2050 Comprehensive Plan RFP Review
The Wayzata City Council reviewed a draft Request for Proposals for the city’s Imagine 2050 Comprehensive Plan, a long-range planning document that will guide future development, redevelopment, land use, transportation and public improvements.
No final action was taken during the June 2 workshop. Staff proposed bringing the RFP back for council authorization on June 16, with release planned for June 22, proposals due July 13, and contract approval targeted for Aug. 18.
Cities in the seven-county metropolitan area are required to update comprehensive plans every 10 years. Wayzata’s final plan must be adopted by June 1, 2028, before submission to the Metropolitan Council by Dec. 31, 2028.
The draft RFP follows earlier council concerns about cost. Preliminary consultant estimates ranged from approximately $275,000 to $325,000. In response, staff proposed a reduced scope, limited public engagement, and a larger internal role for city staff, including work on the Parks and Trails, Climate, and Natural Systems chapters.
Consultants would primarily assist with technical work such as modeling, mapping and data analysis. Staff also proposed an advisory committee with representatives from city boards, the business community and other stakeholders.
Council Reviews Capital Improvement Plan and Fund Balance
The council also reviewed the first draft of the city’s 2027–2036 Capital Improvement Plan, a 10-year plan totaling about $35.6 million. The plan includes future spending for streets, utilities, lakefront and marina improvements, parks, public art, facilities, vehicles, equipment and technology.
Staff also identified $916,925 in available 2025 unassigned fund balance. The staff recommendation was to direct $316,925 toward public safety facility needs and $600,000 toward the equipment fund, which is projected to face future deficits.
Council discussion spent notable time on the city’s liquor operations, where projections show the fund moving into deficit beginning in 2027. Staff noted that a deeper review of enterprise funds is expected at the July 21 budget workshop. Council members discussed the relationship between Wine & Spirits and the Bar & Grill, the need for a facility refresh, broader industry pressures on alcohol sales and restaurant operations, and whether capital investments should be tied to a longer-term strategy for the municipal operation.
The discussion also touched on public safety facility needs. Staff emphasized that any future project could involve a new or renovated facility, and that design, construction documents and funding would need to come back before any larger decision.
By the end of the discussion, there did not appear to be strong opposition to staff’s recommended allocation, though council members noted ongoing concerns about liquor operations and the need to make near-term improvements for public safety staff rather than treating the facility question as something far off in the future.
Council members appeared generally comfortable with directing the available fund balance toward public safety facility planning and equipment needs, while asking staff to return with more detailed analysis of liquor operations during the enterprise fund budget process.
Public Property Sale Discussion
One of the more detailed discussions of the workshop centered on a city-owned parking lot south of Lake Street, behind CoV and near Panoway Plaza.
The city has received a $300,000 offer for the property, which includes 29 public parking stalls and is also used for deliveries and solid waste access. City staff first received an inquiry about a possible sale in August 2025, and a formal proposal was submitted in October.
The Housing and Redevelopment Authority reviewed the matter in May and recommended that the property remain publicly owned.
Council members discussed several issues tied to the site, including whether the lot is serving a public purpose in its current form, how vehicles move through the Panoway Plaza area, whether access from the east could be restored, and what easements may be needed for deliveries, garbage collection or future public use.
Mayor Andrew Mullin questioned whether the lot, as currently used, is serving a public purpose and raised concerns about safety and vehicle movements through the plaza area.
The property may also factor into future downtown planning. City materials note its proximity to the Section Foreman House and possible future trail connections, including early concepts related to the Dakota Rail Regional Trail.
Council members seemed open to discussing the sale further, however staff was directed to gather more information on access, easements, parking impacts, public purpose, potential future uses and value before the issue returns for further discussion.
