Minnetonka City Council — Transcript
Monday, March 9, 2026
Council Member Swearing-In
Minnetonka Academy Recognition
Women's History Month Proclamation
City Operations and Community Updates
Citizen Concerns: Operation Metro Surge and Housing
Excelsier Boulevard Improvement Project
2026 Assessment Report
Red Circle Drive Sidewalk Improvements
Shady Oak Road Sidewalk Improvements
CE Housing Loan Programs (City Council & EDA)
Votes (9)
Recognition of the 2026 Minnetonka Academy graduates and participants
The Mayor and City Manager celebrated the 37 graduates of the Minnetonka Academy, a program educating residents on city operations. They emphasized the importance of informed and engaged citizens for the city's future, encouraging participation in volunteering, boards, or public office.
Women's History Month proclamation
Council Member Wilburn read a proclamation for Women's History Month, acknowledging women's historical contributions and the ongoing struggle for equality, including a focus on racial equity. Mayor Shaq highlighted the historic significance of this meeting being the first with an all-female City Council.
Citizens wishing to discuss matters not on the agenda
Three residents (Angie Heightsman, Jonathan Kent, Sarah Almine) raised concerns regarding Operation Metro Surge, accusing ICE agents of ongoing activity and harassment. They criticized the city's communication strategy, stating information on resident resources and ICE activity was difficult to find online or in official publications. One resident proposed extending the pre-eviction notice period to 60 days.
Resolution for the Excelsier Boulevard improvement project
Dissent: Council Member Kley expressed skepticism about roundabouts solving speeding problems on Excelsier Boulevard.
Moved by Council Member Foster Bolton [Approx. 00:49:50] · Seconded by Council Member Wilburn [Approx. 00:50:00]
The council revisited the Excelsier Boulevard improvement project, originally tabled due to concerns over property impacts. Staff detailed design modifications, including narrowing boulevards and shifting trails into the roadway, to minimize these impacts. A resident raised concerns about traffic flow, the center turn lane, and lack of pullover space. Council members discussed balancing community-wide benefits (safety, connectivity, county cost-sharing) against individual resident impacts, with some expressing skepticism but ultimately supporting the use of roundabouts based on positive experiences elsewhere.
The 2026 assessment report
Moved by Council Member Calvert [Approx. 01:09:40] · Seconded by Council Member Romey [Approx. 01:09:50]
The City Assessor presented the 2026 assessment report, showing Minnetonka's total market value at $14.56 billion. Key data included residential market value growth (6.6%), Lakeshore property growth (10.2%), and shifts in tax capacity, with commercial property's tax burden decreasing from 34% to 24% over nine years. This shift was attributed to post-pandemic commercial property devaluation, increasing the burden on residential taxpayers.
Resolution for Red Circle Drive sidewalk improvements project
Moved by Council Member Maxwell [Approx. 01:14:40] · Seconded by Council Member Foster Bolton [Approx. 01:14:50]
The Public Works Director presented a resolution to move forward with the Red Circle Drive sidewalk improvements. This project, delayed due to easement negotiations, will add a 750-foot sidewalk connection between Shady Oak and the Green Line extension, enhancing walkability and connectivity. It will be funded by available TIF money from a previous project.
Resolution for Shady Oak Road sidewalk improvements
Moved by Council Member Wilburn [Approx. 01:19:40] · Seconded by Council Member Foster Bolton [Approx. 01:20:00]
The Public Works Director introduced a resolution to authorize bids for sidewalk replacement, widening, and pedestrian signal modifications along Shady Oak Road. Council Member Calvert acknowledged the high cost of the 450-foot project (around half a million dollars) but supported it due to the area's density and traffic, emphasizing the need for safe pedestrian access. Mayor Shaq highlighted its importance for activating the Opus area.
Regarding CE housing loan programs
Moved by Council Member Kley [Approx. 01:25:30] · Seconded by Council Member Calvert [Approx. 01:25:40]
Housing staff presented resolutions for housekeeping purposes, transferring funds from the affordable housing trust fund to loan programs like 'Pathways to Home Ownership' and 'Welcome to Minnetonka,' administered by the Center for Energy Environment (CE) since 2018. The action ensures these programs are replenished annually as funds are utilized, supporting various housing initiatives including code compliance and down payment assistance.
Regarding CE housing loan programs (EDA)
Moved by Commissioner Romey [Approx. 01:29:40] · Seconded by Commissioner Calvert [Approx. 01:30:00]
The Economic Development Authority (EDA) reviewed and approved resolutions mirroring those passed by the City Council. These resolutions pertain to the 11th amendment of the loan origination agreement with the Center for Energy Environment (CE) and the transfer of funds to the Pathways to Home Ownership down payment assistance program, ensuring continued support for housing initiatives.
Notable Quotes (18)
Uh years ago, we used to do it every other year and I think it was about 3 four years ago, we decided to do it every year and we've just had good participation. This might have been our biggest uh sign up in recent years. I think we had close to 37 uh signed up...
Their dedication strengthens the city, whether through volunteering, serving on boards and commissions, or even pursuing public office.
progress for the rights of women have often left out indigenous women and women of color, making it even more important for us to stay committed to racial equity and inclusion to create a more just and inclusive community for all.
I must say, I think we might we should note this is our first regular city council meeting with an all female city council.
The city's homepage doesn't mention anything. The cities I want to link does not uh offer anything. The services link does not either. There's nothing else on the uh our cities link, government link or business link.
what we're calling for is for the city to establish uh a lengthier period um and it did seem like there is interest and appetite if you will on the council's part to at least consider this matter...
Why is it so hard to reassure all of the residents of Minnetonka, documented or undocumented, citizen or noncitizen, white or black or brown, that you will stand up for them and defend them and support them.
we move uh to the back of the curb in this area with just a two-foot um required Henipin County uh safety buffer. Uh in this section, we also move into the street. So the trail construction uh the curb is actually placed further in the existing roadway.
My suggestion is that the if you eliminate the center lane, say between Woodland Road and Excelsior, uh I'm sorry, uh Scenic Heights Drive, the center turn lane is really important because the density of residences between those two streets on Excelsier is higher than most of the rest of the street.
we felt we really have to weigh the impact to individual neighbors against the benefit to the entire community.
Then we added roundabouts on Ridgedell Drive and that's a that is a route I take almost daily home from work and I will say it has vastly improved it has done two things. It's vastly improved the traffic and um the the length of time it gets it takes to get along that stretch and slowed traffic down slowed speeds down.
this year we have the total estimated market value at $14.56 billion. Um this is about a $700 million increase from last year about 5.2%.
I just wanted to point out uh in one of the slides it showed that there was a 10% tax capacity decrease in commercial industrial just in the last 9 years from 34% to 24%. And um we get a lot of really good questions from concerned residents or people that are finding it increasingly difficult to pay taxes...
adding the sidewalk connection between Shady Oak and the Green Line extension. So, this is in line with desired outcome 5.3 to enhance safety, walkability, and connectivity of our trail system.
This is a 450 foot section of sidewalk that's going to be half a million dollars. Uh and um so I it it kind of made my me uh take a pause when I was reading the packet for this and the previous agenda item.
we want activation of the Opus area and this is one of kind of two spots where there is some um commercial customerf facing, you know, retail and those types of things and very much want that area to continue to succeed.
we have had an agreement with the center for energy environment since 2018. They do service our loan programs and specifically the Minnotonka home enhancement and the welcome to Minnetonka the original one the down payment assistance program has been administered from them from 2018.
this action will put new money into the fund and people will be able to continue using that.
Ordinances & Resolutions (16)
Resolution adopting the feasibility report, approving the concept layout, ordering improvements, authorizing plans and specifications, and easement acquisition for project number 27305.
Proclamation declaring March 1-31, 2026, as Women's History Month in Minnetonka.
A summary report providing property valuation, market trends, and tax capacity information for the City of Minnetonka for the 2026 assessment.
Resolution accepting the plans and specifications and authorizing the advertisement for bid for project number 23607.
Resolution accepting the plans and specifications and authorizing the advertisement for bid for project number 26607.
Resolutions for transferring funds from the affordable housing trust fund to the Minnetonka Pathways Program and the home ownership down payment assistance program, and the 11th amendment to the loan origination agreement with CE.
Capital Improvement Plan, mentioned in relation to project funding.
The city's newsletter, discussed in the context of resident communication.
Official document sent by Henepin County detailing property taxes due.
Notices sent to property owners informing them of their estimated market value and classification.
The agreement between the City and the Center for Energy Environment for administering housing loan programs, subject to amendments.
One of the loan programs administered by CE.
An original down payment assistance program administered by CE.
A loan program to assist commercial properties with code and accessibility issues.
An inaugural down payment assistance program for home ownership.
Housing and Redevelopment Authority levy, a funding source for housing programs.