Out of Recycling Bins

We are currently out of recycling bins - in fact the supply is down to nothing across the city. New bins are expected soon. If you call our office and leave your contact information, we will let you know when the new supply arrives (651.501.6345). Or send us an email with your contact information and we will make sure you are on the list when we have more (district1council@aol.com).

We expect the new batch to arrive after June 15th.

Tom Conlon Resigns from SP School Board

We received notice that Tom Conlon, long-time Saint Paul School Board Member, has resigned from the School Board effective July 6. He is moving to North Carolina to become an innkeeper and managing partner of an historic inn (a long time dream).

Mr. Conlon has been on the School Board since 1991 and is St. Paul's only Republican-endorsed elected official. His current term would have expired in January 2011.

As a St. Paul native, two of the schools he attended were Sheridan Elementary and Harding High School, in our neck of the woods.

Presumably, his replacement will be chosen by special election - but maybe by appointment. If you are interested in serving, or want more information, you should contact the School Board office 651.767.8100.

District 1 - New Traffic Calming Site!

The District 1 Community Council has been given the chance to install traffic calming art signs, such as the one displayed here, in our neighborhood. The signs will be installed along 3rd St between Johnson Parkway and McKnight Rd. (Check out the city's website for the toolbox of traffic calming devices.).

In addition, we have been given a small award by the City and Public Art St. Paul, to do a paint the pavement installation. Plans are for this installation to be along Margaret St. and to go in during our National Night Out Celebration.

Thanks to Pam McCreary and Stacey Van Patten for their leadership on this project!

Increased Enforcement of Seat Belt Laws

The St. Paul Police Department is adding more patrols over the Memorial Day weekend and into early June. They will be actively enforcing Minnesota's seat belt laws, along with stopping speeders and looking for drunk drivers.

Research has shown that not using seat belts directly contributes to the severity of injuries in traffic crashes and the potential loss of life in these crashes. Click it or Ticket is the theme for the rest of the month!

Also, those officers will not be applying any "5 mph over the limit" tolerance - so WATCH YOUR SPEED!

Let's have a safe driving summer!

Submitted by the St. Paul Police Department

Public Hearing on Local Projects

During the CIB (Capital Improvement Budget) process this spring, there were several local projects that were proposed: improvements to playgrounds at Taylor, Burns, and Conway parks, bike lanes on Ruth, lighting on Burns between Ruth and Suburban, and a major renovation of the SunRay Library. All but the library project were ranked pretty high.

Now there is an opportunity to attend a public hearing before the CIB Committee of the Planning Commission to speak to their preliminary recommendations.

The meeting is May 26 (Tuesday) at 6p in room 40 of City Hall (15 W. Kellogg Blvd.). 

If you plan to attend to speak about one of these projects, please let Betsy know (651.501.6345 or district1council@aol.com).

Announcement by City of St. Paul

District 1 Online Networking Site

The District 1 Community Council has recently launched a new Online Networking Site for council members, residents, and local businesses. Join now at http://district1council.ning.com/.

The Online Networking Site provides a venue to connect and share ideas for those concerned with any and all issues regarding Saint Paul's District 1. Everyone is welcome to join. The site has unlimited potential for expansion if you'd like to discuss crime prevention, form an online group devoted to environmental issues, discuss the local schools, or share pictures of the District that you took.

Once you are at the website, click on the "sign up" link in the upper right hand corner of the screen. You'll be on your way to forming groups (block clubs, business networking groups, environmental groups, etc.), commenting on local issues, sharing pictures, and getting to know your neighbors and others involved with District 1.

Once again, the link to the new District 1 Online Networking Site is http://district1council.ning.com/.

Summer Urban Tennis Program

The Summer Urban Tennis program is taking registrations now for young people to participate in daily tennis lessons from June 15 to July 24. The available times of classes are 9a (5-7 yr old), 10a (8 - 10 yr old), 11a (11 - 13 yr old) and noon (14 and older). Locations in our area include Battle Creek and Conway Rec Centers and Harding High School. NO ONE IS TURNED AWAY DUE TO AN INABILITY TO PAY!! There are full scholarships available to young people currently part of the Federal Lunch Program.

Sign up online at the HOME PAGE for the St. Paul Urban Tennis Program. The cost is $65 for the first child in the family, $45 for the second and $25 for the third child. If there are more kids in the family, they are free. But remember - scholarships are available!! You can sign up in person at the site you want to attend on Friday June 12 between 10a and noon.

Submitted by St. Paul Parks Dept.

Garden Pot Recycling

The Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association announces the return of their popular plastic garden pot recycling program! Just bring cleaned plastic garden pots, polystyrene cell pack trays, and hanging baskets to your participating garden center on June 20-21 and September 19-20. Our local participating center for these dates is Bachman's Floral and Garden Center, 2600 White Bear Avenue in Maplewood.

Additionally, the following sites are open for recycling between now and November 1 -

Hermes Floral Garden Center, 1750 Larpenteur Ave. in St. Paul

Linders Garden Center, 270 W. Larpenteur Ave. in Roseville

Do not bring household plastic or clay pots. Dump all soil and remove metal hangers. Bring only plastic pots, trays and baskets.

Submitted by the MNLA

Land Use Meeting May 14

Please join us on Thursday May 14 at 5:30p at the Conway Rec Center for a Land Use/Zoning Meeting. This meeting will look at three projects:

• a request for a height variance on a home remodel project in the Mississippi River Critical Area (1172 Pt. Douglas Rd.)
• a proposal for a pole barn on a Mailand Rd. property from a prospective buyer of the property
• a marketing proposal for senior/affordable/market-rate housing at 1880 Old Hudson Rd (the old Ramada Inn site)

Give your feedback on these possibilities to a committee of your peers! You can also contact us at the office (651.501.6345, or district1council@aol.com).

Our Local Sheridan Elementary School on the List...

The St. Paul Public School District (SPPS) announced yesterday that our own Sheridan Elementary School on White Bear Avenue is one of three elementary schools suggested for closure. These closures would help to deal with the lack of funding likely to come to our school system from the state. The Star Tribune cites that these three schools are 600 students short of their capacity for the coming year.

The SPPS will be holding public forums to comment on their cost-savings proposals on May 12 (at Central HS from 6-8p) and May 28 (at Harding High School, 1540 E. 6th St., from 6-8p).

If you have something to say about this proposal --- SHOW UP AND SPEAK YOUR MIND!!

Battle Creek Regional Park Clean Up: A HUGE Success

Another year, another mess cleaned up. Thanks to 312 volunteers, 2.86 tons of trash were removed from Battle Creek Park in the Annual Park Clean Up. Cub Foods at Sun Ray Center generously provided the lunch for all the hungry workers.

P.S. Can you read the sign behind these volunteers? It says there is a $700 fine for dumping!!

Submitted by Sue Moyer, resident and Clean Up Coordinator

Nominate a Beautiful Garden!

The Saint Paul Department of Parks and Recreation, St. Paul Garden Club and the Ramsey County Mater Gardeners are now accepting nominations for the 2009 Golden Bloom Awards. These awards recognize beautiful gardens located within St. Paul City Limits. The awards encourage and celebrate gardening and beautification efforts by St. Paul residents and businesses.

In 2008, more than 190 awards were given out to residents, businesses and organizations whose yard or public gardens were nominated by fellow St. Paul residents. Nominations are judged by the Ramsey County Master Gardeners, and within each category judges award a Golden Bloom, Silver Bloom, Bronze Bloom or Good Gardener award.

The Golden Bloom Awards are sponsored by the Saint Paul Pioneer Press. All nominations must be received by July 8, 2009. Nomination forms can be found online at the Parks website or via email at blooming@ci.stpaul.mn.us.

Submitted by Mark Granlund, St. Paul Parks

Burns Overlook Rehab

MnDOT (Minnesota Department of Transportation) is planning to rehabilitate the Burns Avenue Overlook just southeast of the intersection of Burns Avenue and Highway 61. Construction is anticipated for this summer, and the Overlook will be closed for approximately three months. The Overlook, constructed in 1950 by the Minnesota Highway Department, has experienced deterioration including some settling and shifting of the semicircular observation area, and vehicular damage on the north end. The rehab project includes rebuilding the semicircular overlook section and shifting it bak about five feet so it is on a firm foundation. It also includes replacing the bituminous sidewalk along the wall with pavers, repairing the damaged section, tuck pointing, drainage improvements, and some landscaping. The landscaping will be limited to trimming and removal of dead trees, and planting new trees at the east end of the site. All work will be done in accordance with the Secretary of Interior's Standards for historic properties, insuring that the historic elements, including the walls, curbs and other original features, will be retained and preserved. Contact Carol Zoff, MnDOT project manager, at 651.366.4705 with any questions.

Submitted by Garneth Peterson, resident and D1 Board Member