Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015 Summer SourceSummer 2015 City Hall - 3800 Laver ne Avenue Nor th - Lake Elmo, Minnesota 55042 (651) 747-3900City Hall - 3800 Laver ne Avenue Nor th - Lake Elmo, Minnesota 55042 (651) 747-3900 Met Council Reduces City’s 2040 Population Forecast Lake Elmo is expected to grow up to 18,200 residents by 2040 according to the Met Council’s Thrive 2040 draft local forecast. This estimate comes after months of conversation between Lake Elmo’s planning staff and officials from the re- gional planning authority over the available land, the ability to serve residents with utilities and open space philosophy. The Met Council’s 2030 forecast had the community grow- ing to 24,000 based on a previously negotiated memo- randum of understanding with the City that included wastewater inefficiency fees and other penalties if growth numbers were not met. In 2014, with infrastructure in place and development proposals offered, Lake Elmo asked to be relieved of its obligation to grow by the Met Council and the request was granted in November 2014. “The current forecast for Lake Elmo estimates 5800 less residents and ten more years to get there. Our staff did a nice job of convincing the Met Council that their num- bers were just a bit high given many of the land con- straints that we have,” said Mayor Mike Pearson. Under the new estimate, Lake Elmo is expected to grow to a total of 3,800 new jobs, 7,100 new homes, and 18,200 residents – most of the additions are project- ed for the I-94 corridor, an area where sewer and water projects been completed in the past three years. The ad- dition of the Gateway bus rapid transit corridor will aid in the process. Growth will also occur in the Old Village where (3) developers are planning subdivisions to help revitalize commercial development in the downtown area Lake Elmo will begin work on its 2018 Comprehensive Plan to adjust to the new forecast, but efforts have al- ready begun to guide City projects toward the downward numbers. This includes re-purposing certain land uses that were categorized for multi-family residential, that may be better used for commercial or business along I-94. “We have an internal process in place called “functional rebalancing” that we have been using for about a year. We have been working with our developers to drive residential densities lower and preserve more open space in hopes that our popu- lation forecast would be reduced,” said Pearson. Overall, the Met Council expects the region to reduce overall growth by 5% for population and 15% for jobs with concentrated growth in the central areas of St. Paul and Minneapolis. Lake Elmo Ranks 194 / 227 In Government Spending Smith Schafer, the city’s financial auditor, reports that Lake Elmo ranked 194th out of 227 cities for gov- ernment spending per capita in 2013.This puts Lake Elmo in the bottom 15% in the State of Minnesota. Compared to Oakdale, Mathomedi, and Oak Park Heights, Lake Elmo ranks last in tax revenue and per cap- ita spending. The City currently has an Aa2 bond rating. 2 Summer 2015 Residential Development Update Kyle Klatt, Community Development Director The City of Lake Elmo has approved several residential projects that are now under construction within the planned sewer service areas in the community. Most of these approved subdivisions are multi-year projects, with the final build-out expected over a four to nine year timeframe. The City’s subdivision regulations require each new residential plat to go through a two-stage review process, which allows for a broader review of pre- liminary development plans before a final plat is approved by the City. This means that although the City has approved a number larger projects over the past two years, most of these subdivisions will be constructed over the course of the next several years. The following is a summary of the residential development projects that the City has approved to date within public sewer service areas, which includes the overall number of units ap- proved at a preliminary level along with the number of those lots that have received final approval and are now under construction: Subdivision Builder Overall Number of Residential Units Lots Approved for Construction (Final Plat) Savona Lennar 310 111 Hammes West Ryland/Other 163 57 Boulder Ponds Excelsior Group 162 47 InWood PUD Hans Hagen 537 40 Diedrich Townhouses Lennar 48 0 Hunters Crossing Ryland 51 51 Easton Village Chase Develop- ment 217 71 Village Preserve Gonyea 91 46 Village Park Preserve Gonyea 100 0 Wildflower at Lake Elmo Robert Engstrom Co. 145 0 TOTALS 1,824 423 The City of Lake Elmo adopted a staging plan for new development as part of its future land use plan. All de- velopments approved to date are located within the City’s Stage 1 or Stage 2 growth areas. Because it is an- ticipated that the overall population and household numbers for the community will be lowered from the previ- ous projections, the City will be considering modifications to the land use plan later this year. In the meantime, new residential construction outside of the initial growth areas will be limited. The City is planning to address future growth in both sewered and rural development areas as part of this update. For additional information, please contact the Planning Department at City Hall. New 78’ Aerial Ladder Truck Will Improve Service The Lake Elmo Fire Department recently took deliv- ery of a 2015 78’ Rosenbauer Aerial Fire Truck. The state-of-the-art truck can be operated by (2) firefight- ers using “smart technology”, carries 250 gallons of water and has the ability to be stabilized on the many sloping driveways that Lake Elmo has to offer. The Lake Elmo Fire Department is currently training on the aerial at Station Two for the next few weeks before it returns to Rosenbauer for final modifications. The 78’ aerial replaces the department’s 34 yr old 50’ aerial which was sold to a fire department in Wisconsin. 3 Summer 2015 Downtown Project Update City, County Gearing Up for Phase I After receiving favorable bids on June 2nd, the City Council held a public improvement hearing on June 9th, 2015 for Phase 1 of the Old Village Street and Utility Improvements. The project is a $5.8 million street, sanitary sewer, drainage and storm water management improvement project along Laverne Av- enue, Upper 33rd Street and 36th Street within the Downtown Area. Planned for construction in 2015- 16, the project is being completed via a partner- ship between the City of Lake Elmo and Washington County. The project will be funded through the issu- ance of general obligation bonds with bond payments made from special assessments, the water enterprise fund, the storm water fund, County cost participa- tion, Municipal State Aid Funds, and general tax levy. At the conclusion of the public improvement hearing, the City Council voted to order the improvements and provide municipal concurrence of the bids to Washing- ton County. The final step needed to begin the work is the award of the contract by the Washington County Board of Commissioners on June 23, 2015. Should the County Board vote to proceed with the improvements, the contract would be awarded to North Pine Aggre- gate, the official low-bidder. In addition to approving the proposed project, the City Council also approved a Co- operative Agreement with Washington County that for- malizes a payment structure and outlines the cost split between the two parties for the various improvements. Now that the project has nearly reached complete approval, City and County staff are gearing up for construction. It is anticipated that utility work will be completed between July and September, with street improvements being substantially complete in Oc- tober of 2015. It is likely that the final wear course of the streets will need to be placed in the spring of 2016. Final completion of the project is scheduled for June of 2016. Over the course of construction, road closures and minor detours will occur through- out the summer/fall as a result of the construction activity. Access to properties in the area under con- struction may be periodically limited during the day. However, full access will be provided in the morning and evening. The City and County apologize for any incon- venience that will occur as a result of the construction. Resident Information / Communication Tips For additional updates on the construction of the project, both the County and City have a web- page dedicated to providing up-to-date information. The Washington County site can be found at the fol- lowing link: http://mn-washingtoncounty.civicplus.com/in- dex.aspx?NID=2127. The City of Lake Elmo site can be found at the fol- lowing links: http://www.lakeelmo.org/downtownproject. In addition to the online resources that will be made available, the following list of contacts is provided to provide ongoing assistance throughout the construc- tion project: Frank Tichnor, Washington Co. Project Manager - 651-430-4319 frank.tichnor@co.washington.mn.us Jack Griffin, Lake Elmo Engineer - 651-300-4264 jack.griffin@focusengineeringinc.com 4 Summer 2015 Managing Eurasian Watermilfoil in Our Lakes By Meg Rattei, Barr Engineering If you’ve been swimming, boating, or fishing in the city’s major recreational lakes – Lake Olson, Lake DeMontreville, Lake Jane, and Lake Elmo –you’ve likely had an encounter with Eurasian watermilfoil (EWM). This aquatic invasive species is not native to the United States. And, once in a lake, it becomes a bully. It reproduces quickly, spreads easily, and flour- ishes to the detriment of native plants, fish, and wa- terfowl – making it difficult to swim, boat, or fish. Although persistent, this bully can be stopped by effec- tive management. During the fall of 2014, representatives from Valley Branch Watershed District (VBWD), the City of Lake Elmo, the Lake DeMontreville/Olson Association, the Lake Jane Association, and the Lake Elmo Association collaborated to determine an effective EWM manage- ment strategy in the city’s major recreational lakes. The first step in tackling the problem was preparation of Lake Vegetation Management Plans (LVMPs) for the four lakes, presenting the plans to the public, and submit- ting the plans to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) for approval. LVMP plan approval is a prerequisite for a MDNR permit needed to com- plete the large scale herbicide treatments necessary to effectively manage the large infestations of EWM in the lakes. Extensive discussion preceded a decision by the MDNR that the LVMPs would not be approved. For Lake Elmo, a natural environment lake in which the use of herbicides is not allowed without a variance to MN rule, MDNR suggested mechanical harvesting as an alternative to the use of herbicides to manage Eurasian watermilfoil and has awarded grant monies to help fund the harvesting. The Lake Elmo Association is in the process of finalizing EWM harvesting plans. MDNR allowed herbicide treatment on the other lakes, but restricted treatment to less than 9% of their areas and less than 25% of the EWM-infested areas. MDNR said “If these approaches are not meeting objectives, we can re-evaluate management efforts in the future.” MDNR and Washington County grants have helped fund the treatments and VBWD has provided the need- ed technical assistance for the project. Plant surveys of the lakes were completed on May 9 and 10 to deter- mine where the EWM was growing and to select her- bicide treatment areas. MDNR issued permits and the herbicide 2,4-D was applied to Lake Olson and Lake DeMontreville on May 19 and to Lake Jane on May 20. Wave action in the lakes quickly mixed the herbi- cide in the small treatment areas with untreated wa- ters, diluting the herbicide below the concentration needed to kill both the EWM plant and its root crown. Herbicide residue samples collected from the lakes documented that concentrations were below the le- thal concentration of 0.3 ppm on 3 days after treat- ment - ranging from 0.1 ppm to 0.25 ppm. Hence, long-term control of EWM is not expected. Herbicide concentrations not only decline because of dilution from untreated waters, but also from bac- teria breaking 2,4-D down into carbon dioxide and water, harmless natural components of the lakes. A final 2,4-D sample will be collected on 30 days after treatment in each lake to verify that 2,4-D is no longer detectable. VBWD will complete plant surveys on the lakes about a month after treatment. Once the survey results be- come available, representatives from VBWD, the City of Lake Elmo, the Lake DeMontreville/Olson Associa- tion, the Lake Jane Association, and the Lake Elmo Association intend to meet with MDNR staff to dis- cuss the results and determine a long-term strategy that will result in effective EWM management in the city’s major recreational lakes. For more information on Eurasian Milfoil or other aquatic invasive plant species please contact the Val- ley Branch Watershed District at 952-832-2622 or the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 5 Summer 2015 water runoff. Additional improvements will include turn lanes along Manning Avenue and a multi-use trail. The ultimate vision for Manning Avenue will be imple- mented in several phases over several years. Phase 1 will begin in the Fall of 2015 with some initial grad- ing and utility work, with the majority of construction activity for this phase occurring in 2016. This phase will be focused around the intersection of Manning Av- enue/CSAH 10 and include a new traffic signal at this location and at the southern entrance to Oak-Land Jr High School. Details and timing of subsequent phas- es are subject to change as the project progresses. For more information regarding The Manning Avenue (CSAH 15) Corridor Management and Safety Improve- ment project, please visit www.co.washington.mn.us/ manningcorridor or contact Frank Ticknor, Project Man- ager at 651-430-4319 or frank.ticknor@co.washington. mn.us County To Place Signals at Lake Elmo & Highway 5 After years of hearing concerns from concerned mo- torists, the Lake Elmo PTO, and area business own- ers, traffic signals will be installed at both of the intersections of Lake Elmo Avenue N. and State Highway 5. The traffic lights will be installed as part of a grant acquired by Washingtion County to imrpove traffic conditions on Highway 5 -- which the County will take over at the end of the year. The signals are anticipated to allow for safer left turns onto Highway 5 and will be timed to create a slower and safer traffic environment in and around the Lake Elmo Elementary School Campus. Future plans include the in- stallation of sidewalks, right turn lanes, and lighting that will improve traffic safety. The Manning Avenue (CSAH 15) Corridor Management and Safety Improvement proj- ect continues to move forward. The ultimate vision for the Manning Avenue corridor will include a 4-lane road- way with a center median to accommodate current and planned growth, coupled with intersection and access modifications aimed at improving safety and mobility. This vision also calls for the realignment of TH 5 and Man- ning Avenue near the Washington County Fairgrounds. At the last series of Neighborhood Meetings for Man- ning Avenue, held in late 2014, roadway alternatives were presented and discussed that were informed by previous input received from area residents. The con- sensus was that the concept to be carried forward should be the “Reduced Impact 4-lane” alternative. This concept recommendation will address the prima- ry project objectives of improving safety and mobility, while minimizing impacts to adjacent properties and the natural environment. Key features include narrowing the widths of planned shoulders, medians and boul- evards, and installing a storm sewer system that will replace the adjacent ditches to capture and treat storm Planning for the Gateway Gold Line bus rapid tran- sit (BRT) system continues in Lake Elmo. Earlier this year two national experts, Dena Belzer and Roger Millar, met with residents and municipal leaders dur- ing the Development Workshop. The workshop an- swered the question “How can Lake Elmo best use coming Gold Line investment to advance community goals?” A report of their findings will be released af- ter it is presented to the City Council on July 7th. The report will be available on the City’s website following the presentation. Currently, the project is in the preliminary planning stage. The consultant teams are analyzing data, maps, and alignment information to determine station locations and land use strategies. As the planning process contin- ues and more information is available, the City will host an open house to update the public, answer questions, and receive feedback about the Gateway Gold Line. To learn more about the Gateway Gold Line, please visit www.thegatewaycorridor.com. Manning Avenue (CSAH 15) Plans Taking Shape” 6 Summer 2015 Lake Elmo Public Library Summer Reading Program June 8th—August 15th Every Hero Has a Story” is the theme of the Lake Elmo Public Library summer reading program that continues with events and chances to win prizes until Aug. 15. Superhero readers of all ages may sign up at the circulation desk for the program. Story time for preschool children continues every Friday at 10:30 AM. Prizes for completing goals for the reading program Gorman’s Restaurant will give a free ice cream cone to kids completing the first 10 hours in their log; a KwikTrip coupon for a cheeseburger or chicken sandwich will be awarded for each goal achieved; there will be a weekly drawing for a $10 Target gift card every Saturday, and a child may enter the Target drawing every time he or she comes into the library; finally, all children attending the Wednesday events are eligible for the Grand Prize drawing for a bank account certificate from Lake Elmo Bank. Children’s event at the Library every Wednesday at 3 PM. June 10 – movie “the Incredibles” – free popcorn; June 17 – Warner Nature Center Birds of Prey; June 24 – Abrakadoodle – participants make clay turtles to take home; July 1 – The History of Our Flag and “All Aboard America”; July 8 – Stillwater Area High School Board Game Club “Ticket to Ride” and more; July 15—movie “Paddington” – free popcorn; July 22 – Dodge Nature Center Reptiles and Amphibians Program; July 29 – Cedar Pet Clinic of Lake Elmo presents “What Pet Should I Get?” August 6 – Funtime Functions demonstrates games kids play all around the world; August 12 – Summer Reading Celebration Ice Cream Social and Festival Theater. Washington County Library Cards and the Road Ahead Lake Elmo residents will no longer have to make the initial purchase of Washington County Library cards. Unlike in years past these cards are good at all Washington County libraries as well as associate libraries in Bayport and Stillwater but will not be honored outside the Washington County Library System. To ensure residents have access to Washington County libraries the Lake Elmo Public Library will pay the $60.00 fee for one Washington County library card per Lake Elmo household. The Lake Elmo Public Library is also pursuing Associate Library Status with Washington County Library. That would mean that the Lake Elmo Public Library would maintain its own budget and board but just lake resi- dents of Stillwater and Bayport Lake Elmo residents would have unfettered borrowing privileges throughout the twin cities metro area. Lake Elmo Public Library is at 3537 Lake Elmo Ave. N., Lake Elmo, MN 55042. The hours are Monday through Thursday 10 am to 8 pm, and Friday and Saturday 10 am to 2 pm. For information call 651-773-4926. Web page http://lakeelmopubliclibrary.org/ 7 Summer 2015 Lake Elmo Park & Recreation News Family Means Youth Center Grand Opening While the doors officially opened on March 23rd, Family Means held their grand opening for their new Cimar- ron Youth Center on May 11th, 2015. The Youth Center was 100% funded through donation from the commu- nity which included furniture and fixtures. The Center can be divided into two areas (Pre K - 6th Grade and 7th - 12th Grade), has computer stations, homework lounges, and a state of the art kitchen. The building will be used for after-school programming and sum- mer programming for children in the Cimarron Neigh- borhood. The children at Cimarron and the staff at Family Means wish to thank all who have contributed. Park Commission to Remodel Tablyn Park with a Winter Focus In 2014, the Lake Elmo Park Commission engaged in a comprehensive planning process that included a com- munity survey, individual park audits and a planning re- treat in an effort to fully analyze its park system. This work resulted in a plan to revitalize the four major community parks: Pebble, Tablyn Reid, and Lions Park, to offer more amenities to residents based on the community survey and to improve park maintenance. In 2014, the Park Commission installed created a new park in the Sanc- tuary neighborhood complete with a new playground, tether ball area and soon to be added gaga ball pit. In ad- dition, the Commission re-conditioned Pebble Park with new equipment – including climbing rocks and a zipline. Currently, the Park Commission is focused on turn- ing Tablyn Park into a winter destination site with the addition of a recreation ice skating rink and ad- ditional clearing of the sledding hill (including light- ing). The baseball diamond will be moved to Pebble Park and the area will be converted to a soccer field. Reid Park Planning Begins, Resident Input Needed The Park Commission is seeking resident input on what they would like to see Reid Park become as the area of the park is set to expand by almost 100% in the next two years. The park, located off of 30th Street, is scheduled to be revitalized in 2016. If you have an idea or a suggestion, please send them to Park Commis- sion Chairman Shane Weis at shaneweis@gmail.com. County to Begin Planning Lake Elmo Regional Trail The Washington County Parks Department will begin planning an east-west trail extending from Oakdale to Stillwater beginning this fall. Cur- rently known as the Lake Elmo Regional Trail, the bike-pedestrian facility would connect major parts of the community like the downtown area, Lake Elmo Park Reserve and Stillwater High School. Homestead HOA To Plant Pollinator Garden Residents of the Homestead HOA will be the first neigh- borhood in Lake Elmo to take advantage of the City’s new “bee friendly” ordinance by planting a pollinator a park. In May, a group of Homestead residents met with the Park Commission and proposed the creation of the pollinator garden alongside Lake Elmo Avenue just north of 10th Street on an open space parcel under control of the MN Land Trust . The garden will be planted this sum- mer with the help of parkland dedication funds. Remember Lake Elmo is a bee friendly community so please check pesticde labels before applying. 8 Summer 2015 Sunfish Lake Park Family Nature Event Mayor Mike Pearson Council Justin Bloyer Julie Fliflet Jill Lundgren Anne Smith City Administrator Dean Zuleger Internet: www.lakeelmo.org Email: comments@lakeelmo.org POLICE-FIRE Emergency: 9-1-1 Non-emergency: (651) 439-9381 A publication of the City of Lake Elmo 3800 Laverne Ave. N., Lake Elmo MN 55042 • 651-747-3900 PRSTD STD US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 19 LAKE ELMO, MN 3800 Laverne Ave. N. Lake Elmo, MN 55042 POSTAL PATRON LAKE ELMO MN 55042 www.facebook.com/LakeElmoMN May 16 brought a beautiful, sunny day for the first ever Sunfish Lake Park Family Na- ture Event, an interactive nature day immersing children and parents in the wonders of nature. A very hands-on event, a nature hike with naturalists at interpretive stations had kids and parents touching and seeing live tadpoles, seeing and smelling wildflowers, hearing calls of songbirds, identifying Mon- arch butterfly stages of life, learning about deer and muskrats. Everyone gath- ered round to learn and see closeup Barred and Screech Owls perched on a naturalist’s glove. There were clay art nature impressions and prairie grass plantings to be taken home. Ninety people came, with many parents asking that the event be an annual offering. The first season of the Lake Elmo Farmers Market is underway! The Farmers Market is open every Satur- day from 10 AM to 1 PM and is located in the Hag- strom Courtyard at 3511 Lake Elmo Avenue North. Over 100 residents and customers braved the rain on June 13th to be the first to sample craft bakery, fresh produce, flowering plants and other culinary delights customary at Farmers Markets. “Despite the rain, we had a nice turnout of support for the Farmers Market”, said newly elected Coun- cil Member Jill Lundgren, founder/coordinator of the Lake Elmo Farmers Market. For more information call Council Member Lundgren at 651-261-4493 or go to the Facebook page at Lake Elmos Farmers Market, where updates will be pro- vided on new offerrings as the summer/fall growing seasons develop. Farmers Market Open Through October 31st Residents and customers explore at the first day of the new Lake Elmo Farmers Market. The Farmers Market will be open every Saturday from 10 AM to 1 PM through October and will feature fresh produce and a variety of other seasonal items.