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2011-12-09 Friday News December 9, 2011 December 9, 2011 Street Improvement Plan The city council approved an updated Street Improvement Plan (SIP) at their regular meeting on Tuesday night. The SIP outlines all road construction projects, major and minor, providing a detailed priority list with specific information on each project. The city is nearing the end of the reconstruction phase, and in the coming years will move into a maintenance and repair phase. Copies of the newly approved SIP will be available on our city webpage soon, or you can request a copy from City Hall. Local Holiday Traditions The Village at Mendota Heights hosted their holiday tree lighting on Saturday evening, December 3rd, on a beautiful winter day. The full council, as well as Sandie Thone and incoming administrator Justin Miller were in attendance , and reported that the shops were bustling with activity. The Mendota Plaza hosted their holiday tree lighting on Thursday evening December 8th. Mayor Krebsbach, Justin Miller and Sandie Thone were in attendance. The cold weather limited the group to the heartiest of souls, who were rewarded with hot cocoa supplied by Teresa’s Restaurant. Friday News Mendota Heights Weekly Report on City Activities Mendota Heights City Hall 1101 Victoria Curve www.mendota-heights.com (651) 452-1850 Mendota Heights Honored Business Journals, including the Minneap- olis/St. Paul Business Journal, recently ranked Mendota Heights as having the second highest quality of life in Minnesota (only Chanhassen placed higher). Mendota Heights was also ranked 30th out of 955 communities in the 12 Midwestern states. The criteria for this ranking included economic conditions, traffic, cost of living, housing stock and education. Communities considered need- ed to have populations greater than 10,000. Mayor Krebsbach credits civic leaders, past and present, for building our great community/ You can find out more about this honor at www.bizjournals.com/twincities and searching the site with the term Quality of Life. December 9, 2011 Attachments The Pipeline, Just the Facts, Blue Thumb Workshop Articles December 9, 2011 Dates to Remember December 13, 2011 Parks and Recreation Commission December 14, 2011 Cancelled—Airport Relations Commission December 20, 2011 City Council December 27, 2011 Cancelled—Planning Commission Page Two Blue Thumb Workshops Return Blue Thumb Planting for Clean Water Workshops have been very popular across the county and especially here in Mendota Heights. 2012 workshops are being hosted in conjunction with Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District. These workshops provide an overview of water quality challenges in Dakota County and provide beautiful and practical ways of reducing runoff pollutants that are causing problems. Attendance at the introductory course is free, but registration is required. After attending an introductory workshop, sign up to attend a $25 rain-garden design course to receive design assistance to create a functioning rain-garden specific to your own yard. Check out the attached flyer, or visit www.dakotacountyswcd.org or call 651-480- 7777 for more details. Like Us on Facebook As a part of the Historic Pilot Knob Grant process this past summer, City staff established a presence on Facebook for the city. Staff intends to use Facebook to post current photos of events, as well as provide timely updates to compliment our other city communications. For example, the great news about Mendota Heights being ranked the 2nd best city in Minnesota for quality of life was posted as soon as we learned about it. If you would like to follow the city on Facebook, log into your account and search “City of Mendota Heights.” Make sure to find the page, which includes updates and pictures from around town. Public Works The Parks Crew plowed the cul-de-sacs, parking lots, and pedways after a 4.4” snowfall on Saturday. They are also flooding rinks with an anticipated opening date on December 17th. The Utilities Crew plowed the lift station parking lots and helped plow the streets. A sanitary sewer inspection was done at 1781 Summit Lane and 2159 Delaware Avenue. Tree roots in a sanitary sewer line were cut with the jet truck and Cliff’s help on Summit Lane. Visu-Sewer started the 2011 sanitary sewer relining project. The Streets Crew, with the help of Rich, plowed the city streets Saturday night into Sunday morning. Routine maintenance was done the plow trucks. Snow was cleaned off the bridge decks on Wagon Wheel Trail and Mendota Heights Road. They helped the mechanic replace the tires on the street departments 1- ton dump truck. Engineering Wagon Wheel Trail Reconstruction – The project has been substantially completed with only the final wear course and miscellaneous punch list items remaining. Punch list items will be completed in 2012. Lemay Lake Road Reconstruction – Mendota Heights City Council approved the reconstruction of Lemay Lake Road at the public hearing on December 6th, 2011. Staff will begin designing the project and anticipates holding a second informational meeting in late January or early February. Marie Avenue Rehabilitation – Staff is working on creating the base file for the proposed design. The project is in design phase. The initial submittal to MnDOT is projected to be in early January. Diane Road Neighborhood/Mendota Heights Road Rehabilitation – Staff has started to develop plans and specifications. Staff anticipates submitting the project to MNDOT for review in early January. The Pipeline N E W S L E T T E R Public Works Engineering Code Enforcement December 9, 2011 Improvement Plans – Staff presented the updated 2012-2016 Street Improvement Plan (SIP). Council voted to switch the Hunter Lane Reconstruction Project with the Victoria Curve Reconstruction Project. Included in the new plan is an outline of chip seal projects. Staff is also preparing a Sanitary Sewer Improvement Plan (SSIP). 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). 12/09/2011 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 Slip and Slide Saturday 1615 hours With the pretty snow came some not so pretty accidents. Sergeant Brian Convery responded to assist a car vs. fire hydrant accident; luckily only the hydrant sustained injuries. The car was towed for repairs and St Paul Water was notified. Call cleared. Missing Person Sunday 1400 hours Officer Larrive took a report from a local group home that one of their voluntary residents had left on his own accord, last seen getting into an unknown vehicle. The resident is considered a vulnerable adult but they did not feel he was in an unsafe situation or suicidal. All attempts to reach the man were unsuccessful. Pending further contact information or leads. Sale of Alcohol to Minor Monday 0730 hours Officer Peyton Fleming, with the help of a juvenile male, conducted mandatory annual alcohol compliance checks. Local businesses have an annual opportunity for best practices training to assist staff and prevent criminal and civil penalties. However, this night was an unpleasant evening for a few local establishments and some servers. Four businesses failed the checks; information has been forwarded to the appropriate parties for charges/penalties. Status: pending formal complaints. Under 21 Drink and Drive Tuesday 2140 hours While on patrol, Officer Steve Meyer observed a vehicle, with a rear brake light out, turn left and while following it, watched it make a sudden u-turn in the middle of an intersection and soon circled back to where he first observed it. He initiated a traffic stop; however, the driver had to make one more u-turn first and eventually came to a stop. When the window was rolled down, the odor of alcohol greeted Officer Meyer. The driver helpfully informed the officer he was lost and soon admitted consuming just a little alcohol before driving. The 19 year old suspended driver was administered a PBT and it showed that he had indeed consumed some alcohol. He was issued a citation for Underage Drinking and Driving – Not a Drop and Driving After Suspension. Officer Cleared. We’re hoping the young man makes a good New Year’s Resolution. “Just the Facts” The latest news from the Mendota Heights Police Department 12/09/2011 Fraud Wednesday 1520 hours Sergeant Eric Petersen responded to a local business reporting payment via cancelled checking account. Upon arrival, he learned the business had completed heating and AC work and was paid via check; however, the checks were returned as account closed and they learned the account had been closed for quite a while. However, upon further investigation, it was learned the transaction occurred in St Paul and the case will be referred to them once the victim has reported the crime with them. Information only. Burglary Thursday 0330 hours Officers Mike Shepard, Peyton Fleming, and Jeff VonFeldt responded to an alarm and found a very recent forced entry burglary. A perimeter was quickly established with the help of an Eagan K9 and MSP. In the meantime, the owner arrived and assisted with entry; the burglars obviously were in a hurry, as they had made quite a mess; total loss is not yet verified. Investigator Tanner Spicer arrived to assist with processing the scene. Suspects and leads are being pursued; case ongoing. Drunk on an Empty Tank Thursday 2316 hours Officer Peyton Fleming, while on patrol, located a stalled vehicle with only the four way flashers on. Upon checking on the party inside, the odor of alcohol wafted out of the window. The unsteady, slurring gent informed Officer Fleming he ran out of gas on his way home from the MOA; however, he also stated he only had about three beers. Upon further testing and eventually a PBT, he was found to be at .176. After only three beers? Really. He was transported and processed without further incident and taken to Dakota County Jail for book and release. Formal charges pending. Theft of Mail Wednesday 1506 hours Officer Patrick was dispatched to speak with a resident regarding possible theft of mail that had just occurred and had been provided a possible plate/vehicle description. He checked the area and found the flag up on the mail box (no good) but found no such vehicle in the area. At the same time, two witnesses came into the police department to report what they had seen and provided similar suspect information to Investigator Spicer. Upon ultimately speaking with the victim, she reported she had placed a bill payment in her mailbox and put the flag up to alert the mailman. However, she was soon informed by the witnesses of what had transpired and called the police. Investigation ongoing. Theft Thursday 1200 hours Dispatch advised that the owner of a local liquor store was reporting he had just been the victim of theft. Officer Bobby Lambert responded and found that three men had entered the store while he was speaking with his distributor. He saw them as they were leaving and upon asking if they needed help, they left without responding. Upon checking, he found they had taken four bottles of tequila. Warrant Arrest Friday 0108 hours Officer Shepard responded to an address in our city on report of a verbal domestic in progress. It was learned that the female party involved, a familiar party to MHPD, had a body only warrant. Upon arrival, the domestic was quickly ended via a warrant arrest of the female who was escorted to the Dakota County Jail. Officer cleared. Have a great weekend! – Kim Each year Toys for Tots collects new, unwrapped toys and then distributes them as gifts to children in need. The objectives of the annual Toys for Tots drive are to help children in need experience the joy of the holiday season, to nurture the development of children, to unite members of local communities in a common cause and to contribute to the future betterment of communities. In the 63 years since the Toys for Tots program began, the Marines have distributed more than 419 million toys to more than 195 million underprivileged children. Please join with us in the spirit of giving by donating new, unwrapped toys at the Mendota Heights Police Department or City Hall. We will be collecting donations until December 20th, 2011 after which we will be delivering them to our local Toys For Tots Foundation. May your Holidays be Safe and your Hearts be Peaceful… Blue Thumb Planting for Clean Water Workshops Create an addition to your home landscaping that is not only attractive, but will benefit our lakes, streams and wetlands! Blue Thumb © workshops will help you beautify your landscape and provide cleaner water. Eight Blue Thumb Planting for Clean Water Workshops are being hosted in conjunction with Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District. The workshops provide an overview of water quality challenges in Dakota County and provide beautiful and practical ways of reducing runoff pollutants that are causing issues. The Blue Thumb © program makes it easy to realize the positive impacts raingardens, native gardens, and shoreline stabilizations can have on your aesthetic and environmental surroundings. Attendance at the introductory course is free, but registration is required. After attending an introductory workshop, sign up to attend a $25 raingarden design course where you will receive design assistance to create a functioning raingarden specific to your own yard. 2012 Blue Thumb- Introduction to Planting for Clean Water from 6:15 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.: Lebanon Hills Park- Tuesday, February 28 Lebanon Hills Visitor Center , 860 Cliff Rd. Burnsville – Tuesday, March 13 Burnsville City Hall, 100 Civic Ctr. Pkwy. Eagan - Thursday, March 15 Eagan City Hall, 3830 Pilot Knob Rd. Hastings – Tuesday, March 20 Pleasant Hill Library 1490 South Frontage Rd. West St. Paul - Thursday, March 22 Dakota Lodge, 1200 Stassen Ln. Farmington - Monday, April 2 Farmington Library, 508 Third St. Lakeville -Tuesday, April 3 Lakeville City Hall, 20195 Holyoke Ave. Apple Valley - Thursday April 5 Apple Valley Municipal Center, 7100 West 147th Street To register contact Dakota County SWCD at 651-480-7777 or register online at www.dakotaswcd.org The resources we got through the workshops are phenomenal! I found that the advice you all had to offer regarding the process was ALWAYS the right way to go.” “The best hands-on workshop I’ve ever been to” -Dakota County Residents