WAYZATA, Minn. — The City of Wayzata has scheduled a special City Council meeting on Friday, May 29, at 7:30 a.m., to address the issuance of temporary outdoor patio permits for restaurants. The meeting is in response to Governor Tim Walz’s “Stay Safe” Executive Order, permitting restaurants to resume outdoor sit-down dining starting June 1, subject to specific conditions.
Under the proposed emergency ordinance, the City Manager would be granted authority to review applications and issue permits for temporary outdoor patios. The main conditions for restaurant reopening include outdoor sit-down dining exclusively, mandatory reservations for patrons, the creation of a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan by a Wayzata restaurant, and a seating area capacity not exceeding 50 people.
The meeting, held remotely via the Zoom video conferencing platform, will allow members of the public to listen, although comments will not be accepted during the session. Public comments or questions related to agenda items can be submitted in advance by emailing PublicComment@wayzata.org.
To listen to the meeting, members of the public can dial 312-626-6799 and enter Zoom Meeting ID 983 5880 3309. Staff strongly recommends the approval and adoption of the emergency ordinance, emphasizing that, given the circumstances due to COVID-19, no fees will be proposed for these permits.
The City Attorney has drafted an ordinance, outlining the authorization for the City Manager to approve Temporary Outdoor Patio Permit Applications, which, under normal circumstances, might not be allowed by code or would require Council approval. The ordinance aims to facilitate a swift response to the evolving needs of local businesses amid the ongoing pandemic.
