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2013-04-19 Friday News April 19, 2013 Dates to Remember: April 23, 2013 Planning Commission 7:00 p.m. May 4, 2013 Spring Clean Up 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Mendakota Park May 7, 2013 City Council 7:00 p.m. May 8, 2013 Airport Relations Comm. 7:00 p.m. May 14, 2013 Parks & Rec. Comm. 6:30 p.m. Attachments: Pipeline, Just the Facts, Spring Clean Up Flyer Friday News Mendota Heights Weekly Report on City Activities Mendota Heights City Hall 1101 Victoria Curve www.mendota-heights.com (651) 452-1850 Three weeks ago, the Friday News included a story about the arrival of Spring. Clearly, that was premature. If mother nature ever decides to string together three average days of Spring, we should be able to open the Par 3, and allow teams to utilize athletic fields. We will keep in regular contact with facility users and let them know as soon as turf conditions will allow play. Fire Department News Attached you will find a flyer from the Fire Depart- ment as they are seeking new recruits for the vol- unteer fire department. Our community is fortu- nate to be served by the men and women of our fire department—which considers it’s members part of a family. If you or someone you know is up to the challenge, please consider attending an open house on May 22, 2013. Also of note, the city council accepted a bid this past Tuesday evening to replace a fire truck. The new equipment will replace a truck purchased in 1978. The vendor, Custom Fire will provide a loaner for us to use until the new unit is delivered. Good Question The planning commission will debate two good questions at their meeting this Tuesday. The agenda includes modernizing the sign code, and potential changes to code regarding garages. Both of these discussion items have evolved out of recent planning applications. You can find background materials for the discus- sion at www.mendota-heights.com, click on Agen- das and Minutes. Public Works The Streets Crew had an early Sunday morning start when they salted all the bridge decks and checked the city streets. Monday morning was another early start, salting all bridge decks and checking the city streets. Plow 303 was picked up from Tow Master. The truck had electrical work done. They continue to fill potholes. They attended the safety meeting this week. Welding was done on the police department speed sign. The Utilities Crew attended the safety meeting this week. All outlets at the Public Works Garage were checked for good grounding. A new water box cover was installed on Hidden Creek Trail. Bids were solicited for sump manhole cleaning. The new generator is in service. The Parks Crew replaced a burned out heating element at the Kensington South Park water heater. Boards are being replaced on the picnic tables and repairs are being made where needed. The switch was repaired on plow truck 502. Mats were brought in from the warming houses for storage. They also attended the safety meeting this week. Engineering City Projects (construction year) Dodd Road/Highway 110 Intersection Pedestrian Improvements (2013) – The completed plans and specifications are being routed through MnDOT for final approval. The project will be advertised for bid soon. Bid opening is scheduled for May 29th, with a contract award scheduled for the June 4th City Council Meeting. Construction will begin shortly after contract award. Hunter Lane/Orchard Place Neighborhood Improvements (2013) – Final plans have been approved and the project is advertised. Bid opening is scheduled for May 1st at 10:00am. Contract award is scheduled for the May 7th City Council meeting with construction beginning in June. Substantial completion is expected in September with the assessment hearing in October. Crown Point & Overlook Neighborhood Rehabilitations (2013) – Council awarded the construction contract to Asphalt Surfaces Technology The Pipeline N E W S L E T T E R Public Works Engineering Code Enforcement April 19, 2013 Corporation at their April 16th City Council meeting. A pre-construction meeting will be held in the coming weeks. Construction start is anticipated to begin in late May with substantial completion in September. An assessment hearing is scheduled for October. Lexington Avenue Pedestrian Trail, Hwy 110 to Douglas Road (2013) – Project was awarded with the Crown Point & Overlook Neighborhood Rehabilitation Project. Dakota County is assisting with project construction costs. Project includes pavement replacement, minor realignment, and pedestrian ramp replacement and/or new installation. Construction is anticipated over the summer. Highway 13 Trail Connection (2013) –The City has applied for a grant from the Department of Natural Resources for construction funding. If not funded through a grant, the City intends to construct the connection in 2013 with City funds. Project will connect existing trails between Riverside Lane and Lilydale Road. Mendota Heights Road Sanitary Sewer Force Main Repairs (2013) – Council authorized staff to seek professional services for the evaluation and design of repairs to the sanitary sewer force main under Mendota Heights Road at their April 16th meeting. The force main has ruptured 5 times in the past 6 years and is becoming more costly to repair each time. Based on the information gathered by the selected consultant specialist, the City may choose to repair the force main this summer. Highway 149 (Dodd Road) Trail Connections (2014) – Council authorized staff to apply for grants through the MnDOT Corridor Investment Management Strategy (CIMS) program at their April 16th meeting. These grants would be for construction of trail connections along Dodd Road from Market Street north to Marie Avenue and from Mendota Heights Road south to the I-494 Bridge. Both of these grants would be for the 2014 construction year. County Projects (construction year) North Urban Regional Trail (NURT) Realignment/Greenway Study (2014) – The Dakota County Board of Commissioners met on April 16th. County Staff is recommending the Dodge Nature Center Alignment as the best fit for the Greenways Grant and the Henry Sibley alignment as a reasonable alternative. The Board of Commissioners was expected to select an alignment alternative at the April 16th meeting. City staff has not heard if any actions were taken. For More information, please contact the Dakota County Project Manager, Chris Hartzel, at 952-891-7106. Lexington Avenue Crosswalk (2013) – Construction of the center median and crosswalk on Lexington Avenue at Victoria will take place this summer. Construction is anticipated in July/August. Dakota County Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) – Dakota County is reviewing their 2014-2018 Capital Improvement Program. The current 2013-2017 CIP is available through the County web page for review at http://www.co.dakota.mn.us/Government/BudgetFinance/2013Budget/Docu ments/2013-2017CIP.pdf. Any requests for County projects to be included in the updated CIP can be made through City Staff by June 12th so Council can review and submit requests to t he County by the June 28th deadline. State (MnDOT) Projects (construction year) Highway 52 Construction (2013) – Even though Highway 52 is not in Mendota Heights, many residents may be impacted by the following state construction activity: Northbound Highway 52 will close at 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 23 and re-open by 5 a.m. Wednesday, April 24; Southbound Highway 52 will close at 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 24 and re-open by 5 a.m. Thursday, April 25. Motorists are advised to follow the posted detour routes: Interstate 94, Highway 61 and Interstate 494. For more information on the Lafayette Bridge project, please go to the following web page: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/lafayettebridge/ I-35E University to Maryland (April 2013 – November 2015) – MnDOT will begin construction of a new interchange along I-35E at Cayuga Street. This new interchange will replace the interchange currently at Pennsylvania Avenue, provide new frontage roads, and connect the Gateway Trail to the Saint Paul City Trail System. For more information please go to the following web page: mndot.gov/metro/projects/35estpaul Other Activities Blue Thumb Seminar – Mendota Heights hosted a Blue Thumb seminar on Wednesday evening. Over 20 area residents attended. The Blue Thumb program is sponsored by the Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Lower Mississippi River Watershed Management Organization, and assists property owners in the design and installation of rain gardens, native gardens, and shore land restoration projects. These projects increase infiltration of storm water, and help prevent pollutants from getting into our lakes and streams. Attendees at the seminars are eligible for a $250.00 grant towards the construction of their garden features. 4/12/2013 The Mendota 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 National Signing Day  David Reyes, pictured  with Dad, Investigator  Mario, and Mom,  Gloria, signing his  national letter of  intent to play baseball  at Bemidji State University.  Congratulations  David.  Go Beavers!  Severe Weather Awareness Week  How do your sirens get activated?   http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=QfySyNAKbGk  Click here: Emergency Alert Program make sure you are registered and  have your personal preferences set on ways you would like to be notified  in an emergency.    National Public Safety Telecommunications Week Thank You DCC! April 14-20, 2013 is National Public Safety Telecommunications Week, a time when citizens can thank public safety men and women who respond to emergency calls and dispatch emergency professionals and equipment during times of crisis. Americans can show gratitude to 9-1-1 call takers, dispatchers, technicians that maintain radio and emergency phone systems, communications staff trainers, communications center personnel, and other public safety telecommunications staff across the country who work tirelessly, often behind the scenes, to help you during emergencies. Remember to thank everyone at the Dakota Communications Center (DCC) who ensure the 350,000+ calls for Police, Fire and Ambulance get to the first responders   Car vs Fire Hydrant    Thursday 0900 hours  During the awful weather last week – hopefully the last of this strange  “Sprin‐ter” season ‐ Officer Scott Patrick encountered a vehicle that had  slid into a fire hydrant and had damage to both hydrant and vehicle.  St  Paul Water notified of damage.  Officer cleared.    Huffing     Thursday 1218 hours  Officer John Larrive responded to a business plaza on the report of a man  lying on the floor convulsing.  Caller reported they thought he was huffing “Just the Facts” The latest news from the Mendota Heights Police Department 4/12/2013 (spraying a substance like paint or cleaner into a bag and breathing in the fumes).  HealthEast  Ambulance staged a short distance away while Officer Larrive assessed the situation.  The man was not a  problem once he stopped convulsing.  Apparently the dentist refused to pull a tooth for him and this  was his medication.  Transported to the Mission in St. Paul.      Traffic Stop       Thursday  1322 hours  Last week MHPD participated in a seat belt enforcement saturation patrol. While on duty for this  enforcement, Officer Denise Urmann had a traffic stop that ended with several charges. Not only was  the driver unlicensed, but the licensed passenger/parent did not have insurance on the vehicle.  To top  it off, the juvenile boy in the backseat was not properly restrained either. Citations were issued and the  vehicle was towed.      Drugs        Thursday  1330 hours  Officer Jennifer Fordham was notified of a student exhibiting strange medical symptoms and appeared  intoxicated.  It was soon determined that he was under the influence, supported by the presence of a  baggie of prescription medication that belonged to someone else.  Another student with the same  symptoms was found soon after and also sported a similar baggie of un‐prescribed/illegal medication.  Both parties ended up being hospitalized and both incidents will be submitted for formal charges for  felony possession of narcotics.       Domestic Assault      Thursday  1620 hours  Officer John Larrive was called back to MHPD to take a report from a victim of ongoing abuse. The victim  explained there had been both physical and verbal abuse since their marriage about a month ago and it  had escalated to an incident involving choking.  She was provided with Dakota County resource info,  including shelters and she had supportive family giving her assistance.  An Emergency Order for  Protection (OFP) had already been filed; case has been forwarded to the prosecutor for charging.    Theft        Friday   1008 hours  A local business called to report a possible theft of laptops.  They had received a shipment entirely  shrink‐wrapped.  A few hours after receiving it and opening the package, a portion of it was missing  their ordered equipment.  Officer John Larrive did take an informational report; he requested they  review any surveillance video to determine if a crime was truly committed.     Theft of gas (maybe)      Friday   1115 hours  A local gas station reported that a man had pumped gas but did not have a way to pay he offered to  provided collateral in the form of a plasma card and his girlfriend’s credit card.  He said he would be  back to pay.  While the receipt of collateral as payment made it a civil agreement, Officer Larrive did  contact the party, reminding him to pay and to come pick up the cards as they were now at MHPD.   They did come in on 4/17 to pick up their cards. Cleared.      Neighbor Dispute      Friday   1342 hours  Officer Todd Rosse was once again summoned to a neighbor dispute.  The female neighbor gets irate  with her neighbor, thinking he’s a slacker since the only thing he cares about is cleaning his garage (he  could volunteer or something, like her hubby!). So, she gets verbal and makes certain hand gestures and  the recipient gets mad.  They were both encouraged to simply ignore each other and drop it or charges  could be filed.         AOA/No Seatbelt!      Saturday  0658 hours  On the last day of the seatbelt enforcement, MSP aired a rollover crash where the driver had been  ejected; Officer Tanner Spicer responded to assist and found the flipped over car the I494 / I35E / Hwy  55 interchange area.  He along with other officers located the driver who had very serious injuries from  being ejected. Officers performed CPR until HealthEast Paramedics arrived and transported the man to  the hospital.  The man died later in the morning.  In this case a seatbelt would have more than likely  saved his life.  Crash report handled by MSP.    2  4/12/2013 Welfare Check       Saturday  1119 hours  Officer John Larrive responded to a local home after a caller, known to the PD, had read the 911  dispatchers the riot act.  First call: she was upset about an “addition” to her car, but hung on the 911  operator.  Dispatcher called her back and asked her address; she hung up again.  3rd call ‐ she demanded  to speak to a supervisor, but hung up again.  Officer Larrive arrived and spoke with the woman who  thought a foot rest had been added to her car. Did we mention our appreciation of our dispatchers?    Welfare Check / Miscellaneous     Saturday  1233 hours  Caller requested a “good officer” to speak with, Officer Larrive responded to another regular caller’s  home who continually reports there are strange men living in her attic.  Today she reported that she saw  a “drugged female entertainer” in her home yesterday; caller has decided to board it all up.    Vandalism       Sunday   1221 hours  A local business owner called to report vandalism to his business after he had left at 2200 hours the  previous night.  When he arrived a noon, he found what looked like a cheeseburger and an ice cream  cone smeared on the front door and was now dried.  Suspect information was provided and info passed  on to investigations.     AOA State Patrol      Monday  0223 hour  Sgt Eric Petersen responded to assist the State with a semi‐crash north bound I35E near I494 callers  reported truck off the road.  Motorists stopped to help the semi driver who was passed out behind the  wheel of the semi.  The driver had been hauling mail (literally) when he passed out, left the road,  crossed the merge, went up the embankment and was stuck in the fence.  The man was transported by  HealthEast paramedics.      Theft        Tuesday  1805 hours  Officer Peyton Fleming responded to a theft at a local drug store.  The active thieves had been the  subject of a metro wide alert the day before.  The female went in stole a bunch of nail polish and fled.   The car was stopped a short distance away, the thieves were identified, and one provided some helpful  information.  Both were booked into the Dakota County Jail and other departments were notified.    Disturbance       Wednesday  1420 hours  Caller reported that she can hear very loud but low microwave humming noises.  She wanted Officer  Steve Meyer to bring some testing instruments over and find the source, but not now, as he might wake  someone up.  Report filed next to previous complaints about a steam shovel in the park, ships, trains  and mean neighbors.  Officer Meyer did walk the neighborhood just to be sure.    Threats        Wednesday  1249 hours  Sgt Neil Garlock responded to a local business to assist with an employee termination.  The woman was  told she was terminated; she got mad and told management she was going to shoot the place up or get  a bomb.  She was waiting in a conference room when Sgt Garlock arrived.  She was a little more than  surprised to see him.  The woman reports she never watches the news and had no idea what was going  on in the world.  After a conversation about the Boston bombings and her intentions; she apologized  was escorted to her car with no further incidents.      Enforcement Update          The seatbelt wave was, overall, a success, with our officers writing 33 seatbelt citations, which over the  course of a week, is pretty good!  It seems people are getting better at buckling up.  We wish the victim  of the fatal crash had also done that.     NEXT – today begins the “Distracted Driving” enforcement! Put down your cell phone, coffee cup,  razor, makeup, newspaper…and simply drive! Never Text and Drive – not only is it unsafe, but a fine will  also be involved.  Practice: Hands at 10 & 2; eyes forward, focus on the road and the cars around you!    Remember ‐ the lives of all those around you are depending on your vigilance!      Have a great weekend!  3 Always wanted to be a Fire Fighter? Now is your chance. The Mendota Heights Fire Department is currently accepting applications for volunteer fire fighters. Attend one of two orientation sessions: Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at 9:00 am or 6:00 pm your spouse or significant other are welcome to attend. The two information sessions for you and your significant other will be held at the Mendota Heights Fire Hall, 2121 Dodd Road. It is a great opportunity to learn how you can share your talents and make a difference in the community. Persons applying must live or work within a six minute legal driving time of the fire station, be in good physical health and not be afraid of confined spaces or heights. If you are using your employment to meet the response time requirements, you must provide a letter from your employer indicating that you may respond to fire calls during work hours. Employment applications will be accepted until Friday, May 31, 2013 at 4:00 pm. For an application and more information visit our website at www.mendota-heights.com. To receive an application by mail or if you have any questions, please call 651-452-1850. Mendota Heights is a volunteer fire department. Spring Clean Up 2013 Saturday, May 4 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Mendakota Park, 2171 Dodd Road For more information: Jake Sedlacek Asst. to the City Admin. 651.255.1142 jakes@mendota-heights.com Document Shredding: American Bank is hosting document shredding/recycling from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, 1060 Dakota Drive Sponsored by the City of Mendota Heights, funded in part by Dakota County Board of Com- missioners and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Every year Mendota Heights residents divert tons of trash from going to the landfill thorough the spring clean up. Don’t miss this opportunity to clean up your home/yard and ensure that materials are disposed of properly. Follow the signs on Mendakota Drive and enter from the west side of the park. ID with Mendota Heights address required Limited to Mendota Heights residents with passenger vehicles and small trailers only. We will accept: Car tires, furniture $5 each Mattresses/boxspring $10 each Home remodeling debris/misc. junk Volume-based fee Dehumidifiers $5 each Electronics Volume-based fee Scrap metals (remove all non-metal) Free Bicycles Free We will not accept: Yard waste, items that can be recycled at your curb, busi- ness waste or contractor debris Bring Your Donations: This year the Salvation Army will be on hand, collecting clothing, household items and furniture (There is no fee to donate items).