HomeMy WebLinkAbout2-4-25CITY OF LAKE ELMO
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
FEBRUARY 4, 2025
CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Cadenhead called the meeting to order at 7.00 pm.
PRESENT: Mayor Charles Cadenhead and Councilmembers, Nick Dragisich, Matt Him and Jeff
Holtz. ABSENT: Councilmember Nick Kragness.
Staff present: Administrator Miller, Administrative Director Goers, City Attorney Sonsalla, City
Engineer Stanley, Public Work Director Powers, Contract Planner Fuerst, Senior Planner Jensen,
City Planner Monterusso, Community Development Director Stopa and City Cleric Johnson.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Councilmember Holtz, seconded by Councilmember Dragisich, moved TO APPROVE THE
AGENDA AS PRESENTED. Motion passed 4 — 0.
PRESENTATIONS
Public Works Operator Rick Gustafson was recognized for his retirement from the city and over
30 years of service.
PUBLIC COMMENTS/INOUIRIES
State Representative Wayne Johnson introduced himself to the Council.
ACCEPT MINUTES
Councilmember Dragisich, seconded by Councilmember Holtz, moved TO ACCEPT THE
MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 21, 2025 CITY COUNCIL MEETING AS PRESENTED.
Motion passed 4 — 0.
CONSENT AGENDA
2. Approve Payment of Disbursements and Payroll
3. Approve Pebble Park Parking Lot Expansion
4. Approve Landscaping Zoning Text Amendment; Ordinance 2025-01 and Resolution
2025-11
5. Approve Public Workers Operator III Hire
6. Approve Housekeeping Zoning Text Amendments; Ordinance 2025-02 and
Resolution 2025-12
LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
February 4, 2025
7. Approve Site Access Agreement with Washington County CDA (3510 Laverne Ave
and 11120 Upper 33rd Street
Consent Agenda approved by consensus.
ITEM 8: Bay West Access Agreement
Susan Roberts, Senior Project Manager at Bay West, reviewed the request to place testing
facilities on city property at 3445 Ideal Avenue North that would test and research processes that
destroy PFAS substances in water.
Councilmember Dragisich, seconded by Councilmember HIM, moved to APPROVE THE
A CCESS A GREEMENT WITH BAY WEST TO CONDUCT PFAS DESTRUCTION
RESEARCHAT CITY OWNED LAND LOCATED AT 3445IDEAL AVENUE. Motion
passed 4 — 0.
ITEM 9: Old Village Gardens
Pubilc Works Director Powers presented options for improving and beautifying the gardens on
Lake Elmo Avenue. Sarah Evenson, HKGi Landscape Architect, reviewed proposed plans for
the planting beds, noting plant types and species recommended for the planting beds.
Discussion was held regarding the viability of trees in the planting beds.
Councilmember Holtz, seconded by Councilmember Dragisich, moved TO TABLE THE
CURRENT ITEM TO ALLOWADDITIONAL STUDY ONINCL UDING TREES IN THE
LANDSCAPE PLAN. Motion passed 4 — 0.
Mayor Cadenhead, seconded by CouncilmemberHirn, moved TO INCL UDE PUBLIC
ENGAGEMENT WITH B USINESSES DO WNTO WN REGARDING THE ADDITION OF
TREES TO THE LANSCAPING PLAN FOR THE OLD VILLAGE GARDENS. Motion
passed 4 — 0.
ITEM 10: Chavez Variances
Senior Planner Jensen presented the request for seven variances to allow for construction of a
single family home in the future on the Joe and Joan Chavez lot adjacent to the Northstar 1st
Addition. Planner Jensen also reviewed the proposed findings for denial of the requests.
Joe Chavez stated that his main objective is to demonstrate that the lot is buildable and
marketable as a single family lot. Discussion was held regarding the potential for Mr. & Mrs.
Chavez to acquire additional land.
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LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
February 4, 2025
Councilmember Holtz, seconded by Councilmember Hirn, MOVED TO APPROVE
RESOLUTION 2025-13 DENYING ALL OF THE SEVEN SHORELAND VARIANCE
REQUESTS FROM JOE AND JOAN CHAVEZ FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT
14.029.21.24.0004 AND OUTLOT B OF NORTHSTAR IsT ADDITION BASED ON THE
FINDINGS LISTED IN THE STAFFREPORT. Motion passed 4 — 0.
ITEM 11: Northstar 2nd Addition Final Plat and PUD
Senior City Planner Jensen reviewed the request for final plan and PUD approval for the
Northstar 2"d Addition, noting that no changes are proposed since preliminary plat approval.
Councilmember Holtz, seconded by Councilmember Hirn, moved TO ADOPT RESOLUTION
2025-14 APPROVING THE FINAL PLAT AND PUD, REQUESTED BY GWSA LAND
DEVELOPMENT, LLC. FOR THE SUBJECT PROPER TYBASED ON THE FINDINGS
OF FACT AND RECOMMENDED CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL LISTED IN THE
STAFFREPORT. Motion passed 4 — 0.
ITEM 12: Lake Elmo Elementary Final Plat
Contract Planner Nathan Fuerst reviewed the final plat approval request for Lake Elmo
Elementary, noting the recommended conditions of approval. Discussion was held regarding
future trail connections in the area.
Councilmember Dragisich, seconded by Councilmember Holtz, moved TO ADOPT
RESOLUTION 2025-15 APPROVING THE FINAL PLAT REQUESTED FOR LAKE ELMO
ELEMENTARYAS PROPOSED BYSTILL WATER AREA PUBLIC SCHOOLS, ISD 834,
WITH THE CONDITIONS AND FINDINGS LISTED IN THE STAFF REPORT. Motion
passed 4 — 0.
ITEM 13: Discussion on 3M PFAS Settlement Priority 2 RFP City Submission
Community Development Director Stopa presented a proposal for city staff to write a letter of
intent to explore applying for 3M Priority 2 grand funds to be used for the ballfield pinwheel
project.
Councilmember Holtz, seconded by Councilmember Dragisich, moved TO SUPPORTA
LETTER OF INTENT SUBMISSION BYSTAFF FOR THE 3M PRIORITY2 GRANT FUNDS FOR
FUNDING FOR PARK RECREATIONAL PROGRAMMING AND FACILITIES AT THE AT THE
PLANNED CITYPARK (PID: 1502921420004 AND 1502921410001). Motion passed 4 — 0.
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LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
February 4, 2025
COUNCIL RI?I'ORTS
Councilmember Holtz: Attended a Mahtomedi School District meeting.
STAFF REPORTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
City Administrator Miller: Attended a White Bear Lake area work group meeting.
City Engineer Stanley: 2025 Street Improvement neighborhood meetings have been held.
City Attorney Sonsalla: Will be attending and presenting at a city attorney conference.
Meeting adjourned at 8:51 p.m.
A EST:
Ju ie hnson, ity Clerk
LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL
Charles Cadenhead, Mayor
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