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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2017 VOL. 35 NO. 48 www.presspubs.com $1.00
CIRCLE PINES: Moves forward with 2018 street and utility project PAGE 13
Hearing indicates opposition to apartment project BY PAT ZEITNER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
LEXINGTON — More than 50 residents crammed into City Hall Sept. 12 during the Planning and Zoning Commision's public hearing concerning Dinkytown Rentals' proposed 120-unit, five-story apartment building. The structure would be constructed on land situated between DuWayne Avenue and Syndicate Avenue. Strong emotions were apparent as neighbors poured into Council Chambers with documentation, petitions and a sincere desire to keep their neighborhood as it is. Tim and Karen Lee Harmsen, residents of Circle Pines and owners of Dinkytown Rentals, were at the meeting to present their proposal, along with their architect, civil engineer, landscape architect
and builder. Interruptions and questions began early as Ken Piper of Tanek, the project architect, took the residents and the commission through a Powerpoint presentation illustrating the building and surrounding area. Commission Chair Chris Olsson and Attorney Kurt Glaser more than once asked everyone to let Piper finish before asking questions. Piper explained the water table issues that limited how deep the parking garage could go and its design. Plans depict a roundabout similar to the one in the Village in Circle Pines. He went on to display preliminary drawings of a 62-foot tall, 116-unit complex with two elevators. The 116 units would be comprised of 31 studio, 55 one-bedroom, SEE DUWAYNE APARTMENT, PAGE 11
TANEK I SUBMITTED
The proposed apartment building, named “The Ephesians at Lexington”, looking south on DuWayne Avenue. The roundabout is shown in this illustration. A single family home would border the lot line on the other side of the building, and another directly across the street.
Lino Lakes looks into body cameras BY SHANNON GRANHOLM EDITOR
LINO LAKES — The Lino Lakes Public Safety Department is delving into the possibilities for body-worn cameras for its officers. The topic was recently discussed at the City Council’s Sept. 5 work session. Public Safety Director John Swenson said the department has looked into the technology for many years, and was waiting for the Legislature to provide more guidance. Now that there is a state statute (626.8473) that provides guidance and specifies requirements for the technology, Swenson said there is no better time to implement it. “It really put us on a solid footing to make some really good, informed decisions,” he explained. Mayor Jeff Reinert said, “We have one of the best if not ‘the best’ Department of Public Safety out of any city in the state. This is not just an opinion, we have data and awards to back that statement up.” He added, “There is a lot of negativity toward police officers these days and groups that unfairly accuse police of wrong doing. I support the use of body cameras because I believe it not only protects our officers from false accusations, but will also give a true record of all activity and provide evidence in cases that need to be prosecuted.” The technology is nothing new; however, as with all kinds of technology, it has improved over time. Swenson recalls first having discussions with vendors on body-worn cameras 10 years ago. At the time, the cameras required the officer to wear a second belt to hold the camera battery. “Earlier on, some of the technology wasn’t quite there and now it has really evolved and there are several quality products out there that we are
SHANNON GRANHOLM | PRESS PUBLICATIONS
A group of offenders at the Lino Lakes Correctional Facility attend a graduation ceremony Tuesday, Sept. 19 for the Prison Fellowship Academy.
Program aims to break cycle of incarceration BY SHANNON GRANHOLM EDITOR
LINO LAKES — Eighteen offenders who will soon leave the Lino Lakes Correctional Facility are now equipped with the necessary life skills,
positive relationships and faith to be successful outside of prison walls. The facility celebrated the 15th anniversary of its association with the Prison Fellowship Academy with a graduation ceremony Tuesday,
Sept. 12. The are currently 164 offenders in the Lino Lakes program and 40 more are scheduled to join the program in a few weeks. “When people come together SEE PRISON FELLOWSHIP, PAGE 12
SEE BODY CAMERAS , PAGE 9
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