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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/27/2026LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 1 of 3 January 27, 2026 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, and Mayor Mary Gaasch. Councilor absent: Jeff Dains. Staff present: Heather Butkowski, City Administrator; and Miles Cline, Deputy City Clerk. Approvals Mayor Gaasch asked if there were any additions to the meeting agenda. Administrator Butkowski added the Minnesota Management and Budget Pay Equity Report to the Additional Items section of the agenda. Councilor Kelly moved and seconded by Councilor Sayre to approve the agenda as amended. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Gaasch asked if there were corrections to the minutes of the January 13, 2026, City Council meeting. There being none, Councilor Pulford moved and seconded by Councilor Kelly to approve the January 13, 2026, City Council meeting minutes. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Gaasch asked if there were any questions on the claims. Councilor Kelly asked about the cost of engineering expenses. Butkowski said the bill covered three months in addition to including costs for items that are paid by applicants through funds the City holds in escrow. Councilor Sayre moved and seconded by Councilor Pulford to approve the claims totaling $46,202.07. Motion carried unanimously. Councilor Dains joined the meeting at 7:07 p.m. Consent Councilor Sayre moved and seconded by Councilor Kelly to approve the Consent Agenda thereby acknowledging the December financial report and the fourth quarter investment report. Motion carried unanimously. Informational Presentations/Reports A. TH280 Project Update by MNDOT Area Engineer Chris Bower Chris Bower, North Area Engineer for MNDOT, presented plans for reconstructing TH280 in 2026 and closing the Broadway Avenue intersection in 2028. Bower followed his presentation by answering questions from the Council and audience. B. Environmental and Sustainability Commission Open House on Climate Action Plan — February 11 from 5:00 — 7:00 p.m. LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 2 of 3 January 27, 2026 Butkowski explained that the Environmental and Sustainability Commission is gathering data to draft a climate action plan. The Commissioners invite community members to stop by during their Open House scheduled for February 11 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. There will be light refreshments, and activities for children as well. Discussion/Action Item A. Update from City Attorney on Matters Related to Federal Agents Katrina Joseph, prosecuting city attorney for Lauderdale, gave an update to the Council related to the federal agents in the Twin Cities area. She also explained the City's inclusion in an amicus brief filed by suburban cities, including Lauderdale, in support of the lawsuit filed by the State of Minnesota and the Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul against the Department of Homeland Security. She answered questions from the Council after her presentation. Councilor Pulford moved and seconded by Councilor Dains to approve the City joining the amicus brief in support of the lawsuit filed by the State of Minnesota and the Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul against the Department of Homeland Security. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Gaasch opened the floor to those interested in addressing the Council. Eric Raymond, 1763 Malvern Street, inquired about how many amicus cities outside of Minneapolis and St. Paul joined the lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security. He continued to ask about what constitutes sensitive locations, what protections exist for local law enforcement, and finally, the rules upon entering private property. Joseph responded to each of his questions. There being nobody else interested in speaking, Mayor Gaasch closed the floor. Additional Items A. Minnesota Management and Budget Pay Equity Report Butkowski explained that every three years the City must document to Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) that it is in compliance with the pay equity act. To demonstrate pay equity compliance, the City uses a points scale to compare traditionally male jobs with comparable female jobs. The wage scale is based on the job match system created during the class and compensation study in 2023. Councilor Sayre made a motion authorizing staff to remit the pay equity data as presented to Minnesota Management and Budget. This was seconded by Councilor Kelly and carried unanimously.