Lake Elmo City Council — Transcript
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Washington County Capital Improvement Plan Comments
Tree Fund and Boulevard Tree Program Establishment
Lake Elmo Pickleball Friends Donation Acceptance
Votes (3)
Washington County Draft 2026-2030 Capital Improvement Plan Comments
Moved by Council Member [00:24:26] · Seconded by Council Member [00:24:45]
Mr. Griffith presented a summary of the Washington County CIP, focusing on Lake Elmo projects and the city's proposed comments. Key discussions included the $5 million cost participation for the Trunk Highway 36/County Road 17 interchange, the necessity of temporary traffic signals at Lake Elmo Avenue/10th Street for the new elementary school, and the city's request to retain the eastbound TH 36 to southbound Keats exit due to a lack of crash incidents. Council also suggested adding comments regarding the potential redevelopment of the elementary school site and proactive utility planning (e.g., a pipe sleeve under the UP Railroad).
Tree Fund and Boulevard Tree Program
Moved by Council Member [00:42:33] · Seconded by Council Member [00:42:47]
The Director outlined the proposed zoning text amendment to establish a dedicated tree fund and presented the boulevard tree program. The fund will be seeded with a $50,000 mitigation payment from Stillwater Schools and future donations, with annual administrative costs estimated at $5,000-$10,000. Council members expressed strong support, highlighting the program's environmental and aesthetic benefits for the city.
Lake Elmo Pickleball Friends Donation
Moved by Council Member [00:51:00] · Seconded by Council Member [00:51:09]
Council reconsidered the Parks Commission's recommendation to only partially accept the Lake Elmo Pickleball Friends donation. Jim Bowler, the donor, clarified details about the benches (durability, safety) and portable court dividers (purpose, self-maintenance, no staff burden, 3.0 version). Council members advocated for accepting all donated items, emphasizing the importance of encouraging community involvement and the minimal perceived risk, with one member noting a statutory requirement for four votes for donations.
Notable Quotes (10)
they do listen. They do look at the comments. So, um it's important to um respond, you know, either in support or or let them know what we're thinking.
They they say that there's safety concerns, but that that movement has zero crash incidents from the eastbound 36 to southbound uh Keats has zero crash incidents.
some consideration to put in a [snorts] a pipe sleeve underneath the UP railroad so that if and when a sewer line does need to be brought north that the sleeve is there
if there would be room for language to say, look, 2027, understand that's your planning. There's logistical reasons, but just so you know, the district is strongly looking at redevelopment and the property owner as well.
The purpose is to provide a dedicated fund for tree replacement throughout [snorts] the city.
I think this is a really great program for the city replacing boulevard trees... Makes the city a much more beautiful place and is actually good for the environment.
not quite sure why, um the recommendation did not include the, uh, benches and the, um, and the court barriers, court dividers.
I think when the community wants to get involved and do this type of thing, I think we need to, um, I think we need to try to honor that.
They'll [benches] support three people my size. Okay. And I'm a big guy.
This will require four votes for the statute, which is kind of a weird one. Oh, because it's a donation.
Ordinances & Resolutions (9)
The Washington County Capital Improvement Plan for 2026-2030, detailing road and bridge projects.
Ordinance amending the Tree Preservation Ordinance to create a dedicated tree fund.
Existing ordinance being amended to establish a tree fund.
Permit for a special event, approved on the consent agenda.
License renewal approved on the consent agenda.
Charitable gambling permit approved on the consent agenda.
Pay request for a crack seal project, approved on the consent agenda.
Job description for the Public Works Director, approved on the consent agenda.
A program to replace boulevard trees throughout the city, funded by the new tree fund.