 Pictured: Mayor Melvin Carter, Amy, Chief Todd Axtell
In March, I participated in the Saint Paul Police Civilian Academy. It was the first time the Department offered the training to just city staff, so my Legislative Aide, HwaJeong Kim, and I decided to take them up on the offer. Each day was packed with topics taught by their subject matter experts. It was a great experience to learn about the work of our SPPD. It was helpful also to learn about changes underway in the department as it strives to restore trust particularly among communities of color. We were updated on how the Department is changing to cope with increasing mental health crisis and calls, as well. Ramsey County Dispatch Center was very interesting (and they are hiring!) to see. And I was particularly intrigued with how our arrest and control techniques have improved greatly with the introduction of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in use of force.
Both Hwa Jeong and I were grateful to have the opportunity to gain a more full understanding of the work of our police and for the willingness of the SPPD to answer challenging questions and to be open to improving the way they deliver service.
 Pictured left to right: Chief Todd Axtell, Julian Roby, Holly Huston, HwaJeong Kim, Mayor Melvin Carter, Council President Amy Brendmoen, Alice Messer, Michelle Furrer, Anika Bowie, & Marissa Peterson.
The North End Neighborhood Organization (NENO) and the Community School of Excellence hosted a meeting to discuss pedestrian safety following the horrific deaths of two neighbors who were simply trying to cross Larpenteur at Woodbridge on foot this winter. NENO, city and county representatives, stakeholders, community members and students were part of the well-attended meeting. Everyone shared their concerns about safety on Larpenteur and there was much agreement on how urgently improvement is needed.
County Commissioner Matascastillo indicated that we will see some basic improvements and traffic calming efforts on Larpenteur this year (great news!), and she is also pushing for similar changes to important, high-traffic county roads such as Maryland, Rice and Dale. I looking forward to supporting this crucial work from the city side.
 Commissioner Liz Workman, Representative Melissa Hortman, and Amy
I recently had the honor of being invited to speak on a panel with Representative Melissa Hortman and Commissioner Liz Workman. The Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce (SPACC) hosted a “Women in Power” luncheon as part of its Public Affairs Series on March 28th. It was a great room full of smiling faces and my co-panelists were as inspiring as they were wise.
Our panel was asked to discuss the challenges and opportunities that come from being a woman in political leadership and how our backgrounds and life experiences have impacted and shaped our work. Some of my favorite quotes from the panel:
“Leadership is often making sure that disagreements and divisions don’t get in the way of getting the work done.”
“The more you help other people shine, the more you shine too.”
“I draw energy by meeting people at their doorstep and being let into their lives. Great ideas come from everywhere.”
Many thanks to the SPACC for the fabulous opportunity!
 Last month, I spent the day at Como Park Senior High School shadowing my friend Eric Erickson (Teacher of the Year nominee, BTW.) It was such a special way to get a perspective on what is happening in our incredible local high schools; challenges and joys alike. High School is a lot like I recall it. Lots of energy, lots of learning, lots of awkwardness, lots of hormones. But bottom line, I was very proud of all the great things happening in this local community school. Teachers and administrators greeted kids by name as they walked in the door, kids proudly sported their “Como” gear, thoughtful lessons were brought forth by teaching staff, and cool architectural upgrades are underway all over the building. What a joy to see so many engaged students! Thank you to Mr. Erickson, Principal Theien-Collins and the whole Como Park High School community.
First, it’s pronounced (Ahh-lee-ahnz).
Second, the season opener is this Saturday!
Did you know underneath the stadium there is a 675,000-gallon storage tank that redistributes rain and snow for sustainable uses, like landscape irrigation? For the stadium landscaping alone, this can save over 2 million gallons of water each year. Congratulations Saint Paul on a second innovative sports stadium. We can’t wait to attend a game this season. Go Loons! #wonderwall
 Amy and Govenor Walz
For several years municipalities have come together to prioritize the intersection of Rice St and Larpentuer Ave. The Rice and Larpentuer Gateway Alliance is an unprecedented collaboration between the City of Maplewood, Roseville, Saint Paul, and Ramsey County. The goal is to intentionally invest in the area to create a hub of development, housing, and community space. The Alliance recently took a big step and hired SPACC WorkStream to lead the implementation of the Vision Plan for this neighborhood. The project lead is Ward 5’s past Legislative Aide Kim O’Brien! Congratulations Kim! We can’t wait to dig in. Click here to learn more.
Saturday, April 27 from 9-11:30
Join us! Volunteers of all ages invited to participate in helping maintain the well-being of our communities.
Hundreds of volunteers that participate every year and help to collect trash that has accumulated over the winter in parks, streets, and neighborhoods.
Share the results of your hard work! The City of Saint Paul is asking participants to post before and after photos of areas they have cleaned up using #trashtagSTP on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
Ward 5 Cleanup Locations
Como Lakeside Pavilion - hosted by Speedway LLC
Trout Brook Nature Sanctuary – hosted by North End Neighborhood Organization
Willow Reserve – hosted by North End Neighborhood Organization
Rice and Larpenteur - hosted by the Rice Larpenteur Gateway Alliance
 Photo by Heather M. Swanson
The Ward 5 team is so pleased to feature Saint Paul photographer and Como Park resident Heather M. Swanson as our latest Featured Artist. Heather’s work has appeared on TPT, The Current’s blog, the Instagram accounts of Visit Saint Paul, the Minnesota Historical Society, and Capture Saint Paul. Her work has been published in the literary journal Midwestern Gothic as well as on the covers of books by local poets Haley Lasche and Brian Beatty. We are planning to do a small artist reception before the show closes--in the meantime stop by to see her colorful, cheerful work adorning the walls of Ward 5. Find Heather’s work on Instagram: @photonut74.
Starting April 3 clean up crews will be revisiting streets to sights where trees were removed to take care of any debris left that couldn’t be adequately cleaned up before the snow melted. Forestry is working with the Public Works Department on coordinating this clean-up with their spring street sweeping schedule.
The first wave of removals that began in late December continues with a second round of approximately 350 removals to come.
Following street clean-up, stump removal will begin in mid-April. This is expected to last through summer.
Streets will be surveyed for planting this summer, and new trees will be planted beginning this fall and into spring 2020.
Remember that I have community office hours at the Rice Street Library 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month from 4-5:30 PM. And even when it's cool and snowy, I'm happy to take a Lake Lap. Call 651.266.8650 or email ward5@stpaul.gov to schedule.
Thanks for reading,
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