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2007-03-30 Friday NewsNOC CITIES MEETING This week Council Member Duggan, Airport Relations Chair Liz Petschel, Jake Sedlacek and I attended the NOC Cities meeting Wednesday afternoon in Richfield. At the meeting, besides preparing for the next month's NOC meeting, the group talked about the Community position on the Part 150 Update (MAC Air Noise Plan), pending State Legislation on airport issues and the airport influence areas (safety zones, glide paths and noise zones). Diane Miller, Eagan reported that the new north/south runway has been used 50-60% of the time for the last few weeks. She wondered if the FAA was doing that to "pad" the noise mitigation numbers. Liz Petschel and Merland Otto were appointed as a committee to put together a plan of action to go forward with the MAC restructuring legislation proposal. NOISE MEETING SCHEDULED I was contacted by MAC Staff this week to schedule an open house at City Hall. They want to inform our citizens of the upcoming airport .construction and its impact on our city. The meeting was set for Monday August 6 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. We will advertise for the meeting in our next edition of the Heights Highlites due out in May. RADIOS CAME The City Council recently approved the purchase of $180K worth of new 800 MHz radios for the Police Department, Fire Department and Public Works. The radios were supposed to take 15 weeks to be delivered. Last week they started coming in after only 2 weeks. Two pallet loads of radios and equipment arrived at the Police Department this week. Now we need to inventory, program and install them. That will take all summer long. There will be a two hour training class put on for everyone who has to use them; however, the Chief says they do look like they are pretty simple to operate. Respectfully submitted, James Danielson City Administrator Attachments: Pipeline, Just the Facts, Pre -Application Meeting Synopsis, Pioneer Press Articles "MH unveils big plans for Pilot Knob", "Mendota Heights/Finances threaten Pilot Knob preserve", "Winning feeling", "Is Par 3 purchase the right choice?", "Is there ever enough open space?", "Vote `no' on Par 3 referendum", "Kids and adults need Par 3" and "A little help from a bus driver". Sun Current Article "MH teen Ali shines at Junior Miss competition", and Friday Fax. N E \IV L ETT E R ipe Im ' Public Works Engineering Code Enforcement March 30, 2007 Public Works The Parks Crew took more trash barrels to the parks where needed. They finished sweeping the pedways. Tennis court nets were put up in the neighborhood parks and leaves were cleaned out from inside the courts. A new dog leash sign was installed at Mendakota Park. A broken bench and picnic table was repaired at Mendakota Court. A part for #504 mower was installed and .john Ambrose welded it on the arm to the mower deck. Equipment was worked on preparing it for summer. Rich applied root killer on Vandall Street and Dodd Road between Third and Fourth Avenues. Roots were cut on William Court. A homeowner's service was cut off that was 2' in our manhole and the service was redirected with a 4" pvc pipe in the Dodd Road easement. The Street Crew cleaned storm grates. Marker posts were pulled out for problem catch basins due to the rapid melting. A broken barricade was pulled out at the end of Veronica Lane. A broken curb box for a catch basin on Medora and Emerson Avenue was worked on. St. Paul Regional Water Services repaired a broken water main on Maple Park Drive. Tom, Sue and Guy met with Tim Hanson of WSB & Associates. Tim is finishing up the design for the trail connections on Dodd Road and Sibley Memorial Highway. Informational letters were sent to residents on Woodridge Drive, Arcadia Drive, Maple Park Court, Falls View Court, Cascade Lane, Maple Park Drive and Sylvandale Road. This meeting is for the proposed street improvements and is Wednesday, April 11 at 6:00 P.M. in the City Council Chambers. T`ie latest r�etvs fraFn the �lesaR'ata �eiglits f'vlice �cyart/nesit 9 March 30, 2007 You're Invited to a "Mock Crash" on April 10th, 2007 at 1830 hours. The crash will occur at the Northern Service Center, 1 Mendota Road, West St. Paul. The event will run rain or shine. You will be directed where to park by the West St. Paul Police Reserves. The event will be very similar to what we do at Henry Sibley High School / St. Thomas Academy and the Visitation School. THIS EVENT IS FOR ADULTS AND EVERYONE FROM THE COMMUNITY IS WELCOME. The Dakota County Safe Communities Coalition, representing ISD 197 Chemical Health, South Saint Paul Healthy Youth, St. Thomas Academy, Visitation, and the Dakota County Attorney's Office, are sponsoring the event. This is your chance to see first hand the emotional impact that you have heard others talk about. The presentation will be followed by remarks from some extra ordinary speakers who have personally experienced the horrors of a drunken driving crash. See you there. Possession of Crack Cocaine 03-22-07 2230 hours Officer Jeff VonFeldt responded to cell phone caller reporting a vehicle all over the road. He located the car and found the driver to be revoked. The only passenger in the car was valid and agreed to drive. When the driver was asked to step out and switch places with the passenger he threw his coke (not in a can) in the ditch along side of the car. He was arrested and secured. Officer VonFeldt then gathered up the drugs and pipe out of the ditch. The passenger was released, the car was towed and the driver taken to the DC jail to be charged with a felony. DAR / Possession of Marijuana in Vehicle 03-23-07 1741 hrs Officer Tanner Spicer passed a car with an air freshener hanging in the front window. An in -squad computer license check was completed that showed the R/O was revoked. As Officer Spicer turned the squad around the suspect car made a quick turn onto a side street. They were stopped immediately. In talking with the driver it was quickly learned that they owned the car. Unfortunately, while talking with the driver the marijuana that was being smoked inside the car, could clearly be smelled outside of the car. The driver was immediately arrested and handcuffed. A short time later the occupants were removed from the car along _1m March 30, 2007 with some marijuana and a pipe to smoke it. Driver was cited and released, the car was towed. Theft 03-24-070912 hours Victim of a theft from vehicle called and reported to Officer Bobby Lambert that a window was smashed out of their car. When Officer Lambert arrived he learned the man had parked his car in back of the motel around 2100 hours the night before and left his laptop and case behind the front seat. The laptop and case were missing. The man's golf clubs were not touched. Assault 03-25-07 0152 hours Officer Jeff VonFeldt was doing a walk through at a local bar when he spotted staff members escorting two customers out. One of the two was covered in blood. After speaking with staff it was learned that the one man had hit the other in the head with a glass beer bottle. Healtheast Ambulance was called to the scene to evaluate the injuries. Both parties had been drinking. The suspect claimed the victim had grabbed his butt. The suspect was transported to the Dakota County jail. Theft 03-26-07 0805 hours A local business reported that over the night someone stole three large barrels of scrap copper . Officer Bobby Lambert could see where the copper was dragged around the building and loaded. Small pieces of copper were lying along the path. Assault 03-26-07 0839 hours A cellular called reported a rolling domestic or a personal injury accident in the area of 35E and Hwy 13. Sergeant Donn Anderson along the MSP responded and located the problem. It turned out that a bi-polar 12 YOA was out of control and choking the driver of the car. Healtheast provided transport to Fairview Riverside Hospital. Stop Light / Speeding 03-28-07 2214 hours Officer Shepard watched a car run a red light at Delaware and Hwy 110. In stopping the car the driver said he was going to fast and didn't think he could push hard enough on the brakes to stop. When the driver left the scene he accelerated hard away from the squad car and this caused Officer Shepard to activate his radar and clock the car as it hit 60 mph in a 45 zone. After stopping the car again, the driver asked h., F thought o on,appropriate evle�t� a®n®a®Y After is tit receiving a was asked why hie ti ought it ,vas t speed ' ,...,-_ � ticket. He responded that he never went over 50 mph, which was still 5 mph over the limit. The driver couldn't believe that he was going to be cited again, he was cited and released. 4t" Degree DUI 03-28-07 0028 hours While running radar Officer Mike Shepard clocked a car at 82 mph in a 55 mph zone. Once the car was stopped Officer Shepard asked the driver if he was in a hurry, to which he replied he was "only going 75 mph." The driver had a collection of identification cards from MN and IL. He failed all of the SFST's and refused to blow into the PBT. After being read the MN Implied Consent he decided he would like to talk with an attorney. After a while he just gave up and decided he would not provide a breath test. He was transported to the DC jail to be charged. Theft 03-28-07 1725 hours Officer Todd Rosse responded to a theft of gas call. The employee had noted the suspect's license number and a very good description of the suspect. After being unable to locate the SUV that had left with $47 worth of gas Officer Rosse returned to the station and began working with the employee. After numerous phone calls and computer checks Officer Rosse and the employee identified the thief. She is the girlfriend of another fine upstanding citizen pho is currently residing in the "Sheriff's Hotel." A citation was mailed to her. CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS MEMO DATE: March 27, 2007 TO: City Council, Commission Members, and City Administrator FROM: Jake Sedlacek, Assistant to the City Administrator SUBJECT: Pre -Application Meeting Synopsis Staff met with four potential applicants on Monday, March 26, 2007. Steve Grittman, Sue McDermott, Paul Berg and Jake Sedlacek were present. Peter Nerenberg, 1056 Slyvandale Rd A contractor for Peter Nerenberg met with staff to determine what planning actions might be necessary for an addition to the garage at 1056 Slyvandale Road. The applicant wants to add 6 feet to the end of their garage — from the site map, it appears that this action may not require an variance to the side yard setback. Staff provided the applicant information in the event that adding 6 feet does encroache into the side yard setback. Staff also encouraged the applicant to verify the lot line and to measure from the foundation of the existing structure. Gary Jones, 2213 Swan Ct Mr. Jones is looking to clear some vegetation and place a dock on his property on Rogers Lake. The lakefront is currently filled with underbrush, the applicant would like to leave it natural, with a walking path down to a removable dock. The applicant already had the planning application and wetlands permit checklist. Staff reviewed the checklist and explained the planning application process. The applicant hopes to have their application submitted for consideration at the April Planning Commission meeting. Vern Edgerton, 686 2nd Ave The Edgerton's recently got a new dog — a German Sheppard. As the dog has grown, Mr. Edgerton is concerned that his existing fence is not tall enough to keep the dog contained. The fence is also 32 years old and could use replacement. Staff provided the applicant with Conditional Use Permit and Variance Checklists necessary to place a 4 foot fence just inside of the property line. The proposed project would include removing the existing fence, which was placed within City right-of-way. The applicant hopes to have their application submitted for consideration at the April Planning Meeting. Adrian Haid, Advance Fitness Mr. Haid is looking for a suitable parcel/property to locate a 145K square foot fitness center with indoor and outdoor amenities. Mr. Haid provided his background in the fitness industry and presented on his concept for a family-oriented fitness center. Unfortunately, the applicant is looking for a 12 acre parcel — larger than any existing lots in Mendota Heights. No planning action is proposed at this time. Planning Meeting 3/26/2007 Page I of 2 Dick Bjorklund, Rem 1629 and 1635 Dodd Rd Mr. Bjorklund has been approached about purchasing 1629 and 1635 Dodd Rd. Staff discussed potential development on the two sites, including lot sizes, frontage requirements and potential cul-de-sac orientations. No planning action is proposed at this time. Robert Stewart, Feller Williams, Re. 1150,1140 and 1132 Sibley Memorial Highway Mr. Stewart has been working with the owners of 1150, 1140 and 1132 Sibly Memorial Highway on a plan to purchase the three lots and re -plat them as five lots with single family homes. Mr. Stewart brought with an attorney, a representative from Kodiak Homes and a marketing person for Kodiak Homes. Staff discussed the regulations around building on the bluff in the Critical Area. Mr. Stewart had a number of questions, and is hoping to come forward with a little more detailed plan for the lots. No planning action at this time. Noel Nelson, 933 Delaware Mr. Nelson is looking to tear down an existing single car detached garage, and replace it with a two car detached garage. The location of the new structure would straddle two lots which Mr. Nelson currently owns. Staff discussed the project with Mr. Nelson — including needing to combine the lots and how to address the variance to the rear -yard setback. Staff provided Mr. Nelson with Conditional Use Permit and Variance Checklists and explained the application process. The applicant would like to have application materials submitted for the April Planning Commission meeting, and will work with Dakota County to get the two lots combined at the same time as working through the planning process. Planning Meeting 3/2612007 Page 2 of 2 Seth Loy news editor Years from now,. visitors will walk the restored native prairie and trails along Pilot Knob in Mendota Heights and gain an appreciation of the site's role in Minnesota history. That's the idea, anyway. Bob McGilivery, with the Trust for Public Land, a national non-profit conserva- tion organization, presented a plan Monday to help the city purchase more than 15. acres from Acacia Cemetery (along with 8.5 acres previously pur- chased) for a Pilot Knob inter- pretive site. "This area is very important to the Dakota people," McGiliv- ery said. "It's where they tradi- tionally buried their dead." Years before white settlement, the Dakota used Pilot Knob as a basial ground and a place for ceremonies. The Dakota still use the site for ceremonial pur- poses, though much of the land is privately owned. Pilot Knob is more than a pt°omirient. hilt with a scenic view — it has, it&own$pia ce.in Minnesota history. The site marks the signing of the 1851 Treaty of Mendota, which gave Indian land in the southern half of Minnesota ,to the U.S. gov- ernment and allowed for non - natives to settle west of the Mis- sissippi River. A developer has proposed building 126 townhomes on the site, which overlooks the conflu- ence of the Minnesota and Mis- sissippi rivers, off Highway 13 in Mendota Heights. "There is no doubt there will see Pilot Knob on page 5 �op jd N, `moo o ro cd4-4 Cd �_' CHO P, Cd cd w .8 401 Cd" U +' a� U cu Z O °p o Cd P.,U on A p 0. 0 C Z� xs.n_o+� o O '0 Fa a� P q w •" 041P � a m �a Pa cd '0 " � . a� Cd 0 0 CD td- .`�. O 'v U yq _ H Pa CO Ca 0 a� E 0 'd o U N aPi ai m. Cd q O C. U P4 .o 0 Q) Ca Cd Cd CO � g p� 4 0't 0 o Cd r, o o c ® 1; a�4 �xa,� �������A416S0 o 6 P- she p 4' o �00 11C3 IQ . 'd C n U Pr 0U, ® m m O® a .z", In Cdo 41 0 a, ed o °L > Cd CdIn 0 m €. Cd Q Cisco°"®�°'a �.a�:�a� ° U as�'~°=� �� i0 Cd U �A0� � E, cd 1 Q) t � �:.Cd w o � �Z�y 1:: � o CD Pq d '00� ° 151. Wv U P 0 aU. bn�""� ® w x 4 . U o . CL 0 O y w G 'C cd '"M 0 CdWoo -0 Ln P4 P4 Cn a� N o Q 14� P4 Page 1 of 2 Close Window L Send To Printer Mendota Heights / Finances threaten Pilot Knob preserve Trust for Public Lane cumin short ars $1,88 nMllion needed buy land BY BRIAN BONNER Pioneer Press TwinCities.com-Pioneer Press Article Last Updated: 03/24/2007 07:12:08 PM CDT So far, the numbers penciled in don't add up to $1.88 million. That's what the Trust for Public Land needs by year's end to buy and preserve the last 15 available acres of historic Pilot Knob hill in Mendota Heights. The St. Paul branch of the nonprofit organization raised a similar amount two years ago to buy an 8.5 -acre section of the scenic hill, across the river from Fort Snelling and overlooking the Mendota Bridge. The Trust for Public Land turned the parcel over to Mendota Heights, which wants to keep the hill as a public nature preserve. The purchase thwarted a developer's plans to build 157 town homes. But housing ideas could resurface if the money doesn't materialize to acquire the 15 acres. The rest of the 100 -acre hill is taken up by Acacia Park Cemetery, which is selling the 15 acres, the last vacant parcel in its possession. The cemetery also owned the 8.5 acres purchased two years ago for nearly $2 million. The city of Mendota Heights has committed $400,000 to make the new purchase. That's the same amount the St. Paul suburb gave the first time. Dakota County commissioners this spring will be asked to spend another $400,000 from the Dakota County Farmland and Natural Areas Program. But the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, which kicked in $1 million for the earlier purchase, will likely not be able to coma close to that amount this time. "I can pretty much guarantee we would not do the entire million dollars for one project," said Wayne M. Sames, the department's local grants program manager. "That just isn't going to happen. If they were to be funded, it would be more in the range of a quarter million dollars or so. But even that could be tough." If the scenario plays out as Sames envisions, the Trust for Public Land could find itself more than $800,000 short of the money needed. Sames said that federal and state funding for the department's various conservation programs hasn't kept pace with all the grant requests. Nonetheless, Bob McGillivray, project manager of the Trust for Public Land, will submit applications by the March 31 deadline asking the state for $1 million. "We are heavily dependent on the DNR's local grants programs," McGillivray said. "We are very much relying on them to get the project done." McGillivray hopes the Legislature in session will recognize the need to follow through on its original $1 million investment in Pilot Knob. Another $1 million contribution will "secure the future of this historic site," he said. "It's really part of the birthplace of the state of Minnesota and was even considered for a while to be a place for the territorial capital," McGillivray said. http://www.twincities.com/portlet/article/html/fragments/print_article.j sp?artic1e1d=55121... 3/26/2007 Page 2 of 2 The hill is also where Dakota Indians signed a treaty surrendering millions of acres of land. It is also believed to be an Indian burial ground. McGillivray and other preservationists are worried about what he called "a real risk of development to this neighboring property" if the $1.88 million is not raised. Development "would be very detrimental to the investment the state has already made in this," McGillivray said. If the state, county and local contributions fall short, McGillivray said, he will pursue other options, but none he wants to talk about yet. Even if the state cannot help as much this time, Sames said, he hopes the land can be preserved for the public as a single, 23 - acre park. "I hope they can figure out a way to do that," Sames said. "It would be a good addition to have that land to make a larger, more useable park area." Brian Bonner can be reached at bbonner@pioneerpress.com or 651-228-2173. http://www.twincities.comlportletlarticlelhtml/fragments/print article.jsp?articleld=55121... 3/26/2007 Print Friends View Email Article Sting�j defense and a starring pregame taBk spar St. Thomas Academy to the C9ass A, AA tMe BY TIM LEIGHTON Pioneer Press Article Last Updated: 03/25/2007 12:13:02 AM CDT It wasn't a "Win one for the Gipper" speech in St. Thomas Academy's locker room Saturday night, but the message was very clear when starting point guard and inspirational leader Fritz Waldvogel and reserve forward Billy Lawrence took turns addressing their basketball teammates about falling short in a championship game. Both were standouts on STA's football team that lost to Totino -Grace in the Class AAAA championship game last fall. "It is the worst feeling ever to lose in a championship," Waldvogel said Saturday night. "It's a taste that stays with you forever. You could see they were listening. They were all business." The advice was heeded. The top-ranked Cadets used their trademark high-pressure defense and sprinkled in some timely offense to record a 56-40 victory over Benilde-St. Margaret's in the Class AAA championship game at Target Center. Nate Birr scored 16 points, and J.B. Korte and Alex Schneider had 13 each to give the Cadets (30-2) their second state championship and first since 1998. STA also had runner-up finishes in 2000 and '01. "Billy and Fritz had some great things to say," Birr said. "They kept bringing up how awful it felt to lose. It was nice to avoid that." In doing so, STA found defensive solutions to limit the damage of Benilde-St. Margaret's standouts Armond Battle and Jordan Taylor. While Taylor, a junior who has orally committed to Wisconsin, still had 15 points, and Battle had 13, the Cadets threw different Jordan Taylor of Benilde-St. Margaret's is surrounded by, from left, Jake Szymanski, Fritz Waldvogel and Alex Schneider of St. Thomas Academy during the first half Saturday night at Target Center. (SHERRI LAROSE- CHIGLO, Pioneer Press) defensive looks that forced the Red Knights (27-5) into 21 turnovers and 36.6 percent shooting. "We wanted to get up and run on them and get the score up as high as we could, but the ball wasn't failing," Taylor said. "We knew they played tough man-to-man defense and that they wouldn't back down. We wanted to get up the floor and get to the basket, but we just couldn't do it. I think we scrambled the whole night." An 8-0 run to open the second half pushed STA's lead from 23-20 at the break to 31-20 with 15:14 remaining. The run was capped by a three -pointer from the deep left corner by Korte, the hero of the Cadets' semifinal victory over Rocori. BSM didn't score its first points of the second half until 14:53 remained when Taylor made two free throws. That perked up BSM a bit, and the Red Knights pulled to within 32-28 with 10:35 left. But their offense stalled from that point. __.__.._._..____._..._....,_.____............. _____.._ "Defense is our identity; it's who we are," Cadets coach Mike Sjoberg said. "We shot the ball poorly at times in this tournament, but defense was always there. We had different defensive scenarios that really helped us. I really think that our conditioning held up. When (BSM) started having to chase us in the half court, I think they ran out of gas. The only time Waldvogel's worst nightmare took form was when BSM sprinted to an 8-2 lead. But the Cadets surged ahead with a 16-4 run that gave them an 18-12 lead after Waldvogel made the first of two free throws with 7:07 remaining. Birr had 10 points for STA in the first half, and Alex Schneider, a junior post, had eight in his battle with Battle. "The guys were poised; they didn't lose their composure," Sjoberg said. "They haven't panicked all year. That showed again. Said Waldvogel: "There was confidence all around. That was good to see." Tim Leighton can be reached at tleighton@pioneerpress.com. Is Par 3 purchase the right choice? To the editor: In response to the Save Par 3 Committee letter I have several concerns. We are fortunate to have residents who are passionate about their community, but we also have many NIMBY's (Not In My Back Yard). It is up to the residents, since the city council has ,.decided not to make this decision them- selves, to decide if this is the parcel of land worth saving at cost to the property owners or if this is a case of the NIMBY's. One point that is often brought up is open space. At the same time we are debating saving 17 acres in a heavily residential area on a busy county road, the city council approved additional townhomes. to be built along the scenic Augusta and LeMay lakes. This area is truly open space that is tucked away near these picturesque lakes. There is an abundance of wildlife in this area and there would be no need for pesticide and other chemicals to be introduced into our environ- ment. When these townhomes are :built, residents will no longer have ;access to}*lis beautiful. and rare part;of our town.,; Another point brought up is the purchase price. It is my under standing that this property will be used as a golf "course, but was appraised as residential. It is cur- rently appraised as a golf course by Dakota County at $542,300. Dakota County appraises at about 8 percent below true market value. This would place a golf course at $585,684. Again, this is being pur- chased as a golf course. How is it a great deal to buy a piece of prop- erty valued at $585,684 for $2,790;000? Another concern of mine is the city council purchasing land from private property. owners with no set agenda in mind. This property and Pilot Knob have been pur- chased not for park space... not for roads... not for any capital improvement. It is purchased just to stop legal development while allowing other development, i.e. Augusta Shores high density,.to go ahead. I am .unsure how the coun- cil decides what development is worth stopping and what develop- ment is worth proceeding. I am also unsure how the council decides which developments should go before the residents for approval. At the time Pilot ,Knob was being.considere& it was asked to be placed before the residents and the council chose not to do so. Why are residents 'already being asked to bear a financial burden in the way of the cost of an election to pass or deny the referendum for Par 3? I have also looked at this deal from every way and have come up with the conclusion that purchas- ing the Par 3 is an unnecessary burden on the residents of Men- dota Heights and if there is the desire to preserve open space there are many other. areas that deserve closer inspection than Par 3. If we do purchase Par 3, let us consider closing the golf course and opening a Water Park like Eagan has for the children of our community. Oh, never mind. Not In My Back Yard. Joan Olin Mendota Heights Is there eveir enough ®pen space? To the editor: Opponents of the referendum to have the city of Mendota Heights purchase the Par 3 Golf Course think we have enough open space. Is there such a thing as enough open space? Especially in a city that is 96 percent developed? I'm biased. I grew up with lots of open space. I dont remember my parents ever driving me to a park unless it was the city swimming pool. One of my favorite memories as a kid is spending hours and hours playing outside. My siblings and I got tons of exercise, used our imaginations to the fullest and.madefabulous discoveries in nature. I hope we can agree that nature and open space offer many benefits like the ones I experienced growing up. I know we can agree that land is no longer being made. I bet we can also - agree that once land in our city is developed, it will never again be open public space. We can agree that Somerset and Mendakota Country Clubs are private, not open for the enjoyment of the general public. I live about three miles from the Par 3 course. Still, I consider it in my backyard since nothing within our city boundaries is more than a seven -minute drive for any of us. I have never stepped foot on the course, but I drive by it all the time. I love seeing kids swinging clubs and foursomes of adults laughing together. I will visit the course, and bring my family along, now that I've had the shock of learning that it could be gone. And I will gladly give up $50 worth of coffee each year from our areas numerous coffee shops and cafes in exchange for the open space of the Par 3. Tamara Will Mendota Heights L ) � ®� "' •> 11(11 41i 113 ��l I"ITI�f 1t Dear sir: The purchase of the Par 3 Golf Course by the city of Mendota Heights is not a good idea. Government should not be involved in private business and definitely not if it accommodates.orily a small percentage of its citizens—in this case, golfers. Our tax money should be used to benefit--- the enefit-- the entire community—funding education, the police force, building and repairing roads, etc. To expect all residents to accept a property tax increase for 15 years to acquire this par -3 boondoogle is ridiculous. If your home is valued at $350,000, you would see an additional increase of $50 per year. And dont forget other tax increases are looming. The school district, claiming shortfalls, will probably soon float another. referendum to cover costs. On the other hand, if the Par 3 Golf Course were sold to a developer, 19 homes could be built on that land, which would be a new source of property taxes, benefiting the city, county, school district as well as all the residents. When the city amended its comprehensive plan for this area, the minimum lot size was increased to 40,000 square feet. The:homes here would obviously be large homes costing nearly $600,000 each and paying $5,500 to $6,000 per year in property taxes for a total of atleast$104,500. An added benefit. to this plan is that approximately one-third of the land would be set aside as open space. Vote "no' on the Par 3 Golf Course referendum on April 24. Residents dorit need an extra tax burden, but they certainly could use the help of additional property tax. revenue. Darlene Melquist Mendota Heights To the editor: There is certainly much talk about big money for the Mendota Heights Par 3 Golf Course -pros and cons to buy and sell this property as well the need for becoming environmentally "greener." But has anyone mentioned the fact .that this course affects our youth? On several occasions I have been playing at this course and have see very young players, perhaps as young as 9. If we dont offer a location for these young players, where will they go? Highland National? Probably not. We need to keep our youth on the golf course and off the streets, where boredom breeds trouble. What would their life be like if they had nowhere to play? Dont underestimate the value of this course for these young players. Barb Chapman Highland Park WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2007 Page 1 of 1 F-ITITUNW,. ll . 11 t . - Pioneer Press TwinCities.com-Pioneer Press Article Last Updated: 03/23/2007 06:38:15 PM CDT Sainted: MTC bus driver Davis was my guardian angel this weekend. On St. Patrick's Day, I was walking in a Lilydale park when the rear window of my SUV was smashed and my purse was snatched. On Sunday, Davis found my stolen purse on his bus. He called and told me a convenient place to meet his bus. He handed me my purse and wouldn't take a reward. I'm thrilled! All that was missing was a little cash and my credit cards. I got back my billfold, checks, license, makeup and keys. This will save me a ton of worry, time, expense and effort. Thanks, Davis. GLOR%A O'CONNELL SONNEN Mendota Heights http://www.twincities.com/portlet/article/html/fragments/print_article.j sp?artic1e1d=55067... 3/26/2007 imunity, With the Community, For the Community SUBMITTED PRO70 Nora Ali of Mendota Heights was selected March 10 as Minnesota's Junior Miss. MH teen All -shines -'ad. Junior Miss competition Nora Ali. of Mendota -Heights -was selected as;Minnesota'$ Junior. Miss at the state finals March 10 :in Apple' Valley. Nora. received a•-$2;500 scholarship and an all expense paid trip to Mobile, Ala., where she will compete in the 50th Annual America's Junior Miss National Finals June 28-30. Nora, 17 and- a senior at South St. Paul High- School; his. a National Merit, `Scholarship..''finalist; plays :the violinandpiano,' is captain ,of the Knowledge and Math bowls and is chair .of: the Diversity Club.° She plans attend.Harvard this fall. Her parents are r Zaki and -Mahfuza� Ali. Her sisters are Nicole,19; and Leeza,13 Mar 23 2007 16:21:56 Via Fax -> 6514S20940 AdminiStrdtGP Fast and furious -Friday F a - A weekly legislative update from the League ofMinnesota Cities Today marks the passage of the first and second policy committee deadlines in the House. Policy committees in the House have been meeting from 7:30 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. or later for the past two weeks to process policy bills to meet the first and second deadlines. Technically, bills that have not passed out of the relevant policy committees in the House by this evening are dead for the session—unless of course a bill is given special dispensation in the Rules or offered as an amendment to another bill. The legislative pace will not slow down anytime soon. Both chambers must now turn to the April 12, third committee deadline, where appropriations bills and the omnibus tax bills must be processed on the Senate floor and in the House Finance Committees. These bills are the major tax and appropriation bills that will form the backbone of the state's biennial budget. In order to process all of the major budget bills, both the House and Senate will hold Saturday floor sessions tomorrow and we expect next Saturday as well. Several of the major appropriations bills are progressing quickly. In both the House and the Senate, the omnibus transportation bills have been winding their way through the relevant committees. On Thursday, the Senate omnibus transportation bill :l° :1.3$6 was considered in the "Fax�d:orxlxx�.it�;et:� due to several tax -related provisions including a $0.10 gas tax increase, indexing of the gas tax, a 1/z cent metro sales tax to fund transit and an expansion of the wheelage tax authority to all Minnesota counties. March 23, 2007 Page 1 The bill also includes license tab fee increases and transfers the sales tax on leased motor vehicles from the state's general fund to the highway user tax distribution fund and an authorization for cities and counties in Greater Minnesota to impose local option sales taxes for transportation purposes_ The House omnibus transportation bill (I�l°', c) (5) was considered and approved last night in the VWa-ys and MC411ns (..!(.Yr trnit:tee. That bill is similar to the Senate bill but does not contain indexing for the gas tax or the dedication of the sales tax on leased motor vehicles. The omnibus economic development bills, the omnibus crime bills (:1I:1° 5SR1 , and the omnibus transportation policy bills are also progressing. The omnibus tax bills are not far behind but not progressing as quickly as some had hoped. On Thursday, Chair Paul. :�1an uart: (DFL - Dilworth) modified the schedule by cancelling today's hearing of the L�ro x -.:r v ".1 ,UC IZe1:ief and where the property tax relief article was scheduled to be released. That article, which will be folded into the broader omnibus tax bill, will contain provisions related to LGA, market value homestead credit, circuit breaker and other tax relief proposals. That meeting has been rescheduled for Monday, March 26 at 10:30 a.m. Last week, Senator Rod Skoe (DFL - Clearbrook) released his subcommittee's report, which included $150 million in LGA and $42 million in additional Market Value Homestead Credit funding. The bill did not include any form of levy limits. The bill was approved by the subcommittee and forwarded to the full '.I"ax. Cornrrti:tq-�e. We expect the Senator ':1'e. rn F3ak:l-: (DFL -Cook) to unveil the For more infoamation on city legislative issues, contact any member of the League of Minnesota Cities Intergovernmental Relations team. 651.281.1200 or 800.925.1122 Mar 23 2007 16:22042 Via Fax -> 6514520940 flaministratar -Frida0 F a - A weekly legislative update from the League of Minnesota Cities balance of the Senate omnibus tax bill sometime next week. Questions? Contact Gary Carlson at 651.281.1255 or gcarlso3z'r;.lrrz.�x�;.carcY. Is wine half -gone? Liquor legislation update Tuesday night the :l-:l:otuse arid 1.,abor i-':ornmit:tee released their omnibus liquor bill, and did NOT include the wine in grocery stores provision,Kal:tn. DFL -Minneapolis). Chairman Rep. ;log ,.,ktkiris (DFL -Inver Grove Heights) presented the bill and told members that one of the reasons he did not include it is that he had not heard from legislators that he should include it. He complimented both sides for their testimony the previous week. During the closing comments, Rep_ Deart Sint' sson (R - New York Mills) spoke up in support of the wine bill and insinuated that the bill could come up for a floor vote at some point still this session. The of%%1%lbdbs dEqLIor bill, (Atkins, ]:-'1F...1.958 ......;;(Atkins, DFL -Inver Grove Heights), includes two provisions that are good for cities. One is a new fee structure for off -sale licenses. Currently, cities are capped and the rates have not been changed in 20 years. Additionally, in silent auction situations, cities would have to grant a temporary license for donations of beer or wine, and these amounts would be limited to one case of beer, 5 bottles of wine, etc. The Senate C(-nni erc.e Corrz:t:ni:ttee. has ... ............................................._.._..... ........... scheduled the�ri...... e in grocery stores bill, Sl` 1889 (Sc:,�.ke:id, DFL -Brooklyn Park), for Tuesday at 12:30. Other liquor bills are not scheduled, so the bill may be laid over and voted up or down. Either way, it's a good time to connect March 23, 2007 Page 2 with legislators and let them know your concerns about expanding wine sales to grocery stores. There have been many signs pointing to a potential floor vote in the House or Senate, and all legislators should be contacted. Questions? Contact Jennifer O'Rourke at 651.281.1261 orjorourke@lmnc.org. OPEB trust bills advance The House version of the statewide post - employment benefit (OPER) trust bill was approved after a quick hearing in the House IM:.. t 1 Firianc e (..' ��,e_xnnittee on Thursday afternoon. The Senate version was approved by the Senate :1:1WK. CO:U:llt::titt:ee on Tuesday morning after a lengthy discussion of whether the provisions related to the creation of revocable trusts was necessary. The Senate version of the OPER trust bill was laid over and we believe that on Monday, the Senate Tax Committee will merge the OPER trust language with the provisions in the public finance bill and create another article for the omnibus tax bill. This is not our preferred strategy, given that the omnibus tax bill will likely contain tax increases that will draw a governor's veto. At least we have eight weeks left to get the bill to the governor. Questions? Contact Gary Carlson at 651.281.1255 or gcarlson@lmnc.org. Public finance bill introduced Earlier this week the public finance bill was introduced. I:I:1 2'r��io; :I.,e:tic:a:wski, DFL- .............._....._...__.._(._.._....._........._...._..........__........ Bloomington) / S1"' 1,933 (13akk:, DFL -Cook) For more information on city legislative issues, contact any member of the League of Minnesota Cities Intergovernmental Relations team. 651.281.1200 or 800.925.1122 Mar 23 2007 16-23:25 Via Fax -> 65145213940 Administrator LMC -Frida N- A weekly legislative update from the League ofMinnesota Cities contains a number of provisions friendly to local government spending. This bill is brought forward annually by the Minnesota Institute of Public Finance. A hearing is scheduled for Monday in the Senate at 8:30 a.m. Questions? Contact Jennifer O'Rourke at 651.281.1261 or i�:pa c1u�ke.lrrzaz.c:.car cY Douse Public Safety Committee puts breaks on photocop bill On a vote of six to seven, the .l -:louse ,pi;1bl:i.t:. ; :f'€t aracl Civ -.J. ;iustice last evening narrowly defeated a bill that would allow cities to use cameras and sensors at intersections to nab red light runners. The League has a position supporting this legislation. DFL -Minneapolis), had passed out of the ��1s ..Tran.-., ss-jrt_g���i glflCe ..: and proponents were optimistic that it would garner enough votes in the Public Safety and Civil Justice Committee to real:h the douse floor. The Senate companion, SF 1071 (I:)il ble, DFL - Minneapolis), got the nod on a roll -call vote of eleven to five at a meeting last week of the ...A '��eri�xt'e .1`:t-ai'1�� .30�:'�:r:r'�':t�:�a::t .l_�u�:l�.:�;t and .. �:�..:tc" I.Xvision.. With last night's vote, the initiative now faces an uncertain future. It may be possible to amend the measure into an omnibus bill in the March 23, 2007 Page 3 omnibus bill authors may be reluctant to insert controversial provisions into critical funding or policy bills. Questions? ContactAnne Finn at 651.281.1263 or org. Governor Pawlenty to address LMC Legislative Conference March 29! Pre -registration has been extended through Monday afternoon for the LMC Legislative Conference that will be held March 28 and 29, 2007. Join Governor Tim Pawlenty and nearly 1,000 city, county, and school officials for the first- ever joint local government legislative conference. The Governor will be the lunch keynote speaker on March 29. Republican and Democratic leaders of the House and Senate are also scheduled to speak. Renewing the Partnership—Legislative Conference for Cities, Counties, and Schools is a historic event Jo—i qtly sponsored by LMC, the Association of MN Counties, and the MN School Boards Association. Date: March 28-29, 2007 Location: St. Paul, Crowne Plaza (formerly the Radisson Rlverfront) Registration Fee: $125 person Register by March 26 at: Senate, House or both bodies. However, Questions? Contact Rebecca Erickson at (651) 281-1222 or (800) 925-1122, or e-mail rerickson@lmnc.org. For more infa mation. on city legislative issues, contact any member of the League of Minnesota Cities Intergovernmental Relations team. 651.281.1200 or 800.925.1122