Chaska City Council — Transcript
Monday, September 14, 2026
Bountiful Basket Community Presentation
Southwest Community Park Plan Approval
2026 Delinquent Utilities Certification
Proposed 2027 Maximum Property Tax Levy
Votes (4)
Southwest Community Park Plan recommendation
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Shefflin [01:15:37] · Seconded by Council Member Gra [01:15:43]
City Administrator Matt Podaroski and Park and Recreation Director Marshall presented the final plan for the 70-acre Southwest Chaska Community Park. The plan, which has been in development for over two years with extensive community input, includes a Miracle League baseball field, a large universal playground (70,000 sq ft), a splash pad, an 18-hole disc golf course, bouldering wall, multiple sports fields, open lawn areas, park shelters, walking trails, and a sledding hill with a snow-making machine. The park will feature a pollinator theme and incorporate natural elements from the Big Woods area. A park building will offer programmable space, seasonal restrooms, an assisted restroom with an adult changing table, and function as a warming house in winter. The total estimated cost is $23.8 million, funded by an LCCMR grant, bond financing, park dedication funds, and contributions from the school district and developers. Two resident concerns were noted from a prior meeting regarding potential sports field lighting and traffic speeds on Perseron Boulevard, and a Park and Recreation Commissioner expressed disagreement with the splash pad inclusion. Overall, the Park and Recreation Commission unanimously recommended approval, expressing excitement for the project as a 'legacy' for Chaska.
Approve and authorize city administrator to sign Letter of Intent with Independent School District 112
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Hatfield [01:16:35] · Seconded by Council Member Bennish [01:16:42]
This motion specifically concerned the formal agreement for shared infrastructure between the city and the school district for the Southwest Community Park and a planned elementary school. The letter of intent outlines financial contributions for joint stormwater and parking facilities.
Public hearing to consider certification of 2026 delinquent utilities and adopt Resolution 2026-88
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Gra [01:23:38] · Seconded by Council Member Bennishes [01:23:44]
City Administrator Matt Podaroski presented the annual process for certifying delinquent utility fees. Initially, $9,534.12 in fees were outstanding, but this was reduced to $7,800 across 21 accounts after some payments. The certified amounts will be added to the 2027 property tax bills, with a 30-day grace period for payment without interest. Staff from utility billing were commended for their diligent and compassionate work in managing collections and assisting residents.
Adopt Resolution 2026-82, adopting the proposed 2027 maximum property tax levy
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Bennishes [01:51:50] · Seconded by Council Member Hatfield [01:51:55]
City Administrator Matt Podaroski outlined the process for adopting the preliminary 2027 tax levy, emphasizing that this preliminary number cannot be increased later. The budget objectives focus on maintaining high-quality services, fully funding asset maintenance (CAMP program), and avoiding general fund reserve drawdowns. The tax levy policy is based on new growth (1.63%), inflation (3.8%), and new services (none this year), resulting in a 5.49% levy increase. This translates to a 3.34% increase for the median-value home, which is competitive compared to neighboring cities. Staffing additions for 2027 include a full-time Video Protection Assistant, an HR intern, three police officers (to achieve a 3-car minimum with a supervisor), a Fire Admin Assistant, and Parks & Rec positions (Assistant Director, Tech Support), along with funding for the Nick Mason Recreation Scholarship. Equipment replacement plans include cameras, a refurbished tanker truck (saving $700,000), and new vehicles. The current levy per capita positions Chaska in the lowest third of metro cities, despite recent investments in public safety and other facilities.
Notable Quotes (12)
this um community park and preservation of the big woods has been envisioned uh for over 25 years here in Chaska and has been representative represented in prior um city comprehensive plans um and is currently a part of the city council's five-year strategic plan.
this is right around 70,000 square ft of playground area which would put it as one of the larger playground areas in the metro.
I just want to comment that I think you guys did a nice job of with the bathrooms. I know that there's in a neighboring community they have a universal playground. they they didn't budget for restroom facilities or it just hasn't happened yet and that that it's really challenging. So, it's been the number one complaint they get about it.
you have spent a ton of time on this and you have worked this plan and reworked this plan and um and and I know this has you have a large role to play with all the different park and recreation entities that we do already currently have and this is a new endeavor and so thank you for um pulling in all of the ideas engaging all the feedback within not just the community but our staff as well incorporating ing public works perspective to make sure that it's going to be well-maintained and um and like I like I shared the thoughts of everybody else here that the community, you know, is going to have a place that creates that sense of community pride and a legacy for our community.
In total, uh, we have, uh, uh, delinquent utility fees of $9,534.12. Um, that's broken down into things with storm water fees, electric fees, uh, sewer fees, water fees, and, uh, we don't have any sort of miscellaneous fees that are out there.
Typically, when you approve this assessment, we convert it from a utility receivable to a special assessment receivable. And then under the assessment pre-process, they've got a period of time to 30 days to pay without interest. If they haven't paid that then I will be certified with a full years of interest for 2027.
I just want to give, uh, thank you to utility billing, um, null Erica, you guys, they work incredibly hard and you can, you, you see the reflection of it because there are very few names on this list and I give them a lot of credit because that is not an easy part of their job.
The first stage involves adopting a a preliminary tax levy by the end of of September uh which we then certify to the county and that ends up being the what goes out on the truth and taxation statements in November. And then uh then in uh that's followed up in December uh with the truth and taxation uh hearing that we hold the first uh which is December 7th this year, first Monday uh meeting that we have. uh we can't take any action uh that night but basically present the budget take any feedback and then uh we use that then to establish the final levy which would be on uh December 21st uh of this year so this is the preliminary so you once we set this uh you can go down uh but you cannot go up on on the taxian so that's why it's sort of important for us to to understand that the impacts of it as we go throughum you know because we are limited beyond this point.
So our tax levy policy is pretty simple. It's really new growth. Uh so whatever new growth we have in the community plus inflation plus any new services that we'd add.
we would have a tax levy increase of 5.49%. Uh which translates to uh a 3.34% increase for the median value home uh in the community
this was a much more palatable presentation um this year. uh but grateful for a community that uh recognizes how important city services are on your daily life.
I always say, you know, our goal is to continue to have Chaska be an affordable place to live and still provide the a high quality uh services that our residents not only expect but they deserve.
Ordinances & Resolutions (7)
Approved plan for the Autumn Woods park, appearing on the consent agenda.
Final recommended plan for a 70-acre park including various recreational and natural features.
Approving the certification of delinquent utilities and miscellaneous unpaid charges to Carver County.
Adopting the proposed 2027 maximum property tax levy.
Agreement for joint stormwater and parking facilities for the community park and planned elementary school.
Grant received from the Department of Natural Resources to acquire a portion of the Big Woods area.
Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources grant for $3,047,000 to help fund the Southwest Community Park.