03-17-26 City Council Meeting Packet

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The mission of the City of Lake Elmo is to provide planned, quality public services consistent with the City’s character in a fiscally responsible manner in partnership with our community. 3880 Laverne Ave N | Lake Elmo | MN 55042 | (651) 747-3900 | lakeelmo.gov Tuesday, March 10, 2026 Dear Board of Directors of a local foundation, On behalf of the Mayor and City Council of the City of Lake Elmo, we are writing to express our awareness of and support for the Valley Community Center Partners’ proposed community center and its application for funding through your Spring 2026 Acquisition Funding request. The City is aware of the proposed community center at 11030 Stillwater Blvd, Lake Elmo, MN 55042 on the corner of Lake Elmo Ave N and Stillwater Blvd, and of the organization’s intentions to develop a community hub that would serve residents throughout the St. Croix Valley. We agree that the site holds signiflcant merit and that the potential future use aligns well with the City of Lake Elmo’s comprehensive planning goals, including thoughtful growth, expanded community amenities, and improved access to shared public resources while retaining the heirloom vibrancy of the Village. We understand that the Valley Community Center Partners’ application to your foundation is expressly for funding to secure the purchase of the approximately 12.86 acres of land ideal for a community center. With the foundation’s support, Valley Community Center Partners would be able to take the critical action necessary toward moving this vision forward. The community hub concept is proven to be a platform for delivering multiple public services more efficiently. A multi-generational public asset that holds the potential of offering community services in one location refiects a thoughtful approach to avoiding duplicative facilities while improving efficiency and accessibility for residents and visitors alike. We appreciate the forward-thinking vision behind this project that will be a catalyst for growth, providing jobs as well as health and wellness opportunities for our community for generations to come. Once land is secured, potential public partners can be more clearly identifled and the capital scope fully deflned, allowing for the design of an asset that appropriately meets the needs of Lake Elmo residents, visitors, and the broader Valley community. The City of Lake Elmo recognizes the potential long-term community value of this initiative and supports Valley Community Center Partners’ efforts to pursue the land acquisition grant. Sincerely, Mayor Cadenhead