December 30, 2022 | Friday

D10 Meeting Updates

Environment Committee Meeting - Wednesday, January 4, 6pm

The D10 Environment committee typically meets on the first Wednesday of every month. The meeting will be hybrid at the Como Streetcar Station (1224 Lexington Pkwy) and on Zoom. All D10 meetings are open to the public and have space for community members to bring topics for discussion.

Next week we will be discussing a committee leadership change, support for a Native Landscape Grant Application, 2023 planning, as well as other Como environmental updates.

Neighborhood Relations Committee Meeting - Wednesday, January 4, 7:15pm

The D10 Neighborhood Relations committee typically meets on the first Wednesday of every month. The meeting will be hybrid at the Como Streetcar Station (1224 Lexington Pkwy) and on Zoom. All D10 meetings are open to the public and have space for community members to bring topics for discussion.

Next week we will be debriefing December initiatives, finalizing plans for the February 4 Blizzard Breakfast at North Dale Rec, and some preliminary plans for the 2023 Como Homo Pride weekend event in June.

D10 Meeting Schedule Change Feedback

The D10 Como Community Council announced changes to our regular meeting schedule in July 2022 and implemented the change for a trial period from August thru December, with the intention of collecting community feedback to consider adjustments before finalizing our 2023 meeting schedule.

It's now December, we've learned a lot about running hybrid meetings and have enjoyed welcoming people in-person as well as on zoom for the past several months. We're looking forward to hearing what input community members may have about their experience at our meetings, and look forward to seeing you at a future meeting.

Dale Street Road Diet

Open House January 10

Ramsey County, in collaboration with Roseville and Saint Paul, is planning a 2024 "Road Diet" project for Dale Street between Hwy 36 and Como Ave. This redesign will include a 4-to-3 lane conversion of Dale Street to reduce the frequency and severity of crashes occurring along the roadway.

The county is inviting community members to their first open house about the project on Tuesday January 10, from 4-6pm at the Como High School library (740 Rose Avenue W). View concepts, share your feedback, and learn about the conversion process. Your feedback will help the county finalize the design of the 4-to-3 lane conversion.

You can view the project's Federal HSIP Funding Application here if you're clamoring for more information ahead of the event.

Note: The infamous Como/Front/Dale intersection is not in the scope of this project, as much as we all sincerely wish it was.

Community Dale Street Coalition Forming

In preparation for the upcoming project, North End community member Steve Tuckner is forming the Dale Street Coalition for community members interested in coordinating a strong community presence for the project. If you're interested in joining the mailing list you can email Steve at stevetuckner@gmail.com.

Como Parks & Rec Programming

Jan. 1-2: All recreation centers are closed for the holidays.

Youth Spring Sports registration opens January 1. 

Registration fees have been eliminated for youth sports 10U and up (ages 9+) at all recreation center sites. (fees apply for ages 4U, 6U and 8U. Those ages can take advantage of the early bird discounts!)

Skiing and Snowboarding

Rentals are available for $12/day at Como Park Ski Center, Battle Creek Recreation Center, Highland National Golf Course and Tamarack Nature Center. Cross-country ski, downhill ski, and snowboard lessons are available at Como Park Ski Center

For more information, visit stpaul.gov/xcountryski. 

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

• January Ice Skating Lessons - $50*
• Tuesdays ages 3-5, Tuesdays ages 6-12
• Saturdays ages 3-5, Saturdays ages 6-12
• Cribbage ages 18+ - Mondays starting Jan. 9 - Free
• Big Machines Art ages 18mo-4 - Weds starting Jan. 18 - $65*
• Cooking With Dala ages 8+ - Wednesday, Jan. 18 - $15*
• Dungeon Adventures ages 8-12 - Wednesdays starting Jan. 25 - $115*
• Como Blizard Breakfast w/ D10! - Saturday, Feb. 4, 10-Noon - Free
• School Year Rec Check 1st-5th Grade - Weekdays thru June 14 - Free*

Northwest Como Rec Center (1550 N. Hamline)

• Coding Club ages 8-14 - Thursdays in February - $60*
• Artist Workshop ages 8-12 - Tuesdays starting Feb. 21 - $60*
• Artist Workshop ages 5-8 - Wednesdays starting Feb. 22 - $60*
• Men's Open Soccer ages 18+ - Thursdays thru Mar. 30 - $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.

Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Update

The City of Saint Paul has planned tree removals for 2023. The EAB website (www.stpaul.gov/eab) has been updated to reflect general removal timelines and the interactive map shows the removal plans for the next two years (2023-2024). The tentative start date for these infested tree removals is Jan. 9, 2023. Crews will begin with SR streets in District 1 and continue through the districts in order. It is possible that some streets or individual trees will be bypassed on the first round of removals and returned to at a later time due to overhead utility conflicts and the need to coordinate this work with Xcel Energy’s contractor timelines. 

Homeowners Guide to Emerald Ash Border

What should you do about Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)? 

1. Determine if you have an ash tree - review this ash tree identification guide (PDF)
2. Determine if you have emerald ash borer - review the EAB insects guide and insects commonly confused with EAB from the MN Dept of Agriculture
3. Decide what you want to do with your ash tree before it's too late - click here for options for managing emerald ash borer (EAB)
4. If you decide to treat your ash tree - see the guide to the emerald ash borer insecticide options
5. Call the Department of Safety & Inspections for a current list of Saint Paul Licensed Tree Care Companies at (651)-266-8989.
6. Consider planting a new tree in your yard - click here for resources

Visit the City of St. Paul's website for additional information regarding EAB and ash tree management

HomeHelpMN Resources for Homeowners

If you are behind on your mortgage or worried about foreclosure due to the pandemic, HomeHelpMN from Minnesota Housing may be able to help. Visit homehelpmn.org or call 1-800-388-3226 to apply for financial assistance.

Homeowners may be eligible for up to $50,000.

Financial assistance can be used for past-due eligible housing expenses, including:

• Mortgage and/or Contract for Deed payments
• Property Taxes
• Homeowner and Condominium Association payments, and Cooperative fees or common charges
• Manufactured and mobile home loans and/or lot rent payments
• Ground Rent/Lease and Tribal Trust Land Lease payments
• Homeowner’s insurance including hazard, flood, wind and/or mortgage insurance payments

Applications will be accepted as long as funds are available.

Minnesota Housing hosted a webinar on the HomeHelpMN program last week. It included information on eligibility requirements and how to apply. Watch the HomeHelpMN webinar.

There is also a downloadable toolkit available with additional materials including posters, social media images and messaging and flyers, with materials in English, Spanish, Hmong and Somali.

Recycle Smart: Holiday Edition

Christmas Trees: One live holiday tree is included in the Citywide Collection program between January 2 - January 15 each year. You do not need to call your hauler to schedule collection during this time period. Place your tree next to your garbage cart on your regular collection day. 

Holiday greenery is not accepted at Ramsey County yard waste collection sites because of the likelihood of contamination from metal wires and decorations. Please place holiday greenery in the trash.

Holiday Lights: Drop off old and broken string lights and miscellaneous electrical cords to be recycled at any Saint Paul Public Library now through January 20, 2023.

Wrapping Paper: Most wrapping paper and gift bags are recyclable, but be careful! Wrapping paper with glitter or foil, as well as tissue paper, ribbons, and bows are not recyclable. Make sure that these types of wrapping paper are thrown in the trash.

Free Hauling of 2-3 Bulky Items in St. Paul: Reminder that St. Paul residents have 2-3 bulky items (2 for small carts and 3 for medium and large carts) included in their garbage program each year. Call your hauler to schedule pick up. "Bulky Items" are anything that is too large to fit inside or is prohibited by law from being placed in your garbage cart, including furniture, appliances, electronics and mattresses. 

More holiday disposal tips are available here. 

Smart Salting Tips from Ramsey County

Salt helps keeps roads, driveways and sidewalks safe during our snowy Minnesota winters. However, using large amounts of salt can harm the environment, including plants, soil and groundwater. Follow these tips to avoid overusing salt:

• Shovel first. Clear snow off walkways before it can turn to ice. 
• Check the temperature. Use sand for traction instead of salt when it’s below 15 degrees outside. Salt doesn’t melt ice at that temperature.
• A little goes a long way. A 12-ounce cup of salt covers about 250 square feet, which is about the size of a 20-foot driveway or enough to cover 10 sidewalk squares.
• Sweep it up. If salt is visible on dry pavement, it is no longer doing any work and will be washed away. Sweep up the salt and either reuse or throw it away.