Mound City Council — Transcript
Tuesday, September 8, 2026
Police Department Activity Report
Little Free Libraries in City Parks
2027 Budget Presentation and Preliminary Levy
Ashlin Lane Rain Garden Public Lands Permit
Dock Program Violation Appeal (4805 Island View Drive)
Votes (5)
Consent Agenda Approval
Moved by Council Member Heric [0:11:51] · Seconded by Council Member Mcanini [0:12:02]
The consent agenda included minutes from the previous meeting, temporary liquor licenses, a proclamation for Constitution Week, debt service transfers, check registries, and several resolutions for variances and pay requests for various city projects including water treatment and street improvements. There was no specific discussion of individual items by the council beyond the standard reading of the list.
Build Club Little Free Libraries in City Parks
Moved by Council Member Castellano [0:26:01] · Seconded by Council Member Pew [0:26:13]
Students from the Build Club at West Honka High School presented their plan to install Little Free Libraries in all 15 Mound parks with playgrounds. They detailed funding, maintenance plans involving students and the National Honor Society, and a partnership with Excelsior Bay Books for book donations. Council members raised questions about long-term maintenance, potential for inappropriate books, and coordination with Public Works and the Park Commission. The club president, Tyrus Magnus, noted his employment with city park maintenance as a point of contact. The council expressed support for the initiative.
Ashlin Lane Public Lands Permit
Moved by Council Member Mcanini [1:18:59] · Seconded by Council Member Pew [1:19:07]
The Harrison's Bay Water Quality Committee sought approval for a public lands permit to construct a rain garden at Ashlin Lane Commons. The committee confirmed that the $8,000 project is fully funded by grant money, and that Norlings would handle construction, with planting to follow in the spring. They requested a waiver of the application fee for the permit. The council's questions were minimal, mainly confirming cost and funding.
4805 Island View Drive Dock Program Violation Hearing
Moved by Mayor Holt [1:17:10] · Seconded by Council Member Mcanini [1:17:34]
The property owners of 4805 Island View Drive appealed a staff determination that their dock violated city code due to changes in configuration, extended length, and infringement on an adjacent site. City Clerk Kevin Kelly presented the staff's position, detailing that the dock was moved 16 feet east and was longer than previously approved, exceeding the 4-foot water depth requirement. Property owner Peter Nus argued the dock's placement was for family safety (children's visibility) and remained within his approved 'dock use area,' asserting that the city's ordinances do not explicitly prohibit such a move without pre-approval after a license is granted. He also raised concerns about a neighboring dock's size and alleged selective enforcement. The City Attorney clarified the scope of the appeal to only the appellant's dock. Council discussion centered on the interpretation of 'configuration change' on the application, the enforceability of implied rules versus explicit code, and the impact on neighborly relations. Manager Dixon recommended allowing the dock to remain for the current season but require changes for the next.
Adjournment to Close Session
Moved by Council Member Mcanini [1:27:14] · Seconded by Council Member Pew [1:27:26]
The City Council voted to adjourn to a close session to discuss active litigation related to the case of the city of Mountain versus Sylvia Roxburg, case number 27-CV-25-19479. This was done pursuant to Minnesota statute section 13D.05.05 subdivision 3B, which allows for confidential discussion of litigation strategy.
Notable Quotes (11)
Our goal for this year, our first year, is to place a little free library at every park with a playground in mound.
So, if neighbors start donating and it gets over wrought with books, is that something you're going to be checking on weekly or I just want to make sure it's going to be maintained.
Yes. Yes, we we plan on we plan on meeting as a club at the school once a week and then me personally for as long as I'll be at high school I'll be checking them myself and then we'll also have people coming in and checking them regularly.
The great thing about that is I work for the city of M as that's great as as park maintenance.
The only issue on appeal is whether the dock is configured the same as last year. Meaning, is the dock in an approved location? Does it exceed length restrictions? And does it infringe on the Jason dock sites.
I noted that the NY who dock configuration was 16 feet uh to the east and was out was 16 feet longer than what was um the dock structure from the previous year.
We respectfully disagree with the city's position that our dock is out of compliance simply because it was moved from it its historical location. It is unclear why the length of the dock is also a concern since it was previously approved and is consistent with other docks in the vicinity.
The relevant question is whether the dock as actually installed complies with the standards in chapter 78 and the approved dock location map and addendum. We contend it does based on the ordinance, the published dock location map and addendum and the professional survey I just handed out, maps and measurements from Granberg Associates establishing that fact.
Respectfully, we assert the real issue is the neighbor's dock, which is both larger than their waterfront size of a 40 foot lot with a 47 foot wide dock structure. And that crosses into our dock use area.
So my my kind of point on this is if everybody's filling out the thing and then this uh this applicant said it did not change but it clearly did change. I mean well the followup question is that not enforceable?
When you have a boat house, you know, you know, less than 12 in from your dock, to me, that's a that's a, you know, a case of infringement.
Ordinances & Resolutions (13)
Debt service transfer
Approving front and side yard variances for new/replacement house at 1908 Shorewood Lane
Approving Lakeshore setback variance for house addition project at 609 Bluebird
Water treatment improvements project
Lost Lake Commons project
Street improvements projects
New spending item in the general fund budget
City's guide for financial decision-making, being updated
City ordinance regulating docks
Lake Minnetonka Conservation District code allowing variances on dock length
Official city document relevant to dock placement
Statute allowing for close session for active litigation
Case number for active litigation of the city of Mountain versus Sylvia Roxburg