Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-08-21 City Council Meeting Minutes COTTAGE GROVE CITY COUNCIL August 21, 2024 12800 RAVINE PARKWAY SOUTH COTTAGE GROVE, MN 55016 COUNCIL CHAMBER - 7:00 P.M 1. CALL TO ORDER The City Council of the City of Cottage Grove, Washington County, Minnesota, held regular meeting on August 21, 2024, at Cottage Grove City Hall, 12800 Ravine Parkway. Mayor Bailey called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The audience, staff, and City Council Members stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. ROLL CALL City Clerk Tammy Anderson called the roll: Mayor Bailey-Here; Council Member Garza- Here; Council Member Khambata-Here; Council Member Olsen-Here; Council Member Thiede-Here. Also present: Jennifer Levitt, City Administrator; Tammy Anderson, City Clerk; Ryan Burfeind, Public Works Director; Conner Jakes, Associate Planner; Pete Koerner, Public Safety Director; Korine Land, City Attorney-LeVander, Gillen & Miller, PA; Brenda Malinowski, Finance Director; Emily Schmitz, Community Development Director; Dan Schoen, Sergeant; Jon Pritchard, Fire Chief. 4. OPEN FORUM Mayor Bailey opened the Open Forum. As no one wished to address the Council, Mayor Bailey closed the Open Forum. 5. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Motion by Council Member Khambata to approve the agenda; second by Council Member Garza. Motion carried: 5-0. 6. PRESENTATIONS A. Retirement Presentation - Brian Bigham Staff Recommendation: Receive Brian Bigham’s retirement presentation honoring 28 years of service. Mayor Bailey asked the Council Members to join him in front of the dais for this awesome retirement presentation and asked Brian Bigham to join them there, while Fire Chief Jon Pritchard spoke. Chief Pritchard thanked everyone for coming tonight for this presentation, there are a lot of familiar faces, both present and past from our Fire Department. We’re here to recognize Brian Bigham for 28+ years of honorable service to the community of Cottage Grove and the Cottage Grove Fire Department. When you dedicate that much time and you do that much for a community, it deserves many different forms of recognition, and this is just the first to recognize your great years. You’ll also be recognized at our annual banquet. Brian has served over 28 years in the Fire Department, and he has served in many roles, from firefighter-EMT all the way up to the rank of captain. Through the years, Brian has served as a mentor and has had great influence on many folks’ careers and their lives. Deputy Chief Arrigoni, who was mentored by Brian, is away at an Army event, so he couldn’t pull away from that to come here. Nick said: ‘When I started on the department as an 18-year-old, fresh-faced kid, Brian was the guy; Brian was the guy you wanted to be, Brian was the one that was going to teach you how to do it and get you home safe.’ So, that was just a great way of explaining who Brian was. Remember, that’s before I got to meet Brian in person, that’s how Nick described you to me, so those were big shoes to fill, and you’ve filled them very well. It’s been an honor to serve with you for over four years. Chief Pritchard said as a firefighter for over 28 years, you go on thousands of calls, which Brian did, and it’s hard to put that in numbers, but Brian had an absolute profound effect on thousands of people throughout his career, whether it was in the back of an ambulance or on the scene of a fire. Many times, Brian was in charge of those different scenes, but truly there are thousands of Cottage Grove residents that have been affected by you in a positive way. Thank you for that and for the lives you have changed from our firefighters to everyone in this community. Just a quick note, I still appreciate that Brian works for Southern Washington County Schools, so every time we have a fire alarm or an issue at the school, Brian’s the first one there, and I just say, thank goodness Brian’s there because trust me, it helps us get through a lot of stuff. So, thank you, Brian, and I’ll turn it over to Council and other folks who wish to speak. Mayor Bailey stated first, I’m going to invite our County Commissioner, Karla Bigham, up here with us; by the way, I have her speech because I knew she wasn’t going to be able to do this. Mayor Bailey said I’ll just say we obviously are all here to honor a former firefighter, Brian Bigham, for his 28 years of amazing service to the City of Cottage Grove and our community. Brian is joined tonight by his wife, Sarah, and sons, Aiden and Collin, his parents, Dan and Pat, his sister, our Washington County Commissioner, Karla Bigham, and her husband, John, and his sister, Danielle, who made it, and her wife, who could not be here tonight, they’re obviously in support. Commissioner Bigham has a Commissioner’s Certificate to give you for your years of service tonight as well, but we also know she never would get through her comments without crying, so I’m going to read some of the highlights, and I noted on here, John, get the camera ready. Mayor Bailey read: Brian has always wanted to be a firefighter; he is a fourth-generation firefighter. As a little boy, when the fire monitor tones would go off at home, he would rush to get his father’s shoes, car keys, and make sure the garage door was open so his dad could leave for the call quickly and start helping people. Brian started the Explorer Program in the Cottage Grove Fire Department, then became a firefighter, and then a captain of the department. Mayor Bailey said that was, I believe, after your dad had retired. Mayor Bailey read aloud the Commissioner’s Certificate: On behalf of a grateful county and a proud little sister, the undersigned commissioner hereby extends recognition and appreciation to Brian Bigham, Cottage Grove Firefighter, for your 28 years of outstanding service and support of Washington County’s mission. Mayor Bailey said let’s give Brian a round of applause and everyone applauded. Mayor Bailey said I’ll have Council Member Olsen hand Brian a little plaque, and I’m going to read what’s on the plaque because it’s clear; the plaque reads: Brian Bigham, Captain, Lieutenant, Firefighter, City of Cottage Grove Department of Public Safety, Fire and Emergency Medical Services Division, served 1995-2024. In recognition of over 28 years of dedicated service to the Cottage Grove Public Safety Department and the citizens of which we serve, Brian Bigham has been instrumental in providing the highest quality-based Fire and EMS services. Brian has been a part of significant change and has had a direct impact on the excellent reputation, commitment to safety, and the highest standards of the department. On behalf of the entire City Council, we thank you for your professionalism, your integrity, and commitment to the City of Cottage Grove. Your service to the department and citizens is greatly appreciated. Thank you, Cottage Grove Mayor and City Council. Council Member Olsen presented the plaque to Brian. Mayor Bailey said I’m going to make one more comment, as some of the firefighters and the police officers know, when something’s going on in this community, if I’m aware of it, I’m there. So, I just show up, and so there have been many times. As mentioned earlier when I’d show up at a scene and Brian’s there, he’s directing and making sure everybody’s doing what they’re supposed to do, making sure they’re safe, making sure the people that were in the homes are safe. And there’s one little story I’ll mention: Many years ago, and I still have the pictures of this, I was invited along with Ken Brittain, a Planning Commission member, and Council Member Olsen, and we got the chance to go inside a controlled fire; a house that was being burned. All I remember is as they put all of the equipment on me and we’re crawling along the floor, and they have the little machine in there that tells me it’s like 500 degrees or whatever, and all I can hear is Brian behind me, saying, ‘Mayor, slow down your breathing. Mayor, slow down your breathing.’ And then after we got out, I said, ‘Whatever you guys need, just tell me, we’re good!’ So, their deal that day was perfect because I was like, okay, whatever the Fire Department needs, I don’t ever want to have to go into that thing again. So, I just want to say thank you, and we’ll get to see you around town, and I’m sure we’ll be at the event when you get recognized in front of the rest of your peers that aren’t here tonight. But you’ve been amazing and instrumental in a lot of positive things within our community. Mayor Bailey asked Council Member Olsen if he wanted to say a few words. Council Member Olsen said first of all, I want to thank our Public Safety Director, Pete Koerner, and the rest of the leadership team, including Chief Pritchard, for allowing us to have this ceremony tonight. It was important to me, personally, and I know to the Council as a whole, that we recognize somebody who has put in as much time, energy, and effort into this community as Brian Bigham has. For those of you who know me best, you know that I have a lot of love for the Bigham family. I’m standing here as a City Council Member because this one over here (indicating Karla Bigham) said, well, quit complaining, why don’t you get involved? And she didn’t say it quite that nicely, but that’s what she said. And that started my journey as a Public Safety Health & Welfare Commissioner and then on the City Council. I’m the son of a firefighter, Brian’s the son of a firefighter, in fact as we mentioned, fourth generation. So, I have a lot of memories growing up as a kid of what it smelled like at the fire station, what it sounded like when the Plectron would go off and you’d hear the tones. I remember standing in my dad’s boots and thinking that was the coolest thing ever. And Brian got to live that dream from his childhood as a firefighter for 28+ years here in the City of Cottage Grove. Cottage Grove has a unique department; we are a mixture of fulltime and parttime. Brian rose to the ranks of Captain as a parttime firefighter; that’s an awesome accomplishment. I’ve seen him run scenes, and he is the most professional, even-keeled, highly respected leader that I can say I’ve ever seen. There are probably some who are his equal, but there are none who are better, none, and it’s going to be a big loss; but he deserves this, he’s put in the time, I think he’s had a couple of body parts replaced from doing the different things, as has his dad, because being a firefighter is pretty physical and it’s pretty tough. But I want you to know that you have garnered the respect of so many in the department and all of us standing here today as well. And Brian’s a humble guy, he doesn’t say a lot, but he leads by example, and he leads in an exemplary way. So, thank you for all you’ve done. Thank you for all the mentorship, as Jon mentioned, that you’ve provided to many of the firefighters still serving on the Cottage Grove Fire Department today. Thank you for your service to our community. I know you grew up in a family where service was just expected, and your family delivers all the time; they always have and they always will. So, I’m not sure who’s going to be next, if you’re going to have Aiden or Collin, but I would suggest both. Mayor Bailey said I just want to mention really quick is I see our former Fire Chief, Rick Redenius, is in the audience and a couple of the other recently retired firefighters. The only other thing I’m going to say then, and I’m going to hand this over to you, Brian; I do this when we’ve had these opportunities, I want to thank the family, Sarah and the kids. You know if you didn’t have a strong family behind you, and the family extends to mom and dad and sisters, the fact is you get pulled away. On Christmas Day, Christmas Eve, Thanksgiving if there’s a fire, guess what? You’re out the door, and they’re left without you. So, I want to thank you guys for the years that you gave him to the citizens of Cottage Grove because that’s very important, and we cherish the opportunity that you gave us. So, now, I’m going to turn it over to you. Brian said well, thank you. Again, thank you to my family, everyone that supported me, thanks. Everyone applauded. Mayor Bailey asked all of Brian’s family members to step to the front for a photo, after which all the police officers and firefighters, including those retired, were asked to also step forward for a photo. Mayor Bailey stated all right, that’s a great way to start off the evening, that’s for sure. 7. CONSENT AGENDA Accept and place on file the minutes from the June 11, 2024 meeting of the Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation. B. Appoint Cindy Yff to the Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation to a term ending February 28, 2026. C. Approve the issuance of rental licenses to the properties in the attached table. D. Approve the proposed 2024-25 Archery and Firearms Hunting Area maps. E. Adopt Resolution 2024-120 authorizing the preparation of a feasibility report for the 2025 Pavement Management Project for the Hidden Valley development. F. Adopt Resolution 2024-122 authorizing the final payment in the amount of $42,301.94 to Minger Construction for the South District Storm Sewer Project. G. Approve Change Order #3, thereby increasing the contract amount by $14,200.00 to a total contract amount of $2,609,336.44. H. Approve Change Order #2 in the amount of $67,368.00 for the Low Zone Water Treatment Plant project, increasing the current contract amount from $39,528,440.33 to $39,595,808.33. I. Approve Change Order for the Utility and Engineering Building in the amount of $5,941.43. J. 1) Approve Change Order #1, increasing the contract amount by $3,073.95 to a total contract amount of $1,206,877.40. 2) Approve Resolution 2024-121 requesting a Variance from Standard for State Aid Operation for Project No. S.P. 8205-156 (TH61 River Oaks RCUT Project). K. Approve Resolution 2024-116 for final payment to Ryan Contracting Company for the Grange Trunk Water Main Project in the amount of $136,140.85. L. Adopt Resolution 2024-115 award resurfacing sports courts at Sunny Hill and Kingston Park to the accepted quote supplied by Surfaces & Repair, Inc. in the amount of $31,650 and authorize execution of the Agreement for Contractor Services. M. Authorize Resolution 2024-117 accepting the grant agreement with MN Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Recreation Grant Program in the amount of $350,000 to be used for the Oltman Park Development Project. Council Member Thiede wished to pull Item B, Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation Appointment, on the Consent Agenda for further discussion and/or approval. Council Member Thiede stated I just wanted to mention that we’re requesting to add a member to the Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation Committee, Cindy Yff. She’s been very prominent in historical activity in the City and doing a lot. There was one specific thing, an old cemetery off of 70th Street, that she and her sister had done a lot of research on; it was very interesting, I didn’t even know that stuff was there. So, we’re extremely happy that she’s interested in being on this committee, she’s just the type of person that will make a great contribution to that group. So, I respectfully ask that she get approved tonight. Motion by Council Member Khambata to approve the Consent Agenda; second by Council Member Thiede. Motion carried: 5-0. 8. APPROVE DISBURSEMENTS Approve disbursements for the period of 8-01-2024 through 8-15-2024 in the amount of $3,179,715.12 Motion by Council Member Olsen to approve disbursements; second by Council Member Garza. Motion carried: 5-0. 9. PUBLIC HEARINGS - None. 10. BID AWARDS - None. 11. REGULAR AGENDA Preserve at Prairie Dunes - Comprehensive Plan Amendment, Zoning Amendment, Preliminary Plat, and Planned Unit Development Staff Recommendation: 1) Adopt Resolution 2024-118 approving the Comprehensive Plan Amendment, to re-guide the northern 32.15 acres of the subject property from Medium Density Residential and Industrial to Low Density Residential. 2) Adopt Ordinance No. 1084 approving the Zoning Amendment to change the zoning of the subject property from AG-2, Agricultural, to R-4, Transitional Residential, with a Planned Unit Development. 3) Adopt Resolution 2024-119 approving the Preliminary Plat for a subdivision to be called The Preserve at Prairie Dunes, which will consist of 162 lots for single-family homes. Mayor Bailey said Conner Jakes, our Associate Planner, will walk us through this one. Planner Jakes stated there are four applications before you this evening for a proposed residential subdivision, currently referred to as The Preserve at Prairie Dunes. The four applications include a Comprehensive Plan Amendment, a Zoning Amendment, a Preliminary Plat, and a Planned Unit Development. Subject Site: Is located just south of the major industrial area of the City, more specifically, the NorthPoint Development. To the east of the subject site is Lennar’s Graymont Village, currently under construction, moving into their second addition, and to the west of the subject site is the DNR Scientific and Natural Area (SNA). The site is approximately 60.2 acres in size, currently on site are tilled fields with vegetative windbreaks. Topography: The site is flat with minimal grade change. I just want to note that the Hadley Avenue and 105th Street roundabout is located on the east side of the site; that was constructed as part of the NorthPoint Development. Background of the Site: A few Council Members may recall in 2022, Summergate Development was before you with a very similar proposal and very similar applications. The proposal in 2022 included approximately 100 acres due to the inclusion of the Zywiec 40 parcel to the northwest of the subject site; that parcel included 4 Outlots and the realignment of Hadley and 100th Street. The applicant at the time was proposing 161 lots for single-family homes. I will note the proposal before you is very similar, but there are two key differences: 1) The lot sizes, as in 2022 the applicant proposed 50-to-55-foot lots on the northern part of the site. The applicant before you this evening is proposing 45-foot lots in the northern portion of the development. 2) The applicant in 2022 proposed a recreation trail along the western property boundary and proposed that to run along that property boundary, about halfway up. However, the current applicant is proposing that trail run the entire western property boundary. So, those are the two main differences between the 2022 proposal and the one before you this evening. After Summergate Development received approvals for the Preliminary Plat in 2022, they ended up walking away from the project due to market conditions and various factors. However, Norhart Architecture was in the process of receiving their approvals for the parcel on the eastern part of the Zywiec 40, and they recently closed on that parcel. For them to continue, they had to record a Final Plat and follow that process; so, that Final Plat was approved and recorded in 2022, which created those 4 Outlots in the Zywiec 40 parcel, dedicated the Right-of-Way for the roadway realignment, and created the southern lot as an Outlot for future development, which is the subject site before you this evening. The first application before you is a Comprehensive Plan Amendment: The subject site is guided as Medium Density, Low Density, and Industrial. However, the applicant is proposing to re-guide the northern 32 acres from Medium Density and Industrial to Low-Density Residential to align with the proposed guidance of the rest of the parcel. Staff is supportive of this Comprehensive Plan Amendment given the ability to develop a site that has a mixture of Medium Density and Industrial on the northern part for those 32 acres is quite difficult. So, re-guiding that to Low Density creates a more developable parcel and that includes the whole 60.2 acres instead of it being sectioned off. The applicant is also requesting a Zoning Amendment to rezone the subject site from AG-2, Agricultural, to R-4, Transitional Residential, with a Planned Unit Development (PUD). Just to touch on the R-4 District, that is our transition Zoning District, that’s intended for a range of lot sizes, so we’re concentrating generally on smaller lot sizes towards our more major roadways and more intense uses; so, in this case, closer to the Industrial areas, and then Hadley and 105th Street. The R-4 does align with our recently approved developments of Graymont Village, as well as Settlers Bluff in the northwest of the subject site. Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area (MRCCA): The southernmost section of the site is within the MRCCA; more specifically, the Separated from River (SR) District, which is characterized by its distance from the Mississippi River. The subject site is not visible from the river; however, that southern portion is still within the MRCCA. The applicant is proposing a stormwater pond, as well as a recreation trail within the MRCCA Overlay area on the south part of that site. The Preliminary Plat before you is to plat 162 single-family lots for single-family housing. Lot widths again range in size from 45 feet to 65 feet; the 45-foot lots are called out in yellow on the screen before you, and the rest are proposed at 65 feet. The applicant is requesting a Planned Unit Development (PUD) with the only request being to reduce the side-yard setback of the 45-foot lots from 7.5 feet to 5 feet. The 65-foot lots and the 45-foot lots, other than that side-yard setback, will meet all other Zoning District requirements of the R-4 District. This reduction in side-yard setback does align with our other 45-foot lots in the community, thinking along the lines of Graymont Village as well as Settlers Bluff. So, they’re falling in line with the previously approved development standards for those developments. Access to the Site: Is provided from 105th Street, as well as the Hadley Avenue extension currently under construction as part of the South District Street & Utility Project. Utilities were extended to the site via 105th Street. Sidewalk and Trails: In terms of pedestrian connectivity, the applicant is proposing an internal 5-foot sidewalk system, as highlighted in blue on the screen before you. A transportation trail is proposed along Hadley Avenue, as highlighted in orange. A recreation trail is proposed along the west side of the site; again, that trail is proposed to run the entire west side of the property boundary, as highlighted in green on the screen before you. Just to note, all trails are consistent with the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. Tree Preservation: Given there are numerous qualifying mature trees on site, the applicant submitted a detailed tree inventory and is required to follow the Tree Preservation Ordinance of the City Code. I won’t bore you with the numbers, however, I just wanted to mention the inches to mitigate is 53.25 inches. That can be satisfied through two options: Replacement on site of the planting of additional trees or a cash in lieu of fee. The tree mitigation method would be memorialized in the Development Agreement with the Final Plat. Landscaping/Ponding: The applicant submitted a detailed landscape plan that meets or exceeds all requirements of the landscape ordinance. Two things I want to mention: 1) The applicant is proposing to have additional plantings along that roundabout to act as a visual buffer and a visual break; 2) The applicant is proposing a total of four (4) stormwater ponds throughout the site, along the western part of the site as well as the south. Planner Jakes said with that, the recommendations are on the screen, and I will invite the developer up just to talk more in depth on the proposed project. Mayor Bailey said first, let’s see if any of the Council Members have questions. Council Member Olsen thanked Planner Jakes for a very nice job, as always. This is hopefully a very easy question for you; you mentioned the boulevard trees, and I’m looking for clarification. Are we talking true boulevard trees or are we talking front-yard trees? Because the ownership is different. Planner Jakes replied that’s correct; the on screen are boulevard trees, so there will still be required boulevard trees, as stated in the table, and then the lot trees as well, and then those boulevard trees either within the grassed area between the sidewalk and the curb or within 15 feet of the boulevard or curb line if there are no sidewalks. Council Member Olsen said the reason I ask is sometimes residents get confused; I myself had a front-yard tree that I thought was a boulevard tree, and it turned out it wasn’t a boulevard tree. So, when it came time to treat that tree, we actually ended up removing the tree, it became very important to know the difference. I just wanted to clarify, thank you. Council Member Thiede said kind of on that same theme, can you bring up the chart again of the changes and so forth where it was showing the 45-foot lots and all the different sizing; what was the front-yard setback, 25 feet, and so the boulevard easement comes into that? How far from the house is this boulevard tree actually going to be? Planner Jakes replied generally that boulevard area is about 13 feet, starting from the back of curb to the front property line. So, usually, that’s about the distance, 13-to-15 feet, and that boulevard tree is within that area of the 13 feet. However, if there’s a sidewalk, it would be located between the sidewalk and the curb. Council Member Thiede stated as we’ve been discussing, as these lots get narrower and narrower, on a 65-foot or 75-foot frontage and so forth, there’s a lot more space and room. Ultimately, we start putting a lot of these boulevard trees, and they’re actually getting closer, too, because of the narrowing lots. I guess I don't know if we’d change this necessarily, but I guess it’s something that we should probably discuss more. Mayor Bailey stated Council Member Thiede, I think what the public may be wondering is we’re having some conversations at a Council level and staff level on placement of trees or having boulevard trees in some of these smaller areas. Now, it isn’t that we’re going to necessarily have less trees, it’s just maybe they’re not a boulevard tree, and that’s what you’re referring to. I think even Council Member Olsen was in essence referring to because just in the last month we’ve had some discussions about what makes sense going forward vs. having trees that are pulling up sidewalks or streets or utilities. So, that was a good question. Mayor Bailey told Planner Jakes if he wanted to invite the developer up to speak, that would be fine; he asked her to please state her name and address for the record. Haley Daily, Land Manager of Entitlement, said our office address is 1650 West 82nd Street, Suite 300, Bloomington. Also here today is Dean Lotter, our Director of Land Planning and Entitlement. She’ll go briefly over their agenda today, including a quick introduction of who Pulte is, our approach to the site, our proposed homes, and provide a summary. Pulte’s History: They’re a national homebuilder in the United States; we build all around the Twin Cities, including Cottage Grove. We’re focused on consumer-driven designs; we take feedback from our current homebuyers and do a lot of research for future homebuyers to figure out exactly what current homebuyers want and what the market can sustain. We sell homes under two brands, Pulte Homes and Del Webb; this proposed community would be a Pulte Homes brand. Pulte Approach: As Conner said, our approach to the site is very similar to what was previously proposed. We are proposing 45-foot lots on the northern section, just north of that roundabout. South of the roundabout, we are proposing the 65-foot lots. Proposed Homes-45’ Lots: We offer five different floorplans, as well as multiple elevations, so there will be a lot of variety within these homes. They range in size from just under 1,600 square feet to just under 2,200 square feet with 2-to-4 bedrooms, 2-to-2.5 baths, 2-stall garages, and these homes can be 1-or-2 stories. We offer a variety of color packages, different types of window grades, stone on these; on the inside, we really focus on an open living concept, with high-quality cabinets, everything to make the home feel unique and have a great feel to it. Proposed Homes-65’ Lots: We offer six different floorplans with multiple elevations. They range in size from just under 2,400 square feet to just under 3,300 square feet (not including basement square footage) with 3-to-4 bedrooms, 2-to-2.5 baths, 3-stall garages, and these homes can also be 1-or-2 stories. We offer different architectural features, such as different types of accent siding, dormers, brackets, a different type of shutters; on the inside, large bedrooms as well as a large living space with high-quality products for countertops, cabinets, everything from top down to up. Summary: 162 total homes, multiple product types with all different types of color packages and home elevations to create a really diverse feel for all future residents. All of our homes of course are extremely high quality and aesthetically pleasing. Haley stated she’ll stand for questions; Mayor Bailey asked if there were any questions from the Council for the applicant: Mayor Bailey stated I think you did a good job, and obviously, we’ve been working with Pulte in town, and your great builders so we’re happy with that. Again, it’s nice to see how you’re trying to blend a couple different communities within a community, if you will, with the different types of housing styles and sizes, too. As our Council was just mentioned, we’re obviously seeing a lot of variations of what people want these days including no yards, big yards, etc. It’s kind of interesting, and it’s cool that you are keeping your fingers on the pulse of what the homeowners want these days. Council Member Thiede stated just one comment, I do kind of like some of your newer designs; I know on the older ones, the garage was very prominent to the front of the house, and you’ve adjusted that a little bit more. A lot of the older Pulte homes I think had the garage kind of out front. Mayor Bailey added the different ones look very nice. He thanked Haley for the presentation. Mayor Bailey stated unless Council has further comments or questions for our staff or the applicant, we have three different votes that we need to make this evening. Motion by Council Member Khambata to Adopt Resolution 2024-118 approving the Comprehensive Plan Amendment, to re-guide the northern 32.15 acres of the subject property from Medium Density Residential and Industrial to Low Density Residential; second by Council Member Olsen. Motion carried: 5-0. Motion by Council Member Garza to Adopt Ordinance No. 1084 approving the Zoning Amendment to change the zoning of the subject property from AG-2, Agricultural, to R-4, Transitional Residential, with a Planned Unit Development; second by Council Member Khambata. Motion carried: 5-0. Motion by Council Member Olsen to Adopt Resolution 2024-119 approving the Preliminary Plat for a subdivision to be called The Preserve at Prairie Dunes, which will consist of 162 lots for single-family homes; second by Council Member Thiede. Motion carried: 5-0. Mayor Bailey told Pulte good luck with the new development, and he also thanked Conner for his presentation. 12. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS Council Member Khambata stated he will start off by thanking staff for all of their hard work again. We’ve got a couple weeks of summer left, so anybody who’s looking to get out and enjoy themselves in and around Cottage Grove, there are a couple of things that I would like to highlight are: We still have the kayak rental down at Hazen P. Mooers Park, you can register online. Tomorrow is Food Truck Thursday, it’s Twin Cities Taco, that’s probably where I’ll be having if anyone wants to stop down. If you go on the Cottage Grove website, there are a ton of other opportunities; you can also visit discovercottagegrove.com. Council Member Olsen stated first, I want to compliment our staff at River Oaks Golf Course; the mayor and I actually had an opportunity to play in the Park High Hall of Fame Golf Tournament recently with Commissioner Bigham and another gentleman who plays with the mayor in a league. We had a terrific time, the course was in phenomenal shape, the irrigation is really making a difference on the course. What I really was impressed with was after we were all done playing and we had the banquet event in the banquet hall, we had it bursting at the seams; they had the maximum number of players that they could manage for that tournament, and the staff at River Oaks made sure that everybody had food and drinks and the hospitality was just off the charts great. So, thank you to Zac and to Dennis and Courtney and the team down at River Oaks for a wonderful experience this year with the Park High Hall of Fame Golf Tournament. Council Member Olsen said the other thing that I just wanted to touch on, mayor, is teachers go back to school next week; they are starting to put together their rooms and get ready for the start of the new school year, which of course for most students is right after Labor Day. But I know that the teachers are going back, and I just wanted to take a moment to, first of all, thank them for the job that they do; a lot of people think that teaching’s a parttime job, I’ve heard that a lot, oh, they get the summers off. They really don’t, they’re constantly doing continuing education and making sure that they keep up their credentials, etc., and the summer months is when they do that. But we’re very lucky to have a terrific School District here in Cottage Grove, South Washington County Schools is second to none in my opinion, and I might be biased because, of course, that’s where I went to school. I want to congratulate all of the teachers on getting back to school. I also want to encourage all of the residents as you start to see those school buses moving here in the first week of September, please pay attention, please follow the rules; don’t try to pass a school bus when it’s got its stop sign out. Watch for pedestrians, a lot of kids walk to school, and the school does a nice job, especially with the younger kids having crossing guards, etc., but that won’t always be the case. So, pay attention, slow down a little bit, and watch out for our students. Make sure that you pat your kid’s teacher on the back, as in my opinion, they’re doing the most important job that there is, which is turning our young people into wonderful citizens and people who have a great education. Council Member Thiede stated so, I’m excited because when the Cottage Grove Reports came in the mail the other day, you’ve got to go find it, because what was in there was a coloring contest! I was so excited, I was going to sign up, but I think the age limit is too young. So, all you kids that are watching out there, go see your parents and find the Cottage Grove Reports, get the coloring contest sheet, because I expect to see a ton of really neat colored pictures! And that’s actually all happening with the puzzle, this has to deal with the Dowdle Puzzle, and you’re going to have to go buy one of those, too, because it’s fantastic; it’s the history of Cottage Grove and everything, and there are just so many things on there, and you can actually put the puzzle together, how much fun is that? I know they’re going to sell out quickly, so you must make sure, and on September 14 is actually the Dowdle Puzzle reveal event; Mayor Bailey added that’s also the Food Truck Festival Day. Council Member Thiede asked is this when the coloring contest gets turned in, too? Council Member Garza replied no, the deadline for submission of that is Wednesday, September 4. Council Member Thiede said okay, it’s September 4; so, over Labor Day weekend, kids, if not before, get your crayons out or your colored pencils or markers, and get your picture actually colored and turned in. Because it’s going to be a blast! Council Member Garza said I just want to remind everyone tomorrow the State Fair starts, and we have an amazing Park and Ride, so make sure you utilize that; it’ll get you down there super fast and it keeps you out of the crowds and all the driving and the traffic, etc. So, it’s a nice size, so use our Park and Ride, and go and enjoy the State Fair! Mayor Bailey said I have a couple items that I’ll just share. I’m sure we’ll talk more about this as we have one more Council Meeting before this event: On Saturday, September 14, we have the Dowdle Painting reveal and that is going to be at the Cottage Grove Middle School, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. I wanted to mention that because a lot of work went into that, not specific to Council or even staff, but just getting information. I will just tell you the rendition that we saw of this puzzle that was created of the City of Cottage Grove, we’re talking history, going way back, all the way up to today. You’re going to love it, and as Council Member Thiede was just mentioning, there’s an opportunity to purchase one of those puzzles that day after it’s unveiled. There will be some special guests here that are going to be a part of the unveiling that make up some of the history of Cottage Grove over the years. So, I encourage everybody to join us for that. He said on that same day, from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., at Kingston Park, is a Food Truck Festival; there will be bouncy houses, music, a marketplace, there’s a whole bunch of stuff. It’s almost like a Strawberry Fest but with more food trucks. It’s going to be fantastic, and so I encourage everybody to come and meet and eat and have some fun. So, go to the Dowdle Painting reveal and then head on over to Kingston Park and check things out there. Mayor Bailey said I also want to mention that the City of Cottage Grove has a Public Safety Board that does a fantastic job of raising money to support a whole host of things that deal with Public Safety, including: Helping us purchase/putting money towards our K-9s, outfitting our K-9s, helping our Fire Department staff and our police officers with training and different things, our speed trailer and speed signs. A lot of that actually isn’t paid for by the City of Cottage Grove in many cases; the money for the speed signs has been put aside and donated by the Public Safety Board. So, I want to mention that the Public Safety Board is doing a Golf Tournament at River Oaks Golf Course, on Friday, September 20, with a 7:00 a.m. check in; the fee is $125 per person, and I encourage you to try to get a foursome together to participate. I will be there with a foursome; even if you don’t have a foursome, if you want to sign up, you can either go to the River Oaks Golf Course website or the City’s website or reach out to one of us here. We’ll be more than happy to help get you accommodated and maybe help find you some people to help with your foursome. The idea here, of course, is other than paying for the food and the golf course, all of the proceeds are going back to the Public Safety Board to provide opportunities all of those things that I just shared with you and more, the needs of our Public Safety Department and Fire Department. Mayor Bailey said the last thing I want to bring up is as we’re getting deeper into the Fall, you’re probably starting to see, as you did in the Cottage Grove Reports that recently came out, more and more information about Preserve.Play.Prosper proposal that we’ll have on the ballot in November. The one thing I want to mention, and I want to really give kudos to our staff, is when we see things out on different sites, whether it’s commenting on when we post something about Preserve.Play.Prosper, there might be questions about certain things. First of all, ask the questions, and our staff responds. One of the questions that was presented to me, and staff took it and ran and put it out there, is many people asked me where are those surveys that you’ve done over the years that kind of came up with the ideas? There are surveys that have been done years ago that really wanted a water park, as an example, and then there were more current surveys that really talked about getting access to the river and different things and expansions of our parks. So, I just wanted to let you know that if you want to see any of that data, it is actually out on the City website now. If you go to preserveplayprosper.org, you can see a whole bunch of information about the three projects that are being proposed, ask questions, what the expectation is from a cost or tax standpoint. Also, if you want to look at the survey results that we’ve done over the years with the citizens of Cottage Grove, which are many and on which thousands of people have voiced their opinions, please check that out. It’s out there for you to look at. Again, if you have questions, whether you want to push it up through the website or if you want to reach out to me or one of the Council Members, we’ll work to get you the information. I just wanted to throw those things out there to end the Council Meeting. 13. WORKSHOPS - OPEN TO PUBLIC - None. 14. WORKSHOPS - CLOSED TO PUBLIC - CONFERENCE ROOM Mayor Bailey said to put this on the record, this workshop is closed pursuant to Minnesota Statute 13D.05, Subd. Subd. (3)a to conduct a performance evaluation of City Administrator Jennifer Levitt. Performance Evaluation - Jennifer Levitt, City Administrator Staff Recommendation: Close the meeting pursuant to Minnesota Statute 13D.05, Subd. (3)a to conduct a performance evaluation of City Administrator Jennifer Levitt. Councilmember Olsen made a motion to open the meeting and Councilmember Thiede seconded the motion at 8:48 p.m. 15. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Council Member Olsen, second by Council Member Garza, to adjourn the meeting at 8:49 p.m. Motion carried: 5-0. Minutes prepared by Judy Graf and reviewed by Tamara Anderson, City Clerk.