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Home My WebLink About10-01-2021October 1, 2021 City Services have moved to the City Hall building at 3800 Laverne Avenue Public Meetings Next Week City Council Meeting Tuesday, October 5 7:00PM City Agendas and Minutes Visit our website Tuesday, October 5 City Council Meeting Agenda Meeting Materials Can Be Accessed Here Minnesota Main Street COVID Relief Grants The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development started taking applications for COVID Relief Grants on September 20th, 2021. The program will make available grants to Minnesotan owned and operated businesses effected by COVID-19 ranging from $10,000- $25,000. Apply Here This past Sunday Lake Elmo area Patrol Deputies were busy responding to separate reports of attempted Auto Theft and Tampering with Vehicles within the City of Lake Elmo. Thank you to the many residents who have contacted our office to offer their security camera footage of the area. If you have any information about these incidents or would like to offer your security footage please contact our Tip Hotline at 651-430-7850. Please remember to not leave valuables in your vehicles and to lock them whenever they are parked in your driveway. State announces comprehensive drinking water plan for 14 East Metro communities impacted by PFAS Read More Here The City of Lake Elmo is Requesting Proposals for Prosecuting Attorney Services Are There Forever Chemicals In Your Water Well? A research team from Indiana University and RTI International, a nonprofit research institute, is seeking help from citizen scientists in Washington County for its study of a group of chemicals known as PFAS, or 'forever chemicals' in private wells. Find out if you're eligible for well testing here. Since the start of 2020 we've applied rebates for 80 smart irrigation controllers and efficient toilets, totaling over $10,000 in credits to water bills. These efficient devices are expected to save over 749,000 gallons of water per year! Program information and rebate forms are available here: http://www.lakeelmo.org/residents/water.php East Metro Water Resource Education Program Upcoming Events Protecting Mill Stream and the St. Croix River – Sept. 9 “(IBI) scores function much like grades on a report card. According to Mike Isensee, Administrator for the Carnelian-Marine-St. Croix Watershed District, Mill Stream will likely get an IBI score of “B” in 2022.” A River Unites – Sept. 16 “Though rivers have long been used as borders to divide one group of people from another, it also strikes me that they have the power to bring us together as well.” Wildlife-friendly fall gardens – Sept. 23 “In the coming weeks, there are several steps you can take to prep your yard and gardens for winter and continue to support pollinators, birds and other wildlife.” Info and Registration For the protection of all workers in public right of way, we hope you will help us to get the word out about following work zone rules. The following points from the American Traffic Safety Services Association were shared for work zone awareness week, but are just as important now: · Slow down as you approach the work zone. · When possible, safely move over to provide workers with a clear buffer lane from traffic. · If you can’t move over safely, reduce your speed to 20 mph below the posted speed limit as you pass the work zone. · Never use your mobile device while operating a vehicle. New Interactive Parks and Trails Map In 2021 the City introduced a new Interactive Parks and Trails Map showcasing City Parks, Trailheads, and Trail maps. Check it out here! The City, through Living Healthy and Washington County, received grant funding to install bike repair stations in Sunfish lake Park and Ivywood Park. Both repair stations have tools, an air pump and a bike rack. Storm drains in our city help to protect neighborhoods from flooding, but they also carry litter and polluted runoff from streets and parking lots into nearby lakes and streams. You can make a difference by volunteering just 15-minutes, twice a month, to keep their nearest storm drain clear of litter, leaves, grass clippings and dirt. To sign up: go to www.Adopt-a-Drain.org and use the map to find your neighborhood storm drains – then click and sign-up to adopt. Xcel Energy Consumer Update Xcel Energy residential electric customers who have between $1,000 to $4,000 in past due charges are eligible for the Payment Plan Credit Program, which could forgive up to 75% of their past-due balance if they enroll and stay current in a payment plan. Customers can enroll in other payment plans we offer through the My Account feature at www.XcelEnergy.com, or contact customer care at 1-800-895-4999 Sally Manzara Interpretive Nature Center Update The Sally Manzara Interpretive Nature Center building in Sunfish Lake Park is open Monday through Friday 9 AM to 4 PM and Saturday 9- Noon. Please visit our website www.sminc-lake-elmo.org for more information or to sign up for the monthly newsletter. October Events: The Friends of Lake Elmo's Sunfish Lake Park are organizing the (almost) Annual Sunfish Lake Park Buckthorn Removal Festival for Saturday October 23rd at 9:30. We are inviting local groups to field a team (2 or more) and come to either cut buckthorn regrowth, or assist in the re-seeding of native plants, in parts of the 40-acre area that was cleared this past Winter. If you don't have a team, you are welcome to come as an individual and join a team. Please contact George (call or text 651-757-5610 , gjohnson2020@gmail.com) if you will be bringing a team. He will be marking the areas of work. Lunch will be provided: Buckthorn-roasted hot dogs, chili, chips, cookies, coffee, and cider. Saturday October 2nd at Noon is Kite Flying Day, weather permitting. Come and learn to make a kite and fly it, or bring your own to fly! This family-friendly event is planned as a monthly activity. New Series: Family Nature Exploration Saturdays 10-11am Oct 9 - Geology Basics & Bring Your Own Rock Collection Oct 16 - Tree ID & Leaf Window Craft Oct 23 - Invasive Buckthorn 101 & Whittle a Walking Stick Oct 30 - Bats & Owls Bird Walk VIEW A DOZEN EXHIBITS IN THE BUILDING - Sunfish, Bees, Birds, etc. Kid's Play Area, AED defibrillator WHAT YOU CAN SEE OUTDOORS (open whenever the Park is open) Apiary where the bees are busy making honey for the winter Story Trail "Bear Snores On" Prairie Plant Specimen Walk - see each plant as an individual before you walk the prairie trail Monarch way station - nectar for their migration journey Messy Play Area - a canoe full of sand, stepping stumps, very slow turtle ride Big Bird Nest - walk in and pretend to be an eagle, hatch the eggs! Rain Gardens - program with Washington Conservation District / Valley Branch Watershed District Three Sisters Garden - cooperation with Dist. 834 NAPAC Water for your dog, air for your bike tires Check our website for events and programs https://sminc-lake- elmo.org/event-descriptions/ and to see the new electronic trail guide to Sunfish Lake Park https://sminc-lake-elmo.org/trail-info/ Well sampling in the east metro area If you live in the area that is a priority for testing, you can request that your private well water be tested. To see if you live in the priority sampling area, use the interactive map. If you live in the priority sampling area, you can request to have your well tested by filling out and submitting this online form. More information about the priority testing area is available on the Well sampling in the East Metro Area webpage. Water Conservation Rebate Program The City of Lake Elmo, in partnership with the Metropolitan Council, is offering a rebate program for purchases of eligible WaterSense toilets and Smart Irrigation Controllers. Qualifying purchases are eligible for up to a $200 credit on your water bill. Program Details Available Here Water Wisely: Start in your own backyard Water is a precious resource needed by all living things. If you care for a yard or garden, you can help protect water resources by being wise about watering practices, starting in your own backyard. Much of our treated drinking water is also used for landscape irrigation, so it pays to reduce water use and protect our supply by being wise about landscape watering practices at home. Although all plants need water to be healthy and grow, some—like lawns— actually need less water than we think. While others—like trees—need more. Knowing the what, when, where and how of watering in your garden or landscape is key to growing healthy plants and conserving our precious water supply. See the University of Minnesota's "Watering Wisely" tips here. Lake Elmo Library Stop by Lake Elmo library to check out books, use a computer, reserve a meeting room, and participate in a variety of programs. Library Hours: Monday and Friday: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday: 12-8 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday: Closed Learn more about current library services at WashCoLib.org/Covid19 Washington County Library Events Public Facilities Project Update Regular updates and documents are available here.