Long Lake City Council — Transcript
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
Preliminary 2027 Budget and Tax Levy
Transition of City Engineering Services
Sanitary Sewer Lining Project in District One
Community Forest Resiliency and Emerald Ash Borer Management
Civic Engagement and Upcoming City Initiatives
Votes (4)
Approve Master Professional Service Agreement and Supplementary Task Orders with WSP LLC
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member [00:10:50] · Seconded by Council Member [00:10:52]
The discussion centered on the transition of engineering services from WSP to Hawinson Anderson. The agreement with WSP was necessary to close out existing projects, retain Hannah for planning services, and ensure the transfer of all municipal engineering data, including GIS. Concerns were raised regarding data ownership, accuracy, and the need for the city attorney to review and make minor contractual tweaks to protect the city's interests.
Adoption of Preliminary 2027 Payable Levy and Establish Truth in Taxation Public Date
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member [00:40:00] · Seconded by Council Member [00:40:02]
The City Administrator presented the preliminary 2027 budget and levy, proposing a 9.95% increase and a 36.47% tax rate, with the Truth in Taxation meeting scheduled for December 1st, 2026. Key factors driving the budget increase included a 3% COLA for staff, a 15.5% rise in health insurance premiums, additional engineering costs (including for the 2050 Comp Plan), and capital outlays for a plow truck and park improvements. Capital transfers were detailed for various funds including fire, fleet, pavement management, and parks. The council also discussed strategies to mitigate health insurance costs, better communicate property tax components to residents, and TIF fund management.
Updates on Minnesota DNR Protect Community Forest for Community Resiliency Grant Application
Dissent: N/A
Moved by N/A · Seconded by N/A
The City Administrator informed the council about the submission of a grant application to the Minnesota DNR for $150,000 to assist with the removal and replacement of emerald ash borer (EAB) infected trees, primarily focusing on Hullbrook Park. The total estimated need for this area is $227,800, which includes developing an EAB management plan. Staff are actively pursuing other grant opportunities, including one from Met Council, and considering engaging a grant writing company to maximize external funding for various city projects.
Award Contract for 2026 Sanitary Sewer Lining Project
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member [00:54:00] · Seconded by Council Member [00:54:02]
The City Administrator sought approval to award a contract for the sanitary sewer lining project in District One, an older area including the business district. Following a re-bid, Stewart Sure-Drain was recommended at $990,897, which is 16% higher than the original engineer's estimate but significantly lower than a previous bid. The project will be funded through a combination of a Met Council grant, TIF6 descertification funds, and the city's sanitary sewer capital and enterprise funds. The importance of the project was emphasized due to critical existing conditions and its long-term impact on the city's infrastructure and Metropolitan Council charges.
Notable Quotes (8)
There are some questions as far as ownership. Um but there are also some some language in the document that states that they do not stand behind the the um information that will be transferred that they're not held responsible for the accuracy of the information.
They don't like to give this stuff because they like to keep it in house because I think that helps them keep continuity with the client.
Our premiums right now are projected to increase 15.5%. over last year. Now, we are working with our insurance broker to find ways um to do some some shopping with other agencies, with other insurance companies, and possibly even looking at our own handbook as a staff and seeing if there are ways that we can cut here at city hall and what the premiums are going to how they're going to impact our city.
I think you need to we need to try to um maintain some type of level fluctuation. I think it's it's hard for our residents to have a huge increase at one time. Um, but I also think it's it's good to always be looking for ways to save as a city and make sure that the money we are spending is appropriate because I think we've spent a lot of time and we've talked about this, we spent a lot of money in the past planning for what we were going to do or um but not doing and I think it's it's time to really put our money where it's valuable.
The grant stipulates that whatever trees we remove, we will be replacing which is it was our intent as a city. Anyways, um so we have applied for the grant with the Minnesota Department of Revenue. I believe it pays up to $125,000.
There's there's possibilities out there that we just can't capture. And I would like to be able to, if it made sense, um start working with a company that I could just send, you know, available grants as as I see them. So, I've got an entire folder full of possible grants. It's just a matter of I need someone that can look at it with um an educated eye and determine, okay, which ones are reasonable or realistic to apply for that would be a good fit for our city.
We have since had the entire city televised and we have chosen district one as our as um our starting point for two reasons. Number one, um we felt like it might have the larger largest impact on sewer. If you recall, there was also a major repair that had to be done that was over um just north of Wetta Boulevard where the pipes were offset. And we can also utilize some the descertified skip monies for this.
I'm disappointed because we were told when we started this entire process um last year that the whole city could be done for three million. I'm confident that that is not the situation we were if you recall we were gonna be number three million and we were going to be awarded $1.5 million in the grant as almost a two win and we got $50,000 and now just one district cost
Ordinances & Resolutions (10)
Adopted two meetings prior, recognizing Constitution Week starting September 17th.
Overall agreement for consulting services as the city transitions engineering firms.
Agreement for ongoing city planning services with Hannah from WSP.
Agreement for transferring GIS data, street information, and other engineering data from WSP to the city.
Budget proposal discussed and approved, forming the basis for the preliminary tax levy.
Proposed tax levy amount, including a 9.95% increase, approved by the council.
Resolution adopted to award the construction contract for the 2026 sanitary sewer lining project.
Required component of the DNR grant application, outlining future strategies for emerald ash borer management.
Long-range comprehensive plan requiring additional engineering and planning costs.
Referred to in Constitution Week observances, celebrating its signing anniversary.