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Home My WebLink About06-02-26 City Council Meeting MintuesCITY OF LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES June 2, 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 Him, Jeff Holtz, and Nick Kragness. Staff present: Administrator Miller, City Attorney Sonsalla, City Engineer Stanley, Public Works Director Tholen, Community Development Director Stopa, Senior Planner Jensen, Contract Planner Fuerst and Planning Assistant Moulis. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Councilmember Holtz, seconded by Councilmember, Kragness moved TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED. Motion passed 5-0. ACCEPT MINUTES Councilmember Him, seconded by Councilmember Dragisich, moved TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE MAY 19, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MEETING AS PRESENTED. Motion passed 5 — 0. CONSENT AGENDA 1. Approve Payment of Disbursements 2. Approve Hire of New Public Works Operator III 3. Approve Hire of Fire Captain Hathaway 4. Approve Hire of Fire Captain Priester 5. Approve Hire of Fire Captain Wagner 6. Approve Community Development Intern Posting 7. Approve Public Works Lawn Mower Purchase 8. Approve Security Reduction for Lake Elmo Townhomes 8 (At Home Apartments) 9. Approve 2025 State Performance Measures Data Councilmember Holtz, seconded by Councilmember Kragness, moved TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED. Motion passed 5 - 0. Page115 REGULAR AGENDA ITEM 1: Old Village Garden Improvements Phase 2 Public Works Director Tholen and Patrick O'Keefe, HKGi, presented a project overview of phase two which included tree planting. DirectorTholen reviewed the tree species chosen for planting and the budgeted cost. Discussion was held regarding phase 1 improvements and replacement of damaged tulip bulbs. Councilmember Him stated that he was not in favor of spending additional funds on the project. Councilmember Kragness, seconded by Councilmember Holtz, moved TO APPROVE THE 2026 HKGI PROPOSAL FOR COORDINATION, CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS, CONTRACTOR SELECTION, BIDDING AND CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF NEW AND REPLACEMENT TREES ALONG LAKE ELMO AVE. NOT TO EXCEED $16,470 IN 2026. Motion passed 4 —1 (Him — nay). ITEM 2: Lions Park Master Plan Assistant Public Works Director Swanepoel presented a draft scope and RFQ to seek a consultant for preparation of a master plan for Lions Park future improvements. Councilmember Him expressed concern regarding public perception of the timing of implementation of recommendations in the plan, noting that improvements could be delayed due to development of the 76 acre park site. Councilmember Holtz agreed that the timing of planning for Lions Park is premature. Mayor Cadenhead offered a friendly amendment to the motion to delay the Lions Park Master Plan until a plan for the 76 acre parcel is complete. Councilmember Dragisich, seconded by Councilmember Kragness, moved approve the outlined scope and RFQ and seek a consultant for the Lions Park Master Plan upon the completion of the 76 acre parcel proposal. Motion passed 5 — 0. ITEM 3: Water Transfer Station Repairs Assistant Public Works Director Swanepoel reviewed the need for repairs to the water transfer station due to pump failure. Councilmember Dragisich, seconded by Councilmember Him, moved to approve making the necessary repairs to the booster station pump not to exceed $30,000. Motion passed 5 — 0. Page 215 ITEM 4: 9960 5711 St — Front Yard Setbacks Variance Planning Assistant Moulis presented the request for construction of an accessory building, noting site constraints that limit location of the building. Findings of fact, conditions of approval and recommendations for approval were reviewed. Councilmember Holtz, seconded by Councilmember Dragisich, moved to approve Resolution 2026-040, approving the variance request to reduce accessory structure front yard setback requirement to 98.7 feet in the Residential Estate Zoning district for the property located at 9960 57th St N with the conditions of approval and findings of fact listed in the staff report. Motion passed 5 — 0. ITEM 5: Lake Elmo Medical Center Conditional Use Permit & Variance — 8650 Hudson Blvd. N. Planning Assistant Moulis presented the request for a CUP and variance to allow an addition to the existing 65,000 square foot building for a total of about 114,100 square feet of medical facility and office space and expansion of the parking lot. Findings of fact, conditions of approval and recommendations for approval were reviewed. Councilmember Holtz, seconded by Councilmember Dragisich, moved to approve Resolution 2026-037, approving a conditional use permit for a medical facility at the property located at 8650 Hudson Blvd N based on the findings of fact and subject to the conditions listed in the staff report. Motion passed 5 — 0. Councilmember Holtz, seconded by Councilmember Dragisich, moved to approve Resolution 2026-038, approving a variance request to reduce the West side yard setback to 27 feet at the property located at 8650 Hudson Blvd N based on the findings of fact and subject to the conditions listed in the staff report. Motion passed 5 — 0. ITEM 6: Authorize Preliminary Design, Geotechnical Services and Feasibility Report for the 2027 Street and Utility Improvements City Engineer Stanley reviewed the proposed project area, current conditions, scope of improvements, proposed project schedule and anticipated costs. Councilmember Him, seconded by Councilmember Kragness, moved to approve Resolution No. 2026-036, ordering preparation of Preliminary Design and Feasibility Report for the 2027 Street and Utility Improvements. Motion passed 5 — 0. Page 315 Councilmember Dragisich, seconded by Councilmember Holtz, moved to authorize the City Administrator the authority to sign a geotechnical services agreement in an amount not to - exceed $25,000. Motion passed 5 — 0. ITEM 7: OP-LRD Update Contract Planner Fuerst provided an update on the development of a new zoning district that would enable new rural development types, create publicly accessible open space and work around community septic issues. Planner Fuerst asked Council for their feedback on the project. Residential density, access to sewer and open space were discussed. Council expressed interest in continuing to develop the new zoning district. ITEM 8: Sketch Plan Review — Summergate Assemblage Contract Planner Fuerst presented a sketch plan from Summergate Development for the development of 117 acres accessible from Highway 10, east of Keats Avenue. Planner Fuerst noted than an environmental assessment would be required due to the number units proposed and outlined issues associated with developing the area before the 2040 comp plan update. Brian Tucker, Summergate Development, stated that they are planning starting the project in 2028 and commented on market conditions related to lot size. Casey Wolischlager, Summergate Development, commented on timing for the project. Discussion was held regarding infrastructure and the comp plan process. COUNCIL REPORTS Mayor Cadenhead: Reported on feedback received on the downtown plantings. Councilmember Holtz: Thanked the Chamber of Commerce for holding a ribbon cutting at Lions Park for the new playground. STAFF REPORTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS City Administrator Miller: Reported on street light banners for downtown and asked for input on the process for selecting the banner design. Fire Chief Kalis: Noted fundraiser to be held at Dairy Queen to benefit the Fire Department. Page415 Councilmember Holtz, seconded by Councilmember Him, moved to enter closed session pursuant to MN Stat. Section 13.OSD, subdivision 3 (a) for the purposes of the City Administrator performance review. Motion passed 5 —0. Meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m. ATTEST: uli Joh 6s n, City Clerk LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL 1 Charles Cadenhead, Mayo Page 515