Minnetrista council starts 2050 comprehensive‑plan work, staffs recommends WSB proposal and steering committee

The Minnetrista City Council began work on its 2050 comprehensive‑plan update on May 4, with staff urging the council to start now so the city can meet the Met Council submission deadline of Dec. 31, 2028.

"We are required by state law to update our comprehensive plan," said David (city staff), noting the requirement goes back to the Municipal Land Planning Act of 1967 and that the next plan "is due by 12/31/2028." Staff recommended soliciting a proposal from WSB & Associates — the firm the city used for its previous update — and bringing that proposal back to council for formal approval.

The recommendation also calls for forming a steering committee to meet monthly, ideally a seven‑member panel that would meet on the same night as the planning commission so work can proceed without an extra meeting night. "The steering committee would meet the same once a month, the same night as the planning commission does," David said.

Council members questioned how the Met Council’s new guidance will change Minnetrista’s plan. A staff member referenced the Met Council’s Imagine 2050 guidance and told the council the framework includes a 3.5 units‑per‑acre metric for some planning exercises. "The product ... was this 3.5 units per acre," a staff speaker said, prompting concerns from multiple council members about how many units Minnetrista might be assigned and how sewer and water infrastructure would have to respond.

Mayor (S1) said the city must proceed but cautioned against overcommitting until the state legislature or Met Council finalizes housing rules: "I don't wanna jump the gun here ... I kinda wanna make sure that no housing bill is passed or at least ... that supersedes local zoning and planning for this year at least." Council members stressed that sewer hookups and water‑main sizing are critical constraints if additional residential capacity is required.

Budget and procurement questions followed. Staff reported the prior contract came in at about 118 (as recorded in the packet); staff also advised that professional planning services are exempt from the competitive‑bidding requirement, meaning the city does not need to run an RFP for the same professional services. Council agreed to ask WSB (or an appropriate consultant) for a proposal and an estimated cost to include in the next budget cycle.

Council directed staff to develop steering‑committee membership options (staff recommended two council liaisons plus planning and parks representation and several at‑large residents), check possible meeting nights, and return with a formal proposal and a consultant cost estimate for a future meeting. The work session did not include a formal vote on the contract; staff will return to a regular meeting with the proposal and any recommended ordinance/resolution actions.