HomeMy WebLinkAboutweekly notes August 5th 2022
th
CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS – WEEKLY NOTES for: August 5, 2022
TO: City Council Members& Staff
FROM: Eric Johnson, City Administrator
Zoning & Development Items:
1.No additional Development Applications have been received –
thus far only the Nelson Driveway – curb cut size matter.
2.A City Resident did inquire as to the rules of EBIKES / Scooter
etc. on City Trails.As there is an abundance of options of
these types of unitsit can behard to decipher rules. At this
time, please see the enclosure about use of these on State
Trails.There have been no major issues with these in the City
thus far.
3.Staff did meet with Sigfried Const. relating to their building
concepts for the “BELL PROPERTY” the image shows a
concept office warehouse layout. Staff will be meeting with
th
them again on August 30.
Other Items:
The Norell Project is moving forward…enclosed is the weekly
update.
The Mill & Overlay Project is moving forward…enclosed is the weekly update.
July Police Activity Report – From Chief Hansen& a “Thank You” from some Boutwell’s residents to the City PD for the NITE to UNITE event& a
letter from Sherriff Starry commenting on the positive work of Officer Wynia and their offices’ working relationship.
Three years ago, theCIty Council did provide some correspondence to Sheriff Starry relatingto the release of prisoners from the County jail –
without resources and/or a place to go. See the enclosed letter. At this time,we have receivedsome feedback that there may be some continuing
issues with thisin the immediate neighborhood. Chief Hansen is looking into this matter againwith theSherriff’s Office.
Community Thread has provided a Thank You to the City for its continued support for their work. See Enclosed.
Council Member Dougherty has provideda copy of the DESTINATION ALIGNMENT REPORT from the consultanthired by the Chamber / CVB group to
explore the options and possibilities of a merger of some form and/or shouldtheCVB remain separate. See enclosed.
Mayor McComber Provided
MNDOT State Aid Scene
EMWREP Updates
1 of 51
2 of 51
3 of 51
City of Oak Park Heights
14168 Oak Park Blvd. N Oak Park Heights, MN 55082 Phone (651) 439-4439 Fax (651) 439-0574
Norell Avenue North Improvements
Weekly Project Update #15
For the Week Ending 8/5/2022
What work was completed on the
project this week?
Our roundabout was opened for
traffic. Phase 2 was completed.
th
59St between Krueger Ln. and
th
Discount Tire, as well as 59Street
between Advanced Auto Parts
and Norwich Avewere
reclaimed to prepare for new
road construction.
Topsoil placement and seeding
was completed on finished
areas.
What work is expected for next
week?
In general, there will be minimal work next week. Some electrical and removals may occur on
th
59Street.
Will there beany changes to the traffic detour or access to businessesnext week?
No changes in traffic access will occur next week. Norell Avenue from Highway 36will be open
th
as well as the roundabout and 59St.
th
Phase 3 will include closures at Kruger Ln and Norwich Ave while the remainder of 59St is
constructed. Access via these entrances will be limited or restricted. See the attached map for
business access points.
Where can I get more project information?
For general project inquiries,questions andcomments:
Project Hotline:612-895-5029 – Leave a message with your name and phone number
Or email to - norellconstructionproject@stantec.com
4 of 51
City of Oak Park Heights
14168 Oak Park Blvd. N Oak Park Heights, MN 55082 Phone (651) 439-4439 Fax (651) 439-0574
2022Mill & Overlay andPedestrian Improvements Project
Weekly Project Update #9
For the Week Ending 8/5/2022
What work was completed on the project this week?
th
Thetrail on 58St was graded,and the retaining wall is being put up.
th
The first half of drivewayson 58St were poured on Friday(8/5). These sectionsof driveway
should not be driven on for a week. Use the other half of the driveway.
thth
Paving tookplace on Upper 56St N, Upper 56St Ct N, Omaha Ave N and Omar Ave N on
Wednesday (8/3).
thth
Pedestrian ramps Pedestrian ramps wwere partially ere partially put in at Nova put in at Nova Scotia Ave and Upper 58Scotia Ave and Upper 58St NSt N, , NoNorwich rwich
thth
ParkwayParkwayat Autumn Hill Park at Autumn Hill Park and 58and 58StSt. . on Friday (8/on Friday (8/55)).. DDo not walk on these until cones o not walk on these until cones aare re
removed.removed.
What work is expected for next week?
th
Theflatwork for the pedestrian rampsonNova Scotia Ave and Upper 58St N, Norwich
th
Parkway.at Autumn Hill Park and 58St. will be completed on Monday (8/8)
th
Retaining wall work on 58St will take place next week.
Will there beany changes to accessibility and traffic next week
TH
RESIDENTS SHOULD NOT DRIVEON THE NEW CONCRETE DRIVEWAY SECTIONS ON 58ST
FOR ONE WEEK.
th
There may be a delay to driveways and the road on 58St. The construction crew will
communicate with residents on where to go.
Where can I get more project information?
Our main form of communication regarding this project will be updates posted to the City of Oak
Park Heights Webpageweekly:https://www.cityofoakparkheights.com-
down tab.
For general project inquiries,questions,andcomments:
Morgan Sewell-612-469-3239 orMorgan.Sewell@Stantec.com
5 of 51
2
6 of 51
3
7 of 51
CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS
POLICE DEPARTMENT
14168 Oak Park Blvd. N.,
Oak Park Heights, MN 55082
August 3, 2022
To:Mayor and Council
From: Chief of Police, Steve Hansen
Subject: Police Activity Report July 2022
This overview report is the activity of the Oak Park Heights Police Department during the
month of July of July 2022. Officers responded to and generated 433 calls for service in the
City of Oak Park Heights during this month. Quick Break down for some of those calls for
service include: 78 medicals, 0 fire related, 12 thefts from businesses, 13 vehicle accidents, 10
alarms, 10 disturbances/disorderly conducts, 75 traffic violations, 14 suspicious
persons/vehicles, 5 mental health/suicide threats, 17 welfare checks.
This past month we definitely had a variety of
interesting calls for service which included a small
explosion at the King Plant which caused one
employee severe burns throughout his body. This
th
kicked off a relatively quiet 4of July weekend
though with only 7 complaints of fireworks. We also
responded to the St. Croix Crossing bridge involving
at least 2 males seen standing on the top of the piers.
Officers made access into the structure and were
unable to locate these adventure seekers. Appears
they managed to sneak back out a fenced opening
they had cut previously into under the off-ramp
tub/tunnel near hwy 95. This event opened up
further discussions about first responder responses to
this massive infra structure and safety equipment
th
needed in the future. On Saturday July 30, at the
request of St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office we sent
an OPHPD officer to assist with perimeter down at
the apple river area of Somerset as they searched for
a suspect involved in multiple stabbings.
OPHPD hosted a speed saturation detail that was
grant funded on hwy 36 catching w/b vehicles
crossing into MN. Several agencies participated and
resulted in 30 traffic stops which also included a
passenger in a vehicle fleeing on foot to avoid drug arrest/charges.
th
OPHPD also provided traffic control assistance at hwy 95 at 59 st for the St. Croix Crossing
Half marathon, paid for by the event organizers.
8 of 51
The High School has upgraded their emergency radio frequency signal with boosters installed
throughout the school. Radio system manager Nate Timm from Washington County has
confirmed everything is working well with adequate coverage and radio capabilities for first
responders.
rd
Also, had a 3
vendor come out to city hall and evaluate our security cameras for another
bid/quote on replacement.
The police department also examined and evaluated various pieces of new ballistic protection
consisting of shields, helmets, and plate carriers.
nd
Officers also prepared and organized for the upcoming event of Night to Unite for August 2
again.
Tobacco and alcohol compliance checks were also completed this month by Officers Paradise
and Wynia. Zero failures reported.
Community Outreach:
Administrator Johnson and myself met with the Stillwater School District Superintendent on
th
July 18 at the district offices. We discussed school safety topics, trends, and our current SRO
relationship with the school.
Training:
Officers Hicks, Zwach, Fahrendorff, and Croft attended patrol tactics training for high-risk
incidents. This conducted at the Hero Center in Cottage Grove and presented by SWAT.
Officer Zwach attended a two-day firearms instructor course specific to the new red-dot optics
for handguns.
Sgt. Vierling and Inv. Croft attended a violent crimes summit in Shoreview covering current
trends and criminal activity in the area.
Calls for service Highlights:
1. Officer responded to the king plant for a reported explosion with an employee that was
th
injured. Employee has flash over burns to 50% body, incident occurred on the 8 floor
apparently.
2.Officers responded to the area of east of Osgood for a report of an eight yr old girl that
was autistic and ran from her mother again. She was eventually located by officers.
3. Disturbance call at the Norell av construction zone. Officers responded to the area and
dealt with a homeless man harassing concrete workers on the job site.
4. Officer responded to SW motors for an attempted break in to the key drop box, alarm
sounding.
5. Officers located occupied stolen vehicle at Kwik trip at which time later fled from
th
officers on manning/10 st. Suspects were apprehended after tire deflation devices used
and the pit maneuver. Suspects involved in the break in attempt at sw motors from the
previous day.
6. Officers responded to Farrells body shaping for a suspicious male wearing a blk mask
looking into the closed business.
7. Investigations opened up a criminal sexual assault case involving a statutory rape case
involving employees at a facility in OPH
8. Officers located a male that was wanted by Coon Rapids Police for fleeing, suspect
male tried to hide in the Kwik trip car wash and eventually surrendered. He previously
shot at officers in Coon Rapids doing the same thing after hiding in a carwash bay.
9. Officer responded to the public storage facility for a burglary report of cash drawer
taken from the business office.
9 of 51
10 of 51
11 of 51
12 of 51
August 1, 2022
Eric Johnson, Administrator
City of Oak Park Heights
Dear Friends of Community Thread,
Thank you for your donation of $3,000 to Community Thread. As we reflect on 2021, we are
overjoyed that Community Thread was able to continue its mission of serving our community
and humbled by the generous support of our volunteers, donors, and supporters.
We have two key messages from last year that we would like to share with you. Our first
message is how pleased we were to see everyone working together toward creating another “new
normal” as shown by the increase in direct services delivered to our participants, as well as visits
from older adults who attended social or educational programs. Community Thread served more
people in 2021 than 2020; however, it was only half of the number we served prior to the
pandemic. We are well on our way toward rebuilding our pre-pandemic levels of service as
people acknowledge the importance of staying connected.
The second message is how exciting it was to celebrate setting a new “record” last year. Our
community prides itself on volunteer involvement and Community Thread coordinated the
efforts of over 2,500 volunteers in 2021, equating to nearly $309,000 in labor. These volunteers
were engaged with our organization in many different opportunities, ranging from the Stuff the
Bus school supply drive to serving as special “covid relief” volunteers, assisting the most
vulnerable in our community.
A demand that continues to increase, and has become especially relevant, is the need to help
older adults age in place in their homes and in their communities. At Community Thread, we are
well-positioned to help adults age in place and will fulfill this need with our new model for
programming: Thrive at Community Thread. This expanded service model will help us deepen
our connection with the community and increase our ability to better serve our neighbors for
decades to come.
We appreciate the City of Oak Park Height’s support of our work to help us realize our vision of
a community where all people are engaged, enriched and connected.
With gratitude,
Sally Anderson
Executive Director
13 of 51
14 of 51
15 of 51
16 of 51
17 of 51
18 of 51
19 of 51
20 of 51
21 of 51
22 of 51
23 of 51
24 of 51
25 of 51
26 of 51
27 of 51
28 of 51
29 of 51
30 of 51
31 of 51
32 of 51
33 of 51
34 of 51
35 of 51
36 of 51
37 of 51
38 of 51
39 of 51
40 of 51
41 of 51
42 of 51
43 of 51
44 of 51
45 of 51
46 of 51
47 of 51
48 of 51
49 of 51
50 of 51
51 of 51