Lake Elmo City Council — Transcript
Sunday, October 26, 2025
Urban Planning and Development
Infrastructure Investment and Management
City Finance and Debt Strategy
Community Engagement and Services
Water Resource Management
Votes (12)
Public Comments and Inquiries
Paul Fitzpatrick, representing residents of The Fields at Arbor Glenn, thanked the City Council for the recent installation of a crosswalk and signage on 39th Street, highlighting it as a positive initial step in addressing pedestrian safety concerns.
Consent Agenda
Moved by Unknown [0:13] · Seconded by Unknown [0:13]
The consent agenda included various routine approvals such as payments, disbursements, state performance measures (Resolution 2025-047), landscape security reduction, hiring of a public works operator, a special event permit for the Fourth of July parade, a CDA grant (Resolution 2025-044), and several pay requests and change orders for Well #2 and Hudson Boulevard improvements.
Set Sale Resolution 2025 Bond Issuance (Resolution 2025-045)
Dissent: Council Member Jagasich
Moved by Mayor Caitton Head [0:23] · Seconded by Unknown [0:23]
The Council discussed the competitive sale of $2,185,000 in general obligation improvement bonds for the 2025 street improvement project, noting the amount was significantly less than initially planned due to lower project costs. Clarissa, Finance Director, and Tammy Amdall of Northland Securities, explained the bond structure and estimated interest rates. Council Member Jagasich expressed strong opposition to the full amount, advocating for the use of existing street maintenance and infrastructure reserve levies to reduce the bond principal and lower long-term debt service payments, citing the city's high outstanding debt.
Approve Municipal Services Agreement with Northland Securities, Inc.
Moved by Unknown [0:35] · Seconded by Unknown [0:35]
Following the bond issuance discussion, the Council considered and approved the service agreement with Northland Securities for their advisory role in the bond sale.
Approve Plans and Specifications and Order Ad for Bids for I94 Lift Station and Force Main Improvements (Resolution 2025-046)
Moved by Unknown [0:58] · Seconded by Unknown [0:58]
Nathan Stanley, Engineer, presented plans for replacing the I94 lift station and a failing 8-inch PVC force main with a 16-inch HDPE line along Hudson Boulevard and Inwood Avenue. An additional scope item was the replacement of a corroding 90-inch culvert with a 72-inch pipe beneath Hudson Boulevard, bundled with the force main project to leverage road closure efficiencies and cost savings. The estimated project cost is $1.3 million, excluding $150,000 for new pumps. Discussion centered on the benefits of proactive replacement and project bundling to avoid future emergency costs and extensive road closures. Council Member Jagasich raised a point about the inconsistent funding approach for stormwater components in various projects.
Inwood 8th Edition Preliminary Plat PUD and Comprehensive Plan Amendment (Resolution 2025-048)
Moved by Unknown [2:04] · Seconded by Unknown [2:04]
Nathan Stanley, Engineer, and Emily Becker of MI Homes presented the Inwood 8th Edition project, which includes a preliminary plat, planned unit development (PUD), and a comprehensive plan amendment. The amendment changes the guidance for the project area to High-Density Residential (HDR) to align with Met Council guidelines and allow density blending across proposed apartment and townhome parcels. The project's net density is 14.06 units/acre, falling within the new 8-15 units/acre HDR range. This specific resolution focused on the comprehensive plan amendment.
Inwood 8th Edition Preliminary Plat PUD and Comprehensive Plan Amendment (Resolution 2025-049)
Dissent: Council Member Hearn
Moved by Unknown [2:06] · Seconded by Unknown [2:06]
This item focused on the approval of the preliminary plat and PUD for the Inwood development. Discussions covered private roads (managed by HOA), requested flexibilities/variances for lot size and impervious surface (84% per lot vs. 60% overall for the townhomes), pedestrian connectivity, and building materials (vinyl siding). Emily Becker articulated MI Homes' preference for vinyl siding due to maintenance and cost, and clarified their storm water reuse situation. Staff recommended approval with conditions, including changing vinyl siding to a conforming material. Council Member Hearn expressed dissent, citing concerns about granting variances when density could be reduced, the amount of impervious surface per lot, and the lack of storm water reuse for irrigation within this specific phase.
Inwood 8th Edition Preliminary Plat PUD and Comprehensive Plan Amendment (Ordinance 2025-12)
Moved by Unknown [2:39] · Seconded by Unknown [2:39]
This ordinance formally establishes the Planned Unit Development (PUD) standards for the Inwood Town Home Development, incorporating the approved plans and conditions from the preceding resolutions.
Inwood 8th Edition Preliminary Plat PUD and Comprehensive Plan Amendment (Resolution 2025-050)
Moved by Unknown [2:39] · Seconded by Unknown [2:39]
This resolution authorized the summary publication of Ordinance 2025-12, a standard procedural step to inform the public about newly adopted ordinances.
Performance Review Summary for City Administrator Nicole Miller
Council Member Holtz read a summary of the performance review for City Administrator Nicole Miller, commending her excellent performance in communication, leadership, professionalism, accountability, and community engagement. The Council expressed anticipation for continued collaboration on city goals, employee retention, and fostering a culture of public service excellence.
Council Reports
Council Member Holtz reported on the Lake Elmo Airport Advisory Commission meeting, detailing discussions on noise complaints and initiatives to increase airport-community engagement through educational activities and viewing spaces. Mayor Caitton Head extended condolences regarding a recent tragic political event in Minnesota, encouraged attendance at the Lake Elmo Farmers Market, and requested volunteers for the Fourth of July Kitty Parade.
Staff Reports
Clarissa, Finance Director, reported on attending the fire department's badge pinning ceremony. Other staff members, including Julie and Nathan Stanley, had no specific reports for the evening, though a query was raised regarding the timeline for Well #2.
Notable Quotes (17)
On behalf of your neighbors at the fields at Arbor Glenn, I thank the leaders of our town of Lake Elmo for the construction of the crosswalk and the signage with it. We know that this will not make all autos on 39th Street stop when we cross, but it is a start.
The total bond issuance will be 2,185,000. Um which is about a million less than what we originally planned um for this project because the project was significantly cheaper than we had expected.
If we didn't have that debt, our property taxes will be one-third lower than they are right now. So, I would like to see us I know we have to fund our capital improvement, but I'd like to see us use the money we've levied to reduce the amount of that bond and reduce the fiscal impact of debt service on our residents and try and get that burden down.
The street maintenance fund levy is for street maintenance specifically mill and overlays uh seal codes... the only portion that we levied for major projects is the infrastructure reserve 409 for $93,333 and the CIP document that was adopted specifically stated that this project would be bonded for.
The big thing is the U force man actually goes underneath the existing 90in culvert and it it will need to go back underneath the new culvert because if you think of 72 in, that's how tall I am. Okay, it's six feet. So, there's not a lot of room between the roaded and the top of this culvert.
If we didn't do it, when do you see it failing and needing to be replaced?
Right now what we're doing is we're being intentional and proactive and when you get put into an emergency situation, you're forced to be reactive. And you're not able to do the best that you can. So that's what that's why we're looking at this in the way we are now.
I'd only point out the fallacy in our argument. It's okay to pay for the storm pipe replacement from the storm water utility, but not the storm pipe replacements on the street improvement projects. Seems like there's a, you know, it's it's a convenience of choice, not, you know, a clear and concise direction.
The Metropolitan Council changed their I don't know if you would say interpretation or I don't guidelines. I'm not really sure, but that you can't mix across differently a new designation's density. Prior to that, prior to a couple years ago, I don't know if it was in the past year, but at the time of adoption of that comprehensive plan, you could mix densities across parcels.
One is maintenance. So with uh with Hardy sighting, it does require to be cocked and painted in order to prevent moisture, which of course causes damage, which then in turn adds cost to the HOA, and obviously it adds cost to the units.
I just I can't I don't see myself voting for and I I think I've been pretty consistent with this in any development where if the um density is above the the minimum limit um and variances are being requested I just I can't put those two together.
I would have significantly less concern that you're going to have those impervious surfaces grow. So from that perspective, um I wouldn't be as concerned because if we have like a 40% maximum for a single family lot, you know, we're able to review that as as a planning department over time against everything they request in the future.
When we talk about per capita use right and we're striving to go 75 gallons per day per capita I think that on average when we look at town home units uh when we get a per capita because of the decreased irrigation needs because of the density and the the less u pvious surface I think we're talking and Somebody can call, you know, call me on, but I thought we were talking in the order of 35 to 40 gallons per capita in a town home unit versus what it can reach in a single family home.
The council found administrator Miller's performance in the last year to excel in areas of communication, leadership, professionalism, accountability, and community engagement. The council looks forward to continuing to work with administrator Miller on carrying out the city's long and short-term goals, continuing progress on employee retention and development, and developing a culture of excellence through public service throughout the city.
The Lake Elmo Airport Advisory Commission had a meeting last Monday and I am one of the co-chairs. Uh council member Craignes is a uh member as well and and join the team and we had a thorough discussion about noise complaints from a very specific uh neighborhood.
This last weekend was a horrific instance for um politics in politics in Minnesota especially. And uh we just want to uh you know give our condolences to the Hortman family and um I've drawn a blank on this the Hoffman family and uh hope that they get a good recovery.
Last night, I had the opportunity to attend the fire department um, badge pinning ceremony and their recognition of their current membership with their families. Um it was really really touching to see everyone there.
Ordinances & Resolutions (14)
Approving state performance measure measures.
Approving CDA grant for ULI tap.
Providing for the competitive negotiated sale of $2,185,000 General Obligation Improvement Bonds Series 2025A.
Agreement for financial advisory services related to bond sales for $31,388.50.
Approving plans and specifications and ordering advertisement for bids for the I94 lift station and force main improvements.
Approving the comprehensive plan amendment request by MI Homes for the Inwood Town Home Development.
Approving the preliminary plat and PUD for the Inwood Town Home Development requested by MI Homes.
Establishing PUD standards for the Inwood Town Home Development requested by MI Homes.
Approving summary publication for Ordinance 2025-12.
City's long-term plan guiding infrastructure and capital projects.
Environmental assessment completed for the Inwood project in 2014, still considered in effect.
The city's prior comprehensive plan, guiding land use as 'urban high density'.
The city's current comprehensive plan, guiding land use for the Inwood area as a mix of high-density residential, mixed-use commercial, and business park.
City document outlining specific performance and material standards for building and site design.