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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/26/2025LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 1 of 2 August 26, 2025 Call to Order Mayor Gaasch called the Regular City Council meeting to order at 7:00 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 Pulford 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 August 12, 2025, City Council meeting. There being none, Councilor Kelly moved and seconded by Councilor Pulford to approve the August 12, 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 Pulford to approve the claims totaling $18,395.72. Motion carried unanimously. Consent A. July Financial Report Councilor Kelly moved and seconded by Councilor Pulford to approve the Consent Agenda thereby acknowledging the July financial report. Discussion/Action Item A. Draft 2026 Budget and Proposed Levy Butkowski said the draft of the general fund budget changed significantly since the last meeting. St. Anthony reduced the anticipated police contract price by $40,461, so the price for 2026 will be slightly less than 2025. Staff is doesn't have the fiscal disparities' revenue number. Based on estimates, the local levy would need to increase by $83,220 or 7.8% to cover costs. The overall levy would increase by 6.8%. Staff will continue to refine the general fund budget and prepare the special revenue fund budgets before the Council sets the preliminary levy in September. LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 2 of 2 August 26, 2025 Work Session A. Blue Horizon Energy Proposal for Solar Array at City Hall Hal Kimball from Blue Horizon Energy shared a PowerPoint presentation at the meeting. He gave a proposal for a solar array at City Hall and showed the tax credits and refunds available. Afterward, he answered questions from the Council. As the next step, Kimball will arrange for a roofer to determine whether the roof will support a solar array. B. Community Development Updates Butkowski stated that Xcel Energy is finishing their construction on Fulham Street, while Ramsey County is still working on Eustis Street. Motiv Excavating is currently working on repairing the manhole covers throughout the city. Councilor Dains shared that Metro Transit has expanded the frequency of routes for the 61 buses on weekends. Councilor Kelly added that she has been attending Northeast Youth and Family Services meetings C. Opportunity for the Public to Address the City Council Mayor Gaasch opened the floor to those interested in addressing the Council. Brian Jones, 1573 Fulham Street, expressed his concerns about losing green space from both the sales of Luther Seminary and Les Bolstad golf course. There being nobody else interested in speaking, Mayor Gaasch closed the floor. Adjournment Councilor Kelly moved and seconded by Councilor Pulford to adjourn the meeting at 8:12 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Miles Cline Deputy City Clerk