Waconia City Council Regular Meeting – April 20, 2026

The Waconia City Council held its regular meeting on Monday, April 20, 2026, at 6:00 PM. All council members were present. Mayor Tim Litfin presided. The meeting lasted approximately 30 minutes and included the Pledge of Allegiance led by Rylie Kelzer, an Arbor Day Proclamation, public comments, approval of a consent agenda, and a major plat approval.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes (04-02-2026) and expenditures for April 20, 2026.
• Safari Island Community Center and Ice Arena expenditures from Sports Facilities Companies incurred March 2026.
• Donation and pass-through for Waconia Fire Relief Association (Resolution 2026-106).
• Cash donations for fire safety and pass-through to National Fire Safety Council (Resolution 2026-107).
• Hire of Park Maintenance Lead (Resolution 2026-108).
• Facade Improvement & Start-Up Grant for 136 Main Street West, Coney's (Resolution 2026-109).
• 2026 2nd Quarter Budget Amendments (Resolution 2026-110).
• Election Write-In Candidates resolution requiring tally of write-in votes only if greater than a ballot candidate's total (Resolution 2026-111). All items were approved unanimously on a single motion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• John Findley (9135 Airport Road) spoke in opposition to the proposed Woodland Trail Preliminary Plat. He stated that the planned roundabout on the east side would encroach onto his property and suggested shifting the roundabout westward onto vacant land. He also expressed concerns about not being notified about the potential relocation and questioned the process for any land acquisition or transfer.

Discussion Items

• Woodland Trail Preliminary Plat & PUD Zoning Request – 9350 Airport Road Community Development Director Lane Braaten presented the proposal. The 61-acre site is currently guided for low- and medium-density residential. The application proposes subdividing the property at 350 Airport Road into 127 single-family lots and four outlots, with a Planned Unit Development (PUD) to allow a mix of 65-foot and 40-foot wide lots, reduced setbacks, and increased lot coverage. The eastern boundary abuts the future corridor for County Road 92 (Carver County right-of-way exchange agreement in 2022). A gas line easement (approximately 100 feet, 50 feet on each side) bisects the north portion. The city’s planned trail would connect south of Highway 5 to the north. The Planning Commission reviewed the item on April 9 and unanimously recommended approval with 20 conditions. Reid Schulz of Tamarack Land Development noted that an HOA is not proposed, a builder has not been selected, and the timeline aims for lot/utility/street completion by November 2026. The council unanimously adopted Resolution 2026-112 approving the preliminary plat and PUD.
• Annexation Petition – Wolter and Klingelhutz (Withdrawn) Lane Braaten announced that the applicants have withdrawn the annexation petition for the northwest area of Waconia, citing utility concerns. They may revisit the proposal in the future when utility infrastructure is closer.

Board Reports & Announcements

• Staff Reports:
  • Jon Haukaas (Public Services Director) reported that the Downtown Reconstruction Project had a pre-construction meeting on April 16; traffic control will begin April 27, with sidewalks remaining until June. Notices were mailed to affected residents on April 20.
  • Jackie Schulze (Assistant City Administrator) announced the Public Services Open House on May 20 (3–7 PM) with food trucks, and the Community Survey is live with approximately 3,000 random households receiving it. The survey link is also on the city website, newsletter, and Facebook.
  • The first Waconia Farmers Market will be June 4, along with the first concert in the Summer Music Series (Anti Skip Protection performing on Olive Street).
• Councilmember Reports: No reports from Councilmembers Siddons, Coleman, Gleason, or Grengs.
• Mayor's Report: Mayor Litfin thanked Waconia High School students Kate Meath and Oscar Butler for participating in a Mayor's Minute. He met with the Chamber Board on April 8, the Mayor's Youth Advisory Council on April 16 (final planning for Earth Day event on April 22), and Carver County Commissioner Tom Workman on April 17 to discuss construction, recreation amenities, and collaboration. The new trail connector along County Road 10 (west side of town) was approved two weeks ago. The annual Home and Business Expo was held April 18, and the Fire Department pancake breakfast on April 19 was successful.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimous approval of the consent agenda.
• Unanimous adoption of Resolution 2026-112 approving the Woodland Trail Preliminary Plat and PUD.
• Annexation petition withdrawn by applicants.
• Meeting adjourned at 6:30 PM.