HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/14/2024LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL
MEI4,TING MINUTES
L auderdale City Hall
1891 Walnut Street
L auderdale, MN 55113
P age 1 of 3 May 14, 2024
Call to Order
Mayor Gaasch called the Regular City Council meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Roll Call
Councilors present: [van Sayre, Jeff Dains, Duane Pulford, and Mayor Mary Gaasch.
Councilor absent: Sharon Kelly.
Staff present: Heather Butkowski, City Administrator; Jim Bownik, Assistant to the City
Administrator and Miles Cline, Deputy City Clerk.
Approvals
Mayor Gaasch asked if there were any additions to the meeting agenda. There being none,
Councilor Pulford moved and seconded by Councilor Sayre to approve the agenda. Motion
carried unanimously.
Mayor Gaasch asked if there were corrections to the minutes of the April 23, 2024 City Council
meeting. There being none, Councilor Dains moved and seconded by Councilor Pulford to
approve the Apii123, 2024 City Council meeting minutes. Motion carried unanimously.
Mayor Gaasch asked if there were any questions on the claims. There being none, Councilor
Dains moved and seconded by Councilor Sayre to approve the claims totaling $178,547.81.
Motion carried unanimously.
Special Order of Business/Recognitions/Proclamations
A. Recognition of Mayor Mary Gaasch
Luke Fischer, Executive Director of the League of Minnesota Cities (LMC) and Justin Miller,
City Administrator for the City of Lakeville and First Vice President of the LMC, approached the
dais to speak. They both thanked Mayor Gaasch for her dedication to the LMC as a member of
the Boaid of Directors.
Informational Presentations/Reports
A. City Council Updates
Mayor Gaasch attended a Regional Council of Mayors meeting on May 13. She said that the
Minneapolis Foundation is working on water quality governance throughout Minnesota, which is
part of a larger effort to improve water quality in the six states in the Great Lakes region. Gaasch
also said that Xcel [nergy spoke about their mission to become carbon neutral by 2030. Finally,
Metro Transit spoke about their recent increases in ridership and decreases in crime.
LAUD ERDAL F1; CITY COUNCIL
MF+TING MINUTES
L auderdale City Hall
1891 Walnut Street
L auderdale, MN 55113
P age 2 of 3 May 14, 2024
P ublic Hearings
A. Ordinance No. 24-01 Creating an Environment and Sustainability Commission and Repealing
Title 2, Chapters 2, 4, and 5 of Lauderdale City Code
City staff revised the Environment and Sustainability Commission ordinance based on Council
recommendation at the last meeting. It is ready foi adoption. Staff will prepare application forms
and spread the woid starting in late June about how residents can apply
Mayor Gaasch opened the floor at 7:16 p.m. to those in attendance interested in addressing the
Council on this issue. There being nobody interested in speaking, Mayor Gaasch closed the floor
at 7:17 p.m.
Councilor Sayre made a motion to adopt Ordinance No. 24-01 creating an Environment and
Sustainability Commission and Repealing Title 2, Chapters 2, 4, and 5. This was seconded by
Councilor Pulford and carried unanimously.
B . Resolution No. 051424A – Authorizing Publication of Ordinance No. 24-01 by Title and
Summary
Councilor Pulford made a motion to adopt Resolution No. 051424A—Authorizing Publication of
Ordinance No. 24-01 by Title and Summary. This was seconded by Councilor Dains and carried
unanimously.
Discussion/Action Item
A. Agreement with Center for 1-i nergy and the I-i,nvironrnent to Perform Discounted Home Energy
Squad Visits in the City of Lauderdale
Butkowski said that for years, City staff have been promoting the work of the Center foi Energy
and the Environment (CEP;) as they administer Ramsey County's Energy Conservation Deferred
L oan Program. It came to staff s attention recently that some Ramsey County cities are
partnering with them to offer discounted home energy squad visits. Cities pay for half of the cost
of the visit to encourage folks to take advantage of them. The full cost for the Energy Saver visit
is $70, and the Energy Planner Visit is $100. The City would cover $35 and $50 of the costs
respectively. Staff anticipate a few household each year will participate so the budgetary impact
will be low.
The home energy squad visits are a great service. ChM is a partner of Xcel Energy so the visits
includes "freebies" in terms of LED light bulbs, installed weather stripping, and shower heads
that more than cover the cost of the visit. The Fi.nergy Planner Visit includes infrared reporting of
a home's insulation, an otherwise costly service If approved, staff will advertise in the next
newsletter and online in the hope that residents take advantage of the service.
LAUDFi,RDALFCITY COUNCIL
MI-4,ETIN G MI UTFh,S
L auderdale City Hall
1891 Walnut Street
L auderdale, MN 55113
P age 3 of 3 May 14, 2024
Councilor Sayre made a motion to adopt the Agreement to Perform Home Energy Squad Visits
in the City of Laudeidale. This was seconded by Councilor Pulford and carried unanimously.
Set Agenda for Next Meeting
Butkowski stated that the May 28 council meeting might include the April financial report, a
presentation from Met Council representative Peter Lindstrom, and a visit from the new owners
of Finn Sisu.
Work Session
A. Community Development Update
Butkowski shared that Bluechip Tree Company was in the Lauderdale Nature Area today to
remove trees about to fall on the old trolley tracks and on the new sewer project. Next week they
will remove diseased ash trees as part of the DNR grant. She mentioned Stantec would be
televising the inside of all sanitary sewer manholes to assess condition ahead of the mill and
overlay project. Some of the manhole castings are covered by a Met Council giant. Staff will be
meeting with Falcon Heights on May 15 regarding planning for Day in the Park Finally, staff
will be working on finalizing materials for the RPA's request for information follow up.
B Opportunity for the Public to Address the City Council
Mayor Gaasch opened the floor to those in attendance interested in addressing the Council.
There being nobody interested in speaking, Mayor Gaasch closed the floor.
Adjournment
Councilor Sayre moved and seconded by Councilor Dains to adjourn the meeting at 7:36 p.m.
Motion carried unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Miles Cline
Deputy City Clerk