Minnetrista City Council — Transcript
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Public Nuisance Declaration and Abatement Order
Early Voting 18-Day Option
Westedge Boulevard and North Saunders Trail Replacement
Pavement Maintenance Project (Joint with Excelsior)
Future Agenda Items and Council/Staff Reports
Votes (4)
Nuisance declaration at 9550 West Hill Road (Public Hearing)
Dissent: None
Moved by Peter Vickery/Council Member [0:38:40] · Seconded by Kathleen Weflen/Council Member [0:38:43]
The property owner's attorney, David Schultz, presented photos showing progress in cleaning up the property, including the removal of 48 vehicles. He requested an extension of the abatement deadline due to the owner's age, recent hospitalization, and the scale of the project. Neighbors Fred Hempel and Ken Vander Lindy expressed skepticism about the extent of the cleanup and frustration over the long-standing issue, while acknowledging some recent removals. City staff and attorney clarified the legal process for abatement and the severe financial consequences (tax assessments, foreclosure) if the deadline is not met. The Council agreed to a new deadline.
Early Voting 18-Day Option Consideration
Dissent: None
Moved by Peter Vickery/Council Member [0:43:53] · Seconded by Kathleen Weflen/Council Member [0:43:56]
Assistant Administrator Paula Bauman presented the new state law regarding early voting options. The main point of discussion was whether the choice for an 18-day period would be permanent or could be adjusted. It was clarified that the city could change its decision every two years. A council member inquired about the impact on staff time versus the number of voters, especially for off-cycle elections, noting the setup time is consistent regardless of voter volume. The consensus was to try the 18-day option for the current cycle and re-evaluate.
Westedge North Saunders Trail Replacement, accept quotes, and award the contract
Dissent: None
Moved by Brian Gover/Council Member [0:48:33] · Seconded by Kathleen Weflen/Council Member [0:48:36]
City Engineer Allison Fauskee explained that this project was re-bid as a standalone after a data entry error in a previous street improvement project. Cores taken by Public Works revealed that a full removal and replacement was necessary instead of a mill and overlay. Two quotes were received, with WM Mueller being the lower bidder for asphalt work. Mueller's quote for removals was also lower than if city forces performed the work. The pavement thickness for the replacement will allow for future mill and overlay. The project will be funded by the park fund.
Pavement Maintenance Accept Bids and Award Contract
Dissent: None
Moved by Brian Gover/Council Member [0:59:16] · Seconded by Brian Gover/Council Member [0:59:19]
City Engineer Allison Fauskee presented the results for the 2026 pavement maintenance project, a joint initiative with Excelsior designed to leverage a larger project size for better pricing. The project was split into two contracts: Allied Blacktop Company for crack fill, seal coat, and fog seal; and Corrective Asphalt Materials for pavement rejuvenator (Reclamite). The engineer explained Reclamite's function in extending pavement elasticity and life, noting that measures were in place to prevent runoff issues experienced in the previous year. Gary Peters, Director of Public Works, clarified the ideal application timeline and number of applications for Reclamite. The Council confirmed that Minnetrista would only be responsible for its portion of the costs.
Notable Quotes (9)
They've made significant progress since that time. Two loads of two loads of 24 cars, I believe. I believe it's 48 vehicles have gone out.
That's great. I mean, we're really happy to hear that because we'd prefer and not to have to go down a criminal road. We don't want to put 88 year old happy man or anybody in jail or whatever.
If it's not done by then, the city under its code can go on the property and start doing the abatement. I would recommend highly recommend in this case that we obtain a court order to do that.
I just want to make it also clear to to your client, Mr. Bosma and his sons, what could potentially happen if it doesn't. It's not just the criminal aspect, but it's also then the abatement would move forward and any costs that the city would incur due to that abatement process would then be put on the tax roll of the property and it has to be paid for in the very next year...if those taxes are not paid, then the property goes into foreclosure.
One thing to remember, if you know, if we have five voters or if we have a hundred and whatever, we are still doing staff is still doing the same setup, the same process. So, it still takes the same amount of time, same amount of staff to do so.
So since then we did prepare the package as a separate quote package and sent it out to a couple contractors. We received pardon me, we sent it to four contractors. Now one of the things that changed from the time that this was bid to the time that it was quoted is public works went and got some cores out there and we realized that instead of it being a mill and overlay it's it's a removal and replacement.
By generating a larger project, we we we typically hear that we're getting better pricing and I think council can see that in the in the the bids that were received here. The cost savings for the contractor certainly is mobilization when we can we can partner with with adjacent communities.
So my pavement rejuvenator um there's um what it does it it helps with the for my understanding that the the elasticity of the the pavement in there. So there's a there's a window of time where a rejuvenator can go in there and and the the intent is to go and rejuvenate the binding material
No, it's it that answers my question. Yeah, it's fairly new pavement to answer your question. Um it's not something that you would put on a 10-year-old street because at that point it's oxidized too far and you're not rejuvenating pavement.
Ordinances & Resolutions (10)
Declaring 9550 West Hill Road a public nuisance and issuing an abatement order
City code section containing regulations on storage of materials, home occupation, and nuisances
Larger project which initially included the Westedge Boulevard Trail replacement as a bid alternate
Joint project with Excelsior for surface treatments on roads
Accepting bids for crack fill, seal coat, and fog seal portion of the pavement maintenance project
Accepting bids for the Reclamite portion of the 2026 pavement management maintenance project
Future agenda item for review at a work session
Future agenda item for review at a work session
Future agenda item for discussion at a work session, noted as restrictive
Comprehensive plan, mentioned as potential information to distribute at community events