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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/13/2025LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 1 of 3 May 13, 2025 Call to Order Mayor Gaasch called the Regular City Council meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. Roll Call Councilors present: Sharon Kelly, Duane Pulford, Jeff Dains, and Mayor Mary Gaasch. Councilor absent: Evan Sayre. 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 Dains moved and seconded by Councilor Pulford to approve the agenda. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Gaasch asked if there were corrections to the minutes of the April 22, 2025, City Council meeting. There being none, Councilor Pulford moved and seconded by Councilor Kelly to approve the April 22, 2025, City Council meeting minutes. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Gaasch asked if there were any questions on the claims. There being none, Councilor Kelly moved and seconded by Councilor Pulford to approve the claims totaling $61,610.38. Motion carried unanimously. Consent Councilor Dains moved and seconded by Councilor Kelly to approve the Consent Agenda thereby approving the Day in the Park temporary on -sale liquor license and the Capitol Region Watershed District Cooperative Agreement for Maintenance of Gasperre Ravine Improvements. Public Hearings A. Variance and Lot Split Application for 1836 Carl Street Josh Jeans, the owner of 1836 Carl Street, has two lots that had previously been consolidated into one Property Identification Number (PIN) for tax purposes. The applicant is requesting to divide the lot back into the originally platted lots. Granting the request would create a nonconforming structure on the southern lot (proposed Parcel A). An existing house would be situated 3.8' from the lot line dividing the two lots. The Lauderdale Zoning Ordinance requires a 5' side yard setback. Thus, the lot division request requires approval of a 1.2' variance to the side yard setback requirements. Mayor Gaasch opened the floor at 7:16 p.m. to those interested in addressing the Council on this topic. Justin Whitman, 1832 Carl Street, shared that he and the neighbor's benefit from the green space of the LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 2 of 3 May 13, 2025 open lot. He also said he feels like it is a money grab from someone who lives outside of the community. Finally, he shared his concerns about straining our emergency services, infrastructure repercussions, and privacy concerns. Patricia Rosenberg, 1835 Pleasant Street, expressed her concerns about the new structure. She wanted to know if the construction process would adversely affect the neighborhood, and if the new structure would fit into the existing community. Mayor Gaasch closed the floor at 7:23 p.m. The Council discussed the request, and asked the owner of 1836 Carl Street, Josh Jeans, to answer a few questions that they had. Councilor Pulford made a motion directing staff to bring back a resolution of approval for the next meeting noting three conditions. 1. Drainage from the house on Parcel A may discharge no closer than five feet from the property line as will be verified by the City's building official before any permits are issued for Parcel B. 2. The house on Parcel A must meet state building and fire code requirements, including a one - hour fire wall before any permits are issued for Parcel B. 3. All structures built on Parcel B must be located a minimum of 6.2 feet from the common lot line to ensure a separation of at least 10 feet between structures on the two lots. This was seconded by Councilor Kelly and approved on a 3-1 roll call vote by Councilor Kelly, Councilor Pulford, and Mayor Gaasch. Councilor Dains voted in dissent. Discussion/Action Item A. Tort Liability Limit Waiver Form The City's workers compensation, property, liability, sewer backup, and auto insurance policies run from August to August. Staff work with the City's insurance agent annually to prepare the materials for the renewal. Annually, the City Council must determine whether to waive the municipal tort liability limits established by state statute. The City has not waived them in the past as it opens the City to greater financial liability. Staff recommend maintaining that practice. Councilor Pulford made a motion authorizing staff to remit the Liability Coverage Waiver Form to LMCIT as presented indicating the City does not waive the monetary limits on municipal tort liability established by MS 466.04. This was seconded by Councilor Kelly and carried unanimously. B. Follow Up from April 22 City Council Meeting During the last meeting, residents shared suggestions for ideas to improve communication, especially around dangerous dog incidents. Staff pulled the ideas together and responded with thoughts on what we currently do or could do. The comprehensive list was shared during the meeting. LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 3 of 3 May 13, 2025 Set Agenda for Next Meeting Butkowski stated that the June 10 Council meeting might include the April finance reports, the Eureka Recycling annual report, and a resolution of approval for the variance lot split application for 1836 Carl Street. Work Session A. Community Development Update Butkowski shared that the sustainability fair took place at the end of April and by all accounts was successful. She continued to say that there is an environmental committee meeting next week, and finally, staff will put together congratulatory cards for the upcoming high school graduates residing in Lauderdale. B. Opportunity for the Public to Address the City Council Mayor Gaasch opened the floor to those interested in addressing the Council. Robert Jacobson, 1747 Carl Street, shared that he enjoyed the sustainability fair. He also said that he is concerned about the intersection of Carl Street and Ione Street with the number of children that play in the area. Gary Brandenburg, 1773 Carl Street, thanked Administrator Butkowski for putting together the list of citizen concerns from the April 22 council meeting. He also asked for the dangerous dog topic to be addressed at a future meeting for more residents to attend. Adjournment Councilor Dains moved and seconded by Councilor Pulford to adjourn the meeting at 8:14 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, ll Miles Cline Deputy City Clerk