City Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening and welcome to the Chaska City Council for Monday, June 29th. 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 um at least we please call roll comes from our hatfield here comes from our benesh here comes from our shoveling here comes from our garage here mayor hubbard here all right that moves us right along to the adoption of the agenda does anybody have any additions or corrections for the agenda otherwise i'd entertain a motion to adopt

motion to adopt the agenda.

All right, we have a motion from Council Member Hatfield.

Second.

And a second from Council Member Benesch. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? All right, agenda is adopted. All right, that moves us on to visitor presentations. And since I know the one person that's in the audience is not probably here for a visitor presentation, We are going to move right along to our next point, which is the approval of the meeting minutes. These meeting minutes are from June 15, 2026. Does anybody have any addition or corrections to the minutes?

Motion to approve the minutes.

All right. I have a motion from Council Member Shevlin. A second from council member craw any other discussion? All right hearing none all those in favor say aye opposed All right meeting minutes are approved and then the next item on our agenda is the consent items These items receive little to no discussion. Although certainly can be pulled off and if anybody has any questions on anything, I

I just had one really quick question on 7B, assignment of option with forced real estate. So selling the lots to the school district, that doesn't take away from any part of what will be the community park. It's lots not included. Okay, I just want to make sure it wasn't making the community park smaller. Okay.

Yeah, I think that's a really great point to bring up as we're kind of beginning those final stages of the park. And I also just wanted to take note of 7D, which is just to congratulate Hannah. It's always sad to see long term. I think she was kind of in the middle of maybe her third term with us as a commissioner for the Human Rights Commission. And I know that they moved and so she said they're closer to family and everything which I think is great But I am sad to see her go just because she's been such a great member of the Commission And so it was really nice to see her this weekend and just wish her well, and she's always welcome back here in Chaska so otherwise any other questions or Comments or entertain a motion to accept these consent items I motion to approve consent all right so motion from councilmember banish and a second from councilmember chevlin all those in or any other discussion hearing none all those in favor say aye aye opposed all right consent is adopted okay so then that moves us on to our one action item which is 8a which is our library task of uh library task force appointments

Alright, I don't know if you want to tee it up at all or Certainly mayor and council members as you know, we've talked in the past about creating a library task force Made up of council member shoveling who was voted on at a previous meeting Commissioner Lisa Anderson a member of the Friends of the Library a member of the library Carver County Library Board and as well as for at-large members. And the purpose of this task force will be to help provide input and guide some of the discussion that will come along with the new library design as we move forward with that. So as you know, you went through interviews this evening, had a number of applicants to choose from, even to get to interviews. And so as staff, we're asking the council members and the council to choose four members additional members for that task force and that task force will begin probably july august time frame as we get settled in with the architect and start to create that timeline and schedule yes

And just so everybody is aware that if you did not make it on the task force, if you did not get your application in on time or something comes randomly to your mind about the library, please reach out to me. My email is on the city website or your wards council member if you'd rather do it that way because we do want to hear from all of you. And as leading the task force, I would really like to ensure that we're including as many community members input as we possibly can. So if there's ideas you have, shoot them my way. Even if you're not on the task force, we will make sure your voice is heard.

Great. Yeah, just like to kind of echo that, that the best part of these task force are the opportunities to engage with the community and to get input. from people that live in the community, maybe people that just work in the community, or people that just enjoy coming to our Chaska library, just to kind of help make the best library possible. So it is an exciting first step to this process. I also want to just give a sincere thank you Thanks to all the citizens that stepped forward and saw the application open up and took the time to go ahead and apply. And then also the ones that were asked to come back and interview. it's it's a great problem to have when we have too many people applying towards something and shows how much the community cares and how they want to help be a part of this and shape this vital piece of in infrastructure in our community right and so i'm just really in awe of our community kind of stepping up and and heeding the call for that so um it was really a really really tough because every single candidate that came forward for the interviews uh tonight were And so if we could have them all, I'm sure we would, but we had to narrow it down to four. And so I'm going to go ahead and read off the four names of the folks that did get put onto the task force. So they're going to be appointed and voted on. So our first person is Samantha Ward. And then Bob Lincoln. Nick Rodriguez. extra credit because he's in the room and sarah brown so these are the four um community members that have been asked and again same thing for the folks that came and interviewed it was so so challenging um and so i appreciate their time and um they can certainly like Council member Chevlin suggested be a part of this process and kind of garner input and send it their way as well. So with that, I think I need a motion to approve these appointments, so I'd entertain one.

So moved.

All right, so we have a motion from Council Member Hatfield.

Second.

And a second from Council Member Benesch. Any other discussion? All right, hearing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed? We have Library Task Force members, congratulations. Very excited. Staff will be in touch and you're gonna be having so much fun. Wonderful, all right. That moves us right along to bills. Does anybody have a question on a bill?

Nope, nice and short this week.

Yeah, kind of helps when you have, yeah. All right, well, hearing none, I would entertain a motion to adopt the bills. So moved. Okay, so we have a motion from Council Member Hatfield. Second. And a second from Council Member McGraw. Elise, will you please call roll? Council Member Hatfield?

Yes. Council Member Benesch? Yes. Council Member Shevlin? Yes. Council Member McGraw? Aye. Mayor Hubbard?

Aye. All right, bills are paid. And then that moves us along to other business. Let's see.

Okay.

Council Member Hatfield, do you have anything?

Yep, just a few things. Obviously this week, July 1st, as long as the weather holds out, are the fireworks. And so they're a little early, which just means you can go to more fireworks. And then we have our fireworks, more fireworks for fire and ice the 10th and 11th. So you can just really get a lot of fireworks going the next two weeks. And Fire and Ice on the 10th and 11th is our 10-year celebration. So that's really exciting. It's kind of crazy that that's been 10 years, but also amazing. So Night to Unite registration is now open, so you can check out the police department's Facebook page if you want to get registered to host a Night to Unite. It's always a really fantastic event, a good time to get together with your neighbors. kind of meet each other and um you know the fire trucks come around and the police come around and it's just a good night so um that is open and then fishing with a cop with the police department is tomorrow from 10 to 12 at fireman's park um it'll be hot but it will be fishy so that'll be good and then river city days is also coming up the 24th and 26th lots going on parade oh there's always like a million events that go with that so we could probably talk about it all night The farmers market was really exciting to see so many people that came to the farmers market the last couple weeks. It's I think just really great in its new spot. It feels like a farmers market and it's very exciting. So thanks to all the vendors that are making that amazing and everyone for coming down. and then kind of my last thing and I want to say this correctly but KPMG women's PGA Championship was last week or this just literally just happened so that was always fun to have in town and Hazeltine does a great job and all of our city staff and Public Safety that work extra hours to make that happen so thanks to them and then just congratulations to the champion and I want to say her name right which is hey wrong you so congratulations to her for winning that so um that is everything I have that's a great report all right move this along council member finish

I just want to say I attended Chaska Rocks with my family last weekend. It was a good time. We had a blast. And I hope everybody else who was there did too. Also, my wife and I had a chance to attend the Copperfield after their opening. I suggest everybody at least check it out. It's a great atmosphere. It's really cool to see the curling ice from where you sit. Great viewpoints. And the food is awesome. And the drinks are good. And the service was phenomenal. So I appreciate that. and encourage everybody to go check it out. And this will make residents of Ward 2 happy. The Bavaria Road resurfacing project starts next Monday the 7th. I believe it's Monday the 7th, right? I think. Can't think that far ahead right now. It's the 8th. Tuesday, Tuesday the 7th.

Oh no, I'm sorry, I'm looking the wrong way. It's the 6th.

And that's going to take place over the, about, what is it, six weeks or so, Matt said? So, yeah, prepare for some backups and some traffic, but it'll be much, much better than it's been in the last few years, so.

that's all i've got it's a good report that road has definitely taken some hits over the years of construction so uh councilman so i only have two things first um i hope that you're all able to enjoy the fourth of july but please be safe with all the fireworks and all of the things that go on i'm sure councilmember banish could tell you horror stories but we'd like for all of you to keep your thumbs and limbs and all those things so please be safe with your fireworks. And remember what an honor it is to be an American citizen and celebrating the 250 years. I know there's been a lot of things in the news not so good, but it's still a great time to be an American. So be proud. And then secondly, wanted to say just a shout out to the town course folks. I have a couple friends that played in a tournament day that there was the big storm that came in and put them all in the clubhouse for about an hour but they said that the staff handled it so well they got out of the rain immediately they were protected from the storm and then back out playing and just commented on what a great facility that is to play so shout out to all the people at town course that make that happen and keep those people safe during winter and summer weather yeah great wonderful all right

Well, first I'd like to say I apologize to those who interviewed today for the library task force.

I had a life moment and completely was oblivious that I needed to be here, but I got here. So I appreciate that. I truly do mean it. We'll smile and laugh and joke about it because I kind of look smelly up here. I was outside coaching baseball, but they took the time to get down here and I missed that time. So I do own that and I appreciate those who put their name in and thank you for the council for interviewing and selecting and trust your judgment. So I appreciate that. I also want to echo the 4th of July being safe. I also think it's important to understand not everyone will choose to celebrate the same way others, so be respectful of your neighbors, of night times and kids and dogs, right? A lot of animals get concerned with loud bangs and noises too. So just be respectful, right? Celebrate the way you need to celebrate, but make sure that you're being respectful of your neighbors. I had a dog that hated the 4th of July because of the noises that it made, and so just appreciate that. I also was able to get the Copperfield. Great. Welcome to the community. Yeah. You know, I think it was good to see it busy, a good atmosphere. You know, obviously that's, that's always good to have when you open, maintain it, sustain it. And then it's like I've said, if you go there and it's busy, continue down the road and find another restaurant to populate in Chaska as well too. But welcome. It was really good food and it was good. So that's what I have. Happy 4th of July, everyone.

Great report. All right. Christophe, got anything? Elise.

Just as a quick reminder, there is no council meeting next Monday, July 6th. And so the next council meeting will be Monday, July 20th.

All right. Stealing a little bit of my thunder over there. That's good.

You can repeat it because some of us might forget.

you know what i will give you grace though because typically this third monday of the month we don't usually meet but remember we have flipped it i agreed i i remembered as soon as i got the fourth yes that's okay you still you got you you came down here even though we were like you know what john and you're all right so yes you're you're okay we'll give you some grace so All right. Well, lots of things, yeah, happened. You've touched on a lot of the events coming up. There is a open house for Highway 10 and County Road 11 on July 14th from the county's hosting. I think it starts at 5 o'clock, and it's at the Westbrook Church there. So those that are interested in kind of seeing, I think, some of their options that they're laying out as they continue to work through that upcoming road project over the next several years, go check out and get that information. and then kind of recapping yeah this week was busy it was busy we had copperfield open it was just it's just beautiful in there it's so bright and airy and the food is delicious and the staff was so great so we just welcome them to the community and yeah invite everyone to come down and check them out the farmer's market like you had said councilmember hatfield is off to a great start. I've seen it grow already in a number of vendors that have showed up over there. And a lot of times by midway point, some of them were kind of already sold out of a lot of their popular things or a majority of their things, which is what you want to see at a farmer's market. You want to see them selling their products. And then to kind of stroll up the alleyway and go to the park and sit down, and there were a lot of people in lawn chairs and on their blankets listening to the music, and it was just so great, you know, that having music back in our square park, having it kind of have that hometown, small town feel in there, and it's like the right size for that crowd size that shows up for the music, and then to kind of see other people strolling around the city streets, this is sort of the vibe that, you know, we want. And I was talking with some of the city... workers and also some of our retailers and Andy from Red Bench I guess sold over 100 pizzas the first week and so he was like he was hopping he was on it I think he kind of had his game plan in place for this go around and it looked like he was Pushing them out the door really quickly and everything so just to see our established businesses down here to really kind of having that that was our vision when we wanted to move it and kind of Bring it over on this side of the highway So it was less of a road barrier and more opportunity for some of our smaller businesses to be able to have that touch point and I know uh... it is always sad when change happens in my things like river city days change venues for the right reasons of space constraints and everything but it's nice to be able to uh... give that opportunity to our businesses to have this sort of visibility on a weekly basis not just like a one weekend sort of experience so these are kind of the visions we have in mind i'm just i just want to say a sincere um thank you to our staff that really we we get up here we're like hey this is what we want to do we want to utilize this you know infrastructure that we put in with the highway improvements but we're not the ones doing all the vendor signups and organizing everything so thank you to like sydney and aaron and elise and i think some of the other park and rec staff that really put forward and krista you know for doing all of the media on it all the time and effort and energy that you guys have put into the space it's been so great and so wonderful in our community. I had several people come up to me last Thursday and just give major kudos to everything. People loved it. And then also kind of echoing on Council Member Hatfield's point of the KPMG, just such a great experience out at Hazeltine. I was able to go to a couple of events that they hosted out there in addition to just walking around and kind of seeing some of the play. But one of the cool things I got to do was I got to go into our police's little command station. It's like a little trailer that sits kind of off to the side. And just the amount of emergency personnel that are on site that are there. And thankfully, the tournament didn't have to really have the weather that we're experiencing today. I think they would have been really, really busy if it had been the case. But there were already some people that were in there for like medical you know they were kind of dehydrated or feeling lightheaded and things along those lines so just thank you to our pd who are who are putting in the hours from sun up to sundown to kind of help make that tournament be a safe and success and thanks to hazeltine for hosting such a great tournament and these tournaments are really great because people can kind of come and go and they really get to see and experience chaska which leads me to some of the other things that were happening this weekend, which down at Athletic Park, they were hosting the high school all-star game, which was a wonderful thing to see down there. I didn't get to go watch it, but I know it was very, very well attended, and I saw lots of the players. I was over at Southern Social having lunch, and I got to see tables full of some of the players and stuff. So they're visiting the businesses and things. And then also our veterans put on a picnic on Sunday as well to kind of honor the American, I'm sorry, the VFW hosted it, and it was really kind of fun to see them interact with their community and hand out prizes to the kids and adults and everything. And then lastly, our Human Rights Commission hosted their... is it the sixth or seventh sixth annual pride picnic um down at lions park which i will say we floated this uh event around i think to like maybe most all the parks in chaska at this point that can host them the community parks right um but the lions park venue was the perfect park it was it had the parking it had the playground it had the shelter it had the shade you know it was uh... had those sink nearby for the time you think people i got roped into the tie-dye table again i've got one year off batman having my fingers that died for a couple days uh... but just thank you to uh... see staff at least for helping to facilitate that krista from stepping up and helping about hearing and also our human rights commission members for being there and kind of taking the time and it's just it's great to see some of the vendors and also like her Chaska library down there and our County services down there to giving out information. So really great community gathering All right. How was my recap? Okay, you've talked about when our next meeting is so I don't know how to end this thing But I think that that our next meeting is on July 20th and at that point I would entertain a motion to adjourn and I think this might be the fastest meeting we've ever had at least under my watch so Anybody like to make a motion to adjourn?

Motion to adjourn.

All right, motion from Council Member Hatfield.

Second.

And second from Council Member Benesch. All those in favor say aye.

Aye.