Air quality in Minnesota is generally good and meets all federal standards.  But it could be better, and in fact one of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s goals is to improve air quality in urban population centers.  To get to this goal the agency needs to find out more on how air quality may differ across our urban areas. 

Since last spring, the MPCA installed new air quality monitoring sensors at 44 sites in neighborhoods around Minneapolis and St. Paul. These sensors monitor and send back data to the MPCA on a variety of pollutants including fine particles, ozone, sulfur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen and carbon monoxide. There is at least one monitoring pod in each ZIP code in the two cities. In St. Paul, most of them are placed on light poles in school parking lots, and in Minneapolis they are on Xcel Energy light poles in neighborhoods.

Are there higher levels for certain pollutants?  Do different neighborhoods have differences in pollutant levels? Are levels higher at certain times of the day?  How much is air pollution influenced by a quiet residential neighborhood or busy roadways?  These are some of the questions the MPCA hopes to learn more about through this effort. The project, funded by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources, runs through the summer of 2021.

MPCA staff will present information about the project and what the sensors have been seeing thus far at a series of informational meetings this fall.  Two are scheduled for St. Paul:

·         October 2, 6:30 to 7:45 pm at the Merriam Park Library, 1831 Marshall Ave.

·         October 15, 6:30 to 7:45 pm, Room 273 at the Wellstone Center, 179 Robie St. E.

You can find out more about this project at https://www.pca.state.mn.us/air/assessing-urban-air-quality-project.

Hazel Park Recreation Center are currently taking registration for Winter Basketball.

6u (6 & under) for kids 5/6

8u (8 & under) for kids 7/8

10u (10 & under) for kids 9/10

12u (12 & under) for kids 11/12

14u (14 & under) for kids 13/14

Registration will run until September 30

You can register online at www.stpaul.gov/parks or stop by the center during building hours.

Jamie Anderson
Hazel Park Rec Center
945 N. Hazel St.  55119

Free After School Rec Check
Monday-Friday
2pm-6pm
Grades 1-6th

Art for the Holiday (Halloween)
Tuesday Oct 29
6pm-7pm
Ages: 5-12

MEA No School Day Programming
Oct 17 & 18
8:30am-5pm
$10
Grades: K-6

Paint Night for Teens
Wed Oct 9
6pm-7:30pm
Ages: 12-17

All classes require pre-registration.  Space is limited.  You can register online, call or stop by during building hours.  For more information please call the center at 651.501-6350 or email Jamie at Jamie.anderson@ci.stpaul.mn.us

Ramsey County Workforce Solutions has partnered with Saint Paul, the Midway Chamber of Commerce, and the Community Action Partnership to organize two job fairs targeting retail workers seeking new employment with the recently announced closures of the University Avenue Walmart and the East Side Kmart. Workshops to help you with your job search.

WHERE:               Community Action Partnership,

Wellstone Room

450 North Syndicate St, #5

WHEN:                 Sept 23, 1:00-4:00 PM

                              Nov 4, 1:00-4:00 PM

15-20 employers, including Ramsey County and the City of Saint Paul, will have representatives at the job fair with information on work opportunities.

If you wish to find out more about Saint Paul District Schools a link is below to find out days school will be open, closed, and last minutes school closing due to weather or other unforeseen events.

Also listed is all Saint Paul Public Schools and their address.

Webpage: https://www.spps.org/

15th Annual “Watch the Glow of the Setting Sun on the Red Brick Brewery” and Get Together. Friday, September 27, 2019 Starting around 6:30 pm till ? (More events after the sunset event)

“Place is Swede Hollow Park at “Swede Hollow Henge” stones on the rise just north of the Drewry Lane Tunnel. From the Dayton’s Bluff Bates Avenue stairway down the stairway an near the old Hamm’s Brewery.” (Friends of Swede Hollow)

There will be stories about Swede Hollow ant the Hamm’s Brewery. See the sun set and see the bright glow of the brewery building. After the sun set, the food and socializing begins. Former Swede Hollow residents and Hamm’s employees along with everyone else are welcome.

$10 donation is suggested to benefit, Friends of Swede Hollow. For more information call 651.776.0550 

Start time is about 6:30 PM until ??? Friends of Swede Hollow Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/277713512439313/

Autumn Art at Hamm’s Park

Sunday, September 22, 2 – 4 PM at Hamm’s Park in Saint Paul’s Dayton’s Bluff neighborhood.

Carry on Homes is collaborating with the East Side Arts Council, Indigenous Roots, and Cypher Side to host a community event to say goodbye to the public are sculpture in the park.

The event will include food, performances and art activities surrounding the themes of home and stories of immigration.

Thank you to Carry on Homes, East side Arts Council, Indigenous Roots, and Cypher Side for hosting this event.

Carry on Homes web event:  https://carryonhomes.com/event-schedule

In early June 2019, Mitzi Beliveau, an international writer and blog publisher joined our team as Director of Outreach.

In late July 2019, Steve Ward, a writer of children stories, is our new Front Desk Clerk.

Both new employees are a great addition to the front desk, outreach, and communications for DBCC. Welcome Mitzi and Steve!

Dayton’s Bluff Community Council is looking for a new Executive Director. Help us find the best person for the job.

Executive Director 

Dayton’s Bluff District Four Community Council Executive Director Position Description 

Title: Executive Director 

Summary: This is contracted position. The Executive Director is the primary staff leadership position. This position is responsible for providing sound advice and guidance to the Board, for the developing and managing resources of the organization and for successful implementation of all .. programs, projects and initiatives within the context of the Board’s philosophy, approved strategic directions and the annual plan. 

Supervision: The Executive Director reports to the Board and is directly supervised by the Board Chairperson or President Responsibility: 

I. Administration and Financial Management 

A. Management of contracts, restricted funds, expenditures, accounting systems and internal controls. B. Timely and accurate preparation of funder, state and federal reports. C. Timely and accurate financial reports to the Board. This includes mid-year and end of year reports as well as other requested reports by the Board. D. Development of sound internal fiscal policies and practices under the direction of the Board. E. Preparation of annual budget for the Board. F. Ongoing meetings with the Executive committee and Treasurer regarding financial position and forecasts. 

II. Management and implementation of Annual Organizational Plan, Ongoing Programs and Projects 

A. Overall management and implementation of all programs and projects. B. Development of success measures and project evaluation. C. Timely and substantive program reports to the Board. D. Keep the Board informed of timely community concerns and developing subjects for the Annual Plan. E. Assist Board with timely creation and philosophy of the Annual Plan. F. Responsible for the overall management, programming and staffing needs of WEQY 104.7 FM. G. Work with ongoing partners, including ESEC and LEDC for matters related to building and programming. Serve on the ESEC Board as voting representative for the Board. 

III. Funding Development 

A: Under the direction of the Board, preparation and implementation of Annual Development Plan B. Ongoing exploration and development of funding strategies within compliance of organizational policies and good business practice. C. Communicate with the Board funder relations and proposed developments. 

IV. Personal Management 

A. Development of personnel policies under direction of the Board. B. Managing the hiring, supervision, job related personal development, evaluation, suspension and firing for all staff. Providing timely reports to the Board. C. Ensuring compliance with existing organizational policies along with applicable state and federal employment law and regulations. D. Management of compensation and benefits within the context of the Board approved annual budget and in accordance with organizational policies and bylaws. 

V. Board Development and Planning 

A. Work with the Board to promote a community presence. B. Work with the Board to promote board positions and hold elections. C. Under direction of the Board coordinate training and arranging for educational and/or consultative resources. D. Provide sound advice and guidance to the Board on legal, fiscal, strategic and governance matters. E. Maintain records of board meetings, attendance, minutes, bylaws and policies 

VI. Other duties as directed by the Board 

A. Perform other tasks or duties as requested within the scope of organizational plan. 

Evaluation: Evaluation is based on the performance objectives on an annual basis by the Executive Committee 

Compensation: The Executive Committee sets the salary and benefits of the Executive Director. The salary, benefits and contract duration must be presented to the Board in a closed meeting for approval. 

Contact: Lissa Jones Lofgren c/o Dayton’s Bluff Community Council District 4, 804 Margaret Street, St. Paul, MN 55106, 612.791.6279 or email: lissa@daytonsbluff.org

Tonight’s January 28, 2019 DBCC Board of Director’s meeting is cancelled due to weather. Information about the next meeting in February will be posted next week (first week in February).