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2010-11-12 Friday NewsPar 3 Closes for the Season The Mendota Heights Par 3 has closed for the year, after a golf season that saw tumultuous weather. On weekend days when the weather is nice, you may see the flags go out, but if citizens are rA'. .. ♦ A thinking of playing it is best to call ahead to see if the course is open. Please call 651-454-9822 to see if the course available for play. Thanks go out to the crew at the Par 3 including Clubhouse Manager November 12, 2010 Tom Perkins and Maintenance Supervisor Jerry Murphy who took our unpredictable weather in stride, ensuring great playing conditions and customer service. Thanks to the residents who played the course as well. We will see you all again in the spring of 2011 as soon as the snow melts! F City Council Items The City Council will wrap up their work over the final three meetings of the year with Rdecisions on a number of issues. The council will hold a public hearing next week on the proposed Wagon Wheel Trail construction project in 2011 along with other I business items on the agenda. The first meeting in December will include consideration of the final 2011 tax levy and budget along with a chance for residents to comment on the budget before it is approved. The final meeting of the year will be ® held on Tuesday, December 21, 2010 and will include a number of minor items that will wrap up work for 2010. This will also be the final meeting for this group of city council members who have worked together over the past eight years. The new city A council will start their work on Tuesday, January 4, 2011 with new members being sworn in and the issue of the city council vacancy will be on the agenda. YBroadband Access The Dakota County Broadband Committee, a subset of the Dakota County City Administrators group, met again on Friday morning to discuss how our communities can support the development of greater access to broadband internet services for N businesses and residents. The committee is focusing in on two concepts, broadband access as an economic development tool and making it easier for companies to install the fiber optic cable necessary for the highest internet speeds. In order to ease E installation, cities across the county are working with Dakota County right of way managers to reduce the paperwork and waiting time before being issued approval for installation of new technology. SThe City Council will be holding a reception to thank John Huber and Mary Jeanne Schneeman for their years of service to the community. The reception will be held on Tuesday, December 21, 2010 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at city hall prior to their last city council meeting. Please stop by and say thank you to both of these individuals for the many years of service to our community. November 12, 2010 High Performance Partnership As you are aware from previous items in the Friday News, Dakota County and its 11 major cities have restarted the High Performance Partnership (HiPP) project. The HiPP group looks at possible projects that can be worked on as a group to either save money and/or provide higher quality services than are being provided today. One part of the restart of this project was a survey that the city councils and employees of each city were asked to fill out offering suggestions and insight into this project. I am happy to say that Mendota Heights responded in high numbers to the request to fill out the survey. Mendota Heights responses represented 17% of the responses received from all of the other government entities involved. Thank you to all of those who took the time to fill out this survey. Thank You A big thank you goes out to all city hall staff for helping out with cleaning and other duties over the past few weeks. Everyone pitching in and helping out goes a long way towards showing how we can all help each other out when needed. This is also an opportunity to experience the work of another employee and understand everything that goes into the work they perform on a daily basis. Dates To Remember City Council Meeting 11-16-2010 7:00 p.m. Planning Commission Meeting 11-23-2010 7:00 p.m. Thanksgiving (City Offices Closed) 11-25-2010 Day After Thanksgiving (City Hall Closed) 11-26-2010 City Council Meeting 12-7-201 7:00 p.m. Good luck to the St. Thomas Academy football team as they take on Northfield High School in the quarterfinal round of the Class AAAA state football playoffs. The game will be played on Friday, November 12, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. at Lakeville North High School Attachments The Pipeline, Just the Facts, Pre -Application Meeting Synopsis November 12, 2010 NEWS The LETTER Public Works Engineering Code Enforcement November 10, 2010 Public Works The Parks Crew finished fertilizing the parks. They took down the tennis nets and locked the gates at the tennis courts for the winter. The shrubs were trimmed up around the park signs. Dirt was hauled in around the water tower and leveled off. Rich put a new pump controller in the Saint Thomas lift station. A call came in for 741 Navajo Lane because of sanitary sewer line troubles. He checked the city's line and it was ok. He mulched leaves at the Veronica lift station. The Streets Crew finished blacktopping the high irons in all plow areas. They filled pot holes in on Wesley Lane and Crown Point Drive. They did a patch for the Parks Crew at Mendakota Park by the playground equipment. The ashes from the Halloween bonfire were hauled to the city land fill for staging until the paperwork is done to haul them to SKB Landfill. John Ambrose did welding on a park mower. The back shop was cleaned. Engineering Highway 55/Mendota Heights Road Intersection - Private Utility relocations are complete, and the contractor has been working on the road base. Pavement installation began this week. Traffic was diverted onto the new asphalt while work continues in the traffic free areas. Curb & Gutter installation is ongoing. As always weather will determine the amount of work that can be accomplished and will largely drive the construction schedule. Residents should be aware of traffic revisions at this intersection due to construction through the end of December. 2011 Street Reconstruction Project (Wagon Wheel Trail) - The formal Public Hearing before City Council is scheduled for November 16t" at 7:00pm in the City Hall Council Chambers. Staff held an information neighborhood meeting on the upcoming project on Thursday (10/28) evening at the Holy Family Church, across form City Hall. Roughly 40 residents attended. Concerns from attendees focused on speed and/or volume of traffic, storm water drainage, pedestrian safety, trail construction, stop sign placement, and assessment valuation and payment. A summary will be presented as part of the Council meeting. Notices have been sent to the affected property owners informing them of the Public Hearing. Project is proposed to reconstruct Wagon Wheel Trail from Lexington Avenue to Dodd Road, install storm sewer with curb & gutter, and provide for a pedestrian trail along the length of the project. Also proposed are the rehabilitation (mill & overlay) of Alice Lane, Rodgers Court, and Swan Court, along with improvements to Rogers Lake Park. Trail Gap & Repair Prioritization - A brief summary of the Trails Project Assessment and Prioritization effort was presented to the Parks Commission on Tuesday night (11/9). The method and process being followed was very well received. Engineering, Planning, and Public Works Staff are analyzing the City Trail System. Gaps in the system will be identified, and the condition of the trails is being assessed. Engineering Staff will be providing a list of projects, intended at rehabilitating the trail system, prioritized into three groups: immediate need, short-term need, and long-term need. This list will then be brought through the Parks Commission for review and comment, and ultimately presented to Council for comment and/or concurrence/approval. Once the list is approved, Staff intends to develop a Trails Improvement Plan similar to the Street Improvement Plan. 7,'�e Wf15vX t1W Yehr('ota #e-.fJ its)),C yneyat 11/12/2010 A The CONGRATULATIONS Mendota On November 16, 2010 at 1900 hours, at the Mendota Heights Heights City Council meeting, the MHPD will be honoring the individuals listed below who have earned recognition for going above and Police beyond the call for service/duty. Following the awards Department presentation, we will have a reception in honor of the recipients. Support Cookies and maybe a doughnut will be served in the squad room Staff at MHPD. Kim Henning Civilians: Sandie Ristine Susan Donovan Larry Whitney - Award of Merit Cathy Ransom Volunteering with the annual Mendota Heights 51K Run. Becky Pentel Police Officers Becky Pentel - Award of Merit Jerry Murphy For above and beyond volunteerism to the City and Police Department. Scott Patrick officers: John Larrive Bobby Lambert Officer Jeffory VonFeldt and Officer Peyton Fleming Tanner Spicer Letter of Commendation Todd Rosse Actions at a full arrest medical, resulting in reviving the man who returned Chad Willson home two days later. Jeff VonFeldt Sergeant Neil Garlock - Award of Merit Denise Urmann Michael Shepard Volunteering hundreds of hours to the City in support of the Peyton Fleming Mendota Heights 5K Run. Jenny Fordham Sergeant Petersen and Officer Rosse - Lifesaving Award School Resource Response to a respiratory arrest medical, resulting in a young man being able Officer to return home later that evening. Steven Meyer Investigations AOA Friday 0811 hours Mario Reyes Tanner Spicer Officer Bobby Lambert responded to a home about a strong smell Sergeants of gas. MHFD also responded - they found the source. The Neil Garlock homeowner left the grill on. Clear problem solved. Brian Convety Eric Petersen Medical Saturday 0027 hours Reserves Randy Pentel Officer Chad Willson assisted the paramedics on a medical Gino Messina where a 33 YOA female suffered an apparent stroke. The patient Jesse Meaner was loaded and transported to the hospital. Andrew Quinlan Chief Warrant Saturday 2215 hours Mike While on patrol Sergeant Convery spotted a car on Hwy 110 Aschenbrener without tail lights. The car was stopped a short time later and the me 11/12/2010 driver provided a MN D/L and proof of insurance. Upon running the registration, Sgt Convery found a surprise: the driver had a 100% warrant hit (meaning, - "that's your guy!") for a first degree narcotics charge, with a note advising caution as the party has an assaultive/weapons history. At that time, Officers Urmann and Fleming arrived to assist with a high risk stop. The driver was arrested without incident. In the center console were two open beers with the open 12 pack on the floor at the passenger's feet. The driver was very nervous about the car being impounded and the glove box was full of air fresheners. Hmm...drug warrant, nervous, air fresheners — let's take a closer look. Eagan PD's drug dog arrived and soon became interested in the center console; unfortunately, Officer Fleming came up empty. When Officer Urmann asked the passenger about the open containers, she replied they were celebrating, as the driver had "just gotten out of prison." She received a citation for open bottle. The celebratory driver was brought to the Dakota County Jail to be held for Oak Park Heights Prison. That was a very short party. Found ATV Sunday 0825 hours The MN DNR called to request assistance with an ATV that was buried in Fort Snelling State Park, Conservation Officer Salzar and Officer John Larrive checked the ATV and determined it was the same one that was abandoned earlier in the year in the park. They determined they would watch to see if the owner claimed it. Harassment Sunday 1617 hours Caller reported that he was being harassed / threatened by the grandson (46 YOA) of a resident. The grandson is not on the lease but stays in the apartment. Today he was caught throwing the pool equipment around and rearranging lobby furniture. When asked to put the stuff away, the grandson was threatening and belligerent. Sergeant Convery went to the apartment to speak with the man who was bizarre during the contact. He was directed several times to sit and keep his hands in plain sight. His brother eventually came and removed the man who stopped to threaten a few people on the way out. The caller was advised to work with management to develop a plan to deal with the problem before it is out of control. DUI Monday 1527 hours Officer Scott Patrick was leaving the area of Mendota Elementary school when a party he knows to be revoked drove by, headed towards the school. The SUV came to a stop in front of the school. Immediately upon speaking with the driver it was obvious she was intoxicated. She was not cooperative and tried to walk away saying; "No, not here," and, "I just want to pick up my son." Officer Patrick and Sgt Convery ended up putting the woman on the ground in front the school to get her into custody. The arrest prevented the very intoxicated woman from picking up her son. 1 iip //niinnesotai cuL;local com/2010/11/09/mother-drunken-driving-son-in-vehicle-arrested-again/ the story can be watched at the link. Dog Park Tuesday 0815 hours Caller reported dogs running loose at Mendakota Park, one described as a big, white and fluffy and two smaller dogs who poop all over. Officer Larrive arrived to find one dog running loose. The owner advised Officer Larrive it was not against ordinance to _2- 11/12/2010 have them off leash, as this park was a dog park. The owner was advised of her error, informed of the ordinance and of the complaint. She was not happy with the conversation. Juveniles Wednesday 1356 hours Caller reported kids pulling a rope across Marie Avenue waiting for cars to get close and then pulling it tight, Officer Patrick checked the area and found out kids were pretending to pull rope across road. Big laughs when cars stopped for the pretend rope. The kids pedaled away before Officer Patrick arrived GOA. Suspicious Vehicle Thursday 1427 hours Officer Bobby Lambert made contact with the R/O of a vehicle that an armored car was certain was following them. The R/O was concerned about the acquisition but consented to have his vehicle searched nothing unusual found. Clear information passed along. Domestic Thursday 1916 hours Mom called to report her 16 YOA was out of control. When dad tried to intervene for a time out he was punched in the face. Officer Todd Rosse arrived on scene and found the parents were at wits end with the child. He was arrested. Dad declined medical attention even though he could have used a couple of stiches. Everyone was interviewed and the 16 YOA was placed at Dakota County Juvenile Detention Center. M A R I N E 0 U N D A T I 0 N Starting on Monday, November 15th you may drop toys of at the City Hall building, upper or lower level, for delivery to the Toys for Tots warehouse. Let's make sure the Officers who set this up have cause to make several trips to the warehouse for this great cause - every child deserves a present. Questions can be answered by Officer Urmann. �faoo a,grzat,vuf,�,rd,��1,� _3_ slk� AA.AiI n 9 CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS MEMO DATE: November 9, 2010 TO: City Council, Commission Members, and City Administrator CO� FROM: Jake Sedlacek, Assistant to the City Administrat�S SUBJECT: Pre -Application Meeting Synopsis Staff met with two potential planning applicants on Monday, November 8, 2010. Steve Grittman, John Mazzitello and Jake Sedlacek were present. Alex Young re. 1044 Hwy 110 (Curley's Furniture) Mr. Young represents MSP Commercial, a group which specializes in medical clinics and offices. Mr. Young is working with a health care provider who is interested in the Curley's Furniture building at 1044 Hwy 110 for a clinic. Mr. Young reported that the existing building is well-built and an appropriate size for his client. Parking at the site is significantly less than the 100 feet clinic would like. Staff confirmed that a medical clinic is an allowed use in the B-3 zone, and that required parking (six spaces for every 1,000 square feet) is also approximately 100 spaces. Staff discussed the parcel, the adjoining parcel to the rear which is currently zoned R-1, and parking lot requirements. Mr. Young also sought feedback on parking lot construction requirements, exterior finishes and shared parking agreements. Mr. Young intends to touch base with his client, who may consider a planning application for rezoning the rear parcel. If planning materials are submitted, it would likely be for the January Planning Commission meeting. Mike Johnson, 554 Junction Lane Mr. Johnson has been in conversation with Code Enforcement Officer Paul Berg regarding a fence which was recently constructed at 554 Junction Lane. Mr. Johnson constructed the fence with the finished side facing his own property; code requires that the finished side of a fence face towards neighboring properties. At the planning meeting, Mr. Johnson proposed two potential modifications to the fence in order to bring it into compliance. Planner Grittman felt that either option would technically meet code; one was more likely to satisfy the neighbor. Jake Sedlacek will summarize the planning meeting conversation with Paul Berg, so he may continue to work with Mr. Johnson to correct the fence compliance issue. Mr. Johnson also had questions about drainage on his property. City Engineer Mazzitello offered to visit the site and touch base with Mr. Johnson on alternatives for working with stormwater on site.