Project teams recommended improvements and the benefits that this project will bring to the area. I will share anticipated city cost shares and end with next steps and open it up for questions. So, this project is located on the west side of the city limits along Ideal Avenue and this project or this roadway borders the city of Oakdale. This project is near 694, the business of Target, the city's public works facility, and is adjacent to the 180 acres that the city owns. >> [snorts] >> This segment of County Highway 13 carries approximately 7,000 vehicles a day, has a 40 mph posted speed limit, and includes an at-grade crossing of Union Pacific railroad tracks. And the pavement along this segment is currently in poor condition. So, there are many opportunities to improve existing issues along this corridor. First, talking about safety, traffic is growing and there are ways to proactively improve this corridor to keep the area safe for drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, to reduce crash risk and improve everyday use. Second, there's opportunity to address failing infrastructure, including pavement that's reached the end of its life. Adding and lengthening dedicated turn lanes where they are missing or undersized. And adding standardized shoulder widths to provide a safer space for people that desire to bike along the roadway. Third, a new trail on the east side of the roadway and resurfacing and widening the west side trail will add a safe, continuous access to support mixed trail use. And for future traffic volumes will mean longer delays unless changes are made. So, in the end, traffic is increasing on County Highway 13 and pavement in the roadway just won't keep up. So, this project provides the opportunity to proactively improve safety by fixing failing pavement, adding proper turn lanes, and standardizing shoulders. It also provides the opportunity to strengthen community connectivity with the new East Side Trail and upgraded West Side Trail. And can address congestion by upgrading the Stillwater Boulevard and then Ideal Helmo and intersection on the south end of the corridor. So, goals for this project include improving safety for all users, providing that smooth durable pavement, providing a stronger pedestrian and bicycle network to connect neighborhoods, parks, and businesses. Goals also include planning for future growth by right-sizing capacity and access um to support economic development while maintaining corridor character and community goals. And then minimizing property and environmental impacts with designs that limit right-of-way needs, protect natural resources, and apply stormwater best practices. And then also being fiscally uh responsible by delivering benefits within budget. So, overall, the goal of this project is to deliver safe travel for everyone, smoother pavements, uh better walking and biking connections, while planning for future growth, protecting property and the environment, and then also staying mindful of project costs. So, the project kicked off last year with initial public outreach and concept design efforts. This phase of the project is wrapping up. The project team is working to attain support of the recommended design from our city partners, as well as the railroad. And then with support from the city partners, final design and acquisition of necessary right-of-way. That would begin next year, wrap up in 2028 to allow for construction in 2029. So, we're focusing on engagement. There's been two rounds [snorts] of engagement to date, including a kickoff open house, and then a more detailed design consideration open house. So, both of those events were both we both had an in-person open house and an online format. Overall, I mean, we heard general support from the community for a project along this corridor. >> [snorts] >> And we currently have a third phase of engagement planned for next month to share and gather feedback on the project team's recommended design. So, then looking at recommended improvements, kind of to summarize these, they are to improve drainage with additional new concrete curb to capture and direct storm water, add dedicated turn lanes at key intersections, including new turn lanes that would serve future development, provide corridor safety by adding a raised concrete median that separates northbound and southbound traffic. That would cut off any head-to-head or left-turn crash risks, and then also manage or provide managed access control. We would include shoulders that are paved. And then we would also look at including separated multi-use trails that are set back from the highway to create a safe, comfortable walking and biking connections really for all ages and abilities. We would reconstruct the railroad crossing, and that's mainly due to the additional width we would see at the crossing. And then we are recommending to add a roundabout at that intersection of County Highway 6 and 13. And that would help calm speeds, reduce risk of crash that result in severe injuries, and keep traffic moving efficiently through that intersection. So, there are a lot of benefits to this project. It really does summarize this slide. You know, the project would maintain the quiet zone at the railroad crossing, fix safety gaps with turn lanes and shoulders, includes the separated trails, help calm traffic, and really set clear access points. Um we're proposing to do all that really while coordinating with city staff on that 180-acre [clears throat] site adjacent to the uh roadway. So, here is a cutout of the project layout. Um this is near 31st Street, kind of on the south end of the corridor. And then this would show all those recommended project elements. And that would include the new trails on both sides of the roadway, the turn lanes at the intersection, and then also that raised median um separating northbound and southbound traffic. So, jumping in the costs, um so based on our our prelim design or that layout, uh total project costs, so that would include everything, the engineering, the acquisition of anticipated right-of-way, and the construction, so total project costs are just or estimated just under $9 million for this project. And then focusing on Lake Elmo's cost of the project, those costs come from any necessary relocations or adjustments on the city's utilities, that'll be the water main or sanitary sewer. Uh it's a portion of stormwater management, and that would be based off contributing flows um in the surrounding area. And then really the main one is 50% share of the new curb and trail being proposed on the east side of the the highway. So, based off our current design, city costs, uh we're estimating those to be between 250 and 350,000 for the project. And really as the project continues to move forward and we have better refined design, we'll better refine those cost estimates. So last slide here, looking at next steps. Those next steps include further engagement with the community to share that recommended design. Seek approvals from city council. Start acquisition of necessary right-of-way and then really start preparing detailed design documents. We do plan to be back at the council in the fall of 2028, so a couple years from now. Really that would be to obtain our formal approval of formal project agreements prior to advertisement of the bid to contractors. And then to close, we'll procure bids, award the contract, and then again construction of this project is programmed for for 2029. So with that, I'm happy to answer any questions that the council may have today. >> Any questions for Mr. Geason? Councilmember Roholt. Am I correct in presuming some of the the advantage of this project timeline is that because the 180 acres is right now owned by us, it's easier for the land acquisition. I assume you're going to need more far more right-of-way going on the east side. >> You know, Mayor Councilmember, yeah, we would seek to acquire right-of-way on that east side. You know, typically like say if there was a private developer there that was imposing a plan, we would seek to to get right-of-way dedicated as part of that project. It's a little different situation with the city being owner there. But maybe another piece to touch on too is stormwater management. We do anticipate that there will be a stormwater pond or maybe even multiple stormwater ponds associated with this project, um just to meet those best uh standard practices. And really looking um it's it's challenging to actually add a a pond on the west side since it's already developed. So, um that is something that we're going to have to work closely with the city on. Um and I know on a actually a past project just north of here, we actually provided a credit to the city um that essentially obtained land to build that storm water basin um from the city. So, that that potential credit's not shown on these cost estimates as well. >> Got you. >> that could lower the city's costs further. >> Got you. Thank you. And I I just want to add while you were here, while Commissioner Cox is here, it's not this project, but thank you for the work on Lake Elmo Ave and 10th Street specifically with the school. The county did so much to get things fast-tracked for that. And thank you for that work cuz that project needed to be on time. Between district, the county, and the city, it got done. So, thank you for that. >> Yeah, appreciate it. >> Anybody else? Thank you for the update, Mr. Geason. >> Thank you. >> All right, that concludes our presentations. I'm assuming we don't have any public inquiries. Uh >> [sighs] >> I will entertain a motion for approval of minutes for the 5 12 26 workshop and the 6 9 26 workshop. >> So moved. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second for approval of the aforementioned council workshops. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. >> I. >> Those workshops are minutes are approved. On our consent agenda this evening, we have above approved payments and disbursements. Adopt resolution authorizing summary publication of ordinance 2026-11. Accept improvements and approve pay request number three final for the Village Parkway uh UP Railroad Crossing improvements. Approve pay request number two for test well six. Approve pay request number three for the 2026 street improvements project. Approve pay request number two for the Cass 14 water main improvements. Approve release of warranty security for the Union Park West addition. Approve change order number one for the Cass 14 for water main improvements. Approve pay request number one final for the 2026 crack seal project. Approve Parks Court resurfacing. Approve public works shop floor resurfacing. I'll entertain a motion on the consent agenda. >> Move to approve the consent agenda. >> Second. >> We have a motion and second. A second to approve the consent agenda as presented. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. >> I. >> I. >> Thank you. Going into our regular agenda this evening, we have a five-year street reconstruction plan related to the 2026 bonding. There is a public hearing for this and Ms. Hadler's presenting. >> It's displaying on these computers. >> It should be there. >> It's just not It's up. It's just not um behaving the way Let me close this and try that. There we go. Fixed it. >> Thank you. Sorry. Uh Mayor and Council, thank you for your patience. Um I am here briefly to uh discuss the 5-year street reconstruction plan and the introduction to the 2026 A bond issuance. Um so, the 5-year street reconstruction plan is necessary if um we are to bond under Minnesota Statute 475. It does require a public hearing. Um the resolution adopts a 5-year plan and gives preliminary approval to issue bonds. It does require a 2/3 vote to pass the resolution. And it is subject to a reverse referendum wherein a petition of 5% uh of the votes cast in the last municipal election would cause us to go um to require a um ballot measure. >> [snorts] >> So, um under Minnesota Statute 475, the the reconstruction bonds, um the timing of the public hearing is different. Um this would allow us to bond every 2 years. So, um as you will recall I have discussed how we've bonded every year in the past. Um bonding is just uh it's very time-consuming um activity, and so this would save us some time, reduce a few expenses, and most importantly, hopefully get us some more competitive interest rates. Oops. So, the 5-year reconstruction plan um street reconstruction plan is um really a derivative of the 2026 through 2035 capital improvement program that was adopted in December. Um, it covers the 2026, sorry, covers some 2026 through 2030 street improvement projects with planned or potential bonding. So, we have a total of just a little over 25 million in projects of which 17 and 1/2 million is in bonding. Of that, approximately 48% of that is assessment-funded. And we would be expecting to um utilize approximately 7.6 million in cash. This is a breakdown of all of the projects included. So, a lot of our street or our local street improvement projects are listed, couple of Hudson Boulevard, Ideal, Casa 14 and 17, and 15. Um, and then another 2027 project, the um 45th Jewel up and 47th project. >> [clears throat] >> These are listed in the reconstruction plan. However, it doesn't necessarily mean that we will absolutely be bonding for these projects. I left some in for um flexibility purposes and and stuff. So, this is essentially giving us the authority to issue bonds for these projects, but we don't necessarily have to use it. So, again, the um five-year plan that we're talking about right now is the 2026 A issuance, which will cover 2026 projects and a couple of 2027 projects. I have in this plan a total of 5.8, I'm going to move on here. Sorry, 5.8 million in bonds, of which approximately 34% are assessment-funded. We're estimating the required debt levy to pay for these bonds to be roughly 550,000. We are still fine-tuning this quite a bit. Um we are looking at October 20th for the set sale resolution and then November 17th for the bond sale and the awarding resolution at that council meeting. And then copy to staff for any questions. I also have Tammy Amdal who knows um a lot more about this these topics than I do. >> Councilmember Rhodes, you had mentioned that hopefully this process because it is a larger amount in the front, well, larger amount through the process that hopefully it can be more competitive rates. Do we have a a hope [snorts] or a goal for what that means in terms of the rate difference and what that might be able to translate into for savings long-term? >> I think it's probably difficult to speculate. I would ask if Tammy, do you have any ideas on that? >> Mayor Council, Tammy Amdal with Northland Public Finance serving as advisor to the city on the bond issuance. Um by size we're referring to that 5 million versus 2 million or less would attract more underwriters and bidding on the bonds. So, more competitive bidding environment. Um we'd expect maybe five basis points less. It all depends on the date of sale, the actual number of bids, what competition the city may have in the market on the date of sale. And I will be back before you two as noted with the set sale. So, you will have provided this gets approved, you're past the 30 days, you will have a finance plan before you with estimated rate at that time and it will reflect final decisions. Staff is still fine fine-tuning what actual amount would be issued. >> And I I would be interested when the time comes if at that point, based upon the numbers, if a high-level estimate can be provided as well to the council so we can inform the public as well. Look, this is a different process. Here's one of the value gains from it. >> I can do that. What I will do is we will look at what comparable sales may have been in the market to give you an idea of that at that time. >> It's not going to be perfect, but >> Correct. Correct. But yes, in response to that, I see Clarissa making note there. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Will we will we be able to see that number before we vote on this though? >> No. >> Or on the 20th? >> On going with this process. And going in this direction, can we have an idea of what that number would be? Probably it doesn't sound like we can have an idea of what that number is tonight. >> So >> a five basis point reduction, what that would mean financially for the the residents of Lake Elmo. It doesn't sound like we could understand what that would look like financially tonight. >> Mayor Council, in response to that. So tonight relates solely to approval of the five-year street reconstruction plan. Even with that approval, it's possible that staff may come back and say, you know, we're going to reduce it. We're only going to issue for the [clears throat] 2026. The other reason that staff is looking at approval of a street reconstruction plan, certain projects that do not have assessments or where those assessments may be less than 20% of the project cost and it is a reconstruction, the authority that you have under state law to finance that is street reconstruction bonds. When assessments are at 20% or more of the project cost, which has been the case traditionally for the city and there are assessments, then you can issue under 429, a different authority. You don't have to go through this process where it's subject to that petition. But again, tonight you are not calling for the sale of bonds. You are considering only [clears throat] the approval of that 5-year street reconstruction plan. >> And to that point, I guess I as thank you for calling that out because some of these projects, yes, we're the proposal involves, you know, three different funding sources. Some of them, as an example, public works 128, I there's there will be a question. Uh public 128 is just infrastructure reserve fund and there's no bond proceeds and there's no assessments. I just presume that's because of the statutory requirements for each of the processes depend upon the project and the project type. >> I honestly am not sure why that I left that one in there. I think I was looking for certain numbers. Um it we could Again, the the street reconstruction plan that is listed is really just a derivative of that 2026 to 2035 CIP that's already been adopted. And so, I was trying to narrow it down. I had a I had the majority of street projects in there. And but then I took out the Trunk Highway 36 project. I So, it doesn't necessarily have to be there. It Again, the list of projects doesn't obligate you to do anything with regard to those projects. This is truly [clears throat] just providing authority to issue bonds for roughly these projects. >> Can Can I elaborate on here ask question off that too? So, when we would do that the bond every 2 years? So, like let's say we did this in we approve this and when then we do this for 2026 and 2027, so we'd be approving a bond for the remaining amount after the assessment of about 7 million. Is that correct? and >> actually 5.8 million is what it's at right now and again we're still fine-tuning. >> Okay. So basically we would just we'd be bonding for 2026 and 2027 at once. >> Correct. >> And then we'd come back, we would do the same process in 2028. >> Correct. >> Do we have if if we move forward with this, it gets to 2028, we're unsure of projects um if the road would need to be reconstructed or what needs to be done or doesn't need to be done. Does it Do we have to do this on a every 2-year basis or could we say, "Hey, we're we aren't very sure about what projects need to happen over the next couple years. We want to do >> No, yeah. >> just 1 year now." >> This is Again, this is this isn't committing us to anything. It is really truly just giving us the authority to do the thing we think we want to do. >> Okay. >> And so um project approvals, final decisions on bonding, those are all separate decisions from the one that we're making tonight. >> Anything further? >> The um money coming from 409, uh is that a good then transfer some utility funds to pay those utility portions? >> Um within here, I believe so. That is some of the fine-tuning that we're still working on as as making sure that we cuz of all of the various disparate systems that we're working in and the timing of all of this. So >> Okay. I I kind of thought that was the case. I just wanted to see we're on the same page. >> Yep. >> Thank you. >> All good? Thank you. >> You're welcome. Um so just as a reminder, we do need to hold a public hearing and then here's the recommended uh motion for the resolution. >> I'll entertain a motion to have a public hearing. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All those in favor of going to a public hearing for adopting resolution 2026-058, say aye. >> Aye. >> Aye. >> All right. Public hearing from 729. You want to speak to this? No? Okay. >> [laughter] >> I'll entertain a motion and go out of to close the public hearing. >> So moved. >> Second. >> The motion is seconded to close the public hearing. All those [clears throat] in favor, please signify by saying I. >> I. >> Closes the public hearing at 7:30. I'll entertain a motion. >> Motion to adopt resolution 2026-058 approving a street reconstruction and overlay plan and giving preliminary approval to the issuance of street reconstruction bonds. >> Support. >> Any discussion? Hearing none, I'll call the question. All those in favor of the motion, please signify by saying I. I. Motion passes. Thank you very much. Next on the agenda, we have Mr. Tholen talking about the Old Village Garden phase two improvements. >> Good evening, Mayor and Council. Tonight, we're here presenting the proposed 2026 Old Village Gardens improvements along Lake Elmo Avenue. These improvements build on streetscape work completed in 2025 when residents expressed interest in additional shade trees along Lake Elmo Avenue. The proposed project includes installing two new trees in new planting areas, replacing three existing ornamental trees with larger, more appropriate shade trees, and completing the necessary planting bed improvements. Projects also includes pruning of existing trees and 1 year of maintenance and watering to help establish new plantings. >> [sighs and snorts] >> HKGI solicited proposals from four landscaping companies with two submitting quotes. With that, I'll turn it over to Patrick from HKGI, in which he'll provide additional details on proposed improvements, tree selection, project phasing, and contractor pricing. >> Good evening, Council. We can We'll just start with the project purpose, which P touched on. It was to bring more um aesthetic color and design to the Lake Como Avenue streetscape. And we started that process by going to the public and having a um engagement session, and we got feedback from the public, worked with different um business owners and folks that live up and down the street, and came up with um what you have right now, actually, for phase one along Lake Como Avenue. So, the project purpose for 2026 was to continue along that path and finish the the phase two um improvements, which included replacing trees with thing with other trees, like these elms. Um when we presented this in June, this was what we had showed you. This is a map of the two additional trees in red and the three existing trees that we're proposing to replace. And as P did allude to, we got four quotes with two coming back. And so, at a high level, the installation quote from Margolis was 59,900, and Pioneer was 25,300. The maintenance quote for 1 year was 1350 for Margolis and 1478 for Pioneer. And then the watering quote per visit, which also includes a water bag and an so a self-irrigation application, um would be $600 for Margolis and $235 for Pioneer, and that's per tree. So that'd be multiplied by five. Um and then the or I I apologize. That's per visit, sorry. Uh and then so the installation including the maintenance quote and the waterings the additional waterings um would come out to 63,000 for Margolis and 27,000 for Pioneer. So with that, um I don't know the formal way to ask this. >> No, well, I have a question. The discrepancy in that number is quite alarming. When I when I see bids come in, can you can you discuss that a little bit on why that would be? >> So I can share with you a little bit here history. So this is the same contractor that provided quotes for the mowing contract for the city of this year. They undercut quite a few contractors by substantial amount. Um they are new to the business. Um they've been doing well for the city for the mowing contract that they've been working on. And this was one of the contractors that was solicited to get receipt quotes from. And they've done the same thing here also. >> And we have provisions in place to make sure that all the specifications or requirements are met given that that quote. >> Yeah. Yes. >> All right. >> Councilmember Holtz. >> With uh the tree plantings that are proposed here, like say changing moving some of the warm metals and replacing with more shade trees, I assume the analysis was done to make sure that with now potential shade trees they're not blocking or changing the views of our new banners. >> I would have to look at where the banners are specifically, but I would think that in the first five to seven years you could assume they would block the banners slightly and as they grow that would be less of an issue. >> Because then at that point they'll be above the banner. >> would think and public works would be trimming them. There are also code requirements for what level of visibility you can have on the side of a county road. So that would also set some of that height. >> As the canopy is lifted the yes, they'll be more visible. >> Okay. I would just have a concern if suddenly they start to be blocked. >> Anyone else have any questions for Mr. Craigness? >> Yeah, I just [clears throat] really quick question about where it says Margolis highest install lowest maintenance and then pioneers medium install medium maintenance. What exactly are you alluding to there? >> Um well, if we had gotten all four of the bids, it would have made a little bit more sense, but pioneer was we we're looking at it as the medium install as in what we thought would be the middle range and we didn't obtain other bids. So that was left in there. Margolis was the highest install. They have the the lowest maintenance. I it's it's marginal, but that was really just the comparison. >> Got it. Okay. Thank you. >> All right. I'll entertain a motion. Where's the motion? >> Motion to approve the 2026 Old Village Gardens Improvement Plan as proposed by HKGI and authorize a contract with Pioneer Landscaping for tree removal and install not to exceed 27,815 in 2026. >> Second. >> We have a motion second, discussion? Hearing none, I'll call the question. All those in favor of the motion, please signify by saying "Aye". >> Aye. >> Opposed same sign. Motion passes. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right, that concludes our regular agenda items. We can move into council reports. Councilmember Dragisich. >> No report. >> Councilmember Holtz. >> Uh 'tis the season. We have two large schools in our community and both had open houses in the last week or two. Um both primarily serve a lot of Lake Elmo residents, but not necessarily, but it was good to see the community turn out for both and it was also very good to see uh how much work has been put in those facilities in knowing that city staff here played a significant role in in ensuring compliance with city codes, ensuring that everyone is on the same page, and collaborating with the county and the district as well. So, it families are noticing and it's it's very good to see that a sites like those are going to continue to be utilized in our community for generations to come. >> That it? >> Went golfing yesterday. >> All right. Moving right along. Uh just want to uh highlight the uh street dance located for September 12th. Everything should be secured and ready to go. Uh we look forward to uh a great gathering of the community and have a good time. That's my council report. Councilmember Horton? >> No report. >> Councilmember Pregler, no report. >> No report. >> Ms. Miller? >> No report. >> Nothing. >> Nothing. >> No report. >> No report. I will report on the CSA 14 water main just for anybody that may be listening or want to know what the status of that >> Mr. Mayor and Council, um so tonight, you know, one of the the actions that was taken by Council was a change order to extend the um the final completion date for the project and that was um as as stated in in the item, largely due to uh difficulty getting um Well, there was really two things at the front of the project. One was getting approval of traffic control plan through the county's review and then the other one was there was an unmarked um piece of water main that was encountered by the drilling contractor over by Lake Elmo Elmo Old Lake Elmo Elementary School. So, um while that final completion date has been extended, we're still pushing on the contractor to um open the road as fast as they can. Um there has been some uh issues getting uh testing to pass with the water main whether it's pressure testing or bacterial testing. Uh we anticipate that that will be resolved largely by um the end of this week and then we are hope we were hopeful that maybe the contractor would be able to have all the patching completed by the end of this week, but uh with the test results coming in recently, it's looking like it's going to be next week. >> And hopefully prior to Labor Day. >> Right. Oh, I yeah, I would I I anticipate it will be before Labor Day, but um I what I wanted to note was the largest patch that's at the intersection of Lake Elmo you may notice has been paved. And um we we're working with the contractor to kind of pull back as much traffic control at that location as we can just to you know, whatever we can do to visually show folks that, you know, the access is there, the access is open, um just to keep folks moving downtown. >> All right. Thank you. Ms. Sensale. >> No report. >> All right. With that, we will uh conclude this evening's meeting, adjourn at 7:41.