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2016-01-08 Friday News January 8, 2016 City of Mendota Heights Weekly Update DATES TO REMEMBER: Mendota Heights is a Pollinator Friendly Community January 12 Parks Commission 6:30 p.m. January 13 Airport Commission 7:00 p.m. January 18 Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday. City offices will be closed for the holiday. City offices will re-open on Tuesday, January 19 at 8:00 a.m. January 19 Employee Recognition Reception 6:30 p.m. - City Council 7:00 p.m. January 26 - Planning Commission 7:00 p.m. Remember to keep fire hydrants clear of snow. - This will help firefighters save time in the event of a fire. The Pipeline N E W S L E T T E R Public Works January 8, 2016 Engineering Public Works The Parks Crew picked up trash daily. They continue to flood the ice rinks. Truck 504 was repaired. They plowed snow. Fabrication work was done on the parks snow blower. The post on the hill at the Par 3 was removed. The Utilities Crew checked the lift stations daily. The lift stations were plowed. On Sunday at 3:00pm, the Lilydale lift station low level float broke. A contractor was called to install a new float. Another alarm for the Lilydale lift station was responded to during the work day on Thursday. A manhole on Highway 13 was pumped out for Lilydale. Ice rinks were cleaned off. The Streets Crew plowed snow twice this week with early starts. The trucks were washed and the equipment greased where needed. Welding work was done on the wing on the parks truck. More salt was delivered to Public Works this week. Repair work was done on the truck 304. Engineering City Projects (construction year) New Information in Italics Victoria Road Reconstruction & Rolling Green Neighborhood Rehabilitation (2014/2015) Project is essentially complete. Punch list items and landscape repairs will be completed in the spring. A new pedestrian ramp at Stratford and Victoria will be installed in the spring. Staff is working with an adjacent property owner on potential drainage modifications to be completed in the spring. Annual Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation (2015) Contractor has finished work. Lining sanitary sewer mains helps to prevent groundwater & storm water from infiltrating into the sanitary sewer system. By preventing infiltration, increases to sanitary sewer bills can be better controlled. Mendota Road Neighborhood Improvements (2016) City staff is designing the project. Design is being based on comments received from area residents as best as possible. The project is expected to be bid in March 2016. Project will consist of reconstructing Mendota Road (Hwy 110 Frontage Road) from Delaware Avenue to Oak Street, and rehabilitating Warrior Drive, High Ridge Circle, and Sibley Court. County Projects New Information in Italics Highway 110 Greenway Trail Crossing (2017) County staff presented their recommendation for the structure type for the pedestrian crossing at the th January 5 City Council meeting. After discussion with the Council, an eference being - will hear the same recommendation, with Council preference, at their th January 12 meeting. The County Board, ultimately will select the structure type for the project to move forward. If approved, the pedestrian crossing Highway 110 in 2017. State Projects New Information in Italics Highway 13 Slope Repair (2015-2016) MnDOT has granted a permit to temporarily close Highway 13 between the Ivy Falls Bridge and Sylvandale Road in conjunction with a slope repair project being accomplished by a private property owner. The contractor on the project has encountered a number of unforeseen conditions, weather delays, and equipment issues, which have delayed the completion of this phase of the project. The st highway is now estimated to open by January 21. Additional work will need to be completed in the spring, and MnDOT has directed the contractor not to commence with that work until June after school is done for the year. In June of 2014, bluff slopes in this area failed during a large rain storm. This repair project is intended to restore and stabilize the slope by constructing a retaining wall and revegetating the slope. The posted detour route takes traffic along Dodd Road, Wentworth Avenue and Wachtler Avenue. See the City Web Page for a detour route map. Highway 110 Rehabilitation (2017) MnDOT will be requesting Local Government Concurrence from Mendota Heights for this project at a City Council meeting sometime in January or February. MnDOT staff is currently working on easement identification and right-of-way issues. This project will resurface Highway 110 between I-35E and I-494, including drainage improvements. Several access changes and turn lane extensions are proposed with the project, including changes to accesses across the median as well as closing the right-in/right-out to the east of Lexington Avenue. For more information about this project, contact Molly Cline, MnDOT Project Manager, at 651-234-7723 or molly.cline@state.mn.us. Highway 149 (Dodd Road) Rehabilitation (2018) This project will replace th the pavement surface of Highway 149 from I-494 north to West 7 Street in Saint Paul. The project also includes a complete re-decking of the High Bridge. Also included in the project will be drainage improvements, curb replacement in specified areas, trail rehabilitation from Highway 110 south to Mendakota Park, and new trail construction from Maple Street north to Marie Avenue. Staff will be meeting with representatives from MnDOT and Dakota County to discuss potential grant opportunities to extend pedestrian facilities along Dodd Road north of Marie Avenue. For more information, please contact Tara McBride, Project Manager at 651-234-7506, or tara.mcbride@state.mn.us. The project web page is: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/metro/projects/hwy149highbridge/index.html Highway 13 (Annapolis Street) Rehabilitation (2018) MnDOT will be resurfacing Annapolis Street as part of this project in conjunction with the Highway 149 project in 2018. City staff has contacted some adjoining property owners about the possibility of sidewalk installation on the south side of Annapolis. All responses were against the sidewalk proposal and have been forwarded to MnDOT. For more information, contact Molly Cline, MnDOT Project Manager, at 651-234-7723 or molly.cline@state.mn.us. Highway 13 Drainage Repair (2016) Staff attended a pre-construction meeting for this project on Friday. MnDOT will be correcting and repairing erosion on the north side of Highway 13 between Fremont Street and Annapolis Street beginning in late January. No traffic impacts on Highway 13 are anticipated other than the closing of the bluff-side shoulder. The st project is estimated to be complete by March 1. For more information, please contact Tara McBride, Project Manager at 651-234-7506, or tara.mcbride@state.mn.us. Other Activities New Information in Italics Future Cities Competition Staff met with the 2015 Future Cities Competition teams from Friendly Hills Middle School (FHMS) on Thursday. So far, students have completed their project plans, schedules, SimCity development and presentation, and their draft city description essays. They thth have begun building their scale models. The competition is open to 6-8 grade students and involves developing a graded on a virtual city using Sim City software, completing a project schedule, a 1500 word essay, scale model, and oral presentation. The State rd competition is at Dunwoody Institute on January 23 Waste Not Want Not handle municipal and solid waste. This is the seventh year Mendota FHMS with the program. FHMS will be sending three teams to the competition in January. Saint Paul Regional Water Service (SPRWS) Water Service Agreement Staff is scheduling several additional approvals that will need to take place in conjunction with the approval of the new Omnibus Agreement with SPRWS. It is anticipated that all approvals will be complete by June 2016. Once the signed Omnibus Agreement is returned by SPRWS, staff will begin bringing these approvals before City Council. These approvals include: 1)A Lease Agreement for cell tower use and City storage at the water tower th site anticipated at the November 17 City Council meeting; approved 2)An easement agreement(s) for SPRWS access to the water tower across city property and water mains not located within City Right-of-Way; 3)Conveyance of deed, title, and ownership of the system; 4)An amended City Ordinance to reflect the new agreement; 5)An amended Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) with the other municipal partner agencies (West Saint Paul, Maplewood, Falcon Heights, Lauderdale) to gain a second seat on the Board of Commissioners. City-Wide Trail Plan Update Staff is preparing an application for a Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP) grant from Dakota County to complete the City-wide Trail Improvement and Maintenance Plan (TIMP). Comprehensive plan that is due to kick off at the end of 2016. To obtain grant money, the TIMP would need to be consistent with County Master Plans for the River to River Greenway and the Mendota-Lebanon Hills Greenway. Staff anticipates requesting City Council for authorization to th apply for grant funds at the January 19 Council meeting. Engineering Basics Seminar (March 2, 2016 Eagan Community Center) - Staff has been working with other Public Works/Engineering staff from other municipalities in Dakota County to build a curriculum for a seminar covering the essential functions of City Engineering/Public Works staff. The seminar is intended to offer background in infrastructure systems (streets, traffic, water supply & distribution, sanitary sewer, surface/storm water, environmental, etc.) to city officials that do not necessarily have an engineering background. Participants in the seminar may include, but are not necessarily limited to City Council members, appointed commission members, director/management level City staff. The seminar is set for nd March 2, 2016 at the Eagan Community Center from 6:00pm 9:00pm. Invitations will be sent out in the coming weeks. Minnesota 2050 (MN2050) Staff has been involved with the MN 2050 project for the past several years. The mission of MN2050 is to educate the systems. MN2050, in conjunction with TPT Public Television, has produced components of State infrastructure. Airtimes for the documentaries are: -Roads & Bridges Tuesday, January 26, 2016 at 4:30 AM o Tuesday, January 26, 2016 at 10:30 AM o Tuesday, January 26, 2016 at 4:30 PM o Tuesday, January 26, 2016 at 10:30 PM o -Industries of Constant Motion (Rail, Port, & Airport) Tuesday, January 26, 2016 at 5:00 AM o Tuesday, January 26, 2016 at 11:00 AM o Tuesday, January 26, 2016 at 5:00 PM o Tuesday, January 26, 2016 at 11:00 PM o -Liquid Assets Tuesday, January 26, 2016 at 5:30 AM o Tuesday, January 26, 2016 at 11:30 AM o Tuesday, January 26, 2016 at 5:30 PM o Tuesday, January 26, 2016 at 11:30 PM o Documentaries are also available through the MN2050 web page at www.MN2050.org. 1 08 2016 JANUARY ThelatestfromtheMendotaHeightsPoliceDepartment CHIEF Winter Season is upon us and with that comes dangerous road condions. As responsible parents, we need to do what is best to keep our children safe while driving out on the roads. SERGEANTS Here are a few things to keep in mind before hing the roads with your child: AVOID BULKY WINTER CLOTHES: Of course we want our children to be warm during the cold winter months but, we do not want to strap our children in their car seats with a bulky coat as it can aect the ability of the car seat to work properly. A bulky coat can compress in a POLICEOFFICERS crash and create a loose car seat harness pung your child at great risk in the event of a crash. You can always put a blanket over the ghtened. TAKE THE PINCH TEST: ağƉĻ ƭǒƩĻ ǤƚǒƩ ĭŷźƌķ͸ƭ ŷğƩƓĻƭƭ źƭ ğķƆǒƭƷĻķ ĭƚƩƩĻĭƷƌǤ ǤĻğƩround by Steven ǒƭźƓŭ ƷŷĻ ͻƦźƓĭŷ ƷĻƭƷ͵ͼ ŷĻ ƦźƓĭŷ ƷĻƭƷ źƭ ƷŷĻ best way to make sure the harness straps are snug and close to the body. They need to be the correct height, at, or ƆǒƭƷ ĬĻƌƚǞ ƷŷĻ ĭŷźƌķ͸ƭ rearfacing car seat and at, or just abovĻ ƷŷĻ ĭŷźƌķ͸ƭ ƭŷƚǒƌķĻƩƭ ǞŷźƌĻ ŅƚƩǞğƩķfacing. Then buckle and ghten the harness straps. Place the chest clip at armpit level. Now pinch the ƭƷƩğƦ ğƷ ǤƚǒƩ ĭŷźƌķ͸ƭ ƭŷƚǒƌķĻƩ͵ LŅ Ǥƚǒ ğƩĻ ǒƓğĬƌĻ Ʒƚ ƦźƓĭŷ ğƓǤ ĻǣĭĻƭƭ ǞĻĬĬźƓŭͲ Ǥƚǒ͸ƩĻ ŭƚƚķ Ʒƚ INVESTIGATIONS go! , MHPD has our very own Car Seat Safety Specialist, Ocer Jennifer SCHOOLRESOURCE Fordham. She is here to help you install car seats safely as well as answer any quesons you OFFICER may have. To schedule an appointment with Ocer Fordham or for quesons please contact 651.452.1366 or email jennyf@mendotaheights.com. SUPPORTSTAFF RESERVES INSURANCE REQUIRED TO REGISTER MOTOR VEHICLES NEW LAW! EecveJanuary1st,Minnesotanswhoareregistering/renewinglicensetabsor transferringownershipofmotorvehiclesandmotorcycleswillneedtoprovideinsuranceinformaon CHAPLAINS includingnameofinsurancecompany,policynumberandexpiraondateofthepolicy.The informaonmustbeprovidedwhenapplyingonline,inpersonorbymail. Thepurposeforthelawistoreducethenumberofpeopledrivingwithoutinsurance.MNlaw requiresalldriverstopossessproofofinsuranceatallmesandmaintaininsurancewhenavehicleis operatedorwhenitsuseiscontemplated.Accordingtothetaskforcereport,anesmated10.8%of Minnesotansdrivewithoutinsurance. Vehiclesownerswillbeno ŋ edofthenewlawviamailontheir2016renewalnoces. 2 !ŭĻƭ ЉΓЌ 3 CHILDÔS NAMEAGE (0-3): ADDRESSPHONE: SCHOOL TEACHERÔS NAMEGRADE: PLEASERETURNCOLORINGCONTESTPAGEANDENTRYFORMNOLATERTHAN4:30PMFRI,JAN22ND !ŭĻƭ ЍΓЏ 4 CHILDÔS NAMEAGE (4-6): ADDRESSPHONE: SCHOOL TEACHERÔS NAMEGRADE: PLEASERETURNCOLORINGCONTESTPAGEANDENTRYFORMNOLATERTHAN4:30PMFRI,JAN22ND !ŭĻƭ АΓЊЉ 5 CHILDÔS NAMEAGE (7-10): ADDRESSPHONE: SCHOOL TEACHERÔS NAMEGRADE: PLEASERETURNCOLORINGCONTESTPAGEANDENTRYFORMNOLATERTHAN4:30PMFRI,JAN22ND 6 AOA FRIDAY 0400 HOURS Officers Mike Shepard and Denise Urmann assisted State Patrol on a roll over crash report where the driver appeared to be drunk. Officers arrived and found the male running away from the scene. He was advised to get on the ground in which he did. The driver showed clear signs of intoxication and he was then handed over to State Patrol where he was ultimately arrested for DWI. AOA FRIDAY 1659 HOURS Sergeant Bobby Lambert and Officer Mike Shepard assisted WSPPD with a domestic assault report where a male was armed with a handgun and had several knives in the apartment. The couple was ordered to come outside and refused. Eventually the woman unlocked the door and came outside but the male was heavily intoxicated and yelling at officers. Shepard made his way into the apartment and was forced to tase the male due to his resistance. The male managed to make his way towards the door after that but was stopped by a WSP Officer who again tased him and escorted him out of the apartment. DAMAGE TO PROPERTY FRIDAY 2212 HOURS Officer Steve Hilyar was dispatched to a residence on a damage to property report. Upon arrival, he was met by the homeowner who stated that someone had just thrown eggs at the front of it causing them to break through one of the window screens. The homeowner did attempt to run after the suspect but the suspect got into a light tan or gold colored Hyundai or KIA. He described the suspect as young male possibly in his teens. The area was checked and the vehicle was not located. 4th DEGREE ASSAULT FRIDAY 2234 HOURS Officer Steve Hilyar was dispatched to a local bar on an intoxicated male who was refusing to leave the bar. Upon arrival, he found the male sitting inside a car in the parking lot. The car was not on and he had clear signs of intoxication. Hilyar asked the male to take his hands out of his pockets and provide identification in which he refused to do. Hilyar attempted to detain him and he resisted on several attempts and striking Hilyar. Hilyar was forced to use his Taser. Backup officers arrived at this time and assisted in detaining the male. The male was transported to Dakota County for Assault of a Police Officer. THEFT SUNDAY 0250 HOURS Officer Phil McCarty was dispatched to call a male reference a theft. The male said that his phone was stolen out of his coat that was hanging while he was at the Moose Country Bar. The male used the app to track his phone and it tracked back to two homes next door to each other in Mendota Heights. McCarty called the phone in an attempt to hear it and also observed the homes for any traffic in or out but none were successful. McCarty advised the owner of the phone that the app was not accurate enough to track the phone. 7 SUSPICIOUS PERSON SUNDAY 0425 HOURS Officer McCarty received a report of a person going through a vehicle that did not belong to them. McCarty arrived on scene, located the suspect and removed him from the vehicle. The male smelled heavily of alcoholic beverage and had vomit all over him. The vehicle owner then came outside and noticed his car had vomit all over the inside and had been rummaged through. Due to the cold conditions and his intoxication, HealthEast was called to assess him. He was issued a citation for Tampering With A Motor Vehicle and Disorderly Conduct. TERRORISTIC THREATS MONDAY 0802 HOURS Officers John Larrive, Todd Rosse and Jennifer Fordham responded to the high school on a report of an unwanted adult male who was making threats towards staff. Officers ultimately detained the male and he was transported to Dakota County Jail. TERRORISTIC THREATS MONDAY 0915 HOURS Officer Todd Rosse took a report from a male who stated that he received a phone call on his landline from another male with a foreign sounding voice saying he was from Microsoft tech support. When the RP stated he was not interested, the caller became aggressive and said, ÐI will kill you, K-I-L-L you.Ñ Rosse attempt- ed to call the number back but it said it cannot be completed as dialed or it was disconnected. Rosse advised the RP he should notify the Federal Trade Commission regarding the phone number. No leads, case inac- tive. MENTAL HEALTH MONDAY 1654 HOURS Officer Nick Gorgos responded to a group home on a mental health/crisis call. Gorgos arrived and was met by staff who directed him to the individual who was breaking personal items and self harming herself by cutting. Gorgos advised she should go to the hospital to be evaluated but she refused to go. HealthEast was called and she was ultimately taken to the hospital on a mental health hold. STOLEN PROPERTY/ASSAULT/DRUGS MONDAY 2327 HOURS While on routine patrol, Sergeant Peyton Fleming ran a license plate at a local gas station and it came back to be a stolen vehicle. Fleming called for backup, activated his emergency lights then ordered the occupants to put their hands up. The driver of the vehicle had a Felony warrant out of Hennepin County as well as a warrant out of Missouri. The female admitted to concealing a glass pipe. The male was complaining of chest pain so he was transported to the hospital. The female was homeless so she was ultimately transported to be with the male at the hospital. Charges have been filed. 8 01/0101/072016YTD WINTER CallsforService129129 WEATHER Citations1818 Keeping Ahead of the Storm Warnings2020 PoliceReports1515 For the safety of yourself ResponseTimeAverage5.905.90 and your loved ones, you should keep uptodate on Check out the MH Crime Map! weather informaon. The Click below to search your neighborhood: Naonal Weather Service https://www.raidsonline.com issues several dierent 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, MN 55118 no ŋ caons to look for and its important to know what they mean. OUTLOOK: Winter storm condions are possible in the next 25 days. Stay tuned to local media for IfyouareaMendotaHeightsresidentandyouare updates. goingoutoftownoronvacation WATCH: Winter storm condions are possible within the next 3648 hours. Prepare now! WARNING: Lifethreatening severe winter condions have begun or will begin within 24 hours. Act now! ADVISORY: Winter weather CarSeatSafetyChecks condions are expected to cause signi ŋ cant inconveniences and may be hazardous. If you are cauous, they will not be life threatening. 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. HAVE A SAFE WEEK!