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

Tuesday, February 19th: City Council Meeting7:00PM
Wednesday, February 20th: Parks Commission Meeting 6:30PM


**Note: City Offices will be closed on Monday, February 18th in observance of Presidents Day

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

City Meetings
 
                                                                               

City Offices Closed on Monday, February 18th

City Offices will be closed on Monday, February 18th in observance of Presidents Day.  Offices will reopen on Tuesday, February 19th at 8:00AM.
2/19 - City Council  Meeting Agenda

2/20 - Parks Commission  Agenda

Washington County Parks celebrates full moon in February at Lake Elmo Park Reserve

 
Washington County Parks will celebrate winter's full moons with event in February at Lake Elmo Park Reserve.
  • A Full Moon Ski will be 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 19, at Lake Elmo Park Reserve starting at the Nordic Center. Glide across the snow on the serene landscape of Lake Elmo Park Reserve under the light of the full moon. This guided ski will be on the unlit Orange trail, allowing participants to fully immerse themselves in the tranquility of the night. Head lamps are welcome. No reservation are required. Free with vehicle permit. Lake Elmo Park Reserve is at 1515 Keats Ave. N. in Lake Elmo
A Washington County parks vehicle permit ($7/day or $30/annual) is required for entry to the parks. Follow Washington County Parks on social media at @WashCountyParks.
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Storm Water Utility Fee

The City has been receiving several questions from residents regarding what their storm water utility fee and what it comprises.  The revenue received from you storm water utility fee is used for  preparation of a Surface Water Management Plan, maintenance of existing ditches, culverts, pond, and storm sewers, capital improvement in developed areas, equipment, planning, inventories, and water quality improvements, including weed control.

The utility charge (UC) is reviewed and determined by the City Council each year.


The City of Lake Elmo wants your input!

Aside from the recent cold weather and snow, how would you rate Lake Elmo as a place to live?

We're using Polco, a public participation tool for local government.

Go to polco.us/LakeElmo or download the Polco app to give your input.

You'll create an account so that we can verify you as a registered voter in Lake Elmo, and so that we can notify you when we want your input again.  Your information will better help us understand respondent demographics, and from where input is coming to improve future surveys and City services.



Online Bill Pay Update

The City of Lake Elmo has launched a new online bill pay option for utility bills.  To pay your bill online, visit the City's website at:  www.lakeelmo.org.  

Once on the website, click on the "Online Bill Pay Now Available" article under the City News & Events heading.  Click the "Pay Online" button and create new account using the "First-time User" button on the next page.  

After your account is created you will be able to login with your email address and your newly created password.  

Note: that your "Utility Account Numbers" will be required to create a new login, and will require two separate payments for storm water and water/sewer.  Y ou will need to match your storm water account number with the appropriate payment, and do the same for your water/sewer payment and that account number.  Please do not credit both payments/charges to one account.  

For instructions on how to add an account to your existing online utility bill pay account, see the next article below.


Instructions for Adding Stormwater Account to Online Bill Pay and Paying Multiple Accounts

To Add your Stormwater Account to Your Existing Online Utility Bill Pay:
Log into Your Account from City Website
Click on "Manage Profiles" on the left side of the screen
Click "Add New Account" on the upper right side
Click on bubble to add account to your name
Click "next"
Enter Your Stormwater Account number under the "Utility Account Number" (should begin 05-....)



Click "Search"
Check Box for account
Click "next"

To Make a Payment on Multiple Accounts:
Click "Make a Payment" on left side of screen
Select Type under Payment Methods



Scroll Down to see your accounts



Enter payment amount for each account you wish to pay
Click "Continue"

Now Hiring: PW Director, Interns, and PW Seasonal Employees

The City of Lake Elmo i has various employment openings!  There are openings for Public Works Director, Finance and GIS interns, and two seasonal public  works employees.   The postings for each position, as well as the City's employment application, are located below.


Lake Elmo Employment Application 


Send completed application materials to:
City of Lake Elmo
ATTN: Jake Foster, Assistant City Administrator
3880 Laverne Avenue North, Lake Elmo, MN, 55042

or email them to: [email protected]
The Lake Elmo Fire Department Needs You!

The Lake Elmo Fire Department is looking for paid-on-call 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:  [email protected]




 
The next round of working group meetings are scheduled for February 19 and 20.

The agendas for the Feb. 19 meeting of the Citizen-Business Group and Feb. 20 meeting of the Government and 3M Working Group are posted on the  3M Settlement website. Both groups will continue to develop a better understanding of possible water supply options for the East Metropolitan Area with presentations by St. Paul Regional Water Services, and the Lincoln-Pipestone Rural Water system.
The groups will also be discussing the planning and selection process for expedited projects.
Questions about these meetings can be emailed to [email protected].

3M Settlement biannual report   
The Minn. Pollution Control Agency and Minn. Department of Natural Resources recently submitted the 3M Settlement biannual report to the legislature. A link to it is also available on the homepage of the 3M Settlement website.





Washington County Sheriff's Office announces 2019 Citizens Academy

Ever wonder what it's like to be a Washington County Deputy? Here's your chance to learn more! Join us Tuesday  nights this spring for the 2019 Citizens Academy to get an inside look into the Washington County Sheriff's Office and observe first-hand the daily responsibilities of dedicated deputies.

The Washington County Sheriff's Office Citizens Academy is an intensive 8-week course held Tuesday nights, March 19 through May 7. Each class lasts at least three hours. The academy staff and instructors are committed to providing participants with information and understanding of the operation of the Washington County Sheriff's Office. The program examines various functions of the Sheriff's Office, from the street to the courtroom and beyond. Participants will investigate crimes, make traffic stops, and have the opportunity to see the county from a squad car during a ride-along on a patrol shift.

The 2019 Citizens Academy kicks off March 19. Applications for participation are due Feb. 28.
For more information on candidate requirements or to obtain an application, contact Deputy Laura Jackson at [email protected] or 651-430-7670 ext. 5374.
 

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.  
BizRecycling

BizRecycling is a program to help businesses in Ramsey County and Washington County start, expand, improve, and manage business recycling, includi ng organic waste collection, such as food waste.  The BizRecycling program was started in 2013 to help East Metro businesses reduce waste and recycle better. BizRecycling connects businesses with  recycling experts  who can help identify recycling and waste reduction opportunities.  We offer free on-site consultations, technical assistance, expert advice and guidance. Businesses can request free container labels for their trash and recycling bins. We also have business recycling grants available (up to $10K per business!) to start or improve business recycling.

BizRecycling with Sunray BP Gas Station
BizRecycling with Sunray BP Gas Station


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 1, 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.