March 18, 2022 | Friday

Get Involved: Join The Board In April

Do you know any Como area renters or youth (age 16-24) who might be interested in getting more involved in the community? Tell them to join the D10 board, we're holding seats for them with our Renter and Youth board seats!

Board seats up for election in April:

• One representative each from the neighborhood's FOUR sub-districts (map)
• Two representatives from the neighborhood at-large
• One renter representative from the neighborhood at-large
• One youth (age 16-24) representative from the neighborhood at-large

To get on the ballot, submit a board member application.

The filing deadline is Sunday April 3. The election is April 19. If you have any questions or would like to know more about being a board member you can reach out to D10 Como Park at district10@district10comopark.org.

Request a Ballot

Ballots for the April election can now be requested on our election page as well (ballots won't be made available until after the candidate filing period has passed).

20 is Plenty Signs: In Stock at D10 Office

The D10 Streetcar Station Office was recently restocked with "20 is Plenty" signs for distribution to community members. If you would like one please email district10@district10comopark.org to arrange pick up.

Traffic calming uses engineering design and traffic signage to improve safety for drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists. St. Paul-owned residential streets are 20 mph, have lower daily traffic volumes, and do not have centerline paint, bike lanes, or traffic signals. Not all streets are owned by the city. View the Citywide Speed Limit Map.

Charter Commission Sends Ward Redistricting to City Council

The Saint Paul Charter Commission voted to approve new ward boundaries based on the 2020 Census and the State's new legislative and congressional boundaries (called "redistricting"). 

For Como Neighborhood

The proposed change moves the Ward 4 boundary, which currently follows Hoyt Ave. east from Snelling to encompass Como Golf Course to follow Lexington Pkwy south out of the neighborhood, to instead follow Hoyt to Hamline, then expands east down at Como Ave to the existing line at Lexington. The other change for D10 is that the 6-7 blocks between Lexington Pkwy and Chatsworth St. south of Front Ave will change from Ward 1 to Ward 5 (Chatsworth to Dale south of Front will remain in Ward 1).

The Charter Commission worked with a consultant to draw proposed maps based on standards that were adopted by the Saint Paul City Council, largely based on equal population in each of the city's 7 Wards. The Charter Commission's recommendation will go before the City Council next Wednesday, March 23, at their 3:30 pm meeting. If you look at the proposed maps, Option 6 is what has been recommend to the City Council.

If you'd like to submit a public comment to the City Council about redistricting you can attend the meeting in person (15 Kellogg Blvd. W), email Contact-Council@ci.stpaul.mn.us, or by voicemail at 651-266-6805.

Food Collection event at Como Park Lutheran on March 20

Como Park Lutheran Church (1376 Hoyt Ave W.) will be hosting a Food Collection on Sunday, March 20, Noon-2pm.

With rising costs at grocery stores and gas pumps, food shelves are critical to helping families stretch their limited budgets. You can help by donating non-perishable food items –OR– give a cash/check donation. All donations will go to Keystone Community Services. Their goal is 1,500 lbs. of food.

Needed Items:

• Ramen
• Pop-top soups & microwavable meals (for people experiencing homelessness)
• Cereal
• Granola Bars (high protein varieties)
• Pasta
• Oil
• Peanut Butter
• Diapers
• Cash/Check (payable to Keystone Community Services)

Drive by and drop off your donations at Como Park Lutheran Church's parking lot located at the intersection of Hoyt and Hamline.

Como Park High School Girls Basketball Team at State Tournament

The Como Park HS Girls Basketball team defeated DeLaSalle last week 75-72 to make it into this week's State Tournament. The girls defeated Grand Rapids High school 76-57 in the quarterfinals on Wednesday before losing to Totino-Grace in the semifinals yesterday 86-72.

The third place game against Becker is Saturday, March 19, a 3pm. You can live stream the game here on the prep45tv website.

Related, this week the Pioneer Press also named Como Park senior guard Ronnie Porter as their 2022 East Metro girls basketball player of the year. Porter is averaging 22.7 points, 5.6 assists, and 4.0 rebounds this season. Read the article. Congrats Ronnie! Go Cougars!

CRWD Como Lake Water Quality Update Recording

The Capitol Region Watershed District (CRWD) has posted the recording of the February 24 community update on the water quality of Como Lake.

In the recording CRWD staff present:

• 2019-2021 Como Lake water quality monitoring data results
• An overview of the major projects that contributed to the changes observed in the lake
• 2022-2024 plans for continued water quality improvement in Como Lake

Como Parks & Rec

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

• Magical Pink Unicorn Art ages 4-7 - Sat, Apr 2 - $30*
• Celebrate Spring Event - Sat, April 30, 10:30am-Noon - Free
• Pickleball Lessons Intermediate - Tuesdays starting May 3, 1-2pm - $40*
• Teen Open Dance ages 13-18 - Mondays thru May 2, 6:30-8pm - Free
• Play Date Art ages 2-5 - Tues, May 3, 6-7pm - $20*
• Social Needle Work Time ages 18+ - 2nd Thursdays thru May 12 - Free
• Teen Video Game Night ages 12-18 - Wednesdays thru May 25 - Free

Northwest Como Rec Center (1550 N. Hamline)

• Red Ballers Tennis ages 8-11 - Week of March 15, Tue-Fri, 3:45-4:45 - Free
• April Fools Day Art ages 4-10 - March 25 - $30*
• Conquer Ninja Field Trip ages 7-15 - Mon, Apr 4 - $24*
• Bowling at Flaherty's Field Trip ages 7-12 - Tue, Apr 5 - $20*
• Parents Night Out ages 6-11 - April 22, 6-9pm - $10*
• Basic Fishing Fundamentals ages 7-12 - Week of April 25 - $25*

*Registration Required

Summer Camp & Activity Registration Now Open: This summer, Saint Paul Parks and Recreation is offering a variety of fun, safe, and structured full and half-day camps, including our popular free afternoon Summer Rec Check program. Register for camps and activities including art, dance, sports and fitness, outdoor adventures, nature exploration, games, technology and more! (North Dale, Northwest Como, and Langford Park Summer Camp Flyer - PDF)

Offerings available for tots to teens and prices range from FREE to $275.

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.

Note: Although adult programs are also listed, they do not qualify for Fee Assistance credits.

Neighborhood Notes

• Como Park/Falcon Heights Block Nurse Program is looking for dog walking volunteers, if this sounds like something you might be interested in, please reach out to 651-642-1127.

Upcoming License Renewals

• K&L Sales: The second-hand dealer’s license for this used-car lot at Como and Arona is up for renewal on March 29. Anyone with input should email the Como Community Council or contact the office of Ward 4 Council Member Mitra Jalali: ward4@ci.stpaul.mn.us.
• Como Golf Course & Club House: Liquor & Entertainment licenses are up for renewal April 18. Anyone with input should email the Como Community Council or contact the office of Ward 4 Council Member Mitra Jalali: ward4@ci.stpaul.mn.us.
• Gabes by The Park (991 Lexington Pkwy): Liquor, Entertainment, and Gambling licenses are up for renewal May 5. Anyone with input should email the Como Community Council or contact the office of Ward 4 Council Member Mitra Jalali: ward4@ci.stpaul.mn.us.
• The Essence Event Center (1217 Bandana Blvd): Liquor and Entertainment licenses are up for renewal May 6. Anyone with input should email the Como Community Council or contact the office of Ward 4 Council Member Mitra Jalali: ward4@ci.stpaul.mn.us.

March 18 (today) is last day to participate in Hamline Midway Listening Session Activity

Hamline Midway Library 

1558 W. Minnehaha Ave., St. Paul 

Saint Paul Public Library recently hosted a Hamline Midway Library Listening Session to gather community input to inform the future direction and design for an expanded Hamline Midway Library.

If you missed the listening session, you can still stop by Hamline Midway Library today to view four concepts for an expanded building footprint on the same site that the architect shared at the listening session to spark input and feedback. Participate in a hands-on activity for all ages that was also used at the listening session. Leave your ideas and feedback to inform the future direction and design of an expanded Hamline Midway Library.

The Library also has a survey up for people to give feedback on design choices.

Spring Cleaning for Clean Water

Enjoy the fresh spring air while you clean your storm drains and remove any trash, leaves and debris to help keep our lakes and the Mississippi River clean and reduce local flooding. Sign up in the link below and volunteer fifteen minutes, twice a month, to clean a storm drain (or two) near you.

In 2021, Adopt a Drain volunteers in Capitol Region Watershed District reported removing over 31,000 pounds of leaves, grass, sediment and trash from storm drains! That equates to stopping over twelve pounds of total phosphorus – that equates to 6,000 pounds of algae - from entering storm drains and flowing into our local lakes and the Mississippi River

Energy Assistance and Water Assistance Programs

The Minnesota Commerce Department encourages households that are struggling with utility bills to apply for the Energy Assistance Program, with up to $2,000 available to eligible households. In addition, as part of the Federal relief funding, there is assistance available for household to pay past due water bills.

Households can apply for both programs through the Energy Assistance application. For more information and to find your local service provider, go to the Minnesota Energy Assistance Program webpage. There you will find links for the webpage in Spanish, Somali and Hmong as well as applications in Spanish, Somali, Hmong and Vietnamese. You can also call 1-800-657-3710 for more information.

1-4 Unit Housing Study Survey Closes on March 28

The City's Planning and Economic Development (PED) department study is evaluating additional zoning flexibility to support greater housing diversity across the city. This includes looking at the potential to allow duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes in more places as well as more types of single-family homes, such as cluster developments, townhomes, and accessory dwelling units (ADUs).

This is your chance to provide input on housing types, where they should be allowed, and possible policy changes to allow more housing. They are hoping to hear from as many residents and stakeholders as possible as part of the community engagement phase of the project.

Learn more about the study

Visit the engagement website for information sheets on neighborhood-scale housing, how the City can add more housing, and housing development considerations. Visit the project website for project background, FAQs, and official memos on the study.

Questions?

Contact 1to4HousingStudy@ci.stpaul.mn.us or City Planner Emma Siegworth at 651-266-6657 with any follow-up questions.

D10 Como Park co-hosted an engagement session with PED and neighboring district councils on February 10. You can view the recording of that session here on the D10 website.