Waconia City Council Regular Meeting – March 16, 2026

The Waconia City Council held its regular meeting on March 16, 2026, at 6:00 PM. Mayor Tim Litfin presided, with Council Member Jacob Coleman absent. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Vyctor Traver, a seventh grader from Trinity Lutheran School. All votes taken during the meeting were unanimous (4–0). The meeting adjourned at 6:30 PM.

Public Hearing

• Fee Schedule Ordinance Amendment (Chapter 1100): Finance Director Nicole Meyer presented the annual public hearing required by Minnesota law for amendments to zoning and land use fees. The hearing covered the full fee schedule to comply with state statute. No public comments were received. The Council unanimously adopted Ordinance No. 792 amending Chapter 1100 of the Waconia City Code (Permits, Licenses, and Fees) and adopted Resolution No. 2026-076 for summary publication of the ordinance.

Consent Calendar

• The Council approved all 18 items on the Consent Agenda in a single unanimous vote. Actions included approving March 2 meeting minutes and March 16 expenditures; Safari Island Community Center and Ice Arena operational expenses; an Innovent unit replacement at the Ice Arena; pay requests for CSAH 10 & Waconia Parkway North improvements and the 2025 Pond Cleaning Project; a change order for the Bent Creek Culvert Lining Project; a dock slip lease for the Fire Department boat; a leave of absence for two firefighters; adoption of the Carver County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan; an interfund loan; a license agreement for Scout Troop 327's recycling trailer; authorization for a compost collection services contract; a Laserfische cloud migration upgrade; a special event permit for Promise Church; and off-site gambling permits for the Waconia Lions Club and Minnesota USA Wrestling.

Council Business

• Franchise Agreement – Minnesota Valley Electric Cooperative (MVEC): Nicole Meyer reported that the city and MVEC finalized a formal franchise ordinance to establish terms for electric energy provision and construction coordination within city rights-of-way. The Council adopted Ordinance No. 790 granting a non-exclusive franchise and Resolution No. 2026-035 for summary publication.

• Special Event Permit – 2026 Earth Day Event: City Administrator Shane Fineran presented a request from Podium Sports Marketing for an Earth Day event on April 26, 2026, at City Square Park. Approximately 75 students and their supervisors are expected to participate in litter pickup. The Council adopted Resolution No. 2026-088, approving the permit as a City Supported Event, waiving permit and rental fees, and authorizing a potential in-kind donation of portable toilets.

• Annexation Petition – Wolter and Klingelhutz: Community Development Director Lane Braaten presented this continuation from the March 2 meeting. The City Attorney recommended denial. The published agenda had listed a resolution for denial (Resolution No. 2026-060). However, following a request from the applicant's representative for a 30-day tabling to address concerns, the Council unanimously voted to table the item to the April 20, 2026 regular meeting.

Board Reports & Staff Presentations

• Land Use Summary 2025: Lane Braaten presented highlights of the annual report. Key statistics included 2,491 total permits issued in 2025, up from 853 in 2024, with total construction value rising to $134.5 million. Residential construction comprised 103 single-family homes and 119 multi-family units (222 total). (Note: The official minutes transposed these categories as 119 single-family and 103 multi-family, but the transcript's detailed breakdown confirms the figures presented here.) The city's estimated population reached 15,850. Available year-end inventory included 329 single-family lots and 44 townhome lots. The Planning Commission will review the full report on April 9. The Council commended the Community Development and Building/Inspections Departments.

• Mayor's Report: Mayor Litfin reported on community engagements including Mayor's Minute visits to Westview Acres and Gather and Grow, a presentation to the 39-member Waconia Middle School Student Council, meetings with Carver County Commissioner Matt Udermann and fellow county mayors, a well-attended open house for the 2027 Downtown Reconstruction and Highway 5 Reconstruction projects, and congratulations to the Tractor Supply and Paws Inn businesses. He also noted progress on the Waconia +30 initiative.

Key Outcomes

• Adopted Ordinances/Resolutions: Ordinance No. 790 (MVEC Franchise), Ordinance No. 792 (Fee Schedule), Resolution No. 2026-035, 2026-076, and 2026-088.
• Consent Agenda: All 18 items approved unanimously.
• Annexation Petition: The Wolter and Klingelhutz annexation petition was tabled to the April 20 regular meeting, diverging from the published agenda's proposal for denial.
• Announcements: City Administrator Fineran announced open office hours on March 19 from 5:00 to 6:15 PM. The Council thanked Public Services staff for their work during a recent snowstorm.
• Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 PM.