Wayzata City Council — Transcript
Wednesday, August 5, 2026
Swearing-in of Full-Time Fire Chief Kevin Klaberich and Life-Saving Award
Section Foreman's House Restoration Consultant Agreements
City Manager's Report: Early Voting and Highway 12 Construction Updates
Votes (4)
Swearing-in of Fire Chief Kevin Klaberich and Life-Saving Award Presentation
Kevin Klaberich was formally sworn in as Wayzata's first full-time Fire Chief, acknowledging his extensive service. The City Manager highlighted the significance of this appointment and Chief Klaberich's dedication, also noting his family's long history with the fire department. Following the oath, Chief Klaberich was presented with a life-saving award for his swift actions at a June 4th appliance fire, where he rescued a resident. Council members, including Mr. Sorenson, Mr. Cook, and Mr. Prakash, offered words of thanks and recognition for his service and leadership, and the Mayor underscored the deep community appreciation for Chief Klaberich and his family. Chief Klaberich expressed his profound gratitude and commitment to serving with humility.
Professional Services Agreements for Section Foreman's House Restoration (New History and Cushing Terrell)
Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Plunkett [Around Consent Agenda] · Seconded by Council Member [Around Consent Agenda]
Council Member Sorenson requested to pull items D and E, which pertain to professional services agreements with New History and Cushing Terrell for the Section Foreman's House restoration. The primary concern was to clarify the scope of work for Cushing Terrell to avoid duplication of effort with the designated design-builder, Streeter, and to ensure cost-effectiveness. The City Manager explained that while the Cushing Terrell contract included several scopes, the immediate plan was to utilize only 'scope number one' for finalizing construction documents to maintain historic designation and secure approvals. The Mayor stressed the importance of being judicious with donor and city funds, indicating these were not 'open purchase orders' and that consultants should not revisit work already completed over the past decade. The discussion also briefly touched upon the potential future need for an owner's representative for project management complexities.
Early Voting Season for Primary Election
The City Manager provided comprehensive details regarding early voting for the upcoming primary election. Early voting is available at City Hall through August 10th during regular business hours, with specific extended hours on Saturday, August 8th (9:00 AM - 3:00 PM) and Monday, August 10th (7:00 AM - 5:00 PM). The official election day is Tuesday, August 11th, with polls open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM, encouraging residents to participate.
MnDOT Highway 12 Construction Project Updates
The City Manager provided an update on the ongoing MnDOT Highway 12 construction project, highlighting recent changes in traffic patterns due to new ramp closures and openings. Specifically mentioned were ramp openings at Gleason Lake to eastbound Highway 12, westbound Highway 12 to Shoreline Drive, westbound Highway 12 to Central Ave, and Central Ave to westbound Highway 12. While some ramp closures will last through September, the entire project is anticipated to be completed by the end of November.
Notable Quotes (6)
This swearing in represents a huge milestone for the department, for this community and in recognition of Kevin's service to the city. Him stepping into the role as the first full-time Fire Chief I think is a really important investment in our fire department in and in our community as well.
Kevin, you're the leader of that and leader through service, through action, through words. Probably not not too few, not too not too many words, but we're going to make you give a few tonight, which I know makes you really uncomfortable, but I hope you can just take a moment and pause and look into that audience and look at the support in the community that you have and what it represents to to you as part of our community, Kevin.
It's It's an honor and a privilege to be the first full-time fire chief in Wyzetta. And it's probably I would say a maybe a dream come true. Uh I look I look forward to serving the city with fairness, kindness, and humility. I take responsibility seriously, but I will never take my own myself too seriously.
We've really lined it up to use them as needed as that donor needs to make sure that the construction documents are going to move through that approval process. However, with the Cushing Terrell contract specifically, there that that's all kind of outlined in scope number one. Um but there are four three other scopes in there for any services that we thought maybe they might be consulted on as the project moves forward. So, I would say even though there are not to exceed amounts, we wanted to make sure we had pricings on a contract in place. So, if their services were needed, we wouldn't have to stop, wait 2 weeks to get council approval, but at this point we are only planning to utilize Cushing Terrell for work scope number one to finalize those construction documents.
I'm just cautious to not be duplicative of and and hire these consultants to uh do some of the work that was outlined there, especially in the construction administration sense.
This is not an open purchase order for both consulting firms to double down and revisit all the work that we've paid them to do over the last decade to get to this point. And we have to be judicious of this donor and the other financial donors behind it.
Ordinances & Resolutions (11)
Project discussed in a pre-meeting workshop regarding bid results and funding.
Agreement reported on by outside advisors in a pre-meeting workshop.
Agreement for consulting on the Section Foreman's House restoration.
Agreement for consulting on the Section Foreman's House restoration.
Contract for the design of the library window replacement project.
Contract for the rehabilitation of a high service pump at water treatment plant three.
Contract for the 2026 street rejuvenation project.
Approving a modification to the tax increment financing plan for TIF District Number Six Downtown West.
The plan modified by Resolution 38 2026.
Agreement for consulting services on design standards.
Permit type mentioned in relation to the Section Foreman's House project's complexities.