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Lakeville

www.SunThisweek.com SPECIAL SECTION

A Division of ECM Publishers, Inc.

May 6, 2016 | Volume 37 | Number 10

Propane leak caused food truck explosion Investigation officially closed by Laura Adelmann SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE

Summer Sensations Inside this edition is a special section that includes a calendar of summer events for the six cities the newspaper covers. Inside this edition

OPINION Met Council changes afoot Columnist Don Heinzman says that changes to the Met Council’s structure are likely after the 2016 legislative session. Page 4A

THISWEEKEND

A food truck explosion last March that damaged several homes in Lakeville was caused by a propane gas leak, according to a State Fire Marshal investigation. Investigator Bruce McGlaughlin’s recent report documents details of the Motley Crews Heavy Metal Grill food truck explosion that occurred at 11 p.m. Friday, March 6, 2015, at owner Marty Richie’s Joplin Path home. According to the report, three cooking griddle control knobs were left in the “off � position, but their three propane gas

Marty Richie’s house where his food truck exploded propelling debris as far as 500 feet and damaging as many as a dozen homes nearby. Neighbors said they felt the explosion from miles away. (File photo) controls were all found to be in the “on� position following the incident. A propane gas manifold valve supplying the griddle was also found in

the “on� position. The report stated the doors to the truck were left unlocked and Richie and his girlfriend, Lisa Caufield, were away from

home with friends at the time of the blast. Richie’s daughter, Samantha, was at home in the basement when the truck exploded. She was driven to Fairview Ridges Hospital where she was evaluated and released. The report said there were no injuries caused by the blast. A neighbor across the street in his garage when the truck exploded told investigators said he did not notice any odor, flameball or smoke prior to or during the explosion. Richie told investigators he had spent the day prepping the truck for a Saturday afternoon event, cleaning it and filling its undercarriage propane tank at the Lakeville Marathon station at around 5

Taste of Lakeville expanding Annual adult event features food, drink, music SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE

Classic funny business The Mel Brooks musical comedy “The Producers� is coming to the stage of the Lakeville Area Arts Center. Page 19A

SPORTS

SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE

Lakeville Rotary, in partnership with Lakeville Liquors, will throw the 14th annual Taste of Lakeville celebration at the Lakeville Area Arts Center on Thursday, May 14 from 5-9 p.m. The adults-only fundraiser event features music, food, beverages and auction items. (File photo) terhouse, Carbone’s Bar Lakeville Liquors, Angry An online silent auc& Grill, FireHouse Grille, Inch Brewing and Bacar- tion will be held during Green Mill and Buffalo di’s. the event with bidding Wild Wings. A live auction starts at available for patrons using A variety of spirits, 7:30 p.m. and features five their personal technology wine and beer, including items, including a signed devices. craft beers, from eight Carlos Santana guitar. Two different raffles businesses will also be of- The net proceeds from the will be held this year. The fered. Lakeville businesses live auction will help fund first offers chances to win offering beverage samples renovation of the Land of See TASTE, 14A include the city-owned Amazement playground.

Pollinator garden planned in Lakeville by Laura Adelmann SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE

After some early spring rain, Lakeville North and Lakeville South high schools’ sports teams are reveling in the sun. Page 12A

INDEX Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . 4A Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . 12A Public Notices . . . . . . 14A Classifieds . . . . . . . . . 15A Announcements . . . . 18A

General 952-894-1111 Display Advertising 952-846-2019 Classified Advertising 952-846-2003 Delivery 763-712-3544

District OKs $2.6 million for roofs, remodeling, repairs by Laura Adelmann

Bees are on the way Spring sports welcome sun

See TRUCK, 8A

Bids came in under budget

by Laura Adelmann Visitors can expect more at the annual Taste of Lakeville community celebration May 19. While the annual adults-only community celebration will still be at the Lakeville Area Arts Center, the 5-9 p.m. event will be expanded and offer two stages with live musical entertainment: singer/ songwriter David Hudson indoors and popular Twin Cities entertainer Tim Mahoney outside. For the advance-purchase cost of the $35 per person ticket, free allyou-can-eat food, wine and beverage samples will be offered from dozens of Lakeville-area restaurants. Participating Lakeville businesses include Applebee’s, Barley + Vine, Brackett’s Crossing, Por-

p.m. Heather Keske, the employee who filled the tanks, reportedly told investigators she had filled Richie’s food truck tank 50 times before, and when she fills it the tank valve is turned off. She said she was unable to open the tank bleeder valve, which was unusual. Keske said she did not notice any leaks during or after the fill. She told investigators she unhooked the fill line and did not open the tank valve or see Richie open the valve. Richie said he parked the truck at his home, plugged in a 50 amp electrical service cord and turned on the truck circuit breakers to power refrig-

She said several Rotary members became excited about the project and were able to obtain grants from other Rotary clubs to match the Lakeville chapter’s grant. The garden will be surrounded by multi-use trails. Clusters of potted native flowers and planted shrubs will be installed to enhance the native habitat, and signs will be installed to inform the public about the benefits of pollinator gardens. Located near Parkview Elementary, students will be able to walk to the site using trails without having to cross any roads. Hennen said the garden is far enough away from homes that it should not create any problems with bees for neighbors or people at the beach. Council Member Doug Anderson said he liked the educational opportunities the garden will provide, and Mayor Matt Little suggested city staff find other places for such gardens. “I think this fits with our overall plan to get rid of a lot of the just open green space that’s not used,� he said. Lakeville will oversee the garden’s long-term maintenance, an estimated annual expense of $450-$600.

With a donation, grants and its own $1,000 investment, the city of Lakeville will build a pollinator garden at Valley Lake Park this summer. Slated to be located east of the shelter at the park, the 8,000-squarefoot garden will be stocked with native plants that bloom throughout the year and attract bees, butterflies and other pollinators essential to the ecosystem and food crops. Site preparation has already started, and Lakeville Parks and Recreation Director John Hennen said the garden will be installed in June, working with an organization like Prairie Restorations and volunteers including Lakeville Rotary and the Boy Scouts. The garden is also being funded through a $5,000 Vermillion River Watershed Stewardship Grant and an $8,000 donation from Lakeville Rotary. Lakeville Rotary President and City Council Member Colleen LaBeau said the Rotary’s district governor recently addressed the group regarding the importance of establish- Laura Adelmann is at laura.adelmann@ ecm-inc.com. ing pollination gardens.

Bids for multiple projects at several Lakeville Area Public School buildings came in almost $600,000 below projected expenses. District 194 School Board members approved spending approximately $2.6 million for major maintenance projects at five Lakeville schools at its April 26 meeting. Cost estimates had been budgeted at an approximate total of $3.1 million, according to Michael Baumann, District 194 executive director of business services. Projects include $1.2 million to replace the roof at Century Middle School and $293,400 for remodSee REPAIRS, 9A

Mark Ulfers receives $115,000 in settlement Former CDA executive director will release all claims against the agency by Tad Johnson

“My family, friends and colleagues have been amazing and never wavered in The Dakota County their support,� Ulfers told Community Development the newspaper this week. Agency and its in“I could not be surance provider more fortunate and will pay the CDA’s blessed to have so former execumany people believe tive director of 38 in me.� years $115,000 in Ulfers’s terminaexchange for Mark tion, which the CDA Ulfers’s full release says was for cause, of claims against Mark Ulfers was effective May the CDA as part of 12, 2015 — 60 days a settlement agreeafter Ulfers received ment that was reached in notice that the CDA Board arbitration. approved the termination at The CDA Board, which its March 3 meeting. includes all members of the Ulfers and the CDA County Board, approved Board’s insurance carrier on April 19 the agreement, Chubb Group entered mewhich brings to a close more diation March 10 in Minthan a year-long dispute as neapolis when they agreed the CDA accused Ulfers of to resolve Ulfers’ claims on workplace harassment and mutually acceptable terms, he denied those charges at according to the CDA. the time of his termination The former executive diand later during a 30-minute rector sought arbitration, address to the board during a name-clearing hearing. See ULFERS, 8A SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE

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