PUBLIC WORKS UPDATES
CITY SNOWPLOWS RECEIVE NEW NAMES!
Thank you to Community Services Pre-School, Wilshire Elementary & St. Charles Catholic School for participating in our Snow Plow Naming Contest this year. Before the big unveiling, each school brainstormed names and voted on their favorite. Then just before the big reveal, our Public Works crew held an assembly to talk about snow plow safety and provided activity books to reinforce snowplow safety tips. Community Services Pre-School: Blizzy
Wilshire Elementary: Frosty the Snowplow
St. Charles Catholic School: MinneSNOWta
Look for your favorite snowplow on our city streets this winter. Stay back and stay safe!
CARDBOARD RECYCLING EVENT
Saturday, Jan. 4, 9AM – 1PM
Public Works Garage, 3801 Chandler Dr.
SIDEWALK SNOW CLEARING
One of the many challenges St. Anthony residents and the Public Works Department face in the winter months is clearing snow and ice from public sidewalks. Clearing snow along sidewalks, crosswalks, and pedestrian ramps is an essential part of making walking practical, safe, and comfortable in the winter.
Our goal is to maintain year-round walking infrastructure by ensuring the clearing of snow is completed in a timely way. According to St. Anthony Ordinance Code, 92.01(B)(1), the owner and occupant of any property adjacent to a public sidewalk shall use diligence to keep the walk safe for pedestrians… snow, ice, dirt, or rubbish is not to remain on the walk longer than 24 hours after its deposit. The Public Works Department clears public sidewalks as part of the regular snow removal program with specialized equipment. As a general rule, the Department does not apply rock salt to sidewalks as it may eventually find its way into lakes, rivers, and other water bodies and cause environmental damage. Additionally, rock salt can cause concrete deterioration and harm plants, trees, wildlife, and pets.
SMART SALTING - PROTECT MINNESOTA’S NATURAL RESOURCES
If an application of salt is necessary to remove accumulated snow and ice, residents are encouraged to apply sparingly. As much salt as would fill a coffee mug is enough to treat 250 square feet of pavement. Shoot for a 3” spread between salt granules to apply the proper amount of de-icing salt. While bare pavement is not always possible with the harsh winter conditions we experience as Minnesotans, diligent and responsible practices for snow and ice removal on sidewalks will help to maintain the goal of walkability for all.
DID YOU KNOW?
- More than 48 billion pounds of salt is spread on icy roads in the US annually
- Chloride is toxic to freshwater fish, amphibians, insects and plants
- Road salt is the #1 source of chloride in Minnesota with an estimated 403,600 tons used annually
- There are 54 impaired bodies of water in Minnesota that exceed the chloride standard designed to protect fish and aquatic life
- One 50lb. bag of salt can contaminate over 10,000 gallons of water
STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECT UPDATE
The 2025 Street and Utility Improvement Project consists of the complete street and utility reconstruction along MacAlaster Drive from 39th Avenue to the southern railroad tracks. Proposed utility improvements include sanitary sewer and water main replacement including individual services to the right-of-way boundary, fire hydrants, water valves, and manholes. The proposed project will also include the construction of new storm sewer system to improve drainage along the project corridor. Additionally, the 2025 Street and Utility Improvement Project includes asphalt resurfacing (mill and overlay) improvements along the following roadways:
• 39th Ave. NE: Stinson Blvd. to Silver Lake Rd.
• 30th Ave. NE: Stinson Blvd. to Silver Lake Rd.
• Armour Terrace: Roosevelt St. to Silver Lake Rd.
• Murray Ave: Roosevelt St. to Coolidge St.
• 29th Ave. NE: Silver Lake Rd. to Highway 88
• Roosevelt St: St. Anthony Blvd. to 30th Ave. NE
• Wilson St: St. Anthony Blvd. to 30th Ave. NE
• Coolidge St: St. Anthony Blvd. to 29th Ave. NE
• Anthony Lane: 29th Ave. NE to Cul-de-Sac
Removal and replacement of the existing asphalt trail and basketball court in Central Park and the installation of a pedestrian safety refuge at the intersection of Silver Lake Rd. and 34th Ave. NE are also
being investigated with the improvements proposed for 2025. The project is currently out for bid with the project anticipated to be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder in April 2025.
STREET PROJECT PUBLIC INFO MEETINGS: Wednesday, Feb. 26
5-6P: Mill & Overlay Info
6-7P: MacAlaster Drive Info
PREVENT STORMWATER POLLUTION BY REPORTING ILLICIT DISCHARGES
Lakes, rivers, and streams are an important part of our ecosystem, and we all play a part in keeping them clean. One way is to report illicit discharges. What exactly are illicit discharges? And what do they have to do with keeping our waters clean? The answer to these questions starts with storm drains.
Everyone has seen the storm drains along the side of the roads and perhaps wondered where they go. Unlike wastewater from your home that is sent to water treatment facilities, the water that flows through storm systems is drained directly into lakes, rivers, and streams. The water does not undergo filtration or treatment to clean it before reaching surface waters. This is why it is so important to avoid and report illicit discharges.
Illicit discharge refers to any discharge to the stormwater drainage system, (commonly through drains in streets, gutters, ditches, and ponds) lakes, rivers, and streams other than stormwater. Substances that could be harmful include paint, trash, car fluids (like oil and gas), and cleaning materials. These are just a few examples of illicit discharge, so it’s important to remember that the only thing that should be entering the storm system is stormwater.
Reporting illicit discharge is crucial in stopping water pollution and keeping our waters clean, please report to Public Works Director, Jeremy Gumke at 612-782-3441 immediately. For spills of potentially hazardous substances, call 9-1-1 right away. Non-stormwater discharges are prohibited and are enforced under local ordinances.
REMINDERS
• MN Dept. of Transportation - Season Road Restrictions
Protecting our Infrastructure: Seasonal road restrictions on St. Anthony streets typically last from mid-February thru mid-March. The exact dates restrictions go into effect and are removed each year are provided by the MN Department of Transportation for the Metro Area Frost Zone. These restrictions are enforced to protect the infrastructure investment on city roadways during spring thaw. Please schedule early season construction projects accordingly. Heavy trucks, delivery of roll-off dumpsters and materials, and other heavy equipment are not allowed on St. Anthony city streets during the restriction period. The City does not issue exception permits.
• Water Service Line Inventory
The City of Saint Anthony Village service line materials inventory is now publicly available. Residents can check service line materials by visiting the Lead Inventory Tracking Tool (LITT) at maps.umn.edu/LSL. To complete the inventory, the City performed record reviews, community outreach, and visual inspections. Letters were sent to households with galvanized pipes and/or pipes with an unknown material. If you received a letter, there may be action requested (additional in-person inspection or pipe replacement). If you did not receive a letter, no further action is needed. Thank you to everyone for your assistance with this initiative.
WHAT’S NEXT? The City will apply for grant funds in 2025-2026 when the application for funding grants open. If awarded funds, the City will work to complete replacements as federal/state funds are provided.
• Inflow and Infiltration Inspection Reminder
Two Inflow & Infiltration Inspections are required prior to listing your home or business for sale
> Sanitary Sewer Line Inspection Video
> Sump Pump Inspection
Inflow and Infiltration (I/I) is the excess flow of clear water into the City’s sanitary sewer system. The system is not designed to handle excess clear water and it can become overloaded and cause basement flooding or bypass raw wastewater to local streams and lakes. This ordinance is intended to help reduce peak sanitary sewer flows caused by Inflow and infiltration.
LINK TO INFLOW & INFILTRATION INSPECTIONS
• Winter Parking & Snow Reminders
During winter, the first priority of the Public Works Department is to clear the snow and make St. Anthony’s streets safe for traffic and emergency vehicles. Our Public Works Department clears public sidewalks as part of its regular snow removal program with specialized equipment. The owner or occupant of any property adjacent to a public sidewalk should be diligent to keep the walk safe for pedestrians — snow, ice, dirt, or rubbish should not remain on the walk longer than 24 hours after its deposit. With your cooperation, snow removal can be more efficient and roads cleared in very little time. Be sure to sign up for snowplow alerts at savmn.com. If you have any questions regarding City snow plowing operations, contact Public Works Director Jeremy Gumke at jeremy.gumke@savmn.com or
call 612-782-3441. A few reminders to assist residents in achieving this goal:
- On street parking is not allowed for a period of 48 hours beginning immediately after two (2) inches or more of continuous snowfall or until the snow removal has been completed from curb to curb.
- We understand that sometimes the schedule for snow removal doesn’t correlate with our residents’ snow shoveling schedules. Our plow drivers do their best to avoid pushing snowbanks onto freshly shoveled driveways or sidewalks.
- It is dangerous for children to dig tunnels in snowbanks created by the plows. Tunnels can cave in which can result in smothering. Plow drivers can’t see children playing in or around snowbanks and kids can become covered or trapped in the snow.
- Don’t place refuse or recycling containers in the street.
- Don’t plow, blow, or shovel snow into the street
- When shoveling, pile the snow downstream of the plowing operations to minimize snow left in your driveway.
- Stay back when driving behind plow trucks.
FREQUENTLY ASKED:
SKATING RINKS:
St. Anthony Parks Ice Rinks & Warming Houses
Central Park, 3503 Silver Lake Rd.
Emerald Park, 3925 Macalester Dr.
Silver Point Park, 3010 29th Ave.
HOURS:
Monday – Friday: 4-8:30P
Saturday: 10A – 8:30P
Sunday: 1 – 8:30P
School Holidays: 10A – 8:30P
WATER & SEWER EMERGENCIES?
During Normal Business Hours: Contact City Hall immediately: 612-782-3301
After Business Hours Contact the Fire Department: 612-782-3400
City crews will be dispatched to evaluate the situation and assist the property owner.