News from the City of Lake Elmo
September 7,  2018
Meetings next week:
 
Monday, September 10th: Planning Commission Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, September 11th, City Council Workshop 6:30 p.m.


Links to the 2018 City Meetings, Agendas and Meeting Minutes: 

City Meetings
 
                                                                               

9/10/18 - Planning Commission Meeting Agenda


9/11/18 - City Council Workshop Agenda


Now Hiring Firefighters!

The Lake Elmo Fire Department is looking for paid-on-call and part-time firefighters.  If you are interested please fill out the application below.  


Completed applications can be mailed to:
City of Lake Elmo
Attn: Jake Foster, Assistant City Administrator
3880 Laverne Ave. N., Lake Elmo MN

or emailed to: jfoster@lakeelmo.org



CSAH 15 (Manning Ave.) & CSAH 14 Construction Update

Project Schedule

Last Week:
  • Storm sewer work began on the far west end of the project.
  • Traffic signal loops were installed.
  • Sanitary sewer installations continued west of Manning Avenue.
This Week:
  • Crews paved east of Manning Avenue. Temporary pavement markings will be installed in order for traffic to be shifted the middle of next week.
  • Excavation work and removals will continue west of Manning Avenue in order to build the new roadway.

Upcoming Work:
  • Crews will work on excavation, removals, and sanitary sewer installations on County Highway 14.
  • Storm sewer work will continue on near the far west end of the project.
  • Crews will work to install traffic signal arms.
Power Outages in Lake Elmo

While the average Xcel Energy electric customer will experience an average of one outage per year, Lake Elmo customers have been enduring far more outages lately.  On top of equipment issues, Mother Nature and even the public contributed to several outages over the past couple of years. 
 
In response, Xcel Energy is taking several actions to improve the reliability of the feeder to the area.  This includes replacing insulators, lighting arrestors and a system switch.  Crews have reinforced splices, "patrolled" the lines to ensure that vegetation is clear, and suggested bird diverters in two separate locations.  A test using infrared technology will ensure that there are no remaining hot spots which could be problematic.
 
We will continue to keep an eye on facilities in this area, to ensure that reliability issues have been resolved.  Customers are encouraged to report all outages at 800.895.1999, www.xcelenergy.com, or via our mobile application.  Additionally, customers can reach out to Jake Sedlacek, community relations manager at 651.528.6640 or jake.sedlacek@xcelenergy.com.
Reminder: Permanent Water Use Restriction

With the recent dry weather, water usage in the City has increased.  Please adhere the to City's water use restrictions.  They are as follows:

(1). Odd/Event Sprinkling Restriction: Property owners having even numberd postal addresses may water, sprinkle, or irrigate their lawns, only on even numbered days, and property owners having odd numbered postal addressses may water, sprinkle, or irrigate their lawns only on odd numbered days.

(2). Time of Day Sprinkling Restriction:  Property owners are prohibited from watering, sprinkling, or irrigating their lawns between the hours of 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM daily.

Help Us Eradicate Buckthorn From Sunfish Lake Park

Sunfish Lake Park is being overrun with buckthorn. Join the Friends of Lake  Elmo Sunfish Park on September 8 from 10:00 AM to noon to continue our work on this problem.
 
 We will have coffee before and a lunch at the Sally Manzara Nature Center after the event.
 
We will be working every second Saturday through January.
 
For more information, or to be put on our mailing list for future events, contact George Johnson at 651-757-5610 or gjohnson2020@gmail.com.



The images below illustrate some of the progress made so far.


Before...






After...

 









Alternate Urban Area-wide Review (AUAR) Background 

In 2007, the City of Lake Elmo completed a mandated cultured resources assessment for a planning study called an "Alternate Urban Area-wide Review" (AUAR) study. This study identifies historical and cultural resources in preparation for future planning and development.

In Lake Elmo, this study developed a profile that outlines the geological and geographic history of the area, as well as the impact people have had on the land. As part of this study, approximately 200 properties were identified by the project. To qualify, all properties must be 45 years old or older. The historic property types vary, and include a functioning rail line, warehouses and a grain elevator, nineteenth and early twentieth century commercial buildings, elaborate and modest farmsteads, and houses dating from the late nineteenth century through the early 1960s


Source. The 2007 Lake Elmo "Alternate Urban Area-wide Review" (AUAR) Study

This is a map of properties studied for the AUAR study, published in 2007. The dotted line in the center of the graphic marks the area where historic properties were identified.
 




Upcoming Events at the Sally Manzara Interpretive Nature Center

September:
Senior Walk, Talk, and Snack 
Every Monday 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM  

Buckthorn Removal 
Saturday September 8th 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
October: 
Senior Walk, Talk, and Snack 
Every Monday 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM  

Art in the Park Weekend
October 13 & 14, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
See various local artists making artwork in various media, purchase objects of art. 

Multimedia art class with Julie Schroeder
Sunday October 14th 10:00 AM 
Class fee and additional details to be announced. There is still room for more artists. Call Connie at: 651-491-3853                                                                                                                                  

Buckthorn Removal
Saturday, October 13th 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM


Volunteer Opportunities 
The Sally Manzara Interpretive Nature Center, and the Friends of Lake Elmo Sunfish Lake Park are looking for volunteers to fill the following roles:

Afternoon and weekend nature center staffing volunteers - Core hours 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM 

Bird house builders - Group project or individual - to define the acre that the Friends are leasing from the City of Lake Elmo, and encouraging various species of birds..

Citizen science  participants

Photo contest  organizing and management - Creating and managing a photo contest with pictures taken in Sunfish Lake Park.

Accounting/bookkeeping - 2 half days each week. Must have experience.

Visit www.sminc-lake-elmo.org for contact information.

September Kindness Campaign

"He who shows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love."                                                                                    - St. Basil     

Last month's challenge was to celebrate "National Friendship Day" by reaching out to friends, old or new. We received several stories about people reconnecting with friends they hadn't spent time with in quite a while. How beautiful is that!
 
"When it comes to life, the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude."                                    - G.K. Chesterson
 
We have a wonderful opportunity to practice gratitude and peace this month. September 21st is both "World Gratitude Day" and "International Day of Peace."

World Gratitude Day, first celebrated in 1965, was later officially adopted by the United Nations Meditation Group and is recognized each year as a day to show appreciation for all things, big and small.  

The International Day of Peace ("Peace Day") is observed around the world each year on 21 September. Established in 1981 by unanimous United Nations resolution 36/37, the General Assembly declared this as a day devoted to "commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples."
  • Gratefulness makes us aware that life is a gift, and that treasuring and protecting this gift is paramount. We savor and steward the large and the small things alike, and take a stand on behalf of what matters. Peace matters.
  • Grateful people experience themselves as interconnected with all others, and recognize our inextricability as a global family living on this Earth. What is done to one, is done to all...
  • Gratefulness engenders love, compassion, and respect. It shapes how we relate to each other, and compels us toward kindness and generosity...towards those things that nurture peace. Grateful people are moved by love toward justice.
 
This month's challenge...

World Gratitude Day is the perfect opportunity to begin a habit of keeping a gratitude journal. Take time to write down things/events you appreciate. These things can be big or small, simple or complex. Don't overthink it, just let go and write. Puffy clouds, your favorite TV show or novel, your spouse or partner, your pet, sharing family dinner....the list is truly endless. We invite you to also journal ways you made the world a better, more peaceful place.
 
We invite you to share your kindness experiences with us at www.lakeelmorotary.org and always remember...
Kindness is a vehicle for peace!
17th Annual Bluegrass Festival Saturday at Lake Elmo Park Reserve, Sept. 8
 
Washington County invites the community to the 17th Annual Bluegrass Festival 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, at the Lake Elmo Park Reserve - South Picnic Pavilion.

The annual 2018 Washington County Bluegrass Festival fuses community, the great outdoors, and homegrown bluegrass music. It's the county parks' way of celebrating a successful summer season and giving thanks to everyone for supporting Washington County Parks.

The 2018 music lineup is:
  • 2 p.m. - The Skally Line;
  • 3 p.m. - Bluegroove Bluegrass Band;
  • 4 p.m. - Kind Country; and
  • 5 p.m. - The High 48's.
The Salsa Spot Food Truck, Chef Shawn's Southern BBQ, Jim's Mini Donuts, Nics Kettle Corn, and Home Town Creamery will be onsite for food sales.

The Bluegrass Festival is free for annual park permit holders and available to all visitors for the price of a daily or annual permit, $7 daily or $30 annually. The festival is supported by the Minnesota Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Association (MBOTMA).
See the Washington County website at www.co.washington.mn.us and search "Bluegrass Festival" for additional information. 

Follow Washington County Parks on social media at @WashCountyParks.
Enjoy guided fitness hike Sept. 20 at Lake Elmo park

Explore the Washington County Parks trail system with guided fitness hikes, with the next hike at 9 to 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 20, 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 continuing 2018 schedule is:
  • 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.