HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-24-25 The Fresh Weekly NewsletterOctober 24, 2025
PUBLIC MEETINGS
Schedule
Planning Commission Meeting
Monday, October 27, 2025 - 6:30 p.m. - Cancelled
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
Reid Park Parking Lot Construction
The Reid Park updates are complete, and the parking lot is open. It's
a great time to explore the bike paths, throw the football across the
field, and take in the fall colors!
Enjoy all of Lake Elmo's Parks; you can find them here.
Mayor For a Day Essay Contest
Calling all 4th–6th graders! Want to run the city—for just one
day? Put on your mayoral hat (just for fun), and tell us:
“What would you do if you were mayor for a day?”
Write an original essay (125–300 words) and submit by December
12, 2025, for a chance to win $100 and be featured in Minnesota
Cities magazine. Three winners will be selected based on creativity,
originality, and understanding of city services, according to the
League of Minnesota Cities.
How to submit:
Submit online Mayor for a Day Entry Form - League of
Minnesota Cities via the entry form.
PDF via email as a fillable attachment: LMC-
MayorForDay2025_EssayForm-1.pdf
Or print and mail-in physical entry LMC-
MayorForDay2025_EssayForm-1.pdf to 145 University Ave.
W, St. Paul, MN 55103.
Let’s hear from the next generation of leaders: ideas for better parks,
safer streets, greener neighborhoods, or fun community events —
everything is on the table!
Learn About the Features on Our New Website
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
Have a question and don't know how to find it? Each of our
departments has FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) at the bottom
of their home page that can help you with most general questions.
Questions like: Do I need a permit to run a small business from my
home? Look at the FAQs on the Community Development page.
Who do I contact if I believe there’s an error on my property tax bill?
Look at the FAQs on our Finance Department page. What are the
winter parking rules? Find it on the FAQs on the Public Works page.
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. 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.
Stonegate Park
This 6.04-acre neighborhood park, located at 750 Jasmine Ave. N.
features a playset, swing set, picnic tables, benches, a ball field, a
bike and walking trail, a grill, and trash bins.
Visit Stonegate Park or visit LakeElmo.gov to learn more about all
our parks.
LIFE IN LAKE ELMO
Buckthorn Removal Festival Saturday, Oct. 25
Saturday, October 25, is our annual Buckthorn Removal Festival. We
start registering volunteers at 9 a.m. and begin work around 9:30
a.m., with lunch served at noon.
This festival, held every October, is part of our larger Buckthorn
Removal and Restoration project, which aims to remove invasive
buckthorn throughout Sunfish Lake Park and restore native trees and
plants.
The event invites visitors to help remove buckthorn, and we welcome
groups such as Boy Scout Troops, Girl Scout Troops, schools,
families, and more to compete to see who can clear the most in one
morning.
It’s a friendly competition; the true winners are the native trees in
Sunfish Lake Park. In addition to clearing buckthorn, the festival
features activities, presentations, and food. It’s free and open to
everyone. Sally Manzara Interpretive Nature Center
Washington County CDA Home Repair Loans
Need help with critical home improvements? Washington County
CDA may be able to help.
They administer low-cost loans to help eligible Washington County
single-family homeowners keep their homes in good shape. The
programs focus on making homes safer, more accessible, livable,
and more energy-efficient. Projects like:
Replacing an aging roof
Plumbing or electrical work
Accommodating a disability
Correcting building code violations
Replacing exterior doors or windows
to ensure safety and weather tightness
Have questions? Ask the Home Repair Loan Team at (651)202-
2820, email latoya@washingtoncountycda.org, or visit Washington
County CDA.
Winter Parking Rules go into Effect Saturday,
November 1!
As a reminder, next Saturday marks the start of Lake Elmo's winter
parking season.
Winter Parking Rules
It shall be unlawful for any person to stop, stand, or park any vehicle
or trailer, or permit it to stand or park, on any street or alley within the
city between 2:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. from November 1 to March 31
of the following year.
Parking is also restricted at any time when snow accumulation
equals or exceeds 2 inches until the street is cleared of snow.
Visit the website to see all of our winter policies.
Friends & Volunteers Bonfire - Nov 4
Join us on Tuesday, Nov. 4 (6-8pm) for a cozy bonfire and night hike
outside the Nordic Center at Lake Elmo Park Reserve (1515 Keats
Ave N).
This event is an opportunity to make friends, meet some of our local
Water Steward volunteers, and learn about training and volunteer
opportunities in 2026. Yes! There will be s'mores.
RSVP here.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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