News from the City of Lake Elmo
January 19,  2018
Meetings next week:

Monday, January 22nd: HR Committee Meeting 4 :00 p.m.
Monday, January 22nd: Planning Commission Meeting 7 :00 p.m.

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

City Meetings
  City Agendas and Minutes
                                                                               

City Council Meeting Summary

At their regular meeting on Tuesday, January 16, 2018, the Lake Elmo City Council:
  • Approved Payments of Disbursements and Payroll
  • Tabled the Wyndham Village Subdivision Sketch Plan Review & Comprehensive Plan Amendment until February 7th
  • Directed Staff to Prepare a Resolution Approving the Legacy at North Star Preliminary Plat and PUD Plans with the recommendations presented as amended
  • Approved a Moratorium on Comprehensive Plan Amendments
  • Directed Staff to Prepare a Contract with Chase Peloquin for Assessing Services
  • Approved the Purchase of 3880 Laverne Ave N and directed staff to begin preparing financing through the Economic Development Authority
  On the consent agenda the Council:
  • Accepted December 2017 Assessor's Report
  • Accepted December 2017 Public Works Department Report
  • Accepted December 2017 Building Department Report
  • Accepted December 2017 Fire Department Report
  • Approved Community Room Use Agreement for Lake Elmo Library
  • Approved Cooperative Agreement Payment No. 4.
  • Approved Private Development Security Reductions - Southwind; Easton Village 1st; Savona 3rd & 4th.
  • Boulder Ponds 1st Addition - Accepted Improvements.
  • Approved Cooperative Maintenance Agreements for Traffic Signal Systems at CSAH15 and CSAH10; and at CSAH15 and CSAH14 -Resolution 2018-005
  • Approved Contract for Landscape Architecture Services
  • Approved Revised 2018 Regular Meetings Calendar
  • Approved Therapeutic Massage Premises Permit - Boon Massage and Wellness Center, 11200 Stillwater Blvd. Suite 102
  • Approved Fire Department Training Contract with Dakota County Technical College
Stay Informed with the CodeRED Emergency Notification System

Do you want to know when an emergency takes place near your home? To learn more about the CodeRED Emergency Notification System, and to sign up visit:  https://www.co.washington.mn.us/1826/Code-Red .





Lake Elmo Library Grand Opening Set for January 20th

Join us for the Lake Elmo Library grand re-opening celebration Saturday, Jan. 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Refreshments will be served during an open house, and visitors will have the opportunity to meet staff. A ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. to mark the renewed partnership between Lake Elmo Library and Washington County Library. 

 

Lake Elmo's Post-Contact Archaeology

Post Contact maps are divided into two time ranges: between 1650 and 1837; 1837 and the Post-1837 period. The earlier period does not offer much change. Examination of Trygg maps, a series of regional maps that show the conditions and historical features of the area recorded during original land surveys. These maps only show the road between St. Paul and Stillwater that appears to follow the same route as Stillwater Boulevard North.

The Post-1837 sources show multiple documentary sources.

The first major source was the Washington County plat map from the 1874 Andreas Atlas of Minnesota, showing several structures, a road, and a railroad in the project area. The road is not named but it appears to follow the same route as the road between St. Paul and Stillwater on the earlier Trygg map, and the Stillwater Boulevard North road. The railroad lies south of the road, running parallel to the road, but maintains a straighter trajectory as the road veers sharply north. It clearly follows the same rail line that is present today. The road and railroad pass between Sunfish Lake and Bass Lake (now Lake Elmo), with a south-side railroad depot marked "Bass Lake Sta." A residence is marked just east of the railroad depot and labeled "A. Wier." The depot and house are located in Section 13 on the map. To the west in Section 14, two residences are marked; a house between the road and railroad tracks is labeled "P. Stolt," another north of the road is labeled "J. B. Lohmann." The marks of a church and a public school just north of the church, are located near the present day junction of Stillwater Boulevard North and Manning Avenue (the junction of County Highways 14 and 15).

The 1901 Northwest Publishing plat map of Oakdale Township shows the same road and rail line as the 1874 Andreas plat map. The church and school at the junction of Stillwater Boulevard North and Manning Avenue are again marked. There are additional details on the 1901 plat map, such as several distinct rural parcels with landowner names and marked residences. For example, the entire 160 acres of the SW quarter of Section 12, immediately northeast of the city of Lake Elmo, is labeled "Evergreen Farm", its owner labeled as "Jno Schneider." The 1901 plat map also shows the city platted into three distinct parcels labeled "Elmo," Lake Elmo," and "Elmo Residence Park." Sunfish Lake is not depicted on the 1901 plat map.

The Swain plat map, dated 1926, shows that most of the platted blocks of "Elmo" north of Stillwater Boulevard North in the NE quarter of Section 14 were vacated. The road and railroad tracks remain, and the church and school near the junction of Stillwater Boulevard North and Manning Avenue are still present. Few residences are marked on the Swain plat map, although parcels are labeled with owners' names. Like the 1901 plat map, Sunfish Lake is not depicted on this 1926 map.

Source: Lake Elmo Village Area Final Alternative Urban Area-wide Review (AUAR). Prepared for the City of Lake Elmo, the format organized by the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board (EQB), May 5, 2009.
(The first Washington County plat map that offered great detail was the 1874 Andreas Atlas of Minnesota, showing several structures, a road, and a railroad.)


Precinct Caucuses are February 6th: Find Your Caucus Location

Find your 2018 caucus location by visiting the caucus finder at:  http://caucusfinder.sos.state.mn.us. Remember, your caucus location may be different than your Election Day polling location.  If you have any further questions, please reach out to Washington County at: 651-430-6790.

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.


Enjoy winter with guided fitness hike at Lake Elmo Park Reserve Feb. 1

Explore the Washington County Parks trail system with guided fitness hikes in 2018. The one-hour hikes involve a warm-up and fitness challenges along the way.

The next hike will be 9 to 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 1, at Lake Elmo Park Reserve.

The one-hour hikes involve a warm-up and fitness challenges along the way. Trails are a mix of turf, gravel, grass, snow and pavement depending on trail conditions, time of year and location. Plan to arrive 10 minutes early. If light rain, hike will go on as scheduled. The program is for those ages 13 and older. All minors must be accompanied by an adult.

All guided fitness hikes are at the Lake Elmo Park Reserve Thursdays from 9 to 10 a.m. and will meet at the Nordic Center. The Fitness Hike March 1 will take place at Pine Point Park. The 2018 schedule is:
  • Feb. 1
  • *March 1- Pine Point Park
  • April 5
  • May 3
  • June 14
  • June 28
  • July 12
  • July 26
  • Aug. 9
  • Aug. 23
  • Sept. 6
  • Sept. 20
  • Oct. 4
  • Nov. 1
  • Dec. 6
These programs are free with a parks vehicle permit ($7/day or $30/annual) with the exception of Free Tuesdays. Follow Washington County Parks on social media at @WashCountyParks.
Lake Elmo Rotary's Kindness Campaign

"We don't have to engage in grand, heroic actions to participate in the process of change. Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world." - Howard Zinn
                                                               
  It's official! Mayor Pearson has proclaimed 2018 to be "Random Acts of Kindness Year" for Lake Elmo. This first month we invite you to join us in doing random acts of kindness while you are shopping. Take a minute to look for opportunities to connect with someone - notice a cashier's name tag  and thank them by name, look around for someone unloading their bags and offer to return their cart for them, smile at other shoppers... you get the idea!



Here's the fun part - we have "Tag You're It" cards to give to recipients as you surprise them with kindness. The card is a way of inviting others to "pay it forward" and do a random act for someone else. Cards will be available at City Hall and at local businesses in the coming month. Lake Elmo Rotarians are excited to be "tagging" others and we'd love to hear what you do as well. Please share random acts you participate in as the giver, observer or recipient on our website:  www.lakeelmorotary.org
 
Always remember...kindness is free!
 
15th annual WinterFest set for Jan. 20 at Lake Elmo Park Reserve
Cross-country ski lessons, fat tire bike demonstrations, snowshoeing demonstrations, and Soup Coupe food truck will all be part the 15th  annual WinterFest 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, at the Lake Elmo Park Reserve. Everyone is welcome to this free event.

Skiers and Fat tire bikers must pre-register with the Ride and Glide XC Ski Club. All equipment will be provided. All levels of skiers and bikers are welcome to register; they must be at least 14 years old. XC ski lessons and fat tire bike demonstrations will be available at 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. Register for a time in advance at  www.rideandglide.org (Select Lake Elmo Clinic). Free classic and skate ski equipment will be provided by Joe's Ski Shop and the Ride and Glide Ski Club. Fat tire biking equipment and demonstrations will be led and provided by Now Bikes and Fitness. Before or after the lessons, relax in the Nordic Center and catch the latest professional ski races on the 80-inch TV.

WinterFest will also offer free snowshoeing for the family. All ages are welcome to try this activity. Snowshoe the rolling hills, woods, and prairies of Eagle Point Lake. Register in advance with DIRO Outdoors to reserve your snowshoes for a specific time, or take your chances - walk-ins are welcome, too. Check-in at the DIRO tent near the Eagle Point Trailhead (across from the Nordic Center Trailhead) with an ID; arriving 10 minutes before the top of every hour is recommended.Winter Bowling will also be available  at Eagle Point.

 

Also, The Soup Coupe will be at the event selling hot soup and wraps for lunch. All event participants should plan to arrive 15 to 20 minutes early to sign in for a desired time and get fit for equipment. Come dressed for outdoor activity. All skiers 16 years and older will need a MN Ski Pass ($6/day or $20/annual). All park guests will need to possess a valid Washington County Parks vehicle permit ($7/day or $30/annual). The ski pass and vehicle permit are both available for purchase at the Lake Elmo Park Contact Station at the park entrance.


 

The park is open for skiing from 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. All ski guests may access 10 miles of groomed cross-country ski trails and 5.5 miles of LED lighted trails from dusk to 9:30 p.m. from the Nordic Center Trailhead.

Snowshoers, hikers and dog walkers will be directed to the Big Bluestem multi-use trail from the Eagle Point Trailhead. 

 

The Nordic Center and Eagle Point Trailheads have ample parking. The Nordic Center features indoor tables and seating, WiFi, restrooms, lockers, changing stalls, a water refill station, indoor fireplace, outdoor bonfire pit, ski racks and ski waxing stations. The Eagle Point Trailhead will host a portable tent with wood-burning stove and nearby portable toilets. Hiking and snowshoeing are not permitted on groomed ski trails.

Lake Elmo Park Reserve is at the intersection of County Road 19 and County Road 10, one mile north of Interstate 94 in Lake Elmo.

 

For more Washington County Parks programs and events, see www.co.washington.mn.us/parks .

Follow Washington County Parks on social media at @WashCountyParks.
Please call the Lake Elmo Office at 651-430-8370 to make your reservation.
Lake Elmo awarded Certificate of Achievement 

The Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting has been awarded to the City of Lake Elmo, MN by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR).  The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.

An Award of Financial Reporting Achievement has been awarded to Lake Elmo's Finance Department as they are primarily responsible for preparing the award-winning CAFR.

The CAFR has een judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive "spirit of full disclosure" to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the CAFR.

snowy-sidewalk.jpg
Keep the Roadways Clear!
According to State Statute 160.2715, it is unlawful to obstruct any right-of-way, or deposit snow or ice thereon. Please do not deposit any additional snow or ice into the roadways when clearing your property.
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

Lights are turned on for night hiking at Lake Elmo Parks Reserve

The lighted trails at Lake Elmo Park Reserve have been turned on from dusk until 9:30 p.m. each evening for hikers, until the trails are being groomed for the ski season, depending on snowfall.

Once ski trails are groomed and opened, all winter hikers and walkers will be directed to the Big Bluestem multi-use trail. This trail does not have lights and is open until sunset. 

For current trail conditions, follow Washington County Parks on social media @WashCountyParks  or call the park contact station at 651-430-8370.