2004-09-03 Friday News
The Friday News
September 3, 2004
Town Center Landscaping
I talked with Ross Fefercorn this week and he told me that the court yards were now in and the
landscaping completed for his first set of town homes located on Oak Street. The foundations are in for
his second set of town homes and they are now a work in progress. Pat and I made a site visit to look at
the new landscaping on Thursday and got sprayed by the sprinklers. All of Ross’s efforts right now are
concentrated on being ready for this years’ Parade of Homes – set to begin September 11th. Ross plans to
go to the City Council on the 21st with his final landscape plans for the City’s outlots.
Picture Day at City Hall
Mario took everyone’s picture at City Hall on Friday so that new ID cards can be made.
Parks Commission
The normal meeting date for the Parks Commission was rescheduled from September 14th to September
9th to avoid a conflict with the Primary Election and Rosh Hashanah.
Breakfast with the President
Gail Morrison from Inver Hills Community College has invited Mendota Heights Staff and Public
Officials to attend a breakfast with their President next Thursday morning. This is regular event for them
and this Thursday’s breakfast will have School Superintendent John Longtin, Council Members Jack
Vitelli, Mary Jeanne Schneeman, Ultan Duggan and Sandra Krebsbach, Parks Commissioner Paul Portz,
Pat Hollister and myself.
Xcel to Update Highbridge Plant
I received a call from Collette Jurek, Xcel Community Relations Manager this week. She
informed me that because of MERP-Metro Emissions Reduction Program, Xcel would be
converting their Highbridge Electric Generation Plant from coal fired to natural gas. Natural gas
is not only a cleaner energy source, it is also much more efficient than coal. Because of that extra
efficiency, the capacity of their plant will be greatly increased and their transmission lines
carrying the power from the plant to Rogers Lake Substation in Mendota Heights will have to be
upgraded. The lines through Mendota Heights will begin being surveyed on September 6th. See
attached letter that was sent to the landowners adjoining their line.
Drill of WSP EOP
Last weekend Chief Mike Aschenbrener attended as an observer a drill of the WSP Emergency
Operation Plan. The event was held Saturday from 0700 until noon. The drill was done as a
mock terrorist incident that occurred at the old Northern Dakota County Service Center located
across Wentworth Avenue from WSP City Hall. The participation was huge and included WSP,
SSP, Eagan, IGH and MH Police and Fire, Lakeville and Farmington Fire Departments, Dakota
County Emergency Preparedness Department, Health East and ALF Ambulance services the
55th Civil Support Team of the MN National Guard, the Dakota County Special Operations
Team (These are both
hazmat clean up organizations) and the State Homeland Security Duty Officer. This was the first
major drill for the Dakota County Special Operations Team. Mike tells me that the operation
was a huge success and everyone learned a lot from it.
Photo Op
I was talking to Bernie Friel this week about a different matter, and he told me about the web site
he now has with his pictures on it. I always enjoyed seeing his pictures when he was on the
planning commission and now miss them. For any of you who are interested, they are at:
www.wampy.com.
Labor Day
Monday is Labor Day and City Offices will be closed. Have a great long weekend, see you at
the State Fair.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jim Danielson
City Administrator
Attachments:, Just the Facts, Pipeline, Letter from Xcel.