Brunken Consulting to assist with newsletters, social media, and website updates during staffing transition
The Wayzata City Council approved a professional services agreement with Brunken Consulting, LLC for temporary communications support as part of its consent agenda at the April 21, 2026, council meeting.
The agreement is intended to help fill a short-term staffing gap in the city’s Administration Department. According to the agenda report prepared by City Manager Aurora Yager, the department currently has vacancies in the Deputy City Manager, HR Generalist, and Communications Coordinator positions. While those roles are expected to be filled, staff indicated there is an immediate need for day-to-day communications support that cannot be effectively absorbed by the city manager or existing staff.
Under the agreement, Brunken Consulting will provide approximately 10 hours of support per week for about 16 weeks. The work is expected to include assistance with the Wayzata Weekly, Portal Newsletter, social media posts, and website updates.
The contract authorizes payment of $5,800 per month, with a total not to exceed $29,000. The agenda report states that the estimated cost is about $3,300 less than what the city had budgeted for the Communications Coordinator position over the same period.
The professional services agreement became effective April 22, 2026. Michelle Brunken is listed as the contractor’s main point of contact, while the city manager is listed as the city’s main point of contact.
Because the item was approved on the consent agenda, it passed without separate council discussion during the meeting. Staff had recommended approval of the agreement as presented.
Wayzata officials discussed the anticipated impacts of Highway 12 construction during the April 21 City Council meeting, with city leaders warning that the project could affect not only residents and daily commuters, but also visitors trying to reach downtown Wayzata and the businesses that depend on them.
City Manager Aurora Yager said residents should expect changing traffic conditions as the project moves forward, including lane shifts that may change throughout the day.
Yager said the city will work to keep residents informed through its own social media channels and website, but emphasized that MnDOT remains the primary source for the most current construction updates.
“We’re going to try our best on social media and the website to amplify MnDOT’s messages,” Yager said. “But I highly recommend residents sign up on MnDOT’s website to get email notifications about construction updates.”
Yager said MnDOT’s email notifications will be the fastest way for residents, commuters and visitors to learn about changes to construction timelines or traffic impacts.
Mayor Andrew Mullin said the project could have a significant effect on access into Wayzata, particularly if key ramps or roadways are restricted without clear sequencing or adequate advance communication.
He said the city needs more clarity on “the order of the exits that are going to be impacted and when,” noting that the project will affect traffic broadly, but some closures could have a more serious effect than others.
“Everything’s going to be impacted, but when you get to the first two exits and then closing access to Shoreline Drive, that’s where it gets nuclear,” Mullin said.
For residents, the concern is daily mobility: getting to and from home, work, school, errands and appointments. For guests, the issue is whether they can easily understand how to reach downtown Wayzata during construction. And for restaurants, retailers and service businesses, any loss of convenience or clarity could translate directly into fewer visits.
Mullin said he has been hearing from restaurant owners and members of the broader business community who want the city to help communicate alternative routes into town.
“The second request I get from our business community is, is there a way we can get information out there about alternative paths to get into town?” Mullin said.
Mullin suggested the city consider hosting an open house, potentially with assistance from Sen. Julia Coleman Johnson, to create more clarity around the timing of ramp and access closures. He also said the city and county should scenario-plan routes into Wayzata based on the order of construction.
“If we had some understanding of that order, we could say, early in the construction project, please use 112 and return back to the city,” Mullin said. “If 494 is done first, then we could say later in the project, use 494 and coming back through McGinty and Bushaway.”
Mullin said the city does not yet have all of the answers, but said there is “a strong preference in the community” for the county to help scenario-plan access routes so Wayzata can better communicate with residents, visitors and customers.
WAYZATA — Mike Kelly has agreed to a verbal offer from the City of Wayzata to serve as interim City Manager, according to Mayor Andrew Mullin. The City Council will meet in a special open session on Tuesday, July 8 at 5:30 p.m. to formalize the agreement by resolution.
While the vote is considered a formality, it is a necessary step to ratify the appointment. If approved as expected, Kelly is anticipated to begin his duties as interim City Manager once outgoing City Manager Jeff Dahl officially departs for his new position in Woodbury.
Kelly’s interim appointment comes during a period of transition at City Hall. In addition to Dahl’s departure, Deputy City Manager Aurora Yager is currently out on maternity leave, underscoring the need for experienced interim leadership.
The special meeting will be held at Wayzata City Hall and is open to the public.
Stay with Wayzata.com for updates on this developing story.
Wayzata is entering a carefully managed leadership transition as City Manager Jeff Dahl prepares to step down this summer. Deputy City Manager Aurora Yager is on maternity leave through early fall, and Public Works Director Mike Kelly has been offered the interim title to guide city operations in the meantime.
Mayor Andrew Mullin confirmed the offer on Wednesday. “The offer was made last night verbally and will go to an email this morning,” he told Wayzata.com. “We will know by end of day Thursday. So a formal offer’s been made. He’s noodling it, and we continue to interview outside candidates as an alternative.”
Mike Kelly: A Steady Hand in Public Works
Kelly has served as Wayzata’s Director of Public Works since 2015 and has worked for the city since 2003. A licensed professional engineer with a civil engineering degree from the University of Minnesota, Kelly has managed street improvement projects, utility systems, water and sewer infrastructure, snow removal operations, and capital project planning.
His two decades in municipal engineering and city operations make him a trusted internal candidate to maintain continuity during the transition.
Aurora Yager: Thoughtful Leadership and Proven Experience
Deputy City Manager Aurora Yager began her maternity leave on June 30 and is expected to return in October to resume her current role. She is also expected to take on the interim City Manager title at that time, depending on how the City’s executive search progresses.
Deputy City Manager Aurora Yager
Yager, who has been with the City of Wayzata since 2018, brings a comprehensive background in city management, strategic planning, and civic engagement. Prior to her current role, she served Assistant City Administrator for the City of Howard Lake and has experience in finance, communications, HR, and community development. She holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Kansas and a Bachelor Degree in Social Work also from the University of Kansas.
“I’ve shared with the Council that I am interested in the role but that I can’t commit to a yes or no answer until I come back from maternity leave,” Yager told Wayzata.com. “I want to be sure that I’m carefully balancing my new personal responsibilities… I’d rather take my time and be thoughtful about it.”
A Deliberate Transition
With Yager expected to return in the fall and Kelly now considering a short-term interim role, Wayzata’s transition plan is unfolding with a blend of stability and long-range thinking. The City Council continues to consider both internal and external candidates for the permanent City Manager role.
In the coming weeks, decisions made behind the scenes at City Hall will shape Wayzata’s leadership well into the next chapter—balancing institutional knowledge, professional expertise, and thoughtful timing.
Leaders from the business community gathered at City Hall this morning. Attendees included representatives from 6Smith, The American Legion, Wayzata Bar & Grill, the Wayzata Chamber, and commercial property owners.
Wayzata business leaders gathered Wednesday morning at City Hall for an early discussion on a potential 1% food and beverage sales tax, a concept the city is exploring as part of a long-term funding strategy to maintain public safety and park operations. The session was part of a renewed effort to engage business owners before any legislative request is made.
Mayor Andrew Mullin opened the meeting with a frank acknowledgment of past mistakes. “Nobody likes to be taxed. Nobody likes to have their ticket price increased,” Mullin said. “But my hope is that when you listen to Mr. Parkhill and you listen to our staff, you understand sort of how we might use those funds.”
He added that the city’s previous attempts to pursue such a tax “just didn’t do a very good job of actually talking to people,” noting that some businesses only learned of it “at the Capitol, which is not the right way for the city to conduct its business.”
Jeff Parkhill speaks.
City Council Member Jeff Parkhill, who has served since 2022, emphasized the impact of visitors on local infrastructure. “We have an estimated 5,300 people who are employed in Wayzata. We only have 4,500 residents,” he said. “Ninety percent of the credit card swipes at our restaurants… are from people from outside [Wayzata].” Parkhill described the tax as “very much a scalpel versus a machete — we are hitting the people who are benefiting from our community.”
City Manager Jeff Dahl explained the financial rationale, citing estimates from the Minnesota Department of Revenue that a 1% food and beverage tax could generate approximately $720,000 per year. “That’s about 10% of our current property tax levy,” Dahl said. “It’s a significant impact that could dramatically offset or reduce what we have to levy in property taxes.”
The city outlined a proposed breakdown of how the funds would be used:
The majority would go to public safety operations, including police staffing.
A portion would support maintenance of public parks, such as Panoway and Klapprich.
Approximately $50,000 would be set aside annually for business retention or promotion, with staff seeking business input on how to shape that support.
Another $50,000 could be earmarked for future park capital needs.
Deputy City Manager Aurora Yager emphasized transparency, noting that this meeting was part of a broader engagement process that included a March business council discussion and a follow-up session for residents on May 15. Yager clarified that the city has not submitted any formal request and that a state-imposed moratorium remains in effect through the end of 2025. Even if lifted, multiple steps would be required: a city council vote, legislative approval, and potentially a public referendum, meaning any implementation would be unlikely before mid-2027.
Aurora Yeager, Deputy City Manager speaks to attendees.
Reaction from Restaurants
Angel Luna, partner at 6Smith, expressed cautious support for the proposal. “The 1% makes sense. We’re supportive. We just want to make sure that the money is used correctly,” he said. Luna recalled his first city meeting in 2014, when Wayzata was actively trying to establish itself as a destination. “There was nothing going on. Now you have it,” he said. “Restaurants have had a big impact on the city.”
Luna raised one concern from previous discussions: whether the city had used outdated sales data from 2021 — when restaurants were still operating under COVID-related capacity limits — to estimate the tax’s revenue potential. “Back in the day we were using sales from 2021 when we were still at 50% capacity,” Luna said. “We were doing $9.75 million — now we’re at $13 million. Is that 1% really an accurate number?”
Mayor Mullin and staff acknowledged the need for better data, but noted that even conservative projections indicate that most of the burden would fall on non-residents. Mullin also responded to concerns about using tax proceeds for parks, describing conversations with state legislators that changed his view. “I had a very similar point of view before I started talking to some of the legislators at the Capitol,” he said. “Our bonding request was framed by our Democratic senator and Democratic House representative. The argument for Republicans is spending money for jobs. The argument for Democrats is making it a regional destination for open space… That was an education for me.”
Destination Promotion
As part of the discussion, City Manager Jeff Dahl asked business owners to consider how a portion of the proposed revenue—approximately $50,000 annually—could be reinvested to support the local business community. He invited suggestions on how those funds might be used for marketing, business retention, or other initiatives that benefit restaurants and retailers, suggesting possibilities like supplemental funding for the Wayzata Area Chamber of Commerce or broader promotional efforts.
Dahl emphasized the opportunity to strengthen Wayzata’s brand as a regional destination, a vision first articulated more than a decade ago and now central to the city’s identity. “We want to hear your wish list,” he said, noting the city’s interest in strategies that enhance foot traffic, sustain downtown vitality, and reinforce Wayzata’s appeal to both residents and visitors.
License Payment Timing Changes
To address prior concerns, city staff also logged a request from earlier this year to re-time annual liquor license payments so that they align with seasonal cash flow — potentially moving the due date from slower winter months into peak summer revenue periods.
In closing, Mullin invited further input, “We’re not saying this is the only way to do it. If you have better ideas, we’re all ears.”
The next session, focused on resident perspectives, will be held Thursday, May 15 from 5:30–6:30 p.m. at City Hall.
Editor’s Note: As discussions continue about how to promote Wayzata and support local businesses, it’s worth noting that Wayzata.com—by name, design, and purpose—already functions as a digital front door to Wayzata. With trusted editorial content and a growing regional audience, it offers a ready-made platform for consistent, high-quality promotion rooted in Wayzata’s brand identity. We believe there’s meaningful opportunity for the city, the Chamber and the business community to align around a shared strategy—and we welcome the conversation, while fully maintaining our journalistic integrity.
On December 3, 2024, the Wayzata City Council convened for its annual Truth in Taxation public hearing, a key step in finalizing the city’s 2025 budget and property tax levy. Deputy City Manager Aurora Yager provided an in-depth presentation detailing the proposed budget, strategic priorities, and its impact on residents.
Budget Overview
The proposed 2025 General Fund Budget is set at $9.18 million, representing a 7.15% increase in operational expenses and an overall property tax levy increase of 7.75%. This marks a slight reduction from the preliminary levy increase of 8.71%, approved earlier in September. Total revenues for the city’s consolidated budget across all funds are projected at $24.03 million.
The 2025 consolidated budget for Wayzata totals $24,030,992, reflecting the city’s comprehensive approach to funding its diverse operations and services. The largest allocation, $9.18 million, is directed to the General Fund, which supports essential city services such as public safety, administration, and parks.
Significant enterprise fund investments include $8.95 million for the city’s liquor operations and nearly $2 million for water services, underscoring the importance of user-fee-supported programs. Additional funds are allocated to sewer, stormwater, and solid waste management, along with smaller contributions to specialized areas like motor vehicle services, cable TV, and the city cemetery. Together, these allocations ensure that Wayzata’s infrastructure, amenities, and strategic initiatives remain robust and responsive to community needs.
Deputy City Manager Yager emphasized that the budget aligns with Wayzata’s strategic goals of sustaining operational excellence, preserving community character and safety, and minimizing the financial impact on residents.
“Our strategic priorities focus on diversifying revenue, achieving operational excellence, and sustaining community character and safety. This budget reflects those goals by investing in technology, public safety personnel, and minimizing impacts on residents,” stated Yager in the meeting.
Key drivers of the budget increase include investments in technology and cybersecurity, employee compensation adjustments, and enhancements to public safety. Notably, a new police officer position is planned for the second quarter of 2025, along with expanded hours for support roles.
Public Input
Former Mayor Barry Petit addressed the council, raising concerns about rising costs and urging the city to prioritize fiscal responsibility. Petit noted that Wayzata’s population and infrastructure have remained stable, questioning the justification for the budget’s growth. He highlighted potential hidden costs associated with Wayzata’s regional appeal and the downtown improvements, calling for a return to fundamental budgetary principles.
“Wayzata is a small, charming town, and this council has a fiduciary responsibility to run lean. We must be the gatekeepers of necessity, value, and logic. The budget should reflect the fundamentals—not an overreach driven by regional aspirations,” stated Petit in the public hearing.
Resident Impact
The proposed budget projects an average annual property tax increase of $162 for homes with a 5% valuation increase, while homes with unchanged values would see an increase of $47. Yager underscored that Wayzata’s tax rate remains lower than many neighboring communities, ensuring competitive costs for residents.
Next Steps
The City Council will reconvene on December 17, 2024, to adopt the final budget and tax levy alongside a 10-year capital improvement plan.
Wayzata residents are encouraged to review the proposed budget and participate in ongoing discussions as the city finalizes its financial plans for the upcoming year.
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