Lee Helgen, Councilmember                  Contact Us Online
Ann Olson, Legislative Aide 
Donna Sanders, Executive Assistant 

320-A City Hall
15 Kellogg Blvd., West
Saint Paul, MN  55102
Ph: (651) 266-8650  Fx:  (651) 266-8574

Map of Ward 5

Sustainable Saint Paul is a City-wide effort to engage employees and citizens in strategies that proactively protect our air, water, and urban landscape. This includes reducing carbon dioxide emissions, expanding recycling services, constructing green buildings and retrofitting current buildings, focusing on water quality and promoting transit-oriented development and pedestrian-friendly streets. 

The Sustainable Saint Paul Working Group, led by Mayor Coleman's Environmental Policy Director, produced a report outlining the strides made by the City during the past year.  The full report can be found here. 

Highlights include the following:

• Securing $2.7 million in federal stimulus funds for energy efficiency and conservation and $2.5 million for solar installations;
• Installing energy efficient lighting and energy management systems in five municipal facilities;
• Recycling and reusing more than 21,000 tons of materials through residential recycling and neighborhood clean-up events;
• Adopting a green building policy for all municipal buildings and any private project receiving at least $200,000 in City or HRA funding;
• Developing stormwater management systems including a green roof at the new Fire Department Headquarters; and 
• Promoting green jobs and economic development initiatives and promoting alternative transportation options to reduce carbon emissions.

More information about Sustainable Saint Paul can be found on their webpage.

Councilmember Helgen held a series of Town Hall community meetings in early May with Ward 5 residents and community organizations.  City staff from the Department of Safety and Inspections, Planning and Economic Development, and Police were present to answer questions as the Councilmember provided an update on the budget, crime and safety in our neighborhoods, and upcoming events in Ward 5.  Updates were followed by an open discussion, some topics included commercial and residential improvements in our neighborhoods, trash hauling in the City of Saint Paul, and what to do about nuisance properties (and calling 266-8989, the City’s ‘One Stop Shop” for calls and complaints). 

Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity is hosting the 27^th Annual Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project this fall.  Volunteers will concentrate on the rehabilitation of foreclosed properties and the building of new homes to create additional affordable housing opportunities in the Twin Cities.  The City of Saint Paul Housing and Redevelopment Authority approved five homes in Ward 5 to be built or renovated as part of the project.  The former President Jimmy Carter and his wife will be in town during the construction, October 4-8, 2010.  
                     
You can view the official announcement here.

The Como Pool Replacement project is well underway. The City of Saint Paul Parks and  Recreation Department has designed a new pool facility that includes a lap pool with diving well, a splash/wading pool, and a lazy river. Many different features & elements are incorporated in the pools to provide entertainment and activities for varying ages. Construction on the new pool is planned to begin September 2010. For more information, click here.

The City of Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Department has undertaken the development of a Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) for Como Regional Park. The objective is to create a plan that will address long and short term transportation and parking needs of Como Park. A number of considerations will be taken into account including the current park master plan, surrounding neighborhoods, historic elements of the park, preservation of green space, and planned park improvements.  A public meeting to discuss the recommendations of the TIP committee was held on Thursday, August 12 at Como Visitor's Center.  The consultants are seeking your input on the proposed measures intended to address the parking situation in Como Park.  To see the proposed concepts, click on the various maps available on the project webpage and then click on the survey link to give your feedback.

The project webpage, video of the August 12 open house, maps with proposed solutions, and survey can be found here.

Please give your feedback by August 27.

The City has begun structured removal of ash trees infected with the Emerald Ash Borer.  For more information on the Emerald Ash Borer in Saint Paul, click here.

The Mayor's 2010 proposed budget was adopted by City Council on December 16, 2009.  Materials from the 2010 Adopted Budget can be found here.

Below are links to a few select charts from the budget document to help explain the proposed revenues and expenditures for 2010.  All of these charts and tables are taken from the 2010 Adopted Budget book.

General Fund Revenues

General Fund Expenditures (by Type)

General Fund Expenditures (by City Department)

Local Government Aids

Special Funds

Breakdown of Your Tax Bill (City, County, Schools, etc.)

The City of Saint Paul has a variety of musical performances at different parks across the City.   Click here for the 2010 schedule.

After years of neighborhood-led effort, the Trillium Nature Sanctuary was allocated over $5 million dollars for design and development. Focusing on conservation and restoration of natural areas, Trillium’s construction will include wetlands, water features, innovative storm water management, open spaces and connections to the regional trail system. Preparations at the site have already begun, with a planned completion date in 2013.  You can view the site plan here.

For information about recent and upcoming events in Ward 5, click here.  Also click on "Ward 5 Videos" on the left side of the page to see videos about the Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity Project, Emerald Ash Borer, and other topics.

If you have a Facebook account, you can sign up to connect with Councilmember Helgen on Facebook by becoming a fan.  Either search for Lee Helgen, Council Member, Ward 5, or click here to access the page directly.

The Saint Paul Police Department has launched a new Community Information Service that can send you neighborhood-specific public safety and community event notifications by text message on your cell phone, email and the web.  There is no advertising or spam and the service is free of charge, with the exception of any standard text messaging fees associated with your cell phone.  Click here to go to NIXLE and connect with the Saint Paul Police Department. 

Welcome to Ward 5! Ward 5 is home to more than 41,000 residents and encompasses most of Como Neighborhood, the entire North End, and the western portion of the Payne/Phalen neighborhood.

Ward 5 contains two of Saint Paul's most famous and historic cemeteries: Oakland and Calvary. In the western side of the Ward you will find Como Park, the largest and most well-known park in the City of Saint Paul. Como Park is made up of beautiful Como Lake, Como Conservatory, Como Pavilion, and Saint Paul 18-hole golf course. Also, nestled inside Como Park are the fun-filled family attractions of Como Zoo, Como Town and the Como swimming pool.

We have active neighborhoods, a variety of housing options, and great accessibility to freeways and transit. Our residents are involved in activities like the Rice Street Art Scoop, conservation, neighborhood enhancement projects, and a variety of revitalization efforts.

You can view a street map of Ward 5 here.