Prior Lake City Council — Transcript

Monday, April 6, 2026

Story

Prior Lake City Council Approves Liquor License for Downtown's New Mexican Latin Restaurant

Public Forum

Approval of the Agenda

Approval of Meeting Minutes

Consent Agenda

New Hire Recognition

Life-Saving Award Presentation

Public Hearing: Street and Utility Improvements Assessment

Votes (7)

Approve the agenda as submitted

CarriedAll in favor say I.

Moved by Council Member Churchill · Seconded by Council Member Ray

Approve the February 10th, 2026 city council meeting minutes as submitted

CarriedThree I's and one abstention (Council Member Brad).

Moved by Council Member Helier · Seconded by Council Member Churchill

Approve the consent agenda as submitted

CarriedAll in favor say I.

Moved by Council Member Brad · Seconded by Council Member Helier

Open public hearing for a new on sale intoxicating liquor license application of Chula's Mexican Latin restaurant

CarriedAll in favor say I.

Moved by Council Member Brad · Seconded by Council Member Helier

Close public hearing for a new on sale intoxicating liquor license application of Chula's Mexican Latin restaurant

CarriedAll in favor say I.

Moved by Council Member Brad · Seconded by Council Member Churchill

Approve the liquor license application for Chula's Mexican Latin restaurant

CarriedAll in favor say I.

Moved by Council Member Brad · Seconded by Council Member Churchill

Open public hearing for the Northwood Road area project phase 1 assessment role

CarriedAll in favor say I.

Moved by Council Member Brad · Seconded by Council Member Helier

Notable Quotes (9)

When Brady left the command interview, I turned to the panel and I distinctly I distinctly remember saying, "I like that kid.

Chief Dugen
New Hire RecognitionDescribing the positive impression of a new police officer recruit during the hiring process.

We use the word shield instead of badge because it's where our roots lie. In the very beginnings of community, the very best were chosen as warriors and protectors to guard the members of villages and towns.

Chief Dugen
New Hire RecognitionExplaining the significance of the 'shield' ceremony for new police officers.

For our first responders, our medical, fire, and police, their days and nights are filled with entering other people's lives. Generally, when our community members foundations are shaken, maybe it's something as simple but impactful as a stolen item, maybe it's a family dispute or something more personal, each and every time it's an ask for them to help or something is wrong or broken.

Chief Dugen
Life-Saving Award PresentationDescribing the challenging nature of first responder work.

Tonight, we are doing our best to both recognize the unfathomable loss of a father and son, and also honor the selfless acts of a firefighter, a police officer, a doctor, and others, and miraculous the miraculous recovery of another son.

Chief Dugen
Life-Saving Award PresentationSetting the stage for the life-saving award presentation that honors both loss and bravery.

I would just like to to thank the uh the owners and uh investors in that um new Mexican restaurant. It's going to be a really nice addition to our downtown. And thank you for your investment into Prior Lake. It is appreciated.

Council Member Brad
Liquor License ApplicationExpressing gratitude for the new business and its positive impact on the community.

So, the city of Prairie Lake is AAA bond rated, right? We work really hard to get that to keep the interest rates as low as possible.

Council Member Brad
Street and Utility Improvements AssessmentInquiring about the city's bond rating and its implication on interest rates for assessments.

As staff and the assessment review committee, we weren't uh fully comfortable with that number. So, we had a special benefit appraisal done um which showed 14,000 per single family home being a more appropriate number and the assessment review committee uh decided that actually lines up better with previous reconstruction projects we've had.

Assistant City Engineer Schwarz
Street and Utility Improvements AssessmentExplaining the decision to use an appraised value for reconstruction assessments instead of the initial calculation.

So, when you're looking at some of these funding sources, franchise fees, for example, eight years ago, we did not have a dedicated franchise fees for streets. The city council had reviewed our franchises agreement.

City Manager Woodell
Street and Utility Improvements AssessmentHighlighting the recent establishment of dedicated funding sources for street improvements.

The other source of funding is the PI which is our pavement involvement improvement revolving fund. So when the city bonds for projects uh we we issue debt um but then we have some people prepay their assessments.

City Manager Woodell
Street and Utility Improvements AssessmentExplaining another dedicated funding source for road projects, the pavement improvement revolving fund.

People (17)

Fire Chief Rick SteinhouseFire Chief

Received a life-saving award for actions during an injury crash.

Detective Cody SteinhouseDetective

Received a life-saving award for actions during an injury crash.

Dr. Andrew StevensDoctor

Provided medical assistance at the scene of an injury crash.

Miles12-year-old

Was the young life saved in the incident for which awards were presented.

LuluMother

Mother of the survivor and those lost in the crash.

PublicResident

Was invited to speak during the public forum and public hearings.

Officer KelmField Training Officer

Was present during the new hire recognition ceremony.

Places Mentioned

Prior Lake City Council Chambers4636 Colorado Street Southeast (Former location of T-shirts and More)County Road 2113995 Hidden Lake Trail NortheastThomas Ryan ParkMarsh Drive Extension ProjectNorthwood Road area

Events & Meetings (8)

  • Tuesday, March 10th, 2026 - City Council Meeting
  • Meeting Recess: 7:11 PM
  • Meeting Resumes: 7:14 PM
  • Meeting Recess: 7:19 PM
  • Meeting Resumes: 7:21 PM
  • Public Hearing Opens (Liquor License): 7:23 PM
  • Public Hearing Closes (Liquor License): 7:24 PM
  • Public Hearing Opens (Assessments): 7:39 PM

Ordinances & Resolutions (21)

Ordinance Amendment

To extend the cable television franchise with New Vera.

Ordinance Amendment

To extend the cable television franchise with Mediacom.

Ordinance

Approving a franchise agreement renewal with Centerpoint Energy.

Ordinance

Approving a franchise agreement renewal with Shockby Public Utilities.

Resolution

Ratifying the 2026-2028 collective bargaining agreement between the city of Prior Lake and Law Enforcement Labor Services (LELS) Local 461 for police sergeants.

Resolution

Ratifying the 2026-2028 collective bargaining agreement between the city of Prior Lake and Law Enforcement Labor Services (LELS) Local 100 for police officers.

Resolution

Approving a work order to conduct a feasibility study for the next phases of the Lakeside sewer lining project (City Project 2027-04).

Resolution

Receiving quotes and awarding a contract for SCADA hardware and software upgrades at the water treatment plant.

Resolution

Receiving quotes and awarding a contract for building maintenance at city hall.

Resolution

Approving a work order for boardwalk inspection and evaluation.

Resolution

Approving a work order for General Engineering Services.

Resolution

Ordering the preparation of the feasibility report and approving a work order with WSB LLC for the Green Heights Reconstruction Project (City Project 2028-03).

Ordinance

Amending section 10-789 of Prior Lake City Code related to election signs.

Ordinance

Amending chapter 5, article 6 of Prior Lake City Code related to portable toilets.

Resolution

Accepting permanent easements for drainage and utility purposes from Spring Lake Township.

Resolution

Extending the deadline to record the final plat and development agreement for the residences at Crestwoods.

Resolution

Approving a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources outdoor recreation program grant application for Thomas Ryan Park playground.

Resolution

Approving the purchase of property at 13995 Hidden Lake Trail Northeast and authorizing the city manager to execute the purchase agreement for the Marsh Drive Extension Project (City Project 2022-27).

Resolution

Approving a purchase of replacement ballistic helmets for the Prior Lake Police Department.

Resolution

Adopting the assessment role for the Northwood Road area project phase 1, 2026-01.

Resolution

Receiving bids and awarding the contract for the Northwood Road area project phase 1, 2026-01.

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Prior Lake City Council - Prior Lake Recorder