WAYZATA — Downtown Wayzata was bursting with color and kindness on Wednesday morning as Candlelight Floral & Gifts once again led the city’s annual Petal It Forward event.
In just 90 minutes, the Candlelight team handed out 750 bouquets along Lake Street and the Panoway, inviting people to keep one bouquet and share another with someone else—a simple act meant to brighten two days instead of one.
Images courtesy Candlelight Floral.
The Petal It Forward movement, launched nationally by the Society of American Florists, is designed to surprise strangers with flowers as a way to promote gratitude and connection. In Wayzata, the tradition has become a fall highlight thanks to the enthusiasm of the Candlelight Floral crew, who fill the sidewalks with laughter, petals, and spontaneous moments of joy.
“Another successful #PetalItForward in the books!” the shop shared in a Facebook post after the event. “The smiles on everyone’s faces, the hugs and the joy of sharing flowers fills our hearts! Cheers to the Len Busch Roses crew for joining us yet again and for the beautiful flowers (and the 🍕 obvi!). We’re missing a few of our crew in the pics, but we couldn’t do it without them! We love you all and are so grateful to have you in our floral family.”
Images courtesy Candlelight Floral.
Located at 275 E. Lake Street, Candlelight Floral & Gifts has been a fixture of downtown Wayzata for decades, known not just for its artistry in design but for its heart for community.
Petal It Forward may last only a few hours each year, but for many who left with armfuls of blooms and unexpected smiles, it’s a reminder that kindness—like flowers—tends to multiply when shared.
The Wayzata City Council has sent a formal letter to Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty expressing opposition to a new county policy that limits prosecution of cases arising from what are deemed non-public-safety traffic stops.
The letter, signed by Mayor Andrew Mullin and Council Members Dan Koch, Molly MacDonald, Alex Plechash,and Ken Sorensen, was transmitted October 14 by Interim City Manager Aurora Yager. It warns that the policy change could undermine local public safety and was developed “without any meaningful collaboration or conversation with local law enforcement agencies.”
In a public post shared Tuesday, Mayor Mullin echoed the Council’s concerns and voiced support for Wayzata Police Chief Jamie Baker and neighboring departments.
“The City of Wayzata has serious concerns about this policy,” Mullin wrote. “We believe this change will negatively impact our public safety practices and, most importantly, your safety here in Wayzata.”
Mullin said the city’s objections center on three main points: a lack of collaboration with local police; the unintended consequences of restricting enforcement tools; and the need to align reform goals with “the operational realities and specific needs of cities like Wayzata.”
The policy, effective October 15, directs county prosecutors to “prioritize charging offenses that arise from traffic stops that focus on public safety.” Under the new framework, cases that stem from stops for minor equipment or registration violations—such as expired tabs, a broken headlight, or an obstructed license plate—will generally not be prosecuted unless the stop involves a substantial and immediate risk to public safety.
In its letter, the Wayzata City Council said traffic stops serve multiple purposes beyond issuing citations and should not be curtailed without careful study.
“Traffic stops serve multiple public safety functions,” the letter states. “Any policy that restricts them should be developed through careful analysis and input from those with on-the-ground expertise.”
The Council emphasized that while it supports fair and equitable enforcement, meaningful change requires joint decision-making between prosecutors and the officers who enforce the law.
“Public safety is not an issue that can be effectively addressed in isolation,” the Council wrote. “Better outcomes are achieved when policy development includes those who will implement the policies and live with their consequences.”
Yager, in her accompanying message to Moriarty, invited dialogue:
“Should you or your staff have any questions of Wayzata, please do not hesitate to reach out and we would be happy to discuss this more.”
The County Attorney’s Office has said the new policy is intended to build public trust and focus limited resources on cases that most directly impact safety, such as speeding, impaired driving, and reckless behavior. Exceptions to the non-charging rule will be reviewed “on a case-by-case basis in circumstances that endanger public safety.”
Wayzata joins a growing number of suburban cities expressing unease about the countywide change, which affects all police departments that rely on Hennepin County for criminal prosecution.
Policy at a Glance: What Counts as a “Non-Public-Safety” Traffic Stop
(Effective October 15, 2025 — Hennepin County Attorney’s Office)
The County Attorney’s Office will presumptively not charge cases that result from stops based solely on the following minor violations unless a clear safety threat exists:
Expired or missing registration tabs
Failure to illuminate license plate
Frame or rim obscuring license plate
One broken headlight, brake light, or taillight
One missing sideview mirror
Rearview mirror obstruction or dangling item
Nonfunctional windshield wipers
Failure to signal when not creating a hazard
Cracked windshield that doesn’t obstruct view
Window tint darker than legal limit, unless unsafe
WAYZATA — Hundreds of residents gathered outside Wayzata City Hall on Monday evening for the annual City of Wayzata Showcase, a lively community event celebrating the city’s departments, public safety teams, and local services.
Held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at 600 Lake Street East, the event transformed the City Hall and public works campus into a festival-like atmosphere. Children laughed and played in the bounce house, lined up for face painting, and watched fire demonstrations, while families enjoyed hot dogs, giveaways, and K9 demonstrations. The popular Touch-a-Truckdisplay gave kids the chance to climb aboard everything from fire engines and squad cars to snowplows and excavators.
The Wayzata Police Department, Wayzata Fire Department, and Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office were all on hand, giving the public a chance to meet officers, explore emergency vehicles, and learn more about their roles in keeping the community safe. The parking lot was filled with public safety vehicles, their lights flashing in the autumn dusk as families moved from display to display.
Formerly known as Public Safety Day, the annual showcase has grown into a citywide open house that highlights the teamwork between departments and encourages residents to engage with the people who serve their community every day.
As the sun set over Lake Minnetonka, the final fire demonstration lit up the evening sky — a fitting close to an event that blended fun, education, and hometown pride in classic Wayzata fashion.
WAYZATA — For much of the first quarter, Wayzata Football held its ground against unbeaten Maple Grove. But late in the period, the Crimson broke through — and from there, the momentum steadily tilted their way.
With about three minutes left in the opening quarter, Kaden Harney connected with Henry Knutson on an 11-yard touchdown pass to cap an eight-play, 92-yard drive that lasted 4:52 and put Maple Grove on the board. The Crimson added a 19-yard scoring run by James Engle early in the second quarter, then capitalized just before halftime with a quick two-play, 29-yard drive that took only 46 seconds — Harney finding Jeffrey Nordvold in the end zone to make it 21-0 at the break.
Defensive back Max Beeninga came up with a key interception in the first half, picking off Kaden Harney to halt a Maple Grove drive and keep the Crimson out of the end zone during one of Wayzata’s early defensive stands.
Wayzata responded after halftime as Thor Soukup powered in a 2-yard touchdown run to get the Trojans on the board. Jackson Brown added two more scores — a 2-yard run and a 45-yard reception from Matthew Berkland — but Maple Grove matched each surge with long strikes of its own, including a 61-yard touchdown dash by Engle and a 34-yard run by Josh Thompson.
The 42-21 loss dropped Wayzata to 1-6 on the season. The Trojans will travel to Eden Prairie on Wednesday, October 15, to face the 6-1 Eagles, whose only defeat came against Minnetonka.
The Wayzata girls’ cross country team ran away with the Lake Conference Championship Wednesday at Gale Woods Farm, placing five runners in the top eleven and finishing well ahead of the field.
Senior Maddie Gullickson set the pace from start to finish, winning the 5,000-meter race in 17:27.8. Teammates Lila Golomb (third, 17:53.2) and Jazleen Malherek-Osorio (fourth, 18:11.6) kept the Trojans at the front throughout the race. Miley Clark finished seventh in 18:22.0, and Alissa Ledman rounded out the scoring five in eleventh place at 18:39.6.
Addison Neitz (17th, 19:11.9) and Chloe Kissell (22nd, 19:20.4) provided additional depth for Wayzata’s varsity lineup.
The Trojans finished with a team total of 26 points, far ahead of St. Michael-Albertville (61), Edina (85), Hopkins (100), and Eden Prairie (112). Minnetonka, Maple Grove, and Buffalo rounded out the team standings.
The victory continued Wayzata’s tradition of dominance in the Lake Conference and positioned the team as a clear contender heading into the Section 6AAA Championship later this month.
Top Wayzata Finishers – Lake Conference Championships (5K)
WAYZATA — It began, fittingly, with a story about listening.
Mayor Andrew Mullin, hosting Tuesday’s Braver Angels workshop at City Hall, recalled how a coffee conversation with longtime resident Elaine Ambrose led to an evening devoted to “calling in” rather than “calling out.” The event, Bridging the Political Divide, drew elected officials, business leaders, and residents from across the west metro to talk openly about polarization—and how to heal it one conversation at a time.
The workshop brought together an unusually broad cross-section of civic and community leaders. Representatives from the Metropolitan Council; the Minnetonka, Orono, Long Lake, and Plymouth city councils; and members of both the Wayzata and Orono school boards joined residents in the audience. State Representative Patty Acomb, Republican Party Chair Alex Plechash, and members of several local faith communities also attended, underscoring a shared desire among public officials, educators, and spiritual leaders to model respectful dialogue at a time when polarization often dominates public life.
In his opening remarks, Mayor Andrew Mullin recounted how the idea for the workshop began over coffee with Elaine Ambrose, who arrived in tears and admitted, “I’m part of the problem.” Though they’d known each other for years, she confessed she had “never had dinner with Republicans.” Mullin, an independent and “radical optimist,” said her honesty moved him and inspired the effort to bring Braver Angels to Wayzata.
A “happy grandmother” and longtime community volunteer, Ambrose told the packed room she was moved to act after the tragic deaths of her friend Melissa Hartman, her husband, and their daughter last June. Seeking a healthier way forward, she invited Mullin and later Council Member Alex Plechash to join her in exploring Braver Angels’ approach to rebuilding trust. “They said yes,” Ambrose recalled. “So, gratefully, we are here to relearn how to speak to each other in an honest and productive way.”
Braver Angels—co-founded in 2016 by University of Minnesota professor emeritus Dr. Bill Doherty—was formed in the aftermath of the presidential election to counteract political polarization. Drawing from his background as a family therapist, Doherty helped design a workshop format that brings conservatives and liberals together for what he calls “structured conversations that build understanding, not conversion.”
During the program, Doherty described polarization not as a matter of disagreement over issues, but as a breakdown in how Americans feel about each other when they disagree. “It’s called affective polarization,” he said, noting that mistrust now extends beyond politics to institutions such as the media, education, and even science. “It’s not just that people love their own party more—it’s that they hate the other party more.”
Participants were invited to reflect, pair up, and share what they believed caused the rise in division. Themes ranged from social media and 24-hour news cycles to declining trust, fear-based politics, and the loss of community connection. One attendee noted that “politics has become part of our identity,” while another spoke about the difficulty of “talking with” rather than “talking at” others.
As the discussion turned toward solutions, Doherty offered practical steps: listen before responding, use “I” statements instead of truth claims, and approach others with curiosity rather than correction. “If you don’t set out to change someone’s mind,” he said, “you’re actually more likely to influence them.”
The workshop concluded with small-group reflections on how to apply those lessons at home, in neighborhoods, and in civic life. Suggestions ranged from “starting close to home” to “practicing active listening” and even “building from small agreements.”
Minnesota now has the largest per-capita membership in Braver Angels of any state, according to Doherty. Local alliances—including those in Dakota County, the St. Croix Valley, and the West Suburban area—continue to host workshops on topics from immigration to election integrity.
Mayor Mullin closed the evening with an appeal for local leadership. “If we can’t figure it out here,” he said, “we have no hope. So we’ve got to start here.”
A follow-up Braver Angels skills workshop—Disagreeing Better—is expected to be scheduled in November at Wayzata City Hall.
For more information on joining the next Braver Angels workshop, visit: BraverAngels.org.
“The Wayzata girls volleyball team outlasted Champlin Park in five sets Tuesday in a non-conference match-up of section opponents. The teams traded winning sets with the Trojans ultimately winning 25-23, 19-25, 25-20, 25-27, and 15-12. The Trojans outscored the Rebels 7-2 to close out the match. With the win the Trojans improve their record to 12-9 while the Rebels drop to 14-7. Section tournament play begins October 21st in 5AAAA.” via CCX Media.
The Wayzata City Council on Oct. 7, 2025, formally appointed Deputy City Manager Aurora Yager as Interim City Manager, effective October 8, with outgoing interim Mike Kelly—the city’s longtime Public Works Director—continuing to assist through October 15 as part of a planned one-week overlap. The appointment was approved as part of the Council’s consent agenda during its Oct. 7 meeting.
The leadership transition fulfills a framework first set in motion this summer, when Kelly stepped in after the prior city manager’s resignation. According to Resolution 40-2025, both Kelly and Yager were deemed “well-qualified and experienced to lead the City in the interim.” The new arrangement allows the two senior administrators to share executive duties for one week, ensuring uninterrupted operations across departments.
Under the city charter’s Section 26, the Council is authorized to designate a qualified person to perform the city manager’s duties in the event of an absence or vacancy. The Oct. 7 vote officially shifts that responsibility to Yager, who returned from leave earlier this month.
Once the hand-off is complete, Kelly will resume his role overseeing Public Works, while Yager leads city administration on an interim basis. They both remain eligible for consideration in the nationwide search for a permanent manager—should either or both of them choose to apply.
Editor’s note: This article has been updated to clarify that both employees are eligible to apply for the position of City Manager and to remove an inaccurate detail previously included.
The Wayzata City Council voted 4–1 on October 7 to approve a proposal from MGT Impact Solutions, LLC to conduct the city’s search for a new City Manager, authorizing Mayor Andrew Mullin and Interim City Manager Aurora Yager to finalize a professional services contract. The recruitment process will unfold over the next three to four months as the city transitions its leadership team.
Former City Manager Jeffrey Dahl resigned in July, after which Mike Kelly—who also serves as Wayzata’s Director of Public Works and City Engineer—was appointed Interim City Manager. Kelly has led the city through the early months of transition and will assist with onboarding through October 15, as Deputy City Manager Aurora Yager returns from maternity leave to serve as the city’s next Interim City Manager beginning October 8, creating a one-week overlap during the search period.
Recruitment Process and Cost
The approved proposal from MGT Impact Solutions, formerly known as GovHR USA, outlines a 90–120 day national search to identify and evaluate candidates for Wayzata’s top administrative role.
Scope: Position assessment, nationwide recruitment, candidate screening, interview facilitation, and onboarding support
In addition to the recruitment contract, the council directed that a classification and compensation study—originally scheduled for later in the year—be advanced under Yeager’s discretion, either through MGT or another consulting firm. Both contracts will return to the council for final approval.
Council Deliberation
Mayor Andrew Mullin opened discussion by outlining the process. He explained that after Dahl’s resignation, the council formed a two-member work group of himself and Councilmember Ken Sorensen to review recruitment firms and ensure “a fair and equitable process to all internal and external candidates.” Five firms responded; three were interviewed on September 26, with MGT emerging as the preferred choice.
Interim City Manager Mike Kelly confirmed the process would begin immediately, emphasizing a transparent and structured timeline.
While most council members supported moving forward, Councilmember Alex Plechash cast the lone dissenting vote, citing fiscal restraint and a preference to promote from within. “The city is not just a city—it’s part of our community,” Plechash said. “We have loyalty to the people who work here. I don’t see that we need to spend this money when we have internal candidates who are very qualified.”
Councilmember Molly MacDonald acknowledged his sentiment but said MGT demonstrated a clear understanding of Wayzata’s culture. “They were the only firm that really understood why we stand out—even mentioning our local parks,” she said. “I’m confident they get us and will guide this process thoughtfully.”
Councilmember Dan Koch, who participated in the interviews, described MGT as “the most prepared and most knowledgeable” of the finalists. “This process gives us the best chance to identify the strongest candidate for a critical leadership role,” Koch said.
Mayor Mullin, reflecting on his long tenure, noted that this will be his third City Manager hiring process as a council member. “Going to the outside ensures we find the best fit—while still encouraging strong internal candidates to apply.”
Next Steps
The recruitment will begin with the creation of a custom brochure and position profile in collaboration with city leadership. Candidate outreach and interviews are expected to take place this winter, with appointment anticipated early in 2026.
As the transition unfolds, Kelly will resume his role overseeing Public Works, while Yeager leads the administration in an interim capacity—both remaining eligible for consideration as candidates in the nationwide search if they choose to apply, as the council encouraged.
Sarah Kaelberer, Mark Rue, Steve Youngstedt, and Andy Mullin.
At the October 7 Wayzata City Council meeting, Sarah Kaelberer of Business and Estate Advisors, representing the Wayzata West Metro Chamber of Commerce, presented the Exceptional Customer Service Award to Youngstedt’s in recognition of their long-standing commitment to local patrons and community service.
Kaelberer shared excerpts from customer nominations that highlighted the family-owned business’s trusted reputation. “One customer said these guys have kept their 2006 Toyota running—why you’d admit that to someone, I don’t know, but they were very proud of it,” she said with a smile. Another patron noted having six different vehicles serviced over the years, all with Youngstedt’s.
Accepting the award were Mark Rue and Steve Youngstedt, representing a business that has operated in Wayzata for more than four decades. Mayor Mullin noted that the shop is not only known for quality automotive care but also for its civic spirit—often among the first to sponsor local events and lend support to community causes.
Mark Rue, Sarah Kaelberer, & Steve Youngstedt,
Rue drew a laugh from the crowd when he acknowledged that “you don’t necessarily want to be at Youngstedt’s,” since a visit usually means something’s wrong with your car—but he said that’s exactly why they focus on taking care of people. “We’re here to help when you need it,” he said, emphasizing that trust, familiarity, and a personal touch are what turn a stressful situation into a positive experience.
Mark Rue.
Following applause from the audience, the council paused for a group photo with the recipients before proceeding with the evening’s agenda.
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