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2011-11-04 Friday News November 4, 2011 November 4, 2011 Emergency Alert System Testing For the first time since the National Emergency Alert System (EAS) was established nearly 50 years ago, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are conducting a nation-wide test of the system. The test will occur on Wednesday, November 9, 2011 starting at 2:00 p.m. and is expected to last a full three minutes. The EAS is an important component of our nation’s preparedness for a variety of threats to public safety. Welcome Enchanted Nails Spa On Friday, November 4, 2011 Mendota Mall‘s newest merchant, Enchanted Nails Spa held their ribbon cutting ceremony and grand opening celebration. City Clerk Sandie Thone attended the event along with many of Paster Enterprise representatives. Owner Jenny Dang expressed her appreciation for all who had helped her realize her business dream and stated she chose the community mainly due to the wonderful people. Enchanted Nails Spa offers a complete line of nail services including the Enchanted Manicure. Friday News Mendota Heights Weekly Report on City Activities Mendota Heights City Hall 1101 Victoria Curve www.mendota-heights.com (651) 452-1850 Mass Telephone Notification System The Dakota County Communications Center, our county-wide public safety dispatch center, has switched providers for our mass telephone notification system. This system allows public safety officials to record emergency updates/alerts and select a geographic area to receive the updates via phone. All land lines and registered internet phone lines are automatically loaded into the system. Residents are encouraged to enter in additional contact information, such as cell phones, by visiting mn-dcc.org and clicking on: Mass Telephone Notification System. November 4, 2011 Attachments The Pipeline, Just the Facts DCSO Newsletter, Winter Hazard Awareness Chrissie Birkholoz Celebration of Life November 4, 2011 Dates to Remember November 8, 2011 ISD 197 Election November 9, 2011 Parks and Recreation Commission * Please note change November 9, 2011 Airport Relations Commission November 12, 2011 Annual Firefighter’s Dance November 15, 2011 City Council Page Two Parking Restrictions in Effect The city’s winter parking restrictions are in effect. No parking between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. on all city streets between November 1, 2011 and March 31, 2012. No vehicle may be parked on any street in the city for more than thirty (30) minutes during or after a snowfall of two inches (2”) or more and the plowing or removal thereof. Upcoming Reception December 20, 2011 Please mark your calendars for a reception thanking Interim City Administrator John Mazzitello for his work and welcoming new City Administrator Justin Miller. The reception will be held at City Hall before the regularly scheduled council meeting from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on December 20, 2011. Please join us! Mayor Charles Mertensotto Tribute At Tuesday night’s city council meeting a special tribute was held in honor of Mayor Charles Mertensotto. In addition to his wife, Arlean, and daughter and son-in-law, many people showed up in his honor. The mayor, council and those present spoke highly of his significant contributions to the city. A memorial gift was offered in his memory to the Mendota Heights Fire Department to put towards a future purchase of a new fire truck for the department. Public Works The Parks Crew took down the tennis nets and stored them for the winter. They fertilized all city parks, city hall and the fire hall. The plows were brought down from the water tower for all the pickup trucks. Trees were trimmed on Victoria Curve just west of the civic center ball field. The Utility Crew checked manholes on Mendota Heights Road from Dodd Road to Delaware Avenue for structural problems and a few man holes needed new concrete rings. He helped the Streets Crew with blacktopping. The Streets Crew hauled brush to the Mendota Plaza for the bonfire. Black topping was finished on Mendota Heights Road. Pot holes were filled, water boxes covered and high irons lowered in areas where needed. Engineering The city sends an enormous congratulations to Jason Pieper. Jason was the intern for the engineering department in 2011. He did an exceptional job and will be greatly missed. Thank you Jason. Wagon Wheel Trail Reconstruction – The contractor is continuing to complete the grading of the boulevard areas with top soil and placing sod. Traffic signs are currently being manufactured and should be in stalled next week. The Public Hearing for the special assessments occurred on Tuesday November first. Council approved the assessments as proposed. Lemay Lake Road Reconstruction– Staff held an informational meeting for the Lemay Lake Improvement Project. The public Hearing is scheduled for November 15, 2011. The area is currently being surveyed by a third party consultant. Dodge Nature Center – Dodge Nature Center will be starting their pond improvement project today (11/4). The project involves installing a new outlet structure to replace a failing outlet. The project should last approximately two weeks. The Pipeline N E W S L E T T E R Public Works Engineering Code Enforcement November 4, 2011 Lilydale Housing Project – The contractor for the Lilydale project is installing water main in Valley Park to service the new building. Construction of the water main should take approximately two weeks. Marie Avenue Rehabilitation – Staff has set up survey control points to begin gathering topography data for the project. Mendota Heights Road Rehabilitation – Staff met with a consultant this week to assist with the design of the traffic signal to add a right turn lane at Dodd Road. Improvement Plans – Staff is in the process of updating the Street Improvement Plan (SIP) for the 2012-2016 plan. Included in the new plan will be an outline of chip seal projects. Staff is also preparing a Sanitary Sewer Improvement Plan (SSIP). This plan is expected to be presented to City Council In December. Staff has also begun researching a Pond Improvement Plan and Trail Improvement Plan. Once all plans are completed the will eventually make up a City Wide Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). 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. I-35E Resurfacing – MnDOT began resurfacing I-35E on August 18th. 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 can be found on the MnDOT project web page: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/metro/projects/hwy13mendota/ 11/04/2011 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 Jeff VonFeldt Steven Meyer 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 Drunk Wednesday 1438 hours Officer John Larrive responded to a call of a woman wandering the street barefoot. The caller was related to the woman and advised that she had been through treatment 11 times but was still continuously drunk and didn't take care of herself. Officer Larrive located the woman in the street, who indicated she could walk, talk and read; she was not interested in any assistance. He indicated in the report that he had previously dealt with her in far worse condition and felt she was fine to return home. No further calls. Domestic Thursday 1114 hours A 911 caller reported his stepson and girlfriend were fighting in his front yard. The caller was uncertain as to why they were fighting, but the stepson was blocking the female from leaving the residence. The girlfriend did manage to leave in a green Honda followed by her boyfriend in a Mustang, and were now headed off to get breakfast. The caller told the 911 operator to not have the officer come to his house as he would not talk to them in person, only by phone. Domestic Friday 0131 hours Officer Steve Meyer assisted in searching for suspect in domestic assault. The man, last seen in the area of Dodd and 494, was wanted for an assault that occurred in a vehicle somewhere along the IGH, Mendota Heights, Eagan border. Officers set up a perimeter, requested the assistance of the Minnesota State Patrol helicopter to search the area. The suspect had been through the drill before as he was midway through dealing with a previous felony strangulation charge on his last girlfriend. He evaded capture for the moment. Stolen tabs Saturday 2332 hours An Eagan police officer, Dave Letourneau, stopped car in the city after running the car’s license plate on his in-squad computer and coming up with a mismatch. The car was stopped on Lexington Avenue just south of MHPD. By the time MHPD Officers arrived he had determined that license plate tabs were stolen out of a north metro suburb. Unfortunately stolen license plate tabs were not her only issue during the impound search of the vehicle - drugs were also found. She was transported MHPD and turned over to the DC Drug Task Force. “Just the Facts” The latest news from the Mendota Heights Police Department 11/04/2011 Compliance Checks Saturday evening Officer Peyton Fleming worked with a 17-year-old high school student to ensure that our tobacco retailers were not selling cigarettes and chewing tobacco to underage parties. Unfortunately two of our businesses had employees who couldn't read the date of birth on the young man's State of Minnesota driver's license. The employees will be cited and the businesses will be sanctioned according to city code. DUI Sunday 1604 hours A retired St. Paul police officer called 911 to report a crash and probable drunk driver N/B on Delaware. The man had just crashed into a tree and pulled back onto the road. As he pulled away from the tree, the front bumper fell off his car, but he simply drove over it and left it, crushed, on the road. The vehicle pulled over in the 2500 block of Delaware; the retired officer stopped and went up to talk with the man who was drunk, belligerent and set on driving again. The retired officer grabbed the man's keys and requested officers to step it up. Moments later, Officer Lambert and Sgt Garlock arrived to see the man advancing on the officer; they next saw the retired officer take the man to the ground. Officer Lambert intervened, calmed the man down and had him attempt to do SFST's, which he failed miserably. The last test was a PBT which revealed a BAC of .214. Man was arrested transported to MHPD where he was read the MN Implied Consent Advisory. After attempting to contact an attorney, he declined to provide any further tests. Transported to the DCSO Jail for 3rd Deg DUI/Refusal. Warrant Sunday 2243 hours Officer Peyton Fleming stopped a car whose registered owner had a 100% hit on an active felony warrant out of Hennepin County. The driver provided a plausible story, but it took Eagan PD coming over with its IBIS, a field fingerprint identification system, to ensure the man was not a wanted felon. Cited for original violation and released. Suspicious Activity Monday 0043 hours While on patrol, Officer Peyton Fleming spotted a vehicle parked in the driveway at a house with all the doors open. Closer inspection revealed there were no lights on in the car as he approached the car the neighbor’s motion light activated. In checking the vehicle, did not appear that is was tampered with, simply that the doors were left open. Juvenile Wednesday 1922 hours Mom called to report her 14-year-old juvenile daughter had jumped out of her car and run away. Apparently the juvenile had waited until the car slowed down while traveling N/B on Dodd Road near Wentworth, then jumped out and ran. Sgt Eric Petersen responded to the area to assist in looking for the 14-year-old. Mom was already on the phone with St. Paul PD reporting her as a runaway when Sgt Petersen arrived. Unable to locate - clear. Theft /Narcotics Wednesday 2345 hours Officer Peyton Fleming responded to a call for help from Suburban cab driver who had an unpleasant, screaming customer and was already out of the cab and in the house when Officer Fleming arrived. Upon hearing the story from the cabbie, Officer Fleming knocked on the door were the resident, a well-known gent, answered and stated he was not going to pay her bill. The female fare was arrested for theft, searched and received additional charges for felony possession of narcotics and drug paraphernalia. Transported to the Dakota County Jail. Have a great weekend! Mike 11/04/2011 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 7, Week 21 October 23, through October 30, 2011 Let’s Go to the Fair… Last week jail staff held our second Resource Fair for this year. The idea is to connect inmates with a variety of services they can rely on upon their release from jail. Examples of services include housing, employment, transportation, substance abuse and many more. The fair drew 28 community or government organizations staffed by 46 of their representatives. A total of 76 inmates attended the event, which provided them a better chance for success once they leave jail. Many of the representatives talked about how successful these fairs have been in helping inmates on the outside. Special thanks go to Inmate Services Outreach Coordinator Emily Clary for all her work in organizing the fair. We also want to recognize a number of other staff for their efforts, including Correctional Sergeant Scott Fuchs, Corporal Damion Giles, and Program Services Assistant Melanie Heltne for their time. A “Mope” on a Moped… While on patrol Sergeant Pat Enderlein noticed the driver of a moped not wearing eye protection as required by law. Pat decided to stop the driver and inform him of the eye-wear requirement. However, after stopping the driver and his female passenger, he started to get the “run around” when questioning the man. He also noticed the ignition to the moped was damaged, but the driver had an explanation. This allowed him to use his house key to start the machine. Realizing there was probably more to the story, Sergeant Enderlein soon learned Featuring Sheriff’s Jail Staff: Commander John Grant Captain Brad Jeska Correctional Lieutenant Lawrence Hart Correctional Sergeants Scott Fuchs Deb Fyten Jodi Rolloff Chuck Stemig Ben Verby Correctional Corporals Farrel Byrd Damion Giles John Heger Virginia Jones Gary Millbach Lisa Peterson Christine Winfrey Correctional Deputies Craig Altendorfer Vallie Bissonette Anna Caughey Stacy Cress Russell Crissman Mike Curry Joe Engesser Ryan Fitzhenry Daniel Forrey Mandy Fredrickson Tchad Guckin Kelvin Hannah Jerry Hanson Adam Henry Joe Hertenstein Milfred Holmes Ryan Holmquist Mike Holzemer (left to right) Commander John Grant, Captain Brad Jeska, Correctional Lieutenant Lawrence Hart, and Correctional Sergeant Scott Fuchs 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 7, Week 21 October 23, through October 30, 2011 Click here to subscribe to this newsletter electronically.Page 2 the driver was suspended, but his troubles did not end there. He also had several warrants out for his arrest and oh, by the way, the moped had been stolen from an Apple Valley resident. The female passenger didn’t fare much better when it was discovered she, too, had active warrants. The two went off to jail and the moped back to its rightful owner. It’s that Time of Year Again? Yes, it is; in fact, the week of November 7th through November 11th is designated as Minnesota Winter Hazard Awareness Week. The purpose is to get Minnesotans to prepare for winter’s onslaught of cold and snow. Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Dave Gisch offers a few tips, which include having a survival kit in each car you drive and making sure your car batteries can make it through the winter. This is also a good time to check your carbon monoxide detectors in your home to see that they are in good working order. For more information you can visit Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency Management at their website listed below. https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/hsem/weather-awareness- preparedness/Pages/winter-hazarad-awareness-week.aspx Behind the Bars… For the week the jail on average 260 inmates in custody each day. This represented a decrease from the week before. Happy Birthday to You... Birthdays in the upcoming week include Deputy Terry Ecker (November 7th), Deputies Brent and Bruce Lohmann (November 9th), and Program Services Assistant Ana Estrada (November 10th). Happy Birthday to you all! Dan Hoover Katie Hoover Muhammed Jackson Cheri Johnson Blair Jones Joshua Loahr Lucio Marquez-Zazueta Raul Mascorro Darin McGowan Frantz Moise Lana Opp Julienne Oppong Tim Parker Eric Peot Brandon Pitts Cartier Russell Tom Schneider Regina Shepherd Phil Simpson Sara Steinhoff Joshua Sundsmo Kent Themmes Tina Tyler Anthony Welin Greg Wisher Xue Yang Programs Staff 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 Minnesota Winter Hazard Awareness Week – November 7-11, 2011 Little things do matter. Minnesota winter is just around the corner and the question is – are you ready for it? Getting ready for winter doesn’t always take a lot of work. Sometimes it’s just a few little things that can make the difference between safety and suffering: having a survival kit in your car, changing the batteries in your carbon monoxide detector, staying well- hydrated during outdoor fun. To help everyone minimize the risks and hazards of winter, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety – in collaboration with the National Weather Service and other state, and federal agencies– sponsors “Winter Hazard Awareness Week” each fall to educate and reinforce in people some simple behaviors and actions that lead to a warm, safe and enjoyable winter season. The week-long event includes a media campaign and other informational materials posted on our website: http://hsem.dps.mn.gov . The campaign targets specific information each day and can be used in conjunction with school, church, or civic programs. 2011 “What’s Your Winter?” Photo Contest Along with this information, Minnesota Winter Hazard Awareness Week also sponsors the annual “What’s your Winter?” photo contest for both adult and youth. The contest, which runs from November 2011 to March 2012, invites members of the public to show us how they enjoy their safe winter by sharing their best digital photos throughout the season. This year the contest will be hosted on the HSEM Facebook website at: http://facebook.com/MnHSEM Viewers will be able to upload their own photos and also vote for their favorites at the end of the contest in March. Prizes will be awarded to the top vote getters in four categories in both adult and youth divisions. Educators and youth group leaders: We are especially looking for creative images from young people! Encourage your students and young shutter bugs to participate! Get all the details on http://hsem.dps.mn.gov . This year, Winter Hazard Awareness Week, is November 7 - 11, 2011. Each day of the week is devoted to highlighting a specific topic of information. Monday, November 7: Winter Weather Overview – Ice storms, blizzards, sub-zero temperatures, winter weather watches and warnings and wind-chill Tuesday, November 8: Outdoor Winter Safety – Safety on ice, snowmobile safety, hypothermia and frostbite Wednesday, November 9: Winter Fire Safety – Winter and holiday fire safety, alternative heat sources, smoke detectors, cooking safety, candle and decorations Thursday, November 10: Indoor Winter Safety – Carbon monoxide, radon, asbestos, mold, winter travel and general home care Friday, November, 11: Winter Driving – auto safety, snowplows, road conditions, using 5-1-1, winter driving tips, car survival kits and calling 911 on a cell phone For more information go to the HSEM Winter weather website or contact: Brian Curtice Homeland Security and Emergency Mgmt. Public Education Coordinator (651) 201-7426 Brian.curtice@state.mn.us Julie Anderson Minn. Dept of Public Safety External Affairs Officer (651) 201-7576 Julie.anderson@state.mn.us AN EVENT TO CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF On the evening of August 7 2011, Metro Transit Police Ofﬁcer Tim Birkholz had no idea how much the knock he heard at the door would change his life. Ofﬁcers told Tim that his wife and three children had been involved in a very serious car crash near Isanti. His wife, Chrissie, was dead and two of his three children were critically injured and had been airlifted to HCMC in Minneapolis In the blink of an eye, the Birkholz family went from a dual-income, healthy family to a single parent home with children who have signiﬁcant medical needs. Ofﬁcer Birkholz has dedicated his life to working in public safety and helping others. Please come to help Ofﬁcer Birkholz and his family while enjoying a social evening with friends, food, drinks and comedy. All proceeds from this event will go directly to Chrissie’s family. Lift your spirits with comedy from comedian Isaac Witty at The Joke Joint Comedy Club in Lilydale! RAFFLE TICKETS SOLD UNTIL 8:00 (DRAWINGS TO BE HELD AFTER THE SHOW) CHRISSIE BIRKHOLZ Sunday, November 13, 2011 DOOR AND BAR OPEN AT 5:00 PM COMEDY SHOW STARTS AT 7:00 *FAMILY FRIENDLY SHOW* Tickets $15 per person All ticket sales and raffle proceeds will be donated directly to Chrissie’s family Tickets available at the door or online at: www.jokejointcomedyclub.com PIZZA FOR SALE BY THE SLICE DONATED BY