Minnetonka City Council — Transcript
Monday, October 20, 2025
Community Events and Programming
Staff Charitable Giving and Community Support
Solicitor Activity and Public Safety
Green Line Extension Update
Political Violence and Law Enforcement Response
Resident Deportation Concern
Gun Violence Reduction Initiatives
Local Transportation and Safety Projects
Votes (8)
Cyber Security Insurance Coverage Approval
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Foster Bolton [00:31:47] · Seconded by Council Member Wilburn [00:32:00]
The staff recommended approving an AIG cyber security insurance quote, citing increasing cyber attacks on local governments and the limitations of existing coverage. The AIG proposal offered $5 million in incident coverage and complimentary services, being the most cost-effective option among three quotes. Discussion included the financial implications, the city's insurance trust fund, and the importance of robust cybersecurity measures given recent incidents in other cities.
Consent Agenda Items 10B, 10D, and 10E
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Calbertt [00:34:40] · Seconded by Council Member Kley [00:35:05]
These routine items were approved together without specific discussion, as is typical for consent agenda matters.
Resolution to Adjust 2026 Non-Union Employee Benefits (10A)
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Romey [00:40:27] · Seconded by Council Member Calbertt [00:40:34]
Council Member Romey inquired about salary benchmarking against peer cities and the employer-employee split for insurance premiums. Staff explained the complex cafeteria plan structure, showing how premium increases are split and how adjustments are made to align with market averages, particularly for employee-plus-spouse plans that were significantly below market. The total cost to the city for health insurance was detailed.
2026 General Liability Insurance and Workers Compensation Renewals (10C)
Dissent: None
Moved by Mayor Wearsome [00:48:58] · Seconded by Council Member Shack [00:49:09]
Council Member Calbertt inquired about the workers' compensation formula, including the 'mod factor,' and the impact of the newly hired wellness and safety coordinator. City Manager Funk explained that despite a slight increase in the mod factor, the overall premium decreased, and highlighted the coordinator's efforts to improve employee safety, reduce claims, and tailor wellness programs to drive down health insurance costs, noting positive movement towards reducing claims and premiums.
Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Grant Agreement (11A)
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Wilburn [00:50:23] · Seconded by Council Member Calbertt [00:50:39]
Council Member Wilburn expressed appreciation for staff's ability to secure grants, acknowledging the positive impact on the city budget. No further discussion was held, indicating unanimous support for accepting the grant.
Temporary On-Sale Liquor License for Rotary Club of Minnitonka Foundation (13A)
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Shack [00:56:49] · Seconded by Council Member Calbertt [00:57:32]
The Rotary Club applied for a temporary liquor license for a fundraising event at The Marsh. Staff recommended approval, citing previous positive experiences with the Rotary Club and their use of the city's ID reader. A Rotary representative explained the event's purpose as a fundraiser for local and international initiatives, emphasizing that all servers are trained.
Ordinance Establishing Mayor and Council Salaries (14A)
Dissent: Council Member Kley
Moved by Council Member Foster Bolton [01:08:42] · Seconded by Council Member Calbertt [01:08:52]
The council considered four options for mayor and council salaries, effective January 1, 2026. Options ranged from a 3% COLA + 2% market adjustment (Option 1) to no increase (Option 4). Council members debated the importance of competitive compensation to attract diverse candidates, the financial impact relative to the levy, and the commitment to regular adjustments to avoid large, politically difficult increases in the future. Option 2B (7.5% increase, staying under the levy percentage) was ultimately adopted.
Economic Development Advisory Commission (EDAC) Chair and Vice-Chair Appointments (15A)
Dissent: None
Moved by Mayor Wearsome [01:10:07] · Seconded by Council Member Calbertt [01:10:30]
The Mayor nominated Anne Dugginki Chbulka as EDAC Chair and David Hag as Vice-Chair, with both expressing interest. Council Member Calbertt, as liaison to EDAC, commended the outgoing chair, Jay Romatka, for his leadership and praised the nominees for their knowledge and anticipated positive contributions.
Notable Quotes (11)
Cyber attacks are the largest digital threat local governments can experience and beyond local government as well.
As one of my colleagues mentioned, um my day job is at the city of St. pollen. And we did experience a cyber security incident in July and I will say that we are well into October and we're still digging out and it's really when you have something like that happen especially when it's the capital city it's it's quite difficult to sort of calculate the actual cost.
What we learned is that we were above market above our market of our peers with our employee only plan. We were significantly below on our employee plus spouse.
One of the things that they're doing in our safety aspect is um really increasing our uh employee engagement in terms of our safety program here at the city. It's really what I would call in um not uh in beefed up if you will. It's kind of a beefed up beefed up effort where we do have a safety committee. They meet more regularly. They're they're reviewing all of our safety claims, looking at accident reports, and really making sure that not only our really making sure our employees are safe and they're going home safely, but most importantly also um from a fiscal perspective um really trying to influence and bring down that mod factor, bring down our insurance premiums.
And a 1.0 mod factor is the norm. So while our insurance is going uh the mod factor that will impact future um rates is um has increased, it's still below the norm. And I think that perspective is necessary because otherwise saying, well, it's going up. what are we doing wrong? Well, in reality, insurance and you're I mean, you know, you like to be able to say, well, it's a controllable and if we can you work hard through the employee we've hired to keep everybody healthy and keep everyone safe, but as we all know, we can't control our health.
I do appreciate when staff is able to uh secure grants to help uh with the budget. So, um thanks to uh Mr. Alexander and and his staff on their on their work with with uh securing this grant.
It's a tremendous fundraising event for uh for us. Um but I think the biggest part that we enjoy for the most part is that although we take in money from the uh from the community, the best part obviously is the spending of the money and the foundation does that. and anywhere from about $30,000 to $50,000 per year.
I just want to reiterate that it's just really important to me that we honor the commitment we made to future councils to keep up with the pay because it's really hard when it has to be a big leap because councils have kicked the can down the road for a whole host of reasons justifiable often times.
Um the reason why I've always supported the increase is because I think about um people who people of color who may want to um run for office and um it takes a significant amount of time to run for office in our city and to serve in our city.
Minnetonka is as or more demanding than most other cities because Minnetonka is a regional leader and we get involved in an awful lot of things.
Jay Romatka is moving, has moved, has has moved um and uh he just is has been such a thoughtful leader for many years and the EDAC has a lot of wisdom. He asked great questions and um has taught me a lot and I just wanted to thank him for his service and I'm very excited about an Judinski Sabula uh stepping up because she is also incredibly knowledgeable, makes great comments. I learned so much from her. I think she'll be just a wonderful chair.
Ordinances & Resolutions (7)
Establishing Mayor and Council Salaries, multiple options considered.
Adjusts benefits for non-union staff for 2026.
Adjustments for union employee compensation.
Annual renewal of city insurance policies.
Approves a new software solution for electronic citations.
Authorizes the sale of $10 million in utility revenue bonds.
Grant agreement for historical/cultural heritage projects.