City Council

Maple Grove City Council Meeting minutes March 3, 2025 Call to order Pursuant to call and notice thereof, a regular meeting of the Maple Grove City Council was held at 7:30 p.m. on March 3, 2025, at the Maple Grove Government Center/Public Safety Facility, Hennepin County, Minnesota. Members present were Mayor Mark Steffenson and Councilmembers Kristy Janigo, Rachelle Johnson, Jon McCullough and Mike Ostaffe. Absent was none. Present also were Heidi Nelson, City Administrator; Joe Hogeboom, Community and Economic Development Director; Peter Vickerman, Planning Manager; Jennifer Monson, Economic Development Manager; Chris LaBounty, Public Works/Engineering Director; and Justin Templin, City Attorney. Mayor Steffenson called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. and led the city in the Pledge of Allegiance. Additions or Mayor Steffenson asked if there were any additions and/or deletions to the deletions to the consent agenda to which Heidi Nelson stated agenda the following: Item amended to the agenda None Item amended to the consent agenda None Item added to the agenda None Item removed from the consent agenda for discussion None Consent items The following consent items were presented for Council’s approval: Maple Grove City Council Minutes March 3, 2025 Page 2 MINUTES A. Work session meeting – February 18, 2025 B. Regular meeting – February 18, 2025 HUMAN RESOURCES ITEMS C. Appointment of accountant I Motion to approve the appointment of Shayna Forster to the accountant I position in the Finance Department. Subject to the successful completion of all pre-employment requirements and a 12-month probationary period. D. Appointment of building permit tech scheduler Motion to approve the appointment of Shaunna McCabe to the building permit tech/scheduler position in the Community and Economic Development Department. Subject to the successful completion of all pre-employment requirements and a 12- month probationary period. E. Appointment of part-time finance clerk II and recruitment approval for payroll specialist Motion to approve the appointment of Jodi Rosati to the part- time finance clerk II position in the Finance Department and authorize staff to begin the recruitment process for the payroll specialist position. Subject to the successful completion of all pre-employment requirements and a 6-month probationary period. F. Appointment of transit and transportation planner Motion to approve the appointment of Michael Valverde to the transit and transportation planner position in the Public Works Department. Subject to the successful completion of all preemployment requirements and a 12-month probationary period. COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ITEMS Maple Grove City Council Minutes March 3, 2025 Page 3 G. Boston Scientific building 4 expansion planned unit development stage plan - Resolution No. 25-040 Motion to adopt Resolution No. 25-040 approving the Boston Scientific building 4 expansion planned unit development stage plan subject to: 1. Planned unit development agreement final review and approval of the city attorney and director of community and economic development. H. Declaration of public nuisance, ordering abatement, and assessment of clean-up costs at 6857 Quantico Lane North - Res. No. 25-030 Motion to approve Resolution No. 25-030 declaring a public nuisance at 6857 Quantico Lane North and ordering abatement and the assessment of costs. I. Resignation and appointment to the Arbor Committee Motion to accept resignation from Rachael Lamsal from the Arbor Committee effective December 31, 2024. Motion to approve the appointment of Sue O’Connell to the Arbor Committee for a term to expire December 31, 2027. ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS ITEMS J. BNSF agreements BNSF Railroad Crossing Replacement Project No. 25-11 Motion to approve agreements with BNSF Railroad for the replacement of crossings with City Project No. 25-11 and authorizing mayor and city clerk to execute the agreements subject to final approval by the city attorney and public works/engineering director. K. East Fish Lake Trail Replacement Project No. 25-05 Contract award Resolution No. 25-044 Maple Grove City Council Minutes March 3, 2025 Page 4 Motion to adopt Resolution No. 25-044 accepting bid for East Fish Lake Trail Replacement Project No. 25-05. L. Main Street and Lakeview Drive Street Reconstruction Project No. 25-06 Contract award Resolution No. 25-043 Motion to adopt Resolution No. 25-043 accepting bid for Main Street and Lakeview Drive Street Reconstruction Project No. 25-06. M. Maple Grove Pkwy and CSAH 81 Improvements Project No. 24-13 Contract award Resolution No. 25-045 Motion to adopt Resolution No. 25-045 accepting bid for Maple Grove Pkwy and CSAH 81 Improvements Project No. 24- 13. N. Weaver Lake Road Street Rehab Project No. 24-17 Agreements with Xcel Energy Motion to approve agreements to construct stormwater practices and restore disturbed pavement associated with the Xcel Energy ECK 322 extension project with the Weaver Lake Road Street Rehabilitation Project No. 24-17. O. Sureties - 03-03-25 Motion to approve the surety actions. ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS P. Acting city administrator March 8-15, 2025 Motion to approve Community and Economic Development Director Joe Hogeboom as acting city administrator effective Saturday, March 8, through Sunday, March 15, 2025. Q. Authorize the expenditure to purchase new badges and patches for the Police Department Motion to approve and authorize the Police Department to purchase new badges and patches, and have new patches Maple Grove City Council Minutes March 3, 2025 Page 5 sewn onto uniforms at an estimated cost of $42,000. The project is funded by a $25,000 donation from the Maple Grove Lions Club and $17,000 from the city alcohol compliance fine revenue account. R. Approval of the 2025 statement of work with Health Quotient for integrated & comprehensive law enforcement health & fitness programming with the Police Department Motion to approve and authorize the chief of police to execute the 2025 statement of work with Health Quotient for integrated & comprehensive law enforcement health & fitness programming with the Police Department at a cost of $60,679.95. S. Lower potency cannabinoid products license for Angel’s Liquor Motion to approve a lower potency cannabinoid products license for Ankal Investments, LLC dba Angel’s Liquor, 7496 E Fish Lake Rd, Maple Grove, Minnesota for a term beginning March 4, 2025, until retailers selling lower potency cannabinoid products are required to obtain a license from the State of Minnesota. The establishment is subject to compliance with all licensing requirements as outlined in Chapter 10, Article III of the Maple Grove City Code. T. Microsoft three-year renewal agreement Motion to approve the renewal of the Microsoft three-year licensing Enterprise Agreement. The state contract pricing of this licensing agreement is $142,086 per year and is covered by the IT Department annual budget. U. Tobacco license for Angel’s Liquor Motion to approve a tobacco license for Ankal Investments, LLC dba Angel’s Liquor, 7496 E Fish Lake Rd, Maple Grove, Minnesota for the period March 4, 2025, through December 31, 2025, subject to compliance with all licensing requirements as outlined in Article XVII of the Maple Grove City Code. Maple Grove City Council Minutes March 3, 2025 Page 6 V. Approve claims Motion to approve claims totaling $ 5,536,014.96. Motion by Councilmember Johnson, seconded by Councilmember Janigo, to approve the consent items as presented. Upon call of the motion by Mayor Steffenson, there were five ayes and no nays. Motion carried. Consideration of None items pulled from the agenda Special business Accept donation Police Chief Werner stated the Maple Grove Lions Club is from the Maple dedicated to serving the needs of the Maple Grove community Grove Lions Club through various service projects, fundraising, and donations. to the Police For nearly one year, Detective Jon Bueckers led a working Department for group of frontline officers that represent a cross section of the the purchase of Police Department to design a new breast and hat badge and new badges and shoulder patch to be worn by officers, community service patches officers, reserve officers, and explorers. The project cost for the new badges and patches is estimated at $42,000. The Maple Grove Lions Club decided to provide $25,000 toward the new badge and patch project. The Maple Grove Police Department is grateful for the Maple Grove Lions Club supporting our officers and agency in providing the highest level of service to the community. The new badge and patches are important symbols of our agency’s responsibility and commitment to providing compassionate, excellent, and professional service to the City of Maple Grove. Phil Leith, Maple Grove Lions Club President, discussed how the Lions appreciate the partnership they have with the City of Maple Grove. He described how the Lions were dedicated to serving and helping the community. He presented the city with a check for $25,000 to assist with the purchase of new badges and patches for the Maple Grove Police Department. Motion by Councilmember Ostaffe, seconded by Councilmember Johnson, to approve and accept the donation from the Maple Grove Lions Club to the Police Department in Maple Grove City Council Minutes March 3, 2025 Page 7 the amount of $25,000 for the purchase of new badges and patches. Councilmember Janigo thanked the Lions for their volunteerism in the community. Mayor Steffenson thanked the Lions for their continued efforts on behalf of the community. Upon call of the motion by Mayor Steffenson, there were five ayes and no nays. Motion carried. Experience Greg Anzelc, Experience Maple Grove Executive Director, Maple Grove provided the Council with a brief presentation on the events presentation that were hosted in the community over the past year, while also discussing what the destination marketing organization envisions for the future. He reviewed the budget for the coming year noting his organization was funded by lodging tax. He commented further on how Experience Maple Grove would be working to strengthen community partnerships and drive tourism to Maple Grove. He stated he was extremely proud of the partnership that has been formed with Pints and Paddles noting Maple Grove hosted the largest pickleball tournament in Minnesota in 2024 called the Slam and Jam. He commented further on the initiatives that were being pursued to bring events to the community, reviewed the data drive analytics he was collecting during events, and thanked the City Council for their continued support. Councilmember McCullough thanked Experience Maple Grove for all of their efforts and for bringing exposure to the great restaurants in the community. Councilmember Johnson stated she appreciated how Experience Maple Grove was making decisions that were data driven. Councilmember Janigo explained she appreciated seeing the Experience Maple Grove billboards and trucks when traveling throughout the State. Mayor Steffenson thanked Experience Maple Grove for all of their efforts on behalf of the community and noted Restaurant Maple Grove City Council Minutes March 3, 2025 Page 8 Week was a tremendous success. Open forum Rachel Erickson, 9205 Queensland Lane North, noted she has lived in the community for the past 22 years and has been a part of Church of the Open Door for the past 20 years. She stated she was supportive of the proposed sacred settlement. She discussed how her mom was treated after being diagnosed with terminal brain cancer and how she appreciated people treating her like a human being instead of her diagnosis. She appreciated the fact that community could exist even in dark places. She believed it was her job as a Christian in the community to love her neighbor, which meant loving people who don’t always look like her or have the same background as her. She was of the opinion the proposed sacred settlement would allow Maple Grove residents to pour community into eight individuals and she was excited to see what these eight individuals would pour into the community. Public hearings Public hearing for City Administrator Nelson stated a public hearing notice for the the off-sale off-sale intoxicating liquor license application for Angel’s intoxicating Liquor, under new ownership, was published in the February liquor license for 20, 2025, edition of the Osseo-Maple Grove Press. The notice Angel’s Liquor called for a public hearing to be held on March 3, 2025. She reported the applicant has submitted all necessary paperwork and fees and staff recommended approval. Apurva Thakkar, Angel’s Liquor, explained he had owned a liquor store in Chicago for 10 years and has since moved on to own hotels. He reported he would be purchasing this liquor store with a partner and he was looking forward to having a business in Maple Grove. Mayor Steffenson encouraged Mr. Thakkar to have his employees properly trained on alcohol sales and noted the city provides training for all liquor license holders. He explained the city conducts compliance checks twice a year and he hoped Mr. Thakkar would pass his compliance checks. Mr. Thakkar stated he understood the responsibility of having a liquor license and indicated he would work to make the city proud. Motion by Councilmember Johnson, seconded by Maple Grove City Council Minutes March 3, 2025 Page 9 Councilmember Janigo, to open the public hearing. Upon call of the motion by Mayor Steffenson, there were five ayes and no nays. Motion carried. Mayor Steffenson opened the public hearing at 8:02 p.m. and asked if anyone would like to address this issue. No public testimony was offered. Motion by Councilmember Ostaffe, seconded by Councilmember Johnson, to close the public hearing at 8:02 p.m. Upon call of the motion by Mayor Steffenson, there were five ayes and no nays. Motion carried. Motion by Councilmember Janigo, seconded by Councilmember Johnson, to approve the off-sale intoxicating liquor license application for Ankal Investments, LLC dba Angel’s Liquor, 7496 E Fish Lake Rd, Maple Grove, Minnesota, subject to compliance with liquor licensing requirements in Chapter 4 of the City Code, with said license to expire June 30, 2025. Upon call of the motion by Mayor Steffenson, there were five ayes and no nays. Motion carried. Public hearing Economic Development Manager Monson stated Boston Scientific received approval for a planned unit development Boston Scientific (PUD) stage plan to expand its Weaver Lake building 4 into the Weaver Lake parking lot area to the west on February 18, 2025. Boston Road building 4 Scientific has asked the City of Maple Grove to submit expansion - applications to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Authorizing Economic Development (DEED) for funds from the Minnesota Minnesota Investment Fund (MIF) and the Job Creation Fund (JCF) to help Investment Fund support the expansion. The proposed capital investment is application estimated to be approximately $139.4 million for construction of the new 52,000 square foot facility and equipment. The Resolution No. addition will include 18,000 square feet of manufacturing 25-042 space and will house more than $60 million of machinery and equipment to support the creation of more than 500,000 Authorizing Job Watchman devices annually. It would create 440 new full-time Creation Fund equivalent jobs by 2030. It is anticipated that the average application hourly wage of these new jobs would be $47.50 per hour. Staff Resolution No. commented on the request in further detail and recommended 25-041 approval. Maple Grove City Council Minutes March 3, 2025 Page 10 Motion by Councilmember Janigo, seconded by Councilmember Johnson, to open the public hearing. Upon call of the motion by Mayor Steffenson, there were five ayes and no nays. Motion carried. Mayor Steffenson opened the public hearing at 8:05 p.m. and asked if anyone would like to address this issue. No public testimony was offered. Motion by Councilmember McCullough, seconded by Councilmember Johnson, to close the public hearing at 8:06 p.m. Upon call of the motion by Mayor Steffenson, there were five ayes and no nays. Motion carried. Motion by Councilmember Johnson, seconded by Councilmember McCullough, to adopt Resolution No. 25-042 authorizing the city to apply to the Department of Employment and Economic Development for a Minnesota Investment Fund award in connection with Boston Scientific’s Weaver Lake Road building 4 expansion. Upon call of the motion by Mayor Steffenson, there were five ayes and no nays. Motion carried. Motion by Councilmember McCullough, seconded by Councilmember Janigo, to adopt Resolution No. 25-041 supporting a Job Creation Fund application to the Department of Employment and Economic Development in connection with Boston Scientific’s Weaver Lake Road building 4 expansion. Upon call of the motion by Mayor Steffenson, there were five ayes and no nays. Motion carried. Community and economic development items Bella Woods Planning Manager Vickerman explained the applicant is planned unit requesting a planned unit development (PUD) concept plan development amendment for an approximately 116-acre (net) development concept stage with 235 single family home lots. The Planning Commission plan amendment recommended approval on a 6-0 vote with the condition added Maple Grove City Council Minutes March 3, 2025 Page 11 that the 40-foot and 45-foot-wide lots be replaced with 55- foot-wide lots. The proposal is consistent with the comprehensive plan density and is similar to other residential developments with an overall density of around two units per acre. The proposal will complete Arbor Ridge Parkway, which is a key part of the overall road network in this area. It will also provide needed parkland and preserve an important environmental resource with the T-zone area. Staff commented on the concept stage plan proposal further, reviewed photos of home renderings and recommended approval, removing the 40 and 45-foot-wide lots. Councilmember Ostaffe asked how many acres of the T-zone was being preserved. He stated most of the area that was not being built on was wetland or floodplain. Planning Manager Vickerman explained the wetland area was removed from the T-zone calculations. He reported the developer would be preserving 4.3 acres in the T-zone. Councilmember Ostaffe commented that for preserving this 4.3 acres in the T-zone, the developer was then asking to have substantially smaller lots throughout the entire development. Mr. Vickerman explained the Planning Commission recommended the developer eliminate the 40 and 45-foot lots. Councilmember Ostaffe supported the developer also having to eliminate the 55 and 65-foot-wide lots. Mr. Vickerman commented this would be left up to the discretion of the Council. He reported the overall density was consistent with other residential neighborhoods that had 85-foot-wide lots. He explained there were areas where the T-zone could have been further impacted and it was not. Councilmember Ostaffe stated there were lots that were 7,500 square feet or smaller. He wondered what the city was giving the developer to show this development equates to two units per acre. Mr. Vickerman reviewed a table from the staff report noting the development had 164.5 gross acres, 30.8 acres of wetlands and 11 acres of floodplain. He noted the regional trail corridor, public park and County Highway 101 right of way were taken out of the gross to get to the net acres of land. Councilmember Ostaffe reported if 80-foot-wide lots were Maple Grove City Council Minutes March 3, 2025 Page 12 pursued, the project would have lower density and less impact on the wetlands and T-zone. He was of the opinion the trade off for this project was that the two acres of T-zone preserved meant there would be 50 more homes. He was of the opinion this was an excessive trade off. Councilmember Johnson commented if the Council were to approve 55-foot-wide lots within this development, this would also have to be approved in adjacent ghost plat areas. Councilmember Ostaffe stated the original plan with 40 foot and 45-foot-wide lots created a plan that was reaching for a specific density or number of units from a financial perspective. He expressed concern with the fact 85% of this development was below Maple Grove lot size standards. Further discussion ensued regarding how the concept plan had changed from the original plans. Councilmember Janigo stated overall, she liked this plan more than the original plan that was approved in 2023. She indicated she was not sad to see the townhomes and the 40 foot and 45- foot-wide lots removed. She appreciated the fact the developer would be preserving a large number of trees within this development. She asked what the price points would be for these homes. Mr. Vickerman deferred this question to the applicant. Josh Metzer, Lennar representative, thanked the Council for considering his project. He explained the plan that was brought forward and approved in 2023 had a density of just over three units per acre. He indicated he was now proposing a net density of two units per acre. He commented he was on the lower end of what was allowed for the district. He reported the lot sizes were amended to make up for the loss of the 40 and 45-foot-wide lots. He reported the 65-foot-wide lots would have homes that start in the mid-$700,000’s. He indicated he was not interested in pursuing townhomes at this time because there are significant numbers of townhomes in the adjacent neighborhoods. He discussed how the city was picking up value from the proposed plan as there would be five acres dedicated for park, along with additional land for a regional trail corridor. He indicated there would be trail connectivity Maple Grove City Council Minutes March 3, 2025 Page 13 from the school as well. He stated less than one acre of wetlands would be impacted by this development. He reported over 70% of the trees would be preserved in the northerly areas. He commented on how the different lot sizes would allow for a different mix of housing products at varying price points. He commented further on the proposed homes that would be constructed within this development along with the respective price points. He reported he has been working with staff for several years and he was hopeful City Council could offer their support for this project. Councilmember Janigo indicated she was open to smaller lot sizes in order to have a wider range of home prices. Councilmember Johnson stated there were a lot of things she liked about this plan. She explained she appreciated the trail connectivity, the park land, completing all of the infrastructure in the area, the wetland preservation, the tree preservation, and the fact that the homes would be owner-occupied. She indicated she appreciated the mix of lot sizes and the mix of homes that would be provided. She understood these homes would be located along collector roads, which led her to believe it made sense to have more density. She commented she liked this plan more than the plan that came to the City Council in 2023. She indicated she was against the really small lot sizes for quality of life reasons. Councilmember Ostaffe asked if the driveways would be only 25 feet long. Mr. Metzer reported the driveways would be 25 feet plus an additional 14 or 15 feet. Councilmember Ostaffe indicated he was concerned that future residents would not be able to legally park their cars in their driveways. Mr. Metzer explained he lived in a Lennar neighborhood with a 25-foot long driveway and a sidewalk and noted he could park two pickups in his driveway. Mayor Steffenson asked staff for further clarification on the driveway length. Planning Manager Vickerman reported these homes would have at least 25 feet to park cars on. Mayor Steffenson stated he understood that if 55-foot-wide lots were approved in this development, more of the same Maple Grove City Council Minutes March 3, 2025 Page 14 would be expected to the south. He suggested the retaining pond on the far east end be relocated or the volume added to another pond in order to allow for 65-foot-wide lots. He stated this would have a positive impact on this development and would ensure the development to the south also had 65-foot- wide lots. Planning Manager Vickerman stated this would be within the Council’s purview. Mr. Metzer stated if these lots were changed from 55 feet to 65 feet, he would lose one lot. He explained the grading and drainage plan was not yet complete and this retaining pond was just thrown onto the plan. Mayor Steffenson stated he believed it made sense to have 65- foot-wide lots. Councilmember McCullough agreed the 65-foot-wide lots made more sense for this development and for the ghost plat to the south. Councilmember Ostaffe questioned what was keeping the developer from having 80 foot lots backing up to the park. Mr. Metzer stated backing up to the park it was thought this could go one of two ways, as some may view this as a good thing and others may not like it at all. For this reason, the lots were switched to 65 feet. Councilmember Ostaffe was of the opinion there were far too many 65-foot-wide lots and not enough 80-foot-wide lots within this development. He feared the Council would be setting a precedent by approving this development. Councilmember Ostaffe questioned if some of the lots had been deepened in order to create a berm. Planning Manager Vickerman stated the recommendation was to create a deeper setback with berming along County Road 101 and additional landscaping along Arbor Ridge Parkway because these were higher volume streets. Motion by Mayor Steffenson, seconded by Councilmember Johnson, to direct the city attorney to draft a resolution approving the Bella Woods planned unit development concept stage plan amendment subject to: Maple Grove City Council Minutes March 3, 2025 Page 15 1. The applicant addressing to the satisfaction of the city any remaining applicable comments contained in the memorandums from: a. The Community & Economic Development Department dated February 18, 2025 b. The Engineering Department dated February 19, 2025 c. The Fire Department dated December 11, 2024 d. The Parks & Recreation Department dated February 20, 2025 2. The proposed 40-foot-wide and 45-foot-wide lots shall be replaced with 55-foot-wide lots. 3. Requiring the 55-foot-wide lots north of the ghost plat to be 65-feet-wide. The applicant shall acknowledge that park dedication requirements are based on staff review and recommendation to the Park and Recreation Board and their subsequent board action. Board meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month. Upon call of the motion by Mayor Steffenson, there were four ayes and one nay (Councilmember Ostaffe). Motion carried. Report on Community and Economic Development Director Hogeboom upcoming updated the Council regarding the following: community and economic  Staff invited the City Council to attend the 25th Anniversary development Celebration of Lunds & Byerly’s on Saturday, March 8. items  The Planning Commission would meet next on Monday, March 10 at 7 p.m. Engineering- public works items Report on Public Works/Engineering Director LaBounty updated the upcoming Council regarding the following: engineering  Staff provided an update on the Weaver Lake Road project, items noting a neighborhood meeting was held last week. Maple Grove City Council Minutes March 3, 2025 Page 16 Administration items Report on City Administrator Nelson explained that the Council has her upcoming Monday report if there are any questions. She reported the administration League of Minnesota Cities Day at the Hill would be held later items this week. Items added to None the agenda Adjournment Motion by Councilmember Janigo, seconded by Councilmember Johnson, to adjourn to the regular City Council meeting on March 17, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. Upon call of the motion by Mayor Steffenson, there were five ayes and no nays. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 9:12 p.m. by Mayor Steffenson. Respectfully submitted, Heidi Nelson City Administrator