This transcript appears to be from a **White Bear Lake City Council** meeting (likely July 11, 2023). Based on the context of the dialogue and the participants mentioned, I have added the speaker names and estimated timestamps to maintain the requested format. *** **[00:00:00] Mayor Dan Rohr:** Call the meeting to order. Will the clerk please note those in attendance? All will be noted. Will you please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance? [Pledge of Allegiance] I trust everyone's had a chance to review the minutes from the regular city council meeting on June 27, 2023. If so, I'd entertain a motion to approve those minutes. Motion? A second? All those in favor say aye. (Council: Aye). Any opposed? Motion carries, minutes are approved. Item 2B: minutes of the city council work session on June 27, 2023. I would entertain a motion to approve that. **[00:01:05] Councilmember:** So moved. **[00:01:07] Councilmember:** Second. **[00:01:08] Mayor Dan Rohr:** Here we go. I have a motion and a second. All those in favor say aye. (Council: Aye). The opposed? Motion carries, the minutes are approved. Item three: adoption of the agenda. Any corrections or changes to the agenda? Seeing none, I'd entertain a motion to approve the agenda. **[00:01:25] Councilmember:** Okay, I have a motion. **[00:01:26] Councilmember:** Second. **[00:01:27] Mayor Dan Rohr:** All those in favor say aye. (Council: Aye). Any opposed? We have an agenda. Item four: consent agenda. I’d entertain a motion to approve the consent agenda. I have a motion and a second. All those in favor say aye. (Council: Aye). Any opposed? Motion carries, consent agenda is approved. All right, item five: visitors and presentations. We have the White Bear Lake Conservation District 2024 budget. Gentlemen, please step up to the podium. **[00:02:00] Mike Ptacek (Conservation District Treasurer):** Good evening. Mike Ptacek, representative on the Lake Conservation District, and this is Scott Costello, your other representative on the Conservation District. I think what brought us here mostly tonight was the budget, and I'm the treasurer, so I better start talking about it. I put together the budget along with the committee chairs of the Conservation District and staff worked on it in January and February. Everything was coming together nicely. We did some deficit spending to bring our reserves in line with our self-imposed requirements. One thing on the budget that we're pretty excited about is we're going to do another Lake use study. In 1999 we did a Lake management plan, in 2000 we did a lake use study—how it was being used, boats, fishing, everything. 2004 we did a shoreline inventory... 2005 we did a data summary and trend analysis... the water is getting better actually. White Bear Lake water is the best and it's rated top all over the counties, so that's something you should be proud of. We budgeted for a complete Lake study in 2024 because we haven't done one since 2006. It really is an impartial look at what you've got. Other things we have: you have a map there of the Eurasian water milfoil survey done June 27th. I went out with Steve McComas. There were three new areas. There are over 520 points on there that we check. We decide what's worth treating. This year I got a grant for $6,750 for treatment, which covers about 47 acres. That treatment has not yet taken place; we need a calm, sunny day for the optimum treatment. If there are any questions, I think that's pretty much what I had to start with. **[00:05:30] Mayor Dan Rohr:** Just a quick question on the treatment. You said if they don't do it right, they have to come back? Is there some sort of guarantee? **[00:05:40] Mike Ptacek:** Right. If it doesn't take, they have to treat it at the same rate. So far, they've never had to come back, so that's a good thing. **[00:05:50] Mayor Dan Rohr:** Just a general question on the budget since you're the treasurer. Do you feel like the Conservation District has the financial resources that it needs to fulfill what its mission is for the lake? **[00:06:00] Mike Ptacek:** Yes. Simple enough answer. We aren't talking about a lot of money here, but if we got Starry Stonewort, that’s very expensive to get rid of. We check for it annually with Steve McComas and so far, we haven't found any. We are comfortable with our budget. **[00:06:30] Councilmember Edberg:** Thank you for the information on your balances; that's been a conversation we've had in the past. I'm satisfied with your response. As a future topic, I would welcome seeing a balance sheet as part of your annual report. Shifting to the map—milfoil seems to be in a couple of bays. Is that related to where boats are coming in and out? **[00:07:30] Mike Ptacek:** Once it's in the lake, it's in the lake. It breaks apart and floats around. It’ll only grow where the right nutrients are and the right light. Now, the boats have no effect on it. It just follows the nutrient trail. **[00:08:15] Councilmember Edberg:** You mentioned Starry Stonewort. Are there other invasives we should be aware of? **[00:08:25] Mike Ptacek:** There's the spiny water flea. But our water quality is so good that they aren't as problematic. The zebra muscle population has actually gone down dramatically because they ate all their algae up. We aren't going to have those outbreaks where they have to close beaches. **[00:09:40] Councilmember Edberg:** Finally, I just want to thank you both. You've been our representatives for a long time and you've been diligent. **[00:09:50] Scott Costello (Conservation District):** Can I say a few words? We're lucky Mike is in charge of the invasives. My part on the board is chair of the Lake Education committee. This year we are working with Press Publications on a thing called *The Laker*. We wanted to get information out to the lakeshore owners. In the first edition, we got four pages that my committee worked on. **[00:11:00] Councilmember Jones:** Scott, I appreciate what you guys do. The only question I've got about *The Laker* here is it seems a pretty narrow band of audience—just lakeshore homeowners and fishermen. I want to make sure the information is getting out beyond just them. **[00:11:30] Scott Costello:** It will. They distribute this everywhere—libraries, bait shops, city hall. But thanks for the feedback. **[00:12:00] Councilmember Walsh:** Thank you, Mr. Mayor. This is unrelated to the budget, but reading in the paper a few weeks ago, both you guys abstained on a board vote. I wanted to ask why, since you are our city reps? What is the policy for abstaining? **[00:12:20] Scott Costello:** In general, we abstain when there's a potential conflict of interest. What happened a few weeks ago was unusual; our legal counsel recommended that we abstain. **[00:12:40] Councilmember Walsh:** If I could, I understand a personal conflict of interest, but I disagree with your legal counsel. It’s not a conflict of interest when you're representing the City of White Bear Lake to vote on issues that deal with the City of White Bear Lake. That seems a little absurd. You are representing the city. **[00:13:10] Scott Costello:** We didn't question our legal counsel at the time. He felt that there was a situation where there was a conflict between the Docks of White Bear and the City about where the dividing line is. Our council felt it wouldn't look good if we participated in the vote. **[00:13:40] Mayor Dan Rohr:** Everyone on the lake represents the five municipalities. From my chair, you guys represent the City of White Bear Lake. If it involves the city, come talk to the city manager or engage a council member. By definition, each appointee is there on behalf of their municipality. Food for thought. **[00:14:15] Councilmember Edberg:** I would add my voice to Councilmember Walsh's. You are appointed by the Mayor expressly to represent the interests of the city. I think you received some really not-so-great legal counsel on that topic. **[00:14:40] Mike Ptacek:** It's the first time in 11 years that's happened. The motion at issue did not pass anyway. We prefer the two parties in conflict work it out before they come to us. **[00:15:30] Mayor Dan Rohr:** Thank you very much for your presentation and all the good work. Item 8A: replacement of fire truck number 923. Chief Peterson, please. **[00:15:45] Chief Peterson:** Thank you, Mayor. We have a proposal to replace our current rescue truck built in 2003. We plan to replace major apparatus every 20 years. Prices have gone up significantly. Five years ago, a truck was $550,000; now the same truck is $944,000. Also, there is a delay. It takes 24 to 36 months to get a truck now. We’d like to go with Pierce. McQueen is the local vendor. **[00:17:10] Lindy Crawford (City Manager):** Mayor, I would like to add that this is slated for 2025. We are requesting authorization to secure the manufacturer now to lock in the price. We won't expend funds until 2025. McQueen/Pierce will purchase our current rescue for no less than $60,000 as a trade-in. **[00:18:15] Mayor Dan Rohr:** Regarding the $60,000 trade-in—does that reflect market value? **[00:18:30] Chief Peterson:** I believe it’s a fair price. They are the only ones who would guarantee that amount this far out. **[00:18:50] Mayor Dan Rohr:** I'm satisfied with that. It's an essential piece of equipment. Council, any thoughts? **[00:19:00] Councilmember Edberg:** How many runs a year does this thing do? **[00:19:15] Chief Peterson:** At least 900 fire calls a year, plus medical calls and accidents. It’s the main "first out" vehicle. **[00:20:00] Councilmember Walsh:** Do you anticipate training costs? **[00:20:10] Chief Peterson:** The local rep will train us. There’s a lot of similarities to our current ladder truck, which is an advantage. **[00:20:50] Councilmember Walsh:** I'll move the resolution. **[00:20:55] Councilmember:** Second. **[00:21:00] Mayor Dan Rohr:** All those in favor say aye. (Council: Aye). Motion carries. Item 8B: first reading of an ordinance rezoning property at 2687 County Road D. Mr. Lindahl. **[00:21:15] Jason Lindahl (Community Development Director):** Thank you, Mayor. This application is from Brian Wingis of Digi Suites. They are proposing a 14-bed nursing home facility. It requires rezoning to be eligible for that use. The Planning Commission and staff are recommending approval. The most notable deviation is a 10-foot side yard setback. **[00:23:45] Mayor Dan Rohr:** There is no formal action required tonight. If there are any questions for Mr. Lindahl or the applicant, Brian Wingis? **[00:24:00] Councilmember Edberg:** Mr. Lindahl, regarding the northern parcel—that is separate and not included in this rezoning? **[00:24:15] Jason Lindahl:** You are correct. **[00:24:30] Brian Wingis (Applicant):** I have never really walked into a council meeting and walked out feeling smarter after the conversations we've had here. We redid the plat so that nothing approved here "grandfathers in" the other parcel. I am not purchasing the other lot. Mr. Bruggeman will have to come back to you for whatever he does there. **[00:25:20] Councilmember Edberg:** That works for me. **[00:25:30] Mayor Dan Rohr:** Seeing no other questions, we’ll take it up again on the 25th. Item 8C: first reading of an ordinance rezoning property at 2502 County Road E. Mr. Lindahl. **[00:25:45] Jason Lindahl:** The applicant is Element Design Build. They are proposing nine for-sale townhomes. This is the third iteration; they reduced the density from 18 units down to nine and changed from rental to for-sale. The height is under 35 feet. Staff finds this meets all criteria as it redevelops a long-term blighted site. I'll turn it over to the city engineer for stormwater. **[00:31:00] Paul Kauppi (City Engineer):** Thank you. The standards today are higher than when the area was originally developed. 100% of the water continues to go into Peppertree Pond, but we are getting an overall reduction in impervious surface. We are adding a bio-filtration basin to filter pollutants. **[00:33:30] Jason Lindahl:** The Planning Commission and staff recommend approval. We also received a letter from the EDC in support. The applicant, Mr. McKilligan, is here. **[00:34:00] Mr. McKilligan (Applicant):** Good evening. Our intent was to create a residential anchor. We are preserving the car wash building as a community room amenity. We've gone through quite a few redesigns over 10 months and we are excited about where we've gotten to. **[00:37:30] Councilmember Jones:** This is currently zoned B3. Could a liquor store or a smoke shop go here if we don't approve this? **[00:38:00] Jason Lindahl:** Generally, B3 allows auto-oriented uses and various commercial uses that might not be as residential-friendly. **[00:38:30] Councilmember Jones:** So a car dealer or a tattoo parlor could go there right now. This residential proposal is a great buffer. I support it. **[00:39:15] Councilmember Edberg:** What is the actual height to the peak? **[00:39:30] Mr. McKilligan:** The midpoint is 31’9”. I can get you the specific peak height. **[00:40:00] Councilmember Edberg:** I'm curious about the car wash community room. Who manages that? **[00:40:30] Mr. McKilligan:** The HOA will manage it with lock sets and scheduling. **[00:42:00] Councilmember Edberg:** What about the fence on the East? **[00:42:15] Mr. McKilligan:** We’ve agreed with the neighbor to replace that fence. **[00:46:00] Mayor Dan Rohr:** We will take this up for action in two weeks. Item 8D: first reading of an interim moratorium on cannabis businesses. Miss Crawford. **[00:46:15] Lindy Crawford:** The Minnesota Legislature legalized cannabis and created the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM). The Act allows cities to place an interim moratorium while we study and adopt reasonable restrictions on time, place, and manner. I am recommending a moratorium until January 1, 2025. **[00:47:45] Councilmember Jones:** Just clarification on the distance—is it 1,000 feet from lot line to lot line? **[00:48:00] Lindy Crawford:** That’s exactly what we get to wrestle with during the study. The statute isn't clear yet. **[00:48:30] Mayor Dan Rohr:** We will take this up on July 25th. Item 10: Communications from the city manager. **[00:48:45] Lindy Crawford:** A few things: Coffee with the City Manager is July 25th. Market Fest this Thursday is Public Safety Night. July 20th is the Environmental Expo. Fridays with Firefighters is July 21st. And finally, a huge thank you to everyone involved in the Fourth of July fireworks. It takes months of planning for a 23-minute show. Everything was cleaned up within 24 hours. **[00:51:30] Mayor Dan Rohr:** Thank you. I would entertain a motion to adjourn. (Council: So moved). All those in favor say aye. (Council: Aye). We’re adjourned.