HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/25/2025LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
Lauderdale City Hall
1891 Walnut Street
Lauderdale, MN 55113
Page 1 of 3 November 25, 2025
Call to Order
Mayor Gaasch called the Regular City Council meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
Roll Call
Councilors present: Sharon Kelly, Evan Sayre, Duane Pulford, Jeff Dains, and Mayor Mary
Gaasch. Councilors absent: None.
Staff present: Heather Butkowski, City Administrator; and Jim Bownik, Assistant to the City
Administrator.
Approvals
Mayor Gaasch asked if there were any additions to the meeting agenda. There being none,
Councilor Kelly 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 November 12, 2025, City
Council meeting. There being none, Councilor Pulford moved and seconded by Councilor Dains
to approve the November 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 Sayre to approve the claims totaling $30,558.20.
Motion carried unanimously.
Consent
Councilor Kelly moved and seconded by Councilor Sayre to approve the Consent Agenda
thereby approving Resolution No. 112525A - A Resolution Levying Special Assessments.
Public Hearings
A. Truth -in -Taxation Public Hearing
Butkowski explained that state law requires that the Council hold a public hearing prior to
adoption of the budget and levy. She provided a brief presentation on budget highlights and
fielded questions from the Council.
Mayor Gaasch opened the floor at 7:25 p.m. to those interested in addressing the Council.
Siyu Li, 1843 Carl Street, asked if the property tax notices included the Roseville school district
referendum levy. He also asked if the St. Anthony Pol1cP Department expected increases to their
costs in the future. Butkowski responded that the new school district levy was not included on
the property tax notices. She also mentioned the recent tri-city council meeting where costs for
body worn cameras were discussed. Policing costs are expected to increase in 2027.
LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
Lauderdale City Hall
1891 Walnut Street
Lauderdale, MN 55113
Page 2 of 3 November 25, 2025
There being nobody else interested in speaking, Mayor Gaasch closed the floor at 7:34 p.m.
Discussion/Action Item
A. Resolution No. 112525B — Establishing 2026 Sanitary Sewer, Storm Sewer, and Recycling
Rates
Annually, the City Council discusses the sewer and recycling funds and whether rate increases
are necessary. If the Council agrees with staff's recommended rate increases, the resolution
setting the rates can be adopted during the meeting.
Butkowski said staff recommend increasing the sanitary sewer rates by 4.0% to rebuild the fund
balance after the recent rehabilitation project that happened this year. This is an annual increase
of $10.68 per residential household.
Staff recommend increasing the storm sewer rates by 10.0% in anticipation of the storm sewer
televising in 2026. This is an annual increase of $9.74 per residential household.
Staff recommend increasing the recycling rates by 7.0% in response to the recycling contract
adopted in 2024. This is an annual increase of $9.00 per residential household.
Councilor Kelly made a motion to adopt Resolution No. 112525B—A Resolution Establishing
2026 Sanitary Sewer, Storm Sewer, and Recycling Rates. This was seconded by Councilor Dains
and carried unanimously.
Set Agenda for Next Meeting
Butkowski stated that the next meeting would include a resolution adopting the 2026 final
property tax levy, a resolution adopting the 2026 final budget and establishing fund
appropriations, a resolution adopting and certifying recycling assessments, and the City
Administrator performance review.
Work Session
A. Community Development Update
Butkowski shared that Lifestyle Communities submitted their application for the senior co-op
they would like to develop in Lauderdale. Staff will review the application for completeness.
Councilor Pulford inquired about the status of the Ramsey County auction of 1852 Carl Street.
Butkowski said it was up for sale online by the State of Minnesota for the estimated market
value. It will go up for Sale at the tax fnrfeit amount on December 2.
Councilor Dains asked if St. Anthony police chief Jeff Spiess could come to a meeting soon to
discuss different body camera related questions. Staff will arrange for that.
LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
Lauderdale City Hall
1891 Walnut Street
Lauderdale, MN 55113
Page 3 of 3 November 25, 2025
B. Opportunity for the Public to Address the City Council
Mayor Gaasch opened the floor to those interested in addressing the Council.
There being nobody interested in speaking, Mayor Gaasch closed the floor.
Adjournment
Councilor Dains moved and seconded by Councilor Pulford to adjourn the meeting at 7:51 p.m.
Motion carried unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
4444-64-
Gor i":
Miles Cline
Deputy City Clerk