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2013-11-22 Friday NewsFriday News Mendota Heights Weekly Report on City Activities City Hall Recycling Collection Site For Holiday Lights Have you replaced your holiday lights this year and not sure what to do with the old lights? ProAct, Inc. began a 77 day recycling effort to collect holiday lights, electric and phone cords. ProAct, Inc. works closely with the Recycling Association of Minnesota and its "Recycle Your Holidays" program. This year's goal is to collect 200,000 pounds of holiday lights. Mendota Heights City Hall will be a collection site through January 31, 2014. Residents can drop off lights, electric and phone cords Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Cord adopters, battery packs, plastic rope lights or CFL lights will not be accepted. Holiday Tree Lighting Events Looking to start a new family tradition? Everyone is invited to the two holiday tree lighting events the first week in December. The first is sched- uled for Thursday, December 5, 2013 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Mendota Plaza. The second tree lighting event will be held on Saturday, December 7, 2013 between 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p. m. a t t h e Village. The tree lighting ceremony is set for 5:00 p.m. Stop by and visit with your neighbors and support Mendota Heights businesses. Dates to Remember: November 26, 2013 Planning Commission Canceled November 28 - 29, 2013 Thanksgiving Holiday Closed City offices will re -open on Monday December 2nd at 8:00 a.m. December 3, 2013 City Council Attachments: Pipeline, Just the Facts 7:00 p.m. 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 Facebook.com /MendotaHeightsMN Twitter.com / @mendota_heights November 22, 2013 NEWS LETTER Public Works Engineering Code Enforcement The Pipeline November 22, 2013 Public Works The Parks Crew picked up extra trash barrels from the parks and put them in winter storage. They finished fertilizing the parks, cleaned up the fertilizer spreader and put it away for winter storage. Trees were trimmed in the parks as needed. All boards were removed and replaced on the bridge in Valley Park. Tractor 510 was serviced for winter storage. A fallen tree limb was removed from the pedway in Valley Park. The Utilities Crew cleaned the sanitary sewer lines along Lilac Lane. The homeowner had their line cleaned and pushed roots into the city's main line. The ventilation fan was fixed by replacing fuses at the Mendota Heights Road lift station. The force main work continues. Work was observed by city personnel when the cutovers were done. The work is scheduled to be completed next week. The Streets Crew was busy all week sweeping up leaves with Pearson Brothers. Trees were trimmed with Blue Chip from complaints that were received in the Avenues, Maple Park Drive and Ivy Hill Drive areas. Thursday evening they salted the bridge decks on Mendota Heights Road, Acacia Blvd, and Wagon Wheel Trail. Engineering City Projects (construction year) Dodd Road /Highway 110 Intersection Pedestrian Improvements (2013) - The contractor is working on the punch -list items, and signal completion will take place upon delivery of parts from MnDOT. New luminaires have been installed at the NE corner. Hunter Lane /Orchard Place Neighborhood Improvements (2013) -The project is considered substantially complete and the final lift of wear course asphalt will be placed in the spring. Assessment amounts not paid off by November 1st have been certified to the County and payable through annual property tax statements. Crown Point & Overlook Neighborhood Rehabilitations (2013) - The contractor is finishing the final punch -list items. Assessment amounts not paid off by November 18th have been certified to the County and payable through annual property tax statements. Sanitary Sewer Cleaning and Televising (2013) - This project is substantially complete. Staff will review the data when the report is received from the contractor. Sanitary Sewer Lining (2013) -This project will install a liner in place on sections of sanitary sewer main that have been identified as having multiple root penetrations. All lining activities this year will be on the north end of the city. Minor traffic impacts should be anticipated while the contractor accesses manholes. Lining is expected to add up to 25 years to the life of the sanitary sewer main. Mendota Heights Road Sanitary Sewer Force Main Replacement (2013) - The main directional drilling is complete. The contractor is planning to switch over to the new line today Friday November 22nd Highway 13 Trail Connection (2013) - The contractor is ready to mobilize for construction. As soon as MnDOT State Aid office gives the City permission, a notice -to - proceed will be given to the contractor. A utility conflict with Saint Paul Regional Water Service needs to be resolved in conjunction with the construction. Rolling Green Neighborhood Rehabilitation & Victoria Road Reconstruction (2014 ?) - Council ordered Victoria Road from Highway 13 to Marie Avenue to be constructed in 2014 as well as the rehabilitation area of Rolling Green. Staff will begin designing the project this winter. SUPPORT STAFF Kim Henning Trista Miller 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 OFC. Jennifer Fordham INVESTIGATIONS Mario Reyes Chad Willson SERGEANTS Neil Garlock Brian Convery Eric Petersen RESERVES Randy Pentel Jim Knox Jeff Parker George Castillo CHAPLAINS Frances Cuenca Joel Detlefsen Lynn Liberman Butch Millett Sue Plucker John Snider David Wick CHIEF Mike Aschenbrener NOVEMBER 22, 2013 lust the pacts" The Latest frovA, the MeiA,c(ota Hei-glits P epartvikeot Awards & Recognitions On Tuesday night the City Council recognized the MH & WSP PD Chaplains. The City of MH was recognized to for its commitment to traffic safety. Officers W 1 Spicer and Lambert were 7 recognized by the Dakota County Chiefs of Police As- sociation. Sergeants Garlock and Convery were recognized for their part in the Lilydale landslide rescue operation in May of 2013. 1 1 r1 1 AED DId Tsu Knsw? You can save a e! Sias Mi m teci enb rener In 2006 the City of Mendota Heights Police Department has actively participated in a program to get AED's into public places. AED's are valuable tools to help resuscitate someone having cardiac arrest. The device is simple and easy to use - just open the cover and follow the directions. As you enter businesses, look for the AED symbol and know their location, as the survival chances of cardiac arrest victims in- creases exponentially when life savings attempts occur quickly and cor- rectly. There are many public initiatives to make our communities safer places. Dakota County is developing home -based CPR instruction: www.dakotacountyheartrestart.org/index.html, & Take Heart Minnesota is another great Resource: click here Wm Heart t Minnesota Sudden Cardiac Arrest Survival Initiative CPR has changed a lot over the past few years , so please, take the time to get trained and you too could save a life. Code Violation leguoco Friday 1135 hours • Officer Scott Patrick worked received a complaint from City Hall about a deer hide draped over a deck rail- ing. The city code prevents public storage of decaying animals. The homeowner was advised about the ordi- nance: 4 -1 -2: NUISANCES AFFECTING HEALTH: Homeowner agreed to have it taken care of by the weekend. Stolen Auto? Friday 1150 hours 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Officer Scott Patrick was dispatched to make contact with a woman reporting her car was stolen. The caller, 1 a Bloomington resident, informed him that her friend, who works in our city, had borrowed the car but now she wouldn't return the car. The caller did tell the dispatcher that on three different occasions the Bloom- ington Police refused to take a stolen car report. Officer Patrick called the person back three times; his calls 1 went straight to voice mail each time and he has received no response to his messages. Nothing further. 1 1 Officer Todd Rosse received a request from Dakota County Social Services to check for a woman with a new- I AOA Social Services Friday 1809 hours born who was supposed to be arriving at her parent's home. The new mom was reportedly high on drugs 1 when she gave birth. Officer Rosse made contact with the grandparents and they contacted social services. Arrangements were made with the grandparents to ensure the safety of the baby. Our services no longer 1 1 needed. DWI Sunday 0715 hours Gas station employee call 911 to a reported slumper in a gas station parking lot. The caller reported the driv- 1 er appeared unconscious and either had the hiccups or convulsions. But then, the driver woke up and left as Officer Urmann was arriving. She activated the squad's emergency lights but the car didn't stop until it was 1 well into St Paul. When she made contact with the driver he was extremely intoxicated. The driver did 1 give the sobriety tests a try but failed miserably, including the PBT at a BAC of .22. The man was read the I MN Implied Consent after consulting with an attorney he agreed to test. Transported to DC jail . 1 Accident /DWI Sunday 0715 hours Officer Spicer was dispatched to an accident where the vehicle had crashed into some trees. The vehicle was found with extensive damage and the driver was found already outside of the car. Officer Spicer recognized the driver from an earlier incident involving a domestic disturbance. While on scene at that call, the man 1 was already quite intoxicated. At some point afterwards, he determined it was a good idea to go for a drive. The driver was transported to the hospital for his injuries, but before he left, he was able to provide a PBT which showed a .214 reading! Officer Spicer proceeded to the hospital to continue the investigation and after reading the implied consent, the driver agreed to a blood test. Case pending test results and estimates of total damage. I Stolen Art Saturday 1234 hours 1 Officer Patrick responded to a residence where the homeowner reported theft. They had hosted a real estate 1 open house and at some point during the open house, three pieces of art were removed from the wall. Pend- ing contact with realtor and associate. ' ti:DJ :Sl "IJ�Ii ��JTgd Car vs. Deer Monday 4 1 1 0842 hours 1 Officer Larrive responded to an accident where a vehicle struck a deer. Two deer had jumped the guard rail and made a run for it right in front of the driver. He missed the first deer, who made it safely across, but the second deer wasn't so lucky. The driver was luckily safe, but the car received damage to the windshield and front light assembly. However, on a more positive note, the driver was issued a deer possession permit, so at least he'll have some steaks and beef sticks out of a sad, nerve- wrecking situation. Traffic Assist Monday 0109 hours While on patrol Officer Tanner Spicer spotted a car with a glowing red left rear tire. He caught up with and stopped the car on I35E north of Hwy 13. The extremely lucky driver was advised it appeared they would be losing or had just lost a wheel bearing (meaning that tire would be coming off the car momentarily). The driver pulled off at the next exit to head to the nearest gas station on West 7th Street and get it fixed. Crisis Intervention Tuesday 1230 hours 911 caller reported female walking down the road, screaming, while two other women trying to hold her back. State Patrol responded along with Officer Bobby Lambert and HealthEast Ambulance. After the woman, a dementia patient, was calmed down, they learned she had wanted a sub sandwich and walked away from the senior building. She became upset that the staff was trying to stop her. A 72 hour hold was placed on her and the ambulance transported. Criminal Damage to Property Tuesday 2207 hours Officers Spicer, Fleming and Rosse responded to a 911 call from a restaurant in Mendota about an out of control 25 YOA man. While en route they learned the man was with a group, and he became enraged, flip- ping tables and smashing stuff. On his way out the front door he pretty much smashed the door to pieces. When Officers arrived, staff had him on the ground in the parking lot. The man appeared to be both drunk and high on drugs. He was arrested and transported to the Dakota County jail. Formal charges pending. Hit & Run Monday 1326 hours A woman came into our lobby to report a hit and run accident that occurred earlier in the week. Officer Fleming had responded to the earlier call in the week, but had been unable to make contact to follow -up. The reporting party was now available to discuss the situation and had done some investigating of her own, determining that the damage was inflicted by a neighbor. Officer Lambert, after reviewing the location of the car and the moderate damage incurred, agreed with her. He was soon able to follow up with the possible sus- pect —the owner of that vehicle stated she did not even know she had struck a vehicle. Officer Lambert ad- vised her on protocols for reporting accidents and requested both parties submit their insurance infor- mation; they did so within 24 hours. The situation was handled civilly and peacefully —no charges. Prostitution Tuesday 0247 hours Officers Jeffory VonFeldt and Tanner Spicer responded to suspicious person in a vehicle at a local hotel. 1 Upon arrival, they did in fact find the male, waiting in the car for his "friend" to come out —but he didn't 1 really know the friend's name or the room number he was staying in. Officer VonFeldt learned from hotel staff that a bit earlier, a female had come in and joined a guest and they headed to an unknown room. I IWhile Officer Spicer watched over the gent in the car, who was on his phone, texting "someone," the young woman peeked outside, saw the officer with her "ride" and took off out the back door, where she collided with Officer VonFeldt. The driver of the vehicle was released, as he reportedly was just her ride, not her pimp, Iand he was trespassed from our city. The 17 year old was brought back to the PD where she admitted to prostitution. Sadly, the girl had no family to contact for help —Mom and Dad had abandoned her 1 1 and her grandmother was hospitalized. Officer VonFeldt was able to get in touch with her social worker and I she was given a bed at a juvenile shelter facility. 1 1 I Medical Wednesday 1218 h ours Officer Larrive responded to a local school on a reported cooking accident. A student cut off the tip of a 1 finger. Ouch. Party was awake, alert and being tended to by staff when Officer Larrive and the ambulance I I arrived on scene. The ambulance transported the woman to the hospital. I 1 1 1 Suspicious Stuff Wednesday 1725 hours I I Caller reported two suspicious bags at the Pilot Knob open space. Officer Rosse found two bags and plastic I tubs full of horse poop and hay. Requested the public works crew dispose of the "property" properly. 1 1 1 Fingerprinting / Warrant Service Thursday 1024 hours 1 I Resident came to MHPD to be fingerprinted for his investing licenses. The fingerprint check includes a 1 1 check of state files that a searches for warrants and wants. This computer check produced an active warrant I for his arrest out of Dakota County —and one of our cases, no less. The man had neglected to make his court date for his citation for not procuring a business license. Sergeant Garlock fingerprinted the man as request- 1 1 ed then advised him he was not leaving until bond was posted or he saw a judge. The man paid the $20 for I 1 his fingerprints and posted the $380 bond to be released with a new court date. I 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 i 411P0 STAFF On Monday the Chief received an email from a reader, complimenting the balance of facts, information and humor in our Just the Facts! She not only enjoys reading it but she also expressed appreciation to our police officers for their service to the public. A big thanks and congratulations to Kim Henning and Trista Miller and to all the contributing officers for their work on our weekly publication! Please send us your positive feedback on our staff to: pdrecords@ mendota - heights.com Your feedback is greatly appreciated and helps boost the morale of our staff. 5 Calls for Service Citations Warnings Police Reports Response Time Average 11/15 -11/21 149 14 9 2013 YTD 7581 1,398 1160 22 958 5.62 5.19 Check out the MH Crime Map! Click below to search your neighborhood: http://mendota.prophoenix.com/CS/CrimeMapping.aspx If you are a Mendota Heights resident and you are going out of town or on vacation, you can notify MHPD of your outing and we will be more than happy to keep a watchful eye on your home while you are away. The House Check Request online form is available on our website; we have similar forms in the MHPD lobby and we will take your info over the phone. MHPD offers monthly Car Seat Safety Checks. To schedule an appointment, call 651.452.1366 to contact Officer Jennifer Fordham. Take it to THE BOX 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. Have a .safe wee!