2013-03-29 Friday NewsFriday News
Mendota Heights Weekly Report on City Activities
Finally, Signs of Spring
Warmer weather this week has sped up the rate
of snow melt and it is clear that people are eager
to get out and about. Please keep an eye out for
bicyclists and pedestrians while driving. Remem-
ber that they are just as focused on dodging pud-
dles as you may be.
Athletic fields and the Par 3 remain hidden under
a blanket of snow; Terry Blum and Sloan
Wallgren hope that turf conditions will be usable
the second week of April. This is a week later
than usual, and a full month behind last year.
r
Mendakota Playground
Jake Sedlacek met with a representative from
Flagship Recreation this week, to discuss refur-
bishing the playground at Mendakota Park. This
is newsworthy as the existing system is 30 years
old, and is still structurally sound. Mendakota
was the first playground installed following the
Parks Referendum in the late 1980's, and has
proven to be a great investment.
The Parks and Recreation Commission will re-
view the formal proposal at their April 9, 2013
meeting. The commission would appreciate feed- -
back on the playground and features, as they
consider this project.
Much Worse than a Pothole
Public Works staff responded to a sinkhole which
occurred on Mendota Heights Road on Thursday
morning. The area around the sinkhole was
quickly barricaded, as staff investigated the cause
and planned repairs. See The Pipeline for more
detail.
Save the Date: the annual spring clean -up is set
for Saturday, May 4, 2013 at Mendakota Park.
Dates to Remember:
April 2, 2013
• City Council 7:00 p.m.
April 9, 2013
Parks and Rec Comm. 6:30 p.m.
April 10, 2013
Airport Relations Comm. 7:00 p.m.
April 16, 2013
City Council 7:00 p.m.
Attachments:
Pipeline, Just the Facts
Mendota Heights City Hall
1101 Victoria Curve
www.mendota-heights.com
(651)452 -1850
NEWS
LETTER
Public Works
Engineering
Code Enforcement
Public Works
The P'ipel'ine
March 29, 2013
The Parks Crew painted the inside of the warming houses and shut off the
furnaces. A spring workshop was attended at the University of St. Thomas, put on
by the Minnesota Park and Sports Turf Managers Association. Broken glass was
cleaned up from vandalism on the trail and in the parking lot at Victoria Park.
The Utilities Crew pulled pump 2 at the Northland lift station because a bunch of
rags was wrapped under the pump and grease was cleaned off the floats. They
started painting the kitchen walls at public works. They spent a l l day on Thursday
working on the force main break on Mendota Heights Road.
The Street Crew dumped out a l l salt from the plow trucks and washed them. They
continue doing mailbox repairs. Ice was cut off the road on Orchard Place. They
painted the walls in the sign room. Pothole filling has started. Storm grates were
checked to make sure they weren't plugged and water could flow.
Engineering
City Projects (construction year)
Dodd Road /Highway 110 Intersection Pedestrian Improvements (2013) -The
completed plans and specifications are being routed through MnDOT for final
approval. We are anticipating a bid opening in May, with a contract award
scheduled for the June 4t" City Council Meeting. Construction will begin shortly
after contract award.
Hunter Lane /Orchard Place Neighborhood Improvements (20131 -Final plans have
been approved and the project authorized for bidding. The mixed curb type
(barrier and surmountable) as directed by Council will be achieved by Hunter Lane
being reconstructed with barrier style curb and Orchard Place being reconstructed
with surmountable curb. Bid opening is scheduled for May 1st at 10:00am.
Contract award is scheduled for the May 7th City Council Meeting with construction
beginning in June.
Crown Point &Overlook Neighborhood Rehabilitations (2013) -The project is
currently out for bid. Bid opening will be Wednesday (4/3) at 10:00am, and
contract award is scheduled for the April 16t" City Council meeting. Construction
start is anticipated in May. Additionally, the project bid will include the Lexington
Avenue trail rehabilitation (see the next project) and preventative maintenance
(chip seal) in the Evergreen Knoll, Hidden Creek Trail, and the Bachelor /Stanwich
neighborhoods.
Lexington Avenue Pedestrian Trail, Hwy 110 to Douglas Road (2013) - Project is
being bid with the Crown Point & Overlook Neighborhood Rehabilitation Project.
Dakota County is assisting with project construction costs. Project includes
pavement replacement, minor realignment, and pedestrian ramp replacement
and /or new installation. Construction is anticipated in late May /early June.
Highway 13 Trail Connection (20131 - A trail connection is proposed along the
south side of Highway 13 to connect the pedestrian trail from Riverside Lane to
Lilydale Road. This will close one of the identified trail gaps in the City. The City
is applying for a grant from the Department of Natural Resources for construction
funding. If not funded through a grant, the City intends to construct the
connection in 2013 with City funds.
County Projects (construction year)
North Urban Regional Trail (NURT) Rea lignment /Greenway Study (2014) - Dakota
County held their final open house prior to the County Board making an alternative
selection. Public comments as well as comments from the City Council and Parks
& Recreation Commission will be forwarded to the County Board. Dakota County
will present to the District 197 School Board on April 15 to gather their opinions,
and will present to the Dakota County Board of Commissioners on April 16 th . The
Board of Commissioners is expected to select an alignment alternative at that
meeting. For More information, please contact the Dakota County Project
Manager, Chris Hartzel, at 952- 891 -7106.
Lexington Avenue Crosswalk (20131 -Staff received confirmation from Dakota
County that the construction of the center median and crosswalk on Lexington
Avenue at Victoria will take place this summer. Construction is anticipated in
July /August.
State Projects (construction year)
Highway 13 Reconstruction: Mendota to I -35E (2015) - Funding for the project
has been restored by MnDOT for the 2015 construction year. The project has
been slightly reduced, but the reconstruction /resurfacing is back on schedule.
Drainage improvements between the Mendota City Limits and Mayfield Heights
Road will be completed, but the full urban section reconstruction from Mayfield
Heights Road to Interstate 35E will be put off until a future date.
Other Activities
Sanitary Sewer Force Main Break /Sink Hole on Mendota Heights Road - Staff was
told about a pothole on Mendota Heights Road that had, "no material underneath
it," by an area resident. Upon investigation of the pothole, we discovered an 8-
foot wide and 8 -foot deep sink hole under the pavement. The area was
immediately barricaded off for safety, and repairs began. This is the sixth force
main break in this area in the past five years. Repairs are expected to take place
through the weekend, and Mendota Heights Road will be back to full service next
week.
Volunteer Opportunities
Citizen Assisted Monitoring Program (CAMP) -The City of Mendota Heights
participates in the CAMP each year in partnership with the Lower Mississippi River
Watershed Management Organization (LMRWMO) and the Metropolitan Council.
The CAMP evaluated water quality of metro area lakes. The City is in need of a
volunteer or two to take samples on LeMay Lake. Once the samples are collected
(approximately 8 times during the summer /fall), they are sent into the Met
Council's lab for analysis. The LMRWMO reimburses the City for the cost of the lab
analyses. If interested in volunteering for the CAMP, please contact Assistant City
Engineer Ryan Ruzek at City Hall (651 - 452 - 1850).
Wetland Health Evaluation Program (WHEP) - Dakota County is seeking volunteers
to assist with the program. The following is from the Dakota County press release
about this year's program:
Dakota County is seeking people to monitor the health of community
wetlands through the Wetland Health Evaluation Program (WHEP).
Volunteers work with a community -based team to monitor and collect
information that is used to help protect area wetlands. A science background or
previous monitoring experience is not required. All training and equipment is
provided.
WHEP volunteers gather data on macroi nvertebrates I i ke beetles and
dragonflies and plants in wetlands. Cities use the data to study wetland health
trends to better manage wetlands and surrounding areas.
Volunteers receive training in field methods, macroi nvertebrate collection
and identification, and plant survey techniques and identification. Teams work
under the direction of a team leader and are grouped by city. Each city WHEP
team takes samples from three to five wetlands between June and August.
Volunteers commit between 10 -30 hours, including training, field work and lab
analysis.
For more information about volunteering, visit www. m nwhep. orq or call the
Dakota County Environmental Resources Department at 952- 891 -7000.
Participating in the WHEP is an excellent way to learn about wetlands.
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3/29/13
The Mendota Traffic Safety
Heights Police May 18th through the 22nd Mendota Heights Police Department wrote an
Department extra 30 speeding citations. As we move into spring, the number of
crashes goes up and so does our focus on traffic safety. MHPD will
Support Staff participate in the upcoming seat belt enforcement campaign. Belt up,
Kim Henning
Susan Donovan watch your speed and I<now that there will be extra traffic enforcement
Trista Miller out across the state.
Becky Pentel
Police Officers Overnight Parking Friday 1659 hours
Jerry Murphy Caller requested to parl< an "excavator" on the street overnight, in
Scott Patrick
John Larrive another area of the city because his neighbors wouldn't lil<e it in front of
Bobby Lambert his house or in his driveway. Officer Shepard called the man bacl< and
Tanner Spicer
Todd Spic advised that was not acceptable. Winter Parking Restrictions come off
Chad Willson on March 31St at midnight. The Mendota Heights City Code covers
Jeff VonFeldt
Steven Meyer parl<ing restrictions. Clicl< the following to linl< to the ordinance for a
Denise Urmann more comprehensive list of parl<ing rules:
Michael Shepard http:// www. sterlingcodifiers .com /codebook /index.phP ?book id =6681
Peyton Fleming
School Resource Officer Pot hole Season (Motorist Assist) Saturday 1954 hours
Jennifer Fordham Officer Todd Rosse received two calls in a very short time frame about a
Investigations tire - eating pothole on Dodd Road. Assisted the owners of car with a flat
Mario Reyes tire who were changing it on the side of the road. MNDOT was notified
Chad Willson as Dodd Road is a state highway. Pot holes on city streets can be
Sergeants reported on line at:
Neil Garlock http: / /www.mendota- heights.com/ index. asp ?Type= SUPERFORMS &SEC =f 57F53368-
Brian Convery 2973- 4577- B3E3- OB148824FE5A}
Eric Petersen
Reserves Assault Sunday 0512 hours
Randy Pentel A woman called to report that she was assaulted by her cousins a while
Jarrod Spicer
JirnKnox ago, no idea where they are currently. Before Officer Jeff VonFeldt
Jeff Parker received the call, the caller reported the crime to St. Paul PD who advised
George Castillo
the location where it was being reported was in the city of West St. Paul.
Chaplains The caller eventually decided the assault happened near Somerset
Frances Cuenca
JoelDcdcfsen Elementary School and Officer VonFeldt arrived on scene.
Lynn Liberman
Butch Millett Suspicious Activity Monday 1529 hours
Sue Plucker
John Snider Officer John Larrive was dispatched to a residence where a 15 YOA was
David Wick locl<ed in the bathroom. The call was being relayed by dad who was not
Chief home but was speal<ing with his daughter who was hearing noises. After
Mike Aschenbrener some doings it was learned that mom was home from worl< and was
3/29/13
taking a shower. Clear nothing bad going on.
Civil Assist Monday 1536 hours
Caller wanted advice on what to do about a contractor who had taken their money and never
showed up to do the work. Officer John Larrive explained the process to deal with the problem.
Coyotes Monday 1505 hours
Caller wanted to report a large coyote wandering around in the yard. Officer Larrive was
informed the animal was last observed heading to the park.
The MN DNR receives many complaints about wild animals in the metro area. One that they
regularly deal with is the resurgence in the coyote population. The City of Mendota Heights
does not deal with or have a contract to handle wild animal complaints. To find out more about
coyotes in the metro follow this link:
http:/ /www.dnr.state.mn.us /livingwith wildlife /coyotes /index.html
Burglary Tuesday 1822 hours
Sgt Brian Convery responded to the report of a forced entry daytime burglary. A few items
were missing. The homeowners were gone for the day and returned to find the front door
damaged. A canvas of the neighborhood located a suspicious person from earlier in the day. Lf
you have a person or persons who makes contact with you at home and they don't have a fitting
reason to be there: CALL 911. We would rather come early and ask some questions, identify the
Potential thief (thieves) and make them look elsewhere for stuff to steal. NEIGHBORHOOD
WATCH AT ITS BEST! There is n0 reason t0 be afraid, call and ask. If we are all busy we will tell
you and still show up when we can. Investigator Chad Willson was assigned to follow up.
Driving on Trail Tuesday 1829 hours
Caller reported a taxi driving on the bike path at a high rate of speed. Officer Urmann was out
of position; the cab was GOA when she arrived.
Assa u It Wednesday 0227 hours
Officer Tanner Spicer responded to a local gas station about a bloody man passed out on the
floor. He arrived to find an intoxicated younger man with blood on his face and jacket on the
floor. The man's story made little sense other than he knew the guys who jumped him as they
graduated from high school together. Officer Spicer called for assistance and a camera. After
briefing his partners, he went to the bar, spoke with the manager who advised they were aware
of the situation, cleaned the man up and called a cab for him. He was asked to see if the video
could be made available. The man was transported to the hospital and advised an investigator
would follow up with him. Officer Spicer then returned to MHPD where he attempted to locate
suspect information based on what he had gathered from the victim.
Suspicious Thursday 0602 hours
Officer Denise Urmann responded to a local service station where three young males were
attempting to use a stolen credit card. The young men were attempting to use cards with a
woman's name on them. When the employee refused to allow them to use the cards, the three
ran out, jumped in a white Chevy Monte Carlo and backed straight out of the lot so as to
prevent the employee from getting a license number off the car. Unable to locate the suspects.
es
40 DAKOTA COUNTY SHERIFF
9aE�F�s
--� The Front Row
:4 front row seat to theqr eatest show on Farth&0*11
Volume 8, Week 43 Dave Bellows, Sheriff
March 18, through Tim Leslie, Chief Deputy
March 24, 2013
Featuring Sheriff's
Volunteer Units and
Information
Technology Support
Staff:
Information
Technology 11mmor
Dan Anderson
Lisa Blount
Chance Munger
Spegmal De uties
Juan Balli
Louis Henderson
Anthony Pojman
Randal Smith
Dave Stanek
Special Deputies
Sheriff's Office
Sergeant Booker
Hodges
Mounted Patrol
Bonnie Brauninger
Tim Burns
J. B. Dudley
Mike Dudley
Ron Hart
Ann LaBelle
Wendy Pressnall
Kourtney Rose
Cathy Snyder
We Got Game..,,
One of the busiest places in the jail is
the gym. Inmates get the opportunity Turn Key
to burn off some energy playing a
variety of games. The most common''
sport is basketball and this past week a
new set of backboards were i nsta I led
thanks to Turn Key Corrections. The
new equipment replaced backboards .
that were over 25 years old. Thanks to
TurnKey for their generous donation.
Exploring Their Future..,,
_ The DCSO has long been a supporter of
• Explorer Post 9523, which was formed
-- under the Boy Scouts of America. These
are young people interested in pursuing a
career in law enforcement. Our Explorer
Post consistently is awarded both unit and individual honors for their work and this
year was no exception. For the sixth consecutive year, the post was recognized for
Exploring Excellence. Our post, along with several others, received the 2013
Marketing Award for a video they produced in 2012. Individual honors went to
Jordan Moses for New Explorer of the Year, and Joseph Glerum for the National
Youth Membership award. Leading these young individuals are the Explorer Advisors,
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Back row (left to right)
- Explorers Adeline
Kolinski, Jacob Noll,
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Brett Johnson Nick
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Cross, and Grace
Vincent
Front row (left to
k
righ t)
Explorers Jordan Moses,
Travis Folden, Joseph
Glerum, and Ryan
Nelson
es�40 � DAKOTA COUNTY SHERIFF
9aULUF °s The Front Row
fF frottt row seat to theqreatest slow ow Earth..,,"'
Dave Bellows, Sheriff
Volume 8, Week 43
March 18, through Tim Leslie, Chief Deputy
March 24, 2013
Mounted Patrol
Sheriff's Office
Liaisons:
Sergeant Booker
Hodges
Deputy Sean Qualy
Explorer Post 523
Sheriff's Office
Liaisons /Advisors:
Deputy Tim Fletcher
Correctional Deputy
Kent Themmes
Detective Dawanna Witt
Chaplains
Jim Bzoskie
Vern Hildebrandt
Clayton McDougall
Eddie Nestingen
Cory Voll
Don Voll
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
Explorers Moses and Glerum
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D e t e c t i v e
Dawanna Witt,
Deputy Tim
F l e t c h e r,
Sergeant Jim
Iliff, and
Correctional
Deputy Kent
T h e m m e s.
Dawanna, Tim, Jim,
and Kent commit
many hours to the
success of this post.
The Waiting
Game..,,
The jail population remained .jail House Artist
low, with a total of 222 inmates
in custody per day. This represented a slight decrease from last week's total of 229
per day.
Our Condolences...
Go to Deputy Ryan Brown on the passing of his grandmother, Carol Neafus, age
76, of West St. Paul, this past week.
Click here to subscribe to this newsletter electronically. Page 2
Sergeant Pat
Enderlein noticed
a suspicious car at
a gas station. It soon became evident the driver was not planning on leaving until
Pat cleared the area. After calling
for assistance, Deputy Mike Vikesland responded
to the area and set up while Sergeant Enderlein left. A short time later the driver,
thinking he was in the clear (big
mistake), drove out of the gas station only to be
stopped with expired plates
.
soon thereafter. As they
approached the car, a
passenger was seen hiding
XA something " under the seat.
_
Jr,
Identifying all the occupants,
the driver was found to be
Al
suspended and two passengers
_l
had active warrants for their
- -
arrest. A search of the car
revealed a bevy of drugs,
- 4
%L t
including methamphetamine
and Xanax, along with
paraphernalia and burglary ,
tools. Nice work, Pat and Mike.
Behind the Bars...
The jail population remained .jail House Artist
low, with a total of 222 inmates
in custody per day. This represented a slight decrease from last week's total of 229
per day.
Our Condolences...
Go to Deputy Ryan Brown on the passing of his grandmother, Carol Neafus, age
76, of West St. Paul, this past week.
Click here to subscribe to this newsletter electronically. Page 2