Tag: City Council

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

Wayzata Mayor Willcox Will Not Seek Re-Election

July 22nd, 2020

Wayzata Mayor Ken Willcox has announced he will not seek re-election this fall.

Wayzata Mayor Ken Willcox

Willcox stated that after 12 years as Mayor it was time for new leadership and fresh ideas.

Willcox was first elected to the Wayzata City Council in 2004. He was elected Mayor in 2008 and was subsequently re-elected for two additional 4-year terms.

Mayor Talks About Community Inclusion Amid George Floyd Death Fallout

June 7th, 2020

City of Wayzata Mayor Ken Willcox released the following statement regarding the death of George Floyd and having a community of inclusion.

Courtesy City of Wayzata

Like everyone else we were disgusted at the tragic killing of George Floyd last week. It has sparked universal expressions of grief, anger and sadness, and we share them all.

I would like to emphasize that the kind of excessive aggression seen in this incident is neither acceptable nor any part of the culture of the Wayzata police department. Our police are diligent and proactive in enforcing our laws and they treat everyone with respect and fairness regardless of race.

Under the exceptional leadership of Chief Risvold, the Wayzata police in partnership with other law enforcement agencies will continue taking the necessary precautions to ensure peace and safety in Wayzata.

We appreciate the cooperation of our residents in complying with the recent curfews. They were important to our policing efforts. On a positive note, there were no incidents in Wayzata this past week related to the unrest in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

The City of Wayzata is committed to taking further steps to ensure that we have an inclusive culture that values and serves all people. It is an effort that needs the support and participation of our entire community. Some of our residents have already stepped up to volunteer and provide resources to the people most affected by the destruction in Minneapolis. We are proud of Wayzata’s ongoing generosity and kindness, and we thank you all.

Going forward we are doing the following:

We are continuing to emphasize to our City staff, including our public safety personnel, that the culture of our City remains one of respect and fairness to everyone.
We are in contact with officials in Minneapolis and St. Paul to determine how our community could be of most assistance.

I would like to extend particular thanks to the members of our police and fire departments. Our gratitude extends to the entire City staff. They have worked under unusual stress dealing with the challenges of both the coronavirus and civil unrest.

And finally, thank you to our residents for supporting our ongoing efforts to keep Wayzata a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment.

Be well.

Ken Willcox
Mayor

Civic Engagement Has Never Been Easier

April 6th, 2020
COVID-19 has turned everything upside down.

It has changed the way we do virtually everything.

We view most of these changes as inconveniences – or worse.

But one change might be a tremendous opportunity.

It has never been easier to participate in local government.

The Wayzata City Council will host a workshop and city council meeting Tuesday, April 7 via video conference.

The workshop is scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m. The city council meeting is scheduled at 7 p.m.

You can participate from the safety of your own home. There’s no excuse not to be dialed in and have your voice heard.

Of course, the video conference method is a precaution due to the concern about the spread of COVID-19.

Members of the public may submit comments or questions about items on the agendas in advance by various means:
- Email – PublicComment@wayzata.org
- Call – City staff at (952) 404-5300
- Mail – Wayzata City Hall 600 Rice Street East, Wayzata, MN 55391 (Attn: Public Comments)
The meeting is available for members of the public to listen via phone by calling 312.626.6799 and entering Zoom Meeting ID 267 452 146.

You can review the city council workshop agenda here.

The city council meeting is slightly different because you can actually watch on Channel 8, WCTV and stream it on the city’s website at wayzata.org.

Members of the public may submit comments or questions about items on the agendas in advance by various means (see above).

To speak during the Public Forum and/or Public Hearing portions of the city council meeting, you may call 312.626.6799, enter Zoom Meeting ID 197 594 897, and press *9 to speak.

You will be placed on hold and muted until you have been recognized and invited to speak.

You can review the city council meeting agenda here.

Well, there you have it, there’s really no reason not to take part in some fashion.

Civic participation is the backbone of a democracy.

You don’t even need to get off your couch!

Wayzata’s Klapprich Field

January 27th, 2020

In the summer, it’s the “ping” of an aluminum bat hitting a baseball and dogs barking in a seasonal dog park. This time of year, it’s the sound of a hockey stick slapping a hockey puck and the sound of skates on ice. We’re talking about the sounds of Wayzata’s Klapprich Field.

If you grew up in Wayzata or are currently living in Wayzata, you know exactly where Klapprich Field is located.

It’s been there for decades along Wayzata Boulevard between Minnetonka and Barry Avenues.

And hockey enthusiasts play between boards that are used as a dog park enclosure during warmer weather.

Klapprich Field was featured nationally when Coors Light shot a hockey commercial in early 2017.

OK, so that’s the here and now. But what was the genesis of this cherished local gathering place?

Klapprich Field is named after a local man Ed Klapprich. The Wayzata City Council passed a resolution back in 1955 to name the recreation area in honor of Klapprich for his efforts to make the field what it is today.

In the early 1940s, Klapprich rounded up a crew of volunteers loading wheelbarrow after wheelbarrow of dirt into a marsh.

They spread the dirt with shovels.

A hockey rink was completed on the east end of the marsh by the mid-1940s. The boards surrounding the rink stood only 18 inches high. The warming house was a donated garage.

By 1947, a team of 14-year-olds from Wayzata, Hamel, Sunset Hill, Minnetonka Beach, the Woodhill Club and Medicine Lake was formed. Klapprich was the coach.

In 1955, Klapprich and others passionate about hockey went before the school board to ask for a hockey program for Wayzata High School.

The board agreed and the team would play at the rink on the marsh with Klapprich as the head coach.

In the late 1950s, a cement block warming house was constructed on the northwest corner of the rink.

While the hockey rink kept kids busy during the winter, the baseball field provided hours of summer fun.

In July of 1948, the ball field was ready for games.

The local team, the Little Giants, beat a South Minneapolis team in the first game.

Klapprich Field was added to the Wayzata Parks System in 1986.

In 2005, the old warming house made way for a new one.

One man’s vision of year-round fun for local children more than seven decades ago lives on today.

Wayzata Deputy Police Chief Marc Schultz Sworn In

December 5th, 2019

Marc Schultz was sworn in Tuesday as Wayzata’s Deputy Police Chief.

Courtesy City of Wayzata/WCTV

Schultz started with the City on Nov. 18.

“Marc brings lots of experience, but equally important, he brings a lot of experiences,” said Wayzata Police Chief Mike Risvold.

He comes from the Roseville Police Department where he has worked for more than 21 years.

“He’ll play a very important role when it comes to succession planning here at our police department,” added Risvold.
Panoway on Wayzata Bay Initiative Discussed at Wayzata City Council Meeting

November 20th, 2019

The Lake Effect Conservancy provided an update on the Lake Effect project during Tuesday night’s Wayzata city council meeting.

Courtesy WCTV/City of Wayzata

“We are transitioning to a new phase, an initiative that we are calling Panoway on Wayzata Bay,” said Lake Effect Conservancy Chair Andrew Mullin. “This spring, as we launch the public phase of the project, we are stepping forward and closing the chapter on Lake Effect and moving forward with what we’re calling Panoway on Wayzata Bay.”

Mullin also updated the city council on advocacy, communication, history and construction portions of the project.

City Manager Jeff Dahl stated that he and other city officials met with the Governor’s office on Monday to discuss bonding bill funding for the Lake Effect Project.

“This is all in preparation for our ask of $10 million to help with this overall project,” said Dahl. “In late winter, early spring we will be active again in trying to leverage our community support in getting regional support. While it’s for the residents of the city of Wayzata, certainly people come from outside Wayzata and we think it’s appropriate the state pay its fair share.”

On Nov. 14, The City of Wayzata hosted the Minnesota House Capital Investment Committee to learn about the Lake Effect Project.

This follows a visit from a similar committee from the Minnesota Senate a few weeks prior.

The city is asking the state for $10 million of an estimated $20 million to complete the Lake Effect Project.

The state portion would come from an upcoming legislative bonding bill.
CITY OF WAYZATA: Lighting up Wayzata for the Holidays

November 26th, 2008

From the City of Wayzata:

The holiday shopping season is almost here and we are looking at ways to promote our wonderful retail and dining community. Last year a new tradition was started with a window (street facing or in a mall) decorating contest to entice shoppers to our area. The windows were photographed and used on our website. This year whatever your business, a bank, a retail store, a restaurant; the City will be looking at the most original/unique, most whimsical, most elegant, best lighting, best use of materials, best traditional holiday decorating. Judging will be held on November 24th and recognition of winners and all participants will be given at the December 1st City Council meeting.

Wayzata.com is your decorated window contest leader.

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Railroad Crossing at Lake and Arlington Closed for Repair and Quite Zone Prep

September 18th, 2008

Today is the day that Burlington Northern Sante Fe is scheduled to work on the railroad crossing located at Lake Street and Arlington Circle in Wayzata, MN. It will take a couple of days for BNSF to complete the repairs. The work crew was just arriving as I wandered over there from the house.

The repairs to the crossing will be completed in a couple of days, and the quite zone from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Wayzata residents in every direction will sleep better at night. A couple three nights ago, I heard a train come through at about 3:30 in the morning. Thank goodness that will be coming to an end.

The suggested detour from the City of Wayzata is to use 101 to Wayzata Blvd to Superior Blvd.
Wayzata Bay Center Redevelopment Passes 3-2

June 11th, 2008

The City of Wayzata passed the Wayzata Bay Center Redevelopment plan last night. Stay tuned to Wayzata.com for more details.