This transcript has been formatted with speaker names based on the context of the Lake Elmo City Council meeting. [00:00] **Mayor Charles Cadenhead**: All right, it's about 7 o'clock. We're going to call the Lake Elmo City Council meeting for Tuesday, June 3rd to order. If you please stand with me for the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Uh first thing and the next thing on the item uh agenda is approval of the agenda. If nobody has any changes, I'll entertain a motion. [00:00] **Council Member Matt Hirn**: So move to approve the agenda. [00:00] **Council Member Nick Dragisich**: Second. [00:00] **Mayor Charles Cadenhead**: We have a motion to to approve the agenda with a second. Uh all those in favor, please signify by saying I. [00:00] **All**: I. [00:00] **Mayor Charles Cadenhead**: Agenda is hereby approved. I don't have any presentations on the docket. And I don't believe we have anybody for public comment today. So in our packet were the minutes from the May 20th, 2025 meeting. If nobody has any objections, I'll entertain a motion on approval of the minutes. [00:00] **Council Member Jeff Holtz**: Motion to approve minutes from May 20th, 2025. [00:00] **Council Member Nick Kragness**: Support. [00:00] **Mayor Charles Cadenhead**: We have a motion and a second for approval of the minutes for May 20th, 2025. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. [00:00] **All**: I. [00:00] **Mayor Charles Cadenhead**: Minutes are approved. On the consent agenda this evening, we have number two is approved payment of dispersements and payroll. Number three, approve security reduction and accept improvements for Northstar off-site utilities. Number four, approve cost share agreement for CASAW 13 Inwood Avenue pavement rehabilitation improvements resolution 2025-042. Number five, accept quotes and award contract for the Reed Parking lot improvements. Number six, approve city oversized cost payment for Northstar off-site utilities. Number seven, approve release of warranty security for the Northport third edition. Number eight, approve regional firefighters association reciprocal fire service agreement. I'll entertain a motion on the consent agenda. [00:00] **Council Member Nick Dragisich**: Motion to approve the consent agenda. [00:00] **Council Member Matt Hirn**: Second. [00:00] **Mayor Charles Cadenhead**: We have a motion and a second to approve the consent agenda as as written. Uh all those in favor, please signify by saying I. [00:00] **All**: I. [00:00] **Mayor Charles Cadenhead**: Consent agenda is hereby approved. Uh in the regular agenda, first item this evening in the regular agenda is Primrose Daycare conditional use permit resolution 2025-044. [00:00] **Mala Manoruso (Planner)**: Okay. Hi everyone. Um tonight you're being asked to review the application for Primrose Schools CUP. A little bit of background. Um, this is located at 11899 Upper 40th Street. It's zoned commercial and it's in the comp plan as guided for commercial as well. History on this is that it is undeveloped currently. It's just west of the Bridgewater Bank site. Um, it is uh north of Stillwater Boulevard and to the west of Manning. Once again, the request is to establish a daycare center use through the conditional use permit process. And daycare centers are permitted conditionally in this zoning district. So, here we have an a rendering of the proposed building um proposed to have 12 classrooms, one indoor play area, two outdoor play areas. Uh 192 students um at capacity with 28 staff members. The hours of operation will be from 6:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Uh peak drop off between 6:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. Peak pickup between 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. with uh special events occasionally. Next, we have uh the site plan. Uh here you'll find uh the parking area to the west and the daycare center and the playgrounds to the east. Um the plan currently meets city standards including bulk standards, setbacks, impervious surface and parking standards. They the applicant is proposing 56 parking stalls and they are required 55. So this went out for agency review on April 11th and the city received comments from the listed agencies. Those are summarized here and I can run through them quickly. Um, no comment from the DNR. The fire department provided standard comments as as well as the planning department in the Valley Branch Watershed District. The county also had standard comments. Um, landscape architect had comments around revisions to the parking area and adding additional trees. public works had fairly standard comments and then the city engineer provided a memo summarizing that while the plans submitted with the application are compliant with the intended Bridgewater Village infrastructure that those plans may um change a little bit. So they would have to come forward and get those re-reviewed and accepted by the city before a building permit would be issued. All right. So the cup findings I separate I I summarized them here. Um the proposed use will not be detrimental or endanger public health safety or welfare and will not be hazardous or create a nuisance. Uh the proposed use is consistent with a 2040 comp plan. It's compatible with the existing neighborhood, meets development standards. Uh it should be compatible in appearance with the existing character of the area. It went through a design review and met those standards. Uh the proposed use will be served by essential public facilities. It should not add additional public costs and is not anticipated to cause significant traffic congestion. So this brings me to the conditions of approval. Um and I kind of separated those out through standard conditions and um uh agreements. So the standard conditions are um that the applicant must obtain all necessary city, state and other governing permits. Uh if substantial construction has not taken place within 12 months, um the conditional use permit would become void. The applicant should fully address all comments um in any of the review memo any of the review memos or any of the sub uh the next revised memos that might come up. Uh the expansion or modification of the building or outdoor play area should require a conditional use permit if there is any modifications. Uh and this does not include typical maintenance. Uh when the construction of signs are desired, the applicant must apply for a sign permit with the city requirements. Engineering. Again, this goes back to the one I was discussing previously. The subdivision improvements must be constructed and accepted by the city at Bridgewater Village um before a building permit would be issued. agreements are all fairly standard. Those are that they would need a site improvement agreement that's acceptable to the city, storm water maintenance and easement agreements if applicable. Um the applicant would be required to enter into encroachment agreements and any portion of the improvements within a city or county access drainage or utility easement are subject to removal or modification by the holder of set easement. So, this went out for public hearing notice uh was sent to surrounding properties on May 12th and published in the city's official newspaper on May 16th. The public the public hearing was at the planning commission and we received no comments. Uh the planning commission recommended approval of the CUP with uh the recommended conditions outlined by staff in a vote of 6. So, with that, I'll leave you with the recommended motion and the applicant is here should you have any questions. [00:00] **Mayor Charles Cadenhead**: Any questions for Miss Manoruso? Council member Dragisich. [00:00] **Council Member Nick Dragisich**: What is the encroachment agreement for the parking lot? What's the reason for that? I didn't quite understand. [00:00] **Mala Manoruso**: Yeah, there's a draining drainage and utility easement encroachment or encroachment. I'll go back to the site plan that is here. You can't really see it. Well, yeah. Okay. Um but that is because the parking area is in this in this um uh easement area. So they would just be required by public works if if the city needed to get under there for any any reason. Um that being said, I think the applicant is they have submitted um revisions and I think they will eventually come forward with a easement vacation request. [00:00] **Council Member Nick Dragisich**: Thank you. [00:00] **Council Member Matt Hirn**: There's no further questions. I'll entertain a motion. Oh, just uh one quick question for the applicant actually. [00:00] **Mayor Charles Cadenhead**: Okay. The applicant here. Come to the podium. Please state your name, address for the record. [00:00] **Marvin Wensman (Applicant)**: Yeah. Good evening. My name is Marvin Wensman. I'm with Primrose Schools. I'm a development manager. Um and what what else did I have to mention? [00:00] **Mayor Charles Cadenhead**: Just name and address for the record. [00:00] **Marvin Wensman**: Address. Uh 244 St. Alban Street North, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108. [00:00] **Council Member Matt Hirn**: Awesome. Thank you. Yeah. So, just a quick question about the parking. Um so, I know it meets the requirements for the the number of of um parking spots. It you kind of talk about expecting 128 students and then how the parents will actually park and drop the kids off. Can you just kind of talk us through as far as like in that morning in the afternoon pickup are all 126 families showing up at the same time? Just talk us through that process a little bit just so I can feel confident about the traffic situation. [00:00] **Marvin Wensman**: Definitely. So at capacity um we never run 100% at capacity just to allow for the franchise owners to plan for children to move up into classes above. But so at capacity we would expect you know 188 or 180 roughly students um to be at this child care center. Um in terms of peak hours you know that's anytime from 6:00 to 9:00 a.m. So our peak hours in the morning are roughly 7 to 8. Um we anticipate of course it's not like a school even though it's Primrose schools. It's a child care center. It can be dropped off. Um we usually say um a drop off drop off in the morning takes about five minutes. Um and we anticipate um I think it's about six drop offs per every 10-minute chunk. And so we from a concept plan standpoint and parking standpoint operationally the minimum that we require as a corporation is 40 to 45. So um we have complete uh are completely confident in the way um that this looks. And in terms of the drop off procedure, um parents come in, they park, there's no drop off lanes. They have to walk their child in and then same with pickups. They have to walk in and pick up their children and walk them to the car. [00:00] **Council Member Matt Hirn**: Great. It sounds like that the 44 spaces typically is enough where there's not situations where parents are getting there unable to find a parking space, having to go to a neighboring lot. It sounds like that's pretty well exactly practiced out with the other franchises. [00:00] **Marvin Wensman**: Okay. Yeah, we have 500 locations throughout the nation. We have we're in 34 states. We have just 20 in the Twin Cities. And um parking was an issue in the past when you're looking at less than 40 stalls, but 56 is more than enough from our standpoint. [00:00] **Council Member Matt Hirn**: Okay. Thank you. [00:00] **Marvin Wensman**: Mhm. [00:00] **Mayor Charles Cadenhead**: That's all I had. All right. Thank you. I'll entertain a motion. [00:00] **Council Member Matt Hirn**: Move to approve resolution 2025-044 approving the request for Primrose Schools Franchise Corporation for a conditional use permit to construct and establish a daycare facility at property described as 11899 Upper 40th Street based on the findings of fact and with the conditions listed in the staff report. [00:00] **Council Member Nick Dragisich**: Second. [00:00] **Mayor Charles Cadenhead**: All right, we have a motion and a second on the item discussion. [00:00] **Council Member Matt Hirn**: I I I guess I'll just start again. I'm excited whenever new businesses are are looking to join the Lake Elmo community. So, thanks for for looking at our community for this opportunity. Um again, obviously with a franchise of this size, they're they're looking for very specific um benchmarks, I'm sure, when when they're choosing a location. And um seeing that Lake Elmo is one of those locations, it's nice to see that. And um obviously there's likely a need then I'm guessing for it in in the area. So I think it's going to really serve uh the population well and and just be another good opportunity for a lot of the residents um that currently live here and that are looking to move here in the near future. [00:00] **Mayor Charles Cadenhead**: I would concur with that. Council member Holtz, you have something? [00:00] **Council Member Jeff Holtz**: I was just going to add it. It the building from the outside appears to be beautiful. It fits in with the area. I I like how it looks. It's not necessarily something that we vote on per se. you know, choose from these 10 options. But in this case, I appreciate the the appearance thereof. It's on a major arterial road for our community. So, those types of things do matter. Um, it's going to be in a very good good location, and I appreciate that you are coming to Lake Elmo. I did see when you were at the planning commission, you mentioned that the franchises are residents themselves. So, I I appreciate that that uh fact as well. And obviously it's having a supply to meet the demand. And it I think we're all aware that this is one of the areas where as we continue to grow, facilities for our children matter. So thank you for doing that. [00:00] **Mayor Charles Cadenhead**: All right, I'll call the question. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. [00:00] **All**: I. [00:00] **Mayor Charles Cadenhead**: Resolution 2025-044 is approved. Thank you. Next up, we have Bersian's minor subdivision and zoning map amendment ordinance 2025-11 and resolution 2025-045 and 2025-046. [Music] [00:00] **Ina Jensen (Planner)**: All right. Thank you, mayor. The applicant for tonight's applications is Gan and Janet Bersians. They are trustees for the property. The property is located at 9579 45th Street, which is comprised of four PIDs. The property is a little over 134 acres. It is currently guided rural area development in the city's comprehensive plan. Um the parcels are zoned real residential. One parcel is public facilities and it does have a shoreland overlay on it. And the requests before you tonight are twofold. The first is for a four-lot minor subdivision and the second is for a zoning map zoning map amendment cleanup for estate planning purposes. And then the picture on the right shows the existing conditions. The four purple diamonds are the four lots um mostly crop farming wetlands and then there is one existing homestead. So this slide shows the proposed plat pieced together. It's a pretty long property. So there the plat's in two two pages. Um there will be two lots north of 45th street and two lots south of 45th street. So um still four lots at the end of the day. Lot number three that I have on the slide here would be the homestead parcel. So there's no other development proposed, just maintaining that single home. Um, analyzing the minor subdivision request. So the city allows exceptions to the platting process when minor subdivisions meet certain criteria. Uh, staff has reviewed this and found that there are no more than four lots being created. Instead, four lots are being reconfigured. The second is that um, no new infrastructure or streets is proposed. Instead, they're dedicating right of way to the existing 45th streets that are there. Uh easements have been dedicated where applicable. The request meets the rural residential zoning district requirements and it meets the city's access and spacing requirements. No new driveways are proposed since there's no new homes being proposed. Um and then the visuals at the bottom of the slide show the existing four-lot layout next to the proposed new four-lot layout. The second part of the applicant's request is a zoning map amendment uh to clean up the zoning of the property. The parcel that is outlined in red on your screen uh is currently public facilities and that would need to be corrected to rural residential. So staff did some research into why that was and in the early 2000s it was slated for a public works facility. Um that facility was now shifted to where it is today on Ideal Avenue and the zoning was never corrected. Um, so doing this change would actually make the zoning of the property consistent with its comp plan guidance which is rural area development. So more of a housekeeping related item and this was sent out for agency review on April 16th and we received the following comments. The public works provided comments regarding property line revisions to accommodate that existing trail into the tapestry neighborhood. The applicant has addressed with their resubmittal. The second is from the watershed indicating that a permit would be required and the applicant has obtained the watershed permit um between planning commission and city council. The city engineer provided comments that the uh required easements and rightway dedications appear to be satisfied and they had the same comment regarding public works um with the trail easement amendment that has been addressed. Fire department provided standard comments regarding roads, water lines, access, gates and addressing. The city attorney provided a plat opinion which the applicant has been working towards and the DNR did not provide comments. So this item was sent to surrounding property owners on April 29th and then remailed on on May 12th. We had an issue with paper publication and it was published in the paper on May 16th. Um, this was reviewed at the planning commission May 27th and the public hearing was held at that time and we have not received any comments. So staff has three three recommended findings of fact. The first is that the minor subdivision and zoning map amendment are consistent with the city's comp plan and future land use. The second is that the minor subdivision and zoning map amendment requests are consistent with the rural residential zoning district. And the third is that the minor subdivision request is consistent with the exceptions to platting. And there are six recommended conditions of approval. The first is that all necessary permits are obtained. Second is that the applicant work with the city to assign addresses to the four parcels. Third is that they address the city attorney's plat opinion. The fourth is related to accessory buildings. Um, so that lot three that was on there is a currently a farm homestead with many accessory buildings. Um, and it's on a parcel of over 40 acres. So it's unregulated in terms of size and number of accessory buildings. With this plat, it would be on a 10-acre parcel which restricts buildings. Um, but because the property owner is planning to use it in conjunction with a property north of 45th Street, so over 40 acres and still for egg purposes, the city's okay with them having this number of buildings with the condition that once it's no longer under common ownership or they stop using it for egg, they need to come into compliance with the size and number of buildings for a 10-acre parcel so they can continue farming operations with that size and number of buildings. [00:00] **Council Member Matt Hirn**: Question. How will that be tracked? [00:00] **Ina Jensen**: Um, we would be able to inspect it. You you'd see that they're not crop farming um or they wouldn't have livestock and then you can check the county for ownership purposes. [00:00] **Council Member Matt Hirn**: Is that something like, you know, once every five or 10 years it pops up as a work item for the city to review to be like, hey, is this still the case? Has anything changed or how's that process work? [00:00] **Ina Jensen**: We could be inspecting it. Um, it's probably going to come up with sale or development of the property. At that time, it would need to be addressed. [00:00] **Council Member Matt Hirn**: Thank you. [00:00] **Ina Jensen**: Uh, the fifth condition is that the special assessments currently levied against the property would need to be paid or transferred. This is related to a street improvement project from the early 2000s. And the final condition is that they meet that standard expiration. And I have three recommended motions for you. and I can stand for any questions. And a representative for the applicant is here tonight. [00:00] **Mayor Charles Cadenhead**: Any questions for Miss Jensen? Any questions for the applicant? [00:00] **Council Member Nick Kragness**: I have a question regarding the uh and if you went over this and I missed, I apologize but um what about water, sewer, things getting to the property? Are we going to have to get permission to go through someone else's property? [00:00] **Ina Jensen**: In terms of so there's no development proposed it's going to maintain a single a single home. Got it. There's water there. There's no sewer in this area. [00:00] **Council Member Nick Kragness**: Got it. Okay. Thank you. [00:00] **Mayor Charles Cadenhead**: With that, I'll entertain a motion. [00:00] **Council Member Nick Dragisich**: Move to adopt ordinance 2025-11 amending the city zoning map for PID 10.029.21.13.0001 from public facilities to rural residential as presented by city staff. [00:00] **Council Member Jeff Holtz**: Second. [00:00] **Mayor Charles Cadenhead**: We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? Seems pretty cut and dry. I'll call the question. All those in favor of the motion to adopt ordinance 2025-11, please signify by saying I. [00:00] **All**: I. [00:00] **Mayor Charles Cadenhead**: Ordinance is hereby adopted. [00:00] **Council Member Matt Hirn**: Move to adopt resolution authorizing publication summary ordinance 2025-11 with approval of resolution 2025-045. [00:00] **Council Member Nick Kragness**: Support. [00:00] **Mayor Charles Cadenhead**: We have a motion and a second. I'll call the question. All those in favor adopt the resolution authorizing publication, please signify by saying I. [00:00] **All**: I. [00:00] **Council Member Nick Dragisich**: Move to recommend approval of resolution 2025-046 approving the Bersian Shores third edition minor subdivision based on the findings of fact and conditions presented in the staff report. [00:00] **Council Member Matt Hirn**: Second. [00:00] **Mayor Charles Cadenhead**: We have a motion and a second. Any discussion hearing? None. I'll call the question. All those in favor... Don't take it away from me. Sorry. All those in favor of move to recommend approve resolution 2025-046 approve Persian shores third edition minor subdivision based on the findings of facts and conditions presented in the staff report. Please signify by saying I. [00:00] **All**: I. [00:00] **Mayor Charles Cadenhead**: Thank you. Now we can go. I think we have a new idea that can happen each time. Yeah. Ray when he's ready. Next we have um authorization preliminary design geotech services and feasibility report for the 2026 street and utility improvements resolution 2025-043. [00:00] **Nate Stanley (City Engineer)**: Good evening mayor and councel. Um tonight I have an item to authorize preliminary design, geotechnical services, and preparation of feasibility report for the 2026 street and utility project continuing um the annual street improvement program. Um, so I'm going to talk about a few things tonight. um and talk about where the streets are, the kind of condition they're in, um the anticipated scope, project schedule, and what kind of costs um we're looking at here. So, the neighborhood in question is it's primarily the Lake Elmo Heights neighborhood over on kind of the west edge of town, uh south of Stillwater. Um there is one street that's within it's technically within uh the Eagle Point Creek Estates. That's the Inwood Avenue Cul-de-sac um on the north side of the road there. So, this is a um a representation of street condition uh from the last street rating which was done in 2023. Um that red color um red is dead. You know, we can't uh we have to reconstruct or or um reclaim these streets. um there's there's really no other way to extend the service life and the others uh within are are that that kind of yellow color and I would I would say that upon review of site conditions they are definitely red at this point. So, similar to um past projects of this type, um we're going to be looking at uh completing street and drainage improvements. Um and that that that final recommendation will come from the geotechnical investigation. Um there's existing bituminous curb along all these streets which will be proposed to be replaced with new concrete curb and gutter. Um the existing widths and geometrics we're looking to uh nearly match or very closely match. Um and we'll be reviewing whether um on-street parking restrictions should be put into place as well. The existing storm sewer system will be inspected and um reviewed to see if there are any improvements necessary to facilitate neighborhood drainage. Um there is existing public water main in this neighborhood. It was put in in 2005. Um what we'll be doing is looking at the system. Um we'll be reaching out, you know, as part of the outreach, uh making sure it's functioning for everyone in the neighborhood. Um working with public works to make sure all the valves and hydrants are in good working order. Um any sort of improvements to the system will be completed with the project. Um and and again, this is outside of the Musa boundary, so there are no um uh sanitary sewer um extensions proposed as part of this project. So looking at the schedule here, this is an assessible project following the 429 process. So tonight I'm before you looking to authorize preliminary design and order of feasibility report. Um over the course of the summer if if if council approves, we'll we'll we'll work to that end. Um and and anticipating having a neighborhood meeting um in mid-August to discuss the scope of improvements with the neighbors. Following that would be uh bringing the feasibility report before council as well as the a summary of our uh preliminary design findings. Um looking for approval of that feasibility report at that time and ordering a public improvement hearing and the public improvement hearing would be held um in October. Um in advance of that, um it's it's not listed here on this schedule, but we would actually like to have another public meeting with, uh the neighbors, more or less to to go over a preliminary assessment role, um and things like that, um and discuss, you know, any any any questions for the improvements. But the point of that is to get in front of them with the preliminary assessment role and and and, um talk about construction. um we would then look to develop plans over the winter and have um advertisement authorization to advertise for bids in January and then move forward with the bidding process kind of mid-winter. Um and this is a little earlier than than uh past projects have been. But um in order to capture, you know, in order to to, you know, maximize our chances of having favorable bids and having a positive bidding environment, it's best to to be, you know, an early bird. Right now there is a very favorable bidding environment out there. Um uh so we've been kind of lucky this year, but um getting a bid in the winter is really um it allows us to get good bids, but it also allows us to get going right away in the spring and kind of finish up before school starts, which is which is really the goal here. So, um costs for the 2026 project, we have a a CIP estimate of a little over 2.7 million. Um we have reviewed this as part of our ongoing CIP update and find that cost to be appropriate. Um so at this stage, we're looking to authorize a preliminary design contract of just under $60,000. a geotechnical services contract of about $14,000 and then the preparation of the feasibility report and the public outreach um we're estimating it's going to be about $28,000 for a total impact of just under $102,000. With that, uh, I'm asking council, um, to consider approving a resolution ordering preparation of preliminary design, geotechnical services, and a feasibility report for the 2026 street improvement projects. [00:00] **Mayor Charles Cadenhead**: Any questions for Mr. Stanley? I will say that uh, I got a call from a resident and I sent him your way. because it wasn't connecting for me. Uh so he should be very happy. [00:00] **Nate Stanley**: I I did, Mr. Mayor. I did speak with him this afternoon. He was happy to hear he was he's a resident on 26th Avenue. So uh I let him know that his street was scheduled for reconstruction next year if if we move forward now. [00:00] **Mayor Charles Cadenhead**: So you just call him and there you go. Evidently, yeah. Yeah. Don't spread that word. Yes. Council member Dragisich. [00:00] **Council Member Nick Dragisich**: I just have one question. The area is not currently served by sanitary sewer, but are the on-site treatment systems a situation where their life is not near the end and we might be facing, let's say, 5 years from now. Now, we need to put sewer in. So, we're going to dig up a brand new street. [00:00] **Nate Stanley**: We'll investigate that. Um we will ask when um when we go out um and we start you know engaging with the neighbors um how their sewer systems working and and you know we could come back to council with that report as part of our preliminary design findings as well as um talk about the implications of extending sewer at that time. [00:00] **Council Member Nick Dragisich**: Thank you. [00:00] **Mayor Charles Cadenhead**: If there's no more no more questions, I'll entertain a motion. [00:00] **Council Member Matt Hirn**: Motion to approve resolution 2025-043 ordering preparation of preliminary design, geotechnical services, and feasibility report for the 2026 street and utility improvements. [00:00] **Council Member Nick Kragness**: Support. [00:00] **Mayor Charles Cadenhead**: Have a motion and a second. discussion. [00:00] **Council Member Jeff Holtz**: I think just to the comment earlier about the the septic systems. I do know that most these are on two and a half plus acres. Some of the older ones um I think where the permitting comes into place, just from my recollection, is that the county then if it's a failing system, they require them to put in a a mound system for their for their unit. But yeah, I was going to thank staff for looking at that schedule piece, speeding it up a bit. If it ends up saving money with better bids, good job. Like that's that's just a process improvement right there. Thank you for doing that. [00:00] **Nate Stanley**: Absolutely. [00:00] **Mayor Charles Cadenhead**: All right. If there's no more discussion, I'll call the question. All those in favor of the resolution, please signify by saying I. [00:00] **All**: I. [00:00] **Mayor Charles Cadenhead**: passes resolution 2025-043. Next we have uh Director Powers for the University of Minnesota test seat plot. [00:00] **Marty Powers (Public Works/Parks Director)**: Uh evening, mayor and council. Uh tonight we bring back in front of you Gary Deers from the U of M regarding a test plot for low input uh grass seed. It's a a test that that they're doing in a couple locations throughout the the metro area. The low input requires less water, less fertilizer, um being more conservation friendly. So, many of you have seen this already. Uh Gary's going to skim through it a lot quicker. If you have questions at the end, that'd be the time to answer them. And then uh he has a little more information about what kind of water is required for this project uh gallons and such and and if the council approved that there would be some kind of a waiver for irrigation. So thank you. [00:00] **Gary Deers (U of M Representative)**: Uh thanks for having me back. Um so just to kind of give you a recap because you weren't here last... [00:00] **Mayor Charles Cadenhead**: I watched it on mine. [00:00] **Gary Deers**: You were? Oh, you okay. So, you saw the Met Council's um wanting us to work with Lake Elmo and so great. Appreciate that. Um so, I'll I'll run through this uh you know, just again the introduction, we're just trying to get uh more water conservation mixtures in the Twin Cities. Um, we know about the barriers and the the lack of people u that know about these uh low input and water conservation mixtures. Again, the project we're hoping to do this at at uh three other sites besides our turf res research center. Um, we know the benefits um I guess I know the benefits of of these mixtures um that they can be great for um saving water throughout the Twin Cities. and establishing the site is kind of a big deal. um, you know, we would pay for the water, the hookups, and we would use a seating blanket, which would help with uh getting the seed to establish better and use less water that way. And then we have our modular uh irrigation that we kind of uh set up and we would use um MP rotors, which are EPA approved. And then here's kind of the the the new addition to this. This is kind of explains the the the site um and how big the plot is. It's not particularly big. 87 1/2 by 27 and a half. Four rows of turf grass plots about 30 per row. And then if you look at the uh irrigation um the 90 there's going to be four 90-degree angled heads and four 180-degree angled heads. And this is kind of how we figure out how much water we would use. We would use a 50 PSI regulator and pressure regulator. And then uh those specific nozzles that we'll use um for the for the four nozzles the 90 degree um under with 50 PSI um about 95 gallons or 0.95 gallons per minute for a total of 3.8 gallons per minute and then the 180 degree uh 2.04 gallons per minute and there's four of them so 8.16 for about 12 gallons per minute. And then we just we figure we would use about 10 minutes uh per irrigation cycle. So for a 120 gallons per watering event, we propose 10 minutes at 7 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m., and 7:00 p.m. for um a max of 600 gallons a day. Uh we would plan to evaluate, adjust, and then so you know, we don't know until we do it how much water we would actually run it for. So it could be five minutes might be sufficient and therefore you're using half the gallons a day. Uh we would have the rain sensor um and we would if if it would rain or there is moisture present we would not irrigate which would also reduce the water use. And then by the the water tower would be the site really nice area for a research project and then the timeline. So the biggest thing is with any turf grass is going to be the establishment. That is the main um thing with getting this establishment and the use of water. If you don't have uh proper watering times or enough water, it'll fail. And that's um what we're hoping to uh get out of this is uh an established plot and then years two and three of maintenance and collection with zero uh additional water use that we would use at all. um and then 2028 and beyond just whatever the city wants to do. So and then the challenges is the watering are the watering restrictions. um that's why we are requesting a waiver for the for the new seed and um for the initial 15 days and then also beyond. Um you know the further we get into September the less water you would need anyways just because of the shorter days, the longer nights, the less extreme heat. So um but it is still important to make sure that we have water to make sure that the site gets established. And then if uh you would desire signage, we could create some signs that we could uh post and then also just a landing page to help homeowners learn about drought tolerant grasses and water conservation. So the expected outcomes, you know, we just uh really see this being a bene benefit to the Twin Cities metro and then just, you know, eventually the state. So, it's a great opportunity and um thank you. [00:00] **Mayor Charles Cadenhead**: Any questions, questions? Council Member Hirn. [00:00] **Council Member Matt Hirn**: The only question I have is just like in worst case scenario, how how many days do you think you would need to continue the watering for um to make sure that the grass is all, you know, properly germinated? [00:00] **Gary Deers**: Yep. Um, worst case scenario, I mean, it could if it's a a bad fall like with drought, yeah, it could extend to to the end of the season, but it doesn't necessarily mean we would water every day. It might be just all right, we're going to water because the grasses are further along. It's like we'll just water once this week just to make sure, you know, we keep it going. So, like I said, the the longer it goes into the season, the less water you would need. But that that's a great question. [00:00] **Council Member Matt Hirn**: And then the the following summer, that's when it would start where there is no further irrigation for your study. [00:00] **Gary Deers**: Correct. Got it. [00:00] **Council Member Matt Hirn**: Okay. Thank you. [00:00] **Gary Deers**: Yep. [00:00] **Mayor Charles Cadenhead**: More of a point of curiosity is um you know as you're um monitoring the the the water use and what it takes and you talk about going from 10 minutes to 5 minutes. Is that something that you have to go on location to do or is that remote? [00:00] **Gary Deers**: No, we would definitely check have to be there to check it out and that's not a problem for us to to check it out. Yep. [00:00] **Mayor Charles Cadenhead**: Is that with analyzing the moisture content of the soil? [00:00] **Gary Deers**: Correct. Yep. Absolutely. [00:00] **Council Member Nick Dragisich**: Motion to approve the MN University of Minnesota low input grass study on city property for 2025 through 2027 and provide an irrigation waiver to irrigate as needed during the 2025 establishment period. [00:00] **Council Member Nick Kragness**: Support. [00:00] **Mayor Charles Cadenhead**: Any discussion? Council Member Holtz. [00:00] **Council Member Jeff Holtz**: First, I I love this. I love that Met Council and staff had this conversation to lead to this to begin with. This is the type of thing that um it benefits the city, it benefits future residents, and it benefits others throughout the metro. um I personally very much in favor if there are sign those signs that you showed, those could be done. Absolutely. education, outreach benefits everyone. um it might be, you know, a person or two who is walking along there or who is biking. There are actually there are a lot of bikers who go along there. um a person here or a person there message spreads. So I personally I think that would be a great idea, but thank you for this work. um hopefully you can get some quality data between all of your sites. [00:00] **Gary Deers**: Thank you. [00:00] **Mayor Charles Cadenhead**: Council Member Dragisich. [00:00] **Council Member Nick Dragisich**: Yeah, I'd echo councillor Holtz's comments and also say as we look to how do we reduce our water usage issue with all the issues we have here in Lake Elmo you know lawns are a big part of that and not everyone's in support of the natural turf grass you know pollinators and things like that some people like to have a lush green lawn so find an alternative would I think be very positive impact for for everybody. [00:00] **Gary Deers**: Yep. [00:00] **Mayor Charles Cadenhead**: agreed I just say I'm a I'm an advocate of this type of research and what it happens. I know that um in the uh construction industry, we've used some University of Minnesota um hybrids for there's nothing ever that's salt proof, but salt tolerant y uh grasses along roadways when they get receded and and I think it works great when it's again been able to be established and and worked through. So, um I think this is great and fully support it. With that, I'll call the question. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. [00:00] **All**: I. [00:00] **Mayor Charles Cadenhead**: Passes. Thank you. We look forward to seeing the results. [00:00] **Gary Deers**: Thank you. Go Gophers. Appreciate it. [00:00] **Mayor Charles Cadenhead**: Thank you. Yes. All right. Next. Looks like uh you guys had a meeting and appointed somebody and we're going to appoint somebody else. So um parks commission appointment. [00:00] **Council Member Matt Hirn**: Move to appoint Giovanni Bler to the parks commission for a term ending 12/31/2026. [00:00] **Council Member Nick Kragness**: Support. [00:00] **Mayor Charles Cadenhead**: All right. I'm just going to call the question because you're all here for that. So all those in favor please signify by saying I. [00:00] **All**: I. [00:00] **Mayor Charles Cadenhead**: So, so done. Mr. Giovanni Bler is part of the parks commission. Well done. Council reports. Council Member Dragisich. [00:00] **Council Member Nick Dragisich**: No report. [00:00] **Mayor Charles Cadenhead**: Council Member Holtz. [00:00] **Council Member Jeff Holtz**: Um, last Friday, Congresswoman McCollum uh was in town to discuss and uh have a little showing of the new facility out of public works along with Bay West along with uh Atomic Energy General Atomics. General Atomics, that sounds better. uh Administrator Nicole Miller was there, Public Works Director Marty Powers, myself. There was a very good turnout. There's multiple media outlets there, multiple members of the public, and cliff notes are its research to determine can a current technology be used to help in a destruction phase of PFAS. And the study will actually be wrapping up later this June-ish, early July, and they'll be able to extrapolate the data and analyze it and see number one, we it likely does work, but also determine cost analysis, is it beneficial? Um, the only other thing I was going to mention is, uh, last week the former mayor of Oak Park Heights passed away, uh, Mary McCumber and she, uh, has served her community for years. She was actually on the Lake Elmo Airport Advisory Committee with myself for the last couple years as well. Uh, she has kids who live here in Lake Elmo and just wanted to mention that. um, she will be missed. Thank you. [00:00] **Mayor Charles Cadenhead**: Yeah, I was going to mention that uh Mayor Mary McCumber had passed away and was definitely dedicated to the city of Oak Park Heights and and did a lot for them. uh met her a few times and very graceful person. So the other thing was I did was able to attend the grand opening for the Lake Elmo Creamery on Saturday and might have splurged a little bit and also had a slice of pizza next door but you know it was all good. It was a great day. It looked like a lot of families and, you know, kids get the chocolate ice cream all over their face and moms are trying to keep them clean. um, that was a good time. So, uh, glad to be back. It looked like, uh, from watching the meetings, everything went well and kudos to you guys for for having a couple good meetings. [00:00] **Council Member Matt Hirn**: What pizza did you have? [00:00] **Mayor Charles Cadenhead**: They just said pepperoni. Simple, just by the slice. [00:00] **Council Member Matt Hirn**: It's fantastic, isn't it? [00:00] **Mayor Charles Cadenhead**: Yeah, it's good. [00:00] **Council Member Jeff Holtz**: What ice cream do you have? [00:00] **Mayor Charles Cadenhead**: I I uh my preference is the the black cherry ice cream. [00:00] **Council Member Nick Dragisich**: What are you gonna have next time? [00:00] **Mayor Charles Cadenhead**: I don't know. I probably go back again to the black cherry. [00:00] **Council Member Nick Dragisich**: Just check. Just checking. [00:00] **Mayor Charles Cadenhead**: I might might A lot of people are doing root beer floats, so I might might do that. [00:00] **Council Member Matt Hirn**: Yeah. My son had three different flavors on one. [00:00] **Mayor Charles Cadenhead**: Oh, and I had to pay for it. Yeah. Well, I went for the coconut explosion. Did you? Yeah. All right. It's percent. That's good. All right. Council Member Hirn. [00:00] **Council Member Matt Hirn**: No report. [00:00] **Mayor Charles Cadenhead**: Council Member Kragness. [00:00] **Council Member Nick Kragness**: No report. [00:00] **Mayor Charles Cadenhead**: Staff reports. [00:00] **Nicole Miller (City Administrator)**: Yeah. Last week, uh staff gathered for a quarterly luncheon hosted by the fire department. So that was great to get everyone together. And then uh Bay West is holding an open house for the public this Friday, 10 to 3 at the site as well. [00:00] **Mayor Charles Cadenhead**: That's Julie. [00:00] **Julie Johnson (City Clerk)**: No report. [00:00] **Mayor Charles Cadenhead**: No report. No report. [00:00] **Dustin Kalis (Fire Chief)**: Got two items. um our seven recruits just passed all of their uh required state certifications this past weekend. So we've got a great group of recruits. um good feedback from all their instructors throughout the program. So really proud of the efforts that they've put in. And then uh speaking of recruits, tomorrow we're going to kick off recruitment for next year's class. um, so keep an eye on social media and uh, city's website for information on how to um, apply. [00:00] **Marty Powers**: Marty, 39th crosswalk uh, improvements are completed if you didn't see them. um, and tomorrow they will begin the old village garden improvements. Not sure if the plantings will get in this week with the rain. They're a little behind, but they will be starting. [00:00] **Nate Stanley**: Sure. Mr. Stanley, last Wednesday I attended a public open house for uh the county's kickoff of preliminary design out there at Lake Elmo Avenue and 10th Street North. um it was it was like I say first public meeting just taking input um providing information um and I'd say there was it was it was relatively well attended. Say 30 to 35 uh residents came through over the course of a couple hours. [00:00] **Mayor Charles Cadenhead**: Good. [00:00] **Mala Manoruso**: Mala, just a reminder, there's a close session after this. [00:00] **Mayor Charles Cadenhead**: Correct. All right. So, I will entertain a motion to go to close session pursuant to Minnesota statute section 13D.05, subdivision 3A, for the purpose of the city administrator performance review. [00:00] **Council Member Matt Hirn**: So moved. [00:00] **Council Member Nick Dragisich**: Second. [00:00] **Mayor Charles Cadenhead**: Moved and second. Uh all those in favor, please signify by saying I. [00:00] **All**: I. [00:00] **Mayor Charles Cadenhead**: All right. We will go into close session.