News from the City of Lake Elmo

April 24 , 2017
 
Monday, April 24: Environmental Committee 5:30 p.m.

Monday, April 24: Planning Commission Meeting 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday, April 25: Public Safety Committee 3:30 p.m.

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

City Meetings
  City Agendas and Minutes
                                                                               


Lake Elmo Fire Department Training
On Saturday April 8th and Sunday April 9th, four Firefighters from Lake Elmo as well as others from throughout the region, attended a twelve hour training course in Auto Extrication. The training sponsored jointly by Century College and the East Metro Public Safety Training Facility, (EMPSTF where it was held) provided firefighters the opportunity to learn the latest techniques and get hands on the latest tools.
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Next week at the Lake Elmo Library

  
For more information please click here  EVENTS




The Cimarron Community



Cimarron is a community of manufactured homes, south of the village on Lake Elmo Avenue and 10th Street. It was developed by the Pemtom Company in 1969. Bob Engstrom was a young man when he worked with Pemtom, who built their "Movillas" at a manufacturing plant in Marshall, Minnesota. The Movillas were constructed with more of an architectural design than other mobile homes at the time. There were 505 units placed in the development that was built with an architectural organization to the whole community. While the Movillas have been replaced with larger and updated mobile homes through the years, Cimarron remains a viable community. Among its amenities are a sewer and water system of its own that was quite advanced when it was put in, a community center, a small commercial area, and a beautiful nine-hole golf course that blends into the landscape around the park. The golf course is open to the public.

A local real estate developer who grew up in Cimarron remembers life there. Jon Whitcomb believes that he became interested in real estate because of living there. Whitcomb likes to create small neighborhoods and restore older buildings. 

He remembers moving to Cimarron in 1975 with his single mom, also recalling rides on his skateboard from home into Lake Elmo to Hagberg's for treats. He was friends with their son Billy. They played hockey together. Mr. Hagberg drove the boys in to St. Marys Point to hockey practice. Whitcomb says, "As I give kids rides to hockey now, I appreciate those rides all the more."

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


(Photo courtesy of " MyMHCommunity.com" website; Cimarron Park & Golf Course - An All Age Community)


  
Lake Elmo Street and Utility Improvements

Work has resumed on the Downtown Lake Elmo Street and Utility Improvement Project.

The following work will occur in 2017:
  • Storm sewer, water, and sanitary sewer installation between 32nd Street and the railroad tracks.
  • Road reconstruction between 32nd Street and the railroad tracks.
  • Completion of sidewalks and landscaping on 30th Street and all areas in the downtown and south of the railroad tracks on County Highway 17 (Lake Elmo Avenue).
  • The final layer of pavement on all roads that were reconstructed in 2016.
  • Any clean-up work, signing, striping, and other miscellaneous work to finalize the project.
Washington County will begin sending out weekly construction updates; as they have over the 2015 and 2016 construction seasons and we will continue to share that information every week in the Fresh.  The current update from Washington County can be viewed here: update.

As in the past, copies of the Washington County updates will be available to pick up at the Lake Elmo Post Office and The Lake Elmo Inn.


Controlled prairie burns planned in Washington County this spring

Washington County Parks is planning to conduct controlled prairie burns this spring at Big Marine Park Reserve, Lake Elmo Park Reserve, St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park, and along County Road 18 between 13th and 18th street.
In addition, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources staff will be conducting a controlled burn at the Bayport Wildlife Management Area.

The controlled burns help preserve prairies and woodlands by encouraging the growth of native plants and reducing unwanted woody vegetation. Ultimately, these burns enhance wildlife habitat, recycle plant nutrients, and improve nectar resources for pollinators.
The controlled burns are planned with the assistance of local fire departments and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. They will occur on a weekday between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. only when weather conditions permit a safe and effective burn. Trained personnel with fire-fighting equipment are on-site until the fire is extinguished. 

For additional information, call the Washington County Natural Resources Coordinator at 651-430-4323. 


Open Book Meetings

I mportant Information Regarding Property Assessments
This may affect your 2018 property taxes
 
Notice is hereby given that the Open Book Meetings for the City of Lake Elmo shall meet on the following dates and locations:
 
Cottage Grove City Hall
Thursday, April 6th, 2017
5:00pm - 7:00pm
Oakdale City Hall
Wednesday, April 12th, 2017
5:00pm - 7:00pm
Woodbury City Hall
Thursday, April 20th, 2017
5:00pm - 7:00pm
Washington County Government Center
Wednesday, April 26th, 2017
2:00pm - 7:00pm
   
Property owners may attend any one of the four regional Open Book meetings.
   
The purpose of these meetings is to determine whether property in the jurisdiction has been properly valued and classified by the assessor.
   
If you believe the value or classification of your property is incorrect, please contact your assessor's office to discuss your concerns. If you are still not satisfied with the valuation or classification after discussing it with your assessor, you may appear before the local board of appeal and equalization. The board will review your assessments and may make corrections as needed.

A copy of the 2017 Washington County Assessment Report may be accessed here: REPORT