Loading...
2010-06-04 Friday NewsMW AA&AAAA June 4, 2010 Summer Events Arrive The first week of June marks the beginning of summer and the many events that go along with the best season of the year. This weekend features Celebrate Mendota Heights Parks Day and the 5K Run/Walk. Other summertime events that will occur in the very near future include the start of the summer concerts at The Village and the annual fireworks sponsored by the city and Mendakota Country Club on July 4th. Please get out and support these Mendota Heights events. The work and effort that go into planning and organizing these events is all worth once the people show up and enjoy the show. So What Do You Do? FI get asked on a weekly basis by someone what I actually do as the city administra- tor. The job entails a variety of tasks performed each week and usually something R new and different to make my job interesting. My jobs as a city and county adminis- trator are similar, but there are a few unique differences. This week some of the pro- jects that I worked on included preparing for and attending the city council meeting, I putting together the first version of the 2011 budget, attending the Dakota Communi- cations Center Executive Committee meeting, meeting with staff on a variety of is- sues, meeting with all of the other Dakota County administrators at our monthly meet - Ding and a variety of other meetings. This is all in addition to the routine tasks that are a part of my daily work. There were a few unique events including going out and re- moving a temporary speed bump that a resident had placed in the street, stopping out at the golf course to see how business was going, visiting the Plaza reconstruc- tion project and working with one of our attorneys on a legal matter. The job is cycli- Y cal, but usually not boring or without little adventures. That is the job of the adminis- trator for this week, next week will bring an entirely new set of projects and issues. Mendoberri It looks like a new restaurant will be moving into the Village in the very near future. N Mendoberri has posted signs at the location of the former Sage restaurant and applied for a liquor license. According to their website, Mendoberri offers a version of fast food that includes gourmet dishes for busy families that feature ingredients fresh from local E farmers and vendors and prepared using healthy cooking methods not laden with satu- rated fats and empty calories. Stay tuned to find out more information as this new eat- ing establishment moves in Mendota Heights. S Parks and Recreation Commission Appointment The City Council unanimously appointed Stephanie Levine to the Parks and Recrea- tion Commission at their meeting on Tuesday. Stephanie will fill the seat vacated by Maureen Brackey who resigned earlier this year. Stephanie has lived in Mendota Heights for 19 years and, along with her family, is an avid user of both the parks sys- tem and the recreation programs. Stephanie and her husband have three children. Please welcome Stephanie when you have a chance to meet her and thank her for vol- unteering her time to [�_e p keep t e parks an recreation programs first rate. June 4, 2010 City Filing Period You may have heard a lot this week about candidates filing for state and county offices around Minnesota. In addition, candidate filings occurred in those cities that have the poten- tial for a primary election. Mendota Heights does not have a primary election for city offices so the filing period for mayor and two city council positions will run from August 3, 2010 through August 17, 2010. All of the candidates who file appear on the ballot in November. Remember the Primary Election has been moved up to August 10, 2010 and the General Election is scheduled for November 2, 2010. Transportation Study Recommendations Dakota County presented their draft recommendations on the regional transportation study to city officials and residents last week. There are a number of recommendations that are made, with one of the most important being a future new interchange 1/4 to 1/2 mile east of the current Delaware Avenue overpass. The county will present the draft recommendations to a joint meeting of the Mendota Heights and Sunfish Lake city council's on Tuesday, July 6, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. at Mendota Heights City Hall. Dates To Remember Celebrate Mendota Heights Parks Day 6-5-2010 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting 6-8-2010 6:30 p.m. ARC Meeting 6-9-2010 7:00 p.m. City Council Meeting 6-15-2010 7:00 p.m. Planning Commission Meeting 6-22-2010 7:00 p.m. Good luck 5K run- ners and walkers. Enjoy Mendota Heights Parks Day!! Attachments Just The Facts, The Pipeline, TwinCities.com "Mendota Heights students return from Guatemala trip disrupted by storm volcano". June 4, 2010 6/4/2010 I 1 t t Ir l/ / Acf latestnews Yrom tie /Mendota He�/Ats Po�ice VeDartment _ 1. The Fraud Thursday 1013 hours Mendota Sergeant Neil Garlock responded to a local residence on a home Heights owner who had been scammed by a Craigslist advertiser. If it Police sounds to good to be true and the seller asks you to pay in a manner that doesn't make sense.....IT IS TO GOOD TO BE Department TRUE!!! If you really want to give your money away a local Support charity is a much better choice than the scammer. The case is Staff under investigation but the solvability factor is very low. Kim Henning Sandie Ristine Strange Odor Thursday 2135 hours Susan Donovan Officer Jen Fordham responded to the report of a strange odor Cathy Ransom the caller reported that somewhere behind her home was the Becky Pentel Police Officers strong smell of burning garbage. In checking the area there were Jerry Murphy no fires and the source of the odor could not be located. Scott Patrick Dirt Bikes Thursday 2259 hours John Lambe Bobby Lambert Officers received two calls of dirt bikes racing around in Mendota. Tanner Spicer The caller did not leave any information. One reported the Todd Rosse motorcycle driving on the County Trail. Officer VonFeldt located Chad Willson a man sitting on a dirt bike in his yard. Not enough information to JeffvonFeldt write a citation even though there was no doubt in the Officers Denise Urmann Michael Shepard mind who was riding down the trail. Bet we see that motorcycle Peyton Fleming on the back of a tow truck before the summer is out. Jenny Fordham School Resource Theft Friday 1738 hours Officer Thieves have no scruples. Officer Todd Rosse responded to the Steven Meyer second theft from vehicle in the past two weeks at the cemetery. Investigations Yes, while people are visiting deceased friend and relatives the Mario Keyes thieves are targeting their cars. In this case, a purse and all of its Tanner Spicer Sergeants contents were taken with in a short period of time. The credit Neil Garlock cards were in use. Case forwarded to investigations for follow Brian Convert' up. Saturday morning Osseo PD called to ask for a copy of the Eric Petersen case as they had a suspect in custody in possession of the stolen Reserves Randy Pentel purse. As Osseo PD does not have an investigator, the case will Gino Messina be followed up by the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office on Jesse Mettner Tuesday before the suspect is charged. Andrew Quinlan Romel Brom Fight Friday 2011 hours Chief Multiple 911 cellular callers reported 5 men with tattoos fighting Mike on the side of Hwy 110. Officer Todd Rosse arrived and found a Aschenbrener -1- 6/4/2010 group of friends having an animated argument. They thought it better to stop on the side of the road than to have the argument in a moving car. Advised to move along. Noise Friday 2230 hours Caller from the residential neighborhood reported a street sweeper working at an office complex across Lexington Avenue making to much noise. Officer Peyton Fleming spoke with the operator who agreed to come back during the day on the weekend and finish the job. Medical / Psych Saturday 0045 hours Officers Fleming and VonFeldt received a 911 hang up call while en route they learned it was actually a father daughter domestic. The twenty something daughter was upset that her evening was not going as planned. She had two run in's with the police; one in Mpls and one in St Paul that resulted in dad having to pick her up. When she got home she told dad that she was going to take her 15 month old son leave and harm both of them. The daughter had fresh bite marks on her wrists from trying to rip her veins out. She agreed to go voluntarily for an evaluation. HealthEast Ambulance transported her to the hospital. Noise Saturday 0756 hours Officer Bobby Lambert responded to a loud stereo complaint. Upon arrival he found a young child watching television. The father was very apologetic that the child had gotten up and turned on the TV. Loud Pool Party Saturday 2236 hours Caller reported that the neighbor was having a loud pool party with lots of teenagers. Officer Fleming reported that party was easily heard from down the street. In speaking with the homeowner they agreed to quiet the kids down. After that, the party thrower went out and chastised the caller for not asking before calling the cops. The dispute was then mediated by Officers before clearing with options given for dispute resolution. Drunk Sunday 0004 hours Officer VonFeldt had spotted two young men running from a local bar and made contact with them. They were just trying to catch a ride that was leaving with or without them. While on scene he spotted a man that was so drunk he couldn't unlock his car. After a short conversation he agreed to make the dreaded call to his wife for a ride home. Clear no drunk on road. AOA/K-9 Assist Sunday 1032 hours Sergeant Garlock and Officer Bobby Lambert responded to a call to assist West St Paul PD on a suspect who had bailed out (run from) from a stolen vehicle (who had pulled away after being stopped for a seatbelt violation). The WSSPD officer remained on scene with the passenger, who also attempted to bail out and sustained severe injuries. Officer Lambert was positioned at the perimeter while Sergeant Garlock assisted the SPPD K-9 Officer Schuck and his dog Zeus in pursuing the -2- 6/4/2010 suspect through City of West St Paul neighborhood behind Kmart. The three worked together, thru several blocks, with the help of citizens until the Zeus found the suspect in a garage. Commands were given for the suspect to surrender — with no response. Seconds before the dog was going to be released into the garage to capture the suspect, he descended from the rafters. Sergeant Garlock took him into custody for WSPPD. Officers cleared. Noise Monday 0113 hours Caller reported a car alarm going off intermittently in the area. About an hour later called back again saying it was going off again. Neither time did the caller leave any information for Officer Chad Willson to contact the caller. On the second call, the intermittent alarm was located and a note was left for the homeowner. Unfortunately the noise will continue until the homeowner and car owner return from the long weekend. At 1630 hours the car owner returned and found the note. They wanted to report possible harassment, attempted car break in by soon to be ex-husband. Nothing to indicate any tampering. Information taken on the impending harassment. Unauthorized Trampolining Monday 0402 hours Neighbor called to report people jumping on neighbor's trampoline. The neighbor was out of town for the weekend. Officer Peyton Fleming arrived to find the trampoline jumpers GOA. The tracks in the early morning dew lead to another neighbor's house where a party was going on. The party goers agreed it was time to call it for the evening. O Help /// Um just kidding Monday 1821 hours Sgt Brian Convery received a call to respond to a home on the north end because the neighbor was threatening to hurt the caller. The caller thought about it for a moment and decided it was best to work out the problem without police assistance, but it would be nice if he just drove by so everyone knows that he is there just in case. Yes, really we take them as they come in. Loose Dog Tuesday 1115 hours A 911 cellular caller reported a person chasing a small white dog from Hwy 110 onto 135E. The caller was advised by dispatch on how unsafe it was and to leave the dog alone and return to their car. They hung up. Officer Scott Patrick arrived moments later to find the caller and the dog GOA. *Never get out of your car on the freeway the outcomes of a close encounter are never good. Theft from Auto Tuesday 1730 hours Sgt Petersen was flagged down at the Big Rivers Trail parking lot about a car with a smashed out window. The driver could not be located at 2000 hours Officer Jen Fordham made contact with the owner. She learned that a purse was taken along with all of its concepts. The owner returned home to cancel her credit cards only to learn it was to late the cards were used right away. Information provide on precautionary steps to take as the theft moves forward. Referred to investigation for follow up. gVfiW agrMl wmkend? WOO -;- Level three predatory offender moving to Mendota Heights Community Notification Meeting June 9th, 2010 6:3Op.m. Henry Sibley High School Auditorium 1897 Delaware Avenue Mendota Heights MN 55118 The Mendota Heights Police Department will be holding a community notification meeting Wednesday June 9t" at 6:30 p.m. regarding a Level Three registered sex offender moving to Mendota Heights. The meeting is set for 6:30-8:00 p.m. Wednesday June 9th, at Henry Sibley High School in the auditorium 1897 Delaware Avenue, Mendota Heights MN 55118. Community notification meetings are held to alert neighbors when a Level Three Registered Predatory Offender indicates he or she will be moving into a neighborhood. Notifications were mailed out to residents on June 2, 2010 to those who live within a half mile of this person's address. Information on the offender, the notification program and safety information will be provided at the meeting. Representatives from the Department of Corrections and the Mendota Heights Police Department will be on hand to answer any questions. No information concerning the offender is attached to this announcement. The offender information will become available for public viewing June 2, 2010 on the MN DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS WEBSITE: http://www.doc.state.mn.us/level3/search.asp. or At the Mendota Heights Police Department 1101 Victoria Curve Mendota Heights, MN 55118 or On the City of Mendota Heights web page at http://www.mendota-hei-ghts.com in the "What's New" section. 05/18/2010 Mendota Heights Police Department FACT SHEET NOTIFICATION OF RELEASE IN MINNESOTA RISK LEVEL THREE In addition to level two notification (schools and daycares as well as establishments and organizations that primarily serve individuals likely to be victimized by the offender), law enforcement may notify other members of the community whom the offender is likely to encounter. The Mendota Heights Police Department is available to provide you with useful information on personal safety. The Mendota Heights Police Department may be reached at 651-452-1366. To report criminal activity by this offender or any other individual, please call 911. ERIC JAMES DOIUMN DOB: 12/28/1963 OlD: 210350 Race: White Hispanic: No Height: 5'08" Eyes: Brown Weight: 188 lbs Hair: Gray Complexion: Medium Build: Medium Registration statutes: 609.342, 609.343 Investigating agency: Anoka County Sheriffs Office & Hastings Police Department Release date: 09/22/2009 Supervision agent: Kay Sailer 651-554-60811 09/22/2009 e' /22/2009 Offense: Offender has a history of sexual contact with victims (males, age 6 —12). Contact has included fondling and penetration. Offender was known to victims. Address: 2200 block of Lexington Avenue South, Mendota Heights, MN 55120 Date of address change: 06/11/2010 The Mendota Heights Police Department is releasing this information pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 244.052. This statute authorizes law enforcement agencies to inform the public of a sexual or predatory offender's release from prison or a secure treatment facility when the Mendota Heights Police Department believes that the release of information will enhance public safety and protection. The individual who appears on this notification has been convicted of Criminal Sexual Conduct or another offense that requires registration with law enforcement pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 243.166 or 243.167. This offender is not wanted by the police at this time and has served the sentence imposed on him/her by the court. This notification is not intended to increase fear in the community. Law enforcement believes that an informed public is a safer public. The Mendota Heights Police Department, the supervising release agent, and the Minnesota Department of Corrections may NOT direct where the offender does or does not reside, nor can these agencies direct where he/she works or goes to school. The risk level of this offender has been determined based largely on his/her potential to re -offend based on his/her previous criminal behavior. Convicted sexual and predatory offenders have always been released to live in our communities. It was not until the passage of the Registration Act that law enforcement had an ability track the movement of these offenders after their initial release. With the passage of the Community Notification Act law enforcement may now share information about many of these offenders with the public. Abuse of this information to threaten, harass or intimidate a registered offender is unacceptable and such acts could be charged as a crime. Such abuses could potentially end the ability of law enforcement to provide these notifications. If community notification ends the only person who wins is the offender. Many of these offenders -derive-their power__from-thc opponumn ty that secrecy provides. For questions about sex offenders and community notification, go to %v%+nv.doc.state.mn.us and click on "Level Three Predatory Offender Locator" DOC MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS Facts About Minnesota's Community Notification Act ► Minnesota's Community Notification Act was effective January 1, 1997. ► Assignment of risk levels is the statutory responsibility of the Minnesota Department of Corrections. ► Community notification is the statutory responsibility of law enforcement. ► Level 3 offenders — those determined at highest risk to reoffend — are identified on a public website. ► Offenders are subject to Act provisions for as long as they are required to register as predatory offenders. ► Of all offenders who have been assigned risk levels, approximately 60% are level 1; 26% are level 2; and 14% are level 3. ► Approximately 140level 3 offenders are living in the community in Minnesota. COMMUNITY NOTIFICATION ACT What is Minnesota's Community Notification Act? The Act requires assignment of a risk level to offenders subject to registra- tion as a predatory offender before they are released from confinement in a state prison or treatment facility. The Act also requires that community notification of the offender's release occur. Effective January 1, 1997, the Act applies to offenders released on or after that date (M.S. 244.052). What is registration? Since July 1, 1991, predatory offend- ers in Minnesota have been required to register their addresses with local law enforcement agencies (M.S. 243.166). Law enforcement agen- cies forward the information to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, which maintains a database that can be used by law enforcement agencies as an investi- gative tool. Who is assigned a risk level? Risk levels are assigned to predatory offenders: 1) Released from a state prison in Minnesota; 2) Released from a state prison in another state who come to Minnesota under supervision; 3) Released from a federal prison and intending to reside in Minne- sota; 4) Released from confinement who were committed as sexually dangerous persons or psycho- pathic personalities; or mentally ill and dangerous 5) Upon request from local law enforcement if released from a federal prison or another state's prison (and not under supervi- sion). As of July 1, 2008, about 5,400 of Minnesota's 15,000 registered (active) predatory offenders fall under the above categories and are assigned a risk level. What are the risk levels? Level l –lowest public risk Level 2 – moderate public risk Level 3 – highest public risk Who assigns risk levels? An End -of -Confinement Review Committee (ECRC) is established at each Minnesota state prison or treatment facility to determine risk levels. For offenders released from federal or out-of-state prisons, an ECRC in the Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) Central Office performs this function. Who serves on the ECRC? 1) The prison warden or treatment facility head where the offender is confined, or that person's designee; 2) A law enforcement officer; 3) A treatment professional trained in assessing sex offenders; 4) A caseworker experienced in supervising sex offenders; and 5) Avictim services professional. What does the ECRC consider when assigning risk level? A variety of information, including: 1) Seriousness of the offense; 2) Offender's prior offense history; 3) Offender's characteristics, such as response to prior treatment efforts and history of substance abuse; 4) Availability of community support to the offender, such as therapeu- tic treatment, a stable and super- vised living arrangement, familial and social relationships, and consideration of the offender's education or employment stability. 5) Whether the offender has indi- cated, or credible evidence in the record indicates, that the offender will reoffend if released into the community; and 6) Whether the offender demon- strates a physical condition that minimizes risk of reoffense, including but not limited to ad- vanced age or a debilitating illness or physical condition. Who provides notification to the community? The DOC provides information from the ECRC to law enforcement, which is responsible for notification in the community where the offender is to reside. Who may law enforcement notify about release or relocation of an offender? Level 1 — Victims of and witnesses to the crime, other law enforcement agencies, and anyone identified by the prosecuting attorney to receive the information. Level 2 —Anyone included in the Level l information release. In addition, notification may be given to schools, daycare centers, and other organizations where individuals who may become victims of the offender are regularly found. Law enforce- ment may also choose to notify certain individuals that they determine to be at possible risk. The information is not to be redistributed by organiza- tions. Level 3 — Requires broad public notification, usually done through a public meeting. Law enforcement may also notify individuals and agen- cies included in Level l and Level 2 notifications, and may use the media and other distribution methods to get information to the public. What is included in the notification? General area of residence, description Are risk levels public? Levels 1 and 2 are not public, except as released by law enforcement as specified in the Act. Information about level 3 offenders is posted on the DOC's website once a community notification meeting has been held at the request of law enforcement (www.doc.state.mn.us/level3Aevel3.asp). How long are offenders subject to community notification provisions? For as long as they are required to register as predatory offenders. Registration is generally required for ten years after release or until correc- tional supervision ends, whichever is longer. Some offenders are subject to lifetime registration. Can a risk level be changed? of the offender and photo, and de - Yes. Within 14 days of assignment at December 2008 Y t� scription of the pattern of behavior level 2 or 3, an offender can request that the offender has been known to Minnesota Department of Corrections review from an administrative law splay. 1450 Energy Park Drive, Suite 200 judge. Also, after three years from St. Paul, Minnesota 55108-5219 initial risk level assignment, an of- 651/361-7200 TT -Y-800/62-7-3529 fender can request that the ECRC wwwdoc.state.mn.us consider a level reassessment. L Public Works Engineering Code Enforcement June 4, 2010 Public Works The Parks Crew picked repaired sprinkler heads at Kensington and Mendakota Parks. Dead trees were cut and removed at the public works garage. Preparation for the Park celebration is ongoing. Trash was collected from parks, cut grass, striped fields and dragged and chalked baseball diamonds. Rich checked all lift stations, cleaned sewers on Claremont Dr, Bedford Ct., Whitfield Dr. and Stockbridge Rd. A tree was replaced on Callahan PI per direction from engineering. New manholes were inspected on John Street and at Mendota Plaza. The Streets Crew cut up and hauled away tree tops that were broken off in Wentworth Park. Mike from streets assisted the Parks crew in collecting trash and cutting grass for the park celebration. Black topping, pot hole filling and cross walk striping were completed on Huber Drive and Mendota Heights Road, and Knollwood Lane was patched. A driveway at 682 Woodridge was also patched as part of a past reconstruction project. Engineering Mendota Heights Road Roundabout - A preconstruction meeting was held on Tuesday. Road closed signs will be placed on Monday June 7th and the project is scheduled to start on June 14tH 2010 Reconstruction - Storm sewer and Sanitary sewer installations occurred during the week. Xcel energy is replacing the gas causing the city contractor to be delayed in starting their work. Rain on Friday morning made a mess on John Street causing a city fire truck to become stuck. Public works assisted in safely pulling the stuck vehicle through the mud. Water Tower Rehabilitation - The contractor has made great progress in the rehabilitation of the city water tower. St. Paul water is requesting additional safety devices on the tower which will be causing the contractor some delay and reworking of some areas. SPRWS will bear the costs of the changes. Highway 55/Mendota Heights Road - MnDOT comments have been received and the project is nearly ready to be let for bids. The city still needs to acquire right of way from one commercial property. Mendota Heights students Guatemala disrupted. '" lcano Pioneer Press Updated: 06/0312010 11:56:45 PM CDT the airport. "There's a lot of gratitude, and they're glad to be home." On Wednesday the students traveled by bus to EI Salvador, where they were able to catch a flight to the U.S. They were pleased to be able to return this week — their graduation is Sunday. Today they are expected to make a presentation about their service project before their entire graduating class. A group of students from a Mendota Heights high school arrived in the Twin Cities late — Staff report Thursday after a tropical storm and volcano eruption left them stranded in Guatemala earlier this week. The 16 students — from the all -girls Convent of the Visitation School — had traveled to the Central American country as part of their senior year service project. They had intended to return Wednesday but the weather worsened and officials suspended air travel. Patty Healy, a spokeswoman for the high school, said family and friends met the students at the Minneapolis -St. Paul International Airport Thursday. "It's really great," Healy said of the scene at Advertisement Print Powered By = r :'r i�trric•