Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural████████████████████████████████32%
Personnel Matters████████████████████20%
Engineering And Infrastructure███████████11%
Short Term Rentals█████████9%
Water And Wastewater Management████████8%
Transportation Safety██████6%
Community Engagement█████5%
Fiscal Sustainability████4%
Public Safety███3%
Summary of Proceedings
Waconia City Council Regular Meeting Summary
The Waconia City Council met in regular session on Monday, August 17, 2026, at 6:00 PM. Councilmember Jacob Coleman was absent from the meeting. The agenda included employee recognitions, a proclamation, the adoption of consent items, a $27.255 million bond issuance for capital projects, the Sugarbush neighborhood reconstruction plan, new short-term rental regulations, a traffic study authorization, and adjustments to council salaries.
Proclamations & Recognitions
- Mayor Tim Litfin proclaimed August 17, 2026 as "Dan and Aldean Steinhagen Day" in the City of Waconia, honoring their 65 years of marriage and civic service. Former Mayor Dan Steinhagen addressed the council, expressing his firm opposition to the recent vacation of a city street, stating it set a "very, very bad dangerous precedent."
- City staff were recognized for service milestones: Brenda Stein (25 years, Community Development) and Jody Lechner (20 years, IT). Additional staff award winners were announced: Lacey Shaw (Innovation and Excellence), Nevin Waldron (Emerging Leader), Kelly Wagner (Waconia Values), and Sue Schwalby (Community Impact).
Consent Calendar
- The consent agenda was approved by a 4-0 vote. Items included the minutes from August 3, 2026, expenditures, a Facade Improvement Grant for 201 1st Street West (Resolution 2026-188), an RFP for cleaning services (Resolution 2026-189), a Special Event Permit for Nickle Dickle Day (Resolution 2026-190), and an exempt permit for the Waconia Band Boosters.
Council Business & Discussion Items
Bond Issuance for Water & Public Works Projects (Series 2026C)
- Finance Director Joel Mary and Todd Hagen from Ehlers presented the plan for the issuance and sale of $27,255,000 in General Obligation Water Revenue and Capital Improvement Plan Bonds. The funds will finance Water Treatment Plant #4 and the Public Works Garage.
- A public hearing is scheduled for September 8, 2026, with a bond sale set for October 19, 2026. Resolutions 2026-192 and 2026-193 were adopted unanimously (4-0).
2027 Sugarbush Neighborhood Reconstruction Project
- Staff presented the feasibility study for the Sugarbush neighborhood, citing poor road conditions and frequent water main breaks. The total project cost is estimated at $6.2 million.
- Street and storm sewer assessments are proposed at $20,613 per unit, and water assessments at $8,621 per unit, covering 70 properties. A public hearing is scheduled for September 21, 2026. Resolution 2026-194 was adopted 4-0.
Short-Term Rental Housing Regulations
- Staff presented Ordinance 795 to regulate short-term rentals. Staff identified 14 to 18 active short-term rentals in the city, none of which held a state lodging license.
- The ordinance requires annual inspections, a 500-foot spacing buffer between rentals, and a progressive enforcement system. Ordinance 795 and Resolution 2026-195 were adopted 4-0.
All-Way Stop Warrant Analysis at 2nd and Olive Streets
- In response to a petition signed by 45 residents of the Crossroads Apartments, the council considered a $4,500 warrant analysis for an all-way stop at the intersection of Olive Street and 2nd Street. Staff recommended proceeding with the analysis. Resolution 2026-196 passed with a vote of 3-1.
Amendments to Mayor and City Council Salaries
- HR Director Jackie Schultz presented an ordinance to adjust elected official salaries based on peer city benchmarks. The Mayor salary will increase from $7,200 to $10,500, and council member salaries from $6,000 to $8,400.
- A $50 stipend was approved for eligible additional meetings, capped at $150 per month. The changes take effect January 1, 2027. Ordinance 796 was adopted.
Staff Reports & Announcements
- City Clerk Jackie Schultz reported a 25% voter turnout for the 2026 primary election and announced the final summer concert on August 20.
- Mayor Litfin reported on National Night Out, the Carver County Fair, and upcoming budget meetings. The next council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 8, 2026.
- City Administrator Shane Fineran reminded the public about school bus safety and pedestrian laws.
Key Outcomes
- Resolutions 2026-192 & 2026-193 (Bonds): Adopted 4-0.
- Resolution 2026-194 (Sugarbush Project): Adopted 4-0.
- Ordinance 795 & Resolution 2026-195 (Short-Term Rentals): Adopted 4-0.
- Resolution 2026-196 (All-Way Stop Analysis): Adopted 3-1.
- Ordinance 796 (Council Salaries): Adopted (Effective Jan 1, 2027).
Meeting Transcript
L'autre, oui, oui, oui, oui, oui, oui. To our Waconia City Council meeting today is Monday, August 17th. So if you'd uh make note that all council members are here, uh Councilmember Coleman, however, is absent. And uh we had a little lady uh plan to say the Pledge of Allegiance tonight, and I think she had better things to do. So we'll catch her on a future city council meeting. So if everyone could please rise as you're able and leave us help us in the Pledge of Allegiance, I'd appreciate it. So if I could have the Steinhagens, Dan and Al Dean, if you could join us at the podium here, please. Come forward, thank you. So congratulations to both of you, and we have a proclamation that we'll read for you. We are declaring today, August 17th, 2026, Dan and Al Dean Steinhagen Day in the City of Waconia. Whereas Dan and Al Dean Steinhagen will be celebrating 65 years of devoted marriage together. And whereas both have lived lifelong in Waconia as residents, building their life, home, and family in Waconia, and whereas they embody the civic service necessary for a vibrant community through their service as elected officials, leaders, and active members of various civic organizations and religious institutions, giving of their time and talents freely. Dan was a school board member, city council member, and mayor in the city of Waconya. Now, therefore, I, Tim Litfin, Mayor of Waconia, do hereby proclaim August 17th, 2026, Dan and El Dean Steinhagen Day. Pretty cool, huh? Yeah. Congratulations. Step up to the mic. Reluctantly. You're sure you'll want that. How do you do it? 65 years. What's the secret, Mr. Steinhagen? You know, never. A harsh word. Or even a frown. That's right. Well, congratulations, and thank you for living in Waconya and serving all of us so well as you have through the years. Congratulations. Okay. And I just want to say it's been uh 22 years since I sat on his seat right there. And a lot of changes have happened in Waconia, some good and some not good. And uh there's no point in complaining about them, but there are some things that have happened in the community that are not good for the community. And I just want you to be aware, we never gave a seat to uh street away when I was mayor, and that's happened now. And I think that's a very, very bad dangerous precedent for a council to give away a street that's been in the city for 150 years. That's uh very good. Well, here you go. You guys take this home, and we you have a big celebration coming up next week. Yeah, the last word. All right. Thank you, Steinades. Good evening,
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