2013-05-31 Friday News
May 31, 2013
Dates to Remember:
June 1, 2013
5K Walk/Run 9:00 a.m.
Parks Celebration 11:00 a.m.—
2:00 p.m.
June 4, 2013
City Council 7:00 p.m.
June 11, 2013
Parks and Recreation
Commission — 6:30 p.m.
June 12, 2013
Airport Relations Commission —
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
Street Sweeping Complete
Our contracted street sweepers have been out in
full force, cleaning curbs and gutters throughout
the community. Please remember to keep the
curbs in front of your property clean, as anything
that gets washed into the storm sewers has the
chance to negatively impact local bodies of wa-
ter. If you don’t have compost collection with
your regular trash service, there are several local
sites to bring lawn clippings.
Pilot Knob Grazing
In case you missed previous Friday News Up-
dates, the contractor overseeing the restoration
of Pilot Knob Open Space was approved to
conduct grazing of Pilot Knob as a manage-
ment technique this summer.
Paddocks for horses are being installed this
week, with energized fencing. The fencing
serves to keep the horses in, and site visitors
out of grazing areas.
Grazing is a novel approach to open space
management, and will be carefully watched by
our staff, and likely by staff managing open
spaces all over the metropolitan area.
Parks Celebration
The Parks Celebration is this weekend. Enjoy
live music at Market Square Park tonight, and
bring the whole family to Mendakota Park on
Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. For live
entertainment, fitness demos, and obstacle
course, petting zoo and more.
Also, the last day to pre-register for the 5K
run/walk benefiting MN Special Olympics is to-
day. You can also pick up your race packet at
city hall, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Get out an enjoy the parks this weekend!
Public Works
The Parks Crew cut grass, dragged fields and striped fields in the parks. They
started spraying the parks for weeds. Mendakota Park is being prepared for the
parks celebration.
The Utilities Crew sprayed Friendly Hills Park, Rogers Lake Park, City Hall, Fire
Hall, Hagstrom-King Park, and Mertensotto Field for broadleaf weeds. The float
was adjusted at the Veronica lift station. Lilydale’s lift panel was painted.
The Streets Crew is finishing up mailbox repairs and sod repairs form the winter
plowing activities. Four new no parking signs were installed on Pueblo Lane. They
finished sweeping the streets and parking lots.
Engineering
City Projects (construction year)
Dodd Road/Highway 110 Intersection Pedestrian Improvements (2013) – The
project is currently out for bid. Bid opening is scheduled for 10:00am on
Wednesday of next week, and staff is anticipating a Bid Award to be before City
Council at their June 18th City Council Meeting. Construction will begin shortly
after contract award.
Hunter Lane/Orchard Place Neighborhood Improvements (2013) – Construction is
underway. Temporary water service has been established and pavement is being
reclaimed. Excavations for storm sewer are expected the week of June 17th.
Substantial completion is expected by the end of September with the assessment
hearing in October.
Crown Point & Overlook Neighborhood Rehabilitations (2013) – Pavement removal
is complete, and curb sections have been replaced. New pavement is anticipated
in early June. Substantial completion is expected by July. An assessment hearing
is scheduled for October.
Lexington Avenue Pedestrian Trail, Hwy 110 to Douglas Road (2013) – Trail
pavement has been reclaimed and new pavement is anticipated as soon as
weather permits. The trail remains closed during construction.
Highway 13 Trail Connection (2013) –The City has applied for a grant from the
Department of Natural Resources for construction funding. Staff should hear if the
application was successful sometime in June. If not funded through a grant, the
The Pipeline N E W S
L E T T E R
Public Works
Engineering
Code Enforcement
May 31, 2013
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) – Staff will be
bidding for the design/build of the permanent repair to the force main. The force
main has ruptured 5 times in the past 6 years and is becoming more costly to
repair each time. Bidding schedule is yet to be determined.
Sanitary Sewer Cleaning and Televising (2013) – The project is being advertised.
Bid opening is scheduled for June 12th with anticipated contract award at the June
18th Council meeting. Once bid is awarded the selected contractor will be working
in the area of the city west of I-35E and north of Highway 110. Center Pointe
Business Park is also included in the project.
Street Preventative Maintenance (2013) – Annual crack sealing is complete.
Sealcoating will take place starting in July. For a list of streets impacted, please
go to the City’s Street Improvement Plan on the City web page, City Services tab,
Engineering Projects link.
Highway 149 (Dodd Road) Trail Connections (2014) – Staff submitted grant
applications through the MnDOT Corridor Investment Management Strategy
(CIMS) program. These grants would fund construction of trail connections along
Dodd Road from Market Street to Marie Avenue and from Mendota Heights Road to
the I-494 Bridge. Both of these grants would be for the 2014 construction year,
and grant announcements are expected in June.
Interstate Valley Creek Trail Paving – Xcel Energy’s contractor will be paving
Interstate Valley Creek Trail from Highway 13 south starting in early June. The
trail pavement was removed for the installation of water service to the new
Lilydale apartments. Pavement should be completed by June 7th, weather
permitting.
County Projects (construction year)
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/Docume
nts/2013-2017CIP.pdf. Requests for County infrastructure projects to be included
in the CIP can be made through City Staff by June 12th so Council can review and
submit requests to the County by the June 28th deadline.
Dakota County Greenways Collaborative Open House – Dakota County is hosting
two open houses for public input about their proposed Greenways Plan. The
meetings are scheduled for Tuesday, May 28th in Lakeville and Thursday, May 30th
in Eagan. See the attached flyer for more information.
North Urban Regional Trail (NURT) Realignment/Greenway Study (2014) – Design
has begun on the Greenway realignment of the NURT. The new alignment will go
through Henry Sibley High School property from Mendota Road to Marie Avenue,
east of Warrior Drive, and then follow Marie Avenue to the Dodge Nature Center in
West Saint Paul. The NURT will cut through the Dodge Nature Center north of
Marie Avenue and connect with the existing NURT at Garlough Elementary School.
Design is expected to be complete this fall. 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.
Delaware Avenue Guardrails (2013) – Dakota County will be installing guardrails
along Delaware Avenue in select locations between Highway 110 and I-494.
Crews have surveyed the area, and installation should take place by August.
Other Activities
American Public Works Association (APWA) Conference Committee – Staff
attended the planning meeting for the APWA – Minnesota Chapter Fall Conference.
This year’s conference theme is assessing, planning, and executing long-term
infrastructure plans. The fall conference is typically attended by over 400 Public
Works officials from around the State, and the Committee is responsible for lining
up topics and speakers for the event. The fall conference will be held on
November 20-21 at the Earle Brown Heritage Center in Brooklyn Center.
New Municipal Separated Sanitary and Storm Sewer (MS4) Permit - The new, draft
MS4 permit is out, and there are some new programs the City must complete in
order to be compliant with the new permit. Because of these changes, cities will
continue to be covered under the 2006 permit for the next several months. Once
cities address the new programs by December 29th, 2013, they will be converted
to the new (2013) permit. Some of the more significant changes include:
1. 100% Pond Inventory – Including a unique identifier, geographic
coordinates, and type of feature (pond, wetland, lake, man-made, etc.)
2. Prioritized Green Infrastructure for New Development – Includes Infiltration,
Low Impact Design, Runoff Recycling, Urban Forestation, etc.
3. Post-Construction Development Runoff – Must be less than or equal to pre-
project runoff conditions.
Staff will be working with Council and Commissions to revise existing programs
and policies to meet the requirements of the new permit.
Code Enforcement
Garbage & Recycling Containers – Did you know that Mendota Heights City Code
prohibits residential trash and recycling containers from being visible from the
public right-of-way or any adjacent property except when on the curb for pick-up?
These containers need to be either screened from view or stored inside. Check out
City Code Section 12-8-7 for more information, or call the City Code Enforcement
Division at 651-452-1850.
1
5/31/2013
The latest from 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 Wilson
Jeff Vonfeldt
Steven Meyer
Denise Urmann
Michael Shepard
Peyton Fleming
SCHOOL RESOURCE OFC.
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
Are you buckled up? Minnesota’s seat belt law requires drivers, passengers
and back seat passengers to be belted.
Unbelted drivers in all seats of the car can be ticketed.
Extra Patrols now on the roads enforcing seatbelts!
If you’re in a crash at 60 mph, and not buckled up,
it’s like falling from 12 stories high...OUCH!
SEATBELTS SAVE LIVES!
City of Mendota Heights
Village at Mendota Heights
Saturday, June 1, 2013 at 9:00am
Sponsored By
It’s not too late
to register for
the Mendota
Heights 5K!
Fees:
$20 Pre‐Registration ‐ Fri, May 31st by 6:00pm
$25 Day of Registration ‐ 7:00am ‐ 8:30am
Includes: 5K t‐shirt & race day refreshments
All proceeds go directly to Special Olympics
2
5/31/2013
Odd Behavior Friday 2026 hours
Ofϐicer Todd Rosse was called to a medical facility in which a man was getting an MRI
completed. The staff grew concerned for their safety after the man started to ask for
blades and scalpels. The man left with no hesitation and the staff remained safe.
Neighborly Revenge Friday 2100 hours
Ofϐicers have been dispatched several times over an ongoing neighbor dispute regarding a
loud pool ϐiltration system. Several un‐neighborly revenge attempts have been made
against the pool owners home; bonϐires causing smoke to wallow towards the home as
well as loud music directed at it. No settling at of yet.
Suspicious Person Friday 2400 hours
Ofϐicer Bobby Lambert responded to a call on a suspicious person. A man had awoken
from bed from a knock on the door. He then fell asleep and awoke a second time from
noises and the sound of a key trying to unlock the front door. He looked out and a female
was present. Ofϐicer Lambert approached her and she stated she was looking for a friends
house. Oddly enough, RP had previously had his work truck stolen and his house keys and
address were in it. No crime.
Vet Threat Monday 1147 hours
Ofϐicer Scott Patrick received a call from a man who’s partner is at work threatening to
pour gas on himself and light himself on ϐire. He is a war vet and sounds very upset.
The man was transported to the VA. No harm done.
Counterfeit Tuesday 1545 hours
Ofϐicer Scott Patrick and Sergeants Convery and Garlock responded to two local
businesses where two counterfeit $20 bills were passed. One of the businesses was able to
describe the subject as well as give a license plate number. Sgt. Convery who was working
a “Click it or Ticket” detail spotted the vehicle and pulled it over. The counterfeit bill
passer was the front seat passenger, they were ID’ed by MN DL and a computer check
showed an active Hennepin County arrest warrant. Fortunately the crook had a cash card
that worked in a nearby ATM, it served up real money, they posted bail and were released
pending further charges.
Suspicious Activity Tuesday 1657 hours
A 911 cell phone caller driving across the Mendota Bridge called in regard to a man they
saw climbing over the railing on the outside of the bridge deck. Ofϐicer Peyton Fleming
was on scene in moments and could not locate anyone. The bridge was checked from end
to end with no luck. The caller was of no further help as they had just been passing by and
nothing in the area was located to provide any clues as to what may have occurred.
Noise Tuesday 2323 hours
Caller reported people being loud in the park after hours. Ofϐicer Jeff VonFeldt responded
to ϐind a group of kids. They advised that they had been looking for their car keys.
Fortunately while Ofϐicer VonFeldt was on scene they found the missing keys and left the
park.
Please send us your
positive feedback!
pdrecords@
mendota-heights.com
Your feedback is greatly
appreciated and helps boosts
the moral of our staff.
Reserve Jim Knox
received a nice
compliment on his
willingness to help out a
fellow WSP Officer in
transporting a man
to jail.
Officer Lambert
was chosen to speak at a
recent Active Shooter
Training at the DCC
and was praised for his
personable and
professional manner and
knowledge in MAAG
Operations, 3Echo and
communications.
3
5/31/2013
Harassing Text Wednesday 1554 hours
Ofϐicer Scott Patrick was dispatched to the PD lobby on a report of harassing text
messages. The threats were being received from a former friend who stated he was
upset by the way he was being treated and trying to make him look bad to others.
He considered her family but stated he has now cut all ties with her.
AOA Wednesday 1030 hours
Ofϐicer Patrick was dispatched to assist with a recovered body found by a ϐisherman in a
log jam under Mendota Bridge. Investigator Chad Willson worked with the HCSO, RCSO
& DCSO water patrol units in an attempt to narrow down who’s case it was after verify‐
ing that the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Ofϐice would handle the investigation.
Raccoon Wednesday 1706 hours
Caller reported a raccoon stuck in a drain near the trash bins. Ofϐicer Shepard left the
raccoon alone as they will exit the same way they got into the drain pipe.
Domestic Thursday 0630 hours
A 911 dispatcher sent Ofϐicer Bobby Lambert to a domestic disturbance where a
female attempted to call 911 but the male party interfered and took the phone.
His family has left several threatening messages to her via Facebook in his defense.
Sorry, didn’t your mom teach you to not hit. The male was transported to Dakota County
Jail.
Sirens Thursday 0115 hours
A resident of the Crown Point neighborhood called about sirens going off with no
advisories from the National Weather Service for the area. Ofϐicer Steve Meyer worked
with the DCC to back track the sirens to a local golf course. The course has installed a
state of the art lightening detection system that was going off. Appropriately it should
be noted, just out side of the hours programmed into the system. Golf course
management immediately shut the system off and will put in a call to the manufacturer
in the morning.
Pot Roast Dispute Thursday 1755 hours
Ofϐicer Michael Shepard was dispatched to home on a report of a domestic. This isn’t the
ϐirst instance at this home and like usual, the caller was intoxicated. Ofϐicer Shepard
was advised that the argument arose over a pot roast dinner she had made the previous
night. She was upset because she had sent her son several text messages asking if he’s
be home for dinner and he never responded and never came home for dinner. The next
morning she was upset because he had the audacity to eat the leftover pot roast that she
had made the night before. That same evening she made salmon topped with pesto for
dinner; well, the son did not like pesto so the argument over dinner was on. Ofϐicer
Shepard advised they should discontinue eating meals together. No further action.
RP would like to
report harassment as a
female is threatening
to pull her hair, but
claims her hair is too
tall to do so.
RP can hear shooting
in the woods. Turns
out, it was a war vet
shooting blanks in
preparation for
Memorial Day.
RP simply does not
like that her neighbor
has so many fires.
4
5/31/2013
May to date 2013 YTD
CAD Calls for Service 740 3,433
Citations Issued i.e., DUI,
Domestic, Etc. 136 629
Warnings 103 576
Police Reports 96 455
Response Time Average 4.96 5.01
Have a Safe Weekend!
‐ 1 lb. boneless/skinless chicken breasts ‐ 1 tube of Pillsbury Biscuits
‐ 1 package fresh frozen mixed vegetables ‐ 1 cup of milk
‐ 1 can Cream of Mushroom ‐ 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
‐ 1 can Cream of Chicken ‐ Salt and pepper to taste
Put 1 lb of boneless/skinless chicken breasts in crock pot with your choice of 1/2 cup of water or chicken broth for 2‐3
hours, shred.
Preheat oven to 350.
Cook mixed vegetables according to package.
Evenly distribute biscuits in a baking pan covering the bottom, bake for half of the recommended package instructions.
Remove from oven.
In a large bowl, combine shredded chicken, mixed vegetables, can of Cream of Mushroom, can of Cream of Chicken, cup of
milk and salt and pepper. Mix.
Pour mixture over the biscuits and top with shredded cheddar cheese.
Bake for an additional 10 minutes or until heated through and bubbly.
brought to you by…
Trista Miller
Police Support Specialist
“I concocted this recipe in hopes my kids would eat the
vegetables in it, plus it’s a fast and easy meal when you’re a
busy mom and the family loves it!”
D AKOTA C OUNTY S HERIFF
The Front Row
“A front row seat to the greatest show on Earth...”
Dave Bellows, Sheriff
Tim Leslie, Chief Deputy
Volume 8, Week 52
May 20, through
May 26, 2013
Good Samaritans…
A woman from Hastings was fortunate when two men assisted her after her car left
the roadway, landing in a drainage ditch. The victim was trapped inside the car as it
was filling with water. Two men,
having witnessed the accident,
did not hesitate and jumped in
the water as the car was
submerging. While the driver
experienced leg pain, she was
otherwise uninjured. The DCSO
thanks the two men for risking
their personal safety to help
another person. Responding
from the DCSO was Sergeant
Tim Samuelson, along with
Deputies Bruce Lohmann and
Ryan Olson.
A New Member…
This past Thursday, the DCSO gained a new member. Deputy Brian Smidt,along
with his new canine partner, Cado (pronounced Chado), graduated from the St. Paul
Police Canine School. Brian
and Cado went through the 16-
week training that taught the
team in tracking, article
searching (weapons), and the
apprehension of suspects, to
name just a few areas in the
program. Attending the
graduation was Deputies Matt
Schuster, also a canine
handler, Deputy Sean Qualy,
Commander Dan
Scheuermann, Chief Deputy
Tim Leslie, and Sheriff Dave
Bellows. Brian and Cado
started their first shift together
last Sunday.
The Power of Social Media…
Last week, a robbery occurred at a Hastings gas and convenience store. The incident
was captured on the store video camera and provided several good photos of the
suspect. One of the photos was placed on the Sheriff’s Facebook page and received
over 1,000 hits within a 24-hour time period. Good police work resulted in the arrest
of an adult male by Hastings Police. Assisting in responding to the robbery were
Sergeant Jim Gabriel and Deputy Amber Hentges.
Featuring Sheriff’s
Administrative,
Communications,
Support, and Parks,
Lakes, and Trails
Staff:
Administration
Steve Anderson
Annette Baker
Julie Ecker
Detention Services
Support Staff
Sandy Burke
Desiree Chartrand
Kim Erlandsen
Melanie Heltne
Kathy Karnick
Casey King
Kim Lechner
Mary McPhetres
Holly Ruiz
Andrea Strenke
Molu Thachil
Betsy Winter
Jessica Witschen
Emergency
Preparedness
Dan Carlson
Operations Support
Staff
Joanna Anderson
Hilary Christie
Ana Estrada
Julie Fischer
Lynda Jirak
Janelle Mayer
Linda Mischke
Shona Murphy
Jesse Monahan
William Pope
Parks, Lakes, and
Trails
Salah Ahmed
Mark Albrecht
Scott Blehm
D AKOTA C OUNTY S HERIFF
The Front Row
“A front row seat to the greatest show on Earth...”
Dave Bellows, Sheriff
Tim Leslie, Chief Deputy
Volume 8, Week 52
May 20, through
May 26, 2013
Click here to subscribe to this newsletter electronically.Page 2
In Honor of Those that Served…
Members of the Sheriff’s
Honor Guard were part of the
opening ceremony on
Memorial Day at the Veterans
Athletic Complex in Hastings.
The Hastings Hawks played
Lake City in the game that
followed the ceremony.
Members of the unit attending
the event included Sergeant
Booker Hodges, Detective
Mike Fendrick,Deputies
TomHooper and Sean
Qualy, and Correctional
Deputy Tim Parker.
Not the Time to Steal a Nap…
Last week, Deputy Bruce Lohmann responded to another car crash on Ravenna
Trail. In this case, the 45-year-old man from St. Paul had apparently fallen asleep
while driving a Ford Ranger pick-up, left the roadway, and then crashed into trees.
The man sustained some facial injuries, but his problems were just beginning. In
running the plate, Deputy Lohmann learned the car had been reported stolen from a
residence in St. Paul. The suspect was first transported to Regions Hospital, followed
by a trip to jail.
Congratulations…
Go to Program Services Assistant Kathy
Karnick and her husband, Rollie,on
celebrating their 40th year of marriage.
Andrew Burt
Ryan Googins
Christopher Jensen
Christopher Jensen
Andrew Kempe
Jordan Klug
Matthew Lohmann
Joshua Schauer
Michele Sell
Kurtis Syvertsen
Ryan Van Gundy
Nicole Young
Chaplains
Jim Bzoskie
Vern Hildebrandt
Clayton McDougall
Eddie Nestingen
Cory Voll
Don Voll
Questions?
Comments?
Please contact the
Dakota County
Sheriff’s Office at
651.437.4700 or any
of the following by
email:
dave.bellows@
co.dakota.mn.us
julie.ecker@
co.dakota.mn.us
“The best place to
find a helping
hand is at the end
of your own arm.”
-Swedish Proverb
Good Time Served...
Artwork by
Correctional
Deputy
Joe Engesser