CITY OF WACONIA FEBRUARY 2, 2026 1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Mayor Litfin called the February 2, 2026, Waconia City Council meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. with all Council Members present. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Damian Gangestad, a fifth grader from Southview Elementary School led all in the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. PROCLAMATIONS None 4. ADOPT AGENDA Motion to adopt the agenda as published was made by Council Member Gleason, seconded by Council Member Coleman. MOTION CARRIED. 5. PUBLIC HEARING None. 6. OPEN FORUM The Mayor provided direction on open-forum speaking. Bruce Richards, Deacon at St. Joseph's and Head of School, 41 1st Street East spoke on behalf of the school and expressed concerns regarding the proposed design for 2nd Street. He stated that the trees in this area were planted at the time the school was constructed in 2002. Deacon Richards requested that the trees remain in place, noting that they provide shade and offer ongoing opportunities for science and nature education for students. He also provided the Council with 14 letters from fifth-grade students at St. Joseph's School requesting that the trees be preserved. Bryan Larson, 1510 Spinnaker Road, addressed the Council regarding the sidewalk on the south side of St. Joseph School. He noted that the school was constructed approximately 30 years ago, at which time six-foot sidewalks were installed. He stated that these sidewalks have safely served students, families, and pedestrians for three decades without safety or accessibility concerns. Mr. Larson indicated that expanding the sidewalks to eight feet does not address an existing problem and would require the removal of mature trees. He emphasized that the trees provide shade for children, reduce energy consumption by cooling the school, enhance pedestrian comfort, assist with stormwater management, and help calm traffic. He concluded that removal of the trees would result in the loss of benefits for decades. Janice Matlon, 1543 Serenity Lane, a science teacher at St. Joseph's School, addressed the Council regarding the proposed sidewalk design. Ms. Malton stated that she frequently references the trees in her earth science instruction and noted that the absence of trees would make her classroom feel institutional in nature. She also expressed that she does not believe the existing sidewalk width presents an issue. 7. COMMUNITY INTEREST PRESENTATIONS None. 8. ADOPT CONSENT AGENDA 1) Minutes of the January 20, 2026, City Council Meeting 2) Approve February 2, 2026 Expenditures 3) Accept Bids and Approve the Purchase of 2026 Street Lighting Equipment 4) Approve 2026 Capital Equipment Purchases 5) Accepting Grant Proceeds from Carver County Public Services Solid Waste Reduction & Recycling Grant for 2025 6) Trunk Fee Deferral Payment Plan - Lakeside Books Mayor Litfin requested the removal of: Consent Agenda Item 8.4 Approve 2026 Capital Equipment Purchases. Motion to accept the Consent Agenda as published made by Council Member Grengs, seconded by Council Member Siddons with removing Consent Agenda Item 8.4 MOTION CARRIED. 9. COUNCIL BUSINESS 1) Approve Layout for 2nd Street - 2026 Downtown Ph 4 Project Jon Haukaas, Public Service Director, addressed the Council regarding the Downtown Reconstruction Phase 4 Project. At the January 20th Council meeting, staff presented the project plans, and following extensive discussion related to 2nd Street, the Council directed staff to remove tree removals from the project scope and to protect the existing trees to the greatest extent possible on the south and west sides of the school property. Mr. Haukaas noted that any disruption to a tree’s root system has the potential to cause damage; however, no trees are proposed to be removed as part of the project on the south and west sides of the school property. The design decisions related to 2nd Street are that no trees be removed by the project on the south and west sides of the school property. The sidewalk width is approximately 6 feet wide and the street width to be approximately 40 feet wide. Mr. Haukaas presented details on three options for the Council to review and provide direction to staff: Option A: A 40-foot wide street with an 8-foot sidewalk (current plan design) Option B: A 38-foot wide street with an 8-foot sidewalk Option C: A 40-foot wide street with a 6-foot sidewalk Council Member Grengs was originally concerned about the safety of the pick-up and drop-off of children; however, this does not seem to be the case. He would be in favor of Option C. Council Member Coleman drops off children and believes the drop-off area is sufficient and would be in favor of Option C. Council Member Siddons agrees and would be in favor of Option C. Council Member Gleason stated that, based on the many comments received by the public, he would be in favor of Option C. Mayor Litfin thanked residents and staff for their input and comments. The Council is in agreement for Option C. Motion to adopt Resolution No. 2026-043 Option C approving the layout of 2nd Street for the 2026 Downtown Reconstruction Phase 4 Project made by Council Member Grengs, seconded by Council Member Coleman. MOTION CARRIED. 2) 2026 Community Survey Jackie Schulze, Assistant City Administrator, provided an overview of the proposed community survey, noting that the project is part of the Strategic Plan approved by the Council last year. Funding for the survey is included in the 2026 operating budget under the Administration Department. Two proposals were received from firms with extensive experience conducting community surveys for municipalities. Polco proposes mailing postcards to a random selection of 2,500 households with a survey link, followed by a paper survey mailed two weeks later. Polco utilizes the National Community Survey, which includes approximately 135 questions across 12 categories along with 14 demographic questions. The base cost is $20,000 with an additional $2,000 for a half-page of custom questions. Morris Leatherman proposes a telephone survey of a random sample of $400 households. Their proposal includes 60 questions at a cost of approximately $20,000, with additional questions available at $200 per question. The average survey cost typically ranges from $26,000 to $34,000. Council discussion included the following points. Council Member Grengs expressed support for mailed surveys rather than random telephone calls, noting concerns about response rates. Council Member Coleman supported the larger sample size of 2,500 households. Council Member Gleason favored the inclusion of a half-page of custom questions. Council Member Siddons supported having access to survey results from peer cities. Mayor Litfin expressed support for conducting a community survey, noting that the City has not previously conducted one and that funding is included in the 2026 budget. Motion to adopt Resolution No. 2026-044 authorizing a contract with Polco for a community survey made by Council Member Gleason, seconded by Siddons MOTION CARRIED. 10. ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA The Mayor pulled this item to describe for the public the items for purchase. Mike Dressel, Assistant Public Services, provided a break-down of each of the three pieces of equipment. The second item is a Z-Master 6000 72" mower with a bagger, striping kit and Tweel tires at a cost of $23,578.02. The City will receive $18,000 for the trade in of the current mower. Staff have observed significantly higher prices for comparable units at auction. Therefore, once the new mower is received, the existing mower will be sold at auction. Staff compared pricing through the Minnesota State Cooperative Purchasing Program and the Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Program to ensure the most competitive prices were obtained for this equipment. The 2026 capital improvement plan identified $10,000 for a turf aerator. This new aerator will have the capability to over seed turf while aerating. Staff solicited quotes from two vendors as this is not on the Minnesota State Cooperative Purchase Program or Sourcewell. Motion to adopt amended Resolution No. 2026-040 authorizing acquisition of capital equipment to include only: 2026 Toro Z-Master 6000 72" Mower $23,785.02 2026 60" AERA-vator $15,268.93 was made by Council Member Coleman, seconded by Council Member Siddons. MOTION CARRIED. 11. BOARD REPORTS 1) Staff Reports None 2) Councilmember Siddons Nothing to report. 3) Councilmember Coleman Nothing to report. 4) Councilmember Gleason Nothing to report. 5) Councilmember Grengs Nothing to report. 6) Mayor Litfin Mayor's report for February 2, 2026: • On Wednesday, January 21st, the Mayor and Jake Saulsbury toured the City to discuss banner poles, light poles, and sidewalk approaches and the current proposed new sidewalks for the Downtown Reconstruction Project Phase 4. • On Wednesday, January 21st, the Mayor met with Brian Gersich the School Superintendent, and school principals to discuss the Waconia Plus 30 April Challenge. • On Thursday, January 22nd, the Mayor met with the Waconia Chamber of Commerce for their annual awards meeting. A big thank you to Christine and Chelsea at the Chamber Office for their wonderful organization of this meaningful event and recognition program for our community. • On Thursday, January 22nd, the Mayor met with the High School Mayor Advisory Council working on the Waconia Plus 30 event. • On Friday, January 23rd, the Mayor attended and spoke at the Goodwill ribbon cutting event with over 200 people in attendance. • On Wednesday, January 28th, the Mayor toured the area around Old City Hall. • On Wednesday, January 28th, the Mayor and Jackie Schulze were at EggCetra Café to tape a Mayor's Minute with owner Nate Albee. The EggCetra Café is celebrating 22 years in business. • The Mayor read to kindergartens the week of January 26h. • The Mayor met with the Polar Plunge Committee. There are more than 400 registered plungers at this time. • The Mayor and Council Member Coleman attended a St. Joseph's School gala. • On Wednesday, February 4th, is the next scheduled Mayor's is In session at 7:30 am at City Hall. Everyone welcome. 12. ANNOUNCEMENTS Shane Fineran announced the next regular City Council meeting has been rescheduled to Thursday, February 19, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. with the Work Session to begin at 5:00 p.m. He also thanked City Staff for their time and effort in coordinating the holiday lights in Waconia. Special recognition was given to Mr. Paul Melchert for securing generous donations from the Waconia Lions, the Waconia Legion and the Waconia Fire Relief Association to support the ongoing maintenance of the holiday lighting systems. 13. ADJOURN REGULAR MEETING Motion to adjourn the February 2, 2026, City Council meeting at 6:45 was made by Council Member Coleman, seconded by Council Member Siddons. MOTION CARRIED. WORK SESSION: HOTEL DEVELOPMENT, MAYOR'S BUDGET RECOMMENDATIONS UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS/MEETINGS: Tim Litfin, Mayor ATTEST: Sue Schwalbe, Administrative Specialist