Minnetrista City Council — Transcript
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
City Council Operations and Policy
Infrastructure and Public Works Projects
Land Use and Development Planning
Public Safety Personnel
Votes (8)
Approval of Commission Offer of Employment for Police Officer Matthew Peterson
Dissent: None
Moved by Mr. Vicky [19:07] · Seconded by Mr. Govern [19:10]
Assistant City Administrator Paula Bowman provided a brief background on Matthew Peterson, detailing his experience with the City of Orono Police Department since 2023 and part-time work with the West Hennepin Police Department since 2025. The council expressed enthusiasm for bringing an experienced officer on board.
Work Session Minutes Review and Corrections
Dissent: None
Moved by None (Decision to revise and bring back) · Seconded by None
Mayor Whan clarified the facilities policy to permit use by organizations benefiting the community, but not individuals. Council Member Revkin requested several changes: adding Delano to comparable cities for analysis, documenting Council Members Lacy and Govern's positions on non-market adjustments, correcting an employee contribution figure from $1,900 to $2,000, and including discussion on opt-out programs. Due to ambiguities and the need for comprehensive revisions, the council decided to bring the minutes back for approval at a subsequent meeting.
2027 Street Improvement Project (Public Hearing)
Dissent: None
Moved by Miss Lacy [46:58] · Seconded by Mr. Govern [47:01]
Allison Falsky from WSB presented the project, outlining the poor pavement conditions on Warner, Welssley, St. Mary's, Cedar Point, and Lee Roads, necessitating full depth reclamation. The estimated cost is $925,800, to be funded 50% by the road fund and 50% by special assessments, with a preliminary per-unit assessment of $6,500 over 20 years. Residents raised questions regarding drainage issues, clarification on sewer vs. street/storm assessments, and potential project cost overruns. The Mayor confirmed the city subsidizes 50% of the cost and encouraged residents to contact the engineer for specific drainage concerns.
Conditional Use Permit for 905 Maple Crest
Dissent: None
Moved by Miss Lacy [1:16:15] · Seconded by Mr. Govern [1:16:35]
The permit request for a 6,000 sq ft detached accessory structure at 905 Maple Crest, larger than a previous expired permit, was reviewed following a 5-0 Planning Commission recommendation. Residents presented varied opinions: some supported the project, citing good neighbor relations, aesthetic benefits of indoor storage, and a preference over potential future housing development. Others, particularly Jeff Cisk, expressed strong concerns about the building's commercial appearance, height (25 ft), length (100 ft), lack of windows/character on the back, and loss of natural views due to recent tree clearing. The council discussed adding windows and screening, and addressing drainage. Conditions were set for four windows on the east side, a non-white color to match the house, and explicit personal-use only.
Itron Tetra Software Update Project
Dissent: None
Moved by Mr. Govern [1:31:02] · Seconded by Miss Lacy [1:31:07]
City Administrator Jasper Krugal presented the necessity for updating the water meter reading software, as the current system will lose support by the end of 2028. The new Itron Tetra software offers improved efficiency, the capability for AMI (real-time water usage data) for new homes, and enhanced leak detection through staff-monitored alerts. The total project cost is $37,510, covering annual subscriptions, a gateway update, staff training (up to $10,000), and 126 cellular AMI units for future builds. Council discussed the management of existing AMR meter stock, the specific costs, and the system's longevity.
City Council Meeting Date Ordinance
Dissent: Mayor Lisa Whan and Council Member Peter Vickery voted Nay (against the motion to deny). Council Member Brian Govern abstained.
Moved by Kathleen Revkin [1:44:00] (Motion to deny) · Seconded by Brian Govern [1:44:05]
The proposed ordinance sought to change City Council meetings from the first and third Mondays to the first and third Tuesdays, effective January 1, 2027. Mayor Whan supported the change for staff convenience, better resident accessibility, and to accommodate her own schedule, noting many other cities meet on Tuesdays. Council Member Revkin strongly opposed, citing significant personal hardship, potential conflicts with other city meetings (e.g., Mound), and the long-standing tradition of Monday meetings. Council Member Lacy expressed discomfort voting on such a significant change before an election, suggesting postponement. City Attorney Sarah confirmed she would be unavailable for Tuesday meetings, requiring a substitute. An initial motion to deny the change resulted in a 2-2 vote with one abstention, leading to the motion failing. The council subsequently rescinded the motion and second, agreeing to postpone the vote to the November 16th meeting.
2050 Comprehensive Plan Update (WSB Proposal)
Dissent: None
Moved by Mr. Govern [1:52:15] · Seconded by Mr. Vicky [1:52:20]
Nate Sparks from WSB presented the proposal for updating the city's 2050 Comprehensive Plan. He acknowledged a delay from the initial May start but assured the council that the schedule would be condensed to meet the overall timeline, with public engagement prioritized for optimal feedback. The scope of work for WSB was clarified to be distinct from the water section, which would be handled by another firm.
Water Supply Planning (A2S Task Order Number 22)
Dissent: None
Moved by Mr. Govern [1:56:05] · Seconded by Mr. Vicky [1:56:10]
Aaron from A2S presented Task Order Number 22, covering the drinking water chapter of the Comprehensive Plan and the required DNR Water Supply Plan update. The work will build upon previous master planning efforts, updating data and projections for new development. The total cost for this task order is $28,500. Council Member Revkin inquired if there was a discount due to prior related work; Aaron clarified that while previous work provides an efficient starting point, the pricing reflects a baseline level of effort for the updates.
Notable Quotes (17)
Mr. Peterson has worked for the city of OIO at the police department since 2023. January 2023 is when he started. He's also working part-time right now at uh West Henipin Police Department.
we would allow um organizations that benefit the community as a whole, but no no other or no individuals or citizens whether they're repres whether they're residents or not.
I wanted a note made in there of Council Member Lacy and Council Member Govern's position as well, just so everyone's opinion was on there. And then um the employee contributions for the family was 2,000, not 1,900.
the recommendation is full depth full depth reclamation in the project area and that consists of uh picking up the pavement, pulverizing it so it looks a lot like an aggregate base... and then we put um new batuminous pavement over top of that.
Now, all of us don't have sewer that go underneath of that road. And you said part of this is based off of the sewer. So, do we get hit for that sewer also? Like, does everybody get the same?
Yes. No, we're paying for at least 50% of it.
The structure that's being proposed is 60 ft by 100 ft. So we're looking at a 6,000q ft detached accessory structure. Um as pointed out in the staff report, anything over 1,000 square ft does require a conditional use permit.
Based on my observation, Sean and Crystal have chosen a very discreet and appropriate location for the shown uh and they've showed considerable care for their neighbors.
I just don't want it to be a giant commercial building in my backyard. It's 25 ft tall. It's 100 ft long. And if there's no windows and no character, I get to look at that every time we drive into our driveway.
So, um, please u abide by that. Um and um uh so adding some windows and some um screening on the east side that would be fantastic.
it's more efficient. It allows us to potentially have um our new homes... would have u an which is the the item that sends the data to our system. Uh they'd be able to have an AMI system which I kind of describe in the in the um memo as almost real time uh like water usage data that we can then have.
With the cellular endpoint, you get hourly data, meaning you also get hourly alarms. You can address that customer within a few days that they have a leak as opposed to 30 days or 90 days when it was quarterly.
the reason why um I suggested moving Tuesday to Monday to Tuesday meetings. One um it's one easier for staff and it's a lot more convenient for staff and it's better for staff.
I am against it. I stated that clearly last time. I um I respect your opinion, Peter, but it has absolutely no impact on you. Um I think it's a lot to ask staff planning commission, it sounds like we're planning on moving those meetings.
I am not available on this first and third Tuesdays. I have Lake those nights. So, it would be somebody else that would need to come to the meeting for me. It would probably be Mary Teachon and um she does have more experience than me. I would remain the city attorney for Minatrista. So I would be doing all of your work. I just would not be doing the meetings.
We prepared this a while ago. Um so, we still want to be done around the same time. So, we'd probably have to condense things a bit, but we would um work with city staff on finalizing a new schedule to take that into account.
water for the Met Council comprehensive plan is as he mentioned three different it's water surface water waste water and drinking water. So we'll do the drinking water portion.
Ordinances & Resolutions (13)
Standard approval of financial claims.
Certification for collecting delinquent utility fees via property taxes.
Formal acceptance of completed improvements in a specific development phase.
Approval related to street lighting on County Road 26.
Approval of extending a property lease.
Approval of hiring a new police officer.
Resolution to order improvements and authorize plans/specs for the 2027 Street Improvement Project.
Permit required for structures over 1,000 square feet, applied for by 905 Maple Crest.
Project to update the city's water meter reading software.
Proposed ordinance to change city council meeting days.
Proposal for updating the city's long-term comprehensive development plan.
Task order for water supply planning, including the DNR Water Supply Plan update.
Plan required by the Department of Natural Resources, updated as part of comprehensive planning.