HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-28-2025E
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
April 28, 2025 - 7:00 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 7:00 p.m.
Members Present: Mayor Hellier, Council Members Bermel, Lee, Volk, Wolter
Staff Present: Justin Miller, City Administrator; Allyn Kuennen, Assistant City
Administrator; Ann Orlofsky, City Clerk; Brad Paulson, Chief of Police; Joe Masiarchin,
Park and Recreation Director; Tina Goodroad, Community Development Director
2. Citizen Comments
Bob Erickson addressed the City Council about the events at the Lakeville Area Arts
Center.
3. Discussion Items
a. Presentation of the 2024 Dakota County Housing Needs Assessment
At the April 28, 2025, work session, Patrick Bowen from Bowen National Research
presented key findings from the countywide Housing Needs Assessment, with specific
insights for Lakeville. Dakota County Commissioner Mary Liz Holberg, Commissioner
Bill Droste, Community Development Director Tony Schertler, and Community
Development Staff Lisa Alfson were also in attendance. The study projects continued
household growth in Lakeville through 2029, particularly among adults aged 25-34 and
those 65 and older. All new renter households are expected to earn $50,000 or more,
while new homeowners are projected to earn over $100,000. Approximately 13,000
individuals commute into Lakeville for work daily, many of whom represent potential
future residents if housing options were more attainable.
Lakeville's housing market is facing significant challenges in both rental and ownership
segments. Over 500 households live in substandard housing, and more than 4,300 are
cost burdened. Affordable rental options are extremely limited, with 0% vacancy
among affordable units and rents ranging from $1,900 to $3,400 for non -conventional
rentals. For -sale inventory is also critically low, with a 0.6% availability rate, and most
homes are priced above $400,000. These conditions contribute to substantial housing
gaps: Dakota County is short an estimated 8,339 rental units and 20,113 for -sale units
between 2024 and 2029, with Lakeville contributing notably to these figures.
The report recommends several strategies, including increasing development capacity,
setting short- and long-term housing goals, encouraging collaboration between the
County and municipalities, and supporting senior and workforce housing. Other actions
City Council Work Session Minutes
April 28, 2025
Page 2
include regulatory updates, expanded outreach, and fostering public -private
development partnerships. These measures aim to improve affordability, housing
availability, and meet the diverse needs of current and future residents.
The City Council asked several questions related to rental properties are the
management companies local or national, and if the study can clarify who is moving
into rentals by age group and income level. Patrick Bowen explained that the data that
was collected is not granular enough to get that detailed. The City Council asked the
member from Dakota County to provide them with different ideas and incentives to
help the city fill the gaps.
b. 2025-2026 City of Lakeville Hunting Map
Park and Recreation Director Joe Masiarchin explained that each year, staff reviews the
current hunting map to determine whether any changes are needed to the permitted
hunting zone. Staff has proposed several changes in 2025 because of the new
development in the city. The changes are noted in the delineated red areas on the map
that was provided to the City Council in their packet.
Additionally, staff requested updates to the hunting rules to ensure they align with the
current City Ordinance.
The City Council reviewed the proposed changes to the map and the hunting rules and
agreed with all suggested changes.
c. FiRST Center Membership Plan
Assistant City Administrator Allyn Kuennen and Police Chief Brad Paulson laid out the
marketing plan for memberships to the FiRST Center. Staff has reviewed different
membership models from several public safety training facilities throughout the metro
area to ensure Lakeville's membership cost and benefits are consistent with those
around us, while providing the annual income required to operate the facility.
The City Council directed staff to move forward with the marketing plan for
memberships.
4. Items for Future Discussion
Council member Wolter requested a future discussion on trash hauling in the city.
5. Committee/ City Administrator Updates
Bermel: Attended the recent I-35 Solutions Alliance meeting. The group discussed
upcoming construction.
Wolter: Noted that he had been appointed to the LUAC
Hellier: Announced that he and Councilmember Lee would be touring the Allina
ambulance dispatch facility.
Volk: Attended the Lakeville Arenas Board of Directors meeting and stated that the
Personnel Committee will meet in May.
City Council Work Session Minutes
April 28, 2025
Page 3
6. Adjourn
Motion was made by Volk, seconded by Wolter, to adjourn at 8:17 p.m.
Voice vote was taken on the motion. Ayes - Hellier, Bermel, Lee, Volk, Wolter
Respectfully Submitted,
Ann Orlofsky, City Clerk
Luke M. Heller, Mayor