News from the City of Lake Elmo
January 11,  2019
Meetings next week:   

Monday, January 14th: Planning Commission Meeting 7:00PM  
Tuesday, January 15th: City Council Meeting 7:00PM 
 


Links to the 2019 City Meetings, Agendas and Meeting Minutes: 

City Meetings
 
                                                                               

1/8 City Council Special Meeting Summary
 
At a special meeting on Tuesday, January 8, 2019, the Lake Elmo City Council:
  • Appointed John Ehret to the Public Safety Committee
  • Approved a Letter of Support for the Central Greenway Trail Corridor
  • Appointed Council Member Bloyer as Acting Mayor
  • Appointed Council Member McGinn and Finance Director Iverson to the Fire Relief Board
  • Appointed Council Member Nelson as the school liaison
  • Appointed Council Member Bloyer as the city representative to the Friends of Lake Elmo's Sunfish Lake Park Board of Directors
  • Made the following appointments to the Planning Commission:
    • Jeff Holtz for a term ending 12/31/19
    • Charles Cadenhead for a term ending 12/31/20
    • Kathy Weeks for a term ending 12/31/21
    • Brian Steil for a term ending 12/31/21
    • Kyle Risner for a term ending 12/31/21
  • Made the following appointments to the Parks Commission:
    • Isak Nightingale for a term ending 12/31/19
    • Barry Weeks for a term ending 12/31/21
    • John Mayek for a term ending 12/31/21
    • Steve Schumacher for a term ending 12/31/21
  • Approved the 2019 Planning Commission Work Plan
  • Approved the 2019 Parks Commission Work Plan
  • Approved changes to the Finance Committee Operating Policies and Procedures
  • Approved the 2019 Finance Committee Work Plan

Note: The "Acting Mayor" is appointed to fill the role of Mayor should the Mayor become disabled or is absent from the City.
1/14 - Planning Commission Meeting Agenda

1/15 - City Council Meeting Agenda

Open-house on Hwy 36/Manning Avenue Interchange Study set for Jan. 16

The public is invited to a second open house to provide information on the Highway 36 and Manning Avenue Interchange Study 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan 16, in Lower Level 14 meeting room in the Washington County Government Center.
The center is at 14949 62nd St. N. in Stillwater. There will be no formal presentation, and residents may come and go as their schedule allows.

Washington County, in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Transportation and the cities of Grant, Lake Elmo, Oak Park Heights, Stillwater, and Stillwater Township is hosting the open house to plan for future improvements to the intersection.

The meeting is an opportunity to:
  • review refined alternatives for the interchange;
  • get an update on the project;
  • provide feedback and share ideas; and
  • ask questions of the design team.
For more information, see the project website at www.co.washington.mn.us/Manning36Interchange or contact the Washington County Project Manager Nathan Arnold at 651-430-4384 or Nathan.Arnold@co.washington.mn.us.


Winter Parking Ordinance Now in Effect!

City plow truck on Marquess Lane blocked by cars parked on the road

With winter weather rapidly approaching, the City's winter parking ordinance is now in effect.  The winter parking ordinance prohibits parking on Lake Elmo streets from November 1 through March 31 between 2:00 AM and 7:00 AM, or during a snow event outside of those hours.


 

Remember, if the City's trucks are blocked they can't plow your streets!
The Lake Elmo Fire Department Needs You!

The Lake Elmo Fire Department is looking for paid-on-call 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



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.









Economic Development Authority (EDA):
The Economic Development Authority (EDA) is a legal entity created by the City to facilitate a well-rounded development program to create flexible business assistance and development programs. The EDA is governed by a board consisting of seven members; two members of City Council, and five of which are real property owners, in good standing, from within the jurisdictional boundary of 
the City of Lake Elmo, who are appointed by the Mayor with Council approval.









Maintenance Advisory Committee (MAC): 
The Maintenance Advisory Committee evaluates and recommends maintenance equipment purchases for the City.












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.


WinterFest will be celebrated Jan. 26 at Lake Elmo Park Reserve

Washington County Parks will celebrated WinterFest 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26, at Lake Elmo Park Reserve.

WinterFest is an opportunity to get outside and enjoy everything that winter has to offer. Breathe in the clean, crisp winter air while traversing the trails of Lake Elmo Park Reserve by cross-country ski, kick-sled, and fat-tire bike.

The Soup Coupe food truck will be onsite 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. selling hot soup and wraps.

WinterFest will feature:
  • Cross-Country Ski Lessons: Winter fun awaits with cross-country ski lessons provided by Ride & Glide XC Ski Club. All skill levels are welcome; all equipment is provided. Reservations are required at www.rideandglide.org (Select Lake Elmo Clinic).
  • Central Cross Country Skiing will be offering children's and family ski equipment to try out, as well as waxing demonstrations and tips from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. No reservations required.
  • Fat-tire Biking: Fat tire bikes offer a unique way to experience the outdoors. All skill levels are welcome. Reservations are preferred at www.rideandglide.org, but drop-ins also welcomed.
  • Kick-sledding: Try out this growing winter activity on Eagle Point Lake. Kick-sleds may be used by one or two people at a time. No experience is necessary and no reservations required. Kick-sledding will be offered from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Online Bill Pay Now Available

The City of Lake Elmo has launched a new online bill pay option for utility bills.  To pay your bill online, visit the City's website at: www.lakeelmo.org.  

Once on the website, click on the "Online Bill Pay Now Available" article under the City News & Events heading.  Click the "Pay Online" button and create new account using the "First-time User" button on the next page.  

After your account is created you will be able to login with your email address and your newly created password.  Please note that your "Utility Account Number" will be required to create a new login, so have your utility bill ready!
Snow Removal Ordinance Change

At their 12/4 meeting, Council voted to update the City ordinance relating to snow removal.  These changes require residents to clear sidewalks that are adjacent to their property, and reads as follows:

§ 96.03 PUBLIC NUISANCES AFFECTING PEACE AND SAFETY.
(A)      The following are declared to be nuisances affecting peace and safety.
(23)   Snow on streets and sidewalks. All snow and ice not removed from public sidewalks 48 hours followingthe termination of any snow or ice formation. Snow plowed or shoveled into a public street shall also be a nuisance;
SECTION 2. The City Council of the City of Lake Elmo hereby amends Title IX, Chapter 93, Streets and Sidewalks, by adding a new Section 93.50, Sidewalks which shall read as follows.

SIDEWALKS

§ 93.50 SIDEWALK SNOW REMOVAL.            
(A)       Removal of snow and ice from sidewalks. The owner or occupant of any property within the city's corporate limits that fronts upon any public street that has an abutting sidewalk must remove any snow or ice from the sidewalk within 24 hours following the termination of any snow or ice formation. The owner or occupant of the property abutting the sidewalk must keep the abutting sidewalk reasonably clear and free of any snow or ice.
(B)       Nuisance. Failure by the owner or occupant of the property abutting the sidewalk to comply with this section shall constitute a nuisance and the nuisance may be abated by the city in accordance with Chapter 96 of the city code.

Lion's Park Signs

The City is taking orders for new signs at Lion's Park for the 2019 season.  If you'd like to purchase a sign to advertise on the Lion's Park ballpark fence, or renew your current sign, the deadline to do so is April 1, 2019.

The cost of the signs are $500 per year for a 4'x8' sign, and $900 per year for a 4'x16' sign.  To begin work on designing your sign, email Kathy Weeks at weeksendsigns@aol.com.  For all other questions contact City Administrator, Kristina Handt at khandt@lakeelmo.org or 651-747-3905.


Guided morning bird hikes continue in coming year with Jan. 12 hike

A rotating schedule of bird hikes throughout Washington County Parks will continue in 2019, with a hike 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 12, at Lake Elmo Park Reserve.

Learn to identify the birds that call the St. Croix Valley home and contribute to citizen science data collection by completing bird count surveys with the guide. The surveys collected will assist the county's Natural Resources team and related work in conjunction with the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Fund grant.

This is a one-hour guided hike; meet in the Nordic Center foyer.

For Washington County park locations, see www.co.washington.mn.us/parks. Under park locations, find a county map with park contact information; search "guided bird hikes" on the county website for more information.

The hike will traverse turf, gravel, and paved trail depending on trail conditions. Participants should bring binoculars and dress for hiking and the weather. This program is free with a parks vehicle permit ($7/daily or $30/annually), and is open to people of all ages and abilities. ADA accommodations can be made as needed. All minors must be accompanied by an adult.

For questions, call 651-430-8370 or email at parks@co.washington.mn.us.
For more Washington County Parks programs and events, see www.co.washington.mn.us/parks.

Follow Washington County Parks on social media at @WashCountyParks.


Washington County Parks celebrates full moon in February at Lake Elmo Park Reserve

 
Washington County Parks will celebrate winter's full moons with events in February at Lake Elmo Park Reserve.
  • A Full Moon Ski will be 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 19, at Lake Elmo Park Reserve starting at the Nordic Center. Glide across the snow on the serene landscape of Lake Elmo Park Reserve under the light of the full moon. This guided ski will be on the unlit Orange trail, allowing participants to fully immerse themselves in the tranquility of the night. Head lamps are welcome. No reservation are required. Free with vehicle permit. Lake Elmo Park Reserve is at 1515 Keats Ave. N. in Lake Elmo
A Washington County parks vehicle permit ($7/day or $30/annual) is required for entry to the parks. Follow Washington County Parks on social media at @WashCountyParks.
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