The meeting began with a public comment period that saw several residents speaking about the mosque’s conditional use permit. Bob Ericson, a resident, raised concerns about safety and occupancy issues associated with the mosque’s application, particularly regarding the building’s lower level intended for public use. He questioned the process for outdoor public prayers, advocating for clarity in the application’s findings to balance interests.

In contrast, young residents Noir Nesro and Mahin Manip expressed their hopes that the council would approve the mosque permit. Nesro emphasized the mosque as a critical place for learning, playing, and worshiping, while Manip highlighted the community programs she wished to join. Audrey Aronson Johnson, another resident with ties to past city leadership, voiced concerns about potential traffic and noise disturbances from the mosque’s activities, urging restrictions on sound amplification to protect nearby residents.

Imam Hassan Jama, residing close to the proposed mosque site, appealed to the council to respect religious freedoms, emphasizing the mosque’s positive community impact. Emily Taylor and another resident underscored the growing diversity in Lakeville and framed the mosque’s application as an opportunity to embrace inclusivity, invoking the principle of religious freedom.

Following the public comments, the council heard from Pashan Pubar, COO of Sweet Harvest Foods, during a presentation highlighting the company’s significant expansion. The business, which distributes over 100 million gallons of honey annually, recently moved to a new 360,000 square foot facility, becoming the largest honey producer in the United States. This expansion has doubled its workforce and introduced new manufacturing operations, emphasizing the strategic location advantage near Interstate 35 for warehousing and distribution.

Attention then shifted to a complex property assessment issue stemming from a 2016 fire-related demolition. The council discussed the reassessment of canceled special assessments connected to a property that underwent a tax forfeiture process. Despite the property’s sale to new owners, Von Chan and her husband Pat Chan, the city aimed to recover demolition costs initially assessed in 2017. The Chans objected to the proposed $49,254 assessment, citing a lack of disclosure during their purchase and referencing Minnesota statutes that require assessments to be included in tax statements.

The council acknowledged the Chans’ frustration and engaged in discussions about the legal and financial implications of reassessing the property. Legal counsel advised that property owners could appeal the assessment within 30 days in district court. The council grappled with balancing the recovery of public funds with fairness to the Chans, recognizing their arguments about the assessment’s proportionality to the property’s value and the absence of prior disclosure.

During the discussion, concerns were raised about the timing and fairness of the reassessment, given the property’s sale through a county tax forfeiture auction. The council debated whether to reassess the full amount owed or to adjust the figure by removing accrued interest to ease the financial impact on the Chans. Ultimately, the motion to reassess the canceled special assessments failed to garner sufficient support.

In additional business, the council reviewed the Lakeville Fire Department’s third quarter report, noting an increase in rescue and emergency medical service calls compared to previous years. Fire Chief Mike Meyer highlighted various incidents and the department’s community engagement efforts, including fire safety education initiatives.