Waconia City Council Regular Meeting – April 6, 2026

The Waconia City Council held its regular meeting on April 6, 2026, at 6:00 p.m., with Mayor Tim Litfin presiding and Council Member Jacob Coleman absent. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance led by second-grader Andrew Jantzen and a proclamation declaring April 30, 2026, as Therapy Animal Day. After adopting the agenda with one renumbering and approving the Consent Agenda, the Council moved through six business items, a law enforcement update, and board reports. All votes were 4-0 unless noted.

Consent Calendar

• Motion to adopt the Consent Agenda (carried 4-0) approved the following items without separate discussion:
  • Minutes of March 16, 2026
  • April 6, 2026 expenditures
  • Preparation of plans and specs for the 2026 PMP Mill & Overlay Project (CIP No. 132-A)
  • Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) with Carver County for the CSAH 10 Regional Trail Connector Project
  • Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessment for TH 5 Phase 2 Corridor Improvements
  • Geotechnical Services for Downtown Phase 4 Reconstruction
  • 2026 Capital Equipment acquisition
  • Lodging Tax Fund request from Waconia Convention & Visitors Bureau (January–March 2026)
  • Cash donations for fire safety, pass-through to National Fire Safety Council
  • Donation from Waconia Fire Relief Association, pass-through recommendation
  • Sale or disposal of surplus equipment
  • Waconia Works Loan for Bakery Off Main at 125 1st Street West

Discussion Items

• 9.1 Special Event Permit – Farmers Market (Resolution 2026-098)
  Applicant Nicole Waldron presented the 2026 market, noting growth from 26 booths (2025) to 33 booths anticipated. The market runs Thursdays, June 4–October 15, 4:00–7:00 p.m. on Lot 1. The Council approved the permit and granted a waiver of the $350 application fee and $250 parking impact fee, supporting a Food Rescue Coordinator and SNAP Market Match program. The market averaged about 300 visitors weekly; vendors are mostly within a 15-mile radius. Motion carried 4-0.

• 9.2 (original 9.6) Bonds – Issuance and Sale of GO Bonds, Series 2026A & 2026B, and Public Hearing
  Finance Director Nicole Meyer and Todd Hagen (Ehlers & Associates) presented three resolutions: $9,520,000 GO Bonds Series 2026A (annual street/utility bond), $3,265,000 GO Temporary Street Reconstruction Bonds Series 2026B (to cash-flow Highway 5 Phase 2 project), and a call for a public hearing on the street reconstruction plan. Bonds will be sold June 15, 2026. All three resolutions carried 4-0.

• 9.3 5th Street Reconstruction – Feasibility Report and Assessment Benefit Evaluation (Resolution 2026-099)
  Public Services Director Jon Haukaas explained that Highway 5 improvements require relocating a watermain to 5th Street, presenting an opportunity to reconstruct the entire street (between Olive and Oak) in coordination. A feasibility study and benefit assessment under Chapter 429 will begin; a public hearing is set for June 2026. Motion carried 4-0.

• 9.4 Public Services Office Expansion – Feasibility Study (Resolution 2026-100)
  Mr. Haukaas outlined a plan to address equipment storage and office deficiencies via two projects: a cold storage building at the Water Treatment Plant No. 4 site (approx. $4 million) and an interior mezzanine office expansion at the existing Public Services building (approx. $1–$1.2 million). The feasibility study (30% design) will refine costs; the alternative could reduce the CIP placeholder from $20 million to under $6 million. Motion carried 4-0.

• 9.5 Cold Storage Building Design – Professional Services Agreement Addendum (Resolution 2026-101)
  Authorized an addendum with SEH, Inc. for architectural and engineering design services ($118,750) to include the cold storage building as an alternate bid for the WTP4 project. Motion carried 4-0.

• 9.6 (renumbered) Award CSAH 10 Regional Trail Connector Project (Resolution 2026-102)
  Mr. Haukaas reported seven bids received; low bid of $344,905 from GMH Asphalt (who also held the downtown reconstruction contract) was well below the engineer’s estimate of $540,000. The project connects the trail system to Sterling Hills and is funded by a $175,000 DNR grant, with remaining costs split 50/50 between City and Carver County. Construction must be substantially complete by June 30, 2026, to meet grant deadlines. Motion carried 4-0.

Law Enforcement Update

Sgt. Jon Howard provided the first‑quarter crime statistics:

• 58 “A” offenses (major) vs. 51 in Q1 2025, with a noted increase in fraud cases.
• 15 “B” offenses (minor) vs. 24 last year.
• 75 non-criminal incidents vs. 78.
• 71 traffic stops vs. 78.
• Of ~1,700 calls for service, 217 required further action (197 resulted in reports, the rest arrests).
  He reminded residents about distracted driving enforcement in April, e‑bike age requirements (15+), and 24‑hour street parking limits. The department will participate in the Community Expo and the Lowell’s Marathon on May 2.

Mayor’s Report & Announcements

Mayor Litfin reported on meetings with Carver County Commissioner John Fahey, Superintendent Gersich, and the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council; recognized the passing of Senior Center member Shirley Heinin; and thanked staff for favorable bids on multiple projects. Announcements included the Chamber of Commerce Community Expo (April 11), the rescheduled Park Board meeting (April 23) with annual tree planting, and the Fire Department Pancake Breakfast (April 19, 8:30 a.m.–noon, $12, 5 and under free).

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda adopted 4‑0.
• Resolution 2026-098 (Farmers Market Special Event Permit) adopted 4‑0.
• Resolution 2026-103 (Series 2026A GO Bonds) adopted 4‑0.
• Resolution 2026-104 (Series 2026B Temporary Street Reconstruction Bonds) adopted 4‑0.
• Resolution 2026-105 (Public Hearing on Street Reconstruction Plan) adopted 4‑0.
• Resolution 2026-099 (5th Street Feasibility Study) adopted 4‑0.
• Resolution 2026-100 (Public Services Office Expansion Feasibility Study) adopted 4‑0.
• Resolution 2026-101 (Cold Storage Design Addendum with SEH) adopted 4‑0.
• Resolution 2026-102 (CSAH 10 Trail Contract Award) adopted 4‑0.
• Meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m.