Tag: Alex Plechash

10.59% preliminary tax levy increase ‘largest’ Mayor has seen

September 7th, 2022

The maximum property tax levy increase for 2023 could be more than residents are accustomed to.

The city council was presented the preliminary property tax levy during Tuesday’s meeting. Administrative services director Aurora Yager broke down the need for the increase, along with the preliminary general fund and enterprise fund budgets.

City staff starts the budgeting process during the summer months, preparing for a final budget at the end of the year.

City of Wayzata levy amounts from 2018-2023.

The recommended preliminary property tax levy increase for next year is 10.59-percent. The levy must be approved by the council and certified to Hennepin County by Friday, Sept. 30.

“In my six years on the council and two years in this role — this is the largest increase I have seen, It’s not a number we have ever entertained.”

MAYOR JOHANNA MOUTON

The largest factor in the increase, according to Yager, is to pay for additional staffing. Public safety in particular will see an increased investment with the addition of two more police officers.

“Just paying for employees is about 60-percent of our budget. That’s what it takes to provide services.”

AURORA YAGER

The city is working toward having two officers on duty at all times. With the number of officers currently with the police department this is not possible. Yager said it would really take three more officers to achieve that goal.

Currently, the police department is a more than $2.6 million expenditure for the city. The proposed budget increase would add another $46,812 to the department.

“I applaud how well the city has been run financially for as long as I’ve known. This has been a painful year to look at these things,” said councilor Alex Plechash. “It’s my view we do need what we’re asking for. I feel it’s one that’s warranted.”

Plechash said the largest complain he hears from residents is about evening activity on Lake Street.

“For the most part people love Panoway. It’s added vibrancy to the community,” he said. “With that comes the negative that we have some things we need to take care of.”

ALEX PLECHASH

Following Plechash’s comments, councilor Cathy Iverson asked what the true cost of maintaining Panoway is. Public works director and city engineer Mike Kelly said the city has only just started tracking that data.

The property tax increase, if at the maximum rate proposed, would cost the median homeowner an additional $110.

While the increase took some of the council aback, Yager shared how it compares to neighboring cities. Even with an increase of more than 10-percent, Wayzata would have the second lowest tax levy rate among those cities. The city’s property tax rate makes up about 18-percent of a property owner’s property tax statement.

Councilors Iverson and Molly MacDonald voiced their hesitation to certify the rate increase. MacDonald said she believes it can be lowered. When the time came for roll call, Iverson was the only one to vote against certifying.

“A double digit increase is significantly high in my opinion,” she said. “I’m not very comfortable at this moment.”

CATHY IVERSON

Yager said she has heard of possibly larger rate increases from neighboring cities ranging from 5- to 22-percent.

“We’ll see what happens when those other communities release their levies,” she said. “I would not be surprised to see higher.”

With the preliminary property tax levy certified at an increase of 10.95-percent, the council can only increase the tax by that amount or less. It cannot increase by more than the rate it certified to the county.

The 2023 general fund assumes an increase of 5.37-percent in operating expenses. Cities across the country are losing one revenue source with the expiration of American Rescue Plan funds.

The total revenues for the city in 2022 are estimated at $7.5 million and projected to increase to about $7.9 million in 2023.

Yager said the proposal for the general fund is for a balanced budget. The council approved the preliminary budget. Iverson voted ‘nay.’

Text Amendment costs debated in fee schedule

When discussing the next agenda item, the adoption of the 2023 fee schedule, Iverson asked about zoning amendment fees. The fee schedule for 2023 has a text amendment fee of $2,195 with an escrow of $3,822. Both are increases of more than $100 over 2022.

“There has been someone that has reached out to the city asking why it’s so much higher than our other cities,” Iverson said. “Plymouth’s is $300 with no escrow. Excelsior is $700 with no escrow. Why such a high cost? It seems extremely elevated.”
CATHY IVERSON

Yager said she would not dispute those numbers, but she said cities such as Minnetonka have fees which are similar to Wayzata’s.

City attorney David Schelzel clarified what escrow is used for. He said it helps the city ensure legal processing fees and professional service fees are covered by the applicant. What is not used is then refunded to the applicant. On larger projects, staff may request a larger escrow.

Schelzel went on to say the escrow fee is important to the city because of the amount of “sophisticated development” that happens in Wayzata.

“Your single-family homeowner who is doing a small project, those fees are not going to be all used like that,” Schelzel said.

“For these big development applications when we have a PUD and we’re talking tens of millions of dollars, I’m not too concerned if they can make $3,800 work,” Mouton said. “I think they can scrape that together.”
City of Wayzata seeks to raise property tax levy 10.59%

September 6th, 2022
5.37% increase in operational expenses, loss of revenue and staffing needs drive need

The Wayzata City Council will discuss the preliminary property tax levy need for the 2023 City budget on September 6th, 2022.

You can find information on the proposed budget, levy, and fee schedule by visiting the agenda center on the City’s website.

A couple of items that stand out initially:
- $25,000 reduction in the community service officer funding at Wayzata West Middle School due to Wayzata School District cuts
- Staffing increases in public safety, while concurrently delaying hiring a full time Fire Chief
- The proposed cost of a zoning text amendment in Wayzata is $2,195 with a $3,822 escrow. In contrast, a text amendment in Plymouth is $300 with no escrow; Excelsior is $700; and Delano is $200 with a $1,000 escrow.
Watch for additional coverage of this important topic from Wayzata.com.
Conduct code fuels dispute

August 22nd, 2022

The signing, or lack of signing, of the city’s new code of conduct policy for elected officials, boards and the public sparked the continuation of tensions on the city council dais Tuesday.

At the beginning of Tuesday’s regular meeting, the city council and Mayor Johanna Mouton were asked to hand in the newly adopted code of conduct documents with their signatures to city manager Jeff Dahl. After a short recess more than 2 hours later, Mouton and Dahl brought to the attention of the room that one document was returned without a signature. This document was returned by councilor Cathy Iverson.

Code of Conduct discsussion at the August 16th, 2022 Wayzata City Council Meeting.

The code of conduct was unanimously passed by the council during its Aug. 3 meeting.

“I voted in favor knowing I would not sign it,” Iverson answered. “It’s a personal decision and I would not like to discuss it on public TV.”

Councilor Alex Plechash asked that the code be shared with the public.

“I have grave concerns if I have a colleague that does not want to abide in a code of conduct we passed,” he said. “I want the public that has elected that council member to actually see what she has decided not to agree to.

Iverson noted that while she did not sign the document, she has carried herself according to the code at meetings. While Iverson was speaking, Plechash voiced his disagreement.

“I feel like I’m being bullied right now, and that’s part of the reason I am not signing it,” Iverson responded.

Iverson is not legally obligated to sign such a document, which she mentioned and Mouton agreed.

What inspired the code of conduct?

The code of conduct will be given to all members of the city government’s boards and commissions for signatures moving forward. Dahl noted it will also be included in the orientation process for new board and commission members, as well as a reference point for evaluations.

code-of-conduct Download

The code also carries expectations for members of the public who attend these meetings.

City manager Jeff Dahl

In an interview with Dahl, he said it was an incident last fall which inspired the drafting of the code. He did not elaborate on what that incident was.

“It is to keep everyone safe and have a well functioning meeting,” he said. “It’s just nice to have clear expectations for rules and responsibilities of elected officials, staff and members of the public.”

Prior to the vote approving the code of conduct on Aug. 3, Iverson and Mouton engaged in a debate related to conduct. At that meeting, Dahl reiterated the conversation was not a catalyst for the drafting of the code.

“This is just best practice for local government to have an effective and efficient governing body,” he said. “It is not a result of any one thing with the councilors.”

Iverson maintains stance

Mouton referred to Iverson not signing the code of conduct as “another disappointing example.” Iverson quickly answered the comment.

“Do we want to talk about censurship and the repercussions of you guys censuring me?” she asked. “Because that was a question that was asked. What happens if we feel somebody is not following the code of conduct? We will censure them.”

Councilor Cathy Iverson

In government, censuring is a formal acknowledgement of disapproval from a body towards one of its representatives. It does not carry any direct punishment such as removal of position, but it can be damaging to public trust in an elected official or among that official and their colleagues.

Mouton answered Iverson’s question by stating censurship is an option anytime a colleague ‘falls outside the norms of behavior,’ or breaks the law.

“It’s a violation of my First Amendment,” Iverson said.

Mouton disagreed.

Wayzata Gateway ignites disagreement

The conversation over Iverson’s conduct at council dates back to a meeting on July 19. During that meeting the council approved a redevelopment proposal for 900 Wayzata Blvd E., known as the site of the Wells Fargo building.

The project, referred to as the Wayzata Gateway, will include the construction of an office building, apartments and 5,500 square foot bank.

Iverson was the only council member to vote against the proposal, citing concerns about the design, height and overall massing of the buildings. After the vote, Iverson exited the meeting. There was another new business agenda item remaining, the approval of excessive fund transfers. She was marked on record for leaving at 10:39 p.m.

A rendering of the one story bank building and the new apartments submitted by Mithun Enterprises. ESG | Architecture & Design.

On Aug. 3, Iverson expressed her disappointment about the approval of the project before the council entered the consent agenda portion of the meeting. She said the approval of the project was not consistent with the 2040 Comprehensive Plan, or with other projects which had been denied by the council.

“In my 11 years involved with the city I have never seen a project of this size approved without any changes to the design, scaling or massing of the building,” she said. “I don’t even know how to react to it. I am just completely baffled.”

Mouton took exception to the comments and the setting in which they were shared.

“It’s an unfair statement to make that this council — were not willing to entertain discussion about many of those items, because we were,” Mouton continued. “We discussed many of those. I am disappointed in that at this juncture you choose to make a statement that you feel we have not done our job.”

Iverson disagreed, stating she did not feel she was given the chance to have an open discussion about her concerns.

“I tried and it did not happen,” she said. “The decision for me to put something on paper did not come lightly.”

Mayor Johanna Mouton

Mouton added that she was also disappointed in Iverson’s actions after the item was approved, referring to her leaving the meeting while it was in session.

“You not only disappointed this council but you stormed out and you neglected your duties as a council member,” Mouton said. “You failed your duties as a councilor.”

“My decision to walk out may not have been a professional decision,” Iverson responded. “It was my reflection of the view of the council, of the decision of the council to continue to disregard my design expertise.”

Mouton said no members of the council have tried to limit another’s point of view.

Iverson denied a request for comment. Mouton did not respond before the publishing deadline.

The city council will next meet for a regular meeting on Aug. 30.
Panoway boardwalk, docks, & Section Foreman design approved

August 17th, 2022

The council approved the design of the Panoway boardwalk, docks and Section Foreman House renovation by a 4-1 vote on Tuesday.

Proposed Wayzata Boardwalk. Image courtesy City of Wayzata.

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.

Panoway on Wayzata Bay Phase 2 Schedule, courtesy City of Wayzata.

“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.

Wayzata Section Foreman House. Image Dan Gustafson.

“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.

Proposed Section Foreman House. Image courtesy Cushing Terrell.

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.”

Advertisement. Lake Minnetonka Real Estate.

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.
THC Emergency Moratorium Declared

August 4th, 2022

City to study new THC law for up to a year, manufacturing and sales prohibited

The Wayzata City Council declared an emergency moratorium on the manufacturing, distribution and sale of edible cannabinoid products containing hemp.

The moratorium immediately prohibits anyone from selling or manufacturing edibles in Wayzata. The council approved the emergency declaration, and subsequent ordinance with a four-fifths vote in favor on Wednesday. Councilor Alex Plechash was not in attendance for the meeting.

The discussion over what to do about edible cannabinoid products comes after the Minnesota Legislature enacted a new law allowing certain edible and beverage products containing THC to be sold. The decision came during the legislative session in May. The law came into effect officially on July 1.

An example of a THC infused gummy.
Image courtesy Space Gem Candy.com

“Regardless of how this all came to be, little information was provided to cities to determine the level of regulation if needed,” said Jeff Dahl, City Manager. “We think, similar to alcohol and tobacco, there certainly could be impacts to our community with licensing, zoning and general public safety.”

Dahl expects the legislature to come forward with regulations at some point, which he said is often what happens.

The moratorium is effective for one year, or until it is ended through a vote by the city council. During this time, the city is required to study the issue and take action.

If someone is in violation of the moratorium they will face penalties similar to violating a zoning ordinance, according to Dahl. He also stated the moratorium has no impact on people who are prescribed medical marijuana. It is specifically targeted at edible cannabinoid products containing hemp.

“Swear to God I didn’t know what cannabinoid oil was before this,” Dahl said. “It’s essentially a mind altering substance.”

Mayor Johanna Mouton asked if the moratorium would immediately stop someone who has already started selling products. Dahl said it would.

If the state were to come forward with regulations before the end of the moratorium, the moratorium would remain in effect. The city would have the option to end the moratorium and adopt the state regulations if it chooses.

Iverson & Plechash Win Wayzata City Council Race, Incumbents Retain State, National Seats

November 4th, 2020

While much is still undecided at the national level of the 2020 election, we know how things shook out closer to home.

Cathy Iverson & Alex Plechash

Wayzata City Council

Wayzata Planning Commissioner Cathy Iverson and current Wayzata City Councilmember Alex Plechash came out on top of a four-candidate race Tuesday.

Iverson received 1,416 votes (31.38%) while Plechash was re-elected with 1,133 votes. (25.11%).

Another planning commissioner, Jeff Parkhill, gathered 993 votes (22.01%).

Meanwhile, current City Councilmember Dan Koch finished fourth with 925 votes (20.50%).

Current City Councilmember Johanna McCarthy won her bid for mayor. She ran unopposed.

Minnesota Senate District 33

Republican incumbent Sen. David Osmek retains his Minnesota Senate District 33 seat with win over Democratic challenger Gretchen Piper. Osmek had 53.98% of the vote. Piper had 45.96%.

Minnesota House District 33A

Republican incumbent Rep. Jerry Hertaus has defeated Democratic challenger Caitlin Cahill to retain Minnesota House District 33A. Hertaus had 58.06% of the vote while Cahill had 41.90%.

U.S. Congressional District 3

Incumbent Democratic Rep. Dean Phillips has defeated Republican challenger Kendall Qualls in the U.S. House District 3. Phillips had 55.58% of the vote while Qualls had 44.35%.

Hennepin County Commissioner District 6

Chris LaTondresse will replace Hennepin County Commissioner Jan Callison with win over Dario Anselmo. LaTondresse won with 52.55% of the vote.

Election 2020: The Races Unique To Wayzata Residents

November 1st, 2020

There are high-profile election races this year such as the one for President that are making headlines.

But there are several decisions voters will need to make that are at much more local level.

Wayzata is a good example with several races to be uniquely decided by the city’s residents.

Wayzata.com has been tracking local elections throughout 2020 – you can see previous coverage here.

City Council

First off, Wayzata will have a new mayor in 2021 and the make up of the city council will change too.

Current Mayor Ken Willcox is not seeking re-election after 12 years as mayor.

City Councilmember Johanna McCarthy is the only person to throw her hat in the ring for the mayor’s seat. Barring a major write-in campaign of another candidate, McCarthy will be Wayzata’s next mayor.

McCarthy moving a few seats down in the city council chamber will open up an opportunity for an appointment. We’ll get to that in a bit.

Meanwhile, four candidates are competing for two council seats. Incumbents Dan Koch and Alex Plechash are seeking re-election. Planning Commissioners Cathy Iverson and Jeffrey Parkhill running to join the council.

Assuming McCarthy becomes the city’s next mayor, no matter who wins the council race, there will be a vacancy to fill.

McCarthy will vacate her council seat for the mayoral seat. The council will then need to appoint someone for McCarthy’s seat. The drama of the Wayzata city elections will carry over into 2021 with the decision of the appointment.

Minnesota House

Democratic candidate Caitlin Cahill is challenging incumbent Republican Rep. Jerry Hertaus for the Minnesota House District 33A seat.

Hertaus was first elected to the legislature in 2012.

He serves on the House Property and Local Tax Division, State Government Finance Division, Subcommittee on Local Government, and Ways and Means Committees.

Hertaus is a business owner and lives in Greenfield.

Cahill grew up in Plymouth and graduated from the Wayzata Schools. She is serving in her second term as a city council member in Maple Plain.

In a previous interview with Wayzata.com, Cahill stated, “We live in some of the fastest-growing communities in the state, and we need practical, forward-thinking representation to match that growth. Business as usual will not suffice. I will make it a priority to listen to constituents and develop data-driven solutions to make our communities even better.”

Minnesota Senate

Democratic candidate Gretchen Piper is challenging incumbent Republican Sen. David Osmek for the Minnesota Senate District 33 seat.

Osmek was first elected to the legislature in 2012.

He serves as Chair of the Senate Energy and Utilities Finance and Policy Committee.

He is a healthcare consultant and lives in Mound.

Piper is a business owner who grew up in Hamel, and now lives in Wayzata.

In a previous interview with Wayzata.com, Piper stated, “I’m running to put our shared values into action, not the values of a political party. I’m committed to listening to you and being part of constructive, common sense solutions that benefit our communities – all of us.”

Third Congressional District

U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips is up for re-election in Minnesota Congressional District 3.

Phillips, a Democrat, defeated Republican Erik Paulsen in 2018.

Phillips is a member of the House Ethics, Financial Services and Foreign Affairs Committees, as well as the Democracy Reform Task Force and the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force.

His challenger is Republican Kendall Qualls.

Qualls grew up in New York and served in the U.S. Army.

He later worked in the healthcare industry for several companies including Medtronic.

Hennepin County Commissioner

Jan Callison is not seeking reelection to the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners serving the 6th District.

Dario Anselmo and Chris Latondresse are squaring off for the seat.

Anselmo has lived in Edina for 20 years and has worked in the commercial real estate business for 28 years.

Latondresse grew up and raised his family in Hopkins and is currently the Vice-Chair of the Hopkins School Board.

Three Rivers Park District

Incumbent Three Rivers Park District Board Member Marge Beard is running unopposed for the District 1 seat.

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Along with other Minnesotans, Wayzatans will also vote for President and a U.S. Senate seat.

4 Wayzata City Council Candidates Compete For 2 Seats

October 11th, 2020

It is less than a month to the general elections and Wayzata residents will choose two city council candidates of a total of four on the ticket. Current council members Dan Koch and Alex Plechash are seeking reelection while planning commissioners Cathy Iverson and Jeffrey Parkhill are looking to join the city council.

Wayzata.com asked each candidate to submit a statement to voters in 250 words or less.

The statements follow in alphabetical order by last name.

Cathy Iverson

Business Environment — The City must define a vision for a vibrant future that balances the needs of residents, businesses and visitors. As a destination city, we have devoted significant resources to attracting tourists. Let’s enjoy all the good work that our City has undertaken and take a breath to put a development plan in place. Now is the time to develop a 5-year plan to enhance the community for residents.

We must review and edit our building standards to save our small-town charm. This will require creative architecture and following existing height ordinances.

No property should be considered too important to be exempt from our vision of the city. Even major redevelopments must respect our height ordinances. Wayzata should not allow a massive urban building to dominate our downtown and loom over our lakefront.

Traffic – Safety — With growth have come traffic and safety concerns. Neighborhoods are dealing with increased traffic cut-through and speeding. Wayzata Blvd. has become dangerous for cars and pedestrians.

Density – We need to listen to citizens’ concerns about increased density. It is possible to protect our “small town charm” with reasonable lot sizes and tree canopies, while increasing density selectively and wisely.

Fiscal Responsibility — With the worlds uncertainties, the City must careful review ALL expenditures.

Boardwalk/Panoway–The City promised this project would be 100% funded with private dollars. No residents tax dollars. This does not need to be paid for and maintained by the residents of Wayzata.

Dan Koch

I met my wife, Cindy, at Wayzata High School 30 years ago. We have two daughters, Sophie, and Abbey. I graduated from Wayzata High School and studied economics at St. Olaf College. I am a Vice President of Commercial Lending at Bridgewater Bank, where I build relationships and serve businesses, real estate investors and entrepreneurs.

I currently serve on the Wayzata City Council, Interfaith Outreach Finance Committee and am the Treasurer of the Lake Effect Conservancy Board. I previously served as Board Chair of the Greater Wayzata Area Chamber of Commerce.

Wayzata is a special place to call home. It has changed a lot since I first moved to the area 35 years ago. Despite the changes, it has maintained the small-town charm that makes it so great.

Maintaining this charm does not mean we should sit back, say “No” to everything and do nothing for the next few years for the sake of taking a breath.

I believe the council needs to be proactive in the management of change and growth in the City. I have had the honor and pleasure of serving you on the City Council for the past four years.

In my first term, I have focused on maintaining the financial strength of the City, keeping a balanced approach to development, enhancing our parks and public spaces, and supporting policies that help our businesses thrive. I look to continue fostering these priorities in my second term.

I appreciate your vote to make that happen.

Jeffrey Parkhill

I have 35 years of business and real estate experience. I have an MBA from the University of Chicago and was a practicing CPA. My sole focus as a councilman will be to help maintain Wayzata’s charm for my grandkids. I have traveled to other countries, been in lots of beautiful cities and have lived in four major metros in the U.S. Wayzata ranks extremely high on a national and international scale of places to live. Wayzata is home and a special place to protect from the outside pressures of change.

My greatest concern is that our downtown and lake front becomes a place where residents don’t go on the weekends. For years we have had a cottage near Lake Geneva, Wis. I stopped going “downtown” because it stopped appealing to me…as a local resident. Lake Geneva made the decision to cater to the tourists … not the residents.

We want to be welcoming. We want students to come and learn about the lake, small scale development and our businesses to flourish. We need to lease up our vacant space, improve connectivity between neighborhoods and execute our 2040 comprehensive plan. Which I helped create.

There are lots of market forces that want to sell Wayzata to the highest bidder. As a Council member, you residents will be my priority. My promise is that I will listen and make sure all of you still want to come “downtown”… EVEN ON THE WEEKENDS. Visit me at Jeffparkhill.com

Alex Plechash

Living in Wayzata was not happenstance. I consciously chose it as my home and it’s where I have lived for 26 years which is significant when you consider that I’ve lived in 12 different states (since college), been deployed overseas and visited 42 different countries. I know a great place when I see it.

My life is about service; not only as a councilman, but as a Volunteer Firefighter for the past 14 years. Taken together, it’s a very effective way of learning about the heart of a community. My service life began at the U. S. Naval Academy where I majored in Aerospace Engineering. I had the privilege of being nominated for a Rhodes Scholarship and ultimately received a Guggenheim Fellowship for graduate study at Princeton, Cal Tech and MIT. Although the service academies are counted among the very best colleges in the country, they are fundamentally about training leaders. Graduating near the top of my class, I chose to be commissioned in the Marine Corps and had the privilege of serving as a fighter pilot.

What I learned at the academy … practiced as a Marine … and honed in business was genuine leadership; not the kind that comes with titles and publicity, but the kind that is characterized by the term “Servant-Leader.” I have been told I have the ability to listen to a variety of viewpoints and assimilate disparate data from which to make reasoned and balanced decisions. That is what I bring to the City.

Primary Election Held Tuesday

August 10th, 2020

The Minnesota primary will take place Tuesday, August 11, and Wayzata voters will have a variety of choices to make.

Some of those choices include: U.S. Senate, U.S. Third Congressional District, and Hennepin County Commissioner.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m.

Below is a link to a sample primary ballot for Wayzata residents.

https://myballotmn.sos.state.mn.us/ShowImage.aspx?i=0594DBB0-CE1A-4DB8-B1E3-3064AA749168

Filing for the Wayzata mayor and two council seats ends Tuesday, August 11.

So far, Wayzata city council member Johanna McCarthy is the lone candidate for mayor. Current mayor, Ken Willcox, announced in July that he would not seek a fourth term.

Meanwhile, Wayzata Planning Commissioners Cathy Iverson and Jeffrey Parkhill announced they are running for city council. Current city council members Dan Koch and Alex Plechash are up for re-election.

The mayoral and city council seats are four-year terms.

Read more about the candidates Wayzata residents will chose in the 2020 election here:

https://www.wayzata.com/p/2020-election.html?m=1

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Below is a list of city council election results since 2000.

Source: Minnesota Secretary of State/City of Wayzata

(* = winner)

2000

Mayor

*Barry Petit 1,194 (votes)

Sue Bangert 1,129

City Council (two seats)

*Robert (Bob) Ambrose 1,372

*Robyn Cook 1,190

Lynn Gruber 1,020

2002

City Council (two seats)

*Andrew Humphrey 1,028

*Sue Bangert 1022

Barry Birkholz 763

Gayle Wilson 677

2004

Mayor

*Andrew Humphrey 1,989 (unopposed)

City Council (two seats)

*Ken Willcox 1,244

*John Berns 1,211

Jim Gooley 933

2006

City Council (two seats)

*Sue Bangert 1,126
*Jack Amdal 758
Tom Tanner 695
Doug Hudson 539

2008

Mayor

*Ken Willcox 1,803 (unopposed)

City Council (two seats)

*Andrew Mullin 1,210
*Mary Bader 1,196
Tom Tanner 948

2010

City Council (two seats)

*Tom Tanner 898
*Jack Amdal 861
Jim Wilson 749

2012

Mayor

*Ken Willcox 1,842 (unopposed)

City Council (two seats)

*Andrew Mullin (re elected) 1261
*Bridget Anderson 1079
Alex Plechash 1076

2014

City Council (two seats)

*Steven Tyacke 865
*Johanna McCarthy 799
Alex Plechash 789
Jack Amdal 730

2016

Mayor

*Ken Willcox 2,226 (unopposed)

City Council (two seats)

*Dan Koch 1,718 (unopposed)
*Alex Plechash 1,715 (unopposed)

2018

City Council (two seats)

*Johanna McCarthy ,1337
*Jeff Buchanan 1,028
Cathy Iverson 956
Barry Petit 821
Lake Street Plaza Bathroom Becomes Town Talker

August 9th, 2020
At the beginning of July, a bathroom facility began to take shape on what was previously the CōV Restaurant parking lot along Lake Street in downtown Wayzata.
It is a portion of a $9 million construction project.

A month later, it has become the town talker.

Wayzata.com photo – July 29, 2020

“I know there’s a lot of talk in the community about that,” said Dahl during the Aug. 4 city council meeting referring to the construction of the plaza bathroom.

Wayzata.com photo – July 16, 2020

“I have received a few comments recently about the design of the project, particularly relating to the restroom which is currently under construction,” stated Dahl.

“Public restrooms were demanded by the business community and property owners as a part of our lengthy engagement process,” added Dahl. “Restrooms are usually ‘necessary evil’ when it comes to public space design. While they are needed there is never an ideal location for them.”

Plaza bathroom discussion during the Wayzata City Council Meeting 8/4/20

“One of the conversation pieces around the location of the restroom was also with regard to the relocation of the trail head and bike parking in the public ramp and close proximity to all those things,” said city council member Johanna McCarthy during the Aug. 4 city council meeting. “So, as I remember the conversation, that was certainly also a discussion point in terms of where we would locate the restroom facilities.”

To get a better idea of the community concerns, Wayzata.com asked Facebook followers what they thought of the bathroom’s location.

The comments were mostly negative. A small sampling includes:
- “Absolutely terrible. No one wants to look at a latrine when you are enjoying $15 cocktails and a $250 dinner. Admit it is in the wrong location and move it while you still can.”
- “It looks ridiculous. Sit on the patio of COV, McCormicks & Gianni’s and enjoy a view of the toilet.”
- “Horrendous, the planners and the city should be embarrassed they approved this into their plans. The goal of the Lake Effect Program was to beautify the landscape of our incredible city.”
- “I would move it.”
- “I feel bad for the businesses that now have a view of the bathrooms instead of the beautiful lake.”
During the planning stages, the city looked at three options for the restroom:

1.) West end of plaza

2.) Within the central plaza

3.) Just west of Cov Restaurant (current location)

Dahl admits that while it currently looks like a cinder block, the final product will be different.

Photo courtesy City of Wayzata

Photo courtesy City of Wayzata

“The structure will be skinned in a semi-reflective material with a series of white ‘fins’ wrapping the structure to provide further articulation and tying it into the design of the shade structure in the central plaza. The reflective material will reflect the trees, lake sky and adjacent activities, further softening it appearance and further help it blend into its surroundings,” said Dahl.

“Additionally, because it is the only vertical structure currently installed it stands out,” said Dahl.

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