2009-07-24 Friday News
July 24, 2009
Vංඌංඍൺඍංඈඇ Rඈඎඇൽൺൻඈඎඍ
There will be an Open House for the Visitation Drive & Mendota
Heights Road Roundabout Project on Thursday, July 30th from
5:00pm – 7:00pm at Visitation School. All residents are welcome to
attend. The project design is moving along, and after the Open House,
the consultant should be able to complete the design. Final Plans need
to be submitted to MnDOT by November 13th, so it can be anticipated
that bidding the project for construction will be in the December/
January.
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July 24, 2009
Cඈආආඎඇංඍඒ Rൾඏංඍൺඅංඓൺඍංඈඇ Wඈඋඋඈඎඉ
On Thursday, Jake Sedlacek attended a workgroup made up of community development staff
from across the County, facilitated by the Community Development Agency (CDA). CDA staff
provided an update on the various programs which they are currently overseeing. CDA is using
stimulus funding to actively target blighted areas around Dakota County. While Mendota
Heights does not have a “target area,” we do benefit through this work as it helps to stabilize and
protect property values in our neighboring communities.
CDA also continues to develop housing products, finding this economy to create favorable con-
struction costs. As for their current housing stock, they are currently at 98% occupancy across
all housing products, with the 2% accounting for turnover and related maintenance activities.
Dൺඈඍൺ Cඈඎඇඍඒ Vංඌංඈඇංඇ Sඍඎൽඒ
Public Works Director John Mazzitello has been meeting with the Technical Committee for the
County’s Regional Visioning Study that includes the Delaware/494 interchange proposal. The
consultant is starting to develop conceptual alternatives for modeling improvements to the study
area.
Based largely on comments received from the City Councils, the consultant is utilizing the previ-
ously produced environmental planning document (AUAR) to establish baselines for alternative
selection. Because of this, the consultant has discovered that there is very limited space availa-
ble for an interchange at Delaware and 494. A second public Open House will be scheduled
once alternatives have been selected and analyzed.
Pංඅඈඍ Kඇඈൻ ංඇ SඍൺඋTඋංൻඎඇൾ Sඍඈඋඒ
You may have noticed a story in Sunday’s Star Tribune paper which referenced Pilot Knob.
State Archaeologist Scott Anfinson had identified Pilot Knob site/area as having and Indian buri-
al site. Guy Kullander followed up with Mr. Anfinson, to make sure the State was aware of our
efforts to restore the parcel, while being respectful of it’s historic significance. Mr. Anfinson
replied that he does not believe there to be Indian Mounds on our portion of the site, but that
some had been discovered on the Acacia Cemetery property.
Mr. Anfinson seemed to appreciate the follow up, and commented on his appreciation of the res-
toration effort.
**for those of you who missed the Pilot Knob Dedication Event in June, a transcript of the
presentation has been attached.**
July 24, 2009
Attachments
Just The Facts, Pipeline, “Great River Greening Fall 2009 Restoration Events,” Dedication at
Pilot Knob Site, James Francis Povolny obituary, Upcoming Park/Recreation/Community Events.
Dൺඍൾඌ ඍඈ Rൾආൾආൻൾඋ ංඇ Jඎඅඒ ൺඇൽ Aඎඎඌඍ
Planning Commission Meeting 7-28-09 7:00 P.M.
City Council Meeting 8-4-09 7:00 P.M.
Parks and Recreation Commission 8-11-09 6:30 P.M.
Airport Relations Commission 8-12-09 7:00 P.M.
Tൾඇඇංඌ Pංർඇංർ
The weather was perfect for grilling on Wednesday, as Teresa, Nancy, Barb and Jake provided a
tasty lunch of grilled hot dogs, chips and cookies for the youth in our summer tennis programs.
Just over 90 dogs were served, reflecting another successful year for the tennis program, even
with a change in program leadership. While Coach G (Tim Garvey) moved to Florida, Coach
Terry has stepped right in, maintaining a top-notch tennis program for Mendota Heights and
West St. Paul youth.