Mound City Council — Transcript
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Water Treatment Plant Project Update
Public Safety and Police Department Activities
Avon Park Improvements and Resident Feedback
Lost Lake Commons Amenities and Design
Lost Lake Channel Fishing Ordinance
Council Meeting Procedural Changes
State Bonding Bill Advocacy for Water Plant
Planning Commission Updates and Future Ordinances
Votes (12)
Public Comments on Water Treatment Plant Project
Johan Schuma raised concerns about the project's escalating budget from an initial $10M to a current estimate of $42M. He questioned the adequacy of secured funding (approx. $12.3M from state/federal, potential $3M from PFA, leaving $27M unfunded) and the per-family cost implications. He also voiced design concerns, specifically regarding a three-vehicle garage and the proposed flat roof, suggesting a longer-lasting pitched metal roof. The Mayor and staff directed him to past meeting videos and the city website for detailed financial and project information.
Oath of Office for Fire Chief Andrew Drilling
City Manager Jesse Dixon administered the oath of office to Andrew Drilling, officially welcoming him as the new Fire Chief. The ceremony included a pin-on by his wife and photo opportunities with the Mayor and Council members.
Orno Police Department April 2026 Activity Report
Officer Spencer presented the April 2026 activity report, noting 154 calls for service, an increase in medical calls, and no major complaints. The department conducted mandated training and hosted a forensics day for high schoolers to highlight diverse law enforcement careers. Speed trailers are currently deployed at Bartlett/West Edge and on Commerce; Hennepin County plans a study on speeding at these locations. The report also covered Surfside trailer parking enforcement and the recent hiring of Chad Stenzout as Orno's new Chief of Police.
Avon Park Survey Results and Design Planning
Ryan presented findings from the Avon Park survey, which indicated strong community demand for playground features like swings, slides, and climbing structures, with a high priority placed on shaded caregiver seating. The council acknowledged the budget of $100,000-$110,000 for the project, which includes play equipment, installation, fiber surfacing, accessibility paths, and a new fence. The decision was made to proceed with seeking design proposals from multiple playground companies, to be reviewed by the Parks Commission and then the Council.
Lost Lake Commons Amenities Selection
Moved by Kevin [0:46:17] · Seconded by Council member Mcani [0:47:33]
Ryan presented various amenity options for Lost Lake Commons, including different styles of tables, chairs, and interactive features like bags and ping pong tables. The Council prioritized acquiring seating quickly, aiming for installation by mid-June. They approved purchasing six octagon tables for the pavilion area, eight rectangular picnic tables for the upper section, and eight chairs (half Adirondack, half upright non-Adirondack) in natural-toned composite materials with black metal bases. Discussion also touched on ideas for unique photo opportunities and resolving unauthorized vehicle parking in the area.
Consent Agenda Approval
Moved by Kevin [0:58:20] · Seconded by Council member Mcani [0:58:24]
The Council approved a set of routine items including the minutes of a previous meeting, public gathering permits for the 'Bass Clash' and the 'Min OC Summer Adventure Race,' a sign variation modification for The Bright Spot murals, and a pay request for water treatment infrastructure improvements. No items were pulled for separate discussion.
Award Bid for 2026 Street and Utility Improvements
Moved by Council member Mcani [1:00:54] · Seconded by Council member Pew [1:01:21]
GMH Asphalt was awarded the bid for the 2026 street and utility improvements project (PW2601 and PW2602). GMH Asphalt's bid of $1,998,445.90 was the lowest, coming in 20% under the engineer's estimate. The recommendation excluded an alternate bid for storm sewer rerouting at Dutch Lake, which the city plans to complete separately. GMH Asphalt was noted for successfully completing the previous year's project.
Lost Lake Channel Fishing Ordinance Review
The Council discussed clarifying the city's stance on fishing at Lost Lake Commons, where 'no fishing' signs were previously posted without a clear ordinance. Initial debate covered concerns about private property damage on rental docks versus the desire to allow youth and families to fish. The consensus shifted towards drafting an ordinance that would permit fishing in designated areas (like the gazebo and public transient docks) while specifically prohibiting it on the main rental boat docks. Staff will prepare the draft ordinance language for a future public hearing.
Revision of Council Meeting Roll Call Procedure
Moved by Council member Castellano [1:15:35] · Seconded by Council member Heric [1:15:39]
Council member Castellano initiated a discussion about the timing of the roll call in council meetings, suggesting it should occur earlier than its current placement with the consent agenda. City Manager Dixon clarified that a roll call is not strictly required for consent agenda votes, only unanimity. The Council agreed that conducting the roll call at the 'call to order' would be more efficient and effectively acknowledge attendance at the beginning of the meeting.
Revision of Council Meeting Consent Agenda Placement
Moved by Mayor Holt [1:17:15] · Seconded by Council member Mcani [1:17:21]
Following a discussion on meeting flow, the Council debated whether to move the consent agenda earlier in the meeting, specifically after public comments. The Mayor highlighted concerns about presenters and staff waiting through lengthy public comment sessions. A motion was made and passed to revert the consent agenda's placement to immediately follow public comments and precede other presentations, aiming to improve meeting efficiency.
Update on Old City Hall Restoration on Island Park
Council member Castellano requested a check-in with the group restoring the old city hall on Island Park, citing a lack of updates since the 99-year lease was granted. While acknowledging volunteer efforts and visible improvements, there was speculation about fundraising challenges. The City Manager agreed to reach out to the group for a progress report, and it was suggested the restored building could potentially be leased back for elections.
State Bonding Bill Advocacy for Water Treatment Plant Funding
Mayor Holt passionately urged all council members and the public to immediately contact their state senator and representative to advocate for the city's urgent need for clean, drinkable water in the upcoming state bonding bill. He emphasized the critical nature of this funding window and acknowledged past state support while highlighting the ongoing necessity and competition with other cities seeking similar aid.
Notable Quotes (25)
Um I have some comments regarding the project for the water treatment plant. Um first of all, I'd like to know what is the plan budget for or the plan cost of that plan because I heard 40 million first it started at 10 and 20 then 40. So what what is the where are we going towards?
The latest uh all in is what? 40 >> 42. It's that's right now that's still just an estimate until it's designed.
Um, and then um I was thinking about the type of the roof because right now what what's being presented is a flat roof, >> but flat roof has a very limited lifespan. That means that within 10 years we'd have to re re-roof that stuff.
I, Andrew Drilling, promise >> that I will serve the citizens of the cities that the that the Mountain Fire Department protects with honor and integrity. I will serve the citizens of the cities that the Mountain Fire Department protects with honor and integrity.
Uh going over the uh past month uh from a in April, we had about 154 calls service to the mound area. Nothing trending up. Uh mostly the same thing. The only thing I noticed in the last few weeks been more medical.
Orno has hosted another one of our forensics days um for the high schoolers. Uh they take a special class up there and they get to come out and see some of the uh aspects of law enforcement.
last night at the Orno City Council, we got a new, um, police chief of police, um, has been hired officially now. So, we will have a new chief as of June 1st.
Um, so the surveys went out and what we got back was a strong demand of younger families and grandparents with toddlers, preschooler age, overwhelming preference of swings, slides, climate structures, and repeatedly asked for shade and caregiving seating.
So last year's project what I did was we reused the surround and then I had them bed out the play structure, the installation and the fiber. Okay.
Yes, that was budgeted this year for this park. So, but that will also be, like I said, a ped ram, a walking path to the to the uh play structure, the fence that we would replace, uh the new surround for the play structure, the actual playground equipment, the installation, and the fiber.
So, th this member last meeting, I was like, you know, now that we got this beautiful park, let's fill it with something to do because you can't do anything.
I'd make a motion that we go ahead and order the tables for the pavilion area and for the the other area as you stated.
The idea though is black on the bottom and a natural tone brown or tan on top. Darker if possible.
GMH asphalt was the low bidder. Um and we had a couple pieces to each bid. So, we got base bid and alternate and a total GH was the low... at 1,998,445.90. Um they were 20% lower than the engineers estimate which was right around 2.5 million.
GH did last year's 2025 project and that went well. They're responsible and responsive biders, so we'd recommend awarding to them.
I I asked the people that were that happened to still be here from when the original ordinance was adopted and the minutes only reflect that a couple council members felt like it was dangerous to fish off of the peers and the greenway.
I don't think there should be fishing down there. I mean, you know, with all the boats down there and the docks, the kids getting their uh lures stuck and everything, you know, I I I I'm not in favor of fishing down there.
my whole point of the whole fishing thing is we put a sign on there and you know, there's nothing specifically in our code that says you can't do it. So if you really don't want to have fishing, I'd say we have to make that more official.
We're still not doing a roll call until we get to here... shouldn't we at least maybe after the call to order or after the pledge of allegiance do at least a roll call?
I would recommend doing it at the call to order... all members are present or board members are present.
I would say I'd rather move back to I I die either way more efficient whatever.
I want to once again raise the fact that we have not had any sort of check-in with um the group that's restoring the old city hall on Island Park in since since we gave them a 99 lease on the property.
They've made a lot of improvements and I go with them a lot and you know, they'd probably love to come to council to get the word out that they're still actively looking.
Uh I don't know what's going to happen, but I I can't force you guys to call these people, but please text, call, email our two people, our senator and our rep. Uh tell them it's important.
Hey, Mount doesn't have clean, drinkable water. Please help us, you know, let's vote yes for us and worry about all the other cities later. We need water.
Ordinances & Resolutions (13)
Approving public gathering permit for the Bass Clash on August 7th, 2026, using Surfside Park and Beach.
Approving public gathering permit for the 2026 Min OC Summer Adventure Race on July 11th, 2026, affecting a few roads in Mound.
Approving sign variation modification for building murals at The Bright Spot on Wilshire Boulevard.
Approval of payment for water treatment infrastructure work for $85,786.
Accepting bids for the 2026 street and utility improvement project (City Projects PW2601 and PW2602) and awarding to GMH Asphalt.
City project for street reconstruction, overlay, and water main improvements.
Ordinance under review regarding fishing regulations in Lost Lake Commons.
Zoning codes undergoing updates by the Planning Commission.
Code updates for corner lot regulations.
Code updates for parking stall dimensions.
New regulations developed by the Planning Commission regarding pet stores.
Planning concept clarification that unplatted outlots are generally unbuildable, with exceptions for essential government services.
State legislation currently being debated, critical for securing funding for city projects like the water treatment plant.