Minnetonka City Council — Transcript
Monday, August 31, 2026
Story
Minnetonka Council approves trail lighting and roof projects unanimously
Boards and Commissions Ordinance Review
Economic Development Advisory Commission (EDAC) Ordinance
Purgatory Park Off-Leash Dog Area Proposal
Infrastructure and Development Projects
Local Government Fiscal Management
Votes (11)
Approval of the agenda
Moved by Council Member Maxwell [0:04:36] · Seconded by Council Member Calvert [0:04:47]
The agenda was amended to correct the total project cost for the Opus Trail Lighting Improvement Project from $2,560,000 to $2,135,000. Additionally, public comments received after packet distribution for the Purgatory Park off-leash dog area were included.
Reports from City Manager and Council Members
City Manager Funk provided updates on the completion of Cedar Lake Road construction, ongoing hydrant painting, a successful paper shredding event (7,560 lbs collected), and upcoming Community Drop-off Day (Sept 12) and Tree Pickup (Sept 18-19). He also announced the city's plan to transition away from Flock license plate readers within 60-90 days due to broader public concerns. Council members reported on participation in regional committees (League of Minnesota Cities, Met Council), the Libs Lake Bridge redesign project, and a Habitat for Humanity build. Council Member Romey highlighted the city staff's success in minimizing tax levy increases while maintaining or expanding services. The Mayor and Council Member Calvert extended New Year wishes for Rosh Hashanah.
Bids for the Opus Trail Lighting Improvement Project
Moved by Council Member Calvert [0:26:09] · Seconded by Council Member Romey [0:27:01]
Bids were received for Project #24604. Lake Town Electric submitted the low bid of $1,67,000, which was significantly lower than the engineer's estimate. Staff explained the discrepancy was due to an accidental double count of light bases, bulk cost reductions from the contractor, and an approved change to trenching instead of directional boring for wiring. The project will replace 35-year-old lighting with LED lights to enhance safety and reduce light pollution. The total project cost was confirmed as $2,135,000.
Bids for the Marsh roof replacement project
Moved by Council Member Romey [0:33:55] · Seconded by Council Member Maxwell [0:34:49]
The Marsh roof replacement project (#25907) was approved following storm damage in summer 2025. Toro Construction was awarded the contract for $432,712.30, including synthetic shingles (Alternate 1) and new gutters (Alternate 3). Staff clarified that the project would replace only the cedar shake areas, funded primarily by insurance. The discussion also included a suggestion from Council Member Romey to formally integrate solar-ready roof estimates into future public building projects and the durability benefits of synthetic shingles over cedar shake.
Consent Agenda Items Requiring a Majority Vote (Excluding 10C)
Moved by Council Member Wilburn [0:36:14] · Seconded by Council Member Foster Bolton [0:36:56]
Council Member Wilburn commented on item 10A, the Minnetonka Boulevard lift station rehabilitation project, suggesting consideration of solar power for future lift stations due to their high energy consumption. The remaining items (10B, 10D, 10E, 10F) were passed as routine.
Preliminary and final plat of Oakland Woods Estates, second edition, a two lot subdivision at 2213 Oakland Road (Item 10C)
Moved by Council Member Calvert [0:39:53] · Seconded by Council Member Maxwell [0:40:24]
Council Member Calvert pulled this item to question the proposed impervious surface exceeding 20% and whether the developer should be encouraged to reduce the footprint or increase stormwater storage. Staff clarified the project meets current zoning standards and cannot be denied under existing rules, though a future ordinance would impose stricter requirements. Staff confirmed appropriate stormwater management for the current proposal.
Ordinance making technical corrections to city ordinances establishing boards and commissions
Moved by Council Member Calvert [0:57:42] · Seconded by Council Member Foster Bolton [0:57:56]
Staff presented an ordinance to implement technical corrections to all boards and commissions, standardizing membership to seven voting members, establishing age requirements (16-24) for youth as voting members, and updating language for appointments, terms, annual reports, and meeting frequency. Discussion included rationale for youth voting members (recruitment and value) and a significant debate about the merits of having council liaisons on boards, with several council members expressing concern that liaisons could stifle independent discussion and candor.
Ordinance establishing the Economic Development Advisory Commission
Moved by Council Member Romey [1:02:18] · Seconded by Council Member Calvert [1:02:29]
An ordinance was introduced to formally establish the Economic Development Advisory Commission (EDAC), transitioning it from a resolution to align with other city boards. Key discussion points included eligibility criteria for members (residency versus working/owning a business in Minnetonka) and the retention of a non-voting council liaison. Council members largely agreed to maintain residency as a requirement for members and supported keeping the council liaison for EDAC due to its unique historical context and specific function, which dates back to a prior Economic Development Authority.
Offsale intoxicating liquor license for XCO LLC doing business as Glenn Lake Wine and Spirits at 1448 Excelsior Boulevard
Moved by Council Member Wilburn [1:06:54] · Seconded by Council Member Foster Bolton [1:07:07]
The public hearing, continued from July 27th, concerned an off-sale liquor license transfer for Glen Lake Wine and Spirits. The transfer is due to the current owners' retirement and sale of the store to XCO LLC, which operates another store in Jordan, Minnesota. No changes to store operations, hours, or staffing are anticipated, and police background checks have been completed without issues.
On sale wine and 3.2 to Mount Beverage and 2 am liquor license to Shake Shack Minnesota LLC at 1809 Plymouth Road suite number one
Moved by Council Member Calvert [1:08:44] · Seconded by Council Member Maxwell [1:09:12]
A public hearing was opened for Shake Shack Minnesota LLC, which is opening its fifth Minnesota location at the redeveloped Wells Fargo site. The application is for an on-sale wine, 3.2 Mount Beverage, and 2 AM liquor license, with the 2 AM license providing future flexibility though the restaurant expects to close by 11 PM or midnight. The police background check is pending and will be presented at a subsequent meeting.
Purgatory Park off leash dog area
Dissent: Council Member Calvert voiced strong opposition to fencing. Public comments were mixed, reflecting both support and strong opposition from residents.
Staff recommended approving designated off-leash dog areas in the north (Area 5) and south (Area 2) of Purgatory Park, proposing Type 2A wood post fencing, to be funded by reallocating existing CIP funds (S13209 and S23309). The plan outlined a timeline for implementation from Fall 2026 to Spring 2027, including site prep and fence installation. Public comments raised concerns about increased traffic and parking in residential areas (Bell Circle, Stadola Road, Spring Lane), displacement of other park users, impact on wildlife, the 'denaturalizing' effect of fences, and a preference for improved signage and enforcement over physical barriers. Supporters emphasized the need for a clear, resolved solution to ongoing non-compliance and the prevention of the park becoming a regional draw for off-leash dogs. Council members expressed differing views, with some favoring the staff recommendation for clarity and others philosophically opposing fences in the park, suggesting alternative solutions like alternating access schedules and better signage.
Notable Quotes (12)
We recognize that even with privacy safeguards in place, Flock has become associated nationally with broader concerns about surveillance, data sharing, and transparency. We do not believe that is enough to simply say that Minnetonka has configured the system responsibly. We also need to ensure that the technology we use continues to reflect the community's expectations.
I also wanted to take a quick uh moment to congratulate staff. There was an article in the Mi Minnesota Star Tribune the other day about how some cities are having to face doubledigit tax levy increases while at the same time decreasing services... I really did want to take this opportunity to thank staff ... for working so hard to minimize our tax levy, our levy increases while also maintaining or even in some cases expanding services and our work to achieve our strategic objectives.
The project does not include the flat rubber membrane roof areas as those were not damaged during the storm last year. So, in the summer of 2025, uh we had inclement weather that damaged the the roof of the building. In assessing the damage with the city's insurance provider, it was determined that portions of the roof needed to be replaced. Uh insurance coverage is providing full replacement of the the wood shake areas of the marsh.
The first is it is on consent um this evening because it does meet all of the minimum zoning and subdivision standards that are on the books right now. And so staff can't um recommend denial of that. It's it's really the city is legally obligated to approve this particular um subdivision.
yes, there actually is storm water management that's proposed. There's infiltration basins that meet our current rule, and so, yes, it will be appropriately managed. Um as per our engineers reviews um we simply in the draft ordinance want to tie as we look to sustainability and resilience we want to tie impervious surface to greater impervious surface to greater storm water management.
Staff is recommending they be considered as voting members. The rationale for that is it's oftentimes it can be hard to find that young adult. And so, when you do find them, they also want to feel valued that they're that they're showing up and be able to contribute and as a voting member. it makes it easier for us to actually recruit a youth because they feel they can participate...
I I think there is a difference that happens and maybe um a lack of cander that we are asking boards to do important work to give us their opinions and sometimes when the elected official is in the room they're deferred to in providing a perspective or an opinion.
Um, so in 1988, the city council established the economic development authority and that in the commissioners commissioners included city council members and the and citizens. And then city council decided it was in the public interest to reconfigure the EDA to have only city council members serve as the commissioners. And then the city council recognized the benefit of having the public serve on a commission. So they created the EDAC. I think it was 2010. And then they decided to include a city council member as a um non- voting member and then also include an alternate. So I think they decided since there was city council members on it before that they in decided to still include that liaison.
Type 2A would be wood post with this wire welded wire mesh. Um somewhat sturdy, somewhat durable, relatively light in terms of its impact while while installing. Um type 2B would be a version of that with composite, a recycled plastic um post installed with that welded wire mesh. And the most expensive option would be a blackcoated chain link.
I want to speak to the current use of the area that is the South Dog Park... young parents, moms with toddlers to preschoolers arrive in their SUVs and minivans and park and head up the path adjacent to our property... I'd really ask the council to consider the current usages of the park, not just the ebikes, uh, which frankly ebikes are sometimes more of a challenge to my wife and I walking than dogs. We've been in the park, I would estimate, 25 times in the last year. We've bicycled, we've biked, we've snowshoed, snowshoeed pathways that will now be blocked by this fence.
We have been uh arguing, debating, hoping and worrying about this issue for far far too long. This issue needs to be resolved. You now have a circumstance where your neighboring cities, all your neighboring cities have fenced dog parks and many of the residents of those areas are bypassing their own fenced dog parks to come with their dogs to purgatory to run them as an unleashed whole park. That's a circumstance that can't continue.
I personally, um, think it takes time to change habits and culture. And uh I we expressed it in at the June meeting some of us that I was kind of disappointed in some of the behavior from sort of all sides of the um issue... I however have walked the park many times... I personally I've expressed this before. I understand why people want fencing. Um, and I and I am just sort of philosophically opposed to fencing this park because it just dnaturalizes. it sort of takes away the whole feeling of of what this park is.
Ordinances & Resolutions (13)
Project for replacing existing trail lighting with LED lights in the Opus area.
Project for replacing the cedar shake roof of The Marsh building damaged by storms.
Project for rehabilitation of the Minnetonka Boulevard lift station.
Permit for an accessory structure at 13511 Minnetonka Drive.
Subdivision plan for a two-lot property at 2213 Oakland Road.
Permit for a detached accessory dwelling unit at 1617 Liner Road.
Reaffirmation for First International Bank and Trust at 10801 Wayzata Boulevard.
Resolution amending a council policy related to appointments to city boards and commissions.
Ordinance to improve consistency, uniformity, and clarity in city ordinances related to boards and commissions.
Ordinance to formally establish the EDAC, converting its status from a resolution.
License for XCO LLC doing business as Glen Lake Wine and Spirits.
License for Shake Shack Minnesota LLC.
Capital Improvement Program (CIP) projects from which funding will be reallocated for the Purgatory Park dog area fencing.