City Council May 12, 2026
Prior Lake Council Approves Fiber Inspection Plan, Celebrates Strategic Wins
May ALS Awareness Month Proclamation
Youth Appreciation Week Proclamation
Full Document Analysis
Votes (2)
Accept Final Progress Report for 2023-2026 Strategic Plan
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Brad [38:43] · Seconded by Council Member Churchill [38:47]
Manager Wedell presented the final progress report for the 2023-2026 Strategic Plan, detailing the rigorous process of its creation and the significant achievements across five key areas: financial sustainability, well-managed growth, stable and sustainable infrastructure, public safety, and high-quality parks and trails. Notable successes included achieving a AAA bond rating, adding commercial square footage downtown, implementing a full-time fire department, and completing several master plans. Approximately 80% of the plan's objectives were accomplished, with the remaining 20% being ongoing. The report concluded the current plan, with a new strategic plan slated to begin in 2027.
Resolution Approving a Work Order for Fiber Permit Field Inspections (Comcast Phase One)
Dissent: One council member abstained due to affiliation with Comcast.
Moved by Council Member Lake [41:14] · Seconded by Council Member Churchill [41:17]
The council considered a resolution to approve a work order establishing a 50-cent per linear foot fee for broadband company permits to cover the cost of field inspections. This fee would fund a consultant to manage inspections and resident communications for new fiber optic installations, specifically by Comcast, across the city over a two-year period, as city staff lack the internal capacity for this extensive oversight. The item was pulled from the consent agenda due to a council member's affiliation with Comcast, leading to their abstention from the vote.
Notable Quotes (5)
The whole point of the the strategic plan is to make sure that we as city staff and the council are working together and we're focused on the right things that we want to get accomplished over a given time period.
For the first time ever in 2023, we received a AAA bond rating, which is the highest rating you can possibly get. Why is that important? when we do sell bonds, the interest rate that we get on those bonds is affected by our bond rating. So, we get a much lower interest rate um because of our our high bond rating, which benefits everybody in the community from a lower cost.
The move to full-time fire was very much needed and it has proven to be a huge success. Our response times have been cut in half.
Great work and, you know, having us on that sustainable track on so so many different areas. um public works of course, but also financially and that AAA bond rating that really is the fruit of the labor here that really pay significant dividends to the city on into the future.
With the new fiber optic company coming to town, there's going to be a lot of inspection work that goes along with that. Their anticipated schedule is to cover the entire city and provide fiber optic services to every home in Prior Lake within a two-year period. So that means there's a lot of work in the right ofways and front yards and um directional drilling and digging up front. You know, it's it can be intrusive. Um and there's a lot of inspection work to make sure that yards get restored appropriately and we're able to address calls and concerns from residents. And as a staff, we just don't have the bandwidth to add that on to what we're already doing.
Ordinances & Resolutions (17)
The official list of items to be discussed at the meeting, which was approved with one modification.
Minutes from a previous council meeting, approved as submitted.
Financial document approved as part of the consent agenda.
Financial document approved as part of the consent agenda.
Resolution approved as part of the consent agenda for liquor license renewals.
Resolution approved as part of the consent agenda for replacing equipment at well number five.
Resolution approved as part of the consent agenda for a combined preliminary and final plat and development agreement for a subdivision.
Item approved as part of the consent agenda.
Resolution approved as part of the consent agenda for part-time employee participation.
Official declaration by the Mayor to increase public awareness and support for ALS.
Official declaration by the Mayor to recognize and praise youth contributions to the community.
Four-year plan outlining the city's vision, goals, and strategies, with a final progress report accepted by the council.
Updated financial model used for budgeting, long-term facility, utility, and staffing needs.
Study completed to anticipate future needs and replacements for city infrastructure like pipes, water mains, and treatment plants.
Comprehensive review of the city's park system, identifying needs and leading to a referendum attempt and ongoing re-evaluation.
A thorough, year-long review that identified and addressed staffing needs for the police department.
Resolution establishing a fee for broadband companies to cover the cost of consultant-led permit field inspections.