News from the City of Lake Elmo
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        April 19,  2019
Meetings next week:   

Monday, April 22nd: Environmental Committee Meeting 4:30PM
  Corrected: Monday, April 22nd: Planning Commission Meeting 7:00PM
Wednesday, April 24th: Board of Appeals and Equalization 5:00PM


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

City Meetings
 
                                                                               

4/22 - Environmental Committee Meeting Agenda
4/22 - Planning Committee Meeting Agenda
4/16 City Council Meeting Summary
 
At their regular meeting on Tuesday, April 16, 2019, the Lake Elmo City Council:
  • Approved Legacy at North Star 2nd Addition Final Plat and Final PUD Approval - Resolution 2019-026; 2019-027
  • Approved Legacy at North Star 2nd Addition Development Agreement - Resolution 2019-033 
  • CSAH19- Hudson Intersection Improvements - Approved Plans & Specifications; Authorize Ad for Bids - Resolution 2019-031; 2019-032 
  • Approved Memorandum of Understanding for the Downtown Regional Stormwater Facility - Resolution 2019-030 
  • Reviewed the City's Investment Portfolio and gave direction on possible changes 

On the consent agenda the Council:
  • Approved Payment of Disbursements
  • Accepted March 2019 Fire Department Report
  • Approved Contract Amendment with MNSPECT - Resolution 2019-028
  • Approved Final Plat Time Extension - Wyndham Village
  • Approved Boulder Ponds Fourth Addition Final Plat and Agreements - Resolution 2019-024
  • Accepted Contractor Bids and Award Contract for 2019 Mill & Overlay Project
  • Approved Investment Policy
  • Approved Detachment Request - Resolution 2019-025
 
Applications are now being accepted for expedited projects funded by the 3M settlement money 

The MPCA and DNR are making about $25 million from the 2018 3M settlement available for time-sensitive projects that are consistent with the settlement's top priority - ensuring safe drinking water for communities in the East Metropolitan Area.  For more information and criteria on what constitutes an "expedited project" see the .PDF below

Criteria for screening, evaluating drinking water supply projects

The MPCA, DNR, Citizen-Business Group and Government and 3M Working Group have created a set of criteria that will be used to screen and evaluate proposed drinking water supply projects. Those criteria are in the file below.

Well sampling/testing in the east metro area

Between now and the end of June 2019, the MPCA and MDH expect to sample approximately 1,100 more private wells in the east metro.  If you live in the area that is a priority for testing, you can request that your private well water be tested.  You can find out if you are within the priority testing area by using this interactive map.

If you live in the priority sampling area, you can request to have your well tested by filling out and submitting this online form.



Help Lake Elmo Name Parks and Trails
 
At their April 2nd meeting, City Council approved a new park naming policy to give names to new parks, trails, and facilities and existing parks, trails, and other facilities that are unnamed.  There is also potential to rename existing parks and facilities to create more cohesiveness throughout the City.  The full policy that was approved can be viewed here.

The City is currently looking for name suggestions for the newly approved park that will be located between the Wildflower and Village Preserve developments.  Park names deemed derogatory or offensive in nature will not be considered.  Park names shall not be duplicated or named after a specific development.

For more information and an application to submit a park name, email City Planner, Ben Prchal at bprchal@lakeelmo.org 



Adopt-a-Drain Program is Now Live!
 
Are you looking for a way to help protect our water, and keep it clean?  Clean Water MN has launched their Adopt-a-Drain Program.  Much like the adopt-a-highway program, residents can sign up to keep a nearby storm drain clear of debris and contaminants.  

To learn more about the program, and to select a drain, visit:  http://www.cleanwatermn.org/announcing-adopt-a-drain/.


CSAH 14/15 Realignment Project
 
The County Highway 14 & 15 realignment project will resume as soon as weather permits. County 14/Stillwater Boulevard on the western project limits will shift traffic to the south side of the roadway and close 39th Street North as the intersection and mainline construction in this area is completed. Stillwater Way North (reconstructing the Old Highway 5 alignment) will be closed with access for residents from one direction. The final stages will be completed during the spring and summer months. 

For more information visit the project website at www.co.washington.mn.us/2300/Phase-2 or contact the Washington County Project Manager, Nathan Arnold at 651.430.4384 or  Nathan.Arnold@co.washington.mn.us 




Online Bill Pay - Creating Separate Accounts 

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 the "Utility Billing and Rates" link under the "Administration" tab on the left-side navigation.  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.  

Note: that your "Utility Account Numbers" will be required to create a new login, and will require two separate payments for storm water and water/sewer.  Y ou will need to match your storm water account number with the appropriate payment, and do the same for your water/sewer payment and that account number.  Please do not credit both payments/charges to one account.  



 
2019 Tri-Lakes Easter Egg Hunt to Take Place Saturday
 
Easter Egg Hunt at Pebble Park
Sponsored by the Tri-Lakes Improvement Association
Saturday, April 20
Hunt begins at 10:00AM SHARP
 
$1-2 suggested donation
Raffle Tickets on sale for $2 for prizes!
$5 Mini-Donuts
 
The Easter Bunny has RSVPed to attend
 
Many thanks to the Hendrickson Family for organizing this event for the community
Please make sure to recycle your plastic eggs at the site before you leave

2019 Board of Appeals & Equalization and Open Book Meetings
 
Lake Elmo's 2019 Board of Appeals & Equalization meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 24 from 5-7pm at City Hall.  Residents are encouraged to contact the County Assessor prior to the meeting with any questions.  The staff assessor assigned to Lake Elmo is Greg Strauss, and he can be contacted at: 651-275-7530 or greg.strauss@washington.co.mn.us.

If you are unable to attend the Lake Elmo meeting, you can attend one of the Open-book meetings for Washington County.  They are scheduled as follows:

Woodbury - Thursday, April 19 from 5-7pm - Woodbury City Hall 8301 Valley Creek Rd.
Stillwater - Wednesday, April 24 from 5-7pm - Washington Cty Govt Center 14949 62nd St. N

For additional information, see the Public Notice below.




2019 Citywide National Night Out Event is Looking for Business Participants!
 
The 2019 Citywide Nation Night Out event committee is looking for local businesses to participate in the event.  If you are a local business representative, and would like to participate, please complete the form below.


Completed forms can be sent to:

Lake Elmo National Night Out Coordinating Committee, c/o Molly Brendmoen, 
3631 Laverne Ave. N, Lake Elmo, MN 55042
(or drop the form off at the Lake Elmo Library)

Completed forms must be returned by Friday, May 31, 2019.


Junk Disposal and Fix-it Clinic
 
With the City no longer able to provide a drop-off/clean-up day, residents are encouraged to explore other options throughout Washington County to get rid of their unwanted items.  Washington County is also providing a fix-it clinic on Saturday, April 20 from 10:30AM to 1:30PM at the R.H. Stafford Library.  For more information, see the flyer below.

The Washington County Environmental Center will accept items including hazardous materials, household electronics, home improvement and construction items, and others.  For more information on the Washington County Environmental Center, including hours of operation and items that are accepted, visit:  https://www.co.washington.mn.us/604/Environmental-Center 

Additional information on recycling and waste disposal in Washington County can be found at:  https://www.co.washington.mn.us/626/Recycling-and-Waste-Disposal 



























UWRF Students Service Projects

UWRF students presented a draft tree trimming policy to Council at their 4/9 workshop. The draft policy and subsequent presentation were done as part of a service learning project for their Urban/Local Politics course. Another group of students will be presenting water conservation materials to the Environmental Committee next week.

 



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.


Wash. Co. spring weight restrictions for county roads go into effect March 15

Spring weight restrictions will go into effect on Washington County Roads at 12:01 a.m. March 15. Restrictions will be in effect for eight weeks, unless extraordinary conditions require extending them.

All county roads will be posted. Any county road without a posted weight limit is 10 ton per axel.

During spring weight restrictions, Washington County does not issue permits for overweight transport, except in cases of a serious public health emergency. This message does not include city or township roads.

Washington County road users may call 651-430-8355 for a recording with the latest spring weight restriction information.
For additional information, call Washington County Public Works at 651-430-4300.



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.