HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-10-25 The Fresh WeeklyOctober 10, 2025
PUBLIC MEETINGS
Schedule
City Council Workshop
Tuesday, October 14, 2025 - 6:30 p.m.
Planning Commission Meeting
Wednesday, October 15, 2026 - 6:30 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 the City of Lake Elmo, MN
CITY BUSINESS
City Offices Closed Monday, October 13, for Indigenous Peoples' Day
City offices will be closed on Monday in observance of Indigenous Peoples Day. Regular hours will resume
on Tuesday.
Lake Elmo City Council Awarded the Winning Proposal
to Purchase the Old Fire Station and Parks Building
Properties on Tuesday
The City Council has approved a proposal to purchase the Old Fire
Station and Parks Building property. The selected proposal outlines
an exciting redevelopment plan that includes two new restaurants—
Tap & Ladder and Machete.
This project plans to bring new dining options, energy, and economic
growth to the heart of the community. More details about the
redevelopment timeline and next steps will be shared as the project
moves forward.
You can read the full story here.
City Employees Ashley Monterusso and Sophia
Jensen Participate in Tree Stewards Project
This spring, the Washington Conservation District launched a new
volunteer program in partnership with Minnesota Extension. Tree
Stewards attend community events, help to care for city trees, and
support reforestation efforts.
Last week, City employees Ashley Monterusso and Sophia Jensen
volunteered their time as Tree Stewards, lending a helping hand on
5th Street. Together, they pruned trees to promote healthy growth,
improve visibility, and keep the neighborhood looking its best. Their
efforts support a greener, safer, and more beautiful community for
everyone to enjoy.
As Tree Stewards, volunteers are encouraged to volunteer 25 hours
per year. You can learn more about the Tree Stewards program
through the Washington Conservation District and get involved in
your community.
Early Voting is Open for the School District No. 622
Operating Referendum Election November 4
School District No. 622, North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale Schools,
will hold an operating referendum on November 4, 2025.
The upcoming school bond referendum asks District 622 residents to
consider approving an increase in per-pupil funding to support
student learning, as well as an investment in technology to keep pace
with today’s educational needs.
If approved, the measure would provide additional tax revenue to
acquire, install, replace, and maintain essential technology, including
software, licenses, computers, upgraded equipment, networks,
infrastructure, and security systems. Funding would also support the
personnel and training needed to ensure these tools are used
effectively in classrooms.
Early voting is available from September 19 to November 3. Polling
locations are listed below:
Vote early (absentee) in-person
VOTING LOCATIONS:
Washington County Gov. Center | 14949 62nd St. N., Stillwater, MN
55082
Central Service and License Center | 1261 Woodlane Drive,
Woodbury, MN 55125
Cottage Grove Service Center | 13000 Ravine Pkwy, Cottage Grove,
MN 55016
Hours: Mon-Fri. | 8 am – 4:30 pm
Nov. 1 | 8 am – 3 pm
Nov. 3 | 8 am – 5 pm
For more information, visit ISD No. 622, North St. Paul-Maplewood-
Oakdale Schools or visit Elections | Washington County, MN -
Official Website.
Reid Park Parking Lot Construction
The Reid Park parking lot is still under construction, and restoration
is scheduled to begin on Monday, September 29.
Learn more about Lithium Batteries
This past week, your Lake Elmo Fire Department partnered with
NFPA to promote this year’s Fire Prevention Week, October 5- 11,
Charge Into Fire Safety: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home.
Our goal was to spread the word about making smart choices when it
comes to buying, charging, and recycling lithium-ion batteries—
because the wrong move can lead to a fire.
If you have questions about the safety of lithium-ion batteries, we are
here to help. Contact us anytime for more information:
https://www.lakeelmo.gov/248/Fire-Department
Learn About the Features on Our New Website
Did you know the City of Lake Elmo hosts a GIS Property Map and a
GIS Parks and Trails map you can use for learning about the city?
Visit the Mapping systems here: GIS Maps & Data | Lake Elmo, MN.
Also, don't forget to sign up, navigate to the NOTIFY ME to stay
informed on city business. You can go to the Notify Me tab from the
notifications tab in the center of the home page at LakeElmo.gov,
choose email options, and/or if you prefer text messages on your
phone, select that.
Then choose from different lists, such as News Flashes, Agendas,
and Calendars. It’s an easy way to stay informed about ongoing
developments. You can unsubscribe anytime!
ROAD PROJECTS
Road Closure on Hudson Blvd East of Inwood
Hudson Boulevard east of Inwood Avenue will be closed to
westbound traffic, along with a full closure of Hudson Boulevard east
of Eagle Point Boulevard, starting September 11, 2025, to complete
a forcemain replacement project. Business access will be fully open
west of Julia to the point of the road closure.
The closure and detour route are shown on the attached drawing.
Pre-warning signs were installed last week to notify drivers of the
upcoming work. It is expected to remain in place for about 7 weeks,
weather permitting. Emergency services and school district
transportation representatives have also been notified.
Washington County / Lake Elmo Summer Road Projects
Washington County's Phase 3 of the County Highway
15 (Manning Avenue)
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.
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.
Pilot Park
Pilot Park, located at 3216 Linden Lane N., is a great neighborhood
park featuring an ADA-accessible walking and bike path, new
playground equipment, benches, and a picnic table. Spanning 1.36
acres, this park also features a multi-use field, ideal for a quick game
of tag football or soccer.
Visit Pilot Park, or visit LakeElmo.gov to learn more about all our
parks.
LIFE IN LAKE ELMO
Lake Elmo Fire Fighters walked the Climb 4 Kidney
Cancer at Huntington Bank Stadium last Saturday
This past weekend, members of the Lake Elmo Fire Department
proudly joined the Climb 4 Kidney Cancer event, walking 6,054 stairs
at Huntington Bank Stadium in full gear, to show their support for
Minneapolis Deputy Fire Chief Rita Juran and all those affected by
kidney cancer.
Together, they climbed to raise awareness, honor those battling the
disease, and celebrate the strength of our firefighting community.
Join us for Stargazing Date Night!
We're bringing back one of our most popular events from 2024:
Stargazing Date Night!
This Saturday, October 11, from 6 to 8 p.m., we're excited to
welcome the Minnesota Astronomical Society, which will teach us all
about the cosmos. We’ll look for Saturn, the moon, double stars, and
galaxies. Bring your partner! Bring a friend! A light dinner will be
provided. We ask for a $15 donation to help cover the food costs.
Since you’ll be out on the prairie, dress warm. This event fills up
quickly, so visit our events calendar on the SMINC website to
reserve your spot today!
Sally Manzara Interpretive Nature Center
Public Notice of 3M Community Meeting and Agenda
Wednesday, Dec. 10, 6 pm -7 pm
3M invites you to a community meeting to learn more about our
Cottage Grove site and the management of stormwater and
wastewater.
The meeting will feature current information regarding facility
operations, changes made or planned to enhance our environmental
stewardship, management of production materials, implementation of
our new permit, and community engagement in Cottage Grove.
The meeting will be recorded, and seating will be available on a first-
come, first-served basis.
Date: Wednesday, Dec 10, 2025
Time: 6-7 p.m.
Location: Cottage Grove City Hall Training Room (12800 Ravine
Parkway South)
Holiday Lights and Extension Cords
Long, stringy items, such as holiday lights and extension cords, get
caught in the recycling facility's machines. Recycle at drop-off
centers or participating retailers.
Washington County Disposal Directory
Join the Lake Elmo Rotary
Come and join the Lake Elmo Rotary Club. We are a dynamic group
of women and men doing great work in the community and looking
for other members of the community who believe in providing service
to others, promoting integrity, and understanding to others.
Lake Elmo Rotary Club - Free Breakfast Coupon
Join us the 1st or 3rd Wednesday of each month, at 7:00 AM
Lake Elmo Inn, 3442 Lake Elmo Ave., Lake Elmo MN
Please RSVP Mondays by noon - text Liz at 651.283.8794
Expires January 30, 2026
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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