City Council - Regular Meeting

have a nice life. I was like my favorite person. We have a greeting played all rules. You made me laugh. [laughter] That was very blunt. I meant that sincerely. Good evening everyone and welcome to the Chasa City Council meeting for Monday, November 17th. I call this meeting to order at 7 o'clock. Please everyone stand and rise for the pledge of allegiance. I aliance 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. Police will please call roll. Council member Hatfield here. Council Benes here. Council member Chevlin here. Council here. Mayor Hubard here. All right. Next we have the adoption of the agenda. Does anybody have any additions or corrections on the agenda? Motion to adopt the agenda. All right. Motion from council member Benes. Second. And a second from council member Hatfield. Uh all those in favor say I. I. Opposed. Agenda is adopted. And next we have a proclamation. And this is the first proclamation that I've had to do.

And the really thing about that is I don't have a proclamation in front of me. So, let me look at my agenda. I always thought they were um usually there's like a file folder and but we had we had some packet issues today. So, Oh, okay. Well, so apologize for that.

No, it's okay. I I can use technology to my ability here. So, this is new territory for me and I'm I'm very excited to do this one because this is a proclamation and recognition of Small Business Saturday on November 29th, 2025. So, um whereas for generations, small businesses within the city of Chaza have shaped and embodied our community's entrepreneurial spirit and driven our economy forward. And whereas Small Business Saturday is a day dedicated to supporting small businesses and communities across the country and is celebrated each year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. And whereas by shopping small, consumers make a big impact on their community and local small businesses. On average, of 67 cents of every dollar spent as small business, it stays within the local community. And whereas the city of Chaza supports and recognizes its small, locallyowned businesses for the many investments they make, the jobs they create, and the generous contributions they provide to further the quality of life we all enjoy. Whereas Chaza urges all residents to support their local small businesses on Small Business Saturday and throughout the year. Now therefore, be it resolved that I, Taylor Huard, mayor of the city of Chaza, on behalf of the city council and the citizens of Chaza, do hereby proclaim November 29th as Small Business Saturday. In witness whereof, I have I have here unto set my hand and the seal of the city of Chaza this 17th day of November in the year of our Lord, 2025. Awesome. All right. any. And I guess that's it, right? All right. Yay for Small Business Saturday. Okay. Well, that moves us right along to our visitor presentation. Um, is anybody in the

audience here to speak to a matter that is not on the agenda? This is the time to come up and make it known. All right. Well, then that moves us right along to the approval of previous meeting minutes. These meeting minutes were for um uh November 3rd, 2025. Does anybody have any additions or corrections of the the minutes? Otherwise, I'd entertain a motion for approval. Motion to approve minutes. All right. Motion from council member Hatfield. Second. A second from council member Bennish. Any other discussion? Otherwise, all those in favor say I. I. Opposed.

All right. Minutes are approved. That moves us down to our consent items. These items are um generally uh need little to no discussion. Although if there is something that needs to be pulled off the consent item uh agenda, it certainly can. Um does anybody have anything they'd like to pull off or have any questions? Otherwise, I'd entertain a motion for approval. I just had a question on e the cannabis registration. That's a local business that's already established. Correct. Right. Is that right next to Duncan there? I just didn't recognize that. No, it's not. Is it the tobacco shop right next to Duncan? No. No. No. It's a new business. Okay. Is it going next to Duncan? Cuz that's Okay. Cuz Okay.

There's a small space in between Edible India and Dunkin Donuts. Okay. Interesting. Oh, so there's the tobacco shop on the end. On the other end. You're talking about on the other end. This is on the south end. Got it. Okay. Yeah. I just didn't recognize I didn't well I didn't recognize the name of the company and it might be a holding company and yeah that's what that was what I thought as well but what is that okay and while we're asking questions so this is the sec and maybe it says this year and I missed it so we are allowing three right and this is the second higher place is the first yeah right place is the first so there's still one more do we have any idea of if anybody has any we wouldn't have anything right until the state gives their stamp approval

no I mean there's been one that's shown some interest, but uh in a location that would need a significant amount of work done to it, right? Okay. But other than that, we haven't. Okay. Okay. Thank you. But if there's two downtown No. Are we looking to move one up towards up whatever they call uptown? Yeah, we didn't put any restrictions on the zoning. Yeah, we weren't we're not able to put that type of we can put restrictions like being so far from a daycare or school or things like that, but uh we basically approved the ordinance to establish it in commercial districts. Yeah, because if we had enacted those other ones, it would be nowhere. I remember that. Well, it would have all been on common. Yeah. So, okay, great questions.

Are they solely going to be doing dealing in cannabis? Are they going to be dealing in THC, edibles, that sort of thing? I mean, to have there that yeah it seemed like a lot to me too dealing similar product well for a short time period. Um, one thing I was going to mention about the the low potency hemp uh products. Um, that whole industry is going to completely change, right? Uh, because of the federal law change that happened for the budget bill last week, basically reversed the farm bills, uh, allowing a low potency hemp drive from or THC drive from hemp,

THC drink. Um, and so for all practical purposes, unless things change, that's going to eliminate like beverages in in liquor stores or low potency things in uh, you know, in a tobacco shop, those types of things. Everything will have to go through uh, dispensary.

Interesting. Yeah, there's a really interesting article with Star Tribune about Minnesota's being frustrated because Minnesota set a pretty good example of the THC stuff and regulating it and and it in one false swoop it gets it's gone. So, yeah, it's interesting. Motion to approve consent. Second. All right, so we have a motion from Council Member Hatfield and a second from Council Member Gra. Uh any other discussion? Otherwise, All those in favor say I. I I opposed.

All right, our consent uh items are uh approved. And then we're moving right along to our action items, which is 9A. Uh adopt resolution number 2025-83 and ordinance number 1074, approval, approving the preliminary site and building plan and zoning ordinance amendment for the municipal service building uh city of Chaza PC number 2025-18. U mayor and council member, the item in front of you tonight is the second uh phase of planning for our municipal service building. Uh so if you remember uh couple months back, we had our concept plan uh approval for the the building. Since then, we've been getting into uh many more details uh on the the project both from sort of planning it from a construction standpoint, but also uh designing it from a planning uh perspective to make sure that the building fits on the site, that we're dealing with all the utilities and outside looks and all that type of stuff. So uh our preliminary stage is really where we uh get sort of the you know it's the breadandbut uh stage of the of the planning process where we really sort of uh deal with all the details of the building. So uh once we get to the point in fe in December when we would plan to bring back the final it's really just sort of crossing tees and dotting eyes at that point. So, uh, so this is where the the the bulk of that goes into. Uh, I've been really happy with the process we've been going through. We have Ortell here to, uh, share with us, but I'll turn it over to Liz who, uh, will be able to talk about, uh, recommendations and things coming out of the planning commission.

Thank you, Matt. Thank you, mayor and council members. Uh we have a preliminary site and building plan and zoning ordinance amendment uh this evening for the municipal services building uh being proposed by the city of Chaza in conjunction with Ortell Architects. Um I do want to point out that the civil plans um were not included in the packet but there is a hard copy available if anyone needs to sift through those I think on the um up at your seats there. Um but I do have a few exhibits here in my presentation too. Um if we need to refer to anything. Um the site uh in question this evening um is located on Creek Road and west of Highway 212. Um it is just south of Chesca Creek Center and immediately east of uh Rural Residential on Wetszel Lane. Uh the majority of the business or the uses around here is primarily uh industrial or business park uh planned for the future. Um there's also an additional residential uh property just northeast of the property. Uh like Matt mentioned, we're at the second step in our three-step process. So this is when we get into more of the technical details uh of the plans. Um start to address any concerns or questions that were raised during concept plan approval. um and looking at more of the bulk of the project proposal. Um so since we're at the second step, we'll see another step coming very soon. Um we'll actually likely see it at our next uh council meeting. Um so you'll have one other look um at this project. Um just a little bit of background. Um I'm not going to go over all of these pieces, but um it was in September of

this year um that the concept plan was approved. So we're we're again at the preliminary step here. Uh the property itself um is primarily composed of four lots um and 22 total acres. Three of those lots are kind of the the bulk of the project area. Um and where the main building will go will be on that western lot or lot one block one of the plat that's um in place here or also known as 451 Creek Road.

Is this close to where that was named Schlaughterhoff thing was last week? The same roundabout? No. Uh it's the the roundabout that's actually further to the It's about where the red block is there. Yeah. Okay. I was trying to figure out for construction because we had said that was a low used roundabout. So

yep. Yep. Oops. So it is across the highway that the schlaughter off parcel is um so it's not too far away. Um outlot B um is another lot composed in this project area um which will primarily hold um the storm water ponding which you see on this existing uh conditions exhibit as well as uh the fuel island that will service the municipal services building. Outlot C is the parcel in between outlot B and lot one. Um and that was put in place to be an extension of Chesa Creek Boulevard to the south of the roundabout. Um some grading work has already occurred on the site which was um from previous approvals back in 2022 as well as some ponding. Um so all of that would kind of uh be refined uh with this proposal. Uh the zoning for this property is in a planned industrial district number 10 to be exact. And this district uh is proposed to be amended uh this evening uh to accommodate the new uh municipal services building. Um, these are just a couple images from Creek Road just to give you a view of the existing site out there.

I have another question just from pictures. Are we planning to bury those lines when those when all the when the building would be done so that they're not in the way of those actually are they're transmission lines, not distribution lines. Uh, so they're actually uh XL's. The high ones are Yeah, the high ones are are excels and so uh those will have to stay in place. Okay. We don't think that's a problem for like big equipment. Nope.

Yep. I'll have a later exhibit kind of showing where that easement area is for uh those overhead lines there, but everything would stay outside of that easement area. Um, this request includes a preliminary site and building plan uh for a new build building totaling 148,000 square feet and roughly 38 feet in height. It also includes a new fuel island that would provide um gas for city vehicles. Uh a new parking lot that'll total 118 stalls. Uh the building itself will house all of our public works operations. Um so streets, parks, um sewer and water, uh mechanics, building maintenance, um in our electric department. Um currently there's um roughly uh 90 or so employees um at the existing facility on Victoria Drive. Um but there is a uh anticipation that we'll have up to 118 um employees out of this facility. In the summertime, you increase it by another about 15 people for seasonal too.

Makes sense.

Uh so the primary operations at this facility uh would mainly be vehicle storage maintenance on the equipment uh for all city equipment um department workshops for each of the varying departments and the office administration or public facing feature of the building. Uh the current site on Victoria Drive will hold the existing exterior storage that's there today. So that doesn't plan to come over to this facility necessarily. Uh the comp plan guides this area to be business park. Um and the zoning is planned industrial district 10. Uh the use that's proposed is consistent uh with uh both these pieces. Um there will be an amendment to PD10 to kind of update the language and the approving graphics uh within uh that district to accommodate this new use. Uh this is the preliminary site plan. Um so like I mentioned before, the building will be oriented on that western lot um and will kind of be centered uh within that lot. It's primarily uh rectangular um in shape. So, it sits uh pretty balanced in the site there. Um access into the site will come from kind of a main um access off of the extension of Chesca Creek Boulevard to the south. Um two access points um will come from that to service the the main parking lot area as well as ingress egress into the vehicle storage on the north side of the building. Um, an additional access point uh was which will be a secured access point will come from the west side off of Creek Road and again that would only be for MSB personnel. Um, and then another access is shown on the extension of Chesca

Creek Boulevard which would provide um uh access to the Fuel Island area and outlaw B. Uh the majority of the parking stalls are um to the southeast of the building uh which would be in proximity to the main entrance which is also on that southeast side um and highlighted in red on the site plan exhibit. Uh that would provide uh the primary parking for both visitors and employees. um ancillary uh employee parking will also be on that southwest portion of the site kind of in the back of the building or in site. In terms of a parking standpoint, um we do meet our own parking ordinance numbers for this size of facility. Um this is just a traffic circulation exhibit that we showed during concept plan just to give an idea of kind of how um vehicles are um accessing the site and where they're coming from and exiting um just for reference. Um and then this is the landscape plan which also shows the transmission line easement overlaid on top of that in yellow. Um so this easement area um has restrictions in terms of what can be built in it and landscaping going into it. So that's why you don't see plantings within this easement area. Um and the building is set back from that easement as well. You can do um driving or parking areas underneath that. Um but that's um pretty much it. Um the landscaping does meet our landscape ordinance for quantities and uh species and so forth. Um a majority of the landscaping will be oriented to that southwest side of the site which abuts

the rural residential areas. U we did provide a a few sighteline exhibits just to give you an understanding of uh the residential use and proximity to the MSB facility and the proposed burming and landscaping that'll happen on kind of those major sight lines. Um this exhibit here is showing um that line of sight from the residential the nearest residential to the southwest. Um so there will be quite a bit of a distance uh between the home and kind of the nearest edge of the building. Um and in between that will be uh burming and uh landscaping on top of that which as it grows um and will provide more and more obstruction to the building from that residential. um also provided some renderings um that the architect put together just to give a more realistic view of what's being seen from that nearest residential from the southwest. uh both from kind of what new installation of plantings looks like on the top exhibit here and then as they continue to grow roughly 20 or so years um you know getting bigger and wider um that view into the site will be less and less.

I appreciate you putting that in there because I think sometimes that's looking at things realistically.

It's definitely helpful. Um, and then this one is from the nearest residential to the northeast that's across from Creek Road. Um, and I didn't include the the 20-year growth approximation. Um, but this will still give an idea of uh kind of what's seen from that residence as well. Uh the building um again will house the various departments of public works um which they'll all have kind of their own designated area uh within the building which is colorized on this floor plan. Uh the office function again will be on that southeast side. Uh so that'll house all of the main offices and cubes uh where that um internal work would occur as well as the main entry main entrance and lobby. Uh the majority of the building will be that vehicle storage space which is shown in kind of this pale yellow orange tone on this floor plan. Um and this is sized to accommodate both existing vehicle storage and future growth um into the facility. So, uh, anticipate that there will be additional vehicles and equipment, um, being stored in that space. Um, and then the bottom image is that view from the southeast. So, looking north on the property at the main entrance and lobby area. Uh just to give you a sense of what um that visitor experience and employee experience is like uh from a building materials and um uh design standpoint. It does meet our uh requirements for industrial buildings. Uh so the building will be composed of architectural metal panel,

glass and windows, uh pre-cast concrete and a couple different variations. Um and then brick as well. Um and those are kind of evenly uh balanced uh throughout the building. Um and then what we see from Creek Road um kind of that main viewpoint into the site, that top image is uh what's being seen from there. So, um, what we've said before, it's kind of a struggle or a challenge dealing with a large vehicle storage, uh, area, but, um, the design team has done a really good job to provide variation in the materials as well as, um, variation in the massing to provide clear story windows um, and natural light into that space um, and just provide a nice um, kind of front-facing uh, look from Creek Road. I think it looks really nice. It actually similar looks similar to uh Chanhassen High School's big windows on the one side when you drive down. What would that be? Lyman.

And uh I also saw somewhere in this packet. I was just going to ask a question where it said trees. No. What is that? No trees six inches or larger are impacted. So or so like the trunk I assume six inches. Yep. So, um I mean the site is pretty much graded out to its its max limits. So, there's no anticipation to bring down more trees kind of above what um we would inventory or survey. So, um there's no plans to bring down more trees at the site. Yeah.

Um another rendering um looking northeast. So, this is from like the back side of the site and kind of that larger parking area. um the wash bays and then the mechanic bays uh just to the east of that and then the department workshops um just to the east of that the wash bays will be like glass door glass garage doors for lack of a better term is that I believe they are yep how about like the storage spaces is that also similar glass I think this shows

I just the only reason I asked is just a little bit of like I guess it's more secure, but just like if people are not supposed to be in that space and they can see what's in versus don't know what's in there in general, right?

The the glass in the overhead doors will be full vision glass um so that people can actually see out as well. Um that from a security perspective, what you're seeing is kind of the overhead doors on the lefth hand side of this image. Those those will be more translucent. That's the wash bay. Um, and then the glass in general in the vehicle areas is going to be translucent. This we're trying to diffuse daylight throughout the entire space. So, it's some of it will be vision, but most of it will be translucent dispersing.

Um, another view looking southeast from Creek Road as well. Um and then the second piece of the request includes a zoning ordinance amendment um to P10 uh which is the current zoning district out here. So that amendment includes um updating the graphic exhibits that are approved with this site to be um consistent with the ones um that are coming through this evening. um amend the permitted uses for lot one block one uh to include municipal services building as a permitted use just to be as straightforward as possible. Um and amend the building setbacks to include the setback from residential property lines and then amend the use for outlot B to include the fuel island use within that. Um just a few things to work on for final which are some minor um refinements. um just including some details on the plans, including a trail segment on Chesa Creek Boulevard um to um kind of bolster the pedestrian connections that are coming uh from the Southwest Regional Trail to the north and bringing that across the ravine hopefully in the future um as development starts to occur south of the ravine to provide kind of that full continuous connection for potential um workers that might be living in the Clover Ridge neighborhood or anywhere adjacent and bringing them over to the ravine or over the ravine and into those other business areas. So, just providing that um continuous connection through this site and for future plans um across the ravine. Uh so with that, we're asking for two motions uh this evening. One is to adopt resolution number 2025-83

which is approving the preliminary site and building plan for the new MSB building and then based on the conditions that are listed in that resolution and then a second motion to adopt ordinance number 1074 which is approving the zoning ordinance amendment to P10. questions. Otherwise, we do have Andrew Cooper here um on behalf of Ortell. Thank you. Wonderful. Uh does anybody have any additional questions for for Liz or for Andrew at all in regards to uh the building? [laughter] Uh I don't have any questions. I think you know some of the questions got got answered as far as during the process and I think it's always really good to to note and I I can't remember if you had this at the beginning of your presentation Liz but you usually do that you know this planning process is just like all of our other development planning process in the sense that we have a concept plan which is a little bit more you know high level view. Thank you. Uh, and then the preliminary is is the step that we're at right now. And then there will be a final. And this is kind of where we really get to see the the vision of what this building's going to look like. And especially when you see the um architectural renderings that are are on the screen and we, you know, talk about things like uh the number of trees and, you know, are are vehicles able to maneuver in the space and and all of those uh wonderful details. And so, um, not that we're breezing through this, you know, we've looked at this plan several times and we've discussed this. I think I one of the things I wanted to touch on is just as we've gone through this planning process is just where we started and kind of where we're at now. And I think it's really important to

note that when we started talking about our needs for the municipal service building, our original intention was to simply add on to the existing building that it's at. And what we found um when we did the initial cost estimates was that uh you know it was going to cost money to move uh the Excel transmission lines that sit um you know up against the property. And the first quote was like, "Yeah, that it was like $700,000 or $750,000." And it was like, "Okay, that's doable. We can we can do that." And then when we started to really kind of rein those numbers and really do those cost analysis, it was more like $3 million. And that, you know, accounts for just, you know, the environment of inflation and all those other factors. You know, things don't oftentimes just don't go down, they end up going up. And I could speak volumes to like why we have a four-year building plan out of that whole entire fact, you know, just that things don't get cheaper, get more expensive. But setting that aside, uh we decided that it would be more cost-effective for us to try to pivot. Um, and I'm really grateful to staff for really evaluating some of the land opportunities that were still available um, in in our community to be able to do that. This building is a little bit different than our public safety campus where it does not need to be centrally located. Um, and we have the flexibility in regard to this site where we're building a building that really just encompasses the the need for the additional office space and the the um the housing of our fleet and and things of that nature. And we're still utilizing our existing space in order for the other um elements like uh cold

storage and our you know salt sand you know mix and and those sort of properties which decreased the amount of square footage we had to do on this site

right and I think that is a very I know it seems like wow you're building another building but really in reality we were actually saving money because you know we're we're creating a more efficient efficiently um designed building for our needs and we're still utilizing what we already have and so we don't have to build a big big building just enough for those efficient needs. And so I just really wanted to touch on that. Um and then there's also really great opportunities like having solar panels on the roof, you know, and things of that nature that that are nice to see. But that is my speech and I will be done.

I actually have a question on solar panels. Um, remind me again because I get lost out there a little bit. That is in Minnesota Valley's power district, but we do over time think that will become city.

Yeah. So, we have we have a an agreement with them that basically goes through 2040. Uh, in 2040, which actually when you think about it, it's not that far away. It's only 15 years away, but uh um so in 2040, we have the right to be able to go in and just purchase that territory from so it it will eventually be in our territory. Could we negotiate that the solar panel energy that's brought in comes back to us rather than them since they're we're paying for

We actually try to negotiate allowing them to have our own building and our own like even though have it be like a its own parcel within their district that we could serve and they said no. So yeah, I mean it's been nice because it's kind of strange. It's like we have our own electric. It's our own building but we can't serve our own. get through our own electric department with it. So, well, and you know, this building will last longer than 15 years. So, we will get there, just obviously not today, sadly. So,

yeah, maybe one other thing just to add on to the whole process too is the you talked about going through the entire planning process like any other project that included the neighborhood meeting too

um which we did before uh hand and I thought that really went well because we sort of started out sort of showing what we're generally thinking about you know they shared with us their concerns we went back, worked with Andrew to come up with some ideas and things and then came back to them and they're like, "Oh, we love this. This is great." You know, this is, you know, we, you know, because remember before it was going to be an industrial building, you know, it was going to, you know, it could have been trucks coming in and out, you know, of loading docks in the back. And so, um, you know, the fact that everything's sort of geared so that all the noisy stuff is happening inside of a building, um, you know, they're not getting all that sort of stuff that you'd see in a traditional industrial building. Uh, I think they're very happy with the way it it turned out.

Yeah, there's been I talked to several in that area because that has been an interesting area for those residents because you have six houses roughly right there, right? Um, it's kind of a strange spot to live because all of a sudden you look at a master plan and you're like, "My house is here and I'm surrounded by industry, right?" And and I think to be honest, I think most of what I've heard from him is just it's happy to start seeing things get finalized because

it's always the uncertainty out there, right? Like what is that going to be? Am I going to be staring at a big cement prefab building? Are we going to look at trees? Um, and usage, right? Like you're right. Like I think um you know the different types of usage that could end up in that So, it's they've been a good group, I think, um, to work with out there and and we got to it's good that they're having good conversations because it is, like I said, a little bit of a unique space where you had kind of six residential houses kind of in a group there and um, you wake up one day and look at the master plan and realize like this isn't a residential space that I'm in, but kind of and they're, you know, most of them are fully intent on staying in that space and happy with that outcome.

Yeah. And not to diminish, I mean, I get it. The fear of the unknown, I think, is a is a completely understandable and and and driver of of a lot of those kind of conversations and everything. And I can speak to the existing building and knowing that where we're at, I mean, it was butdding, it's butdding up against way more than six homes and um you know, never hearing, you know, a complaint uh even some like just right across the street. So, you know, I I like to think our our uh city crews are good neighbors and um even though it's obviously a building that Yeah. they need to move trucks and vehicles around. There's activity happening on there. Um they're not it's not, you know, bad or intrusive in any sort of, you know, extra sort of way. And even though it's not a building obviously like public safety center where it's front and center where people see it, it's in a perfect location for us operationally from our service perspective because one of the challenges we have at our existing building is we can serve sort of the upper part of Chaza really well it's really challenging to get everything we need to downtown because we have to you know because a lot of things we use are like small tractors or equipment that drives really slow down Victoria Drive to get into downtown because we don't have a storage facility other than this garage over here. With our new facility, not only will we have that same really good access to North Chaza, but we also are able to use that Creek Road trail system to be able to get uh tractors down uh to Athletic Park or things like that. So, it's going to be much easier for us to serve the entire community from there instead of just sort of the north part. Good. Good. All right. Um,

a motion to approve. Yeah, I I do. And I my computer of course decided it wanted to go back to sleep. So, I am looking for a motion. Yeah. To approve uh resolution number 2025-83. Motion to approve resolution 2025-83. All right. Which is the approval of the preliminary site and building plan. um for the municipal service building. [music] So, we have a motion from council member Chevlin. Second, a second from council member Benes. Uh any other discussion? Otherwise, all those in favor say I. I. I. Opposed.

All right, that is approved. And then we also have a um ordinance number 1074 that needs to be brought forward as well uh for approval. So, anyone want to make a motion for the adoption of ordinance number 1074? So, moved. All right. And that's the approval of the zoning ordinance amendment to P uh-10. So, um All right. We have a motion from council member Gra. Second. And a second from council member Chevland Hatfield

or Hatfield. Sorry, I went autopilot there for a second. My bad. Uh all right. Any other discussion? All right. All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. All right. That is adopted as well. So that moves us along to Thank you. Thank you for being here, Andrew.

All right. So that moves us along to a public hearing uh for uh 9B, adopt resolution number 2025-82, the temporary transfer spending plan extension. Mayor and council members, this is an item that actually we took up a few years ago to be able to to consolidate and transfer uh unused TIFF dollars into areas that we could you utilize those because of a state law change. Uh Julie's here to talk about uh an additional law change that the legislature had last year that allows us to extend those. So turn over to her.

Thank you. Thank you, mayor. Council members Matt just for a little background in Minnesota tax increment revenue can only be spent on eligible public improvement items that are outlined in state rules and regulations and that's what in as Matt mentioned in in 2021 the Minnesota legislature temporarily expanded the allowable uses so we could take pulled tax increment and use it on a broader range of um items that support public development or private development stimul job creation and retention. And so that's when in 2022, council approved a spending plan to utilize these this transfer of tax revenues. Unfortunately, that construction was required to start by the end of this year, which has not happened. Thankfully, in 2025 legislative session, uh the legislature extended the temporary transfer authority, pushing back the construction deadline to December 31st of 2026. It also permitted the use of interest earned on that those funds that we were pulled for the temporary transfer dollars. To implement these changes, the council has to hold a public hearing and then approve a resolution that amends the spending plan and um includes the use of that interest in the funds that were transferred over. The spending plan itself identified three tip districts. There are three housing districts where the pulled funds came from. In 2022, the amount transferred was approximately 2.25 million. And then with the interest that has been earned as of 2020, the end of 2024, it was 2.5 million. We don't have at the end of 2025 figures yet. Uh the plan also outlines how the city anticipates using the funds. And while specific projects weren't identified, it did state that the funds could assist with development goals that were identified throughout the downtown Chesca area. Uh the amendment also provides flexibility for the funds to be

used elsewhere in the city should the opportunity arise. Council will be required to approve any spending of those funds if a project does um become um is identified. The plan was attached to your staff report. Uh it was updated to extend the deadline to 2026 and includes the use of the include interest as well. With that staff is recommending council hold the public hearing and then adopting the resolution amending that spending plan. The EDA will take similar action. They the EDA does not have to hold the public hearing but does have to um consider adopting the amended resolution. I'd be happy to take questions.

All right. Does anybody have any questions for uh Julie before the public hearing? I will say that it's probably great that you have someone at Baker Tilly putting these sort of reports together because they're riveting [laughter] edgy as I was reading mine at of midnight last night. No. Good sleeping. Gotta love. Yeah. trying to stay awake and read about tiff districtricting. Um yeah, but nonetheless it's still very very important.

All right. Uh so if if no one else has any questions, there is a public hearing. So I will um go ahead and open that public mir open that public meeting uh at 7:44. Um does anybody like to come forward and speak? Seeing see no okay seeing there's that there's nobody here in our audience to really come forward and speak I'm going to go ahead and close that public hearing meeting at 7:45. All right. And so with that, if there's not any other questions, I would entertain a motion to adopt uh resolution number 2025-82 amending the temporary transfer spending plan for tax increment financing district number 12, tax increment finance district number 13, and tax increment financing district number 19. That can all be on one, right? Correct. Okay.

So moved. All right. Motion from council member Benes. Second. And a second from council member Shovelin. All right. Any other discussion? Otherwise, all those in favor say I. I. Opposed. Motion carries. All right. And that moves us right along to uh item 9C, which is another public hearing. Adopt ordinance number 2025-1073 2026 development fees, planning application fees, and building and fire permit fees.

Mayor, council members, uh this the item in front of you tonight is something that we deal with each year uh in uh at the end of the year is more of a housekeeping item. Uh it's making sure that we have our fees keep up with changes in the cost of actually providing uh the services that we do. Uh our practice over the uh past several years has been to increase uh our fees by the amount of inflation that we use for our general fund budgeting purposes, which we use 3.44% uh increase u uh for the inflationary increases. And so that's with the ordinance what you'd see uh actually listed in there. This deals with anything from uh fees, area charges that that I'd mentioned before during our budget presentation about what they'll pay for for sewer and water or trail fees to contribute to a trail system or it could be uh submitting a planning application to go through the planning process or building in uh inspections uh doing inspections for rentals for uh uh through our fire department. So everything that we sort of provide as a service uh that's out there uh we uh you know recommend making those changes to the the actual fees. We are required to have a public hearing uh to uh uh to change these fees each year. Um and then it does have to be a passed by an ordinance as well. So certainly could answer any questions.

So for um the planning ification and processing fees. The way it's written, are we moving like right now it's application fee plus processing fee. Is that just for clarity and now it'll all show as an application fee? Yeah. Are they consolidating it down? Because that was my to make it easier. Yeah. Let me go down. Because when you first initially looking at it, you're like, "Wow, it's really jumping." And then you realize that, oh, they were, you know, separating them out and now it looks like maybe they're combining them together. It's one of those things that you can't do one without the other. So, you might as well just show it as one.

Yeah, that's what I was wondering. Yeah. Is that just Yeah, I was just going to say, is there some sort of reason? Okay. Yep. And then I had another question for the um the rental uh the rental ones. Are the penalty fees and the reinstatement fees, are those new because they're both green? Uh no. We've had those in the past. I'm just trying to find them here. Sorry, they're page 10 of that.

They looked new because they were green, but I could be wrong because the commercial mechanical and pummeling. No rental rental dwelling license fees. Oh, sure. Sure. The penalty fee and the reinstatement fees for suspended or revoked license are green. So, they look new. I don't Yeah, I'll take that back. That's I think that those were put in because they've had some trouble properties of which makes I was going to also just give some feedback. Um, I know the letter that goes out for those rental dwelling fees or for the rental dwellings, um, could probably use some like language clarity because I know I and this is just from experience having a rental dwelling.

Um, it was postmarked by I think March 1st, but and it ultimately they removed the late fee, but there just wasn't clarity on does it need to be does the application need to be postmarked? do you need to have your inspection by? Like there just wasn't a lot of clarity on that. So there's maybe just opportunity there and I can get you some more details, but it just made me think of it when looking at the fees and what we can definitely take a look.

But I think definitely good um especially since more and more people are doing rentals to have those. So those are all my questions. Yeah, I I don't have any questions other than what was brought forward. I think mine's more of just comment in the sense that when you when I look at this and I I remember several years ago I got a a call from a gentleman that had rental property and he was just very frustrated over the fees. Um but the fees are in place to make sure that the dwelling unit is safe. And that's really, you know, really the ultimate conversation that we ended up having and it and it and it resulted, you know, it was everything was fine and he understood. He wasn't still wasn't happy about having to pay the fees, but he understood. But I think when I look at certain neighborhoods that are um really struggling right now with some of their infrastructure and their um kind of the quality of life, looking at this and seeing some of the opportunities that we have with with these rental units and being able to go in and and inspect them and make sure that they are safe and that, you know, there is um you know, reliable, adequate, you know, infrastructure there and that that's being cared for and treated. and everything like that. That's that's the important piece of of the why behind why we do these things that you know people living in that that are renting that they have that reliability insured on them as well.

Well, because they can't control it themselves. Absolutely. And I can attest the fire department does a great job as being a landlord. It was annoying for me because they come in and they really look at everything, but it was also very good and I'm s like they look at what things are plugged in. So, you know, I'm having to tell the tenant you can't have that plugged in that way. And so, like that's always a little frustrating, but it's for a good thing. Yeah. So, they're very thorough and um I I'm grateful for that because yeah, I would say we're pretty good landlords, but if you don't have someone that's keeping up with that stuff, it is nice to have that kind of additional layer to come in and say, "Yeah, you've got to keep up with this stuff." Yeah. Yeah. They do the same thing to us, too. They

We We uh I don't think there's one extension cord in this entire building. It is a [laughter] little bit You're like, "Oh, come on, guys." But yeah, it's all good things and making sure you have carbon monoxide where you need to and fire detectors where you need to and those are all just really and not all communities do this. Um and it just is a lot more protection and I think another good reason it's great to live in Chaza just knowing whether you own your home or in this case rent there's that um layer uh of protection where the fire department's literally coming in every other year to look at it. Absolutely. Quite frankly, the the houses that we tend to have more problems with are single family owner occupied homes than rental homes. And it's because of this program. Yeah.

Um, makes sense. Which I mean, that's isn't always the case. I mean, a lot of communities, people don't like the single family rental properties because they're afraid that they won't get taken care of. There could be safety hazards in them, all those different types of things. I think to your point, I think they do a really good job of making sure that the these places are really safe places to live. Yep.

All right. Well, with that, um,

we do have a public hearing. Yeah. That we have to open. So, uh I open the public hearing to um at 7:53 uh to discuss the development fees, applications, building inspection, and fire fees. And seeing no one come forward, I'm going to go ahead and close that public hearing at 7:54 p.m. And so then that leads to uh adopting motion or adopting uh ordinance number 2025-73 uh establishing these development uh 2026 development planning application building inspection and fire fees.

Motion to adopt ordinance 2025-1073. So we have a motion from council member Chevlin. Second and a second from council member GR. Any other discussion? Otherwise, all those in favor say I. I opposed. All right. Motion carries. Wonderful. Uh so that was the last of our action items. So that moves us along to bills. Uh does anybody have a question on a bill at all this evening? Motion to pay the bills. Thank you. All right, we still have a motion from Council Member Gra.

Second. A second from Council Member Hatfield. All right. Uh, any other discussion? Otherwise, roll call, please. Council member Hatfield, yes. Council member Banish, yes. Council member Shavelin, yes. Council member McGrath, I. Mayor Hubard, I. All right, bills are paid. All right. So, that moves us along to other business. Let's start with you, Council Member Gra.

All right. Uh, a few things. Uh, I see the Santa parade has been scheduled for December 17th. So, hope for winter weather. I'm not really sure what to hope for. We don't want super cold, but feel like feel like Santa's coming [laughter] to town. There's got to be snow, but not a snowstorm because I do remember the time Santa had to come on the skid loader because of the of the snowstorm. So, that's exciting. And Uh we were talking about GS GIS specialists and helping the Santa parade map. So uh that's always a fun time. Um I will start uh start my acting lessons because I see that Chesa's been named as a film ready community. So uh I better touch up on my public speaking which I'm struggling with right now. Uh so that's kind of super cool. I think that I didn't know that was a thing until I read that. So um it's kind of neat to be one of seven in the metro and hopefully track some filming of our beautiful city. Uh I will also shout out uh although a rival sometimes but a part of the same school district. I will wish the lux football team in the state tournament who were playing Spring Lake Park. Uh that is this weekend. So wish them luck rivals and friends at heart. Uh and then last I was actually you saw this just last night. I was actually just googling so I could read it. So I was going to read what I have here. There'll be a new team USA at the final men's Olympics curling qualifier next month. Watch that.

Sunday night, the Chaska based team led by Danny Casper dethrown John Schusters's club. Everyone knows Schustster and a three-game final Olympic trial. So, I just thought that was cool because I was like I was on ESPN and then all of a sudden like Chaska based Curling Center. I was like, "Oh, hey, look at this." So, that's awesome. Got a good shout out. And

so, this T I mean they had on their jerseys they had the Chesa curling center logo on there. Um, and I mean they are a Chaza based team. I mean they you see them all the time over there practicing and um they actually were ranked higher in the world than Chusters team by like three or four but they're a super young team. They're only like 23 24 years old. Um but we're all So one of the um tough things with the Olympics for the uh curlers this year is that uh Olympics only take the top eight teams uh eight countries and then they have two additional ones and because of the way that the US performed in worlds last year, they weren't part of the top eight teams. So they have to go through another competition to get into. But they are playing so well. I have no doubt that they're they're going to make it in there. But we're already planning now um I mean to have like the US Olympic team, you know, from Chesca Curling Center. We're already talking about what are we going to do for for special things over there? Viewing viewing parties, uh

apparel, apparel, events, things like that. Uh to and hopefully a going away party for him, too, so that you know people have a chance to really give him a a good send off to to go off to the Olympics. It's It's really cool. Yeah, that's it's very exciting. I happened to tune in and see that which I was following it on Twitter. There was I follow that and um a lot of it was on Shustster because he's well known to this day, right? Is it the real Shuster? No, not that. [laughter] Um but yeah, I mean it just talks about incredible historic run and his team and and so yeah, it was I mean it's

uh it is always interesting. I I don't know when it hit me. I think it's because I was I was at Gust Davis and there's a lot of curlers there, too. Um how much of curling is centered in the state of Minnesota, the Olympics, which is was super cool. And right now in our home city, so that's awesome. And that is all. That was wonderful.

Well, real quick, you know, the they're all based out of Chaza Curling Center, but they all moved here to Chaza Curling Center. You know, uh Dan, uh Danny's from New York. Uh, Ben is from Washington. Um, uh, let's see, Violet's from, uh, I think he's from Washington, too. And then there's one, the only one that's from Minnesota is from Mapleton. Um, so, um, they all moved here and based out of Chesa Curling Center. So, we're not just attracting people who live here. People are actually moving here to be a part of that. Yeah, that's really neat. Wonderful.

Council member Shel, I only have two things. Um, I'm gonna let Matt talk about tree lighting because he'll say it much better than me. So, I'm going to leave that to him. [laughter] I don't know if I will, but you probably have much more detail. I'm just going to tell everybody it's a fabulous event through it. The weather is actually looking really nice this weekend. So, um, you should definitely come out for that.

I heard 48 last night on the news, which for the end of November, we're going to take it. Um, we don't have another meeting before Thanksgiving. So, happy Thanksgiving to all those out there. And if you're in need of food, there are I've seen so many signs of places that are offering Thanksgiving meals or um, you know, take-home preparation stuff. So, look around on the community websites because there's a ton of resources out there. And then yeah, I was going to say it's exciting to see the Chanhassen football team go in all the way and takes me back 20 years to when Eden Prairie was that good. But um it's really fun to get involved with those and you know go support them, watch the game, go down to the you know stadium. It's it's a fun time. Hopefully they do really well.

If I can add one thing I will point out that Southwest Transit has been providing some of that transportation. to that which is a point that we talk about doesn't exist if Southwest transit doesn't exist. Right? Those are some of those things. Um so I'll take that opportunity because those are unique community building exercises when you're you get on the bus and it's truthfully the easiest way to get there. Uh and you're with your community and your friends and people you've lived with and and it's it's fun. And so, um, I'll take that opportunity to shout out Southwest Transit because those don't exist by accident. That doesn't, you know, Metro Transit isn't coming out here to bring us to the football game.

The other thing I was going to say is the community center does a great job with offering the days off of school, some events. So, I know my daughter is going to the swim and movie party, I believe, next week, but I already signed her up for the sledding and swimming coming up in December. And so there's a bunch of those kinds of things. If you're looking for interesting things to do when your kids have days off, um I highly suggest looking at the community center page. Great plug. I always plug in the community center. All right. Uh Council Member Bennish. I don't have anything. All right. Game on. All right. Council member Hatfield.

Yeah, just a uh few things. Uh, I just want to shout our parks and reccks department does such an amazing job and I think we always see like the big events. I'm going to talk about it, mayor. Um, and but they do a lot of little events, too. This weekend, uh, Mayor Huard, Mayor Johnson from Carver and I took part in Puzzle Mania and, um, I will let you know that I hope we are better at running cities than we are at puzzles because we did come in last place and we were humbled. Later, [laughter] didn't finish. Did you all have Did you all have the same puzzle?

Yes, everyone had But it was such a nice event. There was, I think, 11 teams. Um, and just the parks and recck department does such a good job with it. It was a lot of fun. So, even though we got like our butt totally kicked, um it was a lot of fun and they just do such a good job of making it fun and um [clears throat] and they're doing another one. It's a very popular event. They're so expanding on it. But I think those like little events that aren't always spotlighted as the big ones like they parks and direct is so many of those. Um and it's just so look at their Facebook and their website because they do things like that all the time. Um what strategy did you learn from that you We went in with the strategy and everything. First of all, first of all,

there were people in puzzle shirts, matching puzzle shirts. Yes, we did not take it to that level, but I would say our number one um mishap was that you could have four people and we had three. Yeah. So, we were down to accepting applications for a fourth. I was never asked. [laughter] I don't think I think we'd have to publicly announce it then. But it was John and I are Yeah. [laughter] But just a lot of fun and I just Yeah. I'm always so grateful for our parks and rec department all those um things they think to do. And there's another one in February coming up. So if you love doing puzzles um jump on that and uh maybe we'll see you there and we'll probably lose again. But [laughter]

yeah. Yeah. We were humbled. Definitely. We were humbled, especially when the team that had the puzzle shirts completed it in just a little over an hour. I thought they were just under. It was fast. It was really fast. It was a 750 piece p piece puzzle. They gave us what, two hours to do. It was the hardest puzzle I've ever seen. It was a little over an hour and it was a struggle and it's sitting in my home now and I curse it. It had a lot of patterns and thing. We kept seeing new things. You'd be like, "Oh my gosh, I didn't realize there was a pair of There's another sandwich in this puzzle. There's two sandwiches." What? It was crazy. Anyways, but just appreciate our parks and rec department. Yep. So, they show up on a Saturday and put on fun events like that for us. So, yeah.

Um, that was great. Uh, deer weekend this past weekend in downtown Chaza. It another great there. The energy on deer weekend is always my favorite. Driving by Carver Junk, seeing the line out the door at 9:00 a.m. Um, literally down the block and around um on to second, it's always my favorite thing. um the shops, the other shops I heard had really good um attendance or people in them. Um the restaurants. So that's just always an kind of an electric weekend I think down downtown. So um sip and shop Saturdays are still happening. Um so you can go downtown this weekend and experience a sip and shop Saturday. Um and it's been really fun to see the partnerships that have come out of that. So, I know like Hoff Studios has partnered with um size to do some of those um popups for the ship and soph ship sip and shops. Wow, that's hard and got dangerous there. Um [laughter] so, um that's always really fun. I noticed uh we had our downtown business alliance meeting at the Chaza Commons co-working space. Um they opened that up and it was just really cool to go in and see on their mugs they have Jones coffee and they and Jones coffee supplies. So the kind of um support that is in the downtown businesses is awesome to see. So that was great.

Can I interject? So I was in I was at size stay for lunch and I was talking to the owner Kent and he was telling me that you know they're having a little um dinner party, you know, festivity prior to the tree lighting. and he was and because he went to the business alliance meeting, he got to know Ann from Jones Coffee and they're going to come over there and serve like hot beverages because he's like, "We don't serve hot beverages." And so, you know, seeing those sort of partnerships happen, you know, is is so rewarding. So anyways,

well that's a good lead into my next thing which was that um you know the city had um had Max Music Muscant come in um earlier this year and he gave his uh presentation on kind of the findings and suggestions to the downtown business alliance. It's the one the council got a few weeks ago. Um so he gave that to the downtown business alliance and they got to really talk about and make a plan for for the next year and it's just really fun to see them come together. Um, I think I've mentioned this. There's been more attendance at those meetings from the businesses themselves than really anything I'd seen in the seven years I've been um, going to those meetings. And so, it's just really exciting to feel the energy and um, I think they're the ideas Max brought forward and the thoughts he brought forward were really um, a value ad to the downtown business. Kind of got their their wheels going on some things they could do. And so they'll spend their next meeting kind of creating a strategy for for 2026 and um and some of the goals and things they want to attain. And and it's at those meetings really where they you know the wheels turning and having those conversations. And I literally heard Ann and Kent have that conversation about um you know what bringing Jones coffee over size and having those hot beverages and things um and how meaningful that is. And so it was just those are always really great meetings. Um again to the newer council members, always welcome to come to those. It's really interesting. Um and but yeah, it was just great. So great to hear Max deliver that. Um and they did kind of a quick strategy session or feedback session and um looking I know some of the things they mentioned were um more partnerships between the businesses like we we've seen between Hoft and Size and now Size and Jones and Jones and Chesby Commons um co-working and all of those things. So just really exciting stuff happening

downtown. Um, and the businesses are so engaged and I I just really appreciate that because I think from a city standpoint, um, that's awesome when we, you know, we're we're matching each other's efforts to have a really vibrant downtown. Um, and so yeah, uh, like I said, Sip and Shop Saturdays are happening still. These Saturdays coming up, the tree lighting is, um, this Sunday at 6 PM. I love that it's earlier. That's really fun to have that tree lit earlier and to kind of there's just like a magic that happens. I feel like once that event goes and really like kicks off the Christmas season and um the holiday season and getting to just have those vibes downtown is a lot of fun. So that is happening. Um and then hometown holidays December 6th. The coloring contest is out on um their Facebook and without having a newspaper for that to go in. we've they've they've seen lower um

entries, participants, good word, um in that. But I'd encourage you, they have a couple different age groups, so if you have young kids, um print those coloring pages out and submit them. It's just kind of a fun thing. And there's some prizes and whatnot. So, um that's Hometown Holiday coming up on December 6th. And um I think Cops and Donuts is happening this Wednesday at Duncan. um small business Saturdays coming up which we had the um proclamation that was great and I think that was it. So lots of good stuff. It's my favorite time of year.

Wonderful. Awesome. Okay. Uh I sounded like a cheerleader there. Uh okay, moving on to Elise.

Uh few quick things um on the film ready. Just huge kudos to Julie who got herself certified to be able to do this and um Christa. These two have been working super hard to make that happen. So I just wanted to give a shout out to them on that. Um the Chesca Human Rights Commission has their annual human rights award nominations open right now until December 10th. So if you know somebody that application is available online. Um so I'd encourage you to um submit for somebody. And then um a few of us today took a trip to uh Super Marcado Super Marcato Lom Bonita in Richfield. This is the same group of folks who will be opening in Cooper. We had an opportunity to tour the store today. Um eat there and just see what they're all about. And just kind of a from a timing perspective, they plan to um order equipment early 2026 because that obviously takes some time. You'll see some construction activity happening kind of mid2026 with the hope that it's kind of open about this time next year.

So, they're working on getting the Richfield store up and going. If you have the chance to go over there and see it, we were absolutely amazed. Where is it in Richfield? Uh, it's the old Rainbow Foods office 66. Oh, by Holy Angels. Yep. By Hol right across the street from Holy Angels. Yep.

So, um, take a look. Go see what we'll be getting. They plan to keep a lot of the same things. Obviously, that store is much bigger. So, they'll be kind of consolidating things, but just the bakery and the cakes they were putting out and just the meat selection and the deli and just the made to order food and I don't know, I can't describe it. It was wonderful. So, um it got it got us very excited about it. So, that's it for my updates. Wonderful. That is an exciting update. Julie, do you have anything to add?

It was a great experience. great store and it has all sorts of food. It's not just Latino food. It's you can just go shop for staple groceries as well. Great. Awesome. Officer Push, got anything? [laughter] Actually, um I was here last meeting um and you guys talked about the ski trailer that put away for the winter. So if anybody had it on their wish list for their neighborhood, they can still give us their neighborhood ideas, but it won't be hit by the snow plow as it goes by.

It stays in tiptop shape. That's that's a good report. I like that. Awesome. [laughter] That's that's better than most of your colleagues. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, they don't like being put on like better than 100% of them. I was going to [laughter] say they do not like being put on the spot, but I'm going to give you kudos to Ryan. So, [laughter] zoom in, Christa. No. Um, Kristoff, you got anything? Nothing for me tonight. All right. All right, Matt. No, everything's Everything's been said. Okay. Yeah. Did we really Did we talk about the the tree lighting? I said, you did. Okay.

But you can expand if you guys want. Well, I I want Yeah, the tree lighting is happening at Fireman's Park at 6 o'clock. She said that's she did sale. She said I guess I got it confused with the hometown holidays. Maybe you just should come downtown Saturdays and Sundays all the rest of the year. Yeah. And if you're really lucky because we're film ready now, maybe they'll be shooting a Hallmark movie or something. I'm putting out there. I'm available for

you. Yeah, I could give a little update on sort of the hundred club. Um, so, uh, 100 clubs is the group that actually pays for the Christmas decorations. And I know council member GRA talked about this last time, but, uh, the 100 club has the two hours before the tree lighting ceremony, uh, basically a get together for ordurves and things like that, and it's basically to raise money for the, uh, uh, for all the Christmas decorations in in downtown. And then right when we're done with that, we sort of migrate out to the Christmas tree out in the park and light that all up. And and it was very deliberate this year that uh that we did it before Thanksgiving. Uh particularly cuz last year Thanksgiving I believe was early

and this year it's late. Um, but it was it was early and so or one way or another it felt way too late when we were lighting the the Christmas tree. And so, uh, the funny thing is is uh most people I've talked to prefer that it's happen that the hund club's happening before Thanksgiving too because people just get busy as they get into December. Uh, December. So, uh, so both those events will be happening on on Sunday night. Wonderful. Well, thank you for that update. Are you gonna have to help you light it? Oh, yeah. I'm sure.

But, you know, he's told me he's actually really lit it in years past with the one year that you had him flip the actual deal. So, you're not that I do that every year. So, I know, but you had [laughter] him do it the one year and so now he's like about the button is the actual Yeah, of course. Wow. [laughter] Don't mind. Don't mind me over here. I do find it funny though that I've been doing this for years and years and years that people see me standing next to electric box and they don't like put two and two together that [laughter] that the reason that the tree goes on is because I plug it in. Okay. Well, actually,

that's not true. There's a button. That's what it is Santa's doing. I don't know what they're talking about. [laughter] Vacation where the mother puts the light on. Yeah. Yeah. Exactly. Room. Yes. No. I hold my breath before every time just praying that this thing goes on. [laughter] Please. It's not one of those things where if one bulb goes off, they all go. Yeah. [laughter] Yeah. How you check every It would probably be I'd be sweating sweating up there or whatever. That's a funny movie. We should show it at the Hunter Club. [laughter] Yeah. Uh okay, capping off, I'll start with some recaps. Uh this last um this last week was veterans uh

day. It was Tuesday. Uh I'm like what what day was that? Anyways, uh middle school Chesco Middle School West always does a really fabulous ceremony and um the the um um uh Legion uh color or honor guard, you know, uh does a great job and it's just really great to see all the students engaged. And I had an opportunity this last year at the little reception afterwards to talk to some of the students and and I guess that leads me into that the referendum passed for the school district and a lot of them were a part of band and they were talking about how great it was to um be a part of band in fifth grade and that was one of those things that was maybe on the chopping block. So kind of hearing perspectively from the mindsets and uh of our students. It's it's nice to see uh the community support those endeavors for all of our kids to be able to thrive and and really um cultivate their passion. So, um and uh it was a great um Veterans Day ceremony overall and thank you to all of our veterans who serve. Uh and then another recap, uh the Human Rights Commission hosted the Celebrate India event on Friday. I did not do a count but there were a lot of people there. It was very popular um second year and they might outgrow the event center space if it continues. I know outgrew the first space from the first year and just so many community members that um live in our community, but also surrounding communities that really just were so excited to celebrate their culture, to have an opportunity to showcase it. Uh and then there was a woman who stopped me um after because I was I was the chief guest. That was what it said in the pamphlet. I don't think I've ever been like the guest of honor anywhere. And so I got to have the front

row seat to watch all the engagement and everything. But there was a woman that came up to me afterwards and she said that um she lives in Prairie and she just started a new job and her team is uh largely from India. And so she saw that we were having this event and she felt like this was a great opportunity for her to come and learn more about uh the culture and be able to, you know, create those conversations and and have, you know, that camaraderie with uh her new co-workers. And uh she was completely blown away. And she said that uh she was like, "I'm going to be moving soon. I'm going to look in Chaza because this is the community that I want to live in. A community that really celebrates other people uh their heritage, their culture, their diversity. You know, this is a community that I want to this is a place that I want to live in. And and that is um a meaningful testimony that we not only make the people uh who we kind of shine a spotlight on feel at home, you know, because we are celebrating their heritage and and and their culture, but also people that want to engage and learn more about uh their uh community members that they feel tapped in and and they're able to build community that way as well. So, just wanted to share that along with everybody else. I did not have Puzzle Mania on my list because I was

You didn't want to admit defeat. Well, I mean, it was okay. I'm not that competitive, but but that that did happen this last weekend, but um he talked about small business Saturdays and hometown holidays. Um we have the state of the city speech uh with the Southwest Chamber with our other uh neighboring communities of uh Carver, Chanhassen, and Victoria. And so we are going to give an amazing speech and blow them all out of the water. Sorry ladies. Uh and then after that uh they there is a ribbon cutting uh happening and I don't know the specific time because I did not look that up but it's for the family resource center. We all got an email about it though. I think it's 1:30 to 3 or something.

Say you're probably right. And it's the family resource center um is in the Moravian church. Um, yeah. 1:30 to 3:30 in town here. So, so that's kind of following the the chamber lunchon. Uh, 82nd Street is open. Oh, yes. So, I wanted to mention that. And 82nd Street is now Lyman Boulevard all the way. So, it's going to be kind of, you know, something that we're all going to have to get used to, but it's now considered to be Lyman Boulevard. But the trails open, too, I think. I saw which is exciting. Yeah. Yeah. I think it go off the current alignment like there go.

Yeah, it will go through the roundabout. It kind of completes all the way through and the and the residents are going to be, you know, they're, you know, working through the switch their addresses and all that sort of stuff. That was a rusty patch B situation, right? If I remember correctly. Yeah. Rusty patch bats. Yeah. And the bats. So, um, yeah. So, that's really exciting. I think the county is probably super excited to wrap up these road construction projects. And speaking of road construction, I do attend the Southwest Coalition. Transportation I it's I don't know what the whole transportation co southwest transportation coalition. I thought there was another C in there.

Anyways, committee.

I don't know. But nonetheless um you know it's a group of uh you know cities and entities not just cities there's like uh you know the arboritum's a part of it and there's other entities a part of it and it was at the arboritum. So we got to talk a lot about uh the upcoming road construction project which is happening um starting next summer and then in 2027. But the reason why I mentioned this, not that it's necessarily in Chaza, but the um intersection of 41 and five will be closed because they're going to be doing those improvements this year. And that's going to have a a big [clears throat] impact. And even though we are technically not doing anything to 41 this year, there is stuff happening to 41. [laughter] And it's unfortunate, but it's the cost of a growing community.

Such a short road that's had so much construction. It's the shortest state road in Minnesota. Is it? Yeah. Are you serious? Yeah. Yeah. It only runs from 7 to 11 has just been smacked with construction. It's also the cutest. So, yes, at least on our side. [laughter]

So, yeah, their their focus is on the, you know, they're going to kind of flip it. They'll do stuff on the south side of the, you know, highway five and then flip around and do the north side to kind of beef up that intersection before they close everything down in 2027 on that on that stretch to do that part of Highway 5. But I just wanted to make sure we kind of threw that out there because, you know, who doesn't want to talk about road construction once we're all finishing it all up.

Um, couple other things. Uh, there are commission applications happening. Uh so uh I've been stopped by several folks that are just very interested in becoming more involved. I've directed them to fill out commission applications. I'm assuming we have I I want to say we have openings for probably every commission as kind of we have sort of a cycle that we you know um we have where some people fall off and you know other people might be able to reup. I know there's some on certain commissions that they're tapped out. they're at their nine years and so they're done. So I know for sure that's happening. So if you're interested in becoming more involved in our community, commissions are a really great way of making that happen. The commitment level um generally is one meeting a month and then dependent on the commission you might have other sort of things. You know, you might have a big packet to read or you might have maybe other social events like the human rights commission uh facilitates and everything, but it's not a ginormous commitment and it's a great way of tapping into your community. and a couple commissions or just add have youth positions open as well. So if you're a youth looking to get involved um parks and

human rights yes have youth positions. Yes. So yes. So yeah, good point. So uh and then I think that was probably the last thing on my list unless there did did I miss anything? Oh, happy Thanksgiving everybody. I hope everybody has a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving. Um, and so that I think that's everything on my list. Does anybody have anything else to add? Otherwise, I I think we have an EDA meeting that's following this. And so, uh, I would, uh, entertain a motion to adjurnn. Motion to adjurnn. All right. Motion from council member Chevlin. Second.

And a second from council member Bennish. All those in favor say I. I I uh opposed. We are journed. [laughter] All right. And that uh has us going right into our unless Christa hollers at me and tells me to stop. Uh goes into our um call to order for the Chaza Economic Development Authority. Uh Elise, would you please call roll? Commissioner Hatfield here. Commissioner Benish here. Commissioner Chevlin here. Commissioner Grath here. President Cover [clears throat]

here. All right. All right. So, uh, next we have the adoption of the agenda. Does anybody have any additions or corrections to the agenda? Motion to adopt the agenda. All right. We have a motion from Council Member Chevlin. Second. A second from I'm sorry, Commissioner uh Chevlin. And the second from Commissioner Benes. Uh all those in favor say I. I opposed. All right. Agenda is adopted. And that moves us along to the approval of the previous EDA minutes of September 29th, 2025. Does anybody have any addition or corrections on the minutes? Motion to approve the minutes.

All right. So, a motion from Commissioner uh Gra and a second from President Cubard. Uh all those in favor say I. I. I opposed. All right. Meeting minutes are approved. And then we have uh our discussion item which is 5A adopt EDA resolution 2025-84 amending temporary transfer spending plan.

Uh madame president and commissioners the item in front of you tonight was uh the exact same item you saw in the council meeting. Uh we have to not just approve it by the council but also by the EDA to basically amend our temporary transfer spending authority for our TIF districts. uh or for three tiff districts uh coming in uh uh and being able to be spent in the uh downtown. So again, uh no public hearing, but we do have to have the EDA approve it, too. Wonderful. I know these are always kind of easy. I feel like we sort of breeze into them, but we've talked about them just I don't know maybe 30 minutes ago or so and had a public hearing. And had a public hearing. So

riveting. It was. And so was all like I said all that reading on on the tiff um you know districts and whatnot. Anybody have any uh questions that they didn't think of earlier that they're wanting to talk about now? All right. So uh with that I would entertain a motion to adopt uh resolution EDA uh 2025-84 amending the temporary transfer spending plan for tax increment financing district number 12. Tax Increment Financing District number 13 and Tax Increment Financing District number 19. Motion to adopt resolution 2025-84.

All right. You weren't going to go through all of that because I I was trying to spare whoever. All right. So, I figured I'd go part way. Sure. All right. We have a motion. It appears on our screen. Yeah. Motion from Commissioner Benes. Second. And a second from Commissioner Hatfield. Any other discussion? Otherwise, all those in favor say I. I. I opposed. All right. Motion carries. And that leads us over to other business. Does anybody have anything um in other business that they'd like to discuss that relates to the economic development? Leads to this is more council, but are um our tax meeting is the next one. Our truth and taxing. Yep. Are have statements been mailed to houses?

Uh they probably have been mailed. They typically are are mailed by the middle of November. I have not seen mine come. Um but uh yeah, I mean typically they're coming this week during Okay, just everybody to watch out for those and then if you have questions the next council meeting which I believe is in December second.

Yeah. So December 1st is our truth and taxation hearing. So that's basically when we present the general fund budget uh and uh we don't take any action that night. We just take any comments from people. And then the second meeting of the month which is the 15th uh is when we adopt our tax levy and our budgets uh for next uh for next year for not just the general fund but all the funds that we've looked at. So watch for those to come to your house and if you have any questions, comments, concerns next week or two weeks, December 1st would be a great time to come to the council meeting.

Yeah, good to know. Awesome. All right. Any other other business? Otherwise, I'd entertain a motion to adjurnn. Motion to adjurnn. All right. Motion from Commissioner Hatfield. Second. A second from Commissioner Gra. All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. [clears throat] We are adjourned. Thank you very much.