News from the City of Lake Elmo
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        February 7,  2019
Meetings next week:   

Monday, February 11th: Planning Commission Meeting 7:00PM
**Tuesday, February 12th: City Council Workshop 6:00PM
**Tuesday, February 12th: City Council Special Meeting 9:00PM

**Note: Both the City Council Workshop and the Special City Council meetings on Tuesday 2/12 will be held at the Sally Manzara Interpretive Nature Center.
  
 
Links to the 2019 City Meetings, Agendas and Meeting Minutes: 

City Meetings
 
                                                                               

2/5 City Council Meeting Summary

At their regular meeting on Tuesday, February 5, 2019, the Lake Elmo City Council:
  • Approved the 2040 Comprehensive Plan and Directed staff to submit it to the Metropolitan Council
  • Held a closed session to consider potential litigation against the Hamlet on Sunfish Lake Homeowners Association
 
On the consent agenda the Council:
  • Approved Payment of Disbursements and Payroll
  • Accepted the December 2018 and 2018 Year End Fire Department Report
  • Adopted Ordinance No 08-221, Establishing a Fee for Violation of the Winter Parking Ordinance
  • Approved I-94 Lift Station (No. 1) and Sanitary Sewer Improvements - Compensating Change Order No. 4.
  • Approved I-94 Lift Station (No. 1) and Sanitary Sewer Improvements - Pay Request No. 4 (FINAL).
  • Accepted Improvements and Approved Security Reduction for the Hunter's Crossing 1st & 2nd Addition.
  • Approved Security Reductions - Savona 4th Addition.
  • Approved 2020 Budget Calendar
  • Authorized Advertising and Hiring of Seasonal Public Works Employee(s)
  • Authorized Advertising and Hiring of Interns
  • Accepted Part-time Firefighter Resignation
2/11 - Planning Commission  Meeting Agenda

2/12 - City Council Workshop  Agenda

 


2/12 - City Council Special Meeting  Agenda

Storm water Utility Fee

The City has been receiving several questions from residents regarding what their storm water utility fee and what it comprises.  The revenue received from you storm water utility fee is used for  preparation of a Surface Water Management Plan, maintenance of existing ditches, culverts, pond, and storm sewers, capital improvement in developed areas, equipment, planning, inventories, and water quality improvements, including weed control.

The utility charge (UC) is reviewed and determined by the City Council each year.


Online Bill Pay Update

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.  

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.  

For instructions on how to add an account to your existing online utility bill pay account, see the next article below.


Instructions for Adding Stormwater Account to Online Bill Pay and Paying Multiple Accounts

To Add your Stormwater Account to Your Existing Online Utility Bill Pay:
Log into Your Account from City Website
Click on "Manage Profiles" on the left side of the screen
Click "Add New Account" on the upper right side
Click on bubble to add account to your name
Click "next"
Enter Your Stormwater Account number under the "Utility Account Number" (should begin 05-....)



Click "Search"
Check Box for account
Click "next"

To Make a Payment on Multiple Accounts:
Click "Make a Payment" on left side of screen
Select Type under Payment Methods



Scroll Down to see your accounts



Enter payment amount for each account you wish to pay
Click "Continue"

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!
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



Now Hiring: Interns and PW Seasonal Employees


The City of Lake Elmo is looking for temporary staff for 2019!  There are openings for Finance and GIS interns, and two seasonal public  works employees.   The postings for each position, as well as the City's employment application, are located below.


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
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


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 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.


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

 
Washington County Parks will celebrate winter's full moons with event 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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