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2011-12-30 Friday News December 30, 2011 December 30, 2011 Employee Recognition Prior to our regular city council meeting Tuesday, January 3, 2012 we will have a reception honoring employees who have reached milestones in their length of service to the city. Please join us at City Hall at 6:30 p.m. for treats and conversation. The following employees will be formally recognized during the council meeting: Five Years: Pam Deeb, Sharon Hinze, Sandra Ristine, Jake Sedlacek, Mike Shepard, Denise Urmann, Justin Fitzgerald Ten Years: Teresa Gangelhoff, Jennifer Larrive, Jeffory Von Feldt, Chad Willson, Mary Bang, Richard Gapinski, Fifteen Years: Scott Henning, Robert Lambert, John Larrive, Twenty Years: John Boland Thirty Years: Mario Reyes Thirty Five Years: Terry Blum, George Noack Technology in Squads Our police squads serve as rolling offices for our police officers, with capabilities for research, generating tickets and of course, storing the tools an officer may need to handle a variety of public safety incidents. All squads have recently received an upgrade to Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD). CAD provides a critical link between our officers and the Dakota County Communications Center. The upgrade process included a couple of bumps, but now seems to be working well. The upgrade was necessary as our previous CAD was an old program, running on old hardware which did not integrate with other important programs. The goal is to make their job a little easier, and a little safer each time they are on patrol. Friday News Mendota Heights Weekly Report on City Activities Mendota Heights City Hall 1101 Victoria Curve www.mendota-heights.com (651) 452-1850 New Administrator Starts Justin Miller had his first day as our new city administrator on Wednesday. Justin is work- ing to get up to speed not just on the way the city works, but also getting to know the em- ployees. Justin is making a good first impres- sion, the city staff is excited to work with him. December 30, 2011 Attachments The Pipeline, Just the Facts December 30, 2011 Dates to Remember January 3, 2012 City Council January 10, 2012 Parks and Recreation Commission January 11, 2012 Airport Relations Commission January 17, 2012 City Council January 24, 2012 Planning Commission Page Two Winter Recreation? This is how averages are made. Last year we enjoyed the best outdoor ice in recent memory. This year, we will be opening the Par 3 clubhouse for a private tournament on New Year’s Eve. We hope to have ice conditions good enough for skating by next weekend. Please check the rink hotline before loading up the crew and heading down to the park: (651)255-1174 City Hall Closed City Hall will be closed Monday, January 2, 2012 in observance of New Year’s Day Sgt. Garlock We don't usually mention birthdays in the Friday News, but we’ll make an exception for everyone’s favorite public safety employee, Police Sergeant Neil Garlock. Starting with his birthday this past Wednesday, Neil has decided to start eating fruits and vegetables. Rumor has it that Neil is looking to take on Chuck Norris for the reputation as the toughest old guy in America! Happy Birthday Neil! Public Works The Parks Crew continue to flood the ice rinks. The hockey nets were brought to the rinks and will hopefully open on Monday. A broken lens was replaced on truck #503. A work bench was put together for the back shop. The Utilities Crew cleaned the grease off the floats at the Veronica lift station. Floating degreaser was added to the wet wells at the Veronica and St. Thomas lift stations. The sanitary sewer improvement plan was reviewed that engineering put together. Specifications were put together for the generator replacement. The Streets Crew made new street signs for Wesley Lane, Wesley Court, South Lane, Oak Street, Highway 110 Frontage Road and Market Street. The old streets signs were taken down and the new signs installed. The shop area was cleaned. Replacement batteries were picked up for shop tools. Engineering Lemay Lake Road Reconstruction – 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. Sanitary Sewer Improvement and Maintenance Plan (SSIMP) – Staff will present the newly created five year Sanitary Sewer Improvement and Maintenance Plan at the January 3rd City Council Meeting. MnDOT Projects The following projects are under the management and supervision of MnDOT and are presented as information only. Highway 13 Resurfacing –MnDOT has begun developing plans for resurfacing, drainage improvements and ADA upgrades to Highway 13 between I-35W and Annapolis Street (Burnsville to West St. Paul). MnDOT anticipates construction from May 2012 to September 2012. The Pipeline N E W S L E T T E R Public Works Engineering Code Enforcement December 30, 2011 12/30/2011 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 Tip Line 651-255-1170 The Mendota Heights Community Criminal Apprehension Fund will sponsor reward money up to $500 for information leading to an arrest for the videos and pictures posted on the MHPD section of the Northern Dakota County Crime Blog. To view the videos go to: http://wsppvideos.blogspot.com/search/label/Mendota%20Heights The Tip Line is monitored M-F you can remain anonymous or you can leave a name and number where we can reach you. Even if you talk with an Officer you can request to keep your name confidential. Check out the blog help us solve some crimes and collect some reward money. Drive Off Tuesday 1344 hours Officer Bobby Lambert responded to a local gas station where an employee reported that a black Chevy Suburban with heavily tinted windows drove off without paying for $77.00 worth of gas. The employee described the suspect as a black male with a large tattoo on his neck. There was checked the suspect vehicle was GOA. Fraud Wednesday 1028 hours A resident came to MHPD and met with Sergeant Neil Garlock about fraudulent activity on his checking account. The man reported that he had ordered new checks from the bank and he never received them. Within the last few days check started showing up at businesses all over the south metro totaling over $500. The man reported he suspected he was also missing and insurance reimbursement form and check. He advised his was certain the checks were stolen from his mailbox at home. Sergeant Garlock referred the case to investigations for follow-up. Crisis Thursday 0607 hours Officers Fleming, Urmann, Spicer responded to a call for help on a man wanted to kill himself. Upon arrival the officers spoke with the wife who reported the man was in a bedroom upstairs. She thought the attempted occurred around 0200 hours but, she just found him moments before. She advised that she had taken the knife secured it so the room was safe. In speaking with the man he was distraught over his situation in life and upset about what was going on around him. After a short conversation he agreed to go with HealthEast ambulance. Found bike Thursday 0802 hours School Resource Officer Jen Fordham placed a red Haro BMX/stunt bicycle into the property room after it sat in front of the “Just the Facts” The latest news from the Mendota Heights Police Department 12/30/2011 school for more than a week. Some of the students advised her that it was an expensive bike. None of the surrounding police departments had taken a report of a missing bike matching the description. DUI Thursday 2310 hours MSP dispatch was broadcasting information about a drunk driver being followed by a cellular 911 caller. Officer Fleming was in position when the vehicle pulled off the freeway allowing him to watch it drive over the fog line. He quickly went to stop the vehicle which pulled into a driveway and parked. The man had nearly made it home. When Officer Fleming made contact it was immediately obvious the citizen caller was right on the money. When asked how much the man had to drink it was the proverbial two beers. He was asked to do SFST’s which he did try, unfortunately for him with no success. He could hardly stand much less complete any tests. The last test was the PBT which revealed a BAC of .157 (must have been two really big beers or one tiny guy). He was read the MN Implied consent advisory and agreed to a test. After the urine test he was booked at the DC jail to be charged formally when the results of the urine test come back from the BCA laboratory. I Quit Thursday 1522 hours 911 cell phone caller reported she found a local business standing open with no employees present. Officer John Larrive arrived and spoke with the concerned party. The building was wide open and no one could be found. After some phone calls he located the owner who advised the employee emailed in their resignation. Yes you read it “emailed” the boss that they quit. It was quickly confirmed that foul play was not an issue. After a short time an employee arrived on scene and it was determined some things were out of order. The case is under investigation. Theft Saturday 1340 hours Sgt Eric Petersen received a call to speak with a woman who left her purse at a local restaurant an hour earlier and when she returned it was gone. The staff did not have the purse. Sgt Petersen spoke with the manager who advised they had video of the area but he couldn’t access it. The next work day Investigator Spicer viewed the video with the owner who identified an employee picking up the purse. He later spoke with the employee who immediately confessed to taking the purse and stealing the cash. He brought Investigator Spicer to the spot where he threw the purse. A few hours later Spicer was spotted carrying a purse into MHPD, not a fashion statement. The ex- employee confessed all he took was the cash. Detox Monday 0056 hours Officer VonFeldt was flagged down by a cabbie with a drunk female passed out in the backseat of his cab. Officer Urmann patted the woman down who eventually woke up to verbally the officers, Merry Christmas. After determining that her friends found her equally entertaining having left her at the bar a room reservation was made at Ramsey Detox. A few years from now it will make a great story… remember that year we went out on Christmas and I spent the next three days in detox. Found Wallet Tuesday 0738 hours A customer found a wallet lying in the street outside of Caribou that he turned in at the register. They couldn’t locate the owner so they turned the wallet over to Officer Bobby Lambert. A short time later phone number was located for the owner who was contacted. He stopped at MHPD picked up his wallet and reported that nothing was missing. Have a great weekend! Mike 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 29 December 19, through December 25, 2011 A Gathering of Friends… The DCSO held our annual holiday party this past week. As is our tradition we invite all of our retirees to join us for the celebration and a chance to renew friendships. Our invitation resulted in a number of retirees coming to the luncheon. The group included Sheriff Don Gudmundson, Chief Deputy Rich Thul, Captain Brad Wayne, Correctional Lieutenant Ken Tolonen, Sergeant Bob Bennett, Deputies Bob Wilson, Tom Zehoski, Denny Martin, Sharon Drews,and Char Rayl, Senior Administrative Assistant Vicki Krick, and Program Services Assistant Fran Bakke. Special thanks go to Program Services Assistants Holly Ruiz, Mary McPhetres, Melanie Heltne, Molu Jolly, and Sandy Burke for all their work in putting the luncheon together. Welcome Back… Commander Dan Scheuermann returned back from his ten-week training session at the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. The FBI NA brings together law enforcement officials from across the world to train in a wide variety of specialties. Training in Forensic Science for Police Administrators, Stress Management, and Fitness in Law Enforcement were just a few of the courses Dan attended. He also brought back with him the coveted “Yellow Brick” awarded to each member who completes the arduous obstacle course aptly named “The Yellow Brick Road.” Dan, nice to have you back! Featuring Sheriff’s Jail Staff: Commander John Grant Captain Brad Jeska Correctional Lieutenants Lawrence Hart Jodi Rolloff Correctional Sergeants Scott Fuchs Deb Fyten 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 Courtney Brown Anna Caughey 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)Sheriff Don Gudmundson (Retired), and Program Services Assistants Melanie Heltne, Sandy Burke, Molu Jolly, Mary McPhetres, and Holly Ruiz Commander Dan Scheuermann 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 29 December 19, through December 25, 2011 Click here to subscribe to this newsletter electronically.Page 2 In the Christmas Spirit… A couple of weeks ago members of the Patrol Division responded to a domestic call between a mother and father. Their two children, ages four and seven, were home at the time and witnessed the arrest of the mother. As a result, the parents became separated and the kids are spending time between them. Wanting to help make this a better Christmas, members of the night crew collected gifts and donated money to purchase more gifts. Deputies Ryan Olson and Tim Gonder handled the Santa Claus duties, delivering a bundle to the kids. Kids and dad were very appreciative of their gesture, which made Christmas a little brighter for them. The other members of Santa’s crew included Sergeant Jim Gabriel and Deputies Brian Smidt,Gordy Steffel, Matt Schuster, Amber Hentges, Jeff Leopold, Sean Qualy, and Bryce Schuenke. Thank you to all. There is Nothing Funny About Jail, Well, Maybe There Is… Last week Comedian Joey I.L.O, who has appeared on Last Comic Standing, along with Daniel Hanson from Teen Challenge, talked to a large group of inmates about making better choices. Joey provided a story of his personal struggles mixed with a little humor and Dan talked about his recovery from addiction. The message was clear; you, too, can make changes in your life for the better. Special thanks to Jeff Wynne for getting Joey and Dan to speak to our inmates. Happy Birthday to You... Birthdays during the next week include Correctional Deputy Tchad Guckin (January 1st), Deputy Matt Schuster (January 2nd), Detective Dawanna Witt (January 4th), and Deputy Adam Potter (January 7th). Happy Birthday to you all!! Sheriff Bellows and Chief Deputy Leslie would like to wish you all a Happy New Year! Have a safe and enjoyable holiday! 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 Brandon Rogers Cartier Russell Tom Schneider Regina Shepherd Phil Simpson Adam Smith Sara Steinhoff Kent Themmes Tina Tyler Anthony Welin Stacy Williams 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