2009-12-31 Friday NewsDecember 31, 2009
6�xl
THANK YOU FOR ANOTHER GREAT YEAR
As another year concludes please let me take the time to thank all of you
for the services you provide to the residents of Mendota Heights on a
daily basis. The work involved in being an elected official or appointed
staff member of the city is one that takes a lot of effort and does not al-
ways come with the appropriate thank you when they are deserved.
Whether it be the tough decisions made by the city council, plowing the
streets during a snowstorm, fighting fires, patrolling the streets, or work-
ing on projects at city hall, the effort that you put into your jobs is appre-
ciated by all.
This past year saw some big projects and some big changes at the city
and 2010 will bring more of the same. The city council will recognize a
number of city employees for their years of service at their meeting on
January 5, 2010. Please accept this thank to each of you for all that you
do everyday. Have a safe holiday weekend and an excellent 2010!
F AN UPDATE ON THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE
While there has not been a lot of news about it, staff has been processing the scheduled update of
Rour Comprehensive Land Use Plan as required by the Metropolitan Council. We missed the
deadline for the "official informal review" last December, but did have the plan to Metropolitan
Council for what amounts to an "unofficial informal review." The bottom line is that the Com-
prehensive Plan update is on track, and will be provided to City Council Members and Planning
Commissioners the week of January 4. If you have a preference either electronic or hard copy,
D please let Jake know: you can call City Hall, or email Jake at jakes(c�r�mendota-heights.com.
Please take the time to review this document and provide your feedback to Jake prior to the
Planning Commission meeting on January 26, 2010. The Planning Commission will discuss the
Aupdate at their January meeting, and City Council will consider submitting the document to Met-
ropolitan Council at their regular meeting February 2, 2010.
Y
FREE ELECTRONICS RECYCLING AT THE RECYCLING ZONE
Beginning Jan. 2, 2010, residents will once again be able to drop off their electronics
including televisions, mp3 players, video game systems, computers and more -at The Recy-
Ncling Zone ,for free.
This will make it easier and cheaper for residents to comply with Minnesota State law requir-
Eing old electronics be recycled at a certified recycling facility.
Recycling electronics is important because they contain components that are harmful to the
environment and our health. Materials such as lead, mercury, cadmium and brominated flame
Wretardants can enter our soil and ground water if not disposed of properly. Exposure to these
materials can cause a variety of health issues in humans. T h e
SFor more information, visit www.dakotacounty.us or call 952- Recding
891-7557
December 18, 2009
DATES TO REMEMBER IN JANUARY
SAD NEWS
Our sympathies go out to Knob and Sandra Krebsbach for the loss of Knobs father, Norbert Krebs-
bach. Mr. Krebsbach passed away on Tuesday, December 29th. He met his first great grandchild
from Denver, being four months old. All of his family was with him except for a grandson in Af-
ghanistan. The Red Cross is bringing him home for the funeral. The fimeral will be Saturday, Janu-
ary 2nd in Kerrville, TX.
Attachments
Pipeline, Just The Facts, City Council Meeting Agenda, Pre -Application Meeting Synopsis, StarTribune.com
Article "Judge rules against Pawlenty on budget cuts" and Letter from United Way.
0 , 4;�Zl
.lam
ew
City Offices Closed
1-01-2010
City Council Meeting
1-05-2010
7:00 p.m.
Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting
1-12-2010
6:30 p.m.
Airport Relations Commission Meeting
1-13-2010
7:00 p.m.
City Offices Closed
1-18-2010
MAC Full Commission Meeting
1-19-2010
1:00 p.m.
City Council Meeting
1-19-2010
7:00 p.m.
Planning Commission Meeting
1-26-2010
7:00 p.m.
Five-day forecast
Tomorrow
Saturday Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Jan 01
Jan 02 Jan 03
Jan 04
Jan 05
Mostly Cloudy
Partly Cloudy Partly Cloudy
Partly Cloudy
Partly Cloudy
Hi: 60
Hi: 30 Hi: 70
Hi: 80
Hi: 90
Lo: -120
Lo: -70 Lo: -30
Lo: 10
Lo: 40
SAD NEWS
Our sympathies go out to Knob and Sandra Krebsbach for the loss of Knobs father, Norbert Krebs-
bach. Mr. Krebsbach passed away on Tuesday, December 29th. He met his first great grandchild
from Denver, being four months old. All of his family was with him except for a grandson in Af-
ghanistan. The Red Cross is bringing him home for the funeral. The fimeral will be Saturday, Janu-
ary 2nd in Kerrville, TX.
Attachments
Pipeline, Just The Facts, City Council Meeting Agenda, Pre -Application Meeting Synopsis, StarTribune.com
Article "Judge rules against Pawlenty on budget cuts" and Letter from United Way.
0 , 4;�Zl
.lam
ew
N E W S T
LETTER
0
Public Works
Engineering
Code Enforcement '
Public Works
elPipeline
December 31, 2009
The Streets Crew did a wonderful job during the Christmas storm. The new Mack
plow truck arrived Monday and was used during the storm. They have been also
cleaning the bridge decks.
.
Date:*0^k
12-23-09
12-24-09
Snow Events for the Week: , `.
Event: Response: •, to
dusting of snow 4:00 A.M. start - plow all streetsA
snow midnight start - plow all streets
12-25-09 rain midnight start - plow all streets
12-26-09 snow midnight start - plow all streets
Engineering
Bids were opened for the Mendota Heights Road/Visitation Drive Roundabout
project. Twelve contractors bid on the project and the low bid was $440,000, the
estimate for the project was $400,000. Staff is working with the schools on
additional funding to cover the costs.
The topography survey is complete for the 2010 reconstruction project. Staff will
begin preparing construction plans to be bid in March.
Engineering has begun digitizing old streets and utility plans. The plans are being
sent to a reproduction company where they will be scanned into a digital format
(PDF).
Please see attached note from a walker who walks the trails in Mendota Heights.
Have a Happy and Safe 2010!!
�... ..(11_......._.......... .._.._.
12/31/2009
-1-
12/31/2009
position, the high risk stop was executed and everyone was safely removed from the
vehicle. As it turns out the car was recently purchased and had the nice little yellow
tag in the window. The owner was coming from Apple Valley to a location very near
the stop. Occupants identified and released at the scene.
Identity Theft Monday 1221 hours
Officer Mike Shepard met the victim of an identity theft in the lobby of MHPD. He
reported that around Thanksgiving he and a neighbor had mail taken from their
boxes. This lead to the man receiving collection notices on accounts that were
opened in his name. Shortly after that process began he received a call from the
Woodbury Police Department who had questions about his finances. At that time the
victim learned they had a party in custody for using his personal information to make
purchases. The man was provided the necessary information to proceed with
attempting to clear his name.
Warrant Arrest Tuesday 1752 hours
Officer Denise Urmann served an arrest warrant in the SE part of town on Tuesday
evening the warrant was issued out of Dakota County for Contempt of Court. The
young man answered the door and was arrested without incident.
Detox Wednesday 0113 hours
Officers responded to a fight at a local bar; upon arrival only one participant was still
on scene. Unfortunately for him he was extremely intoxicated a .25 BAC, likely the
reason he was not bright enough to leave before Officers arrived. The man was in
no condition to allow to leave and his friends, if there were any left at the bar, didn't
step up to take the man. So he got to spend the next 72 hours in Detox — a not so
Merry Christmas for him.
DUI Sunday 0050 hours
Officer Denise Urmann was working a traffic safety detail when she spotted a car
traveling at a high rate of speed. She pulled in behind the car and paced it using
both her speedometer and radar at 80 mph in a 55 mph zone. After the car made it
across the Mendota Bridge she activated her emergency lights to stop the car which
drove for a quarter mile before stopping. Immediately upon talking with the driver it
was obvious he was intoxicated. Officer Urmann asked to see his driver's license
and proof of insurance. The man fumbled through all kinds of paper after watching a
period of time Officer Urmann reached in and picked up the insurance card that was
lying out in plain sight. The vehicle had current insurance. The driver could not
follow directions and failed the SFST's. The last test was the PBT which the man
told her that the PBT was too cold to use. During the stop an Airport PD Officer
arrived on scene. She provided a nice warm PBT for the man to blow in. The man
was read the MN Implied Consent Form at MHPD using the language line. This was
recorded. He agreed to test and was then transported to the DC Jail. At the jail the
man quickly made friends by making inappropriate comments to the female jailer
about his penis. Nice.
i>lease be sa fe nvwd leeep aw eUe ow the roads. ffave a great weeleewd! Melee
Read on for the after -Christmas highlights...
-2-
12/31/2009
Fraud 12/28/09 11:21 hours
Officer Meyer responded to our lobby to take a fraud report. The victim had discovered
that someone was using her checking account number on checks that that did not have
her name on them, from an account she didn't even have checks for. She was able to
provide plenty of documentation and some possible leads on the suspect. Investigation
to follow-up.
Theft/Underage Consumption 12/29/09 0104 hours
Officer Fleming heard a call come out via dispatch of a group of disorderly young people
who had left a restaurant in WSP without paying their bill. Someone watched them
leave and provided a license plate number, whose owner resided in our jurisdiction. A
few minutes later, Officer Fleming soon saw the vehicle with the noted plate coming his
direction. He followed it, saw it was occupied by five people and soon initiated a traffic
stop, joined by Officer Lambert and Officer VonFeldt. Upon making contact, he asked
where the group was headed and if they had maybe forgotten to pay their tab. The
young man did not reply and looked to his friends for help; they weren't too vocal either.
The smell of alcohol was also coming from the vehicle; when the group was asked their
age, they all said they were nineteen; when asked if anyone had been drinking, they
were again silent. The driver was removed first — his PBT showed no alcohol
consumption. His friends were not so lucky. The second young person removed from the
vehicle argued about his rights and when asked bout his alcohol consumption, denied
drinking. He proceeded to provide a PBT of .101 ! He thought arguing would help the
situation, which then earned him a pair of handcuffs. Each of the passengers lied when
asked if they had been drinking, though their PBT's showed they clearly had been. One
even offered the officer some money to get out of the charge! They heard the best thing
to do was lie to an officer — ah, the wisdom of youth. Each was provided a citation for
underage consumption. WSPPD officers arrived on scene and obtained payment for the
tab charge at Perkins, reminding the young men that they had barely avoided a Theft
charge. Officers cleared.
Theft 12/30/09 17:30 hours
Comp reported that while she was in the daycare center picking up her child, she left her
purse inside of her car. She advised that she did not lock her car, as she always leaves
her purse in her car and has never had an issue. While she was in the daycare,
someone took her purse which contained several credit cards and a payroll check. I
advised comp on measures she can take to avoid further issues. No suspect
information. Comp had left scene by the time she called.
Theft by Swindle 12/31/09 0811 hours
Officer Meyer responded to a residence and learned the complainant had been using an
online dating service and had become a victim of a swindle. Obviously, the love
connection has been broken; losing thousands of dollars to an unknown, untraceable
person will do that to a relationship. Please, be very wary of scams like this. It's simply
too easy to fall victim to online offers or requests for cash.
we hope 0ou have a happre, safe and healthy New Year. All our best to 0ou in 2o2o! - Icint
-3-
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
MEMO
DATE: December 31, 2009
TO: City Council, Commission Members; and City Administrator
FROM: Jake Sedlacek, Assistant to the City Administratogps
SUBJECT: Pre -Application Meeting Synopsis
Staff met with one potential planning applicant on Monday, December 21, 2009. Steve
Grittman, Ryan Ruzek, Paul Berg and Jake Sedlacek were present.
Tony Wiener, Cardinal Homes RE 740 Wentworth
Tony Wiener has been working with the new owner of 740 Wentworth home on plans to
demolish the existing home on the lot and build a new home. The owner hopes to be able to
maintain the existing home as a rental until the new home is ready to move in. Staff discussed
the challenge of having two principle structures on a single lot, and was not able to find any land
use application which would allow this. Planner Grittman was going to conduct some research
to see if other communities have handled a similar request, Mr. Wiener was going to speak with
the owner about the City's concerns. No planning action is anticipated at this time.
Comprehensive Plan Update
David McKnight joined the meeting to discuss progress on the comprehensive plan update. Jake
provided an updated spreadsheet of concerns from the Metropolitan Council review of the
comprehensive plan, Planner Grittman and Jake agreed that the updated draft of the document
would be completed by the end of 2009.
Planning Meeting Page I of I
REMINDER: EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION RECEPTION BEGINS
AT 6:30 PM JUST PRIOR TO THE COUNCIL MEETING
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
January 5, 2010 — 7:00 P.M.
1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Pledge of Allegiance
4. Agenda Adoption
5. Approval of the December 15, 2009, City Council Minutes
6. Consent Calendar
a. Acknowledgement of the Minutes from the December 22, 2009 Planning
Commission Meeting.
b. Acknowledgement of the November 2009 Treasurer's Report.
c. Acknowledgement of the November 2009 Building Activity Report.
d. Authorization of Purchase Order for Police Department Copy Machine.
e Authorization for Out of State Conference.
f. Authorization for Mayor to Sign Contract for GASB 45 Implementation
Assistance.
g. Adoption of Resolution No. 10-01: "A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE
APPLICATION OF THE CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS FOR FISCAL
YEAR 2010 DAKOTA COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK
GRANT (CDBG) FUNDING."
h. Adoption of Resolution No. 10-02: "RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING 2010
CITY DEPOSITORIES OF FUNDS."
i. Adoption of Resolution No. 10-03: "RESOLUTION ACCEPTING PLEDGED
SECURITIES FOR 2010."
j. Adoption of Resolution No. 10-04: "RESOLUTION ACCEPTING WORK
AND APPROVING FINAL PAYMENT FOR JOB 4200213,
IMPROVEMENT NO. 2008-04 — CALLAHAN PLACE."
k. Approval of Contractors List
1. Approval of Claims List
7. Public Comments
8. Service Awards
a. Employee Recognition
9. First of the Year Business
a. Appointment of Acting Mayor
b. Designation of Official Newspaper
c. 2010 Fee Schedule Resolution No. 10-05: "A RESOLUTION REVISING
SCHEDULE OF FEES FOR SERVICES."
10. Unfinished and New Business
a. Case No. 09-40: Clear Wireless, LLC — 894 Sibley Memorial Highway —
Conditional Use Permit for a Wireless Antenna Collocation. Resolution No.
10-06: "A RESOLUTION APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT
FOR THE LOCATION OF WIRELESS ANTENNA AND EQUIPMENT AT
894 SIBLEY MEMORIAL HIGHWAY."
b. Case No. 09-41: City of Mendota Heights —1695 Dodd Road — Wetlands Permit
for Stormwater Pond. Resolution No. 10-07: "A RESOLUTION
APPROVING A WETLANDS PERMIT FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF A
STORMWATER POND AT 1695 DODD ROAD."
C. Discussion of Revised Sanitary Sewer Resolution. Resolution No. 10-08:
"RESOLUTION SETTING SEWER RENTAL CHARGES FOR SINGLE
FAMILY DWELLINGS, MULTIPLE DWELLINGS, AMENITY
STRUCTURES, SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, PUBLIC BUILDINGS,
COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL USERS."
d. Discussion of Security System/Cameras for Par 3.
C. Discussion of Bid Summary for Visitation Drive and Mendota Heights Road
Roundabout Project (Project #200711).
f. Update on Mendota Heights/Sunfish Lake Regional Transportation Committee.
11. Council Comments
12. 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. This meeting is being taped
by NDC4 (651-450-9891) and will replay on Friday at 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. on the NDC4
Government Channel 18.
http://www.startribune.com/politics/state/80369612.htm1?page=3 &c=y
S'EafRlbunelwcom
Judge rules against Pawlenty on
budget cuts
Jim Gehrz, Star Tribune
Challenging Gov. Tim Pawlenty's power to cut
the state budget on his own, a judge on
Wednesday halted some spending reductions
and introduced a major new element to the
upcoming budget fight.
Ramsey County District Court Judge Kathleen
Gearin said the governor "trod upon the
constitutional power of the Legislature" when
he unilaterally cut the budget last summer
through a procedure called unallotment.
"The authority of the Governor to unallot is
an authority intended to save the state in
times of a previously unforeseen budget
crisis," wrote Gearin. "It is not meant to be
used as a weapon by the executive branch to
break a stalemate in budget negotiations with
the Legislature or to rewrite the
appropriations bill."
The judge issued a temporary restraining
order reinstating money for small nutritiornp-
rogram that Pawlenty cut from the budget.
Several people in the poverty program had
sought an order to restore the money while
their case proceeds.
Advertisement
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While Gearin's ruling deals narrowly with the
food program, its implications are far-
reaching as the state wrestles with a $1.2
billion budget deficit in the current biennium,
a figure that could swell if Pawlenty's use of
unallotment unravels.
"We are disappointed in the judge's decision,"
said Pawlenty in a statement released by his
office. "We are weighing all of our options,
including appeal, reestablishing unallotments
under the current forecast, potential
legislative action, and other options."
Asked to react to the ruling, University of
Minnesota political science Prof. Lawrence
Jacobs said: "This decision is a lightning bolt
that the basic structure of Governor
Pawlenty's budget may fall apart. The
governor will be exposed to what could be a
protracted legal and political battle."
DFLers hailed the judge's decision. "Today's
ruling represents a victory for all
Minnesotans concerned about the overreach
of executive authority," said House Speaker
-Margaret Anderson -ICelliher a candidate for
governor. "The legislative and executive
branches of govermnent need to be equal
partners in addressing Minnesota's budget
crisis."
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StarTrlb-Une.Com-
The case stems from $2.7 billion in cuts the
Republican governor amlounced last spring
to balance the budget. After the legislative
session ended without a budget agreement b
etween Pawlenty and the DFL -controlled
Legislature, he used an executive power that
allows the governor to trim spending on his
own.
In her ruling, Gearin said unallotment is
constitutional but intended to be used as an
emergency response to a state financial crisis
that was previously unforeseen.
In contrast, she wrote, a massive state
revenue shortfall had been forecasted for
months, and Pawlenty signed some spending
bills shortly before he made the unilateral
cuts.
"Because the legislative session had ended,
there was no opportunity for the legislature
to attempt to override this veto or to
continue to work, on a compromise," the
judge wrote. "The Governor crossed the line
between legitimate exercise of his authority
to unallot and interference with the
Legislative power to make laws, including
statutes allocating resources and raising
revenues."
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The restraining order only prevents
unallotment of $5.3 million in fiends for a
nutrition program for poor people with
special medical problems, and isn't the final
word on the constitutionality of Pawlenty's
actions. The case is scheduled for a hearing
in March. But Wednesday's ruling could
result in more lawsuits and force the
governor and legislators into contentious
negotiations to find new ways to balance the
2010-11 budget.
"I am disappointed in today's decision by the
courts," said Rep. Marty Seifert, R -Marshall,
who is seeking the Republican endorsement
for governor. "It will just make the next
legislative session that much more difficult."
Seifert defended Pawlenty's use of
unallotment, blaming DFL leaders for not
balancing the budget and arguing that
"Pawlenty had no choice other than
unallotnnent."
He said allowing the courts to "shield group
after group from spending reductions" could
prompt DFLers to renew calls for tax
increases.
But DFL gubernatorial candidate Matt Entenza
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Starinbunex n
said the governor used "hatchet tactics" to
balance the budget. "There are better ways to
fix our fiscal problems."
Six people who relied on the nutrition
program filed the suit Gearin is hearing. The
program aids some of the poorest
Minnesotans with 11 dietary conditions. They
include those with special protein
requirements, lactose intolerance, very high
cholesterol, liver disease or women who are
pregnant or nursing.
The DFL -led House wrote a brief in support
of the suit. "Special diet funds are extremely
necessary for our clients to maintain their
health," said Galen Robinson, an attorney for
the plaintiffs .
Jacobs said Pawlenty and DFLers could fund
themselves locked in a contentious budget
battle if the governor's use of unallotment is
found unconstitutional, or if he declines to
fight the lawsuit.
Noting that the ruling comes as Pawlenty
explores a run for president, Jacobs said,
"The conflict and the compromises that the
governor hoped to avoid with unallotment
may well be back in his lap at the worst
possible time."
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Greater Twin Cities
United Way
612-340-7400
404 South Eighth Street
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55404-1084
December 2009
Jim Danielson and Mary Hapka
City of Mendota Heights
1101 Victoria Curve
Mendota Heights, MN 55118
Dear Jim and Mary:
Many people in the Twin Cities region are living in or at the edge of poverty and are facing uncertainty and financial
crisis. Unfortunately, this number is rising with our current economic downturn. But thanks to your generous
support of United Way, we are providing relief and hope. With your support, we are ensuring a strong safety net for
inose that need immediate relief, while seeking long-term solutions to help create pathways out of poverty, and a
better place for us all to live.
Without gifts like yours, we would not be able to address critical issues through our Agenda for Lasting Change,
which focuses on 10 measurable goals to reduce poverty. In fact, we are already making progress toward these goals
through a variety of short- and long-term strategies, including:
• Stabilizing people in crisis by providing food, shelter and other essential services.
United Way and its partners made $1.2 million in emergency grants to help local food shelves, food
banks and onsite meal programs to meet increased needs.
Strengthening families for future success by focusing on income, education and health. Claim it! A
Community -Wide Partnership helps families improve their financial stability by claiming the tax
credits they have earned. On average, Claim It! brings $19 million into our local economy annually.
• Streamlining systems and solutions and building new alliances to create lasting change. United Way
created the Food Distribution Task Force in 2007 to help combat decreasing donations to food shelves.
Members include hunger relief organizations and executives from major food production companies.
Since then, there has been roughly a 5 -million -pound increase in food donations and more efficiency in
storage and distribution.
When you reach out a hand to one, you influence the condition of all. Your gift is a demonstration of what it means
to LIVE UNITED. Together, united, we can inspire hope and create opportunities for a better tomorrow.
You can be proud of what City of Mendota Heights has done for this community. Thank you for being our partner in
the solution for lasting change.
Sincerely,
fid'!
Sarah Caruso
President and Chief Executive Officer
This letter is not a receipt. it is your confirmation for your tax-deductible pledge that will support health and human services in
2009. United Way acknowledges no commercial goods or services were provided in exchange for your contribution.
www. united wraytwincities.org