COMMUNICATIONS AND NEWS FROM THE WEEK: October 20, 2023
Meetings and Announcements:
- Our next Council meeting will occur on Monday, October 23, 2023. There is a Council workshop that will start at 5:45 pm. We will have an interactive demonstration of the proposed alternatives for Century Ave reconstruction and Staff will update City Council on software and other technology updates.
ADMINISTRATION
People of Color Job Fair
The City of Maplewood participated in the People of Color Job Fair event this week at the Minneapolis Convention Center. This is the 10th edition of the POC event and Maplewood was one of only three suburban communities to participate. Combined with employers, over 1,000 people participated in event on Tuesday. Staff showcased the fact that we are a $70,000,000 local government industry-leader who employees over 170 people. As we continue to promote our strengths-based, family-friendly organization, we met with individuals interested in learning more about our departments as well as the tremendous benefits of working here. Participants were asked to sign into a job database. Our Human Resources Department will be promoting available jobs as well as community events.
Ramsey County Library cordially invites you and the city of Maplewood to the Grand Reopening of the library in Maplewood on November 4 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Come and see the fresh interior, take a seat on the new furniture, and explore the dedicated spaces for kids and teens. Enjoy fun activities for all ages, including a ribbon cutting ceremony, food and music.
Please see attached flyer and feel free to print and distribute. Please let me know if you have questions.
Pa Na Lor
PARK AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Deer Management Activities Planned in Maplewood
Maplewood, Ramsey County and the City of Little Canada are partnering with Metro Bowhunter’s Resource Base for fall 2023 archery hunts in the following locations:
- Spoon Lake Preserve; City of Maplewood open space, October 20-22 and December 1-3. “Preserve Closed” signage was installed at trail entrances.
- City of Little Canada properties on the south side of the city, also October 20-22 and December 1-3.
- Battle Creek Park; owned by Ramsey County on October 9-11 and October 30 - November 1. The county will set up barricades at the entrance to Maplewood’s Afton Heights Park, to prevent entrance to Battle Creek by hikers.
- Ramsey County’s Fish Creek Regional Park, on Oct 20 – 22 and Nov 10 – 12. The county will install signage at the Fish Creek entrances.
- Overpopulation of deer increases deer disease incidence, results in damage to ornamental and garden plants, high rates of deer/vehicle collisions, damage or excessive browsing to native trees, shrubs and plants and increases of invasive species.
For more information please contact Natural Resources Coordinator Carole Gernes; carole.gernes@maplewoodmn.gov.
LOCAL NEWS
Food scrap program now available in 4 cities in eastern Twin Cities area
Maplewood, North St. Paul, Cottage Grove and Newport residents can order free food scrap bags.
By Greta Kaul Star Tribune
OCTOBER 13, 2023 — 2:10PM
This week, Ramsey and Washington counties announced their Food Scraps Pickup Program is now available to all residents of Maplewood, North St. Paul, Cottage Grove and Newport.
The Food Scraps Pickup program is a composting program for household food waste such as coffee grounds, fruits, vegetables, bones and more.
Residents in these cities can participate in the program by ordering free food scrap bags from the program website. Once filled, these scrap bags can be placed in residents' trash pickup containers. The bags, designed to survive the trip in a garbage truck, are separated from trash and sent to a compost facility.
Previously, the program was available to some Ramsey and Washington county residents under a pilot. The counties plan to roll the program out to all residents in the future.
Ramsey and Washington County residents not yet eligible for food scraps pick-up can still drop off food scraps at waste at drop-off sites.
For more information, visit the Food Scraps Pickup Program website at https://foodscrapspickup.com/.
Maplewood library debuting renovations next month
New features will include new furniture, acoustics and community spaces.
By DEVLIN EPDING | depding@pioneerpress.com | Pioneer Press
PUBLISHED: October 18, 2023 at 3:21 p.m. | UPDATED: October 18, 2023 at 4:31 p.m.
Maplewood library is preparing to reopen its doors next month after closing nearly a year ago for renovations.
The remodeled library will open on Nov. 4 with new furniture, improved lighting, spaces designed for kids and teenagers, and more study and meeting spaces. Additionally, the project also addressed problems impacting library visitors such as acoustics and sightlines, as well as better use of the building’s main lobby.
The library’s return box has been operating out of a temporary location in Maplewood Mall since January, and book requests have been routed to other local libraries, according to Ramsey County Library.
The renovation project began in 2018 with community engagement on how best to reconfigure the Maplewood library. According to officials, aside from necessary upgrades due to “wear and tear,” the project was necessary to modernize the 16-year-old library.
Now, the building’s 144,000 annual visitors will have a new space in the community to find a new book, study or relax.
“The building has been reimagined and the spaces within have been designed to create a more inclusive, welcoming and equitable environment that is responsive to racially and ethnically diverse communities,” library officials wrote in a statement.
That’s our news for the week. Please call if you have any questions or concerns. Enjoy the beautiful fall colors and weather this weekend. Melinda