2005-10-21 Friday NewsThe Friday News
October 21, 2005
FIRE DEPARTMENT OPEN HOUSE
This Saturday, October 15, the Fire Department held their annual Open House. "the weather was
perfect and whole event was a huge success with a lot of people attending and getting Fire
Prevention tips!! The two car fires were a crowd favorite along with the bingo!! The hot dogs were
all gone by 1:30.
A special thanks goes out to the Fire Prevention Committee that includes: Chair Ron Katezenmaier,
Mary Bang, Michelle Henne, Steve Boley, Roy Kingsley, Scott Henning, Jim Perron, Jim Kilburg,
and Tracy Wilcziek. Thank you for all your hard work to make this event the huge success that it
was.
The Fire Mascot named "Snuffer" was there, and he was a big hit. Snuffer also went to the schools
during Fire Prevention week and spread the word about Fire Safety.
A big thanks goes out to all who helped out and made this year's Open House a huge success.
FIRE DEPARTMNET ELECTS OFFICERS
At the annual Fire Department meeting on Wednesday Night the firefighters held elections for two
Captain positions. Annually the firefighters elect two firefighters to two year terms. Elected to
positions were Jeff Stenhaug and Scott Henning. Scott Goldenstein was the third highest vote
gatherer who would fill any vacant positions. As it turns out Roy Kingsley is stepping down as
Captain effective November 1 after 11 years of service as a Captain. He will still be retaining his
duties as Assistant Training Officer.
The department wants to thank John Lapakko for his four years of service as Captain and Roy
Kingsley for his 11 years of service. Scott Goldenstein will be assuming his new position on
November 1 st and Scott Henning will assume his position on December 1.
Congratulations Scott, Scott and Jeff and Thank you Roy and John
OPUSUPDATE
Paul Berg was contacted this week by VIET Contractors. VIET was looking for a permit to
demolish the ECOLAB Buildings. VIET is a very experienced demolition contractor, so we do not
anticipate any difficulties with the work. Hazardous materials will be removed this week. VIET
has informed us that they plan on beginning their demolition work next Tuesday. They should be
done in about one month.
BONFIRE
The bonfire pile is already very high so we may have to shut down dumping early next week. We
will evaluate on Monday after the weekend.
PILOT KNOB
After conducting a public hearing on the management of the Pilot Knob site this past Tuesday
evening, the City Council made the decision to cooperate with the "Trust for Public Land" a private
non-profit organization, and accept over $1.5 million dollars in grant funds, add $400K of City
money and purchase the 8.25 acre Pilot Knob site. At the meeting City Staff was authorized to
work with Dakota County, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Trust for Public
Land to put together the documents to make the deal happen for the November 1" meeting. This
big decision is one that the City Council has made that has a very wide base of support. I have not
had anyone contact me that objects to the City participating in this purchase.
ON VACATION
Next week I will be on vacation. Pat Hollister will be in charge during my absence.
Respectfully submitted,
Jim Danielson
City Administrator
Attachments: Just the Facts, Pipeline, Planning Commission Agenda, St. Paul Pioneer Press
Editorial "Preserving the past, providing a future" and "Council OKs land purchase", SouthWest
Review Article "Somerset's new playground officially dedicated", Former Mayor of Sunfish Lake,
Dr. Francis B. Tiffany Obituary and Pioneer Press Article "
Issue # 09-39
„JUA TA Fes .., ,,
10/21/2005
The a .',X 10-50 10-14-05 0625 hours
on
While patrol Officer Chad Willson spotted a car that had been
Mendaa .. P p
'r
Heicrashed into and pushed onto the lawn. While checking out the
ghts-
Police car the owners came out and spoke with Officer Willson. He
learned that the car had been parked in the street the night
Department before. Officer Willson followed the trail of debris and fluid south
on Chippewa to Dodd Road then onto Hwy 13 to 35E at which
point he lost the trail as the freeway crossed the river. The
Sud�'� ort suspects were not located.
CarhVt��n���Parking Complaint 10-14-05 1439 hours
Police Officers Sergeant Garlock responded to a complaint of a lawn service that
Jerry l4lurhh} had parked in front of a house and then mowed the grass around
Brian Co„vers, the corner. Sergeant Garlock advised the complainant that the
Bobby 1 ambect. ` vehicle was legally parked on a public street.
Eric Petcrseir=;,
ToddRose Gas Drive Off 10-14-05 2052 hours
Tanner s�ncer i Sergeant John Larrive responded to Holiday on a gas drive off.
gChad Willson'
Apparently the suspect pumped his gas and then walked to the
ff lonFeldt
store and handed the clerk an expired MN D/L as collateral. The
Jeuy+Tordham
1\•fethief never returned. Sergeant Larrive proceeded to the address
to yer
on the license and spoke with the suspects ex-girlfriend. She
wanted to pay the bill to keep the ex out of trouble. Sergeant
Iriaes axons _ turned her money over the station. Exceptionally cleared.
Scott�a "c Speed / No D/L 10-14-05 2148 hours
Officer Chad Willson clocked a car at 57 mph in a 40 mph zone
on Mendota Heights Road. Once he had the car stopped and
Sergeant' requested the driver's license and proof of insurance. The driver
Donn Anderso stated "I don't have any.” To clarify Officer Willson asked if he
Neil Garlock had a license and the driver responded "I have no license and
)ohnLarrivc there is no insurance." The driver was cited and the car was
Chief towed.
Mike
Aschenbrener 10-52 AOA 10-16-05 1502 hours
Officer Todd Rosse responded to assist the Minnesota State
Patrol with a personal injury accident at the intersection of Hwy
I=1
Issue # 09-39
10/21/2005
110 and Hwy 13. Two people received injuries that required first aid until the
ambulance arrived on scene. Officer Rosse assisted with traffic control and accident
investigation.
Threats 10-16-05 1538 hours
Officer Eric Petersen talked to a person who had been chased by a dog at large in
Valley Park. The victim was riding a bike when the dog came charging at him.
When the victim asked the owner to restrain the dog this upset the dog's owner who
now began running after and threatening to harm the reporter. The victim did provide
enough information to allow officers to look into the situation. The case is under
investigation.
3rd Degree DUI 10-18-05 2325 hours
While on patrol Officer Jeff VonFeldt spotted a non speeding car, 20 mph in a 40
mph zone. The car was weaving all over the road, slowly! The driver was asked to
complete SFST's but could barely stand. He did manage to provide a breath sample
for the PBT which revealed a BAC of .24. His vehicle was towed by Southeast and
the driver was transported to MHPD where he agreed to provide a breath test. The
intoxilyzer revealed a BAC of .21. The driver whose license was already cancelled
for alcohol violations was transported to the Dakota County Jail.
4 1 Degree DUI 10-19-05 0237 hours
After clearing the earlier drunk driver Officer VonFeldt spotted a car running in the
overflow lot to the north of the Diamond Jim's complex. Closer inspection revealed a
man slumped over behind the wheel. Officer VonFeldt attempt to wake the driver
several times. When the car door opened the man began to slide (pour) out. After
he was awakened the man needed to hold onto the car to prevent falling over. As he
couldn't let go of the car the only field test was the PBT which revealed a BAC of .15.
At MHPD the man provided an intoxilyzer test that revealed a BAC of .14. He was
transported to the County jail where he immediately threatened to kill himself and
was placed on suicide watch / crisis hold.
DAR / Warrant 10-18-05 2144 hours
Sergeant John Larrive ran a license plate check on a pick up truck. The registered
owner came back revoked with an active Ramsey County warrant. The truck was
stopped as the driver and owners physical description matched. The warrant was
confirmed and the driver was arrested. He was cited and transported to the Ramsey
County Jail the truck was towed by Southeast.
Damage to Property 10-19-05 2258 hours
Officers responded to the area of Hwy 13 on a complaint of juveniles paintballing
cars. Officer Jeff VonFeldt spotted a vehicle matching the one the victim had
described. While talking with the driver the paint balls and accessories were visible
inside the car. After speaking with the occupants they admitted to the paintballing.
They were cited and released.
Ma. a groat r O A4
-2-
DEWS �*o *A*0 �*O �*W October 20, 2005
FETTER
Public Works � THE PIEPELINE �4o
Engineering
Code Enforcement
Public Works
The Parks Crew blew out the sprinkler systems at City Hall, the Fire Hall,
Mendakota Park and Kensington South. They trimmed the hedges at
Kensington South and then blew off the pedway. They aerated the soc-
cer fields at Kensington South and all the neighborhood soccer fields.
The soccer goals were taken down and put in winter storage.
Rich mowed the Veronica lift station. He cut roots and jetted the Victoria
easement, South Freeway Road, Valley Curve to trunk line and Somer-
set Road.
The Street Crew pushed up the Halloween bonfire. A person was caught
disposing of a willow tree at the bonfire site; the tree trunk was in excess
of 40" in diameter. They fenced and signed the bonfire site. Potholes
were patched in the City Hall parking lot. Old street names signs on
Delaware Avenue and the Somerset area were taken down, Dakota
County is going to put up new ones.
Engineering
The prepayment of assessments for Somerset and Somerset Court
closed on Thursday. 40 of the 112 residents paid their assessments.
Residents who came in and paid their assessments had nothing but nice
things to say about the projects and the people working in the field.
On Tuesday night, the City Council held the assessment hearings for
Dodge Lane, Ivy Falls Avenue, Sunset Lane, Maple Park Drive, Ivy Hill
Drive and Ridgewood Drive and approved the assessment rolls.
Huber Drive was patched at the site of the storm sewer repairs that took
place earlier this summer.
Sod installation began today on Sunset Lane.
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
PLANNING COMMISSION
AGENDA
October 25, 2005
1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Approval of September 27, 2005 Planning Commission Minutes.
4. Hearings
a. Case No. 05-51: Mike and Kathy Doyle — Fischerville Coffee
House, 2150 Dodd Road — Variance for Parking Lot Setback.
Continued Public Hearing
b. Case No. 05-52: St. Peter's Church, 1405 Highway13 =
Preliminary Plat; Conditional Use Permit and Variance for
Accessory Storage. Continued Public Hearing
c. Case No. 05-55: Keenan & Sveiven, Inc/ Chuck and Nancy
Reich, 625 Hidden Creek Trail — Wetlands Permit for Construction
of a Fence on a Residiential Lot. Public Hearing 8:00 p.m.
d. Case No. 05-56: Elizabeth and Reid PoLome, 1861 Victoria
Road South — CUP to allow construction of a second accessory
structure on a residential lot. Public Hearing 8:15 p.m.
e. Case No. 05-57: Wold Architects / Independent School District
#197 (Mendota Elementary), 1979 Summit Lane — CUP to allow
over 400 cubic yards of fill to be added for an expansion and
redesign to the existing Mendota Heights Elementary School
building and parking lot. Public Hearing 8:30 p.m.
5. Verbal Review
6. Adjourn
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.
Bernard H. Ridder Jr. Par'Riidder
1916-2002 Publisher/
President
EDITORIALS
PILOT KNOB
he Mendota Heights City Council will hear from
residents this evening, collecting input on the
developing preservation plan for Pilot Knob, a sacred
hillside at the confluence of the Mississippi and Min-
nesota rivers the Dakota call oheyawahe, a hill much
visited.
The public meeting comes after much hard work lining up the
$2 million needed to buy 8.5 acres of the hillside that had been
slated for development. Most of the money has come from the
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Dakota County
and the nonprofit Trust for Public Land. The remainder, about
$400,000, is expected to come from Mendota Heights, which will
assume ownership of the tract. The City Council could decide on
the contribution as soon as Nov 1.
The preservation of Pilot Knob is imperative. It is a sacred
and historic site with few equals in Dakota County. As we wrote
when the tentative preservation deal was announced last spring,
the collaboration between state and local governments and non-
profit preservation groups was a welcome one.
Tonight at 7:30 at Mendota Heights City Hall, 1101 Victoria
Curve, residents will have a chance to weigh in on how the pre-
served hillside ought to be used. This is your chance to have a
say.
In brief
Posted on Fri, Oct. 21, 2005
In brief
MENDOTA HEIGHTS
Council OKs land purchase
Page 1 of]
The Mendota Heights City Council heard more than two hours of testimony this week about whether the city should
acquire 8.5 acres of Pilot Knob hill.
City Administrator Jim Danielson said only one person spoke against the purchase. The council voted 5-0 Tuesday to
start work on the city's $400,000 contribution to the purchase. A final vote will take place at a November meeting.
The St. Paul -based Trust for Public Land has an option to buy the land from owners John N. Allen and Joel Buttenhoff for
$1.97 million, most of which will come from state, Dakota County and city funds.
The landowners had wanted to sell the land for housing. But the council is trying to preserve the land because of the
hill's place in state history, including the site of the 1851 Treaty of Mendota, in which Dakota Indians ceded 35 million
acres.
— Brian Bonner
http://www.twincities.coin/mldltwincities/news/local/stateslininnesota/countiesldakotall 2... 10/21/2005
Somerset's new playground officially dedicated
On Friday evening, Oct. 7,
the Somerset Elementary
School community joined
Principal Mary Bowman at
the new playground for an
official ribbon -cutting cere-
mony, complete with origi-
nal poems and songs com-
posed by students.
The new playground
equipment' cost over
$40,000, which was raised
through multiple PTA
fundraisers and several gen-
erous donations, including
$10,000 from the city of
Mendota Heights and $6,000
from the Sibley Hockey
Boosters.
Soho 01 D i s_t Lr L_ 1,9,,,x,
employees prepared the site
during the summer. Somer-
set's Fall Festival followed
the ribbon -cutting ceremony;
dancing, scarecrow making,
pumpkin painting, and
refreshments were all part of
the fun.
submitted photo
Students at Somerset Elementary try out their new playground, which was dedicated Oct. 7.
Dr. Francis B. Tiffany
Page 1 of 1
Tiffany, Dr. Francis B.
"Frank"
Age 78, of Sunfish Lake
Passed away 10/12/05 at home after a brief struggle with
cancer. Graduate of ST. Paul Academy, Yale University and
University of Minnesota Medical School. Dr. Tiffany practiced
internal medicine in St. Paul from 1957 to 1990, serving as
chief of staff at St. Paul Ramsey Hospital in the early 1970's.
After retiring from practice, he served as mayor of the City of
Sunfish Lake from 1992 to 2002. He also served as interim
director of the Dodge Nature Center in West St. Paul in 1992-
1993 and remained active on the board of directors and as a
volunteer at Dodge until shortly before his death. He is
survived by his wife of 28 years, Elizabeth "Betty"; children,
Randy (Marjorie Yudkin) Tiffany, Anne (Jeff Atlas) Tiffany,
Debbie (Scott) Tiffany Quick, Ann Elliott, Bob (Suzanne)
Elliott, Bruce (Susan Barnes) Elliott, Kate (Larry) Riegel; and
15 grandchildren. He was predeceased by his 1st wife, Carol
in 1976. Memorial services will be at Dodge Nature Center
Farm Education building off Charlton St. between Wentworth
and Marie at 3:30PM on Saturday, 10/15/05. Memorials
preferred in lieu of flowers to Dodge Nature Center or St. Paul
Academy and Summit School.
Published in the Pioneer Press on 10/13/2005.
Back
http://www.Legacy.com/CommonCobrandIPrintNotice.asp?Cobrand=TWINCITIES&Pers... 10/18/2005
Sunfish Lake doctor defended green space
Posted on Sat, Oct. 15, 2005
Sunfish Lake doctor defended green space
Page l of 2
Around this time each year, Dr. Francis Tiffany enjoyed venturing into his yard to coax sap from the maple trees.
"It started in our own yard and then expanded to the neighbors' trees," his wife, Betty Tiffany, recalled. But after Frank,
as he was called, boiled the sap into a rich amber nectar, he'd always return to those neighbors' homes with a batch of
the freshest maple syrup in Sunfish Lake.
"It was really a nice connection with the neighborhood," his wife said.
Tiffany, a physician and nature -lover who served for 10 years as mayor of Sunfish Lake, died Wednesday of liver cancer.
He was 78.
As mayor from 1992 to 2002, Tiffany was known for his efforts to keep the city an island of green space.
"One of the things that I think his legacy is in our city is he helped secure the Musser property, 22 acres of land left in its
natural state in perpetuity," said Mayor Molly Park.
Tiffany also brought the city into the Internet age, having built and maintained the Sunfish Lake Web site.
"Anything he learned he tried to master. He had a great intellect and a great curiosity about the world," Park said.
Tiffany took that level of precision and perfectionism to his private practice as an internal medicine physician.
His wife said she once met a patient of her husband's who was grateful for an early cancer diagnosis.
"She believed she was alive today because of him," she said.
Also a longtime board member at the Dodge Nature Center, Tiffany is remembered as a generous donor and a guiding
force.
"He was one of the most giving people that I ever met in terms of his time and talents," Executive Director Ben Van
Gundy said. "You were always glad when Frank walked into the room because you just know that he's someone who has
the best interests of the organization at heart.
"I don't know anyone who didn't hold him in high esteem," he said.
In addition to his wife, Betty, Tiffany is survived by sons Bob Elliott, Bruce Elliott and Randy Tiffany; daughters Ann
Elliott, Anne Tiffany, Kate Riegel and Debbie Tiffany Quick; and 15 grandchildren.
A service will be held at 3:30 p.m. today at the Dodge Nature Center's farm education building, 1701 Charlton St., West
St. Paul.
Michael Krieger can be reached at 651-228-2121 or - .
http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/news/local/states/minnesotalcountles/dakotall 2... 10/18/2005