recording in progress. >> Good evening and welcome to the Chesa City Council meeting for Monday, September 8th. Can I have everyone rise for the pledge of allegiance? I pledge algiance 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. >> Did also forget to say I'm calling this meeting to order at 700 p.m. So, um, Elise, can you call a roll, please? >> Council member Hatfield. Council member Benes >> here. >> Council member Chevlin >> here. Council member Gra >> here. >> Mayor Hubard >> here. All right. Next on is the adoption of the agenda. Does anybody have any uh additions or corrections to the agenda? Otherwise, I'd entertain a motion to adopt. >> Motion to adopt agenda. >> We have a motion from council member Chevlin. >> Second. >> A second from council member Benish. Sorry. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. Opposed. All right. Agenda is adopted. Next we have visitor presentation. So on our agenda here we have Dr. Dr. Rathky from the Eastern Carver County Schools. Come on forward. >> Good evening everybody. Um thanks for letting me be here tonight council. Um Dr. Rafki, superintendent Eastern Carver County Schools. How >> just say next slide. >> Okay, perfect. Thank you. So, we're really excited to just share with you can push the next slide. Just really excited to share with you um some updates about our upcoming referendum and want to just say how great grateful we are. Chaza City has always been so supportive of the school district. But you can see here just some statistics that I want to share with you. Um 95% of our families say that they're having a well-rounded education in Eastern Carver County schools that's preparing them for their future. 84% agree that they receive a good value for its investment in our local schools. And 87% rate the quality of ECCS schools as excellent or good. So whenever we start thinking about going out for a referendum, we always do a Peter Leatherman survey and just see how the community is feeling about the district. And so these are just some stats that I just wanted to pull out and share with you. And we're excited. We just feel a lot of support from our cities um in the district. can click the next slide. Probably like you, we're thinking about our financial future and making some really hard and difficult decisions. And so I wanted to share a little bit with you about what our future looks like and how we want to address it and why we're here in this position. This you can do the next one. So right now what we know is that uh educational funding has not kept up with inflation. And so if you can just move that slide one forward. We show this slide all the time. It is our graph that shows uh educational funding. Oops, I'm sorry. That's not the slide I was hoping for. Um um you can leave right there. Um inflation has not or educational funding has not kept up with inflation at the state level. And so that gap that's created inside of our funding stream has been really complicated. It's been going on for two decades. And so it's really hard for us to catch up because of that gap. The second thing that we've been talking to our employees about, talking to our community about is that if your gas tank and your refrigerator cost more to fill, so does ours. And so we know costs have have risen for us to keep open um and do all the things that we need to do inside the district. The other thing is I've been just sharing, I mean, I think education is more competitive than it ever has been um in the time that I've been in education and we want to retain and recruit the very best staff for Eastern Carver County Schools. our students deserve the best. And so we do know that there has been a rise in costs um for salaries for all of and benefits for all of our employees. So we have three we have two choices. We either budget cut or cost contain or raise revenue. And so that's where we've landed um to go out for a referendum. You know, sometimes the community will say and share that, you know, we keep asking for money. you know, a lot more is going to our taxpayers. And we do know that in 20 in 2002 and 2003, 10% of our lo our funding was on the local taxpayer and last year 23 24% was on the local taxpayer. You can go to the next slide. One of the things that's really highly valued in Eastern Carver County is that we are being um thoughtful and fiscally responsible with our finances and that the money is invested towards our students. And so we always run our numbers to make sure that that is accurate. And so we have this dollar bill here. And we know that 80 cents on the dollar supports our students. There is administrative costs and fixed things that we have to pay for. The lights have to stay on, the heat or the cooling has to happen. And so there are operational costs, but 80 cents on the dollar is in support of our students. Student centered. So, in November, our school board has voted to go out for a referendum, and there will be a the ballot question will be a a 10-year levy for $742 per pupil um with the annual increase of rate of inflation. Districts, most commonly, districts do that. Now, what that does is if you have a $500,000 home, I'm sorry, could you move the next slide? I'm sorry, I'm forgetting that. She's got to move the slides with me. Um, uh, what we know is that the median value of homes in Eastern Carver County schools is $500,000. That would, if you have a $500,000 house, that would be $23 a month. And I want to give you some context. In 2019, when the district went out for the referendum, the median house value is about $350. So, we asked for about 20-ish higher 20-ish dollars. In 21 when we went out for the referendum, the median house value is about 375. And so we asked for a 20-ish dollar. So I want to just share that that dollar monthly dollar amount has been pretty it trends with our ask. So uh if you can move the next slide. One of the things that we've been talking a ton about is just if the operating levy is approved just some of the investments and enhancements that we want to make in the in our organization. So one of the things strategies that has happened is you know we just go out for just enough so that we can say keep the lights on nothing changes nothing improves and I don't believe with our taxpayers commitment to funding our schools that we can just pay more do nothing everything stays the same so we want to be do some strategic investing um over the last two years or ever over the last year as the brand new superintendent starting my second year I did a 100 day listening session and talked to hundreds of families We've been engaging at a really high level and believe and believe that um we have learned from our community and some of the investments and desires that our community wants inside of our schools. One being um enhanced gifted and talented services at our elementary level. That came out loud and clear in my 100 day listening session. Maintaining our advanced academics at the middle level. Um there are a lot of things that make Eastern Carver County different and we want to be able to maintain that. two high schools. You know, families are talking about school safety more than ever right now, of course. And one of the things that we our community has invested in is small schools. If you go to a bigger uh district our size who has a different infrastructure than we do, you might have one large middle school or two large middle schools and one large high school. Um we have two smaller traditional high schools. And what we have three smaller middle schools and we have seven neighborhood schools. And what that one of the most important things about school safety is having children be known. And when families tell me is my principal knows my son or daughter's name. And so being known is a way for us to keep our schools safer. It's not the only thing of course, but that is a commitment that our organization and our cities have made in Eastern Carver County. And so maintaining that is really important. Two athletic directors, two principles. One of the things that we've invested in is an activities director. We have someone who focuses on yearbook, debate, speech, prom, one act, spring play. Our community has a high value in athletics, arts, and the academics. And we have an infrastructure that allows us to support that. So, we want to maintain that high quality programming um and opportunities for our students. One of the other things that families have been talking to us about is mental health. probably a topic many of us are hearing about. And we did invest in another fifth counselor in each of our traditional high schools so we can ensure that we're enhancing our career and college pathways as well as providing more support for mental health for our students. And so these in small investments that we've made, we need the referendum to pass to help us maintain those um investments. If it's not approved, you can move to the next slide. If it's not approved, we know that we have about $6.5 million of budget cuts ahead of us. Always unpredictable. Um it's a projection. For example, if you watch the news one time this summer, you know, federal funding was uh in question. Um conversations about dismantling the Department of Public Education. You know, the state uh really took a long time to give us funding. We are projecting that the next bianium might be challenging. And so we know that those things are unpredictable. So we do have a list. That's what you do when you have to think about cost containment is you make the list of the things that maybe are in jeopardy um if we do not pass the referendum. And so you'll see here these are things that are really high value in our organization. Class sizes is high value with our families. Um our music offerings and having a a robust music pathway is really critical in our community. Uh people want that. Fifth grade band is uh an something that we provide still that many districts have had to abandon because of budget cuts. Media specialists as an example. Many districts have had to already cut that and we've continued to invest in that. Um elementary gifted and talented maybe needing to reduce that some more. Eliminating our kindergarten paras. I've been out in schools. Our kindergarten paras are really critical. If you've ever been in a room with 23 kindergarteners, they need lots of tying of shoes and zipping of coats and um and we want them to have the best foundation for school. That's where our kids get a lot of their foundational reading skills. And so to have that support inside that space is really critical. We also know that when kids come to Eastern Carver County, they stay in Eastern Carver County because our school system is so robust and strong. So we want to make sure they get the support that they need at kindergarten level. So there's a lot at Jeopardy and there always is and I want to just continue to talk about these are the things that make our school district so special and se a separator from other districts. So I'm going to go to the next slide. I shared this a little bit. So this is just the tax impact depending on the value of your home. We're kind of sharing the $500,000. It's the median house value right now. And you can move to the next slide. And we do understand that Eastern Carver County um cities, a lot of the funding does go to the home owner. We know that there's not as much industry here as there is in other schools. It's one of the things that people love about Eastern Carver County and it's one of the challenges for the school system. But we do know that we are still a growing um community and we're growing fast. And so we know that as homes are built and more homeowners are here that the tax base continues to spread. And so $23, for example, will be the highest that it will be um the day that the vote passes. Next slide. And I just want to share this, you know, uh the legislature does give us a cap. The it caps the amount we can ask our taxpayers for for schools. Schools is the only um entity that has to go to the voters for a yes or no on raising their taxes. The light blue bar is the operating referendum. Um, and the uh bars and the dark blue is our capital project levy or what many of us in the community know as our tech levy. And so when our levy passes, this is where we will uh stack up against other districts. It only moves up one spot when we pass the referendum. if we showed you the slide that showed where we are. We're uh right behind Stillwater. But I want to acknowledge the slide is really important because what I want you to see is that many districts that Eastern Carver County continues to be compared to >> have a lot more funding than we do >> and have had it for a long time. And so this is an excellent opportunity for us to fill in some of the gaps um that some of our uh comparable districts have um that we want to enhance in Eastern Carver County. So I'm going to have you go to the next slide. So the vote is honor before November 4th. Um mailin balloting ballots start September 19th. That of course has had a very increased popularity over the last handful of years. And so it does change how we um have to get out in front of the community faster uh right when school starts uh to make sure that our community is informed. Uh but you can also vote in person on November 4th. These are our four voting locations. Chaza Event Center is where we're going to be voting. So I'm going to just say this here in Chesca. Typically, I think we vote at the Chesa Community Center, but because of the construction, we're able to move it to the event center so that it's easy access for our community members to make sure that they can vote. And the next slide, we want to make sure that our community has information. One of the values in Eastern Carver County has been to inform all and make sure that we have informed with accurate information community members so that they can make a decision. and we want to really honor it is always a tough decision whenever you invest and so I want to say thank you to our community for their investment. We have a website that is live where you can get questions. It's being up or answers. We've been updating it as we've been talking to people. So there's always new information. If you have a specific question, you can email us and like I've been telling everybody, we do have a phone number 1800 referendum. It is not 1800 referendum. That's the number, but we do have a phone line that you can leave a voicemail at. Well, thanks Mor for laughing at me. I think it's funny, too. Um, >> I might have been laughing more cuz your support back there. I >> know. I know. Um, so you can also leave a voicemail and someone will get back to you. So, we want to make sure that this the city is informed >> and I can answer any questions if anybody has any. >> Anybody have any questions for our wonderful superintendent over here? I think um sometimes a common question that the public asks is okay, you know, you're going out for more money. Um why don't you just cut administrative costs? Right. >> It's a very common question. So maybe you can touch a little bit on on that. >> Absolutely. So first I want to say um that is always a a question that happens no matter what whether we're in cost containment or we're um going out for referendum. That's why we number one show the dollar bill because we want to show the percentage of money that we invest in administrative staff. The second piece is we cut $5 million last year. Many of that was administration because we recognize that resources towards our students is really critical. The third thing I've been sharing with people is there is a business side of education that has to be done. And um I always tell the I just met with our operations staff today and the payroll specialist was there. And I always say like if I cut a payroll specialist, nobody's going to come to the board table and say my daughter is so impacted by you cutting the payroll specialist, but our employees have to get paid. Um if you Google a thousand person employee business, they and ask Google how many um payroll specials you should have, it probably says four. I have 1.5. So, we run a very lean organization. It's been a high value in Carver County that that is the case, but I've been been in multiple districts. This is the leanest district office I've ever seen. And that is okay. Our district office respects that. But we also have to run the business side of our organization. And so, we will always look for operational efficiencies. We'll always do the best we can to keep it away from students. And there just isn't enough administration to cut to not have to go out for a referendum. But that is a great question and it's a reasonable one. Our community deserves to ask that. >> Yeah. And I appreciate you kind of expanding more on that because I think I think you know our 1.2 million list or you know viewers that we joke around that we have here. Um but I mean in all honesty though people do tune in and so it uh is helpful to kind of hear kind of straight from you guys. You know some of those FAQs I guess you could say the frequently asked questions being answered. So >> thank you. >> Yeah. Anything else? >> I was just going to thank you for coming in. Um, I have two kids in the district. I have a fifth grader and a seventh grader. Makes me feel old every time I say that. Um, love the school district. Love being part of the community. Um, I think something that stuck out to me when I door knocked like six, seven years ago was conversation because, you know, you show up at the door, they don't know what you're running for, right? So sometimes you get the like, well, I think schools to get this and it's like um, you know, like the conversation is like, I don't have any kids, why should I concern about the school? And I truly do believe that good cities have good schools. There is a correspondence to that. There's a value to that. um to the point that like even my mother who is retired on a limited fixed income who lives in western Minnesota had conversations because similarly her school district several years ago had a referendum and so she talked to me about it and like she understands the value of community and she's an individual who has a fixed retirement income has no kids left in the district has been a part of that district her entire life so that there's a value there ad but she didn't move >> um she gets it so be like my mom right like understand the value that communities bring and school good schools bring um so in saying that like I would like I know we can't take any action but I do want to propose and have a conversation a little bit and see if there's value here in support in past the city has formally put a recommendation that we're in support of a referendum to kind you know sometimes people might look to the city say like what does the city think of this so again new council uh you I don't know what year the last referendum was. I just know it didn't build a school by my house. Um type of thing. Um but we did that and we and like I said in fairness, I remember individuals sitting in the crowd that weren't happy with that choice with that. And I still stand proud behind that situation. So I'd like I'm curious like um we could bring it, you know, back for early voting as early as next week potentially if there's interest, if there's not interest. Um, but to me, I just think there's so much value personally that cities who have good schools, foundations keep kids busy, keep keep education high, avoid lots of stuff that you see other places that don't invest in the schools in their communities. >> And I would add on to John, thank you for coming in. Um, I went to Eden Prairie High School 25 years ago when it was a little bit different district than it is now. But some of the things that I got from Eden Prairie were priceless. It was a priceless education at the time because there was so much support. It doubled the size of the building and put the dome up that year and many things. But it was it was because of Eden Prairie that my success after high school was so great. And I will also say my children um go to St. Hubert's Catholic School because we wanted that Catholic education. But when you were talking the elimination of paras in the kindergarten rooms, our classes are only 16 to 18 and they had paras. So I can't imagine and that's the kind of numbers although my children don't go to Eastern Carver County I would gladly pay that because we're choosing to pay for private school and that's our but all every kid should be able to learn and that number was a very moving number for me to see just knowing our worth less and there's no talk about you know cutting them. Um and I really value public education because like I said both my husband and I went to public high school and our children probably will come back to public high school. So, it's very important that we're having those early foundations very successful. So, that is a number that I would agree with John. I would support even though my children are not in the district, I would support that referendum because everybody deserves that good start to an education. >> Thank you. >> I would agree with both your statements and I have two kids in the district as well and um you know, like John said, education's invaluable when it comes to a community. So, I have no qualms in saying I fully support this. So, >> thank you. Appreciate that. >> Yes, I welcome the opportunity for us to have it more formally um discussed and and you know, possibly approved. I think I'm a product of Chaza High School and uh I was >> we won't hold that against >> Eagles. Well, but you know, I had the opportunity to speak at the um the booster fundraiser and I touched on uh you know, having a supportive teachers and staff to kind of I went to a vocational technical school and I know, you know, is popular for people to attend four-year college universities, but being able to have staff that can help you be able to set you on a a path towards success and something um whatever your interest pursues and there's no judgment. it's hey how can we deliver you know the best outcome for you and see you succeed and really lift you up and and have that be and that was something that was a door that was open to me and um yeah 25 almost yeah almost 25 I'm a 2000 graduate >> okay with saying that 25 years later I'm you know sitting in this community still an invested resident caring about this community wanting to see our schools succeed because as council member Gro touched on, strong communities have strong schools, strong schools have strong communities. We are in partnership in tandem and the hope is that those kids, they grow up and they pursue their careers and their dreams, whatever it is that they decide that they want to do and they know that they have a home here and they invest back in this community and that's what we want to see. So, I really appreciate the opportunity to have you here to present this and I hope that you guys can get as much information out into the community as possible and um I just wish you guys success. >> Thank you. We appreciate your support. >> One thing I would suggest is since the early voting starts on September 19th, we have our meeting on the 15th. Um we can bring something back as staff for you guys to be able to consider on Monday night. Um, and if if if you were to approve something Monday night, then we can actually push that out on our social media, uh, both that the city's supporting it, but also giving the information about, you know, the, uh, early voting starting and when, you know, where polling place, all that kind of stuff. Uh, might be a good a good way to get more uh, information out in the the public. you know, for for you, I don't know exactly what the protocol is, but getting that information like you just shared with us out influences voters. You know, the the private schools are 1% of the state's budget, but that meant busing for us this year. And it was a huge thing when Governor Walls did his potential budget cuts late summer that our busing would be impacted. And so, we went to all our public school friends and said, "Hey, we need buses to get our kids to private school or it won't be doable." So if you're sharing again like these kindergarten pairs and stuff, if you get that information that actually has impact on people out, I I really believe you'll get a ton of support because you're, you know, washing away the myth that it's administrative costs that these funds are going to. So um if you could maybe put something that we could show on the screen with our vote next week that like five bullets of what the most important things are, that would be amazing. Yeah. To help drive support, >> there also will be some community opportunity. We'll have a community forum. um later this month. We have a virtual one this week and so certainly want people to know that they can hop on and hear a longer presentation. I tried to hurry. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I mean I would say I don't know if they if that's something that the we can reshare as far as you know when they're public forum opportunities. I think that would be >> really something important to pass along. >> Just want to get it to >> Yeah. >> No definitely should. weeds on the communication stuff, but I want to thank >> Great. It's wonderful. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you for everything you do. >> All right. Uh, anybody else here for Bristol presentation? I do see some young faces in our audience. I would love to come up because I think they're earning a badge. Maybe. All you have to do is just say your name and I won't I won't I won't grill you too hard up here. You got this. We have future leaders right here in our community. >> Hello. Hi. My name is Hope. Um, >> hope. Do you live in Chaza? >> Yes, I live in Chaza. >> Awesome. >> I'm from Troop 174 and I'm here for the communications merit badge. >> Okay, wonderful. >> Hi, my name is Evelyn. Uh, I'm also from Troop 174 and I'm also here for the communication merit badge. >> Wonderful. Thank you for being here. Um, and I hope that our meeting's not too long for you. We understand we all have kids. >> Thank you for indulging me and thank you for being brave enough to come up here. So, I appreciate that. All right. Any other visitors uh presenting tonight? I don't see anybody else in the audience, but I knew I should ask. Okay. We're going to move along on the agenda here to approval of the previous meeting minutes. These meeting minutes were from August 18th, uh 2025. Does anybody have any additions or corrections to the minutes? Otherwise, I would entertain a motion to approve said minutes. >> Motion to approve minute meeting minutes as presented. >> All right. So, I have a motion from council member Gra. >> Second and >> a second from council member Benes. I remembered your I didn't have a >> a moment there. You're going to give me another opportunity. >> Thank appreciate that. I was going to say well anyways. All right. We have a motion and a second. Um any other discussion? Otherwise, all those in favor say I. I >> then All right. Uh opposed. Passes. All right. That moves us along to consent items. These are items that receive little to no discussion unless somebody wants to pull something off of the consent item agenda um for a larger discussion or if anybody has any questions. Otherwise, I would entertain a motion to approve our consent items. >> Motion to approve the consent items. >> All right. Okay, we have a motion from council member Bennishes, >> second and >> a second from council member Chevlin. >> Um, any discussion? Otherwise, all those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> Opposed. All right. Consent approved. And then let's move along to our action items. We have 8A renewal of gas utility franchise and franchise fee with Centerpoint Energy. Uh, mayor and council member, the item in front of you tonight is really sort of to clean up a franchise fee that we already have in place. Uh, null's going to go over it. It's basically talking about uh taking the franchise fee that we set up as a uh as a fixed dollar amount and turning it into more of a percentage uh just like we have our other franchise uh fees. So, I'll turn over to null and he can talk in more detail about it. >> Good evening, mayor, council members. As Matt was indicating, we um have previously had a franchise agreement in place with Centerpoint Energy that was last renewed back in 2010 for a 20-year term. In 2014, the city implemented a franchise fee with Centerpoint Energy. That's been in place for the last 11 years. Um earlier this year, if you recall, the city worked with Excel Energy in Minnesota Valley to put in place an electric utility franchise agreement with both of those electric utilities. The purpose of these agreements, whether it be with a gas utility or an electric utility or communications company such as Comcast, is to provide them access to the public rightway for the infrastructure that they put in along the roadways to deliver their service. The city owns that rightway. We manage that right away. We incur costs to in um acquire that rightaway and to maintain and mark the utilities that are in that rightway to make sure that it's used in a reasonable way to avoid the utilities that are in there from striking each other when they're relocating their utilities. There's been a lot of this activity this year as you've seen along Angler Boulevard. We've shared some of those pictures with the council in the past of the number of conduits that have to be placed in some of these open trenches. With Centerpoint Energy, when we established the franchise fee in 2014, we targeted a 5% rate consistent with what we've charged our electric utility customers here in the city. Um, at the time, Centerpoint advised that we should do that on a fixed fee basis. So we set the fixed fees for residential, commercial and large industrial customers uh to generate about a 5% franchise fee and we initially saw that but over time we have not changed that rate in the last 11 years. And so last year in 24 we only generated about four and a quarter% uh franchise revenue off of their total sales. We did not want to go back and change that rate with Centerpoint Energy until after we had established the 5% energ uh franchise fee with Excel in Mid Valley. We we've already had this in place for 11 years. We did not want to amend it until there was the 5% rate established with the electric utilities. So now it was time to come back and work with Centerpoint Energy and to change to a straight 5% rate. When we approached Centerpoint Energy, they came back and said, you know, you only have about five years left on this agreement. Maybe we should just do a renewal. And so we worked with Kristoff and the repres legal representation from Centerpoint Energy to bring the agreement up to date consistent with language that we saw in the previous agreements with Excel and min uh in Minnesota Valley. So before you tonight, a similar action to what we did with the two electric utilities earlier. The first ordinance will actually establish a new um franchise agreement. It'll repeal the previous one that's in place, but then put in place a new 20-year agreement. The second ordinance before you will then impose the franchise fee at a straight 5% rate rather than based on fixed customer charges. The third item before you then will be to adopt a resolution that would allow us to publish both of those adopted ordinances in summary form. This is sort of a internal costefficient method of providing public notice. Um the full ordinances have been previously published on the city's website and they will be published as a part of the city's municipal court of ordinances. So they're available to the public. So before you tonight, if there's any questions, we do have Charlie Christensen who's available um on the on Zoom if there's any questions from the council or the public regarding the actions that we're taking with Centerpoint Energy tonight. Otherwise, I'd be happy to take questions before asking for action. >> To me, the big deal here is we're making it consistent with everybody else. >> Yeah, >> that sounds pretty straightforward. Does anybody have any questions for null or All right. All right, then. I I I don't have any questions because you've done such a great job explaining everything, null, thank you very much for being here. >> Um, and also >> knows who's playing right now. >> Yeah, exactly. Yeah, there is there is no other underlying things happening. >> Yeah. Well, you know, they're all watching this instead. >> There are three actions. Each one should be a separate motion and the resolution does need to pass with four or five votes. >> Okay. So, uh All right. So, I would I would entertain um a motion to adopt ordinance 2025-1069, the CPE Centerpoint Energy Gas franchise. >> So moved. >> All right. All right, we have a motion from council member Gra, >> second, >> and a second from council member Benes. Um, any discussion? Otherwise, all those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. >> All right, that uh that motion carries. All right. And then, uh, next, uh, entertain a motion for adoption of ordinance 2025-1070 for Centerpoint Energy Gas franchise fee. >> So moved. >> All right. Motion from council member Benes. >> Second. Second from council member Chevlin. Any discussion? Otherwise, all those in favor say I. >> I. Opposed. >> All right. That carries. And then the last is uh adoption of resolution 2025-48 summary publication. >> Motion to adopt. >> All right. We have a motion from council member Chevlin. >> Second. >> And a second from council member GR. Um any discussion? Otherwise, all those in favor say I. >> I. opposed. That carries as well. So, all of them um pass. All right. So, that's wonderful. That moves us right along then to uh 8B on the agenda, which is a public hearing to consider certification of 2025 delinquent utilities and adopt resolution 2025-53 uh 53 approving certification of delinquent utilities and mis miscellaneous unpaid charges. Mayor and council member, the item in front of you tonight is something that we take action on each year. Uh we go back and we look at uh if there's any delinquent uh utility bills or or charges that we have outstanding. Uh if uh there are uh those are outstanding, uh we move to uh certify those that they can be added on to their tax bill um uh to make sure they're paid. And then what that does is uh uh if a property, let's say, were to be ever be foreclosed on, it puts us in a first position to be able to get those those recover those dollars for any unpaid uh charges that are out there. Um we actually don't have that many uh as you saw the list, which is which is fantastic. But uh to stay consistent uh from year to year and make sure that we use that same uh process each year. Uh I think it's just good practice that we do this every year at the same time. So um it does require a public hearing uh to do that, but staff is recommending uh approval of resolution 2025-53. So just point of curiosity is there a reason why maybe like we it was you know we have so few not that we want any I mean but do you is there something that was implemented within last year to this year or just kind of just the economic climate right now that >> you know I know Wendy um Hagen in utility billing has been very consistent with working with customers to help them particularly if there's resources through the cap agency to help them bring their accounts current of The storm water charges are charges that are build only quarterly, not monthly. Sure. >> And a lot of it's on, you know, rural open vacant type land. So, a lot of those property owners sometimes >> they don't even realize it. >> Just wait for it to be assessed as a part of their tax. >> Sure. >> You know, we do continue to see with the summer season, we're sort of at that spike right now with very large summer bills. Those will fall off in the fall and they come back up in that January, February period during the cold weather rule. And Then we do follow our disconnect procedures when the cold weather rule comes off in the spring. >> Sure. >> May to piggyback on that too because I think null's spot on. I think it's it's it's the utility billing staff really working individually with the uh people who are having issues. One thing that you won't see on here is people who have payment plans with us. >> Um so we highly encourage people don't just ignore it. >> Yeah. >> Just give us a call. uh work with our utility billing folks. We can come up with a payment plan or whatever works for the individual. These represent the people who just ignore it all together. Yeah. Um and so um you know, but I I think that's a really good point that I mean just the fact that they're working with these customers, it gives them the opportunity to put a payment plan in place that you know helps them get back on track because they don't want to be delinquent. >> Right. Right. Yeah. I think it's a shared goal and I appreciate you kind of explaining things more thoroughly. I think that's really a a great um you know there the utility billing specialists, they do such a great job. They have such good customer service and they're so willing to help and I think it really shows in in in cases like this. So I appreciate you kind of expanding on that. >> I don't want to take for granted that the ability to pay online isn't overly old in our world either. Yes, that's correct. >> It's new within >> three years. I mean, yeah. >> And um >> I've recently just started paying more of my bills online because I've had like >> things not get >> Yeah. You going, right? The mail like, hey, I sent that like three weeks ago and it hasn't shown up. Like, okay, that's strange. And I, you know, and and this is one that I tend to just pop online now. I should really just sign up for reoccurring payment is what I really should do, but I pop online. Baby steps. Baby steps. >> But it's super easy. It's just super easy. Other than I have a really long account number because I'm in the newer development. It feels like this thing is like 30 digits long. That's the hardest part of the whole process is just entering that in. But I do think like ease of ability to go over and pay matters, too. >> Yeah, I I agree that is it is very nice to have the convenience factor and we all leave very busy lives, so it's nice to have some of that be easier to to navigate and done for us. So wonderful. Well, okay. So, I do have to open up a public hearing tonight, right? All right. So, I call a public hearing order to order at 7:40. >> Does anybody want to come up and talk about >> Do you guys have any utility? >> No. >> I think Nol's the one that has done. >> He's gonna shake his head. No. Well, not seeing anybody rushing up to the to the podium here, I'm going to go ahead and and close the public hearing at uh 7:41 p.m. Um and then that means uh we just have an adoption of resolution 2025-53 um approving the certification of the delinquent utilities and miscellaneous unpaid charges. Entertain a motion. >> Motion to adopt resolution 2025-53. >> All right. I have a motion from Council Member Venes and a second from Mayor Huard. Uh any other discussion? Otherwise, all those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. Opposed. >> Motion carries. All right. That takes us along to bills. Does anybody have a question on a bill? All right. Well, >> motion to pay the bills. >> Okay. Thank you. We have a motion from council member Gra. >> Second. >> And a second from council member Benes to pay those bills. So would you any discussion otherwise? Roll call, please. >> Council member Bennish. >> Yes. >> Council member Chevlin. >> Yes. Council >> McGrath. >> I. >> Mayor Hubard. >> Yes. All right. Bills are paid. >> Okay. Moving along to other business. Let's start with Council Member Bennish over here who I didn't mean to forget his name. It's just all the names and then I and then I draw a blank and I I apologize. I appreciate you. >> Thank you. Um I don't really have anything. I'm just you know >> school year's back into it and everybody's seems to be going everything seems to be going well and again echo the comments of the last meeting we had was everybody just slow down. Just watch out for those kids that are going to their buses. Watch out for the buses that are out there. Watch out for the kids walking to and from school to their bus stops. just keep your eyes open and off your phones and just slow down. So, there's nothing that's worth that. So, just be careful out there. So, yeah, that's all I got. >> Wonderful. Well, not wonderful if people are causing accidents, but great report. All right, moving along. Council member Shlin, I >> actually don't have anything either. Um, so I'm glad school's off to a good start for everybody and glad to see that um, both the city and the schools have great plans for using tax dollars wisely and >> great. All right. Well, then that moves us along to Council Member Gro. I >> I know there's a game going on, but I I have a few things. I'll make it quick. >> No, you're fine. >> Um, just a couple uh since uh Council Member Hatfield's gone, and so I feel really strongly obligated to talk about Southwest Transit. Um just a couple things uh talk a little bit about uh I was actually looking through my email because I didn't get a final uh um data piece but regarding like state fair and renfest you know um likely looks like it might be a record for number of trans people we transported with southwest transit. >> Okay. >> Um this was email 829 and there was you know we were at like 63 south000 compared to 58 for the previous year like a 7% increase. I know the opening day because we had a uh commissioners meeting they were it was going to be like the record opening day uh and like maybe the third highest ever for buses. >> Something that was also previewed that was connected to that that was kind of cool is that uh Southwest um implemented and work with some technology to put automatic um counters in their buses. So using AI, right? So it can literally see how many seats are available or open versus if you remember if you rolled the state fair and they probably were still doing it because they were trying to compare numbers because they literally rolled they've been testing it for quite some time but it went really live the state fair week. So instead of you know counting and radioing back like we got two open spots having this system and and actually had a dashboard was kind of fun because they gave access to us so we could go in there and see like at any given time there's you know 5,000 people have been delivered and 3,000 have come back and there's 2,000 still there right now. That's cool. >> You could kind of see the numbers. >> Um, so really exciting to, you know, kind of piece which will eventually tie into some of the app pieces so you can kind of control like, hey, this bus is coming. It's, you know, half full. I can go I can hop on that. I'll wait for the next bus. Um, so really exciting stuff uh there. Um, and that's, you know, a really good service. The other thing that I just want to make people who listen, you know, aware of is that um the council and met council right now is, you know, we talked about there was a sales tax uh passed for the city metro and part of that was tab for transportation. So, right this month and as upcoming there will be more conversation. and they are deciding how that money gets allocated and anytime money is up for grabs there's a lot of opinions and interests of what's good and what's not good and people have different interests and I will say there is a lot of conversation about how do the opt outs are like southwest and Minnesota Valley transit authority get some of that allocation um you know there's you I shared with earlier with the council right that there's opends that talk about the ops how are they needed are they inefficient and you know are they you know and I If you are someone I guess the keep it short my message if you are someone who values southwest transit in the city of Chaska understands the importance of getting to things like state championship games or the state fair or some of those you know the things at the arboritum talk write email voice your support for those optouts and those programs because we re we really reply or Southwest really relies on that funding >> uh and it matters you know um I who knows if if if there is a situ scenario where Metro Transit takes over the space what kind of service it's hard to predict. I'm not going to be doom and gloom and say it would be immediately worse, but there is an interesting value that having the connections having myself represent on the commission or someone on there matters to the community. So, um you know there's some conversation about the importance of microtransit and you know point-to-point uh type transit. So, if you're listening, you use those services, you think they're value, and you're just like, "Yep, it's always going to be here. I'm never going to not take it for granted, don't take it for granted." And reach out to someone and voice your support for proper funding for those optit. >> Yeah, I think that you're right. It's very important that we continue to have these services in our community and allocated for our community because if it was left to just be metransit their basis on like the number of buses or what stops that all just they they look at um more of like the volume numbers of things whereas Southwest transit's looking at other factors you know into it and I think when you talked about microtransit that I think there's the equity stamp piece in there that you know we used to have it as a separate allocation through Southwest transit being the prime MD but now it's just been rolled into prime just in general but you talk about people you know elderly people being able or you know disabled people being able to get to their doctor's appointments um but also just seeing the precursor of more fixed bus routes I think the airport the what is it the 686 route is that what it's called >> you know that finding the the numbers is there to to designate that, okay, this is, you know, going to be more of a fixed bus route and really seeing the potential of something and being able to see it as a financially more viable piece of things and testing that out before just go ahead and rolling it out and then seeing it because you see the roll back with like uh the Northstar, you know, commuter rail and and that expense that, you know, per commuter that they talk about. So I think it is very important as we talk about transportation dollars and the allocation of those dollars, the allocation of what our community invests into transportation and being able to receive the benefits and services from those dollars back to our community so our community members can utilize them to the best of their ability. So >> well and the reality is is that sales tax is a metrowide sales tax, right? And so we're paying it. >> Yes. >> And if if we're paying it, we should get some benefit out of it. Absolutely. >> Yeah. And again, I think I just I think well said, mayor. Um I think to me I I will admit before being on council and even before, you know, being on council and getting involved with the South Trench, you kind of you see the buses, you see the parking rides, you just kind of accept that they're in the chest and you take it for granted. You don't really realize how that exists and why that exists in the importance that it plays. You just I use it or I take it and and it's there and you kind of just make an assumption that it'll always be that way. It's very true that it's if we don't speak up and continue to have those conversations, it won't always be that way, right? And so just making sure people are open and and understand that it's not something that just exists in Chaza magically. there's lots of conversation and um you know and again I understand the arguments and right anytime there is money more money made available everyone everyone has needs right and and understanding and again I think our ask from you'll see Chaza's representation as well as kind of the whole representation of that commission is just a fair share right to your point we're paying that sales tax our money's going in there we want to feel like we're getting the value for that sales tax as well >> absolely Absolutely. Well said. >> Thank you. And that is all I have. >> Oh, okay. All right. Uh All right, Elise. >> Uh on a fun note, um Edco, who has a proposal in um to the city to relocate their headquarters here, is in the top 32 vying for the Minnesota Chambers coolest thing made in Minnesota. >> Oh. >> Um they've made it to the second round. Last year's winner to give you a perspective was Scotch Magic Tape. >> Uh so if people are interested in voting for um potentially a future Chesa headquarters, it's available online. So just thought I'd share that. Uh they made it through the nominations, made it through the round of 64, and now they're in the round of 32. >> That's exciting. >> What do they make that we should vote on? >> Uh the steel sighting. >> Okay. So that's all I have. Wonderful. Wonderful report, Kristoff. >> I have nothing. >> Nope. >> No. >> Okay. I've got a little list and that's only because council member um Hatfield is absent. So I just a couple things. Uh one, uh congrats to our water department. Best water at the state fair. Um yay. I know. Uh so >> second time. >> Yeah. NPR did a little interview with our student water director Matt Hafner. Knocked it out of the park. So, great job. Um, and congrats. And then also on the kind of piggybacking on the awards, uh, our highway 41 project won a really big national award through the American Public Works Association. >> Yeah. >> APWA. >> Yep. >> Um, so it was a national award in the public works project of the year in the transportation category. So that's a really big deal. So, um, congrats, uh, to, I guess, us and Bolton Make and all those other wonderful partners. >> We were first in the state competition. I remember them saying to us, >> "Yeah, you're in the national competition, but that's really tough." >> Yeah, I remember them saying that as well. And so to hear that we had gotten that, it was it was really, really cool to see that. um and just really showcases the innovativeness of that project design and to see that kind of be recognized in the professional realms with their colleagues and peers is very important. So my hats off to them um and us. Uh let's see. I drove by City Square Park. It's looking fabulous. The renovation is coming along quite nicely. Uh the fire department open house was tonight and I went there before I came here and I had my free chips and queso and um they were giving out the free hot dogs and all that fun stuff and doing the project or the demonstrations. So um great job to the fire department. Uh we have our city square we're on the Senate bonding tour for the capital investment uh committee uh for city square west um which is going to be on Wednesday September 17th >> and I don't remember what time it's like 6:40. Okay. I knew it got pushed down. So, um, if you guys council members can make it, that really just shows how supportive we all are in this project and in and and moving forward. So, >> yeah, we're going to be inviting the Downtown Business Alliance, the Southwest Chamber of Commerce, um, just trying to get the word out for that because it does make a difference when uh, they see a bigger crowd there. Uh we'll also we'll post it uh so that you guys don't have to worry about showing up in open meeting law uh violations. So if you're able to >> you state that date and time again. >> Uh September 17th. It'll be at 6:40 >> and it's it's not very long. No, it's only like 15 minutes. It's pretty Yeah, pretty fast. >> It's going to be down right next to the uh history center uh in the plaza down there. And then we're going to go and take a tour of the site. >> It'll be warmer than last time I did this. >> Supposed to be really nice. >> I think last time when we did we had similar maybe the first year and it was really cold. Yes, it was. We had tents and we were all freezing. >> Really cold. >> Yeah, I remember that as well. Um, Latinfest is this Friday at Firemen's Park. It's from 6 to 10 p.m. Fireworks are at nine o'clock. There's music from 8 to 10. It's going to be fabulous. There'll be food, there'll be music, there'll be fireworks. It'll be fun. So, come on down. Um, and then, uh, the CAP agency is celebrating their 60 year celebration. They're actually doing I think a couple multiple locations because they have some a location in Shaki as well as here in Chaska. But the Chaza one is celebrating on Thursday, September 18th from 2 to 3:00 p.m. Um so if you're in the neighborhood, you can stop down and say uh congrats to them. And then the there's books, beats, and treats on the plaza through our downtown business alliance. It's on Saturday. It's at 2:00 and um there's like story time for kids. There's ice cream and there's music from the kids dance I think DJ. So really fun. I stopped down there this last weekend and and saw what it was all about. And then Highway 41, I know that keeps getting asked. Uh when is that roundabout? Do you guys have like approximate date of opening? >> Yeah, so it's going to it's going to be the week of September 29th. >> Okay. Week of September 29th. I know the rain has been kind of not great, but >> and so far they still are saying that uh they're going to do Parkridge uh this year. Um I think they'll uh know within two weeks whether that's going to be the case. >> If they don't do Parkridge this year, uh they are going to fully open up Angler. Um, so they'll have uh, you know, so there won't be like detours around if they have to wait till through the winter. They'll open everything back up and then re then do Park Ridge itself just in the spring, but we'll know within two weeks here. >> That's good to know. So, and then last, our next meeting is Monday, um, because of the Labor Day kind of shift of meetings. Um, so Monday the 15th and >> 29th too >> and the 29th, but is there a work session on the 17th or the 15th? >> Uh, I do not. No, I don't. >> Okay. So, >> no work session. All right. And that's all I have. So, I would entertain a motion. >> I do have one more thing. I'm so excited about my passion for Southwest Transit. I forgot to mention one thing. >> So, sorry. >> That's okay. Um I couple I just had I just it's two things that I think have come to speak of light that with um people have emailed me. One I think I feel like and we were sharing as we were coming in here about questions and comments about uh crosswalks and safe crossings and see there was a unfortunate incident that got some news in the prairie. Um and some of that messaging truthfully is is is kind of what we talked about. Slow down, take care of ourselves because a lot of times it's our neighbors, right? sadly to admit that when there things are speeding through neighborhoods and on ways it's it's or it's us, right? Like if it's not you, it might if it's not someone in your neighborhood, it might be you, right? Um so be reflective of that. >> The other thing that I throw out and we can have a conversation maybe in future means and maybe look at is I got a a request that um our ordinance on pedaling be maybe looked at in regards to if there's specifically no solicitation signs at doors. So it looks like this individual references Victorian Chanis has implemented that expressly prohibits solicitation if there's a clear sign posted. This individual is frustrated and I've heard others and um I've also had that question when doornocking like I'm not selling anything. How do I fall into this? Right. Um but if they have a clear mark and this individual had a clear sign and the person actually the same vendor within four hours knocked this twice. >> Oh jeez. Um, which there's a lot of reasons that's frustrating, but it'd be curious to see it. Now, I understand like the risk there, right? Is >> you can put it in there. >> You can say it, but you still enforcement still becomes an issue, right? >> Well, I I want to check that out because I actually think our ordinance does say that. >> And if it does say that, what we could talk about at a future meeting is what steps people should take. um be because there are most of the time when we see that happen the people are not registered uh with the city and that actually makes it really easy for our police department to be able to go out and you know get them out there because they're not registered and also it it gives us reason not to register them in the future if they do that >> or they like oh we didn't know now we're going to try. Yeah, I'll I'll check into that. But um >> yeah, I think that's I actually like that idea because I think it's good because I learned, you know, obviously and it's worked a few times to my advantage. They ask to see their per, you know, pedar permit or, you know, approval from the city and sometimes if they don't have it, they're kind of like like slowly will back away like I'm a council member. I usually will say that, right? >> Can I ask a question? What is a peddler? I mean, are we talking about the football cards that my kids for? It's like, you know, like we had in our neighborhood, I'll say a couple things. Recently, we've had windows cleaners, roofers, >> um, internet services. >> So, it's not the No, this year it was the big one was the roofers because I think we had like some hail storm around here. I don't even think it happened here. >> I still get the roofing. >> Yeah, there's Yeah, there's been a lot of roofers. >> Yeah, I think that would be good. And so, I just picked that up. >> I just don't want the school kids to get caught. >> Yeah. No, I >> selling Girl Scout cookies. >> They're Yeah, they're cute. >> Yeah, they're cute. I love them. >> Um, that is all I have. I promise now. >> Okay. No, that's good to bring up and sounds like I'm going to look into it. So, great. Awesome. All right. Well, with that, I'd entertain a motion to adjurnn. >> Motion to adjurnn. >> All right. >> Second. >> All right. We have a motion from Council Member Chevlin and a second from Council Member Bennish. Uh, all those in favor say I. >> I. Opposed. >> We are adjourned. Thank you everybody. Thank you guys for coming in. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Recording stopped.