2013-01-25 Friday News
January 25, 2013
Dates to Remember:
January 25, 2013
Annual Leadership Dinner, 6:00 p.m.
at Mendakota Country Club
February 5, 2013
City Council 7:00 p.m.
February 12, 2013
Parks and Rec Comm 6:30 p.m.
February 13, 2013
Airport Relations Comm 7:00 p.m.
February 19, 2013
City Council 7:00 p.m.
Attachments:
Pipeline, Just the Facts
Friday News
Mendota Heights Weekly Report on City Activities
Mendota Heights City Hall
1101 Victoria Curve
www.mendota-heights.com
(651) 452-1850
New Year, New Permits
The start of the new year brings plenty of pa-
perwork for staff, especially regarding dog li-
censes and park facility requests. All dogs
must be licensed for the calendar year. Make
sure to bring proof of vaccination to City Hall
when you come for your license.
City staff has received a number of requests
to reserve athletic fields and picnic shelters
for 2013. For the best chances of getting
your preferred time and location, make sure
to submit your permit soon.
Rethink Recycling
The start of the new year is
a great time to think about
recycling, as it is a popular
time of year to upgrade
home electronics. The Re-
cycling Zone is still accept-
ing your old electronics for recycling at no
cost. The Recycling Zone is located at 3365
Dodd Road—off Highway 149 between Yan-
kee Doodle Road and Highway 55 in Eagan.
Find out more at www.dakotacounty.us and
search Recycling Zone.
Heights Highlights
City Clerk Lorri Smith has been putting the fin-
ishing touches on the current issue of the
Heights Highlights, which will be mailed out
very soon. As always, the newsletter will
have a wide variety of information, including a
description of our Summer 2013 Recreation
and Golf offerings.
Public Works
The Parks Crew did the daily sweeping and flooding of the ice rinks. Repair
work was done on the snow blower, and they attended a turf grass seminar.
The Utilities Crew attended the Collection System Operators Conference.
Topics included inflow, infiltration, storm water, pump maintenance, lift
stations and sanitary sewer cleaning, lining, and televising.
The Streets Crew came in early last Friday because of the light snow. All
streets were salted. The plow trucks were washed and the sanders greased.
All streets were again salted on Wednesday morning. Plow truck 303 was
taken to the shop to troubleshoot an electrical problem.
Engineering
City Projects (construction year)
Dodd Road/Highway 110 Intersection Pedestrian Improvements (2013) –
The consultant provided the City Council with an update and review of the
final design plans at the January 15th City Council meeting. The final plans
were approved by City Council and staff was authorized to seek bids for
construction. Staff is working with MnDOT officials on the issue of a marked
crosswalk at the northeast corner of the intersection crossing the “free right
turn” from Highway 110 to Dodd Road. Staff will work this issue with State
officials between now and bidding the project. Construction is anticipated in
spring of 2013.
Hunter Lane/Orchard Place Neighborhood Improvements (2013) –A second
neighborhood informational meeting is tentatively scheduled for February
27th from 6:30pm to 8:00pm at City Hall to go over specific property design
issues with residents. Design plans are proceeding in accordance with the
parameters set by City Council when the project was ordered last October.
Final plan completion is expected in March with bidding and contract award
in April/May and construction starting in June.
Crown Point & Overlook Neighborhood Rehabilitations (2013) – Design plans
are proceeding. Final plans are anticipated by April for 2013 construction.
The Pipeline N E W S
L E T T E R
Public Works
Engineering
Code Enforcement
January 25, 2013
Lexington Avenue Pedestrian Trail, Hwy 110 to Douglas Avenue (2013) –
Staff is preparing plans for the rehabilitation for construction during 2013.
Dakota County has included this in their Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)
and will assist with project cost. Plans will be included with the Crown Point
& Overlook Neighborhood Rehabilitation project for bidding, and
construction is anticipated for the summer.
Highway 13 Trail Connection (2013) – Staff is planning construction of a
trail connection along the south side of Highway 13 to connect the
pedestrian trail from Riverside Lane to Lilydale Road. The project may be
delayed until 2014 if MnDOT can include it for funding as part of their trail
gap program for 2014 (Highway 13 is a State Right-of-Way). If not chosen
for MnDOT funding in 2014, the City intends to construct the connection in
2013. More information will be published about this project over the winter.
County Projects
North Urban Regional Trail (NURT) Realignment and Greenway Study – Staff
is working with Dakota County and their consultant on a study analyzing
potential realignment corridors for the NURT between Warrior Drive in
Mendota Heights and Charlton Avenue in West Saint Paul. One alternative
being looked at is connecting the NURT to Marie Avenue along Warrior Drive
on School District property. An Open House is scheduled for February 6th at
West Saint Paul City Hall to present alternatives and gather public input.
Other Activities
Future Cities Competition – Staff attended the Future Cities Competition on
Saturday with three teams of students from Friendly Hills Middle School
(FHMS). The State competition, which is sponsored by the American
Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), was held at the University of Minnesota
Science, Teaching, & Student Services Building. Students were asked to
plan a city of the future given specific criteria and problems to solve. This
year’s theme is “Rethinking Runoff” and the teams are coming up with
innovative ways to improve surface water quality. Final scoring will be
released in the coming weeks, and although none of the three teams from
FHMS won the competition, all three did extremely well and are expected to
have finished near the top of 43 teams entered.
Robert Street Transitway Steering Committee – Staff briefly attended the
Steering Committee meeting on Thursday. No issues directly affecting
Mendota Heights were discussed, but the West Saint Paul designated
improvements remain on schedule for 2014 construction.
01/25/2013
The Mendota
Heights Police
Department
Support Staff
Kim Henning
Susan Donovan
Becky Pentel
Police Officers
Jerry Murphy
Scott Patrick
John Larrive
Bobby Lambert
Tanner Spicer
Todd Rosse
Jeff VonFeldt
Steven Meyer
Denise Urmann
Michael Shepard
Peyton Fleming
School Resource
Officer
Jennifer Fordham
Investigations
Mario Reyes
Chad Willson
Sergeants
Neil Garlock
Brian Convery
Eric Petersen
Reserves
Randy Pentel
Jarrod Spicer
Jim Knox
Jeff Parker
George Castillo
Chaplains
John Snider
Lynn Liberman
Frances Colon
Alberto Vargas
Butch Millett
David Wick
Chief
Mike Aschenbrener
Special Olympics Minnesota – Click on the link and donate!
Is it time for a dip in the lake? On Saturday, January 26, the Larrive’s –
Jenny & John – will be jumping into White Bear Lake to raise money for
Special Olympics Minnesota. Click http://www.plungemn.org/find, enter
Larrive and help all of the Special Olympic athletes in Minnesota achieve
their dreams. This is a great organization that sticks to its mission and
helps young athletes develop into everything they have dreamed about.
Text & Drive Thursday 2309 hours
While on patrol Officer Meyer spotted a woman holding her cell phone at the top
of her steering wheel for an extended period of time. The moment she saw the
fully marked black and white alongside her she quickly set the phone down.
When Officer Meyer advised the woman why she was being stopped she
responded that she was not texting she was using her mp3 player. Unfortunately
the phone was still on to the texting screen alongside of her. When this was
pointed out the woman admitted to texting a person she knew who drove past.
Assist Friday 1054 hours
Officer Scott Patrick responded to a request for assistance from the MSP as they
had no troopers in the area. Upon arrival he learned a 20 YOA female had gotten
out of her mom’s car and walked off. Eventually a trooper showed up and took
care of the young lady.
Welfare Check Friday 1150 hours
Officer Patrick responded on a welfare check for man that didn’t show up at
work. The caller advised the man was meeting someone from Craigslist the night
before. The man’s car was not at home and the man was concerned. Officer
Patrick made contact with the concerned co‐worker who was advised the man
was residing in the Dakota County jail.
AOA Friday 0945 hours
Investigator Willson along with Sgt. Neil Garlock assisted in the execution of a
warrant a local home. The juvenile suspect had come to the attention of another
PD who was investigating a series of crimes in which the youth had been
involved. A variety of electronics were seized. The youth left with parents.
DAS Sunday 2059 hours
While on patrol Officer Steve Meyer stopped a car that’s registration showed
“Just the Facts”
The latest news from the Mendota Heights Police Department
01/25/2013
the registered owner to be suspended. The driver was the registered owner. They were cited for not
having proof of insurance, fail to display current registration and DAS. While Officer Meyer was making
his citation notes the car started to drive away again. The car was stopped a short distance down the
road and the driver was again cited for driving after suspension.
Bad Luck Sunday 0832 hours
Caller reported they hit a black car crossing the road. Officer Lambert responded to the scene. The
driver advised the cat didn’t have any tags and might be alive. The car ran off as Officer Lambert
approached.
AOA Crash Sunday 1430 hours
Officer Tanner Spicer responded to the report of an injury crash on I‐494 just east of Pilot Knob. He was
on scene moments later where multiple good Samaritans were helping, including an off‐duty fire fighter
and a nurse who assisted until HealthEast Paramedics arrived. The car had flipped on its roof sliding for
several hundred feet before coming to rest. Both occupants were firmly held in place by seat belt.
MHFD responded to extricate the driver, who unfortunately died on scene. The passenger was
transported to the hospital by HealthEast for minor injuries. The State Patrol investigated and wrote the
crash report.
Exposure (to cold) Sunday 1456 hours
Officer Bobby Lambert responded to the high school after a call of a 15 YOA female outside with no
jacket, hat or mittens. The young lady reported her fingers were tingling. After some discussion it was
learned she had a fight with her aunt and was kicked out of the apartment building. Transported home
and turned over the call to the WSPPD.
Burglary Monday 0617 hours
Officer Meyer met employees who found evidence the business had been broken into over the
weekend. The building was checked and evidence of entry was found. At 0946 hours Officer Larrive
responded back to the business and watched video of a male in the building. Several spots were located
for fingerprints and DNA gathering. Investigator Mario Reyes arrived a short time later to process the
scene. Officer Larrive located a potential suspect and was actively attempting to make contact with
them.
911 / Disturbance Monday 2037 hours
Group home resident called 911 and wants to leave now! Employee at the group home answered
phone on call back. Resident upset because they were having internet troubles and wanted to leave.
DCC advised that if the resident takes their prescriptions they are calm and in control. Sgt. Convery
responded and assisted staff in resolving the situation.
DAR / No Insurance Tuesday 1201 hours
While on patrol Officer John Larrive ran a vehicle license plate check which revealed the R/O of the SUV
was revoked. The car was quickly stopped. The driver stated she was the R/O. Eventually the woman
was identified by her MN D/L picture on the squad computer screen. She was cited the car impounded
and driver was given a ride to work.
Theft from auto Wednesday 0930 hours
Sgt. Garlock responded to a local motel about a damaged car with items missing. The owner of the car
had left town on an earlier flight but still wanted the damage and theft documented. A side window of
the car was smashed out to allow the thief to steal a pair of pac boots and a green bag. Owner to call
when he gets back to MSP.
Burglary Wednesday 1323 hours
Sgt. Convery was flagged down by a man who reported a co‐worker had stopped a B/M carrying two
rolls of copper out of their warehouse. He left when confronted, hopped in a truck along with his
partner and fled. Incident occurred around lunchtime.
AOA Crash Wednesday 2259 hours
Officer Peyton Flemings along with Sgt. Convery assisted the MSP on a one car crash under the overpass
of Hwy 13. The lone man in the car sustained multiple injuries and was transport to Regions Hospital.
Have a great weekend! Mike