Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.
The Waconia City Council met on Monday, June 15, 2026, at 6:00 PM. All council members were present. The meeting featured a discussion on a cannabis business ordinance amendment, the awarding of general obligation bonds for capital projects, and the approval of a routine consent agenda. The regular meeting adjourned at 7:00 PM, followed by a work session on the EDA Program Review and Affordability Measures.
The Council approved a modification to swap the order of the two Council Business items, placing the Cannabis Ordinance Amendment first. Additionally, the appointment of a Finance Director was added to the Consent Agenda.
Mayor Litfin read the consent agenda items encompassing 21 routine resolutions and approvals. Council Member Coleman moved to adopt, seconded by Council Member Grengs. The motion carried 5-0.
Key items approved included: expenditures and minutes; infrastructure projects (liquid de-icing tanks, second UTV, Fox Run Ravine Stabilization, CSAH 10 Trail Pay Request, furniture replacement, group fitness flooring); an intersection control change to an all-way stop at Elm Street and 2nd Street; support for Carver County grant applications (Dakota Rail Trail Connection, CSAH 92 & TH 5 Intersections); a Local Housing Aid commitment for Mt. Olivet 3rd Street Home; a Facade Improvement Grant for Springs Wellness Center; temporary liquor and gambling licenses for the Waconia Legion and Carver County Fair; resolutions for the Fire Relief Association; a personnel resignation; performance measures approval; real property purchase; and a Finance Director appointment.
Community Development Director Lane Braaten introduced the amendment request initiated by Charles Levine. The proposal sought to: 1) Allow cannabis micro and mezzo businesses (combining cultivation, manufacturing, and retail) as a conditional or interim use in the B-1 (Highway Business) District, and 2) Reduce the buffer requirements for cannabis retail businesses (currently 1,000 feet from schools and 500 feet from parks, daycares, and treatment facilities). The property of interest was the former J. Carver Distillery, located in the B-1 district but bisected by the established school and park buffers. The Planning Commission held a public hearing on June 4th and voted 4-0 to recommend denial of the amendment.
Applicant Position: Mr. Levine stated his existing farm-based operation had outgrown its location and the J. Carver site was ideal due to manufacturing similarities. He argued the buffer requirements were among the most stringent in the state and limited business opportunities within the city. He noted that even with reduced buffers, the city is capped at two retail licenses by state law. He projected 20 to 30 new jobs and expressed a strong desire to keep his business in Waconia. Regarding security, he detailed state requirements including extensive camera surveillance, background checks, and credentialing.
Council Discussion: City Administrator Shane Fineran clarified the two distinct policy issues: the land use change (allowing industrial cannabis activities in a commercial district) and the reduction of retail buffers. Council members expressed being "torn" between supporting a suitable local business at a specific site and the implications of changing city-wide codes. Council Member Siddons requested tabling the item for further research, including gathering data on buffer standards in other cities and seeking input from the school district superintendent.
Decision: A motion was made by Council Member Coleman, seconded by Council Member Siddons, to table the consideration of the ordinance amendment to the July 20, 2026 City Council meeting. The motion carried unanimously, 5-0. Mr. Levine noted the risk that the property might be sold during this delay.
Todd Hagen of Ehlers and Associates presented the results of the day's bond sales. He reported Standard & Poor's reaffirmed the City's AA+ bond rating with a stable outlook.
City Administrator Comment: Shane Fineran noted the bond rate directly impacts property owners through the city's assessment policy (bond rate plus 1%). The strong financial management and fund balance policies of the council are directly reflected in the city's high credit rating.
Decision: Two separate motions were made and carried 5-0 to adopt Resolutions 2026-157 and 2026-158 authorizing the respective bond sales.
And welcome to our city council meeting tonight on Monday, June 15th. The meeting is half over. And we have a special guest in the back row. Everybody say hi to London if you get a chance. Her first city council meeting in 20 years, she'll be running for office. Welcome to everybody that's viewing online tonight as well. We don't have any city or school members here tonight to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance until we return in September. So for now, if everybody could rise as you're able and remove your caps and lead us and help us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God with justice for all. Thank you very much, everyone. So we're just flip-flopping those two items. So with that note, can Mr. Mayor just uh quick note too, we're also adding item eight point two one to the consent agenda. Eight point two one to the consent agenda, thank you very much. So those three changes. So with those changes, can I have a motion to adopt the agenda, please? So moved. Councilmember Coleman, thank you. Councilmember Siddons, thank you. All in favor? Aye, opposed. Excellent. We have an agenda tonight. Thank you very much. Uh we have an open forum. I don't know when's here to speak. Uh Sue, is that correct? And if anybody would like to address the council that is not yet been notified. Anybody here? Very good. We'll pass on that. And please note that all council members are present this evening. Appreciate that. We have a consent agenda in front of us, council members. The items listed on the consent agenda are considered routine and non-controversial by the council and will be approved by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a council member, city staff or citizens or requests, in which case the item will be removed from the consent agenda and considered at the end of the regular agenda. Council members do I have a motion, or would someone like to pull a m a number of uh items out of there? So move.