HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-07-26 City Council Meeting MinutesCITY OF LAKE ELMO
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
July 7, 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, Administrative
Services Director Doyle, Public Works Director Tholen, Assistant Public Works Director
Swanepoel, Finance Director Hadler, Finance Coordinator Kraemer and Contract Planner Fuerst.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Councilmember Holtz, seconded by Councilmember Him, moved TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS
PRESENTED. Motion passed 5-0.
PRESENTATIONS
Andrea Rehm, Washington County Planner II, presented a project overview, information on
community engagement and next steps for the Phalen Keller Regional Trail.
PUBLIC COMMENTS / INQUIRIES
None
ACCEPT MINUTES
Councilmember Holtz, seconded by Councilmember Dragisich, moved TO ACCEPT THE
MINUTES OF THE JUNE 2, 2026 AND JUNE 16, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS AS PRESENTED.
Motion passed 5 — 0.
CONSENT AGENDA
1. Approve Payment of Disbursements
2. Appoint 2026 Election Judges
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3. Approve Full Time Firefighter Hire
4. Accept Donation to the Fire Department from Dairy Queen
S. Approve Lake Elmo Elementary Development Agreement— First Amendment
6. Approve Oak Land Middle School - Site Improvement Agreement First Amendment
7. Approve Pay Request #1 for Test Well 6
8. Accept Bids and Award a Contract for the 2026 Seal Coat Project
9. Accept Quotes and Award a Contract for the 2026 Striping Project
10. Approve Release of Warranty Security for the Ebertz Addition (Drake Motor Partners,
L-C)
11. Approve Cooperative Agreement Payment #1 for TH36-Lake Elmo Avenue
Improvements
Councilmember Holtz, seconded by Councilmember Kragness, moved TO APPROVE THE
CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED. Motion passed 5 - 0.
REGULAR AGENDA
ITEM 1: Presentation & Acceptance of the 2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report
Ryan Schmidt, Schlenner Wenner, presented the process and results of the 2025
Audit, noting that the city received an unmodified opinion which is the highest rating.
ITEM 2: Purchasing Policy Revisions
Finance Director Hadler reviewed proposed updates to the city's purchasing policy based on
staff recommendations and discussion at the May City Council Workshop.
Discussion was held. Councilmember Dragisich stated he would not support the policy due to
the lack of council approval for change orders.
Councilmember Holtz, seconded by Councilmember Him, moved TO ADOPT REVISIONS TO THE
CITY OF LAKE ELMO PURCHASING POLICY. Motion passed 4-1 (Dragisich — nay).
ITEM 3: Highpointe Crossing Final Plat
Contract Planner Fuerst presented a request from Rachel Development for final plat approval
for a single family development of 18 lots on approximately 80 acres of land.
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Councilmember Him, seconded by Councilmember Kragness, moved TO ADOPT RESOLUTION
2026-48 APPROVING THE FINAL PLAT FOR HIGHPOINT CROSSING, AS REQUESTED BY RACHEL
DEVELOPMENT FOR THE SUBJECT PROPERTY BASED ON THE FINDINGS AND CONDITIONS
LISTED THEREIN. Motion passed 5 — 0.
ITEM 4: Highpointe Crossing Development Agreement
Councilmember Him, seconded by Councilmember Kragness, moved TO ADOPT RESOLUTION
2026-049 APPROVING THE DEVELOPER'S AGREEMENT FOR HIGHPOINTE CROSSING BASED ON
THE FINDINGS OF FACT AND RECOMMENDATIONS THEREIN. Motion passed 5 — 0.
ITEM 5: Mayor and Councilmember Salaries
Administrative Services Director Doyle reviewed the proposed ordinance that was based on
discussion at a council workshop.
Councilmember Holtz, seconded by Councilmember Him, moved TO ADOPT ORDINANCE 2026-
08 SETTING THE SALARIES OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBERS. Motion passed 5 — 0.
ITEM 6: Engineering Services for South Water Treatment Plant
Senior Project Manager Griffin discussed transitioning engineering services to Bolton-Menk, Inc.
to make the council aware of the potential change that would continue access to two key water
treatment plant experts that were recently hired by Bolton-Menk.
ITEM 7: Stormwater Utility Code Review
City Engineer Stanley provided an overview of the review conducted by his firm. Tim Olson,
Principal Water Resources Engineer at Bolton-Menk, reviewed the existing ordinance, current
methodology, rate changes, appeals process, HOA maintenance agreements, and findings.
Engineer Stanley stated that staff recommends maintaining the current stormwater utility rate
methodology and requested feedback from the council regarding the appeal process.
Discussion was held regarding equity in determining stormwater fees, process for addressing
appeals
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COUNCIL REPORTS
Mayor Cadenhead: Reported on the 41n of July Kids Parade
Councilmember Holtz: Reported that Young Eagles will be doing free flights at the Lake Elmo
Airport on Saturday, July 11tn. Also reported on the downtown flag banners.
Councilmember Him: Reported that the downtown banners look great and thanked Mayor
Cadenhead for participating in the dunk tank at the 41h of July parade.
STAFF REPORTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
City Administrator Miller: Reported on the City Center art program, LMC conference and
teambuilding. Provided an update on planning for the city event in September.
Finance Director Hadler reported online payment system will be offline for maintenance on July
9tn
Meeting adjourned at 9:52 p.m.
ATTEST:
Jul! 6J0
nso , Ci y Clerk
LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL
Charles Cadenhead, May r
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