2013-09-20 Friday NewsFriday News
Mendota Heights Weekly Report on City Activities
Probationary Firefighters Appointed
On Tuesday, the City Council appointed five
probationary firefighters to the Mendota
Heights Fire Department. The city would like to
extend a warm welcome to Cory Lane, Peter
Madland, George O'Gara, Robert Petrasek,
and David Winge. During this next year, all five
firefighters will be completing their Firefighter
and First Responder training. Welcome to the
team!
Motorboats allowed on Rogers Lake
On Tuesday, the City Council adopted
Ordinance 456 allowing for the temporary use
of motorboats on Rogers Lake for one year.
During this time, the city will have a chance to
monitor the use and any impacts
motorboats may have on the lake.
Motorboat Rules:
=> Motorboats must be 14 feet or less in
length;
=> The motor strength should not be greater
than 5 horsepower.
=> The motorboat must be operated at no
wake" speed at all times; and
=> Operation of a motorboat is restricted to
between sunrise and sunset.
Boaters can enter Rogers Lake from the park
on the south side of Wagon Wheel Trail. For
questions or additional information, contact City
Hall by calling 651.452.1850.
Dates to Remember:
September 24, 2013
Planning Commission 7:00 p.m.
October 1, 2013
City Council 7:00 p.m.
October 8, 2013
Parks Commission 6:30 p.m.
October 9, 2013
Airport 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
NEW S
LETTER
Public Works
Engineering
Code Enforcement
Public Works
-i� The P'ipel'ine
i September 20, 2013
=716
The Parks Crew trimmed trees along the trail on Mendota Heights Road west
of Lexington Avenue and east of SuperAmerica. Areas in front of the public
works garage were seeded. They all attended a safety meeting.
The Utilities Crew finished spraying for broadleaf weeds in Ivy Hill Park.
Valley Park was sprayed for noxious and invasive weeds. A tree was taken
from the Veronica lift station and transplanted at Victoria Highlands Park.
The Streets Crew rented a PAC mower for the bobcat and started cutting
weeds and trees on city owned property off Acacia Boulevard. Weeds were
cut on the corner of Marie Avenue and Dodd Road. A broken hydraulic hose
was fixed on the bobcat's grapple hook. Low trees were removed along the
trail on Mendota Heights Road from Lexington Avenue to Executive Drive.
Brush was also cut down at the City owned lot on Lemay Lake Road and
Bourne Lane. The concrete bunker at the end of Pilot Knob Road was
removed for the Parks Crew.
Engineering
City Projects (construction year)
Dodd Road /Highway 110 Intersection Pedestrian Improvements (2013) -
Construction is nearly complete. The contractor has two concrete pours and
the pavement rehabilitation remaining. The trail relocation is nearly
complete. Traffic impacts are greater than anticipated, but detours are
available to the north along Marie Avenue, or to the south along Mendota
Heights Road. Police are monitoring detour routes. Substantial completion
of the project is expected this weekend or early next week.
Hunter Lane /Orchard Place Neighborhood Improvements (2013) -Curb and
Gutter installation along Hunter is complete and road base grading is
ongoing. Pavement of Hunter can be expected next week. Substantial
completion is expected by the end of September or early October with the
assessment hearing scheduled for the October 1St City Council Meeting. For
more information, please see 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. The contractor will be repairing the punch list
items during the remaining construction season. An assessment hearing is
scheduled for the October 15t" City Council meeting.
Sanitary Sewer Cleaning and Televising (2013) -This project is underway.
The contractor is 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) -
Bidding the project was authorized at the September 17t" City Council
meeting. The force main has broken 5 times in the past 6 years and is in
need of replacement. Construction could begin as early as this fall.
Highway 13 Trail Connection (2013) -City Council accepted easements
necessary to complete construction of the project. Notice to proceed with
construction is anticipated next week and the project should be completed
within a few weeks from the start date. Construction is expected to begin in
early October.
County Projects Construction Year
North Urban Regional Trail (NURT) Realignment /Greenway Corridor -
County staff is progressing on the design of the trail realignment through
the Henry Sibley property. The County Project Manager will be giving an
update to the Parks and Recreation Commission on October 8t ", and to the
City Council on October 15t ". The City of West Saint Paul is planning on
reconstructing Marie Avenue from Delaware to Charlton in conjunction with
the NURT realignment construction in 2014.
Other Activities
Gun Club Lake Watershed Management District (GCLW -Staff attended
the quarterly WMO Board meeting on Wednesday in Eagan. The WMO
Board officially discussed Mendota Heights' request to dissolve the existing
Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) so the City could consolidate all properties in
the City under the Lower Mississippi River WMO (LMRWMO). Mendota
Heights formally requested dissolving the JPA at the September 3rd City
Council meeting and both of the other member cities (Eagan and Inver
Grove Heights) of GCLWMO are intending on doing the same thing in the
coming weeks. CGLWMO would be allowed to continue with a new JPA
agreed to by both Eagan and Inver Grove Heights.
SUPPORT STAFF
Kim Henning
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
SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
- - - - - - - - - - - -
eoow�77
- - 1
i F
0o O
I I
School Shootings, Mass Shootings, Bombings, Natural Disasters, Wars }}
Sometimes the worlds tragic events feel overwhelming and can turn your
world upside down. The media blast often adds to our stress and worry as your body re- j
acts in an attempt to protect you, releasing a variety of emotions. To give your mind and
body a break , maintain your sense of balance and activate your natural coping mechanisms
try the following: I
* Follow a normal routine as much as possible
* Eat healthy meals, being careful not to skip meals or overeat, exercise and stay active,
* Reach out and help others volunteer
I* I
Accept help from others, especially simply talking about your feelings
* Limit time spent on the media blast learn only relevant facts to avoid overstimula-
Michael Shepard tion.
Peyton Fleming g If you find your stress levels unmanageable and you are unable to care for yourself
SCHOOL RESOURCE OFCA or your children, unable to do your job, using alcohol or drugs, feeling sad or depressed for
Jennifer Fordham more then two weeks, and /or thinking about suicide, please, SEEK HELP!
INVESTIGATIONS
Mario Reyes ■
Chad Willson
I
SERGEANTS
Neil Garlock
Brian Convery
Eric Petersen
RESERVES
Randy Pentel
Jim Knox
Jeff Parker
George Castillo
CHAPLAINS
Frances Cuenca
Joel Detlefsen
Lynn Liberman
Butch Millett
Sue Plucker
John Snider
David Wick
CHIEF
Mike Aschenbrener
1
0 0 0 0 9 9 9* * 0 0 9 9* * 0 0 9 9 ** * 0 0 9 9 * ** * 9 9 0 0 0 0 0 & 0 0 0 0 0 4
mgODdtig eldo(fol?gal Chop@ �
In a tragic event, it's our children who, while they may not understand it all, are acutely
aware of and often responsive to the emotions and expressions of the adults around them,
and tune in to tone of their parents voices. The following are a list of the top priorities to
keep in mind when helping your child understand and cope with a tragic event:
I
Provide a strong sense of security. Children need the reassurance that their parents are
doing ell and are full capable of taking care of them. Give extra comfort and physical
g Y p g p Y
affection. They also need to know that people in the government, world and community are
working hard to keep them safe.
I I
Help make children feel more secure. Positive play is the most important thing to keep
children's minds occupied and help them relieve stress. Watch for play involving re-
enactment of the tragic events. They may become clingy, whiny and scared, along with
man other emotions. Positive, confident parents will result in positive and confident
Y p p
children.
Limit scary, confusing images. TV, internet, radio and newspaper messages can be very
I I
confusing and scary for a child. Repetitive sights and sounds of a tragedy can make them
feel anxious and confused as to what is real and what is pretend. Parents should initiate
their own discussion and use your judgment on how much is too much information for your
child. In man cases, it may be enough to simplify it to, "I'm sad about the news but I love
Y Y g p Y
you and I'm here to care for you." We want to let our children know it is OK to have
emotions, to learn how to cope with them and help them find constructive ways to release
I
their energy or emotions.
Sources: www.cdc.gov, www.crisis.org, www.fci.org
�Z
Officers Steve
Meyer and
Todd Rosse
received a gracious
thank you on their
fast response time
from a mother
whose 16 year old
daughter smelled
gas coming from
their home and
called 9 -1 -1.
Turns out there
was a slow gas
leak! Active senses
and fast thinking
led toasafe
Weel In Re��ie «-...
Juvenile Fight
Thursday 2148 hours
RP called in on a group of males yelling at each other in the McDonald's parking lot,
stating the situation was getting heated. Sergeant Eric Petersen responded to the area to
find a group of juveniles who were not willing to talk. Ultimately, it was found that a
male was punched in the nose but the male insisted he did not want to press charges
against the male who had fled the scene. Closed.
Illegal Dumping Thursday 2359 hours
While on routine patrol, Officer Peyton Fleming observed a vehicle pull up next to a
dumpster and soon the vehicle then left. Fleming soon located the vehicle and asked
his purpose in pulling up to the dumpster. The man admitted to dumping a small part
from a dehumidifier into the dumpster. The man was escorted back to the dumpster to
retrieve his part and advised to not return and warned for illegal dumping.
Skippin' School Friday 1143 hours
A local gas station called in to report three juvenile males loitering in the parking lot. A
customer had left something at a gas pump; when the customer left, the juveniles
nabbed it. The clerk asked them to put the item back (a gas cap) and leave; the clerk
received a lot of grief from the juveniles and called the cops; then they decided to leave.
Officer John Larrive responded and was able to locate them and ensured they would
receive school consequences for truancy. Was it worth nabbing someone's gas cap?
Car Surfing Friday 1934 hours
outcome. Sergeant Eric Petersen was dispatched to an area on a report of two kids "car surfing" on
top of a car. All kids fled when they saw the squad car. Cowabunga! We'll catch you on
the next wave!
Remember to
leave your house
before calling 91 I
to prevent
triggering an
explosion.
Please send us your
positive feedback
on our staff to:
pdrecords@
mendota- heights.com
tour feedback is greatly
appreciated and helps boost
the morale o f our staff
2
Dog - No Leash On- Going....
MHPD receives several calls on dogs at the dog park or within the city that are not
leashed. The City of Mendota Heights does require all dogs to be restrained, on a leash,
at all times within the city; City Ordinance 5 -3 -3. Please be courteous; while it may seem
an inconvenient requirement at times for you and your pet, keep in mind that this and
other ordinances help maintain the safety and sense of security our citizens enjoy while
they enjoy our parks and trails.
Bar Fight Sunday 0000 hours
Officer Denise Urmann received a request to call a complainant on an after- the -fact as-
sault at a local bar. The victim apparently wasn't living up to another man's view on bar
behavior toward patrons, and sent him a clearer message by punching him in the eye.
The injured victim, regrettably, was in a hurry to catch his red -eye flight so he made his
complainant call from his cab, stating he wasn't able to stick around. Urmann spoke
with the victim to get a recorded statement from him; however, he was a reluctant vic-
tim, probably because there was an out -of -state warrant for his arrest. He ceased commu-
nications on the topic, outside of sending some pictures a bit later, which were definitely
3
0
o
000
0
not taken at an airport. Evidently, he also missed a court date and now there's a war-
rant waiting for him in Dakota County also. There's almost always more to the story.
Domestic Sunday 2156 hours
Officers Urmann, Petersen, Meyer, Fleming & VonFeldt responded to a home on a call
of a domestic. A mother stated her daughter's boyfriend had broken into her home, her
J'��ts for ht raj
daughter was being assaulted and the house was getting torn apart; the call was then dis-
connected Upon arrival, officers located the victim who stated she had disconnected
"Hoy`- long have you the 9 -1 -1 call for fear her mother would be evicted. The suspect had fled, but he was
been driving without a soon caught. He was a feisty feller, struggling with officers so much that they put
tail light, buddy ?" "hobbles" on him to keep him from flailing about. However, along the way to jail, he
demanded the police- broke free of those and yet another struggle ensued, and some threats towards officers
man. The driver were tossed about as well. He was taken to the hospital for evaluation, but they would-
jumped out, ran to the n't take him; luckily, the jail did. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, officers detected an
rear of his car, and odor of alcohol coming from the injured pregnant victim who was feeling unwell from
gave a low moan. His b ' f g
reg p b b
As-
distress was so great the assault. She was transported to the hospital. Charges for Burg
that the cop was
and Domestic As-
Sault were filed.
moved to ease up on Burglary Sunday 1140 hours
him a bit. "Aw, come
now,
" he said, "you Officer Scott Patrick and Sergeant Neil Garlock were dispatched to a home on a burgla-
don't have to take it so ry. The homeowners ensured doors were locked but didn't set the alarm. Upon arriving
hard. It isn't that back home, they noticed doors were now unlocked and it appeared items had been gone
serious." "It isn't ?" through. It was found that two tea sets went missing. Under investigation.
cried the motorist.
"What happened to Potty "Break" Monday 1010 hours
my boat and trailer ?"
Officer Scott Patrick was dispatched to a theft call. He arrived at a trail where the victim
waited. She tole him stopped to take a quick potty break and in the few minutes she
A father in a hurry, was gone, her car was broken into and her purse was stolen. Several items were taken.
taking his 8-year old Under investigation.
son to school, made a
turn at a red light, Ex- Trouble Monday 2048 hours
where it wasn't A family called for a assistance with their son's ex- girlfriend who was drunk and being
allowed. "Uh -oh, I disorderly toward the new girlfriend. Upon arrival, Officer Shepard soon learned noth-
ust made an illegal
turn!" he said. "That's ing physical occurred, just loud, rude behavior. The son was a reluctant witness, as he is
OK, Dad," his son not a fan of government or cops. But once Officer Shepard calmly indicated he under -
replied. "The police stood that and just wanted to handle the problem, cooperation was provided. The ex-
car right behind us did girlfriend was given a ride to detox and he listened to her rant the whole way. Let's just
the same thing." say we're not surprised by her behavior, nor was the staff at detox.
Creepy Monday 2417 hours
Brought to you by:
www.angelfire.com A man came into the City Hall carrying a wooden cross requesting to speak to someone
important. He was advised that there was no one to speak to. He then left the building
with his cross. Amen.
TP Tuesday 0143 hours
While on routine patrol, Officer Steve Meyer observed two vehicles near the Village of
MH without headlights on. He made contact with them to find 5 juvenile females,
0
Don't (P nn ,
FORGET! 000
dressed in black and out after curfew. The teen driver had a provisional license which
(31 limits the number of allowed passengers. When asked where they were headed, they
stated, "A friend's house." When asked what they were doing out so late, they stated
they were participating in junior /senior wars and had been out toilet papering. These
wars, in the recent past, have proved costly for some homeowners. Meyer removed 5 of
If you are a Mendota the passengers; while removing the toilet paper in the rear hatch, he located the sixth
Heights resident and juvenile female, hiding. All of the teens were staying overnight at one of the girl's hous-
you are going out of es who was being babysat while the parents were out of the country. Upon arrival to
town /vacation, you pickup the girls, the 23 year old babysitter saw nothing wrong with it either, even after
can notify MHPD of learning her charge was the one found hiding under toilet paper in the trunk. After all,
your outing and we she had approved the adventure for all the girls. No TP needed for tears here... none of
will be more than the parents when notified seemed to be too concerned with the situation either and they
happy to keep a were allowed to back to with the babysitter to finish the sleepover. All were given cita-
watchful eye on your tions for curfew violations, and most received an extra seatbelts charged. The driver also
home while you are received two provisional license violations for driving un- seatbelted passengers and hav-
away. The House ing too many passengers.
Check Request online
form is available on Impersonating Police Officer Tuesday 2244 hours
our website; we Officers Meyer, Rosse and Shepard were dispatched to a local bar /restaurant on a call of
have similar forms in a man flashing a badge, impersonating a police officer. A week prior, this same male
the MHPD lobby and came into the restaurant in a karate uniform, got into an altercation and was asked to
we will take your info leave the bar. The man was soon located outside the restaurant (not too many karate
over the phone. uniforms around at midnight). When approached about the allegations, he at first de-
nied them then stated he is an instructor at a Karate business and admitted to flashing a
security badge. He is not a security guard nor is an instructor at a Karate business. He
MHPD offers monthly does handle security, though, at a local residence where there have been frequent com-
car seat safety checks. plaints of burglars in the attic. He was advised of the severity of showing a badge and to
To schedule an
appointment, call not come back to the bar /restaurant.
651.452.1366 to Make It Stop! Wednesday 0728 hours
contact Officer An elderly male was turning his vehicle into a local gas station when he turned in front
Jennifer Fordham. of another vehicle, causing a collision. That didn't stop him though, as he then drove
into the parking lot, striking yet another vehicle that was waiting to exit the lot. And still
he kept going, driving into a new awning that was waiting to be put up at the gas station.
MHPD has a That finally stopped him right in front of the store door. Driver Evaluation and cita-
Medication Disposal y PP b
Box in the lobby of
tion completed by Officer John Larrive.
the PD where Dakota Nosy Neighbor Wednesday 1210 hours
County residents can Sergeant Eric Petersen and Officer John Larrive res onded to a home on an ongoing
g P b b
safely and neighbor dis ute. U on arrival the met with the com lainant who stated she was very
anonymously dispose b P P y P y
upset about the neighbors continuing to tap into her phone line and listening in on her
of their prescription
drugs and over -the-
conversations. She mentioned Comcast had come to the home to check the lines but
counter medication.
find nothing wrong. She then got upset about the young boy who had just started
screaming next door; officers listened but heard nothing. She was then transported to
the hospital on a Health & Welfare Hold.
4
Too KU polm��ed 8 .
L 117 • 1 c off' .Y.
ichael icer
o 0 0 M � Shephar`,
"That cop was hiding behind a bridge pillar looking for speeders- that's entrapment!"
Contrary to popular belief, we can (and do) hide while enforcing traffic laws. We're most successful at
seeing people drive as they normally do when they don't know a cop is in the area. Entrapment is
defined as: law enforcement inducing or encouraging a person to commit a crime when that person
would not have committed that crime without said encouragement. So, unless the cop who gives you a
ticket is also sitting in your front seat yelling, "Punch it! We need more tasty pastry items before
Grandma's closes," an entrapment defense won't work for you!
"That cop didn't have any lights on while running radar- the law says that they have to have
parking lights on to run radar!"
In Minnesota, there is no law that requires police vehicles to have any lights on while running
radar. Once again, people tend to drive their version of "normal" when they don't know we're there.
We hide because it works!
"That cop gave me a speeding ticket and refused to let me see the radar- I'll get off of this for
sure!"
When we stop a driver for speeding, there is no requirement that we show that driver our radar
unit. Most officers will not show a driver the radar for a multitude of different reasons related to officer
and violator safety. You will never argue your way out of a ticket on the side of the road- but you can
certainly argue your way into one! The time to dispute a ticket is in the court room, not on the
shoulder of the road! Calling an officer a, "donut eating, Fargginay (bacon cologne) scented, swine"
probably won't convince them to let you off with a warning. Remaining calm and civil if you are pulled over
will go over much better, both with the officer and in court.
Remember, we're simply doing our job—law enforcement.
,Y