To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. [clears throat] >> So I'll entertain a motion to approve the agenda as prepared. >> So moved. >> Second. We have a motion and a second to approve the agenda. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. >> I. >> I. >> Is approved. Do we have anybody with public comments or inquiries this evening? None. Okay. On the [clears throat] consent agenda this evening, we have approved payments and dispersements. Approved pay request one for the 2025 Seal Co. Project. Approve East Village 7th edition security reduction. Approve disposal of excess or retired assets. Approve sewer manhole lining. Adopt ordinance updating park hours for pickle ball. Approve November 4th, 2025 city council meeting reschedule. Approve airfare for conference for city administrator. Approve city council letter of support for Lake Elmo Association 3M priority 2 grant. and approve nightsbridge street name correction. I'll entertain a motion for approval of the consent agenda. >> Move to approve the consent agenda. >> Second. >> Have a motion and a second for approval of the consent agenda. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. >> I. >> All right. Consent agenda is approved. Moving into our regular agenda, we have Inwood Town Homes first edition final plat and easement vacation along with the public hearing. Miss Jensen will be presenting. >> All right. Thank you, Mayor. >> [clears throat] >> Okay, so tonight we are reviewing Inwood Town Homes first edition. As a reminder, the Inwood preliminary platinum PUD was approved in 2014. This included an EAW which included a number of mixed housing type um units. [clears throat] The first through fifth edition which were the single family detached units were developed between 2015 and 2017 and Inwood uh sixth edition which is that quick trip was approved in 2020. The image on the right hand side here is the concept plan. Moving into the specific request, the applicant is M&I Homes of Minneapolis and St. Paul. [clears throat] The property is zoned highdensity residential with that inwood PUB. It is guided in the city's comp plan as high density residential. Uh the first addition is to include 54 attached units which is a density of 11.7 units per acre [clears throat] which is within that allowable HDR density range. Um as a reminder the prelim plat was approved with 271 units. Um there's three requests before you that final plat final PUD and easement vacation and then history on the Inwood town homes. Uh, city council will approve prelim plat in June of this year and Met Council approved that comp plan amendment also in June of this year. So, here is the final plat. This will include a handful of outlaws for future development. It'll include outlot A, which is that private street running throughout the development and then 54 attached units. looking at the easement vacation request. So, there is an existing easement uh for drainage and utility purposes that runs over a portion of the property. The applicant is proposing to vacate this easement and rededicate necessary easements within the final plat. Um staff finds this request consistent with preliminary plat approvals and it cleans up the title work for the applicant. And then that image on the slide, the hatched area is that existing easement. In reviewing the final plat and final PUD request, staff finds that the PUD minimum requirements have been met and the following three PUD objectives have also been met. Uh the first is appropriate transitions between differing land uses. The second is um housing of all types and opportunities for life cycle housing and the third is for coordination of architectural styles and building form for compatibility within and [clears throat] surrounding the development. The application was sent out for agency review. The watershed indicated that a permit has been obtained for this project. The fire department fire department provided their memo uh standard comments related to drive lanes, addressing, accessing, street naming. Um landscape [snorts] ar landscape architect provided a memo that the tree preservation and landscape plans do meet the standards with the PD flexibilities that have already been approved. Uh the city attorney provided a plat opinion with revisions. The city engineer also provided a memo requesting revisions. And then this is not a formal memo in the staff report, but I did receive a handful of calls from residents checking in on this project asking for that crossing over Fifth Street for these residents to access Ivywood Park. Um, with our new crosswalk policy, there is a possibility for a crossing. The design is um in review and that would be brought to city council at a later date. And then just as a reminder, there are a handful of flexibilities that city council approved via ordinance 2025-12 related to lot size, setbacks, impervious surface, uh, public street frontage, and spacing. Um, in summary, staff is recommending seven findings of fact related to consistency with the 2040 comp plan, the zoning district, subdivision regulations, preliminary platin, and design standards. and staff is recommending 11 conditions of approval. Um most of these are standard such as um satisfying those agency review memos, entering into the necessary agreements, paying the necessary fees um and obtaining the necessary building or signage permits. And then there is a standard condition for the easement vacation that if approved, a notice of vacation proceedings is submitted to the county for recording. As part of the easement vacation process, a public hearing um is to be held tonight. This was published in the local paper on September 26th and mailed disring property owners on September 22nd and staff has not received any formal public comment at this time. With that, I have two motions for you. I can stand for questions. We do have the applicant here. You have any questions for them? Is it going to be an issue for the crosswalk to start to develop it prior to some of the data being known since obviously there's no people living to the right there on the south to impact the counts. >> Um when I talked to public works they indicated that it meets right now. >> So I anticipate it would meet >> even more with the new development >> even more. Thank you. Any other questions? [clears throat] >> Um, guess I could uh entertain a motion to go into the public hearing. [clears throat] >> So moved. >> Second. >> All right. We do have a motion and a second to go in the public hearing for resolution 2025-066. So all those in favor, please signify by saying I. >> I. >> I. >> We'll go into the public hearing at 7:08. Anybody wish to speak on the >> motion to close public hearing? >> You have a motion to close public hearing and second. [clears throat] >> All those in favor of closing the public hearing I >> I public hearings closed. All right, I'll [snorts] I'll uh entertain a motion uh for the resolution. >> Move to adopt resolution 2025-066 approving the easement vacation request by M&I Homes for the subject property with the findings and conditions therein. >> Support motion and a second discussion. [clears throat] >> Hearing none, I'll call the question. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. I >> uh resolution 2025-066 is hereby approved. If we could keep cell phones on a vibrate mode or a silent mode, that'd be appreciated. >> Move to adopt resolution 2025-067 approving the final plat and final PUD for the Inwood Town Home Development requested by M&I Homes with the findings and conditions therein. support. >> We have a motion and a second approving the final plat and final PUD for the N1 town home development. Discussion. >> I I know I brought it up at the uh the preliminary plat I I do have some concerns for the the density um that I brought up at that time. But from the preliminary to the final um everything appears to be the same. So that's why I'll be voting in favor. >> All right. Anyone else? I'll call the question. All those in favor of resolution 2025-067, please signify by saying I. >> I. >> Resolution 2025-067 is approved. Next item on the agenda is Friends of Sunfish Lake Park recommendation letter. Assistant Public Works Director Swanipole. Thank you, mayor and councel. As part of the 3M settlement, $20 million was set aside for priority two. Um, this priority two is for projects that restore the enhance the aquatic resources, wildlife habitat, fishing, outdoor, recreational opportunities in the areas in Washington, Ramsey, Dakota counties, and downstream of the Mississippi that were affected by PA. In the spring of 2025, uh staff came before you uh as far as to support the friends of Sunfish Lake who had uh provided three proposals to this priority three two grant um uh for three purposes. One was for forestry and trail recreation. Uh the second was to create a a boardwalk in Sunfish Lake and the third was for a fish um to do a study on the fish advisory um in Sunfish Lake as well. So before you tonight, uh staff is looking for um support um from city council if the city council supports the projects being presented by um the friends of Sunfish. I do have the applicant here with us tonight as well if uh for additional questions, but just a summary of those projects. Again, the forestry one is to continue the buckthorn removal in Sunfish Lake. Uh the boardwalk is to prepare or create a 300 foot um boardwalk that would cross the be the northeast west side of Sunfish Lake. And then the fish advisor would be doing a study of the fish uh that are currently in there uh to see the rehab of any POS that do if they are contaminated with POS and um post those findings [clears throat] for the public. Um, with that, I'll take any questions. Um, or again, I do have applicant here if we'd have questions for him. >> Yeah, I have some questions. So, um, just questioning the boardwalk across the west side of Sunfish Lake. And it appears that once that build is built, who's going to be responsible for maintaining that into the future? So yes, that was brought up to the applicant uh as well that the public works or the city would be responsible uh going forward. Um the applicant did indicate like uh neighboring communities have something very similar um about five years before it'd have to do any type of no maintenance to it including staining or any type of fixing with that. Is there a question? >> Yeah, question. So, when [clears throat] you get to talking about the clearing the snow off the boardwalk, um I'm not sure the size of it. I mean, is this something that the the groomer can go across where, you know, it could be used for snowshoeing, skiing, or is it just it would not be able to be used during the winter essentially? Yeah, it just be for a crosswalk. City uh city staff wouldn't be plowing or removing snow from it. Definitely wouldn't hold up to like any type of equipment either. So, yeah. So, it just be um it would be snow covered. Likely you could probably ski across it or walk across it. >> Okay. >> Yeah, please approach the podium. >> I live at 5050 Kirkwood and I'm the founder of the nature center. I wrote up the the proposals. I spoke to the city engineer of Oakdale about their board work which was installed in 2014. It's very similar in intent and structure as to what we put put in if we could. Uh they say they don't bother clearing in the winter because they're they're concerned about damage caused by equipment and they haven't had any problems. Their their maintenance cost as he he mentioned was fairly low. They had to replace a couple boards. There is a little bit of damage caused by a falling tree, but there won't be any trees near ours. So, um, of course, it's like anything else. You have a trail, you have to maintain it. You have a street, you have to maintain it. The proposal asks for two years of maintenance after it's finished out of the contract that we get. And then the city would have to decide whether to keep maintaining. >> Okay. Any other questions? All right. >> Motion to support and submit letters of support from the and submit letters of support from the city of Lake Elmo [clears throat] for the friends of Sunfish Lake Park. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second discussion. [clears throat] There's one thing I didn't ask about uh I should have asked is who's designing this boardwalk? >> Mr. Who's designing it? the uh the there would be a design contract that would that goes out before the the actual construction contract and once the design is completed in a proposal it would be brought to council to decide whether they like it or not >> and then will you be doing the same thing as putting out a proposal out for the construction of the boardwalk? Will we be putting out an RFP for the construction of the boardwalk as well, Tony, for for bids? >> Right. If we win the if we win the award, our our organization would handle all that. We'd put out an RFP for the design. We bring the design back to to council and then if council approves, we'd go for the construction. Uh we've taken uh uh Peter Castler's suggestion that he did want didn't want to have it too visible and we're going to try to make it less obtrusive on the landscape. But but as far as the actual design goes, uh it's pretty straightforward based on what works in this area from what I understand. >> Okay. Council member Holtz, >> I just want to thank Tony number one for taking the time to issue these and to ask the settlement team for it. Don't know if he'll get it or not, but there's there's a set amount of money and we know members of other communities are asking for dollars from the same fund. So, if we have a chance to add assets to the community because a member of our community stepped up, we are better for it. >> True. Anyone else? and just echo echo that [clears throat] I'm really in favor of all three and I [cough] excuse me [clears throat] I do appreciate yeah the friends of Sunfish Lake and and Tony all the effort you guys put into this. This is not a a light lift by any means. Um it's a lot of work and um this isn't the first time you've done this. So I I'm I'm really appreciative and I I think all three be great. I know there's concerns with the boardwalk for the maintenance, but I think if we we get it built, um I think we're going to see that it's used a lot and I think that maintenance will be well worth it. >> Okay. All right. I'll call the question. All those in favor of motion to support and submit letters of support from the city of Lake Elmo for the friends of Sunfish Lake Park, please signify by saying I. I. >> Motion passes. All right. Next item is RFP, [clears throat] former fire station and parks building. [cough] Director Sto be [clears throat] presenting. >> All right. Good evening. [clears throat] Tonight we're talking about the old fire station RF uh the EDA's uh committee's recommendation. So, a little bit of background. on the city issued an RFP on the former fire station and parks building in June 17, 2025. The city received nine proposals and the three receiving the highest scores were determined to be the finalists. The proposals were presented to the EDA RFP committee and the committee voted to recommend TAP and ladder machete to the city council in the second and third choices would be [clears throat] alternates. Uh Tap and Ladder Machete won the majority vote for first place. It was a 64 vote and subsequently were there was a motion that was approved 100 to recommend the proposal to the city council. [clears throat] >> Give a background really quick on the scoring criteria just to remind everybody what was uh reviewed. So community benefit [clears throat] was 65 points. It was land use was 30 points. We basically when we talked to um proposers we emphasized what the village study said which were retail, restaurants, tap rooms, brew pubs. Uh we talked about mixed use developments too if they were outside the fire station footprint. [clears throat] We stressed uh preservation and design. We really wanted to preserve the fire station public space and streetscape improvements. Just understanding that there should be more landscaping in the open parking lot area and then parking uh due to the limited parking in the old village. A parking plan should be submitted that retain some space is possibly public and enhances landscaping in traditional neighborhood development and we also put a creative plan to retain some public parking would be awarded points if determined that it enhances public space. Second was economic impact. This was 10 points. So the proposed use in uh job creation was five points and if the project could draw u people to the old village whether that is um residents that want to live around um the old village or you know additional businesses. [clears throat] So that was uh that's the 10 points for the economic impact and then 25 for developer qualifications, 10 for experience in success, their approach and timeline and then proof of funds just kind of looking at the scope and how they would go about completing the project. So the summary for um for tap and ladder machetes Brian height and Amanda Urban in partnership with Julian Okampo proposed to transform these two landmark properties into welcoming locally owned destinations that preserve their historic character while introducing fresh modern amenities. The site will be acquired in one joint plan but proportionately divided allocating approximately 30% to the parks building and 70% to the fire station based on the final project square footage in coordination with city officials. This is a [clears throat] rendering of tap and ladder and the conversion of the fire station. And just to go over tap and ladder really quick, it is a permitted land use. Uh the fire station will be transformed into tap ladder, a selfport tap house and casual dining restaurant with approximately 150 seats. Guests will enjoy an approachable menu, burgers, brz, fish fry, and unique signature dishes alongside a 28 tap self-port wall, craft sodas, and locally inspired cocktails. Indoor spaces will include flexible seating, a dedicated children's play area, and heritage displays honoring Lake Elma's fire service and local veterans. Full view garage doors and a spacious patio will create a seamless indoor outdoor experience with seasonal events and community programming yearround. And this is a look at a renovated parks building machete. It's also permitted use. The parks building will become the second location of machete cosina Mexicanana. A bold chef driven concept already thriving on the southwest side of Woodbury. Known for its bu vibrant flavors, handcrafted tortillas and signature quesadota. Machete will bring authentic Mexican cuisine and a curated beverage program to the old village. A patio overlooking Lions Park will create a lively connection between the restaurant and surrounding public spaces. So, we also looked at the economic impact. Um, we're looking at the fire station. The buildout would be right under a million dollars for the fire station and [clears throat] just over 700,000 for the parks building. We asked about full-time equivalent employees provided we're three full-time for tap and ladder, 20 part-time and machete [clears throat] three full-time and 17 part-time employees. [cough] So, parking requirements and we mentioned this in the presentation. We've talked about this. There's uh parking requirements may be waved in the village. used area recognized the availab availability of on street and shared parking facilities. So the estimated range it's difficult to determine till we get finals but 47 to 65 spaces and there are multiple parking plans scenarios that were um created but they could provide 30 to 50 parking spaces. This [snorts] is just one of the [clears throat] the um plans to create parking where access would be through the alley. Um so that that's just one of them. You can kind of see the site layout. Also requesting a purchase price that was considered not in the scoring committee initially but when the committee came with the presentation that was considered. Um we don't know the appraised value yet. So it's 750,000 [clears throat] purchase price or 150,000 less than the appraised value whichever is less. and that's to go into business subsidies and and certain things that would qualify. So the issue before the council is does city council accept the recommendation from the RFP review committee to move forward with the selection with the selected proposal from tap and ladder machete team to purchase the former fire station and parks building. [clears throat] The options are accept the proposed recommendation by the committee do not accept it or table for future discussion further discussion. [clears throat] This is the motion >> questions for director still council member Holtz. >> So in terms of process we have potential motion there but even after tonight the next steps then are say hypothetically that has passed that doesn't mean it's being built. What are the next steps things? I know we would have potential for close session. What does it look like in terms of timeline for uh when plans need to start being sent to obviously to city inspectors to planning? What's that process look like? >> Definitely a couple steps. So the first step would be close session looking at pricing conditions and working through those issues. We also have to have an appraisal done with their preferred layout. So we need to know what the layout looks like and then get that appraised. we need to move forward on the survey through our internal team looking at easements and rightaway dedication and getting that started. [clears throat] So once that process happens and the council is comfortable with moving forward with the proposal, that's when we can schedule a closing. I think the closing would be January, February is what we're targeting. If any business subsidy [clears throat] was requested, that would have to be reviewed by uh one of our adviserss to see if it qualifies and specifically that would come back to the council too. We do not have a business subsidy policy. So that policy would also have to be adopted. So that could add a couple months to that process. >> Thank you. >> Just freeze a little you made a comment about the appraisal will be based on their plan. is the appraisal of the property as it exists today. >> When we went to get the appraisal, there's seven parcels. So, it was difficult for the appraiser to give us a value to speculate what it is a value on what is there today. But we want to know because it's going to be two lots. So, we need to know where to split the lots and then >> Okay. >> basically assign value to both lots. >> Thank you, [clears throat] Council Member Hearn. >> Yeah. Can we dig into a little bit as far as kind of like what insuranceances do we have? How does it work to ensure that the the projects that are being proposed are or what actually take place? You know, things happen, the price ends up being more to take care of the the public works building. You know, how does that work as far as ensuring that this project as kind of as presented does actually occur? So in the beginning we worked on what a clawback provision would look like and we decided working with our adviser to wait and that would be processed through the close session and create those terms and conditions. So the idea is if some if they didn't perform there could be a clawback provision taking the property back. It could be a buyout of the property. There's different ways that that could be set up. Um, in terms of just looking at one thing that we don't know right now is the phase two is completed in terms of the testing, but it will be a few more months until we get the results back and whether we need a response action plan. Addressing contamination is not considered a business account towards the business subsidy. So that's something that the council could also negotiate. So if it were to be contaminated in a plan, that's something that could potentially lower the like the purchase price essentially. how that works, but >> okay, >> that wouldn't be considered a business subsidy. >> Not trying to jinx anything. >> I just had a question about the parking situation. So, it looks like on the map there's 34 parking stalls right now with the range stated above as 45 to 65. [clears throat] So, where are those additional spaces going to be? So I believe just [clears throat] this is probably not the highest end of the plan that they submitted. So I think this could also be drawn a little bit differently. There's also not parking behind the fire station. So I'm not sure why that's not shown. If there's a use behind the fire station, if it's access for, you know, [clears throat] dumpsters, I'm just not sure. So >> sure, >> potentially there could be more parking there. They're very close to meeting the standard. There's going to be on street parking. I believe two spaces in front of the patio would be open for access to the fire station that would be added to onspace parking. So that's that's the extent of what that would look like in terms of parking. So it's not uncommon to to wave it and that's written into the the into the um code. So you could get probably what we looked at of close to 50 spaces and it it may be right there in line with code requirements. And as you know, like a lot of times code requirements are kind of high for parking. That's the standard. So, >> and has it been looked at with the I guess conflict of Lions Park, all the baseball players that are coming? How will that affect the parking requirements? Because I feel like a lot of those spaces will be taken most of the spring and summer for people that are going to watch baseball. I think when we looked at all the proposals is something that I did not review. Um specifically the committee reviewed it was definitely one of the proposals that provided most of the parking too. So they did a pretty good job addressing the parking. They are here tonight too to talk about some of the particulars if they want to you know if you want to understand better the shared parking as aspect because I didn't include that in the presentation but they're they were open to shared parking. So, if you want to have ask them, they could. They're here to answer questions, too. >> Sure. Yeah. I mean, are you guys going to have to >> Yeah. I mean, I guess would it be restricted parking for people that are coming downtown? They could park in your lot, go [clears throat] to different establishments, or is it strictly is it going to be assigned for tap and ladder, machete? No. Uh, so we submitted about eight different potential layouts. Um, so that was just one of them and the range was about 30 to 50. Obviously, once we figure out the actual plat and work with uh our estimators and architects to figure out what the best layout would be, we assume that would fall within that range. Um, and our plan is to leave the parking lot open to the public all the time. >> Okay. >> Parking is an issue downtown and >> yeah, >> we want to help out wherever we can with that. >> Okay, great. Thank you. Next, >> council member Jaguchich. >> Um, wouldn't the proper [clears throat] proper motion to be entered into negotiations for a development agreement? I mean, the sale is part of it, but in a deal like this, typically you say, "We're going to sell you the land for X and you commit to build Y and invest Z and do other things that's in their proposal." So, as we move forward, we know we're getting exactly, you know, the development that was proposed to us. We don't sell the land. and then they build a, you know, put up a temporary peanut shack and say, "Oh, well, we weren't committed to do anything else." I'm not saying that you would either, but in my experience, usually a very detailed development agreement that spells out all those terms and conditions and um [clears throat] and then [snorts] we all know going forward how, you know, how the development will work. The public knows what we're entering into an agreement for. >> I would think that would be the first step is enter into a purchase agreement. So, I don't know, Sarah, if you want to add. >> Uh, Mr. Mayor, members of the council, yes, we would enter into what's called the purchase and development agreement. So, that would spell out all the terms of the purchase of the city property in terms of what they're paying, what the conditions are, and then it would probably have some type of clawback provision in there that would allow that would make them build whatever they're proposing to build on the site within a certain amount of time. And if they don't do that, then uh the city can take back the property. Um, so that would be in the purchase and development agreement as well. And then if there's any other assistance requested, that would be addressed as well in that contract. >> So, do you suggest that that language [clears throat] be added to this motion? >> Um, I I don't think it's absolutely necessary because I mean that's just the next step. I mean, negotiations. I think that's what we would be negotiating next is the purchase and development. >> Okay. >> Agreement. But if you want to specify that, that's fine. >> Thank you, Council Member Holmes. [clears throat] So, in terms of the the parking question, I I know there was another proposal where they allocated some of their usage to be on the rooftop. I know your proposal has space being used on the ground level for the patio. Is that a a possible situation where that adds parking space and instead the rooftop is used instead of the patio? >> Yes, we saw that. We've talked to one of our uh general contractors about that possibility. um because we haven't been able to get up on the roof and do a structural engineering inspection or anything like that, we don't know the possibility of that. Um but that is something that we have talked about and would consider doing instead of the front patio or a smaller front patio and a rooftop patio. Um I think the basic gist is once we actually have the ability to get in and do a thorough inspection on both buildings, we'll have a much better understanding of what is or is not feasible. Um once we get to that point, then it's u part of the proposal um that we submitted talks about regular communication via social media to the community about what is happening. Um and regular communication with the city officials on here are the steps we are taking. Here's what we have found out, here's the changes we may need to make, making sure that everyone is up to date on every aspect of what we're planning to do. >> Gotcha. So it is definitely something that you would consider and plan to look into. Yes. Yep. >> Thank you. here >> as a more concise way to say it. member Jagasich, >> I don't mean to speak so much, but um one thing I I would like the council to consider adding to this motion is as we move forward and we look at perhaps business subsidies and Tiff has mentioned in in this as a possibility and all those things that's going to require a lot of analysis um and expertise we don't have on staff and I think we should add a motion or add to this motion that authorizes staff to get that expertise they need. I'm it's available in a number of sources. Um I had a conversation with Jason the other day about about that. There's some requirements under law on return on investments and all those kinds of things we don't need to go into here. Um but it requires a level of analysis that we don't have the qualifications on staff because we've never done those things before. Um opportunity for them [clears throat] to learn as well. But I think if we get down that road and and determine as we're going that tax increment is needed or some other subsidy otherwise we should have that um expertise available to our staff so this thing moves along. We're not delaying it. Um uh you know because we not ready to [clears throat] deal with it. >> And the attorney agrees with me. [snorts] >> Shake your head. >> Did you shake your head? >> Yes. [laughter] >> And Mr. mayor. Um some of this would be um addressed in if the city adopts a business subsidy policy, it'd [snorts] be addressed in there. And then also um if they do apply for TIF in the TIFF application, it would, you know, they'd have to make a deposit to cover some of the city costs in terms of its financial advisor and and legal advisor. Um so that would be done when they apply for TIF and then also in the business subsidy. [snorts] >> Okay. >> [clears throat] >> Council member Holtz. >> I am 99% sure of the answer, but because the question was posed in the community, I just want staff to be able to address it. A question was asked, is there an issue with a liquor license next to a park? And I know the answer is no, but can you just confirm our language is the issue of a distance to a school, not distance to a park. Correct. >> Correct. >> Thank you. [clears throat] >> And what would the hours for tap and ladder be right now? Uh we're thinking Got to think through this here. So 4 to 9. Monday through Thursday. Friday, Saturday, Sunday open at 11:00 for lunch. >> Okay. >> Friday, Saturday close at 10. And then Sunday also close at 9:00. >> Got it. >> And for Yeah. Machete >> magenta is open uh seven days a week and open at 11, close at 9:00 Sunday through uh Thursday, Friday and Saturday open at 11, close at 10 and then that's not set in stone. That can also change but this is what we do right now in Woodbury which we've had a lot of people that we've talked to ask are you going to be open for lunch every day? I think that's something we consider. Someone asked are we open for breakfast if we did I >> I mean we would consider things. we would take, you know, the advice of what the city would like to see, what residents would like to see. Um, it's not really set in stone. We It's going to be a family centered location. We're not planning on staying open till midnight 1 or two and having parties and all those types of things. It's going to be very familycentric. >> And that kind of leads into my next question of is there a set [clears throat] hours for like the kids play area or is that open till 10 as well? Yeah, something we could talk about a little bit more in depth. I mean, it's it's what we're thinking right now is arcades, rock climbing wall, some dress up costumes for kids, toys like fire trucks and police cars and things like that, lots of >> public safety books. >> Um, so if someone brought their kids there and they happened to be there until 9 or 10, then that would be up to them to be able to use that. >> Yeah. Okay. And is there staff around? Like if you went to like a lifetime where there's people in the play area or is it all glass walls where parents are watching them through there? How >> a little bit of both is what our plan is right now. Again, we're trying to be flexible and as we look walk through the process, we'll probably change our minds here and there. >> Um but the basic thought we've had so far is um Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, teams come in and volunteer and and help. Um, and then we would also have our own staff on hand to be able to have someone in the kids zone and things like that. >> Okay. >> Oh, yeah. We would be donating to those organizations that wanted to staff those with, you know, baseball players, softball players, Boy Scout, Girl Scout, things like that. >> Thank you. >> There's one more. >> Yeah. [clears throat] Again, I I I don't want to jinx anything. I just want to have a clear understanding of, you know, if challenges do arise. What is the game plan? How do you approach those? Maybe what concerns do you guys have going into this? Um, again, I I know you've done a ton of work on this already and looked into it. So, I'm sure a lot of this has been thought out, but just to try to talk through that as well as far as like how does [clears throat] that work if things if and when they don't go as planned? I'll take the first part because I know you got the second part very well covered. So, [clears throat] um let's see. So, we've talked about multiple potential other options. Should we run into issues for that >> in the event we have more thorough walkthroughs and engineers look at things and it's going to be an issue, then that would be something we would bring back to discuss >> and we have thought through some of those things. Um the other piece um I I'll let Julian handle because he's done this >> with some condemned buildings uh in other cities. >> Yeah. So this is our third time that we would be doing this. Um my first time alone, but I'm not really alone. My wife Emma is here and also my dad made an appearance. He's back there. So Arando, um my mom, my dad and I, we've uh kind of done projects all over. We've we have we have, you know, Machete and Woodbury. We also own all the Los restaurants. Uh Suburban Avenue is the one that uh was the first project that that they did and that was condemned by the city of St. Paul and it was going to be knocked down and my parents went in and they wanted to buy it. He he can tell you too. Um the city called them crazy like are you sure you want to buy this? Like we it literally was going to be like demolished in a month and so then bought it. Uh we gutted it did a lot of our you know gutting and cleaning ourselves. I know like we still don't know the final details for this uh parks building but um you know we did it there uh some things came up at Bourbon and uh I don't want to say like we we're going to figure it out but it's a lot of our success kind of has been of when things uh show up that we weren't expecting there's other ways that we can get around it. Um but also that's not just we're going to do it and we're not going to you know keep you guys informed. It's as those come up, like Brian said, it's going to be a lot of communication back and forth. Um, and then we also, you know, in 2020 2019, we bought uh a building on Lake Street and that was also falling apart and we were able to buy it with um, you know, a commercial loan with Sunrise Banks and did a lot of the cleaning and gutting ourselves, stuff that we couldn't do. Then that's why we brought contractors in um, and that's who we, you know, we have here, too. So that's basically um you know it it'd be our third time doing this uh in this building and I'm not really like worried I guess or concerned. Um we've seen a lot of I think crazier things than what what we've seen here. So that that's why I guess I can say thank you. >> Yeah. >> Okay. If nothing else, I'll entertain a motion. If you want to get creative with your language in there, council member Jagusich, so we can get this straight, that'd be great. And if I if I get off track, I have legal to help me >> make it simp, you know, simple is good. >> Yeah, simple is good. Yeah. Yeah. >> I would say a motion to accept the EDA's committee recommendation and begin negotiations to sell the former fire station and park buildings to the tap and ladder and machete team and to authorize staff to retain additional professional assistance as needed in negotiation process. >> Okay. >> Second. >> Okay. All right. So, we have a motion on the floor with a second. Everybody understand the motion? >> Yeah. >> All right. Any discussion? [clears throat and cough] >> Motion. >> Who's going to start? Anybody can start. Council member Holtz. I >> mean, this process, you might as well sit down. It's going to be [laughter] a long copy. >> Oh, boy. >> Does anyone have any duct tape? >> You might want it. So, I mean, this process technically it dates back to when this building was starting to be planned. And the realization was we're going from two firehouses to one. Didn't have an EDA at the time. Now, we do. We have members of the EDA in the room right now. And it has been a very publicly driven process. I'm not going to list all the meetings that went into it, but I do appreciate the public feedback that has happened between the EDA, our planning commission, and also uh as I recall the survey that was done for downtown when we had the um moratorum. This was a part of it to ask what do we want in the downtown? And I would say in the process of creating rubric for this uh between EDA and the council and the proposals that came forth, this one does align with what the council was asking for. Uh it aligns with what the community has been saying. I I cannot say how many times I have heard is the fire station up for sale? No. Patience is up for sale soon. But the next conversation is usually God this is what I want to see there. It's like and we listen and many many comments. The most common one has been some form of a restaurant, brewery, some type of place where family gathers. I don't think I didn't necessarily think as EDA member or council the possibility of two. I I I never conjured up that possibility and now we have a proposal with two. And I I think what we've seen over the last week especially has been very strong feedback from the community saying heck yeah. And so with that said, I I I do support this. I It's local. We have uh business partners who have experience with this. I will say I lived a block away from your first location. So I lived a block away. I was there like the first week it was opened. I didn't realize it was condemned. >> Yeah. >> That location and I I really we enjoyed it. We went there often and I I like that this proposal combines experience with the family side and it gives me confidence that hopefully to council member Hearn's very good question is like we want to make sure as a city that we are protected that this has a good outcome. So I appreciate that aspect. Um the reason I asked the question about the possibility with the roof is really the curiosity of you know we all saw the three final proposals. Is there anything that you wanted to glean from those to say, "God, that's really a great idea." And that's one of them. I think the other one that I I would really be curious to see if you're able to do stuff on the roof if does that allow the creation for some type of that public walkway going west to east. If it doesn't, it doesn't. But that was something that I found from the EDA side was very attractive um to be able to get people going east to west. Um, the other thing I will say is there was another proposal that I thought is very good as well and I hope that city staff and the uh people who presented that is proposal number two are able to communicate and try to see if there are other solutions and other locations to bring them forth because I think that also was a very impactful and quality offer and proposal that would also will benefit the city. But this is the one that the EDA went with. This is one the this is the one that the community has shown strong support over the last week and I fully endorse it. >> Thank you, Council Member Hearn. [clears throat] >> I think a lot of what I'm going to say is very similar. Um, you know, to start out with, I'm I'm happy with where we're at with this. Um, you know, gosh, I guess it was probably two years ago. I work right across from where your guys' building's going to be. And I work with clients every day. And I think I can probably count over a hundred who had business ideas that wanted to do something here. And um you know, okay, it goes from a hundred people telling me their ideas and I'm sure there were hundreds more to you know, nine individuals submit a proposal and that's a lot of effort that t that takes to do that, right? Putting a lot of effort into that and um it takes a lot. I had friends who submitted applications to this and I I know this is something that you as well as every every other individual that applied, you know, had great ideas, um had great intent, wanted to really help the community. We go from nine, we get down to three. You know, we see these three proposals and it kind of gives you goosebumps almost when you read through them. All three of them were fantastic. Uh they they really were looking to to make Lake Elmo better. Um, which is it it's um it's really cool to see that. You know, I think it it's it's easy for somebody to want to come in and develop um and make it about themselves, which it does. It has to be successful for you guys, but this all three of these proposals really were um community- based. And and I thought you guys did a fantastic job, you know, looking through with how you kept on tying in different aspects of how we can make this a community um gathering space. Uh, you know, again, we've heard that over and over and over again. With that being said, too, again, all three of those proposals were great, and I echo what Council Member Holtz was saying is I I really liked the others. In my mind, I I do feel like the um the Lake Elmo Commons as we move a little bit further east um as we've kind of talked about when we put together our um old village plan just recently, that was where we talked a lot about kind of more of the mixed use where we have the commercial on bottom, residential above. I think that'd be a fantastic transition where we're going more from uh truly residential into more truly commercial. I think that's a really good pass off a little bit further east like we've kind of talked about in our um the old village plan. Um I was talking with director Stoopa again I from the the the can can wonderland you know as far as with the the 77 acres that were we're looking at for sports fields. Again something like that could be a great addition to an area like that. So, I I really do echo that these are all great ideas and I hate the thought of of of losing them um and all the effort that was put into our community because a lot of effort was put in and and and very community focused effort. Um and so I' I'd really love to see those be able to still move forward as well. But I I understand that um for this location, I I do feel that this is the right choice. Um not an easy choice. I kept on saying I felt like it's like when five people want to go to a restaurant, you got to decide where to go. It's it's tough because they're all good. So, I I appreciate all the effort. I'm really happy with where we're at. I'm sad that we'll not be able to move forward with the other two. Um but this is the right choice. >> Council member Dragassich, >> I won't beat a dead horse on what a great choice it is. I just want to take time to thank you uh Director Stoopan, our EDA committee for all their hard work on this. It was a large undertaking. You did a great analysis and you came back to us with a recommendation that was wellounded and you know made sense to me and so I just want to extend a thank you as member of the city council for all your hard work. >> Thank you. Yeah to second everybody here. I mean, thank you to the EDA is a great recommendation and I think it's going to be a great fit for the downtown area. Um, like other people have said as well, we have two other fantastic RFPs that is a bummer to lose, but again, the the machete and tap and ladder are going to be a great addition downtown. Looking forward to some good work down there. The the great thing about going last is I can be brief because most everything's already been said, but um yes, thank you to the people on the EDA, Director Stoa and his staff for getting this done and really appreciate all the time and effort. Uh I've been on the proposal end of an RFP and it takes a lot of time and effort uh making sure your eyes are dotted and your tees crossed. So, anybody that was on a team and put something in, I I appreciate that time and effort that takes in there and I'm looking forward to um I I'll support this this motion and it sounds like we have full support. So, I'll be looking forward to trying to make something work moving forward. I will call the question. All those of all of those in favor of the motion as presented, please signify by saying I. >> I. >> Motion passes. Thank you. [cough] [clears throat] All right. Number four [clears throat] on our regular agenda this evening is authorized design services for 14 water main improvements. City engineer Nathan Stanley. [clears throat] >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh mayor and council, before you uh is an item that will authorize plans and specification preparation for [clears throat] water main improvements along uh Cass 14 between the north leg of Lake Elmo Avenue and uh Leighton. Um little background on this item. I don't have a presentation. I apologize. Um there was a map in the um in the item that was submitted that um if you have that up it'd be great if you could follow along. But little background is that uh the ex this stretch of roadway um it's it's it's county road. Um there was there were several water main improvements completed as part of the old village uh improvements um I think between roughly 2015 and 2022. Um it was kind of desired that this stretch would be a part of those improvements. Um however, when we go into a county right away, we like to try and coordinate with the county rather than um having to pay to uh restore a county road. So, um staff have been working with the county to try and accelerate uh this section of uh CASAF 14 uh to get into their CIP. Um unfortunately it still is not in in the CIP and the and the the water mean has deteriorated to a state where we are um facing um [clears throat] it's it's it's reached the end of its natural life or its service life rather. Um there has been uh seven breaks in the last six years with five of those coming in the last three. Um so something needs to be done um as again the um county has not put this stretch of roadway into their CIP. Um so um looking forward um this approximately 1,900 ft of uh existing water man staff is looking to upsize uh from a 6-in main to a a 12in main. um and then work with the county on the kind of the placement of this main within the right of way. Um the existing main runs kind of along the southern edge of the right of way. Um the new main we'd like to push out into the roadway um and and maybe actually coordinate some extra depth so that um you know with any future improvements to the county road uh we're able to leave the main in place. Uh we're looking at [snorts] doing directional drilling to maintain traffic and leave the roadway largely in place and um that also will account for any sort of um you know profile change. So um looking at the uh an estimate for the for the main it's roughly $850,000. Um this is based largely on the work that we've received bids for going on up at um Hudson Boulevard and Inwood Avenue for our um enforcement cost up there as this is roughly the same size pipe that would be directionally drilled. Um kind of looking down here. Um just one thing one other thing to note is that um the the interruption uh to the roadway would be just uh five isolated pits is kind of what we're anticipating um with the ability to route traffic around those. So with that, um we are looking at if if council chooses to move forward with this project tonight or authorizes uh the preparation plans and specs rather uh January um plan [snorts] approval and advertisement for bid dates uh with um receiving bids and awarding a contract in February and um moving forward this spring with the project. anticipating the project would be done uh late summer. With that, I ask council to move forward um authorizing Boltman Mink to prepare plans and specifications in the amount of $77,600 for the CASA 14 water main improvements from CASA 17 um to Leighton Avenue. questions. Council >> member Holtz, >> thank you for that and for bringing this to the attention based upon the what number of breaks. That's this is a very good use of our time. Is there any value gained for it being the new part going past late nav or is that specifically because obviously that's where there's a line that also goes south? >> Yes. Uh thanks for the question. That's where the newer water man comes in. So this is where we're that's that's kind of governing the limits of the project, >> right? >> And and then obviously with the upsizing that will be the right amount of upsizing, say hypothetically when car dealership and school potentially changes use, this upsizing will be able to take into account any future increase in demand that may occur at that site. >> Yes, mayor and council member. Um absolutely. the the upsizing of the main is meant to uh provide additional redundancy and um be able to serve these this the potential redevelopment in the area. >> Gotcha. Thank you. >> Council member Jagus, >> is this project in our CIP paint? >> Uh mayor and council, no, this project is not in the CIP. Um uh this project uh it was my understanding is that the um public works director meant to get this in last cycle kind of kind of similar to how um I I referenced our force main project up at Hudson Boulevard in Inwood. It was a late ad. Um this was intended to be put in and was simply um left out. So will we be adjusting our CIP then taking some other projects out to keep our spending fairly where we had anticipated? >> So I I I can't answer that question. Um this is I I I I can tell you that this is intended to be funded simply by the water enterprise fund and that um I believe staff has um you know confidence that the fund can support the project but I can't speak to a greater question like that. I'm sorry. question on the uh type of construction you're recommending and and I come at this with the full knowledge that I am not a water expert right so >> sure >> uh at first when I saw this I didn't know about the upsizing so I was thinking about uh lining of pipes and obviously with upsizing you can't really do that is the thought is the thought or the process of pipe bursting been thought of and what what would be the pros or cons of that type of uh and obviously that would keep the location at where it's at. >> And is that is that really a large negative or or can that be dealt with? >> Uh Mr. Mayor, the idea of uh pipe bursting was considered. However, in discussions with the county, we anticipate that there will be significant off-road pedestrian improvements or storm sewer uh improvements along the roadway. So, the intent here is to actually remove the pipe from that zone where other improvements will be so it can so we can take care of it now and it won't have to be relocated in the future. If we leave it in the same place as it is now, roughly I don't know how many feet off the ride ofway, but very close to that southern right ofway boundary, we we could face future impacts with the county road project. Does this then lend itself to being a little more uh the county being a little more accommodating uh for this construction piece as far as uh working with us on what's needed for closure and movements of traffic while it's being done since this will minimize >> future work on 14? >> Yep. So, we'll be working uh part part of the intent here is to work with the county. Um, you know, I I think conceptually the county probably has an idea of what sort of road section they're going to have in there. And we'll, you know, we we just spitballing, you know, initially thinking about this, it's like, well, you put it down the middle, >> right? Well, that's not great in this situation because then we face road closures, you know what I mean, for or or traffic restrictions with the with the construction with these pits. So um we the intent is to work with the county to to locate it such that we can maintain traffic during construction. >> Okay. What's typical pit when you get and you you mentioned deeper how how much deeper you talking about? >> So you know typical water man depth is seven and a half foot cover standard. Um we were thinking like you know 9 to 10 feet. >> Okay. So still a manageable depth, >> still to a, you know, not so deep that say our public works keys can't get on a valve or something like that. >> You know what I mean? >> So the pits to get down there than using for trying to accommodate size would be using a box to access. >> Absolutely. >> Okay. So the funding is and uh administrator is uh finance director talked to you about the the water uh fund being used for this. So she's not here to tonight to talk about that funding. >> No, I haven't talked to her specifically about this yet. >> Okay. >> Yes. Council member Dragitch. In our water and sewer fund, the whack and sack charges and the connection fees are restricted by council policy for either uh asset renewal and replacement or payment of debt service. And so my guess is, and I don't remember what we had in that fund, it seems it was like six or seven million of those um restricted funds. And I could be wrong. It's been a while since I looked at it, but I did have a discussion with our finance director about the restrictions and how it was restricted. and she sent me the council resolution. So given the construction we've had in the last few years, I would guess that we have restricted funds sufficient to cover $800,000 $850,000. >> Okay. >> Thank you for that. >> We have the 2004 finances are the last thing that we have. We could look at that, but it wouldn't be up to date today. >> Right. Thank you. Any other questions for city engineer? All right. I'll entertain a motion. >> Move to authorize Bolton Mink, Inc. [snorts] to prepare plans and specifications in the amount of 77,600 for the CASAW 14 water main improvements from CASA 17 North Lake to [clears throat] Leighton Avenue. >> Second. We have a motion and a second. Discussion. Uh, council member Drake, could could you explain that again? Uh, so with the fund, I guess that's my main concern is I I understand the fund can support it. My thought is we're trying to grow our funds. So for future replacements, we don't have to rely as much on debt um based off of what we have in the the current CIP. So my initial thought was, yeah, obviously if if this is uh breaking down consistently five times in the last three years, okay, similar to the project going on on Hudson, this needs to be taken care of, but we probably need to look at adjusting the CIP, but maybe I didn't I didn't fully understand your question comment. Oh, well, if you look in our financial statement, when we charge a uh you know, like water sack, whack, I mean, water access charge and then the connection fee for all the new development, those funds go into the water fund, but they're restricted in their use for capital expenditures or debt service. And so, we have a, as I recall, there's very good balance in there of those restricted funds. Um, and of course this year we had the school and all the connections that went with that um, as well. So I'm guessing we would have adequate funds, but we'd have to verify this. Just the council restricted those. They're not restricted by statute. They're restricted by city resolution. >> And those funds would would those be those were funds that we were planning to use for other projects in the CIP. >> Think they were some of those was planned to be used. Yes. But I don't believe we're planning to train them completely. >> Okay. So, I guess yeah, that would just be my main thing I'd want to understand is, you know, does that impact our work towards the the goal of not having to fund as much of the projects with debt? >> Well, yeah. This this initially would be paid with capital money that we have in that account for it. Correct. So would not be servicing would not be taking on additional debt and would be towards our goal of using cash to pay for >> I guess but like but then for the projects scheduled in the future where we were working to build these funds up >> and that fund will still get um enhancements with projects like we had >> okay earlier the M&I lot. >> Yeah. >> Okay. you know, they continually get increased in funds. >> Okay. Thank you. >> As development occurs. >> Okay. >> I guess one thing I'm just it's a little and I I've heard about this water water man being broken. I'm gonna task public works department and the city engineer to really get together and get a handle on if there are other issues coming up in the city with regards to uh breaks that happen on a regular basis so that we don't have these uh coming up on a you know it it just so happens we've had too this year. Not a big fan of that. So, >> please communicate and make sure that we can accommodate those in the future and that they're taken care of. That would be my request. >> This is different. I mean, this one has lived out its life. >> Yes. >> Versus the other one. But still, it's it was a surprise in the sense of it wasn't on planned. And I I understand trying to wait for the county on their CIP, but they obviously have limitations and things like that, but like to um if it's not on their five-year and we're getting breaks like that, then I I think it's just something we got to take care of. >> Quick look shows we had four million in cash in the water fund at the end of 2024. >> Okay. >> So, anything we collected this year from those major projects would add to that. >> Add to that. Perfect. Call the question. Move to authorize Balden Bank Incorporated to prepare plants specifications. The amount of 77,600 for the Kasaw 14 water main improvements from CASA 17 North Lake Delton Avenue. Please signify by saying I. >> I. >> Motion is approved. Thank you. Uh moving into council reports. Council member Draasich. The only report I have, and some of you have heard this before, was I just like to say they had the honor and privilege of being at a reception with the president of Croatia a week ago. My grandparents on my dad's side both immigrated from Croatia, so it's quite an honor and privilege to meet the president of their homeland. >> That's great. Hobnobbing with the big wigs, council member Holtz. Um, public service announcement. Everyone who has houses built somewhere around 2014 to 2016, please uh start to change out your fire alarms so you don't have to wake up at 12:30 in the morning and call the fire department because every one of your alarms is going off the same time because one of them went bad. Turns out that's not fun. Uh, but the fire department does a fantastic job. Came out, figured out which one is bad. We had two sheriff deputies come out as well to say hello. And yeah, it usually they are expected to last seven to 10 years. Has nothing to do with the batteries. They just go bad. So for those of us who have houses in that area, please start to do that. >> It's a wonderful PSA. >> Oh, it was great. It was fantastic. >> So I I have I have no comments, >> you know. Interestingly, [laughter] >> nice shirt, by the way. >> After Yeah. Yeah. Nice shirt. We coordinated. We did the uh that workout like a firefighter event last year and I replaced my fire alarms like a good student after they told us to and >> we had ours go off last weekend in the middle of the night and I called the fire department. So, thank you. I think it was literally the night that you posted that, too. >> Oh, yeah. You're welcome. So, >> with that though, thanks to the fire department, the chief came over and gave me a lecture on appropriately placing >> smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. So, I'm uh I'm set at this point. So, >> thanks to the fire department. They But in all serious, it was they're we are very lucky. They're they're a great team and um they probably could have laughed at us quite a bit, but it was uh they did a great job. So, >> one question. Why do they always go out in the middle of the night? >> I don't know. >> It's statistically impossible, but it happens. >> They ripped out and then they ripped out like three of our older ones and then the next night it actually happened again. But [laughter] >> all right, I figured >> this is for discussion after the meeting. >> No report. >> City staff reports. >> No report. >> No report. Miss Johnson, >> um, I just want to let everyone know and council may get questions. Um, school district 622, early voting has started. Folks can vote um, in person at the Washington County Government Center in Stillwater and the service centers in Woodbury and Cottage Grove. The school district has sent out anformational flyer that I think has some folks confused and calling and stopping here to vote. So, I just want to if anyone asks you um, help us get the word out, please that those are the places they can vote early and we will have um, voting in person on November 4th. >> Thank you. No report. >> Nina, >> no report. >> No report. >> No report. >> Uh just to let council know, but um we did we have extended uh work hours for uh Washington County to complete work paving this Thursday and Friday on Manning Avenue from 6:00 to 8. >> Right. Yeah, I remember seeing that. >> Councelor, >> no report. >> All right. With that we will adjourn this evening's meeting. Thank you everybody.