2015-02-06 Friday NewsFriday News
Mendota Heights Weekly Report on City Activities
Staff Recognition
Six staff members were recognized for years of
service to the city at the city council meeting
Tuesday night:
Five Years of Service
Bobby Crane, Senior Engineering Tech
Ten Years of Service
Ryan Ruzek, Assistant City Engineer
Fifteen Years of Service
Scott Goldenstein, Fire Captain
Jay Taylor, Fire Fighter
Thirty -Five Years of Service
Jamie Lerbs, Fire Fighter
Forty Years of Service
Tom Olund, Public Works Superintendent
The council expressed their gratitude to all
employees for providing a combined total of 120
years of great service to the community.
The council also recognized this year's
recipients of the Core Values Award. The four
core values include respectful, ethical, service
oriented and professional. Congratulations to
Pam Deeb, Lorri Smith, Bobby Crane and Kim
Henning. More information on the Core Values
Award will be featured in the February Heights
Highlights.
Dates to Remember:
February 10
Park and Recreation
Commission
February 11
Airport Relations
Commission
February 16
President's Day Holiday
City offices closed
February 17
City Council
6:30 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
Attachments: Pipeline, Just the Facts
Mendota Heights City Hall
1101 Victoria Curve
www.mendota-heights.com
(651) 452-1850
Facebook.com/MendotaHeightsMN
Twitter.com/@mendota_heights
February 6, 2015
NEWS The Pipeline
LETTER
Public Works
Engineering
Code Enforcement
February 6, 2015
Public Works
The Parks Crew plowed the cul-de-sacs, trails, parking lots and ice rinks.
They continue to sweep the rinks. Trees were trimmed along the trails.
Turf damage was also cleaned up along the trails.
The Utilities Crew checked the lift stations daily and helped plow the cul-de-
sacs and trails in the middle area of the city. The lift stations were shoveled
and plowed. The lower floor at the main lift station was washed and
cleaned. Trucks 601 and 602 were washed and cleaned.
The Streets Crew put new cutting edges on the plows. The streets were
plowed and salted this week. New salt was pushed in the salt bin and all
trucks were loaded with salt. The bridge decks were cleaned of snow. The
plow trucks and equipment were washed.
Engineering
City Projects (construction year)
Highway 13 Trail Connection (2014/2015) - This project is buttoned up for
the winter. The contractor has removed all their equipment for the winter.
The reminder of the project will be completed in the spring as soon as
weather and road restriction weight limits permit.
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 toward the end of February to discuss specific design
requirements with property owners. The curb line at the northeast corner of
Douglas Road and Victoria will be adjusted along with the second phase of
construction.
County Projects
Highway 110 Trail Underpass (2017) - Staff met with the Dakota County
project manager on Friday to go over the presentation outline for the
February 17th City Council meeting. This project proposes to 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 received proposals from consulting firms for design services.
Proposals will be reviewed by the end of next week and a consultant will be
selected by the County Board in early March. If approved for construction,
the underpass would be installed during MnDOT's rehabilitation project for
Highway 110 in 2017.
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).
- Highway 13 between 2nd Street in Mendota and I -35E will be
reconstructed to include new pavement, curb, gutter, and storm
sewer.
Other Activities
Future Cities Competition - The final scores were released this week from
January's State competition. Friendly Hills Middle School (FHMS) entered
three teams, and out of 46 total teams scored, they finished 5th, 13th, and
14th. The students and faculty from FHMS will be presenting the program at
an upcoming City Council meeting.
River to River Greenway Open House - Staff attended an open house
sponsored by Dakota County about the development of the River to River
Greenway (R2Rg) Master Plan. The R2RG is formerly known as the North
Urban Regional Trail (NURT). The Master Plan identifies alignments,
alternative alignments, and potential projects to improve the greenway
corridor, which runs from Pool & Yacht Club in Lilydale, through Mendota
Heights, past Henry Sibley High School, and through West Saint Paul and
South Saint Paul. The Master Plan will be used to prioritize and seek
funding for trail improvement projects.
Saint Paul Regional Water Service (SPRWS) Contract Negotiation - Staff
met with the General Manager and other representatives from SPRWS on
Wednesday to begin negotiating the new service contract for water service.
The current contract with SPRWS expires at the end of this year, and a new
contract needs to be in place by then. A full draft contract is expected by
the end of May.
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CHIEF
Mike Aschenbrener
SERGEANTS
Eric Petersen
Tanner Spicer
Peyton Fleming
POLICE OFFICERS
Jerry Murphy
John Larrive
Bobby Lambert
Todd Rosse
Jeff Vonfeldt
Steven Meyer
Denise Urmann
Michael Shepard
Nick Gorgos
Robin Nelson
INVESTIGATIONS
Chad Willson
SCHOOL RESOURCE
OFFICER
Jennifer Fordham
SUPPORT STAFF
Kim Henning
Trista Miller
Lisa Brandt
Becky Pentel
RESERVES
Randy Pentel
Jim Knox
Jeff Parker
CHAPLAINS
Butch Millett
John Snider
David Wick
Frances Cuenca
Alberto Vargas
Lynn Liberman
Sue Plucker
Joel Detlefsen
Lenny Andrie
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FEBRUARY 6, 2015
"just the Facti"
The Latest from, the MevOota H-ei-ghts PoLicepart vtket t
D4
rm SEE SOMETHING,
SAY SOMETHING!
We at MHPD cannot express this enough. More often than not, we get an email or a phone call after
the fact about on suspicious activity. 10 minutes, or even days, after the activity usually does us no
good. We encourage all of our MH residents to call 9-1-1 if you see anything suspicious. You may be
hesitant to call 9-1-1, thinking your situation does not classify as an "emergency." However, by calling
it in, you let us decide. By calling, you could be the one to prevent a crime or capture a criminal.
The MHPD non -emergency line is open to take calls on general questions, etc. but when you see
something, say something by calling 9-1-1. Provide as much detail as you can, like clothing,
appearance, vehicle description and/or plate if possible. Also the general email is not monitored 24/7
so keep that in mind before sending us an email if you expect to receive a timely response.
Suspicious activity: when a person, act or object doesn't meet the normal day to day activities of
your neighborhood. Get to know you neighbors and neighborhood. Here are a few examples of
suspicious activity that may occur in your neighborhood:
• Unknown or sketchy vehicle(s) occupied or unoccupied that is parked or engine running.
• Unknown person(s) walking aimlessly, staring at homes or walking on property.
• A person (s) walking door to door with/without brochures, trying to sell or explain something. By
city ordinance, MHPD does not permit solicitors; a permit is required by the city to do so. While
not all solicitors have crime in mind, it is often an opportunity for criminals to get information
before committing criminal acts like burglary.
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"MediciLL�.r Dispo,a1"
Submitted BYC.
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had Willson
Did you know that Mendota Heights works with Dakota County to keep your unused/
unwanted medications out of the environment and reduce the danger of unintentional use or over-
dose and illegal abuse?
In 2014, our first full year of recycling unwanted medications, citizens brought 401 pounds of
unwanted medications and prescriptions to the Medication Disposal Box located in the lobby of
the police department. Without the drop box, 401 pounds of medications and prescription drugs
would get flushed in to our water and sewer systems, wind up in landfills, or cause potential harm
or death due to accidental ingestion by children, pets or anyone else. The medications are boxed
and brought to the Dakota County Drug Task force for disposal by the DEA.
The only medications MHPD can't accept are cancer -treatments and sharps. These items can be
dropped at the Recycling Zone 3365 Dodd Road, Eagan. The Recycling Zone does not accept
prescription or over-the-counter medication. Keep medicine in the original container and cross out
your name on the container. Place loose pills and liquids into a clear plastic bag and seal tightly.
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Theft Friday 11:07 hours I
1 Officer Bobby Lambert responded to the Courtyard by Marriot on a damage to vehicle report. Upon arrival,
I he was met by the hotel manager who stated a Chevrolet Tahoe that was parked in the hotel parking lot was
missing all four tires and had its front passenger side window broken out. The doors to the vehicle were still 1
1 locked. The vehicle is a leased vehicle owned by Enterprise out of MO. Lambert spoke with Enterprise who
I was unable to locate the vehicle by plate or VIN in their database and was going to send a recovery team to
remove the vehicle.
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1 Theft of Fuel Friday 13:23 hours
Officer Todd Rosse received a call in regard to a theft of fuel that had just taken place. The emergency
1 dispatcher advised Rosse that the manager of the gas station was following the suspect in his car that was I
1 nearing Eagan. The manager went back to the gas station to report the vehicle description to Rosse. Since
the vehicle was then outside our jurisdiction, he advised SSPPD to check on the vehicle. They located the I
1 registered owner who said it was most likely a mistake and that the driver was one out of four people who I
I have access to the car. The registered owner agreed to pay for the fuel so no charges will be forthcoming. I
1 Identity Theft Friday 13:44 hours 1
I Officer Bobby Lambert took an identity theft report from a man who says he received a bill for payment from
Game Stop. An account with his name and address had been opened on 11/17/14. The outstanding
I balance on the account was $1,981.76 with an additional $25.00 late fee. The man doesn't know exactly how 1
1 the identity theft occurred but figured his outgoing mail was compromised. Follow-up with Game Stop
I revealed more detailed information about the transaction, yet there are no suspects at this time.
1
1 Domestic Saturday 17:54 hours1
Officer Jeff VonFeldt and Sergeant Peyton Fleming responded to a home on a verbal domestic. Upon arrival
they were met by a male who stated he was trying to gather his belongings and leave but the female was 1
1 following him around yelling at him. The female homeowner said she wanted him out for good. The male's 1
1 juvenile son was there witnessing the verbal argument, so the neighbor agreed to drive the son and his father
to the son's mother's house.
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I Suspicious Person Sunday 13:35 hours
Officers John Larrive and Bobby Lambert received a report of a suspicious male. The reporting person says I
1 they saw a male walking in the woods, stop to change clothes and then walk around the school. In checking 1
I the area, a hockey bag was located and brought back to the PD. In checking the contents in the bag, there
were clothes, footwear and a tax stub with a name on it. Officers are working on getting the bag returned to
I the owner. 1
1
1
I Theft from Vehicle Monday 15:59 hours
Officer Peyton Fleming was dispatched to Henry Sibley High School on a theft from vehicle report. Fleming 1
1 was met by a juvenile male who stated his car was parked on Warrior Drive and when he returned to his 1
vehicle, the drivers' side window was down and a Bauer brand hockey stick was missing. There are no
suspects at this time.
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With the verdict and
sentencing of Scott's killer,
please know you are also in
our hearts and minds. We
will all be forever impacted
by the tragedy on July 30,
2014. Thank you for waiting
with us for the past six
months for the wheels of
justice to turn.
We are grateful to our capa-
ble, zealous law enforce-
ment partners in West St
Paul, the BCA and the
Dakota County Attorneys'
Office. Skill & dedication
enabled investigators &
prosecutors to coordinate &
present a case that led to a
successful prosecution.
We hope this successful
outcome reinforces &
renews your trust in your
public safety teams.
Teamwork & professionalism
got us to this day, within 6
months of the loss of a hus-
band, a father, a brother, a
friend.
Our team's top priority is
ensuring we are there for
you to enforce the law and
ensure your safety. We took
the oath, we promise to
work hard & continue to
serve with pride.
Together we will honor
Scott's memory.
Please send us your positive
feedback on our staff to:
pdrecords@
mendota-heights.com
rour feedback is greatly appreciated and
helps boost the morale of our staff.
3
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Calls for Service
Citations
Warnings
Police Reports
01/30-02/05
78
2
4
2015 YTD
557
42
29
12 92
Response Time Average 5.35
5.47
v
Check out the MH Crime Map!
Click below to search your neighborhood:
https://www.raidsonline.com
1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, MN 55118
•
Take it to THE BOX
If you are a Mendota Heights resident and you are
going out of town or on vacation, you can notify
MHPD of your outing and we will be more than happy to
keep a watchful eye on your home while you are away.
The House Check Request online form is available on
our website; you can complete a form found in our
lobby, or simply give us a call and we'll help you out.
MHPD offers monthly Car Seat Safety Checks.
To schedule an appointment, call 651.452.1366
to contact Officer Jennifer Fordham.
MHPD has a Medication Disposal Box in the lobby of the
PD where Dakota County residents can safely and
anonymously dispose of their prescription drugs and
over-the-counter medication.
H -AV& A SAFE W&EK i