October 14, 2022 | Friday

Know Your Como: A Glimpse into Como Park

By Laura Oyen

This summer students and faculty from the St. Catherine University Summer Scholars program teamed up with community members to complete 10 oral history interviews of long time Como community members. Their work during the summer of 2022 explored the Como Park neighborhood history and highlights aspects of our community beyond the State Fair, Park, and the Zoo. These interviews are a part of the Como Neighborhood History project sponsored by the Neighborhood Relations committee of District 10. This project is beneficial to the community in that wonderful stories are being collected and preserved as we document life in the neighborhood since its addition to the City of St. Paul between 1873 and 1887. The scholars were interested in learning about how Como residents remembered and experienced their neighborhood. In conducting these interviews students were able to better understand the legacy of discriminatory housing policies and their lasting impacts in the Como Park of today.

D10 Meeting Updates

Land Use Committee Meeting - Tuesday, October 18, 6pm

Hybrid on Zoom and at the Como Streetcar Station (1224 Lexington Pkwy)

The D10 Land Use Committee typically meets on the third Tuesday of the month at 6p. All D10 meetings are open to the public and have space for community members to bring topics for discussion.

Next week we will host representatives from Automate Car Repair to introduce their business and answer any questions about their application for an Auto Repair Garage License for 991 Front Ave. and the Essence Event Center (1217 Bandana Blvd) to request support for a change to their license.

D10 Board Meeting - Tuesday, October 18, 7:15pm 

Hybrid on Zoom and at the Como Streetcar Station (1224 Lexington Pkwy)

The D10 Board meets on the third Tuesday of every month at 7:15pm. Meetings are open to the public and have space for community members to bring topics for discussion.

Next week the board will consider October action items from committees and discuss fundraising goals.

Como Community Blood Drive

D10 Como Park is partnering with the American Red Cross and the Como Zoo & Conservatory to host a series of community blood drives at the Zoo. There are still a handful of reservations available for the October 18 drive.

Upcoming Drive Dates:

• Tuesday, October 18, 2022 – 9am-3pm
• Wednesday, December 7, 2022 – 9am-3pm

If you’re interested in volunteering at the check-in table, we still have a slot available for December 7, you can sign up for a shift here.

2022 Como CURB Cleanup Underway!

October 1 through November 30, in front of your own home!

Como Community Council is again teamed up with the Capitol Region Watershed District for the Como Curb Cleanup. When it rains, leaves on streets release nutrients into the water that flows into storm drains and the lake. There it becomes food for invasive algae. Join 100+ neighbors in sweeping your curb once a week this fall to help keep Lake Como clean with this surprisingly effective effort.

Signing up to be an official participant helps us track results and helps (a lot) to support future efforts! It's not too late to join the effort!

D10 Subdistrict 1 and At-Large Board Vacancies

Interested in getting more involved with the Como Community? Our board has two vacancies to fill: an At-Large and a Subdistrict 1 Seat (View subdistrict map). To be considered for the board, submit a board member application.

Vacancies are appointed by the board, all appointed board seats are automatically included in the next annual election, and appointed board members may not serve as officers.

If you have any questions or would like to know more about being a board member you can view info on our website or reach out to district10@district10comopark.org.

Give to the Max day is coming up on November 17, 2022!

We are the only non-profit organization working exclusively to make the Como Park Neighborhood a great place to live, work, learn and play. Since 1977, we’ve been proud to foster citizen participation in government and community decisions in our neighborhood. But we can’t do it without you! Donate today!

Grand Round Nodes Under Construction Around Lake Como

You may have noticed two Grand Round "nodes" being installed around the lake, one near the Schiffman fountain and the other on the East side at Wheelock and East Como Blvd.

Each node will share a similar design elements to those previously constructed, like the one at Como Ave. and Hamline Ave, including lighting and bicycle repair stations.

In August, St. Paul Parks and Rec Landscape Architect David Ronzani shared plans for the installation with the D10 Land Use committee, you can watch the recorded presentation here

Como Regional Park Trail Master Plan

The City of Saint Paul's Parks and Recreation Department is engaging community members to inform and develop an updated Trail Master Plan for Como Regional Park. The master plan will emphasize improving the connection between the trails within the park to Saint Paul's Grand Round trail network. The process will prioritize connections around Como Lake, Picnic Pavilions, McMurray Fields and Outdoor Classroom areas over those within the Zoo, Conservatory, or Golf Course areas.

On the City's site you can:

• Use the Map to drop pins, share photos and leave comments on areas of the park you'd like to see improved, or places you like the most.
• Take the Survey to share how you use the park and how you would prioritize improvements to it.
• Post Comments and photos to the community Ideas Board to get the conversation going with other Como Regional Park visitors.

Como Parks & Rec Programming

North Dale Rec Center (1414 N. St. Albans)

• Awesome Art ages 6-10 - Wednesdays in Nov. - $62*
• Taekwondo Jr ages 6-8 - Mondays & Wednesdays in Nov. - $60*
• Taekwondo ages 9-21 - Mondays & Wednesdays in Nov. - $60*
• Tot Time ages 1w-6 - Mondays & Wednesdays thru Dec. 28 - Free
• Senior Fitness ages 55+ - Tuesdays & Thursdays thru Dec. 29 - Free
• Pickleball ages 18+ - Tuesdays & Thursdays thru Dec. 15 - $3
• School Year Rec Check 1st-5th Grade - Weekdays thru June 14 - Free*
• Zumba w/ Marie ages 18+ - Wednesdays thru Dec. 21 - $4

Northwest Como Rec Center (1550 N. Hamline)

• Coding club ages 8-14 - Thursdays Oct. 27-Dec. 8 - $60*
• Halloween Bonfire - Friday, Oct. 28, 6-8pm (Costume Contest!) - Free
• Taekwondo Jr ages 6-8 - Tuesdays & Thursdays in Nov. - $60*
• Taekwondo ages 9-21 - Tuesdays & Thursdays in Nov. - $60*
• Men's Open Soccer ages 18+ - Thursdays starting Nov. 3 - $3

*Registration Required

St. Paul Parks & Rec Fee Assistance Program

The City of Saint Paul operates a special program that helps families pay for Parks & Recreation youth classes and activities. Fee Assistance can be requested by families who meet program requirements when registering for youth activities. To be eligible for the program, youth must live in Saint Paul, be 18 years old or younger, and qualify for free and reduced lunches.

Fee Assistance can be used toward most recreational sports or activities offered by Saint Paul Parks and Recreation. To view the online catalog of all available activities offered, click here.

Neighborhood Notes

Upcoming Applications/Renewals

• Automate Car Repair has submitted an application for an Auto Repair Garage License for 991 Front Ave. Anyone with input should email the Como Community Council or contact the office of Ward 5 Council Member Amy Brendmoen at ward5@ci.stpaul.mn.us. The owner of Automate is planning to attend the Oct. 18 D10 Land Use committee meeting to introduce himself and answer questions.
• Carter’s BP (623 Como): Gas Station License is up for renewal Dec. 29. Anyone with input should email the Como Community Council or contact the office of Ward 5 Council Member Amy Brendmoen: ward5@ci.stpaul.mn.us.
• Speedway (950 Lexington): Gas Station and Malt Off-Sale Licenses are up for renewal Dec. 1. Anyone with input should email the Como Community Council or contact the office of Ward 5 Council Member Amy Brendmoen: ward5@ci.stpaul.mn.us.

*While license renewal dates serve as community reminders, feedback on a business license can be submitted at any time.

Boulevard Trees

The St. Paul Forestry folks have been removing most of the Ash trees in the city in response to the Emerald Ash Borer crisis. You can learn more about the structured removal plan and schedule and view a map of the planned removals on the city's website.

There is a process where you can treat your ash tree for emerald ash borer, but you must find a provider to secure a permit from the city before November 30, 2022. You can find information about permitting and info about Licensed Tree Care companies on the city's website.

Planting Your Own Boulevard Tree

D10 had a community member reach out with this great write-up about the process for privately installing a new boulevard tree as well!

Want to replace a dead or dying boulevard tree now? Here are the basic steps you’ll need to take to donate a tree to the City and get great shade for years to come:

1. Find a licensed tree service to do the proposed tree work. Contact the Department of Safety and Inspections for a list of licensed tree care companies at 651-266-8989. Get a written bid specifying the tree you want and the work to be performed, but don’t sign it just yet.
2. If you need to have any boulevard stump ground out, so make sure that stump removal and removal of the grindings are part of the written bid. Tip: Don’t sign any contracts or bids for work until AFTER the City has approved your application. Then, pay the licensed tree service half when work starts, then half on completion of all work.
3. Complete a written application for boulevard tree work by “City of Saint Paul - Forestry Tree Work Permit Application” available from https://www.stpaul.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/natural-resources/forestry/boulevard-tree-permit. This site has great additional details on the process. You will need the written tree bid to complete this application.
4. Call Gopher State One Call at (800) 252-1166 to mark all utilities BEFORE YOU DIG. This is free and crucial for everyone’s safety.
5. Submit the tree service bid to St. Paul Forestry for approval. They will conduct a site inspection, make sure the utilities have been marked, and mark where tree can be planted. You’ll have to stay within the specified boundaries, but the City is great and will work with you.
6. The City will email you an approved permit and then your tree work may begin. Be sure to give your new tree lots of water to protect your investment. Consider adding an additional tree to your own property, too. It will reduce overall costs and complexity to have the work done at the same time.
7. Typical Costs: Precision Landscape and Tree for the work in Como. Planted a 2.5 Northern Catalpa with mulching, staking and a one-year guarantee. Project cost was $863 for stump removal, $1,456 for tree, for a total of $2,319.

Upcoming Crime Prevention Activities from SPPD

Western District Community Meetings

• Oct. 18, 9:30am AND 6:30pm (389 Hamline Ave.)
• These meetings happen on the 3rd Tuesday each month.

Crime Prevention

• 3 Burglary Prevention Open Houses - All 5-7pm
• Oct. 19 - West District (389 Hamline Ave.)
• Oct. 27 - East District. (722 Payne Ave.)
• These open houses give residents the opportunity to talk with SPPD staff and see examples of lighting, locks, windows, security systems, cameras, etc. 

Youth and Programming

• Safe Summer Nights Fall Festival - Saturday, October 29, noon-2pm at Arlington Hills Recreation Center (1200 Payne Ave). Food, games, and candy.

Property Tax Deferral for Senior Citizens

The Senior Citizens Property Tax Deferral Program allows property taxpayers who are 65 years or older, and whose total household income is $60,000 or less, to defer a portion of their homestead property taxes until some later time. It provides senior citizens whose property taxes are high relative to their incomes, but who wish to stay in their homes, an option for paying their property taxes. 

To qualify, all of these must be true:

• You are 65 or older in the year you apply. If married, one of you is 65 or older and the other is at least 62.
• Your household income is $60,000 or less.
• You have owned and lived in your home for the last 15 years.
• Your home has been homesteaded for 15 years.
• You do not have a reverse mortgage, a life estate, or any state or federal liens on your property.
• Other liens against your property are less than 75% of the estimated market value.

There are also programs like the Ramsey County Service Center Navigators that can help people find and navigate issues for these kinds of financial programs.

2023 St. Paul Budget

The City Council is responsible for adopting the City's operating and capital budgets and property tax levies. In August, the Mayor proposes the budgets for the following year. After the budgets are proposed, the City Council begins its consideration of the budgets. A series of Council Budget Committee meetings are held throughout the fall to review the Mayor's proposed budgets in detail. Public hearings on the proposed budgets and tax levies are also held during this time period. In mid-December, the Council adopts the final budgets and property tax levies, incorporating any changes Councilmembers have to the original proposal into the adopted budgets and levies.

Budget Committee Meetings are be held on Wednesday mornings at 10am through December 7, 2022. The council hears budget breakdowns from different departments.

Meetings can be live streamed and are recorded to view later. Find minutes, live streams, recordings, and updated scheduling here on the city's website. You can send comments and feedback to the City Council: CouncilBudget@ci.stpaul.mn.us

Absentee Voting Open for General Election

Anyone eligible to vote in Ramsey County may cast their absentee ballot – either in person or by mail – before the general election on Nov. 8. Voters can cast their ballot from Sept. 23 through Nov. 7.

Sample ballots are available at mnvotes.org.

Vote in person

Beginning Sept. 23, in-person absentee voting is available at two locations. Eligible voters may visit either location, regardless of their home address. Locations include:

• Ramsey County Elections Office
• Ramsey County Library - Roseville

Beginning Nov. 1, four additional locations will offer in-person absentee voting:

• Arlington Hills Community Center
• First Tee of Twin Cities - Highland National Golf Course
• Frogtown Community Center
• Ramsey County Library - White Bear Lake
• View hours for all locations

In alignment with Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act, Hmong interpreter election judges will be available at in-person voting locations in 2022. Sample ballots will also be available in Hmong at mnvotes.org.

Vote by mail

Voters can visit ramseycounty.us/VoteByMail to request a ballot. A ballot will be mailed to the voter along with a pre-paid, pre-addressed envelope for returning their completed ballot materials. Voters can track the status of their absentee ballot through the Minnesota Secretary of State’s online ballot tracker.

Ballots returned by mail must be received by the Ramsey County Elections Office by Nov. 8 per state guidelines to be accepted.

Voters may also return their ballot in person at the Ramsey County Elections Office or the Ramsey County Library in Roseville. All ballots must be returned inside the building to designated staff who will verify the voter information is complete. Ballots placed in any outdoor document drop boxes or payment boxes will not be accepted.

Voter registration

Eligible residents may register to vote or update their address online at mnvotes.org through Tuesday, Oct. 18.

Residents may also register at the in-person absentee voting locations or at their polling place on Election Day. Proof of residence is required. A list of approved documentation and sample ballots are available at mnvotes.org.

What's going on at the Fairgrounds?