Meetings and Announcements
The next Council Meeting is Monday, September 23rd. The Workshop will start at 5:30 pm and we will hear from Commissioner Reinhardt and her staff about the Ponds of Battle Creek Golf Course. I think we can expect several residents to attend.
At the Council meeting will be holding a public hearing on the Rental Licensing Ordinance. Staff is looking for Council approval on the Ordinance.
And the winner is Maplewood! The St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce presented our Community Development Department with its Leaders in Local Government Award for the City's North End Vision Plan. Our Public Safety Department was also a finalist in the Public Safety category for their collaboration on training, mental health intervention and community outreach. Thanks to Mike Martin, Jeff Thompson, Public Safety Director Scott Nadeau, EMS Chief Mike Mondor and Fire Chief Steve Lukin for their work to make the city a more vibrant and safer place.
Updates from Staff and Council:
ADMINISTRATION
ACM/HR Director Position
We have a new Director! On Thursday I offered our position to Mike Sable. He will start next Wednesday, the 18th. He had a pre-planned commitment for the week of September 30th but will return on October 7th. Mike currently has his own consulting company and before that worked at Hennepin County and Brooklyn Park. Mike has several years of experience in both municipal and human resource administration. We are pleased to have him join our team. I look forward to the Council meeting Mike (aka- the new Mike).
PARKS AND RECREATION
Senator Chuck Wiger has requested that the Senate create a proclamation honoring the Maplewood Nature Center on their 40th Anniversary and if passed, will present it to the City at the celebration on September 21 at the Nature Center
NATURE CENTER TURNS 40! (For all ages, no registration required)
AT MAPLEWOOD NATURE CENTER
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1:00PM-3:30PM
Help us celebrate 40 years on Green Heron Pond! Bring the whole family to enjoy the festivities including folk music, crafts, games, face-painting, freshly pressed apple juice and a shadow puppet show “Waterways and Otterways “ by artist Kat Corrigan and her puppeteer family.
Walk the history trail to discover 40 fascinating facts from the Nature Center’s History, view historic photos thru retro viewers and add your memories to the history storyboard! See attached flyer for more info on the Saturday event.
PUBLIC WORKS
Letter of thanks from a Gladstone resident to our Engineering Consultants and staff
From: CenturyLink Customer <pdec22@q.com>
Sent: Wednesday, September 11, 2019 7:46 PM
To: Schmidt, Bob <bob.schmidt@kimley-horn.com>; McPhee Anderson, Erin <Erin.McPheeAnderson@kimley-horn.com>
Subject: Gladstone Construction
Bob, Erin & all others affiliated with the Gladstone Corridor project,
I just read my recent update and I want to take a moment to thank you for your communication. I've read each update and I've accessed the website also.
My home is in the 'work zone'. Not only do I appreciate the improvements to my neighborhood; the updates have been timely & professional, the construction crews have been accommodating to residents, and the project has moved in a very timely manner.
The neighborhood is looking great!
Thank you for a job WELL DONE.
Sincerely, Pat Oslund
PUBLIC SAFETY
Police – community engagement opportunity
On 9/10/19 at 6:00 PM the Maplewood Police Department, assisted by the Minnesota Department of Corrections, did a Level 3 Sex Offender Meeting at St. Jerome's Church. Prior to the meeting, it was found that the subject of the notification had moved out of Maplewood and into St. Paul.
Due to the short notice in which we were informed the Police Department decided to go ahead with the meeting to address any questions or concerns. Approximately 60 people attended the meeting and had a dialogue with police and corrections officials.
NEWS FROM THIS WEEK
That’s the news for this week. It was a really great week for the City. We were recognized by our peers for our work in planning and public safety and we hired a great candidate for the Assistant City Manager/HR Director position. As always, please call if you have any comments or concerns with the information in the FYI. Enjoy the weekend. Melinda