DUNDAS CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Monday, December January 27, 2025
7:00 p.m. City Hall
Present: Mayor Glenn Switzer Councilors Luke LaCroix, Ashley Gallagher, Grant Modory, Luke Swartwood
Staff: City Engineer Dustin Tipp, City Administrator/Clerk Jenelle Teppen
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Switzer called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion by Gallagher, second by LaCroix, to approve the agenda. Motion Carried Unanimously (MCU)
CONSENT AGENDA
a. Regular Minutes of January 13, 2025
b. Disbursements - $112,991.87
Motion by Swartwood, second by LaCroix, to approve the consent agenda. MCU
REGULAR AGENDA
a. Consider Providing Direction to Staff Regarding Additional Kayak/Canoe Landing Site on West Side of the Cannon River
Administrator Teppen briefly reviewed the materials in the City Council agenda packet regarding the above item. Staff is seeking direction from the City Council on the installation of a boat (canoe/kayak) landing on the west side of the Cannon River between the pedestrian bridge and the Hester Street bridge and where it might fit in the City’s Capital Improvement Plan.
Staff was approached by three individuals who are advocating for an additional landing as the current landing on the island can be difficult to maneuver for anyone but very experienced and nimble paddlers.
Included in the materials were two options for consideration that fell within the minimum standards for boat launches imposed by the DNR. Option 1 is closer to the Hester Street Bridge and Option 2 is nearer to the pedestrian bridge from Mill Park to Memorial Park.
The owners of Farmstead Outdoor Adventures, Greg Neis and Brianna Lane were in attendance. They currently lease the City’s Engine House and rent kayaks out of the location. They expressed their support for an additional landing, indicating that they would like to expand their presence at the Engine House and provide bike rentals and other amenities to bikers who use the Mill Towns State Trail, noting that other communities on regional bike trails have seen positive economic impacts from trail users who stop to eat, drink or shop in places that are adjacent to a regional bike trail.
Margie O’Loughlin, 412 Manitou St, Northfield and Clean River Partners Board Member and avid paddler spoke to the City Council about how the current landing can be treacherous and supports a second landing.
Pat O’Loughlin, 412 Manitou St, Northfield also spoke and voiced support.
The City Council indicated that they would like written communication from the DNR that a landing on the Wild and Scenic designated Cannon River is permissible and directed staff to bring the item to the Park Board for their review and comment. Council member Modory suggested that the City Council discuss the current use and long-term plan for the Engine House as well.
b. Consider Recommendation Regarding Pedestrian Crossing at Hester Street
City Engineer Dustin Tipp presented the item and noted that the feasibility of a pedestrian crossing at Hester St, across the railroad tracks, down the hill to Railway St was explored.
He further noted that there are several challenges and requirements to complete the sidewalk connection across the railroad including; permitting and approval from the UPRR for all work within the railroad easement, retaining wall and sidewalk improvements within that easement to mitigate the steep slope, additional concrete sidewalk along Hester to Railway St, removal and replacement of a portion of the existing retaining wall at Railway St and Hester to install that sidewalk.
With all of those improvements the sidewalk would still not be ADA compliant due to the grades on Hester St. The maximum allowable grade is 8.33% and a sidewalk along Hester would be 11.5%.
Staff met with the Public Works Committee to review the item the Committee members recommend the following to provide a safe crossing for pedestrians and bicyclists at the railroad crossing that includes: keeping the sidewalk on the south side of Hester St until a new sidewalk on the north side the road would be necessary due to development, install signs to direct pedestrians and bicyclists to use the existing railroad crossing on Mill Street, contact the UPRR to discuss improving the railroad crossing at Mill St.
The City Council discussed and supported the recommendation from the Public Works Committee.
REPORTS OF OFFICERS, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
City Engineer Tipp reported that the construction plans for the County Road 1/ Trunk Highway 3 project are at 60% completion and are under review. The excavation on the 2025 pond maintenance project is complete while grading and restoration is still outstanding. Draft plans for the 2025 Schilling Drive Sewer project are complete and a meeting with Menards on access and schedule is scheduled.
The City Administrator reported that Council member Swartwood reached out with a question about the Northfield Water Treatment Plant and if or how that project might impact Dundas. The Administrator answered that there is no impact to Dundas, the two cities water systems are not connected.
ADJOURN
Motion by Swartwood, second by Gallagher, to adjourn the meeting at 7:54 PM. MCU
Minutes prepared by Jenelle Teppen, City Administrator/City Clerk
