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2026-01-27 CC Meeting MinutesMOUND CITY COUNCIL MINUTES January 27, 2026 The City Council of the City of Mound, Hennepin County, Minnesota, met in regular session on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, 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: Others present: City Manager Jesse Dickson, Deputy City Manager Laila Imihy, City Clerk Kevin Kelly, City Attorney Scott Landsman, Community Development Director Sarah Smith, Public Works Director Ryan Prich, Andrew Drilling, MFD Greg Peterson, Rita Trapp, City Engineer Brian Simmons, Helen Canning, Derrick Hentz, Ronald Walsh, Ben Hahn, Sheldon Berg, Tonia Kurth, Cammie and Steve Lillehaug, Pauline Krebs. Call to Order 2. Pledge of Allegiance 3. Adopt Agenda Dickson added Item 3 additional comments on the North Pointe at Halsted Bay public hearing. MOTION by McEnaney, seconded by Herrick, to approve the amended agenda. All voted in favor. Motion carried. 4. Public Comments Helen Canning, 5926 Beachwood Road, said she has lived in the Westonka area for most of her life and moved to Mound four years ago. Canning said she wanted to acknowledge the tactics and aggressive actions by ICE which has led to fatal shootings. Canning condemns the actions of ICE and stands for peace and for her neighbors who are afraid to leave their home. Canning said the focus should be on unity with a shared humanity which guides us toward peace. 5. Presentations a. Mayor for the Day Awards Presentation Weston Weierke read his winning Mayor for the Day Essay. Weierke said the Mayor should help the community be better. Weierke's ideas for Mayor for the Day are: • Build more Hockey rinks as hockey is popular in Mound and this would add more space to play and kids to get better at the game • The City could host hockey tournaments and make money • Cleaner Drinking Water will make people be healthy and hydrated and he would like Mound to have the cleanest water in the area • Weierke said he has lived in Mound for 12 years and loves it here b. S & P Ratings Dickson said the Standard and Poors rating call was received prior to the sale of bonds and verified the City is abiding by good policy and is at a solid financial position. Dickson said the rating came in at AA+ which is a continuation of previous years. 6. Consent Agenda a. Approve Minutes of the January 13, 2026 City Council Regular Meeting b. Approve payment of claims in the amount of $665,036.23 (Removed) Pugh pulled Item 6c. from the consent agenda. MOTION by Pugh, seconded by McEnaney, to approve the consent agenda. Upon roll call vote, all voted in favor. Motion carried. c. MCES 1/1 Application Pugh said she would like the acronym for item 6c. be acknowledged. Simons said it stands for Metropolitan Council Environmental Services and is an application for a grant to respond to the Inflow and Infiltration of clean water into sanitary sewer pipes. MOTION by Pugh, seconded by McEnaney, to approve item 6c. the MCES 1/1 Grant. Upon roll call vote, all voted in favor. Motion carried. 7. Public Hearings Trapp presented the North Pointe by Halsted Bay project which includes a 9-unit condo, a 4-unit townhome with a single-family lot and an amenity building. Trapp said the Minnetrista portion of the project has been approved by the City of Minnetrista. Trapp listed the following: • A previous proposed development at the site which was zoned at medium density • Zoning has been adjusted to allow for townhome, single family and amenity buildings • 7.2 units per acre are set as medium density 2.45 units per acre are the low density lots on the property • Rezoning for R-3 Multiple Family and R-1 standard for single family building • Preliminary plat includes four lots of 2.39 acres in size to allow for an eight -lot condo building and a 4-lot townhouse and a lot each for the single-family home and amenity building Trapp said a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) is needed for a Planned Unit Development (PUD) and include site design and the shoreland planned unit development. Trapp said the R-3 zoning requires a CUP for the multi -family and townhome buildings. Trapp added the following: • Multiple family townhomes and the single-family home are principle uses • Accessory building is the amenity building owned and maintained by the future HOA • Amenity Building will have a kitchen, patio, deck and storage • Amenity Building will be initially used as a sales office. • Amenity Building in the future will be used for community member use from 9a.m.-9p.m. • The CUP allows flexibility with reduced yard areas which is typical of a PUD • Townhouse meets requirements • Single family lot meets requirements • Amenity building is 1700 square feet which exceeds 1200 square feet standards • Density meets the shoreland obligations • Shoreland rules for open space is required to be at least 50% of the site • This project plan is at 51.9% open space Trapp said the only staff comment on the project since the December Planning Commission (PC) Meeting was a landscape plan with a beach and retaining wall which staff asked to be removed as those areas are required to stay in a natural state. Trapp said another concern from the December PC meeting was building height of the 3-story condo building. Trapp said the front has a proposed height of nearly 42 Feet which is above the standard 35 feet. Trapp said this can be allowed for in the CUP and there are other recent similar buildings in Mound which are above 35 feet. Trapp said the condo will be a distance away from the roadway which includes landscaping. Trapp listed the following • Two outlets/entrances to the parking area • Stormwater concerns are being worked on with the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) which is looking at rate control of the stormwater. • Parking meets City Code requirements with two outlets from parking • Trail and stairway down to the lake • Landscaping on site with HKGI working on technical aspects but meeting code requirements • Screening the amenity building from adjacent neighbors has been addressed • Lighting next to amenity building to not impact neighboring buildings. • PC reviewed agency comments and there are conditions in place in the CUP which should be achieved. • Comment from resident who would like a delay to address stormwater issues. Trapp said the density is within requirements but the neighbor is working with the MCWD. • Comment received today from two properties over light and noise pollution and traffic. Pugh asked if the amenity building might have a traffic impact and mentioned that a sewer line runs along the shoreline. Prich said the sewer line serves a small number of houses in Mound and runs east to west to Halsted Avenue and feeds to a Minnetrista lift station. Castellano said he has concerns about the lighting plan and asked if it is finished. Trapp said there can be adjustments done as the project proceeds. The public hearing was opened at 6:50. No one came forward. MOTION by McEnaney, seconded by Herrick, to close the public hearing at 6:52. All voted in favor. Motion carried. Sheldon Berg, DJR architecture, representative for the applicant, said the sales office/amenity building will be built first with enough parking. Berg said the amenity building is closer to the lake and will have a limited traffic impact as the sales meetings will be mostly be 1:1 meetings with a potential for a traffic impacts on the weekend. Berg listed the following items: • Townhouses on Mound side of the project will be built in the second phase • Minnetrista single family homes are in the third phase • Condo building will be used as sales offices as the new build out will be showcased • Four -boat slip has been discussed with the LMCD • Screening — adding trees on west side for neighboring property • Screening - There is an existing fence and which will be improved/replaced by developer • Stormwater — working through one round of review with the MCWD on retention areas in Minnetrista and one retention area on the Mound side • No beach or retaining wall will be added • Height of Condo around 43 feet but is 100 feet away from Bartlett Blvd. • New left turn lanes added to plan as recommended by Hennepin County • HOA issues between the two cities will be based on the buildings not City boundaries Smith said DJR should reach out to the City Building Official if any permits are needed to be pulled after the plat is recorded. Smith said the developer could seek an early start agreement with Council approval. Trapp had a concern of how long the amenity building should be used as a sales building. Landsman said the City Council can review and approved the development agreement and write in specific requirements. Berg said the use of the amenity building as a sales office early in the project and will be moved to a new condo unit after which the amenity building would be used exclusively as a social space. a. Resolution No. 26-12 Approving Amendment to 2040 Comprehensive Plan for North Pointe at Halsted Bay, Smith MOTION by McEnaney, seconded by Herrick, to approve resolution No. 26-12. All voted in favor. Motion carried. b. Ordinance No. 01-2026 amending the Mound Official Zoning Map for North Pointe at Halsted Bay, Smith MOTION by McEnaney, seconded by Pugh, to approve Ordinance No. 01-2026. All voted in favor. Motion carried. c. Resolution No. 26-13 approving the Major Subdivision -Preliminary Plat of North Pointe at Halsted Bay, Smith MOTION by McEnaney, seconded by Herrick, to approve resolution No. 26-13. All voted in favor. Motion carried. d. Resolution No. 26-14 approving a Conditional Use Permit for a Shoreland Planned Unit Development (PUD) and Multi -Family Residential and Townhouse Uses in the R-3 District for North Pointe at Halsted Bay, Smith MOTION by McEnaney, seconded by Herrick, to approve resolution No. 26-14. All voted in favor. Motion carried. 8. Old Business 9. New Business a. Mound Volunteer Fire Department Relief Association Pension Increase, Pederson Greg Pederson, Mound Fire Department Chief and Andy Drilling, MFD Assistant Chief and President of the Relief Association, are present to seek City Council approval of the Mound Volunteer Department Relief Association pension increase proposal. Peterson said an Actuarial Study was completed at the end of the year which found the Relief Association fund balance to be strong with $6.5 Million in assets. Peterson said these assets are considered over funded for 38 retirees. Peterson said the pension proposal would be an increase of benefits at 14.8% which is a good-sized increase but still be below neighboring communities. Pederson said the MFD responds to a high call volume (top 10% of the state) with staff doing a good job and deserve the increase. Drilling said there hasn't been an increase in pension funding since 2022. Drilling said the Relief Association now gives lump sum dispersals of the pension though there are 35 retirees who previously elected to get monthly benefit checks who will also be getting an increase. Drilling said there is 2% fee in homeowners' insurance premiums which funds the pension and includes contributions from neighboring cities. Drilling said these contributions are managed by the relief association and are only used for pensions and retirement. Discussion ensued regarding the Joint Power agreement and if the Mound relief association is at the benefit level of St. Bonifacius Fire Pension. Drilling said the Mound relief needs to have a larger fund balance due to the monthly payouts to retirees and St. Bonifacius is a lump sum payout. Holt said relief association assets are at 120% funded and after approval would still leave assets at 105% funded. Pederson said there are six or eight probation officers who will be ready to be sworn in soon by the City Council. MOTION by Castellano, seconded by McEnaney, to approve resolution No. 26-15, Approve Changes to the Mound Volunteer Fire Department Relief Association Pension Plan. All voted in favor. Motion carried. b. City Pole Banner Final Presentation, McEnaney Pauline Krebs, Minuteman Press at 2361 Wilshire Blvd., presented the banners concepts and handed out examples of the design ideas which were offered by the Council. Krebs will hang a sample to test the banner and use as a sales tool to businesses in Mound. Discussion ensued regarding the timeline for banners being changed and the look of the banners. MOTION by Castellano, seconded by McEnaney, to approve the City Pole Banner Design. All voted in favor. Motion carried. c. 2026 Lead and Copper Sampling, Prich Prich presented the 2026 water bill credit for water testing in residences. Prich said sampling typically happens every three years unless there is a positive sample which will then trigger annual testing. Prich said the sampling will be a Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) tiered testing based on the year of home construction, type of service line, and water treatment equipment inside the home. Prich said the testing will measure based on stagnation of water in line, differing time of day sampling collected and proper handling of the collections. Prich said the testing must be for 45 pre -approved houses by MDH starting with an inventory of Tier 1 properties which are at highest risk. Prich said the tiers are based on a home's construction date which is documented and responded to by City staff. Prich said homes built from 1983-85 are Tier 1 as are homes with galvanized piping. Prich said Public Works staff will need to do quite a bit of leg work to get the sampling program going. Prich said the residents will sample their water and will receive a $50.00 utility bill credit for taking part in the program. MOTION by Castellano, seconded by McEnaney, to approve the Lead and Copper Sampling rebate program. All voted in favor. Motion carried. d. 2026 City Council Priorities, Dickson Holt listed the 2026 City Council Priorities for 2026: • Water Treatment Facility and Water Updates with a possible $1.5Million in Federal Funds being released soon • State of the City Open House with tentative date of April 22, 2026 • Continue to Prioritize Customer Service • Review, Amend and Adopt City Council and Commission Policies • Focus on Mound Parks System • Decision on Next Steps for Fire Service Joint Powers Agreement • Continue to follow City Long -Term Financial Management Plan • Economic Development Strategy — re-establish Economic Development Committee • Determine Scope of Blight Ordinance • Expand Citizen of the Year Promotion • Adopt Long Term Rental Housing License Program • Explore Grant Opportunities • Identify Distribution Method for Digital Newsletter • Event Coordination MOTION by McEnaney, seconded by Pugh, to approve the 2026 City Council Priorities. All voted in favor. Motion carried. 10. Announcements a. Comments/Reports from Council Members: Council Member Pugh — Pugh said Rhonda Nelson, Gillespie Center Director, turned in her resignation. Council Member McEnaney — McEnaney attended the MCWD 2027 Management Plan meeting with Smith, Herrick and David Goode, PC Chair. McEnaney said there are collaborative efforts between cities and other agencies on water quality improvements. Council Member Castellano — Nothing Council Member Herrick — Herrick said she is working on events including a Brew Fest with planning moving forward. Herrick reached out to a resident for ideas on a City economic development committee. The Council discussed improving the water quality of Lake Langdon and Dutch Lake. Mayor Holt — Holt mentioned the Federal Money which may be approved soon. b. Comments/Reports from City Manager: Dickson said a POSC/CC joint meeting is scheduled on February 5, 2026 at 6:00p.m. and the PC/CC joint meeting is scheduled on February 17, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. c. Next City Council Regular Meeting: Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. 11. Adjourn to Closed Session MOTION by Pugh, seconded by McEnaney, to adjourn to closed session. Upon roll call vote, all voted in favor. Motion carried. The City Council will now go into Closed Session to review the performance of its City Manager, in accordance with MN Statute 13D.05, Subd. 3 which states that: A public body may close a meeting to evaluate the performance of an individual who is subject to its authority. The public body shall identify the individual to be evaluated prior to closing a meeting. At its next open meeting, the public body shall summarize its conclusions regarding the evaluation. The City Council expects to adjourn the meeting following the closed session and will not return to open session. In accordance with the law, a summary of the Closed Session will be provided at the next regular City Council meeting (February 10, 2026). �son l Attest: Kevin Kelly, Clerk