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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/27/2025LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 1 of 3 May 27, 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, Evan Sayre, Jeff Dains, and Mayor Mary Gaasch. Councilor absent: Duane Pulford. 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. Councilor Kelly asked to add a dog related event to the Day in the Park festivities. There being nothing else, Councilor Dains moved and seconded by Councilor Kelly to approve the agenda as amended. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Gaasch asked if there were corrections to the minutes of the May 13, 2025, City Council meeting. There being none, Councilor Kelly moved and seconded by Councilor Dains to approve the May 13, 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 Sayre to approve the claims totaling $60,192.99. Motion carried unanimously. Consent Councilor Dains moved and seconded by Councilor Kelly to approve the Consent Agenda thereby acknowledging the April finance reports and approving the continued employment of a temporary administrative employee. Councilor Pulford arrives at 7:06 p.m. Informational Presentations/Reports A. Eureka Recycling Annual Report Joanna Stone from Eureka Recycling gave their annual report via PowerPoint presentation and answered follow-up questions from the Council. Public Hearings A. Lot Coverage Variance Application from Owners of 1961 Malvern Street Sean Gustafson, the owner of 1961 Malvern Street, is proposing to replace an existing house with a new, larger home. The proposed project exceeds the maximum lot coverage of 30% by 1.2%. Thus, the owner is requesting a 1.2% lot coverage variance. Staff noted that with the proposed zoning ordinances that haven't yet been adopted, Gustafson's project would not have required a variance. LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 2 of 3 May 27, 2025 Gustafson approached the Council to answer questions about the proposal. Mayor Gaasch opened the floor at 7:43 p.m. to those interested in addressing the Council on this topic. Ling Wang, 1953 Malvern Street, addressed the Council to share that she was in support of Sean's variance request. Mayor Gaasch closed the floor at 7:47 p.m. Councilor Sayre made a motion directing staff to bring back a resolution of approval for the next meeting. This was seconded by Councilor Pulford and approved unanimously. Discussion/Action Item A. Resolution No. 052725A — Approving a Lot Division and 1.2 Foot Variance to the Side Yard Setback Requirement at 1836 Carl Street Josh Jeans, the Owner of 1836 Carl Street, applied to divide 1836 Carl Street into two lots along the originally platted lot lines before they were consolidated under one property identification number. This would result in a southerly lot with an existing single-family dwelling and a vacant northerly lot. The City Council took public comment on the proposal at the previous meeting. Councilor Sayre made a motion to approve Resolution No. 052725A — Approving a Lot Division and 1.2 Foot Variance to the Side Yard Setback Requirement at 1836 Carl Street with conditions noted in the resolution. This was seconded by Councilor Kelly and approved on a 4-1 roll call vote by Councilors Kelly, Sayre, Pulford, and Mayor Gaasch. Councilor Dains voted in dissent. B. Request from the Environmental and Sustainability Commission to Install a Pollinator Garden at Lauderdale City Hall Ann Sisel presented a concept for a pollinator garden at City Hall to the Environment and Sustainability Commission at their meeting this past week. They all agreed that they would like to bring the idea to fruition and work on it together. The garden will be near the front of City Hall in the area marked, if the Council approves. They requested the ability to spend up to $300. Staff recommend a budget of $500. Councilor Kelly made a motion to approving the Environment and Sustainability Commission's construction of a pollinator garden at Lauderdale City Hall. This was seconded by Councilor Sayre and carried unanimously. Additional Items A. Day in the Park Dog Event Councilor Kelly mentioned an idea to incorporate dogs into the Day in the Park event. She shared that this could potentially include a parade or costume contest. After discussion, the Council invited any LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 3 of 3 May 27, 2025 volunteers who would be interested in organizing this to contact City Hall. They also discussed the idea of a separate event for dogs in the future. Set Agenda for Next Meeting Butkowski stated that the June 10 Council meeting might include the May finance reports, a resolution of approval for a variance at 1961 Malvern Street, and a presentation from Ramsey County Commissioner Mary Jo McGuire and County Manager Ling Becker. Work Session A. Community Development Update Butkowski shared that staff is amending the application for the Office of Cannabis Management. She continued to say that Can Can Wonderland will be providing beverages for Day in the Park 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 Peace Lutheran Church hosts an annual Blessing of the Animals event. He continued to say that the speed cart located on Carl Street is in the wrong position. Finally, he expressed his concerns about a potential accident in front of his house with the number of kids playing in the street. Adj ournment Councilor Kelly moved and seconded by Councilor Sayre to adjourn the meeting at 8:36 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Miles Cline Deputy City Clerk