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2015-05-08 Friday News May 8, 2015 City of Mendota Heights Weekly Update DATES TO REMEMBER: Spring Clean Up Day A Success May 12 City Council Workshop 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Parks Commission 6:30 p.m. Airport Commission Joint mtg w/Eagan 7:00 p.m. May 19 City Council 7:00 p.m. May 25 Memorial Day Holiday City Offices Closed May 26 Planning Commission 7:00 p.m. Social Media May 30 Bike Rodeo Mendota Elementary 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. - Pipeline, Just the Facts LeMay Shores Development Open House - - Did you know... - N E W S The Pipeline L E T T E R Public Works Engineering May 8, 2015 Code Enforcement Public Works The Parks Crew cut grass in the parks. The baseball and softball fields were dragged and chalked. The foul lines were painted. A donated tree from Friends of Parks was picked up and planted. Brush was picked up at Ivy Hills Park and Wentworth Park. The Utilities Crew checked the lift stations daily. He watered the newly planted trees and shrubs in the parks. He assisted the Streets Crew clean the storm sewers with the jetter. He sprayed for broadleaf weeds at Hagstrom King Park and Friendly Hills Park. The Streets Crew cut out sod in the Copperfield neighborhood that had oil in it and replaced it with new sod. They did blacktop patching on Mendota Heights Road from the bridge to Dodd Road. Old tires were taken to Liberty Tire Recycling in Savage. Storm grates that were plugged were cleared of debris. Engineering City Projects (construction year) Highway 13 Trail Connection (2013-2015) The contractor has completed installing retaining walls and asphalt paving for the project. Contractor will shape slopes and finish concrete work next week pending weather. Project completion is expected by late May. Victoria Road Reconstruction & Rolling Green Neighborhood Rehabilitation (2014/2015) Design of the second phase of the project (Marie to Lexington) is complete. Authorization to bid the project was approved at th the April 17 City Council meeting and the project has been posted for bid. th Bid opening will likely be delayed until May 28 due to delays in obtaining th signatures from MnDOT. Construction is expected to begin after June 10. 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) Due to the early spring, construction is going on hold until the ground dries out. Construction is anticipated to begin in late July, weather permitting. 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. Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation (2015) The City rehabilitates (lines) sections of sanitary sewer each year to prevent Inflow and Infiltration from ground th for bid with a bid opening scheduled for May 13. Areas to be lined are ng 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 th with construction during the summer, and completion by November 30. County Projects Highway 110 Trail Underpass (2017) The County is proposing 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. Public open houses are anticipated this fall as part of the project development. If approved, the project would be River to River Greenway (2014/2015) Landscape restoration along Warrior Drive and Marie Avenue is virtually complete. Charlton Avenue in West Saint Paul is closed for the installation of the trail underpass tunnel. The Greenway (formerly known as the North Urban Regional Trail) was realigned last summer, adding a new segment on the east side of Warrior Drive connecting Mendota Road to Marie Avenue. State Projects 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 being advertised for bid. Construction is expected to begin in early June with substantial completion expected by the end of September. The project will rebuild the road way with curb, gutter, and storm sewer in most places along the route. Through traffic detours will be in place throughout the project, but access to businesses and residences will be maintained. The City of Mendota Heights will be contributing a small share of the cost for a Lilydale sponsored, coinciding project to re-route drainage down the bluff to minimize erosion. For more information on the MnDOT project, contact Kirsten Klein, Public Affairs Metro District at: kirsten.klein@state.mn.us, or 651-234-7506. Contact the City Engineering Department for questions on Highway 149 (Dodd Road) Rehabilitation (2017) Staff continued discussions with MnDOT representatives on design aspects of the project. The project will complete a pavement replacement on Dodd Road from I- th 494 to West 7 Street in Saint Paul, including a deck replacement on the High Bridge in Saint Paul. Also included in the project will be a rehabilitation of the City trail from Mendakota Drive to Maple Street and the construction of a new City trail from Maple Street to Marie Avenue. Fremont Culvert Staff met with MnDOT and City of Saint Paul representatives to discuss bluff erosion taking place from a drainage culvert at Highway 13 and Fremont Avenue. MnDOT is working on plans to reroute the drainage to eliminate the erosion. The City will need to provide concurrence on the plans as the area is within our jurisdiction. Highways 149, 55, & 13 Signal Timing MnDOT will be implementing 6 new signal coordination timing plans on Highway 55 from Highway 13 to Argenta Trail, Highway 149 (Dodd Road) from Mendota Heights Rd to Lone Oak Pkwy, and on Dodd from Yankee Doodle Rd to Wescott Rd in Eagan. This will also include Highway 13 from Mendota Heights Rd to Highway 55. There will also be changes to the Flashing Yellow Arrow (FYA) signal operation where the FYA indication will be active during the midday and overnight hours on TH 149, and overnight hours on TH 55. Any concerns or issues can be addressed to the City Engineering Department and we will be happy to forward them to MnDOT. Other Activities Chloride Extravaganza Staff attended a seminar hosted by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) on the potential to reduce the amount of chlorides (salt) that is getting into our lakes and rivers. The biggest influencer on these salt levels is deicing salt used for streets, sidewalks, trails, and parking lots. MPCA is proposing a metro-wide chloride management plan, which will establish a goal for chloride reduction at its source. More information will coming on this topic, so stay tuned! MN2050 Upcoming airtimes on TPT for the MN2050 documentary, State of Repair Liquid Assets are Tuesday, May 25 at 5:30am, 11:30am, 5:30pm, and 11:30pm. This is one in a series of three documentaries MN2050 produces in cooperation with TPT, and it outlines the importance of water, sanitary sewer, and storm sewer utilities to our daily life. All documentaries are available on the TPT webpage (www.tpt.org) and at www.MN2050.org. Frontage Road Meeting with MnDOT The frontage roads (Mendota Road, Carmen Lane, Victoria Curve, Center Point Curve, Dakota Drive, and Waters Drive) are in poor condition, and mostly ineligible for Municipal State Aid funds. Staff met to discuss potential methods of funding repairs to these streets. The meeting was productive, and MnDOT seemed confident that they would be able to find a way to assist with the frontage roads. Sanitary Sewer/Sump Pump Disconnection Program Staff has run an article in the latest issue of the Heights Highlights about the need to ensure basement sump pumps are disconnected from the sanitary sewer line. This includes sump pumps that discharge into wash tubs in residential basements (a common practice in older homes). Sump pumps must discharge outside the structure to drain overland to a waterbody or storm sewer inlet. Sump pump discharges can also be plumbed directly to the storm sewer in the street. Beginning in 2016, the City plans on implementing an inspection program to ensure compliance with this plumbing code issue. Sumps pumps are believed to be significantly responsible for the increased sanitary sewer flow in 2014, and the corresponding increase in sanitary sewer bills. For more information, please contact the Engineering Department at 651-452-1850. 1 M 8, 2015 AY The latest from the Mendota Heights Police Department A Great Article for a Great Man CHIEF SERGEANTS Our very own Ocer Jerry Murphy will be featured in the Pioneer Press newspaper this Saturday, May 9, 2015. Jerry has been a volunteer re- serve oĭĻƩ ŅƚƩ ƷŷĻ ĭźƷǤ ƭźƓĭĻ ЊВЏА͵ WĻƩƩǤ͸ƭ ĭƚƒƒźƷƒĻƓƷ Ʒƚ ƚǒƩ ĭƚƒΏ munity and his genuine kindness are just a couple of the qualies that POLICEOFFICERS ƒğƉĻ ŷźƒ ŭƩĻğƷ͵ wĻğķ ƒƚƩĻ ğĬƚǒƷ Ʒŷźƭ ƷƩǒĻ aĻƓķƚƷğ IĻźŭŷƷ͸ƭ ƷƩĻğƭǒƩĻ this Saturday or check out the link below: hp://www.twincies.com/localnews/ci_28061318/cancer-stricken-mendota-heights-reserve- cop-sll-reporng Steven INVESTIGATIONS Bicyclist Safety SCHOOLRESOURCE OFFICER Now that the weather is getting warmer, many people are out and about on their bicycles. Unfortunately many bike-riders are unaware of the laws and safety regulations regarding bicycling. First and foremost, bicyclists should always ride on SUPPORTSTAFF the right side of the road, and be sure that no more than two bicyclists are stacked up next to each other as to prevent blockage of the road. Bicyclists can ride on the sidewalks, but only if it is a non-business district. When riding on sidewalks, give an audible signal to walkers before overtaking them as to give them warning that you are about to pass. RESERVES Another thing bicyclists have to remember is that they need to yield the right-of-way to all pedestrians and vehicles. Also, bicyclers need to stop at all stop signs – this is crucial for bicycler safety. When making a turn, be sure to display CHAPLAINS hand signals so motorists know your intent. Paying attention to traffic signals and signs is just as important as wearing your helmet! If you prefer to bicycle at night, there are a few differences compared to bicycling in the daytime. Make sure your bicycle is equipped with white reflectors on the sides of each pedal and a red reflector at the rear. A white light visible up to 500 feet should be affixed to the front of the bicycle, and although it is not required, it is highly recommended to include a rear red flashing light. 1 2 Identity Theft Friday 13:26 hours Officer Bobby Lambert took a report from a resident who stated that an unknown person had used the victimÓs personal information to open a credit card in the UK. The victimÓs own credit card company notified her of the new card that had been issued. The victim was able to cancel this fraudulent card with no monetary loss. No suspects at this time. Property Damage Friday 18:35 hours Officer Robin Nelson responded to a theft from vehicle report. Owner states that he and his wife left their home at approximately 5:30 in the evening and were gone about one hour. When they returned home they found their parked car which was sitting in their driveway had its window smashed out. At the time of the report the owner stated nothing had been stolen from the vehicle. There are no suspects and the case remains under investigation. Theft from Vehicle Sunday 09:15 hours Officer John Larrive was dispatched to a theft from vehicle report which had taken place sometime in the overnight hours. The victim states his vehicle was parked and locked in his driveway. When the victim went outside the next morning he discovered his rear passengerÓs window was smashed out and his work computer had been stolen. While Officer Larrive was taking the victimÓs information he learned that the vehicleÓs license plates were suspended according to the State of Minnesota and that the vehicle registration was expired. This case was turned over to Investigations. Identity Theft Monday 14:20 hours Officer Bobby Lambert was dispatched to a residence on report of identity theft. Victim stated his credit card had been used to purchase sportÓs equipment in Florida. There was no monetary loss and the account was closed. No suspect information at this time. 5th Degree Controlled Substance Tuesday 10:57 hours Officer John Larrive and Sgt. Eric Petersen were called to a local bank on a report of three suspicious persons. Upon arrival a bank employee stated that two females had entered the bank to use the bathroom. Once the females left an employee found a cell phone and a pill on the floor inside the stall. The employee stated the two females were now at the gas station next door. Officers identified the two females and the male who was now with them. Officers learned the male had a felony warrant and misdemeanor warrant. He was taken into custody. During the search of the suspect drug paraphernalia was found on his person. Suspect was transported to the Dakota County Jail. Have a Safe Week! 2 3 05/0105/072015YTD CallsforService1392,298 Aggressive Driving Experts say aggressive Citations11196 driving causes almost Warnings36211 seven million crashes a year! PoliceReports32374 Driving too fast for condions, excessively ResponseTimeAverage4.395.19 changing lanes, passing Check out the MH Crime Map! on the shoulder or Click below to search your neighborhood: cung in front of others https://www.raidsonline.com and tailgang are all 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, MN classic signs of an aggressive driver. You ĭğƓ͸Ʒ ĭƚƓƷƩƚƌ ƷŷĻƒͲ ĬǒƷ you can control how you respond to them. IfyouareaMendotaHeightsresidentandyouare Here are some ps: goingoutoftownoronvacation 1. If you are in the le and someone wants to pass, mover over and let them by. 2.5ƚƓ͸Ʒ ƒğƉĻ ĻǤĻ contact with aggressive drivers. 3.Stay calm and fo- CarSeatSafetyChecks cus on your own good defensive driving habits. 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. 3 HAVE A SAFE WEEK!