Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/22/2026LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 1 of 3 September 22, 2026 Call to Order Mayor Gaasch called the Regular City Council meeting to order at 7:12 p.m. Roll Call Councilors present: Jeff Dains, Sharon Kelly, Evan Sayre, and Mayor Mary Gaasch. Councilor absent: Duane Pulford. 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. There being none, Councilor Dains moved and seconded by Councilor Kelly to approve the agenda. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Gaasch asked if there were corrections to the minutes of the September 8, 2026, City Council meeting. There being none, Councilor Kelly moved and seconded by Councilor Dains to approve the September 8, 2026, City Council meeting minutes. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Gaasch asked if there were any questions on the claims. Councilor Sayre moved and seconded by Councilor Dains to approve the claims totaling $17,518.92. Motion carried unanimously. Informational Presentations/Reports A. Presentation by Rachel Development Regarding the Les Bolstad Golf Course Paul Robinson of Rachel Development attended the meeting as an opportunity to introduce the company to Lauderdale. Rachel Development is the lead developer selected by the University of Minnesota (U of M( to redevelop Les Bolstad Golf Course. The Council invited Robinson to attend the meeting to address issues important to residents, business owners, and the City Council. Robinson noted that Rachel Development had to "win" the U of M's RFP by putting together a proposal that they thought matched the interests of Falcon Heights. That plan has been set aside as they work with the City of Falcon Heights and their Community Advisory Committee to create a concept plan from scratch that addresses the mix of housing and other uses that work on the site and meet the 14 units of housing per acre required by the Metropolitan Council. Lauderdale council members engaged with Robinson on a variety of subjects related to the project. Butkowski also relayed conversations staff have had with Falcon Heights staff, the watershed districts, Ramsey County, and the developer, related to items staff feel are important to the project planning process. Those items are related to Fulham Street; drainage towards Walsh Lake LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 2 of 3 September 22, 2026 and the Lauderdale Nature Area; and open space as it relates to creating a green space corridor away from the major roads surrounding the development. Discussion/Action Item A. Resolution No. 092226A — Adopting the 2027 Preliminary Property Tax Levy and Establishing the Budget Meeting Date Butkowski said Ramsey County assessor's report shows the anticipated decrease in Lauderdale housing values with a median value of $319,100 for 2027 versus $321,900 for 2026. The county assessor also presented that 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. At the previous meeting, the Council decided to levy an additional $110,000 to pay for most of the —$130,000 hockey rink improvement. With this additional park fund transfer, the overall general fund budget increases $145,257 or 7.4% (levy increase of 11.3%). The increase results in a —$60 increase in the city property taxes on a median home. However, owners may still experience an overall decrease in their taxes due to shifting values as noted above. Councilor Sayre made a motion to adopt Resolution No. 092226A — Adopting the 2027 Preliminary Property Tax Levy and Establishing the Budget Meeting Date. This was seconded by Councilor Dains and carried unanimously. Set Agenda for Next Meeting Butkowski stated that the next meeting may include the copier contract, September financials, and a variance request for 1961 Malvern Street. Work Session A. Staff Project Updates Butkowski shared that there is an opportunity for the public to ask for boulevard trees. Surveys and soil sampling were completed at 2430 Larpenteur Avenue. Finally, she stated that the Halloween Party at City Hall will be on Saturday, October 31, from 4-6 p.m. B. Opportunity for the Public to Address the City Council Mayor Gaasch opened the floor to those interested in addressing the Council. Kristine Sand, 1924 Walnut Street, said that she believed that adding more ingress / egress along Larpenteur Avenue instead Fulham Street at Ione Street and Pleasant Street would add protection for pedestrians and protect residents from traffic and noise issues. She asked if the green spaces included in the plans included parks and playgrounds. Finally, she wanted to know how tall the apartment complexes would be in the new development. LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 3 of 3 September 22, 2026 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 8:20 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Miles Cline Deputy City Clerk