WAYZATA — The City of Wayzata is preparing for a significant leadership transition as longtime City Manager Jeffrey Dahl announced he will step down from his role next month. Dahl has accepted a position as City Administrator for the City of Woodbury, one of Minnesota’s fastest-growing communities. His final day in Wayzata is set for July 17.
“We extend our sincere gratitude to Jeff for his exemplary service to the City of Wayzata,” said Mayor Andrew Mullin. “He has been an invaluable asset to our community, and we wish him all the best in his new role with the City of Woodbury.”
Dahl’s departure marks the end of a transformative nine-year tenure in Wayzata, during which he helped lead major community initiatives like the Panoway on Wayzata Bay, guided strategic development, and fostered a collaborative civic culture. “It’s bittersweet to think about leaving this community,” Dahl said in a written statement. “I have been blessed, privileged, and honored to lead and serve with such amazing people who care so much.”
As Dahl prepares for his next chapter, city officials are working quickly to establish a stable transition plan. At a special workshop on Tuesday evening, the City Council discussed naming Public Works Director and City Engineer Mike Kelly as Interim City Manager to help bridge the leadership gap because Deputy City Manager Aurora Yeager is expected to be out on maternity leave until October beginning early next week.
Interim Role: Mike Kelly Considered for Dual Duties
Under the proposed plan, Kelly would assume a temporary dual role, with 70% of his time dedicated to city manager responsibilities and 30% to Public Works and engineering. A detailed breakdown of duties reviewed at the meeting includes overseeing council meetings and workshops, coordinating key city initiatives, communicating with department heads and residents, and managing internal operations.
Council members acknowledged that some Public Works functions may be paused or redistributed during the interim period, with support from staff and outside consultants. “We’re going to leave some things not to be worked on,” Dahl said, emphasizing the importance of sustainability and staff capacity.
Two-Step Process for Appointment
Mayor Mullin and Council Member Ken Sorensen will meet with Kelly in the coming days to discuss compensation and contract terms, after the council reached general consensus on the proposed role structure.
“We don’t want Mike to feel rushed,” said Mullin. “This needs to be the right fit for him and for the city.”
Kelly, who expressed appreciation for the opportunity, requested time to consider the scope and expectations before making a final decision.
Planning for the Long-Term
In addition to the interim discussion, the Council reviewed early materials from executive recruitment firms including Baker Tilly, David Drown Associates, and Mosaic, in preparation for the search for a permanent city manager. Services such as community engagement and organizational assessments are under consideration, with cost and scope still to be determined.
Dahl, who was recruited to Wayzata through one such firm, noted the importance of a well-structured process and advised that any long-term search would likely extend into early 2026.
Next Steps
The council aims to finalize the interim appointment by July 1. If an agreement with Kelly is reached, a resolution will be brought forward at the July 2 council meeting. If not, city staff have identified backup interim candidates and are prepared to pivot as necessary.
For now, Wayzata prepares to bid farewell to a civic leader who helped shape a modern era of the city’s growth — and begins to chart the course for the next chapter.
