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2013-07-05 Friday NewsFriday News Mendota Heights Weekly Report on City Activities Citizen Police Academy Mendota Heights' residents interested in learning more about your local police department are encouraged to register for the 2013 Citizen Police Academy. This nine week course presented by the Mendota Heights and West St. Paul Police Departments, is designed to give citizens a working knowledge of the operations and responsibilities of the police departments. Classes are held on Thursday nights beginning Sept. 19 to Nov. 14, from 6:00 9:30 p.m. For more information and to register for the academy, call 651.452.1366. 2013 Safety Camp August 6 — 8, 2013 Youth entering 3rd and 4th grade r are invited to register for Safety Camp. Safety Camp participants will learn about stranger safety, weather safety, drug awareness, animal safety, home safety, first -aid and much more. Camp leaders include volunteers from local police and fire departments. This experience will last a lifetime! Call 651.452.1850 or visit www.mendota - heights.com for additional information. Mendota Heights Par 3 1695 Dodd Road -- 651/454-9822 Looking to improve your golf game or just play a quick round of golf. Stop by this weekend for a round of golf with your family and friends. The Mendota Heights Par 3 is one of the best golf values in the Twin Cities area. MENDOTA HEIGHTS -Par 3- Dates to Remember: July 9, 2013 Parks Commission 6-30 p.m. July 10, 2013 Airport Commission 7 :00 p.m. July 16, 2013 City Council 7 :00 p.m. July 23, 2013 Planning Commission 7 :00 p.m. Attachments: Pipeline, Just the Facts Mendota Heights City Hall 1101 Victoria Curve www.mendota-heights.com (651) 452 -1850 � Facebook.com /MendotaHeightsMN � Twitter.com / @mendota_ heights Public Works The Parks Crew worked on 5910 by repairing the hydraulic tank. They cleaned up after the weekend sports tournaments. The pitching mounds were removed and bases moved back. The Utilities Crew cleaned the sanitary sewer lines along Victoria, Faro Lane, Summit Lane, Mendakota Court, and along the easements on Twin Circle Drive and Kay Avenue. The Streets Crew did blacktop patching in the seal coating areas. A couch was picked up from Sutton and Summit Lanes. Engineering City Projects (construction year) Dodd Road /Hiahwav 110 Intersection Pedestrian Improvements (2013) - The construction contract has been awarded and apre- construction meeting is scheduled for July 12th. Construction will begin shortly after the preconstruction meeting, and is scheduled for completion by September 3rd. A complete schedule will be available after the pre - construction meeting. Hunter Lane /Orchard Place Neighborhood Improvements (2013) - Construction is underway. Construction activity continues on Orchard Place, and construction is anticipated to begin on Hunter Lane in the coming weeks. Rehabilitation work on Veronica, Orchard Circle, Culligan, and Glenhill is expected in late July /early August. Substantial completion is expected by the end of September with the assessment hearing in October. Crown Point &Overlook Neighborhood Rehabilitations (2013) -This project is substantially complete. Punch -list items and some minor landscape improvements remain. An assessment hearing is scheduled for October. Lexington Avenue Pedestrian Trail, Hwy 110 to Douglas Road (2013) -The trail has been re- paved, and pedestrian ramps installed. Punch -list items remain along with some minor landscape restoration. The trail has been re- opened. Sanitary Sewer Cleaning and Televising (2013) -The contract has been awarded, and work is anticipated to begin in July. The 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. Minor traffic impacts should be anticipated. Mendota Heights Road Sanitary Sewer Force Main Replacement (2013) - Staff is soliciting proposals from design firms for the design of the force main replacement. This force main has broken 5 times in the past 6 years and is in need of replacement. Proposals are due and a recommendation for selection will be made by staff for the July 16t" City Council meeting. Countv Proiects (construction vear Lexington Avenue Crosswalk (2013) -The crosswalk and island at the Victoria/ Lexington intersection is scheduled for installation in August. Surveyors have marked the area and utilities have been located. Specific schedules will be posted as they are planned. Delaware Avenue Guardrails (2013) - Guardrails along both sides of Delaware Avenue, between Highway 110 and Interstate 494 will be installed this summer. County maintenance crews will be doing the installation and they are scheduled for installation in July /August. North Urban Regional Trail (NURT) Realignment (2014) -Staff participated in a teleconference with the County and their consultant on the initial layout of the NURT realignment through the Henry Sibley High School property. Design should be completed over the winter with construction anticipated in 2014. For more information, contact the County Project Manager, Chris Hartzel, at 952 - 891 -7106. Other Activities Gun Club Lake Watershed Management Organization (GCLWM - Mendota Heights has asked about the possibility of departing the GCLWMO and placing that portion of the City in the Lower Mississippi River Watershed Management Organization (LMRWMO). This move would consolidate storm water rules across the City, and reduce the amount of staff time spent on WMO activities. The process, if approved by both WMOs should take about 6 months. The City is determining the best way to get this process underway. 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 CHOOL 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 7/3/2013 d o o "..And the rockets" `red glare, the bombs bursting in air...." Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the signing of the Dec- laration of Independence on July 4, 1776. John Adams declared the signing of the Declaration would be "the most memorable epoch in the history of America....It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade ... from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward, forever more." And so, we give honor to this day in history, to honor "the land of the free, and the home of the brave." Shake the hand this weekend of those who protect our freedom and safety. MENDOTA HEIGHTS FIREWORKS DISPLAY The Mendakota Country Club will be having July 4th fireworks for their members; non - members can also view the display at nearby streets & parking lots. The fireworks start at 10 p.m. on July 4th at: Mendakota Country Club, 2075 Mendakota Drive, Mendota Heights, MN 55120. Sptwdiuto nth With flvuto 6 Frttikds, Nottvv the htospitAt! PRESS RELEASE FROM MN STATE FIRE MARSHALL JERRY ROSENDAHL AWARENESS AND PREPARATION CAN PREVENT FIREWORKS INJURIES. Flying or exploding fireworks are illegal in Minnesota, but legal fireworks like sparklers, can burn up to 1,200 degrees and can be just as dangerous and cause injury. Fireworks injured 55 people (many of them children and teens) in Minnesota last year in June and July. 40% of those injured were under age 19. 60% of those injured were male. More fires are reported on the 4th of July than any other day and 40% of those are related to fireworks. Make sure your July 4 holiday fun doesn't fizzle. Stay safe and only purchase and use Minnesota -legal fireworks. Firework Safety Tips: Read instructions on each device. Always provide adult supervision and keep fireworks away from small children. Use fireworks far from animals, buildings, storage tanks, brush and other combustibles. Keep a bucket of water nearby to cool spent sparkler wires and extinguish other fireworks. Forbid anyone under the influence of alcohol or drugs to use fireworks. Light one device at a time, and never attempt to relight a device that doesn't ignite the first time. If it looks damaged, don't use it. Legal Fireworks Wire or wood sparklers Snakes and glow worms Smoke devices Snappers and drop cans IlleLyal Fireworks Any size firecrackers Sky rockets Bottle rockets Roman candles CHIEF Mike Aschenbrener For a complete list of legal and illegal fireworks, please visit: I https: / /ddps.mn.goovv/ divisions /sfm/programs- services / Documents /Fireworks /FireworksList.pdf 0 � � r 7/3/2013 — — - — — —weft i �rl � I 'v ` f I Medical Hold Up Friday 1412 hours I IS!TAFF at A passerby called in stating an elderly male was being held tip by some people. Officer Scott Pat- rick reported to the scene along with State Patrol and this was definitely not the case. The man had a medical issue and was transported to United. Officer Denise Urmann... Medical Friday 1412 hours received a note of thanks Officer Bobby Lambert responded to a local business on a man who passed out. The caller stated from the Parkview Plaza the man hit his head when he went down. Assisted in the transport and notification of family. staff and residents for DO Attack Friday hours Dog y 1809 educating them on crime . I Caller reported his dog was attacked by another dog that was out on a walk with the owner. The prevention dog suffered a broken leg in the attack. Officer Todd Rosse responded to the call and learned of They m p The were all impressed the attack and the $500 vet bill. The owner of the attacking dog was advised of the situation and Officer Rosse assisted with ensurin g the victim's owner received reimbursement. No citations as and have agreed to make I the attacking dog's owner is not a resident of our city. some changes that will � I Recreational Fire Complaint Saturday 2037 hours make their building safer. Caller reported her neighbor had an unattended recreational fire in the neighbor's fire pit. Officers Meyer and Shepard were busy assisting SPPD at an address in MH. The caller was advised the officers would clear when able and check the fire. The caller called back Officer Steve Meyer approximately 20 minutes later and screamed at the 911 dispatcher about the problem; Officer The Chief received an Meyer arrived on scene moments later after clearing with SPPD and spoke to the homeowner, who had allowed his recreational fire to rekindle. Officer Meyer dragged the hose to the fire, put emailed "thank you to it out and warned the homeowner, who suffers from a medical condition. The caller was advised Officer Meyer for stop- of the action, but she was still not happy and took Officer Meyer's business card. Clear -fire out. I ping and spending some Noise Saturday 2054 hours � time with a group of kids in the street. Dad en- Officer Shepard responded to a disturbance. Upon arrival he found a graduation party with a live band. In talking with the homeowner he learned they were playing the last song of the night. j oyed watching the kids Jealous Feud Saturday 2236 hours han g out with Officer Meyer and check out the Officer Tanner Spicer was dispatched to a home for an assault that happened earlier. Two young police car! I men had been disputing for a couple of weeks over a girl. After the one broke tip with her, the other began to date her, driving the other to send threatening text messages and drive by the I home. The two were encouraged to fight it out by friends and soon thereafter, the one male at- Please send us your ' ' tacked the other, causing bruising and scrapes. Case tinder investigation. positive feedback! p I Medical Sunday 1217 hours I pdrecordsk, Officer Bobby lambert responded to a passed -out spectator at Mendakota Park. While en route, mendota -hei hts.eom he learned a doctor was on scene had already taken the person's pulse and reported the patient had likely overheated. HealthEast ambulance transported the person to the hospital I roux feedback is greatly AOA Medical Sunday 1041 hours appreciated aild helps boosts Officer Scott Patrick responded to a man down on the side of the freeway. After some confusion the morale of our staff. the vehicle and man were located in Eagan. Assisted EPD and HealthEast ambulance with party suffering from heat related injuries. 2 � .mwi wunuw I� ' � '� ` � �✓ Spy/ Stolen Car /Runaway Monday 0053 hours =Z(3/2013 Officer Spicer arrived a residence to speak with parents reporting their fifteen year hold had driven away in their vehicle without permission. An ATL was put out and about two hours later, while , checking possible locations for her, the father flagged down Officer Spicer and informed him the � child and car had returned, but their child fled again on foot and had taken off with her boyfriend, BURGLARS ARE an adult. Child has been entered as a runaway and is still missing. BACK IN THE r I DAS /No Insurance Monday 1425 hours ATTIC.... Caller states that Officer Rosse stopped a vehicle with a badly broken windshield. When he asked the driver for hiss T license and insurance, he also learned the driver had a suspended license and did not have the car the burglars have � lived in the home I insured. The driver received a few charges on his citation and the vehicle was towed. for the last ear R Reckless Drivin AOA Monday y and a half and Officer Shepard responded to complaint of a driver smashing into guard rails repeatedly, now head - cannot get them i ing into St Paul, which is currently a barricaded area. Witnesses provided a good description of the out. � � � RP states it is a H He initiated a traffic stop and upon greeting the driver, caught the familiar whiff of marijuana. St man and his P Paul PD was en route and Officer Rosse arrived to assist. He approached the passenger side and' girlfriend who f from that viewpoint spotted what appeared to be a rifle in the backseat. When the driver was asked' cut the roof and w why he had been smashing into the guard rails, the driver said he just wanted to make sure his doors got in. h had matching damage. He did offer up the marijuana and stated he had a gun in the car, along with a permit to carry. However, the permit's expiration was conveniently missing and the gun he men- ROOT BEER tioned was not the one in the back, but a handgun. It was soon learned that the driver did not have SUSPICION a a valid permit to carry, was in possession of a handgun, BB gun, knife and more marijuana and para- h r Complainant P e a a. au ec e o a e ze case, o ce s c ea e. called in stating Clicking Noise Monday 2012 hours they are visiting I from out of town I Neighbor reported a loud fan in the front door. Officer Todd Rosse responded and found a fan and when they in a window making a clicking noise. The homeowner agreed to turn the fan off. arrived at their � Fire Monday 2156 hours house - sitting desti- nation, they found I Neighbor called because his neighbor has a huge blaze in the back yard. Officer Jeff VonFeldt the garage door I arrived and found a legal recreational fire. The fire homeowner said they would be heading inside open and a 6 -pack soon and the fire would be out. of Diet Root Beer on the front step. Confetti report Tuesday 0408 hours Turns out the Caller reported burning paper falling out of the sky but the information was erratic and the 911 dis- p gp p g v homeowner left patcher was unable to figure out what was truly occurring. Officer Tanner Spicer arrived and found the garage door the call had been initiated from inside of a memory care unit and the real problem was that the bat - open. tery in the smoke detector had quit. Officer Spicer confirmed that staff was handling the problems. However, the Diet Change your clocks, change your batteries.... Root Beer remains a mystery.... 00 3 I I However, the Diet Change your clocks, change your batteries.... Root Beer remains a mystery.... 00 3 I I 7/3/2013 ' o 0 0 0 o o O O o O o NiGHT touN ni! i Mark your � c� a � a o o � � � ° 0 0� calendars! � Tuesday, FRAUD ALERT! August 6, 9,013 Callers Misleading Public, Claiming to Represent DVS in Insurance Pitch Official Minnesotans should not be fooled by telemarketers claiming that information from the Registration "DMV" shows they're paying too much for car insurance. Forms are The Minnesota Department of Public Safet Y(DPS ) is alerting consumers after receiving online: several reports of people receiving this call. The claims are false and misleading. The information about the solicitations has been forwarded to the Minnesota Attorney Gen- eral l f r review. o heights.com The calls begin with a recorded message that says something to the effect of "according to recently released information from the Minnesota DMV you are paying too much for Registration your car insurance." The caller does not identify the company he or she represents. Deadline is: I Consumers should know that: 7/26/2013 * There is no Minnesota DMV - it's the Driver and Vehicle Services Division at the Min- nesota Department of Public Safety. Get your neighborhood * DVS is responsible for driver testing, driver licensing and maintenance of driver rec- • registration; com- ords driver evaluation and compliance; motor vehicle title and re united; To ensure that � p � g Police Officers, I mercial vehicle registration; motor vehicle dealer licensing and regulation; and en- Firefighters & I forcement of no fault insurance requirements. Paramedics make it to I * DPS /DVS does not collect or maintain data that would indicate what consumers are your event, plan your I paying for insurance, therefore DPS /DVS has not and could not release the infor- block party today! mation claimed by the telemarketers. * DPS /DVS does not engage in telemarketing, nor does it allow the name of the agency to be used in a manner that would mislead consumers. * DPS officials warn consumers use caution when dealing with such telemarketers. How to Deal with Telemarketers: According to the Federal Trade Commission, the law says telemarketers must tell you it's a sales call, the name of the seller Sponsored and Supported By: and what they're selling before they make their pitch. If you don't hear this infor- mation, say "no thanks," and get off the phone. The FTC says, "everyone is a po- tential target." IF IT SOUNDS T00 GOOD TO BE TRUE, IT PROBABLY IS. Do not p rovide �4 I personal information over the phone orby email. It's better to find IPJ% a sold second opinion than to take any asks that could harm your identity or f�nanc�al well -bean . 9 4 I I I I I I I I I I I i i id You K 1014 n Looking Back.... 7/3/2013 Submitt ed By: Police Officer Jeff Von F eldt In 1962, the Mendota Heights Police Department was brand new to the city. The department started with three staff members: two Officers, who made approximately $500.00 a month, and one Chief of Police. The department had one black and white 1962 station wagon style squad car that also doubled as an ambulance. Officers lived in the city and at night they would bring the squad car home with them, just in case something happened over night that they needed to be called out for. Times have really changed since then for the police department. Since 1962, the department has gone through four different uniform patches, three different uniform badges, and 6.5 police chiefs. You might be asking, "Six point five ?" Well, in 1962 when the city was looking for their first Chief of Police, the city council agreed upon a man from North Dakota. However, they received numerous citizen complaints and were informed about a state statute that states, "A police officer must be a registered voter in the state of Minnesota for at least six months before they can be licensed as an officer." So, the city council had to dismiss the first new chief, and selected one from South Saint Paul Police Department. Since 1962, the department has employed thirty -eight male and female police officers. Some have gone to other departments, many have retired and, sadly, some have passed away while serving the city. Officers no longer take home a squad car at night since there are officers on duty twenty -four hours a day. They also no longer have to have their squad cars double as ambulances since our city is now covered by Health East Ambulance who we are all proud to have as our emergency response partner. As for our squads, we are going back to a four door, black and white SUV, often described as a modern day station wagon. After the department celebrated its fiftieth anniversary last year, we wanted to maintain the original 1962 door graphics. MHPD will continue to change with the times and progress. Our names and faces may change over time, but the quality of service to the public will always be top notch and priority one. 5 Rave a Safe we6zevwl!