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City Hall Virtual Tour

Chanhassen City CouncilTuesday, November 4, 2025
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Transcript
[0:00] Hi there, Drew with the comm's [0:01] department. If you didn't have a chance [0:02] to see the new city hall building on the [0:04] November 1st open house, we got a [0:06] special treat for you, a virtual tour. [0:08] Come on in. First up, we got the main [0:11] lobby. Step into a bright open space [0:13] that immediately sets the tone for your [0:15] visit. With large glass entrances, [0:17] modern finishes, and an intuitive [0:19] layout, the new lobby welcomes guests [0:21] from all three building entrances. Some [0:24] features include public seating and [0:25] workstations with Wi-Fi for remote work [0:27] or waiting. A warm, professional [0:30] atmosphere designed to make your visit [0:31] easier. [0:34] Up next, we have the senior center. Here [0:36] is the main room and kitchen. This hub [0:38] for community connection hosts parties, [0:40] performances, speakers, game and [0:42] interest groups for embracing 55 and [0:44] forward living. In 2024 alone, the [0:47] senior center in the previous building [0:49] logged over 11,000 visits. Some features [0:52] include no annual membership fee, [0:55] non-residents are always welcome, a [0:57] modern kitchen for serving small and [0:59] large events, adventure day trips, [1:01] lunchons, educational workshops and [1:03] performances. [1:05] [Music] [1:07] There's a conference room in the senior [1:09] center. This flexible meeting space [1:10] supports a range of essential services. [1:15] Over here we've got the classroom and [1:16] maker space. From wood carving to [1:18] musical band practice and art classes, [1:20] this creative space is where lifelong [1:22] learning and connection happens. Some [1:24] features. It's the home of the Wednesday [1:26] wood carvers, art and hobby classes, [1:29] chan jammers, music group. In the senior [1:31] center in the previous building, we saw [1:33] over 8,000 game, creative arts, and [1:35] group participants. last year alone. [1:40] [Music] [1:43] All right, back out to the main hallway [1:44] and we've got the service desk, a single [1:46] centralized service counter for [1:48] streamlining help. Visit the service [1:49] desk to do anything from paying utility [1:51] bills to applying for permits or just [1:53] getting help with general city [1:54] questions. [1:56] Heading south down the main hall, we get [1:58] to the training room with space for 80. [2:00] This is where staff trainings, public [2:02] workshops, and open houses take place. [2:05] City Council meets for work sessions [2:06] before regular meetings to ask [2:08] questions, explore issues, and [2:10] collaborate here. Some features include [2:12] built-in AV technology and flexible [2:14] seating for various meeting formats. [2:22] Across the hall, we've got law [2:23] enforcement. Chanhassen contracts with [2:25] the Carver County Sheriff's Office to [2:27] provide law enforcement services. Some [2:29] features include a secure visible office [2:31] within city hall, on-site evidence [2:33] storage to reduce trips to the [2:34] government center in Chesca, and a drug [2:36] dropbox for safe, environmentally [2:38] friendly disposal of medications. Right [2:41] next door is the building department. [2:42] Although many permits are now online, [2:44] this department remains essential for [2:46] safety and code compliance. Primary task [2:48] of the building inspection division is [2:50] to provide for the city's health, [2:52] safety, and welfare through the [2:53] administration of building and fire [2:55] codes. [2:58] Down the hall, we've got the finance [2:59] department and the city clerk's office. [3:01] The finance and city clerk's offices [3:03] keep Chanhassing running smoothly and [3:05] transparently. In the same area, we've [3:07] got the parks and wreck department. From [3:09] summer concerts to ice rinks, parks and [3:11] recreation is at the heart of [3:12] Chanhasson's community life. This [3:14] department plans and maintains city [3:16] parks, trails, and natural areas while [3:18] offering hundreds of recreation programs [3:20] for all ages. [3:25] Wrapping around back out to the main [3:26] hallway, we've got the reception desk [3:28] and some artwork. Across the hallway [3:30] from the reception desk, you'll find a [3:31] handwoven fiber artwork by artist [3:33] Rebecca Whitaker that mirrors the city's [3:36] map. The reception desk is where [3:37] visitors can get directions, ask [3:39] questions, or connect with the right [3:41] department. Designed for accessibility [3:43] and visibility, it serves as the [3:45] welcoming center of city hall, [3:46] reflecting the city's commitment to [3:48] transparency and service. [3:52] All right, time to head upstairs. Up the [3:54] grand staircase. More than just a way to [3:56] get upstairs. This architectural feature [3:58] celebrates the natural beauty of [3:59] Channassen. There's also an elevator [4:01] nearby if you need one. [4:05] Once we get upstairs, we can go right [4:07] into the council chambers. Public [4:09] meetings are now more comfortable and [4:11] accessible than ever. Some features here [4:13] include improved seating and lighting, [4:15] integrated sound and broadcast [4:16] technology, overflow seating area with [4:19] live video and audio. [4:25] It's also used by planning, park and [4:27] recreation, and other commissions. [4:30] [Music] [4:34] Next up, we've got the break room. [4:36] Believe it or not, this is a brand new [4:37] feature. The old city hall had no [4:39] dedicated staff break area. This is a [4:42] meaningful step in supporting employee [4:43] wellness. [4:45] [Music] [4:52] Speaking of wellness, we have the [4:53] wellness room, a private, flexible space [4:55] for lactation, rest, or personal care [4:57] needs. [5:01] Back across the hallway, we've got the [5:02] fire and IT offices. Offices for the [5:05] fire chief, fire marshall/ass assistant [5:07] chief, and city IT professionals are [5:09] coll-located to support emergency [5:11] planning and digital operations. [5:13] [Music] [5:16] Heading back south, we come to community [5:17] and economic development and water [5:19] resources. Community development guides [5:22] planning, zoning, and redevelopment to [5:23] ensure thoughtful growth in strong [5:25] neighborhoods. Economic development [5:27] supports local businesses through [5:29] retention, expansion, and attraction [5:30] efforts to strengthen the city's [5:32] economy. Water Resources manages storm [5:34] water systems, sustainability [5:36] initiatives, and water quality across [5:38] the city. [5:42] [Music] [5:44] Up next is the engineering department. [5:46] Engineering ensures Chanhassen's [5:48] infrastructure is safe, efficient, and [5:50] built to last. This team manages road [5:52] and utility projects, reviews [5:54] development plans, and oversees [5:56] maintenance of the city's storm water, [5:58] sewer, water, street, and transportation [6:01] systems. all with a focus on long-term [6:03] reliability and sustainability. [6:07] Our last department is administration [6:08] and communications. The city manager and [6:11] other key administrative staff work here [6:13] to lead the day-to-day operations and [6:14] support the city council's policy [6:16] decisions. The communications team also [6:18] works here where they brainstorm [6:20] creative ideas, manage public outreach, [6:22] and shape the city's digital presence. [6:24] Hey, that's my desk. [6:27] [Music] [6:32] The porch, a civic gathering place. This [6:35] porch encourages informal conversation [6:37] and community connection. [6:41] All right, now for something that nobody [6:42] got to see on the November 1st tour, the [6:45] roof. And look, some solar panels. We'll [6:49] be doing an in-depth feature on those [6:51] shortly. [6:53] [Music] [6:58] And down here we've got the parking [7:00] garage. [7:02] This is where city fleet vehicles park [7:04] as well as Carver County Sheriff's [7:06] Office squad cars. And that's it. We [7:09] hope you enjoyed your virtual tour and [7:11] we hope you'll stop by in person [7:12] sometime and say hello.