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Park Perspective May 2021

www.stlouispark.org

Follow the city’s strategic priorities The St. Louis Park City Council has adopted the following five strategic priorities. Look for the icons throughout this and future editions of the Park Perspective to read stories about how the city is working to meet these priorities. St. Louis Park is committed to: Being a leader in racial equity and inclusion in order to create a more just and inclusive community for all. Continuing to lead in environmental stewardship. Providing a broad range of housing and neighborhood-oriented development. Providing a variety of options for people to make their way around the city comfortably, safely and reliably. reating opportunities to build social capital C through community engagement.

For city events, activities and news, visit www.stlouispark.org.

nextdoor.com @stlouispark

@stlouispark

www.youtube.com/slpcable

Preparing for the election

Next election is Nov. 2, 2021 The Nov. 2, 2021, election will be a local election only. Offices on the ballot will include four ward city council members. It will also include local school board offices for St. Louis Park, Hopkins or Edina public schools, depending on the school district in which you live. The offices of mayor and at large council members will not be on the 2021 ballot. Voting a ranked-choice ballot City offices are elected using the ranked-choice voting system. This means that you will be able to rank up to three choices for each ward council member race that appears on your ballot. By law, school districts are not allowed to use ranked-choice voting in school board elections. School board offices will appear on the other side of the ballot and are elected using the traditional method of voting. Visit www.stlouispark.org/vote for more information or call the elections office at 952.924.2503.

Filing for office

Sworn in Jan. 3, 2022

Election Day Nov. 2

Withdrawal period Aug. 11 – 12

Early voting Sept. 17 – Nov. 1

Filing for office

Make service requests or receive city information via the app

Candidate filing for the four ward city council member races will take place July 27 – Aug. 10, 2021, at the city clerk’s office, 5005 Minnetonka Blvd. Candidate filing for the offices of ward council member and ISD 283 school board member will take place July 27 – Aug. 10, 2021, at the city clerk’s office, 5005 Minnetonka Blvd.

or visit www.mystlouispark.org. The Park Perspective is printed on 30% post-consumer recycled paper in an effort to meet the city’s environmentally preferable purchasing policy.

PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Twin Cities Permit No. 603

Filing period July 27 – Aug. 10

Filing for office of city council member To file for office, you must: • Complete an affidavit of candidacy This is not an actual ballot, but a representation.

• R ank up to three choices for the St. Louis Park ward council member race that appears on your ballot.

• Pay the $20 filing fee • F ile a nominating petition signed by at least 50 registered voters qualified to vote for the office

• Y our first choice is the candidate you would most like to see elected.

Filing for office of school board

• A lways vote left to right

• Complete an affidavit of candidacy

• S elect one candidate in each column. If you wish to rank second and/or third choices, you will select them in the corresponding second and third columns on the ballot. • T urn your ballot over to vote in school district races. Becoming a candidate If you work or volunteer in community organizing, serve on a committee or are active in your community, you may have considered broadening your impact by serving in local office. Choosing to become a candidate can be a tough decision. The City of St. Louis Park elections team can help you understand the official steps you need to take to get on a ballot. Be aware that the role of the city clerk’s office is to connect candidates with resources to help navigate the technical aspects and requirements of becoming a candidate and the overall administration of elections. City staff cannot interpret laws for candidates or provide advice related to campaigns. The “Become a candidate” page on the city website has been updated to offer more in-depth resources for those choosing to seek public office in the city. Watch for workshops that will be held later this year on the requirements and the process to file for public office. Workshops may be in person or virtual, depending on current gathering restrictions.

To file for office, you must: • Pay the $2 filing fee Note: All requirements listed above to file for either city council member or school board member must be completed during the filing period, July 27 – Aug. 10. This includes the collection of signatures on a nominating petition. Candidate requirements Any person may be a candidate for a city office if they are: • Eligible to vote in Minnesota • At least 21 years old upon assuming office • N ot a candidate for another office in the upcoming election • A St. Louis Park resident at least 30 days before the general election. Candidates for ward council member must reside in the ward they wish to represent. For candidate forms, visit www.stlouispark.org/vote or visit the city clerk’s office. Visit www.sos.state.mn.us for additional requirements for other offices. Withdrawing Candidates may withdraw and remove their name from a ballot during the withdrawal period. The 2021 withdrawal period is Aug. 11 – 12 by 5 p.m. To withdraw, you must file an affidavit of withdrawal with the city clerk’s office. Once the withdrawal period has ended, a candidate’s name cannot be removed from a ballot. (continued on page 8)

Understanding right of way Are you planning outdoor home improvements this summer? If you are, good for you! Outdoor home improvements like tree or shrub planting or landscaping projects usually don’t require a permit. However, driveways, patios, decks, sprinkler systems and work within the right of way does require a permit. Before you start work, it’s always a good idea to call the city and find out if a permit is needed.

Dakota Avenue bikeway demonstration project In 2020, bikeways were installed on Dakota Avenue from Lake Street to 26th Street. In 2021, white bollards will be installed in the buffered bike lane from Lake Street to Minnetonka Boulevard. This demonstration project will gather feedback about how the bollards function and determine if it meets the needs of the various stakeholders, such as bicyclists, pedestrians, adjacent property owners, the traveling public and city operations and maintenance staff. Visit bit.ly/DakotaBikePilotSLP to learn more or contact Jack Sullivan, project engineer, at jsullivan@stlouispark.org or 952.924.2691.

If your work is within 16 feet of the street or within 2 feet of the edge of the alley, it is likely that you will be working within the public right of way. What is right of way? All roads and alleys are located on land that is referred to as right of way. The right of way is intended for public purposes. This includes public streets, sidewalks, bikeways, streetlights, alleys and public utilities. The right of way generally extends beyond the pavement and can include sidewalks, utility poles, underground utilities, signs and streetlights. In addition, the city uses the area for snow storage in the winter. Construction in, on, under or above the right of way requires review by the city and if it is allowed, a permit. Examples of private improvements that are allowed within the right of way are sprinkler systems, pet containment, landscaping and driveways. Construction of retaining walls, steps, lighting or a fence are generally not allowed in the right of way. Private improvements in the right of way may be damaged when construction takes place. If that happens, repairs are usually the responsibility of the property owner. How can I find out where the right of way ends and my property starts? In most instances the street or alley runs down the middle of the right of way. The width of the right of way can vary. Typically, the right of way for residential streets is 60 feet wide. For public alleys, it’s 15 feet wide. Wider streets have wider right of way. Sometimes the center of the road does not match the center of the right of way. If you would like to install landscaping, sprinklers, pet containment, fences or other private improvements adjacent to a street or alley, we recommend you hire a surveyor who can find your property corners. This will help you determine if whatever improvement you are installing is on your property or in the right of way.

Call before you dig

Visit www.mnsurveyor.com for a list of registered land surveyors. Work within the right of way requires a permit from the engineering department. Visit bit.ly/ROWpermit for information about permits, or call the engineering department at 952.924.2656.

When it comes to underground utilities, safety and damage prevention are the ultimate goals. Contact Gopher State One Call (GSOC) by calling 651.454.0002 or 800.252.1166 at least 48 hours (not including weekends and holidays) before starting any excavation project. Whether the project is large or small, if you are using machine-powered equipment or just a shovel and rake to plant a garden, get your work area marked. Contacting GSOC in advance helps you and your loved ones dig safely while avoiding costly damages to underground facilities. For more information, visit www.gopherstateonecall.org.

Don’t miss out on Solar Sundown Help St. Louis Park achieve its Climate Action Plan goal of 100% renewable electricity by 2030 by installing rooftop solar on your home or business! But make sure to act fast. Only projects completed in 2021 are eligible for the city’s cost share program, Solar Sundown. Under this pilot program, qualifying property owners who install solar this year can receive a 4% or 6% reimbursement on the costs of a solar project, depending on the project location. You can also take advantage of other incentives, like the 2021 federal solar Investment Tax Credit of 26%.

Southwest Light Rail Transit Construction continues on the Southwest Light Rail Transit (SWLRT) project. Visit www.swlrt.org to learn more and sign up for the Metropolitan Council’s SWLRT weekly updates. 2

May 2021

In an average year, Minnesota receives more sunlight than Houston, Texas, or Jacksonville, Florida, making Minnesota properties great solar candidates! To see if rooftop solar is a good fit for your home or business, and to view the many solar financing options and incentives available, visit www.stlouispark.org/solar.

Funding available for landscaping projects It’s not too early to start thinking about spring landscaping projects that can help manage stormwater. The city’s Rainwater Rewards program offers funding and technical guidance to residential property owners who install projects that do at least one of the following: • • • •

Protect and restore stormwater by capturing pollutants in rainwater runoff Increase the watershed’s ability to store water Preserve and restore native plant and wildlife communities Protect and preserve groundwater quality and quantity

Business resources available Open to Business The Open to Business program offers free, one-on-one, confidential business consulting to help small business owners with access to the technical assistance and financing options they need, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Contact John Endris, Open to Business advisor, at jendris@mccdmn.org or 651.216.6252 to schedule a video meeting. 2% loan program The 2% loan program offers low-interest loans to new and existing businesses and commercial property owners located in St. Louis Park. For more information, visit www.stlouispark.org/business/financing-resources, or contact John Endris at jendris@mccdmn.org.

Project examples include rain gardens, tree plantings, rain barrels, permeable pavement, green roofs and other innovative stormwater management practices. Program benefits include cost share, guidance with management practices, selecting designers and contractors, and future planning. The program is available to residential properties in St. Louis Park. Applications are accepted year-round while funding remains. To learn more, visit www.stlouispark.org/rainwater-rewards, or contact Erick Francis, water resources manager, at efrancis@stlouispark.org or 952.924.2690.

Down payment help is available For those purchasing a home in St. Louis Park, the City of St. Louis Park provides down payment and closing cost assistance to first-time homebuyers or those that have not owned a home in the last three years. Employees of St. Louis Park businesses may be eligible for additional funds to encourage them to live where they work.

Is your property

at risk of flooding? The city will give you the following information at your request: • I f your property is in or out of the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) as shown on the current Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) for the city; in or out of the floodway; or in or near an area where the problems are not shown on the FIRM. • A dditional flood insurance data for a property, such as the FIRM zone and the base flood elevation or depth, if shown on the FIRM, and if a property is in or near an area of historical flooding and/or natural functions floodplain. To request information, call the community development department at 952.924.2575 and provide your street address and, if available, the subdivision, lot and block number. Learn more about flood hazards, risks and building responsibility at www.stlouispark.org/floodplain.

The loan is a zero percent, interest-deferred loan up to $15,000, not to exceed 5% of the purchase price. An additional $5,000 may be available for employees of St. Louis Park businesses and St. Louis Park renters. Income restrictions apply. Visit the Center for Energy and Environment’s website at bit.ly/CEESLP or call 612.335.5884 to learn more.

St. Louis Park legacy program expands to single-family homes Affordable homeownership opportunities are in short supply in St. Louis Park as rising home values are making it difficult to find affordable houses. Homeowners who are considering selling their home and who are interested in helping address the affordable homeownership issue in St. Louis Park should contact the city’s housing division to learn about leaving a lasting affordable housing legacy. For more information, contact Marney Olson, assistant housing supervisor, at molson@stlouispark.org. The city’s initial legacy program was developed to encourage multifamily rental property owners to connect with socially driven investors to preserve the affordability of their development. The city is still interested in working with multifamily rental owners to preserve affordable housing in St. Louis Park.

www.stlouispark.org

Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day and Thanksgiving Day. If your normal service falls on or after one of these holidays, you will receive service one day later. Recycling

Water efficiency Week A grant program offers rebates

Know2021 your recycling day calendar

For your convenience, the next two months of the recycling schedule are provided Week B Visit www.stlouispark.org/recycling Holiday www.stlouispark.org/recycling and select below. to download a yearly calendar, find your To determine your collection day, visit “Find your collection day.”

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Contact Waste Management with questions about collection or toFebruary report a missed2021 pickup by emailing 2021 one day later. •stlouispark@wm.com If your normal service falls on or after a holiday, you willMarch receive service or call 763.783.5423.

January 2021

F 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 If you’re buying a toilet or installing lawn irrigation, choose a WaterSense 10 11 12 13 14 15 product and you might be eligible for a rebate! In partnership with the 17 18 19 20 21 22 Metropolitan Council Environmental Services and the Clean Water, Land and 24 26 in27 28 to 29 Legacy Amendment, the City of St. Louis Park is offering25 $30,670 rebates encourage residents to install toilets and irrigation31 components that reduce water use.

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Eligibility requirements

16 17 18 19 20 21 Rebates are up to $200 for purchasing a WaterSense toilet and up to $250 23 and/or 24 25 26 27 28 toward purchasing a WaterSense irrigation controller irrigation 30 31only; residents are spray sprinkler bodies. Rebates are for product purchase responsible for installation and permit costs. Your receipt and the UPC showing 2021 the WaterSense product will be required to qualify for the September rebate. Rebates will be issued as a bill credit on your city utility bill. Rebates will be Su M Tuprovided W as Th F requests are received until the grant money is gone. 1 2 3 9

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For more information, contact Jay Hall, utilities superintendent, 5 6 7 at 8 952.924.2557 or jhall@stlouispark.org. 12 13 14 15

Su M Tu W Th F Sa Su M Tu W Th F Sa • M issed collection? Contact Waste Management at stlouispark@wm.com or Holidays 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 763.783.5423. Holidays that delay collection in 2021 are New Year’s 8 Day,9 Labor 10 11Thanksgiving 13 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 •Day, T7his calendar applies only to12 properties Memorial Day and Day. with city-provided recycling. Multifamily

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Visit www.stlouispark.org/recycling for more information on recycling. If your normal service falls on or after one of these holidays, you will receive service one day later.

*In 2021, Independence Day falls on a Sunday and Christmas Day falls on a Saturday. There will be no delay in collection Week A for these Week B holidays. Holiday January 2021 February 2021 2021 Visit www.stlouispark.org/recycling for more information on March recycling. Su M Tu W Th F Sa Su M Tu W Th F Sa Su M Tu W Th F Sa 3 10 17 24 31

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2 3and 4 collection events are scheduled 1 2 1 2for3 this 4 spring. 5 6 Several1reuse Check event 3 4 5 6 7 6 7 8 for 9 more 10 11 details, including safety guidelines 5 6attending. 7 8 9 7 8 9 10and 11 fees, 12 13before websites 10 11 12 13 14 13

22 23 24swap: 25 19 20 Free; 21 22open 23 24to 25* 21 22 3700 23 24 Monterey 25 26 27 Drive. 24 25 20, 26 5:30 27 28– 7 p.m., ROC, •20 G21ardener’s May 27 28 29 30 26 27 28 29 30 31 28 29 30 31 all. Visit www.stlouispark.org/reuse for details.

*In Independence falls onJune a Sunday Christmas DayCreekside falls on a Saturday. • 2021, Paper shreddingDay event: 9, 8and a.m. – noon, Park, 7341 Oxford St. Free; There will be no delay in collection for these holidays.

open to St. Louis Park residents only. Visit www.stlouispark.org/cleanup for details.

Visit www.stlouispark.org/recycling for more information on recycling.

Help conserve water In an effort to conserve water, St. Louis Park has some permanent sprinkling restrictions. Lawn sprinkling is prohibited between noon and 6 p.m. In addition, all households and businesses must follow an odd/even schedule when sprinkling lawns. Properties that end with an odd number sprinkle on odd-numbered days; properties that end with an even number sprinkle on even-numbered days. Failing to follow sprinkling restrictions can result in fines. Additional measures may be required during critical water shortages. These measures may include limiting watering to once every five days or banning all outdoor sprinkling. If this happens, a public notice will be given. Exceptions: New sod or seed, and newly planted shrubs, trees and landscaping are exempt from the odd/even schedule. Flower gardens are also exempt. Even in these circumstances, sprinkling must be done before noon or after 6 p.m. Questions? Contact Jay Hall, utilities superintendent, at 952.924.2557 or jhall@stlouispark.org.

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May 2021

• S pring cleanup: June 12, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Municipal Service Center, 7305 Oxford St. Some items collected for free; others have a fee. Open to St. Louis Park residents only. Visit www.stlouispark.org/cleanup for details. • H ennepin County household hazardous waste collection event: June 11 – 12, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., St. Louis Park Middle School, 2025 Texas Ave. S. Free; open to all Hennepin County residents. Visit www.hennepin.us/collectionevents for details.

Buy a tree for pickup this fall The City of St. Louis Park is partnering with Tree Trust to offer trees for sale at discounted prices to residents. Each property may purchase up to three trees for only $35 a tree. A spring tree sale was held earlier this year. Only three trees total per property may be purchased between both sales. Trees are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The tree sale will be open until all trees are purchased. To preview available trees and to place your order, visit treetrust.org. Tree pickup will be Saturday, Sept. 11 from 8 a.m. – noon and Monday, Sept. 13 from 5 – 7 p.m. at the Municipal Service Center, 7305 Oxford St.

Street sweeping continues in May The city has completed spring street sweeping and will start a second round of sweeping in May after the trees have leaves. Sweeping hours are 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday. While the city doesn’t post “no parking” signs for street sweeping, a map is available at bit.ly/street-sweeping to show what streets have been swept and estimated sweeping dates by neighborhood. As always, the estimated dates are based on the weather, current maintenance needs or emergencies that staff need to address.

Minnehaha Greenway

pollinator planting June 12, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Meet at Creekside Park, 7341 Oxford St.

Join Great River Greening and the City of St. Louis Park as we add pollinator habitat alongside the Minnehaha Creek Greenway at Creekside Park. Continuing restoration work at Creekside Park contributes to improving water quality and provides added habitat and resources for pollinators. Added pollinator-friendly plants and shrubs will also help beautify this popular urban oasis known for its winding boardwalk and paved trails. Visit bit.ly/31lucMl to register.

Trees removed at Bass Lake Preserve

Earlier this year, the City of St. Louis Park removed about 180 ash trees on the south side of Bass Lake Preserve, all of which were heavily infected with emerald ash borer. While the impact to the area is noticeable, the trees were too heavily damaged to be treated and had to be removed to slow the spread of emerald ash borer to healthy ash trees, both public and private. Replanting of the area will take place May 15 as part of Arbor Day activities (see below article). Register to volunteer with the replanting effort at treetrust.org/get-involved. To learn more about emerald ash borer, visit www.stlouispark.org/eab.

Attention:

Location changed to Keystone Park, 3034 Alabama Ave. S. Visit www.stlouispark.org/events for more information.

City places third in national

Community Energy Challenge St. Louis Park earned third place of 30 small cities nationwide in a recent analysis by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) of cities’ efforts to cut energy waste and embrace clean energy. The cities analyzed, with populations between 16,000 and 100,000, were in California, Connecticut, Maryland, Minnesota and New Jersey. The cities volunteered to be evaluated as part of the Community Energy Challenge sponsored by ACEEE, Minnesota GreenStep Cities and several other organizations.

May 15, 9 a.m. – noon Keystone Park, 3034 Alabama Ave. S. 3525 Monterey Drive

ACEEE evaluated each of the communities on policy metrics assessing government operations, community initiatives, buildings policies, and energy and water utilities. The combined scores allowed ACEEE to rank the municipalities. The analysis assessed policies and programs to make energy efficiency upgrades in homes and businesses, accelerate the adoption of renewable energy, set long-term commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and establish and enforce building codes. Moving forward, ACEEE and the Great Plains Institute will provide the cities with technical assistance to support their energy efficiency and renewable energy efforts. This will assist the City of St. Louis Park in meeting the goals of its Climate Action Plan, which provides guidance for residents, businesses and the city to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and impacts of climate change, with a goal of the city achieving carbon neutrality by 2040.

Join the City of St. Louis Park in celebrating Arbor Day by planting 75 diverse tree species along the south side of Bass Lake Preserve! The event is free, but registration is required online at treetrust.org/get-involved.

Visit bit.ly/2M5HurS for more information about the Community Energy Challenge; visit www.stlouispark.org/climate-action-plan to learn more about the city’s Climate Action Plan.

Celebrate Arbor Day

www.stlouispark.org

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Keep your bicycle safe! Bike identification Make: ______________________________________________ Model: _____________________________________________ Size: _______________________________________________ Color: ______________________________________________ Serial number:_______________________________________ St. Louis Park Police non-emergency number: 952.924.2618

Be on the lookout for scams

Owner name: _____________________________________ Phone number: ____________________________________

The St. Louis Park Police Department would like to remind everyone to be aware of Bike identification potential scams and take necessary precautions to protect yourself and others from Make: ______________________________________________ becoming victims. Model: _____________________________________________

The St. Louis Park Police Department recommends purchasing a high-quality Make: ______________________________________________ method of securing your bicycle when not in Model: _____________________________________________ use and recording your bicycle’s information Size: _______________________________________________ Color: ______________________________________________ for safekeeping. Visit the police department, Serial number:_______________________________________ 3015 Raleigh Ave. S., or city hall, St. Louis Park Police non-emergency number: 952.924.2618 5005 Minnetonka Blvd., to pick up your free Owner name: _____________________________________ bike identification card to help record your Phone number: ____________________________________ bike’s information. Additionally, take photos of your bicycle and keep all this information in an accessible, secure location in case Bike identification of theft.

Bike identification

Make: ______________________________________________ Model: _____________________________________________

Size: _______________________________________________

Color: ______________________________________________ Notable scams include foreign lottery, troubled grandchild, health, government Serial number:_______________________________________ impostor such as the IRS, stimulus payments, unemployment benefits, gift cards St. Louis Park Police non-emergency number: 952.924.2618 and reloadable cards. These and other traditional scams Owner havename: been tweaked by _____________________________________ Phone number: ____________________________________ fraudsters to incorporate aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including vaccine distribution, receiving monetary compensation for participating in research, and locating vaccination sites. Be mindful, remain vigilant, “think before you click” and Bike identification report any fraudulent activity. Visit bit.ly/32mK2GU for more information and how Make: ______________________________________________ best to protect yourself and others. Remember, if it sounds to good to be true, it Model: _____________________________________________ probably is. Size: _______________________________________________

Color: ______________________________________________

Serial number:_______________________________________

St. Louis Park Police non-emergency number: 952.924.2618

Owner name: _____________________________________

St. Louis Park Police Officer

Phone number: ____________________________________

Robert Boies named 2020 officer of the year Police bike ID cards.indd 1

Officer Robert Boies has been named by his peers as the St. Louis Park Police Department 2020 Robert Linnell Officer of the Year. The police department presents this award annually to the officer who has demonstrated consistent principles of integrity, fairness and a commitment to service within the community. The officer of the year is an example of what a police officer should be or strive to be by demonstrating their commitment to the mission and values of the police department and the City of St. Louis Park. While officers usually select the officer of the year by voting on nominations during the police department’s annual meeting, this year’s voting was conducted online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Those who nominated Boies for the award cited his commitment to training and mentoring new officers; his exemplary performance as a police officer and a leader; and his patient, thoughtful and caring approach to everyone with whom he interacts. Officer Boies is currently assigned to investigations, is a member of the SWAT team and also works as a patrol training officer.

Serial number:_______________________________________ St. Louis Park Police non-emergency number: 952.924.2618

Owner name: _____________________________________ Phone number: ____________________________________

Bike identification Make: ______________________________________________ Model: _____________________________________________ Size: _______________________________________________

City of St. Louis Park staff receive Phone number: ____________________________________

MRPA Presidential Award 1/7/2020 9:28:25 AM

City of St. Louis Park staff members Kori Shingles and Jason West have received the Minnesota Recreation and Parks Association (MRPA) 2020 Presidential Award for their work on race, equity and inclusion. Shingles, recreation and facilities supervisor, and West, recreation superintendent, developed an MRPA race and equity advisory committee that includes professionals from other Minnesota cities and counties. The committee has organized training for two MRPA advisory boards and plans to offer race and equity training to all members of the MRPA organization. Shingles said, “I had lots of conversations with Jason and he is very passionate about this work too, so we decided to take a leadership role in making things better for our association. I’m very proud of our work with MRPA as well as the opportunities to show off the good work of St. Louis Park in race equity and inclusion.” Shingles and West were recognized at the Feb. 16 St. Louis Park City Council meeting.

Permits required for

Police department plans summer events

The St. Louis Park Police Department is excited to reconnect with the community this summer with events that are fun for all ages! Mark your calendars for the following free events: • Skateapalooza: July 14, 5 – 8 p.m. Carpenter Park, 4900 Hwy. 7. Rain date July 21 • Fishing with a Cop: June 23, July 21 and Aug. 18, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Wolfe Park, 3700 Monterey Drive • National Night Out: Aug. 3, 5 – 9 p.m. • Basketball Night in the Park: Thursdays, June 3 – Aug. 12, 6 – 8 p.m. Ainsworth Park, 7700 28th St. W.

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May 2021

recreational fires

Permits are required for recreational fires (in-ground fire pits, portable fire pits, fire bowls, chimineas, etc.). Natural gas and propane fire pits and fireplaces don’t require a recreational fire permit. Visit www.stlouispark.org/firepermit to view or print the permit application and to find complete information and regulations. Fires must be 25 feet away from any structure and you may only burn clean, dry firewood. Do not have a fire if winds are more than 10 miles per hour or when still weather conditions prevent the smoke from moving away. Fires are prohibited when the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has declared a burning ban or the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued an air quality alert. Visit www.dnr.state.mn.us or www.pca.state.mn.us to learn more. Be considerate of your neighbors when having a fire Do your fires cause health issues for any of your neighbors? Listen to those who may suffer from your backyard fires. Let your neighbors know when you are planning to have a fire. Since fires release fine particles that contribute to air pollution, closing windows will not prevent wood smoke from affecting those with respiratory conditions.

Fire department staff recognized by State Patrol

In February, five St. Louis Park Fire Department members were recognized with the Minnesota State Patrol Commendation Award for their response to a one-vehicle crash along Interstate 394 on Aug. 12, 2020, where the driver sustained significant injuries. The fire department assumed patient care at the scene and assisted in the transport of the patient to the hospital. Staff recognized were Chief of EMS and Training Hugo Searle, Lieutenant Bob Hampton, Lieutenant Matt Nordby, Lieutenant Dan Yaekel and Firefighter Brian Oberschmid. Awards were presented at the 2021 Minnesota State Patrol Awards Ceremony. Watch the awards ceremony at youtu.be/bzw5mtxtDd0 (the St. Louis Park Fire Department recognition begins at approximately 16:12 of the video).

Look while you cook

The kitchen is often at the very center of family life, but leave the cooking unattended and you could have a serious fire on your hands. Take these steps to keep you and your family safe. • Never leave cooking unattended. If you leave the kitchen, turn the burner off. • W atch what you heat. Fires start when the heat is too high. If you see any smoke or the grease start to boil, turn the burner off. • T urn pot handles toward the back of the stove. Then no one can bump them or pull them over. • K eep a pan lid or baking sheet nearby. Use it to cover the pan if it catches on fire. This will put out the fire. • H ave a fire extinguisher in or near the kitchen. Learn how to use your fire extinguisher. • H ave working smoke alarms in your home. Test your smoke alarms monthly and replace the batteries twice a year.

Stay safe with the

lockbox program A key to community resiliency is providing resources for residents to stay in their homes safely and securely, for as long as they choose. The St. Louis Park Fire Department offers a lockbox program to residents who are worried that in case of an emergency, they may not be able to reach the door to let in first responders. At the resident’s request, a secure lockbox is placed at the entrance door and contains a key to the home. The lockbox can only be opened with a special key carried by police and fire personnel. When help has been called and no one answers the door, firefighters or police officers can open the door with the key from the lockbox instead of forcing the door open and causing damage and additional cost. The lockboxes are offered to St. Louis Park residents for a one-time fee of $50, which covers administration of the program for as long as the resident requires it. The lockbox, produced by the Knox Company, installs easily and holds one key. Should the resident move or no longer require the lockbox, it can be returned to the fire department. If you need to update the key, notify the fire department. If you or your loved one could benefit from this program, call the fire department at 952.924.2595, or visit www.stlouispark.org/fire to learn more.

Attend a hands-only CPR training session Hands-only CPR training classes are available for those ages 15 and over (an adult or guardian must be present with participants age 15 – 17). There is a maximum of 10 participants per training. Training will be canceled if there is less than five people registered. Participants are required to wear a face covering. The training is not a certification course, and participants will not qualify for a CPR certificate. Upcoming training dates All training dates are held on the first Wednesday of the month from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. at Fire Station 1, 3750 Wooddale Ave. S. Register online at slphocpr.eventbrite.com.. slphocpr.eventbrite.com

Emergency responder alert stickers available Help emergency responders deliver a better response to calls for service. If someone in your household has autism, special needs, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, or is deaf or hard of hearing, you can request an emergency alert responder sticker to place in your door or window. Stickers are intended to alert first responders of special needs when responding to a residence or vehicle. Stickers can be placed on a residence or vehicle window. Note: These stickers may also alert ill-intentioned individuals of vulnerabilities, so it’s important to take steps to ensure the safety of residents or vehicle passengers before placing stickers. Stickers are available at the front counter of the police department, 3015 Raleigh Ave. S., 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday. Stickers may also be mailed. Submit requests at bit.ly/SLPPDstickers or call 952.924.2600 and ask to speak with a community outreach officer.

Save the date! The 2021 fire department open house is set for Sept. 17, 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. Look for more information later this summer. www.stlouispark.org

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Preparing for elections (continued) 2021 St. Louis Park Voting Guide

George Floyd memorial walk June 6, 6 – 8:30 p.m.

Veterans’ Memorial Amphitheater, 3700 Monterey Drive The St. Louis Park Human Rights Commission invites you to join the George Floyd memorial walk, which will include speakers, music, reflective conversation and family friendly arts activities.

Event schedule: • Local nonprofit group displays, art activities, food trucks: 6 – 7 p.m. • Program and walk: 7 – 8:15 p.m. • Wrap up: 8:15 – 8:30 p.m. This event will kick off the St. Louis Park Human Rights commission Summer of Action series, a summer-long series of events to foster social capital and community engagement with particular focus on race equity and social justice-oriented topics. This series will provide community members opportunities to deepen knowledge and build capacity by taking action on topics that are important to them. The summer of action will help create a more engaged, informed and inclusive community in St. Louis Park. Look for information later this spring on activities scheduled throughout the summer and early fall. Questions? Contact Darius Gray, community organizer, at dgray@stlouispark.org or 952.924.2184.

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2021

Visit www.stlouispark.org/vote for this all-digital guide. You can download the guide for quick reference on key election information. It is designed to offer the most important election information in a quick and accessible format. A limited number of guides will be printed and distributed at public events and made available at public facilities. You can request a copy of the guide to be mailed to you by calling the election line at 952.924.2503.

Some of our favorite features of this guide include ways to participate in elections, your rights as a voter, detailed lists of documents that may be used to register to vote and much more. Share the guide with neighbors or friends to spread the word about voting!

Redistricting update Redistricting is the process of redrawing election districts following the census. This process will be delayed this year. The U.S. Census Bureau reported that they will be unable to provide final census data before Sept. 30, 2021. That is about five to seven months later than we typically would see it. This is the data the City of St. Louis Park, the State of Minnesota and others need to perform redistricting. The deadline for the city to complete the redistricting process is March 29, 2022. All of this means there will be a delay in the official process. Because our process is a local one, we will still be reaching out about potential changes once we are able to make them. We will also always communicate to you about how our process may need to change, how you can be involved and what needs to happen to get a final plan approved by the city council.

Submit poetry for sidewalk art

Stay informed on this process by following the city on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (@stlouispark) or signing up to receive our monthly elections newsletter at www.stlouispark.org/sign-up.

The City of St. Louis Park invites you to submit your original poetry to be sandblasted into local public sidewalks. Selected poems will be sandblasted into sidewalks in the Texas Avenue and 36th Street area in St. Louis Park. Residents, students and those who work in St. Louis Park or have another meaningful connection may submit up to two original short poems or excerpts. Poetry in all languages is welcome. For more information and to apply visit www.stlouispark.org/sidewalk-poetry-program. Poems must be submitted by Sunday, May 23, at 11:59 p.m. Note that applicants whose poetry was selected in 2020 are not eligible in 2021. Previous applicants whose poems were not selected in 2020 may resubmit or submit new poems. In 2020, the first year of the sidewalk poetry program, 52 entries were received. Nine poems were selected and placed in sidewalk panels in the Historic Walker Lake Area. Poems can be seen on sidewalks on Lake Street between Dakota Avenue and Walker Street, and on Walker Street between Library Lane and The Block restaurant. Visit bit.ly/SLPpublicart for a virtual tour of public art in the city.

Rotary Clubof

St.Louis Park Minnesota

USA

Chartered in1947

Founding Club

Children First

St. Louis Park

Rotary Club

FREE!

Summer Concert Series July 4th Firework s

Celebration ALL AGES Aquila Park, 3110 Xylon Ave. S.

The city will be following state guidelines for outdoor events. Watch www.stlouispark.org for more information.

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February 2020

The St. Louis Park Rotary Club Summer Concert Series will be held evenings this summer based on current COVID-19 guidelines. Watch for the full line up in the summer Parks & Recreation brochure!

Visit www.stlouispark.org/parks-rec for the Parks & Recreation brochure. www.stlouispark.org