Park Perspective - July 2018

Park Perspective
July 2018 www.stlouispark.org

St. Louis Park in brief Celebrate National
Night Out Aug. 7
No time to read the Park Perspective? Here’s what you need
to know if someone asks you what’s new in St. Louis Park!

1. R anked-choice voting for mayor and city council seats was adopted. Page 8

2. W estwood Hills Nature Center project moves to next phase. Page 3

3. Replacing city vehicles with electric vehicles. Page 3

4 . T he St. Louis Park Police Department is considering the use of body-worn
cameras starting 2019. Page 4

5 . W aste Management chosen to provide solid waste collection services
starting this fall. Page 6

5005 Minnetonka Blvd., St. Louis Park, MN 55416-2216 National Night Out is an annual community-building event aimed at creating safer, more
connected neighborhoods and communities and building police-community partnerships.
City Hall (7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)............................................952.924.2500
Emergency..............................................................................911 Every year, St. Louis Park police attend more than 100 citywide gatherings to help support their year-long
Police (non-emergency).........................................................952.924.2618 goals of heightening crime prevention awareness; generating support for anti-crime programs; strengthening
Municipal Service Center........................................................952.924.2562 neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and letting criminals know that residents are
Winter Parking Hotline...........................................................952.924.2180 organized and aware of what’s going on their neighborhoods.
The Rec Center........................................................................952.924.2540
Westwood Hills Nature Center...............................................952.924.2544 We hope to see you Tuesday, Aug. 7, 6 – 9 p.m. to celebrate the city’s 34th annual National Night Out.
Along with the police department, other city departments, including fire and public works, will be out
For city events, activities and news, visit www.stlouispark.org. attending as many National Night Out parties as possible. Visit www.stlouispark.org/national-night-out
to learn more.
nextdoor.com @stlouispark
@stlouispark @stlouispark

Make service requests or receive city information via the app

or visit www.mystlouispark.org.

The Park Perspective is printed on 30 percent 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

Help voters in the Get involved with
community by serving your neighborhood
as an election judge
St. Louis Park’s 35 neighborhoods each have their
Every year, the City of St. Louis Park hires election own distinct appearance and feel. Many have
judges to assist with city elections. Selected election organized associations supported by grants and
judges work in the 16 city polling locations to ensure other resources from the city. Involved and active
every eligible ballot can be cast and counted. They help neighborhoods contribute to the overall quality of
verify voter eligibility, assist with voter registration, life in St. Louis Park by building investment and pride,
distribute ballots to voters and certify results. increasing feelings of safety and security, connecting
neighborhoods with each other and with the city and
Election judges are paid $10 – $12 per hour. Full day or creating and maintaining a sense of community.
partial day shifts are available depending on schedules
and preferences. If you are interested in serving as an Neighborhood associations accomplish this
election judge, complete the online application at through a variety of fun events and gatherings.
www.stlouispark.org/election-judge.
To find out if your neighborhood has an
The city also provides high school students the association or how you can organize one, visit
opportunity to serve as student election judges www.stlouispark.org/our-city/neighborhoods
alongside election judges. Learn more and apply at or contact Breanna Freedman, community liaison,
www.stlouispark.org/student-election-judge. at [email protected] or 952.924.2184.

Where to find St. Louis Park

elections information:

www.stlouispark.org/elections

952.924.2503

Credit: Prairie Restorations, Inc. Keep watering your trees

Native landscape to be All trees, even mature ones, need water. Significant changes in climate patterns
are impacting entire ecosystems. Our urban landscapes are not immune to these
added near popular trail changes. In fact, trees in urban areas are more prone to drought damage and death
than natural stands of trees. The best solution to help trees through a drought
Prairie Restorations, Inc. (PRI) is converting turf grass located along the North period is to water them!
Cedar Lake Trail into a native landscape area to enhance pollinator habitat as part
of the city’s bee-friendly resolution and environmental stewardship goals. The Trees that do not receive enough water are unable to create new growth. When
area is located just west of Virginia Avenue at West 28th Street and runs several this happens, root development is reduced and wound formation is restricted. As
hundred feet between Lake Victoria and Texa-Tonka Park. PRI, which maintains trees reach this stage, they start to shut down and become targets for diseases
all native landscape areas in 10 of the city’s park sites, began work on the site in and insects that may kill them.
mid-June.
This native landscape area will include mostly flowering prairie plants and some The best place to apply water is different for newly planted and established trees:
prairie grasses, and will serve as a pollinator habitat and food source for many • Newly planted trees: Water immediately after planting. All tree roots should
insects, bees and birds. Native landscape areas reduce the amount of mowing be kept in the original root ball area. Until new roots grow into the soil, water
needed, modify the soil through deep plant root penetration, absorb water the original root ball area and a little beyond. The root ball area may dry out
efficiently and reduce runoff. It will take two to four years for all of the plants to faster than the surrounding soil, so check the moisture in this area frequently
be fully established. for the first month or two after planting.
• Established trees: Don’t irrigate the area directly adjacent to the trunk as
Discounted prices available to treat ash this can increase the risk of disease. Roots extend far beyond the edge of
a tree’s canopy or drip line. Water in the drip line area by placing a hose, at
trees, prevent emerald ash borer infestation trickle speed, in one spot of the drip line area for 30 minutes and then move to
another drip line spot and repeat. On sunny summer or fall days, a mature
The emerald ash borer has been confirmed in neighboring communities, including tree can use more than 150 gallons of water daily!
Minneapolis, Plymouth and Edina. In preparation for the inevitable arrival of
emerald ash borer (EAB), the City of St. Louis Park has contracted with Rainbow Water deeply rather than frequently. Because most tree roots are found in the
Treecare to treat public ash trees growing along streets and in parks. upper 18 – 24 inches of the soil, this is the area that should be watered in each
As part of this partnership, a citywide discount will be offered through 2018 to irrigation cycle. A lawn sprinkler is insufficient for deep watering purposes; let the
St. Louis Park homeowners to treat privately owned trees. To receive the discounted water trickle out of the hose in order for water to penetrate past the turf grass roots.
treatment rates, trees must be at least 10 inches in diameter and in good physical
condition. The citywide discount provides homeowners with an affordable option Funding available for landscaping projects
for managing their ash trees for long-term protection.
For more information about the discount program or to schedule a free Support water quality by creating your own stormwater treatment project. The
consultation, visit www.rainbowtreecare.com/stlouispark, email City of St. Louis Park’s Rainwater Rewards program provides funding and technical
[email protected] or call 952.767.6920. Visit www.stlouispark.org/trees guidance to residential property owners who install projects that:
for more information on tree care.
• 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; and/or
• Protect and preserve groundwater quality and quantity.

Project examples include green roofs, pervious pavement, rain gardens, rain barrels
and tree plantings. The program also helps share costs as well as guidance on
management practices, selecting designers and contractors, and future planning.

The program is available to residential property owners in St. Louis Park.
Applications will be accepted year-round on a first-come, first-serve basis. To learn
more, visit www.stlouispark.org/rainwater-rewards, or contact Erick Francis, water
resources manager, at [email protected] or 952.924.2690.

What about BOB? Identifying illicit discharge

A new disease, bur oak blight (BOB), is affecting bur oak trees in St. Louis Park. Have you ever noticed an unusual odor, discoloration or something that doesn’t
This disease only infests bur oak trees and mimics symptoms of oak wilt disease, seem to belong in our storm drains, lakes or rivers? It may have been an illicit
with brown leaves appearing at the tree’s crown then falling off during the second discharge and may be harmful to our community and environment. Illicit discharges
half of growing season, typically mid to late July. BOB tends to appear more during are anything that is not rainwater. They are illicit because the storm drains and water
growing seasons that start out cool and wet. Trees can die from having BOB year bodies are not designed to accept, process or discharge these wastes.
after year. The best treatment for BOB is a fungicide treatment, administered by a
St. Louis Park licensed tree service, in early spring. Check your bur oak trees now If you see an illicit discharge, notify the city through www.mystlouispark.org or by
to see if they are displaying and/or losing brown leaves and plan for treatment submitting a request through the myStLouisPark app (available on iPhones and
early next spring. Visit www.stlouispark.org/trees for more information on what Androids). Find the illicit discharge option under the Private Property/Business Issue
to do about BOB. category. For more information, contact Erick Francis, water resources manager,
at [email protected] or 952.924.2690.
2

St. Louis Park charges ahead City receives Xcel Energy
on Climate Action Plan
Community Partner Award
Accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles is one of three kick-start projects
identified in the Climate Action Plan, which was adopted by the St. Louis Park City The City of St. Louis Park received Xcel Energy’s 2017 Community Partner Award
Council earlier this year and sets a goal for the city to achieve a net-zero carbon for its participation in the Partners in Energy program. In 2015, St. Louis Park
footprint by 2040. To advance that project, the city recently joined Cities Charging became the fourth city in Minnesota to participate in the program. Through a
Ahead, a Minnesota GreenStep Cities group of more than 20 cities working on electric two-year commitment, Xcel helps communities identify their energy objectives,
vehicle readiness by local governments, including charging stations, policy language develop a plan and implement strategies that incorporate unique, local resources.
and fleet vehicle purchases.
As a result of this program, the city finalized an Energy Action Plan with four key
The city recently installed information-gathering devices on 20 of its vehicles to focus areas:
help identify which ones may be candidates for replacement with battery electric or
plug-in hybrid vehicles. Conducted in partnership with Xcel Energy and Fleetcarma, • Encourage the use of renewables
the assessment will run for about one year. Any identified vehicle replacement would • Drive energy efficiency in business
take place as part of the established replacement schedule for city vehicles in the • Develop a partnership with youth
city’s capital improvement program. • Create a climate action plan

Visit www.stlouispark.org/climate-action-plan to learn more about the Climate Action From this partnership and the creation of the Energy Action Plan, the city has
Plan. Minnesota GreenStep Cities is a program of the Minnesota Pollution Control already worked on initiatives in all of these areas and will continue to further the
Agency and its partners to help cities achieve sustainability and quality of life goals goals, actions and strategies outlined in the Climate Action Plan, adopted by the
through a series of five steps. St. Louis Park achieved Step 3 status in 2017. Visit city council in February 2018.
www.greenstep.pca.state.mn.us to learn more.

City of St. Louis Park Home improvement
financing available
NATURE CENTER
Thinking about a kitchen remodel? Need new windows or central air conditioning?
Interpretive Center Summer is a great time to start home improvement projects! The City of St. Louis
Park has partnered with the Center for Energy and Environment’s (CEE) Lending
project update Center to provide low-interest financing options for your interior and exterior
home improvement projects. Call CEE’s residential loan specialists at 612.335.5884,
In May, the St. Louis Park City Council voted to approve the design development or visit www.mnlendingcenter.org to get started today!
phase of the Westwood Hills Nature Center project, allowing staff and consultants
to move to the next phase of preparing designs and specifications for construction.
The city council will consider the construction documents and authorize bids for the
project this fall, with approval of bids and project authorization taking place by the
end of the year. Construction is expected to start in spring 2019, with completion in
2020. The estimated project cost has grown by $500,000 from the original cost of
$12 million due to soil conditions that will require a different foundation; however,
those costs may eventually be offset by savings in other areas.

The new interpretive center will be zero energy certified, with 100 percent of the
building’s annual energy needs supplied by on-site renewable energy. This design
aspect is in keeping with the city’s Climate Action Plan, adopted in February 2018
by the St. Louis Park City Council.

Visit www.stlouispark.org/whnc/new-interpretive-center for more information
about the project.

Submit your building plans online ParkTV provides local cable access programming to St. Louis Park.

Did you know that building permit plans can be submitted online for all ParkTV has five channels covering meetings, sports and events in St. Louis Park,
commercial construction, commercial additions or alterations, and all residential and is available through Comcast, CenturyLink or YouTube.
construction? The City of St. Louis Park’s ProjectDox is a streamlined and easy-
to-use online program to apply and pay for building or construction permits. Visit Visit www.parktv.org for more information and to sign up for email updates,
www.stlouispark.org/services/permits for information. or tune in to www.youtube.com/slpcable for the latest programming.

3

St. Louis Park firefighter Permits required for recreational fires
EMTs roll out bike patrol
The St. Louis Park Fire Department wants you to enjoy your small backyard
Typically, firefighters respond to an emergency in large red fire trucks. Now you may recreational fires safely. The term recreational fire means “cooking fires and camp
see them respond on vehicles of the two-wheel variety. Twenty-one St. Louis Park fires using charcoal or firewood for cooking or pleasure.” Fires used for debris
firefighter emergency medical technicians (EMTs) are rolling out on rotating bicycle disposal purposes are not considered recreational fires. Yard waste (including grass,
patrols to cover the city’s 38 miles of bike trails and 56 neighborhood parks and leaves, branches and twigs), garbage and recyclables must be disposed of through a
recreation areas. They will also be at large events such as parades, road races, Fourth licensed solid waste collector, such as the city’s hauler. Large branches and logs can
of July fireworks and more. Bike patrols allow for easier access where larger crowds be taken to the city’s brush drop-off site.
are gathered.
Be a good neighbor
Each bike carries approximately 40 pounds of medical equipment, including trauma
dressings, spinal immobilization, oxygen and an automated external defibrillator In addition to following the recreational fire permit rules, consider your neighbors as
(AED). The extra weight requires precision and balance to navigate parks and trails. well. Remember that smoke and the smell of smoke often carries into neighboring
Firefighter EMTs train on obstacle courses designed to perfect their bike skills so they homes, even on calm days. Not everyone likes the smell of a campfire, especially
can operate effectively in crowds, off road or on the trails. Many also train while off inside their home, and it can be an irritant. Young children, the elderly and people with
duty to maintain adequate strength and endurance. asthma, lung or heart disease are especially vulnerable to wood smoke in the air. If you
suspect an illegal burn, call 911 and let the fire department investigate and educate.
Contact Firefighter Andy Willenbring at [email protected] or Deputy Fire
Chief John Wolff at [email protected] for more information. What’s required

All wood burning recreational fires within the City of St. Louis Park require a recreational
fire permit. Permits are available at www.stlouispark.org/recreational-fire-permit or at
Fire Station 1, 3750 Wooddale Ave. S. For more information, call 952.924.2595 during
normal business hours. There is a one-time fee of $25 for a lifetime permit for the
current resident living at the property.

• Recreational fires are permitted Sunday – Thursday from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
and on Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. – midnight.

• Recreational fires must be 25 feet away from any structure and 10 feet away
from the property line.

• Only burn untreated, unpainted, clean, dry, aged firewood that is at least
one inch in diameter. If the city determines a fire is offensive or may cause
injury, you will be required to extinguish it.

• Recreational fires are not allowed when prevailing winds are greater than
10 miles per hour or if the state has issued burning restrictions.
Visit dnr.state.mn.us or pca.state.mn.us for details.

• The permit holder is responsible for conducting, controlling and extinguishing
the fire. All fires must be extinguished completely to ensure there is no
smoldering or potential for reigniting. Never leave a fire unattended and
always have a garden hose or fire extinguisher nearby.

Close your door. It could save your life. PulsePoint is free and
available for both Apple
Fire is getting faster. If you can get out, then get out. But if you can’t, a closed door and Android smartphones.
could make a life-saving difference. Here’s what else you should know: Once the app is downloaded,
locate “agencies” under the
• A closed door can hold back fire’s heat. In tests, an open-door room reached menu tab, select St. Louis
dangerous temperatures, while a closed-door room stayed under 100° F. Park Fire Department and
click “follow.” Under settings,
• Closing the bedroom door at night could give you more time to react if the select CPR, then acknowledge
smoke alarm sounds. the message.

• A closed door can help slow a fire’s spread and keep dangerous smoke away Help save the life of someone having a cardiac event in public by downloading the
from you. PulsePoint app. Here’s how the PulsePoint app works:

• Because of the plastics in most modern furniture and household items, fire is If a cardiac emergency occurs in a public place and 911 has been called, trained bystanders
more toxic and much faster than ever before. within 400 yards are alerted by the app of the need for CPR until police, fire or
emergency medical services crews can arrive. The app also directs citizen rescuers to
• A fire needs heat, fuel and oxygen to exist. Closing the door when exiting a the exact location of the nearest publicly accessible Automated External Defibrillator.
burning structure can cut off the oxygen and stop the growth of fire.

Learn more at www.closeyourdoor.org.

Pathways to Policing program Police consider
receives awards
body-worn cameras
The St. Louis Park and Bloomington police departments recently received
two awards for their participation in the Pathways to Policing program, which The St. Louis Park Police Department is considering
provides an alternate track to help mid-career professionals or those with implementing the use of body-worn cameras for its
non-law enforcement degrees enter policing. officers. With the assistance of the police advisory
and human rights commissions, and the multi-cultural advisory committee,
• 2 018 Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association Excellence in Innovation Award, work on a policy for the use of body-worn cameras began earlier this year. A
aims to generate new ideas to support Minnesota law enforcement and draft policy will be presented to the city council at a study session tentatively
public safety. Nominations are scored for effectiveness, impact and ability to scheduled for August 13, followed by a public hearing at the August 20 regular
replicate a program or initiative. city council meeting, then adoption in September. Following adoption of a
policy by the city council, body-worn cameras would be put into use by officers
• 2 017 League of Minnesota Cities Topical Award: Promoting Leadership and by the second quarter of 2019.
Career Opportunities in City Government. Recognizes communities who have
developed a successful program to recruit, hire and/or retain new city staff “We have worked hard to build a high level of trust with our community;
or interns, particularly younger members of the workforce or people of color. however, body-worn cameras increase accountability and transparency
and are helpful in gathering evidence,” said Police Chief Mike Harcey.
244 “They’re also becoming standard equipment for many police departments.”

Road construction continues City council adopts

A few road construction projects are highlighted below. Visit strategic priorities
www.stlouispark.org/construction-updates for a complete list of city,
county and state projects that affect the city. In May, the St. Louis Park City Council adopted five strategic priorities that will guide
the work of elected and appointed city officials and city staff. The following priorities
• M nDOT’s Highway 7 work in St. Louis Park, Hopkins and were developed taking into account the recommendations of the Vision 3.0 process
Minnetonka continues through September. Watch for conducted in 2017.
intermittent lane and road closures. Visit www.mndot.org
for information and to sign up for updates. St. Louis Park is committed to:
• Being a leader in racial equity and inclusion in order to create a more just and
• B ids were opened in mid-June for the Wooddale Avenue bridge inclusive community for all.
improvement project; work is expected to start mid-July. • Continue to lead in environmental stewardship.
Visit www.stlouispark.org/wooddale-bridge for information. • Providing a broad range of housing and neighborhood-oriented development.
• Providing a variety of options for people to make their way around the city
• T he 2018 pavement management project is underway in the comfortably, safely and reliably.
Elmwood, Brooklawns and Brookside neighborhoods and is • Creating opportunities to build social capital through community engagement.
expected to be complete in November.

Visit www.stlouispark.org/pavement-management for information
and to sign up for updates.

Stay updated on Southwest
Light Rail Transit

The Southwest Light Rail Transit project will operate on a route from downtown
Minneapolis through St. Louis Park, Hopkins, Minnetonka and Eden Prairie, passing
in close proximity to Edina. The route is expected to open in 2023 and will include
16 new stations, including three in St. Louis Park at Beltline Boulevard, Wooddale
Avenue and Louisiana Avenue. It will be part of an integrated system of transitways,
including the METRO Blue Line, the Northstar Commuter Rail Line, many bus
routes and proposed future transitways. The estimated $2.003 billion project will
be funded by a mix of federal, county, state and local sources, with federal funds
making up about 46 percent of the total. Visit www.swlrt.org to sign up for email
and text updates on the Southwest Light Rail Transit.

Comprehensive plan enters City’s AAA credit rating
six-month review period benefits tax payers

In late June, the St. Louis Park City Council approved sending the draft 2040 In May 2018, independent bond-rating agency Standard & Poor’s (S&P) affirmed
comprehensive plan to nearby and affected jurisdictions — school districts, adjacent their AAA credit rating — the highest bond rating — for the City of St. Louis Park.
cities, watershed management organizations and state agencies — for a six-month St. Louis Park is one of 22 Minnesota cities with the S&P AAA rating.
review period. Any comments received will be considered when the final plan is
adopted by the St. Louis Park City Council following the six-month review period. Standard & Poor’s rating report reflects the agency’s view of the many factors
that contribute to St. Louis Park’s high rating, including a very strong economy;
Updated every 10 years, the comprehensive plan is an official document that guides management; liquidity; budgetary flexibility; and strong budgetary performance,
the future of St. Louis Park with policies governing land use, transportation, public debt and contingent liability position.
facilities, economic development and housing and other elements. Thanks to the
many residents who provided input on the comprehensive plan through in-person The AAA bond rating helps ensure that future St. Louis Park debt will be issued at
meetings, surveys and online comments. the lowest possible interest expense and cost to the tax payers. The rating also
provides opportunities to refinance outstanding debt at lower interest rates.
Your comments are welcome throughout the six-month review process; visit
www.stlouispark.org/slp2040 to view the draft plan and provide comments.

53

Swap your clothing Aug. 1 Minnesota

Wednesday, Aug. 1, 6 – 8 p.m. Green Corps member
Lenox Community Center gym tackles recycling
6715 Minnetonka Blvd., St. Louis Park
Minnesota GreenCorps member Xinci Tan started her service year with the City
Wardrobe in need of an update? Bring clean/washed clothing items that are no of St. Louis Park last fall, tackling recycling in multi-family buildings and city
longer right for you and swap them for items that are new to you. Take home parks. After visiting more than 70 apartments, condominiums and townhomes,
as many items as you’d like. All styles, sizes and types of clothes, shoes and representing 88 percent of all multi-family units in St. Louis Park, she found that
accessories are welcome. plastic bags are the biggest contaminant, both loose and when used to hold
recyclables. Plastic bags and film are never accepted in single-sort recycling, but
Leftover items will be donated to STEP (St. Louis Park Emergency Program) and can be taken to some retail stores and placed in designated bins if clean and dry.
other nonprofits. Torn and stained textiles will also be collected for recycling. The
event is FREE and open to all ages and genders! Xinci created a recycling workshop program and has presented at six multi-family
buildings, with help from local recycling champions. Participants took surveys
before and after workshops to test their knowledge. To help educate residents,
Xinci also provided resources to property managers.

Xinci has also spent part of her service year promoting the city’s organics
program, and before her service year ends this August, Xinci will be educating
park visitors on what can and cannot be recycled. You may find her speaking to
residents at the Oak Hill Splash Pad or peering into recycling carts at a city park.

For questions regarding the GreenCorps project or recycling in multi-family
buildings, contact Emily Barker at [email protected] or 952.924.2187.

Learn about upcoming changes

to solid waste program at an open house

Make plans to attend an open house to learn about the upcoming changes to the city’s
solid waste program. Open house events will be held at the Municipal Service Center,
7305 Oxford St., on Aug. 9 and 13 from 5 – 7 p.m. both days.

Each open house will start with a short presentation about the city’s garbage, recycling,
organics and yard waste collection services and new changes starting in October 2018.
Plan to stop by! For more information visit www.stlouispark.org/garbage-recycling or
call public works at 952.924.2562.

Waste Management selected for Ranked-choice voting
residential solid waste collection
coming for mayor, council seats
Waste Management (WM) was recently selected as the city’s contractor for the
next five years for all solid waste collection services from residences and small The St. Louis Park City Council recently approved a charter amendment allowing
businesses who receive city service, starting Oct. 1, 2018. This selection was made for a new method of voting, ranked-choice voting, to be used in municipal
after a year-long process of surveying residents, discussions with city council and elections to elect the mayor and city council. This method of voting combines
requesting proposals from 10 hauling companies. WM currently collects residential the primary and general elections into one event and allows a voter to rank
garbage and recycling and will start collecting organics and yard waste in October. the candidates for an office in order of their preference, a certain number of
times. Ranked-choice voting won’t be used in 2018, since mayor and city council
Most of the city’s residential solid waste services will stay the same. The most elections take place in odd years only. Ranked-choice voting cannot be used
significant changes to the program include: to elect federal, state, county or school district offices.

• Additional garbage service levels: Optional every-other-week garbage The next step in the implementation process is for the city council to write
collection for 20- and 30-gallon carts. the rules for conducting ranked-choice voting in St. Louis Park. This includes
important details such as how many rankings a voter will be allowed, how
• Beginning Jan. 1, 2019, organics and yard waste will be collected separately. ballots will be counted and how ballots will be designed. This will be a phased
Residents with organics collection will need to set yard waste out in separate process that will occur over the next six months, starting in July.
compostable bags or personal reusable containers.
Visit www.stlouispark.org/ranked-choice-voting for more information and
Visit www.stlouispark.org/garbage-recycling or plan to attend an open house in ongoing updates.
August for more information about these and other changes.

62

FREE St. Louis Park Rotary Club
Summer Concert Series

All performances are free and filled with amazing talent!
In the event of bad weather, call 952.924.2567 for concert status.

day date time event Description Location

W July 25 7 – 8:30 p.m. St. Louis Park Community Band Concert band Wolfe Park, 3700 Monterey Drive
Sa July 28 7 – 9 p.m. Teen ROC Teen bands ROC, 3700 Monterey Drive
W Aug. 1 7 – 8:30 p.m. 612live Rock/blues/pop Wolfe Park, 3700 Monterey Drive
W Aug. 8 7 – 8:30 p.m. Tailspin Band Country/rock Wolfe Park, 3700 Monterey Drive
W Aug. 15 7 – 8:30 p.m. Community Talent Show Variety Wolfe Park, 3700 Monterey Drive
Sa Aug. 18 6 – 9:30 p.m. Dan Israel & Friends Folk Wolfe Park, 3700 Monterey Drive

Au6dJu–ilty8io3p1n.ms. Talent Show STRueOmenCmer FREE

WAedunge. s1d5ay,
7 p.m.

St. Louis Park Community Saturday, July 28, 7 – 9 p.m.

Talent Show ROC, 3700 Monterey Drive

Wolfe Park, 3700 Monterey Drive Let’s rock under the ROC this summer and hear some tunes from
great local youth bands. Bands will play back to back.
Park Theater Company will host its 10th Annual St. Louis Park Community
Talent Show at the Veterans’ Memorial Amphitheater in Wolfe Park.

A variety of talent of all ages is welcomed. Auditions will be held at the
Wolfe Park Building on July 31 from 6 – 8 p.m. Interested performers
should contact [email protected] or call 952.935.5762.

Wednesday, Aug. 22, 5 – 8 p.m. Sign up for a splashin’ good time!

ROC, 3700 Monterey Drive Our Aquatic Park is the hottest place to stay cool this summer! Wade into the
pool from our zero-depth entry or splash into the water from the four-story
Community Link is an interactive community event that links water slides. Our summertime fun facility features a sand-and-water play
St. Louis Park families in need of short- or long-term support area, tot whale slide, spray arches, water geysers, aqua obstacle course, drop
with community services and resources that may be difficult for slides, lap swim lanes, diving boards and sun decks. We also offer a picnic
them to access. The FREE event offers services such as haircuts,
bike repair, family portraits, employment resources and health area, full-service concession stand and locker rooms.
care information. A picnic style meal is served and Aquatic Park
access is available to participants attending the event. Register for a season pass: www.stlouispark.org/aquatic-park/season-pass

37

Primary election day is Tuesday, Aug. 14

What’s on the ballot? Plan ahead – prepare to vote

In 2018, all voters in Minnesota will be able to vote for these state and You are encouraged to plan ahead before going to your polling location.
federal offices: Finding your polling location, registering to vote and learning what offices will
be on your ballot are all important steps to take when preparing to vote. The
• United States Senator city is here to help! Below are some of the most common questions asked
• United States Representative during election season:
• Governor and Lieutenant Governor
• Secretary of State • Am I eligible to vote?
• State Auditor • Am I registered to vote?
• Attorney General • How do I register to vote before Election Day?
• State Representative • How do I register to vote on Election Day?
• Where do I vote?
Additionally, voters in St. Louis Park will be able to vote for these county • What is on my ballot?
and judicial offices. Mayor and city council seats are NOT on the ballot
in 2018. Visit www.stlouispark.org/elections or call 952.924.2503 to find the answers to
all these questions and more.
• County Commissioner District 3
• County Attorney Note:
• County Sheriff
• Supreme Court – various seats The Secretary of State’s Office has many voting materials and forms available
• Court of Appeals – various seats in the following 12 languages: English, Spanish, Hmong, Somali, Vietnamese,
• District Court Fourth Judicial District – various seats Russian, Chinese, Lao, Oromo, Khmer, Amharic and S’gaw Karen. Visit
www.stlouispark.org/elections or call 952.924.2503 for more information on
how to access these materials.

Can’t go to the polls on primary election day?

Vote absentee. Request an absentee ballot

Absentee voting means voting by mail or in person before an election day, Complete an online application at www.stlouispark.org/elections, or request an
instead of at a polling place. Absentee ballots are available 46 days before an application by calling 952.924.2503.
election. Any eligible voter may choose to vote absentee for any reason.
When can I place my absentee ballot directly into a
In 2018, Hennepin County will be responsible for administering all mailed ballot counter at City Hall?
absentee ballots. The City of St. Louis Park will continue to administer
in-person absentee voting. All eligible voters can vote at City Hall Aug. 7 – 13 and place their ballots directly
into a ballot counter. Votes will be counted immediately, but results will not be
Where to vote absentee reported until the polls close on primary election day, Aug. 14. Direct balloting
will be available:
• St. Louis Park City Hall, 5005 Minnetonka Blvd.
• Hennepin County Service Center, 300 S. Sixth St., Minneapolis • Aug. 7 – 10, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Aug. 11, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
When to vote absentee • Aug. 13, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

• St. Louis Park City Hall: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., through New name, same location for Precinct 14
Aug. 10. Extended hours for absentee voting for St. Louis Park
residents only will be offered the following days: • The polling place for Precinct 14 has changed its name from Park Assembly
– Aug. 11, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Church to Park Harbor Church. The location remains the same, 1615 Texas Ave. S.
– Aug. 13, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Before Election Day in November, all registered voters in Precinct 14 will
receive a mailed notice from Hennepin County about the name change.
• Hennepin County Service Center: Visit www.hennepin.us for hours.

What is a primary election? Party A Party B

A primary election determines which candidates will be on the ballot in the This marking would
November general election. For example, five candidates from one political result in a spoiled
party might run for governor. Only one candidate can be on the ballot in ballot. The voter
November. The winner of the August primary election will represent their selected Party A
party on the November election ballot. There may be two kinds of offices on candidates then
your primary ballot: partisan offices and nonpartisan offices. voted for a Party B
candidate. A voter
Partisan offices must vote for all
partisan offices
Partisan offices will list a political party next to a candidate’s name on in the same party
the ballot. All state and federal offices – such as U.S. representatives or column for the vote
Minnesota senator – are partisan offices. Partisan candidates will be listed in
two columns on the front side of the primary ballot. One column will list the to count.
Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party candidates. The other column will list the
Republican Party candidates. Nonpartisan offices

You can only vote for candidates from one political party. If you vote for Nonpartisan offices will not list a political party next to a candidate’s name on the ballot.
candidates from both political parties, your votes will not count. You decide For example, county, city, township and school board offices are nonpartisan. Nonpartisan
which one of the two parties you will vote for – Minnesota does not have offices will be listed on the back side of the primary ballot. You can vote for any candidate.
political party registration. The candidates who get the most votes will be on the November general election ballot.

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