U.N. Climate report, US Internet, safer ped crossings, and more

 Fall greetings! Here’s my monthly update for residents of Ward 1 and beyond. 
 
United Nations Climate Report: As a policymaker, I think I’d be remiss in not making the most recent climate news front and center to this update. While our City’s recently approved Climate Action Plan is an excellent approach to reducing carbon emissions, given last week’s report, I think we policymakers (and others) ought to also engage in more robust resiliency planning to adapt and respond to predicted impacts in the Midwest, by 2040, on agriculture, energy systems, public health, infrastructure, and other areas. What would you like to see your local elected officials do to prepare for the effects of global climate change? Please share your thoughts here.
 
Surface Water Plan: Continuing the environmental theme, did you know we have 46 water basins in our City, including lakes, ponds, and wetlands? City staff is currently finalizing a 10-year Surface Water Management Plan and inviting public comments through Nov. 30. The plan is complex and can be challenging to work through; if you have questions/concerns about specific bodies of water in your neighborhood, you can also simply send an email to City staff. This time of year, there’s one thing we all can do: If you see leaves in your street, please get them into yard bags so they don’t enter storm drains and harm our lakes, ponds, and wetlands. Thank you!
 
Pedestrian safety improvements: Hennepin County, in partnership with the City, is gathering feedback on where/how to improve pedestrian crossings on Minnetonka Boulevard between Hwy. 169 and Hwy. 100 and have set up an interactive map to gather ideas. Please take time to share your comments! County officials will also be hosting a meeting with residents on Thursday, Oct. 18, 6:30-8:30 pm at Aquila Elementary School. Improvements are planned for 2020. 
 
US Internet is here: Looking for more broadband choices in SLP? You’re not alone! Last year, the City entered into an agreement with USI that has brought fast, affordable service to more than 1,000 residents of multifamily housing (including Louisiana Courts and the former Meadowbrook Manor) and some commercial properties. A portion of the Sorensen neighborhood is slated for USI service in 2019; over time, the company’s goal is to build out to the entire city. To let USI know you’d like to have service in your area soon, call their customer service line at (952) 253-3278.
 
Historic Walker Lake: More exciting news about the revitalization of our “original downtown” – Asakura Robinson, a minority-owned planning firm, has been hired by the City to develop a small area plan and design guidelines for the area. The plan, which will be completed in about six months, will incorporate ideas from area businesses, neighbors, the city’s planning commission, and city council.
 
SLP Nest is fully operational: The Nest, St. Louis Park’s teen-centric coffee shop at 3416 Library Lane, is now fully operational, with food and beverage service from 2:30-7 pm M-F. Created to serve as a gathering place for local teens, the coffee shop is open to all and benefits from non-student business too. Watch for potential expanded hours in the future. 
 
That’s all for now – please feel free to contact me at any time with your ideas, questions, and concerns.