Lake Elmo council approves contract for 2025 street and utility improvements after public hearing

The Lake Elmo City Council on May 6 approved a resolution awarding construction of the citys 2025 street and utility improvements after a public hearing in which neighbors pressed for lower special assessments and expressed concern about curb style and parking restrictions.

City staff said the city received seven bids for the multi-neighborhood project; the low bid came from Valley Paving Inc. at $1,485,463.50. Staff described a revised total project cost of just under $2.1 million, down from an engineers estimate near $1.9 million, and said preliminary assessments previously shared with property owners are likely to be reduced when final project costs are calculated.

The improvements cover five primary areas identified in project documents: Judith Mary Manor, Prairie Hamlet, Lake Elmo Vista, Rolling Hills Estates, Teal Pass Estates and Irish Court North. Proposed work includes roadway reclamation and reconstruction, installation of concrete curb and gutter, and drainage repairs; staff said water-main extensions initially considered will not be included this year.

At the public hearing, homeowners from Rolling Hills and adjacent neighborhoods asked the council to reduce the standard 30% special assessment. John Bourbon, a 1994 neighborhood resident, presented a written request asking the council to lower his parcels assessment to 10%, arguing past projects delivered a shorter-than-expected pavement life and that his family has effectively paid for years of future service already. Brad Bergey and other neighbors supported Bourbons request. Another speaker, Karen Granovsky of 50 Fifth Street North, said her cul-de-sac and its rural character would be materially changed by concrete curb and the proposed parking restrictions.

Staff and councilors responded to residents concerns during the hearing. City staff emphasized that the citys policy proposes concrete curb and gutter because it extends roadway life and improves drainage; staff explained the city typically uses a 4-inch (B4) curb in these neighborhoods to balance longevity and driveway access. Council members said they appreciated residents feedback but that the city (which pays roughly 70% of the project cost under policy) generally prefers the more durable curb-and-gutter option to protect the larger public investment. Councilors also said the specific placement of new no-parking signage (one-side restrictions on streets under 28 feet, per policy) can be adjusted after construction to reduce neighborhood impacts.

After discussion the council adopted resolution 2025-038 ordering the improvement, accepting bids and awarding a contract to Valley Paving Inc. The council also authorized the city administrator to enter a materials testing contract for construction quality assurance not to exceed $30,000. A roll-call tally was not recorded in the meeting minutes; the mayor called the question and the motion passed.

City staff said final assessment amounts will be calculated at the end of the project and that the assessment hearing (a separate statutory step) is the forum to seek adjustments to assessment allocations; staff noted the council has discretion to change assessment amounts so long as any changes remain uniform across a property class.

The project schedule will be confirmed after the contract is executed and a contractor schedule is available; staff said the city will hold a follow-up open house with property owners once a contractor is selected to provide neighborhood-specific construction details.

Votes at a glance: the council approved resolution 2025-038 (order improvements, accept bids, award contract to Valley Paving Inc.) and authorized a materials-testing contract not to exceed $30,000.