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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-19-26 The Fresh NewsletterFriday, June 19, 2026 Lake Elmo City Center Public Meetings Planning Commission Meeting - Cancelled Monday, June 22, 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. [https://www.lakeelmo.gov/calendar] How to Watch Watch online [https://www.youtube.com/@CityofLakeElm oMN/videos] or on cable television SCCTV [https://vod.scctv.org/internetchannel/? channel=10] Find meeting agendas and minutes at the City of Lake Elmo, MN [https://www.lakeelmo.gov/agendacenter] *Please Note: Beginning the week of Memorial Day and continuing through Labor Day, Lake Elmo City Center's business hours will be: SUMMER HOURS Monday-Thursday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM  Friday - 8:00 AM - Noon 2026 Lake Elmo Roadwork and Construction Updates Minnesota's Other Season - Road Construction Welcome to Minnesota’s other season—road construction 🚧 As roadwork ramps up across the community, we’ll keep you informed on projects, timelines, and any impacts throughout the summer. Stay tuned for updates to help you plan ahead and travel safely! UPDATE: CSAH 14 - Stillwater Blvd Closure Westbound from 39th St. to Lake Elmo Ave. N - Construction Begins Monday, June 22. CSAH 14 (Stillwater Boulevard) will be closed to westbound traffic from 39th Street to Lake Elmo Ave. N. (west of the elementary school). Stillwater Boulevard will be eastbound traffic only. All access points to side streets (Lake Elmo Avenue, Laverne Avenue, and Layton Avenue) will be open to turn onto off Stillwater Boulevard.  All residential and commercial driveways that access to Stillwater Boulevard will be open during construction and accessible if traveling eastbound on Stillwater Boulevard. The work is expected to take approximately 2 months to complete (weather dependent). Please note that once construction begins on Stillwater Boulevard, all area businesses will remain open and accessible. We encourage residents and visitors to continue supporting our local businesses by following the posted detour routes and shopping, dining, and utilizing services throughout the construction period. Hwy 36 & Lake Elmo Ave. Intersection Improvement Project Construction is set to begin on the Hwy 36 improvement project.  Traffic Impacts: Access to Highway 36 at Lake Elmo Avenue will be closed, with County Highway 17 traffic detoured. The median opening at Keats Avenue will be closed, and left turns from Highway 36 onto Keats Avenue will not be permitted. Temporary pavement and concrete barriers will maintain two lanes of traffic in each direction on Highway 36 throughout construction. Access to properties along the south side of Highway 36 will remain available from Highway 36. Follow this HWY 36 project here. [https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/9519d bdf93294a3a84fb1dbc02dbc361] Washington County Hosts Open House at City Center Monday, June 22 Washington County will host an In-Person Open House #3 at Lake Elmo City Center Monday, June 22 from 4- 6 pm to discuss the improvement project for the intersection of County Highway 10 (10th St N)/County Highway 17 (Lake Elmo Ave N)/County Road 17B (Lake Elmo Ave N). The project team has performed technical analysis and facilitated stakeholder consensus on the project improvement options presented at Open House #2.  Please join us for a public open house to view the recommended alternative, provide feedback, and learn about the schedule and next steps for the project. Learn more about the open house here [https://www.washingtoncountymn.gov/Cou nty10and17]. Lake Elmo 2026 Street and Utility Improvement Project The 2026 Street and Utility Improvement project is underway. The project includes roadway work on portions of 26th Street North, 27th Street North, Imperial Avenue North, Innsdale Avenue North, and Inwood Avenue North.  Improvements will include reclaiming and repaving streets, adding concrete curb and gutter, and repairing or extending storm sewer systems where needed. No street widening or major roadway layout changes are planned. “No Parking” signs will also be added in accordance with City policy.  Stay up to date on street project schedules, timelines, and construction details here. [https://clients.bolton- menk.com/lakeelmostreets2026/] City Business City-180 Acres: Community Engagement Now Open! The City of Lake Elmo wants your feedback on upcoming development at the City- owned 180 acres (Ideal Ave. & 34th St.) This acreage is across three parcels The site's development potential, and the high visibility of the parcels have created a unique opportunity for the City. As the City continues to make progress on this project, we want to gather community input and learn about resident priorities.  The City is launching the first round of community engagement and inviting residents to share feedback.  Residents can participate in the survey here. [https://polco.us/n/res/vote/lake-elmo- mn/city-owned-180-acres-or-community- engagement-main-version] City 180-Acre Project page [https://www.lakeelmo.gov/439/City-180- Acres-Ideal-Ave-34th-St]. As part of this launch, the City has also renewed our community engagement platform, Polco, making it easier for residents to stay connected and participate in future City projects and initiatives. Community feedback plays an important role in helping shape City projects and future decisions, and we encourage all residents to participate Calling All Artists! The City of Lake Elmo is launching a new quarterly Public Art Program featuring rotating exhibits at Lake Elmo City Center.  Local artists, including high school artists, are encouraged to apply and showcase their work in a public setting. The program celebrates creativity and brings local art to the community year- round. Learn more about the program and apply on the website. [https://www.lakeelmo.gov/463/Lake-Elmo- Public-Art-Display-Program] City Council passes amendment to the City Code to Allow Short-Term Rental Properties The City Council passed the amendment to Title 105 of the City Code, which governs zoning regulations related to short-term rental properties Tuesday.  Short-Term Rental Property City Code, Section 105.12.500, allows a home within the city to be rented on a short-term basis, 30 days or less, with appropriate licensing.  The City allows a limited number of Short- Term Rental (STR) licenses to help balance neighborhood character, housing availability, and visitor accommodations.  You can learn more about Short-Term Rentals on the website  [https://www.lakeelmo.gov/457/Short- Term-Rentals]here.  Know Your Polling Place Find your voting location before Election Day, Tuesday, August 11. Lake Elmo has updated precinct information available, including maps and polling locations. Take a minute now to confirm where you’ll vote: Updated Precinct Locations: City Center – 3880 Laverne Avenue N, Lake Elmo, MN 55042 *New this year - Rockpoint Church – 5825 Kelvin Avenue N., Lake Elmo, MN 55042 Absentee Voting: Early voting begins Friday, June 26. Visit MNVOTES.GOV  [https://www.mnvotes.gov]to learn more about absentee ballots and early voting. Check your polling location: Visit the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website  [http://mnvotes.gov]or contact Lake Elmo City Hall to confirm your assigned polling place. Visit our elections page  [https://www.lakeelmo.gov/175/Elections]on the website for updates this summer.  Around Town Mark Your Calendars Summer in Lake Elmo is full of traditions that bring residents together to celebrate our community.  Families can look forward to the beloved 4th of July Kids Parade, where children decorate bikes, wagons, and strollers for a festive morning celebration.  On Tuesday, August 4th, Lake Elmo Night Out returns and offers an evening of connection with neighbors, first responders, and family-friendly activities.  The 100th Anniversary Celebration last fall was so popular, City Council has approved a plan to host an annual street dance and food truck celebration, which will take place Saturday, September 12, in downtown Lake Elmo.   More details to come! Summer Camp Spotlight - Wonder Wednesday Sally Manzara Interpretive Nature Center’s Summer Camp Spotlight: Wonder Wednesday: A Fungus Among Us, July 8, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Our one-day, fun-filled, Wonder Wednesdays let kids explore the beautiful outdoor setting and learn about their surrounding environment. It is run by experienced instructors and the days include interpretive education, games, crafts to bring home, free play and hikes. This exciting new camp offers a hands-on exploration of the fascinating world of fungi, from spore to mushroom. Participants will also have an opportunity to connect with trees, engage in playful science activities, and cultivate a deep respect for nature while uncovering forest secrets. $85 per camper. (Ages 5 and up) Learn more at SMINC. [https://sminc-lake- elmo.org/] Plan Ahead for the 4th of July Kids' Parade The Lake Elmo 4th of July Kids Parade is just around the corner! To help make your morning as smooth as possible, please review the parade route, road closures, detour information, and parking locations before heading to the event. Participants should plan to arrive and line up by 9:30 a.m. to ensure the parade begins on time. Parking areas are marked on the map, and attendees are encouraged to arrive early, as roads along the parade route will be closed prior to the event. Review the detour map and parking information before you go. Learn more at ConnectLakeElmo.org. [https://connectlakeelmo.org/4th-of-july] Volunteers Needed to Help Make the 4th of July Celebration a Success! We're still looking for volunteers to help bring this year's celebration to life. The Lake Elmo 4th of July Kids Parade wouldn't be possible without community members who donate their time and talents. If you've been looking for a way to get involved, this is a great opportunity! Sign up to volunteer: Volunteer Sign-Up Form [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQ LSdl2J-A8tS9ck5Rq7B60- 4ymTdmHNlC_qzcwrihEaCvUQ5tpw/viewfor m] No Small Plastic Items Don't put small items like straws, plastic utensils or loose caps in the recycling.  Small items fall through the recycling facility equipment and end up in the trash. Keep caps on plastic bottles and aluminum tabs attached to cans. #Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.  Save Money on Your Water Bill In partnership with the Metropolitan Council (Met Council) the City of Lake Elmo is offering a rebate program for purchases of eligible water-efficient products.  This funding has enabled Lake Elmo to provide a rebate to current water customers who replace existing devices with specified water-efficient products, or who have an irrigation system audit completed by a professional. Qualifying purchases are eligible for a rebate on your water bill. These credits range from $150 to $500, dependent on your rebate type. Go to the Water Rebate Program page  [https://www.lakeelmo.gov/225/Water- Rebate-Program]on the website for guidelines, restrictions, and a list of qualifying items. Irrigation Restrictions Continue This Year Now that spring is here, please remember the irrigation restrictions affecting The City of Lake Elmo will continue again this year.  To learn more about zone schedules visit the website. [https://www.lakeelmo.gov/261/Watering- Irrigation] What Do My Taxes Pay For?  The City Council adopted the 2026 Budget on December 16, 2025. 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. [https://www.lakeelmo.gov/230/Property- Tax-Calculator] If you need to search your property, you can view the Washington County Property Tax Search here. [https://mn- washington.publicaccessnow.com/] Volunteer, Connect, Get Involved!  Looking to get more involved in the community? Lake Elmo’s local organizations offer great opportunities to volunteer, connect with neighbors, support local causes, and take part in community events and activities.  Whether you’re new to the area or a lifelong resident, these groups help make Lake Elmo a welcoming and vibrant place to live. Learn more about Lake Elmo's Community Organizations here. [https://www.lakeelmo.gov/316/Community-Organizations] City of Lake Elmo | 3880 Laverne Ave. N. | Lake Elmo, MN 55042 [https://www.lakeelmo.gov]www.lakeelmo.gov [https://www.lakeelmo.gov] Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share via Email Copyright 2026 The City of Lake Elmo. All Rights Reserved. 3880 Laverne Ave. N, Lake Elmo, MN 55042 Powered by