Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-13-2021August 13, 2021 City Services have moved to the City Hall building at 3800 Laverne Avenue Public Meetings Next Week Parks Commission Meeting Monday, August 16 - CANCELLED City Council Meeting Tuesday, August 17 7:00PM City Agendas and Minutes Visit our website ​ Tuesday, August 17 City Council Meeting Agenda Meeting Materials Can Be Accessed Here 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. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 29, 2021 Lake Elmo, MN -- JCI Lake Elmo (formerly known as the Lake Elmo Jaycees) is thrilled to present the 44TH Annual Huff n’ Puff Days August 12th - 15th, 2021. Following a one-year hiatus, Huff n’ Puff Days is back with its famous 96-team slow pitch softball tournament taking place over four days, beginning on Thursday, August 12th. Both Men’s and Women’s slow pitch softball teams will compete over the weekend with championship games on Sunday, August 15th at Lions Park. Join us at this annual fundraiser to support community and youth activities in the St. Croix River Valley Area. Tournament headquarters is located at Lions Park in Lake Elmo, and several other ball fields are used throughout the four-day tournament. LIVE DRAW EVENT To kick-off the tournament, JCI Lake Elmo will host a random live draw of Men’s and Women’s softball team placements for the tournament this year. Bring your teammates, friends, and family to hear where you’ll be placed in the big tournament! Rules, rosters, Q&A, etc. will be also be discussed at this event. All teams are required to have 1 person present. Date, Time and Location: Sunday, August 3rd beginning at 3pm at Stillwater Event Center, 1910 Greeley Street S., Stillwater, MN. SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT GAMES Thursday and Friday evenings, all-day Saturday and Sunday. Available at Lion’s Park: FOOD, BEVERAGES, & TENT Thursday 5:30pm-10:30pm, Friday 5:30pm-midnight, Saturday 8am-midnight, Sunday 10am-8pm. New this year, food trucks from the Twin Cities will be on-site at Lions Park. Tournament organizers have secured a large tent and space for DJ. ATM’S ON-SITE We will have ATM’s on-site to make your experience at Huff n’ Puff days easier. For up-to-date information about this event, visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/huffnpuffdays or website at www.lakeelmojaycees.org . For additional information or if you have questions, please contact huffnpuff@lakeelmojaycees.org JCI Lake Elmo “Leadership Development through Community Involvement.” We support the City of Lake Elmo and surrounding St. Croix River Valley communities by giving our time and financial support for community and youth projects. Huff n’ Puff is our primary fundraiser to support these projects. If you would like more information about our organization, please visit our website at www.lakeelmojaycees.org. 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 Metropolitan Mosquito Control District trucks, helicopters, and staff will be out in neighborhoods and parks this summer working to reduce mosquito-borne disease and annoyance. Summer weather in Minnesota means we are starting to see an increase in mosquitoes and the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District (MMCD) will be out conducting surveillance and treatment activities to reduce the risk of disease and annoyance in an environmentally-sensitive manner. Each year the field staff at MMCD monitors and treats wetlands that breed mosquitoes with a fleet of trucks and helicopters. With many people still working from home during the weekday due to the COVID-19 pandemic, more people may notice MMCD activities in local neighborhoods and parks. At times MMCD employees may need to cross private property for access to check and treat areas for mosquito larvae. MMCD management asks the community to please stay several feet away from field staff and ensure children and pets are kept at a distance. If you have questions about mosquito control activities or concerns about an employee, please call the MMCD front desk at (651) 645-9149 or visit MMCD.org. 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 of Lake Elmo is Accepting Applications for the Following Positions: Building Official Paid on Call Firefighters Visit our website New Construction Update Available Follow the link below to see the latest Construction Update: Construction Update: June 14, 2021 To learn more about the project, visit the project website at: www.co.washington.mn.us/Manning36Interchange County Highway 13 (Ideal Avenue) Phase II Washington County in partnership with the City of Lake Elmo are providing an online project update on the proposed improvements to Ideal Avenue between County Highway 14 and 44th Street. The project website provides program information and updates. Project Website 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 at11 AM and August 7th at Noon, weather permitting. Come and learnto 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.