City Council

Maple Grove City Council Meeting minutes October 20, 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 October 20, 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; Greg Sticha, Finance 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 agenda to which Heidi Nelson stated the agenda 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 3M. Approve transfers for the long-term development plan - Resolution No. 25-143 Consent items The following consent items were presented for Council’s approval: Maple Grove City Council Minutes October 20, 2025 Page 2 MINUTES A. Joint City Council/Park Board work session meeting – October 6, 2025 B. Regular meeting – October 6, 2025 HUMAN RESOURCES ITEMS C. Approval of agreements with MetLife Motion to approve agreements with a third-party administrator, MetLife, to administer all employee leaves of absence, life insurance and long-term disability on behalf of the City of Maple Grove, starting January 1, 2026. D. Appointment of community service officer pt Motion to approve the appointment of Zipporah Kostka for the community service officer pt in the Police Department. Pending successful completion of all pre-employment requirements, and subject to a 12-month probationary period. E. Appointment of records management technician Motion to approve the appointment of Jennifer Lindberg as the records management technician in the Police Department. All pre-employment requirements have been completed, and subject to a 12-month probationary period. COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ITEMS F. 6652 Sunnyslope Drive North administrative lot combination - Resolution No. 25-136 Motion to adopt Resolution No. 25-136 approving 6652 Sunnyslope Drive North administrative lot combination. G. Zoning ordinance text amendment 15-foot parking setback - Ordinance No. 25-13 Motion to recommend that the City Council direct the city Maple Grove City Council Minutes October 20, 2025 Page 3 attorney to draft an ordinance approving the zoning ordinance text amendment regarding 15-foot parking setback. ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS ITEMS H. Osseo School District New Elementary School Project No. 24-22 Change order No. 1 Motion to approve change order No. 1 to Osseo School District New Elementary School Project No. 24-22 in the amount of $2,879.60. I. Sureties - 10-20-25 Motion to approve the surety actions. ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS J. Acting city administrator October 24-29, 2025 Motion to approve Community and Economic Development Director Joe Hogeboom as acting city administrator effective Friday, October 24, through Wednesday, October 29, 2025. K. Adopt a change in the assessment process from a local board of appeal and equalization to an open book process - Resolution No. 25-139 Motion to adopt Resolution No. 25-139, a resolution implementing the open book format for appealing property valuation and classification for a period of 3 years. L. Amendment to the joint powers agreement between Hennepin County and City of Maple Grove for social worker services Motion to approve and authorize the mayor, city administrator, and chief of police to execute the amendment to the joint powers agreement between Hennepin County and City of Maple Grove for senior social worker services effective January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026. Maple Grove City Council Minutes October 20, 2025 Page 4 M. Approve transfers for the long-term development plan - Resolution No. 25-143 This item was removed by Councilmember Ostaffe for discussion. N. Local Government Information System (LOGIS) Association with the City of Maple Grove on behalf of its Police Department regarding approving the selection of the Brazos Citation Software Solutions and Resolution No. 25- 142 Motion to adopt Resolution No. 25-142 and authorize the mayor and city administrator to execute and enter into the selection agreement of the Brazos Citation Software Solutions. O. Approve claims Motion to approve claims totaling $ 4,447,325.44. Motion by Councilmember Johnson, seconded by Councilmember Ostaffe, to approve the consent items as amended, removing item 3M (Approve transfers for the long- term development plan - Resolution No. 25-143). 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 3M (Approve transfers for the long-term development plan - Resolution No. 25-143), Councilmember Ostaffe noted that it has been the practice of the city to transfer interest on city utility funds to the long-term development fund to support capital projects. This year, close to $1M in interest earnings from utility funds would be moved into a different fund that pays for other capital projects. The effect is that utility funds have been reduced, but it has also kept property taxes down. In the future, as the city looks at new water and sewer infrastructure, the city may have to reconsider this practice. He stated that he just wanted to be transparent about why $1M is being taken from one fund and moved to another. It has been the practice for decades and Maple Grove City Council Minutes October 20, 2025 Page 5 the long-term development fund will be back to normal by 2029, but before then, a significant discussion needs to happen about what the city does going forward with the interest on utility funds. Motion by Councilmember Ostaffe, seconded by Councilmember Johnson, to adopt Resolution No. 25-143 approving the 2025 transfers for the long-term development plan. Upon call of the motion by Mayor Steffenson, there were five ayes and no nays. Motion carried. Special business Open forum Dawn Cooper, 10501 Fernbrook Lane North, discussed how her property was impacted when her access to Fernbrook Lane closed. She requested city staff provide her with information on how the new roadway would be maintained. She explained it was not reasonable for her to be expected to plow and maintain this new roadway, noting it was 1,000 feet long. Public Works/Engineering Director LaBounty reported he had spoken with Ms. Cooper regarding this matter. He explained this area did develop in a manner that was consistent with the city and county’s transportation plan which realigned Fernbrook Road over to Maple Grove Parkway. He stated the Fernbrook Road land was owned by Hennepin County and later this year, a jurisdictional transfer would be completed that would transfer this land to the city. He indicated the city would then give the county the Maple Grove Parkway extension. He commented the city had discussed this project with the previous property owner, before Ms. Cooper owned the home, and the previous property owner understood what was happening. He explained the previous property owner passed away and the project continued. He stated he had been working with Ms. Cooper and there had been multiple city staff members that have met with her at her property and at the Government Center. He indicated there has been correspondence to Ms. Cooper through the city attorney via email and in writing. He noted in April the city held a meeting with Ms. Cooper and the developer offered to build her a driveway from her garage into the development and staff has been working diligently to manage the readdressing issues with the post office. He commented the county has been Maple Grove City Council Minutes October 20, 2025 Page 6 maintaining Fernbrook Lane and noted the city has no intention of plowing or mowing along the new driveway. He commented further on the access agreement and readdressing items that would be coming to the City Council for consideration in November. Ms. Cooper stated she was given an ultimatum and did not select a 1,000-foot driveway and when she asked for information, she was not given anything from the city. She reported she was offered access to a private HOA or a long driveway. She indicated she had emails to prove all of this information. She believed it was unreasonable to have a 1,000- foot-long driveway for a single-family home and she did not elect for this. She was of the opinion the city should be maintaining the new roadway as part of the larger development. Mayor Steffenson asked Ms. Cooper to forward her emails to the City Council. He indicated the Council would be revisiting this matter on Monday, November 17. Pam Williams, 6869 Quantico Lane North, explained she was interested in changing city code with respect to rental properties. She indicated she wanted to prevent infestations, like the recent German cockroach outbreak that occurred in a rental home in her neighborhood. She discussed the inspections that would be occurring at the rental property in her neighborhood and commented further on her recommendations for city code that would address future pest infestations. Public hearings Public hearing for Finance Director Sticha stated there are 1,027 accounts listed certification of on the proposed assessment roll, with a total due of delinquent utility $513,143.83, compared to 868 accounts owing $476,082.07 on accounts October 9, 2024. The total due includes the $40 certification fee. The utility billing staff did an excellent job again this year Resolution No. managing the entire certification process. 25-141 Motion by Councilmember Johnson, seconded by Councilmember McCullough, to open the public hearing. Upon call of the motion by Mayor Steffenson, there were five Maple Grove City Council Minutes October 20, 2025 Page 7 ayes and no nays. Motion carried. Mayor Steffenson opened the public hearing at 7:51 p.m. and asked if anyone would like to address this issue. No public testimony was offered. Motion by Councilmember Janigo, seconded by Councilmember Ostaffe, to close the public hearing at 7:51 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. 25-141, a resolution adopting the special assessment for 2025 delinquent utilities. Councilmember Ostaffe questioned how many of the delinquent properties were rental properties. Finance Director Sticha explained he did not have this information available at this time and would have to report back to the Council. He indicated the city does its best to set up payment plans with property owners for outstanding utility bills. Upon call of the motion by Mayor Steffenson, there were five ayes and no nays. Motion carried. Public hearing for Finance Director Sticha stated the total amount to be certified certification of is $4,830, compared to $4,420 in 2024. The total due includes delinquent weed the $40 certification fee. Staff from the Public Works, and tree accounts Engineering, and Finance Departments did an excellent job coordinating the weed and tree cutting notices, billings, and Resolution No. the assessment roll. 25-140 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 7:55 p.m. and asked if anyone would like to address this issue. No public testimony was offered. Maple Grove City Council Minutes October 20, 2025 Page 8 Motion by Councilmember Janigo, seconded by Councilmember Johnson, to close the public hearing at 7:56 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 Johnson, to adopt Resolution No. 25-140, a Resolution adopting the special assessment for 2025 delinquent weed and tree cutting bills. Upon call of the motion by Mayor Steffenson, there were five ayes and no nays. Motion carried. Public hearing - Finance Director Sticha discussed the assessment roll for certification of delinquent abatement bills at 6218 Eagle Lake Drive North. The delinquent total amount to be certified is $814.79 which includes a $40.00 abatement bills fee for the certification process. Resolution No. Community and Economic Development Director Hogeboom 25-137 reported this property owner had ample opportunity to make corrections before the property was abated. He noted the city begins this process by issuing a warning letter and two weeks after that a citation is issued. After a handful of citations, the property owner is given a notice the property will be abated. 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 7:59 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 8:00 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 Janigo, to adopt Resolution No. 25-137 adopting the special assessment for 2025 delinquent abatements. Upon call of the motion by Mayor Steffenson, Maple Grove City Council Minutes October 20, 2025 Page 9 there were five ayes and no nays. Motion carried. Community and economic development items 7329 Mariner Planning Manager Vickerman explained the applicant is Drive North requesting a 1.5-foot variance to City Code Section 36-295 Sub. variance (3)b which requires the total side yard setback to be equal to or greater than 15 feet. The applicant has 5.7 feet of setback on the west side of their home, requiring at least 9.3 feet of setback on the east side. They are proposing a 1.5-foot- variance to allow a 7.8 setback on the east side. They are proposing to build a 15-foot porch addition with storage underneath. Without the variance they would need to angle the walls at an odd angle or shrink the size of the proposed addition to an approximately 6-foot extension. Staff commented further on the request and reported the Planning Commission recommended approval. Steve Heise, 7329 Mariner Drive, thanked the City Council for considering his request and noted he was available for comments or questions. Motion by Councilmember Janigo, seconded by Councilmember Johnson, to direct the city attorney to draft a resolution approving the 7329 Mariner Drive North variance. Upon call of the motion by Mayor Steffenson, there were five ayes and no nays. Motion carried. Bella Woods Planning Manager Vickerman stated the applicant is requesting 2025 DSP planned unit development stage plan, rezoning, preliminary planned unit and final plat approval for a 24-lot single family neighborhood. development Lots are proposed between 65 and 80 feet in width. This is a stage plan, portion of the overall Bella Woods concept plan which received rezoning, approval in March of 2025. Staff commented further on the preliminary and request noting the Planning Commission recommended final plat approval with conditions. Councilmember Ostaffe indicated the development had added one or two more lots, compared to what was previously proposed, noting that several smaller lots were proposed. Maple Grove City Council Minutes October 20, 2025 Page 10 Planning Manager Vickerman commented the concept plan showed one additional lot that straddled the northern property line and was taken out. He noted the configuration was then reconsidered and a trail was added, which led to the lot sizes shifted in the final design for this project. Councilmember Ostaffe discussed the dedicated easement for the stormwater pond and asked why this wasn’t a part of the lot. Planning Manager Vickerman stated sometimes the city requires a dedicated strip of land for easements for access purposes but with this project, staff determined the stormwater pond could be accessed from the roadway, which meant there was not a need for a designated easement. Josh Metzer, Lennar representative, thanked the Council for considering his project. He noted the parcels from the north were not going to be included in this project, which led to the minor changes in lot sizes. He indicated he was working through access issues for the parcel to the south. He hoped to have the parcel to the south developed next year. Motion by Councilmember Johnson, seconded by Councilmember McCullough, to direct the city attorney to draft a resolution and a planned unit development agreement approving the Bella Woods planned unit development stage plan, preliminary plat and final 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 October 9, 2025 b. The Engineering Department dated October 6, 2025 c. The Fire Department dated October 2, 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 Maple Grove City Council Minutes October 20, 2025 Page 11 ayes and no nays. Motion carried. Motion by Councilmember Janigo, seconded by Councilmember McCullough, 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 ribbon cutting ceremony for Boston Scientific was held development on Monday, October 20. items  The Planning Commission would meet next on Monday, November 10. Engineering- public works items Report on Public Works/Engineering Director LaBounty updated the upcoming Council regarding the following: engineering  The Public Works Department would be completing fall items street sweeping and would be focusing on heavily treed areas in the city. 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 Council would be reviewing the CIP at a work session meeting items on Monday, November 3. Items added to None the agenda Adjournment Motion by Councilmember Johnson, seconded by Councilmember Janigo, to adjourn to the regular City Council meeting on November 3, 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 October 20, 2025 Page 12 nays. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m. by Mayor Steffenson. Respectfully submitted, Heidi Nelson City Administrator