2014-05-02 Friday News
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N E W S The Pipeline
L E T T E R
Public Works
Engineering
May 2, 2014
Code Enforcement
Public Works
The Parks Crew assisted the mechanic with repairs at the Fire Department
and with the dump truck. The paint mixing machine was assembled. Tree
branches were picked up from the wind storm. Trucks were washed and
waxed. Shrubs were trimmed at Victoria Highland Park and the Public
Works facility. Leaves were cleaned out along the fence lines at Mendakota
Park and then mulched.
The Streets Crew cleaned out culverts. They used sand bags to divert water
into the culvert along Willow Lane to prevent further washouts. Plow trucks
308 and 312 were taken apart. They helped the mechanic work on truck
303. Trees branches were picked up from the recent high winds.
Utility crew completed daily lift station checks, and inspected a sewer lines
on Wachtler Avenue and Dodd Road. Applied mosquito control briquettes to
sump manholes, and jet cleaned several backed up storm sewers with street
crew. Assisted parks crew repairing netting for batting cages.
Engineering
City Projects (construction year)
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.
Highway 13 Trail Connection (2014) Construction is anticipated to begin in
May. A water main will need to be lowered in conjunction with this project.
Staff is coordinating this issue between Saint Paul Regional Water Service
and the trail contractor to work the repair in to the schedule.
Victoria Road Reconstruction & Rolling Green Neighborhood Rehabilitation
(2014/2015) The first (2014) phase of the project will reconstruct Victoria
from Lilydale to Marie Avenue and rehabilitate the Stratford/Walsh/ Rolling
Green neighborhood. The Lilydale portion of Victoria from Caren Road to
Highway 13 is included in the 2014 construction phase, and staff is drafting
a Joint Powers Agreement with Lilydale for this work. The remainder of
Victoria was put off to a future date, but it is anticipated for construction in
2015. A request to authorize advertisement of the project will be before City
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Council at their May 6 meeting.
Wentworth Avenue & Pilot Knob Road Trail Rehabilitation Projects (2014)
The trails on Wentworth (Wachtler to Dodd) and Pilot Knob Road (Mendota
Heights Road to Highway 13) are scheduled for rehabilitation this summer.
Projects will reclaim the existing pavement and install ADA compliant ramps
and a new paved surface along each trail. Dakota County is participating in
cost sharing since these trails are in County right-of-way. The project will
be bid with the Victoria Road/Rolling Green Neighborhood project, and
construction is expected to begin in July.
County Projects
Delaware Avenue Resurfacing (2014) Dakota County is planning on
resurfacing Delaware Avenue from Highway 110 south to I-494. This
project will not widen or alter the lane alignment of Delaware, but will
provide a new asphalt driving surface and new striping. A pre-construction
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meeting was held on April 30. The 2-3 week construction project is
expected to begin in late July.
Lexington Crosswalk at Victoria (2014) The median and crosswalk are
scheduled for installation this summer. This project will install a center
median in Lexington on the north side of the Victoria intersection and
provide for a crosswalk to connect the trails on the east and west of
Lexington. The left turn lane from southbound Lexington to eastbound
Victoria will be removed as part of this project. Construction is expected to
begin in July.
State Projects
State Published Construction Schedule (2014) The State Department of
Transportation (MnDOT) has published their construction project list for
2014. The online list of projects with contacts, schedules, and updated
information can be accessed at the State project web page at:
http://www.dot.state.mn.us/roadwork/current.html#four.
Highway 110 & Lexington Avenue Signal Replacement (2014) Construction
is underway. The existing signal will be replaced with a new LED signal with
flashing yellow arrow for the Lexington left turn lanes. Also included in the
project are new ADA compliant pedestrian ramps and signals, and new
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crosswalk striping. The contractor has until May 20 to complete the
project.
I 35E & Marie Avenue Drainage and Erosion Control Improvements (2014)
Storm Water Runoff at the northeast corner of I-35E and Marie Avenue has
caused erosion that has exposed utility pipes and conduits. Since a portion
of the runoff comes from the Interstate right-of-way, MnDOT has taken the
lead in designing a solution. MnDOT has asked that the City administer the
construction contract for the improvement. The project will be advertised
for bid as soon as final plans are received from MnDOT.
Highway 13 Reconstruction (2015) The section of Highway 13 that was
not rehabilitated in 2012 is scheduled for reconstruction in 2015. This
section is from I-35E south and west to 2nd Street in Mendota. This section
will receive a widened shoulder, curb, gutter, and storm sewer to help
alleviate drainage and erosion problems in Lilydale. Mendota Heights and
Lilydale are both contributing a portion of the funds for the storm drainage
system to help alleviate bluff erosion outside of the MnDOT Right-of-Way.
Highway 149 (Dodd Road) Resurfacing (2017) Dodd Road is scheduled to
be resurfaced from Highway 55 in Eagan to Annapolis Street in 2017. There
are no plans to widen the State Highway, but some alterations for drainage
and public safety are possible. Originally scheduled for 2015, the project
was delayed to coincide with the Highway 110 rehabilitation project. Dodd
Road will receive another sealcoat (chip seal) in 2014.
Highway 110 Resurfacing (2017) Preliminary project scoping has begun.
This project will not reconstruct or alter the alignment of the state highway,
but modifications to access points, traffic signals, shoulders, drainage, and
pedestrian facilities are likely. The project is scheduled to take place
between the I-35E bridge and the I-494/Highway 52 interchange.
Other Activities
Municipal State Aid (MSA) Traffic Counts Every four years, the City is
required to provide MnDOT with traffic volumes for our MSA designated
streets. The city is counting traffic on these streets this week and next
week. The traffic counters are small tubes running across the street that
count the number of times vehicles pass over them. Once the counting is
complete, a report will be sent to MnDOT.
New City Project Engineer Please welcome Almin Ramic to the Mendota
Heights City Staff as our newest Project Engineer. Almin is a graduate of
the University of Minnesota, and previously worked for MnDOT in their
graduate engineer program.
2, 2014
MAY
The latest from the Mendota Heights Police Department
SUPPORTSTAFF
Haveyoueverbeenpulledoverinanareabyapoliceoficerfromanotheragencyand
wonderedhowtheycoulddothat?
POLICEOFFICERS
FromApril1120th,550driverswerecitedfortextingwhiledrivingduringa
10daydistracteddrivingcampaign.
Steven
1,394citationsfornotwearingseatbelts
25citationsfornotusingchildrestraints
417actions(378citationsand39arrests)takenagainstdrivingafterrevocation,driving
SCHOOLRESOURCE
aftersuspension,ordrivingaftercancellation
OFFICER
15DWIarrests
INVESTIGATIONS
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Theft Tuesday 0011 hours
Officer Steve Meyer was dispatched to a home in reference to a theft of an iPad. In speaking with the
homeowners, they mentioned they hosted an Easter family gathering and after all of the guests left, their
daughters iPad owned by her school was missing. The homeowners believed that a family member who was
sitting in close proximity to the iPad at Easter stole it and pawned it. Upon further investigation, it could
not be determined that the family member stole the iPad. Case inactive.
Burglary Wednesday 1454 hours
Officer Scott Patrick along with Officer Michael Shepard were dispatched to a home on a burglary report.
Upon arrival, they noticed that the rear deck patio door was open and the homeowner was sure that it was
locked as well as a security bar put in place. The homeowners noticed that two laptops, an Xbox, iPods and
loose change were all stolen. Under investigation.
Fraud Thursday 1120 hours
Officer Scott Patrick met with a complainant in the PD lobby regarding fraudulent activity on her checking
account. The woman was notified by her banking institution that a $790.24 check was passed at a Walmart
resulting in her account to be overdrawn. The check number on the check was too high to be in
conjunction with the complainantÓs checks. Under investigation.
Attempted Burglary/Drugs Thursday 1905 hours
Officer Todd Rosse was notified by dispatch that an attempted forced entry burglary had just occurred and
the suspect had fled the home. Upon arrival, Rosse was notified that Officer Michael Shepard and Sergeant
Eric Petersen had found the suspect. Rosse met with the homeowners and learned that the suspect, their
grandson, was attempting to break into the home that the grandparents lease to their other grandkids. They
stated that the suspect has lived there on and off and had been troublesome and was told several times to not
come back. In looking for damage to the home, the interior porch door had extensive damage. Shepard
and Petersen found several pill on the suspect and he was arrested for burglary and drug charges.
Burglary Friday 1532 hours
Officer Bobby Lambert along with Officer Todd Rosse responded to a home on an after the fact burglary
report. When the homeowner returned home from work, she found her front door damaged and forced
open. Two televisions were reported missing. No suspect information at this time.
DWI Friday 2243 hours
While on a DUI saturation in South St Paul, Officer Denise Urmann ran the plates of the vehicle in front of
her and the registered owner came back as suspended. Urmann initiated the stop and when making contact
with the lone male driver, she could smell a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from the vehicle.
Due to that and, red blood shot eyes and slurred speech, she began administering SFSTÓs. The male failed,
was arrested and was transported to Mendota Heights Police Department, a familiar spot since he had been
arrested by us last year for DWI. He was then transported to Dakota County Jail.
Damage to Property Sunday 0148 hours
Officers Tanner Spicer and Todd Rosse were approached by a complainant who stated his car had just been
hit by paintballs by a passenger in a green Jeep Liberty somewhere on Dodd Road. Complainant said he
chased the suspects for 25 minutes before reporting it. A windshield crack was incurred from this incident
and after a 25 minute chase, the only additional descriptive detail obtained was the Jeep had a smiley face on
the spare tire cover. Case inactive.
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Suspicious Person/Drugs Sunday 1501 hours
Officers Bobby Lambert and John Larrive were called to an area on a report of two suspicious males who were
reportedly walking in the area of Riverside Lane and Hwy. 13. One of the suspicious males was waiting in the
area for a ride due to the fact that he had hurt his ankle while moving furniture for someone who hired him in
the area. The other suspicious male was helping him with the move. Officer Lambert offered a ride to the
injured individual and before placing him in his squad asked him if he had any weapons on his person. He
stated he did not but he did have a pot pipe. Officer Lambert located the pot pipe in the front pants pocket.
Officer Lambert also located one small baggie that looked and smelled like marijuana and another baggie which
looked to contain methamphetamine. The male was then transported to MHPD on PC drug charges and
eventually released pending formal charges for Felony 5th Degree Controlled Substance Possession.
Theft Sunday 1724 hours
Officer Todd Rosse took a report on a theft . The reporting party stated that several pieces of inexpensive
costume jewelry had been taken from her second floor bathroom. No forced entry was noted anywhere around
the residence. The victim stated the last time she saw the jewelry was at 0600 hours Sunday morning. This
incident is currently under investigation.
Damage to Property Tuesday 0057 hours
Officer Jeff VonFeldt and assisting Officer Peyton Fleming were dispatched to the area of 1300 3rd Street in
Mendota on report of two males walking down the street and one of the males was carrying a pipe in his hand.
While Officer VonFeldt was attempting to locate the males he received a call from Dispatch that two vehicles in
the area reported damage. One vehicle had its back window smashed out and another vehicle had damage to its
passenger side window. The homeowner pointed out a broken golf club which was laying next to the vehicles
and stated the golf club was not his. The two suspicious males were located and questioned about the property
damage to which one of the males eventually admitted to their involvement. Both males were arrested and later
released from jail and issued citations by Officer Todd Rosse for misdemeanor damage to property.
DAC-IPS Wednesday 1522 hours
A local resident, well-known to our department, came in to MHPD to update some information. His driving
status was known, and when asked how he got here, he informed Investigator Willson that his girlfriend drove
him. Meanwhile, Officer Larrive was trying to check his driving status, but before he could complete the process
the subject headed upstairs toward the upper level parking lot Officer Larrive left the office and headed out to
check the situation and observed the subject, now suspect, get into the vehicle, into the driverÓs seat. Officer
Larrive stopped him, told him why he had approached him, and asked about his driving status. The suspect
stated he had not driven in and that the passengerÓs daughter had driven the car to the lot. However, when
confronted with proof, the suspect admitted to driving. Just then, dispatch aired a medical in the lower level lot
and it was the suspectÓs lucky day. He informed him he would be released and receive his charges via mail. The
suspect was also told him he needed a licensed driver to move the car. Later, after clearing the medical, he
learned the suspect was indeed Cancelled-Inimical to Public Safety (DAC-IPS) so the charge is now a gross
misdemeanor and automatic plate impoundment. The vehicle was still there, so the plates were removed.
Officer cleared.
DACÏIPS #2 Thursday 1527 hours
Sergeant Eric Petersen watched a vehicle speed by him and soon stopped the car. The driver was only able to
provide an ID card and he soon learned she was DAC-IPS. She was placed under arrest, the plates were im-
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CallsforService942631
Citations7600
Warnings10342
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PoliceReports16306
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ResponseTimeAverage5.685.78
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