HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-16-25 Council Meeting MinutesCITY OF LAKE ELMO
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
DECEMBER 16, 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, Jeff
Holtz- and Nick Kragness.
Staff present: Administrator Miller, Administrative Services Director Doyle, Finance Director
Hadler, Finance Coordinator Kraemer, Fire Chief Kalis, City Attorney Sonsalla, City Engineer
Griffin and City Clerk Johnson
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Councilmember Him, seconded by Councilmember Holtz, moved TO APPROVE THE
AGENDA AS PRESENTED. Motion passed 5 — 0.
PUBLIC COMMENTS/INQUIRIES
None
PRESENTATIONS
Lake Elmo Jaycees presented the city with a donation of $8,600.
CONSENT AGENDA
1. Accept Donation from the Lake Elmo Jaycees
2. Approve Payment of Disbursements
3. Reappoint Parks Commissioners
4. Approve Liquor License Renewals
5. Approve EDA Workplan
6. Approve 2026 Personnel Policies
7. Approve Pay Grade Realignment — Public Works Positions
8. Approve MPCA Grant Agreement for the Well 2 Water Treatment Plant Operations
and Maintenance
9. Approve Pay Request No. 3 for the I-94 Lift Station Forcemain Replacement Project
10. Approve Pay Request No. 6 for the 2025 Street Improvements
11. Approve Security Reduction for Milestones Daycare Center
12. Approve Security Reduction for Northstar 1st Addition
13. Approve Security Release for Enterprise Rent-A-Car
14. Accept Quotes and Award Contract for Test Well No. 6
LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
December 16, 2025
15. Approve Extended Contractor Working Hours for the TH36-Lake Elmo Avenue
(CSAH17) Improvements
16. Approve Resolution of Municipal Support for the TH36 and Lake Elmo Avenue
Improvements and South Frontage Road
Councilmember Holtz, seconded by Councilmember Hirn, moved TO APPROVE THE
CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED. Motion passed 5 0.
REGULAR AGENDA
Item 1: Park Use Policy Revisions
Interim Public Works Director Swanepoel and Parks Commissioner Hoelscher presented
proposed updates to the park use policy developed with input from the Parks Commission.
Discussion was held regarding use of revenue from park reservation and fee amounts at
surrounding communities.
Councilmember Hirn, seconded by Councilmember Holtz, moved TO APPROVE THE
CHANGES TO THE PARK USE POLICYAS PROPOSED. Motion passed 5 — 0.
Item 2: 2026 Budget and Levies Hearin
Finance Director Hadler presented the proposed 2026 budget and levy, noting revenues and
expenditures in the general fund, utility funds and other funds.
Councilmember Holtz, seconded by Councilmember Hirn, moved TO OPEN THE PUBLIC
HEARING AT 7:40 P.M. Motion passed 5 — 0.
Mary Deutsch, 2699 Imperial Avenue N., asked the city to provide information on the breakdown
of the budget increase and objected to the increase.
Cliff Bujold, 12187 Marquess Ln. Cove N., objected to the proposed increase in his property tax
and the franchise fees on his Xcel Energy bill. Mr. Bujold also recommended the city identify and
communicate cost savings to taxpayers.
Councilmember Hirn, seconded by Councilmember Kragness, moved TO CLOSE THE
PUBLIC HEARING AT 7:51 P.M. Motion passed 5 — 0.
Councilmember Holtz, seconded by Councilmember Hirn, moved TO ADOPT RESOLUTION
2025-084 SETTING THE 2026 PROPERTY TAX LEVY ANA ADOPTING VARIOUS 2026
BUDGETS. Motion passed 3 — 2. (Dragisich, Hirn — nay) 4
Item 3: 2026-2035 Capital Improvement Program (CIP)
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LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
December 16, 2025
Finance Director Hadler reviewed the city's proposed CIP for 2026-2035 and reviewed projects
included in the plan.
Councilmember Hirn, seconded by Councilmember Dragisich, moved TO ADOPT THE 2026-
2035 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN. Motion passed 5 — 0.
Item 4: 2026 Fee Schedule
Finance Director Hadler presented proposed updates to the city's fee schedule for 2026.
Councilmember Hirn, seconded by Councilmember Kragness, moved TO ADOPT
ORDINANCE 2025-18 AMENDING THE 2026 FEE SCHEDULE. Motion passed 5 - 0.
Councilmember Hirn, seconded by Councilmember Kragness, moved TO ADOPT
RESOLUTION 2025-085 AUTHORIZING SUMMARY PUBLICATION OF THE 2026 FEE
SCHEDULE. Motion passed 5 - 0.
COUNCIL -REPORTS
Mayor Cadenhead: Thanked staff for their efforts in the past year.
Councilmember Holtz: Thanked staff for their efforts in the past year and thanked fellow
councilmembers for their service.
Councilmember Hirn: Thanked staff and council for a successful year.
Councilmember Kragness: Thanked staff and councilmembers for their patience during his first
year on the council.
STAFF REPORTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
City Administrator Miller: Thanked Sgt. Jacobson for conducting a training for staff.
Meeting adjourned at 8:56 p.m.
ATTEST:
C ty erk
LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL
11001
arles Cade ead, Mayor
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