Minnetrista City Council — Transcript
Thursday, August 6, 2026
Employee Appreciation Milestones
Consent Agenda Items
2027 Budget and Levy Discussion
Personnel Committee Role and Fund Balance Policy
Water Billing Transition
Highway 7 Corridor Funding
ATV/UTV Ordinance Review
Property Development Updates
Basma Property Cleanup Status
Jennings Cove Water Management Project
Votes (3)
Ordinance number 509 (Data Center Moratorium)
Dissent: Council Member Brian Govern
Moved by Claudia Lacy [00:13:30] · Seconded by Peter Vicky [00:13:40]
The Community Development Director introduced the ordinance for a one-year moratorium on new data center applications, emphasizing its preemptive nature given regional trends and the lack of existing city regulations. Council Member Govern expressed opposition to the moratorium, arguing it could hinder 'first mover' opportunities and that data centers' risks are similar to other heavy industrial uses, which the council could vet without a moratorium. Mayor Whan countered that the moratorium provides essential time to develop 'guard rails' and ordinances to manage future applications proactively, avoiding legal obligations to process applications without clear guidelines.
Resolution number 87-26 (Authorizing publication of Ordinance 509 by title and summary)
Moved by Peter Vicky [00:14:20] · Seconded by Brian Govern [00:14:30]
Following the approval of Ordinance 509, a resolution was presented to authorize its publication by title and summary. This procedural step was deemed appropriate given the length of the new ordinance.
Ordinance number 510 (City Council Pay)
Moved by Peter Vicky [00:15:35] · Seconded by Brian Govern [00:15:40]
The City Council considered an ordinance to adjust council and mayoral pay, a proposal that originated from a prior work session. The proposed increase would raise council member pay from $400 to $500 per month and the mayor's pay from $500 to $600 per month, effective January 1, 2027. This adjustment was noted to align Minatrista's compensation with that of comparable communities.
Notable Quotes (3)
It is an ordinance that establishes a mor a moratorum on all uh new data centers that would come in for application for the city of Minatrista. Um just to be clear, we don't have an application in there. there has not been any submitted to us, but uh our council seeing what's happening in the the metro area and and in our area, seeing these things pop up and um some of the the issues that it's caused um did the the right thing in terms of uh ordering staff asking staff to bring a moratorium forward.
I actually support the study but not necessarily a moratorum. Um I think there's a significant opportunity for first movers in the data center area. I think putting a moratorum would um essentially take us out of the running.
The moratorum will actually allow us to do exactly what you're talking about. It will give us an opportunity to assess and put limitations and guard rails on it. Currently, if we were to get an application in at any given time, regardless of where they would want to build, we would have to accept that application and we would have to go through the process.
Ordinances & Resolutions (19)
Lift Assist Ordinance, approved for publication by title and summary.
Authorizing the publication of Ordinance 508 by title and summary.
To accept bids and award the contract for a sewer lining project.
To approve a sideyard setback variance at 5800 Lake View Drive.
To approve a simple subdivision and variance at 3780 and 3790 Enchanted Lane.
To approve a quote for decommissioning and sealing of well number five.
Grant for the decommissioning of well number five.
Amendment to the SCADA services agreement.
Establishing a data center moratorium for one year in the city.
Authorizing the publication of Ordinance number 509 by title and summary due to its length.
Adjusting City Council pay from $400 to $500/month and Mayor pay from $500 to $600/month, effective January 1, 2027.
The proposed maximum property tax levy for the 2027 budget year.
Documents mailed to residents detailing property tax information.
Documents outlining terms for negotiation with city employee unions.
Internal city documents governing employee terms, potentially needing updates on committee bylaws.
An existing ordinance related to All-Terrain Vehicles, slated for future discussion and potential revision.
A proposed amendment to the comprehensive plan related to the Segor property.
A grant application to the Met Council for transportation-related funding.
A study being conducted by a consulting firm for the Bowl property to assess ingress/egress.