June 24, 2022 | Friday

Saint Paullinators' Seedling Steward Event

Sunday, June 26 - 2-4pm @ Front Hi-Rise (727 Front Ave)

Celebrate Pollinator Week with the Saint Paullinators as we learn how to care for seedlings and plant starts grown out by Julia Brokaw for the Lawns to Legumes gardens to be planted later this summer and fall. We’ll have updated information on how to apply to be a garden or bee lawn host. Learn a little about the lesser known pollinators in our yards and gardens. Get your hands dirty and up pot some seedlings and one to take home as well. Neighbors who have volunteered to be a Seedling Steward can pick up their flats to steward too. We’ll do all this on the lawn Sunday, June 26, at the Front Hi-Rise 727 Front Ave. 2-4pm. We hope you will bee there!

Thank you to Kerns for donating garden soil and the residents of the Front Hi-Rise and St Paul Public Housing Authority for hosting this event! 

Como neighbors who are interested in volunteering as a seedling steward can contact Dawn Lamm dlamm@comoseedlibrary.org.

Get Involved: Como Lake Clean-Up

Tuesday, June 28 - 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.

Know Your Como: For The People

By Sonjie Johnson

It was an astonishing idea. Spend $100,000 in 1873 to buy 260 acres of land, including Como Lake, a lake that was little more than a large swamp at the time? Crazy as it sounded, that’s exactly what the Minnesota Legislature decided to do.

That act of legislative courage and foresight changed St. Paul forever. If you doubt the impact one dedicated person can have on history, look no further than Horace W. S. Cleveland, a landscape architect who believed in the healing power of nature and free public spaces for the working masses. He was the driving force behind the state’s acquisition and development of not just Como Park, but also much of the parkway system in the Twin Cities. Read More...

D10 Welcomes New Sub-District 3 Board Member KC Ahlberg 

This week the D10 Board appointed KC Ahlberg to the vacant Sub-District 3 seat. KC filled out an application on the website and attended the board meeting to introduce himself and answer questions.

KC and his family are "boomerang Minnesotans" who moved to the Como Neighborhood in 2020 to put down roots. KC works in healthcare and is looking forward to getting more involved in the community. Welcome to the board, KC!

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.

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.

2022 Hmong International Freedom Festival at McMurray Field July 2-3

After a two year postponement, the Hmong International Freedom Festival is returning to Como Park next weekend, July 2-3. You can find more information about the festivities on the Freedom Festival website.

You may have noticed the festival fencing already being installed around the McMurray Field/Como Pool area. Here's what we know about what else to expect in the neighborhood over the next week:

• Lexington and Como Pool will be fenced last. 
• Road closures begin: Thursday, June 30 - The City will close the following roads on Thursday, June 30 at approximately 9pm (after the ball games at McMurray) to secure the site for load-in on Friday: 
• Wynne at Lexington 
• Jessamine at Hamline 
• Load-in day: Friday, July 1, 5am–10pm  
• Vendor load-in will be coordinated through the SPPD. Vendors will stage in the State Fair parking lot. Each vendor will have a specific time slot to enter the festival grounds and set-up/unload. From the State Fair lot, they will proceed up Jessamine and into the festival grounds. SPPD will be on site to manage load-in. Vehicle load in will run from 6am–8pm, then from 8pm–10pm they may only enter through the pedestrian gates. 
• Event dates: Saturday, July 2 and Sunday, July 3, 6am–12pm 
• Temporary parking restrictions will be in place July 2- July 3. One side of the street parking in portions of Ward 5 (Dist. 6) and Ward 4 (Dist. 10). Special parking permits will be issued to local churches and business owners who may be impacted by the parking ban to allow parking during worship times or business hours. 
• The United Hmong Family is required to rent parking lots at the MN State Fair and provide free shuttle service to and from the fair lots to discourage parking in the neighborhoods. 
• Como Streetcar station parking lot may be used for disability parking – this is not yet confirmed. 
• Trash and recycle bins will be placed outside the festival grounds and spread out through the neighborhoods and at key intersections. 
• Park workers will be working in the neighborhoods picking trash that gets dropped as people come and go from their vehicles. 
• Hamline to Snelling and Jessamine to Midway Parkway 
• Lexington to Como Ave and Horton to Front 
• Load out: Sunday, July 3 
• Load-out will be coordinated through the SPPD and will commence Sunday evening when the crowd has dispersed enough to safely let vendor vehicles in. SPPD will make that call. Vendors will only be allowed to bring their vehicle in when SPPD has verified they have taken their tent down and everything is packed up and ready to go. 
• Roads re-open: Monday, July 4 at 6:00 am 
• Cleanup day: Monday, July 4 beginning at 6:00 am 
• Fencing removal starts: Saturday, July 4 - The fencing will be removed first around the Como Pool on July 4. Removal of fencing must be complete by July 8. 

Como Pool Impacts 

• Como Pool will be closed July 2 and July 3
• Como Pool will be open July 1 and July 4 
• The pool parking lot will not be available on July 1. All pool users will need to park outside the festival grounds and walk to the pool. 

Beulah Ln. Food Scraps Drop-Off Site Impact 

• The Como Park Food Scraps drop-off site (1149 Beulah Lane) will be closed July 1-5 due to the Hmong International Freedom Festival. During this time site access will be blocked.
• The Como Park drop-off site will re-open July 6.
• Find other drop-off sites at RamseyRecycles.com/FoodScraps. 

Mapping Prejudice Project Presents Ramsey County Data

The Mapping Prejudice Project shows hundreds of homes in our neighborhood still have racial restrictive covenants in their deeds. Though covenants now are unenforceable, their language remains and studies are continuing to show the lasting impacts of this abhorrent practice.

You can view an interactive map here on their website.

Homeowners interested in discharging racially restrictive covenants in their own home titles can reach out to JustDeeds.org. The non-profit coalition offers services to help homeowners find and discharge their covenants. D10 Como Park has reached out to Just Deeds to try to help coordinate someone to share information at an upcoming meeting, stay tuned.

D10 Como Park's 2022 Sunday Series included a presentation from St. Kate's Welcoming the Dear Neighbor project that is studying the economic impact of Racial Covenants. You can view the recorded presentation here on our website. 

Como Parks & Rec

Registration is open for Youth Fall Sports, including Soccer, Flag Football, 7v7 Passing League Football, and Lacrosse. For more details and to register visit stpaul.gov/youthsports.

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

• Jr Engineering Camp: Crazy Gears and Wheels ages 6-9 - Week of July 11 - $100*
• Basketball Stars Girls Camp ages 11-14 - Week of July 11 - Free*
• Super Mario Game Coding Camp ages 9-12 - Week of July 11 - $110*
• Rocket Builder Design Camp ages 8-12 - Week of July 25 - $99*
• Musical Theatre Camp ages 9-14 - Week of August 8 - $110*

Northwest Como Rec Center (1550 N. Hamline)

• StarEye Art Camp ages 8-12 - Week of July 11 - $50*
• 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 Renewals

• 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.

Be an Interpreter Election Judge

An interpreter election judge explains the ballot, instructions, and process in a language other than English. Election judges are paid hourly for training and Election Day. If desired, election judges may choose to volunteer their time and not be paid for service.

You must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old, eligible to vote in Minnesota and complete a 2-hour training either online or in-person. See the full list of qualifications, a list of election judge positions and pay, student judge information, and sign-up links at ramseycounty.us/residents/election-judge-information. Sign up by July 1st. 

In-Person Absentee Voting Begins This Month

The state primary is Tuesday, Aug. 9. In-person absentee voting begins Friday, June 24. All voters can vote early by absentee ballot in Minnesota. Go to ramseycounty.us/residents/in-person-absentee-voting.  

Your precinct and representatives may have changed due to state and local redistricting this spring. Earlier this year, the county board established new commissioner districts. For the new map go to ramseycounty.us/redistricting. 

Section 8 Housing Waitlist through Metro HRA Open

There is a very short time period to apply for the Section 8 Housing Waitlist through Metro HRA. Section 8 provides rental assistance to families and individuals with very low income. 

Applications opened at 9 AM on Wed June 22 and will close at 12 noon on Tuesday June 28.

Details about the application opening are at https://metrocouncil.org/METRO-HRA/Section-8-Waiting-List-Public-Notice.aspx. Applications are online only and can be submitted 24 hours a day. It does not matter when you complete the application in that time period. The online application is https://www.waitlistcheck.com/application/form and the link is also in the Waiting List Notice. 

Request for Applications for Saint Paul 2023 9% Housing Tax Credits

The Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) of the City of Saint Paul is soliciting applications for reservation and allocation of Year 2023 9% Housing Tax Credits (HTCs) for eligible rental housing developments located within Saint Paul.

The program offers a reduction in the tax liability to owners and investors of qualified affordable rental housing projects relating to the acquisition, construction or rehabilitation of low-income rental housing units.

The HRA is anticipating an allocation of $815,604 9% HTCs for Year 2023.

Application Process

Application procedures and eligibility requirements are available on the City of Saint Paul website.

Completed applications must be received by the Saint Paul HRA at the address below on or before 4pm on Thursday, July 28, 2022.  

Applicants must mail or deliver one original application and one electronic (flash drive) copy to:

Vicki Lee

Department of Planning and Economic Development

25 West Fourth Street, Suite 1100

Saint Paul, MN 55102

For more information, contact Vicki Lee at (651) 266-6591 or vicki.lee@ci.stpaul.mn.us.

Community Members Invited to

Apply for Saint Paul Charter Commission

Interested Parties Can Submit Applications Until Friday, July 1 for Consideration

ABOUT THE CHARTER COMMISSION

The Charter Commission is responsible for supporting the government of Saint Paul by studying and analyzing issues, educating residents about the Charter, encouraging involvement in the Commission's work, serving as a resource and providing oversight in solving problems, and hearing petitions regarding the Charter from the public and the City Council. The Charter Commission is also responsible for keeping the Charter current by reviewing the provisions and language to keep it up-to-date and coordinated with State laws. 

Appointees to the Charter Commission are named by the Chief Judge of the Second Judicial District, which serves the City of Saint Paul and Ramsey County. Six appointees will be named to seats that are expiring on July 31 of this year.  

The application and additional information on the City Charter and the Charter Commission can be found at https://www.stpaul.gov/departments/charter-commission. Interested parties should submit their completed application by Friday, July 1 for consideration. Questions regarding the application and selection process should be directed to Megan Hoveland, Court Operations Supervisor at megan.hoveland@courts.state.mn.us. Questions regarding Charter Commission meetings should be directed to Shari Moore, City Clerk at shari.moore@ci.stpaul.mn.us.  

ABOUT THE CITY CHARTER

Saint Paul's most basic rules for governance are found in the Home Rule Charter. The Charter defines the roles of the City Council and Mayor along with defining the City's general authority to finance and tax for public services. Voters approved this Charter in 1972. The Legislative and Administrative Codes set out in specific detail how the City will provide services and the responsibilities of residents. The City Council adopts these Codes by ordinance.

Transforming Libraries Survey #2

Directions have been determined for Hamline Midway, Hayden Heights, and Riverview libraries. Saint Paul Public Library is looking for community specific input on the interior and exterior design elements of each library.

What do you want to see at your library? Take this five-minute survey to provide feedback that will inform the future designs of three library buildings: Hamline Midway, Hayden Heights, and Riverview.

The survey closes June 30.

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.