HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-05-25 The Fresh Weekly NewsletterDecember 5, 2025
PUBLIC MEETINGS
City Hall Meetings Schedule
Planning Commission
Monday, December 8, 2025 - 6:30 a.m.
City Council Workshop
Tuesday, December 9, 2025 - 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
Lake Elmo Utility Bills are Getting a Fresh Look in 2026!
Coming in mid-to-late January 2026 - The look of your utility bills is about to change! The old-style postcards
are no more.
Be on the lookout for an envelope from the City of Lake Elmo, which will include full-size utility statement as
well as other pertinent and timely info for City residents.
You’ll find a much more detailed statement as well as details on how to sign up for the new platform,
paperless billing, and autopay!
It's Tree Trimming Time in Lake Elmo
October through March is the ideal time for tree trimming. Keeping
trees healthy and trimmed helps with safety, tree health, and overall
appearance throughout Lake Elmo.
Our Public Works team maintains trees in the City’s right-of-way to
ensure clear streets, visible signs, room for emergency vehicles, and
safe travel for everyone. Diseased or hazardous trees may be
removed, and branches are trimmed to provide proper clearance
over streets (20 ft) and sidewalks (7 ft).
In rural areas, small branches may be left behind; in neighborhoods,
they’re chipped and hauled away.
If a tree is blocking the road, interfering with homes or vehicles, or
creating a safety concern, it becomes a priority for our crews.
Thanks for giving Public Works room to work safely—and for helping
keep Lake Elmo’s streets clear and our trees healthy!
Garbage Container Placement
Did you know it is against city code to place your garbage bins in the
street? This is especially important during the winter months when
plows have difficulty clearing streets if bins block the roadways.
Garbage and recycling containers must be kept off the street
according to MN State Statutes 160.2715 (A) (2), City Ordinance
96.03, and 94.01. Containers can be placed in the driveway, away
from the street edge, so they remain accessible for pickup.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Learn About the Features on Our New Website
The City of Lake Elmo will begin using the Civic Send email system
from our website to deliver the Fresh beginning in January. You can
sign up for the Fresh directly at Notify Me • Lake Elmo, MN •
CivicEngage. Just click on the Fresh Community Newsletter and
follow the prompts. Don't forget to confirm it in your email.
ROAD PROJECTS
Washington County / Lake Elmo Road Projects
Washington County's Phase 3 of the
County Highway 15 (Manning Avenue)
The project includes adding center-left and right-turn
lanes at key locations, eliminating (northerly) access
to Manning from 18th Street North, adding 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.
Groomed Trails are open!
Lake Elmo’s groomed trails are officially ready for cross-country
skiing and fat-tire biking, offering fresh tracks and beautiful winter
scenery across the community.
Whether you’re gliding through the quiet woods of Demontreville
Wildlife Park, taking in the open spaces near Elmo’s Pup Park and
Pebble Park, or exploring the rolling routes at Reid Park and Sunfish
Lake Park, there’s a ski trail for every skill level.
You can winter mountain bike at Reid Park and Sunfish Lake Park,
and the Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists (MORC) organization maintains
the bike trails at Sunfish Lake Park.
Grab your skis and fat-tire bikes, embrace the crisp winter air, and
enjoy some of the best seasonal recreation Lake Elmo has to offer!
Lake Elmo Parks with groomed trails: Demontreville Wildlife Park,
Elmo's Pup Park, Pebble Park, Reid Park, and Sunfish Lake Park.
Learn more about all of Lake Elmo's Parks here.
LIFE IN LAKE ELMO
Light Up Lake Elmo returns December 6!
It's that time of year again! Our charming, small-town tradition, Light
Up Lake Elmo, is on Dec 6th from 3-5 pm. Keep an eye out for Santa
after 4:15, as he will roll in on a firetruck.
Gather in the Hagstrom Builder courtyard for caroling and tree
lighting, which will take place around 4:30. It's sure to be a magical
evening in Lake Elmo. Please note: To secure a safe area to stroll
Main Street and take in the festivities, Lake Elmo Ave will begin
closing just before 2:30 and will reopen after the crowd disperses
(between 5:00-5:30 pm) around the event area.
The event is organized by Connect Lake Elmo, in partnership with
the City of Lake Elmo, the Lake Elmo Fire Department, and the
Washington County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you to our sponsors, Lake Elmo Bank, Lake Elmo Rotary
Club, and Sally Manzara Nature Center.
Please visit the website below to learn more about our in-kind
sponsors who make this event really special, as well as the
businesses hosting activities that afternoon and evening.
We would love to get more volunteers to make the day even more
successful. Visit here to sign up!
You can find more at Light Up Lake Elmo on the Connect Lake Elmo
website.
Celebrate Winter Solstice at Lake Elmo Park Reserve
Welcome the longest night of the year with Solstice Under the Stars,
a celebration of light, reflection, and community from 6 to 8 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 19, at Lake Elmo Park Reserve.
Enjoy a short, family-friendly hike, warm up by a bonfire, make
nature crafts, and set your intentions for the season ahead. This all-
ages event is a perfect way to connect with nature and the spirit of
winter.
A group night hike will begin at 6 p.m. The route and distance will be
dependent on weather and trail conditions. ADA accommodations
are available upon request. Participants should dress for hiking and
the weather, and all minors must be accompanied by an adult.
After the hike, attendees can gather around the fire for s’mores at
7:30 p.m. and enjoy craft-making indoors throughout the evening.
The program is free with a valid park vehicle permit ($7 daily or $30
annually). Lake Elmo Park Reserve is at 1515 Keats Ave. N. in Lake
Elmo.
For more information about Washington County Parks locations,
programs, and events, visit WashingtonCountyMN.gov/Parks or
follow @WashCountyParks on social media.
Help Us Get Into the Holiday Spirit!
Drop in at the Sally Manzara Interpretive Nature Center at Lake
Elmo’s Sunfish Lake Park between 11 am and 2 pm on Saturday,
December 6th, to make a decoration (or two, or three) and deck the
halls of the nature center!
This event has become a tradition for us over the years. We use
eco-friendly materials for all our decorations; it’s fun for the whole
family and free! Hope to see you there!
Washington County Property Owners Eligible for a
Homestead Must Apply by December 31, 2025, for the
2026 Property Tax Year.
Property owners who have had a change in ownership or occupancy
and whose property qualifies for homestead classification should file
a homestead application with Washington County on or before Dec.
31, 2025.
Homestead classification affects the 2026 property tax, and it may
also affect eligibility for a property tax refund.
Property owners or qualifying relatives should apply by Dec. 31 if:
• They purchased a property in the past year and occupy the property
as their primary residence; or
• They occupy a property as their primary residence as of Dec. 31,
never updated the homestead in their name, or the property was
previously classified as non-homestead.
Who is a qualifying relative?
Qualifying relatives for residential and agricultural properties with a
house include a parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, brother,
sister, uncle, aunt, nephew, or niece of the owner, or the owner's
spouse. For unoccupied agricultural property, a qualifying relative is
a parent, child, grandchild, or sibling of the owner or the owner's
spouse.
Once granted the homestead classification, no further applications
are necessary unless they are specifically requested by the county.
If a property owner sells, moves, or no longer qualifies for
homestead classification, they must notify the county within 30 days
of the change. Failure to notify may result in the property being taxed
as non-homestead.
How to apply:
Property owners can apply online at
WashingtonCountyMN.gov/Homestead.
For more information, call Washington County Assessment Support
at 651-430-6175 (option 4). Homestead | Washington County, MN -
Official Website
DNR Urges Parents, Guardians, and Caregivers to
Prioritize Kids' Safety Around Cold Water
As temperatures fall and ice begins forming on ponds, small lakes,
and other waterways across the state, the Minnesota Department of
Natural Resources reminds parents and guardians to talk with their
kids about the importance of safety on the ice and around the water.
It’s especially important given that many children are home over
Thanksgiving break.
Falling into the water this time of year, whether through thin ice or
into open water, can turn tragic quickly. It can incapacitate even the
strongest swimmers, so it’s up to parents and guardians to teach
their kids about the dangers of cold water and to ensure they’re
properly supervised whenever they’re around water.
Already this season, a DNR conservation officer and other rescue
personnel saved two teenagers who fell through thin ice in northern
Minnesota. "Kids tend to be curious about the water, but they might
not understand the dangers,” said Capt. Adam Block, boating law
administrator for the DNR. “Every type of waterway can be
dangerous this time of year, from small neighborhood ponds all the
way to our largest lakes and rivers.”
Wearing a foam-filled life jacket is the best way to stay safe around
cold water or survive an unexpected fall in. Foam is better than
inflatable life jackets this time of year, since the latter might not fully
inflate in cold water. In addition, Block recommends people carry a
phone in case they need to call for help, let others know where
they’re going and when they plan to return, and plan for how to deal
with an unforeseen incident.
For more information about surviving a fall into cold water, visit the
DNR cold water dangers webpage.
Lake Elmo Tops Washington County’s Pumpkin
Recycling Collection
Thanks to everyone who brought their pumpkins to the City for
recycling after Halloween. Lake Elmo collected the most pumpkins in
Washington County, with 8,540 pounds of pumpkins!
The Holidays are a Great Time to Become a Food
Scraps Recycler
With many holiday celebrations this month, it's a perfect time to
recycle food scraps. Separate your food scraps for recycling so they
become part of the soil instead of going to the trash.
This program is free for Washington County residents! You can order
your food scraps bags and learn about accepted items here.
Be a Battery Hero This Holiday Season
‘Tis the season for twinkly lights, new gadgets, remote-controlled
everything… and a surprising number of worn-out batteries. Before
those little power packs roll around in junk drawers until next July,
give them the happy ending they deserve: recycling!
Instead of tossing old batteries in the trash (they hate that), drop
them off at a Washington County Environmental Center and let them
be reborn into something amazing. It’s like giving your used batteries
a second chance to shine—very on-brand for the holidays.
Be a Holiday Battery Hero! Visit Washington County Environmental
Services t o learn more and find your nearest environmental center.
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 will vote and adopt the 2026 Budget on December 16. City Finance staff have developed
a downloadable property tax calculator that estimates 2026 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.
If you need to search your property, you can view the Washington County Property Tax Search here.
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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