Jerry Wunderlich

Key discussions during the general business session included an update on commission membership, noting outgoing members and upcoming new appointments approved by the City Council. Updates related to the Delano Sesquicentennial goal covered various upcoming events and pending grant application status. Discussions regarding the goal to welcome people to Delano noted the scheduled speaker was unable to attend and would present in March. For the goal to support volunteerism, the commission discussed scheduling the Neighborhood Clean-up Day for later in March and a potential SQ Happy Hour event in April. Community updates featured information from the City Council regarding development agreements and utility updates, school district news including successful open houses and fee increases for the Tiger Activity Center, and business community reports indicating optimism and outlining new construction projects.

The Planning Commission meeting addressed several items, including the continuation of a public hearing regarding a variance request for JRK Seed to the subsequent March meeting. A public hearing was held and closed concerning the rezoning of four properties on Franklin Avenue from R-3 and B-2 to R-E zoning, which was recommended for approval as it better reflected the existing lot sizes and character. New business involved a site plan review for the Trelleborg 751 Expansion Project (Phase One), which included discussion on building size, parking requirements (noting a deficit but requiring a proof-of-parking plan as a condition), landscaping, screening along the northern property line adjacent to an R-E zoned cemetery, and stormwater drainage plans. The Commission approved the Trelleborg expansion based on staff recommendations with stipulated conditions. Future business noted anticipation of the JRK Seed variance and a new plat for the West Metro Business Park in March. The meeting also marked the final session for two commissioners.

Key discussions during the meeting included a remembrance for Steve Raser and a presentation from Minnetonka Community Education regarding the Tour de Tonka event, which requires volunteers and impacts Delano. Consent items approved included permits for the Tour de Tonka and a Touch-A-Truck event, personnel actions such as hiring for a Cable Caster and appointing an Administrative Services Director, approvals for carpeting replacement and tree removal at Crow River Villa, authorization for payments for the Spirit Park Project, and approval of painting and floor resurfacing proposals for the Fire Station. Consent Item K, involving a Revised Personnel Policy, was tabled. General business featured a public hearing where an ordinance was considered and approved to rezone four properties from R-3 Single Family Residential and B-2 General Business District to R-E Single Family Estate Residential District, with the Mayor abstaining due to ownership interest. The Council also approved a Resolution approving the Site and Building Plan for the Trelleborg expansion, subject to several conditions including stormwater documentation and tree replacement ratios. Furthermore, an Ordinance was approved to update General Code Ordinance 416.01 to incorporate the State Plumbing Code and delegate commercial plumbing plan review and inspections to the City. Updates from the Spirit of Community Commission detailed plans for upcoming events like a sustainability happy hour and neighborhood cleanup. Finally, claims listings for the City were approved.

The joint meeting agenda focused heavily on municipal updates, development activity, and utility matters. Key discussion points included residential construction trends (e.g., Highland Ridge, Greywood, Legacy Woods, River Waters, Capstone), the anticipated construction start for the Granite Works 3 apartment project, and the upcoming construction by Cemstone in the Business Park. The City Council is expected to review the final phase of the JRK feed mill project and the Caves of Delano storage development in March. Utility discussions covered transportation improvements funded by a federal grant for the County Road 16 and County Road 30 intersection, new chloride and sulfate discharge limits from the MPCA following wastewater permit renewal, and the City's new classification under the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permitting program. An orderly annexation agreement with Franklin Township, involving a five-year term and a per-acre payment structure for annexed developed land, was also detailed. Utility infrastructure updates included plans to replace the generator serving Well No. 4, progress on the Well 5 location selection and drilling, analysis of tiered water billing to manage summer peak demand, and updates on Generator 9 operation and negotiations concerning Generators 10 and 11. Further topics included the McKinley Substation energization target of August, ongoing negotiations for the River Waters electric service territory acquisition, management of increased energy market pricing, and the posting of the General Manager position.

The regular meeting commenced with a moment of silence honoring the late community contributor Steve Raser. Key discussions included a presentation on the upcoming Tour de Tonka event, scheduled for August 1, 2026, detailing anticipated participation and local support needed. The Council approved several consent items, including special event permits, personnel hiring/appointments, and authorization for painting and floor resurfacing at the Fire Station. A revised Personnel Policy was tabled for further review. In General Business, the Council unanimously approved an ordinance to rezone four properties from R-3 Single Family Residential and B-2 General Business District to R-E Single Family Estate Residential District, as staff determined the lots met R-E requirements (exceeding one acre). The Council also approved a resolution for the Trelleborg Phase 1 expansion, subject to conditions including stormwater documentation and parking planning to address a 91-stall deficit. Furthermore, an ordinance was approved to update General Code Ordinance 416.01 to incorporate the State Plumbing Code and pursue delegation agreement for local commercial plumbing plan reviews, which is expected to reduce review timelines from state processing to two to four weeks locally. Financial matters included the approval of a claims listing totaling $577,718.06.