News from the City of Lake Elmo
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        March 8,  2019
Meetings next week:   

Monday, March 11th: Planning Commission Meeting 7:00PM
Tuesday, March 12th: City Council Workshop 6:30PM

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

City Meetings
 
                                                                               

3/5 City Council Meeting Summary

 
At their regular meeting on Tuesday, March 5, 2019, the Lake Elmo City Council:
  • Approved the purchase of new Garage Doors at Public Works
  • Reconsidered the vote on the City Administrator Contract Negotiations. Appointed Mayor Pearson and Council Member Bloyer to join the City Attorney in the City Administrator Contract negotiations.
  • Approved a Planned Unit Development Concept Plan review for Springs of Lake Elmo
  • Approved a Final Plat Extension until June 2020 for Royal Golf 3rd Addition
  • Approved the Purchase of a Service Truck
  • Approved the Purchase of a Tandem Axle Plow Truck
  • Appointed Council Member Nelson to the Economic Development Authority
 
On the consent agenda the Council:
  • Approved Payment of Disbursements and Payroll
  • Approved the 2019 Youth Services Bureau Contract
  • Approved the Wyndham Village House Moving and Relocation Agreement
  • Approved Appointment of Eric Athman to the Finance Committee
  • Approved a Rent Adjustment Agreement with Kollitz & Wilgren LTD
  • Approved Development Security Release for Village Preserve 2nd Addition (sewer/water warranty)
  • Approved Development Security Reductions for Boulder Ponds 3rd Addition and Royal Golf Club 1st Addition
  • Accepted a $15,000 Donation from Lake Elmo Jaycees
  • Approved Boulder Ponds 4th - Senior Housing Final Plat Time Extension
 


3/11 -Planning Commission Meeting  Agenda

3/12 - City Council Workshop  Agenda

City Offices Address Reminder

The City has been running into issues with receiving mail.  

Remember to use the following address when mailing the City:

3880 Laverne Ave. N. Suite 100
Lake Elmo, MN 55042

This is the address for the Brookfield II building across from City Hall.  The City's Administration, Finance, Planning, and Building departments are all located in this office building.

The Lake Elmo Fire Department Needs Your Help!

Please help the City, and clear your nearby hydrants. If Firefighters have difficulty locating or accessing fire hydrants it will impact their ability to effectively fight fires!  

Share your hydrant clearing photos with us on the City's Facebook page at:  https://www.facebook.com/LakeElmoMN/ 
 
Upcoming Events at the Nature Center

Inuit Traditions Meet Modern Science - Sunday, March 10 at 2:00PM

There will be a presentation  "Inuit Traditions Meet Modern Science - Changing the Earth Together"   at the Sally Manzara Interpretive Nature Center on Sunday March 10th at 2:00PM. Tony and Connie will talk about their experiences in March and May 2017 on the North Slope of Alaska when they worked with ICE911 Research and the Ukpeaฤกvik Iรฑupiat Corporation (UIC) to treat 3 acres of Arctic ice to reduce the rate of melting. The talk is co-sponsored by the Stillwater Schools Native American Parent Advisory Committee and the Sally Manzara Interpretive Nature Center. It is free and open to the public. 


 
Winter Prairie Pioneer Tea Party - Saturday, March 16 from 1:00PM to 3:00PM

There will be a Winter Prairie Pioneer Tea Party  Saturday March 16th, 1:00PM to 3:00PM  at the Sally Manzara Interpretive Nature Center.  ($20 Donation)   The winter has been so long and cold... It is 1850!  You bundle up in your sleigh and off to the neighbors.  Time for a winter tea party... what would they serve? Join us and find out. Space is limited.   A sure cure for Cabin Fever!  Please call Connie at 651-491-3853 if you have special needs, or sign up via PayPal on our website  https://sminc-lake-elmo.org/event-descriptions/.
 
For questions, or more information, call the Nature Center at: 651-408-2838. Please leave a message if no one is available to take your call.
 




Xcel Energy Reminder: Keep Your Gas Meters and Furnace Exhaust Clear

With the record setting snowfall in February and more in the forecast, it's very important to make sure your gas meters and furnace exhaust pipes are not covered in snow and/or ice.  Many of today's high efficiency furnaces outlet to the side of the home rather than through a traditional stack on the roof.  

The consequences of having obstructed gas meters and furnace exhaust pipes could be severe!



Adding Your Stormwater Account to Your Existing  Online Utility Bill Pay

Now Hiring: Public Works Director

The City of Lake Elmo is in search of a new Public Works Director.  For more information, and to apply, see the job posting and Lake Elmo Employment Application below.

General Duties:
The Public Works Director is responsible for complex supervisory, administrative, and professional work in planning, organizing, directing, and supervising the Public Works Department.
 
Minimum Requirements:
This position must have complex understanding of environment, water, sanitary and storm water, street, traffic control, lighting, parks maintenance, vehicle maintenance, and other public work projects and programs. This position is responsible for budgetary duties. 


Public Works Director Job Posting
Lake Elmo Employment Application 


Send completed application materials to:
City of Lake Elmo
ATTN: Jake Foster, Assistant City Administrator
3880 Laverne Avenue North, Lake Elmo, MN, 55042

or email them to: jfoster@lakeelmo.org
Enjoy guided fitness hikes in Washington County Parks, next one March 22

Explore the Washington County Parks trail system with guided fitness hikes, with the next hike at 10 to 11:30 a.m. Friday, March 22, at Lake Elmo Park Reserve.  Meet at the Nordic Center.

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 or snow, hike will go on as scheduled. The program is for those ages 13 and older. All minors must be accompanied by an adult.
Additional hikes will be:
  • 10 to 11:30 a.m. Friday, April 19, at the Lake Elmo Park Reserve;
  • 10 to 11:30 a.m. Friday, May 24, at Lake Elmo Park Reserve; and
  • 9 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 1, at Pine Point Regional Park as part of Explore Your Parks Day when no vehicle permit is required.
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.


County will receive grants to restore prairie, oak savanna in Lake Elmo Park Reserve

Washington County will receive two $50,000 grants from the Expedited Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program, part of the Outdoor Heritage Fund, and part of the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment. Funding will be used to help restore wildlife and pollinator habitat within Lake Elmo Park Reserve by restoring prairie and oak savanna. 

The County Board received news of the grants Feb. 26.

No financial match from the county is required; the county will provide staff time to plan and implement the restoration projects.

The first project will include planting 32 acres of prairie for the rusty patched bumblebee in the northwest portion of the park in an existing crop field. The grant will be used to purchase native seed for the project. The second project will restore 17 acres of oak savanna on the north shore of Eagle Point Lake. The second grant will be used to pay for contracted services for common buckthorn removal and follow-up management to provide long-term control.

Contact: Dan MacSwain, Natural Resources Coordinator, 651-430-4323



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 quarterly 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.










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.









New Wash. Co. Organics Drop-off Program

The organics drop-off program at the Washington County Environmental Center is now officially
 LIVE!  Residents can drop-off bagged food scraps, paper towels, and more at the Environmental Center during open hours. Known as "organics," these materials can be recycled into compost, a valuable resource that improves soil and decreases the need for fertilizers. The address and hours of the Environmental Center are:

Washington County Environmental Center
 
HOURS:
Tuesday: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Thursday: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
Closed on 4th of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day & New Year's Day
   
Similar to dropping off Household Hazardous Waste, residents will use the drive lane and an attendant will collect their bags of organics and give them an equal number of new bags in return, for free. As an incentive to participate, residents who sign up for our email notification system will receive a free starter kit. Starter kits are available for pick up at the Environmental Center during open hours. The email notification system will allow the County to communicate directly with participants regarding any program changes or issues with contamination. To receive a free starter kit, residents must show proof of subscription to the email notification system. They will receive an automatic email from the system once their subscription is complete. The kit includes:
  •          Green, 2 gallon kitchen collection pail (w/ locking lid and handle)
  •          10 compostable bags
  •          Instructions on what is and is not acceptable in organics
  •          Stickers and other promotional materials to post at home
  Additional program information is available here.  
BizRecycling

BizRecycling is a program to help businesses in Ramsey County and Washington County start, expand, improve, and manage business recycling, includi ng organic waste collection, such as food waste.  The BizRecycling program was started in 2013 to help East Metro businesses reduce waste and recycle better. BizRecycling connects businesses with  recycling experts  who can help identify recycling and waste reduction opportunities.  We offer free on-site consultations, technical assistance, expert advice and guidance. Businesses can request free container labels for their trash and recycling bins. We also have business recycling grants available (up to $10K per business!) to start or improve business recycling.

BizRecycling with Sunray BP Gas Station
BizRecycling with Sunray BP Gas Station


Winter Parking Ordinance Still in Effect!

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

The City's winter parking ordinance is continues to be 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!


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:

SIDEWALKS

ยง 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 48 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 30, 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.