Please continue to check this page for regular updates and resources related to COVID-19. 

The City of Waconia is implementing the following measures to assist with the spread of COVID-19. 

Public Services

• Beginning Tuesday, March 17, the Public Services Building (310 10th Street East) will operate by appointment only. Appointments can be made by calling 952-442-2615.
• No water shutoffs will take place over the next two weeks.
• Public Services staff will assist property owners with questions by phone and will only do home visits in emergent cases. 
• Please be mindful that paper towels, baby wipes, flushable wipes, and other similar items do not break down like toilet paper and can cause sanitary sewer overflows, which in turn can cause additional public health issues. paper products other than toilet paper can clog your city sewer system, including pipes and pumps. We are asking that you do not flush anything other than toilet paper down your toilet. 
• The annual Public Services Open House has been postponed. Please stay tuned for more information.

Community Development

• We strongly encourage our residents to submit permits electronically. Forms can be downloaded via the City’s Planning and Zoning section of our website (link). You can download a permit online, fill it out, and submit electronically with any necessary supported documents to bstein@waconia.org. The City will call with any follow up questions and can take payment over the phone or via InvoiceCloud.
• The April Planning Commission Meeting has been cancelled. 

City Hall

• Meeting rooms at City Hall will be closed for outside use through March 29, 2020. The City is in contact with any group who has a reservation. This includes the Waconia Area Senior Center. 
• We strongly encourage electronic or over-the-phone payments during this time. Contact 952-442-3107 or visit InvoiceCloud (link). 

Park and Recreation

• The March Park Board meeting has been cancelled
• Effective until March 30, the City has closed Safari Island Community Center and the Waconia Ice Arena. This is for both for social distancing and the demands for deep cleaning.

Preventing the Spread of COVID-19

The City continues to work with local health authorities and others to advise on how best for us to work in limiting the spread of COVID-19 virus and finding a path to health and prosperity again soon. The most important thing right now is for you and your family to take all appropriate measures to prevent the spread of this virus. 

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Stay home when sick
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces

Your Drinking Water

• Americans can continue to use and drink water from their tap as usual. The COVID-19 virus has not been detected in drinking water. 
• The EPA has established regulations with treatment requirements for public water systems that prevent waterborne pathogens such as viruses from contaminating drinking water and wastewater. COVID-19 is a type of virus that is particularly susceptible to disinfection and  standard treatment and disinfectant processes are expected to be effective. 
• The EPA has a Q&A  (link) available that answers questions regarding COVID-19 and drinking water. 
• The CDC has also added a section on water transmission and COVID-19 (link).

COVID-19 Symptoms

• Patients with an diagnosed fever and/or acute respiratory symptoms (cough, shortness of breath), even those unable to be tested, should self-quarantine for seven days after illness onset, or 72 hours after resolution of fever (without taking fever reducing medications), and improvement of respiratory symptoms. Call ahead to your health-care facility prior to seeking treatment. 
• Patients who can’t be tested should self isolate themselves from household and intimate contacts as much as possible. Household and intimate contacts of these individuals should limit their activities in public for 14 days after incorporating precautions in the home and monitor for symptoms. 

Communication Partners

Effective communication is an important component related to managing what is now a global pandemic. We want to provide you with important resources and information on this topic. 

• Carver County/Ridgeview COVID-19 Triage Hotline
  • 952-361-1559 (Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.)
• Minnesota Department of Health - School and Childcare Questions
  • 651-297-1304 (7 days/week; 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.)
  • 1-800-657-3903
• Minnesota Department of Health - Health Questions
  • 651-201-3920 (7 days/week, 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.)
• Carver County Public Health
  • 952-361-1329
  • public-health@co.carver.mn.us
• Waconia School District ISD 110 COVID-19 website:
  • https://www.isd110.org/about-us/superintendent-communications/covid-19-information 
• Minnesota Department of Health COVID-19 website:
  • https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/index.html
• CDC Website
  • https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
• Waconia Chamber of Commerce - COVID-19 Resources
  • https://destinationwaconia.org/live/keeping-waconia-strong.php

We recognize these are stressful and uncertain times as we all work together through the COVID-19 pandemic. All of us have had our daily lives altered with businesses closed such as restaurants, malls, and entertainment venues. Some of you may be having difficulty with childcare due to school closures or loss of employment due to business closures. We also know that this can be a particularly trying time for those struggling with mental health and relationship issues. We would like to help and offer some resources.

General Resources

• Carver County Health & Human Services - 952-361-1600
• CAP Agency - 952-496-2125
• Workforce Services - 952-361-1711

Mental Health

• Carver County 24-Hour Mental  Health Crisis Program - 1-888-302-2898
• First Street Mental Health Center - 952-442-4437

Domestic Violance

• Domestic Violance -  MN Day One Crisis Line - 1-866-223-1111
• Southern Valley Alliance for Battered Women - 952-873-4214

Additional Resources

ISD 110 - Meals for Kids 18 and Under

• During the time when students are not able to access their school buildings, Cafe #110 is committee to providing the nutrition students need. They will be offering meals to ALL children, 18 and under:
  • The program starts Wednesday, March 18
  • Meals will be available Monday through Friday
  • Please sign up in advance so Cafe #110 knows how many meals to prepare (link). No personal information is required. 
  • Meals can be picked up at the following locations and times:
    • School of St. Boniface Building: 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. - 8801 Wildwood Ave, St. Boni (parking lot)
    • Bayview Elementary School: 11:00 a.m. to 11:25 a.m.  - 24 South Walnut Street, Waconia (north parking lot)
    • Community Education: 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. - 512 Industrial Blvd., Waconia (parking lot)
  • Look for Cafe #110’s red van - that is where meals can be picked up
  • The daily meal package will have breakfast and lunch
  • Children do not need to be enrolled in Waconia Public Schools to receive a meal
  • Adult meals are also available to purchase for $6 (cash only, and in the exact amount)

Metropolitan Area agency on Aging & Senior LinkAge Line

• The Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging (MAAA) and the Senior LinkAge Line’s first priority is to support older adults and help keep everyone safe. 
• MAAA staff manage Older Americans Act funding for 35 community-based organizations that provide services for low-income older adults - services such as home-delivered meals, assisted transportation, and chore services. MAAA staff are working with these organizations to remove barriers and increase flexibility to ensure that people who need help get it.
• Senior LinkAge Line phone services will continue. Call 1-800-333-2433 if you have any questions or need assistance. They will do your best to answer your questions and connect you with services in your community.

Unable to Work?

• Governor Walz has issued an executive order to help ensure that workers who are not able to work as a result of COVID-19 have benefits available. Workers who are unemployed or who have hours reduced due to the COVID-19 outbreak are asked to apply for unemployment benefits online at uimn.org (link).
• The website can accept applications Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Please apply on the website to ensure the most efficient processing of applications during this unprecedented situation.
• Employers can find employer-focused COVID-19 related information that is updated regularly on the Information for Employers Page (link). 

Resources for Small Businesses

• The CDA has updated their website with up-to-date information and resources for businesses (link).
• Please continue to shop and eat local - this is so important for our businesses and restaurants in town