Interested in volunteering on National Night Out? Sign up at bit.ly/SLPNNOvol to learn more about city programs in elections, sustainability, recycling and organics. Then, talk to your neighbors about these important topics at your own National Night Out party or a few parties nearby!
For city events, activities and news, visit www.stlouispark.org @stlouisparknextdoor.com @stlouispark @stlouispark www.youtube.com/slpcable
Follow the city’s strategic priorities
Visit www.stlouispark.org/national-night-out to learn more.
Creating opportunities to build social capital through community engagement. St. Louis Park is committed to:
Vote now at city hall
Visit with elections staff at summer events If you have a quick question or want to pick up a voting guide for yourself or a friend, you can find elections staff at most major events in St. Louis Park this summer. To invite elections staff to stop by an event this summer, like a neighborhood block party, email elections@stlouispark.org or call 952.924.2503.
STDPRSRT PostageU.S. PAID MNCities,Twin 603No.Permit
Tell a neighbor about your new polling place Almost one-third of St. Louis Park voters will have a new Election Day polling place this year because of redistricting. Look up your new location online or by calling the election line at 952.924.2503. Once you have that information, share it with others!
Tell a neighbor about your new polling place or encourage them to double check their polling place before they vote.
NightNATIONALOut2022
Every year, St. Louis Park Police Department representatives attend more than 100 citywide gatherings to build crime prevention awareness, generate support for anti-crime programs, strengthen neighborhood spirit and police community partnerships, and organize residents so they are aware of what’s going on in their neighborhoods.
www.stlouispark.org Perspective
St. Louis Park Public Schools bond referendum and capital levy St. Louis Park Public Schools is holding a special, nonpartisan election in conjunction with the state primary. This special election was authorized by the school board. If you live in the St. Louis Park school district, the nonpartisan side of your ballot will include two questions related to the renewal of a capital project levy for technology and a building bond referendum.
July 2022 Park
In Minnesota there are four major political parties. Each party will have a column listing their candidates on one side of the ballot. You may not vote for candidates from more than one political party.
Early voting is now open at city hall through 5 p.m. on Aug. 8. Please consider voting early this year. The city recently completed redistricting, and for St. Louis Park this meant merging a few precincts. This means each polling place will serve a higher number of voters. Lines could form on Election Day, particularly during peak voting hours, typically early morning and after 5 p.m. To avoid lines, you can vote early in person at city hall during regular business hours or you can vote by mail. To learn more about your options to vote early, visit www.stlouispark.org/vote
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.
Continuing to lead in environmental Providingstewardship.abroad 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.
Aug. 2
State primary Election Day is Aug. 9
We hope to see you Tuesday, Aug. 2, 6 – 9 p.m. to celebrate National Night Out. Other city departments, including the fire department and public works, will also be out attending as many National Night Out parties as possible.
The Park Perspective is printed on 30% post-consumer recycled paper in an effort to meet the city’s environmentally preferable purchasing policy. Sign up for email and text www.stlouispark.org/sign-upnotifications:
Being a leader in racial equity and inclusion in order to create a more just and inclusive community for all.
Make service requests or receive city information via the app or visit www.mystlouispark.org.
To learn more about each question, please contact the school district or visit bit.ly/Aug9SLP
Your next election is Tuesday, Aug. 9. This election is a state primary, which means voters will select which candidates will represent their political party on the general election ballot in November. You can vote at your polling place on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. You will receive one ballot. Because this is a partisan primary, you can only vote for candidates from one major political party.
Nonpartisan contests will be listed on the other side of the ballot. Flip your ballot to ensure you see all the races in which you are eligible to vote. Sound complicated? Just remember to vote in only one column on the partisan side of the ballot. When voting in person, an election worker will explain this process when they issue your ballot. If you are voting by mail, you can call the election line at 952.924.2503 before sealing everything up to make sure you are marking your ballot the way you want.
We invite you to participate in five ways: 1. Play in the tournament 2. Sponsor
• Consult with your auto repair facility about engraving your license plate number onto theConsult casing of your vehicle’s catalytic converter. This may deter theft. In the event the catalytic converter is stolen, it can be tracked back to the vehicle. Be aware of your vehicle’s warranty information before engraving.
Golf Tournament St.Louis Park Crime Prevention Fund
Catalytic converters are attractive targets for thieves due to their lack of identifying information and the difficulty in tracking them back to a specific vehicle. In addition, it only takes about 90 seconds for a catalytic converter to be stolen. Thieves then sell the stolen converters to a third party who in turn takes them out of state and mills them for precious metals.
Prizes, refreshments
To apply, complete and submit the registration form at www.stlouispark.org/police-academy by Aug. 25.
•converter:Parkyour vehicle inside a locked garage. If that’s not possible, park in a well-lit area and nearPark your building entrances or any other high-visibility area.
Classes take place over 10 consecutive weeks, Sept. 8 – Nov. 10, on Thursdays from 6 – 9 p.m. at the St. Louis Park Police Department, 3015 Raleigh Ave. S. Fifteen applicants will be accepted for each class. Dinner is provided. Potential participants must agree to a basic background check and must be able to attend all 10 sessions.
Preventing catalytic converter theft Monterey
AGES 3+ Recreation Outdoor Center (ROC), 3700
5. Participate as a volunteer If you are
hole 3.
• Calibrate your vehicle alarm to sound when it detects vibration. See your vehicle’s owner’s manual for instructions.
handheld electric engraver that is suitable for etching metal, as well as a safe way to access the catalytic converter from under your vehicle.
Take these steps to avoid theft
4. Make
Tee up at the Crime Prevention Fund Golf Tournament Sept. 16
The Citizens’ Police Academy, offered each fall, is open to all interested adults 18 and over who live or work in the City of St. Louis Park. Participants will get an inside look at what it’s like to be a St. Louis Park police officer, learn about the police department’s role in the community and find out how they can play a part in maintaining a safe community.
Join the Citizens’ Police Academy
Join the St. Louis Park Police Department for the 15th Annual Crime Prevention Fund Golf Tournament fundraiser, Friday, Sept. 16, at Ridges at Sand Creek, 21775 Ridges Drive, Jordan. Tournament has an 8 a.m. shotgun start; plan to arrive 30 minutes before tee time. a Donate an item or gift cards to be used as an event prize a direct contribution to the crime prevention fund interested in playing, sponsoring or donating an item, complete the forms at bit.ly/crimepreventionslp by Wednesday, Sept. 7. Request paper copies of the forms by contacting Community Outreach Officer Ken Sysko at 952.924.2661 or slppdoutreach@stlouispark.org. and lunch will be provided to participants after the tournament. The annual crime prevention fund golf tournament is the only fundraiser that directly supports the police department's community outreach initiatives and activities.
• Purchase anti-theft equipment such as catalytic converter cages, clamps and/or cables. These devices are readily available online and can be installed to prevent theft.
2 July 2022
• If you’re handy, marking a catalytic converter can be a do-it-yourself undertaking. All you need is high-temperature (1,200-2,000 degrees Fahrenheit) automotive exhaust paint or a quality
• If you see anything suspicious, call 911 right away. The faster you call, the more likely police officers are to catch the thieves.
Drive Gather your pennies for fun games, music and more! Games and activities cost between 2 – 4 cents per play. Refreshment coupon may be purchased for $1. July 22, noon – 2 p.m. FREE!
Replacing a catalytic converter can be expensive. Take these steps to prevent theft of your catalytic
2021 human rights awards presented In June, the St. Louis Park city council and human rights commission recognized the winners of the 2021 Human Rights Award. The award recognizes individuals, groups, organizations or businesses that have made an outstanding contribution toward uplifting human rights, justice, equity and inclusion in the community, and seeks out those who have fostered increased understanding and cooperation between people of different backgrounds in St. Louis Park. Several outstanding nominations were received by the human rights commission, with two selected for recognition.
• Pavement replacement
The development and multifamily housing dashboards are interactive, so clicking or zooming in to the maps gives more details about a specific project or area. Both dashboards are best viewed on a computer due to the amount of available data.
Work will be completed in stages in order to maintain access for the properties in the area. Lane closures and detours will be necessary to complete the construction. This is to ensure safety and shorten the duration of the project.
St. Louis Park residents are invited to adopt a storm drain by committing to keep it clear of leaves, trash and other debris. The simple act of sweeping and cleaning up around a storm drain protects creeks, wetlands and lakes by preventing pollution from entering our shared waterways.
• Sidewalk upgrades to ensure ADA accessibility
For detailed information on rental housing, visit the multifamily housing dashboard at bit.ly/3lsUrKw. It shows the total number of rental units and the number of affordable units created since the city’s inclusionary housing policy was adopted in 2015. It doesn’t reflect the total number of affordable rental units in the city as it doesn’t include new units built before 2015 or non-subsidized naturally occurring affordable units.
Visit bit.ly/SLPHRC to learn more about the St. Louis Park Human Rights Commission and the Human Rights Award.
• Replacing watermain on 36th Street
Wondering what’s being built in St. Louis Park? Details on approved and completed development projects within the city are available on the development dashboard, bit.ly/3MyWoRy. This dashboard includes new developments and major additions of residential, office, commercial, industrial and park buildings since 2009.
Visit bit.ly/3PncMql for more information. If you have questions or comments, contact Joseph Shamla, project manager, at jshamla@stlouispark.org or 952.924.2552.
Pictured (left to right) are St. Louis Park Human Rights Commission Vice Chair Katie Lawler Turnball with 2021 Human Rights Award winners Luke Derheim, David Benowitz and Cory Litzow Lorentz.
Interested in homeownership?
36th Street and Wooddale Avenue Improvements
3www.stlouispark.org
To learn more about Homes Within Reach, the community land trust model and eligibility requirements, or for an application, visit www.homeswithinreach.org or call 952.401.7071.
Delve into data about city development and housing
Homes Within Reach purchases homes in the community, rehabilitates them and then sells them to qualified homebuyers through the community land trust model. The city has partnered with Homes Within Reach since 2006, and in that time has helped 25 families achieve homeownership in St. Louis Park.
• Reduction from four lanes of traffic to three lanes
Visit www.adopt-a-drain.org/map to sign up.
Do your part: adopt a storm drain!
In the business/organization category, Craft & Crew Hospitality Inc. Chief Operating Officer David Benowitz and Co-Owner Luke Derheim were honored for their influence in the service industry as leaders in diversity and equity initiatives. Craft & Crew is among the first restaurant groups to create a diversity and equity manager position. They have hosted Black History Month and PRIDE brunches, and through the Craft & Crew Cares initiative donated monthly to various charities chosen by their employees. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, Craft & Crew has raised money for meals for health care workers at hospitals around the Twin Cities, with more than 20,000 meals made and delivered to date. Craft & Crew operates The Block Food & Drink in St. Louis Park, among other restaurants in the Twin Cities.
• Separated two-way bicycle facility on the south side of 36th Street
• Modification of the 36th Street and Wooddale Avenue and the 36th Street and Xenwood Avenue intersections
In the individual category, Cory Litzow Lorentz, a multilingual learners teacher at St. Louis Park High School since 2005, was honored for her dedication to the welfare and success of her students. She makes the high school and community a much more welcoming place for immigrants, who happen to be mostly students of color. She regularly uses volunteers and professionals to help students better understand career options and pathways that are often unknown to children from immigrant families. She willingly arranges all-day retreats to build a stronger community among her students and reaches out to parents and visits homes to gain family understanding and support for the educational needs of children. Lorentz’s students know she cares deeply about each of them and her devotion without favoritism produces an environment where children can best learn and succeed.
If you are thinking of selling your St. Louis Park home, consider selling to the Homes Within Reach program, which is currently looking at purchasing and preserving homes in St. Louis Park.
Construction of the 36th Street and Wooddale Avenue improvements started in June. This project will improve infrastructure and safety for all users of these roadways and includes:
• Upsizing the sanitary sewer on 36th Street
Think you can’t afford a mortgage payment? Maybe you can through the Homes Within Reach program! Also known as the West Hennepin Affordable Housing Land Trust, Homes Within Reach is a nonprofit whose vision is to transform people’s lives through homeownership.
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.
Dogs must be leashed in all city parks, open spaces and on trails and may not run at large. This means that dogs must be controlled by a leash no more than 20 feet long, which is shortened to 6 feet when another person or animal is within 20 feet. The only locations dogs may be off leash aside from their home property is at a designated off-leash dog park. In St. Louis Park, off-leash dog parks are located at Cedar Knoll Park and Dakota Park and require a license to use. As a reminder, pets of any kind, even on leash, are not allowed anywhere at Westwood Hills Nature Center.
Dogs must be leashed in St. Louis Park
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.
Visit www.stlouispark.org for more information about leash laws and pet ownership in St. Louis Park. Three Rivers Park District also offers several off-leash dog areas throughout the metro area; visit www.threeriversparks.org for information. Parks and trails users may report unleashed dogs to the St. Louis Park Police Department non-emergency number at 952.924.2618.
Recreational fire permits required
4 July 2022
Hands-only CPR training classes are available for those age 15 and over (an adult or guardian must be present with participants ages 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
A key to community resiliency is providing resources for residents to stay in their homes safely and securely, for as long as they choose.
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.
Pick up after your pet Rainwater carries pet waste into storm sewers, eventually polluting lakes and streams. Help keep local lakes and streams clean by picking up after your pet.
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. Financial assistance is available to help cover the costs. 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.
Stay safe with programlockboxthe City-school calendar available early August
city-school calendar, published jointly
The 2022-2023 by the City of St. Louis Park and St. Louis Park at www.stlouispark.org www.slpschools.org St. Louis Park Public School St. Louis Park City Hall, 5005 Minnetonka Blvd.
Public Schools, will be available online in August
and
. Printed copies will be distributed to
students. A limited supply of printed copies will be available for pickup while supplies last at various locations, including
WWW.SLPSCHOOLS.ORG | @SLPUBLICSCHOOLS | 952.928.6000 WWW.STLOUISPARK.ORG @STLOUISPARK | 952.924.2500 2022-2023 St. Louis Park City-School Calendar THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF
Attend a hands-only CPR training class
The city receives many complaints about dogs running at large or off leash. As a reminder, city ordinance requires owners to leash dogs whenever they are off their home property.
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.
Rebates available for some appliances
Louis Park this year and in 2023. You may see US Internet working in your neighborhood or preparing for work. It’s important to know they use directional boring, a trenchless method of installing underground utilities, to install fiber. This method results in minimal damage to the right of
reduced-price lunch. Visit www.affordableconnectivity.gov to learn more about who qualifies and to apply. Internet providers St. Louis Park residents may choose from the following internet service providers: • CenturyLink — 1.866.963.6665 or www.centurylink.com • Comcast — 1.800.XFINITY (934.6489) or xfinity.com • HughesNet — 1.877.809.7843 or internet.hughesnet.com • US Internet — 612.444.1888 or usinternet.com
Dead-end fire hydrant flushing this fall
jhall@stlouispark.org.Thecitywillbeflushing
limited
• Photo of the box showing WaterSense logo (for toilets and irrigation systems) and Energy Star logo for washing machines and dishwashers.
St. Louis Park Rotary Club Summer Concert Series Rotary Clubo St Louis Park The St. Louis Park Rotary Club Summer Concert Series takes place evenings this summer. Visit www.stlouispark.org/concerts for performers and dates. FREE!
The is to one monthly service discount and one device discount likely eligible if household’s income is below 200% of the Federal Line, or if you or someone you live with currently receives a government benefit like SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, WIC, Pell Grant or free and
Rebate requests must include:
The city received a total of $31,250 to distribute in rebates to residents.
For more information, contact Jay Hall, utilities superintendent, at 952.924.2557 or
Eligibility requirements
Poverty
eligible households. Eligible
The Affordable Connectivity Program is a United States government program run by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to help low-income households pay for service and connected devices like a laptop or tablet.
dead-end fire hydrants Sept. 26 – 30 and Oct. 3 – 7. Flushing hours will be from 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. As always, the estimated dates are based on the weather, current maintenance needs or emergencies that staff need to address. This process will be mainly on dead-end streets or cul-de-sacs and is necessary to maintain water quality. Any one neighborhood or area won’t be affected for the entire week. Once a watermain is flushed, city crews will move to the next one. Unfortunately, it’s not possible to specify exact dates and times crews will be in specific neighborhoods, which is why the five-day window is published. Residents can check to see if watermains have been flushed in their neighborhood by visiting bit.ly/WMflushing to view a map. Crews flush the watermains by opening fire hydrants, so don’t be alarmed if you see water gushing from hydrants while a city truck is nearby. While water has improved color and taste after watermain flushing, the process can temporarily discolor water due to loose iron particles. Iron naturally occurs in groundwater and isn’t harmful to your health. If you experience discolored water, take the following precautions. If you have questions, call public works at •952.924.2562.Turnyourwater softener off or set it to “bypass” for the time period watermainTurn your water flushing is scheduled.
5www.stlouispark.org Stay connected with internet service, devices
per household. You are
your
Additionally, like all other companies working in the right of way, US Internet is obligated to restore any disturbed areas to its original state. Call 952.924.2632 if you have questions or comments about US Internet’s activities in St. Louis Park.
• Qualifying purchases must be made after July 1, 2022.
• First and last name of the person requesting the rebate, along with address.
Rebatesefficient.are up to $200 for a WaterSense toilet; up to $250 for a WaterSense irrigation controller and/or irrigation spray sprinkler bodies; and up to $300 for Energy Star washing machines and dishwashers. Rebates will be issued as a bill credit on your city utility bill.
program
If you’re purchasing an Energy Star or WaterSense appliance, you might be eligible for a rebate! In partnership with the Metropolitan Council Environmental Services and the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment, the City of St. Louis Park is offering rebates to encourage residents to install toilets and irrigation components that reduce water use, as well as washing machines and dishwashers that are energy
• Purchase receipt. If contractor/plumber is installing any of the devices or appliances, provide an itemized receipt that shows the cost of the device as a separate line item.
Rebates are for product purchase only; residents are responsible for installation and permit costs. You can replace multiple toilets in your home, along with other qualified items listed in the rebate, and receive utility credits for all the devices. Rebates will be processed in the order they are received and will be issued until the funds are used.
About US Internet US Internet is expanding its service in St. way.
internet
• New construction and new developments are not eligible for rebates.
• Must be a St. Louis Park resident who receives a utility (water) bill from the city.
• During this time period, don’t do laundry without first checking to seedon’t if your water is rust colored. Check water by running the tap. If it’s rust colored, don’t run your washing machine until you’ve cleared the water. To clear your water, run the cold water tap in your laundry tub until it runs clear, then do your laundry. If your laundry is stained by the water during this time period, keep the laundered items wet and call public works at 952.924.2562. We will deliver a chemical that will remove the stains.
• Each morning during this time period, run the cold water tap to flush your household system of any discolored water sitting in the pipes. If tap water becomes discolored during the day, run the cold water tap until the water clears again.
The benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.
6 July 2022 Know your recycling day Media swapWednesday, Aug. 24, 4 – 6 p.m. Recreation Outdoor Center (ROC), 3700 Monterey Drive Acceptable items: • Books: children’s, adult, fiction, nonfiction, cookbooks, magazines, etc. - NO damaged items that are unreadable (e.g. missing pages) or outdated textbooks (older than 10 years) • Games: board games, puzzles, video games - NO puzzles with missing pieces, video game consoles, or handheld electronic games • Movies: DVDs, Blu-ray - NO home recorded items, VCRs or DVD players • Music: CDs, vinyl recordsMusic: - NO home recorded items (e.g. mixed tapes/CDs), cassettes, 8-track tapes, battery-operated CD players or plug-in stereos Items not accepted: VCRs, DVD players, video game consoles, stereos, home recorded videos, handheld electronic games, battery-operated CD players, mixed tapes or puzzles/games with missing pieces Visit www.stlouispark.org/reuse or call public works at 952.924.2562 for more information. Consider protecting your ash tree(s) from emerald ash borer (EAB) this summer. Treatments on healthy ash trees are very effective and can be done until the end of September. City ordinance requires the removal of any untreated ash trees that are infested with EAB. Owners of private ash trees in St. Louis Park are eligible for a bulk rate discount through Rainbow Treecare. For more information, visit www.RainbowTreecare.com/stlouispark or call 952.767.6920.
• Missed collection? Contact Waste Management at stlouispark@wm.com at
stand
Aquatic Park last day of summer
orMissed 763.783.5423. • This calendar applies only to properties with city-provided recycling. MultifamilyThis buildings are required to offer recycling to their tenants. Check with your building management or contact city staff
In case of questionable weather, call the Aquatic Park weather line at 952.924.2567. 952.924.2562
Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 August 2022 Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 October 2022 Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 September Thursday,2022July 28, 4 – 6 p.m. Recreation Outdoor Center (ROC), 3700 Monterey Drive • Acceptable items: all styles, sizes and types of clothes and shoes • Items not accepted: linens, blankets Visit www.stlouispark.org/reuse or call public works at
for more information.
It’s not too late for emerald ash borer treatments
For your convenience, the next three months of the recycling schedule are provided below. Visit www.stlouispark.org/recycling to download a yearly calendar, find your collection day or sign up for email reminders. your normal service falls on or after a holiday, you will receive service one day later.
Get trees and planting at a discounted rate
recycling@stlouispark.org or 952.924.2187 if you have questions about recycling collection at your building. Week A Week B Holiday Clothing swap
• If
Tuesday, Aug. 23, 1 – 7 p.m. Aquatic Park, 3700 Monterey Drive Bring a non-perishable food donation for the STEP food shelf and pool entrance is just $4. All season pass holders who bring a donation will receive a coupon for one free small fountain beverage at the concession stand. The concession will feature last-day specials. BOGO coupons not applicable for this event.
With the City of St. Louis Park’s new full-service tree planting option, residents can order discounted trees through Tree Trust, a local nonprofit, and work directly with them to have the tree planted at a discounted service rate. Higher discounts are available for properties located in Environmental Justice priority areas and for homes that recently lost an ash tree due to emerald ash borer (EAB).
A similar program is also available for business owners, who can hire any licensed landscaping company to plant up to three trees on their property, then apply to the Shade SLP cost share program to be partially reimbursed.
Visit www.stlouispark.org/trees to learn more about both programs.
If you own a local business, learn more about how you can save money and be recognized for energy efficiency at www.stlouispark.org/climate-champions. Even if you don’t own a business, you can still help us spread the word by letting your favorite local spots know about the program.
Fall paper shredding event, Sept. 28
If you’ve ever considered installing solar panels at your home or business, 2022 is the year to do it. You can still take advantage of the full 26% federal solar installation tax credit while it lasts. In 2023, the credit will drop to 22%, and in 2024 the credit will be eliminated for homeowners and decrease to 10% permanently for business owners. Plus, with the City of St. Louis Park’s Solar Sundown cost share program, residents and business owners can receive an additional 4% or 6% reimbursement on solar in 2022.
Residents may bring up to five grocery bags of paper. Do not use lawn/leaf bags or plastic bags of any kind. Visit www.stlouispark.org/cleanup or call 952.924.2562 for more information on event guidelines.
SAVE THE DATE!
Visit www.stlouispark.org/solar to get started.
Now is the time to explore solar
Congratulations to Dreamers Vault Games, Anderberg Innovative Print Solutions and Nelson’s for becoming St. Louis Park Climate Champions! These local businesses recently upgraded old HVAC or lighting equipment for more efficient models, and thanks to utility rebates and the City of St. Louis Park’s Climate Champions cost share, were able to offset much of the cost. The businesses also received a free, whole-building energy assessment from Energy Smart, a Minnesota Chamber of Commerce program.
Get your energy efficient utility rebate matched Feeling the pain of rising prices in your home energy bills? Energy efficiency is more important than ever, not just for the planet, but for your budget as well. St. Louis Park is here to help! The city matches 25% or 50% of utility rebates for high efficiency furnaces, water heaters and air conditioners, in addition to air sealing and improved insulation. The more energy you save, the greater your rebate! This means if you receive a $400 rebate from your utility company, St. Louis Park can offer you an additional $100 – $200, depending on your income level. Not only will higher efficiency equipment be cheaper to buy, it will also save you on gas or electricity over the lifetime of the equipment. Contact Ellie Rabine, sustainability specialist, at erabine@stlouispark.org or 952.924.2131 for more information.
Also, remember that shredded paper is not accepted in recycling or organics carts. So, be sure to bring confidential papers to a shredding event instead if you would like them to be shredded on-site and recycled.
7www.stlouispark.org Visit www.slpfota.org/artfair for event details, vendor applications and sponsorship opportunities.
Recreation Outdoor Center (ROC), 3700 Monterey Drive
FAIR ART ST LOUIS PARK
Recognizing new Climate Champions
The city will be hosting a free paper shredding event for confidential papers on Wednesday, Sept. 28 from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. at Creekside Park, 7341 Oxford St.
CEE’s loans offer low monthly payments and flexible terms. Loans are only available while funds last. You can find more information about St. Louis Park’s loans and statewide loans by visiting mncee.org/loans or by calling 612.335.5884.
Keep your bike safe Bike identification Make: SerialColor:Size:Model:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________number:_______________________________________ St.
RECYCLING: Plastic medicine bottles can be recycled, but only if they are greater than three inches tall by three inches wide. Bottles smaller than three inches are not accepted because they are too small for the equipment at recycling facilities to sort them correctly, so they should be placed in the garbage instead. You may even try some creative reuse options to organize small items like nails, pins or buttons. Make sure to bring leftover medicine to a drop box. Visit www.hennepin.us/medicine for locations.
ORGANICS: Banana peels, apple cores and other fruit peels and pits can all go in the organics. Don’t know what organics is? Maybe you’ve noticed the small, brown-lidded organics carts that your neighbors set out on collection day or at the drop-off sites available to residents in apartments or condos. The city’s organics program helps keep food scraps out of the garbage by sending them to a commercial composting facility instead. Visit www.stlouispark.org/organics for more information on what is accepted in organics, or to sign up!
On Wednesdays, the city posts information on social media on how to properly dispose of confusing items. Below are samples of those posts! Follow the city’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts (@stlouispark) for more useful tips in the future! If you have questions about what goes where, visit www.stlouispark.org/garbage-recycling or contact staff at recycling@stlouispark.org or 952.924.2562.
non-emergency
GARBAGE: A lot of toothpaste tubes these days claim that they are recyclable. However, that is misleading as you should NOT be placing them in your curbside recycling cart! The tube and the cap should both go in the garbage. The tubes are usually made out of multiple materials laminated together, which make them hard to sort at recycling facilities. Some toothpaste manufacturers have started mail-in recycling programs, which you can find out more about by searching for the company’s website. Remember, when in doubt, throw it out!
Join the growing number of residents participating in organics!
Summer is here, which means it’s time to start thinking about what home improvement projects you want to tackle this year. Whether it is remodeling your kitchen, installing solar panels or new siding, the Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) and the City of St. Louis Park can help you make it happen through a variety of financing options. From statewide loans to loans specifically for St. Louis Park residents, CEE can help you kick off your home improvement projects.
The City of St. Louis Park offers weekly collection of food scraps and compostable material through the organics program, which is available to you at no extra cost. Already 40% of St. Louis Park residents participate in the organics program. That’s a great number, but we want to lead the way in recycling in Minnesota by increasing organics participation to more than 50%!
To sign up, visit www.stlouispark.org/organics or call utility billing at 952.924.2111.
Owner name: _____________________________________ Phone number: ____________________________________ Bike Make: SerialColor:Size:Model:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________number:_______________________________________ St. Louis Park Police Owner name: Phone number: Bike identification Make: SerialColor:Size:Model:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________number:_______________________________________ St. Louis Park Police non-emergency number: 952.924.2618 Owner name: _____________________________________ Phone number: ____________________________________ Bike Make: SerialColor:Size:Model:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________number:_______________________________________ St. Louis Park Police Owner name: Phone number: Know before you throw July 2022
The St. Louis Park Police Department recommends purchasing a high-quality method of securing your bike when not in use and recording your bike’s information for safekeeping. Stop by the police department lobby, 3015 Raleigh Ave. S., or city hall lobby, 5005 Minnetonka Blvd., to get your free bike identification card to record your bike’s information. Additionally, take photos of your bike and keep this information in an accessible, secure location in case of theft. Louis Park Police number: 952.924.2618
Fire Station 1 3750 Wooddale Ave. S. Displays and demonstrations • Kitchen safety • Fire extinguisher demonstration • Burn rooms/fire sprinkler demonstration • Emergency preparedness • Hennepin County Medical Center ambulance • Hands-only CPR • Police squad car • Public works heavy equipment • City departments For kids • Squirt house • Home Depot kids’ workshop Food • Hotdogs, cookies, chips, water 2022 Fire Department Open House and Community Health Resource Fair Tuesday, Sept. 13, 5 – 8 p.m. 8 www.stlouispark.org
Remodeling help is here
