Lake Elmo City Council — Transcript
Thursday, October 23, 2025
Public Works Operational Assessment
Pickleball Court Noise Mitigation
Lions Park Playground Replacement and Park Consolidation Strategy
Stormwater Ordinance Review
Lake Elmo Airport Advisory Committee Update
City Anniversary Celebration Planning
Infrastructure Project Updates (I94 Lift Station, Water Tower Demolition)
Votes (4)
Approval of Amended Agenda
Moved by Council Member Holtz [0:02:16] · Seconded by Mayor [0:02:22]
Council Member Hearn requested pulling item number nine (originally a consent agenda item related to pickleball) to become regular agenda item number three for discussion.
Public Works Operational Assessment
Moved by Council Member Holtz [0:43:08] · Seconded by Mayor [0:43:10]
Rafelis presented the final report, emphasizing Lake Elmo's rapid growth and the resulting strain on its relatively small Public Works staff. Benchmarking data showed Lake Elmo as more lightly staffed than its peers despite growing service needs. Key recommendations included a phased increase in FTEs (one operator, one lead operator in 2025; one FTE in 2026), implementing an annual work plan, establishing utility specialists, hiring an administrative assistant, and fully leveraging the Beehive asset management system as a CMMS. Discussion also covered outsourcing vehicle repair and the strategic role of a Parks Director.
Pickleball Court Noise Complaints
Moved by Council Member Holtz [1:21:49] · Seconded by Mayor [1:25:01]
The Council reviewed noise complaints from residents living near pickleball courts at Pebble Park and Ivywood, noting that all existing courts are closer than the 600 ft setback recommended in the 2024 Parks Master Plan. Staff measured noise levels (47-53 dB) and explored sound mitigation technologies, fence limitations, and operational changes. Public comments highlighted the 'impulsive' nature of the noise causing stress, light pollution from court lights, and issues with portable music and unmanaged groups. Council deliberated on balancing player enjoyment with resident quality of life.
Lions Park Playground Replacement
Moved by Council Member Holtz [1:42:04] · Seconded by Mayor [1:42:06]
Staff presented a proposal for replacing the Lions Park playground with a new structure, costing up to $317,000, as the current one has exceeded its lifespan. Despite Lions Park being a heavily used facility with high playground activity, the Council decided to table the motion. This decision was made to allow for a broader policy discussion with the Parks Commission next week on park consolidation and a more strategic approach to playground replacements city-wide, rather than approving individual projects in isolation.
Notable Quotes (11)
Yeah, I'd like to pull item number nine uh to the regular agenda, please. Okay, we'll pull item number nine and make that regular agenda item number three.
Lake Elmo is if anything more lightly staffed than its peers.
Workload has far outpaced the rate of population growth.
Adam and I are currently the ones that are entering that information and in all honesty, we are struggling to find the time to get that information in there when we can just print and hand it off.
Did we factor in services that other cities in our city contract out? For instance, we contract out cleaning our buildings. We contract out a lot of mowing.
The incredibly loud sound of paddles hitting balls is is known as an impulsive sound. Unlike merely annoying noises such as road traffic or lawnmowers, impulsive noises trigger a stress response in humans and this leads to serious health consequences over time.
Your lights are shining on about half my yard at night till 10:00. Lighting up my entire not my entire half my yard at night. So, I can't believe that's uh in the city code that a neighbor can light up the neighbor's yard.
I spoke against putting these pickle ball courts in Pebble and at Tablin because they were too close to people's houses. But um we're here now.
Hours from 8:00 a.m. to 7 p.m. At all sites, no longer using lights for pickle ball. Starting as soon as able remove sound wall at the wall, practice wall that good people use that I don't at pickle ball at Pebble. direct staff for determining materials to use for noise mitigation, including materials and vegetation options at pickle ball at Pebble Park.
Do we want to be spending 250 to $350,000 every single year replacing these parks? My viewpoint is I see it that people are using parks nowadays more as um they're using them in organized sports. Pickle ball um SCVAA or organized sports. there's less people going to the playgrounds and utilizing these.
I think it next week would be a fantastic opportunity for that conversation because hypothetically maybe that central one is not at the the sports site Maybe it's here. Maybe it is at the sports site and then we're left in a conundrum for what to do at this site because it is central and heavily used.
Ordinances & Resolutions (7)
Data source used for benchmarking Lake Elmo's public works staffing against peer communities.
City document that includes a newly recommended 600 ft setback for pickleball courts and calls for a Parks Director role.
Governs noise restrictions (60 dB limit) and construction hours (7 AM start).
Financial plan allotting funds for the Lions Park playground replacement and other capital projects.
Ordinance slated for review and potential changes based on discussion with city attorney.
Report conducted by Rafelis providing recommendations for the Public Works department's staffing and operations.
Asset management system used by the Public Works department, with recommendations for full implementation as a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS).