HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-28-25 The FreshFebruary 28, 2025
Public Meetings Next Week:
City Council Special Meeting.
March 4, 6:00 p.m.
City Council Meeting. March 4,
7:00 p.m.
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Our mission is to provide quality public services in a fiscally responsible
manner in partnership with our community.
NOTICE OF TEAM MEETING
City Council Special Meeting
Tuesday, March 4, 2025, 6:00 P.M.
City of Lake Elmo | 3880 Laverne Ave North
Agenda
A. Call to Order
B. Closed Session
The City Council will hold a closed session pursuant to Minn. Stat. section 13D.05 Subd. 3, to
conduct a performance review of the Public Works Director.
C. Adjourn
Our mission is to provide quality public services in a fiscally responsible
manner in partnership with our community.
NOTICE OF TEAM MEETING
City Council Meeting
Tuesday, March 4, 2025, 7:00 P.M.
City of Lake Elmo | 3880 Laverne Ave North
Agenda
A. Call to Order / Pledge of Allegiance
B. Approval of Agenda
C. Approval of Minutes
D. Public Comments / Inquiries
E. Approval of Minutes
1. February 18, 2025, Special Meeting & Regular Meeting
F. Consent Agenda
1. Approve Payment of Disbursements and Payroll
2. Approve Liquor License for Oishi Sushi
3. Approve Ballfield Purchase Agreement Amendment - Resolution 2050-020
4. Approve Kleis Playground Replacement
5. Approve Charitable Gambling Permit for Oakdale Athletic Association - Resolution 2025-018
G. Regular Agenda
1. Irrigation Alternatives for Oak Land Middle School
2. Roers Easement Vacation - Resolution 2025-019
3. Fire Department Annual Report
4. New Financial Software
5. Franchise Fees - Ordinances 2025-03 through 2025-08 & Resolutions 2025-021 through 2025-
028.
H. Council Report
I. Staff Report
1. Future agenda items
J. Adjourn
Full meeting packets and meeting minutes can be accessed here:
Agendas and Minutes
The new Lake Elmo Elementary School
project has begun!
Lake Elmo Elementary School Architectural Renderings
Since 2023, the Lake Elmo Public Works, the
Lake Elmo Community Development, and our
The school's design goals focused on creating
learning environments tailored for students. "By
city engineers have met bi-weekly with Stillwater
Schools, architects, and project managers to
assist in the design and planning of the new
Lake Elmo Elementary School.
After receiving multiple rounds of feedback from
the City, Stillwater Schools staff, students, and
residents of Lake Elmo, the design is now
complete. Development on-site began in
February, and the school is scheduled to open in
the fall of 2026.
We intend to uphold the rich tradition of
community that Lake Elmo Elementary has
fostered over the past 100 years and integrate
that spirit into the learning environments we
have created for our students," said Mark
Drommerhausen, Executive Director of
Operations at Stillwater Schools.
building vibrant classrooms that maximize
natural daylight, incorporating design elements
inspired by the outdoors, and creating spaces
suitable for both small and large group learning,
we aim to provide the best possible environment
for the students of Lake Elmo."
Look for a groundbreaking ceremony at the new
site once the ground has thawed and digging
has begun, this spring.
For more information visit Stillwater Schools.
Get out of the kitchen!
Ivywood Pickleball Courts are
open!
Did you know that pickleball is one of the fastest-
growing sports in the U.S.? With spring
approaching, the Ivywood Courts in Lake Elmo are
ready for play.
Courts are available on a first-come, first-served
basis, so please practice good sportsmanship and
follow the court rules.
You can learn more about the parks in Lake Elmo
by visiting the provided link.
Spring Load Restrictions start
March 1
The Minnesota Department of Transportation,
MNDOT, will start spring load restrictions in the
SOUTH, SOUTHEAST, AND METRO frost zones,
including Lake Elmo, on Monday, March 3, 2025,
at 12:01 a.m.
Lake Elmo follows MNDOT's start and end dates
for the metro seasonal load limits. View the Spring
Road Maps and Lake Elmo road restrictions here.
Road Restrictions
Stormwater Pond Maintenance
begins
Public works is beginning stormwater
maintenance throughout Lake Elmo, so expect
to see crews clearing trees over the next few
weeks in multiple areas throughout the city.
Because brush and trees encroach the inlet
and outlet pipes and disrupt the water flow in
swales, ditches, and ponds, debris needs to
be removed periodically to keep water running
efficiently.
The city holds drainage easements on private
property that allow maintenance to be
performed, and crews attempt to contact
private property owners or leave notifications
on doors if they are unavailable.
Questions can be directed to the contact listed
on the door tag or can be directed to the Lake
Elmo Public Works team here: Lake Elmo
Public Works Stormwater Management.
Lake Elmo Public Works
is hiring!
We are hiring seasonal maintenance staff to
assist our full-time Public Works staff in
maintaining and repairing our city streets and
parks.
This position will involve training in several
areas. Work up to 40 hours per week, with an
anticipated start date in May.
Salary range is $18 to $19 per hour/ starting
pay. Must be 16 years of age and have a valid
driver's license.
Apply Here
Cimarron Community Farm's
2025 Summer CSA
Do you love fresh, organic veggies? Do you want to
support your local food system? Cimarron Community
Farm's 2025 Summer CSA program is now open and a
perfect way for your family to eat fresh all season.
16 weeks of fresh, local, organic produce (mid-
June to September.)
530 for a summer share.
On-farm pick-up, Wednesdays, 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.
A typical box may include fresh herbs, tomatoes,
zucchini, carrots, broccoli, lettuce, kale, eggplant,
onions, and more.
Sign up now for our Community Supported Agriculture
CSA) membership to access the best produce in town!
cimarroncommunityfarm.com
cimarroncommunityfarmMN@gmail.com
952) 607-0157
BECOME A WASHINGTON COUNTY TREE STEWARD
Join the Washington Conservation District and
UMN to learn more about trees and how to help
After completing the training and short
assessment, you‘ll also become a certified Tree
care for our collective urban forest!
The Minnesota Tree Steward program is
designed for people who love trees, enjoy being
outdoors, and want to volunteer with their
community.
Through a partnership with the Washington
Conservation District (WCD) and the University
of Minnesota, you’ll learn how to care for young
and newly planted trees in public spaces of
Washington County.
Steward Volunteer who can participate in
activities under the guidance of WCD/ host site
Forestry staff.
To stay active, volunteers must complete 25
hours of volunteer work and/or participate in 3
tree-related volunteer events each year.
Questions? Email Jessica Sahu Teli
Workshop dates (Pick one): April 5th: 9am - 2
pm: Scandia Community Center April 12th: 9 am
2 pm: Nordic Center in Lake Elmo Park
Reserve. Register Here.
Icehouse Removal Deadlines
Dark houses, fish houses, and portables must be off the
ice no later than 11:59 p.m. (end of the day) for each of
the dates given in the categories below.
County sheriffs may prohibit or restrict the use of
motorized vehicles if dangerous ice conditions are
present. If shelters are not removed, owners may be
cited.
A conservation officer also may confiscate, remove or
destroy any ice structure and its contents if not
removed by the deadline. Inland waters
South of line - March 3, 2025
North of line - March 17, 2025
Border waters
Minnesota-Iowa - Feb. 20
Minnesota–Wisconsin - March 1
Minnesota–North and South Dakota - March 5
Minnesota–Canada - March 31
Dates of removal are determined
by an east-west line formed by
U.S. Hwy. 10, east along Hwy. 34
to Minnesota Hwy. 200, east
along Hwy. 200 to U.S. Hwy. 2,
and east along Hwy. 2 to the
Minnesota-Wisconsin border.
Visit the MN DNR for more on Ice
Shelter Removal.
Minnesota DNR 2025 Fishing
Regulations
Newly established fishing limits for several species are
added to the 2025 fishing license year beginning March
1. Daily and possession limits are updated for Whitefish,
Cisco, Burbot, the American Eel, and Yellow Bass.
Check the Minnesota DNR website for the updated
regulations available on March 1.
Pothole Season is upon us
A pothole is a depression or hollow in a road
surface, caused by ground water and traffic.
Potholes form when water seeps into tiny cracks in
the road surface, usually caused by traffic. When
this water freezes it expands and then when it
thaws, it gets smaller. This makes the cracks
larger, further weakening the road and increasing
the amount of water that can get under the
surface. As the road surface weakens, traffic
breaks it up to create a small hole, which expands
as more traffic passes over.
Need some help from our public works team?
Report a pothole here.
Winter Parking Ordinance
The winter parking ordinance
prohibits parking on Lake Elmo
streets from November 1
through March 31 between 2:00
AM and 7:00 AM, or during a
snow event outside of those
hours.
Remember, if the City's trucks
are blocked they can't plow your
streets!
What do my property taxes pay for?
Property Tax Calculator
The City Council adopted the 2025 Tax Levy on December 17. City Finance Dept. staff has
developed a downloadable tool that estimates 2025 city taxes (not other jurisdictions) on
your home and shows approximately how much of your taxes go toward each service
area. Check it out at
https://www.lakeelmo.gov/departments/finance___utility/property_tax_calculator.php
Lead Service Line Inventory Project
The City of Lake Elmo has completed and submitted its service line materials inventory to
the Minnesota Department of Health. The service line inventory is publicly available, and
you can check the materials for your service line by visiting the Lead Inventory Tracking
Tool (LITT) at https://maps.umn.edu/LSL/ you may also contact us Lake Elmo staff @ 651-
747-3946. To complete the service line inventory our system gathered information from
building records along with, door to door and self verification. As on 09/27/2024, our
inventory contains 0 lead, 2 galvanized requiring replacement, 280 unknown material and
3327 non-lead service lines. You may contact the Lake Elmo Public Works Department to
update the tracking records at any time.
Tree Trimming
Lake Elmo Public Works Staff will be trimming trees over public sidewalks, trails
and along the roadways as weather permits. Tree trimming is necessary to improve
the health and appearance of trees and to lessen the interference with pedestrians,
bikers and traffic. Trimming is required if trees are obstructing street lights, signs,
trails, and roadways. Trees are trimmed to 20 feet over streets or curb, and 7 feet
over a sidewalk or path. Staff will only be trimming trees which are in the city’s
right-of-way (typically 15 feet behind the curb or road edge) or impede on a city
sidewalk and trail. Limbs will be cut back to the trunk of the tree and will be
removed from the site. To balance the appearance of a tree staff will occasionally
trim around all sides of a tree.
Questions can be directed to Lake Elmo Public Works
Attention – 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 as well as printed
copies are available at City Hall. A
recording of the meeting is
available here.
Private Wells
and PFAS
If you have questions about your private well water quality, please reach out to the MPCA.
You can request your well be tested here: https://webapp.pca.state.mn.us/gw-
sampling-req/
PFAS well sampling FAQs: PFAS Well Sampling Frequently Asked Questions
state.mn.us)
Water filtration FAQs: PFAS Water Filtration Frequently Asked Questions
state.mn.us)
MDH website about PFAS filtration PFAS and Home Treatment of Water - MN
Dept. of Health (state.mn.us)
Private well sampling interactive map: Private Well Sampling in the East Metro Area
arcgis.com)
If you have questions about private well testing in the East Metro, call 651-757-
2903, or email
east_metro_pfas_private_well_sampling_inquiries.mpca@state.mn.us
Information about PFAS from the department of health can be found Per- and
Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) - MN Dept. of Health (state.mn.us)
MPCA blueprint for Minnesota and PFAS. Minnesota’s PFAS Blueprint | Minnesota
Pollution Control Agency (state.mn.us)
Good information to reduce your exposure to PFAS can be found Reducing
Exposures: Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)-MN Dept. of Health and
PFAS - SixClasses.org
Please visit the City of Lake Elmo’s water resources webpage to learn more
at lakeelmo.gov/residents/index.php
If you know someone who has concerns about their water, please forward this newsletter
to them and encourage them to sign up for the FRESH HERE
Will Your Mailbox Survive the Winter?
Below are the proper installation instructions from the USPS:
1) Position your mailbox 41” to 45” from the road surface to the bottom of the mailbox or
point of mail entry
2) Place your mailbox 6” to 8” back from curb. If you do not have a raised curb, contact
your local post-master for guidance.
3) Put your house or apartment number on the mailbox
4)If your mailbox is on a different street from your house or apartment, put your full street
address on the box
5)If you are attaching the box to your house, make sure the postal carrier can reach it
easily from your sidewalk, steps, or porch
6) If your mailbox is physically struck by the city plow (not the weight of the snow wake)
please contact public works within 72 hours to investigate the damage. City plows get as
close as practical to allow for passage of traffic and mail delivery. Residents are
responsible to keep piled snow away from the mailboxes. If mailbox damage is determined
to be caused by a city plow making direct physical contact with a properly installed
mailbox, the city will replace it with a standard size, non-decorative metal mailbox and
treated wooden 4x4 post
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.
City of Lake Elmo | 3880 Laverne Avenue North | Lake Elmo, MN 55042 US
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