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2014-05-16 Friday News -- - - - The Pipeline N E W S L E T T E R Public Works Engineering May 16, 2014 Code Enforcement Public Works A daring rescue took place at South Lane and the Highway 110 Frontage Road. Some poor little ducklings fell into the storm drain and were separated from mom. Two Public Works employees jumped in the storm drain and had the ducklings out in 15 minutes to reunite with mom. The Parks Crew did their daily trash pickup. The ball fields were dragged and the grass cut. The soccer and ball fields were striped. Crab grass preventative was applied at Mendakota Park, City Hall, Fire Hall and Victoria Highlands Park. The sprayer was hooked to the Kubota. The Utility Crew checked the lift stations daily. He helped the Street Crew with blacktopping. Spraying of broadleaf weeds was done at Public Works, Mendakota Park, the Fire Hall and Kensington Park. He helped rescue the ducklings at South Lane and Highway 110 Frontage Road. The Streets Crew blacktopped Mendota Heights Road and the Highway 110 Frontage Road. A damaged mailbox was replaced. The trucks were prepared for street sweeping. 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 watermain 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 into 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 Joint Powers th Agreement (JPA) was approved by the Lilydale City Council at their May 12 meeting. The same JPA will be before the Mendota Heights City Council for approval at their May 20 th 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; 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 meeting was held on April 30th. 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 a flashing yellow arrow for the Lexington left turn lanes. Also included in the project are new ADA compliant pedestrian ramps and signals, and new crosswalk striping. The contractor has until May 20th to complete the project. Other Activities Lower Mississippi River Watershed Management Organization (LMRWMO) Staff attended the monthly meeting of the LMRWMO on Wednesday. Discussed were the Watershed Management Plan and Joint Powers Agreement amendments required to incorporate that portion of Mendota Heights formerly part of the Gun Club Lake WMO into the LMRWMO. Action on both of these items is anticipated this summer. Minnesota 2050 Staff participated in a meeting with Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman on Thursday to discuss his role as President of the National League of Cities and how he may be able to assist the MN2050 organization and mission. MN2050 is an organization made up of engineering and education professionals whose mission is to promote the importance of our infrastructure and to provide guidance for the development of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education. 16, 2014 MAY The latest from the Mendota Heights Police Department SUPPORTSTAFF Cellphones,thenewsenseofsecurity.Orarethey? POLICEOFFICERS Steven SCHOOLRESOURCE OFFICER INVESTIGATIONS FindMe911Coalition SERGEANTS RESERVES FederalCommunicationsCommission(FCC) CHAPLAINS BICYCLE SAFETY Spring is here and it is time for residents to get out and enjoy the warmer weather. Bicycling is one of the many activities people enjoy, and as a parent, I need to stress the importance of child safety and wearing a bicycle helmet. The number of head injuries suffered by children not wearing helmets is on the rise. I have personally noticed a number of parents out riding bicycles with their children and not CHIEF wearing a helmet. The child is wearing a helmet, which I am sure the parent insisted they wear, yet my question for the parent is: “Why not lead by example?” Parents can fall just as easily as a child and suffer a head injury. Many states, including Minnesota, do not require a helmet to be worn when riding a bicycle, but parents should take Њ the responsibility for not only their children’s safety but also their own and wear a helmet. LEAD BY EXAMPLE, WEAR A HELMET. MayΐΐȡΐΖǾ2014 MHPDO : WeÔve set a $500 fund-raising goal to benefit the organizations below. Please help us achieve it by making a tax-deductible contribution. Make checks payable to: Minnesota Law Enforcement National Law Enforcement Memorial Association OfficersÔ Memorial Fund L.E.M.A. Division of Development 4335 Pheasant Ridge Dr. NE 901 E Street NW, Suite 100 Suite #224-105 Washington, DC 20004-2025 Blaine, MN 55449 Click HERE for Website Click HERE for Website Ћ Lost Property Wednesday 1435 hours Officer Bobby Lambert spoke with a male via telephone in regard to his lost keys. The male stated he was at Subway and set his keys on the counter while checking out. When he got into his vehicle to leave, he noticed he did not have them. He went back into the store but could not locate them. When asked, a Subway employee stated he saw a Caucasian man standing behind him grab the keys, put them into his pocket and then leave. The employee thought the keys belonged to the man who grabbed the keys and thought nothing of it. No video sur- veillance the man was advised, case inactive. Traffic Stop/Drugs Thursday 0917 hours While on routine patrol, Officer John Larrive observed a suspicious driver who appeared very curious and keeping a watchful eye on his squad car. Larrive followed the vehicle who was randomly driving around and then turned without signaling. Larrive stopped the vehicle and when he came in contact with the driver, he could smell burnt marijuana. When he stopped the car, he asked the driver if there was any marijuana in the vehicle, the driver stated, ÐNo.Ñ When asked if there was any drug paraphernalia in the vehicle, he said, ÐYes.Ñ The driver then pulled out two glass pipes and a black grinder which Ðwere not his, a friend used his truck and left them in it.Ñ In searching the vehicle, more drug items were found, as well as a handy notebook with tips on growing, selling and ordering marijuana, not to mention a 10-step marijuana bible. The driver was issued a citation. Theft Thursday 0706 hours Officer Tanner Spicer along with Sergeant Neil Garlock were dispatched to a home on a report of two suspicious males who had been looking in vehicle windows and trying to open doors. It turned out that three unlocked vehicles had been entered and one of them had a missing GPS system. No suspect information. Attempted Burglary Thursday 1104 hours Officer Bobby Lambert along with Officer John Larrive responded to a home on a residential alarm call. Upon arrival, they found an unsecured deck door with no signs of forced entry; however, in looking further, the west side doors indoor and outdoor glass had been broken. The deadbolt was still intact and fresh footprints were outside the home. There were two additional suspicious person calls where a male had been knocking on doors and trying to open them. In these cases, a suspect and vehicle description were obtained in hopes the cases are linked together. Under investigation. Theft Friday 1828 hours Officer Todd Rosse met with a complainant who stated her son had his cell phone and cash stolen from his school locker. The juvenile was at track practice while his locked gym locker had been broken into and cash and an iPhone that were in his pants pocket were stolen. The iPhone has been deactivated and the case has been forwarded onto the School Resource Officer for follow-up. Traffic Stop/DAR/Revoked Plates Saturday 1824 hours While on routine patrol, Officer Peyton Fleming ran a routine license plate check at a stop light and it showed the registered owner as revoked and the license plates flagged as impounded for alcohol. Fleming stopped the vehicle, confirmed that the driver was the registered owner and informed him of why he had stopped him. The driver claimed no knowledge of either allegation. The vehicle plates were removed, vehicle towed and the driver was cited for DAR and Displaying Revoked Plates. Ќ Theft of Gas Saturday 2010 hours Officer Peyton Fleming responded to a local gas station on a gas drive-off report. In speaking with the employee, he was able to give a vehicle description and a vague suspect description. The license plate given did match that of the suspect vehicle. A suspect name was recovered but with negative results in making contact with the party. Case pending video follow-up. Under 21 Consumption Saturday 2357 hours While on routine patrol, Officer Tanner Spicer observed a vehicle with a headlight out. Spicer stopped the vehicle and detected an odor of alcoholic beverage. Spicer then asked the driver who had been drinkingÏthe rear seat passenger spoke up and said that it was a friend whom they had just given a ride home to. He then asked the rear seat passenger why she wasn't driving; she stated she didn't feel good. Spicer then administered PBT tests to all occu- pants and the rear seat passenger (owner of the car) showed a positive PBT result. She said she lied because she was scared; unfortunately, she lied her way into a citation. AOA/DWI Sunday 0037 hours Officer Tanner Spicer along with Officers Fleming and Urmann were dispatched to assist State Patrol on a call where a vehicle was parked in a parking lot and the passenger was passed out while the driver was attempting to pull him out of the vehicle. Officers arrived at the scene to find a male passed out in the car and the other male in the driverÓs seat with headlights on and the vehicle running. The driver had a strong odor of alcoholic beverage coming from his person and was very unsteady on his feet. The driver had bloody fists and the passed out passenger had abrasions to his face. State Patrol took over and arrested the man for DWI. Theft of Gas Monday 1029 hours Sergeant Neil Garlock responded to a local gas station in reference to a gas drive-off. In speaking with the employee, he mentioned the suspect pumped $100 worth of gas and then left. He was able to get suspect and vehicle descriptions. Video surveillance was captured and a letter was sent to the registered owner. Under investigation. Mail Theft #1 Monday 1000 hours Officer Peyton Fleming was contacted by Eagan PD regarding recovered mail. The mail that was turned over was a MotherÓs Day card with a local return address. Fleming met with the homeowner to notify her of the mail theft and she stated that the MotherÓs Day card contained two $25 gift cards. No sufficient suspect info. Mail Theft #2 Monday 1639 hours Officer Peyton Fleming was dispatched to a home on a report of mail theft report. En route to the home, Fleming received a message from an Eagan PD Officer requesting to meet regarding mail that had been recovered in Eagan. The homeowner stated she had put two items in the mailbox to be picked up by the mailman but did not put the red flag up. She went to check her mail and there was nothing in there. Moments later, she saw the mailman arrive leaving her to believe her mail had been stolen. Included with the stolen mail were two checks that were not recovered. She was advised to monitor her account for fraudulent activity. Mail Theft #3 Monday 1809 hours Officer Peyton Fleming was contacted by Eagan PD regarding mail that had been recovered. The mail that had been turned over were several financial statements. Fleming met with the victim to notify him of the theft. As of this date, there is no known loss. He was advised to have a fraud alert activated on his accounts. No sufficient suspect info. Ѝ ΏΔȝΏΘȡΏΔȝΐΔ2014YTD CallsforService1372,963 ŷĻaĻƓķƚƷğ Citations15668 IĻźŭŷƷƭt5ŷƚƭƷĻķğ ƭƦĻĭźğƌ..vĻǝĻƓƷƷƚ Warnings13378 ĭĻƌĻĬƩğƷĻbğƚƓğƌ tƚƌźĭĻ‘ĻĻƉƚƓ PoliceReports22357 ŷǒƩƭķğǤͲağǤЊЎƷŷ͵ ResponseTimeAverage5.295.73 ŷĻƩĻǞğƭğ Check out the MH Crime Map! Click below to search your neighborhood: ƌǒƓĭŷƒĻğƓķğ http://mendota.prophoenix.com/CS/CrimeMapping.aspx ƒƚƚƓƌźŭŷƷ..v ŷƚƓƚƩźƓŭƷŷĻƦƚƌźĭĻ ƚĭĻƩƭĬƚƷŷǞĻƩĻğ ķĻƌźĭźƚǒƭƭǒĭĭĻƭƭͧ From all of us here at the City of MH, THANK YOU IfyouareaMendotaHeightsresidentandyouaregoingoutoftownoron Officers for vacation protecting and serving our cities and putting your lives on the line each and every day! YOUAREALLTRULY APPRECIATED! CarSeatSafetyChecks Please send us your positive feedback on our staff to: pdrecords@ mendota-heights.com MedicationDisposalBox Your feedback is greatly appreciated and helps boost the morale of our staff. Ў