Big Lake public meetings in 2022
16 substantive meetings from 2022, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
City Council Packets
The City Council approved the final 2023 General Fund Budget, the Economic Development Authority Levy, and the Fire JPA Budget and pay scales. The Council also designated 2023 polling locations and tabled a decision on a towing services contract. Additionally, two police officers were sworn into office.
- Approved final 2023 Tax Levy and General Fund Budget (unanimous)
- Approved final 2023 Economic Development Authority Levy (unanimous)
- Approved all City Budgets, Fire JPA Budget, and City Grade and Pay Scale (unanimous)
- Approved 2023 Fire Pay Scale (4-0-1)
- Tabled towing, impounding, and storage contract until March 2023 (3-2)
- Approved Resolution No. 2022-99 designating 2023 polling locations (unanimous)
- Approved Consent Agenda including police promotions and planning commission appointments (unanimous)
City Council Packets
The City Council directed staff to purchase new GPS utility locator equipment and designated the ERSN/Monticello Times as the city's newspaper for 2023. Council also authorized a letter of support for a county pedestrian bridge grant and scheduled expert presentations on smart meter EMF concerns.
- Approved purchase of new utility locator equipment for $11,706
- Authorized Mayor to sign Letter of Support for CSAH 5 pedestrian bridge grant
- Designated ERSN/Monticello Times as the City’s newspaper for 2023
- Directed staff to invite a building biologist and SEH consultant to the February 8, 2023 workshop
EDA Packets
The Economic Development Authority approved the 2023 budget and a contract amendment for The Blackbird Group LLC. The board also recommended a conditional use permit for municipal storage at 421 Foley Ave. to the City Council.
- Approved Resolution No. 2022-02 to extend the contract with The Blackbird Group LLC (6-1, 1 abstention)
- Recommended approval of a conditional use permit for Public Works storage at 421 Foley Ave. to City Council (unanimous)
- Approved the 2023 BLEDA Budget (unanimous)
- Approved the BLEDA List of Claims for November 2022 (unanimous)
- Approved meeting agenda and November 14, 2022 minutes (unanimous)
Planning Commission Packets
The commission recommended approval for a catering and event center and a municipal equipment storage site. The body also adopted the 2023 meeting schedule.
- Recommended approval of conditional use permit for Style Catering and Event Center at 617 Rose Drive (unanimous)
- Recommended approval of conditional use permit for municipal storage at 421 Foley Avenue (unanimous)
- Adopted 2023 meeting dates as proposed (unanimous)
- Approved November 2, 2022 meeting minutes (unanimous)
City Council Packets
The City Council, Planning Commission, EDA, and Parks Advisory Committee held a workshop to review annual accomplishments and future strategies. The session focused on economic development, zoning updates, and park maintenance funding. No legislative actions were taken other than the adoption of the agenda and adjournment.
- Adopted the proposed agenda (unanimous)
Park Advisory Committee Packets
The committee recommended that City Council approve the Freedom Rock Canopy Project. Members also adopted the 2023 meeting schedule and authorized the filling of one committee vacancy. The committee discussed potential locations for future pickleball courts but reached no formal decision.
- Recommended City Council approval of Freedom Rock Canopy Project (unanimous)
- Authorized publication of notice and interviews for one expiring committee seat (unanimous)
- Adopted proposed 2023 Parks Advisory Committee Meeting Schedule (unanimous)
- Set 2022 Annual Joint Committee Workshop for December 5, 2022 (unanimous)
- Approved September 19, 2022 meeting minutes (unanimous)
- Approved meeting agenda (unanimous)
City Council Packets
The City Council approved the 2023 fee schedule and the final environmental review for the Parkwood Knolls development. Council also accepted donations for the Farmers Market and Police Department. A public hearing was held regarding the 2023 budget and levy, but no public comments were made.
- Approved 2023 Fee Schedule with water meter opt-out fee as a placeholder (unanimous)
- Approved final AUAR for Parkwood Knolls development (unanimous)
- Approved contract to Core and Main for Water Meter Replacement Project (unanimous)
- Approved Resolution No. 2021-94 accepting Farmers Market donations (unanimous)
- Approved Resolution No. 2022-93 accepting $1,500 donation for Police Canine Program (unanimous)
- Approved therapeutic massage license for Jessica Spike (unanimous)
- Approved Police Department internal promotions for Investigator and K9 Officer (unanimous)
- Approved Connexus Energy lighting agreements and M&M Express site agreement (unanimous)
City Council Packets
The City Council unanimously directed staff to pursue grant funding for aquatic invasive species treatment and pedestrian safety improvements. Council also directed staff to prepare a policy change to lower special event insurance requirements.
- Directed staff to proceed with lowering special event insurance requirements to $1M per occurrence for future Council consideration (unanimous)
- Directed staff to pursue AIS grant funding for lake treatment and diving inspections (unanimous)
- Directed staff to pursue safety and connectivity grant funding from the TAP Program (unanimous)
EDA Packets
The Economic Development Authority approved extending a private development agreement for property PID 65-554-0105 to allow for its conveyance to The Blackbird Group LLC. The board also authorized advertising for an upcoming vacant commissioner seat and adopted the 2023 meeting schedule.
- Approved extending the Contract for Private Development Agreement for PID 65-554-0105 (4-1, 1 abstention)
- Authorized staff to advertise for the upcoming open EDA position (unanimous)
- Adopted the proposed 2023 BLEDA Meeting Schedule (unanimous)
- Set the 2022 Annual Joint Committee Workshop for December 5, 2022 (unanimous)
- Approved the BLEDA List of Claims for September and October 2022 (unanimous)
- Accepted the budget report (unanimous)
- Approved the September 12, 2022 meeting minutes (unanimous)
City Council Packets
The City Council approved Resolution No. 2022-88 to canvass the votes from the November 8, 2022 General Election. Ken Halverson and Kim Noding were identified as the top two candidates for the City Council seats. The results are pending any request for a Discretionary Recount by candidate Jack Merwin.
- Approved Resolution No. 2022-88 canvassing the November 8, 2022 General Election votes (unanimous)
City Council Packets
The City Council held a special workshop to review a staffing analysis and market compensation study conducted by BakerTilly US, LLP. The report provided recommendations for new positions across city departments and a market rate comparison for pay. No formal votes were taken on the recommendations during this workshop.
- Adopted proposed agenda (unanimous)
City Council Packets
The Council approved special assessments for the 2021 Street and Utility Improvement Project and certified delinquent utility and maintenance charges for tax collection. A pre-construction change order for a fire pumper engine was approved despite some council opposition regarding costs. Various administrative items, including license renewals and staffing reports, were processed via the consent agenda.
- Approved $13,835.94 pre-construction change order for Fire Rescue Pumper Engine (4-1)
- Approved Resolution No. 2021-85 certifying special assessments for Street and Utility Improvement Project ST2021-1 (unanimous)
- Approved Resolution No. 2022-86 certifying past due utilities for collection via 2023 property taxes (unanimous)
- Approved Resolution No. 2022-86 certifying unpaid weed/grass/snow removal charges for collection via 2023 property taxes (unanimous)
- Approved 2023 Therapeutic Massage and Tobacco License Renewals (unanimous)
- Approved Assessment Services Agreement with Sherburne County (unanimous)
- Approved hire of Joseph Kautzman as Water/Wastewater Operator I (unanimous)
- Rescinded conditional offer of employment for Haiden Spotts (unanimous)
City Council Packets
The Council reviewed a proposed 2023 General Fund budget of $6,295,651 and a total levy of $5,346,485. Members discussed pavement preservation and the impact of potential state-imposed levy limits. The Council also expressed unanimous support for purchasing a new K9 animal.
- Adopted proposed agenda (unanimous)
- Unanimously supported moving forward with the City's K9 Program
- Reviewed 2023 proposed total levy of $5,346,485 (4.12% increase)
Planning Commission Packets
The Planning Commission scheduled the 2022 Annual Joint Committee Workshop for December 5, 2022. The commission also approved the meeting minutes from October 5, 2022.
- Approved October 5, 2022 meeting minutes (unanimous)
- Set 2022 Annual Joint Committee Workshop for December 5, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. (unanimous)
City Council Packets
The City Council approved a preliminary plat and PUD for a 74-unit senior housing development. Council also approved a zoning change and comprehensive plan amendment for a property to be redeveloped as a youth center. Several administrative appointments and agreements were passed via the consent agenda.
- Approved Preliminary Plat and PUD for Big Lake Station Senior 74-unit multifamily housing (unanimous)
- Approved Ordinance No. 2022-13 rezoning 20169 County Road 43 from Agriculture to Community Business (B-2) (unanimous)
- Approved Resolution No. 2022-81 changing 20169 County Road 43 land use from Future Neighborhood to Business (unanimous)
- Approved Resolution No. 2022-77 Snow and Ice Control Agreement with Big Lake Township (unanimous)
- Approved conditional offer of employment to Haiden Spotts as Police Officer (unanimous)
- Approved appointment of Donna Clarksean to the Big Lake Economic Development Authority (unanimous)
- Approved Resolution No. 2022-78 Conditional Use Permit for Accessory Retail Sales in Industrial Park District (unanimous)
- Approved Resolution No. 2022-79 Joint Powers Agreements with State of Minnesota/BCA (unanimous)
City Council Packets
The City Council reviewed proposed 2023 fee changes and scheduled a special workshop to analyze staffing and compensation. Council also directed staff to proceed with a concrete project at the Lakeside Park Skate Park using donated labor.
- Directed staff to bring amended 2023 fee schedule to December 14 meeting
- Scheduled Special Council Workshop for November 14, 2022, at 3:30 p.m. to review Staffing Analysis and Compensation Pay Report
- Directed staff to move forward with Lakeside Park Skate Park concrete project using donated labor from D and K Concrete