HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-01-22 Regular Minutes City of Apple Valley
January 22, 2026, City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Council of Apple Valley, Dakota County, Minnesota, held
January 22, 2026, at 7:00 p.m., at the Apple Valley Municipal Center.
Present: Mayor Hooppaw; Councilmembers Bergman, Grendahl, Hiebert, and Melander
Absent: None
City staff members present were: City Administrator Lawell, City Clerk Scipioni, City Attorney Hills,
City Engineer Anderson, Community Development Director Benetti, Parks and Recreation Director
Carlson, Deputy Police Chief Dahlstrom, Police Chief Francis,Assistant City Administrator Grawe,
Human Resources Manager Haefner, Finance Director Lemarr, and Public Works Director Saam.
1. Call to Order and Pledge
Mayor Hooppaw called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Everyone took part in the Pledge of
Allegiance to the flag.
2.Approve Agenda
Motion: of Grendahl seconded by Bergman, approving the agenda for tonight's meeting as
presented. Ayes- 5- Nays- 0.
3. Audience
Mayor Hooppaw asked if anyone was present to address the Council, at this time, on any item not
on this meeting's agenda.
Patrick Luke, 13647 Holyoke Lane, spoke regarding water and its value and future in Apple Valley.
Liliana Goodman, 1011 Baldwin Drive, spoke regarding concerns about Immigration and Customs
Enforcement activity in the community. She requested the Council place the issue on a future
agenda for discussion, approve a policy prohibiting immigration enforcement activities on
municipal property, and direct the Police Department to write guidelines explaining how it protects
community members from immigration enforcement.
Kim Hill, 6720 145'Street West, spoke regarding her concerns about Immigration and Customs
Enforcement activities in the community, including the impact it has had on children and schools.
Robbie Briody, 13727 Fordham Avenue, spoke regarding his concerns about Immigration and
Customs Enforcement activities in the community, including the concern that the activities are
racially motivated and that the community is seeking protection.
Amy Jamison, 5732 143'd Street West, spoke regarding her concerns about Immigration and
Customs Enforcement activities in the community, including the impact it is having on children.
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Mayor Hooppaw thanked the audience members for the comments and asked them to continue
having a dialogue with the City.
4. Consent Agenda
Mayor Hooppaw asked if the Council or anyone in the audience wished to pull any item from the
consent agenda.There were no requests.
Motion: of Melander, seconded by Hiebert, approving all items on the consent agenda with
no exceptions. Ayes- 5 - Nays-0.
Consent agenda items
A. Approve the minutes of the regular meeting of January 8, 2026
B. Approve election to not waive monetary limits on municipal tort liability
C. Approve agreement between the City of Apple Valley and Dakota County South Metro
SWAT for fiscal agent services
D. Approve agreement with the City of Lakeville for membership in the First Responder
Skills Training Center
E. Approve Change Order No. 1 to agreement with McNamara Contracting, Inc., for Project
2025-104,Johnny Cake Ridge Road (147th to 140th Street) Improvements
F. Approve Change Order No. 1 to agreement with McNamara Contracting, Inc., for Project
2025-105, 2025 Street Improvements
G. Approve Change Order No. 1 to agreement with McNamara Contracting, Inc., for Project
2023-133, EVR-P11 Pond Enhancements
H. Approve acceptance and final payment on agreement with Kunkel Electric for lighting
installation for Project 2024-153, Pickleball Court Expansion at JCRPW(2023 Parks
Bond Referendum)
I. Approve acceptance and final payment on various agreements for Project 2021-172,
Police Garage to various contractors
J. Approve claims and bills
K. Approve 2026-2027 Collective Bargaining Agreement with LELS Local No. 71
L. Approve Personnel Report
5. Regular Agenda
A.Amendment to 2040 Comprehensive Plan Regarding Mixed-Business Campus(MBC) Land
Use Guidance and Related Text
Mr. Benetti and Ms. Haskamp presented and summarized the information included in the Council
packet, including a summary of request, a history of the actions and discussions on the request to-
date, discussion of the area subject to the requested Comprehensive Plan Amendment, and the
specific components of the request.They noted the Planning Commission held a public hearing
about the request on January 15, 2025.The Planning Commission received additional information
from the applicant and staff at its April 2, 2025, meeting and at that meeting recommended denial
of the requested Comprehensive Plan Amendment on a 5-1 vote.
Councilmember Grendahl noted that the City has received little additional information since the
item was moved from the December 23, 2025, meeting to the January 22, 2026, meeting.
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Motion: of Grendahl, seconded by Melander,to affirm the Planning Commission's
recommendation and to adopt Resolution No. 2026-11 denying the request for a
Comprehensive Plan Amendment to reguide land on figure 4.2 Orchard Place
concept to Mixed Business Campus and to remove all corresponding text
references for the area generally located south of County Road 42 between Flagstaff
Avenue and Pilot Knob Road and north of the future 155th Parkway Right-of-Way.
Councilmember Melander stated, as a former Planning Commission Chair,that he knows firsthand
the development of the Comprehensive Plan was a lengthy process designed to plan for a well-
organized community. He stated the Comprehensive Plan should only be changed for the long-term
good of the community and noted that the City has received hundreds of emails in opposition to
changing the vision for this area.
Councilmember Bergman stated the Planning Commission spent extensive time developing the
2040 Comprehensive Plan and the area under application is developing according to that plan. He
expressed concerns about the proposed amendment being detrimental to existing businesses. He
noted significant concerns regarding water supply and noted the City is in the midst of determining
how to fund PFAS treatment for its existing water users.
Councilmember Hiebert stated she has serious concerns about water issues associated with the
requested Comprehensive Plan Amendment. She noted the concerns expressed by residents.
Additionally, she said the Alternative Urban Areawide Review(AUAR) update completed in 2024
contemplated a land use change on the eastern side of the Johnny Cake Ridge Road extension.The
Comprehensive Plan Amendment request is for both the east and westerly portions of the property
and the requested Comprehensive Plan Amendment on the westerly portion of the site was not
included in the 2024 AUAR update. Councilmember Hiebert stated the 2040 Comprehensive Plan
provided a clear vision for the area with a vibrant commercial mix.The requested Comprehensive
Plan Amendment would allow the area to be developed into one homogenous use,which does not
align with the vision for the area. Councilmember Hiebert expressed her appreciation for the work
the applicant has done in developing other parts of the City and stated she believes the Orchard
Place area can continue to be developed according to the existing vision.
Mayor Hooppaw read the resolution of denial into the record and confirmed with the Council that
the resolution accurately reflects the Council's findings for denial of the application.
Councilmember Grendahl and Councilmember Melander confirmed the resolution was consistent
with her motion and his second.
Mayor Hooppaw called for a vote:Ayes- 5- Nays-0.
6. Communications
Mr. Carlson shared information about Mid-Winter Fest to be held Saturday, February 7 at Johnny
Cake Ridge Park West.
Chief Francis encouraged students to sign up for the Apple Valley and Rosemount Police
Departments'Teen Academy.
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7. Calendar of Upcoming Events
Motion: of Grendahl,seconded by Hiebert, approving the calendar of upcoming events as
included in the Deputy City Clerk's memo,and noting that each event listed is
hereby deemed a Special Meeting of the City Council. Ayes-5- Nays-O.
8.Adjourn
Motion: of Bergman,seconded by Grendahl,to adjourn. Ayes-5- Nays-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:21 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Christina M. Scipioni, City Clerk
Approved by the Apple Valley City Council on February 12,2026.
Cheriat—