Metro briefs: Maplewood police chief to retire

Maplewood Police Chief and Public Safety Director Scott Nadeau is retiring after 33 years in law enforcement.

Nadeau, 54, was named Maplewood's public safety director in 2017, overseeing police and fire department operations. Before coming to Maplewood, Nadeau served as the police chief in Columbia Heights. In both cities, Nadeau focused on diversifying police ranks and hiring officers of color.

Nadeau also worked for the Brooklyn Center Police Department for nearly two decades, starting as a police officer in 1987 and climbing to a commander in 2005.

Maplewood has started its search for a new public safety director. Nadeau's last day is June 30.

Shannon Prather

The city of North St. Paul is creating an Arts and Culture Commission that will "promote and increase the city's artistic and cultural assets."

The City Council on May 18 approved the creation of the commission, which will participate in the selection and interpretation of public art and events.

City leaders abolished the city's Design Review Commission. Such review will be under the planning commission.

Shannon Prather

Spring Lake Park has repealed a moratorium preventing owners of single-family homes from converting them to rental properties after a yearlong study on how rentals impact neighborhoods.

This month, the city passed an ordinance governing rental properties and allowing for conversions to resume.

Under the ordinance, those applying for a rental license will have to supply contact information to receive notices regarding violations and a list of all rental properties owned. The ordinance also requires licensees to obtain a criminal-background check on prospective tenants, adds language regarding riots, terroristic threats and presence at unlawful assembly and adopts the 2018 International Property Maintenance Code regulating and governing the conditions and maintenance of all property, buildings and structures.

Tim Harlow

St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School held a "graduation" event Tuesday to honor two longtime teachers who have imparted their last lessons.

Claudia Chalmers and Deb Schlicksup together have 61 years of teaching experience and have taught their entire careers at the private school on 93rd Avenue N. Both retired last week and were recognized during the ceremony.

For 35 years, Chalmers taught language arts to 7th- and 8th-grade students with a "sense of humor, faith-filled life lessons and forever care," said school spokesman Kenny Devine. Three of her former students now work at the school, including one as a teacher.

Schlicksup taught 1st and 3rd grade for 26 years and was known for pushing students to exceed academic expectations. "Ms. Schlicksup is solid in all that matters, and it shows in her students, how parents respond to her and how her former students light up when they hear her name," Devine said.

Tim Harlow