HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-12-26 The Fresh NewsletterTHE lTY OF LAKE ELMO
Weekly News & Updates
Friday, June 12, 2026
Lake Elmo City Center Public
Meetings
Parks Commission Meeting
Monday, June 15, 2026 - 6:30 p.m.
Economic Development Authority Meeting
Tuesday, June 16, 2026 - 6:00 p.m.
City Council Meeting
Tuesday, June 15, 2026 - 7:00 p.m.
Meetings are held at City Hall, 3880 Laverne
Ave N., Lake Elmo, MN 55042. Changes or
cancellations will be posted
at Lakeelmo.aov/calendar.
[https://www.lakeelmo.gov/calendar]
How to Watch
Watch online
.[bt—tps://www.youtube.com/(@CitVofLakeElm
oMN/videos]. or on cable television SCCTV
.[https://vod.scctv.org/internetchannel/2
channel=101
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 Z/
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
r
39th St. to Lake Elmo Ave. N
Construction is now scheduled to begin
Thursday, June 18 with normal traffic. The
traffic control and detour route will be in
°"1d%1,1 :rH.1 `"" """'""`"'
place beginning Monday, June 22.
Prewarning signs are up!
• 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 Avenue
Project Updates
The construction phase of the Hwy 36 and
Lake Elmo Avenue project will begin in June.
The project is expected to last through the
fall of 2027.
Access to and from Highway 36 at Lake Elmo
Avenue will be closed during construction,
and two lanes of traffic in each direction on
Highway 36 will stay open and will be
separated by concrete barriers.
Access to homes and businesses will stay
open as much as possible, but there may be
short temporary closures. Property owners
will be notified ahead of time about any
closures. People in the area may notice extra
noise and dust during construction. We
appreciate your patience and will do our
best to reduce disruptions. Follow this HWY
36 project here.
.[https: storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/9519d
bdf93294a3a84fbld bc02dbc361 ],
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/lakeelmostreets2026/1,
City Business
City Offices Will Be Closed
julne[eelrlIth
Friday, June 19 for Juneteenth
Our offices will be closed on Friday, June 19th,
in observance of Juneteenth, a federal
MYCENTE�RC�OSM
holiday that commemorates the end of
slavery in the United States.
We encourage you to take a moment to
reflect on our nation's history and the
importance of freedom for all. Regular hours
will resume on Monday, June 22.
Roadside Ditch Mowing Begins
Next Week in Lake Elmo
Beginning next week, City crews will start
ditch mowing along rural roadways
throughout Lake Elmo. Mowing helps
improve visibility for drivers, supports proper
drainage, and maintains safe road
conditions.
Residents may see equipment working in
different areas of the city over the coming
weeks. Please use caution when traveling
near maintenance crews and allow extra
space for workers and equipment.
Thank you for your patience as we work to
keep Lake Elmo's roads safe and well
maintained.
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.
,[bttps.
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 and regional 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.
New Polling Location for
Primary Elections
Heads Up, Lake Elmo Voters! Precincts and
polling locations have changed ahead of the
August Primary Election. Now is a great time
to check your voter registration and polling
place.
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, September12, in downtown Lake
Elmo.
More details to come!
Summer Camp Spotlight -
Nature Art Camp
Sally Manzara Interpretive Nature Center's
Summer Camp Spotlight: Nature Art Camp!
Tuesday and Wednesday, June 16 & 17, 9 a.m.
to 3 p.m. This summer we are piloting a 2-
day version of our popular four -day camps.
Times are longer, and camps all meet
midweek. 2-Day camps also feature
offerings for older campers.
We are thrilled to announce the return of our
nature art camp. During this 2-day session, a
talented local artist will be leading nature
crafting activities, and the 3M Wizards will be
demonstrating how to create recycled
paper. (ages 6 and up; $175 per camper)
Learn more at SMINC. [https://sminc-lake-
elmo.org11,
Celebrate Independence Day
Al"°`J"'b5 F.-L at the 38th Annual Lake Elmo
:b ;.� * Kids' Parade
Join the community for a cherished local
ELMO tradition —the 38th annual 4th of July Kids'
Parade. The event has grown significantly
each year, while maintaining its small-town
charm and focus on the kids. It is organized
by Connect Lake Elmo in partnership with the
City of Lake Elmo, the Lake Elmo Rotary Club,
the Lake Elmo Fire Department, and
Washington County Sheriff's Department.
Save Money on Your Water Bill
In partnership with the Metropolitan Council
(Met Council) the City of Lake Elmo is
L*m
offering a rebate program for purchases of
Aeligible 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.1akeelmo.gov/225/Water-
Rebate-Program]on the website for
guidelines, restrictions, and a list of
qualifying items.
Recycling Saves Water!
Did you know recycling one ton of paper
saves 7,000 gallons of water - so you're
saving two resources when you recycle one.
You can safely dispose of sensitive
documents at Washington County's free
paper shredding event on Wednesday, June
24, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the South
Environmental Center.
This service is available to Washington
County residents and businesses.
Documents will be shredded on -site by
Shred Right and recycled.
Event Guidelines:
• Proof of Washington County residency is
required
• Limit of six boxes per participant
• Boxes must weigh no more than 30 pounds
each
• No other materials will be accepted during
the shredding event
Take advantage of this free opportunity to
securely recycle confidential papers and
protect your personal information. Visit the
website
[https://www.washingtoncountymn.gov 303
1 Paper -Shredding -Events], to learn more.
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.
,Lhttps://www.lakeelmo.gov/261/Watering-
IrCigationJ.
What Do My Taxes Pay For?
- The City Council adopted the 2026 Budget
== r 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.
,[bttps://www.lakeelmo.gov/230/Pr party_
Tax -Calculator]
If you need to search your property, you can
view the Washington County Property Tax
Search here. [https://mn-
washington.publicaccessnow.com/l.
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/Community7Organizations]
City of Lake Elmo 13880 Laverne Ave. N. I Lake Elmo, MN 55042
[https://www.lakeelmo.gov]www.lakeelmo.gov
,[https://www.lakeelmo.gov].
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3880 Laverne Ave. N, Lake Elmo, MN 55042