Lake Elmo City Council — Transcript
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
Solar Power at 3M Landfill Bond Payoff
Old Fire Station RFP Process
180 Acres Development and ULI Technical Assistance Panel (TAP)
Website Development and Community Engagement
Votes (3)
Amendment to Agenda for Solar Power Discussion
Dissent: None
Moved by Frank [00:00:19] · Seconded by Jeff [00:00:46]
A proposal to add a discussion point regarding the next steps for the solar power project at the 3M landfill. This follows the rejection of a proposal to use trustee funds to pay off the bond issue. The mover, Frank, suggested discussing seeking state assistance to pay off the bond.
Approval of Special Meeting Date for RFP Finalists
Dissent: None
Moved by Frank [00:03:36] · Seconded by Unknown [00:03:59]
The EDA discussed and approved a special meeting date for RFP finalists. The proposed date is September 17, 2025, at 6 PM, with an estimated duration of one to two hours. This meeting will be for presentations from the finalists.
Seeking Council Support to Lobby for Solar Bond Payoff
Dissent: Jeff [00:24:05] abstained, indicating it was an ask for Council to act, not EDA.
Moved by Frank [00:23:44] · Seconded by Unknown [00:23:53]
Following a detailed update on the 3M solar landfill situation, Frank proposed seeking City Council's approval to approach state representatives to introduce a bill to pay off the remaining bond issue (approximately $3.25 million). There was a discussion on whether to involve the city attorney or directly engage staff/mayor/council members for lobbying efforts, with the consensus leaning towards direct engagement through city officials.
Notable Quotes (6)
I'd like to make an a slight amendment to the agenda and that is to add a point of discussion about the the staff report uh having to do with what to do next since the trustees didn't allow us to do a proposal on the uh solar you know paying off the bond issue for the solar power and uh I'd like to make a suggestion which needs to some discussion.
The next item on the agenda is the uh approval of the special meeting date for the RFP finalists. It's proposed for September 17th, 2025.
This be six o'clock. It can last an hour or two.
I would like to ask the EDA if you're willing to uh propose to city council that we get pay for an hour of our attorney time to discuss this matter.
I think if I were in your position, I would be asking that staff and or mayor with counsel seek um advocate for this in next time there's a bonding session, which won't be for a little while. It if I were in your position, that's why I'd be asking. I wouldn't because there's no cost to that except staff time in that case, but uh the mayor's time is free.
Sorry if this is dumb question. Can nothing be done with the land with the bond or just the solar? Nothing can be done to nothing beneficial can be done with the land until the bond issues paid off.
Ordinances & Resolutions (15)
The meeting agenda, amended to include discussion on the solar power proposal.
Report discussed regarding next steps for the solar power proposal after grant rejection.
A 40-year bond, currently at roughly $3.25 million, for the 3M solar landfill that needs to be paid off before development.
A special meeting scheduled for September 17, 2025, to hear presentations from RFP finalists.
A regular report detailing progress on various economic development initiatives.
A document issued for the redevelopment of the old fire station, for which nine proposals were received.
A Geographic Information System module built into the new city website for an interactive community development map and property viewer.
A grant program from which the solar site application was not accepted, but other applications moved forward.
Four letters submitted for grant proposals, with three approved and one (solar bond) rejected.
Proposed legislative action to get the State of Minnesota to pay off the bond issue for the 3M solar landfill.
A progress report on the RFP process for the old fire station.
Confidential documents used by EDA members to evaluate RFP proposals, due September 2nd.
A policy that the City Council will need to adopt to address potential subsidies or TIF for RFP projects.
An Urban Land Institute Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) for the 180-acre development.
Agreement mentioned in relation to limited sewer capacity affecting the 180-acre development.