Lake Elmo council approves consent agenda, confirms plans for 100th celebration with flyover, fireworks and food trucks

The Lake Elmo City Council on Aug. 19 approved its consent agenda as amended and finalized several logistics for the city's 100th anniversary celebration, including a planned flyover, a signed fireworks contract and multiple confirmed food trucks.

Council members voted to approve the meeting agenda and the minutes of the Aug. 6 council meeting before approving the consent agenda after removing a publication ordinance item (No. 2025-13) from consent. The consent agenda included a temporary liquor license for the Lake Elmo Rotary, pay request No. 2 for 2025 street and utility improvements, a security reduction for Gardner School, acceptance of bids and award of contract for 2025 crack sealing, an amendment to a 2025 SafeBuilt contract, approval of a star-gazing event and routine payments and disbursements.

Why it matters: the approvals and contract updates clear several logistical steps for the city's centennial events and authorize the Rotary to operate a beer trailer under the temporary liquor license.

Council and staff discussed the celebration schedule and vendors. Council member Mr. Drasich said the city has been in contact with several aviation groups and that a contract is expected for a flyover by three World War II-era airplanes, including a B-25 bomber operated by the Commemorative Air Force, pending required approvals. Drasich said the Blackhawks will not be able to attend and that the C-1 thirties (an aviation group referenced by the council) may be able to participate pending FAA approval.

City staff provided additional event logistics. Ms. Miller (staff member) said, "we have our fireworks vendor contract, signed and delivered back," and that staff are working on a contract for the band and will hold a planning meeting with the mayor and the Rotary on Thursday to finalize details.

Council members said several food trucks have been confirmed for "the 13th," with the council mentioning dessert, Asian, Mexican and barbecue vendors; one council member noted five food trucks confirmed so far. Council members and staff discussed parking and power availability for the food truck area on Upper 30th Street and said staff will firm up placement after the Thursday planning meeting.

On the temporary liquor license: Miss Johnson (council member) noted, "with the passage of the temporary liquor license this evening, the Lake Elmo Rotary will be able to move forward with their... beer trailer with two taps of beer and one tap of seltzer." The license was approved as part of the consent agenda vote.

Votes at a glance - Motion to approve the meeting agenda: approved (vote not recorded by name; council voice vote: ayes). - Motion to approve minutes of Aug. 6, 2025: approved (vote not recorded by name; council voice vote: ayes). - Consent agenda (as amended; publication ordinance 2025-13 removed): approved (vote not recorded by name; council voice vote: ayes). Items included in the approved consent agenda: temporary liquor license for Lake Elmo Rotary; pay request No. 2 for 2025 street and utility improvements; Gardner School security reduction; acceptance of bids and award of contract for 2025 crack sealing; amendment to 2025 SafeBuilt contract; approval of star-gazing event; approval of payments and disbursements. Items removed from consent: publication ordinance 2025-13 (pulled from consent) and the trash hauler hours PDF (removed). Specific individual vote tallies and the names of movers/seconders were not recorded in the transcript.

Next steps and context Staff will finalize and sign the flyover contract if required approvals are obtained, complete the band contract, and return to council with any additional procurement or contract documents as needed. Staff said they will send an email update to the council later in the week summarizing planning progress and logistics for the event.

The meeting adjourned at 7:09 p.m.