Loading...
2015-03-13 Friday News March 13, 2015 City of Mendota Heights Weekly Update Par 3 scheduled to Open Monday, March 16 DATES TO REMEMBER: March 17 Registration for summer programs begins 8 a.m. City Council 7 p.m. - March 20 1st day of Spring Summer Hiring Underway March 24 Planning Commission 7:00 p.m. Pipeline, Just the Facts City Directory City Hall 651.452.1850 Police 651.452.1366 Emergency 911 - N E W S The Pipeline L E T T E R Public Works Engineering March 13, 2015 Code Enforcement Public Works The Parks Crew closed the warming houses for the season. The flooding hoses were cleaned, rolled up and put into storage. The hockey goals were removed, cleaned, painted and put in storage. The aerator was turned off at Rogers Lake. The hoses for the aerator were put in storage. Frozen storm sewer lines were jetted around the city. The snow blower, sweeper and trailer were cleaned. Service work was done on Toro #504. The lift stations were checked daily. The transducer broke at the St. Thomas lift station and was replaced with a new one. The relay broke at the Lilydale lift station and was replaced. Plugged (frozen) storm sewer lines were cleared. Homeowners on Ivy Hill Drive, Apache, and Wachtler had and looked good. Lead person attended an APWA leadership class and MnDOT traffic safety class. The Street Crew attended a traffic seminar in Lakeville that was put on by Warning Lights. They cleared plugged storm sewer lines on Westview Circle and Oxford Court. They removed old filing cabinet from the police department. Trees were trimmed and cut back in the Curley area. Engineering City Projects (construction year) Highway 13 Trail Connection (2013-2015) This project is buttoned up for the winter. The contractor has removed all their equipment for the winter. They will return in the coming weeks to complete the retaining walls associated with the project. Project completion is anticipated in the spring. Victoria Road Reconstruction & Rolling Green Neighborhood Rehabilitation (2014/2015) Design of the second phase of the project (Marie to Lexington) is underway. A neighborhood meeting was held last week to discuss specific design requirements with property owners. Plans have been sent to MnDOT State Aid Office for review. Bidding of the project is anticipated in April with contract award in May and construction beginning in June. The curb line at the northeast corner of Douglas Road and Victoria will be adjusted along with the second phase of construction. Substantial completion is expected by Labor Day. Ivy Falls Creek Stream Bank Stabilization (2015) Staff held a preconstruction meeting with the contractor to discuss the schedule. The pond outlet control structure will be replaced first. The remainder of the project to replace the gabions will depend on weather. The early spring may prevent work from occurring within the creek until fall. Ivy Falls Creek responsibility to maintain. The June 19, 2014, storm caused the gabions along the stream bank to fail. State disaster relief funds may reimburse up to 75% of the construction cost. Construction completion is desired before May, weather permitting. Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Council will be asked to authorize bids for th this project at their April 7 meeting. The City rehabilitates (lines) sections of sanitary sewer each year to prevent Inflow and Infiltration from ground water and storm water into our sanitary sewer. Areas to be lined are sanitary sewer lines helps keep our flow contribution to the Met Council treatment plants as low as possible. Bid award is anticipated for early May with construction during the summer. County Projects Highway 110 Trail Underpass (2017) This project proposes to construct a grade-separated pedestrian crossing of Highway 110 for the future construction of the Mendota-Lebanon Hills Greenway Trail. This crossing could be a tunnel (culvert) under the highway, or a bridge over the highway. Dakota County has received a $1,000,000 grant from the Metropolitan Council for construction of a tunnel, with a corresponding County match of $200,000. County staff has awarded a consultant contract for alternative analysis and design of the selected alternatives, and they have begun work on the project. If approved for construction, the project 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 and the Mendota Bridge will receive surface pavement rehabilitation (overlay). -Highway 13 between 2 Street and I-35E will be reconstructed to include new nd pavement, curb, gutter, and storm sewer. Maps of 2015 MnDOT projects can be found at: ŷƷƷƦƭʹΉΉǞǞǞ͵ŭƚƚŭƌĻ͵ĭƚƒΉƒğƦƭΉķΉĻķźƷͪŷƌўĻƓεğǒƷŷǒƭĻƩўЉεƒźķўǩĻЎΗАķǞW…ǒЉБ͵ƉWtbВ5—ЏĬЉƒv ΛĭƚƓƭƷƩǒĭƷźƚƓΜ ŷƷƷƦƭʹΉΉǞǞǞ͵ŭƚƚŭƌĻ͵ĭƚƒΉƒğƦƭΉķΉĻķźƷͪƒźķўǩwǒŅƉb9bCВА—͵ƉtБЋ—a\[ΏƆta ΛƒğźƓƷĻƓğƓĭĻΜ nd Highway 13 Reconstruction (I-35E to 2 Street) This project is anticipated to be bid in April/May with a start date in June. Substantial completion is expected by the end of September. Through traffic detours will be in place throughout the project, but access to businesses and residences will be maintained. For More Information, contact Kirsten Klein, Public Affairs Metro District at: kirsten.klein@state.mn.us, or 651-234-7506. Other Activities Lower Mississippi River Watershed Management Organization (LMRWMO) Staff attended the monthly meeting of the LMRWMO Board on Wednesday. On the agenda this moth was discussion of the Draft Cherokee Heights Culvert Analysis Feasibility Report, and the Public Hearing for the revisions to the LMRWMO Watershed Management Plan. The Cherokee Heights Project is to repair the culvert at the top of the Bluff in Cherokee Regional Park, and to repair the drainage channel down the Bluff into Lilydale Regional Park. The project is being led by the City of Saint Paul, but West Saint Paul and Mendota Heights are participating because these two cities contribute drainage to the culvert and channel. The three cities will be meeting this spring to discuss design alternative selection, funding, and construction schedule. Construction is anticipated in 2016. Robert Street Transitway Alternatives Analysis (RSTAA) Study Staff attended an open house at the Dakota County Northern Service Center on Thursday. The three different alternatives were presented and the public was allowed to provide input and comment. The three transit alternatives being discussed are: Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) along Robert Street, BRT along Highway 52, and streetcars along Robert Street. The RSTAA Steering th Committee will meet on April 16 to discuss selecting the preferred alternative. The RSTAA is independent of the MnDOT/West Saint Paul project to reconstruct Robert Street, which is scheduled to begin construction this summer. 1 MARCH 13, 2015 The latest from the Mendota Heights Police Department CHIEF While we love our parents, most SERGEANTS of us would not necessarily want to be surrounded by seven fathers, especially at a school dance! But Amy Patrick decided POLICEOFFICERS ŷĻƩ 5ğķ͸ƭ ƦğƩƷƓĻƩƭ Ǟƚǒƌķ ĬĻ ƭƷğƓķźƓŭ źƓ ŅƚƩ ŷźƒ ğƷ ŷĻƩ ƭĭŷƚƚƌ͸ƭ fatherdaughter dance. Amy, who loves bright colors and all things sunny (like her smile), Steven insisted the 5ğķƭ wear the colors ƚŅ ƷŷĻ ƩğźƓĬƚǞͲ ƌźƉĻ ƷŷĻ ƭƚƓŭͲ ͻ wh— D͵ .L͵ͼ It was fun hearing them prepare for the dance, ŋ ŭǒƩźƓŭ ƚǒƷ Ǟŷƚ Ǟğƭ ǞĻğƩźƓŭ ǞŷğƷ ĭƚƌƚƩ ğƓķͲ ͻ ǞŷğƷ ĭƚƌƚƩ źƭ LƓķźŭƚͪͼ As OĭĻƩ {ŷĻƦŷĻƩķ Ʒƚƌķ Y{tͲ ͻ‘Ļ ĭğƓƓƚƷ ƩĻƦƌğĭĻ {ĭƚͲ ğƓķ ǞĻ͸ƩĻ ƓƚƷ ŭƚźƓŭ Ʒƚ ƷƩǤͲ ĬǒƷ ǞĻ INVESTIGATIONS can make sure that Erin and Amy are never standing alone in those mes where Sco would ŷğǝĻ ĬĻĻƓ ƷŷĻƩĻ ŅƚƩ ƷŷĻƒ͵ͼ More of the ocers would have loved to aended as well, but they were either working or SCHOOLRESOURCE had previous plans with their own families. Our hearts are full of pride by the personal OFFICER demonstraons of love and care for this family. SUPPORTSTAFF HEADLIGHTS & SAFETY Did you know that one of the best things you can do to deter accidents and improve your own RESERVES visibility is to keep your headlights on while driving? One of the best habits you can get into, and have your young driver get into, is to turn on the running lights on when you turn on the car. When I bought my ŋ rst car, a black Honda Civic, and my father expressed concern over visibility in such a ƭƒğƌƌ ĭğƩͲ ƷŷĻ ķĻğƌĻƩ Ʒƚƌķ ƒĻͲ ͻŷĻ ĬĻƭƷ ƷŷźƓŭ Ǥƚǒ ĭğƓ ķƚ źƭ Ʒƚ ğƌǞğǤƭ ķƩźǝĻ ǞźƷŷ ǤƚǒƩ ƌźŭŷƷƭ ƚƓ͵ͼ .Ļ źƷ luck or be it his p, I have only had two minor accidents in my 25+ years of driving. CHAPLAINS According to a study conducted by the Department of TransportaonͲ ͻ͵͵͵ķğǤme running light (DRL) ǒƭğŭĻ ŷğƭ ĬĻĻƓ ƭƷǒķźĻķ ğƩƚǒƓķ ƷŷĻ ǞƚƩƌķ͵ͼ ŷĻǤ ƓƚƷĻķ ƒğƓǤ ĭƚǒƓƷƩźĻƭͲ ƭƦĻĭź ŋ cally Canada and most European countries, require 24hour headlight use. Even naonwide, laws on headlight usage vary. The study showed that 24four hour headlight acvaon, both automated and behavioral, greatly increased visibility and increased road safety. At the minimum MN Law 169.48 requires motorist to have their headlights on 1.) Between sunset and sunrise, 2.) When visibility is 500 feet or less, and 3.) When windshield wipers need to be used for rain, snow, hail, sleet or fog. Also, motorcycle drivers are required to have them on at all mes. {źƒƦƌǤΓƷǒƩƓ ƚƓ ǤƚǒƩ ƌźŭŷƷƭΓźƷ͸ƭ ğ ƨǒźĭƉ ƭƷĻƦ Ʒƚ take to ensure your safety on the road. 1 2 Theft Friday 22:00 hours Officer Shepard took a report on a car prowl which occurred overnight. The reporting party stated that someone broke the window on his truck and stole items out of it. There are no suspects or witnesses. Deer vs. Vehicle Friday 13:35 hours Officer Todd Rosse responded to a vehicle versus a deer report. Victim stated a small deer ran from the brush onto the roadway directly into his path and was struck by his vehicle. Vehicle suffered minor damage and the deer was deceased upon Officer RosseÓs arrival. Mental Health Crisis Saturday 19:23 hours Sgt. Tanner Spicer and Officer Jennifer Fordham were dispatched to a residence where a mother reported that here adult daughter was suffering from a panic attack and was depressed. The daughter requested help stating she was suffering from an anxiety attack. An ambulance was called. 5th Degree Assault Sunday 21:46 hours Officers Nick Gorgos and Robin Nelson responded to a domestic at a local hotel. The victim stated that she and her boyfriend were staying at a hotel when the boyfriend became upset that she said she was tired. The suspect then pushed the victim which caused her head to hit the headboard of the hotel bed. The boyfriend was cited and trespassed from the hotel. Domestic Assault Monday 21:09 hours Officer Robin Nelson along with Officers Fleming, Meyer and Von Feldt responded to a home with report of one brother choking another brother. The victim told police that his brother had gotten angry at him and threatened to kill him. The victim had marks on his neck consistent with strangulation. After locating the suspect hiding in the woods he was taken into custody and transported to Dakota County Juvenile Services pending charges. Fraud Tuesday 11:28 hours Officer Todd Rosse was called to the police lobby to take a fraud report. Victim stated that he received a letter in the mail from the IRS explaining that they needed more information to process his return. The victim knew something was wrong because his wife and him had not yet filed their returns. It was determined after speaking with the IRS that a suspect had attempted to create a fraudulent tax return using the victimÓs information. The case is currently under investigation. Theft Tuesday 16:09 hours Officer Todd Rosse took a theft report at a home where the homeowner reported that a lawn ornament had been taken from her front yard while she was out of town. There are no suspects or witnesses at this time. 2 3 Mental Health Crisis Wednesday 08:22 hours Officers Bobby Lambert and Todd Rosse were dispatched to a call on a man who has been diagnosed with mental illness and who had just assaulted his care provider. Officers learned that the man had become upset and pulled a handful of hair from the victimÓs head. The patientÓs guardian was called and she requested that he be sent to the hospital for evaluation. An ambulance took the man to the hospital. Domestic Family Thursday 16:05 hours Officers Todd Rosse and Bobby Lambert responded to an open 911 call at a residence. Upon arrival they learned that there was a dispute between two people over the visitation rights of their child. The father who had come to pick up his child was causing a disturbance and was asked to leave the residence but refused. He eventually did leave with the child once the mother called 911. After speaking with both parties it was determined that no assault or any other related crime had taken place. Property Damage Wednesday 18:17 hours Officer Robin Nelson along with Officer Nick Gorgos and Sgt. Fleming were dispatched to Somerset Elementary school where someone witnessed a truck driving on the playground. Officers arrived and found three people and three cars behind the school as well as deep tire tracks in the ground. Two of the individuals stated they did not drive on the grass. The third individual stated he accidentally created ruts when his truck got stuck in the wet grass. His vehicle was also caked with mud. This case remains under investigation as cost of the property damage needs to be determined. Vehicle Pursuit Wednesday 22:24 hours Officer Mike Shepard was on his way to respond to a crash when he observed a motorcycle traveling at a very high rate of speed run a red light and the pass a vehicle on the right shoulder. Officer Shepard activated his lights for the motorcyclist to pull over but the driver continued to drive at an estimated speed of 100 mph. Officer Shepard followed the driver but lost sight of him. As Officer Shepard continued driving he came up- on debris in the roadway from a crash. He then observed the motorcycle he was following and suspect in the grass. The motorcycle was now in several pieces and the suspect was complaining of a broken leg. Officers from West St. Paul and St. Paul arrived on scene to assist. It was determined that this was the same motorcyclist who had been involved in the original crash which Officer Shepard was on his way to assist initially. The suspect was sent by ambulance and the case has been sent to the Dakota County AttorneyÓs Office for formal charges. 3 4 4 5 ΏΒȝΏΕȡΏΒȝΐΑ2015YTD CONSUMER CallsforService1371163 BEWARE Citations1494 PHONE SCAMS! Warnings2188 We have received an in Ť ux of calls regarding phone scams. PoliceReports23187 These scam arsts are becoming increasingly clever and persistent. The keys to ResponseTimeAverage5.595.12 handling these calls: Check out the MH Crime Map! Do not answer a long distance number or 800 Click below to search your neighborhood: number on your phone. https://www.raidsonline.com Let them leave a message. 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, MN 55118 If you do answer and they ask you to con ŋ rm or provide any informaon. Hang up. Do not engage in a conversaon and do not provide or con ŋ rm any informaon. IfyouareaMendotaHeightsresidentandyouare Call the legimate company goingoutoftownoronvacation direct to verify the reported ͻĭƚƓĭĻƩƓͼ ƚƩ ͻğĭǝźƷǤ͵ͼ Talk with your phone provider on best pracces to stop or block unwanted calls. If you have given informaon over the phone or have sent money, you may be a vicm. Call your bank if you are concerned and call your CarSeatSafetyChecks police department if you have indeed been swindled out of money or if your identy has been fraudulent ly used. Please send us your positive MedicationDisposalBox feedback on our staff to: pdrecords@ mendota-heights.com Your feedback is greatly appreciated and helps boost the morale of our staff. 5 HAVE A SAFE WEEK!