News from the City of Lake Elmo
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        March 1,  2019
Meetings next week:   

Tuesday, March 5th: City Council Meeting 7:00PM

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

City Meetings
 
                                                                               

3/5 - City Council Meeting  Agenda

The Lake Elmo Fire Department Needs Your Help!

Please help the City, and clear your nearby hydrants. If Firefighters have difficulty locating or accessing fire hydrants it will impact their ability to effectively fight fires!  

Share your hydrant clearing photos with us on the City's Facebook page at:  https://www.facebook.com/LakeElmoMN/ 
 
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.


Xcel Energy Reminder: Keep Your Gas Meters and Furnace Exhaust Clear

With the record setting snowfall in February and more in the forecast, it's very important to make sure your gas meters and furnace exhaust pipes are not covered in snow and/or ice.  Many of today's high efficiency furnaces outlet to the side of the home rather than through a traditional stack on the roof.  

The consequences of having obstructed gas meters and furnace exhaust pipes could be severe!



Adding Your Stormwater Account to Your Existing  Online Utility Bill Pay

Now Hiring: Public Works Director

The City of Lake Elmo is in search of a new Public Works Director.  For more information, and to apply, see the job posting and Lake Elmo Employment Application below.

General Duties:
The Public Works Director is responsible for complex supervisory, administrative, and professional work in planning, organizing, directing, and supervising the Public Works Department.
 
Minimum Requirements:
This position must have complex understanding of environment, water, sanitary and storm water, street, traffic control, lighting, parks maintenance, vehicle maintenance, and other public work projects and programs. This position is responsible for budgetary duties. 


Public Works Director Job Posting
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]
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.
 

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.  
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 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.