Recorded Presentations
Did you miss presentations given during our monthly meetings or as part of a special event? We do our best to take advantage of our hybrid meeting technology and record presentations and Q&As so the information can be shared more broadly in the community or referenced historically.
Recorded Presentations: Know Your Rights – 10/17/2023
At the October 17, 2023 D10 Como Community Meeting we welcomed Sierra Cumberland, Coordinator, Police Civilian Internal Affairs Review Commission (PCIARC), St. Paul Department of Human Rights and Equal Economic Opportunity (HREEO) and Joshua Clapp, Labor Standards Investigator, HREEO to share about St. Paul human rights resources.
Recorded Presentations: Climate Action Dashboard – 10/4/2023
At the October 4, 2023 D10 Environment committee meeting we welcomed Russ Stark, St. Paul Chief Resilience Officer and Ana de la Torre, Sustainability Coordinator, who shared about the St. Paul Climate Action Dashboard website.
Recorded Presentations: Passive Houses – 9/6/2023
At the September 6, 2023 D10 Environment committee meeting we welcomed John Notermann, Outreach Coordinator for Passive House, who shared about the details and benefits of Passive homes. Dave and Diane Crawford, who live in a passive house in Como, were also present to share their experience.
Recorded Presentations: Como Lakeside Pavilion Visioning – 8/15/2023
At the August 15, 2023 D10 Como Community Meeting we welcomed Tyler McKean, Parks and Recreation Program Supervisor, and Ward 5 City Council President Amy Brendmoen to share some conversation sparking renderings of potential changes to the Como Lakeside Pavilion.
Recorded Presentations: Property Related Variances – 8/15/2023
At the August 15, 2023 D10 Land Use committee meeting we welcomed David Eide, Zoning Inspector from St. Paul Department of Safety and Inspections.
Recorded Presentation: Who are the People in Your Neighborhood? – 8/2/2023
At the August 2, 2023 D10 community meetings we welcomed St. Kate’s students Eva Ngono and KC Meredyk who, under the direction of Professor Rachel Neiwert, have been interviewing community members and researching the history of the South Como/Front St (Subdistrict 4) area as a part of the Como Neighborhood History Project.
Recorded Presentation: Snow Plowing and Pothole discussion – 7/18/2023
At the July 18, 2023 D10 Land Use committee meeting we welcomed John Notermann from the St. Paul Neighbors’ League to hear their ideas forming around addressing issues with plowing and potholes in St. Paul.
Recorded Presentation: Move Minnesota Resources – 7/5/23
On July 5 2023, the D10 Environment committee welcomed Molly Burns-Hansen, Programs Coordinator for Move Minnesota, to share about opportunities for community members and businesses to lower barriers and increase education about transit alternatives.
Recorded Presentation: Orchard Rec Center Courts – 6/20/2023
At the June 20, 2023 D10 Land Use committee meeting we spoke with Brett Hussong and Max Sell – City of St Paul Landscape Designers from St. Paul Parks and Rec, to understand more about the plan to convert the Orchard Rec courts from tennis to pickle ball.
Recorded Presentation: 2023 Bicycle Plan Draft Update – 6/20/2023
At the June 20, 2023 D10 Land Use committee meeting we heard from Jimmy Shoemaker, Transportation Planner, St. Paul Public Works, to hear the latest details of the 2023 Bicycle Plan Draft Update.
Recorded Presentation: What Happens to Organic Compost? – 6/7/2023
At the June 7th, 2023 D10 Environment Committee, we heard from Mariah Quick – a Ramsey County Heath Educator – about what happens to organic compost. She explains where it goes, the environmental impact of keeping food out of a landfill and what we can do to promote composting.
Recorded Presentation: 2023 Dock and Paddle Check In – 5/16/2023
At the May D10 Land Use committee meeting we heard from Tony Arvidson of Lancer Catering and Michael jon Pease from the Saint Paul Parks Conservancy.
Recorded Presentation: Park Volunteering – 5/3/2023
On May 3, 2023, the D10 Environment committee welcomed Tricia Wherle, Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Volunteer Coordinator, to share about volunteer opportunities in Como Park and elsewhere.
Recorded Presentation: D10 2023 Annual Report
Here’s a look at what the Como Community Council achieved in 2022-2023. Presented at our 2023 Annual Meeting on April 18, 2023.
Recorded Presentation: MN SEED Update – 3/1/2023
At the March 1, 2023 D10 Environment committee meeting we heard from Dawn Lamm about MN SEED and the Como Community Seed Library work over the past few years as well as their plans for 2023 and ways community members can get involved.
Recorded Presentation: Dale Street Road Diet – 2/21/2023
At the February 21, 2023 D10 Land Use committee meeting we heard from Luis Flores, Ramsey County Project Manager, about an upcoming Dale Street lane conversion project.
Recorded Presentation: Wheelock/Maryland Art Installation – 12/20/2022
At the December 20, 2022 Land Use committee meeting we heard from Aaron Dysart, St. Paul City Artist in Residence, and Jon Kamrath, Project Artist, about an upcoming art installation along the Grand Round at Wheelock/Maryland/Victoria.
Recorded Presentation: Lawns to Legumes – Front and Jameson Lot – 12/7/22
D10 Community Organizer Jessica Willman, Emilie Snell-Rood, and Julia Brokaw updated the Environment Committee on the Sub-District 4 Lawns to Legumes Project regarding the lot at Front and Jameson on 12/7/22.
Recorded Presentation: Como House History Training 12/3/2022
D10 Board Member and Como Neighborhood History Project leader Laura Oyen presented House History Training and resources on 12/3/22.
Recorded Presentation: Traffic Calming 11/15/2022
At the November 15, 2022 Land Use committee meeting we heard from Randy Newton, Traffic Engineer with St. Paul Public Works, about Traffic Calming techniques, challenges, and process. View the recorded presentation with Q&A below. The PDF of Randy’s presentation and other Traffic Calming resource links below the video.
Recorded Presentation: Como Neighborhood Historical Project Update 9/7/2022
Neighborhood Relations Committee member and Como Neighborhood History Project leader Laura Oyen presents the progress on the project to the Neighborhood Relations Committee on 9/7/22.
Recorded Presentation: Lawns to Legumes Project Update 9/7/2022
D10 Community Organizer Jessica Willman updated the Environment Committee on the Sub-District 4 Lawns to Legumes Project on 9/7/22.
Recorded Presentation: Pavilion Sound, Grand Round Nodes, and Como Trail Master Plan Intro – August 16, 2022
At the August 16, 2022 Land Use Committee Meeting we heard from Tony Arvidson (Dock & Paddle), Tyler McKean (St. Paul Parks & Rec Program Supervisor) about ongoing Como Pavilion Sound Level monitoring and planning tactics, and also from David Ronzani (St. Paul Parks & Rec Landscape Architect) and Max Sell (St. Paul Parks & Rec Landscape Design Associate) about new Grand Round Node installations in Como and a new Como Trail Master Plan engagement timeline.
D10 2022 Annual Report
Here’s a look at what the Como Community Council achieved in 2021-2022. Presented at our 2022 Annual Meeting on April 19, 2022.
D10 Awarded Lawns to Legumes Grant
We are excited to announce that the Como Community Council was awarded the Lawns to Legume Demonstration Neighborhood Grant through the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR)! A group of community members linked to the Environment Committee proposed a plan for pollinator habitats throughout the Como Sub-district 4 Community.
Recorded Presentation: Chelsea Heights Pedestrian Improvements – April 6, 2022
At the April 6, 2022 Land Use Committee Meeting we heard from St. Paul Public Works Transportation Planner Jimmy Shoemaker to discuss a proposal for funding for Pedestrian Improvements in the Chelsea Heights Elementary area. (JANUARY 2023 UPDATE!)
Recorded Presentation: Como Neighborhood Historical Project Update 4/5/2022
Neighborhood Relations Committee member and Como Neighborhood Historical Project leader Laura Oyen presents the progress on the project to the Neighborhood Relations Committee on 4/5/22.
2022 Sunday Series – Booth Memorial Hospital History
Dr. Kim Heikkila, author of Booth Girls, shares about the history of the Booth Memorial Hospital before 1973. For 75 years, the Salvation Army operated a maternity home and hospital for unwed mothers in St. Paul
2022 Sunday Series – The Courts
Edward Sheu is a Ramsey County District Court Judge, a former D10 board member and volunteer, and a D10 resident for the past 18 years. Sheu will present on our least understood branch of government–the courts.
2022 Sunday Series – Welcoming The Dear Neighbor?
The Welcoming the Dear Neighbor? economics team is researching the impact of racial covenants and other types of housing discrimination on demographic and economic outcomes including upward mobility. This work is in collaboration with the Mapping Prejudice Project which seeks to map racial covenants in the Twin Cities.
2022 Sunday Series – Pruning Trees & Shrubs
Woody plants like trees, shrubs, and some flowers benefit from regular pruning to encourage healthy growth while avoiding potential problems. Learn the basics of how to care for your woody plants.
2022 Sunday Series – State Fair History w/ Jerry Hammer
State Fair general manager Jerry Hammer — a longtime District 10 resident — tells stories about the founding and early years of the Fair, offers rare glimpses into the evolution of the Fairgrounds, including a history of buildings and attractions that no longer exist.
Recorded Presentation: 1-4 Unit Housing Study Engagement Event – Feb. 10, 2022
In February, D10 Como Park co-hosted a engagement event with Hamline Midway Coalition, North End Neighborhood Organization, and the St. Paul Planning and Economic Development (PED) department about the 1-4 Housing Study Phase 2, which deals with increasing housing density in “neighborhood scale” ways.
Recorded Presentation: Como Park DNR Groundwater Observation Wells – Jan. 11, 2022
sources to give an update about the drilling of an observation well ‘nest’ in Como Park between the Como Pool and the Como Woodland Outdoor Classroom area.
Recorded Presentation: St. Paul Snow Operations 101 Webinar – Nov. 18, 2021
community questions about the City’s winter operations. The presentation highlights the City’s Snow Emergency process and operations, including communications, ticketing, and towing. The presentation is followed by a Q & A session.
Recorded Presentation: Volunteering at Lyngblomsten
At the November 4, 2021 Neighborhood Relations Committee Meeting we heard from Shelli Beck, Director of Volunteer Services at Lyngblomsten to discuss opportunities for community members to volunteer with Lyngblomsten’s Senior residents.
Recorded Presentation: 1-4 Unit Housing Study
At the November 3, 2021 Land Use Committee Meeting we heard from St. Paul Principal Planner Josh Williams to discuss the 1-4 Housing Study.
Recorded Presentation: 1-4 Unit Housing Study Webinar
Saint Paul’s Zoning Code controls how much housing can be built in certain parts of the City. These requirements make it difficult to build enough new housing to fix Saint Paul’s current housing shortage. City Council Resolution 18-1204 and the 2040 Comprehensive Plan call for studying ways to allow more neighborhood-scale housing in all areas of the City.
Recorded Presentation: St. Paul Bike Plan Update – October 7, 2021
At the October 7, 2021 Land Use Committee Meeting we heard from St. Paul Public Works Transportation Planner Jimmy Shoemaker to discuss the St. Paul Bike Plan Update.
Recorded Presentation: Como Pavilion and Golf Course Parking Lot Plans
At the October 7, 2021 Land Use Committee Meeting we heard from St. Paul Parks & Rec Lead Landscape Architect Anne Gardner about the final plans for the Como Pavilion and Golf Course Parking lot upgrades coming in the next year. View her presentation and the questions from the community attendees.
Recorded Presentation: St. Paul Bike Plan Update Webinar – Sept. 15
The City is updating the Bicycle Plan! The current plan was adopted by the City Council in March 2015. While the current plan is still used by the City and its partners to expand the bike network, its time for a refresh.
Recorded Presentation: Affordable Housing – May 18, 2021
Ramsey County Commissioner Trista MatasCastillo talks with the Como Community Council board about the county’s proposed HRA levy, which would raise $11 million a year dedicated to creating and maintaining affordable housing in Saint Paul and the suburbs. (May 18, 2021)
Recorded Presentation: Wildlife in the City- May 5, 2021
Adam Robbins, a natural resources supervisor for Parks and Recreation, explains how the city decides whether to interfere with nature, the federal and local laws it must follow, and what residents should and should not do if coming face to face with wild creatures. (May 5, 2021).
Recorded Presentation: Jumping Worms- April 14, 2021
In a presentation to District 10’s Environment Committee, Ryan Hueffmeier, a researcher in the University of Minnesota’s Jumping Worm’s Project, explains the threats jumping worms pose to Minnesota gardens, forests, and soils; how to find jumping worms; how to distinguish them from other earthworms; what to do if you do find them; how to prevent them from spreading; and how to report them to researchers. Here is additional information from the U of M Extension on precautions to take when swapping plants, and advice on identifying and eliminating jumping worms from your property. (April 14, 2021)
D10 2021 Annual Report- April 2021
Como Community Council staff and board members talk about what we accomplished (or didn’t) in the past year — and what we’re working on for the next year. (April 2021)
Recorded Presentation: Xcel Energy’s Integrated Resources Plan- March 10, 2021
Annie Levenson-Falk, executive director of the Citizens Utility Board, discusses Xcel’s plans for generating electricity for the next 15 years, and proposes an alternative that CUB believes will use more renewables, rely less on fossil fuels, and save customers money. (March 10, 2021)
Recorded Presentation: Housing Stability- January 27, 2021
Saint Paul Ward 4 Councilmember Mitra Jalali discusses city and county efforts to provide more housing stability. Her conversation with District 10’s Anti-Racism Work Group covers the funding, policy, and political hurdles to reducing homelessness, creating more housing for a wider range of people, and preserving affordable housing; some of the innovative affordable housing options under consideration (and the challenges to making them happen); what’s necessary to change the hearts and minds of residents in communities such as Como to accept and advocate for a larger range of housing options; and the complexities that affect decisions by unhoused residents and the professionals trying to find appropriate indoor homes for them. (Jan. 27, 2021)
Sunday Series: Mapping Prejudice- November 8, 2020
Mapping Prejudice
November 8, 2020
Rachel Neiwert)
Recorded Presentation: Rethinking I-94- November 7, 2020
Debbie Meister from Neighborhoods First gives the Como Community Council board an overview of how community organizations are attempting to influence MnDOT’s priorities and decisions along the I-94 corridor in Saint Paul. (Nov. 17, 2020)
Recorded Presentation: Redefinition of “Family”- November 4, 2020
Planner Michael Wade gives the Como Community Council’s Land Use Committee a presentation and answers questions about proposals to redefine “family” in the city zoning code. Any revision would change how many related adults and unrelated adults could legally constitute a household in Saint Paul. The intent, in theory, is to better accommodate multi-generational families, extended families, and families sharing living space in order to afford housing. (Nov. 4, 2020)
Sunday Series: Our Justice System and Race Equity- October 25, 2020
Our Justice System & Race Equity
October 25, 2020
Richard McLemore II
Recorded Presentation: Unhoused Residents- October 20, 2020
Ramsey County Commissioner Trista MatasCastillo gives the Como Community Council board an extensive overview of the county’s efforts to find housing for residents living on the streets. Those efforts include housing residents at Bethesda Hospital and at hotels such as the Best Western in Bandana Square. (Oct. 20, 2020)
Sunday Series: Equity in Community- October 11, 2020
Equity in Community
October 11, 2020 Lissa Jones-Lofgren