2013-02-22 Friday News
February 22, 2013
Dates to Remember:
February 26, 2013
Planning Commission 7:00 p.m.
February 27, 2013
State of the City Address 7:30 a.m.
March 5, 2013
City Council 7:00 p.m.
March 12, 2013
Parks & Rec. Comm. 6:30 p.m.
March 13, 2013
Airport Relations Comm. 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
Robert Street Transit Study
Local and federal officials have been studying op-
portunities to extend transit from downtown St.
Paul through northern Dakota County, including
the cities of West St. Paul, South St. Paul, Men-
dota Heights, Lilydale, Mendota, Eagan, Inver
Grove Heights and Rosemount. The public is in-
vited to attend open houses next week to learn
about findings to date.
There will be a public open house next Tuesday,
February 26, 2013 at the Dakota County Northern
Service Center in West St. Paul from 4:30 to 6:30
p.m. See the attached flyer for more details, or
visit the website at www.robertstreettransit.com.
Critical Incident Stress Management Team
Officer Denise Urmann has completed the first
step to serve on the Metro CISM (Critical Incident
Stress Management) Team. This team of volun-
teers provide assistance to first responders who
have participated in traumatic incidents/service
calls.
Denise has been actively involved in emergency
services nearly her whole adult life as an EMT,
firefighter, 911 dispatcher and police officer.
Denise has one more interview to go; we wish her
the best of luck as she pursues this goal. Her ac-
ceptance would be a benefit to the CISM team as
well as to our community.
State of the City Address
Please join us Wednesday morning, February 27,
2013 as Mayor Sandra Krebsbach provides the
State of the City Address. Hosted by the Cham-
ber of Commerce, this event is open to all busi-
nesses and residents. The State of the City will
be held at City Hall, starting at 7:30 a.m.
Public Works
The Parks Crew continues to flood, broom and check the skating rinks.
They attended a safety meeting at city hall. Plow lights were replaced on
truck #503. The old mower was brought down from the water tower and
cleaned up to get it ready for the trade-in. The back shop was cleaned up
after a mock OSHA inspection.
The Utilities Crew helped with the housekeeping in the shop. He also
attended the safety meeting at city hall.
The Streets Crew picked up plow truck 308 from Nuss which had a broken
axel fixed. Truck 301 was taken to Stone Brooke to get the new blizzard
snow plow installed. Routine maintenance was done on the plow trucks.
The trails were opened up and bridge decks were cleaned off. They also
attended the safety meeting and helped with housekeeping.
Engineering
City Projects (construction year)
Dodd Road/Highway 110 Intersection Pedestrian Improvements (2013) –
Staff attended a utility coordination meeting on Thursday with
representatives from Xcel Energy, Century Link, Saint Paul Regional Water
and Verizon. Potential private utility conflicts were identified and Xcel
Energy will be working with the City’s consultant on the relocation of a
power pole necessary for the trail relocation. Final plans are being routed
through MnDOT for approval, and bidding is anticipated in April/May with
construction beginning in late spring.
Hunter Lane/Orchard Place Neighborhood Improvements (2013) – Staff is
completing 70% complete design drawings in anticipation of the second
neighborhood informational meeting scheduled for February 27th from
6:30pm to 8:00pm at City Hall. The purpose of this neighborhood
meeting is to go over specific property design issues with residents. Staff is
designing the project in accordance with the parameters set by 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.
The Pipeline N E W S
L E T T E R
Public Works
Engineering
Code Enforcement
February 22, 2013
Crown Point & Overlook Neighborhood Rehabilitations (2013) – Design plans
are proceeding. Final plans are anticipated to be before City Council for
approval and bid authorization at their March 5th meeting. Construction
start is anticipated in early summer.
Lexington Avenue Pedestrian Trail, Hwy 110 to Douglas Avenue (2013) –
Staff is including plans for rehabilitation of the trail with the Crown Point &
Overlook Neighborhood Rehabilitation project. Construction is expected this
summer. Dakota County has included this in their Capital Improvement
Plan (CIP) and will assist with project construction cost.
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. This will close one of
the identified trail gaps in the City. 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.
County Projects
North Urban Regional Trail (NURT) Realignment and Greenway Study –
Dakota County has received a grant through the Metropolitan Council to
develop a greenway network throughout the County. Part of the proposed
Greenway Plan includes realignment of the NURT between Warrior Drive and
Mendota Road in Mendota Heights and Garlough Environmental Magnet
School in West Saint Paul. One of the realignment alternatives being
considered would route the NURT through School District 197 property at
Henry Sibley High School, parallel to Warrior Drive from Mendota Road to
the Delaware and Marie Avenue intersection. Other alternatives include
utilizing the existing Delaware Avenue Trail and building a trail through the
Dodge Nature Center’s property east of Delaware Avenue. The County will
be presenting the alignment alternatives to the City Council at their
March 19th meeting, and they expect to select their alignment alternative
in April. Prior to the City Council meeting the alternatives will be presented
to the Parks and Recreation Commission at their March 12th meeting
and the commission’s thoughts will be forwarded to the City Council for their
discussion on the 19th.
State Projects (construction year)
Highway 13 Reconstruction: Mendota to I-35E (2015) – MnDOT is
developing the project scope for reconstructing the remaining section of
Highway 13 through Lilydale. The project would rebuild the portion of the
highway left out of last summer’s resurfacing project from 2nd Street in
Mendota to I-35E in Lilydale. The Lower Mississippi River Watershed
Management Organization (LMRWMO) and the City of Lilydale have asked
that additional storm water drainage be included in the project to help
prevent or slow erosion to the Mississippi River bluff. Since this is an inter -
jurisdictional drainage pattern, the LMRWMO performed a cost share
calculation that divided the cost of the additional drainage work as 89%
Lilydale and 11% Mendota Heights. Mendota Heights has $40,000 budgeted
for the 2015 scheduled work, and since part of that drainage comes from
the County Right-of-Way of Lexington Avenue, Dakota County has budgeted
a portion of the Mendota Heights share in their CIP. At this time, the
MnDOT project does not have funding, but MnDOT staff is working to get
the project programmed for the 2015 construction year.
Other Activities
MN2050 – Staff has been participating in the formation of the MN2050
group, an organization made up of both public and private entities that
focus on advocacy for the sustained development and maintenance of
infrastructure throughout Minnesota. They met most recently on Tuesday
morning. The principle focus of the group is education, not only of school
age children and college students, but of the general public and elected
officials as well. The group has already sponsored one documentary dealing
with water supply and distribution, and is currently working on a second
documentary about roads and bridges. The documentaries are produced by
Twin Cities Public Television and are aired periodically upon completion.
Engineering staff has the first documentary, “Liquid Assets – The Story of
Our Water Infrastructure,” available for sign-out at City Hall.
2/22/13
Heights Police
Department
Support Staff
Kim Henning
Susan Donovan
Trista Miller
Becky Pentel
Police Officers
Jerry Murphy
Scott Patrick
John Larrive
Bobby Lambert
Tanner Spicer
Todd Rosse
Chad Willson
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
Frances Cuenca
Joel Detlefsen
Lynn Liberman
Butch Millett
Sue Plucker
John Snider
David Wick
Chief
Mike Aschenbrener
Officer Floyd Arndt #2212 passed away on Sunday, February 17th at 0730
hours. Floyd was one of the first three Police Officers hired by the Mendota
Heights Police Department. In the Spring of 1962, the 4 year‐old City of
Mendota Heights hired its first full‐time police officer, Chief Martin Baldwin
away from the South Saint Paul Police Department. Over the next few
months, Chief Baldwin began building a police department, now MHPD.
Included in the formation of the new department was Floyd Arndt, a military
police officer with three years of experience. Floyd was involved in big
changes at MHPD during his career, welcoming more officers to the staff due
to increasing calls for service. Floyd retired from the Army Reserve in 1993
and MHPD in 1995. On Thursday, after a ceremony at St. James Lutheran
Church, Floyd was laid to rest at Resurrection Cemetery.
“Just the Facts”
The latest news from the Mendota Heights Police Department
2/22/13
Cell Phone Joys Friday 1513 hour
Officer Scott Patrick received a call from the DCC that was relayed from the Ramsey County
911 center to the Dakota County 911 center when it was likely a call for State Patrol. Caller
reported witnessing a man strike a woman then get in his car and drive away. The victim was
last viewed on Pilot Knob approaching the interstate.
Phone Harassment Friday 1949 hours
The DCC relayed a phone call to Officer Peyton Fleming about phone harassment. The victim
reports that they have been receiving calls from the 218 area code. The caller threatens to
put them 6 feet under. Officer Peyton Fleming advised the first step is to contact the phone
company to have the number blocked. A reverse check of the number did not yield any
useful information. If the problem persists the next step entails a restraining order.
Assist / Driver Evaluation Saturday 1905 hours
Officer Mike Shepard stopped a car for erratic driving behavior on Dodd Road. The driver was
an elderly female who advised she was lost and looking for the Mendota Bridge so she could
get home to south Minneapolis. Officer Shepard asked the woman to follow him and he
would show her the way. While heading toward the bridge, the car turned off onto the
freeway; Officer Shepard turned around and headed after the car. While he was catching up
with the elderly woman, the DCC broadcast an ATL on his subject. The car was stopped on
the north side of the river after a near collision with some signs. It was soon learned that the
driver actually lived in Burnsville. Officer Shepard made contact with BPD and the woman’s
family was advised she was safe and where to come and get her. After all was taken care of a
MN Driver Evaluation request was filled out and sent to DVS for action.
** To learn more about the process and reasons the State of Minnesota will take an action
against your driver’s license, follow the link: Driver Evaluation Service for the State of
Minnesota.
Warrant Arrest Saturday 0024 hours
Officer Denise Urmann received a call about the location of a wanted person with an active
felony warrant for Domestic Strangulation. Hennepin County Deputy provided information to
the person’s hide‐out. After confirming the address, Officer Urmann and Sgt Eric Petersen
arrived at the house and made contact with the aunt and soon found the suspect sleeping
with his two children on a pullout bed. He was quietly awakened and taken into custody
without incident. Reserve Officer Randy Pentel assisted with transporting the not‐so‐young
man to the Dakota County Jail.
Marijuana Saturday 2259 hours
While on patrol Officer Meyer watched a car make a quick turn into the Xcel Energy tank farm
driveway and the car was quickly stopped. The driver replied he did not have a license on
him, but helpfully informed him the vehicle belonged to the front seat passenger’s
grandparent. In speaking with the kids the smell of marijuana was very evident coming from
the car. Officer Meyer asked for the marijuana and the driver handed him a glass jar of MJ.
When he asked if there was anything else in the car he should be aware, of one of the
juvenile female passengers, a juvenile female, advised there was some beer. At this point the
four were removed from the car. When the juvenile male driver was searched, Officer Meyer
found not only his own DL (which he supposedly didn’t have) but also the wallet and ID of a
friend, used reportedly the purchase tobacco. Next, he PBT’d the passenger – one tested
negative, adding she had only smoked pot; the other two tested a .03 and .13 respectively. In
2/22/13
the car were all of the materials necessary to grind, weigh and package the marijuana along
with some ecstasy. The kids were all cited appropriately and released to family.
Neighborhood Watch at its Best Sunday 1532 hours
Officer Scott Patrick received two separate calls from neighbors concerned about not seeing
the neighbor in several days. Officer Patrick checked the residence and found it to be secure
with no signs of foul play. While on scene he was advised that no further action was required
at that time. An hour later a second call was received to check the address. At that time the
caller was advised the neighbor was in an assisted living center, rehabbing from a fall. No
further calls.
Snowballs Sunday 2159 hours
Caller reported that her Cadillac SUV was hit with snowballs while driving on Dodd Road. The
caller was going to stop and check for damages. Meanwhile Officer Denise Urmann located
the group of kids who were the most likely suspects. While she was talking with them the
caller reported there was no damage to her car. The group was warned about possible bad
outcomes.
BAD DOG! Sunday 2216 hours
Caller reported that his dog locked him out of his BMW 7 Series. Officer Meyer successfully
unlocked the car and freed the culprit.
Vandalism Monday 0735 & 0917 hours
Officer Bobby Lambert responded to two separate vandalism calls on the opposite ends of
the city. The first on the south side was the result of a house being egged overnight and the
second was about syrup being poured on the garage door, in the mailbox and on the
driveway. The second caller believes they received this “surprise” by mistake as a teenager
lives next door. No suspects at this time.
Damage to Auto / Theft Wednesday 2109 hours
Officer Todd Rosse met with two employees at a local restaurant who found they had
windows smashed out of their cars while working. The one was missing a bag full of gym
clothes. No suspects or video of the location.
DAS / Possession of Small Amount of Marijuana Friday 0019 hours
While on patrol in the north end Officer Tanner Spicer spotted a large truck moving slowly
through a neighborhood. When he turned around in his fully marked black & white the truck
tried to give him the slip. As the streets were clear he quickly spotted the truck and stopped
the young man. The driver had a well‐crafted story that quickly fell apart when Officer Spicer
called him on the details. The young man was very surprised when Officer Spicer advised him
that he didn’t have a license and that was why he tried to sneak away. The astonished driver
admitted that was correct. He was even more surprised when Officer Spicer asked him for his
marijuana, which he turned over. The drugs and paraphernalia were taken into custody, the
young man was cited and released. The truck was towed.
Have a great weekend! Mike & Kim
PUBLIC OPEN HOUSES
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013
4:30 - 6:30 pm
Presentation at 5:00 pm
Dakota County Northern
Service Center
Room 110
1 Mendota Road West
West Saint Paul
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2013
6:00 - 8:00 pm
Presentation at 6:30 pm
Neighborhood House
Ferber Room
179 Robie Street East
Saint Paul
►Hear about the project’s progress.
►Learn about the initial alignment routes
identifi ed for further study.*
►Provide your input on the initial alignments
and transportation needs in the corridor.
Dakota County will provide accommodations to persons with disabilities, please contact Dakota County
Transportation at 952-891-7100 seven business days prior to the meeting.
Si necesita un intérprete de español, por favor llámenos al 952-891-7986.
Yog koj xav tau tus neeg txhais lub Hmoob, thov hu rau peb tus xov tooj 952-891-7986.
Haddii aad u baahan tahay Turjubaan Soomaali ah fadlan nagala soo xiriir 952-891-7986.
The Robert Street Transitway Alternatives Study is a joint local and federal planning effort to determine possible
improvements to transit service, which aims to ultimately identify a single transit route and mode for development in
the future.
For more information about the Robert Street AA:
• www.robertstreettransit.com • robertstreettransit@co.dakota.mn.us • 952-891-7986
*The initial alternatives screening summary will be
posted in mid-February at www.robertstreettransit.com