StoryBroadband Franchise DiscussionJuly 24, 2026

Lake Elmo Council Pursues Broadband Franchise, Updates Growth Plans

The Lake Elmo City Council moved forward on three major initiatives at its April 15 meeting: exploring a broadband franchise to improve internet access, updating population projections for future growth, and acquiring flood-prone properties for public open space.

Published Jul 24, 2026

The council directed city staff to pursue a broadband franchise agreement, a move driven by declining revenue at the regional cable commission. Mary Klene, representing the Ramsey Washington Suburban Cable Commission (SEC), reported a 43% revenue decrease and emphasized the need to modernize funding models. Mike Bradley explained that broadband franchising would allow the city to ensure equal access, planned buildouts, improved customer service, and discounts for seniors and disabled residents. Unlike telecommunications, broadband qualifies as an "information service" that cities can franchise under state law. The council expressed strong support, with one member calling it "absolutely abhorrent" that some areas lack broadband access in 2026. Staff will work with Bradley and Klene to develop next steps, with future discussions returning to the council.

On growth planning, the council addressed a conflict between the Metropolitan Council's conservative population projections and Lake Elmo's actual development. The Met Council forecast only 18,900 residents by 2050—far below current growth trends and approved projects. City staff challenged these numbers, attributing them partly to a methodology issue from the White Bear Lake area. The council voted to amend its 2040 comprehensive plan to reflect updated projections of 19,200 residents by 2030 and 21,400 by 2040. Staff will work with the Met Council to establish a 2050 population target of 21,400 or a range around it, and coordinate with the Department of Natural Resources on water allocations needed to support this growth.

Finally, the council approved moving forward with acquiring five properties on Legion Avenue from the Valley Branch Watershed District. These parcels were purchased by the district due to chronic flooding from Legion Pond, a 17-acre body of water without an outlet. The homes are being removed and the land will undergo natural restoration. The city sees potential for passive open space and a trail connection from the golf course to downtown, though the district will cover restoration costs. Staff will explore feasibility of the trail and cul-de-sac improvements while ensuring the district manages ongoing maintenance and restoration.

Our proprietary artificial intelligence agent analyzed publicly available documents including meeting agendas, minutes, and transcripts to write this story to help inform local residents. Feedback helps us improve, so please consider rating how we did with the thumbs up or down below.

Other Topics from This Document

Community Forecast and 2050 Comprehensive Plan
Legion Avenue Properties

Want to know when new stories arrive?

Enter your email to receive updates.

We will not use your email for any other purpose. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Votes (3)

Broadband Franchise Discussion

No formal vote taken; general council consensus to direct staff (City Manager) to work with Mike Bradley and Mary Klene on next steps, involve Council Member Sarah, and bring future discussions back to the council.

The discussion revolved around the necessity for Lake Elmo to adopt a broadband franchise. Mary Klene highlighted SEC's significant revenue decrease and the need for new funding models. Mike Bradley detailed the benefits of broadband franchising, including ensuring equal access, planned buildouts, improved customer service, and discounts for seniors/disabled. He explained the legal context, differentiating broadband as an 'information service' that cities can franchise, unlike telecommunications. Risks like litigation or companies refusing to build were acknowledged but presented as manageable. The successful implementation in Woodbury was cited as a model, and the council expressed strong support for pursuing this, recognizing it as an opportunity for better resident services and increased competition.

Community Forecast and 2050 Comprehensive Plan

No formal vote taken; general council consensus to pursue amending the 2040 plan to reflect updated population projections (19,200 for 2030, 21,400 for 2040), work with the Met Council to set a 2050 population number of 21,400 (or a range around it), engage with the DNR for appropriate water allocations based on these numbers, and for staff to explore land use guidance and phasing adjustments to manage growth toward this desired cap.

The core of this item was the Met Council's new, unexpectedly low population projections for Lake Elmo (e.g., 18,900 by 2050), which city staff demonstrated were significantly lower than current and entitled development. The 'White Bear Lake issue' was revealed as a primary cause for Met Council's conservative numbers, leading them to advise the city to amend its 2040 plan to higher, more accurate figures (19,200 for 2030, 21,400 for 2040), but still reluctant to project beyond 2040. The council expressed frustration with external control over local development, raised concerns about water allocations and fiscal impacts, and discussed strategies to proactively set a 2050 population cap or range (e.g., 21,400) to manage future growth and development densities.

Legion Avenue Properties

No formal vote taken; general council consensus to direct staff to move forward with discussions with the Valley Branch Watershed District to acquire all five properties for public open space, ensuring the District covers restoration, and to explore the feasibility of the proposed trail connection and cul-de-sac improvement.

The Valley Branch Watershed District offered Lake Elmo five parcels on Legion Avenue that they acquired due to chronic flooding around Legion Pond. The homes on these properties are being removed, and the District plans natural restoration. The city explored accepting these parcels for public open space, with staff specifically interested in one parcel to improve a cul-de-sac and another for a potential trail connection from the golf course to downtown. Concerns regarding maintenance bandwidth and restrictions on active recreational use (due to native restoration) were discussed. The council expressed broad support for acquiring all parcels, ensuring the District covers restoration costs, and using them for passive open space with potential for trail connectivity.

Notable Quotes (21)

We've seen a 43% decrease in revenue, and we simply need to modernize our funding model.
— Mary Klene [15:58]

Broadband Franchise Discussion

in my view, the future of franchising really is in broadband.
— Mike Bradley [17:50]

Broadband Franchise Discussion

The state doesn't handle it, right? The FCC doesn't handle it. Who handles it? if you have a franchise, you handle it or Mary handles it for you actually.
— Mike Bradley [23:00]

Broadband Franchise Discussion

there's almost no regulations... affecting broadband systems and there's no cap. What we did in in Woodbury and South Washington County is we just did a balancing of of uh of sorts where we where we thought, okay, you know, maybe we could ask for more than 5%. But it seemed to us to make um sense that... it made some sense to go with 5%.
— Mike Bradley [30:50]

Broadband Franchise Discussion

I actually think it's going to create an opportunity for more of these information service providers to want to come and compete.

Ordinances & Resolutions (11)

2040 Comp PlanPlan

City's current comprehensive plan, which Met Council advised amending to update population projections.

2050 Comp PlanPlan

Upcoming comprehensive plan that needs to align with Met Council forecasts and city growth objectives.

Thrive 2040Plan

Met Council's regional development guide, part of the context for comprehensive planning.

System StatementOther

Document released by the Met Council outlining regional growth targets and requirements for comprehensive plans.

White Bear Lake Methodology MemoOther

Memo from Met Council that influenced the lowering of population forecasts for several cities, including Lake Elmo.

Parks Master PlanPlan

THE LAKE ELMO RECORDER

Lake Elmo Council Pursues Broadband Franchise, Updates Growth Plans

Other Topics from This Document

Community Forecast and 2050 Comprehensive Plan

Legion Avenue Properties

Want to know when new stories arrive?

Go deeper on this topic

Votes (3)

Notable Quotes (21)

Ordinances & Resolutions (11)

Was this story helpful?