City Council Workshop Meeting Agenda and Packet
City Council - Workshop Meetings
Documents (2)
City Council Workshop Meeting Agenda and Packet
Published Wednesday, June 24, 2026
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Strategic Planning Process for 2027
Solicitor Permit Ordinance Amendments
Backyard Chicken Ordinance Alternatives
Full Document Analysis
Votes (3)
Discussion of Strategic Planning Scope of Work and Timeline (Council Workshop Letter 26-126)
Dissent: None recorded for a workshop session.
Moved by N/A · Seconded by N/A
The City Administrator, Jeffrey J. Dahl, highlighted the need for a comprehensive strategic planning process involving Council, staff, and community members. This process aims to collaboratively determine the City's future direction and priorities, moving beyond the current strategic initiative development process. Staff recommended initiating the process early next year, post-election, and proposed a $30,000 budget for a strategic planning facilitator. The scope includes reviewing existing plans, re-evaluating mission, vision, and values, community and staff engagement, developing a three-year strategic plan framework, and establishing reporting structures.
Update of Draft Solicitor Permit Ordinance Amendments (Council Workshop Letter 26-127)
Dissent: None recorded for a workshop session.
Moved by N/A · Seconded by N/A
Staff reported a significant increase in solicitor permit applications (from 195 in 2023 to 397 in 2025) and associated administrative challenges. Proposed amendments aim to improve clarity and enforcement, including new individual ($70) and business ($100) permit fees based on cost recovery. Revisions address eligibility (e.g., criminal history, business reputation), application criteria (more detailed personal and business info, vehicle details), and denial standards. A communications plan and a recommendation for a January 1, 2027, implementation date were also presented.
Discussion of Backyard Chicken Ordinance Alternatives (Council Workshop Letter 26-128)
Dissent: None recorded for a workshop session.
Moved by N/A · Seconded by N/A
Building on a 2024 amendment allowing chickens in R-1 and R-2 zones, staff presented options for expanding the ordinance to R-4 Urban Residential, driven by numerous inquiries and increased community support (49% approval in the 2026 Community Survey, up from 36% in 2024). Key decision areas included permit/license requirements (staff suggests a one-time $50 registration), number of chickens, setback to property lines (recommended 15 feet), coop height and size (7 feet height, 50 sq ft, or whole yard if fenced), and property type restrictions (single-family, multi-family attached with HOA sign-off). The ordinance will also cover rooster/slaughter prohibition, waste management, and disease prevention. An ordinance review one year after adoption is anticipated.
Notable Quotes (6)
The City has not engaged in a comprehensive strategic planning process where Council, staff, and community members were involved, collaboratively, to determine what kind of organization and community 'we' want to be, and then, prioritize how we get there.
Staff recommends providing direction through affirmation and/or making any necessary edits to the attached scope of work for the 2027 Strategic Planning Process and Timeline.
Staff recommends that the City Council review the information and presentation and provide direction regarding the proposed solicitor permit fee structure, ordinance revisions, and recommended implementation schedule.
Staff reported that solicitor permit applications had increased from 195 in 2023 to 397 in 2025, with out-of-state applicants increasing by more than 300 percent during that same period.
Staff is looking for direction on keeping of chickens ordinance-related amendment alternatives for future Council consideration.
The graphic below identifies 49 percent of respondents somewhat or strongly approve of the keeping of chickens on standard residential lots. This percentage increased from 36 percent when asked as part of the 2024 Community Survey.
Ordinances & Resolutions (15)
Official communication detailing the strategic planning discussion.
Outline for the proposed 2027 strategic planning process.
Official communication detailing the solicitor permit ordinance amendments.
Existing and proposed amended sections of City Code concerning solicitors.
The proposed ordinance for amending City Code Chapter 11, Article III and IV.
Minnesota Statutes Annotated, referenced for county license requirements for solicitors.
Minnesota Statutes Annotated, referenced for workers’ compensation coverage.
Minnesota Statutes Annotated, referenced for instructional permits.
Minnesota Statutes Annotated, referenced for misdemeanor punishment.
Woodbury City Code section detailing administrative procedures and penalties.
Official communication detailing the backyard chicken ordinance alternatives.
City Code chapter under review for backyard chicken regulations.
City Code chapter under review for backyard chicken regulations.
Community survey referenced for public opinion on backyard chickens.
Recent community survey referenced for updated public opinion on backyard chickens.