2013-09-13 Friday NewsFriday News
Mendota Heights Weekly Report on City Activities
Best Wishes Mike!
Civil Engineer II Mike Albers' last day with the
City of Mendota Heights is today. Mike
accepted a project manager position with the
City of Brooklyn Center.
Thank you Mike for your four years of service
and contribution to the city.
Mendakota Park Playground
Mendakota Park playground is closed through
October 1st for refurbishing. Landscape
Structures Inc. began refurbishing the existing
playground equipment this past Monday. This
three week project includes repainting the
playground equipment and decks. New play
elements will also be installed.
The final phase of this project includes
removing the pea gravel and replacing it with
new engineered wood fibers.
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Learn more about the City of Mendota Heights
and keep updated with happenings by following
the city online.
www.Facebook.com/MendotaHeightsMN
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Dates to Remember:
September 17, 2013
City Council 7:00 p.m.
September 24, 2013
Planning Commission 7:00 p.m.
Attachments:
Pipeline, Just the Facts
City Council agenda packets and
Planning Commission agenda packets
are available online by visiting
www.mendota - heights.com and clicking
on the agenda /minutes link.
Mendota Heights City Hall
1101 Victoria Curve
www.mendota- heights.com
(651) 452 -1850
NEWS The Pipeline
LETTER
Public Works
Engineering September 13, 2013
Code Enforcement
Public Works
The Parks Crew made repairs to the sprinkler system at Mendakota Park.
The water fountain at Kensington South Park was installed. Hanging tree
limbs at Friendly Hills Park along the pedway were trimmed. Fallen tree
limbs were picked up at Ivy Hills Park.
The Utilities Crew had apre- meeting with the sewer televising contractor.
He also attended apre- construction meeting with Northdale construction for
the Veronica lift station rehabilitation. He finished spraying total weed killer
along the fence lines as needed in all parks.
The Streets Crew finished up blacktop patching on Decorah Lane, Pagel
Road and Havenview Court. The beaver dam in the storm outlet off Pond
Circle was dug out. The storm pipe was jetted out because of heavy mud.
The storm outlet that goes under the pedway was cleaned out at Hagstrom
King Park. Three cottonwood trees were cut down that were growing next
the storm outlet. Trees were cleaned up along the pond that were dead.
The debris was taken to S & S Tree in South Saint Paul. Fabricating and
welding was done for the police department's new sergeant's car.
Engineering
City Projects (construction year)
Dodd Road /Highway 110 Intersection Pedestrian Improvements (2013) -
Construction is underway. Concrete work is nearly complete. The base of
the trail is in place and paving should be completed this week. Traffic
impacts are greater than anticipated, but detours are available to the north
along Marie Avenue, or to the south along Mendota Heights Road. Police
are monitoring detour routes for speed compliance. Substantial completion
of the project is expected early next week.
Hunter Lane /Orchard Place Neighborhood Improvements (2013) - Utility
installation is substantially complete. Base course of pavement has been
placed on Orchard, Culligan, and Glenhill. Curb and gutter installation along
Hunter is expected in the next week, followed by road base grading.
Pavement of Hunter can be expected in approximately one to two weeks.
The contractor has replaced the culvert under Lexington Avenue and paved
the patch site. Substantial completion is expected by the end of September
with the assessment hearing scheduled for the October 2"d City Council
Meeting. For more information, please see the project page on the city web
page: www.mendota- heights.com. Project information is updated weekly.
Crown Point &Overlook Neighborhood Rehabilitations (2013) -This project
is substantially complete. Staff has prepared the project punch -list, and the
contractor will be repairing the punch list items during the remaining
construction season. An assessment hearing is scheduled for the October
15t" City Council meeting.
Lexington Avenue Pedestrian Trail, Hwy 110 to Douglas Road (2013) -New
sod was placed on the northern portion of the trail to repair damage done
during construction. The trail is open for use.
Sanitary Sewer Cleaning and Televising (2013) -This project is underway.
The contractor is working in the area of the city west of I -35E and north of
Highway 110. Center Pointe Business Park is also included in the project.
Minor traffic impacts should be anticipated.
Mendota Heights Road Sanitary Sewer Force Main Replacement (2013) -
Design of the replacement force main is complete and the authorization to
bid the project is scheduled for the September 17t" City Council meeting.
The force main has broken 5 times in the past 6 years and is in need of
replacement. Construction could begin as early as this fall.
Highway 13 Trail Connection (2013) -City Council awarded the project to
Urban Companies of Vadnais Heights at their September 3rd meeting. City
Staff is working with adjacent property owners on acquiring the necessary
easements for the project. Easement acceptance is scheduled for the
September 17t" City Council Meeting. Notice to proceed with construction is
anticipated in mid - September and the project should be completed within a
few weeks from the start date. Construction is expected to begin in late
September /early October.
County Projects (Construction Year)
Delaware Avenue Guardrails (2013) - Installation of guardrails on Delaware
Avenue in selected locations between Highway 110 and I -494 will begin
later this month. Plans have been completed and are under inter - agency
review. Construction is expected within the coming weeks.
North Urban Regional Trail (NURT) Realignment /Greenway Corridor -
County staff is progressing on the design of the trail realignment through
the Henry Sibley property. The County Project Manager will be giving an
update to the Parks and Recreation Commission on October 8t" and to the
City Council on October 15t ". The City of West Saint Paul is planning on
reconstructing Marie Avenue from Delaware to Charlton in conjunction with
the NURT realignment construction in 2014.
Other Activities
Lower Mississippi River Watershed Management District (LMRW -Staff
attended the monthly WMO Board meeting on Wednesday in South Saint
Paul. The WMO provided an update on the Watershed Restoration and
Protection (WRAP) plan being developed for Rogers Lake and Lake Augusta
in Mendota Heights, along with Pickerel Lake in Lilydale, Thompson Lake in
West Saint Paul, and for Sunfish Lake. These lakes and surrounding
watersheds are being studied to provide the City and area residents with
practices that can improve the overall water quality in the water bodies.
The final report is expected to be published over the winter. For more
information contact City Engineering staff.
1
SEPTEMBER 13, 2013
(111 0 0 0
SUPPORT STAFF.'
Kim Henning. Ck p
Trista Miller 0 0 0 0 0 QM9fl
Becky Pentel
POLICE OFFICERS Today, The Dakota County Chief of Police Association recognized the outstanding i
Jerry Murphy work by Police Officers & Citizens at its annual awards ceremony at Mendakota
Scott Patrick Country Club. We are proud that two of our own received recognition at this
John Larrive
Bobby Lambert event.
Tanner Spicer
Todd Rosse The Mendota Heights Police Department recognized Officer Tanner Spicer with
Chad Willson g p g p
Jeff Vonfeldt an Award of Honor for his part in a six -hour stand -off on the I -3 S E river crossing
Steven Meyer bridge. Officer Spicer was in the area and immediately responded to help. Officer
Denise Urmann
Michael Shepard Spicer, a Crisis Intervention Trained (CIT) Officer, immediately recognized the
Peyton Fleming need for his services and remained with the subject, even after trained negotiators
SCHOOL RESOURCE OFCA arrived on scene, as the subject would only speak with Officer Spicer. Six hours
Jennifer Fordham later, the man climbed over the freeway fence and ended the stand -off.
I
INVESTIGATIONS
Mario Reyes The Inver Grove Heights Police Department recognized Officer Bobby Lambert
Chad Willson with an Award of Honor for his part in taking a suicidal man into custody with no
loss of life. Officer Lambert worked with Officer Braucks of the WSPPD Officers
SERGEANTS ,
Neil Garlock Wegner and Boche of the IGHPD to end an armed stand -off. Officers Lambert and
Brian Convery Braucks approached a shed with an armed subject inside threatening to kill him -
Eric Petersen
self with a rifle. When the man momentarily set down the rifle using the cover
RESERVES provided b a body bunker, the man was tased ending the standoff.
p Y Y g
Randy Pentel
Jim Knox
Jeff Parker The Mendota Heights Police Department is extremely proud of the work done on a
George Castillo
daily basis to make Mendota Heights a safer community.
CHAPLAINS
Frances Cuenca
Joel Detlefsen
Lynn Liberman 0 0 0 o
Butch Millett A n-i
Sue Plucker
John Snider o
David Wick 000
,I I
CHIEF aia Hendel
Mike Aschenbrener
.
D v-o 0.S
I I
To schedule your event, please contact
Mendota at PD Hei hts g (651) 452.1366
TAYETHS
�T C
� �
Vg
*
Place an "It Can Wait' hand sticker on your car, this will act as a reminder to others
What o�tr Leol e meavis
on the road and will remind you to be a good example as well.
• Every year, there are more than 100,000 texting-
__- ___ -__ ____ _________
related car crashes.
'No text message, email ,
know you'll get back to them later.
• 75% of teens say texting & driving is common among
'website or video is worth
;the r i s I< of e n d an g e r i n m
g y
their friends.
'life or the lives of others
Out of sight, out of mind Put your phone on silent mode or in a place you can't reach it.
e 5 seconds is the minimal time your attention is taken
'on the road. I pledge to
*
away while texting & driving... if you're traveling at 55
1 never text and drive and
Call, don't text! If you need to tell someone you're running late while driving, use the
mph, that equals driving the length of a football field
;will tal <e action to educate
without looking at the road.
'others about the dangers of
• 1 in 5 drivers confess to surfing the web while driving.
itexting and driving.
i
'No text is worth the ri s I< .
• A texting driver is 23 times more likely to get into a
� It Can wait.
crash than a non - texting driver.
I-
*
Place an "It Can Wait' hand sticker on your car, this will act as a reminder to others
on the road and will remind you to be a good example as well.
*
Download the AT &T Drivemode app and Verizon's Safely Go App. These mobile
apps automatically reply to your incoming texts while you're on the road to let people
know you'll get back to them later.
*
Assign a Designated Texter when you're on the road with friends and family. They can
respond to incoming texts for you or respond with " #itcanwait ".
*
Out of sight, out of mind Put your phone on silent mode or in a place you can't reach it.
No phone. No texts.
*
Create a music playlist to rock out or sing to in the car. It's way safer than texting while
driving and more fun!
*
Call, don't text! If you need to tell someone you're running late while driving, use the
approved Bluetooth feature in your car to make the call safely.
Speak Up! If you see a friend or family member texting and driving, tell them it's not ok
and ask them to stop.
Please visit http:/ /www.itcanwait.c to make your pledge and join the movement!
2 Sources: http: / /www.stoptextsstopwrecks.org /, http:// www .textinganddrivingsafety.com /, http: / /www.itcanwait.com/
� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � ■ � � � 00#
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a
Saturday, September 14th @ 2:00pm - West St Paul PD is taking on South Metro Fire at Buffalo Wild
Wings in West St Paul. There's also a raffle with great prizes. Come join in the fun!
BONUS: Buffalo Wild Wings will contribute 10% of all food sales that day to Special Olympics MN.
T- Shirts are also on sale now and are pre -order only! T- shirts are $1S for cotton and $20 for athletic
styles. Orders must be in by Friday, September 23rd! Whether you can attend or not, feel free to buy
a t -shirt anyway to support the cause.
Below is the event coupon you will need the day of the event in order for BWW to give to the charity.
Questions? Contact Mendota Heights Police Officer Jennifer Fordham with questions or to order a t-
shirt.
EAT WINGS, RAISE FUNDS. IT PAYS.,
On the day of your event, Buffalo Wild +ings� will donate 1 °o of all pre -taxed food soles
(less alcohol and promotional discounts) from any guest that presents this fundraising ticket_
We look forward to helping your organization meet its financial goals. Together, we con
make a positive impact and help keep our community working and playing together_
(Present this ticket to your server on the date & three listed below)
2nd Annual Police vs. Fire Blazin Challenge Fundraiser
Saturday Sept. 14th, 2013
1458 S. Robert St. • West Saint Paul, MN
EAT WINGS, RAISE FUNDS. IT PAYS,
On the day of your event, Buffalo Wild jngs• will donate 1 °o of all pre -taxed food soles
(less alcohol and promotional discounts) from any guest that presents this fundraising ticket,
We look forward to helping your organization meet its financial goals. Together, we con
make a positive impact and help keep our community working and playing together,
(Present this ticker to your server on the date & three fisted below)
2"d Annual Police vs. Fire Blazin Challenge Fundraiser
Saturday Sept. 14th, 2013
1458 S. Robert St. • West Saint Paul, MN
EAT WINGS, RAISE FUNDS. IT PADS.
On the day of your event, Buffalo Wild I+'ing '� will donate 10% of all pre -taxed food sales
(less alcohol and promotional discounts) from any guest that presents this fundraising ticket_
We look forward to helping your organization meet its financial goals_ Together, we can
make a positive impact and help keep our community working and playing together_
(Present this ticket to your server on the date & three fisted below)
2nd Annual Police vs. Fire Blazin Challenge Fundraiser
Saturday Sept. 14th, 2013
1458 S. Robert St. • West Saint Paul, MN
Thanks,
Weel In Re��ie «-...
What a Tool
Wednesday 0813 hours
Sergeant Neil Garlock responded to the scene of a theft at a new construction site.
Upon arrival, he met with a contractor of the construction company who stated there
were several tools stolen from a first floor unit. He was under the assumption the slid-
ing door was locked, but found it was not locking properly and became an invite for
theft. No suspects at this time.
Investigator Scrapping Gone Wrong Thursday 2359 hours
Reyes, Officer Denise Urmann was on routine patrol when she noticed a woman standing
t0- between a vehicle and a dumpster at a construction site. When asking the woman what
for pulling
she was doing, she said she had permission from the contractor to go through stuff and
gether a fun believed his name to be, "Scott or somethincr." When askincr for her license, she stated
b b
staff event and she left it at home. Urmann then proceeded to the squad to run her information. Sure
competition
enough, the woman had an active warrant. Upon taking her into custody and searching
her, Urmann came across a glass pipe with a white substance. Of course, the woman
with MHFD this had no idea what the white substance was, did not smoke anything, and was unaware of
weekend. whose pipe it was. However, she did say that people leave pipes all over her house. She
was then en route to the Dakota County Jail. She did not have permission to be at the
Great idea and
site to remove scrap nor were any of the items she stole of any value. Closed by arrest.
great planning.
Fraud Friday 0832 hours
Officer Bobby Lambert took a report where a business learned that fraudulent checks
were being signed and passed. He had been contacted by the bank who became suspi-
Remember cious of the activity. Further investigation showed a number of transactions. Forward to
U t holes investigations.
guns p
in hoses. Concerned Friday 1145 hours
A local resident called in concerned when she saw four planes flying together very low to
the ground. You may worry when you see something of this nature but always call your
GO MHPD! local PD to cret information as to what may be going on. Sept. 6 -8th was the annual
b Y b b P
Tribute To The Troops Ride and Benefit Concert honoring our fallen heroes: http: //
www.tributetothetroops.org /mn /news - mn.php
Theft Friday 1204 hours
Officer Lambert then took a report of items stolen from inside an unlocked car. The
owner had forgotten to lock his car and had left his wallet inside. Unfortunately, some -
Please Send us your one else found it along with $ 10 in spare change. No suspect information.
positive feedback
on our staff to: AOA- Drive -By Shooting Friday 1839 hours
pdrecords@ Sergeant Eric Petersen assisted West St. Paul PD and St . Paul PD on a call of a drive -by
mendota- heights.com shooting, where an officer, who was on scene about a block away for an unrelated call,
2''our feedbag is g-reatly heard a shot fired. When officers arrived, they learned the suspect had shot from a vehi-
appreciated and help, boost cle once and had sped off. Luckily, no one was hurt, but not much info was available on
the morale of'our staff the suspect or the vehicle. St. Paul is investigating the case.
4
fhe C0111t111Ue 1 „
A police officer
pulled a young
woman over for
speeding and polite-
ly asked to see her
license.
"Why don't you
cops get your act
together," she said
in a huff.
"Yesterday you take
away my license,
and now today you
expect me to show it
to you!"
Bubba was at the
police station ex-
plaining to the of-
ficer why his cousin
shot him. "We wuz
havin' us a real good
time drinkin," he
explained, "when my
cousin Billy Bob
picked up his rifle
and asked us fellas if
we wanna go a
huntin."
"OK, then what hap-
pened?" the officer
asked.
"That's when I
stood up and said,
"Sure, I'm game!"
Brought to you by:
www.angelfire.com
5
Suspicious Vehicle
Friday
2243 hours
RP called in on a report of a suspicious vehicle outside their home. Officer Jeff Von-
Feldt responded to the scene and made contact with the individual sitting in the car out-
side the home. The driver had simply pulled over to text. Good job driver!! Never text
and drive. We're glad it was just a suspicious caller than a call for a crash.
AOA -Fire Saturday 0115 hours
Officer Michael Shepard assisted SPPD in investigating a fire under the south side of the
river bridge. Upon arrival they encountered a group of about 10 -15 people having a
bonfire. The group was warned and advised to extinguish the fire.
Littering Saturday 0246 hours
While on routine patrol, Officer Jeff VonFeldt witnessed a traveling vehicle toss a
cigarette out the window. He pull the driver over and the driver was warned for litter-
ing. Yes, throwing cigarettes out onto public territory is considered littering. Not to
mention, a fire hazard, especially with our dry weather.
Trespassing Saturday 1943 hours
DCC received several calls regarding juveniles on the roof of Mendota Heights
Elementary School. Callers say the juveniles jumped down from the upper roof to the
lower roof and are now on the ground. Officer Todd Rosse responded to the school to
find five juveniles. They were warned for trespassing on school property and released.
High School Wars Saturday 2309 hours
It's that time of year! Officer Jeff VonFeldt arrived at complainant's home to find syrup
and paper all over the driveway. Complainant was washing it off and there was no
damage. No suspects.
Please inform your student(s) that while damage from these pranks might seem mini-
mal and harmless, they often escalate and end up costing homeowners significant
damage and clean -up costs. Those who cause damage to property risk not only crimi-
nal charges (and school notifications) but also monetary restitution.
Possess MJ Sunday 0055 hours
Officer Todd Rosse was passed by a speeding vehicle, well above the 40 mph limit. He
pulled in behind, paced it and followed it into a parking lot of a closed business. and
soon executed a traffic stop. He watched while three people exited, approached a com-
plex and began smoking; they never attempted entry. They returned to their vehicle as
Officer Steve Meyer arrived to help out. They approached the subjects, learned they
were lost and had pulled in to make a call. When asked for DL's, only one, a passenger,
stated she didn't have hers with her. When they ran their ID's, they found a warrant for
a Hit & Run charge on the passenger without the DL. When checking for her belong-
ings and retrieving a backpack, they found inside a one - hitter marijuana pipe and some
marijuana, along with the DL she didn't have. She was later transported to jail along
with a citation. The others were released at the scene.
0
Don't
nn
FORGET! 000
Civil /Theft Monday 1301 hours
Mother reported that last year, her child had swapped her iPod out for another child's
iPhone. She had attempted to get it back last year, but no luck. Now, that child no loncr
er goes to the school and the family can't be found. Officer Lambert is attempting con -
If you are a Mendota tact to help out.
Heights resident and Found Mail Monday 1936 hours
you are going out of
town /vacation, you Officer Rosse found a backpack full of mail belonging to residents of Sunfish Lake. The
can notify MHPD of owners were notified and told to contact their police department to report the theft and
your outing and we to check in with their banking institutions.
will be more than Counterfeit $$ Wednesday 1103 hours
happy to keep a
watchful eye on your A man called to report that local gas station had confiscated his $10 bill when they saw
home while you are it was counterfeit. He had reportedly gotten that bill from his bank and then used it at
away. The House the gas station. He wanted his $10 back from someone. Officer John Larrive responded
Check Request online to the gas station and retrieved the $10 bill. Evidently, it's been happening here and in
form is available on other cities; forwarded to investigations.
our website; we Another Counterfeit Wednesday 810 hours
have similar forms in y
the MHPD lobby and Officer Rosse responded to a business where an employee realized they had accepted 3
we will take your info counterfeit $20 bills. She had used the pen to swipe it, but the mark color was wrong.
over the phone. When the deposit was attempted, the machine rejected the bills as fraudulent. Upon
closer inspection, they were not right. Good suspect information was provided and for-
warded to investigations.
MHPD offers monthly
car seat safety checks.
To schedule an
appointment, call
651.452.1366 to
contact Officer
Jennifer Fordham.
MHPD has a
Medication Disposal
Box in the lobby of
the PD where Dakota
County residents can
safely and
anonymously dispose
of their prescription
drugs and over -the-
counter medication.
6
Warrant Service Thursday 1522 hours
Sergeant Petersen, Sergeant Garlock and Officer Larrive learned a wanted party was in
the neighborhood. They made contact with the fellow, well known to us, and took him
into custody without incident. Service completed.
Don't forget to print and clip a coupon... !
EAT WINGS. RAISE FUNDS. IT PAYS.
Ori the doy of your ant, Buffalo Wild Wing ,' will durvate 10% of flEl pre-taxed fwd salez
(1&5s Qlcoho l and pirmolicnal discnu nls� from any go" rhcit presents this fundraising ticket
We look Forward to ha1p i ng fur afgio nizolian meet Sts Fi -nonci QI goo is , Together, we can
rna ke a posi4v 1 mpact a nd h elp keep au r cornrn un -ply work i ng crud play-Mg togelbe r.
(Present -hi 5 tl kef ro your mar an Phe dab-- & hens li d bakowl
2" Annual Police vs. Fife Blaizin Challenge Fundraiser
Saturday Sept. 14", 2013
1 458 S. Robert St. a West Saint Paul, MN
p1d You K n 001 P olice e BN
/oh, La�f`�cer
UA[i]QG� °OOUO �]° ° " "e
Police Officers of this generation do not hear the term Paddy Wagon used very often to describe the
vehicles which are used today. Most of us do not know where this term came from or what a Paddy
Wagon is. A Paddy Wagon is used to transport several prisoners at one time, or to get several police
officers to one location at the same time. The early Paddy Wagons were horse drawn, sometimes called
the "Black Maria." It is uncertain where this name came from, but one source claims that it was from a
fearsome, large keeper of a sailor's boarding house that police would call on for help with difficult
prisoners. The phrase "Paddy Wagon" is most likely American in origin and is used as slang to describe
either those being put into the wagon, or those putting people in the wagon. The history of this term
dates back to at least the early 1930's.
The term Paddy is slang and was a common term used for Irishmen. According to Dictionary.com, Pad-
dy is explained as a slang word from 1780. It is the pet name for Patrick ( Padraig). It was used as
shortening of the name Patrick or Padraig. Irishmen made up a large percentage of officers hired in the
early eastern American cities. Two theories behind this is that the wagons were being driven by
Irishmen (Paddy's), and the second was that it was actually the Irishmen being put into the wagons
based on their "spirited" behavior.
One other theory out there is that the name originated because the first wagons were padded, to
prevent injury to those being transported.
I am not going with this theory, because it is less colorful and I am a Police Officer
who is 114 Irish.
Sources: www.grammarist.com, www.nleomf.org, www.wikipedia.org 4...
Photo out of Duluth, MN
7