News from the City of Lake Elmo

News from the City of Lake Elmo

January 12, 2018

Meetings next week:

Tuesday, January 16th: City Council Meeting 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, January 17th: Parks Commission Meeting 6:30 p.m.

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

City Meetings

City Agendas and Minutes

Notice: City offices will be closed on Monday January, 15th in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

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.

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.

Reminder: The City's planning and building departments are now located across the parking lot to the Brookfield building located at 3880 Laverne Ave. N. Moving forward, City Hall will only be used for meetings.

Lake Elmo Library joins Washington County Library system

The Washington County Library system marked a renewed partnership with the Lake Elmo Library on Jan. 1, 2018, when the library officially joined the county's library system. The connection signals a new chapter for both the local library branch and the county's library system. For Lake Elmo Library patrons and users, inclusion in the Washington County Library system expands the amount of materials available to checkout, access to a large selection of useful databases, an instant connection to digital resources, and many programs and events to attend.

Lake Elmo Library will be closed until Jan. 20, 2018, while work is performed that makes it possible to operate the library within the county's library system. During this closure, Lake Elmo users can get a library card at any of the other Washington County Library locations (Oakdale Library and Wildwood Library are the closest in proximity to Lake Elmo). The new library card will allow them access to materials at all other Washington County Library locations during the closure, as well as digital materials available through WashCoLib.org.

A grand re-opening celebration is planned for 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.

Following the re-opening on Jan. 20, Lake Elmo Library's regular hours will be:

Mondays 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Tuesdays 12 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Wednesdays 12 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Thursdays 12 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Fridays 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Saturdays 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Sundays Closed

Lake Elmo's Pre-contact (before 1650) Archaeology

There is potential for finding intact pre-contact and contact period archaeological resources throughout undisturbed portions of Lake Elmo, including agricultural fields. The degree of potential depends on the natural conditions of the land and sources water sources. At present there is only one undisturbed pre-contact site in Lake Elmo, an Indian burial mound found on the Krueger Tree Farm. Other likely sites for pre-contact archaeology are the shoreline of Lake Elmo and what we now know as County Roads 14 and 15 (previously Highway 5). Before being a highway, this road was a wagon road and a trapper's trail. Before Fort Snelling was built, it was likely an Indian trail and an animal trail.

Generally, in Lake Elmo, ground disturbance has greatly diminishes the potential for finding intact pre-contact archaeological resources. The development of transportation corridors such as Stillwater Boulevard and construction of commercial and residential properties, and the shoreline of Lake Elmo have compromised opportunities to find artifacts, though some isolated parcels of lakeshore and open land still exist.

Note: Largest among undisturbed Lake Elmo land parcels is found in Sunfish Lake Park. It is the largest undisturbed parcel of an Oak Savannah ecosystem in Washington County. This landscape is marked by a series of hills (end moraines) that have grown into open grasslands studded by mature oak trees.

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.

(One of the oldest trails in Minnesota was the Stillwater Trail used for transportation between Stillwater and Fort Snelling. What we now know as County Roads 14 and 15 became part of the Yellowstone Trail, the original road linking the East and West coasts. The original path for this road is also considered to be one of Lake Elmo's pre-contact artifacts.)

Lions Park is Skate Ready!

The rinks at Lions Park are now skate ready as of January 5th. There is also a portable restroom available for skaters.

Lake Elmo Rotary's Kindness Campaign

Lake Elmo Rotary's 2018 Kindness Campaign:

We see a need...the need to make impact with kindness. We believe that kindness is contagious and good for us and inspiring consequences really do spiral when we do simple, compassionate acts for others without expecting anything in return.

"Every act of kindness is like a pebble thrown in a pond sending out ripples for beyond where the pebble entered the water. When we are caring and kind to our neighbors, our actions send rings of kindness that spread from neighbor to neighbor to neighbor." Angela Artemis

Anaheim's Million Acts of Kindness

With the help of City Staff and Mayor Pearson, we are excited to launch an official "Kindness Campaign" at the n ext week's Lake Elmo City Council meeting on January 16th. Stay tuned for more information about how you can join Lake Elmo Rotary in making 2018 an amazingly different year for yourself and others.

Public Hearing Notice

There will be a public hearing to consider a moratorium on comprehensive plan amendments on Tuesday, January 16, 2018, at 7:00 PM at the Lake Elmo City Hall. The full notice can be read here .

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.

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.

2018 Park Reservations Begin Jan. 9

Camping reservations begin online for Washington County campgrounds including Lake Elmo Park Reserve on Tuesday, January 9 at 8:00 AM. Create your account here, so you're ready for opening day: Online Reservations . Phone Call/in-person reservations will be accepted beginning January 16, 2018.

Also on January 9, Pavilion Reservations open for the 2018 season. Please call the Lake Elmo Office at 651-430-8370 to make your reservation.

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.