12-08-2025 - Agenda Packet Cc - Regular Meeting

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Minutes City Council Regular Meeting Monday, November 24, 2025, 6:00 PM City Council Chambers 2780 Kelley Parkway, Orono, MN 55356 Benson asked about trees that were going to be removed and replacement vegetation in the wetland. She urged that native plants support pollinators and that Monarch butterflies be used. Benson moved, Schwingler seconded, to accept the quote from TreeStory Inc. for $18,198 and approve the oversight quote from Bolton and Menk for a fee not to exceed $3,400. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. PUBLIC WORKS REPORT 14. Navarre Water Treatment Plant Improvements (22-022) — Award Public Works Goman presented the proposed award for the Navarre Water Treatment Plant water control center, replacing equipment original to the building from 1971. He noted the bids had come in higher than anticipated. Persian moved, Benson seconded, to award the contract to Lakehead Contractors for $791,150, including alternates one and three and the proposal from Bolton and Menk for construction phase services. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT REPORT 15. LA25-000044, Scott England o/b/o Barbara Lupient, 3220 Wayzata Blvd, Sketch Plan The City Council is requested to review the Staff report, receive a presentation, and discuss and provide non -binding feedback. The proposal is for a development of 26 detached townhomes intended mainly for empty -nesters on Lake Classen in the Highway 12 corridor outside of the MUSA (City services) line. It would require rezoning from rural to a higher density and extension of the MUSA. It would include a wetland conservation area around the lakeshore. The Planning Commission was split on the merits of the proposal. The City Council asked questions of the applicant's representatives, Mike Waldo, Ron Clark Construction, and Tim Whitten, Whitten Associates, Architects. Councilmembers pointed out that the City is going to begin looking at the Comprehensive Plan again in 2026, but this rezoning proposal would be driven by a developer, not the City. They called the development thoughtful but questioned whether the location is appropriate for higher density. The consensus was that the City is not ready to rezone at this time, but would look at that site during the Comprehensive Plan review. They encouraged the property owners and potential developers to participate in the Comprehensive Plan hearing process. 16. LA25-000039, Text Amendment regarding Retaining Walls The City Council is requested to review the Staff report, receive a presentation, and discuss and adopt an ordinance amendment to the zoning code to clarify retaining wall standards and allowances with the required yard setbacks. Page 2 of 3 6