SUNFISH LAKE CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, September 9, 2025
First Calvary Baptist Church – 5495 S Robert Trail
7:00 P.M.
Attendants
Mayor: Dan O’Leary
Councilmembers: Present: Steve Bulach, Tom Hendrickson, Mike Hovey, Shannon Nelson
City Attorney: Kori Land
City Clerk: Christy Wilcox
City Treasurer: Char Stark
Police Chief: Brian Sturgeon
City Forester: Jim Nayes
1. Call to Order
Mayor O’Leary called the meeting to order. Mayor O’Leary recognized Jim and Jeannine Nayes for receiving the 2025 Outstanding Conservationist by the Dakota County Soil and Water Conversation District for implementing several conservation projects on their property.
2. Approve Agenda
Mayor O’Leary asked if there were any additions or corrections to the agenda.
Councilmember Hovey moved to adopt the agenda, seconded by Councilmember Hendrickson. Motion carried (5-0).
3. Consent Agenda
Councilmember Bulach moved to approve the consent agenda, seconded by Councilmember Nelson. Motion carried (5-0).
a) Approve Regular Minutes of August 12, 2025
b) List of Bills
c) Monthly Financial Statements
d) Receive Building Inspection Report
e) Receive City Forester Report
f) Receive Public Safety Report
g) Engineer’s Report
h) Planner’s Report
4. Comments from the Public
There were no comments from the public.
5. Public Hearing/Presentations
There were no public hearings or presentations.
6. Planning Commission Items:
a. Major Site and Building Plan Review at 2152 Charlton Road
Andrew Lupton from WSP gave a brief overview of the application. Property owners, Matt and Courtney Poepl, along with the applicant, PKA Architecture’s Craig Martin, are proposing to demolish the existing structures and pool at 2152 Charlton Road to construct a new home on the lot. The proposed new home will have 13,069 finished square feet and the development of the lot will include an outdoor pool and 3-season porch. This proposed site work requires the City Council to approve a Major Site and Building Plan application. The Planning Commission and Staff are recommending approval subject to the fourteen conditions outlined in the resolution presented this evening.
Moved by Councilmember Bulach to adopt Resolution No. 2025-10, approving a Major Site and Building Plan Application for the property at 2152 Charlton Road, Sunfish Lake, Dakota County, Minnesota, seconded by Mayor O’Leary. Motion carried (5-0).
7. New/Other Business
a. Consider Resolution Adopting the Proposed Budget and Setting Not-To-Exceed Tax Levy for Collection in Year 2026 and Schedule Special Truth-in-Taxation Council meeting for December 9, 2025.
City Treasurer presented the 2026 preliminary budget. Attached as part of the presentation the budget worksheets, resolution and notice of budget hearing.
Moved by Mayor O’Leary to adopt Resolution No. 25-9, Setting Not-To-Exceed Tax Levy for Collection in the Year 2026, seconded by Councilmember Nelson. Motion carried (5-0).
b. City Owned Property
The City Council was recently approached by a person inquiring about the possibility of purchasing vacant City-owned property. The City owns five properties. City Attorney Land presented the council report which outlined what properties the city owns, restrictions on selling city owned properties and any deed restrictions. After discussion, it was agreed that Councilmember Nelson will explore with a local real estate agent to obtain appraisal to use as information while city staff conducts additional research with records once they become available after the scanning project is complete.
9. Adjournment
Mayor O’Leary adjourned the meeting at 7:48 p.m.
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Christy Wilcox, City Clerk Dan O’Leary, Mayor
We are a small community proud of our heritage and committed to the preservation of our pristine, rural character. We cherish our privacy, yet know we are part of a thriving Dakota County and the greater Twin Cities metropolitan area. With these partnerships in mind, we strive to preserve that unique spirit which is Sunfish Lake, Minnesota.