HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/08/2025LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
Lauderdale City Hall
1891 Walnut Street
Lauderdale, MN 55113
Page 1 of 3 July 8, 2025
Call to Order
Mayor Gaasch called the Regular City Council meeting to order at 7:04 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 Kelly moved and seconded by Councilor Dains to approve the agenda. Motion carried
unanimously.
Mayor Gaasch asked if there were corrections to the minutes of the June 10, 2025, City Council
meeting. There being none, Councilor Sayre moved and seconded by Councilor Dains to approve
the June 10, 2025, City Council meeting minutes. Motion carried unanimously.
Mayor Gaasch asked if there were corrections to the minutes of the June 23, 2025, Emergency
City Council meeting. There being none, Councilor Pulford moved and seconded by Councilor
Kelly to approve the June 23, 2025, 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 Kelly to approve the claims totaling $78,999.29.
Motion carried unanimously.
Consent
Councilor Kelly moved and seconded by Councilor Pulford to approve the Consent Agenda
thereby approving the Day in the Park performance agreement with Lazy Does It Band, a
memorandum of agreement with Ramsey County Parks and Recreation —Soil and Water
Conservation District for the treatment of Japanese Knotweed, and acknowledging the May
financial report.
Informational Presentations/Reports
A. 2026 TH280 Improvements, MNDOT Area Engineer Chris Bower
Chris Bower, North Area Engineer for MnDOT, presented the plans for reconstructing TH280 in 2026.
After concluding his PowerPoint presentation, he answered questions from the Council.
LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
Lauderdale City Hall
1891 Walnut Street
Lauderdale, MN 55113
Page 2 of 3 July 8, 2025
B. Day in the Park Update
Assistant to the City Administrator Bownik gave an update on the food, games, music, and events that
will take place at Lauderdale's annual Day in the Park event. The event will take place on Thursday, July
10 from 5:00 — 8:00 p.m. at Lauderdale Community Park.
Public Hearings
A. Ordinance No. 25-01: Franchise Extension Agreement with Comcast of Minnesota, Inc.
Butkowski explained that the most recent franchise agreement with Comcast was approved by the City
Council in 2017. It was drafted as an ordinance, so it is available on the City's website available for
reference. It is under Title 3 of the Code of Ordinances. The original contract was good, and the ability to
extend it for another five years is great. Prior to approval of the franchise ordinance, the City Council must
hold a public hearing. Notice of the proposed ordinance was posted at least ten days in advance as
required by state law. Unless the Council proposes amendments to the ordinance after the public hearing,
it is ready for adoption.
Mayor Gaasch opened the floor to those interested in addressing the Council at 7:39 p.m.
There being nobody else interested in speaking, Mayor Gaasch closed the floor at 7:40 p.m.
Councilor Pulford made a motion to adopt Ordinance No. 25-01 Franchise Extension Agreement
as presented. This was seconded by Councilor Sayre and carried unanimously.
B. Resolution No. 070825A — A Resolution Authorizing Publication of Ordinance No. 25-01 by
Title and Summary
Councilor Kelly made a motion to adopt Resolution No. 070825A Authorizing Publication of
Ordinance No. 25-01 by Title and Summary. This was seconded by Councilor Pulford and
carried unanimously.
Discussion/Action Item
A. High Density Residential — Conservation Ordinance Review
Mayor Gaasch asked staff to invite Jennifer Haskamp, the City's consulting planner, to attend the
meeting. Haskamp drafted the City's High Density Residential — Conservation (HDR-C)
ordinance. The HDR-C zoning covers Luther Seminary's property in Lauderdale that is for sale.
The area is commonly referred to as "Breck Woods." The purpose of the discussion was to
revisit the ordinance ahead of the July 16 open house being hosted by Lifestyle Communities.
Set Agenda for Next Meeting
Butkowski stated that the July 22 Council meeting agenda will be formatted for the next meeting.
LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
Lauderdale City Hall
1891 Walnut Street
Lauderdale, MN 55113
Page 3 of 3 July 8, 2025
Work Session
A. Community Development Update
Butkowski shared that the sinkhole has been repaired. She also said that the SAPD released a
video on the topics of speeding and stopping at regulatory signs per staff's request.
Mayor Gaasch said she and other council members recently attended a League of Minnesota
Cities conference in Duluth. She also clarified that the City has no regulatory control over how
the University of Minnesota disposes of the Les Bolstad Golf Course and what its future use is.
B. Opportunity for the Public to Address the City Council
Mayor Gaasch opened the floor to those interested in addressing the Council.
Ashley Mellgren, 1807 Pleasant Street, stated that she would like to see more trees planted in the
sunnier areas of the parks, especially around the playgrounds and the tennis courts.
There being nobody else interested in speaking, Mayor Gaasch closed the floor.
Adjournment
Councilor Kelly moved and seconded by Councilor Dains to adjourn the meeting at 9:06 p.m.
Motion carried unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Miles Cline
Deputy City Clerk