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Home My WebLink About09-10-2021September 10, 2021 City Services have moved to the City Hall building at 3800 Laverne Avenue Public Meetings Next Week City Council Workshop Meeting Tuesday, September 14 7:00PM Planning Commission Meeting Monday, September 13 - CANCELLED City Agendas and Minutes Visit our website Tuesday, September 7 City Council Meeting Summary Tuesday, September 14th City Council Workshop Agenda Meeting Materials Can Be Accessed Here 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. Watering Restrictions Reminder Public Works staff installed signs across town as reminders of the new watering restrictions in place. At the regular City Council meeting on Tuesday, July 20th the City Council adopted Ordinance No 08-245 which amends the hours watering is prohibited to 5am-6pm. Odd/Even Watering restrictions are still in place. 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 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. Safe Disposal of Chlorinated Water As you prepare to drain your swimming pool or spa at the end of the summer, it is important to take steps to prevent chlorinated water from flowing into storm sewers or nearby waterways. To properly dispose of chlorinated water: Stop adding chlorine and leave your pool or spa uncovered for 3-5 days. The chlorine should naturally break-down during this time. Alternately, you can add a de-chlorinating chemical to treat the water more quickly. Once water is de-chlorinated, you can safely discharge it to a sanitary sewer or storm sewer. If possible, allow the water to flow over a vegetated surface first so that some is able to soak into the ground. Bee Lawns & Lawn Alternatives Have you heard the "buzz" about low-mow grass, bee-friendly lawns, and other turf alternatives? During this free webinar, we'll talk about the pros and cons of different types of lawn and provide guidance on transforming your conventional lawn into a low-mow or bee-friendly landscape this fall. Presented by: James Wolfin, an entomologist and sustainable land care manager at Metro Blooms and Angie Hong, water education specialist with East Metro Water Education Program September 15, 6-730PM Register Here 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 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 SALLY MANZARA INTERPRETIVE NATURE CENTER RE-OPENED The nature center, in Sunfish Lake Park, is now open: 9 AM to 4 PM Monday - Tuesday - Thursday - Friday - Saturday Please come visit, see in and our updated exhibits, have a cup of coffee! Outdoor features can be enjoyed during Park hours 6 AM to 9 PM Kite Flying Days are coming to Sunfish Lake Park at the Sally ManzaraInterpretive Nature Center. The first two scheduled are August 6th at 11 AM and August 7th at Noon, weather permitting. Come and learn to make a kite and fly it, or bring your own. This event is planned as amonthly activity. Come see the indoor observation beehive, where you can watch the worker bees bring in pollen and nectar to feed the larvae, and the queen bee laying eggs. The nature center is open (except Sundays) every morning and most afternoons. Please visit www.sminc-lake-elmo.org for an up-to-date schedule. The Annual Sunfish Lake Park Family Nature Day took place on July 10th, with 75 kids receiving gift bags and an estimated 175 total attendance. Thanks to all the volunteers who made it happen. Visit our website for details: www.sminc-lake- elmo.org 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. New Lake Elmo Library Hours Lake Elmo Library is returning to pre-pandemic hours beginning June 1! Stop by the library to check out books, use a computer, reserve a meeting room, and participate in a variety of summer 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 Summer Reading at your Library Summer Reading programs for kids, teens, and adults run from June 1-August 31. To get started, stop by any WashCoLib branch to pick up a game card with activities to complete over the summer. You can also download game cards on the library’s website or complete the program entirely online. When you’re finished, drop your game card off to get a reward and enter our drawings for a prize. Learn more at WashCoLib.org Washington County Library Events Public Facilities Project Update Regular updates and documents are available here.