Issue 55 - Heights Highlights Summer 2001PAGE 1 SEPTEMBER, 2001 ISSUE 55 I
Welcome, Police Chief Jeff
Piotraschke
On Tuesday, August 21, the City Council officially
appointed Jeff Piotraschke as the Police Chief of
Mendota Heights. Jeff has been the Acting Chief of
Police since former Chief Scott Johnson's departure
in April. The City reviewed a number of applications
for the position. After narrowing the finalist list to
three, the Council interviewed the candidates and
came to the unanimous decision to appoint Acting
Chief Jeff Piotraschke as the new Chief of Police.
Jeff has been with the City of Mendota Heights for
- - - fifteen years where he served as Patrol Officer,
Sergeant, Captain and Acting Chief of Police. Prior to Mendota Heights, Jeff worked in
Patrol at the Spring Lake Park Police Department. Jeff was born and raised in Mendota
Heights and attended Cretin High School. He is married and has two daughters.
)ngratulations Jeff! We are pleased and proud to call you the new Police Chief of
Mendota Heights.
Police Department Crime
Prevention Website Coming
This fall the Mendota Heights Police Department will be joining several other Police
Departments around the state by participating in a new crime prevention website called
Citizen Observer.com. Citizen Observer.com is a free website that will provide a con-
nection between the Mendota Heights Police Department and our community residents
and businesses. This site will provide concerned residents and neighborhood block watch
captains a link to the police department as well as providing notification to area business-
es of problems that may affect them. We will also be able to share pertinent information
with surrounding communities who are experiencing problems similar to our own.
The powerful and user-friendly tools found on Citizen Observer.com enable law
enforcement agencies, community groups and neighborhood watch groups to create
unlimited pages on virtually any subject related to local crime prevention. One of the key
tools that this website will provide is a crime alert which will notify residents and busi-
nesses of a particular problem in their area. While online communication should never
take the place of face-to-face neighborly conversations, Citizen Observer stimulates a
partnership among neighborhoods, making communities safer, friendlier and better con-
nected. This site offers a portal to connect groups of people who might not otherwise have
the time, interest, or opportunity.
The Citizen Observer site was just recently launched and made available to local agen-
s. We anticipate having our portion of the site up and running soon. If you have
Internet access and a few spare minutes check out the site at hyperlink "http://www.citi-
zen observer.com" www.citizen observer.com. It is completely free to both residents and
businesses and it takes only a few minutes to sign up. Reducing crime is clearly one of
our department's highest priorities and the Citizen Observer provides an additional tool to
assist us in our crime prevention efforts.
Thoughts from
Your New Chief
As the new police chief for the City of
Mendota Heights, I am often asked about
my thoughts and feelings regarding the
direction the police department may take in
the future. It is difficult to address those
questions without uttering one or more of
the many cliches that have been born out of
the quest to apply neat words to a very com-
plex subject: interaction between the police
department and the community.
"Buzz" words such as Community
Policing are thrown about so much these
days that they have lost most of the mean-
ing that was intended. I am not even sure
that I know exactly what Community
Policing means anymore. Seems kind of
broad now. When talking about vision and
direction, I hesitate to use any of these
words because I don't want people to think
that their police department is going to
change drastically from the way it has been
for a long time. A recently cited speeder
may not be too happy with one of our offi-
cers, but our department has traditionally
sported a very high level of community sat-
isfaction. Besides, we believe that we do
have a great police department. Why should
we change it?
That still doesn't answer the questions
about where our department is headed. We
need to work harder at prevention and edu-
cation. We need to spend as much or more
time heading off problems as we do taking
the police reports after the problem occurs.
We also must never stop trying to improve
the service we are providing. Most of all,
we need to be objective enough to always
look in the mirror and see if we look like a
police department that the citizens of
Mendota Heights can be proud of.
M I N N E S O T A
CRIML
WATCH
Owner's Name
Address:
1
Home Phone:
Work Phone:
a
Animal Name:
Breed:
Color:
Sex:
Neutered: Yes No
Spayed: Yes No
Remit Application
and Payment to:
PAGE 5 HEIGHTS HIGHLITES SEPTEMBER, 2001
AFTER SCHOOL
YOUTH SKI TRIPS
Hyland Hills Ski Area
Buses for the after school field trips will pick up at 3:45 PM
at the West St. Paul City Hall, 1616 Humboldt Avenue, WSP,
and will return to the West St. Paul City Hall at 10:00 PM.
Parents please pick up your children promptly at 10:00 PM
at West St. Paul City Hall.
After a long week of studies,
catch our bus at 3:45 p.m. on
Friday afternoons at West St.
Paul City Hall. These ski trips
\' are for all abilities from begin-
ners to advanced. Prices
J. >` include: lift tickets, bus trans-
portation, adult chaperones, and
equipment rental (if needed).
Bring money for dinner/snacks
ii or bring a bag dinner. Anyone
interested in chaperoning „1 p g should
contact Mary at 651-452-1850.
Chaperones will be paid and will
also have their lift tickets and
equipment rental paid for.
Registration deadline for ski trips: Monday before each
trip.
LOCATION...... Hyland Hills Ski Area (Bloomington)
DAY/DATES.....Fridays, December 14, 2001, January 11 &
February 1, 2002.
FEES: With equipment rental: $35.00 per trip
Without equipment rental: $20.00 per trip.
Snowboarding total cost is $42.00 ($20.00 per trip
+ $22.00 snowboard rental). Please advise us at the
time of registration if you will be renting a
snowboard.
Ski lessons: Add $7.00 per trip (fee must be
paid at time of registration).
AGES: ................ grades 3-8
PICKUP -TIMES: 3:45 PM West St. Paul City Hall
1616 Humboldt Ave.
RETURN........ 10:00 PM (WSP City Hall)
55 + CARD CLUB
A room is available at the Mendota Heights City Hall (1101
Victoria Curve) for any individuals 55 years of age or older who are
interested in starting a card club. Group members will be responsi-
ble to organize a play schedule and choice of game(s). Any indi-
,iduals interested in organizing a card club should contact the Parks
,k Recreation Dept. at 651-452-1850 for assistance and additional
information.
LEARN TO SKATE
ICE SKATING LESSONS
Join us for some old fashioned outdoor fun. A variety of out-
door ice skating lessons, for all ages and abilities, will be
offered at Friendly Hills Park. This is a good opportunity to
improve your skating skills and have some outdoor fun.
Classes are limited to 5-7 participants, so register early. A
waiting list will be made for overflow registrations. Please
watch for flyers that will be distributed to all schools in early
November.
Smalls and Talls
Parents or other responsible adults participate with their first
time skaters. Adults will learn tips on how to help their chil-
dren skate. This class is fun for parents and children!
Ages 3-5 years old
Saturdays, Jan 5 - Feb 9
Section I: 9:00 — 9:30 AM
Beginners
Skaters with no previous experience will have a super time
being introduced to basic skills of skating.
Ages 6 and older
Saturdays, Jan 5 - Feb 9
Section I: 9:35 —10:05 AM
Advanced Beginners
Skaters who can skate forward or who have previously been
in the Beginners class.
Ages 6 and older
Saturdays, Jan 5 - Feb 9
Section I: 10:10 —10:40 AM
Funstyle/Freestyle
This is for intermediate skaters who can do forward and
backward crossovers and turns. Skaters will learn jumps and
spins.
Saturdays, Jan 5 - Feb 9
Section I: 10:45 —11:15 am
Adults
This class is perfect for adults who want to begin skating for
the first time, improve skating skills or just get outside and
enjoy the flesh air! It's never to Iate to learn!!!
Ages 17 and older
Saturdays , Jan 5 — Feb 9
Section I: 11:20 am —11:50 am
HELP WANTED
Warming House Attendant
This is a part-time position and is ideal for students, adults or
seniors. Rink Attendant experience is not a requirement.
Applications and job descriptions are available at Mendota
Heights City Hall. City Hall is located at 1101 Victoria Curve
and is open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For addi-
tional information contact Mary at 651-452-1850.
Participant Name
1.
Gender
(Circle)
M F
M F
M F
Age
1.
2.
3.
Activity Name
L
Start Date
/ /
Time
1.
2.
3.
FEE
$
$
$
2.
2.
/ /
/ /
3.
3.
PAGE 8
Pedestrian Safety on
Bike Trails
Recently some of our residents have been
calling City Hall to complain about the
behavior of some bicyclists and in-line
skaters towards pedestrians on the City's
trail system. Their concerns are real and
legitimate.
If you ride your bicycle or in-line skate on
city trails, please be considerate of pedestri-
ans. If you are about to pass a pedestrian on
a trail, please announce to that person that
you will be passing them on their right or on
their left in a loud, clear voice with enough
advance time for them to respond. Keep in
mind that some people walking on the trails
may be either hearing impaired or unable to
respond quickly because of limited mobili-
ty.
The Mendota Heights trail system is for
the enjoyment of all residents, so please be
courteous and considerate.
CITY DIRECTORY
Council Members:
452-1850
Charles Mertensotto, Mayor 454-3394
Michael Dwyer
452-7872
Sandra Krebsbach
454-5696
Mary Jeanne Schneeman
457-4337
Jack Vitelli
455-5625
Staff Members:
Cari Lindberg,
City Administrator
452-1850
Kathleen Swanson,
1101 Victoria Curve
City Clerk
452-1850
James Danielson, Public
Works Director
452-1850
Jeff Piotraschke,
Permit No. 6166
Police Chief
452-1366
John Maczko, Fire Chief
406-4774
Code Enforcement Officers:
Paul Berg & Dick Gill
452-1850
HEIGHTS HIGHLITES SEPTEMBER, 2001
FALL LAWN CARE
CLEAN STORM DRAINS, CLEANER
Lawn owners can help local water quality this fall by using low phosphorus fertilizer,
keeping leaves and grass clippings off driveways and streets, and keeping your nearby
storm drains cleaned out.
Fertilizing lawns in the fall helps make healthier turf going into winter and improves
green -up in the spring. Depending on the type of grass, most established lawns benefit
from fertilization in September to mid-October. Since most established lawns in Dakota
County have more than enough phosphorus, choose fertilizer with the middle number
(meaning phosphorus) of three or less. Many nurseries and lawn care companies sell zero
phosphorus fertilizer. Newly established lawns may still need additional phosphorus in fer-
tilizer. Before fertilizing, residents are encouraged to test their soils to see what nutrients
their soils need. For more information on soil tests and fertilizing, contact the University
of Minnesota Extension Service, Dakota County at (651) 480-7734. Basic soil tests cost
$7. The University of Minnesota INFO -U provides recorded messages on lawn care topics
too. Call (612) 624-2200 for a catalog list of topics.
Phosphorus is the nutrient that can degrade water quality in local ponds and lakes. It can
cause significant algae blooms and promotes excess weed growth. One common source of
phosphorus in ponds and lakes is runoff entering city storm sewer systems. It is important
to keep fertilizer, leaves, and grass clippings off driveways and streets so that they will not
be carried through storm drains. Water entering storm drains is not treated and drains
directly to local water bodies. Help protect water quality in local ponds, lakes, and wetlands
by removing any grass and twigs, along with trash, from the storm drains on your street.
Rid Your Home of Make the Call
Hazardous Items
Mendota Heights residents have the
opportunity to dispose of many difficult or
hazardous items at the Dakota County Eco -
Site in Eagan. The Eco -Site is located on
Dodd Road just north of Yankee Doodle
Road. Hours for the Eco -Site Household
Hazardous Waste Area are as follows:
Wednesdays 3 pm — 8 pm
Thursdays 9 am — 5 pm
Fridays Closed
Saturdays 9 am — 2 pm
For more information, please call 651-
905-4520.
Are you bothered by air noise? When air
noise becomes unbearable and disrupts
your family's lifestyle, the Metropolitan
Airports Commission wants to know. Call
the MAC air noise complaint line at
(612)726-9411. If possible, be prepared to
provide the MAC with information on time,
location, direction and aircraft type.
From:
City of Mendota Heights
Bulk Rate
1101 Victoria Curve
U.S. Postage
Mendota Heights, Mn. 55118
PAID
Permit No. 6166
St. Paul, Mn 55118
POSTAL PATRON
MENDOTA HEIGHTS, MN
CARRIER ROUTE
PRESORT
55120
ECR WSS