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2016-03-25 Friday NewsCity of Mendota Heights Weekly Update Mendota Heights City Hall 1101 Victoria Curve www.mendota-heights.com (651) 452.1850 Visit us on: Facebook.com/ MendotaHeightsMN Twitter.com/ @Mendota_heights DATES TO REMEMBER: April 5 City Council 7:00 p.m. April 12 Parks Commission 6:30 p.m. April 13 Airport Commission 7:00 p.m. April 19 City Council 7:00 p.m. April 26 Planning Commission 7:00 p.m. Attachments: Pipeline, Just the Facts Dakota County Simple Steps Flyer March 25, 2016 Door to Door Soliciting in Mendota Heights Throughout the year, door-to-door soliciting raises questions for residents. Here’s a quick look at what you need to know. Allowed: Any person going door-to-door for the primary purpose of exercising that person’s basic constitutional rights such as freedom of speech. There is no registra- tion with the city needed. This activity is allowed from 9:00 am to one half hour be- fore sunset.  Candidates for political office  A person promoting religious beliefs or causes.  A non-profit or charitable organization seeking donations, organization member- ships, or other financial support for their religious, social, or political organiza- tions. Also Allowed:  Utility service companies, Comcast and CenturyLink, are allowed since they each have a franchise agreement with the city. Not Allowed: Mendota Heights does not allow any commercial type of door to door selling. If you suspect a door-to-door salesperson is violating City ordinance, please call 9-1- 1 for a response from the Mendota Heights Police Department. They will try to catch up with the person. Summer Hiring Underway The City of Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Department is seeking fun and ener- getic individuals to lead summer programs for youth. We are also seeking golf enthusi- ast to staff our Par 3 Clubhouse (must be 18 years of age). To learn more about summer positions in recreation and the Par 3 Golf Course, visit www.mendota-heights.com/ employment. Par 3 Scheduled to Open Friday, April 1 Recreation Program Coordinator Sloan Wallgren is busy preparing the Par 3 for the 2016 golf season. It’s tentatively planned to open the Par 3 on Friday, April 1. Updated information on the hours of operation and green fees can be found on our city webpage at www.mendota-heights.com.   1   The latest from the Mendota Heights Police Department CHIEF Mike Aschenbrener SERGEANTS Eric Petersen Tanner Spicer Peyton Fleming Bobby Lambert POLICE OFFICERS John Larrive Todd Rosse Jeff VonFeldt Steven Meyer Denise Urmann Michael Shepard Nick Gorgos Robin Nelson Steve Hilyar Phillip McCarty INVESTIGATIONS Chad Willson SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER Jennifer Fordham SUPPORT STAFF Kim Henning Trista Miller Shayna Hoechst Becky Pentel RESERVES Randy Pentel Jim Knox Jeff Parker CHAPLAINS Butch Millett John Snider Alberto Vargas Lynn Liberman Sue Plucker Joel Detlefsen Lenny Andrie MARCH 25, 2016   TIRE TREAD Did you know that if it weren’t for water we would not need tread on our Ɵres? Think about it. Most of us have seen the NASCAR pit crews changing a Ɵre or two during a race at some point. Have you ever paid aƩenƟon to the Ɵres that they take off of their cars? They are completely flat or “slick!” That is because they race on dry race tracks. Now, when it starts to rain they pull into the pit, take off their racing “slicks” or flat treaded Ɵres and put on “rain Ɵres” that have tread on them. The main reason they switch to the Ɵres with tread and the reason we have tread on our vehicle Ɵres is the fact that the tread will allow water to escape and be channeled away from the under‐side of the Ɵre. This allows the Ɵre to contact the pavement for tracƟon. The minimum amount of tread allowed to be on your Ɵre is 2/32nds of an inch but how can we gauge this? You can go and buy a specialized Ɵre gauge but here is a Ɵp that only costs 26 cents. If you take a penny and sƟck it into your tread grooves with Honest Abe’s head poinƟng down and you can see the top of his head your tread is less than 2/32nds of an inch. If you take a quarter and sƟck it down into the tread with George Washington’s head poinƟng down and the tread touches the top of his head you have 4/32nds of an inch of tread which is the recommended minimum tread depth for driving in water. The safety of your occupants is relying on your Ɵre tread so make sure you keep an eye on it. Racing “Slicks” on the leŌ, Rain Tires on the right   Although you will always be asked to confirm the address of the emergency, when calling from a land‐line phone, your address automaƟcally populates into the 9‐1‐1 system. When calling from a cell phone, even from within a residence, we rely on you to provide either an address or locaƟon informaƟon including landmarks and other idenƟfiers that may help responders locate the emergency. Callers using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) should be prepared to describe their locaƟon when calling 911. If you use VoIP you should confirm your home address with your internet provider. Whether calling 9‐1‐1 or the general dispatch number, your call is answered by the same experienced staff trained to triage incoming calls. DCC dispatch staff is cerƟfied on Emergency Dispatch (EMD), which is a series of quesƟons the dispatcher asks callers to help them beƩer assess medical emergencies and ensure appropriate response. The DCC is a 2‐stage dispatch center. While one dispatcher is talking with you on the phone, another dispatcher is already sending help.   2   FOUND PROPERTY FRIDAY 1819 HOURS Officer Steve Hilyar was dispatched to a home on found property. Upon arrival, Hilyar met with the homeowner who directed him to a wooded area near his home where there was a gray sweatshirt dangling from some brush as well as a long black nylon bag. The property was found to be dry and appeared as though it had not been out in the elements. He opened the black bag and found a .243 Caliber TIKK Model T3 Rifle. DCC ran a check on the rifle and it came back as stolen out of Eau Claire County, WI. Hilyar made contact with the Eau Claire Sheriff’s Office and the rifle was returned to its rightful owner. MENTAL HEALTH SATURDAY 1217 HOURS Officer Robin Nelson and Sergeant Tanner Spicer were dispatched to a home for a report of a suicidal male. The reporter stated that the party in question had a history of depression and alcoholism and had stated he was going kill himself. Upon the officers entering the residence the party was found asleep and unharmed with no weapons. The party was then transported to the hospital by ambulance for a health and welfare hold. BURGLARY SATURDAY 2031 HOURS Officer Steve Hilyar and Officer Denise Urmann responded to a call of a theft that had occurred inside a local restaurant. The reporter had stated that sometime during business hours, an upstairs office had been forced into and money had been stolen. Entry to the upstairs offices were unlocked. It appears that whomever committed this crime knew exactly what they were looking for. Evidence was collected and the case is pending. THEFT SUNDAY 1304 HOURS Sergeant Tanner Spicer and Officer Robin Nelson responded to a local motel to investigate a theft. It was reported that several items went missing from a motel room after a guest who had rented the room the previous night had left. Officers contacted the person named as the renter who had told them he had rented the room for a female acquaintance and provided officers with the contact information he had for her. Case pending follow up with the female acquaintance. THEFT OF GAS TUESDAY 1512 HOURS Officer Todd Rosse responded to a local gas station concerning a gas-drive off. The reporting party described the vehicle as a blue Trailblazer and had obtained the license plate number of the vehicle. A plate check indicated that the plate did not match the vehicle described. The area was checked and the vehicle was not located. Case is Inactive.   3   DOMESTIC ASSAULT TUESDAY 1852 HOURS Officer Nick Gorgos and Sergeant Peyton Fleming were dispatched to a local businesses parking lot for an assault in progress. When the Officers arrived on scene both parties were separated and standing outside of a vehicle. It was determined that this was a domestic dispute between a mother and juvenile daughter where injuries were sustained by the mother. Daughter was arrested for domestic assault. PD ACCIDENT WEDNESDAY 1533 HOURS Officer John Larrive and Officer Robin Nelson responded to call of an accident involving a vehicle and a plow truck. The Dakota County plow was actively plowing when a vehicle was unable to stop and struck the rear driver’s side of the plow as she slid by. An accident report was completed. Case closed. PD ACCIDENT/HIT & RUN WEDNESDAY 1546 HOURS Officer Robin Nelson was dispatched to a property damage accident involving a school bus. The suspect vehicle left the scene before police arrived and the license plate obtained does not match the vehicle on file. A letter was sent to the registered vehicles owner instructing them to contact the MHPD. Case pending contact from the vehicles registered owner. DISORDERLY CONDUCT WEDNESDAY 2117 HOURS Officer Phil McCarty, Officer Denise Urmann, Officer Michael Shepard and Officer Steve Hilyar all re- sponded to a local restaurant reporting a disturbance. There were several people in the restaurant arguing and threatening each other. After the officers did some investigating, they deemed that the disturbance was a continuation of an argument about a possible stolen cell phone. The cell phone was in possession of its owner and all parties left the scene after speaking to police and being identified. Case is Inactive.   4     03/18 ‐ 03/24 2016 YTD Calls for Service 123 1685 Citations 18 222 Warnings 10 221 Police Reports 18 234 Response Time Average 4.64 4.69 Check out the MH Crime Map! Click below to search your neighborhood: https://www.raidsonline.com 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, MN 55118 If you are a Mendota Heights resident and you are going out of town or on vacation, you can notify MHPD of your outing and we will be more than happy to keep a watchful eye on your home while you are away. The House Check Request online form is available on our website; you can complete a form found in our lobby, or simply give us a call and we’ll help you out. MHPD offers monthly Car Seat Safety Checks. To schedule an appointment, call 651.452.1366 or email jennyf@mendota‐heights.com to contact Ofϐicer Jennifer Fordham. MHPD has a Medication Disposal Box in the lobby of the PD where Dakota County residents can safely and anonymously dispose of their prescription drugs and over‐the‐counter medication. Please send us your positive 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! Have you been seeing an increase in coyote populaƟon in your neighborhood? It is true. Coyote populaƟons are on the rise in the Twin CiƟes. Most coyotes avoid people and do‐ mesƟc animals but occasionally they will kill sheep, turkeys, calves and domesƟc cats and small dogs. The MN DNR does not trap, shoot or relocate coyotes. Where necessary, removal of coyotes is the responsibility of landowners or tenants however, the City of Mendota Heights does not allow firearm or trapping per City Ordinance 5‐4‐3: TRAPPING AND HUNTING PROHIBITED; EXCEPTIONS You may contact your local pest control agency or talk with the city about geƫng a permit. If you are concerned about coyotes where you live: Do not feed coyotes, secure all garbage containers & wildlife feeders Confine small dogs and cats to kennels unless supervised Vaccinate all pets for rabies, distemper, parvo and other diseases recommended by a vet Consider coyote proof fencing Harass by shouƟng/chasing coyotes that do not run. Public Works The Parks Crew plowed the streets early Thursday morning. They are working on the new gator getting it ready for marking the ball fields. The Utilities Crew checked the lift stations daily. Grease was cleaned off the floats at the Lilydale lift station. A sanitary sewer line was checked on Dorset Road. There were roots in the service line. He attended the annual collection system operator’s conference Monday through Wednesday. Topics included: wipes in sewers, inflow and infiltrations, sewer cleaning, root control, and lift station maintenance. He plowed the middle area Thursday morning. The Streets Crew came in on Saturday to salt the streets because of the rain and snow that came in early Saturday morning. They salted the streets on Wednesday. They came back at midnight to plow and salt the streets again. They took the plows off the trucks to get ready for the street sweepers when they start on Monday. Engineering – Project descriptions simplified for easier reading. For more information, please contact the Engineering Department at (651) 452 -1850. City Projects (construction year) Victoria Road Reconstruction & Rolling Green Neighborhood Rehabilitation (2014/2015) – Warranty and punch list items to be completed in the spring . Mendota Road Neighborhood Improvements (2016) –A project open house was well attended on Wednesday, minor revisions will be made based on public comments. Authorization for Bid is expected at the April 5th City Council meeting, bid opening on April 27th, and bid award is scheduled for May 3rd. Construction is expected to begin in June after the end of the school year. Update of Local Surface Water Management Plan (LSWMP) – Staff has provided the consultant background materials. A draft plan is expected by the end of June. Watershed approval is expected in August with City adoption in January 2017. Lake Augusta Alum Treatment (2016) – Grant funded. Board of Soil and Water Resources (BWSR) is reviewing the Work Plan submitted by the Watershed Board. The Pipeline N E W S L E T T E R Public Works Engineering Code Enforcement March 25, 2016 Project will be overseen by the Lower Mississippi River Watershed Management Organization (LMRMWO) Board. Treatment is expected in the fall. County Projects Highway 110 Greenway Trail Crossing (2017) – Design is continuing on the project. City easements for the trail connections will be brought before City Council later this year. Traffic Signal Improvements: I-494 & Pilot Knob Road (2016) – Plans are at MnDOT for review. Work is expected along with MnDOT project (see below). State Projects Highway 13 Slope Repair (2015-2016) – There will be a second closure of Highway 13 between Wachtler and Sylvandale beginning in early June and lasting to late - July. This closure will allow for the completion of the slope reinforcement work not completed during the winter. Highway 110 Rehabilitation (2017) – A Public Hearing will be held on April 5th at the City Council. Municipal Consent will then be considered by the Council. MnDOT is proposing to close the access point east of Lexington (except for emergency vehicles). MnDOT also needs to establish new drainage easements. Changes to access through the median are not part of Municipal Consent. For more information contact Molly Cline, MnDOT Project Manager, 651-234-7723 or molly.cline@state.mn.us. Highway 149 (Dodd Road) Rehabilitation (2018) – Staff is working on getting a bike/pedestrian facility incorporated into the project from Marie Avenue north to Delaware Avenue (see SHIP grant below). Contact Tara McBride, Project Manager at 651-234-7506, or tara.mcbride@state.mn.us for more project information. Pilot Knob Bridge over I-494 Expansion Joint Repair (2016) – MnDOT will be fixing bridge deck concrete expansion joints on the Pilot Knob Road bridge over I-494. Work is expected to take 10-14 days. Other Activities City-Wide Trail Plan Update – The City has received a Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP) grant from Dakota County to study the Dodd Road (Highway 149) corridor for bicycle/pedestrian improvements. Engineering 101 Seminar (April 6, 2016 – Eagan Community Center) – Invitations for the upcoming seminar have been sent out. The seminar is scheduled for Wednesday, April 6th, 2016 at the Eagan Community Center from 6:00pm – 9:00pm and will cover municipal requirements and practices for maintaining traffic, streets, storm water, utilities, and a discussion of funding these needs. City Council, Commissioners, and City Staff are asked to RSVP to Mark McNeill by March 25th.