Lilydale council declares local flood emergency, approves sewer inspection, election procedures and budget allocation

The Lilydale City Council on July 8 declared a local flood emergency and took several infrastructure, election and budget actions during a meeting that ran from 5:02 to 6:07 p.m.

Mayor John Diehl opened the meeting, added two agenda items — a local flood emergency declaration and a council-salary review — and the council approved the revised agenda 5-0 after a motion by Councilmember Lyle Hanzal and a second from Councilmember Bill Kleinman.

Ann Bailey, president of the nonprofit DARTS, accepted a proclamation marking the organization’s 50th anniversary and described DARTS’ services for older adults, saying Lilydale’s primary use of the service is bus transportation from the senior living building. "We appreciate the city’s partnership," Bailey said as Mayor Diehl presented Resolution 2024-10 recognizing DARTS’ milestone; the council approved the resolution 5-0.

In staff reports, Captain Wayne Wegener of the Lilydale Police Department said the Mississippi River level is receding and that current damage estimates do not meet the threshold for FEMA reimbursement. He announced a newly hired officer, Emma Thompson, will be in training for 14 to 16 weeks and said the department anticipates hiring two officers within the next six months to replace a retirement and a resignation. "We are monitoring the peak and crest closely," Wegener said.

Barr Engineering’s Jennifer Koehler told the council the grinder associated with the sanitary system is operational and restoration around the structure has been completed. She asked the council to authorize payment to Minger Construction once the pay application is reviewed and is within the bid amount. Koehler also reported a new proposal from Pipe Services to televise portions of the sanitary sewer and the storm drop shaft system; she said the quote is approximately $31,000 higher than the previous estimate because the company has changed ownership and the work requires pressured jetting and pump mobilization where water access is limited. Koehler recommended focusing televising on the sanitary sewer at the base of the bluff and the storm drop shaft to document pipe condition and identify maintenance needs; the council approved execution of the agreement and the Minger payment authorization 5-0. "We want to document the pipe condition at the bluff and address any maintenance needs," Koehler said.

City Administrator Mary Tollefson presented the June financial report, saying deposits included a false fire alarm payment and reimbursement of election costs for the Presidential Nomination Primary; disbursements were routine and included the second-half payment for the 2023 audit. The council approved the June financial reports 5-0. Tollefson said she is preparing a mid-year budget report and reminded the council that candidate filing for mayor and two council seats runs July 30–August 13.

The Finance Committee proposed using a portion of a Playwrights Center bond issuance fee to support local history work. Councilmember Bill Kleinman said the committee recommended reserving $7,200 of the $20,250 fee to fund historian Vicki Albu’s work through year-end; the council approved the budget amendment 5-0.

On election administration, the council approved Resolution 2024-11 appointing election judges and adopted Resolution 2024-12 to count write-in votes only if the total number of write-ins for an office equals or exceeds the fewest non-write-in votes, a procedure City Administrator Tollefson said is permitted under Minnesota law.

Dakota County Commissioner Laurie Halverson told the council county staff are monitoring river crests and coordinating with city staff, and invited the city to request county or state support if needed. The council approved Resolution 2024-13 declaring a local flood emergency 5-0. "If there is something the county and state can do, let us know," Halverson said.

Councilmember Lyle Hanzal noted City Ordinance 201.06 requires the council review member salaries by the July meeting; Mayor Diehl said staff would research comparable cities and the issue was tabled for a future meeting. Councilmember Deborah Cornell said she was troubled by comments made during a recent EDA public hearing. The meeting adjourned at 6:07 p.m.

Votes at a glance: the council approved the revised agenda (motion: Hanzal; second: Kleinman) 5-0; Resolution 2024-10 (DARTS proclamation) 5-0; approval of June 10 minutes as revised 5-0; authorization to pay Minger Construction once the pay application is approved 5-0; approval to execute the Pipe Services agreement for televising the sanitary sewer at the base of the bluff and the storm drop shaft system 5-0; June 2024 financial reports 5-0; budget amendment allocating $7,200 to the History Committee 5-0; Resolution 2024-11 (appoint election judges) 5-0; Resolution 2024-12 (counting write-in votes) 5-0; Resolution 2024-13 (declaring a local flood emergency) 5-0; city council salary review tabled to the next meeting.