The Cottage Grove City Council addressed a wide range of municipal business at its Wednesday, Oct. 7 meeting, with major items including special assessments for street improvements, the next phase of the Prairie Dunes residential development, water treatment plant construction and several public works projects.

Meeting at 7 p.m. in the St. Croix Room at Cottage Grove City Hall, the council had four public hearings scheduled, including two that concerned assessments for road reconstruction and pavement improvements, another for unpaid special charges from assessment and a development in southwest Cottage Grove.

The meeting also included proclamations recognizing Indigenous Peoples' Day on Oct. 12 and Fire Prevention Week from Oct. 4 through Oct. 10. The proclamation on Indigenous People’s Day acknowledged the Dakota and Anishinaabe peoples and the contributions of the state's 11 federally recognized tribal nations, while the Fire Prevention Week proclamation emphasized the dangers associated with improperly charging lithium-ion batteries widely used in phones, laptops, power tools, electric bicycles and other rechargeable devices.

Residents were encouraged to follow manufacturer charging instructions, watch for overheating or swelling batteries and keep charging equipment away from potential fire hazards.

As for development proposals Oct. 7 there was the Prairie Dunes 2nd Addition, a residential subdivision located directly east of Grey Cloud Dunes SNA and west of the Graymont Village residential development.

The Prairie Dunes development will have 162 planned homes when completed. Items connected with Prairie Dunes on Wednesday included approval of a final plat and development agreement, along with construction plans and vacation of an existing drainage and utility easement.

The development was originally approved by the City Council on Aug. 21, 2024, when council members authorized a comprehensive plan amendment, preliminary plat, zoning amendment and planned unit development for the approximately 60-acre triangle shaped site.

The preliminary plat provided for 162 single-family homes, with the first phase containing 120 lots. The council approved the first addition's final plat on Feb. 5, 2025, followed by an amended plat and development agreement on April 16, 2025.

The second addition contains the remaining 42 single-family lots and three outlots. Two of the outlots, identified as B and C, are designated for stormwater ponding and would be deeded to the city. The third, Outlot A, would provide a continuation of the recreational trail corridor along the western boundary of the development, adjacent to the Scientific and Natural Area, with a connection into Graymont Village to the east.

Because of the development's proximity to the protected natural area, the developer has been coordinating with the DNR to ensure landscaping plans meet recommendations for native plant species.

The proposal also required the vacation of a drainage and utility easement encompassing Outlot E of the original development. The easement was established to accommodate construction and utility connections during the first phase and would no longer be necessary following approval of the second addition.

Pulte Homes of Minnesota LLC and DRP Multistate P, LLC were identified as parties to the development agreement. Construction plans were prepared by Westwood Professional Services Inc., with a city engineering review recommending approval subject to outstanding technical comments and final authorization.

The council was asked to adopt four related actions covering the easement vacation, final plat, development agreement and construction plans.

Also from Wednesday, City Engineer Paul Sponholz presented on the 2026 Pavement Management Project, with pavement management replacing about 92 miles of pavement in Cottage Grove since beginning in 1994.

Contract completion date for the 2026 Pavement project is Oct. 31, with project done in three stages to minimize disruption. A sidewalk extension completed on Hillside but is not being assessed as part of the project.

Started this spring the 2026 project includes improvements to streets in the Woodridge Park Addition, Thompson Grove Estates 11th Addition, Pinetree Pond Townhouses First Addition and Cottage Grove Commercial Addition, along with portions of Hillside Trail South, 88th Street South, Isle Avenue South, Ironwood Avenue South, Ira Avenue South, Irish Avenue Court South and 90th Street South. Specifically, work included Hillside Trail between Isle and Jamaica avenues, sections of 88th Street and Isle Avenue, Ironwood Avenue between 88th and 90th streets, and 90th Street between Inwood and Jamaica avenues. Several residential cul-de-sacs were also included. McNamara Contracting Inc. was warded the contract in late spring, with project funding from a variety of sources.

Total estimated project cost is $4,063, 893.19, with $1.117 million paid for in assessments and $2 million from the general levy. Autozone was determined not to have a benefit for assessment purposes because it does not have an adjoining driveway.

Assessments are payable in 30 days to avoid interest charges, otherwise payment over 15 years. Partial payment is allowed at a minimum of $500, while the interest rate is 5 percent, or 1.5 percent above the bond rate. Deferral is available for disability, military, or those 65 years or age or older. Proof is needed for deferrals, and interest still accrues during the deferral period.

Residents can appeal the process by serving notice to the mayor or city clerk and also filing the served notice with the district court within 10 days of service. The city had received an objection to the proposed assessment from a 95-year-old non-driving resident who appeared and spoke at the Oct. 7 council meeting.

City attorney Kori Land answered that the assessment had been reduced after review and that the property benefited from having the new road, with the matter up to a judge to decide if sent to court. Age made the 95-year-old automatically eligible for deferral, with interest accruing and the amount charged upon future land sale.

Council Member David Clausen asked for clarification on taxes and special assessment, with Land explaining the difference. Tax assessments are based on home value while special assessments are based on the value added by the improvement.

Sponholz also presented on special assessment

“Finally five months into construction we’re nearing the finish line,” Sponholz said Oct. 7, with one and a half months left to go. Giving an overview of work completed, Sponholz put the recommendation before the council to approve assessments. The rehabilitation project estimated at $16.515 million along 80th Street South between Highway 61 and Ideal Avenue South also includes approximately 1,000 feet of East Point Douglas Road south of 80th Street, with city, county, MNDOT and federal funds in addition to assessments. Designed to replace deteriorating pavement, improve traffic flow and enhance pedestrian safety along one of the city's busiest transportation corridors, the project has includes pavement improvement and replacement, curb and sidewalk repairs, upgraded street lighting, traffic signal modifications, accessibility improvements and additional turn lanes, including dual left-turn lanes at the intersection of 80th Street and East Point Douglas Road/Hardwood Avenue. The project in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Transportation and Washington County also includes reconstruction of ramps and intersections at the Highway 61 interchange.

Work on the 80th Street South reconstruction project in Cottage Grove remains weather dependent, with Stage 4 scheduled to begin October 12, 2026. During this phase, traffic will be shifted back to normal lanes, although the section between Hardwood Avenue and Hinton Avenue will remain eastbound only. Elsewhere along the corridor, one lane of traffic will be maintained in each direction. By late October, two-way traffic is expected to be restored between Hardwood and Hinton avenues, with the south ramps also reopening. The project is scheduled to reach substantial completion by mid-November, with remaining punch list work to follow. Final project completion was anticipated in June 2027.

The council approved assessment for the project following Sponholz’s presentation, with the area around 80th Street South and East Point Douglas Road assessed as well as the north side of 80th Street South to Ideal Avenue. A total of 37 parcel with 29 property owners fall under assessment, with values ranging from $1,900 to $251,500 per parcel, including residential, commercial, and school district properties. The south side of 80th Street has a frontage road, with assessments for the area with frontage road made to the city. The same assessment terms apply to the 80th Street South project as to the pavement management project.

Another public hearing involved $3,050.59 in unpaid property maintenance charges associated with 11 properties.

According to the city's finance department, code enforcement officials issued 70 letters during 2026 concerning violations of the city's ordinance restricting grass and weed growth to no more than eight inches.

Property owners were given five days after receiving notice to correct the violations. When the required work was not completed, the city arranged for mowing or other corrective work and billed the owners.

Nine outstanding instances involved 2026 enforcement actions, while four additional instances originated in 2025. Some properties had multiple violations, leaving 11 properties subject to the proposed assessments.

The city's abatement fees are $55 for a first violation within 24 months, $105 for a second violation and $205 for a third or subsequent violation, in addition to the actual cost of the work.

The proposed assessments would become liens against the affected properties and be collected through property taxes over one year.

Also Wednesday, the council also considered additional expenditures for the city's Intermediate Zone Water Treatment Plant, a major infrastructure investment intended to support Cottage Grove's municipal water system.

Change Order No. 4 would increase the construction contract by $61,464, bringing the revised contract total to $90,568,777.29. The previous contract amount was $90,507,313.29.

The council was also asked to approve a $133,167 upgrade to the city's Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition system, commonly known as SCADA.

The proposed VTScada software, to be implemented by InControl Inc., would support the operation of municipal wells, pumping stations, water storage facilities and treatment systems.

The technology allows water utility personnel to monitor pressure, pumping operations, water production and other system conditions in real time. It also collects operating data used for maintenance, regulatory compliance and long-term planning.

The proposal included annual software support beginning in 2028 at a cost of $13,125.

Another utility-related item involved a $119,342 contract with Pipe Services for the 2026 Sanitary Sewer Televising and Cleaning Project, including two alternate work items. The project is part of the city's ongoing maintenance of its underground wastewater infrastructure.

In other business from Wednesday the council considered awarding a $158,157.50 contract to Killmer Electric for repairs to streetlights along Hadley Avenue South between 90th Street and 100th Street.

The lighting infrastructure was damaged in June during construction associated with Pinehill Elementary School. According to city staff, a contractor's actions damaged several light poles, electrical wiring and a control cabinet serving the streetlight circuit.

The city filed a claim against the responsible contractor seeking reimbursement but elected to proceed with repairs before the claim was settled.

Two contractors submitted quotations, with Killmer Electric offering the lower price. Collins Electrical Construction submitted a competing quote of $216,708.20.

The council also considered a $122,502.36 change order for the 80th Street, East Point Douglas Road and Highway 61 interchange rehabilitation project.

A separate transportation measure would prohibit parking on both sides of Inman Avenue between 113th Street and 115th Street.

Several licensing changes were included on the consent agenda.

Ordinance 1116 would increase the city's annual tobacco license fee from $250 to $300. Other adjustments would establish a $425 commercial solid waste hauler license fee and a $125 massage business license fee.

Item J was pulled from consent for discussion by Council member Justin Olsen, regarding a single-occasion gambling permit for Beyond the Yellow Ribbon.

“We are very excited to be entering into our third annual hometown raffle,” Olsen said, asking for community support to help the organization provide.
“Everybody’s a winner because you’re supporting a very good cause for the holidays,” he said of the raffle. Tickets can be obtained from Olsen and other Beyond the Yellow Ribbon members, with a drawing planned Dec. 5 this year at the VFW.

Closing out business from Wednesday, the council authorized an agreement with the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety for a federal fiscal year 2027 traffic enforcement grant, approval of rental licenses and consideration of an encroachment agreement for property at 6603 85th Street South.

Last but not least, the council approved disbursements totaling $6,934,570.89 for the period from Sept. 11 through Oct. 1.

Cottage Grove Council meetings are held on the first and third Wednesday of each month in city hall. The public is welcome to attend.