City Council

Maple Grove City Council Meeting minutes September 2, 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 September 2, 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 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 3K. Maple Grove Lions application to conduct off-site gambling - Resolution No. 25-123 Maple Grove City Council Minutes September 2, 2025 Page 2 Consent items The following consent items were presented for Council’s approval: MINUTES A. Regular meeting – August 18, 2025 B. Work session meeting – August 18, 2025 HUMAN RESOURCES ITEMS C. Recruitment approval for mechanic supervisor Motion to authorize staff to begin recruitment for the mechanic supervisor position in the Public Works Department due to the retirement of Doug Semler, which was accepted with an effective date of September 30, 2025. COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ITEMS No items to present. ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS ITEMS D. 2025 Pond Maintenance Project No. 24-11 approve Change Order No. 1 and final acceptance Motion to approve Change Order No. 1, final acceptance and payment for 2025 Pond Maintenance Project No. 24-11 completed by Valdes Lawn Care & Snow Removal, LLC, subject to the warranty provisions of the contract and statutory law. E. 2027 Street Project Nos. 27-01, 27-02, and 27-03 establish projects Resolution No. 25-120 Motion to adopt Resolution No. 25-120 establishing 2027 Street Rehabilitation Project No. 27-01, 2027 Residential Mill and Overlay Project No. 27-02, and 2027 Collector Mill and Overlay Project No. 27-03. F. Fernbrook Lane Rehabilitation Project No. 26-05 - Phase 1 Final design Maple Grove City Council Minutes September 2, 2025 Page 3 Motion to authorize Alliant Engineering, Inc. to provide professional services related to the completion of final design of the Fernbrook Lane Rehabilitation Project No. 26-05 – Phase 1. G. Letter of support for the I-94 and Fish Lake Interchange study Motion authorizing the mayor to sign a letter of support for funding the Fish Lake Interchange and I-94 Corridor Purpose, Need, and Vision Study. H. TH 169 - Elm Creek Boulevard Interchange Project No. 23- 23 final design Motion to authorize SRF Consulting Group, Inc. to provide professional services related to the completion of a final design of the TH 169 / Elm Creek Boulevard Interchange Project No. 23-23. I. Government Center additional card reader improvement project acceptance of bid Motion to award the government center additional card reader improvement project to ProTec Design, based on pricing from previously awarded MN State Contract S-813(5) and authorizing execution of the proposal by the Public Works/Engineering Director. J. Sureties - 09-02-25 Motion to approve the surety actions. ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS K. Maple Grove Lions application to conduct off-site gambling - Resolution No. 25-123 This item was removed by Councilmember Ostaffe for discussion. Maple Grove City Council Minutes September 2, 2025 Page 4 L. Approve claims Motion to approve claims totaling $ 6,769,782.32. Motion by Councilmember Janigo, seconded by Councilmember Johnson, to approve the consent items as amended, removing item 3K (Maple Grove Lions application to conduct off-site gambling - Resolution No. 25-123). Upon call of the motion by Mayor Steffenson, there were five ayes and no nays. Motion carried. Consideration The following items were pulled from the consent agenda. of items pulled Regarding Item 3K (Maple Grove Lions application to conduct from the off-site gambling - Resolution No. 25-123), Councilmember agenda Ostaffe encouraged residents to attend Rock’n The Grove on Saturday, September 13 at Central Park where Hairball and other great bands will be playing. He stated he was a proud member of the Maple Grove Lions and he would be supporting this request. Motion by Councilmember Ostaffe, seconded by Councilmember Johnson, to adopt Resolution No. 25-123 approving the LG230 application to conduct off-site gambling for the Maple Grove Lions. Upon call of the motion by Mayor Steffenson, there were five ayes and no nays. Motion carried. Special business Open forum There were no open forum issues brought before the Council at this meeting. Public hearings Public hearing City Administrator Nelson stated Apa Sushi has requested an On-Sale Wine and 3.2 Malt Liquor License. She reported all On-sale wine necessary paperwork and fees have been submitted to the city. and 3.2 malt staff commented further on the request and recommended approval. liquor license for Apa Sushi Sonam Nyorie, Apa Sushi, thanked the Council for considering Maple Grove City Council Minutes September 2, 2025 Page 5 his request. He reported he was the owner of several restaurants and cafes in the metro area and his newest project would be in Maple Grove. He explained he was requesting the liquor license as a compliment to the food focused family dining experience. He stated he would be properly training his employees when it comes to alcohol service. Mayor Steffenson explained the city would conduct several alcohol compliance checks each year and encouraged Mr. Nyorie to properly train his employees. He welcomed Mr. Nyorie to Maple Grove and wished him all the best. Councilmember Ostaffe asked when Apa Sushi would be open to the public. Mr. Nyorie stated he hoped to be open by October 15, 2025. Motion by Councilmember Ostaffe, seconded by Councilmember McCullough, 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 7:36 p.m. and asked if anyone would like to address this issue. No public testimony was offered. Motion by Councilmember Janigo, seconded by Councilmember Johnson, to close the public hearing at 7:36 p.m. 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 approve the on-sale wine and 3.2% malt liquor license for Apa Sushi LLC dba Apa Sushi, 15607 Grove Circle N, Maple Grove, Minnesota, subject to compliance with liquor licensing requirements in Chapter 4 of the city code, with said license to expire June 30, 2026. Upon call of the motion by Mayor Steffenson, there were five ayes and no nays. Motion carried. Public hearing Public Works/Engineering Director LaBounty explained the applicant proposes to vacate all drainage and utility easements Elm Creek on Lots 1 and 2, Block 1, Elm Creek Acres 2nd Addition and reestablish new easements with the Elm Creek Vista final plat. Maple Grove City Council Minutes September 2, 2025 Page 6 Acres 2nd This ensures proper alignment with the updated lot layout and Addition protects drainage, utilities, and future maintenance. A public hearing notice was published in the Osseo-Maple Grove Press Vacation No. on August 14 and August 21. In addition, city staff provided 25-06 direct notice to all affected property owners and private utility companies. No objections to the proposed vacation were Resolution No. received. Following the public hearing, staff recommended 25-117 that the City Council adopt the resolution vacating certain easements located within the City of Maple Grove, Hennepin County, Minnesota. Motion by Councilmember Ostaffe, 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 7:37 p.m. and asked if anyone would like to address this issue. No public testimony was offered. Motion by Councilmember Johnson, seconded by Councilmember Ostaffe, to close the public hearing at 7:38 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 adopt Resolution No. 25-117 vacating certain easements located in the City of Maple Grove, County of Hennepin, State of Minnesota. Upon call of the motion by Mayor Steffenson, there were five ayes and no nays. Motion carried. Public hearing Public Works/Engineering Director LaBounty stated the original Hennessy Grove project was submitted by CentraHomes. That Hennessey application was withdrawn, and a new project was submitted Grove by Rachel Development with slightly larger home sizes and impervious area, which resulted in a need to modify the Vacation No. stormwater pond on site and proposed easement locations. 25-05 Vacating the existing drainage and utility easement and establishing new easements outlined in the resolution will Resolution No. allow the project to move forward with the correct easements 25-116 in place. A public hearing notice was published in the Osseo- Maple Grove City Council Minutes September 2, 2025 Page 7 Maple Grove Press on August 7 and August 14. In addition, city staff provided direct notice to all affected property owners and private utility companies. No objections to the proposed vacation were received. Following the public hearing, staff recommended that the City Council adopt the resolution vacating certain easements located within the City of Maple Grove, Hennepin County, Minnesota. Motion by Councilmember Ostaffe, 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 7:39 p.m. and asked if anyone would like to address this issue. No public testimony was offered. Motion by Councilmember Janigo, seconded by Councilmember McCullough, to close the public hearing at 7:40 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. 25-116 vacating certain easements located in the City of Maple Grove, County of Hennepin, State of Minnesota. Upon call of the motion by Mayor Steffenson, there were five ayes and no nays. Motion carried. Community and economic development items The Gardner City Planner Corrow reviewed Resolution No. 25-119 which School Maple would approve The Gardner School Maple Grove planned unit development stage plan and final plat. He reported the Grove planned operator of the school has provided a statement and rotation unit schedule regarding the playground use. Staff noted that the development size of a play area for a daycare is regulated by state law and stage plan and licensing requirements. Maple Grove City Council Minutes September 2, 2025 Page 8 final plat Caron Ihde, District Manager for Gardner School, introduced herself to the Council noting she oversees all of the schools in Resolution No. Minnesota. 25-119 Mayor Steffenson requested further information on how the playground would be utilized by the school. Ms. Ihde reported the school would have two playgrounds with one being designated for children aged toddler through two years and the other would be used for children aged three to five. She indicated there would be rotating schedules put in place where classrooms will have one-half hour segments once in the morning and once in the afternoon. Councilmember Ostaffe requested further information regarding the Gardener School. Ms. Ihde explained she has had schools in Minnesota for the past eight years. She indicated she opened the Edina school eight years ago. She stated the Maple Grove location would be the eighth location for the Gardner School childcare centers. She explained the Gardner Schools were focused on providing a well-rounded early childhood education. Motion by Councilmember Ostaffe, seconded by Councilmember Johnson, to adopt Resolution No. 25-119 approving The Gardner School Maple Grove planned unit development stage plan and final plat. 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 meeting for Monday, September and economic 8 has been canceled. development items  The 2025 fall tree sale was live and more information could be found in the fall newsletter or on the city’s website. Engineering- public works items Maple Grove City Council Minutes September 2, 2025 Page 9 Report on Public Works/Engineering Director LaBounty updated the Council regarding the following: upcoming engineering  Staff provided the Council with information on the TH169/Elm Creek Boulevard final design plans. It was noted items the city received $1 million from MnDOT towards this project. Administration items Report on City Administrator Nelson explained that the Council has her upcoming Monday report if there are any questions. She commented on how access and parking had shifted at the Community Center. administration items Items added to Mayor Steffenson reported the 50th Anniversary of the Maple the agenda Grove Volunteer Fire Department would be held on Saturday, September 6. Adjournment Motion by Councilmember Janigo, seconded by Councilmember Johnson, to adjourn to the regular City Council meeting on September 15, 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 7:50 p.m. by Mayor Steffenson. Respectfully submitted, Heidi Nelson City Administrator