, 2013 City Council 7:00 p.m. April 23, 2013 Planning Commission 7:00 p.m. May 4, 2013 Spring Clean Up 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Mendakota Park May 7, 2013 City Council 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 Grazing at Pilot Knob Horse owners interested in participating in a grazing plan at Pilot Knob Open Space met with staff from the city and Great River Greening this past Saturday. The group walked the site, providing feedback on the proposed grazing areas. Grazing is just one more method to manage vegeta- tion on the site, as we work towards restoring the oak savannah which existed prior to settlement of the ar- ea. The plan is already getting attention—the Star Tribune plans to run a story on the plan to graze in the South Metro edition next Wednesday. Spring Clean Up The annual spring clean up is fast approaching. The event is open to all Mendota Heights residents, no contractors or businesses, please. Each year we divert tons of materials from landfills, by sorting out scrap metals, mattresses, electronics, etc. This year we will be joined by the Salvation Army who will be accepting donations of household goods. Hopefully this will help us to divert even more material from landfills! Check out the attached flyer for more details. 5K Run/Walk The Mendota Heights 5K Run/Walk is held the morn- ing of Parks Celebration, Saturday, June 1, 2013. Pre registrations are currently being accepted—you can go online, or pick up a registration form at city hall. All proceeds benefit the Special Olympics of Minnesota. Don’t miss this great community event. Public Works The Parks Crew plowed the cul-de-sacs and parking lots in the city. Truck #501 was taken in for auto body repair. The plows were taken down from the water tower and reinstalled on the pickup trucks. The weed whips and hand mowers were serviced for summer use. The Utilities Crew plowed the cul-de-sacs and lift stations. The standby generator was exercised at the main lift station. The new trailer for the generator was picked up from Total Construction. It should be in service by next Monday after checking its voltages and running it at the lift stations. The Streets Crew replaced a stop sign at Ivy Hill and Sylvandale. They continue to patch potholes. Cleaning up sod damages from the plowing has started. They started at 3:00 am on Wednesday when they plowed and salted all streets. Thursday was a 5:00 am start and all streets were plowed and a snow emergency declared from the 3.7 inches of snow we received. Friday another snow emergency was declared. 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 advertised. 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. Substantial completion is expected in September with the assessment hearing in October. Crown Point & Overlook Neighborhood Rehabilitations (2013) – Staff opened bids on April 3rd. Asphalt Surfaces Technology Corporation was the low bidder. Contract award is scheduled for the April 16th City Council meeting. Construction start is anticipated in late May with substantial completion in September. An assessment hearing is scheduled for October. Additionally, the project includes the Lexington Avenue trail rehabilitation (see the next project) and preventative The Pipeline N E W S L E T T E R Public Works Engineering Code Enforcement April 12, 2013 maintenance (chip seal) 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. Mendota Heights Road Sanitary Sewer Force Main Repairs (2013) – Staff will be asking City Council for authorization to seek professional services for the evaluation and design of repairs to the sanitary sewer force main in the Mendota Heights Road right-of-way. The force main has ruptured 5 times in the past 6 years and is becoming more costly to repair each time. Based on the information gathered by the selected consultant specialist, the City may choose to repair the force main this summer. Highway 149 (Dodd Road) Trail Connections (2014) – The City intends to apply for grants through the MnDOT Corridor Investment Management Strategy (CIMS) program for construction of trail connections along Dodd Road from Market Street north to Marie Avenue and from Mendota Heights Road south to the I -494 Bridge. Both of these grants would be for the 2014 construction year. Authorization to make these grant applications will be on the April 16th City Council agenda. 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. County Staff is recommending the Dodge Nature Center Alignment as the best fit for the Greenways Grant and the Henry Sibley alignment as a reasonable alternative. The Board of Commissioners is expected to select an alignment alternative at that meeting on the 16th (9:00am at the Western Service Center in Apple Valley). 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. 4/12/2013 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 Murphy’s Birthday Celebration  Wednesday Officer Jerry Murphy was at Somerset Elementary School  doing what he has done annually for the past 12 years; volunteering to  talk to children about police officers.  Jerry started the school trips years  ago when his grand kids were at Somerset.  The kids always look forward  to his visit and this year was especially fun as event fell on his birthday.   Pictured below are Reserve Officer Jim Knox and Officer Murphy, along  with the some Somerset 2nd graders.  Thanks for being great role models!      Burning Ban goes into effect today! (Normally it truly feels like Spring)  http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/fire/firerating_restrictions.html    411 or 911?    Thursday  1041 hours  The DCC relayed information they received on a 911 line to Officer John  “Just the Facts” The latest news from the Mendota Heights Police Department 4/12/2013 Larrive; the caller reported they meant to call 411 as they were trying to find the number to Petco.   But as long as I have you on the line – would you please let MHPD know that the man living in the  attic has moved into the neighbor’s attic.  The caller knows this because when they change the  dog’s pants they can hear the man in the attic moving around.  How do 911 dispatchers maintain  their composure when they get calls like this?      Civil Assist       Thursday  1704 hours  Officer Todd Rosse he responded to a residence where he assisted in serving an emergency order  for protection, issued by the courts.  The subject to the order was assisted in gathering up his  personal belongings and was transported to the Mendota Plaza where a cab was waiting to take  him to his final destination.    Open Door       Thursday  1935 hours  A neighbor called to report the front door of the house next door was standing wide open. Officer  Peyton Fleming along with Officer Todd Rosse responded, found the front door open and  immediately set up a search of the house.  In checking the inside of the house, they found the living  room TV was missing but nothing else appeared disturbed.  The neighbor informed officers that the  residents are currently in an assisted living center.  A family member was contacted by phone and  advised that his parents had the TV, it was not stolen.  The door was secured and the son advised  he would stop by and ensure all was in order.     Suspicious        Thursday  2205 hours  A 911 cell phone caller reported a male with a bag standing on one of the Highway 13 bridges just  north of the intersection with I35E.  Officer Denise Urmann responded to the call and located the  man standing in the middle of the bridge.  He could not come up with a good reason for why he was  standing in the middle of the bridge; Officer Urmann escorted him off the highway.    Squatters       Thursday  2234 hours  A former resident called to report that his children, ages 21 and 16, were hanging out in the home  they had been evicted from.  Officer Tanner Spicer along with Officers Rosse and Urmann  responded to the home.  An unsecured door was located; the home was checked but no one was  inside.  The previous homeowner reported saw a picture showing the house being damaged, it was  noted that there was evidence the home is being used by squatters.  The residence was clear, the  door was secured.    Medical       Saturday  1316 hours  Officer Scott Patrick and Sergeant Neil Garlock responded to a medical for an intoxicated person,  reported by the 19‐year‐old daughter of the person needing help.  Upon arrival officers found an  extremely intoxicated female bleeding from her head.  Thankfully, she was seated and a damp cloth  was applied to the wound.  The reporter and her twin sister were the only other people in the  residence and called because they were concerned for mom who had been drinking for quite some  time.  The reporter stated her mom pushed her and that's what started the incident resulting in the  cut in mom’s head.  The reporter advised that mom was currently mean and obnoxious; when  allowed into the house, officers and medics observed this behavior first‐hand.  The wounded,  intoxicated mother refused treatment, made some “I know my rights” statements and began  screaming at everyone to leave her home.  As she was able to care for herself, the officers and  medical personnel cleared the residence.    Donkey(s)       Sunday   1406 hours  The DCC received a phone call about donkeys standing in the caller’s yard.  Officer Scott Patrick   responded to the call; and did find the donkeys, most likely from school across the street. The  caller had contacted the owner but was very concerned that they may run.  The donkeys were  contained by the neighbor until the owner arrived on scene and they were brought back home.    4/12/2013 Medical       Sunday   2304 hours  The DCC received a 911 call from a female having an allergic reaction, difficulty breathing and  needed an ambulance.  However, her father came on the line and advised she was reacting to  medication after having surgery, everything was fine and ambulance could cancel.  HealthEast was  already en route and would respond anyway, per protocol, especially since the 911 operators could  hear the female crying in the background.  HealthEast arrived on scene and found that woman was  in fact fine and did not need medical transport.  911 calls are always verified for health and safety.    Theft        Monday  1854 hours  Officer Peyton Fleming met with a resident who reported that his MiFi device was missing; the  homeowner had asked a friend, whom he has known for about seven years to watch his house  while he was out of town.  The owner also knew the house sitter is a heavy drug user. Alas, when he  returned home, he found his MiFi/mobile hotspot missing.  The house sitter also had friends over  while the homeowner was out of town.  Officer Fleming soon learned the house sitter’s last criminal  event was in West St. Paul for theft approximately a month ago.  Referred to investigations    Drunk        Tuesday  0215 hours  Officer Denise Urmann responded to a call from the manager of a local bar of a man, drunk when  he arrived at the bar and refused service, was not causing problems, like trying to steal drinks from  other customers.  He was last seen trying to climb on the roof of a nearby building.  A short time  later Officer Denise Urmann located the man who lived nearby; he was transported home.  Business  didn't want any further action.      Why do I Need Tabs?      Wednesday  1300 hours  Officer Patrick helped out a caller who was trying to sell her car. She wanted to drive the vehicle,  which didn’t have tabs (but was insured), to the car wash but was concerned about being cited and  wanted police permission to drive.  Officer Patrick, after much discussion with the woman, advised  that the best and most inexpensive option was to simply drive her other car to the licensing bureau  and pick up tabs.      Wrong Car       Wednesday  1207 hours  Sergeant Brian Convery was enlisted in Inver Grove Heights Police Department on a check the  welfare on behalf of a car dealerships; an elderly customer had driven home the wrong vehicle.   Sergeant Convery learned that customer had grabbed a vehicle that looked like her son’s and drove  off; the true owner of the car was still waiting at the dealership for their vehicle.  While en route to  the residence in Mendota Height, the dealership advised the DCC that the woman had just pulled  back into their parking lot after realizing she had the wrong vehicle.     Fire Lane Violation      Wednesday  1953 hours  Staff at local high school called to report numerous vehicles parked in a fire lane.  Officer Todd  Rosse arrived on scene and found six cars parked in the fire line. He made contact with staff and  learned that students had been advised multiple times not to park there. All were gathered up to  one spot and told that if they were found parked there again they would all be cited.  Officer Rosse  then advised staff to contact the headmaster about properly signing the fire lane so that the cars  could in fact be cited if they continued to park there.    AOA/Fire        Wednesday  0214 hours  Caller having problems with gas water heater.  Excel Energy was unable to respond and suggested  she call the fire department.  Officer Urmann suggested they only page out the Chief to assist with  shutting off the gas and water.  Assisted without incident in shutting of the hot water heater.      Have a great weekend!  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).