HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-01-25 The Fresh Weekly NewsletterAugust 1, 2025
PUBLIC MEETINGS
Schedule
City Council Meeting
*Wednesday, August 6, 2025, 7:00 P.M
Due to National Night Out on August 5, the council
meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 6.
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 the 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.
CITY BUSINESS
Gate Valve Exercising begins August 4
With over 1200 gate valves in the city, preventative maintenance
needs to be done to ensure gate valves operate correctly when
required. Public works staff will be exercising water gate valves for
two weeks, starting August 4. During this time, about 1/3 of the city
will be completed.
Many of the city’s water main gate valves lie eight feet beneath the
surface of the street. Without exercising the gate valve regularly, it
can seize up, becoming inoperable. Sand or rocks can also fill the
access hole, preventing staff members from operating them in an
emergency.
The valves are strategically placed to isolate areas of the main in
case a main break or leak occurs. Without these valves in good
working condition, large areas of the system would have to be shut
down instead of isolating small segments of the water
main. Residents may experience a loss of water pressure for a short
period. Should you see Public Works staff exercising valves, please
slow down to prevent injury or damage to equipment.
Lake Elmo to Participate in 2-Year U of M Turf Grass
Study
The City of Lake Elmo is participating in a new two-year turfgrass
research study in collaboration with the University of Minnesota,
focused on identifying drought-tolerant grass seed mixtures that are
both environmentally sustainable and easily accessible to residents.
Test plots will be set up later this month in Lake Elmo and other
metro areas, with turfgrass performance assessments scheduled
throughout 2026 and 2027. The aim is to evaluate how different
grass types perform under local conditions, emphasizing water
conservation while maintaining the visual appeal valued by
homeowners. The results will help develop recommended seed
mixtures that can be made more broadly available through local
vendors, making it easier for residents to choose water-smart options
for their lawns.
This initiative demonstrates Lake Elmo’s ongoing dedication to
environmental stewardship.
Well 2 is now online!
The water treatment plant at Well 2 has been installed and is now
online for regular water consumption. In conjunction with Wells 4 and
5, Well 2 will now be integrated into the city's standard water
system.
All drinking water in Lake Elmo meets the standards set by the
Minnesota Department of Health and the EPA.
Exciting Opportunity in Lake Elmo!
The City of Lake Elmo is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for
the purchase and redevelopment or reuse of the City-owned property
known as the former Fire Station and Parks Building (the “Property”).
The property being sold is approximately 1.2 acres (about 0.8 acres
excluding right-of-way dedication). (The City reserves the right to
reject any or all proposals.)
We invite creative and community-oriented individuals, developers,
nonprofits, and businesses to share their vision for this iconic space.
Whether it’s a new retail hub, community space, café, gallery, or
something we haven’t even imagined yet, we want to hear from you!
This is a unique opportunity to breathe new life into a well-loved
space in our community!
View the full RFP and details here: City of Lake Elmo, MN
Deadline for submissions: noon on August 14, 2025
Let’s see what the next chapter holds for these special sites.
It's Here!
Our much-anticipated new website is finally here! Visit LakeElmo.gov
and take a virtual tour. We hope you love it as much as we do!
SUMMER ROAD PROJECTS
10th Street East of Palmer Drive to Manning Ave. will
close July 21 for three weeks
Washington County has approved a permit request for connection to
city utilities affecting portions of County Highway 17 (Lake Elmo Ave)
and County Highway 10 (10th St N) in the City of Lake Elmo. For this
work to occur safely, County Highway 10 must be temporarily
closed to all traffic between the intersections of County Highway 15
(Manning Ave N) and Palmer Drive beginning Monday, July 21.
The closure is expected to last approximately three weeks. If, for any
reason, the closure is delayed or cancelled, we will update our
notifications as soon as possible.
Construction of Watermain Extension to begin June 23
The city's contractor began construction of the water main extension
and roadway embankment for the Village Parkway crossing of the
Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) on Monday, June 23, 2025. The
project is expected to be completed within three weeks.
*Update: Watermain installation beneath the tracks has been
completed. Roadway fill will be completed by the end of this week.
The contractor will demobilize from the site until UPRR completes at-
grade crossing improvements over the railroad tracks.
There will be a fair amount of truck traffic along Upper 33rd Street for
material delivery and construction operations.
Washington County / Lake Elmo Summer Road Projects
Washington County CSAH 13 (Inwood Ave)
Construction Project
The project continues, and all of northbound
CSAH 13 traffic will detour to WB CSAH 10 ->
NB I-694 -> EB CSAH 14 -> SB CSAH 13 -> EB
CSAH 6. Southbound traffic will remain
unrestricted.
To learn more about the project, visit the
Washington County Hwy 13 Improvement project
here.
Washington County will begin Phase 3
of the County Highway 15 (Manning
Avenue) August 11.
The project includes the addition of
center left-turn lanes and right-turn
lanes at key locations, the elimination
of (northerly) 18th Street North access
to Manning, a trail connection from
18th Street North to 18th Street Ct,
and pavement rehabilitation.
This project is expected to be
completed by the end of the fall. You
can learn more here.
Washington County, in partnership with the City of Lake Elmo and the City of Oakdale, is planning an
improvement project on County Highway 13 (Ideal Avenue) from County Highway 6 (Stillwater Boulevard) to
County Highway 14 (34th Street North).
You can join in person or online to meet the project team, provide input on existing conditions, and learn
about the project schedule and next steps.
When: Thursday, July 24, from 4 – 6 p.m. (no formal presentation).
Where: Lake Elmo City Hall - Community Room (3880 Laverne Ave N, Lake Elmo, MN 55042).
LAKE ELMO PARKS AND RECREATION
With over 500 acres of city parkland and more than 80 miles of trails, Lake Elmo features an extensive park
and trail system for residents and visitors to enjoy and explore. Our park and trail system provides a diverse
range of recreational opportunities, including organized sports, casual play, nature appreciation, hiking,
cross-country skiing, horseback riding, picnicking, relaxation, and many other outdoor activities.
Each park offers high-quality recreational facilities and open spaces for the community to enjoy while
preserving the history, setting, character, and unique features that make each park special. We are excited
to highlight one of Lake Elmo Park's parks biweekly, inviting our community to learn about and appreciate
the contributions these parks make to our growing and thriving community.
The asphalt trails at Pebble, Demontreville, and Kleis Park have been completed.
Goose Lake Park
Looking for a great little fishing spot or a place to paddle? Goose
Lake Park is perfect for outdoor lovers. Covering over 40 acres, this
park features scenic walking trails, a covered pavilion, a dock, and a
canoe rack.
Visit Goose Lake Park at 802 Keats Ave N, Lake Elmo, MN 55042, or
visit LakeElmo.gov to learn more about our parks.
LIFE IN LAKE ELMO
Lake Elmo Night Out 2025
Looking for something to do on the first Tuesday of August that’s
outdoors, in town, and with great people? Look no further—this is it!
You’ll enjoy a fun summer night at this family-friendly event.
Meet the local city, fire, police, safety workers, businesses, and
organizations that make Lake Elmo the best place to work and live.
Be a part of Lake Elmo Night Out on Tuesday, August 5th, at Lions
Park from 6-8 pm!
*The City of Lake Elmo will be giving away 100% recycled tote bags
that make great bags for groceries, art fairs, or farmers' markets.
Please stop by our booth!
It's Official! Lake Elmo Will Celebrate Our 100th
Anniversary in September!
In 2025, Lake Elmo celebrates 100 years as a township/city! Local
organizations, businesses, and neighborhoods are creating a
wonderful mix of events to celebrate this special occasion, and the
full calendar of events will be finalized by late August.
We are also gathering photos, stories, and memories to share in
September and maintain on our website for years to come. Click
here to submit memories or your favorite hidden gem in Lake Elmo!
Stillwater Area Schools Back to School Reminder
Parents, get ready - it's back-to-school time again!
Following are start dates:
August 18* Grade 6 & 9 - Orientation and First Day of School.
Grade K-5 - Ready, Set, Go conferences.
August 19* Grade 7-8, 10-12 - First Day of School.
August 21* Grade K-5 - First Day of School.
August 25* Preschool - First Day of School.
The new Lake Elmo Elementary School is on target to open for the
2026/27 Academic School Year. You can find out about your school
here.
Washington County will host a School Supply Swap
Wednesday, August 6
Mark your calendars! Washington County will host a school supply
swap on Wednesday, August 6, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Stop by the North Environmental Center (Forest Lake) or South
Environmental Center (Woodbury) to pick up gently used supplies,
such as notebooks, calculators, scissors, pencil cases, and more.
Donations are not required to get items during the event.
Also, there’s still time to donate items! Donations can be dropped
off at an Environmental Center, Washington County Libraries, and
Public Health and Environment office locations through August 2.
Lake Elmo Farmer's Market Open for the Season!
Have a paws-itively amazing time this Saturday as the local K-9 unit
stops by the Farmers Market for a demonstration at 11 am.
It’s a thrilling, educational experience for kids and adults alike.
Huge thanks to Deputy Brandon Yetter for taking time to connect with
the community, and a big round of a-paws for our 4-legged hero!
The market is from 9 am-1 pm located at the Lake Elmo Elementary
School parking lot.
One More Month of Summer!
We have a few more camps lined up, including next week’s Sunfish
Explorers camp: It’s a Bug’s Life! For ages 5-8, A Bug’s Life runs
August 4-7, from 9 a.m. to noon. Camp week will be filled with
dragonfly hikes, looking at bugs under microscopes, and exploring
the vital role bugs play in nature’s system. It will include visits from
the Minnesota Dragonfly Society, Monarch Venture, and our summer
science interns, who will be here to talk about their ongoing insect
survey of Sunfish Lake Park.
Our four-day Sunfish Explorers camps offer small group camps that
encourage and educate the youth of tomorrow about the beauty and
importance of a healthy outdoors. Each camp will have special
guests, including the Dodge Nature Center and their raptors, and the
3M Wizards. Camps include hikes, crafts, games, and of course, a
little education about the outdoors! Cost: $200 per child/per session.
For more information, visit: Sally Manzara Interpretive Nature Center
Washington County Fair
The Washington County Fair is here through Sunday, August 3.
Check out the daily schedule here.
STOP FOOD WASTE CHALLENGE
Washington County is hosting the Stop Food Waste Challenge in
August to engage residents in learning easy, practical skills to
prevent wasted food, save money, and create a healthier
environment. Participants choose actions from a list of strategies
depending on what will make the most impact in their households,
and they receive tips along the way to inspire them.
We’re seeking partners to promote the challenge and recruit
participants. There are many ways to be a partner in the challenge:
· Promote the challenge with your community (silver level)
· Create a neighborhood team for the challenge (gold)
· Host a public event about how to not waste food (platinum)
There is no cost to becoming a partner. Partners have their logo
displayed on the challenge website, gain access to promotional
materials, and get various recognition and cross-promotion during
the challenge.
See the Stop Food Waste Challenge partnership guide for details on
partnership opportunities. Fill out the partnership form to become a
2025 Stop Food Waste Challenge partner.
Stop the Food Waste Challenge
Watering Season and Irrigation
Lake Elmo City Watering 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 5:00 a.m. to
5:00 p.m. Hand watering is permitted 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.
What Do My Taxes Pay For?
The City Council adopted the 2025 Tax Levy on December 17. City
Finance staff have 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 are allocated to each
service area.
Check it out here.
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, and 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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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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