Afton City Hall — Transcript
Monday, August 31, 2026
Lower St. Croix Fire District Operations and Funding
Community Thread Programs and Services
Land Use and Zoning Applications
City Infrastructure and Financial Planning
2025 City Financial Audit
Committee Reports and Strategic Initiatives
Votes (12)
Approval of Resolution 2026-41 for Fund Transfers and Claims
Moved by Mayor Poplin [12:12] · Seconded by Council Member Annie [12:22]
The council moved to approve Resolution 2026-41 which covers 4M fund transfers and claims. There was no significant discussion on the content of the resolution itself.
Planning Commission Report: 3403 Pennington Avenue South Variance and Subdivision
Moved by Sally/Planning Commission [16:20] · Seconded by Council Member Terry [16:28]
The Planning Commission considered an application for a minor subdivision and a variance to exceed a 12% slope for a property at 3403 Pennington Avenue South. A prior condition from 1989 prohibited further subdivision due to an existing variance for slope, which the DNR strongly objected to vacating. The applicant requested a continuance to present new information regarding the current septic system situation, hoping it would provide grounds for relief from the prior condition.
Planning Commission Report: 1850 Oak Green Avenue Sketch Plan Review
The Planning Commission reviewed a sketch plan for subdividing a 19.62-acre parcel to create a 5-acre lot for a family member. Key issues included an irregular lot line designed to avoid an existing outbuilding, concerns raised by a public member about the number of animal units on the property (allegedly exceeding state limits), and claims of unpermitted grading causing drainage issues onto an adjacent property. The applicant clarified that cows had been removed to address compliance concerns and disputed the drainage issues. Staff recommended addressing the animal unit and grading concerns before proceeding with the subdivision request.
Lower St. Croix Fire District Report
The Council received a written report from the Lower St. Croix Fire District, which included run tracking and response codes. The report also noted that the relief association intends to propose a benefit increase to $6,775 per year of service, based on a 110% surplus, likely in the following month. Additionally, rain gardens were installed at the fire department, largely funded by grants and donations, improving water quality.
Community Thread Programs and Services Presentation
Kathleen Hess and Melissa Morris of Community Thread presented an overview of their services for older adults, focusing on recent changes. They highlighted the successful transition to free enrollment by eliminating membership fees, which has significantly increased reach (500+ people served, 9,500+ visits) and accessibility. They detailed their online engagement portal, extensive volunteer-driven transportation services (900+ rides), and the new driver module. Key programs such as free tax assistance (800 appointments, 1,600 federal/state returns, 251 property tax refunds in 2026) and the Holiday Hope program (supporting 1,500 children in the Stillwater Area Public Schools district) were emphasized. They noted an annual operating cost of nearly $1 million and requested continued municipal support. In-home services, currently paused, were discussed as relaunching later in the fall, including home assessments and light assistance.
Approval of 2026 Crack Seal Project Invoices
Moved by Mayor Poplin [27:54] · Seconded by Council Member Terry [28:00]
Tyler, the city engineer, presented the invoices for the completed 2026 crack seal project. He reported that the work on the streets looked excellent and the project was well within the allocated budget of $120,000 for crack sealing and shouldering.
Infrastructure Projects Update and GIS Initiative
The micro surface project has mobilized and is expected to begin shortly, covering approximately seven miles of city streets. Public Works has outlined the direction for 2027 projects, combining micro surfacing and reclamation. A clarification was made regarding culvert funding, noting that past culvert work was incorrectly charged to the bridge fund instead of the street fund, a practice that will be corrected going forward. There was enthusiastic discussion about implementing a GIS mapping system for comprehensive asset management (roads, septic, culverts, etc.), seen as a vital tool for financial planning and potentially offering public access, with initial cost estimates ranging from $7,000 to $30,000.
2025 City Financial Audit Report
Moved by Council Member Annie [40:41] · Seconded by Council Member Bob [40:48]
The auditor presented the 2025 financial audit for the City of Afton, confirming a 'clean audit opinion,' meaning the financial statements were fairly presented. The report detailed that general fund revenues remained steady, with over 70% from taxes, and expenditures were primarily in general government, public safety, and public works. The city's spendable fund balance consistently met the target of approximately 50% of revenues and expenditures, indicating healthy reserves. While investment earnings appeared skewed between funds due to timing of transfers, the overall city interest was unaffected. The sanitary sewer fund experienced higher expenditures in 2025 due to major projects but is expected to recover. Overall, the city was noted to be in a strong financial position with very low debt.
Communications Task Force Report
The Communications Task Force recently received an analysis of six hypothetical power locations relevant to cell coverage. A meeting is scheduled for next week to review this information. The task force is also gathering feedback through its new 'No Cell' email address and discussed the potential to integrate this data into a GIS mapping system to identify areas of poor cellular coverage.
Scheduling of 2027 Preliminary Budget and Tax Levy Meeting
Moved by Mayor Poplin [43:24] · Seconded by Council Member Terry [43:30]
The Council formally scheduled a special city council meeting for Monday, September 21st at 4:30 PM to discuss and approve the 2027 preliminary budget and tax levy, noting the upcoming end-of-month deadline for the preliminary budget.
Parks Committee Report and Potential Committee Merger
The Parks Committee discussed various initiatives, including proposals for pond off-road trails, a location for a day climber tree donation, and the flagging of Harry property trails (contingent on building removal). There were suggestions for arborist consultation for future tree donations and exploring hanging flower baskets, though their ecological value was questioned. A significant discussion revolved around potentially merging the Parks Committee with the Natural Resources Groundwater Committee, given overlap in responsibilities and the NRGC's frequent quorum issues, with historical precedent for combining these areas.
Historic Preservation Committee (HPC) Report
The HPC reported on a design review for an addition to a house at the intersection of 35th and Saint Croix Trail. They also announced receiving a grant to create an online historical sites mapping for the Valley Creek area, mirroring a previous initiative for downtown. Additionally, the Historic Town Hall is nearly empty and will soon be turned over for future plans.
Notable Quotes (19)
the DNR came to our meeting this time and strongly objected to vacating that prior condition from 1989.
the applicant had sort of read out loud to us at the public hearing a number of maybe email exchanges or prior communications from the historical variance that they got back in 1989... they felt that the city council should hear that now that there's not individual septic systems for every parcel in that area, and that there's this new solution, that maybe there would be relief for them.
they were in opposition to allowing the subdivision... because the number of animal units on the property, they felt was far in excess of what is allowed by the State Minnesota Department of Ag, and they wanted the city to look into that.
We have about 10 cow, but then for the time being, I know that it's going to be difficult for me and my kids, and so we actually get rid of all the cow, so we don't have any more cow at the property. And I hope to bring that back in the future if I can. And if I do bring back, I make sure that we'll be in compliance with what the city will mention of, I believe it's two acres per one cow.
A small portion of dirt that was placed on her lot, and that has all since been revought onto our side of the lot, and we don't believe there's any drainage issues at all.
the livestock issue is a real issue. We've had it around the city, and we've held people to it.
their relief association is looking to come to us, with a benefit increase up to 6,775 per year of service, and that would be based on 110% surplus.
we were able to remove all of those fees. And so we're really happy to share with you all that we now actually have free enrollment for everybody.
our tax aides completed nearly 800 appointments. Isn't that something? And filed nearly 1,600 federal and state returns, in addition to 251 property tax refunds.
it costs nearly a million dollars each year to provide the services that we do to our neighbors and friends in the St. Croix Valley.
part of it is we're going to be having trained people who are going to be going into the home that needs some home services, that we would start off with doing a home assessment and kind of seeing what do they need, where are they at, how we can help them.
I am very enthusiastic about moving ahead, and we can certainly do it in increments, but to have that information available- Would be fantastic, and it's information that I've been maintaining, and which I probably really should not be doing that. I think the city needs to incorporate that.
It's a tool that the engineering company is going to quote on adding layer upon layer upon layer of information to this interactive map... really limitless on the things that you can do with it.
I said there's a bunch, there's many different maps, asset management programs you can make. There is the initial set it up, get you kicked off, then we can build maps.
you guys have a clean audit opinion for 2025. Your financial statements are fairly presented in all material respects to the financial position of the City of Affton.
the city had the same amount of interest. It's just putting it from pot A to pot B.
So all four years, the city was kind of hovering right around that 50% target line, and right where you want to see your overall funds.
your city has good financial position. You're sitting in a good place. You have good reserves. And very low debt load for a city, too.
What if we should combine the two? And I'm like, 'Interesting.' Yeah, because Natural Resources Groundwater Committee often doesn't have a quorum.
Ordinances & Resolutions (13)
Approved for 4M fund transfers and Justin correct claims.
One of three sets of minutes approved.
One of three sets of minutes approved.
One of three sets of minutes approved.
Included in the meeting packet for review.
Included in the supplemental packet for review.
Written report reviewed during the meeting, detailing run tracking and response codes.
Pulled for the property at 1850 Oak Green Avenue for fence installation.
Discussed as a requirement for significant dirt movement, in relation to 1850 Oak Green Avenue.
Proposed Geographic Information System for asset management, financial planning, and public access.
Official financial audit for the City of Afton, presented for review and adoption.
Scheduled for discussion and approval at a special city council meeting.
Referenced in discussion about flexible lot line creation for farm properties.