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2013-08-16 Friday NewsFriday News Mendota Heights Weekly Report on City Activities Recreational Fires Recreational fires are a summertime favorite activity. It's a time for families to sit around and share stories and create new memories. The city of Mendota Heights allows recreational fires for roasting hot dogs and marshmallows. In order to enjoy the safe and fun recreational fire, there are a few rules to follow. • Fires need to be extinguished within 3 hours after start, but no later than 11:00 p.m. • Recreational fires are not to be conducted within 25 feet of a structure or combustible material. • Size cannot be more than three feet in diameter. Flames cannot reach a height in ex- cess of three feet. • Use clean, dry wood only. No refuse, grass, leaves, logs over three inches in diameter, paper, garbage, or other combustibles. • A competent person of at least 18 years of age must be in constant attendance of the fire. • A means to extinguishment must be in the immediate area of the fire. • No fire should be started or maintained in dry conditions or winds over 10 mph. • A recreational fire will be extinguished immediately if it generates smoke that becomes a nuisance to adjacent or nearby properties. • Violations of any of these regulations is a misdemeanor and may result in a citation being issued. • The Fire Chief or his representative have the authority to prohibit, suspend, or further restrict all fires should circumstances or conditions warrant or dictate such action. Enjoy! Dates to Remember: August 20, 2013 City Council 7 :00 p.m. August 27, 2013 Planning Commission 7 :00 p.m. Attachments: Pipeline, Just the Facts City Council agenda packets and Planning Commission agenda packets are available online by visiting www.mendota - heights.com and clicking on the agenda /minutes link. Mendota Heights City Hall 1101 Victoria Curve www.mendota- heights.com (651) 452 -1850 � Facebook.com /MendotaHeightsMN � Twitter.com / @mendota_ heights NEWS The Pi p LETTER ` - Public Works Engineering August 16, 2013 Code Enforcement . � Public Works The Parks Crew finished up sprinkler repairs at Kensington South Park. Small soccer fields were set up and two junior size fields at Kensington South. Two junior soccer goals were put out on the east field. Barricades were brought to Marie Park to set up for striping of the parking lot. The Utilities Crew painted fire hydrants on Lexington Avenue, Sibley Memorial Highway and Victoria Road. Sanitary sewer lines were cleaned on Orchard Hill, Overlook Road, Overlook Lane, and North and South Kingsley Lanes. Grease was vacuumed out of the main lift station. The Streets Crew competed blacktop patching on Marie Avenue from Lexington Avenue to Dodd Road. They replaced bad hydraulic hoses on the John Deere backhoe. New MTC signs were installed at the end of South Plaza Drive. Engineering City Projects (construction year) Dodd Road /Highway 110 Intersection Pedestrian Improvements (2013) - Utilities have been located and marked. Construction is scheduled to begin imminently, and is scheduled for completion by September 3rd. A portion of Interstate Valley Creek Trail northwest of the intersection will be relocated as part of the contract. Temporary access agreements have been executed with the private property owners for the removal of the existing trail. Completion of the project is expected by August 30tH Hunter Lane /Orchard Place Neighborhood Improvements (2013) -The first course of pavement has been placed on Orchard Place from Lexington through the curve to Hunter Lane. Temporary water service has been removed along Hunter Lane and east Culligan and the new permanent water main is now active. Material stockpiles remain on Hunter Lane and Glenhill Road, so residents accustomed to using this access are asked to use Culligan Lane off Hunter temporarily. Stock piles are necessary due to a lack of available land for storing the material on site. Storm sewer installation along Hunter and east Culligan has begun. Substantial completion is expected by the end of September with the assessment hearing in October. For more information, please go to the project page on the city web page: www.mendota- heights.com. Project information is updated weekly. Crown Point &Overlook Neighborhood Rehabilitations (2013) -This project is substantially complete. Staff has been preparing the project punch -list, and the contractor will be repairing the punch list items in August. 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 minor landscape restoration. The trail is open for use. Sanitary Sewer Cleaning and Televising (2013) -This project is underway. 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. An item of jewelry was found in the sanitary sewer in this area and is being held at City Hall. Call the Engineering Department at 651 - 452 -1850 if you are missing an item and can describe what was found. Mendota Heights Road Sanitary Sewer Force Main Replacement (2013) - Design of the replacement force main is anticipated to be complete and ready for bid by October/ November. This force main has broken 5 times in the past 6 years and is in need of replacement. Construction of the replacement could begin as early as this fall. Highway 13 Trail Connection (2013) - Council approved final plans and authorized advertisement for bids at their August 6t" meeting. City Staff is working with adjacent property owners on acquiring the necessary easements for the project. Bid opening is scheduled for August 28t" at 10:00am. Construction is expected in late September /early October. County Projects (Construction Year Delaware Avenue Guardrails (2013) - Installation of guardrails on Delaware Avenue in selected location between Highway 110 and I -494 will begin later this month. Plans have been completed and are under inter - agency review. Construction is expected within the coming weeks. North Urban Regional Trail (NURT) Realignment & Greenway Plan (2014) - County staff is working on completing the design of the NURT to meet their Greenway Plan for the area. The trail will be re- routed north along Warrior Drive to Marie within the Henry Sibley High School property. In West Saint Paul the newly aligned trail will be routed through the Dodge Nature Center on the north side of Marie Avenue, and a tunnel will be installed under Charlton Avenue at Garlough Elementary School. Construction is expected during the summer of 2014. State Projects There are a number of State projects taking place this weekend. Please make note of these and make travel plans accordingly: • Highway 10 - single -lane between West Main Street/Green haven Road and Seventh Avenue • Interstate 35W - closed northbound between the I- 35/35W/35E Split and Highway 13 in Burnsville • Interstate 35 - single -lane southbound between the split in Burnsville and County Road 42. • Highway 36 - closed both directions between Highway 61 and White Bear Avenue . Highway 52 Lafayette bridge - Vehicle length restrictions remain in effect; no vehicles longer than 35 feet allowed • Highway 95 - closed both directions between County Road 12 and Hwy 16 • Highway 169 - single lane both directions between County Road 21 in Shakopee and Pioneer Trail in Bloomington • Highway 169 - closed southbound between Highway 55 in Golden Valley and 77t" Avenue in Brooklyn Park . I -694 - single lane eastbound between Highway 100 in Brooklyn Center and Long Lake Road in New Brighton between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. westbound single lane from Highway 65 to Highway 100 between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. 1 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 I SCHOOL' OPEN t>elve cAea4FUGLY! It's that time of year again! Now that you've purchased the school supplies and the backpacks, it's time to discuss safety. Here is a handy checklist to start off your conversation. Personal Information � ❑ Their address /addresses and more than one contact phone number. I ❑ The name of and phone number for another trusted adult for an emergency. ❑ How and when to call 911. � Walking to School SCHOOL RESOURCE OFC. ❑ Walk on the sidewalk; if one is not available, walk on the side of the street that faces Jennifer Fordham traffic, as close to the curb as possible or on the shoulder. INVESTIGATIONS ❑ Before you cross the street, stop and look all ways, and then remain watchful while Mario Reyes Chad Willson I you cross. SERGEANTS ❑ Never dart out in front of or behind a parked car - take it slow so you can watch for Neil Garlock cars and they watch for you. Brian Convery Eric Petersen Riding Your Bike to School RESERVES ❑ Prevent head and brain injuries wear your helmet! Randy Pentel Ja d Spicer El Always ride on the right side of the road, riding with traffic, and always follow single Jim Knox file with at least one bicycle length between you and the cyclist in front of you. Jeff Parker George Castillo El Come to a complete stop at busy intersections and at stop signs and stoplights be- fore crossing the street. CHAPLAINS I Frances Cuenca Riding the Bus to School Joel Detlefsen - I Lynn Liberman ❑ Make sure your child stands 6 feet from the curb and wait for the bus to come to a Butch Millett complete stop. Sue Plucker John Snider El Make sure they remember their bus number, driver's name and they get to know David Wick their route to and from school CHIEF ❑ If you need to cross the street in front of the bus, wait until it and other traffic have Mike Aschenbrener stopped and cross at least 12 feet ahead of the bus to ensure you are seen by the bus driver and by other cars. Intern Dan Husbands has left the building! (Hopefully with a new & improved GPS.) It was a great run with summer intern Husbands. Husbands completed his Tobacco Ordinance Project by presenting the revised Ordinance to the local City Councils. He was also a great help to the Officers and Support Staff. We wish you the best of luck on your adventure! Officer Denise Urmann received kudos from fellow Officer Steve Mey- er for her work with Night to Unite. He noted that many block party captains complimentary of her responsiveness and for running an organized event. Good job, Denise! Please send us your positive feedback on our staff to: pdrecords@ mendota-heights.com Your feedback is greatly appreciated and helps boost the morale of our staff. 2 % Weel In Re��ie «-... Underage Consumption Thursday 2357 hours While on routine patrol conducting a premise check at a local motel, Officer Tanner Spicer observed three males and two females get out of a vehicle and walk into a motel room arguing. He heard the yelling escalate when suddenly the hotel room door flew open and one of the males pushed the female occupants out of the door. Spicer then separated all parties and 1 learned that the females were arguing over one of the males. There was no assault and no inju- ries. However, there was alcohol involved; the two females, who were both under 21, failed the digital PBT so they were issued citations. Be Nice Thursday 2036 hours Officer Todd Rosse received a call on a domestic disturbance. RP stated that he and his wife, in the process of getting a divorce, had been fighting. The wife was threatening to call her hus- band's family and employer to tell them what a bad person he was. He also said she assaulted him. The wife, when contacted, stated she did not assault him. The husband did not want to ■ press any charges against his wife only wanted her to stop calling and texting. Case closed. Fall Friday 1149 hours Officer Bobby Lambert was dispatched to a home on a report of a fall. A man had fallen off the roof of his shed. We're unsure what made him topple off the shed, but evidently the RP stated, "He was messed tip." He was transported to the hospital for an ankle injury. AOA - Scooter Crash Friday 1715 hours A male party was traveling westbound on Mendota Heights Road approaching the stop sign at Lexington Avenue when he just "forgot" he was supposed to stop. In a panic, he braked too hard, causing the motor scooter to fall on its side. The male had a case of road rash and was acting consistent with someone with a head injury. Medics were called but the victim refused transport and was released to his father who was made aware of his potential injuries, and he took custody of the scooter. False Information Saturday 1817 hours Officers Todd Rosse and Michael Shepard responded to a local senior living facility on a call of a disturbance. Apparently a woman was visiting her mother when some of the elderly women living there said she was not supposed to be there and demanded that she leave. Despite in- forming them she was visiting her mother and her mother confirming the story, they told her they did not believe her. The woman got upset and then started acting strangely, repeating state- ments like, "I'm sorry, I went too far with this joke,..." and, "You are on candid camera." In an effort to identity the woman's name, the behavior continued, but then she decided to give the officers a false name. She was handcuffed, trespassed from the facility for the day and transport- ed to a friend's house, since family would not take custody of her. She was cited for giving false information to a peace officer. Evening Treat Saturday 2106 hours i i i Officer Todd Rosse received a call from a person who was worried for the safety of six teenagers ' driving a golf cart without the lights on. Rosse spotted the kids on the bike path. The kids were very polite and stated they had taken the golf cart to go get some ice cream and were on their way home now. The kids were warned for driving the cart outside designated area and the kids said they would not do it again. 0 o 000 ® Spousal Neglect Sunday 1752 hours J1� A son came into MHPD lobby and spoke with Officer Rosse about his father's medical welfare. He had just came from his father's home and found father laying on blankets on the floor. His health had worsened since his last visit about a month prior and observed his father could not stand or walk. His wife cares for him while he just lays on the floor. Rosse headed to the home and knocked several times. When there was no answer, he became concerned, entered the home and observed the elderly male laying on the ground, covered in and laying on blankets. ■ His wife was sitting next to him, but she just gave a blank stare and didn't say a word. The man's face was slightly drooped and he had slurred speech. His wife would not inform Officer Rosse how long he had been like that. Due to the seriousness of the situation, HealthEast was 9 called and the male was transported to the hospital, noting he had probably had a stroke. As for W rie his wife, witnesses saw her chase her husband around the yard with a rake about a month prior. Case was forwarded to Social Services to evaluate her competency /mental health. fr� '` N aughty Boys... Sunday 1911 hours of ful tinj Officer Todd Rosse and Sergeant Brian Convery were dispatched by a neighbor who overheard a male yelling, "Call the police!" Upon arrival to this frequently called verbal domestic location * officers made contact with an elderly mother whose two grown sons are still living with her. The A ts mother, intoxicated, advised there is a lot of friction between her and her son. The son gets tip- set g p set because the mother controls the money and was making veiled threats toward her. The o mother said she does feel safe with him and was not in fear, just didn't like the way he talked to her and wanted him to leave for the night. He did just that and the mother was put in contact with 360 Communities in an attempt to help resolve these frequent disputes. Suspicious Person Monday 0041 hours A call came in from a homeowner who thinks someone is outside their home. RP states it chi sounded like someone is dragging something around. It sounded like it was coming from the C k. A n south side of the home by the old garage. The homeowner's daughter also said she heard someone talking earlier. Officer Jeff VonFeldt responded and checked around the house. ,X. He did not see anyone and nothing appeared to be disturbed. W���i 3 Reminiscing Monday 1753 hours Several neighbors called in stating there was a male walking down the street, staring at houses in the area. RP said it didn't appear that the man had a car in the area and he was talking to random people as he walked down the street, making the neighbors very uncomfortable. Officer Todd Rosse made contact with the man who advised he just got done cutting his mother's lawn who lives nearby and since he grew up in the neighborhood, he was seeing if old neighbors were still around. It was legit, as several long -term residents and retired police vouched for him. Not up to "Par" Tuesday 0841 hours Officer John Larrive responded to a call to assist a PCA with an uncooperative Alzheimer pa- tient. The patient had walked away from her home and had not taken her medication. The patient was being combative, but Larrive was able to calm the patient and requested HealthEast to respond. Officer Larrive finally, after many calls to source numbers, got a hold of her htis- band. However, her husband was too busy to care for his wife, as he was in the middle of a golf game. He did ask Officer Larrive to stay with her; that was not an option, so she was transport- ed to the hospital on a welfare hold. We're not sure of the hubby's final golf score.... i i i 1 0 Don't nn FORGET! 000 Hit & Run Tuesday 1138 hours i Officer Larrive took a lobby call where the reporting party stated his vehicle was damaged while parked in the Mendota Plaza. The rear, passenger side of his truck was damaged. No witnesses or suspects. If you are a Mendota Heights resident and Civil Tuesday 1308 hours you are going out of town vacation, you A woman came into the PD to seek guidance in getting compensation from her employer. She can notify MHPD of had spoken with the Chief already, who informed her it was civil and not a police matter, but your outing and we she thought she'd get a second opinion. Officer Urmann listened to her story — evidently she no longer works there and the employer owes her compensation, not to mention they won't return will be more than her rinter, coffee maker and microwave which she brought with her to the office. She has at- p g happy to keep a tempted to make contact by phone and in person, but has been asked to leave the property. She watchful eye on your was advised, again, to seek legal counsel in her civil matter. home while you are away. The House Check Request online H&R Wednesday 1210 hours form is available on Officer Larrive responded to location where a witness had watched someone back into a vehicle our website; we and then drive away. The witness had taken photos of the incident and then followed the strik- y p have similar forms in ing car into a neighborhood. With the information provided, Officer Larrive was able to locate the MHPD lobby and the suspect vehicle and approached the driver. She stated she was unaware she had hit a vehicle, we will take your info but when she was shown the damage on her car, she understood and provided the necessary over the phone. information. Officer Larrive is still looking for the victim /owner. Pending MHPD offers monthly Fraud Thursday 1103 hours car seat safety checks. Sergeant Neil Garlock responded to the lobby on report of a fraud. Upon speaking with the hus- To schedule an band and wife, he learned their sons (you may have read about them earlier) had cleaned out the appointment, call family accounts to the tune of about $7K, allegedly via forgery. And, believe it or not, they 651.452.1366 to moved out and so far, are nowhere to be found. Forwarded to investigations. contact Officer Jennifer Fordham. MHPD has a Medication Disposal Box in the lobby of the PD where Dakota County residents can safely and anonymously dispose of their prescription drugs and over -the- counter medication. 4 i i i i i FAMILY — FUN — FRIENDSHIP HIP — FOOD — DANCING — NATIVE AMERICAN AN AFT & CRAFTS I'NM VV4 I _ M 5t Welcome! I I I I I I I I I I I I I Friday,, Sep 1 The 14t'' Annual Welcome Home � v Traditional Wacipi welcome! POW -WOW September 13, 14, 15, 2013 St. Peter's Church Grounds in Mendota, Minnesota 55150 1405 Sibley Memorial Her Ern: Arena Director: Host Drum : Co Host Drum: Men's Head Dancer: Women" Women"s Head Dancer: Spiritual Advisor: Mitch Walking Elk Windy Down Wind Scotty Brown Eyes Little Thunder Birds Nick Anderson Mary So Happy TB Honoring F s Bob Brown &Mark LaPointe 5:05 pm .............. Lighting the Sacred Fire (followed by potluck dinner Saturday,, Sep 1 11:00 am .............Danr Registration 1:00 pm ...............rand Entry 3:30 pm ............... Honoring Ceremony 5:00 pm ............... Dancer Registration 7:00 pm ...............rand Entry 8:00 pm ................... Registered Dan r Payout Sunday, Sep 1 11:00 am ............ Dancer Registration 1: 00 pm .............. Grand Entry 5:00 pm .............. Closing Ceremony & Feast 5:30 pm .............. Registered Dancers Payout $S Entry Button Donation, no one turned away! For more information call 651 - 452 -4141 NO DRUGS, ALCOHOL, FIREARMS, OR PETS ALLOWED Please note: This is a Traditional Pow-Wow not a competition. Sponsored by the Mendota Mdwakantn Dakota Community. mmdc01(racomcast.net www.mend otad ak t co rn Bring lawn chairs .......................................................... ............................... VON p4bml oIr .Y. Ste cep off cer Goa Da � 0 e MYer �@ g LIW J 8 � Daily I find I'm asked questions about Minnesota's traffic laws and what you can and can't be cited for by law enforcement. A few of the more common questions and responses are: Q: Is there a 10 day grace period for my vehicle's tabs? A: Yes. Minnesota state statute 168.09 (4) states that "A vehicle registered under the monthly series system of registration shall display the plates and insignia issued within ten days of the first day of the month which commences the registration period." Q: Is it illegal to drive with no shoes on? A: No. There is no law that requires footwear while operating a motor vehicle in Minnesota. It is recommended for safety reasons but not required. Q: Is there a grace for speeding? A: Primarily No. Minnesota state statute 169.14 does not afford any grace for speed limits. Minnesota State statue 169.14.2(A) allows for drivers overtaking (passing) another vehicle in special circumstances a ten mile an hour grace when the following cir- cumstance are present: Notwithstanding subdivision 2, the speed limit is increased by ten miles per hour over the posted speed limit when the driver: (1) is on a two -lane highway having one lane for each direction of travel; (2) is on a highway with a posted speed limit that is equal to or higher than 55 miles per hour; (3) is overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction of travel. Q: Can I have passengers ride in the bed of my pickup truck? A: No. Minnesota state statute 169.686 specifically states that the driver and all passengers of a motor vehicle must wear a properly fastened seatbelt including a lap and shoulder belt when operation on the roads. There are exemptions for persons with a doctor's note, farm trucks, and other service type vehicles. All occupants must wear a seatbelt when a vehicle is in operation on Minnesota roadways. If you have a question regarding Minnesota traffic or criminal laws please ask the police department or try the Revisor of Stat- utes website at: https: / /www.revisor.mn.gov. 6 stave 2 s2fe We6z!