North news briefs: New Brighton golf course still in red, but city's subsidies ease

Golf course still in red, but city's subsidies ease

Transfers of funds from city coffers to cover losses at the municipal golf course in New Brighton continue, but the amounts are dropping, city documents show.

A memo prepared for City Council members explains that transfers from the city's Community Reinvestment Fund to offset deficits at the Brightwood Hills course ran as high as nearly $130,000 in 2013.

The figure dropped to $65,000 in 2014 and then to $60,000 in 2015. Officials hope the fund transfer for 2016 is around $57,000.

Golf courses in the area have reported better results lately, with more favorable weather to play and fewer competitors on the course as the sport in recent years has shed players.

David Peterson

A major road project in downtown Lake Elmo will begin this month, making significant detours necessary around the Washington County city.

"This is like Afton. This is a historic project for Lake Elmo," said County Commissioner Gary Kriesel, referring to the nearby St. Croix River city with a similarly quaint downtown and deteriorating main thoroughfare.

The work is being done in conjunction with the installation of sanitary sewer in Lake Elmo's Old Village. The project will result in new pavement, street striping and crosswalks, along with sidewalks more accessible to people with disabilities, and improve landscaping, lighting, and aesthetics. It also should reduce chronic flooding, said Assistant County Engineer Cory Slagle.

Kevin Giles

Dedication of Lake Elmo Elementary's newest playground features will take place at 6:30 p.m. May 23 on the playground, 11030 Stillwater Blvd. N., Lake Elmo.

A "Buddy Bench" and "Peace Bench" were decorated by Lake Elmo Elementary first-grade students, with a little help from their third-grade friends, under the guidance of the school's Artist in Residence, Karron Nottingham.

Kevin Giles

Roseville is looking for help in planting an edible orchard whose fruit will help feed the needy.

Volunteers on Saturday will help plant 60 trees and shrubs — including apple, plum, cherry, pear and apricot trees — at the Muriel Sahlin Arboretum.

City officials say they are partnering with The Food Group, a nonprofit organization that provides healthy foods and other resources to more than 200 hunger relief agencies in Minnesota. The group's Fruits of the City program helps communities grow and harvest local fruit for those in need.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, through the Wells Fargo Environmental Solutions for Communities, provided a $40,500 grant for fruit-bearing trees and shrubs at the arboretum.

David Peterson

The city of Fridley is offering several types of low-interest home improvement loans for single-family, multifamily and even mobile homes.

The city is offering loans from $1,000 to $50,000 at a 4.5 percent interest rate for single family home improvements. There are no income requirements. The city offers a similar loan for exterior improvements for multifamily housing.

A mobile home improvement loan is available with a $10,000 cap.

The city also is offering an emergency deferred loan of up to $10,000 at zero percent interest for qualified residents.

Call 612-335-5884 to schedule an appointment.

More information about the loan programs can be found at fridleymn.gov/1125/Home-Improvement-Loans.