Mahtomedi meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Mahtomedi council to review 11% levy increase, dog park plans

The Mahtomedi City Council and its commissions held several informational meetings over the past two weeks, with no formal decisions taken. The most consequential item on the horizon is the proposed 2027 budget, which includes an 11% levy increase, and a new dog park at Southwest Park that the council is set to consider.

Recent meetings

Environmental Commission (Aug. 10)

The commission discussed the GreenStep Cities program and other sustainability opportunities, and planned to recognize an Eco-Hero award recipient. The agenda included approval of the June 8 meeting minutes. No decisions were made.

Planning Commission (Aug. 12)

The Planning Commission held two meetings on Aug. 12. The first was a public hearing to consider approving a site plan for a public dog park at 29 Long Lake Road. The plan includes a 1.15-acre all-breed fenced area and a 0.20-acre small-breed area, with access from 60th Street North and 12 parking stalls (11 standard, 1 ADA). Fencing would be 5-foot wood post-and-wire for the all-breed area and 5-foot chain-link for the small-breed area. Amenities include benches, dog waste stations, a drinking fountain, and natural surface trails. Staff recommended approval. The second meeting was an informational session on the same project, with no decision made; public comments were accepted at the meeting or by email to the City Clerk.

City Council (Aug. 18)

The council held a workshop to receive an update on the Century Avenue (Hwy 120) project; no decisions were taken. Later that day, the council met in regular session to consider approving the dog park site plan and construction contract, discuss property assessments for Century Avenue improvements, and address a resident's complaint about a dead oak tree at 999 Arcwood Road. The consent agenda included approval of a $51,061.83 construction pay voucher to Kusz Kontracting LLC for the Lost Lake Phase 2 shoreline project, and setting the IRS mileage rate to 76 cents per mile effective July 1, 2026.

Park Commission (Aug. 19)

The commission heard a presentation on Wildwood Park adoption by Bob Cedegren of the Wildwood Lions, discussed Gosiwin Park, and received updates on the dog park, boardwalk, and Streetcar Park.

Coming up

Joint City Council and Finance Commission budget review (Aug. 25)

The council and finance commission will review the proposed 2027 budget. The total levy is proposed at $7,392,408, an 11% increase from 2026. The General Fund budget is $10,615,135, up 18.24%. The General Fund levy would be $6,010,923 (14.95% increase) and the Special Levy $1,381,485 (3.46% decrease). The meeting will also review the Closed Bond Fund, with a projected balance of $1,333,531 at the end of 2026 and no transfer planned. The council will consider a potential FEMA SAFER grant of $738,402 for six full-time firefighter/medics (75% covered in the first year) and discuss increasing the Xcel Energy franchise fee from 3% to 5% to add $250,000 in revenue. The Equipment & Building Replacement Fund includes $512,000 in expenditures, including a $350,000 dump truck replacement. The fire budget increase is $977,536 (104%), partly offset by the grant. The police contract with the Washington County Sheriff's Office is estimated at $920,028 for 75.9% of six officers.

Coming up

• **Aug. 25, 6 p.m.** – City Council and Finance Commission joint meeting to review the 2027 budget and levy.
• **Aug. 25** – The council will also consider appointing a Finance Commission Chair and Vice Chair.

All recent meetings were agenda-only; minutes have not yet been published.

Mahtomedi Council to weigh dog park, Century Avenue assessments

Mahtomedi city officials held several meetings over the past two weeks, but no decisions have been published yet — minutes for the Aug. 3 City Council, Aug. 10 Environmental Commission, and Aug. 12 Planning Commission meetings are not yet available. The most consequential pending item is a proposed dog park at Southwest Park, which the City Council is set to consider at its Aug. 18 meeting, along with property assessments for the Century Avenue (Hwy 120) improvements.

Recent meetings

City Council (Aug. 3)

The council agenda included a joint powers agreement with the City of Pine Springs for reconstruction of Oakdale Drive, a request from St. Jude of the Lake Church (700 Mahtomedi Avenue) to sell wine and beer and hold gambling at Cornfest on Sept. 12, 2026, a proposal from WSB for the city’s Wellhead Protection Plan Part 2 Amendment, an engagement agreement with external auditors CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, and a resolution to accept a $180.00 gift from VFW Auxiliary — WBL #1782 for poppies at Veterans Memorial Park.

Environmental Commission (Aug. 10)

The commission discussed the GreenStep Cities program and other sustainability opportunities, recognized an Eco-Hero award recipient, and approved the June 8, 2026 meeting minutes. No specific decisions or public hearings were listed.

Planning Commission (Aug. 12)

The commission held two meetings. The first was an informational session on a proposed public dog park at Southwest Park (29 Long Lake Rd), with separate small- and large-dog areas, parking improvements, walking paths, fencing, and landscaping. Public comments were accepted at the meeting or by email to the City Clerk. No decision was made.

The second was a public hearing to consider approving a site plan for the dog park. Staff recommended approval. The plan includes a 1.15-acre all-breed and 0.20-acre small-breed fenced area, access from 60th Street North, 12 parking stalls (11 standard, 1 ADA), 5-foot wood post-and-wire fencing for the all-breed area and 5-foot chain-link for the small-breed area, plus benches, dog waste stations, a drinking fountain, and natural surface trails.

Upcoming meetings

City Council workshop (Aug. 18)

A workshop agenda includes only an update on the Century Avenue (Hwy 120) project. No decisions or votes are listed.

City Council regular meeting (Aug. 18)

The council will consider approving the dog park site plan and a construction contract, discuss property assessments for Century Avenue improvements, and address a resident’s complaint about a dead oak tree at 999 Arcwood Road. The consent agenda includes setting the IRS mileage rate to 76 cents per mile effective July 1, 2026, and approving construction pay voucher #1 for $51,061.83 to Kusz Kontracting LLC for the Lost Lake Phase 2 shoreline project.

Park Commission (Aug. 19)

The commission will hear a presentation on Wildwood Park adoption by Bob Cedegren of the Wildwood Lions, discuss Gosiwin Park, and receive updates on the Dog Park, Boardwalk, and Streetcar Park.

Coming up

• **City Council workshop** — Aug. 18, Century Avenue (Hwy 120) update
• **City Council regular meeting** — Aug. 18, dog park site plan and contract, Century Avenue assessments, dead oak tree complaint, pay voucher, mileage rate
• **Park Commission** — Aug. 19, Wildwood Park adoption, Gosiwin Park, park updates

Mahtomedi Council to Consider Law Enforcement Contract, Garage Removal; Commissions Take Up Parks and Lakes

City Council — July 7

The Mahtomedi City Council met July 7, 2026, at City Hall. Minutes have not yet been published, so outcomes of the items below are not yet confirmed in the official record.

The Council was scheduled to consider several agreements, including an amendment to extend the Law Enforcement Services Agreement, a Contract for Criminal Prosecution Legal Services, and an agreement regarding the removal of a garage at 200 Warner Ave. S. The agenda also listed a resolution appointing Election Judges for the August 11 Primary and a service contract with Washington County for an organics drop-off.

A public hearing was also set for 7:00 p.m. that evening to consider vacating plat-dedicated drainage and utility easements at 641 and 645 Warner Ave. S. Interested persons were invited to comment in person or by email before the hearing.

Because minutes are not yet available, it is not possible to report how the Council voted on any of these items or whether the easement vacation was approved. Readers should watch for the official minutes to confirm any decisions.

Environmental Commission — July 13

The Environmental Commission met July 13, 2026. Minutes have not yet been published.

The agenda included approval of the June 8, 2026 meeting minutes, a discussion on the management of lakes and wetlands, and a presentation on water quality data for Lost Lake. The commission also planned to recognize an Eco-Hero and to review wetland buffer ordinance text and shoreland overlay district text.

Park Commission — July 15

The Park Commission met July 15, 2026. Minutes have not yet been published.

The agenda listed a discussion of a potential adoption of Wildwood Park by the Wildwood Lions, along with a Gosiwin Park discussion. Progress updates were also scheduled on a dog park, a boardwalk, and Streetcar Park.

What This Means for Residents

The Council agenda items touch on public safety contracting, a property condition at 200 Warner Ave. S., election staffing for the August 11 Primary, and an organics drop-off service with Washington County. The easement vacation hearing, if approved, would affect drainage and utility access at two Warner Avenue South addresses. The commission discussions on lakes, wetlands, and parks are advisory and do not by themselves change city policy.

Coming Up

No upcoming meetings are listed in the next 14 days. Residents should check the city's official calendar for any newly posted meetings or continued public hearings.