HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-18-23CITY OF LAKE ELMO
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
JULY 18, 2023
CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Cadenhead called the meeting to order at 7. 00 pm.
PRESENT: Mayor Charles Cadenhead and Councilmembers Katrina Beckstrom, Matt Him and
Lisa McGinn. ABSENT: Councilmember Jeff Holtz.
Staff present: Administrator Handt, City Attorney Sonsalla, City Engineer Griffin, Public Works
Director Powers, Fire Chief Kalis, Administrative Services Director Karissa Goers, Finance
Director Clarissa Hadler and City Clerk Johnson
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Mayor Cadenhead, seconded by Councilmember McGinn, moved TO REMOVE ITEM 8 ON
THE CONSENT AGENDA, "APPROVE CITY CENTERIPUBLIC WORKS PAY REQUEST
#18. " Motion passed 4 — 0.
Councilmember McGinn, seconded by Councilmember Hirn, moved TO APPROVE THE
AGENDA AS AMENDED. Motion passed 4 — 0.
ACCEPT MINUTES
Councilmember Hirn, seconded by Councilmember Beckstrom, moved TO ACCEPT THE
MINUTES OF THE JUNE 20, 2023 CITY COUNCIL MEETING AND JULY 11, 2023 CITY
COUNCIL WORKSHOPAS PRESENTED. Motion passed 4 — 0.
PUBLIC COMMENTSANQUIRIES
Jeff Drogseth, 9015 7th Street N., Boulder Ponds HOA Board member, asked for help with
irrigation issues in the villa home area. Mr. Drogseth stated that there are four irrigation systems
in that area and akded for a waiver to revert to the odd/even watering schedule for the villa home
systems.
PRESENTATIONS
None
CONSENT AGENDA
2. Approve Payments of Disbursements
3. Approve Huff N Puff Days Special Event Permit
LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
July 18, 2023
4. Approve Geotechnical Services for 2024 CIP Infrastructure Projects
5. Approve Pay Request No. 9 for Parkview-Cardinal Neighborhood Street and Utility
Improvements
6. Approve Pay Request No. 1 for Old Village Phase 7 Street and Utility Improvements
7. Approve Pay Request No. 1 for 2023 Street Improvements
9. Declare Costs to be Assessed and Call for Hearing on 2022 Street Improvements
lo. Approve Pay Request No. 17 for Old Village Phase 5 and 6 Street and Utility
Improvements
Councilmember Hirn, seconded by Councilmember Beckstrom, moved TO APPROVE THE
CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED. Motion passed 4 - 0.
ITEM 11: Sunfish Lake Park Buckthorn Update
Public Works Director Powers reviewed the plan for buckthorn removal at Sunfish Lake Park and
reported that he halted work on the project due to the intensity of the work in the park. Director
Powers recommended lower intensity work with no widespread clearing of land. Director Powers
also expressed concern regarding vegetation barriers that were moved during the buckthorn
removal work and are needed to provide safety separations between mountain bike trails and other
areas of the park.
George Johnson, Friends of Lake Elmo's Sunfish Lake Park, reviewed the grant information and
work performed so far and asked the Council to accept the plan presented to the Parks
Commission. Larissa Mottl, a restoration ecologist with Stantec, reviewed her report on the
current state of the vegetation at the park. Mottl also discussed restoration with removal of
invasive species.
Tony Manzara, 5050 Kirkwood Avenue N., reviewed the process used for removing invasive
plant species from the park and the need to restore the park.
Ellen Esch, 2916 Legion Avenue N., spoke in support of the management plan and the
importance of removing invasive species from the park.
Mayor Cadenhead, seconded by Councilmember Beckstrom, moved TO DIRECT THE
CONTINUANCE OF REMOVAL OF B UCKTHORNAND NATIVE SPECIES AND NONNATIVE
SPECIES USING HIGH INTENSITY METHOD, WORK WITH STANTEC TO IDENTIFY
APPROPRIATE NATIVE SPECIES, IDENTIFIED IN THE FOREST MANAGEMENT PLANAS
CLIMATE CHANGE RESILIENT AND SPARE THOSE TREES IN AREAS OF THE PARK
WHERE FEASIBLE AND APPROPRIATE. USE MEDIUM INTENSITYMETHODS, ADJUST
TRAIL SIGNS AND/OR LA YO UT IN AREAS A T TRAIL INTERSECTIONS WHERE THERE ARE
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LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
July 18, 2023
IDENTIFIED SAFETY CONCERNS, BUT DO NOT KEEP INVASIVE SPECIES AS TRAIL
BARRIERS. Motion passed 4 — 0.
ITEM 12: Approve Draw on Letter of Credit from Chase Development, Inc. for the Easton
Village 2nd� 3rd, 4th and 5th Additions
City Engineer Griffin reviewed difficulties closing out the Easton Village development and noted
that the City has not received replies from the developer regarding outstanding issues.
Andy Chase, Chase Development, stated he has hired a new team and asked for more time to
address the outstanding issues. John Anderson, a consultant for Chase Development, provided
an update on some of the outstanding issues that have been addressed and plans in place to
rectify other issues.
Discussion held regarding the lack of communication from Chase Development.
Councilmember Hirn, seconded by Councilmember Beckstrom, moved TOAUTUORIZE
THE CITYADMINISTRA TOR TO DRAW ON THE LETTER OF CREDIT FOR CHASE
DEVELOPMENT, INC. FOR THE EASTON VILLAGE 2ND, 3RD, 41HAND 5TH
ADDITIONS, WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE TO THE DEVELOPER, AND TO BE
DRAWN IN THE AMOUNTS AS DEEMED APPROPRIATE BY THE CITY
ADMINISTRATOR, AND THAT ONE OR MORE DRAWS MAYBE MADE WITHOUT
FURTHER COUNCIL ACTION OR APPROVAL, FOR THE PURPOSE OF COMPLETING
THE SUBDIVISION IMPRO VEMENTS. Motion passed 4 — 0.
COUNCIL REPORTS
Mayor Cadenhead: Reported on the 4th of July parade and thanked staff and the Lake Elmo
Rotary for their assistance.
Councilmember Beckstrom: Thanked City Administrator Handt and city staff for the move to
the new building. Attended the Jesuit Retreat 75th Anniversary open house and attended Manning
Avenue project open house.
STAFF REPORTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Administrator Handt: Noted the next Council meeting will be on Wednesday August 2nd due
to National Night Out on August 1st
City Clerk Johnson: Thanked cable commission staff for assisting with broadcasts while
equipment is still being installed in the new chambers.
Public Works Director Powers: Noted that other neighborhoods in addition to Boulder Ponds
have asked for permission to water on days other than their designated days.
Fire Chief Kalis: Reported fire department staff are enjoying the new space.
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LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
July 18, 2023
Finance Director Hadler: Noted 2nd quarter financials are in the packet and offered to answer
questions.
City Engineer Griffin: Reported on a meeting with the rail road to discuss a new crossing in the
old village and Valley Branch watershed district inspections on the storm water system.
Closed Session
Councilmember Hirn, seconded by Councilmember Beckstrom, moved TO ENTER INTO
CLOSED SESSIONpursuant to Minnesota Statutes Section 13D.05, subdivision 3 (b),
attorney -client privilege to review litigation with Steven D. Dahlblom AND pursuant to
Minnesota Statutes Section 13D.05, subdivision 3 (c)(3) — to consider offers for the sale of the
former 3M property on Ideal Avenue, PIDs 16 029.21.24.0002 and 16.029.21.23.0003. Motion
passed 4 — 0.
Closed session held.
Mayor Cadenhead, seconded by Councilmember Hirn, moved TO RETURN TO OPEN
SESSION. Motion passed 4 — 0.
Meeting adjourned at 9:21 p.m.
ATTEST:
akqw-\-
Julie V
son, Cty lerk
LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL
C arles Cadenhead, Mayor
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