HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-24-2025 MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
March 24,2025-6:00 PM
Lakeville City Hall,Marion Conference Room
1. Call to order, moment of silence and flag pledge
Mayor Hellier called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Members Present: Mayor Hellier, Council Members Bermel, Lee, Volk, Wolter
Staff Present: Justin Miller, City Administrator; Julie Stahl, Finance Director; Joe
Masiarchin, Parks & Recreation Director; Allyn Kuennen, Assistant City Administrator;
Ann Orlofsky, City Clerk; Jim Puncochar, Commander; Tana Wold; Liquor Operations
Director
2. Citizen Comments
None
3. Discussion Items
a. Heritage Liquor Store Study
Liquor Operations Director Tana Wold introduced Robert Strachota and Jackson
Wiberg from the Shenehon Company.
Mr. Strachota explained that the current lease for the Heritage Liquor store is set to
expire in June 2027. His firm conducted a comprehensive market study to assess the
suitability of the current location and, if necessary, identify alternative locations in
coordination with Lakeville's other three stores. The study proves that the Heritage
Liquor store is the top performer despite having the smallest square footage. If the store
had more room, they could keep more products on site and maximize sales. The
population will continue to drive the demand, and the city is missing revenue because
this store is not meeting the demand.
The City Council explored four possibilities:
1. Continuing to lease the current location
2. Continue to lease the current location with an expansion
3. Purchase the existing store and expand the space
4. Construction of a new store on nearby available land parcels
The Council directed staff to talk to landowners in the area and explore possible
options. If the Council decides not to build, the City could still sell the property.
City Council Work Session Minutes
March 24, 2025
Page 2
b. Fourth Quarter 2024 Preliminary General Fund Financial Report
Finance Director Stahl presented the 2024 fourth-quarter financial report, which shows
variances between the amended and estimated budgets.
c. Social Host Ordinance
Commander Puncochar presented a draft amendment to Lakeville's social host
ordinance (5-7) that discourages underage possession and consumption of alcohol, even
within the confines of a private residence. The ordinance is designed to hold persons
responsible who host events or gatherings where underage persons possess or consume
alcohol, whether the person hosting the event supplied the alcohol or not.
Given the changes to state law, as it relates to cannabis, consideration should be given
to incorporating this into the existing social host ordinance, as both alcohol and
cannabis can be consumed legally by persons of a certain age.
The City Council supported this amendment.
d. Leash Law Discussion
Commander Puncochar explained the challenges to the current leash law ordinance on
controlling dogs in our community. City ordinance(5-1-9) states that dogs must be
controlled by a leash not exceeding 25 ft. in length unless a dog has passed a suitable
training program and is under voice control of the handler, except when a pedestrian
approaches within 100 ft. Some residents have requested that the ordinance be amended
to require dogs to be leashed at all times in public areas to minimize conflict with other
dogs or pedestrians.
As with other misdemeanor offenses, generally, any violation must be witnessed by an
officer or community service officer to be enforced by citation. Many times, the
complaint comes in, and the situation has changed by the time the officer arrives, or the
dog or dog owner is no longer in the area. This makes it impossible to enforce.
The City Council discussed potential modifications, such as adding an electric collar
component, eliminating the off-leash component altogether, and designating certain
park areas as "on-leash only."
Parks and Recreation Director Joe Masiarchin added that the master plans include a
couple of drafts that would identify areas for an "off-leash" dog park.
Laxmi Iyengar, 16281 Duskwood Trail, addressed the City Council and asked them to
consider a leash law. She had a bad experience with a dog attack and fears that kids will
be afraid to visit the parks because of the dogs who are not leashed.
Mary Jane Haschig, 16277 Duskwood Trail, addressed the City Council. She added that
many cities have adopted leash laws and would like Lakeville to consider them.
Mike Glen, Judicial Road, added that he is more concerned about the cats not being
leashed in the city. The cats are eliminating the songbirds.
City Council Work Session Minutes
March 24, 2025
Page 3
The City Council directed staff to consider a simplified leash law and areas for "off-
leash" dog parks in Lakeville.
4. Items for Future Discussion
None
5. Committee/City Administrator Updates
Bermel - attended the I-35 Solutions Alliance meeting and the Airlake Advisory
Commission Meeting
Hellier- attended Public Safety Day at the Regional Meeting of Mayors and reported that
the MLC will be meeting with Governor Walz; ALF has invited the Mayor and City
Administrator to tour their offices, and the Mayor asked Councilmember Lee to attend
Lee - shared the 2025 Market Value Update from Commissioner Mary Liz Holberg and
attended the Access and Issues Meeting.
6. Adjourn
Motion was made by Bermel, seconded by Wolter, to adjourn at 7:30 p.m.
Voice vote was taken on the motion. Ayes - Hellier, Bermel, Lee, Volk, Wolter
Respectfully Submitted,
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Ann Or s , City C er Luke M. Heller, Mayor