Lakeville City Council — Transcript
Monday, September 8, 2025
Introduction of New Police Officers
Parks and Recreation Quarterly Report
Consent Agenda Items
Preliminary 2026 Property Tax Levy Budget Approval
Annexation of Land for Compass Rail Lakeville LLC
Tradition Development Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Map Amendments
Votes (6)
Introduction of New Police Officers
Dissent: None
Moved by N/A · Seconded by N/A
Six new police officers (Adam Peterson, Brandon McCarthy, Josh Wickner, Melissa Roupert, Justin Angel, Alexander Conkl) were introduced to the council and community. Each officer's background, education, and prior experience were detailed. They received their badges from family members and were administered the oath of office. The Police Chief and Mayor underscored the importance of transparency, community partnership, and welcoming the best talent to the Lakeville Police Department.
Parks and Recreation Quarterly Report
Dissent: None
Moved by N/A · Seconded by N/A
The Parks and Recreation Director presented a detailed report for the months of June through August. Key updates included the opening of pickleball courts at Grand Prairie Park and nearing completion of other amenities, progress on East Community Park and Lake Marian Greenway planning, and ongoing construction at Spyglass Park. Maintenance staff were recognized for their seasonal duties and improvements to the Kenwood Disc Golf Course and new off-leash dog areas. Recreation programs, youth sports, environmental programs, adult leagues, and special events showed strong participation. The Art Center reported significant increases in revenue and participation, with popular pottery camps and successful performing arts events. The Heritage Center also reported high visitor numbers and participation in various programs and trips. Council members inquired about Antlers Park rentals and concession stand hours, confirming increases in rentals and adjusted operating hours.
Consent Agenda
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member [0:24:22] · Seconded by Council Member [0:24:27]
Two items from the consent agenda were highlighted: a resolution to accept $18,000 in cash and in-kind donations to the Parks and Recreation department, and an ordinance amendment to Title 7, Chapter 8 of the city code regarding the operation of electric assisted bicycles (e-bikes) on city trails, sidewalks, and paved paths. Both items were considered routine and approved without specific council discussion.
Approval of Preliminary 2026 Property Tax Levy Budget
Dissent: None
Moved by Council member Burmal [0:28:44] · Seconded by Council Member [0:29:21]
The Finance Director presented the preliminary 2026 property tax levy budget, requesting approval for a levy of $52.3 million. She explained that tax base growth would absorb most of the increase, leading to an estimated $81 annual increase for a median-value home ($468,000). The budget includes three new positions. The action initiates the 'truth in taxation' process, with a public hearing scheduled for December 1, 2025, where the final levy can be reduced but not increased. Council member Lee commended the budget for its prudence, noting it was lower than the previous year's levy and that Lakeville remains a low-tax city within Dakota County.
Public Hearing - Ordinance Annexing Land Owned by Compass Rail Lakeville LLC and the Metropolitan Airports Commission located in Eureka Township
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member [0:35:18] · Seconded by Council Member [0:35:44]
Compass Rail LLC and the Metropolitan Airports Commission petitioned for the annexation of 33.31 acres in Eureka Township. The purpose is to develop a railcar storage facility, with the MAC property remaining undeveloped. This annexation is the initial step, to be followed by land use, rezoning, and development approvals. During the public hearing, resident Linda Ripley raised a concern about light filtering, to which staff confirmed that all commercial/industrial lighting in the city must be downcast. The Mayor emphasized the long-standing nature of the project to address railcar storage on County Road 50 and thanked partners for moving it forward.
Tradition Development Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Map Amendments
Dissent: None
Moved by Council member Burmal [1:09:44] · Seconded by Council Member [1:10:04]
Tradition Development Corp. proposed comprehensive plan and zoning map amendments for a 390-acre site, aiming to develop approximately 1,200 housing units over 12-20 years, drawing parallels to their Spirit of Branchen Farms project. The plan requires an Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUR) to study environmental impacts under current and proposed density scenarios. Public comments expressed significant concerns regarding wetlands, wildlife (especially impacts on the Soulberg Waterfall Production Area), increased traffic on 210th Street and County Road 70, potential changes to water tables, and the school district's capacity. Some residents questioned the developer's property control and urged adherence to the existing 2040 Comprehensive Plan, while others noted that doing the AUR after a proposed plan rather than before would provide a more 'realistic' impact assessment. Council members acknowledged the public's concerns and stressed that the AUR process would address these issues and that this was just the beginning of a lengthy, multi-phase project with numerous future opportunities for public input and rigorous review.
Notable Quotes (13)
Uh and we feel that's important as well in front of our community. Uh policing a community does not h happen without a partnership and I think a piece of that partnership is the transparency and showing our community who these officers are.
Congratulations. You're embarking on uh just a wonderful career that will be very challenging and very rewarding. Uh welcome to Lakeville.
6J is a resolution accepting donations to the parks and recreation department, which Mr. Mass just spoke about. In total, we're accepting $18,000 in either um cash donations or inind donations, and we're thankful for all of those. And then item 6K is an ordinance amendment to title 7, chapter 8 of our city code. And this is relating to the operations of electric assisted bicycles or ebikes on trails and sidewalks and paved paths within the city.
Tonight's action, we are asking for the approval of a levy of 52.3 million. and the tax base growth for the city is absorbing most of the levy increase. So, um the impact to the median value home, which now is $468,000 home in Lakeville, um is roughly $81 a year increase.
I don't have any additional questions, but I I did want to highlight the uh what I believe is significant prudence with this budget. Um there were several other positions. I think that staff are we're hoping to receive this this year, but um I think we've come to a a good compromise here with the positions that you're you're requesting.
Uh the purpose of the annexation will be to uh develop a railc car storage facility in conjunction with uh PG Progressive Railroad and the city of Lakeville.
Yes. Um, all lighting in the city for any commercial or industrial property does have to be downcast style. Um, so as we work on the development proposal, that is part of our ordinance and something that will be required on this site.
This has been a project of figuring out what to do with the rail cars on County Road 50 for a very, very long time. And thanks to, you know, the work from our state legislators to secure state funding and from our member of Congress to help with some engineering funding and the partnership with Progressive and the city and Compass, we're in like the next little baby step to make this all happen.
because of the scope of the project, the number of acres and more importantly the number of homes that would be proposed on this site, we would be required to complete an alternative urban area wide review or an EIS.
I'd ask you to honor your 2040 plan. You put, as Dina indicated, you've put a lot of time and effort into that. You change it every 10 years. Um, I ask that you consider keeping that until it's time to change it for 2050.
This evening you're considering a comprehensive plan amendment that uh is a departure from the long-standing practice of the city of Lakeville whereby they would do the AUR first followed by the subsequent comprehensive plan amendment and Musa expansion. So, this is a departure.
I just want to echo, thank you for your comments. They also watched the planning commission meeting and heard the comments there and they're spot on when we start talking about the transportation, the impact on schools, uh the wildlife, the trees, all of those things are factors and that's my understanding is that's what the AUR is designed to address.
I think there is a benefit to having a developer come in and propose something because really now this helps our AUR process talk about something that's realistic as opposed to hypothetical.
Ordinances & Resolutions (16)
Ordinance amendment relating to electric assisted bicycles on trails and sidewalks
Preliminary budget for the city's 2026 operations and services
Statute governing the annexation of land (120 acres or less, contiguous to city)
Current long-range planning document guiding future growth, subject to proposed amendments
Component of the comprehensive plan outlining estimated timing for development based on sewer extension
Component of the comprehensive plan outlining how land is intended to be developed
Map showing current zoning designations, to be amended for consistency with the comprehensive plan
Environmental review process required for large developments to assess cumulative impacts, replacing an EIS
Alternative to AUR for major environmental review
Initial document for the AUR process, defining study scenarios
Future comprehensive plan where density requirements will shift to 3.5 units per acre
Planned Unit Development process for specific project approvals
Initial concept plan for a PUD
Early stage approval for subdividing land
Final approval for subdividing land
City ordinance governing tree preservation and removal