At the Como Community Council's monthly meeting this week, representatives from Saint Paul 350 explain their campaign urging Saint Paul to oppose Xcel Energy's proposal to build a new gas plant later this decade, even though the utility has pledged to go carbon-free by 2050. Later in the meeting, the district council board will vote on:

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. this Tuesday, July 21. As always, all renters, homeowners, and other District 10 community members are welcome to participate via video conferencing or telephone. To join the remote meeting, email the District 10 office for access information. Preliminary agenda

The Saint Paul 350 presentation is part of an ongoing discussion taking place in the council's Environment Committee. This month, the committee held a 90-minute discussion with a representative from Xcel; next month, the committee hopes to talk with representatives from the Citizens Utility Board, to get a better understanding of how Xcel's energy choices affect what consumers pay.

Renters and homeowners often forget they can get a nice chunk of change from the State of Minnesota this time of year.

For renters, it's the Renter's Property Tax Refund. It's based on the fact that some of your rent helps your landlord pay property taxes. State residents can qualify if they have a household income of less than $62,340. For a Como resident with a median household income and a median rent, the refund would be about $400. 

For homeowners who live in their house, Minnesota offers the Homestead Credit Refund, based on property taxes paid in 2019. There are two kinds of refunds; i t is possible to get both. 

The initial filing deadline for renters and homeowners is Aug. 15.

Saint Paul Public Works announced this week it will not hold any Citywide Drop-Off events in 2020. That includes the State Fairgrounds event, which tentatively had been rescheduled for Sept. 12.

The annual drop-offs typically were organized by district councils each spring and fall in different parts of the city. The events give residents an affordable and accessible way to dispose of household junk they cannot put in the trash -- or at least not trash easily.

Two spring events were cancelled long ago because of the coronavirus pandemic. The pandemic continues to create too many unknowns for fall events, says Kris Hageman, recycling programs manager for the city. 

Two months out, it's impossible to project whether state health guidelines even would permit the events, she says. Then there are the challenges of staging an event to maintain safety and social distancing, trying to predict how many volunteers would be comfortable staffing an event, acquiring appropriate personal protective equipment, and anticipating how many residents would participate if the events were significantly different from past years.

The city expects to mail a flier explaining what options residents have in disposing of  bulky items through their regular trash hauler, or utilizing private waste stations.

Liberate your plastic bags: Cub Foods stores -- at least the Roseville stores on Larpenteur and in HarMar Mall -- once again are collecting plastic bags for recycling. (Thanks to Doug Guild for the tip.)

• The restaurant is adding tables in the front lawn, near the (used to be) Hamm Waterfall, and waterside near its Lakeside Treats walk-up window. The additional tables provide additional seating options -- including for diners with dogs.
• The promenade is open to all park visitors (not just restaurant patrons), as long as everybody follows social distancing and other guidelines.

Book drops are now open at all Saint Paul Public Libraries. If you checked out books, DVDs, or other items before July 11, they are due back by Saturday Aug. 1.

Meanwhile, while the pandemic continues, this color-coded map can help you track which services are available at which libraries. Of course, go online for all the details.

Got thoughts about Rice Street? Ramsey County is taking advice as part of its Rice Street Visioning Study, which focuses primarily on the segment of Rice south of Wheelock Parkway. You can leave general comments, use their interactive map to highlight problems and suggestions at specific locations, or even do research on the topics under review.

Get better acquainted with the Big River where you live. The vantage point is a bike or kayak. The insight is from an expert: a National Park Service ranger who staffs the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area.  Get the details and sign up The highlights: