News from the City of Lake Elmo
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        March 15,  2019
Meetings next week:   

Monday, March 18th: Parks Commission Meeting 6:30PM
Tuesday, March 19th: City Council Meeting 7:00PM

 
Links to the 2019 City Meetings, Agendas and Meeting Minutes: 

City Meetings
 
                                                                               

3/18 -Parks Commission Meeting  Agenda

3/19 - City Council Agenda

Sandbag Materials Available at Public Works Building

With the on-going rain and melting snow, the City has been receiving several inquiries regarding flooding on private property.

With Public Works staff focusing on the flooding issues within the City's infrastructure, and the liability issues with City employees working on private property, sandbag materials are being made available at the Public Works building. 

If any residents are in need of sandbags, sand and bags can be filled and picked up at 3445 Ideal Ave., Lake Elmo, MN 55042. There will also be a few shovels for use to fill bags, but residents are encouraged to bring their own shovel.  These materials will be outside of the fenced off areas and accessible throughout the weekend.

Caution: Flooding on 50th St. between Manning Ave. and Linden Tr.

50th St. between Manning Ave. and Linden Tr. continues to have flooding issues.  Public Works crews have been working on opening a stormwater pipe to drain the water.  Please continue to use caution when driving through the area.
New Questions on Polco Site!

New questions have been posted on the City's Polco survey site.  The new questions are relating to the City's emergency services, recreation, and communications efforts.  

Visit: www.polco.us/LakeElmo if you'd like to provide feedback.
Jaycee's Make $15,000 Donation to the City

At their March 5th meeting, Council was presented with a generous donation of $15,000 from the Lake Elmo Jaycee's.  

The Lake Elmo Jaycee's are in need of new members.  If you are interested in joining, please visit their website at:  https://www.lakeelmojaycees.org/ 









City Offices Address Reminder

The City has been running into issues with receiving mail.  

Remember to use the following address when mailing the City:

3880 Laverne Ave. N. Suite 100
Lake Elmo, MN 55042

This is the address for the Brookfield II building across from City Hall.  The City's Administration, Finance, Planning, and Building departments are all located in this office building.

Notice:
If you are paying your utility bills online, you will need the bank to change the City's address to reflect the address noted above for your ACH transfer to go through.

Wash. Co. spring weight restrictions for county roads go into effect March 15

Spring weight restrictions will go into effect on Washington County Roads at 12:01 a.m. March 15. Restrictions will be in effect for eight weeks, unless extraordinary conditions require extending them.

All county roads will be posted. Any county road without a posted weight limit is 10 ton per axel.

During spring weight restrictions, Washington County does not issue permits for overweight transport, except in cases of a serious public health emergency. This message does not include city or township roads.

Washington County road users may call 651-430-8355 for a recording with the latest spring weight restriction information.
For additional information, call Washington County Public Works at 651-430-4300.



Valley Branch Watershed District Emergency Lake Drawdown

The Valley Branch Watershed District is implementing an emergency drawdown of lakes in anticipation of continued spring flooding.  City crews will continue clearing storm drains.  You can help the flooding issues and the Public Works Department by clearing your neighborhood storm drains.  

For more information on the emergency drawdown of the lakes, visit the Valley Branch Watershed District's website at:  http://www.vbwd.org/newsdetail_T2_R21.php?fbclid=IwAR1PScs_0jbmOo0roia6WMokJ1nsK4jjdcx7VHUUkvvTrJSjQNuyjIJmRF4

 

Upcoming Events at the Nature Center

Winter Prairie Pioneer Tea Party - Saturday, March 16 from 1:00PM to 3:00PM

There will be a Winter Prairie Pioneer Tea Party  Saturday March 16th, 1:00PM to 3:00PM  at the Sally Manzara Interpretive Nature Center.  ($20 Donation)   The winter has been so long and cold... It is 1850!  You bundle up in your sleigh and off to the neighbors.  Time for a winter tea party... what would they serve? Join us and find out. Space is limited.   A sure cure for Cabin Fever!  Please call Connie at 651-491-3853 if you have special needs, or sign up via PayPal on our website  https://sminc-lake-elmo.org/event-descriptions/.
 
For questions, or more information, call the Nature Center at: 651-408-2838. Please leave a message if no one is available to take your call.
 




Enjoy guided fitness hikes in Washington County Parks, next one March 22

Explore the Washington County Parks trail system with guided fitness hikes, with the next hike at 10 to 11:30 a.m. Friday, March 22, at Lake Elmo Park Reserve.  Meet at the Nordic Center.

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 or snow, hike will go on as scheduled. The program is for those ages 13 and older. All minors must be accompanied by an adult.
Additional hikes will be:
  • 10 to 11:30 a.m. Friday, April 19, at the Lake Elmo Park Reserve;
  • 10 to 11:30 a.m. Friday, May 24, at Lake Elmo Park Reserve; and
  • 9 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 1, at Pine Point Regional Park as part of Explore Your Parks Day when no vehicle permit is required.
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.


County will receive grants to restore prairie, oak savanna in Lake Elmo Park Reserve

Washington County will receive two $50,000 grants from the Expedited Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program, part of the Outdoor Heritage Fund, and part of the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment. Funding will be used to help restore wildlife and pollinator habitat within Lake Elmo Park Reserve by restoring prairie and oak savanna. 

The County Board received news of the grants Feb. 26.

No financial match from the county is required; the county will provide staff time to plan and implement the restoration projects.

The first project will include planting 32 acres of prairie for the rusty patched bumblebee in the northwest portion of the park in an existing crop field. The grant will be used to purchase native seed for the project. The second project will restore 17 acres of oak savanna on the north shore of Eagle Point Lake. The second grant will be used to pay for contracted services for common buckthorn removal and follow-up management to provide long-term control.

Contact: Dan MacSwain, Natural Resources Coordinator, 651-430-4323



Volunteers Needed!

Finance Committee:
To aid the City Council in the administration of financial operations of the City of Lake Elmo through the review of financial policies, the quarterly review of financial statements, the annual review of the audit report and the review of the annual operating budgets.









Human Resources Committee:
The Human Resources Committees purpose is to aid the City Council in the administration of personnel policies and staffing through productivity audits, human resource policies, & procedures, wages & rate administration, benefit review and disciplinary procedures.










Maintenance Advisory Committee (MAC): 
The Maintenance Advisory Committee evaluates and recommends maintenance equipment purchases for the City.












The City of Lake Elmo is accepting applications from residents interested in serving on these committees.  

Information on each committee and an application form can be found under the "Government" tab on the City's website:  www.lakeelmo.org.








New Wash. Co. Organics Drop-off Program

The organics drop-off program at the Washington County Environmental Center is now officially
 LIVE!  Residents can drop-off bagged food scraps, paper towels, and more at the Environmental Center during open hours. Known as "organics," these materials can be recycled into compost, a valuable resource that improves soil and decreases the need for fertilizers. The address and hours of the Environmental Center are:

Washington County Environmental Center
 
HOURS:
Tuesday: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Thursday: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
Closed on 4th of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day & New Year's Day
   
Similar to dropping off Household Hazardous Waste, residents will use the drive lane and an attendant will collect their bags of organics and give them an equal number of new bags in return, for free. As an incentive to participate, residents who sign up for our email notification system will receive a free starter kit. Starter kits are available for pick up at the Environmental Center during open hours. The email notification system will allow the County to communicate directly with participants regarding any program changes or issues with contamination. To receive a free starter kit, residents must show proof of subscription to the email notification system. They will receive an automatic email from the system once their subscription is complete. The kit includes:
  •          Green, 2 gallon kitchen collection pail (w/ locking lid and handle)
  •          10 compostable bags
  •          Instructions on what is and is not acceptable in organics
  •          Stickers and other promotional materials to post at home
  Additional program information is available here.  
Winter Parking Ordinance Still in Effect!

City plow truck on Marquess Lane blocked by cars parked on the road

The City's winter parking ordinance is continues to be in effect.  The winter parking ordinance prohibits parking on Lake Elmo streets from November 1 through March 31 between 2:00 AM and 7:00 AM, or during a snow event outside of those hours.


 

Remember, if the City's trucks are blocked they can't plow your streets!


Snow Removal Ordinance Change

At their 12/4 meeting, Council voted to update the City ordinance relating to snow removal.  These changes require residents to clear sidewalks that are adjacent to their property, and reads as follows:

SIDEWALKS

ยง 93.50 SIDEWALK SNOW REMOVAL.            
(A)       Removal of snow and ice from sidewalks. The owner or occupant of any property within the city's corporate limits that fronts upon any public street that has an abutting sidewalk must remove any snow or ice from the sidewalk within 48 hours following the termination of any snow or ice formation. The owner or occupant of the property abutting the sidewalk must keep the abutting sidewalk reasonably clear and free of any snow or ice.
(B)       Nuisance. Failure by the owner or occupant of the property abutting the sidewalk to comply with this section shall constitute a nuisance and the nuisance may be abated by the city in accordance with Chapter 96 of the city code.

Lion's Park Signs

The City is taking orders for new signs at Lion's Park for the 2019 season.  If you'd like to purchase a sign to advertise on the Lion's Park ballpark fence, or renew your current sign, the deadline to do so is April 30, 2019.

The cost of the signs are $500 per year for a 4'x8' sign, and $900 per year for a 4'x16' sign.  To begin work on designing your sign, email Kathy Weeks at [email protected].  For all other questions contact City Administrator, Kristina Handt at [email protected] or 651-747-3905.