The District 10 Como Community Council meets at 7 p.m. on the third Tuesday of the month at the Como Streetcar Station, 1224 N. Lexington Parkway.
District 10 holds annual elections
The District 10 Como Community Council held its annual meeting and board elections on Tuesday, April 16. Board chair Jon Knox provided an overview of the council’s 2012 activities, spotlighting the work of the volunteer board of directors, committee members and other community volunteers. Among the highlights were mitigating neighborhood concerns about the new Walgreens store at Lexington and Larpenteur avenues, advocating on behalf of neighbors of the former Sholom Home campus, hosting the annual Como Fest and supporting more than 50 neighborhood block clubs.
Looking ahead, the council plans to complete work on the neighborhood Land Use Plan, integrate the South Como neighborhood into the district, focus on building a more effective relationship with Como Regional Park and the St. Paul Parks and Recreation Department, and continue to work to engage the neighborhood in its work.
There were eight board seats up for election at the meeting, including seven expiring terms and a special election for the treasurer position vacated by Ted Blank when he joined the district’s staff as district administrator. Board chair Knox and board secretary Linda Hinderscheit were both re-elected to two-year terms. Tom Eyre was elected to the remaining year of the treasurer term. In Sub-District 2 (bounded by Hamline and Victoria avenues and Larpenteur Avenue and Como Boulevard), Pete Bolstad was elected to join Kim Moon in representing this area. At-large member Dana Saeger, who joined last fall in a special election, was also elected to a full two-year term.
Three open seats remain, one in Sub-District 1 (bounded by Snelling and Hamline avenues and Energy Park Drive and Hoyt Avenue) and in Sub-District 3 (Victoria and Dale and Larpenteur Avenue Como Boulevard) and an at-large position. Individuals who live or own a business in these areas are eligible to serve on the board. Send nominations to District 10, district10@district10comopark.org, for election at the next council meeting on May 21 at 7 p.m.
South Como integration subcommittee formed
The District 10 board approved the charter for an ad hoc subcommittee to lead the integration of the South Como neighborhood into District 10. This subcommittee, which will be chaired by Sub-District 2 representative Pete Bolstad and former board chair David Arbeit, will be responsible for recommending changes to the district’s bylaws, developing plans to communicate the change to affected residents and manage the myriad other changes necessary.
Como Tree Appreciation
It’s time to nominate your favorite neighborhood tree for a Como Tree Appreciation Award. The District 10 Environment Committee is sponsoring the awards as a way to treasure the valuable trees in the neighborhood and promote the planting of new trees. Nominate a residential tree—big or small, old or new, yours or a neighbor’s—at district10comopark.org/nominateatree.html. All trees must be located within District 10 on private property. Nominations will be accepted until May 25. Winners will be notified by late June.
Bike Safety Rodeo
Get your bike ready for summer at the free 2013 Como Bike Safety Rodeo on Saturday, April 27, 9:30-11:30 a.m. in front of Black Bear Crossings on the Lake in the Pavilion along Como Lake.
This event, for ages 5 and up, is free and is presented by the District 10 Como Community Council. Bring your bicycle and helmet, learn to ride safely and follow the rules of the road, and have a free bike safety check.
The rodeo will feature helmet checks, information about bicycling resources, door
prizes and free light refreshments provided by Black Bear Crossings. Learn about bicycle trails in the Twin Cities, bicycle commuting options and meet members of the St. Paul Police Bike Patrol who will be patrolling the neighborhood by bike this summer.
Children 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult and all participants are required to wear a bike helmet. In the event of rain, the event will be held on the covered promenade behind Black Bear Crossings in the Pavilion.
No advance registration is required.
District 10 Transportation Meeting
District 10 is updating the Como community’s Land Use Plan and needs input. Como Park homeowners, renters, business owners and commuters are invited to help identify specific transportation problems and discuss how the planning document can address them at a District 10 transportation meeting on Monday, May 13, at 7 p.m. at the Historic Streetcar Station, 1224 N. Lexington Parkway.
Traffic, parking, public transit, and bike and pedestrian concerns were identified in a recent community assessment as the most important issues facing District 10 residents. The meeting will involve a mapping exercise and a discussion on traffic, parking, public transportation needs, and pedestrian and bike trails. Because many of district residents are renters, the committee would appreciate hearing from this segment of the population.
The goal of this planning process is to compile a comprehensive and up-to-date land-use plan that will be adopted into the city’s comprehensive plan and to provide the city with the vision, policy priorities and strategies District 10 wants to guide growth, investment and development in the district.
Visit www.district10comopark.org/districtplan.html or call 651-644-3889 for more information or to get involved.
Calling all gardeners
The Como Park Garden Tour is looking for gardeners of all abilities to share their hard work with the neighborhood during the annual garden tour on Saturday, July 20. Each year, 12 to 15 private gardens are featured on the tour, which attracts people from across the neighborhood and the Twin Cities.
Don’t worry if you don’t think your garden is perfect. The tour will include a variety of gardens to showcase the diversity of the neighborhood and gardens. To participate or to nominate a neighbor, contact Environment Committee member Val Cunningham at writers2@comcast.net by Wednesday, May 1.
