City Council Study Session - 10.12.26

The City of Minnetonka City Council held a study session on October 12, 2026. Staff briefed the council on election readiness and security, including poll-worker training, emergency procedures, ballot and tabulator safeguards, and coordination with county, state, and law-enforcement partners. The council also discussed e-bike and e-moto safety, complaints and crash reports, current enforcement options, and possible future state legislation or local helmet requirements; no formal action was taken on those proposals. On a request to reopen an earlier decision concerning off-leash dog areas, most council members indicated they did not want to revisit it, and the mayor deferred further discussion to a future meeting.

The council discussed the budget process, with a member proposing earlier consideration of levy targets and the costs of priorities so residents have more time to provide feedback. The city manager said staff would consider framing those issues more clearly at the spring budget kickoff; no budget allocation or spending vote occurred. Planning staff reviewed the ongoing zoning-ordinance work, including two-unit dwellings, setbacks, ADUs, and related public input, and will continue preparing material for the Planning Commission’s November 5 hearing. The council also agreed to have a small group review the city manager’s compensation against peer-city data. Utility rates and other budget topics are scheduled for later sessions. No procurement activity, contract award, vendor selection, or bid approval was identified.