Tonight: Minnetonka City Council Meeting

The Minntonka City Council meets tonight (Monday, Aug. 22) at 6:30 p.m. in the council chambers at

A variety of business is on the agenda for the evening. Some discussion items are listed below.

Resolution authorizing 'No Parking' signs on Highwood Drive 

In June, the city received a petition to install “No Parking” signs on the south side of Highwood Drive, from Wilson Street to Timber Woods Lane. All residents adjacent to the proposed parking restriction signed the petition. Staff researched this area of Highwood Drive and noted it is difficult to see parked cars along the south side of the street while traveling eastbound.

Residents had also expressed concerns with people parking in this area and illegally dumping in the adjacent wetland and wooded areas. The city says staff does not typically recommend the installation of “No Parking” signs to address illegal dumping, however, due to limited site distances around the curve on Highwood Drive, the signs are warranted in this location. Staff asks the council to approve the resolution. 

Resolution approving a conditional use permit for Lunds

Lunds is proposing to have an outdoor event in the parking lot of Country Village shopping center at 11400 Hwy. 7. The event would be 6-10 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 30.The event would be called Community Night Out and would include a live band, food and nonalcoholic beverages. The band would use an outdoor speaker system, which is not allowed under city code. The city would have to approve a variance from the current conditional use permit. Staff recommends the City Council adopt their resolution, which approves the request as amended by the planning commission.  

Retirement recognition of Harold Johnson

The council will recognize employee Harold Johnson for 30 years of service. Johnson began working for the city in the street maintenance division in April 1981. He is a skilled equipment operator and truck driver, according to city staff. After retirement, he will spend more time at his cabin up north and hopes to make another trip to Alaska.

Resolutions for levying 2011 special assessments

Hookup Fees. The property at 4813 Williston Road was subdivided in 2009 into two lots, and now requires past hookup fees to be assessed to both lots. The city’s finance director has calculated the interest owed on the original hookup fee amount resulting in both lots being assessed $24,314.18.  Both assessments will be spread over 20 years at 6 percent interest.

Nuisance Abatement Projects. There are 57 nuisance abatement projects (including diseased tree removals) in which the city has incurred costs totaling $62,545.47. It is proposed that the projects be specially assessed for the full cost of the abatement in accordance with state law.

Staff recommends the Council adopt resolutions declaring costs for the hookup fees and abatement projects, ordering the preparation of special assessment rolls and scheduling public hearings on the matters, in accordance with state law.