2011-02-04 Friday NewsFriday News
Mendota Heights Weekly Report on City Activities
February 4, 2011
Commission Interviews
The City Council will interview 14 residents
who have applied to fill seven open city
commission seats on Wednesday, February
16, 2011. Due to a number of unique
circumstances there are no incumbent
commissioners returning to any of the seven
seats. The vacant seats exist on the Planning
Commission (two full terms and one partial
term), Airport Relations Commission (two full
terms and one partial term) and the Parks and
Recreation Commission (one full term). After
the council interviews all of the candidates
they will select candidates to place on each
commission and make their formal
appointment at the city council meeting
scheduled for Tuesday, March 1, 2011. A big
thank you goes out to these 14 residents, plus
one who had to withdraw after submitting his
application, for their willingness to serve on
one of our commissions. Your desire to serve
the city is very much appreciated.
Active Living Dakota County
On Friday morning, Jake Sedlacek attended
an Active Living Forum hosted by the
American Cancer Society. The purpose of the
forum was to share with our state legislators
all the work that has been done in the county
around creating opportunities for people who
work and live in the county to get out and be
active. The State of Minnesota current offers
funding for active living initiatives in
partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of
Minnesota. Locally, participation in Active
Living Dakota County has helped staff to kick
off a comprehensive trail planning initiative
and provided access to grant opportunities.
Variance Legislation in Jeopardy
The bill that would reinstate city variance
authority and clarify county and municipal
variance statutes to lessen the likelihood of
future litigation, has reached a point of
impasse. The League of Minnesota Cities and
many other government organizations
supported the proposed legislation. A group of
opponents, led by the state auto dealers and
the state chamber of commerce have stated
they will only support a version of the bill
opposed by local government. The area of the
bill at issue continues to be over clarification of
local government authority to impose
conditions on the granting of a variance. The
League will continue to work with the bill
authors to try and resolve this issue so a bill
can more forward for consideration
Mendota Heights City Hall
1101 Victoria Curve
www.mendota- heights.com
(651) 452 -1850
February 4, 2011 j
1
Page Two
February 4, 2011
Condolences
Our thoughts and prayers are with two of
our city family members who experienced
the loss of family in the past week.
Sergeant Neil Garlock lost his sister Lisa
Garlock - Stushek on Saturday, January 29,
2011. Lisa's funeral was held on Thursday
of this week. Our thoughts and prayers are
with Neil and his family.
City Councilmember Liz Petschel also lost
her mother -in -law Lorraine Petschel on
Tuesday, February 1, 2011. Lorraine's
funeral was held on Friday. Our thoughts
and prayers go out to Liz and Ken Petschel
during this difficult time.
If there is anything we can do for either of
you please let us know.
Swans on Rogers Lake
Resident Ira Kipp sent in the picture below
of Trumpeter Swans who have taken to the
open water near the aerator on Rogers
Lake. Staff does not anticipate the swan
population to catch up to the turkey
population any time soon.
Dates to Remember
February 8, 2011 6:30 p.m.
Parks and Recreation Commission
Meeting
February 9, 2011 7:00 p.m.
Airport Relations Commission
Meeting
February 15, 2011 7:00 p.m.
City Council Meeting
February 16, 2011 4:00 p.m.
Commissioner Interviews
February 22, 2011 7:00 p.m.
Planning Commission Meeting
.m.
Attachments
The Pipeline, Just the Facts, Dakota County Sheriff
"The Front Row ", Thank You from Resident, Lisa
Marie Garlock = Stushek Obituary
February 4, 2011
N E w s The Pipeline � o LETTER � J
Public Works
Engineering
Code Enforcement � February 4, 2011
\ �o/
Public Works
The Parks Crew plowed the cul -de -sacs, parking lots, rinks and pedways
after Monday's snow storm. They helped the Streets Crew clean off bridge
decks. They continue to flood the skating rinks.
Rich plowed the middle area of the city for the Streets Crew. He also
plowed and shoveled all lift stations.
The Streets Crew came in early on Monday morning to plow all streets.
They had another early start on Tuesday morning to plow all the streets.
John Ambrose welded a broken strap that holds the oil tank on the parks
groundmaster that is used for sweeping the skating rinks. Snow was
pushed pack on Kay Avenue and Walsh Lane area. Pedways were opened
on Mendota Heights Road at Pilot Knob Road. Mailboxes are being repaired.
Engineering
Stormwater Ordinance Amendments - At their February 1St meeting, Council
passed several minor Ordinance Amendments to both Title 11 and Title 12
of the City Code in order to clarify definitions between Zoning, Wetland,
Critical Area, and Stormwater Management Ordinances. The amendments
were heard by the Planning Commission at their January 25th meeting and
the Commission unanimously recommended approval of the amendments.
The amendments will be codified following the mandatory publishing period.
Wagon Wheel Trail Reconstruction - Staff has scheduled the follow -up
neighborhood meeting for Wednesday, February 9th from 6:00 to 7:30 at
City Hall. Staff will have preliminary plans available and will be working
one -on -one with residents to resolve specific issues with the individual
parcels along the project route. This project is anticipated to be under
construction in early summer 2011 with substantial completion by the end
of September 2011.
Minnesota 2050 Project - The Public Works Director attended a meeting of
the leadership and organization team for the public education project.
Minnesota 2050 is a statewide program to raise public awareness and
provide public education as to the need to rehabilitate and maintain our
State's (and Nation's) infrastructure. The Minnesota committee has already
booked time on Twin Cities Public Television (TPT) Channels 2 & 17 to air
the documentary from the national program (produced by Penn State
University), and is working on producing a State specific companion
documentary. The 2050 project is aimed at publicizing the need for
communities to focus on water systems and water quality, sewer systems
(both sanitary and storm), roads, bridges, railways, and airports as the key
components to transportation and the economy. There will be much more
to come on this project in the coming months.
Future Cities Competition - The Public Works Director and Assistant to the
City Administrator were invited back to Friendly Hills Middle School to meet
with local media covering the success of the school's Future Cities
Competition team. Mendota Heights Patch.com and Insight 7 are both
doing stories about the team, which was awarded the Engineering
Excellence Award for their futuristic city "Skye Valley." The Future Cities
Competition is held every year for 5th _8th grade students, and it stresses the
importance of land use planning and infrastructure development. The scale
model of the city, along with the award plaque, is on display in the main
entryway of Friendly Hills Middle School.
State Aid Needs Updated - Mendota Heights receives Municipal State Aid
(MSA) money each year to offset construction and maintenance costs of
some of its high traffic streets. Recently, MnDOT transferred title work to
existing frontage roads along Highway 110 and Highway 55 (Centre Pointe
Curve, Lemay Lake Road, Victoria Curve and Mendota Road) to the City. To
help offset future reconstruction and maintenance costs, the city is asking
MnDOT add these streets to our needs list, while removing some existing
designated routes (Delaware Avenue, Emerson Ave and Decorah Lane). The
city is only allowed 20 percent of total mileage to be supported by state
funds. This change will allow the city to gain greater financial support for its
existing roadway network.
Delaware Avenue Reconstruction - The Dakota County design plans are
being reviewed by MnDOT. As a requirement of the MNDOT funding,
Delaware Avenue will need to be designated as a no parking area. Staff is
preparing an Ordinance to add Delaware Avenue to the areas of no parking
allowed in the City, and it is anticipated that the Ordinance will be before
City Council at the February 15th meeting.
T`ie latest Ae4a f Pf", the Nea,, Pt,* #ei9lits�alice �epart�+ext
The
Mendota
Heights
Police
Department
Support
Staff
Kim Henning
Sandie Ristine
Susan Donovan
Cathy Ransom
Becky Pentel
Police Officers
Jerry Murphy
Scott Patrick
John Larrive
Bobby Lambert
Tanner Spicer
Todd Rosse
Chad Willson
Jeff VonFeldt
Jennifer Fordham
Denise Urmann
Michael Shepard
Peyton Fleming
School Resource
Officer
Steven Meyer
Investigations
Mario Reyes
Tanner Spicer
Sergeants
Neil Garlock
Brian Convery
Eric Petersen
Reserves
Randy Pentel
Gino Messina
Jesse Mettrier
Andrew Quinlan
Chief
Mike
Aschenbrener
2/4/2011
fJ
Brrrrrrr ..... Saturday 1300 hours
MJ
On Saturday, Officer John Larrive (seen in mid -air above)
participated in the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics. The White
Bear Lake location kicked off the 2011 season of plunges that are
all law enforcement organized, with proceeds all going to SOMN.
There are 12 more plunges around the state left, so you can still
participate, it is not too late O John said it was "not that bad" and
plans on participating again next year. Any takers to join him? His
team of plungers raised just over $2000! Way to go John!
Assault Wednesday 1615 hours
Officer Scott Patrick responded to a call of a fight in the parking
lot at the local shopping area. Upon arrival he found a minivan
sitting in the middle of the driving lane. The call had been placed
by a passerby who didn't stay to provide any information. The
female half of the altercation was still present. She had injuries
to her face and a cut finger. Sgt Convery arrived on scene
shortly after that and it was learned the minivan would stay in the
middle of the road until someone found the keys in a nearby
snow bank. In speaking with the female she was very
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2/4/2011
uncooperative but did relay that she needed to go pick up her son and the other half
of the problem had walked away. The problem started when the boyfriend spilled hot
coffee and became upset. Subsequently, she got punched in the face, the keys went
flying and the boyfriend walked away. Sgt Convery found the keys and the "victim"
was not cooperative.
Found Property Thursday 1318 hours
A resident brought envelops with utility bills to MHPD. She informed Officer Fordham
that she had found the mail open, minus the checks lying on the side of the road.
There was no one at the residence so she brought them to the PD. The victim was
contacted and stated she had put the mail out on the 15th. She will call the bank to
stop payment and monitor the account. Unfortunately she is likely to have problems
for some time to come. NEVER EVER PUT YOUR MAIL IN THE OUT GOING BOX
WITH THE STEAL ME FLAG UP.
Theft of Gas Friday 1205 hours
Employee at local gas station reported that a W /F, 57', 150lbs, brown hair driving
MN# 455PA a white Chrysler pushed the pay inside button pumped $40.02 worth of
gas and drove away. Officer Patrick was not able to locate the car the RIO is a black
male and there is no phone number listed for the man. The store video of the theft
was placed into evidence and the case was referred to investigations for follow up.
Fraud Tuesday 1325 hours
A potential victim came to MHPD to report a $1100 transaction on their checking
account that was not authorized. They had already called the bank to report the
incident and were told it was an illegal use of the routing number for the check. They
were provided the name that was on the check and the name of the company where
the money was moved too. Officer Fordham gathered all of the information and
began crossing checking the names until the case was assigned to Investigator
Tanner Spicer. In a short period of time, he learned that the victim and the suspect
banked at the same bank. The suspect had received a check from the party whose
signature showed on the fraudulently routed check. Some further checking verified
the two were at the bank at approximately the same time. Further investigation
showed they used the same teller, in back to back transactions. Unfortunately, or
fortunately, after a few hours of phone calls, office visits and checking, the problem
simply was that the two checks stuck together as they went through the machine at
the bank. Case closed.
DWI Wednesday 0226 hours
Officer Peyton Fleming's attention was drawn to a small car traveling at a high rate of
speed with what appeared at first to be no lights on. When he clocked the car he
learned they were speeding, 78 in 55 zone, and they did have headlights just no tail
lights. The car was stopped and Officer Fleming made contact with the driver and
could smell alcohol. He asked the female driver where she was coming from and she
replied, "work ", which was a group home. He asked twice if she had been drinking
and both times she replied no. She was asked to do SFST's which she did not pass
the last one was the PBT which she blew a .175 BAC. At that point Officer Fleming
was preparing to run her driving status and the woman decided to come clean. She
admitted she had been drinking at a friend's house and she had been arrested for
DWI in November 2010 and her driving status was currently revoked. At MHPD, she
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2/4/2011
was read the MN Implied Consent Advisory and decided that she would like to
contact an attorney. The phone was made available and after a half an hour she
advised that she was refusing to provide a test until her attorney arrived. After a
reasonable amount of time was granted and she did not submit to a test she was
transported to the Dakota County Jail. As of the end of shift, no attorneys called or
stopped at MHPD to have the woman provide a test. Charges Pending for DWI,
Driving after Revocation and Refusal to Submit to a test.
Theft Wednesday 1326 hours
Caller reported to Officer John Larrive that they were missing their security cameras
from their gas station. They viewed the recorded video of the theft and unfortunately
the suspects were not identifiable nor was the car. The thieves took three cameras
valued at $500 each. It is unknown if the thefts were related to the fact that they steal
gas or the thieves are setting up video surveillance at other locations. No similar
incidents reported around MH at this time.
Public Assist/Medical Wednesday 1438 hours
Officer Lambert responded to a local long term care facility to assist nursing staff with
an 85 year old male who was "stuck" in the shower chair. One of two male
"appendages" became lodged in the hinge of the chair and the staff was unable to lift
him up off the chair to create space in the hinge to dislodge this body part. Officer
Lambert helped by lifting the man up while the nursing staff relieved the pressure.
The man decided that he did not need to be transported to the hospital but did admit
that it was extremely painful and that area was going to be pretty tender and sore for
a while!
County -wide Homeless Survey Thursday 1400 hours
Thursday of last week, Officer John Larrive and Investigators Tanner Spicer and
Mario Reyes assisted Dakota County by helping conduct a survey regarding the
homeless population of the county. MHPD officers made contact with the one known
homeless person that is known to reside in Lilydale Regional Park. The party was
identified and stated that he does not like to think of himself as "homeless" because
he chooses to live this way. He was very cooperative and demonstrated his
hospitality by showing the officers around his "house" which is nestled into the bluff
overlooking the river. He described his view as a "million dollar view ". Assistance to
the county for their grant application successfully completed O
Theft of Gas — Solved!! Tuesday 0915 hours
The gas drive -off epidemic continues as officers are still taking numerous reports
weekly, however, Officer Scott Patrick tracked one down this week. A local gas
station employee was able to follow the suspect vehicle long enough to get very
accurate direction of travel and vehicle information. The suspect must have known
he was being followed so he left the vehicle at the Northern Service Center and was
able to blend in to the crowd. Officer Patrick towed the vehicle (used in the
commission of a crime and had stolen property inside of it) and it did not take long
for the owner of the car to call the police department wondering why her vehicle was
towed and how she could get it back. She claimed to not know much about the
person using her car at the time of the incident but after several conversations it was
discovered that the man was her husband. He eventually came in and gave a
confession. He was issued a court date for theft of gas.
Aare a pwt m e4r I XII,
— 3 —
Volume 6, Week 33
January 18, through
January 23, 2011
Dan Hoover
Katie Hoover
Muhammed Jackson
Cheri Johnson
Blair Jones
Joshua Loahr
Lucio Marquez - Zazueta
Raul Mascorro
Darin McGowan
Shawn McMenomy
Frantz Moise
Al Ochocki
Julienne Oppong
Audra Rawlings
Cartier Russell
Tom Schneider
Regina Shepherd
Phil Simpson
Sara Steinhoff
Kent Themmes
Mariann Warner
Anthony Welin
Christine Winfrey
Greg Wisher
Programs Staff
Loren Hanson
Hal Palmer
Questions?
Comments?
Please contact the
Dakota County Sheriffs
Office at 651.438.4700
or any of the following
by email:
dave.bellows@
co.dakota.mn.us
julie.ecker@
co.dakota.mn.us
DAKOTA COUNTY SHERIFF
The Front Row
°.4 firom t row seat t0 the grreatest SNOW Orw Garth... �'
Dave Bellows, Sheriff
Tim Leslie, Chief Deputy
Assistants Betsy Winter, Jamie Maiser, Jennifer Harrington, Molu Jolly, Mary
McPhetres, and Holly Ruiz, and Sergeant Jodi Rolloff for all their efforts this past
year.
Computer "Mouse "...
Detective Coreen Kulvich, in her role as our resident
expert in computer forensics, handled an interesting
case this past week. A local police department dropped
off a computer related to one of their investigations for
Coreen to analyze. Upon opening the computer in order
to remove the hard drive, she found an empty mouse
nest. While Mickey and "the club" had already moved
to a new location, they did leave what could best be
described as "the remains of the day." Undaunted,
Coreen carried on and we did not hear a squeak from
her.
Get Well Soon...
To Correctional Deputy Al Ochocki, as he continues to recover from hip
replacement surgery.
q
M�RgL ,
d Time Sery
/,Artwork
by q
Correctional Deputy
Joe Engesser
Click here to subscribe to this newsletter electronically.
Page 2
Volume 6, Week 33
January 18, through
January 23, 2011
Featuring Sheriff's
Jail Staff.
Commander
John Grant
Captain
Brad Jeska
Correctional
Lieutenant
Lawrence Hart
Correctional
Sergeants
Scott Fuchs
Kathy Reineke
Jodi Rolloff
Chuck Stemig
Ben Verby
Correctional
Corporals
Ryan Fitzgerald
Deb Fyten
Damion Giles
Sheila Hamilton
John Heger
Virginia Jones
Gary Millbach
Lisa Peterson
Correctional
Deputies
Craig Altendorfer
Vallie Bissonette
Tim Bowman
Farrel Byrd
Anna Caughey
Stacy Cress
Russell Crissman
Mike Curry
Joe Engesser
Ryan Fitzhenry
Tim Fletcher
Daniel Forrey
Mandy Fredrickson
Tchad Guckin
Kelvin Hannah
Jerry Hanson
Adam Henry
Milfred Holmes
Mike Holzemer
DAKOTA COUNTY SHERIFF
The Front Row
uA f'roktt row seat to the greatest show ow Garth...,,
Dave Bellows, Sheriff
Tim Leslie, Chief Deputy
Where's A Cop When You Need One?
It's safe to assume a 21- year -old man from St. Paul was not reciting this phrase when
Sergeant Dan Bianconi stopped to help him last week. You see, the man's car (we
use that term loosely) was stalled on Vermillion Street when it was spotted by
Sergeant Bianconi, who stopped to help him out. Upon observing Dan getting out of
his squad, the man promptly ran from the area. Clearly, this is not the normal
response of someone with car trouble, unless the car just might not belong to them.
A phone call to the registered owner confirmed the fact the car was an unreported
stolen from St. Paul. Owner and car were reunited, as were Sergeant Bianconi and
our 21- year -old man from St. Paul, who was found a short distance away. After he
was taken into custody, he was given an "all expenses paid" ride to the Dakota County
Jail and booked on charges of auto theft and driving while impaired.
Behind the Bars,..
Over the past week the jail held an average of 246 inmates in custody per day. This
represented a slight increase from the week before.
For the year 2010, inmate bed days totaled 96,213, or an average of 264 per day
throughout the year. Compared to 2009, this was a 3.5 percent decrease for the
year, or approximately nine inmates less per day.
10000
9000
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7000
6000
5000
4000
3000
2000
1000
0
Immnto Rarl r)avc =2009 2010
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
We Want You...
In 2010, members of the Warrants Division entered a total of 5,603 new warrants
for the year. This included 1,507 felony warrants, 848 gross misdemeanor, and 3,248
misdemeanor warrants. Compared to 2009, we experienced a decrease of slightly
less than two percent. We want to acknowledge the work of Program Services
113t
-LAI
Lisa Garlock - Stushek Obituary: Lisa Garlock - Stushek's Obituary by the Star Tribune. Page 1 of 1
Lisa Marie Garlock - Stushek
Center, in particular Dr.
866 -6711
Garlock - Stushek, Lisa Marie Age 44 of Minneapolis passed away on her 44th birthday at the Univ of
MN Medical Center on January 29, 2011 surrounded by her family. Memorial mass will be on Thursday,
February 3. Visitation beginning at 12 noon. Service following at 1 pm at St. John the Baptist Catholic
Church, 12508 Lynn Ave S. in Savage, MN. Interment will follow at St. John the Baptist Cemetery in
Burnsville, MN. She was preceded in death by her father Neil W. Garlock, Sr. and mother Leona M.
Garlock (nee Wismar). She is survived by stepmother Karen Garlock and siblings Lora (Michael)
Madole, Neil (Mona) Garlock, Jr., Leslie (Jeff) Ferguson, Terri (Steve) Gonsior, 11 nieces and
nephews, 5 great nieces and nephews, and many caring relatives and friends. Lisa was born in Mason
City, IA, graduated from Prior Lake Senior High. Lisa held many positions specializing in accounting.
Lisa will be deeply missed by all that knew her. Special thanks to ICU 4A at the Univ of MN Medical
John Reich and the wonderful nurses and staff who cared for Lisa for 21 days. Twin Cities Cremation 612-
Published in Star Tribune on February 1, 2011