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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/08/2026LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 1 of 3 September 8, 2026 Call to Order Mayor Pro Tem Sayre called the Regular City Council meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. Roll Call Councilors present: Jeff Dains, Duane Pulford, and Mayor Pro Tem Evan Sayre. Councilors absent: Sharon Kelly, and Mayor Mary Gaasch. Staff present: Heather Butkowski, City Administrator; and Miles Cline, Deputy City Clerk. Approvals Mayor Pro Tem Sayre 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 Pro Tem Sayre asked if there were corrections to the minutes of the August 25, 2026, City Council meeting. There being none, Councilor Dains moved and seconded by Councilor Pulford to approve the August 25, 2026, City Council meeting minutes. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Pro Tem Sayre asked if there were any questions on the claims. There being none, Councilor Pulford moved and seconded by Councilor Dains to approve the claims totaling $258,365.12. Motion carried unanimously. Consent Councilor Dains moved and seconded by Councilor Pulford to approve the Consent Agenda thereby approving the purchase of a V-Plow from Crysteel for the 2026 Ford F-350 and the City of Lauderdale Safety Program and Policies. Informational Presentations/Reports A. 2026 General Election Day Voting and Early Voting Options Butkowski provided a summary of the upcoming general election schedule. The first day of absentee voting is September 18. Early voting starts October 16. Ramsey County has the schedule and location of their early voting centers available online. Election day voting happens at City Hall. Staff will disseminate voting information and a sample ballot before the election via the City's website. Public Hearings A. Ordinance No. 26-03 — Amending Title 8, Chapter 2 of the Code of Ordinances Regarding Sanitary Sewer Systems and Services Staff spent time modernizing the Sanitary Sewer Systems and Services ordinance as it hadn't been updated in twenty years. The ordinance reflects current practices and understandings regarding sewer line access and ownership. LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 2 of 3 September 8, 2026 Mayor Pro Tem Sayre opened the floor to those interested in addressing the Council on this topic at 7:12 p.m. There being nobody interested in speaking, Mayor Pro Tem Sayre closed the floor at 7:12 p.m. Councilor Pulford made a motion to adopt Ordinance No. 26-03 Regarding Sanitary Sewer Systems and Services. This was seconded by Councilor Dains and carried unanimously. Councilor Kelly joined the meeting at 7:22 p.m. B. Resolution 090826A — Approving Summary Publication of Ordinance No. 26-03 Councilor Kelly made a motion to adopt Resolution No. 090826A — Approving Summary Publication of Ordinance No. 26-03. This was seconded by Councilor Pulford and carried unanimously. Discussion/Action Item A. 2027 Draft General and Special Revenue Fund Budgets Butkowski noted that she hasn't received a final cost for policing so that remains budgeted at a one -percent increase. Factoring all the budget changes, the overall general fund budget increases $39,838 or 2.0%. The county assessor's reports show the anticipated decrease in Lauderdale housing values with a median value of $319,100 for 2027 versus $321,900 for 2026. The result is an anticipated decrease of $36.65 in city taxes on a median value home in 2027. The county assessor also noted the shift in values towards apartments and commercial properties for the upcoming year will take pressure off residential property. Even with the county's 8.25% levy increase, Lauderdale property owners are starting with a $102 decrease in property taxes. This will change based upon what the city council, school board, and watershed districts levy. Ramsey County staff clarified that the City can't list the cost of the hockey rink separately on the property tax statement because it isn't a special assessment. The Council can approve the budget with a transfer to the park fund to cover some or all the costs. For example, the tax impact of a $110,000 levy to cover most of the cost would result in —$60 increase in the city property taxes on a median home (—$96 overall cost or 11.8% local levy increase). However, owners may still experience an overall decrease in their taxes. Ultimately, the Council and staff will be communicating that the increase without the hockey rink would have been 2.1 % and the additional increase specifically pays for the new rink. LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 3 of 3 September 8, 2026 Staff are looking for a levy increase amount that the Council feels comfortable with. The Council decided they would like to recoup $110,000 of the cost of the hockey rink in 2027. Set Agenda for Next Meeting Butkowski stated that the next meeting may include a resolution adopting the preliminary levy and establishing the Truth -in -Taxation hearing date, and a presentation by Rachel Development regarding Les Bolstad golf course. Work Session A. Staff Project Updates Butkowski shared that the warming house project was completed. B. Opportunity for the Public to Address the City Council Mayor Pro Tem Sayre opened the floor to those interested in addressing the Council. There being nobody interested in speaking, Mayor Pro Tem Sayre closed the floor. Adj ournment Councilor Pulford moved and seconded by Councilor Dains to adjourn the meeting at 7:45 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Miles Cline Deputy City Clerk