News from the City of Lake Elmo
August 10,  2018
Meetings next week:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Monday, August 13th: Human Resources Committee Meeting 7:30 a.m.
Wednesday, August 15th: Planning Commission Meeting 7:00 p.m.


Links to the 2018 City Meetings, Agendas and Meeting Minutes: 

City Meetings
 
                                                                               

8/13/18 Human Resources Committee Meeting Agenda


8/15/18 Planning Commission Meeting Agenda


Huff n' Puff Pancake Breakfast Aug. 12

The Lake Elmo Jaycees will be hosting a pancake breakfast at Fire Station 1 from 8:00 AM to Noon on the Sunday of Huff n' Puff Days 8/12.  The proceeds of the breakfast will be given to the Lake Elmo Fire Department Relief Fund.

Any tips/gratuity received by the Jaycees during Huff n' Puff will be donated to the Amanda Tarbutton Piggott Family. Amanda Tarbutton Piggott grew up in Lake Elmo.  Her son, Stellen age 7, was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.  Funds will be used to support the family, and Stellen's battle with cancer.
Now Hiring Firefighters!

The Lake Elmo Fire Department is looking for paid-on-call and part-time firefighters.  If you are interested please fill out the application below.  


Completed applications can be mailed to:
City of Lake Elmo
Attn: Jake Foster, Assistant City Administrator
3880 Laverne Ave. N., Lake Elmo MN

or emailed to: jfoster@lakeelmo.org



CSAH 15 (Manning Ave.) and CSAH 14 Realignment

Project Schedule

Last Week:
  • Crews started working on sub-grade prep and sanitary sewer installations on CSAH 14, west of Manning Avenue.
This Week:
  • Crews will work to finish up graveling center medians in order for concrete to be poured next week.
  • Storm sewer work near the north fairgrounds entrance will continue on.
  • Sanitary sewer installations will also continue.
  • Crews will work on subgrade excavation and grading work on the southbound side near the north fairgrounds entrance.

Upcoming Work:
  • Concrete curb & gutter crews will be in next week.
  • Crews will work to prepare the roadway for paving the following week.
Reminder: Permanent Water Use Restriction

With the recent dry weather, water usage in the City has increased.  Please adhere the to City's water use restrictions.  They are as follows:

(1). Odd/Event Sprinkling Restriction: Property owners having even numberd postal addresses may water, sprinkle, or irrigate their lawns, only on even numbered days, and property owners having odd numbered postal addressses may water, sprinkle, or irrigate their lawns only on odd numbered days.

(2). Time of Day Sprinkling Restriction:  Property owners are prohibited from watering, sprinkling, or irrigating their lawns between the hours of 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM daily.








Lake Elmo, a 1901 Map

Lake Elmo as a retail center has been in existence since the 1850s. Over time it has expanded from a country inn for people travelling between Stillwater and Fort Snelling to an agrarian center serving the growing farm community with staple foods and farm supplies. In the early 1870s, the first mercantile store appeared. From there the old village expanded. Over the years, the trail became a coach road. The Old Village was still but a hamlet, though. Then the railroad came.

In 1925, the Village decided to explore incorporation. Two votes and a public meeting to recount votes, incorporation won 56-55.

The first Lake Elmo Census was in 1930 was 265 people.

The accompanying map is from 1901. The Old Village as we see it today is barely recognizable. This map was obviously created for the investors promoting an exclusive resort community on the south side of the tracks. Very few of these homes were ever built. Also, note that the businesses along Main Street were largely ignored. Being on the east side of Main Street, they were not included; those businesses supporting the community's thriving agricultural community.


Source: Memories of Lake Elmo, collected and authored by Gloria VanDemmeltraadt and the Washington County Historical Society.

(Map courtesy of the Minnesota History Center, St. Paul, Minnesota.)
Curious about who is running for office? 

Candidate filings have opened for the upcoming election.  To find out who has filed for the local, state and federal elections,
 visit: https://candidates.sos.state.mn.us/.  The filing period will close for the City Council election will end Monday, August 14 at 5:00 PM.




Friends of the Lake Elmo Library Make Donation to Lake Elmo Elementary

The Friends of the Lake Elmo Library donated $1,500 to Lake Elmo Elementary this week.  The donation will be used to purchase books for the school's media center, including books in Spanish to support the students who are in the Spanish Immersion program.

Left to right: Roger Kapsner, President, Friends of Lake Elmo Library; Paul Ryberg, Vice President, Friends of Lake Elmo Library; Emily O'Connor, Secretary, Friends of Lake Elmo Library; Kari Phillips, Media Specialist, Lake Elmo Elementary; Stephen Gorde, Principal, Lake Elmo Elementary; Sarah Linder, Treasurer, Friends of Lake Elmo Library; Rosemary Meier, Maureen McDonough, both members of the Board of Friends of Lake Elmo Library. 




Hardrives, Inc., will put in turn lanes at CSAH 15, 30th Street

Hardrives, Inc., will install turn lanes at County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 15 and 30th Street where Baytown and West Lakeland townships and the City of Lake Elmo touch, after the Washington County Board of Commissioners approved a $432,681 contract with the company Aug. 7.

The project will add turn lanes and drainage improvements to the roadway that carries 22,500 vehicles each day. The work is considered interim improvements until the third phase of improvements on the Manning Avenue Corridor are done
Campfire program continues with "Trash Your Trash" August 11


Leave No Trace will present "Camping Hacks: Trash Your Trash" at 7:15 p.m. Saturday, August 11, at Lake Elmo Park Reserve.

Lake Elmo Park Reserve is at the intersection of County Road 19 and County Road 10 (one mile north of Interstate 94) in Lake Elmo. The program will be in the campground amphitheater. Call 651-430-8370 or see www.co.washington.mn.us/parks for additional information on this and other programs.

Follow Washington County Parks on social media at @WashCountyParks.
Outdoor yoga continues at Lake Elmo Park Reserve through Aug. 16

Tune into the sights and sounds of nature and release stress through guided yoga sequences designed to improve balance, flexibility, breath awareness, and muscle tone 6-7 p.m. Thursdays, through Aug. 16, at the North Picnic Pavilion at the Lake Elmo Park Reserve.

The program is open to all levels. Dress for outdoor yoga, bring a mat, and arrive 5 to 10 minutes early. Check the county website or the park office for information.

Registration is required for Outdoor Yoga; each class is $7 per person. Vehicle permits are also required, which are $7 daily or $30 annually, which is not included in the individual class or season pass price. Call the Lake Elmo Park Reserve Contact Station for information at 651-430-8370 or see the Washington County website at www.co.washington.mn.us and search "outdoor yoga" to register online.

Lake Elmo Park Reserve is at the intersection of County Road 19 and County Road 10 (one mile north of Interstate 94) in Lake Elmo.

Follow Washington County Parks on social media at @WashCountyParks.

Enjoy guided fitness hike August 23 at Lake Elmo park

Explore the Washington County Parks trail system with guided fitness hikes, with the next hike at 9 to 10 a.m. Thursday, August 23, at Lake Elmo Park Reserve.

The one-hour hikes involve a warm-up and fitness challenges along the way. Trails are a mix of turf, gravel, grass, snow, and pavement depending on trail conditions, time of year, and location. Plan to arrive 10 minutes early. If light rain, hike will go on as scheduled. The program is for those ages 13 and older. All minors must be accompanied by an adult.

All guided fitness hikes are at the Lake Elmo Park Reserve Thursdays from 9 to 10 a.m. and will meet at the Nordic Center. The continuing 2018 schedule is:
  • Aug. 23
  • Sept. 6
  • Sept. 20
  • Oct. 4
  • Nov. 1
  • Dec. 6
These programs are free with a parks vehicle permit ($7/day or $30/annual) with the exception of Free Tuesdays. Follow Washington County Parks on social media at @WashCountyParks.


Attend a Mars Party at Lake Elmo Park Reserve Aug. 31

Washington County Parks will have a Mars Party, hosted by Mike Lynch, 9 to 11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31, at Lake Elmo Park Reserve.


The gathering will be near the Swim Pond at the park.

This summer, Mars is as close to Earth has it has been in 15 years, and nearly as close as it's been in 60,000 years. At the Mars Party, giant telescopes will be aimed at the moon, Jupiter, and Saturn. View constellations like The Big Bear, Cygnus the Swan, and Pegasus the Winged Horse, and learn the stories behind them.

Visitors will use large reflecting telescopes, including two 20-inch reflectors that are among the biggest mobile telescopes in Minnesota. Visitors will use a new astronomical camera-telescope system for views of the more distant parts of the universe. Participants will receive user-friendly star maps and constellation charts for personal use.

Mike Lynch is a meteorologist at WCCO Radio and has been hosting Starwatch parties and teaching astronomy classes for more than 40 years. Even if it's cloudy, visitors will learn a lot, and get a Mike Lynch "Cloud Check" for a future Minnesota Starwatch Party.

No registration is required - just show up. Feel free to bring lawn chairs, blankets, snacks, bug spray, etc., for a more enjoyable experience.

All vehicles must have a valid Washington County Parks vehicle permit, $7 daily, $30 annually.
Follow Washington County Parks on social media at @WashCountyParks.