Minnetrista City Council — Transcript
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
Voter Engagement and Democracy Defense
Woodland Cove Filtration Basins
Procurement and Approval of Public Infrastructure
2027 Street Improvement Project
Rear Yard Setback Variance
2027 Preliminary Levy and Budget Setting
Mound Fire Service Contract Renegotiation
Recreational Vehicles on Private Property Ordinance
Utility Billing System Review and Rate Clarity
Votes (17)
Consent Agenda (Excluding Claims and Hydrant Installation)
Moved by Peter Vicky/Council Member [0:13:00] · Seconded by Unknown [0:13:02]
The bulk of the consent agenda items, including approval of various meeting minutes, a riparian view shed setback variance at 960 Maple Crest Drive, road improvements on North View Drive and Highland Road, an Excel lease agreement amendment, a pension request, and the City Administrator performance review summary, were approved without specific discussion.
Approve City Council Regular Meeting Minutes from August 3rd, 2026
Moved by Peter Vicky/Council Member [0:13:00] · Seconded by Unknown [0:13:02]
Approved as part of the consent agenda.
Approve Work Session Meeting Minutes from August 17th, 2026
Moved by Peter Vicky/Council Member [0:13:00] · Seconded by Unknown [0:13:02]
Approved as part of the consent agenda.
Approve City Council Regular Meeting Minutes from August 17th, 2026
Moved by Peter Vicky/Council Member [0:13:00] · Seconded by Unknown [0:13:02]
Approved as part of the consent agenda.
Resolution to Approve Riparian View Shed Setback Variance at 960 Maple Crest Drive
Moved by Peter Vicky/Council Member [0:13:00] · Seconded by Unknown [0:13:02]
Approved as part of the consent agenda.
Resolution to Approve the Replacement of the Paved Return on North View Drive and the Overlay of the Paved Return on Highland Road
Moved by Peter Vicky/Council Member [0:13:00] · Seconded by Unknown [0:13:02]
Approved as part of the consent agenda.
Excel Lease Agreement Amendment
Moved by Peter Vicky/Council Member [0:13:00] · Seconded by Unknown [0:13:02]
Approved as part of the consent agenda.
St. Bonafacious Fire Relief Association Pension Request
Moved by Peter Vicky/Council Member [0:13:00] · Seconded by Unknown [0:13:02]
Approved as part of the consent agenda.
City Administrator Performance Review Summary
Moved by Peter Vicky/Council Member [0:13:00] · Seconded by Unknown [0:13:02]
Approved as part of the consent agenda.
Resolution to Approve Claims and Resolution to Approve the Installation of a Hydrant and Sample Testing Station
Moved by Unknown [0:19:20] · Seconded by Unknown [0:19:22]
The council discussed the urgent, pre-approved installation of a hydrant and sample testing station at Wolfberry Park. Questions focused on the lack of prior council approval, the timing constraints from the contractor (Magny) and engineer (A2S) that allowed for no-cost installation, and the rationale for purchasing parts directly to avoid markups. Staff acknowledged procedural oversight, with Director of Public Works Gary Peters taking responsibility for not bringing it to council sooner. Another item discussed was a pipe saddle for a sample station on the West Edge project to alleviate pressure spikes from hydrant testing. Council emphasized the need for communication on expenditures before formal approval to maintain accountability to citizens.
2027 Street Improvement Project (Feasibility Report and Public Hearing Call)
Moved by Unknown [0:48:07] · Seconded by Unknown [0:48:09]
The feasibility report outlined conditions and proposed improvements for the Islands area (Warner Lane, Cedar Point Road, Edsil Road, St. Mary's Road, Welssley Way, Lee Road) and Ridgewood Cove. For the Islands, full depth reclamation with INI barriers and storm improvements (e.g., Welssley Way erosion control) were proposed, with an estimated unit assessment of $6,500. For Ridgewood Cove, options included reclamation without water main ($13,300/unit assessment) or full reconstruction with water main installation ($18,800 street portion, $15,500 water portion per unit), with 100% assessment for new water main. Residents from Ridgewood Cove, Larry Osmanson and Chris Johnson, expressed strong opposition to the water main due to cost and existing wells, though acknowledging the need for road repair. Council decided to separate Ridgewood Cove for further discussion on water main assessments in a future work session (October 19th), focusing only on the Islands area for the 2027 project. Staff clarified that residents could use wells for irrigation but not potable water if hooked up to city water. The cost of drilling new wells was estimated at $15,000-$25,000.
Resolution Approving Rear Yard Setback Variance at 4246 Creekide Way
Dissent: Kathleen Refkin/Acting Mayor
Moved by Unknown [0:55:27] · Seconded by Unknown [0:55:30]
The council considered a variance request for a deck at 4246 Creekide Way, which was discovered to be 6 inches into the 20-foot rear yard setback after a permit for a retaining wall drew city attention. The deck was built larger than its original permit and never received a final inspection. While the Acting Mayor expressed concern about adherence to PUD rules and the contractor's non-compliance, another council member argued the deviation was minor, neighbors were supportive, and the applicant was fixing a deteriorating structure. The Planning Commission had recommended approval 5-0.
Adoption of the 2027 Preliminary Levy
Moved by Unknown [0:57:42] · Seconded by Unknown [0:57:44]
The council adopted the 2027 preliminary levy, totaling $8,758,365. This represented an 11.87% increase overall, but the Director of Finance clarified that approximately 3% was attributable to new growth, resulting in an estimated 8% increase for existing property owners. This levy serves as the maximum and will be refined leading up to the final adoption at the end of the year.
Approve Debt Levy of 100%
Moved by Unknown [0:58:56] · Seconded by Unknown [0:58:58]
The council discussed and approved a resolution to levy 100% for debt payments, consistent with historical practice. This approach allows the city to avoid levying an additional 5% that is statutorily permitted but often unnecessary due to healthy fund balances in debt funds, potentially saving taxpayers approximately $70,000.
Set Public Comment Date for 2027 Budget and Tax Levy
Moved by Unknown [1:00:08] · Seconded by Unknown [1:00:10]
The council approved setting December 7, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. as the official date for public comment on the 2027 budget and tax levy. This meeting will precede the final adoption of the levy.
Mound Fire Contract Notice
Moved by Unknown [1:01:46] · Seconded by Unknown [1:01:48]
City Administrator Jasper Krugal presented a letter to formally notify the City of Mound of Minatrista's intent to renegotiate the fire service agreement for 2028, with discussions planned for 2027. Krugal noted that Mound had not honored a contractual obligation to meet in September regarding budget questions, indicating a potential lack of cooperation in adhering to the current agreement's terms.
Operation of Recreational Vehicles on Private Property Ordinance
Moved by Claudia Lacy/Council Member [1:03:00] · Seconded by Brian Govern/Council Member [1:03:02]
The council approved amendments to the ordinance governing recreational vehicle operation on private property. Key changes included revising the minimum distance from a neighboring primary structure to 220 feet (from 300 feet from the property line) and adding a new provision allowing operation on properties 1 acre or less for periods of under 15 minutes within any 60-minute interval. The ordinance is set to take effect seven days after its publication.
Notable Quotes (10)
Magny actually installed all of that for no cost. A2S did the engineering for fee free.
the onus is on me. I will take the blame for that. Um the opportunity did arise for it.
ultimately the council's accountable to the citizens for the spending of their tax dollars. So, if we do have something like this where we need to make a uh expenditure before the ordinance is passed, uh if we could just get a communication to the council, I think that would would be helpful.
I have not been able to find a broad view of the water being put in there. I have not found one person that other than well excuse me only one that did have thoughts of hooking up to that they're all concerned about the cost
So, the way I understand it is they can keep their well if they're using it for irrigation but not potable um purposes because can't have those kind of mixed. You have back backflow prevention and things like that.
this is a 30-year decision. And so I think it really is something and it's hard when you're facing an assessment or a bill that's coming up, but it is a 30-year decision that we're making for current residents and also for future residents about their ability to have um general water.
Just for clarity, the deck was not built as the original permit. Correct.
I mean, this is much you do about nothing. It's 6 in and the neighbors are all in favor of you're not trying to build a giant deck and you were fixing something that was deteriorating. And I and I hear you. I hear you about there's rules and there's ordinances. Um but this isn't like things we faced in the past where someone's just trying to do their own thing and they don't care about the city.
So, of that, you know, 11 or so percent, really 3%'s taken, you know, by you know, the new the growth covers it. And really the increase to existing properties like that's more about an 8% increase.
I think mound staff will come and answer questions from the the city of Minatrista. So, which is interesting because I believe in the contract there's language that says if there's budget questions, we'll have a meeting in September. We've requested it, but that request isn't hasn't been granted.
Ordinances & Resolutions (19)
Agenda item postponed until the September 21st work session.
Letter presented by Woodland Cove HOA president regarding filtration basin concerns.
Approved claims, including the hydrant installation bill, after discussion.
Approved variance for a property on Maple Crest Drive.
Approved the installation after significant discussion regarding its prior execution without council approval.
Approved infrastructure improvements on two specific roads.
Amendment approved as part of the consent agenda.
Pension request approved as part of the consent agenda.
Summary approved as part of the consent agenda.
Piece of legislation that the League of Women Voters is working to promote public awareness of.
Online nonpartisan voter guide supported by the League of Women Voters.
Report detailing pavement conditions, improvement options, and costs for the Islands area and Ridgewood Cove.
Governs the city's assessment policy for improvement projects.
Approved variance for a deck built too close to the rear property line.
The maximum tax levy that the city can set, discussed and adopted.
Resolution adopted to levy 100% of debt payments, rather than the allowed additional 5%.
Existing agreement between Minatrista and Mound, subject to renegotiation for 2028.
Revised ordinance governing the use of recreational vehicles on private property.
Future schedule where the base water treatment plant fee could potentially be broken out as a separate line item.