After drawing questions from residents, the boat once stored at Wayzata’s Public Works facility has been removed. Mayor Andrew Mullin confirmed in an October 2 statement that the vessel was “removed as planned,” effectively closing the matter.
A boat parked at public works has sparked some questions.
WAYZATA — A resident’s inquiry into a large boat parked at the City of Wayzata’s Public Works facility has sparked questions about the line between public oversight and small-town courtesy.
Greg Flannigan noticed a 40-foot vessel in the city’s “boneyard,” an area behind Public Works used to store boulders, fencing, and surplus materials.
Flannigan said he first wanted to determine the facts, noting that when city-owned facilities are used for personal purposes, it can raise questions about whether policies are being followed and whether taxpayer-supported assets are being properly safeguarded. “City residents pay for all these things,” Flannigan said in a text message.
In an email to Interim City Manager Mike Kelly, Flannigan pressed city staff for clarification on ownership of the boat, whether the city was collecting fees for its storage, and if insurance coverage applied.
Mayor Andrew Mullin responded, confirming the boat does not belong to the city and that the situation is an exception.
“I can confirm that a temporary exception has been granted for a contractor to store a boat on-site at the City of Wayzata Public Works facility. This arrangement was made to help the individual with a logistical challenge related to transporting the vessel to its winter storage,” Mullin said.
He emphasized that the accommodation is limited:
“This is a temporary measure. As a general rule, City employees, contractors and elected officials are not allowed to store personal property on City grounds. As a small town, we do our best to assist our residents, businesses, City employees, and contractors when possible.”
City officials noted that the boat belongs to a contractor who has served Wayzata for more than 40 years. The vessel was temporarily placed at the site after his truck broke down, preventing its transport to winter storage. It is expected to remain only until repairs are complete.
The incident highlights the balance between public accountability and Wayzata’s tradition of neighborly assistance — a reminder that even in a lakeside town, questions about how city property is used can surface in unexpected ways.
The crisp winter air in Wayzata is now filled with the sound of skates gliding over fresh ice as the Klapprich Ice Rink and Warming House officially open for the season today, Friday, January 3, at 3:00 p.m.
Thanks to a recent stretch of cold weather, the City of Wayzata’s Public Works team has been able to prepare the rink for the community’s enjoyment. “The Public Works team utilized the recent cold weather to open the Klapprich Rink and Warming House! The rink will be open starting at 3:00 p.m. today,” the City of Wayzata announced in a statement.
The Klapprich Ice Rink, located in the heart of Wayzata, has long been a favorite spot for locals to enjoy ice skating, hockey, and family outings. Alongside the rink, the warming house offers a much-needed retreat from the cold, with hot drinks and a place to warm up between laps on the ice.
As the season kicks off, city officials are encouraging residents to take advantage of the outdoor rink and share in the joy of winter recreation. Additional rinks across Wayzata are expected to open in the coming weeks as conditions allow.
The warming house and skating rink will be open with an attendant on duty, weather-permitting, weekdays from 3 to 10 p.m., as well as 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends and days when Wayzata public schools are not in session.
Whether you’re looking for a leisurely skate or a fast-paced game of pick-up hockey, Klapprich Ice Rink offers the perfect winter escape for all ages. Don’t miss the chance to lace up your skates and make the most of this beautiful winter season!
In a proactive effort to ensure the health and safety of its residents, the City of Wayzata recently issued letters to approximately 365 property owners. The correspondence highlights uncertainties surrounding the materials used in their water service lines, some of which could potentially contain lead.
Lead in Wayzata’s drinking water is not a major concern due to regular testing, but the city is meeting state and federal requirements to inventory service line materials.
The letters informed recipients that their properties’ service lines are categorized as “unknown” because the material has not yet been verified. These lines may include lead or galvanized materials that were previously connected to lead pipes, which could pose a risk of lead exposure.
A statement by the City indicated, “Lead is not a significant concern in Wayzata’s drinking water. The City tests the water regularly and provides a Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) on an annual basis. The City is simply preparing an inventory based on both state and federal requirements.”
Understanding the Risk of Lead
The potential risks associated with lead exposure in drinking water include developmental delays in children and cardiovascular issues in adults. To mitigate any potential hazards, the city provided guidance on reducing lead exposure. Recommendations include using certified filters, running cold water before use, and cleaning faucet aerators regularly.
Residents can contact the city’s Public Works department for help identifying their service line material or testing their water. Property-specific details are also available on the University of Minnesota’s Service Line Material Tool. Additional questions can be directed to Nick Nystrom at nnystrom@wayzata.org or by calling 952-404-5360,
Energy & Environment Committee Zoom Meeting June 23, 2020
On Tuesday, the group met on Zoom like so many meetings are being held these days.
Councilmember Jeff Buchanan serves as the Council Liaison. Committee members include: Kathleen Jones, Emily Robare, Amy Stielow, KC Chermak, Polly Anderson, Chrissie Olson, Alessandra Bajetti (student member)
“The creation of the Energy and Environment Committee really came out as a key initiative of the City’s 2040 Visioning process,” said Wayzata City Manager Jeff Dahl. “That engagement process included the involvement of several hundred community members.”
Wayzata has partnered with Xcel Energy and the Center for Energy and Environment in the Partners in Energy Program.
The program provides communities free services to develop an energy plan in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Wayzata is among more than 20 communities that are taking part in the program. Nearby communities of Minnetonka and Shorewood are also a part of the program.
During Tuesday’s meeting, the committee talked about the importance of obtaining grants as a way to fund the mission:
The purpose of the Energy and Environment Committee is to conduct research and provide recommendations to the City Council concerning energy and environmental issues and initiatives confronting the City based on research and collaboration with City staff. Under direction from the City Council, the Committee shall work to protect and preserve the ecological resources of the community so that they are in balance with the economic, recreational, and historic resources of our land and Lake Minnetonka for generations to come.
“There really is no capital budget for the group, so they are initially focused on engaging the community and information gathering in order to both conserve energy and sustain our natural resources,” said Dahl. “While this initiative will have positive net financial impacts to the community, it will lean heavily on grants to help with any major projects that need resources.”A big part of the committee’s role is to act as a research arm of the City Council.
The committee is expected to make recommendations to the City Council that can inform environmental priorities into city departments and operations.
One idea is examining the fleet of vehicles the city currently has and exploring purchasing practices to best conserve energy and save money.
Improving water quality and conservation is also a priority for the group.”It (The Energy & Environment Committee) will help build community and meet our overall vision, which is: Wayzata is a charming, socially connected, and walkable lakeside community,” said Dahl. “A multi-generational community at the forefront of sustainability, with a healthy environment, enticing parks and public spaces. It is a proud steward of its premier natural asset; Lake Minnetonka.”
Cold mornings, and dark nights are coming, so it’s time to put away all the beautiful summer flowers.
The Wayzata Public Works staff is inviting the Wayzata volunteers to help put the gorgeous gardens to rest for the winter. If you are interested in helping out the Wayzata Public Works staff, leave October 22nd blank on your calender. It will only take about 2-3 hours, and it’s a nice way to pay back to your beautiful scenery that surrounds this wonderful town.
If interested, meet at the Wayzata Public Works facility, 299 W. Wayzata Blvd, at roughly 8:00 a.m. Once there, you will receive brief instruction, and be on your way to help.
Wayzata Public Works asks, “that you please bring gloves, shovels, rakes, hand gardening tools, and a friend.”
If you are planning to attend, RSVP to Lynn McCarthy at lmccarthy@northstarcounselors.com.
Stay tuned to Wayzata.com, your volunteers needed to put flowers to rest leader.
If you see rust in your water over the next couple of weeks, you are not imagining things. Starting April 25, Wayzata Public Works will be driving around town and letting water out of hydrants and water mains according to a detailed plan.
Public works employees flushing the water mains. Photo courtesy City of Wayzata.
The purpose of this annual process is to remove any particulate matter that may have built up in the water mains over the year and insure that all fire hydrants on the water system are operating properly.
If discolored water is present, run the cold-water faucet until the water runs clear. Residents are advised to be observant while washing clothes until after the flushing has been completed.
For more information regarding hydrant flushing contact the Wayzata Public Works at 952-404-5360, choose option 2. A map showing the hydrant flushing schedule can be found by clicking here.
Ryan Anderson of Wayzata Public Works pauses from street sweeping for a moment. Photo Dan Gustafson.
Ryan Anderson of the Wayzata Public Works is out in the Elgin street sweeper owned by the City of Wayzata. Efforts to clean the roads of gravel, sand, and debris have been ongoing for several weeks.
City of Wayzata’s Elgin street sweeper. Photo Dan Gustafson.
With winter fast approaching, please remember a few important tips regarding snow removal and parking regulations. If the snowfall is two inches deep or more before 8:00 p.m., the snow parking regulations go into effect at 2:00 a.m. At that time, snow plowing will begin and any vehicles parked on unplowed streets will be tagged and towed. If an accumulation of two inches or more occurs after 8:00 p.m., the snow parking ban will go into effect the following morning at 2:00 a.m. (24 hours later). If you have any questions, please contact the Wayzata Public Works Department at 952-404-5360.
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