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2003-02-14 Friday News The Friday News February 14, 2003 End of an Era After 32 years of service to the citizens of Mendota Heights, Mendota, Lilydale and Sunfish Lake, Tom Weinzettel has announced his retirement effective February 19th. This will mark the first time in the 55-year history of the department that a Weinzettel will not be serving the community. Tom's grandfather Jacob served 23 years (14 years as the Department’s first Assistant Fire Chief and 9 years as its second Fire Chief). Tom's father Rich served 31 years (including 5 years as a Captain and 9 years as Assistant Fire Chief). His uncle Bob served 30 years and uncle Jack 3 years. Tom's service, that included 3 years as a Captain, brings a 119 years of Service total years of service by the Weinzettel family to . Tom will be missed greatly in the Department and particularly by Squad III. Finalists for Met Council seats narrowed by half The Metropolitan Council Nominating Committee has given Gov. Tim Pawlenty two to three finalists from each Council district for his consideration. The governor is expected to name the new Council later in February. The committee held the last of its four public hearings January 29 to hear from 87 semifinalists for the 17-seat board. There were more than 350 applications for the Council - nearly double the 193 applications filed for the Council's 16 open seats in 1999.Starting February 10, metro area legislators have an opportunity to submit comments to the governor on the finalists. The finalists selected by the committee are not binding. Gov. Pawlenty can select whomever he feels will best serve his or her respective district, the Council and his administration. Appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. Council members each represent a geographically defined Council district, serve at the pleasure of the governor and receive an annual salary of $20,000. Council members must be knowledgeable about urban and metropolitan affairs, according to state law. The finalists for District 15 (Mendota Heights) are Tom Egan and Roy Wallace. Resolution Honoring Larry Shaughnessy On Tuesday night, the Mayor and City Council will present a resolution honoring Larry Shaughnessy to his st wife Mary Shaughnessy. As you know, City Treasurer Larry Shaughnessy passed away on February 1. He was appointed as the City Treasurer in 1979, but served as the City’s financial advisor since 1963. Senator Metzen and Representative Pugh On Wednesday night, Senator Metzen and Representative Pugh met with the Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission. They discussed airport issues related to Mendota Heights and offered to assist the City and the Commission in any way they could. They also offered to monitor any airport legislation that may affect the residents of Mendota Heights. City Council and Airport Relations Commission Meet In December, Airport Relations Commission Chair Scott Beaty called a special meeting of the ARC Commission to hear a presentation by the Rogers Lake East Neighborhood group. Mr. Heide’s presentation suggested that the MAC might have provided the FAA with incorrect DNL contour maps. If this is the case, thousands of homes in Minneapolis and Mendota Heights that should have been eligible for Part 150 sound attenuation were never attenuated. Following this meeting, the ARC Commission recommended to the City Council that the City write a letter in support of the Rogers Lake East neighborhood asking the MAC to conduct an investigation of evidence they presented. The ARC Commission also requested that the City Council meet in joint session with the ARC for the purpose of reviewing the information presented by Mr. th Heide that supports the request for the City’s letter of support. On Wednesday, February 12, Mayor John Huber and Council member Sandra Krebsbach met with the ARC Commission to hear the presentation by the Rogers Lake East Neighborhood. Following the presentation, the ARC Commission again requested that the City Council send a letter to the Metropolitan Airports Commission requesting an investigation of the evidence presented by the Rogers Lake East Neighborhood group. The members of the ARC Commission stressed that they are not asking the Council to weigh in on or judge the validity of the evidence, but merely asking the Council to request that MAC investigate the matter. On Tuesday night, the City Council will be considering a draft letter of support of the Rogers Lake East Neighborhood which requests that MAC conduct an investigation of the matter. Cygnet Lane At the last City Council meeting, the Council selected Cygnet Lane (baby swan) as the replacement name for Swan Drive between Wagon Wheel Trail and Cheri Lane. Jim Danielson notified all of the adjoining neighbors of the Council’s decision and requested comments. To date, we have not received any comments. On Tuesday, the City Council will consider finalizing the street name by passing a motion to adopt the name change by Ordinance. Property Maintenance Ordinance At the last City Council meeting, Council member Ultan Duggan passed out a letter from a resident complaining about the condition of some of the properties in Mendota Heights. Council member Duggan suggested that perhaps this topic could be placed on a future Council agenda. Last summer, staff brought a property maintenance ordinance to the City Council for consideration. Information about the new proposed regulations was also published in the July Heights Highlites, and posted on the City’s website. Residents were invited to call or send comments via email, phone or letters. Several residents commented on the proposed regulations. The Council discussed the ordinance on several occasions, however no decision was made. Many communities include regulations on property maintenance in their city codes. Since the Mendota Heights code does not now address this issue, and we continue to be contacted by residents concerning these issues, staff felt it was appropriate to bring this back for Council consideration. If the Council is interested in implementing some regulations regarding property maintenance, staff is recommending that the City Council send the ordinance language to the Planning Commission to receive their feedback and opinions on the language. Potential new firefighters On Tuesday Fire Chief John Maczko and his officers provided two orientation sessions for prospective new firefighters. The Department is in the process of developing a list to fill vacancies expected in the next year or so. To date, 8 people have turned in applications and 7 of them were able to attend one of the sessions. The quality and quantity of people who have shown interest so far is very promising. President’s Day th On Monday, February 17, City Hall will be closed in recognition of the President’s Day holiday. Final Thought “Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself” – Saint Francis de Sales Respectfully Submitted, Cari Lindberg Administrator Attachments: Pipeline, Pre-application meeting synopsis, City Council agenda, Sun Current articles “Evening to honor former MH Mayor was success,” AMM News, LMC Friday Fax.