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2010-05-28 Friday NewsmAAAAAAA May 28, 2010 Golf Course is on Par Memorial Day is typically a great weekend for golf, the staff at the Par 3 hope to improve upon what has been a very nice spring. Our evening leagues have resumed play and youth registrations for sum- mer programs has been steady. Despite a cold snap to start May, this has been a great year for getting out door for a quick round of golf. The Par 3 is open from 7am to sundown, and course conditions are great. The course is now accepting credit cards, for the first time in it's nearly 50 year history. Tee times can be made for Monday, greens fees for the holiday weekend are $12, or $11 for Jr's and Sr's. Transportation Study Recommendations FDakota County held both an open house and neighborhood meeting to share the rec- ommendations they will bring forward to city council's and the County Board in the R next two months. The study, which has been underway for over a year, recommends a number of options to address the transportation needs in the northern part of Da- kota County for years to come. The recommendations include an additional inter- change on 494 approximately 1/2 mile east of the existing Delaware overpass, im- provements to numerous roads in the Eagan and Inver Grove Heights area, any im- provements to Delaware Avenue need to be agreed upon by Mendota Heights and DSunfish Lake and a number of other recommendations. All of the draft recommenda- tions can be viewed online at www.co.dakota.mn.us and searching Regional Road- way System Visioning Study. A neighborhood meeting was also held after county staff presented the study recommendations. Neighbors had a chance to offer their input and thoughts on the study recommendations. Mendota Heights city staff and Y residents were very well represented at both the open house and the neighborhood meeting. Community Revitalization Meeting Jake attended a meeting at the Dakota County Community Development Agency on N Tuesday afternoon, which brought together planning and economic development staff from around the County. The meeting featured a presentation by the Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers (MCCD), a non-profit working with banks and E small businesses. Staff from MCCD outlined the resources they offer small busi- nesses, in the event that our communities identify businesses with similar needs. Other topics included expenditure of Neighborhood Stabilization Program money in the County, a report from the Dakota County Manager's subcommittee on Broadband, and a presentation from Twin Cities Community Land Bank, a non-profit who is in the busi- Sness of helping to keep foreclosed properties from weighing down the local economy. Parks Celebration Next Saturday Next weekend, we have our annual parks celebration—there is free live music at Mar- ket Square Park on Friday evening, the 5K run/walk Saturday morning, a MHAA base- ball tournament all weekend, and of course the Parks Celebration itself at Mendakota park from 12-3pm. May 28, 2010 National Public Works Week City staff held a barbeque this week for all of the Public Works employees in honor of Na- tional Public Works Week. National Public Works Week calls attention to the importance of public works in community life. City staff wanted to say thank you to all of these employees for the work they perform every day and for being there each time we call with a resident con- cern or staff emergency. The barbeque was held on Wednesday afternoon at City Hall with perfect weather and all staff members enjoyed a good lunch. Thank you to Public Works staff for your work and to city staff for organizing and putting on the lunch. Retirement Reception -Mark Your Calendars The City of Mendota Heights will say thank you to Kathy Swanson for her 38 years of service to our community at a retirement reception scheduled for Friday, June 25, 2010. The recep- tion will be held at Mendakota from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. More information will be sent out in the very near future but please put this event on your calendar now. Please come and say thank you to Kathy as she prepares for the adventures that retirement has to offer. Dates To Remember Memorial Day (City Offices Closed) City Council Meeting Celebrate Mendota Heights Park Day Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting ARC Meeting City Council Meeting 6-1-2010 7:00 p.m. 6-5-2010 6-8-2010 6:30 p.m. 6-9-2010 7:00 P.M. 6-15-2010 7:00 p.m. 34 Attachments Just The Facts, The Pipeline, City Council Meeting Agenda, Pre -Application Meeting Synopsis, Twin- Cities.com Article "Three candidates in line for Dakota County dispatch chief job". May 28, 2010 5/28/2010 The latest news rrom t ie A4c dota He�Ats Police Def artment The Click it or Ticket Mendota Starting Monday morning MHPD Officers along with hundreds Heights from around the state began issuing seat belt citations as part of Police the nationwide "Click it or Ticket" campaign. Just as the number of deaths in traffic crashes began to go down 5 people die on MN Department roads in as many days. Three of the five were not wearing seat Support belts and would likely have lived. I was part of an interesting Staff conversation on why an Officer doesn't like to write seat belt Kim Henning Sandie Ristine tickets since if they die it is a victimless crime. The only Susan Donovan unfortunate part of that is 7 times more people are seriously Cathy Ransom injured than die from car crashes. The economic impact on each Becky Pentel and every one of us is felt every time you write the check to pay Police Officers for your car insurance. Yes, it is not any fun to write a $110 Jerry Murphy Scott Patrick citation for not wearing a seat belt but if three people were g p P John Larrive wearing there seatbelts last weekend they may well still be here. Bobby Lambert Over the course of the week the Officers have worked seat belt Tanner Spicer violations both on extra patrols and as part of the shift during the Todd Rosse Chad Willson week, 33 seat belt violations were written. Officers will continue Jeff VonFeldt to be out in force writing citations for seatbelts state wide through Denise Urmann the 6t" of June. Michael Shepard Recreational Fire Friday 2033 hours Peyton Fleming Neighbor called reporting two recreational fires with flames twice Jenny Fordham School Resource as high as allowed ( 3 feet) by b the ordinance. When Officer John Officer Larrive arrived he found the son of the homeowner with two fires Steven Meyer going both within the scope of the ordinance. Investigations Suspicious Activity Friday 2224 hours Mario Reyes Tanner Spicer Officer Peyton Fleming received a call of a person repeatedly Sergeants walking through the neighborhood with a flashlight. The caller Neil Garlock reportedly was heading out to speak with the person. Turns out Brian Convery there were several people wandering around. Officer Fleming Eric Petersen then located another person out with a dog and a flashlight. They Chief Mike had heard noises and were investigating. Officer Fleming helped Aschenbrener check the area together they determined the noise was likely a Reserves gathering on the next block over. Randy Pentel DAR / Warrant Arrest Saturday 2054 hours Gino sina Messina Jesse Mes Officer Denise was working traffic on Dodd road when a vehicle Andrew Quinlan drove by with the driver holding a cell phone in front of his face Romel Brown -1- 5/28/2010 while doing what appeared to be texting. The SUV was stopped a short distance down the road. While Officer Urmann was speaking with driver about why his only form of identification was an ID not a license his cell phone responded with a new text message. The driver explained that he lost his license for failure to pay child support. A quick computer check revealed that he lost his license for DUI and had an active warrant for his arrest. Within moments the party he was texting with showed up on scene and volunteered to drive. She was allowed to drive the vehicle from the scene. As the suspect was being transported to the Ramsey County Jail on the warrant he felt the need to explain why he texted in front of his face: he wears contacts and it is hard to see with out having the phone up close. Left with the RC jail along with his new DAR citation. Suspicious Activity Saturday 2235 hours Passer by reported what appeared to be a window peeper at a residence. The party was standing motionless near the window of a home they appeared to have a cape over them. Officer Shepard arrived on scene and found the party had observed a life-size cut out in the home. Clear no further investigation. Fraud Sunday 1710 hours Officer Jen Fordham received a call from a concerned resident. The man had made a deal over Craigslist to sell some items. After the deal was made the purchased emailed to advise they had inadvertently sent a money order for more than the agreed upon amount. The would be "victim" was to cash the money order and send the overage back via Western Union. When the man learned that it was nearly $3000 dollars he became concerned and called. Officer Fordham made contact with the issuer of the money order who confirmed it was in fact a scam. Placed into evidence no further investigation as no crime actually occurred. Damage to Park Sunday 1743 hours Caller requested a phone call from an Officer about the kids damaging the park in friendly hills. The culprits are there now. The caller was concerned about the damage from pucks being shot against the backstop set up for hockey. Advised. Really? Deer by Road Monday 2218 hours Officer Mike Shepard responded to a call transferred in from the State Patrol about a baby deer (otherwise known as a fawn) too close to the freeway. Officer Shepard checked the area and Bambi had made its way to safety. Seat Belt Citiation Wednesday 1518 hours Maybe it is just that being in the business you hear all the "Click it Ticket" commercials as the enforcement wave kicks off but: every once in awhile you get the low hanging fruit. Officer Steve Meyer the School Resource Officer at Sibley High School managed to issue a seat belt violation. The young man was standing through the open sun roof as the car went down the road. Hopefully he doesn't end up trying to explain that one to a judge. Coyote Thursday 0658 hours Officer Jeff VonFeldt received a call to contact a homeowner who had a coyote in the yard. Provided advice on how to deal with wild animals in the city. As the weather turns nice we will receive many complaints about the animals out enjoying the warm weather. 9(ave ayrmf weekend? XOP -2- NEWS ThePipeline L E T T E R Public Works Engineering Code Enforcement May 28, 2010 Public Works The Parks Crew planted flowers at Mendakota Park around the concession stand and sign. They finished spraying total week kill along the fence lines and warning tracks on the ball fields. The drive belt was repaired on the Xmark mower. Tree limbs were cleaned along the pedways and at Wentworth Park. Rich cleaned the sanitary sewer lines on Arbor Court, Arbor Court easement, Brookfield Lane, Wilshire Court, Concord Way, Heritage Drive and Lockwood Drive. He worked with Cliff to change the oil and filters on the portable generator for the lift stations. He sprayed right-of-ways with total weed killer. Rich did a sanitary sewer inspection on Wentworth Avenue. The Streets Crew cut up a very large cotton wood tree that fell on Brompton Place. A tree was cut down on the island at Wentworth Park, the top had broken off. Two trees on the pedway off Lilydale Road were picked up. The bobcat was steam cleaned so Cliff and Tim could fix a hydraulic leak. New cutting blades were put on the chipper and it was then power washed to get the grease off. Engineering 2010 Street Reconstruction - The utilities were installed on Spring Street this week. Next week utilities will be installed on John Street and Esther Lane. Dakota County Delaware Avenue/494 Visioning Study - On Wednesday evening, Ryan attended the public informational meeting regarding the 494/Delaware interchange study. BBQ - City Hell held a BBQ for Public Works in honor of National Public Works Week. Budget Time - Ryan has been working hard on the 2011 budget. REMINDER: ADVISORY COMMISSION INTERVIEW 6:30 P.M. CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA June 1, 2010 — 7:00 P.M. Mendota Heights City Hall Call to Order 2. Roll Call Pledge of Allegiance 4. Agenda Adoption Approval of the May 18, 2010 City Council Minutes 6. Consent Calendar a. Acknowledgement of the Minutes from the May 25, 2010 Planning Commission Meeting b. Acknowledgement of May 2010 Building Activity Report C. Approval of Employment of Seasonal/Temporary Hires d. Approval to Enter into an Agreement with the City of Burnsville for Fire Training C. Approval for Purchase of New Squad Car Laptop £ Approval of City Administrator Performance Review Summary g. Adoption of Resolution No. 10-36: "RESOLUTION APPOINTING PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSIONER" h. Adoption of Resolution No. 10-37: "RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE 2009 YEAR END TRANSFER" i. Adoption of Resolution No. 10-38: "A RESOLUTION APPOINTING ELECTION JUDGES FOR THE 2010 PRIMARY AND GENERAL ELECTIONS" j. Approval of Contractors List k. Approval of Claims List 7. Public Comments 8. Public Hearings — Liquor License a. On Sale and On Sale Sunday Teresa's Mexican Restaurant (750 Highway 110) Off Sale Mendota Liquor (750 Highway 110) The Wine Market (720 Main Street, Suite 1) On -Sale Limited Service Hotel and Special Sunday Courtyard Management Corporation (13 52 Northland Drive) Club On -Sale And Special Sunday Mendakota Country Club (2075 Mendakota Drive) Somerset Country Club (1460 Dodd Road) On Sale Wine Institutional Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts, Minnesota Room (1440 Northland Drive) 9. Unfinished and New Business a. Case No. 10-14: Clear Wireless, LLC — 1850 Eagle Ridge Drive - Conditional Use Permit for Wireless Antennas and Ground Equipment. Resolution No. 10-39: "A RESOLUTION APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR WIRELESS ANTENNAS AND GROUND EQUIPMENT AT 1850 EAGLE RIDGE DRIVE" b. Case No. 10-15: Mark Johnson — 1646 Mayfield Heights Road — Critical Area Permit. Resolution No. 10-40: "A RESOLUTION APPROVING A CRITICAL AREA PERMIT FOR AN ACCESSORY STRUCTURE AT 1646 MAYFIELD HEIGHTS ROAD" Case No. 10-16: Dorothy Haffely —1857 Dodd Road — Conditional Use Permit and Variance for Detached Garage. Resolution No. 10-41: "A RESOLUTION APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR THE REBUILDING OF A DETACHED GARAGE AT 1857 DODD ROAD"and Resolution No. 10-42: "A RESOLUTION APPROVING A FIVE FOOT VARIANCE TO THE SIDE YARD SETBACK ABUTTING A STREET FOR THE REBUILDING OF A DETACHED GARAGE AT 1857 DODD ROAD" d. Case No. 10-17: Crystal Crocker — 665 Hidden Creels Trail — Wetlands Permit to Plant Trees. Resolution No. 10-43: "A RESOLUTION APPROVING A WETLANDS PERMIT TO PLANT TREES IN THE WETLAND BUFFER AT 665 HIDDEN CREEK TRAIL" e. Case No. 10-19: William Stein — 2465 Westview Terrace — Wetlands Permit. Resolution No. 10-44: "A RESOLUTION APPROVING A WETLANDS PERMIT FOR THE INSTALLATION OF A GROUND SOURCE HEAT PUMP AT 2465 WESTVIEW TERRACE" 10. Council Comments 11. Adiourn Auxiliary aids for persons with disabilities are available upon request at least 120 hours in advance. If a notice of less than 120 hours is received, the City of Mendota Heights will make every attempt to provide the aids, however, this may not be possible on short notice. Please contact City Administration at 651-452-1850 with requests. This meeting is being taped by NDC4 (651-450-9891) and will replay on Friday at 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. on the NDC4 Government Channel 18. AAl.`J1♦ CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS MEMO DATE: May 25, 2010 TO: City Council, Cominission Members, and City Administrator FROM: Jake Sedlacek, Assistant to the City Administratf?�s SUBJECT: Pre -Application Meeting Synopsis Staff met with two potential planning applicants on Monday, May 24, 2010. Steve Grittman, Ryan Ruzek and Jake Sedlacek were present. Randy McMahon, re. 1122 Orchard Circle Mr. McMahon has been working with the property owner at 1122 Orchard Circle for some time regarding a potential in -ground pool to be installed on the property. Mr. McMahon got the green light from the property owner and submitted a building permit, only to find out that the property is within the Critical Area District. Staff reviewed the site plans, and described the critical area application and approval process. Mr. McMahon was going to provide the checklist to the property owner to complete. Staff anticipates a completed application for consideration at the June Planning Commission meeting. Erick Schmidt, 1133 Delaware Avenue Mr. Schmidt would like to construct a new detached garage on this property, and came to the planning meeting to discuss different configurations for the proposed structure. Staff described the conditional use permit and variance application and approval processes, . advising Mr. Schmidt that a variance for a detached garage over 750 square feet might be hard to justify. Mr. Schmidt described a couple of unique designs, which staff will need to research to determine how code applies. Staff is anticipating a completed application for consideration at the July Planning Commission meeting. Three candidates in line for Dakota County dispatch chief job - TwinCities.com TwinCities,vk0com Three candidates in line for Dakota County dispatch chief job By Frederick Melo finelo@pioneerpress.com Updated: 05/26/2010 12:04:18 AM CDT Three finalists are being interviewed for the top job at the Dakota Communications Center, which handles 911 dispatching across Dakota County. Two are former directors of the 911 center in Minneapolis, and the third is the Dakota Communications Center's current operations director. John Dejung is the current director of a public safety communications center in Madison, Wis., serving Dane County. He previously oversaw 911 and 311 operations in Minneapolis from March 1997 to May 2009 and served as a U.S. Coast Guard officer from 1978 to 1997. Diane Lind has been the Dakota Communications Center's operations director since January 2007. She was a communications supervisor at the Burnsville Police Department from 1992 to 2006 and, before that, served as its lead dispatcher. Russell Sinkler, an executive with Ingenix, a health care research agency in Eden Prairie, directed the Minneapolis emergency communications center from 1981 to 1984. He held a similar position at a 911 center in Arlington Heights, III., and served as a police officer in Palatine, III., in the 1970s. Advertisement Page 1 of 1 The center's board of directors is tentatively scheduled to make a decision June 17 based in part on the results of a leadership assessment and background investigation. The advertised annual salary range is $85,000 to $125,000, with a potential maximum of $145,000. The center's current director, former Eagan Police Chief Kent Therkelsen, will step down June 30. He plans to start a consulting business aimed at helping cities and public agencies partner with other cities and public agencies to deliver critical services, such as 911 dispatching, more efficiently and economically. The Dakota Communications Center opened in December 2007 in Empire Township, replacing four municipal dispatch operations run by the cities and a fifth run by Dakota County. It maintains eight to 14 dispatchers and one or two supervisors on duty at all times and handles about 350,000 calls per year. Frederick Melo can be reached at 651-228-2172. 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