HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-16-25 The Fresh NewsletterMay 16, 2025
PUBLIC MEETINGS
Schedule
Parks Commission Meeting.
Monday, May 19, 2025, at 6:30 P.M .
City Council Special Meeting.
Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 6:30 P.M .
City Council Meeting.
Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 7:00 P.M .
Meetings are held at City Hall, 3880 Laverne Ave N., Lake Elmo, MN 55042. Changes or cancellations will
be posted at Lakeelmo.gov/calendar.
How to Watch
Watch online or on cable television here.
Find meeting agendas and minutes at City of Lake Elmo, MN
Summer Hours
Beginning the week of Memorial Day and continuing through Labor
Day, Lake Elmo City Hall’s business hours will be:
Monday – Thursday 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Friday 8:00 AM – Noon.
Arbor Day Proclamation
The Month of May Proclaimed as Arbor Month in Lake Elmo
The City of Lake Elmo has proclaimed May 2025 as Arbor Month in Lake Elmo, Minnesota.
Read the Proclamation
National Public Works Week May 18 - May 24
We celebrate the hard work and dedication of our Lake Elmo Public Works team, which manages and
maintains infrastructure projects that enhance the quality of life in our community, including roads, bridges,
water systems, and public buildings.
Thank you, Public Works!
Lake Elmo Elementary public works field trip
On Monday, May 12, second-grade students from Lake Elmo
Elementary took a walking field trip to City Hall. They participated in a
public works mini-lesson that aligned with their science unit on
sediment control.
Public Works Director Marty Powers and Operator Jason Monroe
provided demonstrations on erosion control devices, including how a
silt fence and biologs help keep sediments, moved by stormwater
runoff, in place. They offered an example of how an erosion blanket
covering freshly seeded black dirt helps retain moisture for new
seedings and prevents them from being washed away. Read more
here.
Washington County accepts a bench donation
for Lake Elmo Park Reserve
The Washington County Board of Commissioners accepted a $2,500
donation from Mary Jaros on May 13 for a cedar bench to be placed
on Eagle Point Lake within Lake Elmo Park Reserve.
The cedar bench at Lake Elmo Park Reserve will commemorate
Jaros’ late husband, John Jaros. Captain John Jaros served in the
United States Navy, and the family feels that a bench near the water
would be a meaningful tribute to his life and service.
County Highways 10, 17, and 17B Intersection
Improvement Project
Washington County, in partnership with the City of Lake Elmo, is
planning an improvement project for the intersection of County
Highway 10 (10th St N), County Highway 17 (Lake Elmo Ave N),
and County Road 17B (Lake Elmo Ave N).
Join us in person or online to meet the project team, provide input on
existing conditions, and learn about the project schedule and next
steps.
In-Person Open House Wednesday, May 28, 2025, from 4:00 pm-
6:00 pm, Oak-Land Middle School, 820 Manning Ave N, Lake Elmo,
MN 55042.
Project information
New Playground at Kleis Park
City Council approved the recommendation for a new playset at Kleis
Park, at Jamaca Blvd N and 53rd Street N in Lake Elmo.
Public Works is prepping the new playground site and ADA asphalt
trail in the coming weeks. Installation is scheduled for June.
Road Closure: Westbound Hudson Blvd
Between Julia Ave and Eagle Point Blvd
Construction resumes on Hudson Boulevard between Julia Avenue
and Eagle Point Boulevard and will continue until it is completed later
in May. During the duration of this project, Hudson Boulevard will be
restricted to eastbound only traffic.
The detour route for westbound traffic from Keats and Hudson
Boulevard goes west on Hudson Boulevard to Julia Avenue. Then,
head north on Julia Avenue to 5th Street North, heading west to
Inwood Boulevard.
Road Closure: Stillwater Way N From Little
Bluestem Trail North to East Stillwater Way
The City is planning a road closure on Stillwater Way N. from Little
Bluestem Trail North to the east end of Stillwater Way N. on
Wednesday, April 23, 2025. The closure will facilitate turn lane
construction, including saw cutting, curb and pavement removal,
storm sewer installation, and road sub-base construction.
During the road closure, cars may use Stillwater Blvd. and Manning
Avenue.
Lake Elmo Crosswalk Update
Public Works crews have started working on two new crosswalk
markings: one at Laverne Ave. N. and 39th Street, and the other at
39th Street and Wildflower Dr. The project is expected to be
completed by May.
Find the Lake Elmo Crosswalk Policy, adopted by the city council on
December 3, 2024, here.
Watering and Irrigation Season
The irrigation season is upon us; please note that the city ordinance
allows properties connected to the city water system to irrigate twice
a week, as indicated on the city's irrigation zone map. Irrigation is
restricted from the hours of 5:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Hand watering is
allowed at any time, and new sod waivers are available if needed.
Using a smart irrigation controller device can further reduce your
water usage. For more information on watering restrictions, please
visit lakeelmo.gov.
Thank you for doing your part to ensure we all have sufficient
drinking water and fire protection.
Important Notice - Utility Rate Change
You will see an increase in your utility rates reflected on your 2025
Quarter 1 statement.
In a concentrated effort to secure funding for the operations and
maintenance of Lake Elmo's water treatment facilities and to place the
utility funds on a more stable long-term footing- the City Council
accepted the finance department’s recommendation for a rate
increase in the water and sewer funds, effective with the Quarter 1
bills this April. No increases are planned for stormwater fees in 2025.
Learn more about rate changes and sample calculations at Lakeelmo.gov.
May Recycling Focus - Plastic Bags
Plastic bags are the most common unacceptable item found in the
recycling bin. Please don't put them in your curbside bin. Instead,
drop off plastic bags at local retailers, including grocery stores,
supermarkets, retail stores, convenience stores, and drug stores.
These are all common places to find plastic bag recycling bins.
LIFE IN LAKE ELMO
OUT AND ABOUT
Master Gardeners Plant Sale
Mark your calendars now for the annual Plant Sale and Garden Expo from
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 17, hosted by the University of
Minnesota Extension Washington County Master Gardener Volunteer
program. Read more here.
Washington County Historic House Tour
Washington County Historical Society is hosting a historical home tour in
Stillwater on Sunday, May 18, from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tickets are
available now. Order here.
For more information visit Washington County Historical Society
Lake Elmo Night Out Informational Meeting
Lake Elmo Night Out, scheduled for August 5, 2025, will host an informational meeting for businesses and
organizations on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. at the Lake Elmo Library.
To learn more, email lakeelmonightout@outlook.com.
Landscape Revival 2025
Join local conservation groups to learn how to select and grow native
plants that benefit pollinators and other wildlife on Saturday, June 7, from
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Rockport Church in Lake Elmo.
You can find more information here.
Stillwater Police Summer Youth Programs
If you know a young person interested in learning more about careers in
law enforcement, the Stillwater Police Department is offering its annual
Youth Citizens' Academy for youth in grades 9 through 12 from June 10 to
June 12, 2025.
Additionally, the Stillwater Police Cadet program begins in August and
runs until mid-April, meeting every other Sunday.
Stillwater youth police cadet program.
Lions Club is coming back to Lake Elmo
The revival of the Lake Elmo Lions Club promises to revive cherished
traditions while introducing new initiatives that cater to the evolving needs
of the Lake Elmo community. The new members aim to build on the legacy
of the past, ensuring that the Lions Club remains a beacon of community
spirit and volunteerism.
You can Learn more and become a member.
Sally Manzara Interpretive Nature Center
On May 17th we have double header! At 10 a.m. Keith Zilinksi, a local
rockhound, and member of a number of geological organizations, will be
here to talk about Minnesota rocks and agates. It’s a free event, open to
rock lovers of all ages, and you’re encouraged to bring rocks that need
identifying!
Also on May 17th, at 1 p.m., Washington County Master Gardener Peter
Fritz will be here to give a guided tour of our Tree Trek exhibit. The trees
are just starting to leaf out—and hopefully one or two will still have flowers
—and we’re hoping for a beautiful spring walk for this one. This event is
also free and open to the public.
Our first summer camp is just around the corner. On June 9th, we will kick
off the summer camp season with our first Little Explorers camp. This
popular camp meets on Mondays (not every Monday, check our website
for the schedule) from 10 a.m. to 11:30. These camps are for our littlest
campers, ages 1 to 5, and topics vary from week to week. ($8 per child)
On June 11, we’ll be having our first Wonder Wednesday camp. The topic
is Prairie Day! Campers will learn all about the prairie and the plant and
animal species that can be found there. This one meets 9 a.m.to 3 p.m.
and is for campers ages 7-10. ($200 per camper) For more info, or to sign
up for camps, go to: https://sminc-lake-elmo.org/summer-camps/
What do my property taxes pay for?
The City Council adopted the 2025 Tax Levy on December
17. City Finance Dept. staff has developed a downloadable
property tax calculator that estimates 2025 city taxes (no other
jurisdictions) on your home. It shows approximately how much
of your taxes go toward each service area.
Check it out here.
Lead Service Line Inventory Project
The City of Lake Elmo has completed and submitted its service
line materials inventory to the Minnesota Department of Health.
The service line inventory is publicly available, and you can
check the materials for your service line by visiting the Lead
Inventory Tracking Tool (LITT) at https://maps.umn.edu/LSL/.
To complete the service line inventory, our system gathered
information from building records, along with door-to-door
efforts and self-verification. As of September 27, 2024, our
inventory consists of 0 lead lines, two galvanized lines requiring
replacement, 280 lines with unknown materials, and 3,327 non-
lead service lines.
You may contact the Lake Elmo Public Works Department at
any time to update the tracking records. You may also contact
Lake Elmo staff @ 651-747-3946.
Attention – NEW Utility Billing Payment Portal
We have moved to an intuitive new Utility Billing Portal called Paya.
Grab your City of Lake Elmo utility account number and proceed to Paya at the link below to register,
manage your account, set up autopay, or make payments.
LakeElmo.PayaCP.com
If Autopay isn't for you, try out the new Text-and-Pay option.
If you need assistance, reach out to us at RNess@LakeElmo.gov or call 651-747-3906.
Safe Drinking Water Meeting Replay is Available
The City of Lake Elmo, along with the Minnesota Pollution Control
Agency (MPCA) and Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), hosted
an informational meeting regarding PFAS, safe drinking water, and
private wells on July 25, 2024, where presentations were given by
MPCA, MDH, and Lake Elmo’s City Engineer as well as a question-
and-answer period for the participants. The presentation slides are
available here as well as printed copies are available at City Hall. A
recording of the meeting is available here.
The Lake Elmo Community Development
Department is happy to share our new Sign
Guide, created to help local businesses and
residents understand the sign regulations in our
community. This guide offers information on the
types of signs allowed, size requirements,
placement, and more. Whether you are a
business owner looking to advertise or a
resident curious about neighborhood guidelines,
this is a good resource for you. Check out the
Lake Elmo Sign Guide (linked here: Sign Guide)
to learn more.
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Visit our website
Our mission is to provide quality public services in a fiscally responsible manner in
partnership with our community.
City of Lake Elmo | 3880 Laverne Avenue North | Lake Elmo, MN 55042 US
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