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Lake Elmo council orders 2026 street project, approves related assessment rolls and $138,600 design contract
Summary
The Lake Elmo City Council ordered the 2026 Street and Utility improvements, authorized a not-to-exceed $138,600 design contract, and approved revised assessment rolls for multiple street projects after public hearings in which residents raised concerns about costs, tree loss and sewer service.
The Lake Elmo City Council on Oct. 21 ordered improvements for the 2026 Street and Utility project in the Lake Elmo Heights and Eagle Creek Point Estates neighborhoods and authorized a not-to-exceed $138,600 contract for final design and bidding services.
City Engineer Mr. Stanley told the council the 2026 project will use full-depth reclamation and new concrete curb-and-gutter (B418 style), that the area is outside the Metropolitan Urban Service Area and that no sanitary-sewer extensions are planned. He said preliminary assessments varied by neighborhood, with typical single-lot assessments around $15,000 and lower cul-de-sac assessments for smaller lots.
The council opened the required public hearing, during which resident Jim Greenguard asked about long-range sewer plans and whether the city had considered less-expensive options. Mr. Stanley replied that the streets in the project area are “too far gone” for a mill-and-overlay and that reclamation or full reconstruction is required; he defended concrete curb-and-gutter as standard practice to extend pavement life and improve drainage.
After the hearing, Councilmember [speaker 6] moved to adopt the resolution ordering the improvement (feasibility report dated 09/09/2025); the motion carried by voice vote. The council then approved a motion authorizing the city administrator to execute a contract with Bolton Mink Inc. for the final design and bidding phase, not to exceed $138,600.
Across related work from 2025, staff presented a revised final assessment roll for multiple neighborhoods (Irish Court, Teal Pass Estates, Lake Elmo Vista, Prairie Hamlet, Rolling Hills Estates and Judith Mary Manor). Mr. Stanley said final assessments came in roughly 22% below preliminary estimates because of aggressive bids; he also noted one parcel (a flag lot at 9696 55th Street North) was mistakenly included in preliminary tabulations and was removed from the roll.
The council discussed whether properties that were assessed in 2010 — some built to different, lower standards or with bituminous curb by resident choice — should receive any reduction. Several members emphasized that state assessment rules require uniformity and that the city cannot single out individual properties for ad hoc relief; others urged sympathy for residents asked to pay again after short service lives on earlier work. Ultimately the council adopted the amended final assessment roll by voice vote.
Votes at a glance: • Resolution ordering 2026 Street & Utility improvements: approved (voice) • Authorization for Bolton Mink Inc. design contract, not to exceed $138,600: approved (voice) • Resolution adopting amended final assessment roll for 2025 Street & Utility project (removing 9696 55th Street North): approved (voice)
The council directed staff to follow up on complaints about construction impacts and tree removals so inspectors and construction staff can determine whether the contractor worked within the right-of-way and whether private property was affected.
