Citizens Comments - Sex Offender Registry Violation
No formal vote; directed to police department for follow-up
John Borup, a resident at 20735 Hollands Avenue West, raised urgent community safety concerns regarding a Level 3 sex offender who has been living unreported in downtown Lakeville for approximately two years, in violation of state sex predator registry requirements. The offender's residence is located near Pan Prague festivities, Lakeville Brewing, playgrounds, Dairy Delight, and bike trails. Borup expressed concern about children walking to school and using downtown areas, and questioned whether the city has zoning authority to address the situation. He noted the offender may be living out of a car or within a local business downtown. Borup acknowledged the offender's right to move on from past crimes but emphasized the violation of registry requirements and requested city exploration of the matter.
2025 Street Reconstruction Rehabilitation Project (City Project 25-02) - Public Hearing and Contract Award
5-0 Approved (Lee: Aye, Bulk: Aye, Helier: Aye, Burmill: Aye, Walter: Aye)
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Lee [Timestamp] · Seconded by Unknown [Timestamp]
The city presented a comprehensive street reconstruction project covering 1.3 miles including Hayes Avenue, Harbor Court, and 170th Street. The project includes pavement reclamation and reuse, curb and gutter replacement, enhanced storm sewer improvements, and traffic calming measures. A traffic study was conducted on Hayes Avenue and 170th Street due to resident concerns; findings showed minimum crashes (two accidents at intersections), typical residential speeds (71% of vehicles at or below 30 mph), and support for traffic calming through wider edge striping (6 inches), stop bars, and narrower drive lanes (11 feet vs. 12-13 feet). Water main improvements include lining of a 12-inch trunk line on 170th Street and replacement of bolts at gate valves and hydrants on Hayes Avenue. Special assessments were proposed for 40% of parcels on a per-unit basis; assessments decreased 5% from feasibility to bid. Five contractors bid on the project; McNamera Contracting submitted the lowest bid at 4% below feasibility estimate. Payment options include partial payment by November 15th without interest, full payment by December 15th with accrued interest, or 10-15 year assessment periods on property taxes at 3.88% interest. Deferral options are available for seniors, disabled persons, and active military duty (applications due July 7th, 2025). Construction is scheduled to begin April 15th with completion by end of August.
2025 Arbor Day Proclamation and Tree City USA Recognition
Proclamation adopted (no formal vote recorded; ceremonial action)
Lakeville was recognized as a Tree City USA for the 32nd consecutive year and received a growth award for exceeding standard requirements through inventory system upgrades and AmeriCorps program support. The city conducted a tree sale with 200 trees in 13 species that sold out within two weeks, indicating strong community demand for tree cover. Pickup event is scheduled for April 26th (Earth celebration). A volunteer planting event is planned for May 7th at Chadwick Park with 30 trees (building on last year's 25 participants at Independence Park). The city expanded its website to include an Arbor Day page with information on events, past plantings, and two self-guided tree tracks at parks. The proclamation emphasizes trees' benefits including clean air and water, shade, energy savings, wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities, wood products, jobs, increased property values, and carbon sequestration for greenhouse gas offset.
Public Works Quarterly Report - Q1 2025 Infrastructure and Environmental Projects
No formal vote; informational presentation with Q&A
The Public Works Director reported on multiple ongoing projects: (1) 185th Street reconstruction and widening from Kenwood Trail to IPA Avenue with urbanization, curb and gutter, four lanes, pedestrian trails, turn lanes, and storm sewer improvements; construction begins April 15th with completion by end of August. (2) County Road 50 Hamburg roundabout project in design phase; bidding planned for late spring with summer construction start. (3) 170th Street pedestrian crossing with rapid flashing beacons connecting to North Creek Greenway Trail. (4) Market Street Plaza parking lot reconstruction to address tripping hazards and improve pavement effectiveness (late summer). (5) Street sweeping operations six days per week; 22 snow events called out this year (tracking close to 2023-2024 levels, well below historical 50-inch average). (6) Bookshore Drive lift station construction underway; Jamaica 160th/61st Street intersection closed for force main installation; completion expected early June. (7) Water well number 17 rehabilitation in Sema Park. (8) Sanitary sewer lining project 50% complete, lining 2.7 miles of clay pipe to eliminate groundwater infiltration and reduce sewer backup risk. (9) Lead and copper rules project ongoing; 900 residents still need to be contacted; 2,000 unknown material service lines identified; state grant funds available for replacement. (10) Hydrant flushing program underway to ensure functionality and remove sediments. Environmental Services received over $650,000 in grants for prairie restoration, invasive species mitigation (carp removal), aquatic boat inspection, and stormwater improvements. Spring projects include channel armoring at Burm Crossroads Basin and North Creek, sediment removal at Crystal Lake Golf Course pond, prescribed burns and stump removal at Ritter Park, and Summers Creek restoration with prescribed burns and native vegetation planting. Forestry division removed 125 ash trees in parks and rights-of-way; 815 trees scheduled for injection this summer (12% reduction from last cycle); 604 properties identified with infested ash trees (nearly half already removed). DNR EAB grant program in year two: 55 trees to be removed from parks and replaced with 110 trees; 60 additional trees planted in Aronson Park. Public engagement events include Earth Day celebration April 26th at central maintenance facility with puppet show and vendors; watershed cleanup day April 26-May 3rd; tool swaps by Qual Valley Recycling; landscaping courses May 6th (online, Dakota County) and June 2nd (in-person, Farmington Library); master landscaping course May 19th and 21st; paper shredding events in Egan, Apple Valley, and Burnsville in April, May, and June.
Cricket Hub Sports Academy Donation and Youth Programs
No formal vote; ceremonial donation and partnership announcement
Crichub Sports Academy, a new organization in Lakeville, made a donation to the parks and recreation youth scholarship fund to provide access to youth programs. The organization is partnering with Lakeville area elementary, middle, and high schools to provide cricket coaching and organize cricket tournaments. The presentation highlighted the rapid growth of cricket in the United States, noting that the USA hosted the T20 World Cup last year (jointly with Caribbean islands) and the USA cricket team defeated several international teams. The city plans to open a cricket pitch on Cedar 185th Street next summer. The council took a photo with the organization representatives to commemorate the donation and partnership.
Consent Agenda - Temporary On-Sale License and Advisory Board Appointment
5-0 Approved (Walter: Aye, Second: Aye, Lee: Aye, Bulk: Aye, Helier: Aye, Burmill: Aye)
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Walter [Timestamp] · Seconded by Unknown [Timestamp]
Two routine items were presented: (1) Item 6R: Temporary on-sale license for the Dakota Curling Club for their Cinco de Mayo event downtown, described as a well-executed annual event. (2) Item 6T: Resolution appointing Christy Harms to the Lakeville Area Arts Center Advisory Board, correcting an inadvertent omission from a previous resolution approval.
Spirit of Branch and Farm 25th Edition - PUD Amendment and Preliminary Plat
5-0 Approved (Lee: Aye, Bulk: Aye, Helier: Aye, Burmill: Aye, Walter: Aye)
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Lee [Timestamp] · Seconded by Unknown [Timestamp]
Tradition Development requested approval for the final phase of Spirit of Branch and Farm development, proposing seven detached townhomes (revival-type product consistent with 21st and 23rd editions). The property is located north of 170th Street and east of Draft Horse Boulevard. A PUD amendment is required to allow detached townhomes in the farmstead preservation area (originally restricted to specific uses). The preliminary plat shows rear-loaded townhomes with two-car garages and front doors facing Draft Horse Boulevard. Access is via private east-west ranch and farm drive. The project includes 50 striped parking spaces in the previously open field area (used for parking and events), with potential for 26 additional spaces. Extensive landscaping is planned along both streets and the private drive, as well as at home fronts and rears. The developer noted that rather than selling the final project area to a third-party developer, Tradition Development chose to develop a transitional home product between adjacent single-family areas and their office complex within the farmstead preservation area. Council Member Lee raised concerns about parking during special events (retirement parties, food truck festivals), noting that parking lots are often full. The developer responded that striping the 50 spaces will improve efficiency, employees will be encouraged to use the rear parking lot, and a "ghost plan" exists for developing 26-28 additional spaces on green space south of existing buildings if needed. Planning Commission held public hearing on March 20th with no public comment and unanimously recommended approval.
Lord of Life Townhome Development - Preliminary Plat and Variance
5-0 Approved (Lee: Aye, Bulk: Aye, Helier: Aye, Burmill: Aye, Walter: Aye)
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Lee [Timestamp] · Seconded by Unknown [Timestamp]
Frisbee Companies proposed a 24-unit townhome development on 5.74 acres of former Lord of Life Church property south of Dodd Boulevard. The city approved a comprehensive plan amendment in September 2024 reguiding the property to low-medium density residential with RST2 zoning. A variance is requested for cul-de-sac length of 638 feet (vs. 600-foot ordinance limit) due to existing land constraints and lot area requirements. The project includes rear-loaded townhomes with two-car driveways and significant landscaping buffers along the north side to provide a buffer between homes and church parking lot. The developer has submitted final plat plans and is eager to proceed. Pastor Jamie Thompson of Lord of Life was present; the church is not financially involved in the project but sold the land to the developer. The developer noted that Frisbee Companies has worked with the church since 2004-2005 on the initial church building. Planning Commission held public hearing on March 20th with no public comment and unanimously recommended approval. Council Member Helier acknowledged that neighbors had raised concerns during the comprehensive plan amendment process but thanked both the church and developer for meeting with neighbors and addressing questions, noting that the lack of public comment at the hearing indicates successful community engagement.
Unpaid Special Charges Assessment Certification - Spring 2025
5-0 Approved (Walter: Aye, Lee: Aye, Bulk: Aye, Helier: Aye, Burmill: Aye)
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Walter [Timestamp] · Seconded by Unknown [Timestamp]
The Finance Director presented the spring certification of delinquent accounts to minimize city losses from potential bankruptcies. The certification includes: 45 delinquent utility bills totaling $9,570 (final bills for inactive accounts that have been sold); 4 nuisance abatements totaling $1,560; 7 false alarms totaling $967; and 1 tree removal totaling $1,550. Total assessments: $12,630. Property owners have 30 days from the hearing date to pay without incurring interest charges but are responsible for a $50 administration fee. Public notice was mailed to all customers and posted on the city website and published in the newspaper. No public comment was received.