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

 
 
 
 
Monday, October 22nd: Planning Commission Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, October 23rd: City Council Candidate Forum 7:00 p.m.


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

City Meetings
 
                                                                               

10/15 - Planning Commission Meeting Agenda

10/16 City Council Meeting Summary

At their regular meeting on Tuesday, October 16 2018, the Lake Elmo City Council:
  • Adopted the Final Assessment Roll for the 2018 Street Improvement Project
  • Adopted the Final Assessment Roll for the Old Village Phase 3 Street & Utility Project
  • Postponed the Discussion on Snow Removal from Sidewalks until a full Council was present
  • Called for a Public Hearing on the 2019 Street Improvement Project
  • Approved the Four Corners 1st Addition Development Agreement
  • Postponed a Decision on Members to be Employees until the next meeting
  • Accepted the Petition for a sanitary sewer extension to Heritage Farms
  • Postponed the Petition and Authorization for a Feasibility Report for a sanitary sewer extension to Hamlet on Sunfish Lake until a decision on the trails was made
  • Approved the Purchase of a John Deere Gator
 
On the consent agenda the Council:
  • Approved Payment of Disbursements and Payroll
  • Accepted the Building Department September 2018 Report
  • Accepted the Fire Department September 2018 Report
  • Accepted the Public Works September 2018 Report
  • Approved the Hiring of Planning Director
  • Approved Washington County All Hazard Mitigation Plan-Resolution 2018-115
  • Approved Addition to Official Depositories of Funds-Resolution 2018-116
  • Authorized Advertising and Hiring of Warming House Attendants
  • Approved 2019 Health Insurance Rates and Benefit Plans- Resolution 2018-117
  • Approved 2018 Street Improvements - Change Order No. 2.
  • Approved 2018 Street Improvements - Payment Request No. 3.
  • Approved Old Village Ph4 Street & Utility Improvements - Change Order No. 2.
  • Approved Old Village Ph4 Street & Utility Improvements - Pay Request No. 3.
  • Approved 201 Wastewater System - Approve Connection Request for 10975 32nd Street North
  • Approved Letter of Credit Reduction for Kwik Trip
  • Approved Declaration of Easement on City Property
 

Water Pressure Changes South of the Railroad Tracks and Along Lake Elmo Ave

Some properties that were previously served by Well #1 and Tower #1 located in the Old Village area may have noticed a change in their water pressure this week. Affected properties are likely located in the area south of the railroad tracks and along Lake Elmo Ave and neighborhoods connected from Lake Elmo Ave.

In order to supply water to areas of the City previously served by Well #1 and Tower #1, which were taken offline in April due to an exceedance of the Health Index for PFCs, other valves in the water system had to be opened up. While some folks appreciated the higher water pressure, other properties were concerned about the impact to their pipes and appliances. In an effort to respond to those concerns and since we have moved out of the high water usage season, the City decided to make changes to some valve openings. The change in water pressure is due to the City adjusting a pressure reduction valve (PRV) located near the railroad tracks and Lake Elmo Ave. 

The Lake Elmo Public Works department has been conducting pressure checks since making the adjustments. While there is some variability amongst neighborhoods on the water system, all areas are falling within an acceptable range of approximately 60-75psi. The city will continue to monitor and adjust pressures as we work to find a solution to our water supply issues.

Anyone with questions or concerns may contact Public Works at 651.747.3940.
Lake Elmo City Council Candidate Forum

The  Stillwater Gazette  is sponsoring a Lake Elmo City Council candidate forum on Tuesday, Oct. 23 from 7 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. at Lake Elmo City Hall. The forum will also be recorded and simulcast by the cable commission.

Marguerite "Margot" Rheinberger, Stillwater, is a co-organizer and will again be moderating this forum for our city. 


For additional information please contact co-organizer Beth Johnson, Oak Park Heights, at  johnsonbeth@comcast.net.  

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

Project Schedule

Last Week:
  • Roadway work continued on the new alignment of CSAH 14.
  • Storm sewer installations on Manning Avenue continued on.
  • Crews worked on turf establishment.
This Week:
  • Storm sewer work on Manning Avenue was completed. Crews now work to finish all remaining storm sewer installations on CSAH 14.
  • Crews will work on building slopes and ditches.

Upcoming Work:
  • Curb and gutter work, along with the installation of medians on Manning Avenue is expected to begin next week. Once that work is complete, paving will occur.
  • Storm sewer installations on CSAH 14 will continue on into next week.
  • Crews will also continue with slope and ditch work.
Now Hiring Seasonal Ice Rink Attendants!

The City of Lake Elmo is looking for ice rink attendants at Lion's Park. Rink attendants will represent the City of Lake Elmo and are responsible for the warming house and surrounding ice rinks during hours of operation. The Attendant will maintain a safe, clean environment during each shift. These are seasonal positions; dates and hours of employment are subject to seasonal warming house/rink operation requirements. 

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
The St. CroiX-Files

By: Brent Peterson, Executive Director of Washington County Historical Society (WCHS)

Obviously, there are many people in the St. Croix Valley that enjoy listening to ghost stories. They never seem to tire of the translucent white woman in the creepy old house that looks out the window, or the sounds of footsteps creaking up the old staircase. But these aren't the only "paranormal tales" in the Valley. Others would fit better in an H.G. Wells story.

In the book, "The M-Files: True Reports of Minnesota's Unexplained Phenomena," author Jay Rath scanned the country side and published newspaper notations of "unexplained" nocturnal lights and "mystery airships" from across Minnesota. Naturally, Stillwater appears in many of these reports.

The earliest report Rath finds in a Stillwater paper dates back to December 1871 when an unexplained nocturnal light is seen by witnesses. Then in January 1890, N.A. Nelson again spots an unusual light at night and is never able to find a reasonable explanation for its appearance.

The mystery airship caused quite a sensation in Stillwater. Many speculated on the mysterious object's origins and purpose. The local merchants even got into the act using it for advertising purposes. The meat market of D.J. Hooley placed an ad in the Stillwater Messenger in May 1897 with the heading, "The Air Ship Seen and Heard From." The ad reads that farmer Nolan of Lake Elmo had seen the craft and that it looked very much like a large barge. The crew were of strange appearance, according to Hooley, and they communicated that they drank nothing but water and ate nothing but meat. However, the peculiar aviators were nearly out of meat. Luckily, Hooley was ordering more and everyone in Stillwater should come in and purchase some before the strange visitors cleaned him out!

The air ship was finally discovered according to an article by S.E. Sanderson in the Stillwater Gazette of April 14, 1897. "The notorious air ship is not a fake, it landed in August Nelson's strawberry patch about 5 o'clock yesterday morning. The operators had just got the machine securely anchored when they were discovered by Hon. Geo. A. Oliver, who was on his way to the post office." The article then said that the men who operated the air ship had taken off from San Francisco and were on their way to Duluth.

Other UFO sightings in the Stillwater include August 17, 1961 when 5 people observed a group of UFOs arranged vertically in a "V" formation. Another nocturnal light was observed on July 18, 1975 and on March 22, 1978 a man spied a flying saucer while traveling north on Highway 95.

There have been many stories about mystery "air ships," "UFOs," and ghosts that go up and down the St. Croix Valley. These stories are a part of our heritage and get told from one generation to the next, and I hope the stories will continue. So the next time you see a large barge shaped object in the sky, a blue light on the St. Croix, or something else, please let us know the story for other generations to read and enjoy.


Source: Reprinted courtesy of Brent Peterson, Executive Director of the "WASHINGTON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Gateway to Minnesota History Newsletter, February 9, 2016."


(Balloon photo by Rolf Larson)

Open-house for Central Greenway Regional Trail October 30th

An open house to provide input on the future Central Greenway Regional Trail - Lake Elmo segment will be 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30, at the Stillwater Area High School cafeteria.

Washington County is seeking input on the future Central Greenway Regional Trail - Lake Elmo segment. This will be a multi-use trail seeking to fill an existing gap in the pedestrian and bicycle network. The public is invited to attend the open house to review the preferred route and provide feedback on the trail design and facilities. There is no set agenda, and attendees may come and go as they please

Refreshments will be provided. The school is at 5701 Stillwater Blvd. N. in Oak Park Heights.


Upcoming Events at the Sally Manzara Interpretive Nature Center

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

Fall/Winter Outdoor Floral Arrangement Workshop given by Carla Ryan. 
October 16th  Two sessions.  10:00 AM - 12:00 PM and 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM.  Create a fall/winter arrangement for your front step or patio.  Bring your own container/flowerpot.  Greens and decorations will be furnished.  Preregistration required. Class Fee $29. Additional charges for some decorations or for the purchase of a flowerpot.  For more information on how to enroll, go to www.sminc-lake-elmo.org.


Upcoming Event: Buckthorn Festival - Conquer the mighty buckthorn! - November 10th Team competition, buckthorn games, food, music and more. Watch the website www.sminc-lake-elmo.org for further details.


October 2018 Kindness Campaign

"When it comes to life, the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude."     
- G.K. Chesterson
 
Last month's challenge was to celebrate "World Gratitude Day" by starting a gratitude journal. Thanks to all that shared their gratitude stories and kudos to those that continue to journal. As someone pointed out, "It's impossible to feel grateful and angry at the same time, they just can't coexist."
 
"Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world."
- Desmond Tutu

As summer comes to a close and autumn sets in, many of us are faced with lots of leaves to clean up. Ahhhhh, the beauty of living in this beautiful suburb filled with mature trees! That said, this month's challenge is simply to find a way to help someone with their fall yard work. Perhaps you have someone in your neighborhood that could use a helping hand. Maybe it's a friend or someone you work with or someone at church. There are always people that would truly appreciate unexpected help so let's roll up our sleeves and go find them.
 
We invite you to share your story or send us a picture at www.lakeelmorotary.org and always remember...
Kindness is free!

tree_with_fallen_leaves.jpg


Night Owl Family hike planned for Lake Elmo Park Reserve Oct. 23

Night Owl Family Hike is planned for 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 23, at the Lake Elmo Park Reserve.

The group will begin at the Nordic Center for evening family hikes along lit trails in the park reserve.

Dress for the weather and uneven trails. The program is free with a vehicle park permit, $7 daily or $30 annually. No reservations are required.

The park is at 1515 Keats Ave. in Lake Elmo. For more information, email parks@co.washington.mn.us or call 651-430-8370.


Enjoy guided fitness hike Nov. 1 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, Nov. 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 2018 schedule will end with a Dec. 6 hike.
These programs are free with a parks vehicle permit ($7/day or $30/annual) with the exception of Free Tuesdays. 
LEAVES + STREETS = Scummy lakes and wetlands

Got a small yard? Rake and bag leaves from your yard, sidewalk and driveway.

Got a big yard? Rake areas directly under trees and then use your mower to mulch the rest of the leaves into the grass.

Got a street? Rake and bag leaves along the curb and on top of stormdrain inlets.

It is illegal to dump leaves in your regular garbage or into wetlands, buffers or gullies.
 
Drop off leaves at:
 
Composting Concepts (4600 Cottage Grove Dr., Woodbury)
Mon.-Sat.. 8am-6pm (before Nov. 3); 8am-5pm (Nov. 5-21)
$1.50 per 30gal bag or $7 per yard
*Seniors get 50% off on Wednesdays
 
Rumpca (95th and Glendenning Rd, Cottage Grove)
M-F, 7am-7pm and Sat., 8am-5pm
$1 per 30gal bag or $6 per yard