Maple Plain City Council — Transcript
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
Water and Sewer Rate Billing Discrepancies
Orono School District Update
Vacant City Council Seat Appointment
Park Improvement Fund for Wood Chips
Council Member and Mayor Reports
Votes (6)
Public Comment: Water and Sewer Rate Changes
John Faye expressed concerns regarding the city's approach to water and sewer billing, specifically for outdoor water usage. He argued that the current system's assumption that all incoming water goes to sewer leads to unfair charges for residents without a second meter. He questioned the accuracy of first-quarter water billing as a measure for sewer usage in other quarters and suggested the changes are primarily for administrative convenience rather than billing accuracy. He asked for a workshop to examine the issue more thoroughly.
Orono School Board Update
Wendy Lounsbury updated the council on positive curriculum changes (Read Act, math review), enhanced district communications, and extensive construction projects completed (parking lots, security cameras, etc.). She also detailed significant financial pressures from new state mandates like paid family medical leave, unemployment insurance, and a substantial cut to special education funding. Lounsbury informed the council about a constitutional amendment on the November ballot that would change the distribution method of the Permanent School Fund, potentially providing more predictable funding to schools.
Accepting Resignation and Declaring Vacancy (Resolution 2026-0824-01)
Moved by Reviser [0:26:15] · Seconded by DeLuca [0:26:18]
This item was a procedural formality to officially accept the resignation of Council Member Connie Francis and declare the resulting vacancy on the City Council.
Appointing Nathan Pearson to City Council (Resolution 2026-0824-02)
Moved by DeLuca [0:27:05] · Seconded by Reviser [0:27:10]
Following the declaration of the vacant seat, the council proceeded with the appointment of Nathan Pearson. The Mayor noted that the council had previously spent time with Mr. Pearson, reviewing his application and conducting an interview, leading to the recommendation for his appointment.
Accounts Payable Approval
Moved by Council Member DeLuca [0:31:25] · Seconded by Council Member Arvizu [0:31:30]
The City Council reviewed and approved the month's bills, totaling over $1.25 million, which included regular city bills, ACH payments, and significant payments for the 2024 street project, industrial street project, and downtown street project. Staff clarified an item for an LMC conference appearing as 'Garden Grill' on the credit card statement.
Using Park Improvement Funds to Purchase Wood Chips (Resolution 2026-0824-03)
Moved by Council Member DeLuca [0:35:45] · Seconded by Council Member Revizzo [0:36:00]
Staff explained the urgent need for wood chips in city parks, noting that previous grant applications for pour-in-place rubber mulch were unsuccessful. The resolution sought approval to use existing park improvement funds for a purchase totaling $18,700, specifically for immediate needs, with plans to address Bryantwood Park's needs later. Council Member DeLuca highlighted that the citizens advisory group had identified this as a critical need.
Notable Quotes (6)
The mere fact that you're acknowledging the need for an opt-out provision is proof that you're aware of the potential billing flaws with outside water usage quarters two through four.
I'm here because I'm convinced the driving force behind this proposed change is less about accurately billing for sewer usage and more to simplify administrative billing responsibilities.
The legislation passed um and they are most likely going to um take effect some really um heavy financial burdens put on school districts. Um one of them is paid family medical leave which you know, um whether people you know, advocate for oppose um is one thing, but um and no money is given to the s- to us by the state, yet we um are on the hook for paying. That makes it just really tricky.
It's the permanent school fund and the current fund value is about 2.3 billion dollars and that is funded through school trust lands, mining, logging, lands, land use and it that money supports every public school. So that trust was set up when when the school the when the state was established. And the way the they distribute money now is it's interest and dividends only. So a several year study was done and it is now proposed that um the funds distribution will include full market value.
If you've been at the parks uh recently, we are desperate need of putting wood chips in. Um we have held off on that because we applied for the grants for the pour-in-place rubber mulch, or rubber pour-in-place. Um and unfortunately, we did not get either of those grants. Uh so it is the time to fill those in.
And this is This is something, Mayor, that was noted by our citizens advisory group as a need and in fact was brought up recently. I appreciate staff holding off on this until we could see if we got the grant. But I would move that we uh approve this item uh this resolution and use park improvement funds to get the wood chips, get them in.
Ordinances & Resolutions (11)
State legislation impacting reading curriculum in schools.
State fund supporting public schools, subject to a constitutional amendment.
Proposed amendment on the November ballot impacting school funding distribution from the Permanent School Fund.
Accepting the resignation of Connie Francis and declaring a vacancy on the council.
Appointing Nathan Pearson to the City Council.
Authorizing the use of park improvement funds to purchase wood chips.
Conditional Use Permit tied to the Crow River pit mining project.
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency mining permit tied to the Crow River pit mining project.
Grants related to the North Fork, now fully spent.
Grants related to the South Fork, being reallocated.
Non-profit status for the West Hennepin Community Safety Foundation.