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2009-11-13 Friday Newsi � � e . � 7�A cYVJ��i "i)1M7�. �v�b71 Y7 b�t�, .�7.v,4C4�.1�( �a.ore/i§yN �.,� Wht I.C�.Z,�Mrl4�d��;�, 45•�� GOODBYE MAJOR MAZZITELLO Today was John Mazzitello's last day at City Hall for a while. John has been deployed to Afghanistan and will be away from the office for seven months. As it is difficult to see him leave (and I'm sure it's even harder for his family) we send him off with our prayers and wishes of a safe journey and a quick return. A group of about 20 employees took John out to lunch for his last day. November 13, 2009 John promises to get us contact information once he gets established in Afghanistan. DAKOTA COUNTY HIGH PERFORMANCE PARTNERSHIP FDakotahe Hi h County and each of its cities have met for a number of years as t g Performance Partnership (HiPP) Committee. This group has met to look at potential areas to Rbetter serve the residents and provide quality government services. The most known project of this group was the creation of the Dakota Communications Center which serves as the dispatch center for public safety entities in Dakota County. I The HiPP Committee has decided to "reinvent" itself to look at other areas of cooperation Dand/or increased effectiveness to provide services to residents of the city and county. The committee at this point is reviewing the results of a survey that shows the work that we do as local governments to see if there are areas that may be of interest in discussing in depth for Afuture projects. yMendota Heights is represented on the HiPP Committee by Sandra Krebsbach and David McKnight. The actions and work of this committee will be shared with city council members and staff as the work proceeds in 2010. N FORECLOSURE UPDATE Talk of foreclosure has become a common part of our daily lives — this week Dakota County ECommunity Development Agency reported on foreclosures in our county. October 2009 saw the second highest number of sheriff sales the county has seen — 215. The only month with a higher number was January of 2008 with 228. It seems that banks that had put a number of foreclo- wsures on hold while they figured out how to process them are now moving on with the process. Mendota Heights has 12 foreclosures so far this year, which is good news. The unfortunate news is that we have seen an increase in notice of pendency filings over last year. A notice of Spendency is the first step in the foreclosure process — not all will become foreclosures, but it is a sign that borrowers are behind on payments. Staff has noticed a slight uptick in the number of zoning calls received from lenders, which is a positive indicator that the housing market may be stabilizing. November 13, 2009 THANK YOU FROM RESIDENT We are long-time Mendota Heights and Lilydale residents. Recently, our mailboxes were run over. So, we went and bought new posts/boxes etc and figured we'd eat the costs. I received a call from Mario Reyes, an investigator for the Mendota Heights Police Department. Amazingly, they found the person and he is going to pay for the damaged mailboxes and posts. This may seem like a small thing but if we were in Mpls. or St. Paul, this would have been forgotten about in 10 seconds. We are very, very impressed! In an era where the police are sometimes vilified, I would like you to know that we appreciate the very special, hardworking folks who are members of the Mendota Heights Police Department. It's one of the reasons we live in Mendota Heights. Please pass this "Thank You" on to the council and all the members of our police dept. I am going to CC Don Campbell, the other victim of the mailbox assassin, I don't have the right to speak for him but I know he was impressed by our cops too... Michael & Peggy Corbett -1 132 Sibley Memorial Hwy. DATES TO REMEMBER IN NOVEMBER MAC Meeting City Council Meeting NOC Meeting ARC Meeting Planning Commission Meeting Thanksgiving Day—City Hall Closed Five-day forecast 1:00 P.M. Tomorrow Sunday Nov 14 Nov 15 11-18-09 7:00 p.m. 11-24-09 7:00 p.m. 11-26 & 27-09 Mostly Cloudy 11-16-09 1:00 P.M. 11-17-09 7:00 p.m. 11-18-09 1:15 p.m. 11-18-09 7:00 p.m. 11-24-09 7:00 p.m. 11-26 & 27-09 Partly Cloudy Partly Cloudy Mostiy uiouciy ramy kiouay Hi. 46° .Hi. 430 'Lo: ° 320 Lo. 33° Attachments Pipeline, Just The Facts, City Council Agenda, The Dotted Line, Dakota County Sheriff The Front Row, HealthEast Ambulance, StarTribune.com Article "Dakota County interchange plan draws fans, foes", Twin- Cities.com Article "Faces: Q&A with Natalie Jaeger, owner of the Olive Grove in Mendota Heights and "The Olive Grove a Delicious New Kind of Bar" and Upoming Park/Recreation/Community Events. November 13, 2009 470Hi: 470 ,Lo: 42° t ` Lo: ; 330 Pipeline, Just The Facts, City Council Agenda, The Dotted Line, Dakota County Sheriff The Front Row, HealthEast Ambulance, StarTribune.com Article "Dakota County interchange plan draws fans, foes", Twin- Cities.com Article "Faces: Q&A with Natalie Jaeger, owner of the Olive Grove in Mendota Heights and "The Olive Grove a Delicious New Kind of Bar" and Upoming Park/Recreation/Community Events. November 13, 2009 NEWS PM LETTER The ipe ane Public Works Engineering ,` November 13, 2009 Code Enforcement Public Works The Parks Crew removed graffiti from the playground equipment at Mendakota Park. The pea gravel was removed from the walkway surface around the playground equipment at Mendakota Park. Dirt was brought in at Friendly Hills along the pedway and to Kensington Park South where a water main line broke when the sprinkler system was being blown out. The area was level out and grass seed put down. The bases were taken out at Hagstrom King Park and the Civic Center Park and stored for the winter. Rich painted the panel at the Lilydale lift station that someone had vandalized with spray paint. The standby generator was run at the Mendota Heights Road lift station. He assisted the Streets Crew in painting curbs. He winterized the phase convertor at the Culligan lift station. The Streets Crew finished loading the dumpsters with the Halloween bonfire ashes. The bonfire site was cleaned up. The storm sewer at Park Place was bricked and mudded. Engineering Dakota County Regional Visioning Study (Delaware/494 Interchange) - Staff attended the Public Open House on Tuesday afternoon/evening. The meeting was very well attended, predominately by residents of Mendota Heights and Sunfish Lake. Most of the comments received at the Public Open House centered around the need for the interchange, the change in traffic patterns should the interchange be constructed, increased traffic on Delaware Avenue, and the impacts to Mendota Heights if the Dodd Road interchange is partially or totally closed. Prior to the November 10th Public Open House, this item was discussed by Council at the November 3rd meeting. Council directed Staff at that meeting to provide recommendations on how to best counter the efforts aimed at recommending the interchange. A proposal will be presented at the November 17th Council meeting for the formulation of an ad-hoc team to keep very close tabs on the remaining phases of the Visioning Study. Page - 1 NEWS LETTER Public Works Engineering Code Enforcement The Pwipelmine November 13, 2009 Proposed Lake Drive Closure - Staff has sent notification to the Rogers Lake Neighborhood (Wagon Wheel to Mendota Height Road and Rogers Lake to Dodd Road) as well as to Visitation School, Saint Thomas Academy, and Patterson Dental with the proposal to close Lake Drive from Saint Thomas Academy to Swan Drive. This issue came out of the public testimony for the Visitation Drive and Mendota Heights Road roundabout project, and Council directed staff to begin the process. The letter included the concept closure presented to Council on October 20th, and asks for the neighborhood's input. It also set a tentative date for a Public Hearing on the project for January 19th at the regularly scheduled Council meeting. Deployment Time has Arrived!!! - Engineering Staff got together on Thursday afternoon to discuss the division of duties for both the pending retirement of Guy Kullander in May and the deployment with the Minnesota Air National Guard of the Public Works Director. Staff is confident that all duties and responsibilities will be met during the PWD's absence. All: I am grateful and humbled by the overwhelming support I and my family has been given and will be given during my deployment to Afghanistan. I look forward to my return, and am absolutely positive that the City is in good hands. Please Give Ryan the same high level of support you have given me as the Public Works Director, and I will see you all again in July! John R. Mazzitello, PE, PMP Public Works Director/City Engineer Page - 2 7)- e latest xteWYs 9/n tAe Afe)�AR'ata #ei94ts malice P�artPtevct J 11/13/2009 The' On Site Training Mendota MHPD hosted a two day training session on the Evidence Heights Tracker product that is being implemented at the majority of the Police police departments in Dakota County. The two day session on use and administration of the program was well attended. The Department. Investigators learned how much more work they have to do Support before implementation. The new process will eliminate the Staff multiple entries necessary to check a piece of property into the Kim.Henning.. room to a single entry. The new software package is Sari eRistine '" customizable to each individual department's specific paper flow Susan Donovan;: process. It will provide the ability to do an instant partial or full catty Ransom >. audit of everything in the system. Preparations for 'BeckyTen implementation continue. `'TF oliceofficers; Possession of Stolen Property Wednesday 1418 hours Jerry Muhy: Officer Scott Patrick received a call from a party in South Scott.'Patrick Carolina who wanted to have him go to a residence in MH and Bobby Lambert' retrieve $4000 worth of fishing lures that he reported stolen. The Tanner Spicer. two lures, something smelling fishy yet, went missing when the Todd Rosse man moved from Mississippi to South Carolina. Investigator Chad Willson Petersen will sort through the case of the misplaced lures. Jeff VonFeldt, Jenny Fordham AOA (OFP Service) Wednesday 1525 hours Denise Urmann`" Officer Todd Rosse assisted the Dakota County Civil Process 1Vfichael:Shenard ; Deputy Jim Schnoor with removing a resident from his home. Peyton Fleming The wife had obtained an OFP (court order for protection) and the male half was to be evicted immediately from his residence school Resource until such time as a court hearing could be held to determine if Offrcer :. Steve Meyer.. there was cause to keep him out of the home. The man left without incident and a gun was taken into custody at his request Investigations for safe keeping. 1Vlano Reyes Dog Napping? Saturday 1307 hours Eric Petersen A couple in Buon Giorno were having lunch when two people Sergeants came in to see who owned a little terrier type dog. The couple Neil Garlock who was eating at the restaurant learned that their dog had John Larive jumped out of the window of the car and was captured by the Brian Convery' couple who came in looking for the dog's owner. A third couple was to be watching the dog while the owners were attempted to Chief Mike be located inside. When the owner was located both couples A schenfirener , -I- 11/13/2009 went outside to re -unite the dog and its owners. Unfortunately, the dog and the couple who had been watching it were now gone! Immediately they contacted the police about the dog napping. As Officer Lambert began to look into the case the dog and its owners were reunited. Party in the Park Saturday 1503 hours Officer Bobby Lambert and Sgt. John Larrive responded to a call of a group of juveniles in Valley Park possibly engaging in some recreational marijuana usage. Upon the officer's arrival in the park area, a few of the young men decided they would try to run from them. Clearly their judgment must have been impaired from the drug use because they were no match for Officer Lambert and Sgt. Larrive. All of the juveniles were taken into custody and appropriate citations were issued for the offenses of possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and fleeing police. Their guardians were contacted to take custody of them and were informed of pending police charges. Driver Evaluation Tuesday 1800 hours The MSP was relaying information from a 911 cell caller to its troopers about a possible drunk driver. The car was reportedly, "all over the road" from shoulder to shoulder, driving at varying speeds, cutting off other drivers and disregarding all traffic signs. Officer Mike Shepard caught up with the vehicle at the intersection of Hwy 13 and 135E where he watched the vehicle proceed straight through the stop sign from the turn lane cutting off several confused vehicles. Officer Shepard activated his emergency lights and the car immediately stopped, unfortunately, right in the middle of the roadway. We would all expect the driver to have had a couple too many drinks. When he approached and made contact the man was sober although he appeared overly confused stating he was lost. After a short conversation the man pulled his car out of the traffic lane and Officer Shepard contacted Healtheast Ambulance. It was determined the man was a diabetic and his blood was at about half of where it should have been. The paramedics provided assistance in getting the man's blood sugar levels stabilized and cleared him to drive. The lost driver was given directions and advised that he would be receiving a call from the DVS about an evaluation. Free Ride? Sunday 0108 hours Officers Peyton Fleming and Jeff VonFeldt responded to a local establishment to assist a cab driver who was reportedly being harassed by two female occupants of his cab. They thought the ride should have been free and didn't want to pay. The two women had been picked up at a bar in St Paul and wanted to be dropped off in Mendota. However, they were intoxicated and were having trouble realizing that this wasn't a free ride. Officers Fleming and VonFeldt intervened and assisted the cab driver in being paid by these women. Officers confirmed that the two women were in the custody of some friends who were a bit more rational and sober. Keep the Peace Tuesday 1844 hours Officer Mike Shepard and Sgt. Brian Convery assisted an adult male resident with removing an ex-girlfriend from his property. Apparently, they had been arguing for quite some time and things were getting a little out of control. The officers stood by to keep the peace while a sober friend came to residence to pick up the intoxicated female. No crime committed. /lava a pwe ~&rdl lff%& tT ry -2- CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA November 17, 2009 — 7:00 P.M. 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Pledge of Allegiance 4. Agenda Adoption 5. Approval of the November 3, 2009, City Council Minutes. 6. Consent Calendar a. Acknowledgement of the Minutes from the November 10, 2009 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting. b. Acknowledgement of the October 2009 Treasurers Report. c. Acknowledgement of the October 2009 Fire Department Report. d. Authorization for Cancellation of December Advisory Commission Meetings. e. Authorization for Installation of Security Light in Ivy Hill Park. f. Authorization of Purchase Order for Squad Car Set up. g. Approval of Emergency Lighting and Computer for Assistant Chiefs New Vehicle. h. Approval of Fence Permit for 1520 Commerce Drive. i. Approval of Monument Sign Replacement on Existing Base at 1191 Northland Drive. j. Approval of Resolution No. 09-101: "A RESOLUTION FOR AGENCY AGREEMENT FOR VISITATION DRIVE AND MENDOTA HEIGHTS ROAD ROUNDABOUT PROJECT (PROJECT #200711)99. k. Approval of Resolution No. 09-102: "A RESOLUTION SEEKING FUNDING FROM DAKOTA COUNTY FOR CONTINUATION OF THE COMMUNITY LANDFILL ABATEMENT PROGRAM". 1. Adoption of ORDINANCE No. 427: "AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 6, CHAPTER 39 SECTION 3 OF THE CITY CODE". (NO PARKING) m. Approval of Contractors List n. Approval of Claims List 7. Public Comments 8. Presentation Par 3 Update — Dick Spicer 9. Unfinished and New Business a. Discussion of Dakota County Regional Visioning Study Update 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 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. A publication of the Dakota County Traffic Safety Project Participating Agencies and Committee Representatives i APPLE VALLEY POLICE Sgt. Nick Francis BURNSVILLE POLICE Sgt. Rory Bochniak i DAKOTA COUNTY SHERIFF l 'Sgt. Pat Enderlein 4 EAGAN POLICE Sgt. Nate Tennessen I FARMINGTON POLICE Officer Gary Tipton I HASTINGS POLICE Sgt. James Galland INVER GROVE HEIGHTS POLICE Sgt. Sean Folmar LAKEVILLE POLICE Sgt. Mike Sheady MENDOTA HEIGHTS POLICE Sgt. Neil Garlock I j MINNESOTA STATE PATROL Lt. Bob Maskel ROSEMOUNT POLICE Officer Julie Rauenhorst SOUTH ST. PAUL POLICE Sgt. Brian Wicke WEST ST. PAUL POLICE Sgt. John Hinderscheid ........... ?uFrw BArsrr Pim�ccr,Y V ISIH ILfT'Y. 2fStiCA, IpM. L'll`�JItCL�tENT. t W r a I'D �C# 1! U �,J Our fiscal year 2009 grant is now officially in the books. Our main goal for 2009 was to raise the awareness of our project. We did this through creating a I logo, printing handouts for motorists, using lighted highway signs and high visibility vests, and completing this newsletter each month. With the help ====M=M= of all participating agencies, officers, chiefs, and elected officials, more people know about the Dakota County Traffic Safety Project than ever before. The motoring public in our communities is beginning to appreciate the hard work and dedication that officers put in 4 August,/September Events 8-15-09 Dakota County 9-5-09 Inver Grove Heights r f !. 6 Officers 42 Vehicles Stopped 56 Vehicles Stopped 27 Citations Issued 15 Citations Issued Dotted Line 2 DWI 8-29-09 Farmington 9-19-09 Apple Valley 8 Officers _........... ._ ..... A publication of the Dakota County Traffic Safety Project Participating Agencies and Committee Representatives i APPLE VALLEY POLICE Sgt. Nick Francis BURNSVILLE POLICE Sgt. Rory Bochniak i DAKOTA COUNTY SHERIFF l 'Sgt. Pat Enderlein 4 EAGAN POLICE Sgt. Nate Tennessen I FARMINGTON POLICE Officer Gary Tipton I HASTINGS POLICE Sgt. James Galland INVER GROVE HEIGHTS POLICE Sgt. Sean Folmar LAKEVILLE POLICE Sgt. Mike Sheady MENDOTA HEIGHTS POLICE Sgt. Neil Garlock I j MINNESOTA STATE PATROL Lt. Bob Maskel ROSEMOUNT POLICE Officer Julie Rauenhorst SOUTH ST. PAUL POLICE Sgt. Brian Wicke WEST ST. PAUL POLICE Sgt. John Hinderscheid ........... ?uFrw BArsrr Pim�ccr,Y V ISIH ILfT'Y. 2fStiCA, IpM. L'll`�JItCL�tENT. t W r a I'D �C# 1! U �,J Our fiscal year 2009 grant is now officially in the books. Our main goal for 2009 was to raise the awareness of our project. We did this through creating a I logo, printing handouts for motorists, using lighted highway signs and high visibility vests, and completing this newsletter each month. With the help ====M=M= of all participating agencies, officers, chiefs, and elected officials, more people know about the Dakota County Traffic Safety Project than ever before. The motoring public in our communities is beginning to appreciate the hard work and dedication that officers put in 4 August,/September Events 8-15-09 Dakota County 9-5-09 Inver Grove Heights 6 Officers 6 Officers 42 Vehicles Stopped 56 Vehicles Stopped 27 Citations Issued 15 Citations Issued 1 DWI 2 DWI 8-29-09 Farmington 9-19-09 Apple Valley 8 Officers 7 Officers 64 Vehicles Stopped 68 Stops 15 Citations 16 Citations Issued 5 DWI 3 DWI September, October 2009 Volume 1, Issue 11 times a month to make our roads safer. The "Alumni Day" traffic saturation with all the chiefs was indeed a good time and one that will be repeated in 2010. Below we will talk about the statistics for the year. Thanks for your support in 2009, and we will work even harder in 2010! Did you Know? The DCTSP group meets each month to plan events, review statistics, and plan media efforts. We also review our grant to make sure we are on track with our grant objectives. We would love to have chiefs or upper administrators sit in and see how our group operates. Sergeant Pat Enderlein troops who work these for compiling our events nice job! impressive statistics this year! With our increased Vehicles stopped visibility efforts, we 5872 up 55% expected our enforcement Citations issued productivity would be 2206 up 53% reduced. We were pleasantly surprised to DWI's see ALL of our 166 up 3% enforcement areas iNovemb-,-er Events 11 -7-09 Burnsville 2100-0300 11-14-09 Hastings 2100-0300 11-21-09 Farmington 2100-0300 11-25-09 South Saint Paul 2100-0300 11-27-09 Rosemount 2100-0300 uown the Roac'... Major goals for the 2010 grant are focusing on enforcement. Seatbelts, speed, and alcohol will be our priorities. Officers will be asked at briefings to take the time to write citations for the moving and criminal violations that they see take place. Warnings do little to change a drivers habits, citations are what hit home in their pocket book and will change the drivers behavior. Un -licensed drivers 181 up 36% Drug arrests 60 up 161% Seatbelt citations 373 up 135% Speed citations 759 up 54% Did you know? Illegal/unsafe speed is the most common contributing factor in single vehicle crashes for drivers. Teens particularly have difficulty adjusting speed to driving conditions. Please support the officers who work these saturations and who are taking the "heat" from drivers who they stop. Enforcement is the key to our success. Editor Nick Francis Apple Valley PD A_:}� akota County Sheriff �- The Front Row �,''A Prole rOK/ !:Vdf fO Aeffie*!4 15hOK/ OP1 CIr A�I 4"1" Don Gudmundson, Sheriff Dave Bellows,, Chief Deputy Sheriff Volume 5, Week 20 and 21 October 19, through November 1, 2009 Remembrance... Featuring Sheriff's Jail Staff. Commander Wm. Blair Anderson Correctional Loeutenant Lawrence Hart Correctional Sergeants Judy Burrows Scott Fuchs Kathy Reineke Jodi Rolloff Chuck Stemig Correctional Cor l2orats Deb Fyten Sheila Hamilton John Heger Gary Millbach Trudi Sibbald Ben Verby Correctional Deputies Craig Altendorfer Vallie Bissonette Emily Bonniwell Tim Bowman Farrel Byrd Stacy Cress Mike Curry Joe Engesser Ryan Fitzgerald Ryan Fitzhenry Tim Fletcher Karen Fox Damion Giles Tchad Guckin Jerry Hanson Adam Henry Bryan Hermerding Milfred Holmes Mike Holzemer Special thanks to the Honor Guard for their presence at the funeral of Retired Special Duty Deputy Don Krippner. Thanks also to members past and present for their attendance. We might have missed one or two and for that we apologize, but we noted retired Sheriff's Office members Commander Len Fox, Commander Dick Roberts, Commander Greg Peterson, Captain Jeff Schwartz, Sergeant Mike Commerford, Sergeant Lyle Mack, Deputy Norm Gould, Deputy Tom Zehoski, Lieutenant Gary Varner, Detective Dave Gustafson, and Administrative Assistants Vicki Krick, Pat Schmitz, and Sue Ableidinger. Also noted from the Hastings Police were retired members Chief Nick Wasyllik, Officer Einer Theodorsen and Sam Sorenson, and Sergeant Gordy Anderson. Retired Lieutenant Clint Anderson from Lakeville Police also was in attendance. P-77 17— F - --- "I Thanks again to our Chaplain Jim Bzoskie for them eaningful service and remembrance. Mounted Patrol... Dakota County Sheriff's Mounted Patrol Member Jean Fredlund attended the 26th Annual National Mounted Police Colloquium in Lexington, Kentucky, from October 19th, through October 22nd, along with her equine partner, "Sinclair." Jean received training provided by the Lexington Police Department, along with the Toronto, Canada, Police Department and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in many skills, including formations, extricating/escorting emergency vehicles from crowd situations, team work, and jumping. Jean and "'Sinclair" also participated in the obstacle and uniform competitions. Behind the Bars... Jail populations remained high and steady with ranges up to 290 inmates per day. This also is the time of the year when we normally start to see some slide in inmate numbers into the New Year. Congrats... Congratulations to Correctional Deputy Ryan Fitzgerald and his SWI wife, Kelly, on the birth of their first child, a daughter, Avery, on October 26th. akota County Sheriff The Front Row Y1.4 y lq !r, {� ft-on� r -ow t�edf fo Ae,5r egfe4 Show on Don Gudmundson, Sheriff Dave Bellows, Chief Deputy Sheriff Katie Hoover Muhammed Jackson Nicole Jensen Cheri Johnson Nick Johnson Virginia Jones Rita Kordell Lucio Marquez-Zazueta Raul Mascorro Darin McGowan Frantz Moise Al Ochocki Julienne Oppong Lisa Peterson Audra Rawlings Evan Rousseau Cartier Russell Josh Sannes Tom Schneider Regina Shepherd Phil Simpson Sara Steinhoff Jacob Swartout Kent Themmes Benjamin Verby Mariann Warner Christine Winfrey Greg Wisher programs Staff Loren Hanson Larinda Hodges Hal Palmer Questions? Comments? Please contact the Dakota County Sheriff's Office at 651.438.4702 or any of the following by email: don.gudmundson@ co.dakota.mn.us dave.bellows@ co.dakota.mn.us julie.ecker@ co.dakota.mn.us Volume 5, Weeks 20 and 21 October 19, through November 1, 2009 Welcome... Please welcome Jesse Monahan, our newest Program Services Assistant. Jesse began her employment here at the Sheriff's Office on October 19th, and has been assigned to the Sheriff's Civil Division. Kudos... Very nice work by officers from Inver Grove Heights, West St. Paul, and South St. Paul for their arrest of a bank robber in Inver Grove who has confessed to multiple bank robberies in Dakota County and elsewhere in the metro area. Patrol Notes... Deputies and Sergeant Jim Rogers investigated the suicidal death of a 42 -year- old Farmington man on 190th Street east of Biscayne last weekend. Two hunters scouting for deer spotted the vehicle with the slumped -over driver and notified officers. The man died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Deputies had previously responded to a call at the man's home and were able to take his weapons from him at that time; however, he was able to secure another weapon. Deputies responded to 15 calls of either accidents or cars in the ditch during the afternoon snowfall of Friday, October 23rd. It is hard to believe that Minnesota drivers forget how to drive in snow from one season to the next, but they sure do.� i Artwork by correctional Deputy Joe Engesser YOU Cao'F A REAL KNACJl. roe Cui'Tlnl' NA t2 . !/ To subscribe to the electronic version of this newsletter, click here. Page 2 C1eanPrint Preview .......... Dakota County interchange plan draws fans, foes Four cities disagree on the impact of an Interstate 494 interchange at Argenta Trail, which is aimed at addressing traffic needs in the next 20 to 30 years. By JOY POWELL and KATIE HUMPHREY, Star Tribune staff writers Last update: November 10, 2009 - 11:12 PM A controversial new interchange at Interstate 494 and Argenta Trail is proposed as part of a much bigger plan to accommodate increasing traffic in north and central Dakota County in the next two or three decades. While the projects seem a long way off, the four cities that would be involved are already disagreeing, with some officials welcoming the changes and others hopping mad. Inver Grove Heights and Eagan -- expecting commercial and residential development and added traffic -- want the new interchange. But officials from Sunfish Lake and Mendota Heights say they worry about its effect on neighborhoods. Mendota Heights Council Member Ultan Duggan spent the weekend in neighborhoods around Arivarticamant Page 1 of 2 Delaware Avenue, which is the name for Argenta Trail in Mendota Heights and Sunfish Lake, distributing fliers and talking to residents. His city's reaction to the plans for an interchange have been "totally and unanimously negative," he said. "It's peaceful. It's quiet. It's pleasant. It's bucolic," Duggan said of the area, which includes wetlands. "Why wreck all this stuff when there are other areas for these things to be done?" He was among those at an open house on the "Regional Roadway System Visioning Study" in Inver Grove Heights Tuesday evening. It was led by Dakota County, which is working with local, state and federal officials. Although Eagan officials join Inver Grove Heights in supporting the new interchange, they're concerned about a federal proposal to restrict traffic at the interchange of 494 and Dodd Road (Hwy. 149) in Eagan. "It's going to be very important that we retain that," said Eagan City Administrator Tom Hedges. The proposed interchange at Argenta Trail is situated where the boundaries of the four communities meet. Argenta Trail curves through eastern Eagan to Inver Grove Heights. The plans are part of future transportation and transit improvements that also could include an .The Easiest.Way. tD Get a 14bme Loan 8:616-94-441: or' our uickRefi'na.nce.co *Rates can: change_ Act. nowt Print Powered By http://www.startribune.com/local/south/69721322.html?elr=KArks:DCiUocOaL 11/12/2009 C1eanPrint Preview 19: 1 Ow,T3= interchange at Hwy. 55 and Argenta Trail, realignment of Argenta Trail and improvements to Robert Trail and 70th Street. "We're looking at alternatives for how we handle that traffic, what kind of improvements we make to the road system, to handle the traffic over the next 20 to 30 years," said Tom Link, community development director for Inver Grove Heights. In Eagan, Hedges said the city supports the new interchange at Argenta Trail because of projected development. But keeping the 494 -Dodd Road interchange unrestricted is "crucial" to Eagan's businesses there, he said. "They're proposing limiting westbound traffic," Hedges said of the 494 -Dodd interchange. "You could exit off 494 and you could get on 149 and go eastbound. But you. would not be able to get onto 494 from Highway 149. That's the part we feel is not fair." Dodd Road is a fast-growing corporate area, and Eagan businesses need I-494 access for workers traveling to Minneapolis -St. Paul International Airport, he said. Roger Conant, a city council member from Sunfish Lake, said the Argenta interchange plans are "sudden and unwelcome." It would bring "a substantial increase in the traffic pattern," he said, and that would pose a risk along Page 2 of 2 a street in a neighborhood where a lot of children live. Joy Powell • 952-882-9017 Katie Humphrey • 952-882-9056 Print Powered By � d^v 2rrr is D namicS_,,J http://www.startribune.com/local/south/69721322.html?elr=KArks:DCiUocOaL 11/12/2009 TwinC'it'iesecom Faces: Q&A with Natalie Jaeger, owner of the Olive Grove in Mendota Heights Kathie Jenkins, Pioneer Press Updated: 11/11/2009 03:27:22 PM CST Natalie Jaeger, owner of the Olive Grove olive bar, used to be a counselor. (Pioneer Press: John Doman) Occupation: Owner of the Olive Grove, 720 Main St. (corner of Minnesota 110 and Dodd Road), Mendota Heights; 651- 686-4710; theolivegroveoliveoil.com; cell: 773-213-8556 Age: 30 Advertisement What did you want to be when you grew up? A counselor. I went to grad school for that. I did do some counseling and realized what my parents told me my whole life was true: Counselors do a great job, but they don't make a lot of money. Right after grad school, I moved to downtown Chicago and could not pay my bills, and that was sort of a problem. What was your first job in food? I waited tables all through high school and in college. I've always been into food and cooking and watching food channels. What exactly is the Olive Grove? An olive oil and balsamic vinegar bar. Everything is available for sampling before buying. And it's bottled to order so it's as fresh as it can be. It's a European concept. I have 35 oils and vinegars on tap in stainless-steel containers. How did you come up with the idea for the business? I had been in a store like mine in Appleton, Wis., and I talked to the owner about how well he was being received in the community. I went to Barnes & Noble and bought two books: "Business Plans for Dummies" and "Retail Business for Dummies." After reading both, I worked day and night for six Print Powered By 4 _ ' F(}r ni� ;! Dyrtamics" F TwinCmitmiesecom weeks on my business plan. I pitched it to my husband, and he liked it and said I had to pitch it to the bank. Everyone was on board, and here I am! Why should people buy their olive oil at your store rather than the supermarket? My stuff is so fresh, and fresh equals flavor and health benefits. Customers get to sample everything so they know they're going home with something they like at a very comparable price. My extra virgins range from $14.50 to $15.50 for a 12.7 -ounce bottle. How did you pick your current location? When I was looking at another retail space in St. Paul, the owner said I should really look at his property in Mendota Heights. So, we looked at it, and it was beautiful and it had a lot of good synergy. If I were to buy only one bottle of olive oil at your store, what would you recommend? A good all-purpose oil, either Castile Extra Virgin from Spain, my all-time favorite, or another all- purpose oil, the Picual Extra Virgin from Spain. What's something few people know Advertisement about your store? That we exist. We've been open only a few weeks — our grand opening is Saturday. Everyone who comes in says they've never seen a store like this, and that it's s0000 cool. Who doesn't like getting to sample everything before buying? And people are amazed they can get an 18 -year-old balsamic for $18. What's your favorite restaurant? W.A. Frost, for the atmosphere and because the food is really, really good. The Iamb is awesome. Forepaugh's is pretty darned good, too. What's the weirdest food you've ever eaten? What comes to mind is alligator, but is that weird? What's next? I want to have one store that is really successful. I don't want to expand and spread myself thin. People want to come in and talk to the owner. Besides, I don't know if I have the energy to run another store. r Print Powered By i�..is F carr^at�nis y The Olive Grove a Delicious New Kind of Bar Published: Wednesday, 11 Nov 2009, 9:26 AM CST MENDOTA HEIGHTS, Minn. - Welcome to Olive Grove ... well, no, not the kind with trees. The Olive Grove is a new store that specializes in extra virgin olive oils, specialty oils and balsamic vinegars from around the world. M.A. Rosko finds out, everything is on tap, and bottled and sealed fresh as purchased. Regions H spitat 'has been certified a ,thee fire and only Level I Pediatric Trauma Center in Minnesota. gilt 6 r Regions Ros1, Store owner Natalie Jaeger, a Chicago transplant, says this is how they do olive oil in Europe. She carries more than 30 varieties of oils and vinegars on tap, plus Italian pastas, gourmet mustards, stuffed olives, sea salts and peppercorns. Oh, and because olive oil makes you beautiful from the outside as well as the inside—olive oil bath and body products. Visit The Olive Grove at 720 Main St., Suite 105, in Mendota Heights, at the corner of Hwy 110 and Dodd Rd. Call 651-686-4710, or visit www.theolivegroveoliveoil.com Here are pictures of the new fire truck being built by Custom Fire for the Mendota Heights Fire Department. The delivery date is anticipated in a month or so. Upcoming Park/ Recreation / Community Events: Mendota Heights Par 3 Golf Course Clubhouse: 651.454-9822 MH Parks & Recreation Programs Registration Required @ 651.452-1850 For information regarding °Fall and Winter Parks & Recreation Programs" rams" Call 651.452-1850 or www.mendota-heights.com Mendota Heizhts Athletic Association www.mendotaheightsathietics.com or Amelia 1 957(a)aol.com Communitv Events: November 21St, 2009 - Saturday Firemen's Dance - contact Nancy at City Offices for info / tickets Scheduled Use of City Hall Meeting Rooms Use of a meeting room can be scheduled with the City Hall receptionist - 651.452-1850 Monday, November 16th 7:00 pm Kensington Townhomes meets in large conference room Tuesday, November 17th 7:00 pm - Mendota Heights City Council mee&ng Wednesday, November 18th 7:00 pm - MHAirportRelations Commission will meet in council chambers Monday, November 23`d 1:00 pm - Planners meeting in small conference room Tuesday, November 24th 7:00 pm - Mendota Heights Planning Commission in Council Chambers Thursday, November26`h CITY OFF /CES CLOSED Friday, November27A CITY OFF /CES CLOSED November 13th, 2009 Friday News - gk