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<br />Winter 2013-14
<br />The City of Lake Elmo formed a Public Safety Committee
<br />to aid in the administration of public service policies includ-
<br />ing community policing, fire suppression, emergency ser-
<br />vices, animal control, liquor licensing, and other matters
<br />concerning the general health and welfare of Lake Elmo
<br />citizens.
<br />Most statutory cities in Minnesota are organized with a com-
<br />mittee structure that encompasses six main areas: Finance,
<br />Public Works, Public Safety, Human Resources, Parks,
<br />and Land Use (Planning Commission). A Finance Commit-
<br />tee and Human Resources Committee have already been
<br />established early in 2013 and are in their infant stages of
<br />development.
<br />At the Mayor’s request, the Public Safety Committee was
<br />approved at the November 16th council meeting. “The cre-
<br />ation of a Public Safety Committee will help to evaluate
<br />staffing, equipment, and infrastructure needs in the areas
<br />of police, fire, and humane services,” he said.
<br />With three main areas of growth in Lake Elmo, the size
<br />and scope of the operations of all public safety functions
<br />need to be evaluated to serve the growth. “With the City
<br />of Lake Elmo poised to embark on a period of growth, the
<br />proper provision for public safety must be reviewed and
<br />analyzed as policing and fire services historically make up
<br />a large part of municipal budgets,” said Council member
<br />Wally Nelson.
<br />The City is seeking one more member to join Mayor Pear-
<br />son, Council member Nelson, Fire Chief Greg Malmquist,
<br />and two Lake Elmo residents who currently serve on the
<br />committee. Qualified candidates must be residents of Lake
<br />Elmo and possess a background or interest in public safe-
<br />ty. For more details, contact City Hall at 651-747-3908.
<br />Public Safety Committee Ensures Safe Future for Lake Elmo
<br />Public Safety
<br />According to 2010 census data, Lake
<br />Elmo is an aging community with more
<br />than 10% of its 8,000 residents over the
<br />age of 65. However, with the addition
<br />of some of the newer developments
<br />like Tapestry and Farms of Lake
<br />Elmo, the city is attracting many
<br />residents in their 30s and 40s who are
<br />looking for larger lots, and open space
<br />communities that cater to their active
<br />lifestyles. That number is expected to
<br />rise with future developments that are
<br />planned.
<br />To seek representation from this
<br />growing demographic, the city started
<br />a NextGen committee, one of several
<br />groups initiated in 2013 aimed at
<br />opening up local government. The
<br />group met for the first time in July
<br />2013, and currently meets monthly,
<br />on the third Thursday of each month.
<br />The group started with a study of
<br />“Live First, Work Second,” a book
<br />by nationally renowned NextGen
<br />Consultant Rebecca Ryan. The book
<br />discusses the desire that millennials
<br />have for maintaining a healthy work-
<br />life balance and living in communities
<br />where they can be involved and make a
<br />difference. The book discusses seven
<br />indexes of desirable communities
<br />including: vitality, earning, learning,
<br />social capital, cost of lifestyle, after
<br />hours, and proximity/access to
<br />amenities.
<br />“I moved to Lake Elmo to live in a
<br />community with a rural feel, but that’s
<br />close to common conveniences and
<br />amenities,” said NextGen member
<br />and Lake Elmo resident Adam Smith.
<br />“Lake Elmo has great potential for
<br />becoming an active and attractive
<br />community while maintaining small
<br />town charm.”
<br />The general attitude of the NextGen
<br />members is that they love their
<br />community but have difficulty finding
<br />ways to get involved beyond their
<br />immediate neighborhoods due to lack
<br />of opportunity. Some have avoided
<br />engaging with local government due to
<br />a past reputation for contentiousness,
<br />or lack of time and knowledge.
<br />“These folks are the city’s future
<br />council members and commissioners,
<br />said NextGen facilitator Alyssa
<br />MacLeod. “Most currently work, shop,
<br />and attend schools in surrounding
<br />cities, the NextGen group is a way to
<br />get our younger residents to connect
<br />to their community.”
<br />The NextGen Committee’s first
<br />initiative was planning and leading
<br />the Light Up Lake Elmo event, which
<br />was held on December 14th. On the
<br />group’s agenda for the upcoming
<br />year is working on a pilot project
<br />with the Alliance for Innovation, the
<br />leading best management practice
<br />organization for local government.
<br />They are also considering several
<br />community service projects that
<br />would improve the appearance and
<br />revitalize Lake Elmo’s downtown area
<br />and community parks.
<br />For more information on the NextGen
<br />committee contact Alyssa MacLeod
<br />at 651-747-3908 or amacleod@
<br />lakeelmo.org.
<br />NextGen Group Looks to Engage Lake Elmo
<br />The Lake Elmo NextGen committee meets with local
<br />businesses to discuss ways to increase engagement
<br />in the community. Above, members of the group
<br />carve pumpkins at the Lake Elmo Wine Company.
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