Minnetonka City Council — Transcript
Monday, July 27, 2026
Retirement Recognition
City Updates & Community Events
Local Government Policy Development
Public Health & Safety Reminders
Sanitary Sewer Lining Project
Accessory Structures & Zoning Ordinances
Crisis Response Grant
Off-Sale Liquor License Transfer
Libs Lake Bridge Replacement Project
Opus Trail Lighting Improvement Project
Minnetonka Community Center Renovation
Council Committee Appointment
Votes (8)
2026 Sanitary Sewer Lining Project (Number 26908)
Moved by Council member Wilburn [00:20:45] · Seconded by Council member Romey [00:22:15]
The discussion focused on awarding a contract for the sanitary sewer lining project to rehabilitate 11,500 feet of old sewer pipes, which will extend their life by 50-75 years. Staff highlighted that re-bidding the project resulted in significantly better pricing. There was also a brief query about the impact of lining on pipe capacity, with staff confirming minimal loss due to smoother internal surfaces and the rarity of needing to reline already lined pipes.
Conditional Use Permits for Accessory Structures (126000 Orchard Road & 4915 Highland Road)
Moved by Council member Calvert [00:26:50] · Seconded by Council member Romey [00:27:10]
Council member Calvert pulled both consent agenda items to express concerns about the increasing number of variances granted for accessory structures. She questioned the fairness implications for residents with smaller properties versus wealthier individuals who might benefit more, and worried about setting precedents that could undermine the city's established zoning ordinances and long-term planning efforts. She urged the zoning task force and planning commission to carefully consider the long-term impact of granting variances.
Minnesota Department of Public Safety Crisis Response Grant Agreement
Moved by Council member Romey [00:29:40] · Seconded by Council member Maxwell [00:30:10]
Council member Calvert commended the public safety staff for successfully securing this grant. She explained that the funding is crucial for enhancing support for community members in crisis, specifically by providing more resources for behavioral health outreach over the next two years, building upon the positive impact of the city's embedded social worker program.
Off Sale Intoxicating Liquor License to XCIO LLC d/b/a Glenn Lake Wine and Spirits
Moved by Council member Wilburn [00:32:30] · Seconded by Council member Calvert [00:32:50]
Miss Wishnack presented a request for a change of ownership for the Off Sale Intoxicating Liquor License for Glenn Lake Wine and Spirits, with the original owner retiring and selling to a new family. A public hearing was opened to gather comment but the applicant did not speak. The hearing was subsequently continued to August 31st to allow for the completion of necessary background reports.
Resolution for the Libs Lake Bridge Project (Number 29608)
Moved by Council member Romey [00:40:20] · Seconded by Council member Calvert [00:40:40]
The council considered a resolution to approve the concept plan for replacing the Libs Lake Bridge, built in 1969. The project aims to replace the bridge with a two-lane roadway, a 5-ft raised sidewalk, and new railing, with a tentative construction target of 2029. Staff are pursuing grant funding, requiring plans to be ready by early 2027. Public feedback indicated a desire for additional bridge height, but staff noted that significant height increases are difficult due to adjacent property impacts. A bridge aesthetics focus group was proposed to gather input on design elements.
Resolution for the Opus Trail Lighting Improvement Project (Number 2460)
Moved by Council member Calvert [00:45:50] · Seconded by Council member Wilburn [00:46:20]
The council discussed the need to replace 35-year-old trail lighting in the Opus area. The project, previously delayed, will install new LED pedestrian trail lighting, doubling the number of lights from 70 to 140 to improve safety and usability while minimizing light pollution. Council members emphasized that despite the cost, this is a critical infrastructure investment, especially with the upcoming light rail and significant new housing development in the area, ensuring a safe and welcoming environment.
Resolutions for the Minnetonka Community Center Project (Number 27210)
Moved by Council member Calvert [00:56:50] · Seconded by Council member Romey [00:57:40]
The council reviewed plans for a major renovation of the 40-year-old Minnetonka Community Center, including energy efficiency, ADA improvements, HVAC upgrades, and enhanced public spaces. The project, to be financed through general obligation bonds, will involve an estimated six-month closure with a revenue loss of $40-45k, partially offset by reduced expenditures. Council members expressed strong support, viewing it as a crucial, long-overdue investment for community accessibility and relevance, with a suggestion to explore geothermal or solar options for HVAC.
Council Member Committee Appointment (Amanda Maxwell to League of Minnesota Cities Improving Fiscal Futures Policy Committee)
Moved by Council member Romey [00:59:50] · Seconded by Council member Wilburn [01:00:20]
The City Manager presented the appointment of Council member Amanda Maxwell to the League of Minnesota Cities Improving Fiscal Futures Policy Committee for 2026, which formally enables her participation. Council member Calvert expressed pride in the council's widespread involvement in external policy-making bodies, commending Maxwell for her engagement early in her tenure.
Notable Quotes (17)
This if we line these pipes it essentially makes them brand new again. And so the new we we figure 50 to 75 years.
I reaffirm how appreciative we are to staff at, you know, figuring out ways to make sure that we are coming finding cheaper ways to get these things done and and understanding where there might be efficiencies of scale and making this all come together and work.
But I do just start wondering if we are opening a Pandora's box of every single thing that comes before us is going to be a variance that we have to consider and isn't necessarily um within our ordinances.
And so um it's just this kind of thing that I'm thinking about. I just wanted to express it and I think it's important for um the zoning task force to you know keep in mind as we move forward and also we have a relatively new planning commission and just you know being mindful that we have ordinances and um to when you're making a recommendation to make sure that the reasons for granting a variance um make a lot of sense long term.
I just want to uh congratulate um our uh our public safety folks for securing this grant. um for people that aren't familiar with what it's for, it really helps us um support community members that are in crisis and it um gives us more resources for um uh behavioral health outreach and so forth for the next two years.
This is uh a new ownership change of ownership action for the council's consideration. The original owner of the Glen Lake Spirits uh was the owner since 2006 and now are retiring and selling to another family uh which are made up by three owners.
In order for the city to pursue uh grant funding for this project, we do need to get plans ready ahead of time in order to submit our application.
I mean, people are giving feedback and I'm just wondering, you know, how do we land on um the most sensible approach um and still incorporate you and and also help the neighborhood understand the rationale for the decisions.
I really like the idea and I want to thank staff for um, uh, suggesting and recommending a bridge aesthetics uh, committee because, you know, this is basically the route to the headarters of the Minihaha. I think this is a great opportunity to kind of provide uh, placemaking and and something here.
I think this will provide an added sense of safety and um and I if I remember right um if there are any funds left over which nowadays is doubtful that we we would be able to put it towards placeming placemaking and opus as well which is also very important.
I want to recognize that this is a big project. It's a costly project, but this is probably one of the single most important uh infrastructure investment projects that we can make right now at this time for the Opus area.
Yes, the estimated revenue loss would be approximately4 to $45,000. So that would be the rental revenue that we would lose over that six-month period in time. Although we may not go dollar fordoll, we do think that we will get some of those dollars at different city facilities.
I was wondering slashhoping that we are looking at something like geothermal or solar or things like that... I would love to see something like that if it would be possible for this project.
this has been a long time coming and you know we have I love Minnetonka because we take great pride as residents in our city and Minnotonka residents tend to be pretty frugal and I think we have been and we have put this off for years...
the one thing is, you know, accessibility is really optimal. Yes, the building was built in the 80s and it looks like it was built in the 80s and it's, you know, that's important to be relevant, but also, I mean, the restrooms alone and the accessibility issue is a real limiting factor and that's important to me and I'm glad we're taking care of it.
Um she has shown interest in the League of Minnesota City's board of improving fiscal futures and this appointment would then allow her to officially be able to be on the committee.
I just I am so proud of this council because everybody up here doesn't just come to the meetings, they get involved in other bodies and important um, you know, policy committees and organizations that support our community.
Ordinances & Resolutions (14)
2026 sanitary sewer lining project
For an accessory structure in excess of 1,000 sq ft at 126000 Orchard Road
For an aggregate of accessory structures at 4915 Highland Road
For an accessory structure at 16801 Excelsure Boulevard
Grant for behavioral health outreach and crisis support
Amended to accept Crisis Response Grant award
For XCIO LLC doing business as Glenn Lake Wine and Spirits
Approving concept plan, authorizing plans/specs, ordering improvements, authorizing easement acquisition, and establishing a bridge aesthetics focus group for Libs Lake Bridge
Libs Lake Bridge Replacement Project
Ordering improvements, accepting plans/specs, and authorizing ad for bid for Opus Trail Lighting
Opus Trail Lighting Improvement Project
Ordering improvements and authorizing preparation of revised plans and specifications for Minnetonka Community Center
Declaring official intent to reimburse certain expenditures from proceeds of bonds for Minnetonka Community Center
Minnitonka Community Center project