HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-27-2025 MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
May 27,2025-6:00 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 06:00 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; Susan Johnson, Recreation Manager; Allyn
Kuennen, Assistant City Administrator; Ann Orlofsky, City Clerk; Tina Goodroad,
Community Development Director; Zach Johnson, City Forester; Grace Benson; Forestry
Technician.
2. Citizen Comments
None
3. Discussion Items
a. Recreation and Heritage Center Strategic Plan Overview
Parks and Recreation Director Joe Masiarchin and Recreation Manager Susan Johnson
presented the Recreation and Heritage Center Strategic Plan Overview. The plan was
developed through a two-day strategic planning workshop facilitated by Aurora
Consulting, involving staff from Parks Administration, Recreation, Parks, the Heritage
Center, and members of the Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources Committee
(PRNRC).
The strategic planning process focused on evaluating the departments' current
operations, identifying barriers to success, and outlining future goals and
implementation timelines. Key challenges discussed included branding gaps, limited
facility space, maxed-out staff resources, and the need to adapt to a growing and
changing population, particularly in the context of shifting generational demographics
and increased cultural diversity. The group recognized substantial growth and the need
for a clearer organizational identity.
Four strategic directives were identified:
1. Exploring new funding opportunities
2. Reviewing current facility use and planning for future needs
3. Optimizing programming to meet evolving community expectations
4. Assessing staff responsibilities and expanding volunteer involvement
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May 27, 2025
Page 2
During the presentation, the City Council inquired about partnerships with local
programming competitors and maximizing open spaces in the community. The
discussion also touched on how programming changes, like the popularity of pickleball,
impact service models. Staff emphasized the importance of adapting to serve multiple
generations and highlighted efforts to engage younger residents while also exploring
partnerships across all three local school districts.
b. Discuss potential amendments to Tree Preservation Ordinance
Community Development Director Tina Goodroad, along with City Forester Zach
Johnson and Grace Benson,presented proposed amendments to Lakeville's Tree
Preservation Ordinance. The initiative aims to strengthen tree preservation and
reforestation efforts, particularly as future developments are expected to occur
increasingly on wooded properties. The current ordinance lacks clear requirements for
preservation or replacement. The proposed revisions establish removal thresholds (50%
for residential and 70% for commercial/industrial), define tree classifications (e.g.,
common, conifer, hardwood, deciduous, and heritage trees), and set detailed
replacement standards based on the type and size of trees removed. Heritage trees have
a 0%removal threshold and preserving them can reduce replacement obligations.
A key addition to the ordinance is the "look back" provision, which is designed to
prevent pre-emptive tree clearing before a development application. Under this rule, if
more than two acres of tree canopy are cleared within two years prior to submitting a
development application, the site will still be subject to tree replacement requirements
based on the removed canopy area. This ensures that preservation efforts cannot be
avoided through early clearing and reinforces accountability in site development.
The draft ordinance was reviewed in a joint work session with the Planning
Commission and Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources Committee in February,
where members supported enhancements like citywide applicability and cash-in-lieu
options for replacement. Feedback from developers has been generally positive.
Financial case studies of projects like Caslano and The Preserve were used to show
potential cost impacts at various removal thresholds, depending on the project scope.
The City Council was in favor of the proposed incentives to help preserve the trees and
directed staff to finalize the draft ordinance with an adjushnent of a 40%threshold for
residential and return with refined recommendations incorporating all collected
feedback.
c. lst Quarter 2025 Financial Report
Finance Director Julie Stahl presented the First Quarter 2025 Financial Report.
Revenues and expenditures across the General, Communications, Liquor, and Utility
Funds are generally tracking within budget. Building permit activity remains strong,
and parks and recreation revenues are up. Liquor sales are down 5.6% from 2024,
reflecting retail market trends,but expenses remain low. Utility revenues increased due
to rate adjustments and customer growth.
Council asked how reductions in federal funding to the County might impact local
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May 27, 2025
Page 3
services. Staff and noted that Dakota County will begin charging for previously free
services. Staff were asked to monitor these changes going forward. Overall, the City
remains in a stable financial position.
4. Items for Future Discussion
Council member Wolter requested a future discussion on the regulations of chickens.
Mayor Hellier requested a discussion on trash hauling in the city.
5. Committee/City Administrator Updates
Bermel: Attended the Dakota 911 Board of Directors meeting.
Volk: Attended a Downtown Business Association Meeting.
Lee: Attended the recent ALF Ambulance Board meeting.
City Administrator Justin Miller added that next month, the City Council will have an
interactive tabletop exercise/discussion.
6. Adjourn
Motion was made by Bermel, seconded by Lee, to adjourn at 7:36 P.M.
Voice vote was taken on the motion. Ayes - Hellier, Bermel, Lee, Volk, Wolter
Respectfully Submitted,
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Ann Or ofs y, City Clerk Luke M. Heller, Mayor