City Council

Maple Grove City Council Meeting minutes May 19, 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 May 19, 2025 at the Maple Grove Government Center/Public Safety Facility, Hennepin County, Minnesota. Members present were Mayor Mark Steffenson and Councilmembers Rachelle Johnson, Kristy Janigo, Mike Ostaffe, and Jon McCullough. Absent was none. Present also were Heidi Nelson, City Administrator; Joe Hogeboom, Community and Economic Development Director; Jesse Corrow, City Planner; 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 3J. Public works week proclamation Consent items The following consent items were presented for Council’s approval: Maple Grove City Council Minutes May 19, 2025 Page 2 MINUTES A. Work session meeting – May 5, 2025 B. Regular meeting – May 5, 2025 C. Board of Appeal and Equalization reconvene meeting – May 6, 2025 HUMAN RESOURCES ITEMS D. Appointment of human resources specialist- recruitment and retention Motion to ratify authorization to recruit and approve the appointment of Brianne Henkel to the human resources specialist- recruitment and retention position in the Human Resources Department. Subject to a 12-month probation period, all pre-employment requirements have been met. E. Appointment of police officer and recruitment approval for community service officer pt Motion to approve the promotion of Colton Bailey to the position of police officer and authorize staff to begin recruitment for the community service officer pt position in the Police Department. Subject to the successful completion of all pre-employment requirements and a 12-month probation period. F. Recruitment approval for fire safety specialist Motion to authorize staff to begin recruitment for the fire safety specialist position in the Fire Department due to the retirement of Russel Weber, which was accepted with an effective date of July 21, 2025. G. Appointment of water and sewer maintenance I Motion to approve the appointment of Isaac Sprecher to the water and sewer maintenance I position in the Public Works Department. All pre-employment requirements have been successfully met, subject to a 12-month probationary period. Maple Grove City Council Minutes May 19, 2025 Page 3 COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ITEMS H. Declaration of public nuisance, ordering abatement, and assessment of clean-up costs at 6218 Eagle Lake Drive North - Res. No. 25-072 Motion to approve Resolution No. 25-072 declaring a public nuisance of 6218 Eagle Lake Drive North and ordering abatement and assessment of the costs. ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS ITEMS I. Dunkirk Lane Street and Utility Project No. 27-05 Establish project Resolution No. 25-073 Motion to adopt Resolution No. 25-073 establishing Dunkirk Lane Street and Utility Project No. 27-05 and ordering feasibility report. J. Public works week proclamation This item was removed by Councilmember McCullough for discussion. K. Rice Lake Trail North reconstruction establish project Motion to establish the Rice Lake Trail North reconstruction project and authorize execution of the preliminary design scope subject to final approval by the city attorney and public works/engineering director. L. Rice Lake Trail Southeast reconstruction establish project approve SEH master services agreement Motion to approve the master services agreement with Short Elliot Hendrickson, Inc. and authorize the mayor and city clerk to execute the agreement subject to final approval by the city attorney and public works/engineering director. Motion to establish the Rice Lake Trail Southeast Reconstruction project and authorize staff execution of the Maple Grove City Council Minutes May 19, 2025 Page 4 supplemental letter agreement for preliminary design scope subject to final approval by the city attorney and public works/engineering director. M. The Ridge at Elm Creek Project No. 25-16 Establish project Resolution No. 25-074 Motion to adopt Resolution No. 25-074 establishing The Ridge at Elm Creek Project No. 25-16 and ordering feasibility report. N. Sureties - 05-19-25 Motion to approve the surety actions. ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS O. Fire Department comprehensive study Motion to approve the distribution and solicitation of the 2025 Maple Grove Fire Department comprehensive study request for proposal. P. Approve claims Motion to approve claims totaling $ 3,767,220.32. Motion by Councilmember Johnson, seconded by Councilmember McCullough, to approve the consent items as amended, removing item 3J (Public works week proclamation). Upon call of the motion by Mayor Steffenson, there were five ayes and no nays. Motion carried. Consideration of The following items were pulled from the consent agenda. items pulled from the agenda Regarding Item 3J (Public works week proclamation), Councilmember McCullough stated there were heroes working in the city wearing reflective vests and steel-toed boots. He reported these heroes serve with dedication to the community and he thanked each member of the Public Works Department for their tremendous service to the community. Motion by Councilmember McCullough, seconded by Councilmember Janigo, to proclaim May 18 through May 24, Maple Grove City Council Minutes May 19, 2025 Page 5 2025 as Public Works Week in the City of Maple Grove. Upon call of the motion by Mayor Steffenson, there were five ayes and no nays. Motion carried. Special business Annual MSFCA Deputy Fire Marshall Shannon Burton stated the annual fire fire prevention prevention poster contest, organized by the Minnesota State poster contest Fire Chiefs Association (MSFCA), is a statewide initiative that winner encourages youth engagement in fire safety through creative expression. Each year, the Maple Grove Fire Department invites local 4th grade students to participate by designing posters that reflect the National Fire Prevention Week theme. This contest educates students on essential fire prevention practices and promotes artistic creativity. He reviewed the prizes that were offered to the grand prize winner. It was noted the selected winning posters are proudly displayed on the City of Maple Grove website and in other community venues. This helps spread important safety messages and showcases the talents of our young residents. The Maple Grove Fire Department extends its sincere thanks to the dedicated educators and principals whose ongoing support makes this program possible. Their partnership is vital in teaching important fire safety lessons and encouraging student participation each year. He explained the grand prize winner is Harrison Gross and congratulated him for also winning first prize in the state. A round of applause was offered by all in attendance. Open forum There were no open forum issues brought before the Council at this meeting. Community and economic development items The Ridge at Elm City Planner Corrow stated the applicant is requesting planned Creek 4th unit development concept stage plan, development stage plan, Addition planned rezoning, and preliminary plat approval for a 20-lot single unit family home neighborhood located in southwest Maple Grove development near Elm Road North. This proposal is an extension of the concept stage original Ridge at Elm Creek development that was approved in Maple Grove City Council Minutes May 19, 2025 Page 6 plan, March of 2020. The development consists of four separate development parcels making up 15.28 acres and is located directly east of stage plan, the Ridge at Elm Creek neighborhood on the north side of Elm rezoning and Road. The proposal involves removing existing homes and preliminary plat structures on the properties and extending Yuma Lane/65th Place to the west where it would connect with Elm Road North. The proposal consists of 20 new single-family home lots resulting in a net density of 1.35 units per acre, within the range of the comprehensive plan range for low-medium density residential of one to four units per acre. It was noted the entire project was within a T-zone overlay district. He commented further on the proposed project and explained the Planning Commission reviewed this matter and recommended approval. Councilmember Ostaffe commented on what occurred in the T-zone near his home, noting a ravine was filled in and a large number of trees were taken down. He asked if the future homeowners would be required to maintain the T-zone requirements after they purchase their homes. Mayor Steffenson reported the future homeowners would be required to maintain the T-zone requirements. City Planner Corrow explained the T-zone requirements would protect the trees even after development. He stated property owners living within a T-zone would be required to replace healthy trees on a 1:1 basis. He indicated the Arbor Committee was working to inform residents who live within a T-zone of the city’s requirements. Councilmember Ostaffe asked if ravines could be filled in within a T-zone. City Planner Corrow reported it was the city’s intention to have the existing trees remain in place, which would include the grading in the T-zone area. Councilmember Johnson requested further information regarding the three access points to the forest preserve area. City Planner Corrow reviewed the location of the three outlots that could be used for access points to the forest preserve. He indicated there were currently wood chip trails in the forest preserve and these trails would remain in place. Maple Grove City Council Minutes May 19, 2025 Page 7 Councilmember McCullough stated he approved of the proposed plans. He explained he appreciated the forest preservation efforts within this development. Mayor Steffenson reported he lives in a forest preservation area and stated his neighbors were aware of the T-zone obligations. Councilmember Johnson asked if staff had reached out to the individual that raised concerns regarding construction. City Planner Corrow reported staff met with this individual on several occasions during the initial development phase and noted staff had not found any stormwater violations. He understood the internet outage did occur and staff worked with the vendors to get the services restored as soon as possible. Mayor Steffenson stated he liked the idea of the signs that would be posted to ensure the trees were protected. Councilmember Janigo questioned if the creek banks had an erosion problem. City Planner Corrow indicated staff visited the creek and did not notice any damage or erosion to the creek banks. He reported the drainage plan would assist with addressing runoff that was going onto neighboring properties. Councilmember Johnson requested the neighbors be made aware of the fact forts were not to be built and leaves were not to be hauled into the forest preservation area. Dave Gonyea, Gonyea Company, thanked staff for their detailed presentation. He reported he was onboard with the proposed signage in order to inform neighbors about the tree preservation requirements. Councilmember Johnson stated this was a beautiful development and she commended the developer for all the different types of architecture that would be used on the future homes. Motion by Councilmember Johnson, seconded by Councilmember Janigo, to direct the city attorney to draft a resolution and a planned unit development agreement Maple Grove City Council Minutes May 19, 2025 Page 8 approving The Ridge at Elm Creek 4th Addition planned unit development concept stage plan, development stage plan and preliminary plat subject to: 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 April 30, 2025 b. The Engineering Department dated April 18, 2025 c. The Fire Department dated April 15, 2025 d. The Parks & Recreation Department dated May 7, 2025 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 five ayes and no nays. Motion carried. Motion by Councilmember Janigo, seconded by Councilmember Johnson, to direct the city attorney to draft an ordinance approving the rezoning from R-A (Single-Family Agricultural District) to R-2 PUD (Single-Family Residential District—Planned Unit Development). Upon call of the motion by Mayor Steffenson, there were five ayes and no nays. Motion carried. Report on Community and Economic Development Director Hogeboom upcoming updated the Council regarding the following: community and economic  The Planning Commission would meet next on Monday, development June 9. items Engineering- public works items Report on Public Works/Engineering Director LaBounty updated the upcoming Council regarding the following: Maple Grove City Council Minutes May 19, 2025 Page 9 engineering  It was noted the Lake Quality Commission would be items meeting on Wednesday, May 21 and would be discussing survey results regarding watercraft regulations. Administration items Report on City Administrator Nelson explained that the Council has her upcoming Monday report if there are any questions. She provided the administration Council with an update on the legislative session, noting it was items anticipated a special session would be held. Items added to None the agenda Adjournment Motion by Councilmember Janigo, seconded by Councilmember Johnson, to adjourn to the regular City Council meeting on June 2, 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 8:04 p.m. by Mayor Steffenson. Respectfully submitted, Heidi Nelson City Administrator