Lakeville council honors retirees, adopts plats and sets city administrator's step increase

The Lakeville City Council's Dec. 15 meeting included recognition of long-serving firefighters, a business spotlight, several routine land-use approvals and a personnel action affecting the city administrator.

Fire Chief Mike Meyer and fellow firefighters honored four members who retired in 2025 after more than 20 years of service; families joined the presentation and members praised departmental teamwork and family support.

Community Development Director Tina Goodrod presented a spotlight video and recognition for Hearth and Home Technologies, a longtime Lakeville employer and manufacturer that the city acknowledged for continued investment and local jobs.

On land-use business the council approved the North Creek Second Edition preliminary plat, which would create a mix of single-family and detached townhome lots on property east of Pilot Knob and south of 173rd Street. Goodrod said the property had been previously platted in 2019 but the prior approval had expired; the Planning Commission held a public hearing and recommended unanimous approval.

The council also approved several consent-agenda items including a resolution accepting more than $28,000 in donations from Lakeville Liquors customers to the Yellow Ribbon campaign and amendments to the Lakeville Fire Association bylaws related to pension and state aid allocation.

Separately, the personnel committee reported on a closed-session performance review for City Administrator Justin Miller and recommended a pay-step increase. Councilmember Birnbaum moved to set Miller's salary from step 7 to step 8 effective Jan. 1, 2026; the motion was seconded and the roll call recorded aye votes for those listed in the transcript, and the motion passed.

The mayor closed the meeting with holiday wishes and the council adjourned.