Loading...
2025-09-09 City Council Meeting MinutesMOUND CITY COUNCIL MINUTES September 9, 2025 The City Council of the City of Mound, Hennepin County, Minnesota, met in regular session on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers in the Centennial Building. Members present: Mayor Jason Holt, Council Members Sherrie Pugh, Kevin Castellano, and Michelle Herrick. Members absent: Kathy McEnaney Others present: City Manager Jesse Dickson, Kevin Kelly, City Clerk, Community Development Director Sarah Smith, City Attorney Scott Landsman, Orono Police Officer Ryan Spencer, Kathy Thyr, Rhonda Nelson, Johan Chemin-Danielson, Helen Canning, Kim Blievernicht. 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. Pledge of Allegiance 3. Approve agenda Holt said he will pull Item 10, Continuation of City Banners Discussion, from the agenda due to the absence of Council Member McEnaney. MOTION by Castellano, seconded by Pugh, to approve the amended agenda. All voted in favor. Motion carried. 4. Consent agenda MOTION by Pugh, 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: August 26, 2025 City Council Regular Meeting C. Approve Resolution No. 25-74 Approving Expansion Permit at 1765 Jones Lane Planning Case No. 25-10 5. Comments and suggestions from citizens present on any item not on the agenda. Johan Chemin, 6039 Beachwood Road, said he contacted City staff about the fiber optic providers doing their work. Chemin said he didn't like the fiber companies use of their equipment. Bauman said each entity owns their own material and don't use the same conduit. Chemin said his neighbors don't like their lawns being dug up to do the work. Chemin said he hasn't had a return call from a Midco, one of the companies doing the work and complained about the quality of the work they are providing. Holt said the fiber companies are also digging up his yard and they are supposed to return the lawns to their previous condition. Kim Blievernicht, 5549 Bartlett Blvd., asked about the City Council discussion on the sale of City Parks at the last Council workshop. Blievernicht wondered if this idea to sell city parks was going forward. Holt said the Council discussed the idea and the Council had noted potentially eight parks to sell. Holt said the parks sale idea got out on social media though the Council has discussed the idea previously. Holt said the Council is now looking at three or four parks only. Holt said the Council wants to give the Parks and Open Space Commission (POSC) clear direction. Blievernicht said she thought the Council didn't present themselves very well. Blievernicht was surprised and wasn't informed about the Council's intention to sell City Parks. Blievernicht said she found out about the idea to sell parks via a media story. Herrick said a member of the POSC spread rumors about the Council wanting to sell parks. Herrick said the Council is evaluating parks to develop a strategy for space which is just grass and is just sitting there. Herrick asked what service do those parks provide and can the City do something different like native plantings. Holt said the workshop was called by two City Council members. Holt said there usually isn't any public attendance at workshops. Holt said this meeting was the highest attended Council workshop meeting due to on-line interest and the media got involved. Castellano said the two Council members called for the workshop and was under the impression that the Council was going to give direction to the POSC. Castellano said he didn't receive any information regarding the agenda prior to the meeting. Castellano added that workshops aren't meetings where decisions are made. 6. Orono Police Department with the July 2025 Activity Report Sergeant Ryan Spencer of the Orono Police Department (OPD) said there is no significant crime to report though there has been theft from unlocked vehicles. Spencer said surrounding communities are having crime issues and the OPD is actively patrolling the City. Spencer said the OPD is looking at Juvenile e-bike use and are catching kids who are not using e-bikes legally and are educating, ticketing and informing parents if there are any issues. Spencer said the OPD has two potential cadets who are at the cadet program. Spencer added the OLL Incredible Festival is upcoming and the OPD will have a strong presence. Spencer added that some officers are attending firearms training and a Camp Ripley SWAT evaluation. Castellano asked about the areas of the City where the vehicle break ins are occurring. Spencer said unattended unlocked vehicles with items visible are targeted. Pugh asked if the DUI arrests are mostly residents and Spencer said those arrests come both from inside and outside the community. 7. Rhonda Nelson - Gillespie Center Nelson, Director of the Gillespie Center, said thank you to the City for its donation and all the in -kind work from City workers. Nelson listed the following regarding the Gillespie Center: Vision — We envision a thriving community. Mission - Dedicated to a supportive environment and prosperous and supportive community which enriches the lives of people of all ages. Goals — Success is aligned with the Gillespie Vision, Mission and Values. • Increase membership — Trying to engage younger seniors to join • Increase Profit — Profits are up to nearly $26K • Increase Programming Usage — Up 39% with 1002 individuals served • (NPS) Net Promotors Score — Survey response referrals to a friend up to 95% • Many community services and programs are offered to residents including being an election site for the City • Educational Programs • Excursions • Special Interest • Marketing Update — The new logo was put up on the building, new website, expanded social media City newsletter and Social Media presence • Newsletter Sponsorship Program • Fundraising — Events including Al & Alma's boat cruises which have been successful • Scotty B's Quarterly Brunch 25t" Anniversary Celebration on October 25t" Nelson said the Gillespie Center will continue to ask for funding from the City to help the Gillespie Center to grow. Nelson said the City of Delano has a budget of $500K for its Senior Center and Gillespie is providing services on a $325K budget though costs are going up. Nelson said the Gillespie Center received $6K from Mound, $4K from Spring Park, $12K from Orono and $10K from Minnetrista. Nelson offered a tour of the Gillespie Center to Council Members. MOTION by Pugh, seconded by Herrick, to set the City budget donation to the Gillespie Center to $10k for 2026. Upon roll call vote, all voted in favor. Motion carried. 8. Discussion/Action — Planning Case No. 25-09 Variance — Second Driveway Apron Applicants: Rodney and Kathleen Thyr 1705 Baywood Shores Drive Smith presented the overview of the request for variance for a second driveway apron at 1705 Baywood Shores Drive. Smith said the property has frontage on both Three Points Boulevard and Baywoods Shores Drive. Smith said the applicant would like to add the additional driveway to a parking area on the lot though the city code allows only one driveway. Smith said Baywood Shores is not a major road and her interpretation of the city code is that there is only one driveway per residence except for those properties with extenuating circumstances. Smith said the second apron was not granted earlier and a variance is a remedy for a second apron. Smith said the existing parking area at 1705 Baywood Shores is a class 5 gravel area. Smith added the property owners are jumping the curb to access the gravel area. Smith said the there is a fire hydrant in the vicinity and the curb painted yellow around the corner. Smith said an apron must be a minimum of 10 to 24 feet of width, be made of a hard surface and must be located one foot off of side and front property lines. Smith said the Thyr's did reach out to neighbors who expressed support for the second apron and the existing conditions at the property. Smith said staff were not supportive of the variance due to technical issues which were provided in the Technical Letter by City Engineer Bauman. Smith said the four points for not recommending approval are based on location of property to Three Points Blvd, the present parking area hosts a trailer which would be backed onto Three Points Blvd. and limited visibility at the corner. Smith said even with the current gravel parking area included the hardcover count the property is compliant. Smith said there are differing opinions on the variance as staff do not support the variance while the Planning Commission (PC) didn't approve the denial and recommended the approval of the variance in a 6-2 vote in favor. Smith said staff didn't believe practical difficulty was met. Smith said no resolution has been prepared prior to the meeting due to conflicting PC and staff recommendations. Smith said the resolution will be acted on at a future meeting. Herrick wondered about the continuation of the gravel driveway and the orientation of the current parking pad which is curved to the intersection. Herrick said the entry is close to the intersection and the fire hydrant. Herrick said if the driveway was parallel to the house and made of an improved surface she would be in favor. Herrick said we can do better though she understands the issue for the homeowner. Castellano said the City Engineer letter noted there is an option for the driveway being expanded and continued with only one entrance at the property. Castellano said he has safety concerns but his neighbors have a similar situation and they use a ramp to go over the curb instead of building another apron. Castellano said there are other homes in the neighborhood which have two driveway entrances. Kathy Thyr, 1705 Baywood Shores Drive addressed the Council. Thyr said her husband Rodney is self-employed. Thyr said she is an insurance agent and has lived in Mound for 40 years. Thyr said she has been working on improving her property since purchasing it in 2016. Thyr said she volunteers in the community. Thyr said a former driveway was in place off of Three Points Blvd. before she owned the home. Thyr said she had a contractor in place to add a second apron and a stop work order was put in place by City Public Works. Thyr said there are a number of properties which have two aprons in the City. Thyr said the variance request is to get a second driveway like her neighbors. Thyr said the City is using feelings to not allow her second driveway apron instead of doing what is right. Thyr said the code regarding driveway aprons has changed three times over the years. Thyr said she would put in a product to replace her gravel parking pad but doesn't want to put it in. Thyr said she has put in $2600 all through the process to put in the driveway apron. Holt asked why is there a camper on the site. Thyr said her camper doesn't fit in the driveway and is there for a short time. Thyr added her husband's work truck is on it most of the year. Jesse Dickson said the original permit is a replacement driveway permit not a second apron. Dickson said when this was discovered, the stop work order was activated. Herrick wondered if the driveway could be straightened. Thyr said there are utilities and a fence which wouldn't allow a straight access. Thyr presented photos to the Council of her driveway and neighborhood and other driveways. Thyr said there are a lot of vehicle traffic on Three Points Blvd. with other vehicles backing out onto the street. Landsman said the zoning code govern property use and only one apron is allowed and a new driveway needs to be paved. Landsman said the decision by City Engineering must be done on a rational basis through their discretion. Herrick asked about the driveway across the street and Dickson said there was a driveway expansion permit for the property across the street. Landsman said if there is a condition which exists on your property which isn't allowed after the fact the condition is considered legal non -conforming and is not required to be code compliant due. Landsman said there can be a condition of the variance to not pave the current parking pad. Holt said Thyr has been using the parking area for many years and giving permission for a curb cut isn't a big deal. Holt said Thyr doesn't live on a major road and there are many driveways similar to Thyr's in Mound. Castellano said the neighbors didn't object to the driveway and boats are backing up onto both major and minor roads in Mound. Castellano said no one was working on their feelings as Thyr claimed. Castellano said he is okay with granting the variance. Pugh said she thinks we should go with the staff recommendation and the Council keeps making concessions to requests made before the Council. Holt said the Council needs to use common sense and approve the variance. Herrick said she would like the apron moved away from the intersection and make the driveway straight. Smith said the straightening of the driving pad may impact the underground infrastructure. Thyr said she can't make it straight. Motion by Holt, seconded by Herrick. to direct the Community Development Director and City Attorney to draft a variance resolution to allow the apron with the parking pad to stay as it currently is constructed until other improvements are made to the property. Herrick, Castellano and Holt voted in favor. Pugh was opposed. Motion carried. 9. Approve Resolution No 25-75 Authorization Plans and Specs to Award Bid for the Water Treatment Plant Improvements — Well 9 City Project No. PW-25-11 Bauman said he is looking for approval for the authorization to offer bids for the Water Treatment Plant Improvements — Well 9 project. Bauman said the Engineers Estimates for the project is $1.2Million. Bauman said the new well is near Sorbo Park. Bauman said Well 4 which is on Three Points, will not be abandoned in order to allow the City future access to tap into the aquifer which Well 4 is allowed. Holt said the funds for this project comes from the $10Million for the water treatment plant from the State legislature. MOTION by Castellano, seconded by Pugh, to approve Resolution No. 25-75 Resolution Receiving Plans and Specifications and Ordering Advertisement for Bids for the Water Treatment Plant Improvements — Well 9. All voted in favor. Motion carried. 10. (Removed) 11. 2025 City Council Priorities Check In Holt highlighted the progress the Council made on the 2025 Council Priorities List below: • Water Funding — State funding did not pass — possible $1 Million in Federal funds available • State of Water Meeting - Held in July • Resolution for Utility Study approval • Newsletter updates - water issue topics in 11 out of last 13 newsletters Budget 2025 Budget — Constant discussion and completed Stay on Long Term Financial Plan — Review at next City Council Meeting. Communication • New Website — Looks good and working out kinks • Facebook and Instagram — Updates happening, meet the staff • Explore MN • Digital Newsletter — Park Feature on -going Parks • Lost Lake Commons - Phase 2 in progress • Lost lake Commons - Andrew Sisters Trail improvements in Phase 2.5 • Wayfinding Trail Signs — on -going with improvements approved • Grant Opportunities - Age Friendly city grant opportunities group meeting this fall • Event Coordinator position — Framework in place for next year for volunteers • Park Use — Workshop soon on long-term strategy • Farmer's Market Parking Lot — Bauman recommends fog sealing this year as work on the Commons Park continues. Dickson said this will completed in 2026. • Lost Lake Commons Ideas - Art Walk/Fire Pit in 2026 Mound Depot — Budget set aside for POSC to work on improvements and Depot rental use Code Enforcement • Rental Unit Code enforcement — revisit in October • Mound Citizen of the Year — Submissions in by end of September and announce winner by end of year • Tree Lighting Ceremony — light display, fire pits, promotion of event through social media & newsletter • Customer Service to Residents — on -going • Mound Open for Business — Development for Downtown area, Shop Local Promotion • Adopt a Drain Program - Done • Spirit of the Lakes — Completed • Orono Police Department — Stay with OPD and invite embedded Social Worker to future meeting • Fire — Joint Powers Agreement discussion continues with attempt to reconcile pension plans of member fire associations • Promote Mound and its history — Looking for submissions and possible closer relationship to the Westonka Historical Association on signage, wayfinding and grants • Invite Mound Westonka Highschool students to present at meeting (once in Spring and Fall) • Centennial Building — Feasibility Study underway • Mayor Term Change - Not going to move forward • City Council to interview candidates to various board and commissions — City Code amendment on Planning Commission membership from nine to seven members in January 2026. Dickson said there are scheduled resignations from the Planning Commission (PC) which will lower membership to seven; which is the goal of the Council. Landsman said the ordinance will be updated in 2026 to change the PC member number. 12. Comments/Reports from Council members Council Member Pugh — Pugh said attended Fire Budget Presentation and the pension differences need to be addressed. Council Member McEnaney — McEnaney was absent. Council Member Castellano — Castellano asked about the City response to the LMCD dock variance for the Lake Minnetonka Flats project. Dickson said discussions on Lost Lake Channel and the City responsibility on maintaining navigation will be a large future project. Castellano asked if there is a monetary amount in mind for this project. Dickson said the LMCD variance is for dock length. Dickson said there are rumors in town regarding the Lost Lake Slips. Holt said the problem with the City letter to the LMCD is there is no dollar amount and how is the dock program involved. Landsman said the City is going to explore the process of capturing funds for this and future projects which connect to the channel. Landsman said the City will explore the legal question of the City being compensated for use. Landsman said this project is adding more use to the channel with the approval of the Minnetonka Flats slip. Kelly said the reason for the letter was the change in policy of the DNR which allowed the expanded dock and removal of cattails which wasn't allowed previously. Holt said the memo is too harsh regarding Lake Minnetonka Flats. Holt said they are the only property owners who are being addressed about accessing the Lost Lake Channel directly. Holt said he would like all users of the channel pay for maintenance. Holt said the City owns the remainder of the shoreline in Lost Lake so there won't be any other slip development. Herrick said there are other property owners who are looking at the slip approval to possibly add a slip of their own. Holt said all of Lost Lake is owned by Mound and the City could sell its land for future development. The Council discussed the City being approached by lakeshore residents in the recent past who wanted the City to fund dredging in areas of Lake Minnetonka. Holt said he would like to change the verbiage of the letter to the LMCD. Castellano said he is in favor of sending the letter and there should be a cost share. Holt said he would like the letter be amended but there needs to be some form of cost sharing expanded to all users of the channel. The Council discussed the tone and content of the letter. Kelly said the City has a policy to not dredge the lake though the City is permitted by the DNR to maintain navigation in Lost Lake Channel. Kelly said the City doesn't know if the expanded Lake Minnetonka Flats slip will affect navigation but the length of the proposed Lake Minnetonka Flats slip is 617 feet with a significant removal of the cattails in Lost Lake. Kelly said the Mound residents who use the Lost Lake Slips and Dock Program docks all pay license fees. Landsman suggested to change the language in the letter and said the letter is not opposed to the installation of the Lake Minnetonka Flats slip. Landsman said the rationale of the letter is if similar situations occur in the future there is a precedent of capturing funds for channel maintenance. Kelly said the City is responding to a new use of the channel. Kelly said if there is future access to the Lost Lake Channel that the City receive channel maintenance funds. Kelly said the citizens of Mound funded the dredge of the channel to improve a blighted area and spur economic development. Kelly said the DNR has approved the removal of the cattails and the work is being done. Kelly added the LMCD determines shoreline count, setback requirements and the number of slips allowed. Kelly added the LMCD Board approves the length variance for the slip. Holt said the Council is conflicted and the City isn't looking at requesting fees from the existing users of Lost Lake. Holt said the intent of the dredge was for economic development and it is now occurring and the City wants to charge a fee to the developer. Landsman said the letter is reactive but there is no money for a dredge if it needed to happen tomorrow. Landsman said the fees would be for users of the channel and would be voluntary. Discussion ensued regarding whether the variance approval would be tied to the fee letter. Herrick said she believes the City has a responsibility to keep the channel navigable. Herrick asked Kelly about the funding of Lost Lake. Kelly said there is a City Fund which includes Lost Lake and the Transit District. Council Member Herrick — Herrick had no comment Mayor Holt — Holt said there will be a future workshop to discuss City Parks. 13. Information/Miscellaneous A. Comments/reports from City Manager: B. Reports: Finance — July 2025 Liquor — August 2025 Fire — July 2025 C. Minutes: August 19, 2025 — Planning Commission Special/Rescheduled D. Correspondence: City Letter to the LMCD 14. Adjourn MOTION by Herrick, seconded by Pugh, to adjourn at 10:10 p.m. All voted in favor. Motion carried. "in Mayor Jason R. Holt