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5 MAJOR INITIATIVES 2023 was once again a year of robust growth for the City, due to the continuation of ongoing infrastructure upgrades, various projects, as well as oversight of the ongoing residential and commercial development activities. Some of the 2023 infrastructure projects included the following: • The construction of a new City Center was approved and began in 2021, and was completed in the summer of 2023. The new City Center consists of a combined City Hall and Public Safety Facility. This new facility brings together City Hall staff and functions, the entire Fire Department, and a satellite office for the Washington County Sheriff’s department. This co-location involved renovating and expanding the City-owned Brookfield Office building to consolidate civic resources within a single structure at the historic core of the city. Additionally, the Public Works facility will also be expanded to accommodate City growth and increased service needs. • The Old Village Phase VII Improvements started construction in 2023. This project covers full reconstruction of the streets, upgrading the existing water system, and installation of a new sewer system and storm water drainage system. • Extension of municipal sewer to the Tapestry development began in 2022 and was completed in 2023. • Municipal sewer lines were extended along the City’s western border in order to serve new development on the 180 acres the City received in a settlement with 3M in 2019. The new area will provide for business/industrial, commercial and low-density housing options. • The City continued work on several expedited water main projects to bring water to neighborhoods with PFAS contamination at no cost to the city or residents due to grants from the MPCA. These projects include water main extensions, road construction and in some cases the extension of sewer. Sewer costs of the project will be assessed 100% to the benefiting property owners. In 2023, the projects in Parkview Estates, Cardinal Ridge, Cardinal View, Whistling Valley and Torre Pines were completed. The Stillwater Boulevard (CSAH 14) Trunk Watermain Improvements are being constructed in 2024 using 100% 3M Settlement grant funds. • Water Tower 3 began construction in 2022 to increase storage capacity in the southeast area of the city. Construction was completed in 2023. • The use of Parkland dedication fees continues to support improvements in existing and new parks. The 2023 Trail Improvements included Stonegate Neighborhood Trail segments, Sunfish Pond trails, Hamlet on Sunfish Lake connecting Trail, DeMontreville Wildlife connecting trail. • As part of the City’s Street Capital Improvement Program, neighborhood street and drainage improvements were completed in Tamarack Farms, Fields of St. Croix 1st and 2nd Additions, and Beaut Crest Estates. In 2024, street and drainage improvements are being constructed in Carriage Station and along Jamaca Court. • Also, as part of the City’s Street Capital Improvement Program, the 2024 Collector Roadway Improvements are being constructed, including Hudson Boulevard, from Inwood Avenue (CSAH 13) to Julia Avenue; 15th Street from Inwood Avenue (CSAH 13) to Oakdale/Lake Elmo city limits; and 30th Street, from Village Parkway to Lisbon Avenue. AWARDS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) awarded a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to the City of Lake Elmo for its annual comprehensive financial report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022. In order to be awarded a Certificate of Achievement, a government must publish an easily readable and efficiently organized Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. This report must satisfy both GAAP and applicable legal requirements. This was the 10th consecutive year that the City of Lake Elmo has achieved this prestigious award. A Certificate of Achievement is valid for a period of one year only. We believe that our current Annual Comprehensive Financial Report continues to meet the Certificate of Achievement Program’s requirements and we are submitting it to the GFOA to determine its eligibility for another certificate.