July 1, 2022 | Friday

Get Involved: Orchard Rec Work Day

Thursday, July 7 - 6-8pm @ Orchard Rec (875 Orchard Ave)

The Saint Paullinators of South Como are excited to announce their first work day to prepare the Orchard Rec Center (875 W. Orchard Ave) for the pollinator garden that will be installed at the end of the month. 

Join us on Thursday, July 7th from 6-8pm to help dig out weeds and solarize the area. No experience required. Please wear long sleeves and pants and bring gloves/spades if possible (we will have a limited amount of supplies to loan). Find out more about the project and what's next at district10comopark.org/l2l.

Thank You! Thank You!

Thanks to everyone who helped make our Como Homo Hangout a success! Shout out to Subtext Books for providing prizes for the pageant!

Thank you also to the 15 participants and 3 organizers who helped pick up 31lbs. of trash from around Como Lake at this past Tuesday's Lake Clean-Up event! Look below for details on the July 26 event!

D10 Meeting Updates

Neighborhood Relations Committee Meeting - Tuesday, July 5, 7pm at the Como Streetcar Station (1224 Lexington Pkwy) and on Zoom

The D10 Neighborhood Relations Committee typically meets on the first Tuesday of every month. All D10 meetings are open to the public and have space for community members to bring topics for discussion.

Next week we will be finalizing details for the D10 Ice Cream Social at the Streetcar Station, previewing plans for the Harvest Festival in the Tilden Park area, and discussing the D10 purview of the Como Community Garden, and proposed changes to D10 schedule. This month's meeting will be held hybrid in person at the Como Streetcar Station (1224 Lexington) and via Zoom.

Land Use Committee Meeting - Wednesday, July 6, 7pm on Zoom

The D10 Land Use Committee typically meets on the first Wednesday of the month. All D10 meetings are open to the public and have space for community members to bring topics for discussion.

Next week we will host Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI) Deputy Director Dan Niziolek to discuss proposed changes to Class N Licenses in the city. We will also discuss proposed D10 scheduling changes and updates about Pavilion noise level mitigation. 

1 Vacancy on D10 Board

Interested in getting more involved with the Como Community? Our board has one vacancy to fill in our At-Large Senior (62+) Seat. 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 reach out to D10 Como Park at district10@district10comopark.org.

Neighborhood Board Representation Training on July 14

Thursday, July 14, 2022, 5:30pm - 8:30pm via Zoom

The U o M Center for Urban & Regional Affairs' (CURA) Neighborhood Organizing and Leadership program is looking for Black, Indigenous and People of Color who want to create change and fight injustice in their community through neighborhood board membership.

The Neighborhood Board Representation Leadership Training for Black, Indigenous and People of Color will be Thursday, July 14, 2022, 5:30pm - 8:30pm via Zoom virtual meeting.

CURA believes neighborhood residents are the most powerful force against injustice in their community. The Neighborhood Board Representation Leadership Training for Black, Indigenous and People of Color values recruiting and supporting people to join their local neighborhood board to create change in their community and to transform the injustice of not having diverse voices and leadership in neighborhood groups. The program creates learning sessions and a support network for Black, Indigenous and People of Color to join their local neighborhood board and use their power to make their vision for their community a reality through organizing. 

Who is this for?

The training is open to Black, Indigenous and People of Color who want to join their neighborhood board and create local change so they are prepared to run at their neighborhood association or district council annual meeting elections, or want to inquire about board vacancies in their community.

Apply now!

Fill out this brief form to apply

Questions? Email Malik Holt-Shabazz or call 612-624-2300.

Save The Date: D10 Ice Cream Social

Friday, July 8 - 5:30-8pm @ Como Streetcar Station

Every year, the D10 Neighborhood Relations Committee plans our Ice Cream Social, typically featuring free ice cream, live music, meet-and-greets with neighborhood organizations, and activities for children and families.

Thanks so much to our sponsors for making this event possible! Bethel Lutheran Church, Thrivent, Hmong College Prep Academy, Como Park Language and Arts, and The North Suburban Kiwanis Club!!

The event is at the Historic Streetcar Station in Como Park, 1224 Lexington Pkwy N. Because parking is limited, we encourage community members to walk, bike, roll, carpool, or take public transportation. Bring your neighbors!

This event is still being planned. If you’re interested in helping plan or volunteering at this event you can fill out our volunteer interest form, come to our Neighborhood Relations Committee meetings (1st Tuesdays), or reach out to organizer@district10comopark.org.

Save The Date: Como Lake Clean-Up

Tuesday, July 26 - 6-9pm @ Como Pavilion Lakeside (by the Ice Cream Stand and Boat Rentals)

The Como Community Council, in partnership with the Capital Region Watershed District, plans multiple Como Lake clean-up events each year. Volunteers gather with others in the community to clean trash from the lake surface or shoreline. We’ll meet at 6pm near the dock on the lower level lake side of the Pavilion to pick up tools, supplies, and have a refreshment.

District 10 provides trash-grabbers, rakes, buckets, nets, trash bags, and nitrile gloves for those who need them. Or, feel free to provide your own gear. Registration is not required, but it helps us plan and communicate if changes come up.

Pavilion Parking Lot Update

The Como Lakeside Pavilion North Parking Lot construction is in the final phase. The parking lot is paved and striped, however there is still landscaping work to complete this week.

The North Parking Lot is closed until the end of the week.

The lot will be completed open soon and construction will pause until after Labor Day, when the Golf Course Lot will get started.

Como Parks & Rec

The Como pool will be closed July 1-5.Highland Park Aquatic Center, Phalen Beach, and splash pads will be open for those who need to cool off.

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

• Rocket Builder Design Camp ages 8-12 - Week of July 25 - $99*
• New Fantasy Football Draft Simulator Camp ages 11-15 - Week of July 25 - $99*
• New Nomination Walk, Blooming St Paul Showcase, all ages - July 25, 6-7:30pm - Free
• Musical Theatre Camp ages 9-14 - Week of August 8 - $110*

Northwest Como Rec Center (1550 N. Hamline)

• Minecraft Masterpiece Art ages 8-11 - Week of July 29 - $36*
• Drone Instruction Basics for Beginners ages 11-15 - Week of August 15 - $115*

*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 License Applications/Renewals

• 1015 Bandana Blvd: A Parking Ramp (Private) license application has been submitted for the existing ramp at 1015 Bandana Blvd. Anyone with input should email the Como Community Council or contact the Legislative Hearing Officer at LH-Licensing@ci.stpaul.mn.us.
• D&L Food and Gas (626 Larpenteur Ave): Gas Station license is up for renewal July 28. 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.
• Como Zoo & Conservatory (1225 Estabrook Dr.): Liquor license is up for renewal July 28. 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.

City of Saint Paul Opens Police Chief

Saint Paul opened the position posting for Saint Paul Police Chief. Applications will be accepted through July 22, 2022 at 4:30pm. Information on the position, including information on how to apply is available at www.stpaul.gov/police-chief-position.  

ABOUT THE POLICE CHIEF POSITION 

The Chief of Police provides strategic leadership and management for the City of Saint Paul Police Department including highly-responsible planning and administrative work in the direction of all activities of the Police Department.  

They serve as a professional liaison between the Police Department, other City departments, the City Council, and local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, as well as serving as the chief spokesperson for the department, communicating with the general public and community representatives. The Chief is responsible for an annual operating budget of approximately $128 million with a staffing complement of 763 full time equivalencies (FTEs).

By City Charter, the Chief of Police is accountable to the Mayor and administers the department’s affairs, subject to the Mayor's supervision and control. The Police Chief has general authority and control over all departmental staff and oversees all tasks and duties assigned to the department. The Chief also has the power and duty to take all personnel actions, including hiring, assigning, and reassigning employees, including supervisory personnel.  

ABOUT THE CHIEF OF POLICE HIRING PROCESS 

As designated by City Charter, the City Council has selected members for Saint Paul Chief of Police Examining Committee who will be responsible for reviewing applications for the Chief of Police position, conducting interviews, leading community engagement, and ultimately recommending five candidates to the Mayor. The Mayor is then responsible for appointing a Chief of Police for a 6-year term. Information on the position, including the application process is available on the City’s website at stpaul.gov/police-chief-position.  

Police Chief Examining Committee Meeting

The Saint Paul Chief of Police Examining Committee will be meeting on Thursday, July 7, 2022 at 4:30pm at the Frogtown Community Center, 230 Como Ave. 

For more information please contact Dan Ferralez, Human Resources Consultant at Dan.Ferralez@stpaul.gov or 651-266-6596.

Raptor Center Seeking Towel Donations

The Raptor Center is seeking donations of towels for use in their clinic (1920 Fitch Ave.). If you have any old towels lying around, they would love to take them off your hands. Bath or beach towels are preferred, but they'll also take larger hand towels. Terrycloth and fleece both work.

If you have towels you'd like to donate, please drop them off at the front desk, or if you are a clinic volunteer, you may bring them with you to your volunteer shift. Please do not transport towels and an injured bird on the same day in case the bird has HPAI. For the same reason, they also ask that the towels are freshly laundered with bleach or color-safe bleach. If you have previously transported injured or sick birds in your car, please place the towels in a trash bag for transport to keep them clean on the drive over. 

Recycle Smart

Keep paper cups and plates out of your @CityofSaintPaul recycling cart! These paper products cannot be recycled because they are often lined with plastic or contaminated with food. Do your part and avoid using disposable paper plates and cups by choosing reusable or compostable options instead. Learn more at RamseyRecycles.com/FoodScraps.

Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Activities and Survey

Recreation in Motion focuses on games, play, and being active. Tuesdays & Thursdays from 5:30-7:30 PM at Weida Park. A free youth program offering athletic programs, arts and crafts, and other organized activities. No pre-registration is required. 

Go to stpaul.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation for information on the parks, recreation centers, Como Zoo, and various activities available for all ages.  

• Recreation Centers - search by activity or by specific rec centers.  
• Como Park Zoo & Conservatory - find out what's happening and register.

Survey

Your feedback is wanted about the city's parks and recreation facilities. Whether you are a current user or not. The results of this survey will inform the upcoming Parks Policy Plan, ultimately helping shape the design and offerings of Saint Paul Parks and Recreation for years to come.  

There are two versions of the survey:

• Main Survey (estimated completion time: 10 minutes)
• Shorter Survey (more kid friendly, 5-minute version of the main survey)

Transforming Libraries: Design Workshops July 18-21

Monday, July 18, 5-6:30 p.m.

Riverview | 1 E. George St.

Tuesday, July 19, 5-6:30 p.m. 

Hamline Midway | 1558 W. Minnehaha Ave.

Thursday, July 21, 5-6:30 p.m. 

Hayden Heights | 1456 White Bear Ave.

Saint Paul Public Library is inviting community members to hear what they’ve learned through community Survey #2 and see updated design renderings, floorplans, and specifics for library spaces that reflect community feedback. 

LSE Architects will lead attendees through a visual design exercise to continue discussions on the interior and exterior design of the library, including a focus on the look and feel of individual areas in the library.

Please register for the full 90-minute, in-person workshop.

If you can’t attend, information shared at the workshop will be available online by July 23. Another opportunity for input will be available through Survey #3.

St. Paul DSI Proposing Changes for Class N Licensing Process

The Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI) is proposing changes to Class N Licensing in St. Paul. Class N Licenses are most commonly associated with Liquor sales and Auto Repair, but cover a variety of other businesses as well. 

The changes are intended to simplify and streamline the process for new businesses while still giving time for community notification and engagement. This includes shortening the process time after applications are submitted, but requiring notification to District Councils prior to submitting the application. Certain license types are also being removed from the notification process. You can read more about the proposed changes and Business Licensing in the links below.

D10 Como Park is planning to host DSI Deputy Director Dan Niziolek at our July 6 Land Use Committee meeting to give an overview and answer questions. If you're not able to attend you're welcome to send feedback to district10@district10comopark.org.