Prior Lake City Council — Transcript
Monday, June 1, 2026
Cable Television Franchise Expansion and Competition
Native American Fee-to-Trust Application Review (Zenaniyah)
Routine City Operations, Infrastructure, and Financial Management
Intergovernmental Relations and Community Engagement
Votes (2)
Ordinance to approve a cable television franchise with Comcast
Dissent: Council Member Hellier abstained due to employment with Comcast.
Moved by Council member Brayton [0:12:12] · Seconded by Council member Churchill [0:12:22]
The council considered and approved a new franchise agreement for Comcast to establish and operate a cable system in Prior Lake. This involves extensive fiber optic installation throughout the city over the next 24 months, requiring city permits and associated fees. The city will receive PEG fees based on 5% of Comcast's gross cable television revenues, noting current state limitations on collecting fees for internet/broadband. Council members expressed strong support for the new agreement, citing the benefits of increased competition and more options for residents regarding internet and TV services. Council Member Hellier abstained due to a conflict of interest related to his employment with Comcast.
Consider approval of a response to the Department of the Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs regarding the proposed fee to trust application known as Zenaniyah
Dissent: None
Moved by Council member Briggs [0:17:34] · Seconded by Council member Braid [0:17:37]
The council considered and approved a response to the BIA concerning the SMSC's application to place approximately 7 acres (the former YMCA property) into federal trust. Discussions with SMSC staff covered critical aspects like maintaining existing city drainage, utility, and trail easements, continued connection to city sewer and water systems, and potential trail realignments. It was noted that, uniquely, the city collected property taxes ($30,063.80) from the SMSC for 2025 during the interim period, which will cease once the property is in trust. The Mayor emphasized the strong, long-standing partnership between the city and SMSC.
Notable Quotes (4)
Well, I know we heard a lot of complaints during COVID and on about internet um availability, pricing, service and um you know, we've had uh Nuvera come to town and install fiber. Now we have Comcast coming in to install fiber which is a a real big benefit for the residents of our city they have options now for internet, for TV um which hopefully will will relay some competitive pricing as well so um I definitely will be in support of this tonight and it's uh it's been quite a few years in the making but here we are.
Yeah, just a quick comment as well. I've heard a lot of um desire in the in from our residents for more options and this provides us yet another option so um thankful and I'll be in support as well.
What's unique about this is when it was the YMCA, it was a nonprofit organization and therefore they did not pay property taxes. And then, Shepherd of the Lake Church purchased that property from the YMCA. And as a church and a nonprofit, they did not pay property taxes. But, when the SMSC purchased it, so in this interim time, they actually do pay property taxes. So, now for 2025, for those two parcels combined, the city did collect $30,063.80. Um once that property goes into trust, we will obviously won't collect those anymore, but that was really kind of a unique blip that historically the city has not received property taxes for the those parcels.
Um you know council as has been really for the last um few uh trust uh submissions applications it's been our pleasure to sit down with the SMSC and discuss um the various um intricacies where the city and and the tribe overlap and have mutual interests and needs and this this um application is no different. Um as manager Weddell elucidated a trail um perpetual connections to our infrastructure which of course uh interestingly enough is of course joint infrastructure uh in terms of the water uh treatment plant. So again um as we see this fee to trust application come before us it once again is an opportunity for us to take a look at the strength of the partnership that we have enjoyed for many years and uh I certainly will be I'm in fully full support of this letter as drafted um and submitting and and would support um uh council doing so as well.
Ordinances & Resolutions (26)
Routine approval of financial claims.
Financial report for December 2025.
Financial report for January 2026.
Financial report for February 2026.
Report on city investments for the fourth quarter of 2025.
Resolution for annual renewal of city insurance policies.
Resolution to award contracts for street maintenance in 2026.
Resolution to award a contract for City Project 2026-09.
Project ID for Spring Lake and Raymond Lift Station Rehabilitation.
Resolution to award a contract for police station chiller replacement.
Resolution to award a contract for building maintenance at city facilities.
Renewal of franchise agreement with Xcel Energy.
Renewal of franchise agreement with Minnesota Valley Electric Cooperative.
Resolution for an amendment to an antenna agreement with AT&T.
Resolution to award a contract for City Project 2026-14.
Project ID for Lake Theilen Outlet Replacement.
Resolution for a cooperative agreement for City Project 2022-27.
Project ID for Marsh Drive Extension Project.
Authorization to submit a grant application for water efficiency.
Monthly report on animal control services.
Monthly summary report on building permits.
Ordinance to approve a new franchise agreement for cable television services with Comcast.
City code section governing cable television providers.
Existing cable television franchise agreements in the city.
Application from the SMSC to place property into federal trust.
City's official response to the BIA regarding the Zenaniyah application.