News from the City of Lake Elmo
February 9,  2018
Meetings next week:

Monday, February 12th: Planning Commission Meeting 7 :00 p.m.

**Note: Next week's City Council Workshop has been canceled**

Links to the 2017 City Meetings, Agendas and Meeting Minutes: 

City Meetings
 
                                                                               

City Council Meeting Summary

At their regular meeting on Wednesday, February 7, 2018, the Lake Elmo City Council:
  • Tabled the Wyndham Village Subdivision Sketch Plan Review & Comprehensive Plan Amendment
  • Tabled the Legacy at North Star Preliminary Plat and PUD Plans
  • Approved ordinance amendments to allow short term rentals
  • Approved the Final PUD and Conditional Use Permit for Fairfield Inn
  • Approved amendments to the solar ordinance
  • Approved amendments to the wind generator ordinance
  • Approved Cooperative Agreements with Washington County for the CSAH15/CSAH14 Realignment
  • Approved the job description and advertising for a Finance Director
  • Approved an amendment to the Personnel Policy to allow Substitute Firefighters
 
On the consent agenda the Council:
  • Approved Payments and Disbursements
  • Approved an Extension of the Comcast Cable Franchise Agreement
  • Approved Leo A Daly for a building fit test/analysis of the Brookfield building
  • Approved Old Village Ph3 Street & Utility Improvements - Change Order No. 4.
  • Approved Old Village Ph3 Street & Utility Improvements - Pay Request No. 6.
  • Approved Private Development Security Reductions - Easton Village 2nd and Easton Village 3rd.
  • Approved 5th Street North - Resolution Authorizing MnDOT to Perform Speed Zone Study
  • Approved Non Profit Donation Policy
  • Tabled Drug Testing and Drug Free Workplace Policies
  • Tabled Service Agreements with Industrial Health Services Network
  • Tabled the Chicken Ordinance



Mountain Biking in Lake Elmo

The Stillwater high school mountain bike team has approached the City with an ambitious team building and community involvement project.  Their proposal consists of constructing a little over 2 miles of mountain bike trails throughout Reid Park for local residents as well as the mountain bike team to enjoy.  The Stillwater Area Scholastic Cycling Advocates (SASCA) have volunteered to provide labor and materials necessary for the trail construction.  

If you would like to learn more about the proposal or possibly donate to their cause we encourage, and welcome you to attend the Parks Commission meeting on February 21st in the Council Chambers at  City Hall 3800 Laverne Ave. N.  The meeting will  start at 6:30 PM.       



Stillwater Messenger Newspaper Notices for the shores of Bass Lake / Lake Elmo

(Stillwater Messenger, dated July 6, 1877) 

"The excursion to Bass Lake under the auspices of St. Michael's church (Stillwater) was largely attended, upward of 500 persons being present. As we have previously remarked this is one of the most delightful pleasure resorts in Minnesota. The lake is not as large as many others, but it large enough for all practical purposes. It is well provided with sail and row boats, while the buildings and conveniences on shore are first class. Our Catholic friends passed the day at this point in a most enjoyable manner. The ladies provided a splendid dinner together with various refreshments, the sale of which added a handsome sum to the funds of the church."

(Stillwater's Messenger, of May 1, 1880)

"A small notice announces: "Elmo Lodge, that delightful summer resort at Lake Elmo (note new lake name), eight miles from this city (Stillwater), will be formally opened for the season on the first of June." The first elegant hotel on the lake was called the Park Hotel, and then later renamed Elmo Lodge."

Source: Memories of Lake Elmo, collected and authored by Gloria VanDemmeltraadt.

(The Stillwater Messenger covered news of the St. Croix River Valley, with an emphasis on the town of Stillwater. Publication on September 15, 1856 in Stillwater, Minnesota. The paper operated through several changes of ownerships and publication names until it finally closed its doors in 1950.)



Lake Elmo Rotary's Kindness Campaign

"Great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us every day." 
- Sally Koch
 
Last month we looked for ways to be kind while shopping. We are happy to report that many people found opportunities to return someone's cart, hold open a door, let someone go in line ahead of them, acknowledge/converse with store staff and smile at strangers. We're off to a great start!
  
Happy February! In the spirit of Valentine's Day, this month we embrace loving acts of random kindness. Join us by sending a Valentine's card to someone you haven't connected with in a while - it's sure to be a day brightener! Pass along a little unexpected love by paying for someone's purchase in the drive through line - this makes the drive through attendant's day special as well! Cards are available at City Hall so...Tag, you're it!



Always remember...kindness is contagious!

 
Learn how to snowshoe at Lake Elmo Park Reserve Feb. 10
Experience snowshoeing at Lake Elmo Park Reserve beginning at 9:30 a.m. Feb. 10.

The program is sponsored by DIRO Outdoors. Explore the park's rolling hills, woods, and prairies, and experience what makes snowshoeing such a great winter activity. Snowshoes are available for all ages and sizes.

Class size is limited; registration is required. Online registration is available for $10 for each adult ages 15 and older, and $5 for each youth ages 14 and younger, which includes equipment. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Dress for winter outdoor activity. 

Parking is available in the Eagle Point Trailhead lot; lessons will meet at the Eagle Point Trailhead kiosk. There will be a portable toilet onsite. The Nordic Center is across the park road with bathroom facilities, and other amenities, including Wi-Fi and an outdoor fire pit available to the public. The trails from the Nordic Center trailhead are for cross-country skiing only at this time.

Close attention will be paid to weather conditions with notifications to registrants sent out with a 24-hour notice. Lessons will cancel in case of inclement weather, including storms and/or wind chill temperatures at -10°or lower. An option to reschedule will be offered should this happen. Call the Lake Elmo Park Office at 651-430-8370 for more information.

A park permit is required, $7 daily or $30 annually. Lake Elmo Park Reserve is at 515 Keats Ave. N.
In Lake Elmo. Follow Washington County Parks on social media @WashCountyParks.           

Guided morning bird hikes continue with Feb. 10 hike at Lake Elmo Park Reserve
A rotating schedule of bird hikes throughout Washington County Parks will continue with a hike 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 10, at Lake Elmo Park Reserve.

Learn to identify the birds that call the St. Croix Valley home and contribute to citizen science data collection by completing bird count surveys with the guide. The surveys collected will assist the county's Natural Resources team and related work in conjunction with the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Fund grant. 
It is a one-hour guided hike. Meet at the Nordic Center Foyer, with parking at the Nordic Trailhead Lot.

For Washington County park locations, see www.co.washington.mn.us/parks. Under park locations, find a county map with park contact information; search "guided bird hikes" on the county website for more information.

The hikes will traverse turf, gravel, and paved trail depending on trail conditions. Participants should bring binoculars and dress for hiking and the weather. This program is free with a parks vehicle permit ($7/daily or $30/annually) and is open to people of all ages and abilities. ADA accommodations can be made as needed. All minors must be accompanied by an adult.
 
For questions, call 651-430-8370 or email parks@co.washington.mn.us   .  For more Washington County Parks programs and events, see www.co.washington.mn.us/parks .  Follow Washington County Parks on social media at @WashCountyParks.

Volunteers Needed!


Finance Committee:
To aid the City Council in the administration of financial operations of the City of Lake Elmo through the review of financial policies, the monthly review of financial statements, the annual review of the audit report and the review of the annual operating budgets.


Human Resources Committee:
The Human Resources Committees purpose is to aid the City Council in the administration of personnel policies and staffing through productivity audits, human resource policies, & procedures, wages & rate administration, benefit review and disciplinary procedures


The City of Lake Elmo is accepting applications from residents interested in serving on these committees.  

Information on each committee and an application form can be found under the "Government" tab on the City's website:  www.lakeelmo.org

Celebrate winter skies with a celestial show at Lake Elmo Park Reserve Feb. 17

Make the stars your old friends while watching the great winter celestial show in the skies over Lake Elmo Park Reserve 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, with meteorologist Mike Lynch.
Participants will start off with an indoor orientation at the Nordic Center, followed by time outside under the heavens. Get to know Orion the Hunter, Gemini the Twins, Taurus the Bull, and many more. The group will use large reflecting telescopes, including two giant reflector telescopes that are among the biggest mobile telescopes in the upper Midwest, for close-up views of the moon, star clusters, nebulae, galaxies and other celestial treasures.

Learn about basic celestial photography. Weather permitting, the group will also use a new astronomical camera-telescope for views of the more distant universe.
Participants will receive a handout package with star maps and constellation charts, apps, websites, and a telescope-buying guide.

Lynch has been a meteorologist and broadcaster at WCCO Radio for nearly 40 years and has been hosting star watching and astronomy programs for more than 45 years. He is the author of the book "Stars, a Month by Month Tour of the Constellations" that will be available for purchase. Glow-in-the-dark star and constellation shirts will also be available for purchase.
Even if it's cloudy, participants will learn a lot, and get a Mike Lynch "Cloud Check" for a future Minnesota/Wisconsin Starwatch program.

This is a free program; however, a vehicle permit is required, $7 daily or $30 annually. Follow Washington County Parks on social media @WashCountyParks.           
  



Winter Parking Ordinance Reminder: It's Not Just at Night

The City of Lake Elmo Winter Parking Ordinance states: It shall be unlawful for any person to stop, stand or park any vehicle or trailer or permit the same to stand on any street or alley within the city between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. from November 1 until March 31 of the following  year. Parking is also restricted at any time that snow accumulation equals or exceeds 2" or more until the street is cleared of snow.

The winter parking ordinance does not apply to private streets (marked with a blue street sign), only to public roadways.


Council to Consider Updates to Chicken Ordinance
At the February 7th meeting, Council tabled the consideration of updates to the residential chicken ordinance until the February 20th meeting.  The proposed changes that will be discussed during the next meeting would increase the number of chickens allowed, and change the permit terms from one year to two.