Minnetonka Publications Text-Only Version Archive

April 2026 Minnetonka Memo Text Only

Maxwell joins city council

Minnetonka has its first all-female council

Before she ever thought about serving on the city council, Amanda Maxwell was an election judge.

“I loved meeting people one on one, checking them in and seeing the same people year after year. It was quite rewarding,” she said.

Now Maxwell has joined Minnetonka’s city council giving the city all-female leadership for the first time in its history. She emerged as the top candidate to represent Ward 2 following an appointment process that involved 20 applicants. The seat became vacant following Rebecca Schack’s election as mayor.

Maxwell has a busy life beyond serving the city. She is a research and development manager for medical device maker Boston Scientific, leading a team of engineers and technicians.

“I pride myself on creating a culture where you are allowed to experiment, which means you have a hypothesis.

You can fail, you can try again, but you have to make data-based decisions with good integrity,” Maxwell said.

Ward 2 includes the Ridgedale area and is connected by a growing network of trails regularly used by her family. She recalls biking to the University of Minnesota while studying to receive her PhD in chemistry.

“These are my neighbors. That’s where I am every day. It’s where my kids bike around and play,” she said. Maxwell enjoys the diversity of her ward from the different types of development and businesses to the residents who live there. “I feel just really called to be the voice of the people.”

Maxwell was serving as the chair of the Minnetonka Planning Commission when the council approved her appointment in March. Her council term runs through December 2027.

Energy emissions are down in Minnetonka

New data from the Regional Indicators Initiative (RII) shows total community-wide greenhouse gas emissions from buildings, vehicle travel and waste generation in Minnetonka are trending down.

Since 2007, community-wide emissions have decreased 37 percent - an amount equivalent to taking about 80,000 gas-powered vehicles off the road for a full year. These reductions reflect the community’s commitment to climate action and Xcel Energy’s continued investment in adding renewable sources to the power grid.

Committing to home energy actions such as completing an energy audit and improving insulation can significantly reduce your energy use over time. Learn more about the results of RII’s study at minnetonkamn.gov/news.

Start your project with a permit

Does spring have you dreaming of a new deck? Or maybe it’s time to finish the basement.

Before starting a project, check to see if your project requires a building permit.

Permit review and inspections ensure work complies with state building codes, protecting property owners and their visitors from potential safety issues.

Permits also protect homeowners in the case of damage, such as ruined carpets due to a leaking water heater. Insurance may not cover a claim if permits and the necessary inspections were not conducted.

“Permits and inspections are an easy way you protect yourself and future homeowners,” City Planner Susan Thomas said. “Unpermitted work is sure to cause nothing but headaches and money down the road.”

Learn more at minnetonkamn.gov/permits

Do I need a permit?

Many common projects require a permit:

  • Additions, decks, sheds larger than 200 square feet
  • Siding, roofing, windows
  • Finishing of previously unfinished spaces
  • Electrical work
  • Furnace, air conditioner, fireplace, gas piping, exhaust fan, range vent or garage heater
  • Water heater, water softener, backflow preventer for lawn irrigation system
  • New or replacement of a driveway
  • Swimming pools

No lights and sirens! Sensory Friendly Fire House Event

Saturday, April 18

10 a.m.–1 p.m.

  • Fire trucks, ambulance and police car on display
  • Inflatable slide
  • Meet a firefighter
  • Cookies for all

Our sensory-friendly events are specially designed for individuals and families who benefit from reduced noise, lower lighting and a calmer environment. To help us preserve this supportive atmosphere, we kindly ask that those who do not need these accommodations consider joining us at one of our other community events.

Celebrate The Marsh’s 3rd Anniversary

Join us for an open-house style event featuring our tenants, Café Anna Lisa, Marshland Market and more than a dozen other vendors. Guests are welcome to tour the facility.

  • Saturday, May 2
  • 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
  • The Marsh, 15000 Minnetonka Blvd.

Repair Depot saves keepsakes from the trash

The Sunbeam T-35 toaster has served up breakfast for Laura since her grandfather dug it out of the garbage years ago. If Craig has his way, it will continue to be a reliable part of her mornings for years to come.

When the toaster stopped working last year, Laura started looking for someone to fix it. That’s how it ended up at Minnetonka’s Repair Depot.

The depot opens on Tuesday afternoons once a month at the senior center inside the Minnetonka Community Center. A team of experienced volunteers put their repair skills to work. They look at everything, from broken household appliances to favorite articles of clothing that just need a little love and attention from a sewing machine.

Minnetonka’s depot has helped saved several items from the trash can. That’s the goal of the volunteers and the customers who often work together to help. For example, there were many lamps in line at the February session. While some were easily repaired, a few could not be saved.

Laura considers her toaster a gem worth her time and energy. The T-35 became popular in the 50s and remains a favorite because of its magic-like automation. There are no levers to push. The weight of the bread lowers the carriage automatically and serves up a level consistency many modern digital toasters struggle to match.

Thanks to the Minnetonka Repair Depot, it will continue to deliver a perfect piece of toast.

  • 1–4 p.m. Fourth Tuesday of the month
  • Minnetonka Community Center
  • Two item limit

Earth Day Clothing Swap

Update your wardrobe with new-to-you clothing for free! Bring new or gently used clothing to swap with others and take home what you like. You do not have to bring items to participate. 

Limited space is available for pre-event clothing drop-off. Visit minnetonkamn.gov/clothingswap for more information 

  • Sunday, April 26 
  • 1–3 p.m. 
  • Community Center Banquet Room

Adult and children’s clothing and shoes are accepted

A busy road construction season

City, county and state projects will impact many areas this summer

I-394 and Hwy 12

  • MnDOT continues to rebuild sections of 394. This summer, work will stretch westward into Minnetonka.
  • Crews will replace sidewalks and traffic signals at Plymouth Road, Ridgedale Drive and Hopkins Crossroad.
  • West of 494, MnDOT will repave  Hwy 12 leading into Wayzata. Portions of the highway will be rebuilt.

Ridgedale Drive and Cartway Lane

  • Some city streets in the Ridgedale area will be repaved and receive signal and traffic signal improvements.

Cedar Lake Road

  • The city will repave the road from Hopkins Crossroad to Hwy 169. The project will include work on traffic signals, as well as improvements to sidewalks and pavement markings.
  • MnDOT will also replace the traffic signal at Hwy 169 and make other improvements.

Eden Prairie Road

Along the southern end of the city, Hennepin County will make pavement and accessibility improvements to portions of Eden Prairie Road.

  • Eden Prairie Road  from Hwy 62 to Excelsior Boulevard

Minnetonka Boulevard Trail

This multi-year project enters its final phase. Once utility lines are buried, the city will construct a trail along the north side of the road from Tonkawood Road to The Marsh.

This project will complete the only missing trail segment between Hwy 101 and Hopkins Crossroad.

Seeking summer farmers market vendors

The summer Minnetonka Farmers Market will run Tuesdays, June 2-Sept. 29 at The Marsh. We’re accepting applications for vendors who grow food or make items, including fruit, vegetables, cheese, meat, pickles, desserts, soap, art, handmade jewelry and more.

Details and application materials are available at minnetonkamn.gov/farmersmarket.

Natural Resources Happenings

Resilient Minnetonka program

Explore learning resources, apply for technical assistance and find funding options to combat invasive species, increase habitat and make your yard more climate resilient. Learn more and apply at minnetonkamn.gov/resilient-minnetonka.

Online Native Plant Sale

Minnetonka property owners are eligible for a discount on native plant plugs and seed mixes through this online sale, while funding lasts. Learn more at mnlcorp.com/Minnetonka.

In-person workshop: Garlic Mustard

Tuesday, May 6, 6:30-8 p.m. Get tips and strategies to control this invasive plant on your property. Registration is required at minnetonkamn.gov/NRevents.

Volunteer with us!

Work with others to reduce the impact of invasive species in our parks and try out new skills you can apply on your own property. Visit minnetonkamn.gov/NRevents for dates, locations and registration.

Minnetonka tree and shrub sale

Tree sale opens May 4 | Pick-up event Sept. 18–19

Discover a variety of trees and shrubs perfect for your property!

Visit minnetonkamn.gov/treesale to preview species profiles and learn how to plant, care for and choose the best options for your landscape.

Large shade trees | $50

  • American Basswood: Thrives in sun or shade; fragrant white spring flowers
  • Yellow Buckeye: Sun or light shade; showy yellow flower clusters in spring
  • American Sycamore: Loves sun; towering shape and striking camouflage-patterned bark
  • Sugar Maple ‘Fall Fiesta’: Grows in sun or shade; famous for vibrant, fiery orange-red fall color
  • Bur Oak: Sun-loving, extremely long lived; iconic, rugged silhouette for generations
  • Balsam Poplar: Full sun, thrives in wet soils, fast-growing with sweet fragrance in spring
  • Northern Red Oak: Prefers sun; fast-growing oak with brilliant red fall color
  • ‘St. Croix’ American Elm: Sun or partial shade; graceful vase-shaped canopy, disease-resistant

Ornamental & Small Trees | $50

  • Blue Beech: Sun or shade; smooth “musclewood” trunk and fiery red-orange fall color
  • Prairifire Crabapple: Full sun; stunning pink flowers and colorful fruit for wildlife
  • Newport Plum: Loves sun; purple foliage all season with pink spring blooms
  • Ruby Red Buckeye: Sun to partial shade; bold red flower clusters, tolerates wet soils
  • Northern Strain Redbud: Sun or light shade; early pink blossoms and then gorgeous hearth-shaped leaves
  • Northwind Japanese Maple: Sun or light shade; elegant leaves with vivid red fall color

Conifers | $50

  • Eastern White Pine: Sun or partial shade; soft, long needles for a graceful look year-round
  • Dawn Redwood: Sun or light shade; ancient species, feathery foliage turns red-bronze color in fall
  • Tamarack: Full sun; unique golden needles in fall, thrives in wet or dry soils 
  • Norway Spruce: Sun or shade; classic evergreen with dropping branch tips - called “skirts” by Scandinavians
  • White Fir: Sun or partial shade; silvery-blue needles for year-round color
  • Northern White Cedar: Sun or partial shade; dense, aromatic foliage, great for privacy screens

Shrub Trio | $50

  • American Hazelnut: Sun or shade; edible nuts and brilliant fall color
  • Red Twig Dogwood: Sun or shade; striking red stems in winter, thrives in wet soils
  • Witch Hazel: Sun or shade; unusual yellow flowers bloom in late fall

Fruit Tree Duo | $50

  • Honeycrisp and KinderKrisp Apple: Full sun; Minnesota favorites for crisp, sweet fruit

Leaf and brush drop off

Dispose your yard waste and brush at Public Works beginning April 4.

  • Brush, which includes tree branches and sticks up to eight feet in length, accepted through Nov. 21.
  • Yard waste and leaves, which includes grass, pinecones, garden materials and more, accepted through May 16.

Spring schedule (April 4 – May 16)

DAY

HOURS

Saturday

7 a.m.–3 p.m.

Monday

11 a.m.–7 p.m.

Tuesday

11 a.m.–7 p.m.
  • The disposal site is located at 11522 Minnetonka Blvd.
  • Residency is required. Drivers must provide a state-issued ID or utility bill.
  • Contractors may not dispose of yard waste and brush at the facility, even if the waste came from a Minnetonka property.

Visit minnetonkamn.gov/yardwaste for more guidelines.

Water main flushing starts April 27

Minnetonka Public Works will flush water mains throughout the city April 27-May 14, weekdays 5:30 a.m.-5 p.m. in most areas.

Flushing in the areas listed below will occur at these special times:

April 27

Ridgedale business area

5:30 a.m.–5 p.m.

May 4

Minnetonka Industrial Road, Twelve Oaks Center, Carlson Parkway

5 a.m.–5 p.m.

May 12

Hutchins Drive

4 a.m.–5 a.m.

May 14

Opus, Beachside, K-Tel, Clearwater Drive, Whitewater Drive, Culligan Way

3 a.m.–3 p.m.

Weather conditions may impact flushing schedules. During this time, some discolored water is normal. It is safe to drink and can be cleared up by running the cold water from a faucet without a screen, such as a bathtub or outside faucet. Contact Minnetonka Public Works at 952-988-8400 with any questions.

Silver Skates Ice Revue

April 30-May 2

Minnetonka Ice Arena’s All Season Skating School is proud to present the 51st Annual Silver Skates Ice Revue!

The “Skating with the Stars” show features more than 200 skaters from the Learn to Skate School and the Lake Minnetonka Figure Skating Club.

Show times

  • Thursday, April 30, 6:30 p.m.
  • Friday, May 1, 6:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, May 2, 2 p.m.

Tickets

  • General admission tickets ($10) at the door.
  • Presale tickets ($7) will be available at the Minnetonka Ice Arena. See website for times.
  • Free admission for children age 5 and under.
  • Seniors receive complimentary admission for the Saturday performance.

April 2026 City of Minnetonka Calendar

  • 13 Local Board of Appeal and Equalization, 5:30 p.m.
  • 13 City Council & EDA, 6 p.m.
  • 14 Senior Advisory Board, 10 a.m.
  • 14 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commission, 6 p.m.
  • 16 Planning Commission, 6 p.m.
  • 18 Jigsaw Jamboree, 9 a.m.
  • 18 Fire Dept. Sensory-friendly Open House, 10 a.m.
  • 20 City Council Study Session, 6 p.m.
  • 23 Economic Development Advisory Commission, 6 p.m.
  • 26 Clothing Swap, 1 p.m.
  • 27 Local Board of Appeal and Equalization, 5:30 p.m.
  • 27 City Council & EDA, 6 p.m.
  • 30 Planning Commission, 6 p.m.

Most city meetings will begin at 6 p.m. in 2026. Visit minnetonkamn.gov/participate to learn how to also take part remotely. Watch meetings live and on-demand at minnetonkamn.gov/tv.

For up-to-date information, visit minnetonkamn.gov/calendar or call 952-939-8200. 

Contact Us 

City of Minnetonka

Mayor

Council

City Manager

Return to full list >>