Ward 6 Monthly Update 05/31/2024

Nelsie 3

May 31, 2024

Welcome to the World ChiaCha


Chiacha

Please help me in congratulating Councilmember Yang on  the arrival of baby ChiaCha. 

Councilmember Yang will be on maternity leave until August, and as of right know please contact Ploua Yang or Sonia Romero for any inquiry. 

Legislative Assistant Ploua Yang: ploua.yang@ci.stpaul.mn.us

Executive Assistant Sonia Romero: sonia.romero@ci.stpaul.mn.us


Welcome Ploua Yang

Ploua Yang

Please help me in welcoming  Ploua Yang as the new legislative assistant to the Ward 6 Office.

Ploua has worked for Governor Tim Walz and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan’s Office and recently Coalition of Asian American Leaders, as a liaison and program manager. She has been responsible for bridging the relationships with community and government, policy work on federal funds,  evaluates programs, elevating issues, and ideas across the state of Minnesota with leaders. She was raised in Ward 6 and loves to spend time with her family and read books. 


Juneteenth Celebrations

Juneteenth

Juneteenth is celebrated annually on June 19 to commemorate the ending of slavery. The historical legacy of Juneteenth shows the value of never giving up hope in uncertain times. Check out the National Museum of African American History & Culture’s Juneteenth Digital Toolkit  to learn more about this important day and how you can celebrate, gather community, and reflect on the past and look to the future.:  https://nmaahc.si.edu/juneteenth-digital-toolkit 


June

 

Dear Friend,

I'm writing to extend a special invitation for you to join the Minnesota Humanities Center and our partners and sponsors in our 2024 Juneteenth Commemoration. The recently designated federal and state holiday, known as Emancipation Day and America’s second Independence Day, presents an opportunity for all of us to come together to celebrate, educate, agitate, and create.  

This year’s commemoration offerings seek to help us all better understand our history as a nation, as we believe that our path towards the just society we envision is forged through honest reflection and reconciliation of our past. Will you join us in commemorating Juneteenth


MN Promise Act

MN Promise Act

The MN PROMISE Act is a new, state-funded program that provides loans and grants to disadvantaged small businesses located in certain areas of Minneapolis and Saint Paul.

Funds from the loan program (which are being administered by the Metropolitan Economic Development Association (MEDA)) are already flowing into Saint Paul and making a huge difference in our community.

Hear directly from two local owners who have received funding, as they discuss the positive impact the program is having on their businesses.

Feisal Mohamed, the owner of Sunshine Group Home in Saint Paul, is the first MN PROMISE Act loan recipient! He is utilizing the loan funds to fully purchase the building at 125 Magnolia Avenue, a property his business has rented for their operations since February 2022.

"So many of our local businesses have struggled due to not having enough support and access to resources,” said MEDA President and CEO Dorothy Bridges. “We are delighted to see Sunshine Group Homes receive the first loan to secure its location and bolster its impact on the Saint Paul area.”

Link to MN Promise Act: MN Promise Act


2024 Metropolitan Council Sewer Service Lateral Repair or Replacement and Foundation Drain Disconnection Grant

Description: The 2024 private property inflow and infiltration (I/I) grant offers property owners financial assistance in repairing or replacing their sewer service laterals or disconnecting their foundation drains. Use of the grant money is available on first-come, first-served basis, and after the grant money runs out, no more funding will be available. The amount a property can receive from the grant program is based on the location of the property in the City of Saint Paul.

Grant Amount based on Property Location: Properties that fall within the Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) Qualified Census Tracts zones qualify for 90% of eligible costs, up to a maximum grant amount of $10,000 for the repair or replacement of sewer service laterals or the disconnection of foundation drains.
Properties that fall outside of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) Qualified Census Tracts qualify for 50% of eligible costs, up to a maximum grant amount of $5,000 for the repair or replacement of sewer service laterals or disconnection of foundation drains.
To determine whether your property lies within or outside the LIHTC Qualified Census Tracts zones, please use the Qualified Census Tracts zones interactive map online at www.stpaul.gov/SewerGrant.


Sewer Repairs Eligible for Grant Funding
Eligible work includes:

• Private lateral repair and/or replacement.
• Foundation drain disconnections and new sump pump, if associated with the foundation drain disconnect.
• Lateral televising and cleaning costs if:
o Applicant meets the equity criteria, OR
o Televising and cleaning that results in repair or replacement of sewer lateral.
Eligibility Requirements
• Property must be a residential property in the City of Saint Paul.
• Property outside the low-income zone must be owner occupied. Rental property within the low-income zone qualifies for 50% of eligible costs if the monthly rent of the rental property is no more than $1,500.
• Property owner cannot be a City of Saint Paul employee.
• Work must be done by a City of Saint Paul licensed house sewer contractor. At least three bids are required from the approved contractors list for the assessment program online at www.stpaul.gov/SewerGrant.
• The amount not covered by this MCES grant must be paid by the property owner to the contractor. Property owners may request to have the amount not covered be assessed to their property taxes. Please call 651-266-6234 for more information about the City of Saint Paul Sewer Assessment Program.


How to Apply for the Sewer Grant:
1. Contact the city sewer customer service at 651-266-6234 or PW-SewerCounter@ci.stpaul.mn.us to determine if funds are still available and find out what funding your property is eligible for.
2. Get 3 bids from the approved contractors list for the assessment program at www.stpaul.gov/SewerGrant.
3. Provide the 3 bids and required information to city sewer staff.
4. City confirms receipt of the 3 bids and notifies the property owner of the specific grant amount awarded. Note that the grant money is available on first-come, first-served basis, and after the grant money runs out, no more funding will be available.
5. Contractor selected by property owner completes the work.
6. Property owner submits final bill and required paperwork to city sewer staff.
7. Property owner pays any portion of the final bill to the contractor not covered by the grant.
8. City will pay contractor for the eligible costs covered by the grant.
Contact Us: 651-266-6234 or PW-SewerCounter@ci.stpaul.mn.us


water

FEATURED SPECIAL EVENT: Waterfest at Lake Phalen

Waterfest is back at Lake Phalen Regional Park on June 1 from 11am-4pm! This free, family festival celebrates our clean lakes and provides an opportunity for outdoor hands-on learning about clean water, wildlife, and land and water conservation. Experience activities on and around the water with kayak and canoe rides, a fishing contest, a puppet show, face painting, a KidsDance DJ with break dancers and games, three bounce houses, food trucks, dozens of educational and art activities, and more!


blood test

Contact Us

Email: ward6@stpaul.gov

Phone: 651-266-8660

Facebook: NelsieYangWard6

Twitter: @NelsieYangCM

Meet & Greet virtual appointments are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays.


Naloxone Kits - FREE

naloxone program


If you or someone in your life could benefit from naloxone, a drug used to reverse an opioid overdose, please order today.

Available to Ramsey County residents while supplies last: ramseycounty.us/Opioids


Secure Storage

secure campaign

Stolen guns often end up being used for criminal activity. Secure storage of guns builds safer communities. Learn more facts and how to obtain a free gun lock here. 

Link:Secure Storage Fact Sheet


Public Works Survey

Public Works

The City of Saint Paul Public Works Department is looking for your input on how to reimagine City snow operations to respond to changes in climate, resident expectations, and operational realities. If you are a Saint Paul resident I encourage you to participate in this survey by clicking on the link. 

Link:

Public Works Survey


Come work with us! Many seasonal positions available!

Parks Worker 1 employee at Como Zoo

 

Work outdoors this summer for Saint Paul Parks and Recreation! We have many full and part time positions available at parks, rec centers, pools, golf courses, athletic complexes, Phalen Park Beach, Como Park Zoo & Conservatory and more. Positions available for ages 15 and up. More positions will be added as those applications open, but browse the current list below. Apply online today!

Volunteer with Saint Paul Parks and Recreation


A Skatepark for the East Side

Eastside Skatepark Taskforce


The East Side Skatepark Taskforce, made up of East side residents and Twin Cities skateboarding advocates, is proposing a destination skatepark that will become an iconic feature in the Payne Phalen business corridor.

Help get a destination skatepark built for St. Paul's East Side by taking the East Side Skatepark Taskforce survey!

The new East Side Skatepark and Recreation Area will be a multi-amenity outdoor space, including native gardens, solar lighting, picnic and barbecue areas, and resident art that celebrates the cultural fabric of the community.


Recreation for Preschoolers

Two preschoolers at story time

Recreation for Preschoolers (for ages 3-5) encourages children to play, socialize, and grow from daily lesson plans that prioritize educational experiences and recreation. Daily activities includes free time, academic discovery areas, creative areas, circle time, art projects and large motor movement in the gym or outdoors. Children must be toilet trained (no diapers or pull ups). This program is available at Edgcumbe and Linwood Recreation Centers, with varying schedules and costs. Financial assistance is available. Summer registration for new families opens March 15 and school-year registration opens April 15. 


Join a State Board, Committee or Commission

MN Secretary of State openings


The MN Secretary of State has a large number of open seats on various state boards, commissions, and committees. If you live or work in the City of St Paul, one of these spots could be for you! View and apply for open state board, commission, and committee positions here.


Property Tax Deferral for Senior Citizens

Property tax deferral


Property Tax Deferral for Senior Citizens through the State of MN may allow you to defer a portion of the property taxes you owe. Visit the link above or call 651-556-6091.


COVID Testing and Treatment Resources

Test to Treat


Find test-to-treat locations  where you can get and fill COVID treatment medications same-day. 

Federal Government

Residential households in the U.S. can order four more free COVID-19 tests. Tests are updated to detect the presence of the latest variants. One order includes four individual rapid antigen COVID-19 tests that have an extended shelf life and expiration dates. https://www.covid.gov/tests

State of Minnesota

Four free at-home rapid tests are now available to all Minnesota households through the state’s online ordering program, while supplies last.

Need help placing an order? Call the MDH COVID-19 Public hotline 1-833-431-2053 available Monday - Friday 9 AM - 7 PM, Saturday 10 AM - 6 PM. Language assistance is available. https://sayyeshometest.org/

COVID-19 Self-testing