The Wayzata Fire Department will again be hosting an annual pancake breakfast fundraiser on Sunday, September 18th 2022 from 8am to noon at City Hall.
Guests are invited to join the Wayzata Fire Department for pancakes, french toast and a raffle! At will donations will be accepted.
Attendees will enjoy all you can eat pancakes, french toast, and more. Informal tours of the fire station and trucks will be provided as well.
The council approved the design of the Panoway boardwalk, docks and Section Foreman House renovation by a 4-1 vote on Tuesday.
Phase 2a and 2b of the project will now move for the construction design step in the process. This is where city staff and its consultants will fine tune the details of the project, including a cost estimate, before putting the project out to bid.
Jessica Houlihan, founder of development consulting firm Onyx Strategic Partners, outlined the timeline of what is to come. Her expectation is construction design will be finished to return in front of council by December. Once the designs are approved, the project will go out to bid. After a contractor is chosen, construction could begin as soon as March 2023.
“We walked all the way through the schedule with one firm and it’s about a six month project,” Houlihan said. “We should be done in the fall.”
Phase 2a, the boardwalk and shoreline, carries a $6.78 million budget while the docks are estimated at $770,000. The budget for the Section Foreman House, Phase 2b, is $1.27 million.
The city has secured $4 million in bond funding for the project. It will draw an estimated $2.62 million from tax increment financing and the remaining portion is slated to come from private or ‘other’ sources. The Wayzata Conservancy has pledged funding for the Section Foreman House, which it is currently fundraising for, as well.
“What we’ve done is plan for the maintenance and operations for 10 years,” said city manager Jeff Dahl. “The Wayzata Conservancy, to decrease the burden on the city, have agreed to fund maintenance and operations for the remainder of the project so taxpayers of Wayzata won’t be burdened with that.”
According to community development director Emily Goellner, the conservancy has raised about $250,000 for the Section Foreman House and will also pay for construction design plans for that part of the project.
Councilor Cathy Iverson was the lone council member to vote against approving the design.
“Can we feel confident telling the residents this will not be a tax burden,” Iverson said. “I have a lot of concerns about how it’s going to be paid for.”
Mayor Johanna Mouton noted a better picture of the costs will not come until after construction design is completed. Councilor Alex Plechash said he also had reservations about the funding, but not enough for him to vote against the design. The mayor and other members of the council said they were comfortable with the funding sources.
“We’ve been steadfast that we would not levy the taxpayers of Wayzata to pay for this,” Mouton said. “We have not done so.”
Baja Haus outdoor patio approved
The council unanimously approved a conditional use permit for a seasonal outdoor patio at Baja Haus, 830 E. Lake Street.
Applicant and co-owner Josh Friedt said his restaurant’s temporary outdoor patio was helpful for his business during the height of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020-21.
“To me it was a huge success,” Friedt said. “I don’t want to say it saved my business but it was definitely a big help.”
The request was to use four parking spaces outside of the restaurant for a temporary pergola. Inside it would fit eight tables seating four each. The patio would be used from May to October. When not in use, the space would be opened back up for parking.
“The people I spoke to that used the outdoor patio during the pandemic really loved it,” Iverson said. “I only heard positive things from the community.”
Former Wayzata Texaco Site
The council also approved a lot combination, comprehensive plan amendment and rezoning of two parcels at 1022 E. Wayzata Blvd.
These parcels were discussed for development in front of the council in April with the proposal of adding a drive thru coffee business. The property is home to a gas station which is no longer in use. To the south, there is a small residential parcel which is considered difficult to develop because of its size and location.
The rezoning of the property changes the newly combined parcel to a C-3 property for retail use.
The planning commission unanimously recommended approval and the council voted 4-1 in favor.
MacDonald, Parkhill, Hickman, and Stockton
The field for the Wayzata City Council race has been set, barring a withdrawal by one of the four candidates. The Wayzata residents who have filed to run are:
MacDonald currently serves as a Councilwoman and was appointed after Johanna Mouton was elected Mayor.
Parkhill serves as the Planning Commission Chairman and has run for council previously.
Chris Hickman is a retired pilot and 30 year resident of Wayzata.
Larissa Stockton serves as the Vice Chair of the Planning Commission.
Current City Councilman Jeff Buchanan did not file to run within the filing window.
Candidates have until August 18th to withdraw their names from the race. Stay tuned to Wayzata.com for additional news and information.
From CCX Media:
“The Wayzata volleyball team is coming off a state championship and unbeaten season.
But despite the loss of five key seniors, the Trojans are loaded with talent again this fall. Twins Olivia and Stella Swenson have both verbally committed to the University of Minnesota, senior libero Sophia Johnson is a Cal commit and Avery Jesewitz is the Trojans’ returning left-side hitter and is also a Division 1 recruit.
The team also expects big contributions from girls who didn’t see a lot of varsity playing time a year ago. Wayzata opens the season at home August 25th against Minnetonka.”
The Wayzata Chamber of Commerce recently launched a GoFundMe fundraiser.
Organizers seek to raise $17,500 to help pay for the fireworks show this year. The fireworks are part of the annual James J. Hill Day festival which is scheduled this year from September 9-11. The show takes place Saturday evening September 10th.
Contributions will be gathered through the Wayzata Community Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization with a mission of supporting community activities in the Wayzata area.
You can find the fundraiser here.
The Wayzata Crime Prevention Coalition awarded Wayzata Police Officer Bill Mathews the Jim Fish Award at the August 2nd Night to Unite community luncheon, held at the Wayzata Country Club.
The award is presented annually to individuals within the community who have gone above and beyond in service to the community and in crime prevention. A recent photo by the WCPC highlighted the event.
“Bill Mathews served the communities of Wayzata and Long Lake with dedication and distinction. On September 8th, 2017 Officer Mathews gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to his communities,” stated Wayzata Detective Sergeant Dan Lee at the luncheon.
“I am proud to have known him, worked with him and to have called him my friend. This year marks the five year anniversary of when Officer Mathews lost his life in the line of duty. Bill’s commitment to his family, work, his partners and to the community did not come from a place of obligation. It came from the love of police work, and his want to serve, not because he had to.”
Mathews’ son Wyatt, accepted the award on behalf of his father.
Hickman enters race for council
Wayzata.com had previously reported that Molly MacDonald and Jeff Parkhill had filed to run for the two open Wayzata City Council Seats.
Jeff Buchanan has not filed to run for his council seat as of the morning of the 9th of August. Buchanan also did not respond to a message last week.
Wayzata resident Chris Hickman has now entered the race. Hickman is a retired airline pilot of 40 years and former small business owner.
Hickman has resided in Wayzata for 30 years with his wife. They have raised 3 children during that time.
Submitted photo.
August 16th is the final day for candidates to file to run for Council. Stay tuned to Wayzata.com.
The Wayzata Police Department today issued a Crime Alert for Situational Awareness indicating there has been an “uptick in purse/wallet thefts,” from Wayzata restaurants.
This was on the heels of social media reports over the weekend on Nextdoor and the Wayzata Fan Club sharing the concerns.
Police encourage residents and visitors to keep purses and handbags in sight at all times; and to keep a watchful eye for people who appear out of place, are stalling, or hanging around looking for opportunity.
If you see anything suspicious please report it to 911.
Watch for our August 8th print edition of Wayzata.com to hit the streets today and tomorrow!
Our feature story is the THC Emergency Moratorium that was passed by the Wayzata City Council earlier this month. Other online resources include the Wayzata Fan Club and Lake Minnetonka Real Estate.com
The Wayzata Parks & Trails Board has once again organized Sunday Music in the Park for the month of August (2022).
The event is held at the Wayzata Great Lawn / Promenade Park which is located just to the west of the Hotel Landing in downtown Wayzata.
August 7th – Westwind Swing Band (Swing Music)
August 14th – Ditchweed (80s Sing Along)
August 21st – Blue Grove (Bluegrass)
August 28th – Wailing Loons (Folk Rock)
The time for the music performances each Sunday is from 4:30 – 5:30 pm at 851 Lake Street East.
You must be logged in to post a comment.