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Lindstrom City Council met August 21 for a regular meeting.  Council member Brian Norelius was absent.

The meeting began with an open forum with resident Chris Eng speaking first.  Eng thanked the council for all of their hard work. He then asked the council to tell the planning commission to please re-evaluate Newell Avenue’s zoning.  “If you walked down Newell, you realize it is an R1 neighborhood” Eng said.  “We would love to preserve that.”  

“Central business district zoning allows for high density,  and Newell is not set up for that.  Please preserve this small town neighborhood” Eng said.  “If you hold a public hearing on it, you will see just how concerned the neighborhood is about this.”

Next, resident Tony Fite addressed the council about the ongoing washout deposits from 300th Street onto his driveway.  “After the last rain, I spent six hours cleaning my driveway and removing about 60 cubic feet of gravel,” Fite said.  City administrator Dan Undem assured Fite the county was looking into potentially blacktopping 300th but that would come with assessments.  “I spoke with everyone, and they all agree blacktop would be the way to go” Fite added.  

Mike Hilber then introduced himself and told the council he was running for city council.  

The council then discussed amending residential building heights per city code.  Currently city code states that a home cannot exceed 35 feet in height.  The council was given a group of three choices on determining a mean ground level as recommended by the planning commission.  

Planner Jason Zimmerman presented the three options which were a mean that started with street facing ground level, a mean that starts 10 feet above lowest ground level (rear included), and a mean that is in the midpoint of the lowest level between the first floor.  

Council member Dave Waldoch said he didn’t want to see any home built in Lindstrom over 35 feet.  “With these choices, you could potentially build a house that is 45 feet tall” Waldoch said.  Mayor Judy Chartrand asked how tall Lindstrom Senior Living building is which Zimmerman answered it was in the central business district and those go by stories, not feet.  

Waldoch made a motion to override the proposal which was seconded by Council member Linda Merkel.  City attorney Soren Mattick reminded the council they could change the ordinance but that would start the entire process over including holding a public hearing.

Council then voted on Waldoch’s motion 2-2 with Chartrand and council member Greg Krueger voting against. The motion died on the tie vote.  

Waldoch said he would like it to read the average of the street side and the lowest side.  Zimmerman agreed to rewrite the proposal and the council could vote at the next council meeting.

Administrator Dan Undem then presented the council with a proposal from Leo Daly architects for a police station evaluation for the city hall building.  City hall is an 11,000 square foot building and as a possible home for the Lakes Area Police Department.  The study will look at all aspects of the building including mechanicals, roof and electrical.  Undem pointed out Daly has done other retrofit police stations before so they know what they are doing.  The study will take 2-4 weeks for completion and will provide conceptual drawings of what the police station could look like.  Cost for the evaluation is $9,850 with an added $100 for expenses.  

Council voted 3-1 in favor of the study with Waldoch voting against.

Council then approved assisting a new lender with proper paperwork for the Olinda Trail Apartments.  The owner has obtained a new mortgage from Arbor Agency Lending which needs to transfer the tax increment financing portion over.  Council agreed to assist in the paperwork.

City engineer Brian Bachmier presented the council with a task order for preliminary field surveys and a feasibility report for 2025 street improvements.  Bachmier said his company Bolton and Menk would like to start with the reports and study in order to be ready when spring comes to solicit bids for road work.  Cost of the study will not exceed $38,000.  Administrator Undem reminded the council they did budget for this and have a $50,000 reserve.  Council then unanimously approved the surveys and study.

In staff updates, Undem told the council the proposed levy for 2025 was at 12.2 percent increase and with the council’s urging, it has been whittled down to 9.44 percent.  Mayor Chartrand praised Undem and asked that he keep working to lower the Levy. Council votes on a preliminary number in Sept.

Undem told the council a demolition permit has not been pulled for the old OJ Juice building but the new owner has begun staging equipment for the demolition.

Finally, the public is invited to Beach Park on Sept. 9 at 6 p.m. for a concept design meeting for Beach Park.  Input will be sought from the council and the public on Beach Park improvements.

Council then adjourned at 8:20 p.m.    

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