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2014-12-12 Friday News - - - - The Pipeline N E W S L E T T E R Public Works Engineering December 12, 2014 Code Enforcement Public Works The Parks Crew trimmed trees along the pedways. New cabinets were installed in the maintenance rooms at Mendakota Park and Kensington Park. Maintenance was done on the hockey rinks. The Utilities Crew checked the lift stations daily. Brush was chipped from the tree trimmings at the Northland lift station. Assisted the Parks Crew with tree trimming along the pedways. Grease was cleaned off the floats at the Lilydale lift station. The Streets Crew excavated a trench for the roof gutter drains at City Hall and took the excess Sign work was done on Mendota Heights Rod. They worked on welding plow shoes for truck 312. Engineering City Projects (construction year) Highway 13 Trail Connection (2014/2015) This project is buttoned up for the winter. Saint Paul Regional Water Service has completed the lowering of the water main, and cover has been established over the pipe. The reminder of the project will be completed in the spring. Victoria Road Reconstruction & Rolling Green Neighborhood Rehabilitation (2014/2015) The first phase of the project is complete. Design of the second phase (Marie to Lexington) is underway. A neighborhood meeting is anticipated in late January/early February to discuss site specific design requirements. Storm Drainage System Repairs (2014) Staff has submitted project data to the State for reimbursement. A decision on reimbursement is anticipated by February. County Projects Highway 110 Trail Underpass (2017) This project will construct an underpass (tunnel) under Highway 110 for the future construction of the Mendota-Lebanon Hills Greenway Trail. Dakota County has received a $1,000,000 grant from the Metropolitan Council for construction. County staff has issued a Request For Proposal (RFP) to consulting firms for design services. Proposals received will be reviewed in January. Dakota County is planning on presenting the project to City Council in February. State Projects 2015 State Project List The list of metro projects for 2015 has been released. Projects that will have an impact on Mendota Heights include: -A sealcoat will be applied to Dodd Road (Highway 149) from The Village south to Lake Drive. -Highway 110 between Highway 13 to I-35E will receive surface pavement rehabilitation (overlay). I-94 Weekend Closure Eastbound I-94 between I-35E and Mounds Boulevard will be closed this weekend from 10:00pm Friday (12/12) through 5:00am Monday (12/15). This closure is for work on the Highway 52 Bridge. Other Activities Future Cities Competition Staff met with Future Cities team members at urban and suburban agricultural services for city population. Although all ththth 6, 7, and 8 grade students are completing the program, only three teams can advance to the State competition, which is held on the University of Minnesota campus in January. Competing teams are constructing their scale models and developing their presentations for competition. Non- competing teams are completing the program with smaller scaled models and will present their cities within their classes. 2015 Sanitary Sewer Rate Increase Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (MCES) has provided the amount that they will charge to Mendota Heights for 2015. This fee is charged to municipal governments to treat sanitary sewage sent to the MCES treatment plants. The Mendota Heights fee increased 12.3% for 2015. Most of this increase can be attributed to the extremely wet spring we experienced; specifically, the number of sump pumps that discharge to the sanitary sewer system. As a result, the City needs to increase the amount billed to property owners. The City Council st approved a 5% rate increase that will take effect for the 1 quarter of 2015 (April billing cycle). The City is able to reconcile the differences in rate increases by postponing some capital improvement projects until future years. This rate increase remains consistent with increases from previous years. The City has successfully negotiated the elimination of the penalty th surcharge due to increased flow from the June 19 storm. River to River Greenway (R2RG) Master Plan Meeting Staff attended a meeting with Dakota County engineering staff and their consultant on Thursday to discuss progress on the development of the trail Master Plan. The R2RG was formerly known as the North Urban Regional Trail (NURT). The County is developing this Master Plan as a mechanism to scope and schedule improvement for the trail to become completely compliant with regional trail and greenway standards. City Planner, Nolan Wall, will th present a Master Plan update at the December 16 City Council Meeting. A Public Open House meeting is anticipated in early February. Lower Mississippi River Watershed Management Organization (LMRWMO) Staff attended the monthly meeting of the LMRWMO Board of Directors on Wednesday. The amendment to the Watershed Management Plan that adds in the portion of Mendota Heights formerly part of the Gun Club Lake WMO is nearing completion.Final approval should be received by February. The Joint Powers Agreement that governs the LMRWMO has also been amended to reflect the additional area. The drainage and erosion project in Cherokee Heights Regional Park was also discussed. 1 D 12, 2014 ECEMBER The latest from the Mendota Heights Police Department CHIEF We ŋ eld a lot of phone calls from concerned friends and family regardźƓŭ ƦĻƩƭƚƓƭ Ǟŷƚ ͻƭŷƚǒƌķ ƓƚƷ ĬĻ SERGEANT ķƩźǝźƓŭͧͼ LƒğŭźƓĻ ƭƚƒĻƚƓĻ ǞŷƚƭĻ ķƩiving ability is impaired, in control of a 4000 lb vehicle and the damage they can do to themselves, to others and to property. It can be scary for caring loved ones. POLICEOFFICERS Luckily, the state will evaluate atrisk drivers, based on the following criteria: Seizure or loss of consciousness. Stroke/arthriƭΓźƓğĬźƌźƷǤ Ʒƚ ghtly grip a steering wheel, reduced physical strength, inability to easily move foot from gas to brake pedal, inability to look over shoulder. Various forms of demenğΓƩĻķǒĭĻķ ğĬźƌźƷǤ Ʒƚ ƩĻğĭƷ ƨǒźĭƉƌǤ ğƓķ ķĻĭźƭźǝĻƌǤ Ʒƚ ƷƩğc condions and confusion. Steven {ĻǝĻƩĻ ĻǤĻ ğźƌƒĻƓƷƭΓƌĻƭƭĻƓĻķ ğĬźƌźƷǤ to focus on an object and shi focus quickly, lessened ability to focus on ŋ ne details, reduced peripheral vision, poor night vision, sensivity to glare, weakened depth percepon. Medicaon side eects/drug interacon (including over the counter) drowsiness, blurred vision, dizziness, muscle relaxaon. IĻğƩźƓŭ ƌƚƭƭΓźƓğĬźƌźƷǤ Ʒƚ ŷĻğƩ ŷźŭŷpitched sounds, hearing loss that leads to inaenve driving, INVESTIGATIONS poorly maintained or incorrectly worn hearing aids. Catastrophic or chronic diseğƭĻͲ ƭǒĭŷ ğƭ tğƩƉźƓƭƚƓ͸ƭ͵ SCHOOLRESOURCE If you are concerned that a relave, friend, or acquaintance is an atrisk driver, you may request a OFFICER Driver Evaluaon through DVS. If you are a relave, your statement will remain con ŋ denal and your identy will not get revealed unless you are courtordered to do so. Your request must be in wring and include: SUPPORTSTAFF Full name and DOB of the atƩźƭƉ ķƩźǝĻƩͳ źƓĭƌǒķĻ ƷŷĻ źƓķźǝźķǒğƌ͸ƭ ķƩźǝĻƩ͸ƭ ƌźĭĻƓƭĻ ƓǒƒĬĻƩ źŅ źƷ źƭ available. Descripon of the condion and explain why you believe the person to be an atrisk driver. Your name, address and phone number. RESERVES {ĻƓķ ǤƚǒƩ ƩĻƨǒĻƭƷ Ʒƚʹ Driver and Vehicle Services An: Medical Unit 445 Minnesota Street, Suite 170 St. Paul, MN 551015170 CHAPLAINS DVS will schedule an appointment for the atrisk driver with a driver evaluator. The atrisk driver will receive a leer with the date and me of the appointment. If the driver fails to respond to the leer or keep the appointment, his or her driving privileges may be canceled. Aer the interview the evaluator may require the atrisk driver to submit a wrien statement by a phy ƭźĭźğƓ ğƓķ Ʀğƭƭ ğ ķƩźǝĻƩ͸ƭ ƌźĭĻƓƭĻ ƷĻƭƷ ΛƉƓƚǞƌĻķge and skills). If it is determined that the atrisk driver must surrender his or her ķƩźǝĻƩ͸ƭ ƌźĭĻƓƭĻͲ ƷŷĻ ğƷrisk driver is sll eligible for a MN photo iden ŋ caon card. For more informaon, ĭƌźĭƉ ŷĻƩĻ. 1 aźƓƓĻƭƚƷğ {ƷğƷǒƷĻƭͲ ƭĻĭƚƓƭ ЊАЊ͵ЉЍͳ ЊАЊ͵ЊЌͳ ЊАЊ͵ЊЍ 2 2 3 3 4 Drug Activity Friday 16:10 hours Officer Robin Nelson responded to a call at home in regards to someone leaving a money bag with marijuana inside on the homeownerÓs front steps. The homeowner did not know have any idea who would leave such a package at her home. Homeowner was advised to report any other suspicious activity. This case is currently under investigation. Theft Friday 14:23 hours Officers John Larrive, Bobby Lambert, and Sgt. Eric Petersen responded to a theft at a local bar. A heavy set man who had been sitting in the bar area stole money from an unlocked cash drawer. The bar owners saw the man run out of the building and were able to recover $35.00 in cash found along the sidewalk outside of the bar. This case is under investigation. Domestic Saturday 19:08 hours Officers Robin Nelson, Peyton Fleming and Nick Gorgos were dispatched to a home regarding a woman who had been locked out of her house by her father. Upon arriving at the home, officers were met by the daughter who stated her father had locked her out of the house and then drove away. The daughter mentioned that the previous night, her parents had took her car keys and house keys away from her during an argument and that just maybe her father did not see her return home when he drove away. A short time later, the father arrived home and officers spoke with him about the situation. He claimed his daughter was not allowed back in the home as he allowed her boyfriend to stay at their home due to his home issues and caught the two having sexual relations so took the keys away from her. The father eventually agreed to letting her stay but that her boyfriend was never allowed back, so she declined his offer and left the home. Ding Dong Disturbance Saturday 23:06 hours Officers Denise Urmann and Robin Nelson were called to an area by a park on ding dong ditch complaints. Two unoccupied vehicles were noticed parked at the park and an official stop sign was spotted in it with fresh snow as well as a rusty rifle next to it. The rifle was removed and a short time later, a group of juvenile males were walking toward the squad. One male admitted to driving the vehicle containing the stop sign and rifle. He stated that the stop sign was just laying there so he took it and the rifle was his fathers. He was very cooperative and apologetic. His parents were made aware of the situation and he was advised to go directly home. The rifle was returned by Urmann to his father. DWI Sunday 01:20 hours While on routine patrol, Officer Denise Urmann noticed a vehicle tailgating the vehicle in front of it and then quickly switched lanes to cut in front of the vehicle. Urmann initiated a traffic stop and came in contact with the driver. The driver provided a passport from El Salvador and stated he had got a DWI when he was 15 so did not have a license nor did he have proof of insurance. He admitted to having drinks, stating he was just trying to get home to his pregnant girlfriend because the baby was kicking. In checking the status of his DL, it came back as revoked. He was escorted out of the vehicle to conduct field sobriety tests in which he failed. The male was handcuffed and transported to Dakota County Jail. 4 5 DWI Sunday 03:35 hours Officer Tanner Spicer was dispatched to home on a one vehicle crash report. Upon arriving Spicer noticed a vehicle parked with the front end up against a snow plow and garage door with severe damage on all sides. Several people were standing around and Spicer asked if everyone was alright and if the driver was present. A male stepped forward and had a strong odor of alcoholic beverage coming from his breath along with red, watery eyes. In observing the scene, it was clear the vehicle crossed over the snowbank, hit a tree in one yard, then a fence, then onto a second tree finally hitting the snowplow and driving it though the overhead garage door. The driver was then given field sobriety tests which he failed, was arrested and transported to Dakota County Jail. Damage to Property Sunday 13:06 hours Officer Nick Gorgos responded to a local business on a past action damage to property report. Gorgos met with the complainant and a witness who observed a black SUV pull up extremely close to the complainants vehicle and open and close his door a few times making sure he left a mark. The complainant said she had been texting back and forth with her ex-boyfriend who said, Ðhave fun trying to fix your car.Ñ She said he is angry because they are not together anymore. She did not want any further action taken but mentioned she would look into getting an Order For Protection. Assault Sunday 14:18 hours Officer John Larrive took an after the fact assault report from a complainant who came into the PD. RP said he went to a manÓs home to talk about a truck he took from him when the suspect got upset and punched him two or three times in the face then threw him to the floor. When asked why he waited to report it until the next day, he said he just wanted to get away from the house. Larrive attempted to make contact with the suspect with no success. Case pending. Drunkeness Sunday 19:33 hours Officer Robin Nelson along with Officers Peyton Fleming and Nick Gorgos responded to a local bar in a report of a drunk belligerent guest. In meeting with the bartender, she stated that he was cut off from drinks, left, then came back in demanding drinks and calling profound names to her. Officers found the drunk male outside urinating by the patio. He was questioned by police at that time in which he could barely walk or talk and began to resist them. He was then placed in handcuffs and placed in the squad where he was transported to Ramsey County Detox and issued a citation for Indecent Exposure. Burglary Tuesday 07:21 hours Officer Nick Gorgos responded to a vacant warehouse where he was met by the complainant. The RP stated that a Coleman Powermate 3250 Generator worth approximately $399 was stolen from the warehouse. The warehouse is just a storage facility used to store some of his equipment. He mentioned the door was not locked at the time and there are no surveillance cameras. Some measures were taken to locate the generator with no success. Case inactive. 5 6 12/512/112014YTD CallsforService1117,537 Citations131,019 Warnings12882 National Medal Of Merit PoliceReports18913 SAMUEL ZIEN ResponseTimeAverage4.655.81 We are proud to recognize our very own Check out the MH Crime Map! Mendota resident who Click below to search your neighborhood: was awarded the Boy https://www.raidsonline.com Scouts of America 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, MN 55118 . National Medal of Merit A is Medal of Merit presented to those Scouts who have performed an act of service of rare or exceptional character that reflects an uncommon IfyouareaMendotaHeightsresidentandyouare degree of concern for the well-being of others. goingoutoftownoronvacation Samuel, an 11 year-old Webelo Scout with the St. PeterÔs Church Boy Scout Troop, provided first aid to his mom who had fallen, was unconscious and bleeding. Sam took care of the first aid and notified family members and the hospital. DoctorÔs CarSeatSafetyChecks reported that without his quick thinking, his momÔs injuries would have been much worse. Congratulations Sam! Please send us your positive feedback on our staff to: MedicationDisposalBox pdrecords@ mendota-heights.com Your feedback is greatly appreciated and helps boost the morale of our staff. 6 HAVE A SAFE WEEK!