By Jan Gilmer and Nathan Peabody
Jordan’s City Council met on Monday, Sept. 22, for a combined work session and regular meeting. The evening focused on important decisions related to the city’s wastewater treatment facility (WWTF) improvement project and several planning and development items. During the work session, councilmembers conducted in-depth interviews with two lobbying firms vying to represent the city’s interests at the state Capitol. Later, the council reviewed and approved several planning commission recommendations, discussed infrastructure updates and approved upcoming community events.
Work Session
The city received two responses to its request for proposals (RFP) for professional lobbyist services aimed at securing funding for improvements to Jordan’s WWTF. Capitol Hill Associates and Momentum Advocacy both submitted proposals, and council held a question-and-answer session with each firm.
Capitol Hill Associates
Rob Vanasek introduced himself and his team, explaining that Capitol Hill Associates (CHA) includes eight staff members, evenly split between Democratic and Republican affiliations. The team brings years of bipartisan experience and strong relationships built at the federal, state and local levels.
CHA’s proposed services include providing updates on bonding bill progress, securing bill authors, drafting bill language and leveraging their political relationships to advocate for Jordan’s project. The firm cited past successes with similar municipal infrastructure projects, including bonding for the I-35 Orange Line bus rapid transit, local road and bridge programs, the Ramsey/Washington County recycling and energy center, Big Lake Water District bonding, and projects in Blaine, Lakeville and Dakota County.
Councilmember Monyok asked how CHA prioritizes projects among clients. Vanasek noted the firm is wrapping up several major initiatives and currently has no other clients with WWTF projects, making Jordan a top focus. He emphasized that CHA works collaboratively by assigning the right team members to each project.
Council also asked how city staff and council would be involved. CHA said Jordan’s narrative is best told by its own leaders, and they encouraged participation in meetings, which often arise quickly. The firm also pledged to involve Jordan’s state representatives.
Momentum Advocacy
Brian McDaniel and Will Waggoner presented on behalf of Momentum Advocacy, noting that their team of 10 professionals brings a variety of backgrounds and relationships at the Capitol. He explained that the Governor’s initial bonding bill proposal is only a draft, and the most important step is ensuring Jordan’s project is included in the February forecast, which serves as a working document for the Legislature.
Momentum shared a proposed timeline of activities to prepare for the legislative session and outlined their approach for promoting the WWTF project. They also highlighted their success securing bonding funds for the City of Bagley’s wastewater project. Despite the city’s small size and lack of legislative support, Momentum was able to secure funding through personal relationships with lawmakers.
When asked how they would prioritize Jordan’s project, Waggoner said there are no current conflicts with other municipal projects and emphasized that any concerns would be addressed through open and transparent communication.
Both firms noted the WWTF project had already been featured on the Senate bonding tour and recommended Jordan also seek inclusion on the House bonding tour.
Following the Q&A sessions, City Engineer Luke Wheeler gave a brief recap of the WWTF project. Council discussed the potential value of hiring a lobbying firm but opted to revisit the topic at a future meeting to ensure it would be a worthwhile investment.
City Council Meeting
Engineer’s Report
Mayor Travis Fremming inquired whether line painting had been completed on Syndicate Street for the next phase of the Highway 169/County Road 9 project. After receiving confirmation that it had, he emphasized the importance of determining a permanent solution for the remainder of the project. He also expressed concern about the absence of detour signage. Consultant City Planner Jeff Matzke responded that the issue was scheduled to be discussed at the next project meeting.
Planner’s Report
Matzke introduced Resolutions 09-61-2025 and 09-62-2025, which addressed a platted lot division and conditional use permit (CUP) for 611 Corporate Drive in the I-2 zoning district. The proposal would create a northern and southern parcel. The northern parcel would be used for outdoor storage, requiring a CUP, while the southern parcel would be developed into smaller suites. Construction on the southern parcel is expected to begin in April or May 2026 once 40% of the building is leased. A second building may be added in the future if demand continues. Council approved both the lot split and CUP.
Matzke also presented Resolution 09-63-2025, an amendment to the Planned Unit Development (PUD) for Bridle Creek to adjust phasing timelines for the 13th and 14th Additions due to slower market demand. The developer requested an updated timeline of 2026–28 for the 13th Addition and 2029–31 for the 14th Addition, with no changes to the number of lots.
Mayor Fremming confirmed that the housing type would remain single-family villas. Councilmember Whipps noted that any change to lot size would require a new PUD. Council approved the amendment.
Consent Agenda
The consent agenda included approval of monthly bills, finance and police reports, the release of letter-of-credit funds for Beaumont Bluffs 4th and 5th Additions, and a special event permit for St. John’s Rock the Lot event.
Mayor’s Comments
Mayor Fremming thanked Bolton & Menk and Public Works Director Scott Haas for participating in the WWTF Senate bonding tour. He noted their presence, and technical insights were very helpful in demonstrating the city’s needs.
Council Comments
Councilmember Penney congratulated the Hubmen Football team on their home win and noted the girls’ volleyball team’s recent victory over Belle Plaine, a feat that hasn’t occurred in several years. Councilmember Whipps invited the public to attend the St. John’s Rock the Lot event taking place over the upcoming weekend.
The next city council meeting is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 13 at 6:30 p.m.