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2025-07-22 City Council Meeting MinutesMOUND CITY COUNCIL MINUTES July 22, 2025 The City Council of the City of Mound, Hennepin County, Minnesota, met in regular session on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers in the Centennial Building. Members present: Mayor Jason Holt, Council Members Sherrie Pugh, Kathy McEnaney, Kevin Castellano, and Michelle Herrick. Members absent: None. Others present: City Manager Jesse Dickson, Deputy City Manager Maggie Reisdorf, Public Works Director Ryan Prich, City Attorney Scott Landsman, Community Development Director Sarah Smith, Finance Director Noah Iverson, City Engineer Brian Simmons, Orono Police Officer Ryan Spencer, Darren and Monica Kahmeyer (2760 Grove Lane, Mound), Kim Blievernicht (5549 Bartlett Blvd, Mound), Helen Canning (5926 Beachwood, Mound), Deborah McCurdy (4818 Island View Drive, Mound), Dan Nesler (3037 Dundee Lane, Mound), and Johann Chem in -Danielson (6039 Beachwood Road, Mound) Consent agenda: All items listed under the Consent Agenda are considered to be routine in nature by the Council. There will be no separate discussion on these items unless a Councilmember or citizen so requests, in which event it will be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered in normal sequence. 1. Open meeting Mayor Holt called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 2. Pledae of Alleqiance 3. Approve agenda City Manager Dickson requested the removal of Item #6 due to the presenter being unable to attend. Mayor Holt requested amending Item #6 to be "Orono Police Update." Councilmember Castellano explained a request had been received regarding the parks workshop which was rescheduled to August 12th at 5:00pm. MOTION by Councilmember Castellano to approve the agenda as amended, seconded by Councilmember Pugh. All voted in favor. Motion carried. 4. Consent agenda MOTION by McEnaney, seconded by Herrick, to approve the consent agenda. Upon roll call vote, all voted in favor. Motion carried. A. Approve payment of claims B. Approve Minutes: July 8, 2025 City Council Workshop July 8, 2025 City Council Regular Meeting C. Resolution 25-63 amending Resolution 25-03 Appointing Deputy City Manager Maggie Reisdorf as Acting City Manager for 2025 D. Action on Resolution 25-64 approving Musical Concert Permit for private event at 1901 Shorewood Lane on Saturday, August 9, 2025 from 1:00pm to 5:00pm E. Pay Request No. 3 in the amount of $191,056.65 to Widmer Construction for the Water Treatment Infrastructure Improvements — Phase 1 City Project PW-25-12 F. Approve Change Order 1 for the 2025 Street and Utility Improvements City Project No. PW-25-01 5. Comments and suggestions from citizens present on any item not on the agenda. No one came forward. 6. Orono Police Department Sergeant Spencer appeared before the City Council. He explained that the previous two weeks contained a high volume of calls, though it was not atypical for summer. He went on to note that evening complaints have been mostly for music and bon fires, and reminded residents to be respectful to their neighbors. Orono PD has been doing checks on unsecured business doors, and if they find an open door in the evening, they will leave a note to the owner reminding them to keep doors secure. Spirit of the Lakes coverage for Orono PD was quiet, with some juvenile issues. Community Service Officer cadet applications are open with a closing time of 4:00pm on July 28th Officer Beck started this week Orono PD is engaging and educating residents as much as possible on E-Bikes. Sgt Spencer advised that due to a lack of ordinances it is difficult to enforce, however most riders do tend to be law abiding. Councilmember Pugh asked if each city needs to enact their own ordinances. Sgt Spencer explained that while it would be nice if the county were to enact a regional ordinance, it is generally hard to enforce without ordinances in place generally. Mayor Holt recapped the police commission meeting from the prior week. He explained that there is not enough in place to be able to cite E-Bike violations, adding that Three Rivers Park District is not currently enforcing rules. A meeting is being set up with Hennepin County representatives, Three Rivers, Orono PD, and nearby cities to discuss a regional solution. Councilmember Pugh asked how the social worker is doing. Sgt Spencer informed that they have a large work load but things are going well. Pugh followed up inquiring whether Orono PD and the social worker collaborate with Mound Fire, which was answered in the affirmative by Sgt Spencer. 7. Council Introduction of concept plan from Darren Kahmeyer for 2-lot division proposed for property at 5212 Lynwood Boulevard Community Development Director Sarah Smith introduced the lot split proposed for 5212 Lynwood. She reminded the City Council that Staff does not do technical review prior to a Council Introduction, but a mailing does go out to properties within 350 feet so the City Council can hear public comment. The Council Introduction is an opportunity for applicants to receive feedback prior to formal submittal. After previewing the concept, Smith invited the applicant to come forward to address the City Council. Darren Kahmeyer appeared before the City Council to introduce a lot split at 5212 Lynwood Blvd. Kahmeyer explained that there is a shared driveway agreement in place with the neighbors, and that a survey was going to be done soon to provide clarity on the various easements and agreements in the vicinity. Mr. Kahmeyer noted that he has spoken with some of the neighbors regarding the proposal. Councilmember Pugh asked whether a rain garden has been considered to be placed as part of the project at the end of the driveway, similar to others around Mound. Mr. Kahmeyer indicated that they will follow whatever stormwater management guidelines are required. Councilmember McEnaney asked whether the driveway would continue to be shared. Mr. Kahmeyer explained that the driveway would continue to be shared as it serves three properties currently. Work will need to be done to repave and rebuild the driveway. The City Council had no further questions for the applicant. 8. Water Treatment Solution Update Presentation — Brian Simmons Senior City Engineer Brian Simmons appeared before the City Council to present a summary of the water treatment issue from the initial health based advisory in 2021 to present day. The presentation featured the funding that has been secured by Mound and current funding initiatives. Simmons explained the work that has been done with previously appropriated funding. He emphasized the benefits to filtering of Mound's water on municipal infrastructure as well as residential appliances and fixtures. Upon completion of the presentation Simmons availed himself to Council feedback. Councilmember McEnaney informed the Council that she has been unable to find studies on Manganese in the drinking water and has been drinking Mound's water for 36 years with no adverse effects. Mr. Simmons indicated that there are various ways for Manganese to be removed from drinking water including residential water softeners. Councilmember McEnaney stated that her preference would be to have Fluoride removed due to its effects, and recommends reaching out to the State of Minnesota to request the removal of their requirement to introduce Fluoride into drinking water. She then requested an explanation from Simmons as to why houses near each other can have different issues. Mr. Simmons gave several examples for why neighboring properties may have different water quality: settling of particles, the City's flushing process, water main breaks and subsequent change of flow, water softening, in -home filtration systems, and the material of municipal and residential drinking water pipes. Councilmember Herrick asked about the nature of the Manganese warning and the Department of Health's recommendation. Mr. Simmons explained that the Minnesota Department of Health chose to follow the Environmental Protection Agency's health -based guidance for allowable levels of Manganese in drinking water. At 7:37 p.m. Mayor Holt opened up the floor to public comment. Johann Chemin-Danielson, 6039 Beachwood Road, appeared before the City Council. Mr. Chem in -Danielson thanked the City Council and City for their hard work on the water treatment issue. He inquired about whether the City has considered sharing the treatment and cost with neighboring cities, and whether the City has considered monthly billing. He also indicated that since he and many others are currently filtering at home that the City could have support for adding softening to a future water plant. Mayor Holt responded that softening was looked in to, but the costs were dramatically higher than a traditional filtration plant. Further, the City did look into sharing treatment as well. Mr. Simmons added that sharing treatment with neighboring cities was found to not be feasible during the initial water treatment plant study. The Council discussed current funding needs and what the state and federal government are doing to address local projects. Mayor Holt explained that because so many other cities are also currently dealing with similar situations, money is spread too thin. He encouraged residents to email their representatives to lobby for funding for infrastructure. Councilmember McEnaney asked how many other cities are also requesting funding for Manganese issues. Mayor Holt explained that while some cities are also trying to fund Manganese treatment projects, all of the drinking water requests are on the same list, and no bonding bills have been passed recently to fund those projects. Councilmember Castellano noted that cities are still opting to move forward without full funding, making up the difference through local revenue (Minnetrista and Minnetonka Beach, for example). Dan Nesler, 3037 Dundee Lane, appeared before the City Council. Mr. Nesler explained to the Council that he has been a resident for about a year, but is in the field of water treatment. He asked several questions of Brian Simmons specific to the project and its timeline. Mr. Nesler inquired about whether an alternative treatment study was done, if a well siting study was performed, which aquifer is to be utilized, and roughly how far into the design of the water plant the City is. Mr. Simmons responded that the initial water plant study is the only version, that a well siting study has not been performed due to a stall in progress while the City navigates cultural resources, the aquifer will be determined when the well site is chosen, and that design is stalled per his earlier comment. Karen Rettke, 1742 Resthaven Lane, appeared before the City Council. Ms. Rettke asked if the treatment plant will take out all contaminants similar to in -home reverse osmosis. Mr. Simmons explained that it is a filter, so it is not the same as reverse osmosis. Councilmember McEnaney asked for an explanation on whether the water plant will filter out Arsenic, Chlorine, or Fluoride. Mr. Simmons responded that the Chlorine and Fluoride will continue to be added to the drinking water, and that arsenic is not a current issue with Mound's water. Councilmember Castellano requested more information on what the plant will remove. Mr. Simmons volunteered to bring back the mobile treatment plant. Councilmember Castellano suggested these items be included on the City's website and social media. Councilmember Herrick summarized the conversations she had with residents at Spirit of the Lakes. The concerns she heard were centered on what people will get for the water plant and what is being filtered out. The public comment period of the meeting was closed at 8:08pm. Councilmember McEnaney implored the City Council to consider all funding opportunities and to think creatively. Mayor Holt explained that all funding options are being considered and reminded the Council that the City is also working to get its various utility funds health. Councilmember McEnaney suggested the Council help manage residents' expectations. McEnaney reminded those present that current treatment options exist. Mayor Holt responded that no decisions need to be made tonight, but he recommends that the City Council direct Staff to request a proposal for a utility rate study which will be used to give the residents accurate numbers in the event the City moves forward with constructing a water treatment plant. After discussion, MOTION by Councilmember Pugh, seconded by Councilmember McEnaney, to direct Staff to procure a proposal for a utility rate study. All voted in favor. Motion carried. Councilmember McEnaney suggested that the City put together a direct mailer to each household and property summarizing the direction the City Council is taking when more information is available. 9. Comments/Reports from Council members Council Member Pugh — Stated that the Spirit of the Lakes Festival was a great time. The Gillespie Center is hosting an anniversary gala on Friday, October 25th. She added that the Gillespie Center has come a long way. Council Member McEnaney — Thanked Public Works for their hard work at Spirit of the Lakes. Added that the kids fair was fabulous. She thanked the Spirit of the Lakes committee and its sponsors. She also asked if the City had any plans for the 250th celebration of the United States next July. Council Member Castellano — None. Council Member Herrick — Recapped the Orono PD commission meeting from previous week. She suggested the City consider ordinances in line with other cities in regards to E-Bikes. She also suggested clarification on whose jurisdiction enforces jet skis on the water. Councilmember Herrick added that she is grateful for the Legion and the American flags which they donated. Mayor Holt — Stated that Staff are working on a proposal for new banners around the City, to be brought to a future City Council meeting. Mayor Holt extended his gratitude for outgoing Deputy City Manager Maggie Reisdorf and her service to Mound. 11. Information/Miscellaneous A. Comments/reports from City Manager: B. Reports: Fire — June 2025 C. Minutes: June 12, 2025 POSC Meeting Minutes D. Correspondence: 12. Adjourn MOTION by McEnaney, seconded by Herrick, to adjourn at 9:00 p.m. All voted in favor. Motion carried. ayor Ja n R. Holt Attest — -Kevin Kelly, Cler