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Home My WebLink About03/25/2025LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 1 of 2 March 25, 2025 Call to Order Mayor Gaasch called the Regular City Council meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Roll Call Councilors present: Evan Sayre, Sharon Kelly, Duane Pulford, Jeff Dains, and Mayor Mary Gaasch. Councilors absent: None. 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 Kelly to approve the agenda. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Gaasch asked if there were corrections to the minutes of the March 11, 2025, City Council meeting. There being none, Councilor Dains moved and seconded by Councilor Pulford to approve the February 11, 2025, City Council meeting minutes. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Gaasch asked if there were any questions on the claims. Councilor Kelly asked about the petition and waiver agreement repairing a fence at 1744 Pleasant Street. Councilor Kelly moved and seconded by Councilor Sayre to approve the claims totaling $32,658.55. Motion carried unanimously. Informational Presentations/Reports A. NineNorth and Cable Commission Update by Jeff Ongstad Jeff Ongstad, the Executive Director for NineNorth, addressed the Council. He provided updates on both the North Suburban Communications Commission, and the North Suburban Access Corporation, as the City is a member of each joint powers agreement. NineNorth has plans to increase their community interest video productions and is always looking for ideas. Overall, the organization is healthy in spite of declining cable subscribers. NineNorth will negotiate the cable franchise renewal extension with Comcast on behalf of the City over the next two years. Discussion/Action Item A. Resolution No. 032525A — A Resolution Supporting Legislation Expanding the Ramsey County Housing and Redevelopment Authority ("HRA") to Include Economic Development Agency ("EDA") Powers. Butkowski said the Ramsey County Board is asking cities in the County to support their legislative effort to get EDA powers. When this first came out it was a touchy issue between Ramsey County and the cities in the county. The points of conflict have been resolved as the County will not implement a county -wide EDA levy. The EDA powers would allow some of the money from the HRA levy to be used for economic development, mainly small business support. LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 2 of 2 March 25, 2025 Councilor Kelly made a motion to adopt Resolution No. 032525A — A Resolution Supporting Legislation Expanding the Ramsey County Housing and Redevelopment Authority ("HRA") to Include Economic Development Agency ("EDA") Powers. This was seconded by Councilor Pulford and carried unanimously. Set Agenda for Next Meeting Butkowski stated that the April 8 Council meeting might include the February and March financial reports and the annual audit presentation. Work Session A. Community Development Update Butkowski stated that there is a bill in both the Minnesota House and Senate which would allow cities to franchise broadband internet providers. This would address issues some residents have where the providers won't run fiber to certain parts of the City. She continued to say that there are housing density changes being proposed in the legislature that would adversely affect cities within one mile of Minneapolis and St. Paul. The City sent a request to the State Rep. to look into the matter. SAPD Captain Mike Huddle joined the meeting via Zoom to address recent concerns regarding a dangerous dog designation as well as to explain the role of public safety in addressing the on -going calls to a home for those with disabilities located in the City. B. Opportunity for the Public to Address the City Council Mayor Gaasch opened the floor to those interested in addressing the Council. Lara McLean, 1905 Eustis Street, approached the dais. She read a joint statement from residents of the 1800 and 1900 blocks of Eustis Street voicing their displeasure towards incidents at the group home. There being nobody else interested in speaking, Mayor Gaasch closed the floor. Adj ournment Councilor Kelly moved and seconded by Councilor Sayre to adjourn the meeting at 8:25 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Miles Cline Deputy City Clerk