Jordan council weighs 2025 legislative priorities, strategic plan and budget at Aug. 25 meeting
By Jan Gilmer
The Jordan City Council met Aug. 25 for a work session and regular meeting that spanned SCALE legislative priorities, a recap of the city’s 2025 strategic planning work, and early discussions of the 2026 budget and capital plan. Council members also addressed resident concerns ranging from water-use enforcement to pedestrian safety near Pauly Park.
Work session
2025 SCALE legislative priorities
The council opened with a discussion of the Scott County Association for Leadership and Efficiency (SCALE) 2025 legislative priorities. SCALE members were asked to complete a survey by Aug. 29 on policy and bonding priorities, support for other policy positions, and any additions or removals.
Jordan supports SCALE’s top priorities, including:
Allowing cities and townships to collect growth-related development fees to fund necessary infrastructure.
Expanding flexibility for public notices, including the option to publish on official city websites instead of exclusively in the designated local newspaper.
Implementing 2023 state housing investments and sustainably increasing funding across the housing lifecycle—new construction, preservation and stability programs.
Having MnDOT own and maintain bridges within highway rights-of-way.
Opposing a 20% cut in 2025 State Aid to the Scott County Soil and Water Conservation District, citing impacts to county services.
Jordan also supports SCALE positions related to:
Directing funding to local school districts without statewide mandates.
Adjusting employer/employee premiums and providing adequate state funding for Minnesota Paid Leave and Earned Sick and Safe Time mandates.
Allowing school districts to cover both employer and employee contributions to the Teachers’ Retirement Association during an approved five-year leave.
Addressing chronic absenteeism, based on recommendations from a legislative work group.
Funding aging road and bridge infrastructure and rural business development.
Expanding broadband internet.
Allowing cities to collect franchise fees on internet and data services.
City Administrator Nikunen asked if the council wished to add projects, noting staff had included:
Wastewater Treatment Facility improvements.
County Road 9 from 190th Street to Valley View Drive to 185th Street.
Nikunen said Momentum Advocacy has approached the city about lobbyist services and asked whether council wanted to consider a contract. He suggested a one-month retainer to start and noted that if a lobbyist is not engaged this fall, it may not be worthwhile for the current session.
Council discussed franchise fees at length. The city currently collects only cable franchise fees; Nikunen said agreements for internet, electric and gas providers could help the city coordinate future projects.
Additional suggestions from the council included adding the Beaumont toe of the bluff trail (Council Member Schuh) and the County Road 9 bridge shared with Carver County (Council Member Whipps), citing flood-reduction benefits for Jordan. In response to a question from Council Member Goebel, Nikunen said the city’s flood-mitigation plan should return for a future work session; agency funding is not guaranteed for each project phase. Asked by Council Member Pho about lobbyist terms, Nikunen said the city could contract year-to-year, keep a perpetual agreement, or engage services when funding is secured.
Mayor Fremming said he would speak with the city’s state representative at an upcoming Commercial Club meeting and report back at the next council meeting.
2025 strategic planning recap
Nikunen summarized the 2025 community survey and strategic planning results, recommending council continue focusing on four pillars from the 2022 plan: Community Image/Character, Outdoor Recreation, Strategic/Managed Growth, and Investments. Transportation standards were removed from the current plan as “accomplished” for now but could be reintroduced as growth warrants. He also noted the downtown commercial district plan has not been updated and suggested the EDA could take up that work.
Key action items discussed:
Crisis plan: While the city has an emergency plan, it lacks a crisis plan. Council Member Whipps questioned the need for a city Jordan’s size; Nikunen said he strongly supports having a professional framework for communications and leadership during crises.
Support quality schools: The city will continue supporting local schools.
Mini-Met: The city will continue supporting the ballpark and is hosting the amateur tournament next year. Nikunen said an MOU is in place between the city and the Baseball Association. Whipps said his understanding was that the MOU prohibits advertising at the Mini-Met and that any advertising revenue should go to the city, not the association.
Trails/walkability/bikeability: The city is pursuing partnerships to connect to regional and state trails.
Annexation agreements: Council agreed that revisiting annexation agreements with surrounding townships is a near-term priority.
Comprehensive plan: Council Member Penney asked about county authority over the plan. Nikunen said Scott County can override the city’s plan. The city received a $50,000 grant toward the $75,000 cost of the plan.
City Council meeting
Public comment
Watering ordinance enforcement: A resident at 500 Wildberry Path requested a code amendment or variance after being told he could not wash a vehicle in his driveway from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. He cited his third-shift schedule and the absence of drought restrictions. Police Chief Empey invited the resident to contact him to discuss.
Driveway compliance: New homeowners at 971 Vine Circle asked whether they must seek a variance after learning their driveway does not meet city standards. Council directed them to the Planning Commission for a public hearing and recommendation.
Pauly Park trail safety: Two residents raised safety concerns about an unmarked trail entrance at Arabian Drive. Chief Empey said the issue would go to the Safety Meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 26. The next day, he informed residents a temporary pedestrian sign would be placed in the road, with permanent park/pedestrian signage and crosswalk markings to follow. He also noted parking is prohibited within 20 feet of a park entrance.
Administrator’s report
Nikunen presented the Personnel Committee’s review of Bolton & Menk for city engineering/planning services, noting an overall rating of 8 out of 10 and strong marks for thorough presentations and communication. The committee recommended renewing the contract.
Council unanimously approved a contract with Bolton & Menk from Jan. 1, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2029, with four-year renewals and a 3% fee increase. While Mike Waltman will remain available, Luke Wheeler will serve as Jordan’s city engineer. Nikunen said two proposals are under review for the city’s legal services RFP.
Councilmember Penney asked whether daytime vehicle washing is indeed prohibited under the water ordinance and suggested a review. Mayor Fremming suggested future parking constraints on Syndicate Street tied to the next construction phase at Valley View; he favors prohibiting parking and planning alternatives now. Council Member Monyok suggested allowing parking within Valley View during construction. The flashing lights warning of the signaled intersection at the Highway 169/282 signal are not working.
Finance report
Finance Director Morey Schaefer outlined updates to the 2026–30 Capital Improvement Plan since the July 28 work session, including a comparison to the 2025–29 plan and pavement work on Liberty Lane, which changes its PCI rating. Wheeler reviewed pavement management strategies, noting improvements for Timberline and Bridle Creek are slated for 2026 after previous deferrals.
Schaefer presented a preliminary 2026 budget and levy showing about a 5% increase. Cost drivers include the comprehensive plan update, inflation in fuel, utilities and chemicals, higher insurance rates, wages and salaries, and increased debt service. Council reviewed revenue and expense summaries, debt levy schedules, the General Fund, and EDA/HRA budgets.
Penney asked about tax revenue timing for new businesses. Nikunen said revenue for a new business in an existing building typically lags one to 1½ years, and a new building can add another one to 1½ years, especially with TIF agreements. Councilmember Whipps noted county property values in Jordan have seen little change in recent years and suggested inviting the county assessor to explain the processes; Council Member Schuh agreed.
Whipps opposed the annual transfer from the General Fund to the EDA/HRA budget, citing limited return on investment. He said the EDA spends about $75,000 per year and has a fund balance of roughly $141,000. Schuh asked staff to provide a budget scenario without the EDA levy. Nikunen said EDA/HRA funds are largely earmarked for economic and housing redevelopment, though some could be used for other acquisitions or improvements.
Schaefer also explained fire-truck purchasing: the city signs contracts about seven years before delivery, allowing roughly four years to fund the purchase. Although cash discounts were available, Jordan chose to retain the funds in city accounts.
Police report
Whipps reported the Opticom traffic signal preemption is not working eastbound on Highway 282. Chief Empey said he would follow up with Scott County.
Consent agenda
Council unanimously approved the consent agenda, including routine bills; monthly police and finance reports; a liquor license renewal for Brew d ’Etat LLC; a Broadway Plaza partial pay request; a Corporate Drive Extension LOC reduction; Resolution 08-52-2025 (platting waiver for 413 Wood St.); a police officer appointment; and Resolution 08-53-2025, cancelling a public hearing and setting a new one to consider modifications to Development District No. 13 and a Tax Increment Financing plan. The public hearing is scheduled for the Oct. 6, 2025, council meeting.
Mayor’s comments
Mayor Fremming welcomed newly appointed full-time police officer Todd Kidd. He noted the Broadway Plaza grand opening is Thursday, Sept. 4, with food trucks on site; he attended the Sandcreek Bridge ribbon cutting; the school roundabout ribbon cutting is Wednesday, Sept. 3; and the city will celebrate the 40th Heimatfest on Sept. 5–6.
Council comments
Councilmember Schuh: Congratulated her husband, Ryan, for placing at the State Fair for home brew; noted the Brewers’ season concluded last Saturday.
Councilmember Pho: Reported a drainage issue at Grassman Park that has caused falls; Nikunen said Public Works is addressing it.
Councilmember Penney: Reminded residents that school resumes this week and wished all a safe Labor Day weekend.
Councilmember Whipps: Reminded council that it has an obligation to follow established standards and legal advice on public requests rather than making case-by-case exceptions.
The next Jordan City Council meeting will be Monday, September 8 at 6:30 p.m.