City Council - Regular Meeting

The cell phones don't lie. Okay, that one that fast. Stressed out about Mark's approval cuz it matters so much. Good evening everyone and welcome to the Chaza City Council meeting for Monday, March 16th. I call this meeting to order at 7 o'clock. Would everyone please rise for the pledge of allegiance? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. All right. Elise, will you please call roll? Council member Hatfield here. Council member Bennish, here. Council member Chevlin, here. Council member GR here.

Mayor Hubard here. All right, that moves us on to adopting the agenda. Does anybody have any additions or corrections on the agenda? Otherwise, I'd entertain a motion to adopt. Motion to adopt agenda. All right, we have a motion from council member Gra. Second. Oh. Uh, second from council member Hatfield. She fought for it harder. All right. Any other discussion? Otherwise, all those in favor say I. I. I. Opposed. Are we waiting for Kristoff?

Adopted. We are not waiting for Kristoff. I don't know. Uh I should note that virtually we have Mr. Pottery here with us, [laughter] our city administrator. All right. Um moving along, we have visitor presentations. We have recognition of outgoing commission members. So, I know we have some commission members that have given their time and knowledge over the years of helping make uh Chaza a wonderful place to live. And uh we want to make sure we take a minute to recognize these outgoing commission members. So, should I uh just do these one at a time, just read them off and Okay. All right. So, first up, we have Scott Walbert. Scott served nine years on the Heritage Preservation Commission from 2017 to 2025 here. During his time, Scott worked on a number of projects related to the preservation of the city's most coveted property and histories. He had involvement in major projects such as site alteration permits for historic properties and providing helpful commentary on sign ordinance updates, the rear entrance design guidelines, city square west, the maintenance and repair guide for designated historic residences, local nominations, and the downtown heritage kiosks which look amazing. Scott is ded Scott was a dedicated commissioner and an active participant in both the meetings and work sessions we had. His ideas and participation have left a positive mark on the legacy of the commission. We are extremely thankful for his commitments of three years or I'm sorry three terms which is nine years. So thank you Scott.

I have a um little certificate that I can hand off your way and then your placard cuz I know you're going to want to frame that below the certificate at home. All right. Next, we have Jennvert. [laughter] Jen served nine years on the Human Rights Commission from 2017 to 2025. She was elected to the chair in 2018, which she served through 2020. Jen has also served as vice chair of the commission in 2024 and then also in 2025 again. During her time, Jen helped to develop a strategic plan in coordination with the city council, which has guided the commission over the past five years. Jen, as part of her time with the commission, helped to bring new and now very popular events to life, including the MLK Day celebration, Pride Celebration, and the Cultural Heritage Month celebrations such as Celebrate India and Celebrate Africa. Jen was a dedicated commissioner and an active participant in both the meetings and the subcommittees. Her ideas and leadership have left a positive mark during a time of rapid growth for the commission. So, we want to thank Jen for her time. I also have a certificate and plaque for you as well. All right, I'm getting to you, Rob, over here. But first, I've got Aaron Kerber in front of me here. So, Aaron has served three years on the planning commission from 2023 to 2025. Aaron consistently brought thoughtful discussion and as a longtime Chiaska

resident local insight into the commission meetings. Aaron's time on the commission included a number of very impactful projects and came at a time of historic growth. A quick highlight of projects Aaron had involved in included the public safety center, MSB2, the North Water Treatment Plant, commercial and industrial PLA projects including Crown Extrusions Expansion, Cloud HQ, Beckman Coulter expansion, 30 uh 3740 Chestnut, Hazelton Golf Course Performance Center and Villas, and residential products including Chesca Yards, Ernst Ernst House preservation, the Carver Apartments Kantismo Assisted Living, Rivertown Heights Reserve at Autumn Woods, Insconce, and Carlson Bluffs, High Point Vistas in Fultonwood. And I feel like that's probably not all of them because you guys have worked very very hard on the planning commission. Aaron has a has been a dedicated commissioner and an active participant. Erin's insight and impact on the community is very much appreciated. I know Aaron is and will continue to be active in the community in many ways and we were very fortunate to have her on the planning commission. So, round of applause for Aaron. [applause] Wonderful. All right. And last but not least, I have Rob Brass. Rob served seven years on the planning commission from 2019 to 2025 in which Rob was appointed vice chair in 2021 and then was appointed chair in 2022. During his time, Rob helped plan helped the planning commission navigate COVID, ensure smooth transitions at the chair position both from his longtime pres predecessor Brian Dulki and now to Todd Erbanssky and has always provided valuable insight into projects by sharing his commercial real estate expertise with the community. Rob led

the commission's review of many impactful projects. A quick highlight of Rob's projects had Rob involved with the public safety center, the MSB2, the North Water Treatment Plant, the commercial industrial projects including Costco, the Chesca Tech Center, Opadine's two buildings, Qualitech expansion, Crown Extrusions expansion, Cloud HQ, 212 medical expansion, Beckman Coulter's expansion, the 34 3740 Chestnut, and Southwest Christian High School expansion, Hazelton Golf Course, Performance Center and Villas, residential projects including Chesca Yards, Ernst House Preservation, Springs at Mcnite, the Carver Apartments, Fenu, Fen View Flats Apartments, The Plaza at Hazeline Apartments, Contismo Assisted Living, Multiple Additions of the Harvest Neighborhood, Rivertown Heights, Reserve at Autumn Woods, Enscconed Woods and Carlson Bluffs, High Point Vistas in Fulton Woods. And again, I know there's more than that there because you worked very, very hard. Rob has been a dedicated commissioner and thoughtful leader. He has provided leadership to the planning commission during a time of historic growth in Chaza. Rob's insight and partnership are very much appreciated. Last, on the behalf of staff and your fellow commissioners, thank you for your for the small jars of local honey that you would often distribute at planning commission meetings. I'm unaware of this fact, but thank you for all of your contributions. So, thank you, Rob. Do you want like to take a picture and everything? Okay. So, let's let's take a picture. Why don't you guys um should we come down or have them

or you guys want to come on up and hold your certificates and go down? Maybe you should go down. Go down. I'll bring you [laughter] some honey. I'll come on top of my buildings. Oh my. Do you get all suited up to get like,000 jars? The the allergen benefits of honey. Okay, you guys come stand right up here. I like this guy. But now you're telling them you're going to a minute. Okay, that's okay. Oh, great.

Perfect. Oh, look at that.

I like how he's displaying his name plate, too. I don't know if you're all able to do that. That looks really Okay, thank you. All right. Ready? One, two, three. Take one more. No. [laughter] That was perfect. Awesome. I might have given you my little speech in there, too. [snorts and laughter] That's okay. No, keep it. It's my love letter to you guys. So, we should have

Yeah. Thank you guys. And I mean, we wanted to make sure we said, you know, made sure that we recognize, you know, the different parts and contributions you guys played over the year. But just a genuine heartfelt thank you. I you know you volunteered your time, your knowledge, your resources. That means a lot and it means a lot not just to us up here as a council but just to the community as a whole. So thank you so much for caring about Chaza and um and making sure that it's a great place to live. Thank you. All right. Do I have anybody else here for visitor presentations?

We're just observing for Okay. Sure. Do you want to come up and introduce yourself up at the up at the microphone? I promise we are very, you know, kind and we've had other and approachable. So great. Yeah. Hi.

Hello. So, my name is Aiden Ze and I am a part of troop 174 and I'm here to work on my communications mer bad badge where I come and kind of observe and see if and write down different points of view on one subject and then one for my first class rank where I have to talk about an environmental issue that I heard about and then see what people in our community can do to help it. Wonderful. if there happens to be one on the agenda tonight. If not, then we'll catch that one at a later date. Yeah, I was just going to say that's a that's a great question. I don't We're in luck. Our agenda is late tonight, so we we will get you.

We do have I mean, it's not necessarily environmental, but we are, you know, the League of Minnesota Cities has the but that's part of our consent agenda. So, um well, wonderful. I appreciate your willingness to come up and introduce yourself. I know it can feel a little bit intimidating being up at the microphone, but um appreciate you being here tonight and good luck on getting your badge. It's really nice to see you here. Thank you. Yeah, thanks.

All right. Wonderful. Well, moving on in the agenda, I think we have any other visitors are coming forward. Anything that's not on the agenda? Okay. All right. Moving along. We have approval of the previous meeting minutes. So, these council minutes are from uh February 23rd, 2026. Does anybody have any additions or corrections to the minutes? Otherwise, I would entertain a motion for approval. Motion to approve the minutes. All right, we have a motion from Council Member Bennish. Second. A second from Council Member Chevlin. Any other discussion? Otherwise, all those in favor say I. I. Opposed.

All right, minutes are approved. And that moves us on to our consent items. These are items that receive little to no discussion, although anything can certainly be pulled off the consent agenda and talked about as an action item. Does anybody have any questions or anything more pull off or discussion? I had one question on the approved 7H approved service territory agreement with Excel Energy. So, just to make sure I understood it, it we're taking over the territory as far as like putting in our infrastructure and whatnot so that it's ready when we do actually buy them out of that area.

Yeah. So, so we're in the process of actually acquiring their territory right now. And uh the actual timing of of getting that process done is going to take longer than it takes to actually get the neighborhood up and developed. And the thing we don't want to have happen is have Excel go and put their infrastructure in and then we have to go back in and put our infrastructure in. Uh so this is just a temporary agreement that basically they say they're giving us permission to go and put our infrastructure in and service it before we actually get the uh purchase agreement to buy their service territory completed. Okay, that's how I read it, but just wanted to be sure. Thank you. Good question. Yep.

Yeah, great question. Um, any other questions? I I'm excited to see 7B kind of keep things moving along with the with the park. So, uh, grant opportunity there. But if there are no other questions, I would entertain a motion for approving the consent items. Motion to approve consent items. All right, we have a motion from council member Chevlin. Second. A second from council member Gra. Any other discussion? All those in favor say I. I. I opposed.

Motion carries. Consent is done. All right. That moves us on action items. So the first one is 8A. Motion to approve entering into a letter of intent with the community asset foundation for funding the inn at 1201 and 1207 Yellow Brick Road.

Who would turn this one over to Elise because I can't quite read it on my phone. Okay. Uh, mayor and council members, as you may recall, at the last council meeting on February 23rd, you approved a concept plan for the inn, which will be developed by community asset foundation. Uh, this will be uh part of the be on new beginnings program, which provides affordable housing to young mothers. So as a part of that um and you may know with affordable housing projects there's a lot of compilation of different um funding sources in order to make those work and for affordability. So uh community asset foundation is looking to secure a total of $1.2 million in order to fund that project. um similar to a lot of affordable housing projects, it's both a mixture of private sources as well as public sources. So about 50% has been secured in their funding so far and they actually have a request into the CDA which uh the CAD anticipates taking action upon at the end of this week. So they get uh very close. there would be a final gap of about $394,000 that they are looking for the city to fill. Um so in reviewing the request, staff finds that there is a gap in order to make um the project viable and we also find that the project aligns with your strategic plan goals of Chesca is a hometown for all. So, with these items, staff is recommending that you approve um entering into a letter of intent with Community Asset Foundation for $394,000 in funding for the in project on Yellow Brook Road. Uh we have several sources of funds that this could come from. staff is still evaluating which funding source it will come from and we will

bring back at final plan review um final agreements for these um funds including what source they would be from as well. So staff is recommending you approve this this evening. I'm happy to answer any questions. Also, Mr. Bornney is here from Community Asset Foundation as well. All right.

I think I'll just add one quick thing. I think the thing we really like about this project is, you know, we're able to put in a relatively low amount of dollars for that help support four affordable housing units. A lot of times when we're putting in this amount of money, we're only usually getting about two uh units out of that. Like if we're doing a land trust unit, uh you know, we typically be putting in about $150,000 per unit. So, the fact that we're getting four affordable housing units uh out of this project with that that dollar amount um is particularly attractive, but it also is helping support a program that's already been proven in town.

I have a quick question on when they were here before they had mentioned some things around parking and all that. Did did we get answers on the street outside that? And then secondly, um, if the city puts money in, is there a a partial ownership or some type of thing moving forward then with those? [clears throat] You don't have to get up. You can um Dave Pardy with Community Asset Foundation. Uh, so your first question related to the site plan.

Yes, I think we have that resolved. Okay, good. Uh we did submit our uh our um I guess they're the preliminary preliminary final site building plans. Uh they'll be at the planning commission in April. Um and um the uh what we talked with the staff about is an amendment to the existing PUB and uh and then also we're addressing that setback through that and then we have redesigned the way that the utilities would go in so that the current plan would result in three cuts into the street. This one would be well at most two and probably only one. So, um, and I can't tell you if it's going to be um just one because we don't control the other two other parcels, but I think that's what'll happen. They'll all go up this one. Um, and then the second question was related to ownership.

Yeah. like if the city's given like putting money in, what's the

So, [clears throat] um, uh, one of the other funding sources is the Carb County CDA and, uh, we are actually we're having final approval for they're they're contributing 230,000. Uh, that's going to occur this Friday. I think there's a preliminary approval and we've worked out now an agreement. part of that agreement, the building will go into uh the land trust and the CDA will have the first option to buy it. Um I expect at some point that's what will happen. I mean uh I can't say that for a fact, but our commitment is that it'll be a long-term um uh affordable housing location for at least the first 15 years. It'll serve the uh this focus on uh uh young women who are struggling with uh housing. Um typically they're homeless. Uh probably longer term, but our financing commitments uh one of them is through the federal home loan bank and that's actually a mandate in that funding. Um once assuming this funding gets approved um I just actually checked the day before it came we're within $102,000 of hitting our 1.225 million in funds. So I'm well I'm positive we will break ground this spring.

Well congratulations. That's great. It's a great asset to our community as we discussed last time. So, I'm all for it. So, I really appreciate the city's help and the staff. I would point out though that in the last month, I've been at more city council meetings than the current city administrator. I mean, we've noticed we've noticed. I will always be truly amazed at how well you work something like that at every meeting. [laughter]

Yeah. I I could I couldn't expect anything less from uh from Dave. [laughter] But again, uh we're really excited about the project. Um um just as an aside, one of the funding sources that we were working on is there's a program through the state where people who donate would get a tax credit for 85% of whatever they donated. Uh uh last year the state allocated all of their it's 13 million. It took them four months. This year it took two hours. Oh wow. Crazy.

And so we were able to get 120,000. We had people lined up that were going to contribute over 300,000, but they couldn't get in. Wow. All allocated. So I guess in some ways that's a good sign that there's a lot of interest these days in affordable housing. Yeah, there's a desire and there's a great need for it, too. So that's wonderful to hear on both sides. more than we can build. But thanks a lot and thank you for your support. Yeah, we look forward to the site plan coming back for preliminary. I'm sure. Um it sounds like so to be determined as far as the funding source because I was going to ask whether they're going to come from the LAA dollars, but it sounds like we're

we're looking at a few options. We have the LAA dollars, which is that uh sales tax from the state that comes to the city every year. We also have um some additional uh pooling dollars that from different housing tiff districts we could use. So uh currently Julie Grove is looking at all the different projects that are coming down and figuring out what the timelines are to spend funds and figure out what's going to use best so that we can best utilize those funds in the most efficient way. Sure. Makes sense.

Wonderful. All right. So, does anybody else have any questions for staff or Mr. Pornney? Otherwise, I would entertain a motion. I'll make a motion. All right. So, we have a motion to approve entering into a letter of intent with the community asset foundation for funding the inn at 1201 and 1207 Yellow Brick Road. We have a motion from council member Hatfield. Second. Second from council member Benes. Any other discussion? All those in favor say I. I. I. Opposed. All right. Motion carries. Congratulations. Thank you.

Yeah. Nice to see you. All right. That moves us along to down on our agenda to 8B, awarding of contracts for the Chesco Chesca Municipal Service Building. Uh, mayor and council mayor, the item in front of me tonight, uh, I'm really excited about this one for two reasons. Uh, first of all, it's the second building in our, uh, public, uh, improvement program, uh, public building improvement program. But I'm really excited about it because when I opened my email this morning, Elise had sent over to me our temporary certificate of occupancy for our public safety building, uh, which we just got this morning. So, the fact that we're actually considering uh awarding the bid for the municipal service building on the same day that we got our uh temporary seal for the public safety building uh is I I find it exciting and it's sort of a coincidence too, but uh uh you will see in front of you tonight that uh we did go out for bids uh uh in February uh for the m municipal service building. Uh we did have estimates, the last estimates that we did were back in November. Uh we had estimates that were close to $46 million uh for the entire project. Uh you will see that the bids that we received back uh for the project uh were about $47.9 million. So they were higher than uh what we had done the estimates on. Uh the majority of the of the overage that we saw there came in two main categories. uh they came and uh the uh steel uh within the building and within the wall sections uh within the building which used steel. Uh so what was very interesting about that was that uh both of the low bidders in th those

particular categories were the ones that we actually received uh the were the ones that provided the estimates uh when we did those back in November. So that indicates how volatile the market has been uh over the last couple of months. Uh so uh over the last few weeks uh one of we we've done a few things. Uh we went back and did some value engineering uh and really looked at the things that uh are there things that we can do to the facility that uh aren't going to compromise the uh functionality of the building. Uh the size size of the building which we think is very important for us to be able to serve our future needs. uh and um and really sort of the the overall quality of the building so that you know it's is long lasting and it's easy to maintain. And we were able to come up with just over $700,000 of of uh of things that we feel that we can take out uh of the project or substitute in the project as we're going through uh to bring that down. uh which leaves uh I think it's like 1.3 million or so uh additional dollars that uh that we'd need to uh make up the gap. Uh, one of the things that I wasn't necessarily planning for uh during the public safety uh building project uh is that uh the uh financing that we did during that project uh we uh when we did the financing for the project uh we take the funding and it's the we don't just go and take the funding and pay the contractor everything at once. we do distributions over the course of the project itself. Uh so we take all those dollars, we put them into a fund, we in essence uh invest them in sort of like a money market type of account and over the course of the project uh because

those funds don't get used all at once. They earn interest. Uh we earned a little over $2 million of interest in those funds uh over the course of the project. Uh and um which uh what we do is we're able to use those to help write down the cost of the debt service on the public safety center, which then frees up dollars to move uh from within our uh public improvement uh our public building improvement program into our municipal service building uh project without having to bring dollars in from any other source. Uh so we are recommending uh that we do that. Uh we think if we uh do any additional uh uh value engineering beyond what we've done, uh we'd start to get into some things that uh are going to impact us uh into the future and get into the real functionality and maintenance of the building and uh really feel that this is an opportunity to be able to utilize the funds that we have within the public improvement uh fund itself. uh not have to use additional uh dollars and be able to go forward with the project uh as it's proposed. Um we're probably going to run into a very similar uh situation when we go through the municipal service building project and when we go out for financing uh that uh you know we we'll be investing those dollars as you know as we go through the draws and you know end up having a very probably a very similar situation as we move into the library library facility as well. So, um, so again, something that we weren't necessarily planning for, uh, but gives us a little bit more flexibility as as we're looking at the the project now. So, uh, you know, with that being said, uh, I can't really read the details on my phone of uh, specific aspects of the

bid. Uh, Elise would probably be able to uh, answer those better if you do have uh, specific questions on that. Uh but staff is recommending uh that we uh award uh the bids uh as uh uh as we receive them. Uh and then as we go into the project uh then we'd work with the contractors with the uh items that we've identified as things that uh that we'd either substitute or delete or things like that throughout the the project. and uh uh and then we'd see those savings come as we go throughout the the project itself. Um with that being said, I can certainly answer any questions.

Does anybody have any questions for Matt at all? No, it's that uh interest is certainly helpful because yeah, looking at those numbers, it was a little like, oh shoot, but it certainly does help. Yeah. um pat it some and I think that's grateful for that.

Yeah, Matt and I had a because I I again I had the same questions as I was reviewing our packet over the weekend and I was like, "Okay, I see some of the substitutions and they seemed, you know, pretty nominal in the sense of, you know, they weren't going to impact the functionality or quality of the facility. Um but we're still have this gap like how how is this going to work and so uh it I think that is of one benefit of us going through this building program and doing four buildings is that we have the opportunity to be able to carry over the interest that's been beared in order to help um in a situation such as this when when we have volatility in the market of you know certain construction materials that are just higher now because of, you know, outside factors. And so

the one thing that Matt and I had talked about was that we were grateful that we didn't have to revise it to start cutting away actual square footage of the building because then that starts to get into the idea of just the functionality of the space and and long-term effects from that. So, so that was uh uh you know um really grateful for that that that part. But just wanted to make sure he you did a great job explaining some of pretty much our conversation from earlier uh as far as you know kind of where things were were in line. So,

well, the one thing I didn't mention, uh, is you, it's like I told the mayor today, um, I am not an expert in a good garage door or a bad garage door. Um, and what you know, you know, what is functional and not functional or easy to maintain or not to maintain. all of these changes. Uh Craig, Brian, and Matt all, uh I made sure that all of them felt comfortable with these before we went forward with any of the changes. Um you know, because at the end of the day, they're the ones that have to to maintain these things over time. And you know, you know, certain things they might look at and say, "Oh, yeah, that might be a savings now, but that's going to be a cost later on." Uh these changes they felt very comfortable with. Yeah, that's that's definitely good to note that um that they reviewed it. So,

I just have a quick question. The first item where they found some savings was standard metal panel in lie of custom color panels. Is that like on the outside of a building or where?

Yeah, it's on the It's on the outside of the building. And actually, I was telling the mayor today that we ended up doing the same thing with the public safety center. And and with these when you start getting actual samples of the colors that uh of the panels that these companies make, you you start to realize that there's very little difference between the custom colors that they have and the standard colors that they have, except for the difference that the standard colors standard colors they have are significantly cheaper. So, one of the things that we had to do before we could even consider that as an option is we had to run that through our planning staff because uh you know the planning department and the planning commission, everything were the ones that approved the color palette for the building and uh so we ran that through Liz and Liz took a look at it and she felt very comfortable uh that the color was was going to look uh very similar if not the same as as what we had originally uh looked at for the building.

Awesome. That's great. Uh any other questions? I mean, this is just really exciting uh to kind of move forward like you had talked about. We're kind of closing the door on one building project. You're opening a door though because they're moving in. That's true. Okay. technically opening the door, but we're also closing the door in construction. I don't know. Got it.

And and starting a new chapter. Um and and being in the U MSB, the public works space, I was hanging out with the mechanics last week. uh and just seeing the functionality of that space as it currently exists and hearing kind of the limitations and even as it was the end of the day they had to park like a vehicle and it was just like right there I I mean it was either you know was it was right up against the car that was being serviced and then right up against the garage door you know we make it work um but I know that in order for them to do their job as efficiently ly as possible. They they obviously need a bigger space and and um you know for our community of our size. So this is exciting to kind of to be able to go forward with this and and start this next step in the building process.

I have one more quick question, Matt, as as far as it's breaking ground in June, but it's not finished until next winter, right? Like the end of 27. So, yeah. So, this one is about a 14-month uh construction process, and so they'll actually start in May. Um, so I would expect that you would probably see it be you would probably see it before what what year is it on? 2026. So, you'd probably see it uh before uh like the hard freeze of the of 27.

Okay. Yeah, I was thinking less about I mean that's great for them because then the winter of 27 28 will be much easier to service, but I was more thinking in the case of like materials going up again. You know, goodness knows what's going to happen with all of the things that the US is currently involved in, but if costs were to go up more if we lock in today, we're guaranteed costs of today's [music] pricing. Correct. Correct. Okay. Yeah. So, uh, that that's the other thing is I guarantee you that it's going up. I'm just going to tell you. Yes. It's everything is going to go as low as we are ever going to get it right now. Yes.

Um because the type of material that is being used in this building is the type of material that we're going to see start to go up pretty quickly. And steel too. I mean a lot of it comes from China and all this other you know and like I said politics aside everything going on in the world aside you can see fuel has gone up a$150 in the last month and so everything you just build on that the cost of everything is going to go up and so if we can lock in before that continually erodess our budget that's probably uh a wise thing to do. Yes. Yeah. So uh by accepting this now we are locked into the prices. [snorts]

Okay. Great point. Wonderful. Well, with that, I would entertain a motion to approve the awarding of the contracts and authorize um the mayor and city administrator to execute them. Motion to approve contracts. All right, we have a motion from council member Chevlin. Second. A second from council member Benes. Any other discussion? All right, all those in favor say I. I. Opposed? Motion carries. contracts awarded. All right, that moves us along to bills. Does anybody have a question on a bill? I just had one question and I'm sorry I can't remember where it was.

I'm glad cuz I was trying to find a question and I um and all that. I saw I think I know what it's for. Gosh, where did it go? Um this is what happens when you don't write things down, folks. It's I think one of the units on the lodge. Um, where is it? Page five to Archer Mechanical Replacement Lodge RTU. Is that one of the That's one of the rooftop units. Okay. Was that an expected one? That's one of our cooling units. Okay. Was that one that we had expect to replace on Okay, that's what I was thinking, but I wanted to just um I saw that caught my eye. So, that was the only question I had. Thank you.

All right. Does anybody else have any questions on any on any bill? I was hoping that we would have to make you look really hard into your phone, Matt, to see. All right. Um All right. Well, with that, I'd entertain a motion to approve bills. Motion to approve the bills. All right. Motion from Council Member Heatfield and second from the mayor. All right. Uh roll call, please. Council Heatill, yes. Council member Venes, yes. Council member Chevlin, yes. Council member Grath, I. Mayor Hubard,

I All right, bills are paid. All right, that moves us along to other business. Um, John, Council Member Grath, sorry. Yeah. Um, sorry. I will I mean, it's the broken record, but I will thank the uh city and all those cleaning crews to get the snow out. Uh it was a lot of snow. It was a lot of snow.

Um scary enough, a lot less than they thought we were going to get, which makes it even more interesting when you think about how much snow was in their yard. So, uh I think that's interesting. You know, we were talking up here, Matt, I'll put you on the spot a little bit here. Um about quick melting of that snow and what do we what is what's the forecast look like for spring when it comes to flooding? probably looked pretty good up until last weekend, but maybe it's changed dramatically or maybe it's been low and it's probably just going to go into the system.

Yeah, I think one of the things that's going to uh one of the things that's going to help is the fact that the ground uh there was not very much frost left in the ground when we got that snowfall. So, we'll actually see some of that uh snow melt actually go percolate into the ground and not just all into our storm water system. Um had the had we received that snowfall uh I don't know three weeks ago when the ground was still quite frozen um then it would have been a different story. You would have seen that stuff pretty quickly run into the river and creek system.

Okay. So that's good. Uh the only thing I'll have is just congratulations to the Chesa boys basketball and their uh victory in the section to go to state. Uh which actually is interesting because I was looking I just Googled some facts. So, their last were there in 2017. Uh, it's actually 40 years ago since their first appearance in 1981. Uh, I think seating comes out tomorrow at noon, I believe. Uh, with games being at Target Field. Uh, games are not this week. Target Center, excuse me. Target Field by Really Chilly. I think that'd be fun.

Yeah. Um, they're the following week and I was kind of curious thrown off by that because I was like, isn't it always the week after the girls? and it's not because the there was some foresight to think that maybe the women's golfers would actually host NCAA games and that's what happened. So they're actually congratulated to them too. But really exciting. Uh you know I I obviously have an interest. My kids play basketball. Uh I think that program has built and their interactions with the Chesa uh youth basketball association's been great. I do wish them best of luck. Um, you know, uh, immediately my both my children, but mostly my middle schooler said didn't ask, but said he was going to get out of school to go to the game.

Uh, which I smiled and said, "Yes, we'll figure that out." Cuz I just I think it is one of those things where moments like that build programs and you get kids who go there and want to play that and see that and create that atmosphere. So, that's exciting. and we watched um I grew up in small town and actually didn't witness my team go to state nor did I go to state. Um I was close um so it never even dawned on me that things would sell out for the section championship. So I was I watched it on TV. I streamed it because it sold out like I heard in an hour and a half the tickets sold out for

uh tickets to go to Prior Lake. So yeah, it was an exciting game. I just I think it's really cool and congratulate that. Um, I believe that is all I have. I will leave it that to that. Yes, that is all I have. All right. Wonderful report. Uh, Council Member Shland.

Um, well, first my oldest turned seven on Saturday, so I have to wish Grace a very happy birthday. Um, and then I was I saw on the and I only mentioned this because Matt and I think he's also Matt um were out at my house last fall looking at our land and all the things that are wrong with it or right with it. And they mentioned the shade tree program and that is actually open now. So if there are residents who are interested in purchasing trees at a discount, um this is the time to put your applications in. And I think that there's a link online. I was just trying to find it for you and I not fast enough, but uh I believe you're right here, but I don't know if there's an application. It talks about it yet.

Yeah, I think there's more details on the city website and you can always certainly call the city. Um I know that it's popular so it's good to get on that and you're right with you know Emerald Ashports.

Yes. So everybody good look into that. It's a really great uh program. And then I hope you saw in the mail that your CHASSA today uh third edition came out and there is a whole crossword section on the city council. I got 100%. But I'm hoping that all of you in the city um take a look at that and fill it out. And if you don't know your council members names, then you should be looking right up here. So you do because that's 90% or well 50% of the of the game. So um it was exciting to see that come out as always. uh Kevin, Christa, Matt, all the people on the city staff that take part in this. It's really fun to see that come and actually everybody in my house picks it up because it sits on the island for a week and takes a gander. So, really fun to see everybody kind of interested in what's going on in that and um that we're doing something like that. So, I think that's all I have.

That's a great report. Shade shade tree program is great. They'll deliver to where you need it to be. Yeah, I can contest cuz I got one last year rent a boulevard tree and sure glad it was close cuz I got the biggest tree you could and then you always don't realize how heavy that's [laughter] thing in the hole. Roll it over and you know it's it's like it's this hole is either going to be big enough cuz if it when it goes in that hole it AIN'T COMING BACK OUT. [laughter] SO that was good. But yeah, it's great. It's a good program. Yeah. And there is a link. I just got it to work on the city website. So there is a link if you're interested in it. It's at the bottom there's a menu and it's shade tree program is one of them. So you can

take a look at it and apply if you would like them. Awesome. All right, Councilman Bennish. Uh I didn't know that there was a cross word at the back of the chest because I had gotten the mail yet. And being a part of a cross word puzzle is a lifelong dream of mine. Well, [laughter] yeah. Look at you. Super cool to be a clue in a cross word puzzle. You're number six. I'm perfect. I love it. I know. Um, I also want to give a shout out to my youngest Eddie who turned 12 uh 10 days ago. It was too late and from our last meeting to do that. So, it's pos not postumous. That's terrible. It's belated [laughter]

wishing him a belated 12th birthday. So, and I also want to give a shout out to all the public public works folks who are out this weekend as well and uh my fellow first responders who are out there working in all this stuff being there for us and ready to go just in case something were to happen. So, thank you. Absolutely. That's all I got. Oh, wait. One more. Sorry. Tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day. Oh, everybody be smart. Be responsible. Call a friend. Call an Uber. you know, have a good time, but make good decisions. So, that's all I got. Great report. All right, Council Member Hatfield. Awesome. Well, um, it's okay. I'll start with the Southwest Transit update. I know

we did have

quite the week for Southwest Transit. Um, so I think probably some people most people may have seen on uh like social media and we've talked about it up here a little bit, but there is currently a bill making its way through the House and now the Senate as well that would eliminate suburban transit providers. I won't go into the whole history, but um 40 years ago, Chaska along with Eden Prairie and Chanhassen entered into joint powers to opt out of um having the Met Council and their provider Met Metro Transit provide suburban transit this way. Essentially, we were paying into it. We were not getting really any service. So, we did that 40 years ago. I would say it's been going very well. Um but you know as politics do um some people think that it should go differently. So there is a uh a bill to eliminate the suburban transit providers under the guise that it would save a lot of money. Um and I disagree with that. I think there's a real lack of foresight on this bill. But um that aside, uh we showed up in force at the hearing this past Wednesday, which feels like a lot longer ago, but it was just this past Wednesday. So we had the Southwest Transit Day at the capital, um which was great. Uh we hosted that and then it just so happened there was a hearing on this bill in the House Transportation Committee. And so we had there were over 15 people that uh testified to oppose this bill. Um sometimes like politics works like this too. It didn't really quite seem like anyone was actually listening to those 15 people, but um thank you to the mayor for showing up and and uh opposing it on behalf of Chaza. I spoke as chair of Southwest Transit. Um and there were a

number of other people's. Thank you to Carver County. Um Commissioner Workman came and opposed it. Uh the chamber was there. It was just really um nice to see all the people that cared enough to come. Um including I thought it was really interesting and cool. A resident that we didn't even know was coming made their way from Chaza. And that's that's a big thing, intimidating thing to make your way all the way to the capital to find the hearing room to get ticketed in and then to uh actually sit down and testify um on something. And so thank you. I believe her name was Maurice. um a resident of Chaza that did that and just came down on her own accord and that was really cool and so I would say everyone should be more like Maurice and you can show up and talk about these things you care about but and she did that for Southwest Transit. So um it is passed in the House Transportation Committee. So now moves on to Ways and Means because it'd be a change of government and they look more at the financial and the fact that it would change how government works. Um, and there's not a hearing currently um, set for that. So, I'll keep everyone updated. Um, there's also, I guess I haven't looked today, but I don't believe there's a hearing in the Senate uh, for the companion bill. So, all that to say, there's still a lot of steps this bill would have to take to actually become law. Um, and so it continues to be helpful to reach out to your legislators um, to oppose this and share that. Um, we're certainly working behind the scenes with our lobbyists and our PR firm for Southwest Transit to continue to kind of spread the word on why this doesn't make a lot of sense. Um, and I think for instance, some of what's been shared is they're throwing around 25 to 55 million in savings. Um, we don't see that as making sense when you consider things like the infrastructure and whatnot. So, it really would be a loss

for Chesco. We likely wouldn't have any service. Metroransit does not have um door-todoor service with microransit. They don't have any of that. Um they don't own any of our facilities like our park and ride our bus garage. They do own the buses, but that's about it. So, um I I always see, you know, people saying, "Well, consolidation makes sense when you look at all the savings." It really doesn't. Um you'd still need more drivers, you'd still need more mechanics, all of those things. So, um, please continue to reach out to your legislators about this and say that you don't want it. Um, because it would just be it would be really unfortunate for Chaza when we think about all of our community events and even the state fair um when the kids make it to state and we take a bus down. All of those things are not going to happen with um this bill. So, but I just wanted to also thank people that came down, people that have emailed. I think there's over 600 emails that have gone out. I would say most of those likely were from Chaza um residents based on who they went to, which is really amazing. Um so that's kind of the update. I will say one thing I know about Chaza residents is they're not quiet and they're bold and they speak up what for what they care for and I'm always really proud of uh people at Chaza. So, I don't know if you guys had any questions I could answer on it quick, but

you said it passed the h uh the house bill. It passed the It passed the transportation committee. Yes. So, the transportation So, it got referred to the transportation committee. Okay. Yep. And it passed there. So, that one committee. It has to go on now to the Ways and Means Committee and then it would have to all the way to the floor. It there's a there's several more steps it would have to take. Um but it took it passed in the first one. Okay. Yeah. which is I mean it's it is troubling and like uh council member Hatfield had mentioned it kind of seemed like their mind was sort of made up even kind of before it was definitely made up okay

the hearing got going I think it's really important to stress that even though it passed the one committee still contact our legislators lean on them so that they lean on their caucuses and their coalitions that they work within to really be able to allow the whole body of um Congress or um to know that they may not have suburban transit in their community. They may be under the writership of Metrotransit or or something of another, but it's important that the service stays for the individuals in our communities that there is no cost saving if without loss of service that that the numbers that it just doesn't add up that the numbers that they're kind of presenting out there, you know, how do you save that much money without losing service? And I think about even on social media posting kind of an update and hearing even the testimony from some of our residents saying that, you know, it allows transportation for their loved ones so that not only can their loved ones be independent and be able to get to things that they that that it takes uh some of the shouldering off of them to in order to provide that for them as well. So, it would just be a real shame if we lost those opportunities for our residents to have um clean, safe, affordable transportation to get them to and from whatever they are wanting to do. So,

yeah. And um I'll say to their community I always feel bad for communities that don't have this option, but I will also say that having suburban transit providers, whenever you have competition, you it breeds innovation. And so our region has better transportation because of it. If Metrotransit doesn't have to compete against anyone, if the Met Council gets to just run it how they want, um there's nothing to compare it to. So Southwest Transit's the 14th fastest growing agency in the whole nation. We get better transportation in the Twin Cities in general because there is that competition, that need to do better, the need to not be complacent because we do have different agencies doing different things and that all goes away with consolidation and nobody should would want nobody should want that

which interestingly I thought that was the whole groundwork for the capitalist economy was that there the DOJ blocks things all the time because it's a monopoly whether it's health insurance or you name it they're always blocking mergers because it reduces monopoly or it reduc es um competition. Exactly. Creates monopoly. So it's interesting that in this case it's almost the opposite in their voting part. This absolutely creates a monopoly of transportation.

Well, I think it was interesting one of the um how one of the transportation committee members asked um Eric Hansen who's the CEO of Southwest Transit um you know I represent St. Louis Park, you know, what are you like? We don't have this, so why should you? And he's like, you should you deserve to have this. You should demand to have, you know, an option to have this. I thought that was a really fitting answer that just because other uh inner ring suburbs or inner ring communities that have more density and and makeup in order to have be serviced by Metro Transit, which they're not a bad transit agency. they just view things differently in the sense where the wrership is all based on volume and numbers and things along those lines. They're just looking at different parameters and that you know different um inner ring suburban communities and the inner core cities can provide transit differently than they can out here. We're we're um we're a growing community, but we we're still a suburban more rural community and you know, but that still doesn't um separate the the fact that those communities should have the options to be able to do and and have that going forward. So,

and just to ask one more question, Michael, just um so that I understand it right. So, you said if Metroit takes takes this over, they would not be able to service. Does that mean like I don't I should say I don't know how they would service because we don't they don't own our park and ride. I I honestly don't even know how that would all work. That's I think part of the process is but has anyone pushed back that back at them like you couldn't even take this on if Yeah. I think we're getting to our lobbyists and then yes ways and means that's definitely something that should and would come up um because yeah there's there's so many logistics that are just being completely overlooked.

Yeah. I mean, I think the unfortunate reality is that the bill is in there before even figuring out how it would work. Right now, the bill does say it gives them a few years to figure that out, but certainly it would be nice to know how it actually really works before you decide to not make it work. Right? Um, but that's not how they've chosen to go this route. They've chosen to try to introduce a bill that would eliminate it and then they'll figure out what that really means over two years. I think it's a two-year one year. one year. Yeah, they only they get to make a plan and then they'd have to provide the same service for one year. But again, I don't I literally don't know how they would do that without spending millions that they said they were saving. Yeah. So, yeah,

I appreciate that update as I you know, I've learned more as serving on that commission as well. And it's um it is very interesting to listen and to read how the use of different words can mean different things to different people and savings seems straightforward. And um you know I think I think you've already said it. I'll say it again. It's not like your taxes are going to go away. You're still going to pay that money. It's just going to go to a different source of use. Um it doesn't have a really good, let's just be honest, does not have a really good track record of Like if you think of of light rail as an example doesn't have a real good track record of of being finished, you know, using it wisely either. So um

yeah, I think the hardest thing is that is that unfortunately all four opt outs are being viewed as a grouping um and and they are operated and ran differently with different leadership and different philosophies and as a result have different outcomes in some of those costs of writerships. And so you know really the data says that Southwest is is cheaper to to operate and but we get lumped in with the the opt outs because it's easier to say it that way. Um and that's just unfair for for Southwest Transit truthfully.

Yeah. So, we'll keep fighting, but if you could all continue to uh use your voice too would be great. So, that's that update. And then a few other things. Um, I saw that the CHAS Police Department posted that se uh safety camp for this year. Registration is open. That's always a great event for the kiddos. So, definitely um consider that. It's uh designed for youth entering second to fourth grade um in the fall of 2026. An opportunity for safety education in a camp setting and includes fire safety, bike safety, personal safety, basic first aid, and more. Um, so police, fire, ridge view ambulance, Carver County dispatch, BMX freestyle, bike show, reptile demonstration, and more. Even reptiles. That's crazy. I didn't know they did that part.

So, um, like trying to think about it since time. I don't know if that was Yeah, I think I've seen chickens and helicop. But, um, it'll be, uh, it's I know that, uh, people really love it. So, that registration is open, um, for people to sign up now. And then a couple other police department things. Coffee with a cop at Jones Coffee this Wednesday from 10 to 11. I got to go to the last one which was uh donuts um and at um bubble time and it was fantastic. Those donuts are literally amazing. They are.

And it was just like it was fun cuz it was from 4:00 to 5 so I could go at the end of my workday and um just a lot of fun. So definitely great time. and it's a Jones fantastic coffee and um baked items. So that's this Wednesday and then they have Coco and Cops on April 1st from 11 to 12:00 at the ice arena in the community center. So um you can skate and uh do that. Um free admission and skate rentals. Uh and then there'll be hot chocolate. So that's coming up. Um April. And then uh one other thing, a couple other things. Uh spent my day a couple weeks ago at Chaza Middle School West. Uh Mr. Smutka is always kind enough to invite um local government uh people to come talk to their different classes um about local government. So spent the day doing that. I think all but one period I got to be there and um all the kids always ask really great questions. Um sometimes they pass on messages from their parents and uh things like that. So um I got to deliver the good news to one student that they could finally have some backyard chickens. She was psyched about that. [laughter] Um so but it's always a great day. So thank you to Mr. Smutka for always inviting us. Um I always really enjoy it. I enjoy getting to see the students and and teach them something about local government. And

I I ran into two students later that evening at the IFAR dinner and they um really enjoyed I don't know I think they were part of must have been maybe the last one cuz I was I was only a part of the first and the last. But they they really did have a nice time. So

yeah, we tried to give them a good show. So we had some good back and forth. We had all four cities there at one point and the county. Um, so it was a lot of fun. We got to have some back and forth between the cities and the county and um, they got to learn and it was just a good time. So, um, I always appreciate being invited to that. Um, and then I think that might be everything I had. Yeah, that's it. Great report. All right. Leave.

All right. A quick update that uh Kevin asked me to pass along. In the upcoming days, you will receive an email from Carver County Public Works about a groundbreaking for the Highway 5 improvements. That'll be Tuesday, April 7th at about 100 p.m. So, just be on the lookout for that. If you're interested in attending, we will notice that. Uh so, you don't need to necessarily respond back to me. And then some other Highway 5 updates. Uh later this week, the county is planning to announce the closure of Highway 5 in Bavaria. So kind of some of the first phases with that. Uh still TBD on the exact date. Uh the snow obviously this weekend through a little wrench and when they're planning to start. So look for that to come out. And then there are two uh meeting houses on Highway 5. Both of them are on Wednesday, March 25th. Um so in a week and a half uh the first one is the business meeting which is will be at 7:30 in the morning at the arboritum and then later that night is an open house for uh the general public from 5 to 7. So Kevin asked me to pass that along if you're interested in attending any of those. That's all I have.

Wonderful. All right. Uh Matt.

Yeah. Uh just one real quick thing. On Wednesday morning at 7:30 a.m. we are going to have our annual employee uh recognition breakfast. Uh so uh sort of uh multiple things there. We do a presentation to sort of give an update on sort of things have gone on during the year recap and then sort of look forward into the the upcoming year. Uh I know the mayor has put together a presentation of all kinds of jobs she's done around the city. So we can't wait to see that. Uh and then uh we do uh years of service uh recognition for all of our employees. And then we also have uh we have an an employee committee that uh basically takes nominations from employees uh for different uh awards that we have uh uh throughout the city for uh different types of uh uh achievement that uh employees have. So, if any council members are are available on uh Wednesday morning at 7:30 a.m. at the event center, uh would love to have you there. Uh it's always a a good time, good breakfast.

So, the real question is, are you going to be able to be there? I feel like I'm stuck in purgatory right now, but hopefully. [laughter]

Um Matt, do you want to mention I you talked about the curling championship earlier. Do you want to say anything about that? Yeah. So, uh uh so on the 26th uh of uh March, so uh Chaza Curling Center is going to be holding the uh it's called the Club Nationals uh for the United States Curling Association. So basically what the club nationals are is uh it's basically uh league teams from across the country. uh they can uh they can basically enter playdowns to basically uh fill oh I think they have probably 14 spots or something like that that fill from across the country. So it's basically the best league teams from across the entire country come together for a championship once a year and and we're hosting it this year. So, uh the 26th, which I think is a Thursday, is going to be the opening ceremonies. Uh and, uh um uh so there'll be uh sort, you know, some special uh stuff going on that day and then there'll be uh curling going on that entire uh weekend. And one other thing about the curling center, I mentioned during our work session, I met with the president of the USCA uh this past weekend. uh one of the things that uh he shared with me is that they would like to uh have CHASA be a a site that they actually install specialized uh basically it's audio video equipment uh that they add to two of our sheets of ice that basically is specialized to be able to uh provide all kinds of data to their high performance curlers for training. So they can use it to be able to get all kinds of information that help improve their game. The good thing, I mean that's good for the high performance colors, but the good thing

is is then it becomes available to our members as well. Uh so if we have members that want to work on helping improve their game, uh this is uh stuff that they can sign up and be able to use, uh be able to record, uh them doing different things and um and be able to to work on on improving different parts of their game. And we don't have to pay to to actually have that put into uh our facility. So, not not many clubs across the country have this, but uh uh but uh they want Chaza to be one of the uh places to have it since we have so many high performance curlers that that come out of our facility.

Wonderful. Thank Thanks, Kristoff. You got anything?

All right. Uh okay. Um recapping some other things. Uh uh last Wednesday uh Matt and I did participated in the League of Minnesota Cities Day on the Hill. That's where they kind of have a conference in the morning. Um legislators kind of talked about the the session, kind of where things were going, kind of answered some questions in regards to, you know, common things that maybe are going to come up as um like bonding and things along those lines and kind of where things were are. And then also uh Governor Walls spoke a little bit and did I and then and then as part of that is also meeting with your legislators. So Matt and I met with both Representative Nash and Representative Ree and just kind of I know they they we were benefited by having them be able to attend a council meeting and be able to kind of talk about our priorities, but just kind of going back over those priorities again as we are, you know, still moving forward in the session. and then also kind of discussed some other things um that uh were not on that sheet as well. So just kind of keeping in contact with them and it also coincided with the um hearing for the transportation committee for Southwest Transit. Um, in regards to the upcoming sess or in regards to the session upcoming this week, um, I actually will be going with uh, Elise to the um, Senate tax committee to uh, testify for our tiff extension for city square west. So yes, so that is a great opportunity. So we'll be able to go out there. So sadly I will miss the employee recognition breakfast which I'm super sad about because we work so hard but the video will still play even without

me being there and hopefully the employees will enjoy what we what I have presented to them. So and then uh also tomorrow uh I will testify on behalf of Brandon Dale in the um committee for uh is it Commerce and I got to look it up here. Commerce and Consumer Protection I think it is uh in regards to the housing legislation for them. So um yep Senate Commerce and Consumer Protections Committee. So that's the kind of the dealing with the Brandonale with the Haven Park, the ownership and everything. So uh so that hopefully will move forward for them as well. um was able to attend uh the Leia Samaram Institute of Indian Arts. They had um an event this weekend. Luckily, it was kind of all before the snow rolled in on Saturday and and delivered a proclamation to them for um Yuva Taraj. Ah, I knew I had this in front of me and I'm going to butcher it. Tia Raj or Rajga day. I can't remember. I practiced it like a thousand times. I had it right that day thankfully, but now I've I've not done PR it justice and pronouncing it right. But it was really great to attend and um meet some of our community members and help celebrate with them. And then I wanted to also mention that um on our own police department um Elroy Schmidt uh Officer Schmidt is retired after 23 years of service. I would be doing an injustice to say in my own words. So I think the police did a really great job of putting a post out

there, but I just want to mention just a couple pieces from it. So um you know 23 years of service for the city of Chaza and 30 years in total as a police officer. Um he has been a cornerstone of the department from the day he arrived. Over the years built a reputation as a skilled police officer, investigator, field training officer and use of force and firearms instructor. But the people that thing that people remember the most is that Roy was a person calm, steady and reliable. the kind of officer victims felt exceptionally safe and comfortable talking to and the kind of partner you trusted when things got tough. So, just want to thank um Officer Smith for his years of service to the community uh and just say a congratulations and um wish him well in his retirement, whatever endeavors he um has planned for himself. So,

and if anybody's smart in the community and is short one person on their golf league team, they would pick him up. Yes. Well, I'm terrible at golf, so you won't you won't see me out there with that. But, [laughter] um, he's a very good golfer. That's good to know. Good to know. So, I'm sure he has lots of golf planned in his future here. So,

uh, and thank you to our plow operators, our, um, first responders this weekend. So, Matt missed it, but we had quite a bit of snow out here. So, I think about 11 in I think I heard in Chaza and it wasn't the light stuff, it's the wet, heavy stuff that's uh, really, really terrible to have to shovel. So, um, thank you to them. I mean too like I I I think I read it's like like four times in the LA modern history where the entire county metro is under a blizzard warning. It just doesn't happen because I was talking to my kids. They're like, "What do you mean is that?" It's like, "Well, you think like downtown Minneapolis, wind doesn't get through because there's all the buildings around. They have a blizzard warning through the whole metro area."

Well, they said because we've sprawled so much urban sprawled. It's like from St. Cloud down to basically Mano and it still was wide. The wind's still whipping out there. Yeah. Just it's cold out there, too. supposed to go negative digits tonight. So stay warm. I had to smile. I saw I saw Star Tribune had mentioned that there was a like a author book signing or or discussion at um must have been one of the libraries in Henipin County that had that was a book about surviving a blizzard that had to get cancelled because of the blizz a bl because of a blizzard. I thought that was kind of kind of cute and interesting. And

well, I know that our mission of being the best small town in Minnesota is well and alive because this morning I got a text from my neighbor saying, "Are you out of town?" And I'm like, "Yeah, I'm stuck." And he goes, "Well, I'll go over and I'll p plow your uh driveway for you." So, a big thanks to Mike Felix, my neighbor, for plowing my my driveway for me. But I will say it's really obvious that Jaza does a great job with their roads because Minnesota does 41 and my road turns out on 41 and it was slippery as all get out and there's a big mound that you slip in when you turn at that light because they didn't do a great job. So when I get on a chask road I'm like I can actually like see the pavement and drive and when I get on 41 I'm like damn you Minnesota.

Yes, they um they do an exceptional job getting rid of the snow here in town. So, and those plows, that is not an e easy endeavor if you've ever ridden along on one of those. So, um and then just a couple chaska Christmas in May I or the Christmas in May. I know that they're still accepting um homer applications this week. So, if if you are a homeowner that maybe is in need of some um TLC on the exterior of your home um and you can't either physically or financially do it, uh feel free to um go to the city website. They have the information there. You can certainly fill out an application and it's a wonderful way of um being able to also give back as a volunteer, but also um a great um thing for homeowners as well. So, uh and I think that's it. Oh, otherwise next meeting is on March 30th, but I know we have an ED meeting following this. So, does anybody have Oh, yes.

I had a quick question. I don't know if we want to give a farmers market update. I've seen that on social media. I thought about that. I didn't know if that's just too early or do you would you like us to talk? Maybe we could just tell people what a PO is.

Okay. So, all right. So, I know there's a little bit. Yeah, because for our 1.2 million viewers, we even lost the boys boy scout that was here earlier, sadly. Um for [laughter] 1.2 million listeners listening right now, uh the Chesca Park and Rex is um going to be taking over the facilitation of the farmers market this summer. So it's going to be at the same day and the same time. So Thursdays from like 4 to 7. Um but the location is going to change. So if um a po is a midblock pathway, I've said that a lot of times during during uh house testimonies and whatnot. Um but it's a midblock pathway and specifically it is um we have two, one on the east side of our city and one on the west side of our city. if you think 41 is the dividing line in the middle. And so our farmers market is planned for the one on the um east side, which is kind of right over by where the um Spring Meadows Church is. It's the old Chaza Cinema um behind Red Bench and kind of going up through where the Chaska Moravian Church is up into the park. And so um at this point in time in the early preliminary uh part of the process is the vendors will be located in that area with you know music uh in the park as well. Now hopefully the plan is to continue to grow this event and then maybe it can continue to grow down the po that runs along um von Hansen meets and and there on to second street. So you know we have some really great infrastructure that's been built as part of everything with the community. So, the the the tunnel underneath 41 um and kind of going up through there uh lends itself to really inviting space for vendors to be able to collaborate well

together and be kind of a perfect um atmosphere for farmers market. Did I do a good job of that or No, I think it's exciting because there was this investment in these poos to be a gathering space and I think it'll really give that farmers market vibe. um you know where you can it's very walkable, ample parking. It does also I love Fireman's Park and it's certainly a great place for a lot of events, but an event like this where we also have so many amazing downtown businesses that are open. It gets you on the right side of a large road for that and then if you do want to pass over to the west side, there's the tunnel. So, I think that's to an exciting opportunity for our downtown businesses to really be in the heart and also just to be back with uh City Square Park and then that opportunity for growth. Um I think it also is going to be more accessible for vendors and things. So, um hopefully we can attract some really great vendors and

theme days. Theme days and it's just um it's really uh exciting to get to use those gathering spaces to uh gather. Yeah. So, I would say um you know, reach out to our Parker Rex department if you are a vendor for all those that are listening that is interested in having a booth space or if you have any questions. Don't hesitate to reach out. Happy to answer them. Um but yeah, that's great. I'm glad. Thank you. I thought just I had seen it on social media so I thought it was good to even though there's still a lot of planning but just to Yes. even answer what POS are.

Absolutely. Yeah, they are um fun and inviting spaces. Wonderful. Okay. Well, knocking that out, do we have anything else that we need to talk about this go around? Otherwise, I'd entertain a motion to adjurnn. Motion to adjurnn. All right. So, we have a motion from um council member Sheplin. Second. And a second from council member Hatfield. Uh all those in favor say I.

I oppose. We are adjourned and we're going to move right into the uh is the EDA. Sorry, I can't think and move papers and talk at the same time apparently. So, uh we're going to move right along to the Chesa Economic Development Authority meeting here uh on Monday, March 16th. And I call this meeting to order. Uh roll call, please. Commissioner Hatfield, here. Commissioner Bennishes here. Commissioner Shlin here. Commissioner GR here. President Huard

here. All right. Um, moving right along, let's uh entertain a motion to or is there any additions to agenda? Otherwise, entertain a motion to adopt the agenda. Motion to adopt agenda. Okay. So, we have a motion from uh Commissioner Chevlin to adopt the agenda. Second. And a second from Commissioner Benes. Any discussion? All those in favor say I. I opposed. Agenda is adopted. And then that moves us along to the previous meeting minutes. These EDA minutes were from December 15th of 2025. Wow. Really that far? Really?

Okay. Um I didn't really pay attention to the date when we were going through things. Uh anybody have any uh corrections or additions to the minutes? Otherwise, I would entertain a motion for approval. Motion to approve the minutes. All right. So, we have a motion for um approval from Coun Commissioner uh Hatfield. Second. Got a second from Commissioner Gro. Uh any other discussion? All those in favor say I. I. Opposed.

All right. Motion carries. Minutes approved. And then that moves us along to our discussion item. We have one today. 5A. settlement agreement related to the CHASA building center site. Uh, President and Commissioners, this item before you has to do with the Chesa Building Center site tech Chaza Tech Center. So, if you're familiar down 61 here, it's the new multi-tenant building that was built in uh is partially occupied at this point in time. So back in 2023, we entered into a development agreement, a tiff development agreement there um for the redevelopment of that property as well as a purchase agreement. So as the EA uh we own that parcel through a contract for deed with Bremer Bank. Um as a part of that purchase agreement, it called out um so this is where it starts to get confusing. It called out the opportunity for the developer to access escro funds held by Bremer Bank which is now Old National. So if there's any confusion there um the developer Lariat companies could access those escro funds to help complete some additional kind of soils remediation and other environmental issues that um may have been found on the site. That is that portion to access those escro funds are to be worked out between Old National/Brummer and Lariat companies. We have nothing to do with it other than we're a party on the purchase agreement. So as that construction was being completed, Larott requested those release of those escrow funds. Um it ended up going through some legal action between Lariat and Bremer Old National. They have come to an agreement on it.

The EDA is a party of that settlement agreement now purely because we are part of the purchase agreement and development agreement on that property. So it has been reviewed by the city attorney. We feel comfortable. So we're asking uh the EDA approve the settlement agreement. So, with that, I'm happy to answer any questions. Does anybody have any questions on this matter? Okay. Seems pretty straightforward. So, all right. Well, then with that, I would um entertain a motion to approve the settlement agreement between the EDA, Lariat Company's, Old National Bank, and the Old Republic National Title Insurance Company, and authorize the president to execute the agreement.

So, move. All right. So, we have a motion from Commissioner Benes. Second. A second from Commissioner Gro. Any other discussion? All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. Motion carries. All right. That moves us along to other business. Um, do you want to talk about KFC or [laughter] no? Matt, I at the at the next council meeting, I think we'll have a better update. Okay. All right. Well, that moves us along than as long. Any any other questions? Anything else to be continued on that?

All right. It is kind of a cliffhanger. Go back in two weeks. See what happens. Those 1.2 two million viewers will be in for that. We've been talking about that. This will be great. I mean, yeah. And I think, you know, being the fifth Monday of the month, this will just bring us something to come back for. So, yeah. There you go. All right. All right. Well, with that, I would entertain a motion to adjurnn. Motion to adjurnn. All right. Motion from Commissioner Gra. Second. Oh. Uh second from or from Commissioner Bennish. Uh all those in favor say I. I I opposed. All right, we are ajourned. Thank you everyone.