Photo by Zech Sindt
Aging playground equipment, the Wykoff Commons meadow and a livestock variance request were among the topics discussed during the August 10 Wykoff City Council meeting. Mayor Ryan Breckenridge presided over the meeting with council members Jeffrey Hare, Jane Baker, Barbara Fate and Missy Musel present. City Administrator Becky Schmidt also attended.
The council heard an update from the Park and Recreation Committee, which is working on short- and long-term plans for the city’s parks.
Committee members plan to attend an upcoming budget meeting with ideas for future projects. Council members encouraged them to think about smaller projects that could be finished soon, along with larger improvements that may take several years of planning and saving.
One immediate concern is the city’s aging swing set. Committee members found that new commercial swing sets could cost several thousand dollars. The current equipment has been in place for decades, and parts of it have been repaired in the past.
Council members agreed the safest choice is to remove the swings while the committee continues looking at replacement options.
The committee is also working with the summer softball program, a grant application and other park improvements.
The council set a September 14 public hearing for a request to allow up to three animal units on an approximately three-acre residential property at 114 E. Fillmore St. City rules currently prohibit livestock within city limits. The hearing will begin at 6:30 p.m., before the regular council meeting.
The council also approved requests for a storage shed and driveway extension at 318 Frontage Road S.
Several ongoing property issues came back before the council under old business.
The council discussed the trailer near the Gateway Cafe. Officials learned that plans to move the trailer apparently fell through after the purchase of another house did not go forward. City officials said attempts to contact the cafe about the trailer have not received a response. The council voted to ask the city attorney for advice on what steps to take next.
The council also continued discussing another neglected property. City staff recently mowed the boulevard and cleared enough vegetation to reopen the sidewalk.
Schmidt is researching whether Wykoff could change its ordinances to create a simpler process for dealing with properties that are not being maintained. Some cities use a certified letter, a door hanger and one final attempt to contact the owner before city crews mow the property.
Wykoff’s current process requires the city to get a court order. Schmidt plans to discuss possible changes with the city attorney while continuing the condemnation process already approved by the council.
The council also discussed a July 23 response from Wykoff Commons about its approximately seven- to eight-acre meadow.
Wykoff Commons said the area was planted with wildflowers and is maintained as a managed natural landscape. The organization cited Minnesota law and said prescribed burning is not required for the area to qualify. It also said the meadow is checked regularly and that noxious weeds are being removed as part of ongoing maintenance.
Council members still had questions about when the meadow was planted, what was planted and how weeds and small trees are being controlled. One council member said there appear to be more weeds, trees and noxious weeds than wildflowers.
The council agreed to review Wykoff’s ordinance and compare it with state requirements before discussing the issue again next month.
Schmidt also reported progress on abandoned Arvig utility lines. After the city contacted the company, Arvig hired a contractor to remove the lines.
In other business, the council accepted the resignation of city office assistant Susan Nash. Her last day will be Aug. 24. Nash has accepted a position teaching history at St. John School and offered to help train her replacement.
The council approved Resolution 2026-14 appointing election judges for the August 11 primary and November 3 general election. Those appointed were Rebecca Schmidt, LuAnn Hare, Teri Mensink, Roxanne Sabtke, Teresa Schieffelbein and Susan Nash.
The council recognized a tree donated by the family of Allen Schmidt in his memory. It also noted that the League of Minnesota Cities named state Rep. Greg Davids a 2026 Legislator of Distinction.
The council declined to approve the final payment for the 2025 street and utility improvement project because some work still needs attention. Concerns included work around water shutoffs, a utility anchor and damage to yards during construction.
Council members asked for an inspection and a list of unfinished items before approving the $60,129.78 payment.
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