2011-03-04 Friday News
March 4, 2011
March 4, 2011
The Cost of a Snowy Winter
With all of the snow this winter and its
tendency to fall on weekends and holidays
staff was asked to share some information on
how this winter is impacting the budget.
Through the month of January alone the city
had spent 65% of the overtime budget in the
Streets Department and 31% of overtime in
the Parks Department. The two budgets that
pay our snow plowing staff. February
produced just as much snow as January
including a significant amount over Presidents
Day weekend. In addition to man hours, the
city has also experienced a number of
equipment breakdowns that have made it
more difficult for our staff to get their work
done in the expected timeframes. Two plow
trucks broke down during the Presidents Day
storm and one truck was damaged after it hit a
large boulder in the right of way in January.
All of these repair and maintenance costs
come out of the city budget as well. While we
thank our Public Works crew for their efforts
above and beyond this winter season, staff will
also be looking at options with the budget to
deal with the increased overtime costs.
Historic Pilot Knob
On Monday, Jake Sedlacek met with staff from
Great River Greening (GRG) and
representatives from Pilot Knob Preservation
Association to discuss the status of the
restoration work at historic Pilot Knob. GRG
staff reported that the restoration is going
well—in several areas, the restoration is ahead
of schedule. Throughout the second phase of
the site there are areas where more intensive
work is required to eliminate invasive plants.
The group discussed how the site is becoming
more popular as a destination, creating more
need for site amenities, including the parking
lot which is budgeted for 2011. It will be an
interesting balance as we move from
restoration operation into welcoming visitors.
Congrats
A big congratulations go out to Mendota
Heights Police Department officers Jen and
John Larrive on the birth of their son last
week. A healthy Nathan John was welcomed
into the family by mom, dad and big brother
Nicholas. Congratulations on the birth of your
son Jen and John. We all look forward to
meeting Nathan and to having you back to
work in the very near future. Welcome to the
Mendota Heights family Nathan!
Friday News
Mendota Heights Weekly Report on City Activities
Mendota Heights City Hall
1101 Victoria Curve
www.mendota-heights.com
(651) 452-1850
March 4, 2011
Attachments
The Pipeline, Just the Facts
March 4, 2011
Dates to Remember
March 8, 2011 6:30 p.m.
Parks and Recreation Commission
Meeting
March 9, 2011 7:00 p.m.
Airport Relations Commission
Meeting
March 13, 2011
Daylight Savings Time
March 15, 2011 7:00 p.m.
City Council Meeting
March 22, 2011 7:00 p.m.
Planning Commission Meeting
Page Two
Business Interest
On Tuesday of this week David McKnight
and Jake Sedlacek visited the Minnesota
Department of Employment and Economic
Development at their request.
Representatives from a renewable energy
school are looking for a location to open up
a new branch of their organization. The
school prepares its students for work in the
renewable energy industry. David and
Jake discussed Mendota Heights and the
many features that make it an attractive
home for many successful businesses.
Representatives from the school had a
number of questions about Mendota
Heights.
Thanks for Your Service
Three long time Mendota Heights
employees will be leaving us in the next
month. Lambert Derks, Paul Kaiser and
Linda Shipton are leaving the City of
Mendota Heights after a combined 90 years
of service. Lambert and Paul will be retiring
while Linda will be moving on to a new
opportunity. With that much experience
leaving our organization in the same month
we look back upon your years of service
and how much the city has changed in your
time here. Thank you to each of you for
your efforts in making this a great city to live
and work. Congratulations to Lambert and
Paul on your retirements, enjoy your new
found free time. Good luck to Linda in your
new position as well. We will miss all three
of you and the dedication that you have
brought into the workplace each day. Best
wishes to each of you in the years ahead!