Maple Plain City Council — Transcript
Thursday, October 8, 2026
Youth Activities Grants
Bond Expense Transfer
Council Appointments & Committee Revisions
Software System Upgrade
Street Improvement Assessments (Industrial Street & Downtown Reconstruction)
2027 Preliminary Budget & Tax Levy
City Auditor & Finance Department Appointments
Mayor and Council Member Salary Amendment
Highway 12 Townhomes Development
Votes (21)
Approval of Agenda (with Consent Agenda Removal)
Dissent: Council Member who requested tabling Resolution 2026 0928-12.
Moved by Council Member [00:01:03] · Seconded by Council Member [00:01:07]
A council member raised a concern about tabling resolution 2026 0928-12 due to outstanding agency approvals before the general agenda was approved. The Acting Mayor directed the council to proceed with the agenda approval first, following parliamentary procedure. The consent agenda was removed from the main agenda due to corrections needed.
Tabling of Consent Agenda Minutes
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member [00:02:49] · Seconded by Council Member [00:02:55]
The council noted that the minutes from three previous council workshops (August 24, August 31, and September 21) required a significant number of changes. A motion was made to defer these minutes to the next meeting for further review and correction.
Approval of Accounts Payable
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member [00:04:36] · Seconded by Council Member [00:04:39]
The Administrator presented the city's bills, including general city bills, AC payments, and pay requests for the 2026 Downtown Reconstruction Project and the 2026 Industrial Street Reconstruction Project, totaling over $1.2 million. The council approved the collective payment without further discussion.
Resolution 01: Approval of a Fall Youth Activity Grant Application
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member [00:07:37] · Seconded by Council Member [00:07:40]
Staff member Kevin presented a resolution to submit an application for the Henipin County Youth Activities Grant Program. The grant would fund five park improvement projects: replacement of the outdoor hockey rink at Rainbow Park, and complete playground replacements at Veterans Memorial Park, Oak Street Tot, Bryantwood Park, and Rainbow Park. The council had previously approved these projects in the Park Improvement Plan.
Resolution O2: Approving a Transfer of Bond Expenses to the Appropriate Funds
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member [00:08:52] · Seconded by Council Member [00:08:55]
The administrative staff explained that a street reconstruction bond was taken out in 2024. This resolution facilitates the transfer of $1,120,754.42 from the water, sewer, and storm fund to the bond fund, fulfilling the repayment obligation.
Resolution Three: Approving the Revisions to the Maple Plane Council Appointments
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member [00:10:07] · Seconded by Council Member [00:10:10]
The administrative staff presented revisions to council appointments, which included removing Connie Francis and the rebranding committee, adding Nate Pearson to the Planning Commission, and making two minor corrections regarding Mayor Julie's sole representation on the West Henipin Chamber and the weekly (not quarterly) nature of Rotary meetings.
Resolution Four: Approving the Purchase of BSNA Software and the Transfer of Funds
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member [00:11:47] · Seconded by Council Member [00:11:51]
The administrative staff outlined the proposal to purchase BSNA software for $116,315 using capital improvement funds. This new cloud-based software is intended to combine multiple city software systems into one, a move lauded by the Acting Mayor as aligning perfectly with the city's strategic plan for automation and non-manual processes.
Resolution 05: Declaring Cost to Be Assessed and Ordering Preparation of Proposed Assessment for the Industrial Street Improvements
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member [00:14:45] · Seconded by Council Member [00:14:48]
Assistant City Engineer Matt Bowman reported on the nearly completed Industrial Street project. He noted that the overall project cost was slightly above the feasibility study, but the proposed final assessment amount of $100,146.02 was slightly under the feasibility estimate for assessable properties. Only two properties would be assessed, with the city covering the frontage for the water main portion.
Resolution Six: Approval Hearing on Proposed Assessment for the 2026 Industrial Street Improvement Projects
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member [00:15:58] · Seconded by Council Member [00:16:01]
Assistant City Engineer Matt Bowman presented the proposed date and time for the assessment hearing for the Industrial Street Improvements. The hearing was scheduled for October 19th at 7:00 PM in the council chambers.
Resolution Seven: Declaring Costs to Be Assessed and Ordering Preparation of Proposed Assessment for the Downtown Reconstruction
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member [00:18:24] · Seconded by Council Member [00:18:28]
Assistant City Engineer Matt Bowman provided an update on the Downtown Reconstruction project, which is approximately half complete. He reported that the total project cost is projected to be around $5.61 million, which is about $285,000 less than the initial feasibility estimate. The estimated assessment amount of $1,513,045 is $156,000 less than projected, resulting in individual property assessments being 10-13% lower than initially anticipated. Non-assessable improvements, such as sidewalks and underground utilities, are excluded from the assessments.
Resolution Eight: Approval of a Hearing for the Downtown Reconstruction
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member [00:19:56] · Seconded by Council Member [00:19:59]
Assistant City Engineer Matt Bowman confirmed that the assessment hearing for the Downtown Reconstruction project would be held on October 19th in the council chambers, aligning with the earlier resolution to declare costs and prepare assessments.
Resolution Nine: Approval of the 2027 Preliminary Budget and Tax Levy
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member [00:27:07] · Seconded by Council Member [00:27:10]
Administrative staff (Julie) presented an overview of the 2027 preliminary budget, highlighting a 4.21% increase in the total tax levy, but a projected 1.5% decrease in city property taxes for most residents due to shifts in tax capacity. The general levy decreased by 3.17%, while the debt levy increased significantly due to new 2026A and 2026B general obligation bonds for street projects. Increases in police, fire, and highway expenditures were noted, with the police department being the largest cost center at 41.9% of the general fund.
Resolution 10: Approval of a New City Auditor
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member [00:28:50] · Seconded by Council Member [00:28:53]
Administrative staff recommended approving Conway Duth as the city's new auditor, entering into a three-year agreement for the 2026 audit, replacing the previous firm.
Resolution 11: Approval of Clifton Larson Allen (CLA) as Our City Finance Department
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member [00:30:57] · Seconded by Council Member [00:31:01]
Administrative staff recommended approving Clifton Larson Allen (CLA) to take over the city's finance department services, replacing Abdo Financial Solutions. The decision was based on CLA's substantially lower bid for a three-year contract, which commences after Abdo's contract expires on December 31st of this year.
Ordinance Amendment on Mayor and Council Member Salaries
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member [00:32:47] · Seconded by Council Member [00:32:50]
The administrative staff presented an ordinance amendment (Section 2-23) to increase the Mayor's salary from $400 to $500 per month and council members' salaries from $300 to $350 per month, effective January 1, 2027. The amendment also includes an additional $25 for each official meeting attended and mileage reimbursement. This change was required to be approved prior to the next election.
Publication of Ordinance Amendment
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member [00:33:38] · Seconded by Council Member [00:33:41]
Following the approval of the salary ordinance amendment, a subsequent motion was made and approved to authorize the publication of the change in the ordinance, completing the procedural requirements for the amendment.
Highway 12 Town Homes Project - Amending Article 4 of City Code for PUD Zoning
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member [00:46:27] · Seconded by Council Member [00:46:31]
Planning staff explained that this was a procedural step to amend Article 4 of the city code, specifically Section 10-543, to allow for planned unit specific zoning for the Highway 12 Townhomes project. This action formally establishes the necessary zoning district within the city's ordinances, a practice previously used for other major developments.
Highway 12 Town Homes Project - Amending City of Maple Plains Zoning Code to Include Zoning Maps (Ordinance 357)
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member [00:47:20] · Seconded by Council Member [00:47:23]
Planning staff confirmed that this was another procedural step, amending the city's zoning code to update its maps. This ensures the official zoning maps accurately reflect the new Planned Unit Development zoning district established for the Highway 12 Townhomes project.
Highway 12 Town Homes Project - Resolution 12: Approval of Rezoning to PUD, Site Review, Preliminary & Final Plat for 85-Unit Development
Dissent: Council Member Roelle
Moved by Council Member [00:48:29] · Seconded by Council Member [00:48:33]
Planning staff presented Equinox Development Partners' proposal for an 85-unit rental townhome community on Highway 12, requesting rezoning to Planned Unit Development (PUD), site plan review, and preliminary/final plat approvals. The project's density (12 units/acre) falls within the comprehensive plan's guidelines, and it complies with all underlying zoning standards without requesting deviations. Discussion included concerns about traffic impact on Highway 12, the city's reliance on PUDs as a control and negotiation tool, and the timeline for agency approvals (with outstanding Mandot comments and Pioneer Sarah Creek requiring city approval first). The project includes a new connection to Pioneer Creek Drive and a pedestrian sidewalk along Highway 12.
Highway 12 Town Homes Project - Approval of Equinox Development Partners LLC Developers Agreement
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member [00:49:15] · Seconded by Council Member [00:49:18]
This agreement solidifies the specific details, requirements, and responsibilities associated with the development of the Highway 12 Townhomes project. The council approved the agreement without further discussion, following the main project approval.
Highway 12 Town Homes Project - Approval of the Planned Unit Development (PUD) Agreement
Dissent: Council Member Roelle
Moved by Council Member [00:49:50] · Seconded by Council Member [00:49:54]
The Planned Unit Development (PUD) Agreement outlines the specific conditions, design standards, and operational requirements that the Equinox Development Partners must adhere to as part of the PUD zoning for the townhomes project. This agreement provides the city with enhanced control over the development's long-term aspects.
Notable Quotes (8)
I was just going to ask if we can table resolution 2026 0928-12 at the October 8th council meeting due to the fact that we have the proposed motion is to allow additional to allow additional time to review outstanding agency approvals, development related agreements and other items identified in a conditions of approval to the council action on the application since that not everything has gone through all approvals such as MD review storm water related revisions, access a easement documentation and final development agreements documents.
So, this particular item fits very well into that strategic plan. And it's one of the things that we constantly hold up to ourselves as council members is the strategic plan that we have. And when I see one that hits the mark on that, I like to bring that up.
I would like to note that we appreciate the engineering perspective. I know when you're looking at a project and you say this is going to be roughly $5.8 million. And then to see the project working its way and go well, you know, we we're able to save here, do a little here. That saves our residents when the assessments are actually done. and they will be less than what they would have been.
One of them is the net result of this budget this year and what the council and staff have done will actually for most people show a decrease. I want to emphasize that word decrease in your taxes for the city. We have no control over the county or the school district or any of the other taxing districts. We do have some control over the city one.
Up until I got on in 2012, you hadn't seen a road project in probably 30 years in this city. And the price you pay for that is, yeah, taxes were kept at a reasonable rate, but all the roads were falling apart. all the sewer was falling apart. Our INI was going the wrong way. Our infiltration with the the sewer system. So, I give council a lot of credit for the work that they've done over the years with staff to build the projects and the roads while still maintaining the um the lead point here, which is we're going to probably see a decrease.
So the city submits these plans to mind. Mindot has jurisdiction over the highway 12 piece of this project. Mindot has not responded. Their timeline for responding is far past and they are having an ongoing issue with being able to comply. So, unfortunately, the city ha the city has the ability to move forward and cannot wait for MIDOT.
We've used PUDS though as a tool, right? So it's a negotiating tool. We've asked developers to provide stuff to the city that's not always in the uh um in our ordinances. In this case, we're asking a developer to build a sidewalk along Highway 12. That's not necessarily a requirement. We're also asking them to build a road to the north that wasn't necessarily a requirement. So there are some gives um and trades that that PUD helps us to be able to do.
So, we are under timelines. So once applicants submit deadline or things, the state says we only have a certain amount of time. So we have to process in accordance with that. With that said, there are no items that I would call red flags or that are outstanding. It's more just uh dotting eyes, crossing tees at this point.
Ordinances & Resolutions (25)
Resolution proposed for tabling from the agenda to allow additional time for review of agency approvals and development agreements.
Authorizes the submission of the Fall Youth Activity Grant application to Henipin County.
Approves the transfer of bond expenses totaling $1,120,754.42 to appropriate funds.
Approves revisions to the Maple Plane Council appointments.
Approves the purchase of BSNA software for $116,315 and the transfer of capital improvement funds.
Declares costs to be assessed and orders preparation of proposed assessment for the Industrial Street Improvements.
Approves the hearing date (October 19th) on proposed assessment for the 2026 Industrial Street Improvement Projects.
Declares costs to be assessed and orders preparation of proposed assessment for the Downtown Reconstruction.
Approves the hearing date (October 19th) on proposed assessment for the Downtown Reconstruction.
The proposed budget for the City of Maple Plane for the year 2027, presented for preliminary approval and certification.
The proposed property tax levy for the City of Maple Plane for the year 2027, presented for preliminary approval.
Approves the appointment of Conway Duth as the new city auditor for a three-year agreement.
Approves the appointment of Clifton Larson Allen (CLA) as the city's finance department for a three-year agreement.
Amends the city code to increase Mayor and Council Member salaries and compensation for meetings and mileage.
Amends the City of Maple Plane zoning code to include updated zoning maps reflecting the new PUD zoning district.
City plan outlining various park improvement projects, five of which are targeted by the Youth Activities Grant.
City's guiding document for development, used to evaluate proposals for the Highway 12 Townhomes project.
City guidelines for development in the downtown area, referenced in the context of the Highway 12 Townhomes project.
Evaluations performed for the Industrial Street and Downtown Reconstruction projects, against which final costs and assessments were compared.
A zoning mechanism used for the Highway 12 Townhomes project to provide the city with specific development controls and flexibility.
A required review for the proposed 85-unit rental townhome community on Highway 12.
A required subdivision approval for the Highway 12 Townhomes project to combine existing properties.
The final subdivision approval for the Highway 12 Townhomes project to accommodate the proposed development.
An agreement with Equinox Development Partners to solidify details and stipulate requirements for the Highway 12 Townhomes project.
A specific agreement related to the Planned Unit Development zoning for the Highway 12 Townhomes project, outlining specific provisions and controls.