HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-17-26 City Council Meeting MinutesCITY OF LAKE ELMO
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
FEBRUARY 17, 2026
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 Hirn, Jeff
-=Holtz and Nick Kragness.
Staff present; Administrator Miller, City Attorney Sonsalla,_Acting Public Works Director
Swanepoel, City Engineer Stanley and City Planner Ashley Monterusso.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Councilmember Holtz, seconded by Councilmember Kragness, moved TO APPROVE THE
AGENDA AS PRESENTED. Motion passed 5 — 0.
ACCEPT MINUTES
Councilmember Holtz, seconded by Councilmember Hirn, moved TO ACCEPT THE
MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 4, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MEETING AS PRESENTED.
Motion passed 5 — 0.
PUBLIC COMMENTS/INQUIRIES
None
CONSENT AGENDA
1. Approve Payment of Disbursements
2. Approve Building Permit Fee Reduction for the St. Jude Dream Home 3767
Knightsbridge Ln. N.
3. Approve Zoning Text Amendment — Public Hearing Notice Distances
4. Approve Zoning Text Amendment — Housekeeping Items
5. Approve Hiring of FT Firefighter
Councilmember Dragisich, seconded by Councilmember Hirn, moved TO APPROVE THE
CONSENTAGENDA AS PRESENTED. Motion passed 5 - 0.
REGULAR AGENDA
LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
FEBRUARY 17, 2026
Item 1: 2026 Street and Utility Improvements — Accept Bids and Award Contract
City Engineer Stanley provided a brief overview and reviewed the bids received for the 2026
Street and Utility Improvements project, noting that McNamara Contracting, Inc. was the low
bidder.
Councilmember Holtz, seconded by Councilmember Hirm, moved TO APPROVE
RESOL UTION NO. 2026-013, ACCEPTING BIDS AND AWARDING A CONTRACT TO
MCNAMARA CONTRACTING, INC, FOR THE BID AMOUNT OF $1,570,583.60 FOR
THE 2026 STREET IMPROVEMENTS. Motion passed 5 — 0.
Councilmember Holtz, seconded by Councilmember Dragisich, moved TO A UTHORIZE THE
CITYADMINISTRATOR TO ENTER INTO A MATERIAL TESTING CONTRACT FOR
THE PROJECT CONSTR UCTIONPHASE SERVICES IN THE NOT -TO -EXCEED
AMOUNT OF $30, 000 FOR THE 2026 STREET IMPROVEMENTS. Motion passed 5 — 0.
Item 2: Registered Land Survey #132 — 3481 Laverne Ave
City Planner Monterusso presented the request for a registered land survey to reconfigure the
property boundaries to ensure the former creamery building is fully contained within its own
dedicated parcel.
Applicant John Peccia expressed concerns regarding an easement on the north side of the
building that could allow the city access for future development. Discussion was held regarding
condition #6 and the location of the drainage and utility easement.
Councilmember Holtz, seconded by Councilmember Him, moved TO APPROVE OF
PROPOSED RESOLUTION 2026-012, APPROVING RLS NO. 132 FOR THE PROPERTY
LOCATED AT 3481 LAVERNE AVENUE N. BASED ON THE FINDINGS OF FACT AND
THE CONDITIONS PRESENTED IN THE STAFF REPORT.
Councilmember Holtz, seconded by Councilmember Hirn, moved TO AMEND THE
PRIMARY MOTION SO ADD TO CONDITION 6 AFTER THE WORD "FOOTPRINT,"
"OR AS REDUCED BASED ON WATER AND SEWER CONNECTION PLANS FOR
BOTH TRACT A AND TRACT B." Motion passed 5 — 0. Primary motion passed 5 — 0.
Item 3: Highpointe Crossing — Revised Concept Plan
Contract Planner Nathan Fuerst presented an updated concept plan from Rachel Development for
18 single family homes on the nearly 80 acre site. Planner Fuerst reviewed development
standards, review comments and nonstandard elements. Discussion was held regarding rural
road standards.
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LAKE' ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
FEBRUARY 17, 2026
Paul Robinson, Rachel Development, commented on the updated plan and requested rural road
standards with no concrete curb and wetland and buffers allowed within the lots. Mr. Robinson
also made a request for PVC vs. ductile iron watermain, storm water requirements and septic
locations and design. Discussion was held regarding Mr. Robinson's requests.
Item 4: Public Hearing Notice Process Enhancements
City Administrator Miller reported on use of social media for public hearing notices as part of
the city's communications plan. Consensus of Council was to not use social media for public
hearing notices.
COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Dragisich: proposed updating the process for Councihnembers to add items to
the council meeting agenda.
Councilmember Kragness: reported on the Lake Elmo Airport Commission upcoming open
house.
Meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.
ATTEST:
Juli Joh s n, QVyrlc
LAIC+ ELMO CITY COUNCIL
Jeff tz, ting Mayor
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