City Council

Maple Grove City Council Meeting minutes August 4, 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 August 4, 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; Peter Vickerman, Planning 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 deletions to the agenda to which Heidi Nelson stated the following: the agenda 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 3E. Community tree planting grant Consent items The following consent items were presented for council’s approval: Maple Grove City Council Minutes August 4, 2025 Page 2 MINUTES A. Regular meeting – July 21, 2025 HUMAN RESOURCES ITEMS B. Appointment of engineering technician and recruitment approval for GIS technician Motion to approve the appointment of Shane Awalt to the position of engineering technician in the Engineering Department. Pending successful completion of all pre- employment requirements, and subject to a 12-month probationary period. C. Appointment of fire prevention specialist Motion to approve the appointment of Harlan Hegna to the position of fire prevention specialist in the Fire Department. Pending successful completion of all pre-employment requirements, and subject to a 12-month probationary period. COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ITEMS D. Avery Park 2nd Addition final plat - Resolution No. 25-102 Motion to adopt Resolution No. 25-102 approving Avery Park 2nd Addition final plat. E. Community tree planting grant This item was removed by Councilmember Ostaffe for discussion. F. Elm Creek Vista final plat - Resolution No. 25-104 Motion to adopt Resolution No. 25-104 approving the Elm Creek Vista final plat. G. Forest preservation buckthorn treatment proposal Maple Grove City Council Minutes August 4, 2025 Page 3 Motion to accept the proposal for buckthorn treatment and other invasive vegetation in the Forest Preservation Area for the amount of $19,200.00. H. Maple Grove Industrial 7401 Kilmer Lane planned unit development concept stage plan, development stage plan, rezoning, and final plat Motion to adopt Ordinance No. 25-10 approving the rezoning from FF (Freeway Frontage) to PUD (Planned Unit Development District) and Resolution No. 25-107 approving the Maple Grove Industrial 7401 Kilmer Lane planned unit development concept stage plan, development stage plan, and final plat. I. Maple Grove Source planned unit development concept stage plan and rezoning - Ordinance No. 25-09 and Resolution No. 25-105 Motion to adopt Ordinance No. 25-09 approving the rezoning from R-A (Single-Family Agricultural District) to R-2 PUD (Single-Family Residential Planned Unit Development District). Motion to adopt Resolution No. 25-105 approving the Maple Grove Source planned unit development concept stage plan. J. Northern Taphouse planned unit development stage plan - Resolution No. 25-106 Motion to adopt Resolution No. 25-106 approving the Northern Taphouse Maple Grove planned unit development stage plan amendment. K. The Ridge at Elm Creek 4th Addition final plat - Resolution No. 25-103 Motion to adopt Resolution No. 25-103 approving The Ridge at Elm Creek 4th Addition final plat. ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS ITEMS L. 2026 Pond Maintenance Project No. 26-06 establish project Maple Grove City Council Minutes August 4, 2025 Page 4 Resolution No. 25-108 Motion to adopt Resolution No. 25-108 establishing 2026 Pond Maintenance Project No. 26- 06. M. Approving application for 2025 TED program grant funds Resolution No. 25-110 Motion to adopt Resolution No. 25-110 approving application for the 2025 Transportation Economic Development program grant funds. N. Hindu Society of Minnesota Education Center Sanitary Sewer Relocation Project No. 24-18 final acceptance Motion to approve the final acceptance of the Hindu Society of Minnesota Education Center Sanitary Sewer Relocation Project No. 24-18 completed by S.R. Weidema, Inc. subject to the warranty provisions of the contract and statutory law. O. Rice Lake Drawdown 2025-2026 Motion to approve the Rice Lake Drawdown for the 2025/2026 winter season. P. Sureties - 08-04-25 Motion to approve the surety actions. ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS Q. 2025 Wildlife Management Plan Motion to approve the 2025 Wildlife Management Plan. R. Acting city administrator August 6-11, 2025 Motion to approve Community and Economic Development Director Joe Hogeboom as acting city administrator effective Wednesday, August 6, through Monday, August 11, 2025. S. Annual network switch replacements Maple Grove City Council Minutes August 4, 2025 Page 5 Motion to approve the replacement of 9 Cisco network switches. Replacement of these items follows the city’s standard network hardware replacement schedule. The total cost of replacement will be $83,867.66 to be purchased from the Data Processing Replacement Fund. T. Commitment for police sergeant assignment to the Anoka- Hennepin Narcotics and Violent Crime Task Force Motion to approve and authorize Police Chief Eric Werner to inform the Anoka-Hennepin Narcotics and Violent Crimes Task Force Advisory Board that Maple Grove Police Department intends to assign a sergeant to the Task Force for a six-year period from January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2032. U. Maple Grove Police K-9 Rudi retirement Resolution No. 25- 112 and memorandum of understanding for transfer of ownership Motion to adopt Resolution No. 25-112 and approve the memorandum of understanding for the retirement and ownership transfer of K-9 Rudi to Sergeant David Goggins. V. Premises permit application for a pull tabs (paper and electronic) and electronic linked bingo operation at Northern Tap House - Resolution No. 25-111 Motion to adopt Resolution No. 25-111 approving a premises permit application for Maple Grove Crimson Football Athletic Club to conduct a pull tabs (paper and electronic) and electronic linked bingo at Northern Tap House, 12515 Elm Creek Blvd, Maple Grove, MN 55369. W. Approve claims Motion to approve claims totaling $ 6,201,740.70. Motion by Councilmember Ostaffe, seconded by Councilmember Johnson, to approve the consent items as amended, removing item 3E (Community tree planting grant). Upon call of the motion by Mayor Steffenson, there were five Maple Grove City Council Minutes August 4, 2025 Page 6 ayes and no nays. Motion carried. Consideration The following items were pulled from the consent agenda. of items pulled Regarding Item 3E (Community tree planting grant), from the Councilmember Ostaffe stated the city received a grant in the agenda amount of $82,000 and thanked City Forester Shane DeGroy for his efforts on behalf of the community. He further discussed how this funding would assist the city with addressing the loss of ash trees in the city. Motion by Councilmember Ostaffe, seconded by Councilmember Janigo, to direct the city administrator to enter the City of Maple Grove into agreement with the Metropolitan Council to receive $82,825 from the community tree planting grant for the purpose of removing ash trees and planting a diversity of other species. Upon call of the motion by Mayor Steffenson, there were five ayes and no nays. Motion carried. Special business Prosecution City Prosecutor Andrew Draper provided the City Council with Department a presentation from the Prosecution Department, providing the council with statistical information, describing community update engagement efforts and noting areas concerning public safety. He explained in-house non-felony prosecution efforts began in 2022. It was noted in 2024 the office prosecuted 1,239 misdemeanor cases along with 4,155 citation resolutions. He reviewed a case disposition comparison and discussed the city’s conviction rate. He provided further comment on court fines and revenues for the previous year, as well as providing information on probation supervision and sentencing changes. He described the community engagement, volunteering and community presence his department completes in the community. Councilmember Ostaffe thanked Mr. Draper for his detailed presentation. He appreciated learning the challenges facing the department, which included judicial leniency. He questioned how much this judicial leniency was costing the city. Mr. Draper stated this would be difficult to put a number on and Maple Grove City Council Minutes August 4, 2025 Page 7 discussed how he was leaning into the sentence to serve program in order to redirect sentences to ensure people were giving back to the community when fines were not ordered. Open forum There were no open forum issues brought before the council at this meeting. Community and economic development items Life Time Planning Manager Vickerman stated the applicant is requesting Maple Grove a development stage plan approval to build a 115,000 square foot, two-story, Life Time Fitness Club. The fitness club would planned unit replace the existing Life Time Fitness facility which is attached development to the Maple Grove Community Center. The proposal includes stage plan a 115,000 square foot, two-story high-end fitness and wellness facility, a 56,726 square foot outdoor pool area, indoor pools, inside cafe, outside bistro, salon and spa, kid’s areas, fitness center, indoor and outdoor pickleball courts, and group fitness studios. In addition, there are over 600 parking spaces, ample landscaping, and a stormwater management area. The proposed architecture shows a mix of stone, glass, and painted pre-cast panels and has a sharp, modern look. Overall, the proposal appears to meet all zoning requirements, is consistent with the approved concept plan, and there are only minor conditions of approval remaining in the staff memorandums. Staff commented further on the request and reported the Planning Commission recommended approval. Natalie Nye, Life Time Fitness representative, thanked staff for the detailed presentation. She provided further information on the proposed amenities that would be included in the Life Time Fitness facility which would be located within the Minnesota Health Village. She noted this was a 17.5 acre site which would include a Life Time club along with housing. She reported the housing would be completed in a second phase. She explained it was her hope to have all permitting in place this fall and winter in order to begin construction on the Life Time facility in the spring of 2026. Maple Grove City Council Minutes August 4, 2025 Page 8 Councilmember Janigo asked if the elevation facing TH610 would have plantings. Ms. Nye explained this elevation would have plantings along with a buffer from TH610. Councilmember Ostaffe questioned what the size of this building would be. Ms. Nye reported the concept plan approval allowed for a building up to 120,000 square feet and the proposal was closer to 115,000 square feet. Councilmember Ostaffe recommended the pickleball court location be considered to ensure it was not too close to the proposed housing. Ms. Nye explained she was in the design phase for the housing and noted she would work diligently with staff to ensure the pickleball courts were in compliance with City Code requirements. Ed Hilferty, 6335 Upland Lane, explained that, unrelated to this proposal, he has a problem with the roadway surface on the 6300 block of Vicksburg Lane, which came about due to all of the heavy equipment and construction traffic. He asked that the city address this concern. Motion by Councilmember Janigo, seconded by Councilmember Johnson, to direct the city attorney to draft a resolution and a planned unit development agreement approving the Life Time Maple Grove planned unit development stage plan 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 July 16, 2025 b. The Engineering Department dated July 18, 2025 c. The Fire Department dated July 21, 2025 d. MnDOT dated July 17, 2025 e. The Parks and Recreation Department dated July 24, 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 Maple Grove City Council Minutes August 4, 2025 Page 9 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. Report on Community and Economic Development Director Hogeboom upcoming updated the council regarding the following: community  The Planning Commission would meet next on Monday, and economic August 11. development items  It was noted the St. Jude Dream Home ribbon cutting ceremony would be held on Wednesday, August 13. Engineering- public works items Special Public Works/Engineering Director LaBounty stated the City assessment Council previously approved Resolution No. 90-199 which provided certain standards for deferment of special and deferment assessments. The proposed policy and resolution outline policy guidelines for both establishing special assessments and deferments of special assessments on public improvement Resolution No. projects initiated by the city. Staff recommended that the city 25-109 council adopt Resolution No. 25-109 providing standards and guidelines for deferral of special assessments on public improvement projects and adopt the Public Improvement Special Assessment Policy. Councilmember Janigo explained she has been vocal about how the city assesses its street improvement projects. While this policy was not fully what she hoped for, she appreciated proposed changes. She thanked staff for their efforts on the proposed policy changes. She was pleased the city would be diversifying future road improvements projects and moving away from full reconstruction. She appreciated the changes that were made to the deferment policy to accommodate military personnel on active duty orders. She was of the opinion some sort of cap should have been set for assessments because in the very near future assessments could be reaching $10,000 for a single-family household. She discussed how the Maple Grove City Council Minutes August 4, 2025 Page 10 cost for road reconstruction projects were on the rise, which was adversely impacting assessments for property owners. She indicated the council would continue to discuss the funding shortfalls that were in place for future street improvement projects. Motion by Councilmember Johnson, seconded by Councilmember McCullough, to adopt Resolution No. 25-109 and the Public Improvement Special Assessment Policy. Upon call of the motion by Mayor Steffenson, there were five ayes and no nays. Motion carried. Report on Public Works/Engineering Director LaBounty updated the council regarding the following: upcoming engineering  Staff discussed the Hennepin County mill and overlay project on Hemlock Lane south of I-694 to Bass Lake Road, items noting the traffic control changes that would take place.  It was noted Maple Grove Parkway was now open to I-94. Administration items Report on City Administrator Nelson explained that the council has her upcoming Monday report if there are any questions. She reported National Night Out would be held on Tuesday, August 5 and administration invited the public to attend a community picnic at Central Park items from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. which would be followed by neighborhood events in the evening. She stated the Community Center Phase 2 open house would be held on Thursday, August 14 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Community Center. She was pleased to report the State Fair bus service was back for weekends and Labor Day again this year. Items added to None the agenda Adjournment Motion by Councilmember McCullough, seconded by Councilmember Ostaffe, to adjourn to the regular City Council meeting on August 18, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. Upon call of the motion by Mayor Steffenson, there were five ayes and no Maple Grove City Council Minutes August 4, 2025 Page 11 nays. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:32 p.m. by Mayor Steffenson. Respectfully submitted, Heidi Nelson City Administrator