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2011-08-26 Friday News August 26, 2011 August 26, 2011 City Administrator Search Update Thursday, August 25, 2011 was the deadline for applications to be submitted for the City Administrator position. Staff received forty five (45) applications for the opening. The city council will receive the applicant materials for review and rating at their August 30, 2011 work session. In September council will make their semi- finalist recommendations to staff. First round interviews are expected to take place the first week in October at which time council will narrow down the candidates to the finalists. The community and staff will have a chance to meet the finalists at a Meet and Greet reception tentatively scheduled for October 12, 2011 followed by the second round interviews on October 13, 2011. We expect to have a City Administrator in place no later than early December 2011. Par 3 Youth Open On Saturday, August 20, 2011 the Mendota Heights Par three hosted the third annual Par 3 Youth Open. 41 youth from the area signed up to compete offering prizes for the top boy’s and top girl’s scores. Prizes were also awarded for Closest to the Pin and for Longest Putt. Congratulations to Nicky S. with a score of 40 and Bobby M. with a score of 30. Along with our young competitors, several parents followed the groups around the course, adding to the excitement of the day. At the end of the event, all the competitors, families and friends gathered at the clubhouse for hot dogs, treats and prizes. Thank you to the Par 3 staff for putting on another successful event. Friday News Mendota Heights Weekly Report on City Activities Mendota Heights City Hall 1101 Victoria Curve www.mendota-heights.com (651) 452-1850 Preliminary Budget Levy City staff will be presenting the 2012 preliminary budget levy to city council at the September 6, 2011 meeting. The proposed 2012 preliminary levy shows virtually no increase in the overall levy from property taxes and is indicative of the proposed maintenance budget for 2012. Once the preliminary levy is set the final budget will be presented to city council in December. Council may choose to lower the levy between September and December although the levy may not be increased beyond the established preliminary levy. August 26, 2011 Attachments The Pipeline, Just the Facts August 26, 2011 Dates to Remember September 5, 2011 Labor Day-City Offices Closed September 6, 2011 City Council Meeting September 13, 2011 Parks and Recreation Commission September 14, 2011 Airport Relations Commission September 20, 2011 City Council Meeting September 27, 2011 Planning Commission Page Two Welcome Bearence Management Group City officials attended a ribbon cutting for the Bearence Management Group as they celebrated the opening of their new office in Mendota Heights. Council Members Ultan Duggan, Liz Petschel and Mike Povolny attended along with Interim City Administrator John Mazzitello and City Clerk Sandie Thone. Bearence’s new offices are located at the corner of Center Pointe Curve and Center Pointe Boulevard. The ribbon cutting, which included corporate officials from Iowa and Nebraska, was facilitated by staff members from the Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce. A Minnesota style summer lunch of brats and burgers catered by Prom Catering was served. On behalf of council and staff—Welcome! We are happy to have you in Mendota Heights. Twins Game It was quiet around City Hall Thursday as several employees and their families took vacation time to attend a Twins matinee game on Thursday afternoon. Recreation Programmer Teresa Gangelhoff coordinated the employee outing. While the baseball game itself was not newsworthy, it was a beautiful day and a very nice opportunity for employees to gather outside of work. Public Works The Parks Crew striped the soccer fields. They also striped parking lot lines at the fire hall, Mendakota Park, Hagstrom King Park, and city hall. French drains were dug at Kensington Park play areas. The grills were replaced at Wentworth Park. The Utility Crew sprayed the right of ways with round up total kill. Sanitary Sewer lines were cleaned on First Avenue, Kay Avenue, Walsh Lane, Oxford Court, William Court, and Glen Hill Road and in the easements on Eagle Ridge Road, Victoria townhomes, and Caren Court. The thermostat was changed on truck 404. The Streets Crew put together new signs and installed them for the Avenues and Brookside Lane. Blacktop patching was done at the old fire hall, public works garage, Stratford Road, Walsh Lane, and Marie Avenue from Dodd Road to Delaware Avenue. John fabricated a box and bracket for the parks grass seeder. Engineering Wagon Wheel Trail Reconstruction – Xcel is finishing their utility relocation work. The city contractor has removed pavement for the storm sewer work which is underway. Milling of the remainder of the street is scheduled to begin on September 8th. Substantial completion is anticipated to be by October 25th. Delaware Avenue Reconstruction – The first course of pavement has been installed. The remaining layers of pavement for the street section and trail will be installed by Friday September 2nd. Project information can be found at the project web site: http://www.co.dakota.mn.us/EnvironmentRoads/RoadConstruction/Current/63-22.htm Knollwood Neighborhood Street Rehabilitation – The contractor removed the pavement and is finishing stabilizing the subsurface soils. The streets are scheduled to be paved with the first layer of pavement by Friday, August 26th. Substantial completion is anticipated by October 8th. The Pipeline N E W S L E T T E R Public Works Engineering Code Enforcement August 26, 2011 Stormwater Pond Condition Assessment – The consultant has completed their condition survey and sampling of the three designated ponds (Copperfield, Burrows, and Park Place), and is compiling the data for their draft report and recommendations. By terms of the contract, the consultant should have a draft report before City Council in October. MnDOT Projects The following projects are under the management and supervision of MnDOT and are presented as information only. Contacts for each individual project are listed after the project update. Dodd Road Resurfacing – MnDOT completed placing an asphalt overlay on Dodd Road between Lake Drive and Hilltop Road and sealcoating the remainder of Dodd Road to the north. Sealcoating the remaining portion of the road to the south is anticipated next week. For more information, go to the MnDOT project web page at: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/metro/news/11/08/10hwy149.html I-35E Resurfacing – MnDOT has begun resurfacing I-35E. The project is anticipated to last until November 1st. In addition to the pavement resurfacing, MnDOT will be installing new guardrails, improving drainage, and upgrading exit and entrance ramp signals. The project will be accomplished mainly at night and during off-peak (non-rush hour) traffic times. Lane closures are expected during off-peak traffic times. Information on the project can be found at the MnDOT project web page: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/metro/projects/i35eeagan/index.html I-35E & Highway 13 Traffic Signal Installation – Traffic signals at the exit and entrance ramps to I-35E from Highway 13 will begin on approximately September 15th. Information about the project on Highway 13 reconstruction projects can be found on the MnDOT project web page: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/metro/projects/hwy13mendota/ Mendota Bridge Resurfacing – MnDOT is resurfacing the Mendota Bridge to extend the life of the bridge. The project is expected to add 20 years to the life of the bridge deck. According to the MnDOT schedule, all lanes on the bridge should be opened this weekend. For more information on the project contact the MnDOT project manager, Kent Barnard, at 651-234-7504. Stormwater Pond Condition Assessment – The consultant has completed their condition survey and sampling of the three designated ponds (Copperfield, Burrows, and Park Place), and is compiling the data for their draft report and recommendations. By terms of the contract, the consultant should have a draft report before City Council in October. 5/27/2011 The Mendota Heights Police Department Support Staff Kim Henning Sandie Ristine Susan Donovan Becky Pentel Police Officers Jerry Murphy Scott Patrick John Larrive Bobby Lambert Tanner Spicer Todd Rosse Chad Willson Steven Meyer Jeff VonFeldt Denise Urmann Michael Shepard Peyton Fleming School Resource Officer Jennifer Fordham Investigations Mario Reyes Tanner Spicer Sergeants Neil Garlock Brian Convery Eric Petersen Reserves Randy Pentel Jesse Mettner Jarrod Spicer Jim Knox Jeff Parker George Castillo Chaplains John Snider Lynn Liberman Frances Colon Alberto Vargas Butch Millett David Wick Chief Mike Aschenbrener Dead Bunnies Friday 1610 hours Police Support Specialist Sue Donovan was a little perplexed when she received a call at MHPD about dead bunnies in the street. Caller advised that due to the amount of “speeding” that was occurring on his street, there were currently two dead bunnies in the street. He was told that Sgt Garlock would be the best person to talk to about this and was put into his voicemail. Moments later he called back trying to find out what to do with the bunnies; he was told he could simply take a shovel and bury them. He was offended that we would suggest he go anywhere near something that could be rabid. The caller was certain that someone other than he should be responsible for cleaning up dead rabbits. After a few minutes it was learned that the man was calling from West Saint Paul and he was given that number. We are still wondering what WSPPD suggested. 14 Minor Consumptions Friday 2351 hours Officers Mike Shepard, Todd Rosse and Peyton Fleming responded to the complaint of a loud party in the back yard of a neighbor’s residence, two blocks away. As the Officers arrived they found two underage, intoxicated young people rummaging around in a car in the driveway. They walked with them to the back of the house where there was a large party going on the patio. As the officers came around the corner, the 15 or so party-goers spotted them began running into the house. The homeowner’s son tried slamming the door, as he had done during a partier earlier in the summer on a previous call. Unfortunately for the owner, this time as they were slamming the door, Officer Shepherd stuck his flashlight in the door. The young resident stood inside of the door and screamed at him that it was illegal for him to do that and he was going to sue him. Eventually the young man opened the door and stepped outside to speak with officers, at which point he was immediately advised he was being placed under arrest as he was intoxicated and clearly under 21 years of age. The young man began to fight Officers Shepherd, Fleming, and Rosse who placed him on the ground and handcuffed him. He was removed to the back of a squad car. At this point in time, the owner of the house came out and spoke with Officers. She wanted to know what was going on; though it was clearly obvious from the plethora of empty alcohol containers, mixed drinks, beer bottles & cans sitting all over the patio that a large party was going on. Officers Shepard “Just the Facts” The latest news from the Mendota Heights Police Department 5/27/2011 inquired as to how she could not hear the party when the complaint came from two blocks away; she replied she was sleeping. While her son was being removed from the scene, she advised that it would be okay if officers searched the house and located all partiers. Eventually 14 people were lined up in the driveway and were issued citations for underage consumption; two of them received an extra citation, one young lady for possession of a small amount of marijuana and the homeowner’s son for obstructing legal process. While the young man was sitting in the back of the squad watching all of his friends receive citations, he apologized for fighting with officers, stating he thought it was the “natural” thing to do. Maybe it's time to consider a social host ordinance, as the neighbors are truly sick of the one neighbor who just doesn't get it. Burning Complaint Sunday 1428 hours Caller reported to Officer Bobby Lambert that his neighbor was burning a tree that they just cut down and it was illegal. The neighbor wanted it stopped. When Officer Lambert arrived, he met with the homeowner and was shown three separate piles of burnable non-burnable and trash. The fire they had going was within the requirements for recreational fire and was legal. He returned to the original caller's home and spoke with them; they were not happy with his update. In the meantime, the caller had recruited several neighbors to make the same call and complain figuring it would help in getting the fire put out. As there was no violation, the fire was allowed to burn. Trashed Office Monday 1147 hours Officer Steve Meyer responded to local business to meet with the manager. Upon arrival, he spoke with the manager who advised on Friday one of the employees totally trashed their office before they left. They were wondering if there could be charges involved in this. Officer. Meyer provided advice on how to handle the situation and then cleared the call; it is safe to say the employee will not be back to work. Lunch Rendezvous Monday 1203 hours Sgt. Neil Garlock, Officer Bobby Lambert and Officer Steve Meyer responded to a call about one party trying to run over another party on Delaware Avenue. Upon arrival, the combatants were separated and interviewed. As is usually the case, there was more to the story than the caller let on. It was actually a domestic dispute between “the Mrs.” and the girlfriend of “the Mr.” who drove by but chose not to get involved in the incident. Apparently “the Mrs.” found out “the Mr.” had been meeting a young lady for “lunch” on our local trails for several years. “The Mrs.” decided to drive to the area and intercept the rendezvous with a not so gentle warning. All parties were calmed down and there was no law violation, other than the violation of marital vows and a lapse of personal ethics. The officer spoke with the male half, who came clean on what was going on and apparently, has problems to deal with at home. No “lunch treat” today. Water Balloons Monday 2256 hours While on patrol on Marie Avenue near the intersection of Walsh Lane, Officer Todd Rosse, in a fully marked black-and-white squad car, heard a loud thud. Upon investigating, he determined he'd been hit by a water balloon. The neighbors who saw what happened said a young child, probably not yet a teenager, threw the water balloon and ran northbound through the park disappearing into the neighborhood. The witness reported that this has happened to them in the past. Suspects not located, watch out for flying water balloons on Marie Avenue. Golf Balls Tuesday 1548 hours Unfortunately, water balloons aren't the only thing flying from juvenile’s hands. Officer 5/27/2011 Steve Meyer responded to a complaint of a person driving down Highway 110 who reported they were struck by a rock. It turned out to be a golf ball that shattered their windshield; it did not come from local golf course. A group of juveniles were walking down the side of the road; one thought it would be “funny” to throw the golf ball into oncoming traffic. He hit his mark, “a car,” as it drove past shattering the windshield; he’s very lucky no one was injured. Officer Meyer was driving by and immediately located the youth; when asked why he did what he did, the young man replied he simply was bouncing the ball and it bounced into traffic. His story didn’t match what the caller reported as she witnessed the young man throw the golf ball at her car and then try and run. He was turned over to his parents’ for restitution; charges pending. NIMBY Wednesday 0903 hours A chronic complainer stopped in to complain about the trail next to his house and the fact that the neighbor whom he watches (creepy), has let vines grow on the fence so he can’t see through it. Was sent to code enforcement about the fence and advised to call when the trail, dogs, neighbor is a problem. The next day he called about the neighbor’s dog barking in violation of the code. Officer Meyer arrived moments later and observed no violations, turns out the dog the complainer called about was not even home. Warrant / DAS Wednesday 1840 hours Officer Todd Rosse received information about a young man with a warrant. He went and sat in the area watching for him. He was unable to locate the young man and cleared. A short time later he looked in the rearview mirror and saw he was being followed by the young man. He pulled up just ahead, made a U-turn which caused the car he was watching to make a right-hand turn onto a side street just off of Highway 13. As the squad approached, the driver bailed out of the car, running. A perimeter was set; eventually SSPD was called in to assist with a K9. After quite some time searching the area the man was not located. His car was turned over to his mother and girlfriend; a citation for driving after suspension will be issued by mail. Felony DUI / Hit and Run Thursday 0207 hours Officer Peyton Fleming watched a car pull up to the front door of a local bar; two parties jumped in the car and it reversed a very high rate of speed, smashing into a pickup truck, and drove away. The vehicle was quickly stopped and upon making contact with the driver, it was immediately obvious he was under the influence of alcohol. In previous contacts with the young man, he's become very belligerent and aggressive towards officers so Fleming asked him to wait in the vehicle. As soon as another squad arrived Officer Fleming went up, conducted SFST’s and offered a PBT which the driver refused. He was placed under arrest and transported in the MHPD. After being read Minnesota Implied Consent Advisory, the young man soon indicated he was going to take the test. After providing a urine sample he was transported to the Dakota County jail pending formal charges. The vehicle was towed and a forfeiture notice was issued to the owner of the vehicle, one of passengers was cited for underage consumption. Drunk Thursday 0436 hours Officer Peyton Fleming received a call to make a 10-21 (a phone call), to a very drunk female inquiring about the previous arrest he made of her son. The caller was extremely intoxicated and the 911 operator had a very difficult time ascertaining what exactly it was that she wanted. When Officer Fleming called the party as directed, he asked how he could help. The caller stated, “I don't know, you called me! What you want?” Unproductive call was cleared. Have a great weekend! Mike