Good evening and welcome to the Chaza City Council meeting for Monday, March 17th. I call this meeting to order at 7 o'clock. Would everyone please 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. >> And as council member Bennishes whispered to me, it's actually the month of August still. I fast forwarded us, so it's August 17th. All right. And with that, uh, Elise, would you please call roll? >> Council Hatfield >> here. Council Benes, >> here. >> Council Chevlin, >> here. Council member McGra >> here. >> Mayor Hubard >> here. All right. Next, we have the adoption of the agenda. Does anybody have any additions or corrections on the agenda? Otherwise, I would entertain a motion to adopt. >> Motion to adopt the agenda. >> All right. We have a motion from Council Member Hatfield. >> Second. >> And a second from Council Member Bennish. Any other discussion? Otherwise, all those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Opposed. >> Agenda is adopted. And next, we have visitor presentation. Um, we have one on the agenda. Uh, so come on down. We have the GTO graduation of Connor Cla Clesmat and Kayla Rodomacher. >> Well, good evening, Mayor Council members. Um, before we recap this year's growth through opportunity program, Kevin does have a video that he wants to show um that will showcase what our cadets did over their time as uh our cadetses. >> All right. Thanks, Chief. See if the sound works. That's going to be the key. >> Well, I heard it. So, but will you hear it again? Hey. Hey. Hey. [music] Heat. Heat. Nice >> exactly how many hours >> maybe See that? Uh-huh. Hello. >> That's impressive. >> Yeah. That's a stressful job there. Wonderful. >> Well, I I have to say I'm impressed. When you guys were at the curling center, if you put me in a sheet of ice, I don't think I'd be able to walk anywhere. So, good job. Um, but if you guys want to come up here with me, please. Um, if you remember back on June 1st is when we swore in these two as this year's cadetses and as we note every year we were not the first community in the state to adopt growth through opportunity. But I think we have a unique strength in our program that it touches every city department and that continues to impress me and and provide so much of an opportunity for the cadetses to see everything that we do in the city. So this year I'm also very fortunate um that they did provide me some information to share with everybody about what they enjoyed most about the program. So if you give me a few minutes I'll share their thoughts. Uh Kayla said that during the GTO program she learned specifically what each department does for the city of Chaza and how they work together to make Chesa a great city for people to live in. There were three departments that she really enjoyed and I promise I didn't bribe her to give this information. Uh oh, I think I know where this is going then. >> The first one is the police department and she said that she enjoyed touring the new department, meeting the officers and getting to know what they do to protect the city. And she also got to drive around the city in a police car with Officer Martin. And the second department that she enjoyed was the community center and she enjoyed that uh to seeing what the community center has for people and things that they can enjoy like the swimming pool, the indoor ice rinks, and the basketball courts. And the last department that she enjoyed was the town course. And I know that you've played golf. >> So also kudos there. I've never been able to figure that sport out. Um, but she's played golf from 7th grade all the way through her senior year. >> And she enjoys playing golf for the Special Olympics since 2023, so she enjoys the sport a great deal. The program helped her with her career path by getting hands-on experience with each department in what they do daily. and she would recommend this program to other people because it gives you the opportunity to experience each one of these departments in a hands-on environment and do what those employees do every day. And she's also very appreciative of everyone that she's been able to meet and noted that they have been incredibly kind and that makes the program very enjoyable. Thank you for that. And then also Connor shared his thoughts and he learned that during the growth through opportunity experience that there's a lot of different departments and a lot of different jobs that people do every day and they do their job successfully. He learned about building houses in the inspections department and how heavy the clothes are that firemen wear. That does look like a lot of a lot of gear, especially when it's hot, I bet. And he also learned how to spray a fire hose. And then he learned that how the police do their jobs and also that they like to eat donuts. So you must [laughter] have been there on a day where we had some donuts brought in would be my guess. So we won't take that personally. And he also got to learn how the police officers practice shooting. You saw that on the video with the new simulator that we have. Um and he also at public works learned how to make a good road sign and how to fix a lot of different things. So I think that's special. Well, I've been here now for 6 and 1/2 years and they've never let me make a road sign. So, those look pretty neat that you had that opportunity. And he also learned how all the water stays healthy at the water and sewer department. And you also saw a water tower, which he said was fun. And I saw that on the video and every time I go in there, it's just amazing to think how much water is above your head. >> And then at the park and recreation department, he learned about the Zamboni. And at the community center, he really liked working with all of the kids. And at the Chesca Town course, he got to learn how to take care of the grass, clean equipment, and learn how to make a new hole in the grass, which he also saw in the video. And then at the electric department, he learned how to climb an electric pole and go up in a bucket truck. So, I'm guessing you're not afraid of heights. And he also learned that they have races to see how fast they can get up and down a pole in the electric department. >> It's hard. And he also learned that the workers are on call at night and they might have to wake up in the middle of the night if there's a power outage or some other kind of a problem. His favorites, and again, I didn't cook any books or anything on this. [laughter] Um, but he said the fire department was really cool to see what they do during the day, and he really enjoyed spraying the fire hose. And apparently you got to spray the fire chief, so I might have to up my game next year. That does sound like fun. Um, and he also thought the police department was great because he got to ride in a police car. And he also really enjoyed golf maintenance, um, because they were able to make their own holes in the electric department again because of the bucket and being able to climb up the poles. Um, but overall, this opportunity showed showed him that there's a lot of different jobs and introduced him to a lot of different people and it gives him ideas about potentially what he wants to do with his future and he also would recommend the program to others. So that said, I cannot emphasize enough the collective work, you know, starting with Officer Martine Godz who coordinates the program and quite frankly all of our department heads and city departments in making this possible. Um, it was another successful year and like I do every year, I'll present you both with the department challenge coin and these are things that we do not just issue to anybody. um this is for a special achievement and recognition and in this case that's for completing our growth through opportunity program. It's been a pleasure having you both. >> Thank you. >> WOW. [applause] >> Thank you. >> Thank you. I want that picture. >> I saw that picture. >> Where should we go? >> Do the same thing. We'll kind of go right back here. >> Yeah, >> we'll do a closeup of the >> scoot down. We'll put >> it. All right. >> Jeez. >> Does anyone else want to take a picture, too? You're already doing it. So, >> if anyone wants to go in my spot after I'm done, you can do that. All right. One, two, three. Stay smiling. All right. Perfect. >> Anyone else? Yeah. Yeah. Hold on. Keep the pose. >> Thank you. All right. You guys >> your challenge kind of me real quick. >> Throw those off. Yeah, throw those on. >> Um, yes. Thank you, uh, Officer Martin for facilitating this. I know um I and talking with our staff, this is one of their favorite programs that the city does. They love being able to show off what they do and and have that sort of engagement. And I think one of the most wonderful things that comes out of our GTO program is the potential for future jobs. You know, some of our past uh cadetses have been employed in some of the areas of the city um that do interest them. And so that's just such a wonderful bridge across. So, thank you so much. And to see all of you here, our law enforcement to support, it's just wonderful. So, thank you very much. And I hope that you guys, it sounds like you had a wonderful time and it was really fun to learn about some of your favorite um parts of the summer as well. Does anybody else want to say anything? >> Yeah, I it's such an amazing program. I think How many years has it been now? >> Five. >> Four. Five. Yeah. And I think my favorite part of course is like getting to see all the things you guys go and do, but also just from our first meeting when you guys are kind of sworn in as cadets to now. when you're sworn in, it it was kind of like, "Come on, get up here." It took a little bit for you guys to get up here. To now see when uh chief asked you to come up, you guys came running up. You were so excited. And to see that transformation and comfortability and growth is so fun. And to the mayor's point, the job opportunities and getting to see our cadets, past cadets faces around town all the time. I love that. I get to see several of them, you know, if it's at the golf course or wherever it may be. That is so fun. So, it's just an amazing program. Absolutely. >> Congratulations. >> Congratulations. Yes, congratulations. So, >> congratulations. >> Wonderful. Anybody else want to speak uh speak to this? Otherwise, thank you guys for being here and taking part of this program. [applause] >> All right. Okay. Well, that moves us on to uh anybody else wanting to come up uh under visitor presentation that to talk about an issue that's not on the agenda. If so, feel forward to move towards the microphone, but everybody's walking away from it. So, [laughter] I'm going to move us on to approval of the meeting minutes. These meeting minutes were from August 3rd, uh 2026. Does anybody have any additions or corrections to the minutes? Otherwise, entertain a motion to approve. >> Motion to approve minutes from 8326. >> All right. So, we have a motion from council member Sheplin. >> Second, >> and a second from council member Gra. Any other discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor, uh, signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed. Minutes are approved. Next, we move on to our consent items. These items typically receive little to no um discussion, although something can certainly be moved off the consent item and on to the action items. Uh does anybody have any additions or corrections? I do. I was just going to make a comment on um Oh, I lost which one it was. Uh 7B, the on sale liquor at community events, Chesca Downtown Business Alliance Community Event Series. Um and just kind of speak to that for a second. uh just as a lesson onto the downtown business alliance getting to see them this is something we've done a couple years now um see them pull together and curate really a fun list of events to do this at and I'm sure one of staff could probably get into the technicalities of how it works but um it's been really exciting to see the downtown business alliance come together see the success of the farmers market want to pull together a fall market happening on Saturdays and then into the holiday season and um put some really fun events that bring people downtown on um and we last year the si si Saturday sips I can't remember which >> sip and shop >> sip and shop Saturdays that's what it was um those were some really fun Saturdays downtown and it's also really fun to see the collaboration of the businesses you had size at Hoffoft doing some fun drinks there so you could grab a drink on their back patio and then shop Haloft and and that's really fun to see that collaboration happen between our businesses and they're doing it kind of even bigger this year with that fall market into the uh deer opener and the holiday market and small business Saturday and hometown holiday. So, uh just really exciting to see this. Um it wouldn't hurt I don't know if staff is willing to just touch on the technicality of how it works because I think this is you know I saw some comments today online about just well why don't you have a social district like an NOA and it's bigger than that but I think maybe we could touch on that. >> Yeah. Real quickly, the uh state uh did authorize what are officially called social districts uh for only three communities in the state. So was ANOA, Stillwater, and Shakipi. And so they still have to designate areas uh that uh uh that that can occur, but the difference is is that that can occur at any time. Uh, so they sort of define their own sort of, you know, number of days they allow it, hours they allow it, things like that. For other communities, we're given 12 opportunities uh during the course of a year uh to be able to do this. Um, I think what's unique about the Downtown Business Alliance, very similar to what you said, is that I think they've been really smart about uh trying to cluster, you know, put them together uh during a time period when people are really wanting to be out shopping and and doing things instead of spreading them out over the course of 12 months. Really having a good set of activities that they're they're tied to. uh and and trying to be as strategic as possible with using those 12 days as they can. But that's really the difference between an official social district and uh and what is being considered here. Uh there continues to be a push at the legislature to uh allow social districts and other communities. Um it did not really get any traction uh last year. Um but uh you know, we're probably going to see some change from the legislature this year. So, uh, we'll see, you know, if it goes one way or another. >> Yeah. Well, it's very exciting. Thank you for explaining that. And I know from the past times that's been done and never It's always really tasteful and I think I appreciate that, too. Like, it's really our downtown businesses coming together and making it a a special time for people to get out and enjoy our beautiful downtown. Uh, it always feels very safe. I haven't I'm sure our police officers left, but they would probably touch on I don't think there's been any incident. So, it's a very very safe few in our historic district few block area that this is happening and I would say generally people kind of stick to a couple spots and uh like I said maybe they're just grabbing a something at from the size booth and then shopping hoft and staying right there. So, I think that's nice too is that it it still feels very familyfriendly, very safe um and all of that. I've appreciated that about the event. Yeah, I was just going to say um speaking to it earlier uh some of the drive is you know boosting local businesses, attracting visitors, improving the perception of downtown, bringing people into new and uh existing businesses to kind of be able to shop downtown. You you touched on that, Council Member Hatfield, that we had done this last year and there were no, you know, negative incidents that have stem from it. So, um I think that's important to note as well as part of our business alliance focus to, you know, make a vibrant downtown and as a council or strategic goal is to make a destination downtown. And I think that really lends to that with respect to um the rules and regulations and that this isn't changing our liquor laws or rules and regulations regarding liquor laws. It's just taking advantage of what the state offers us. I think too it's important to reiterate that given the comments we've seen and the emails we've received and that this isn't the first year we're doing this of something of this type, we're not the first community to do it. And it again to all your points, we've never had any negative incidents during these sorts of events and it's just really important to reiterate this is not a new thing for the city of Jaza. >> Yeah. and and our police and fire departments, they're aware of this permit and the dates um that the dates start there 12 and they uh 12 separate um community events and it starts September 10th and runs through December 5th and that they're aware of that and are prepared to deal with if there does arise anything. So, yeah. All right. Well, wonderful. Any other questions or comments on anything else um consentwise? Otherwise, I would entertain a motion for approval. >> I'll make a motion to approve consent. >> All right. I have a motion from council member Hatfield. >> Second. >> A second from council member um Bennish. Any other discussion? Hearing none. Uh all those in favor signify by saying I. >> I oppose. >> All right. Motion carries. All right. That moves us on to our action items. And we have one 8A. Adopt resolution number 2026-74 approving the concept plan for Scandic Scandic right [laughter] Nordic Spa uh PC number 2026-17 >> uh staff >> mayor [laughter] mayor council members uh this item is coming back uh to you from the planning commission uh with a recommendation for uh approval [clears throat] uh sort of an exciting uh plan being discussed for the old Oakidge uh conference center. Uh as we uh have talked about many times, this has been a sort of an issue uh property uh for us uh since it closed down uh a few years ago and uh to have a potential reuse uh for this uh site that could be a destination uh into the community, I think is exciting to be talking about. So, um, I'll turn it over to Liz and she can, uh, go through and, uh, give the presentation. >> Thank you, mayor and council members. We have a consult plan application in front of us this evening for, uh, the property at one drive, uh, being proposed by Scanvic hotels. Uh the site in question uh encompasses uh lot one block one of uh the Oakidge development uh which is comprised of three separate lots on the west side of Highway 41 and north of the Twin Cities and Western Railroad. Um, so existing uses out there uh contain uh the Costco uh site as well as a multifamily uh residential site uh to the south known as Springs at Mcnite Lake. Um the site is also bordered on the west by Mcnite Lake um and then Big Woods Lake to the northeast. Uh the main entry point into the development area is a private row that is called Oakidge Drive uh which has um two access points onto Highway 41. Uh just to give you a refresher in terms of uh the process and where we're at right now. Uh the city does require a three-step review process uh anytime there's site planning involved uh for most applications. Um so we're at the first step in that three-step review process known as the concept plan review. Um so this is more of a highlevel review um overview of the project um and starting to identify issues uh for the applicant uh to address in their subsequent submitts with the city. Uh if this does get approved uh this evening um then they would be able to move on to their second step um known as the preliminary step. Um, in terms of background and other approvals that have occurred on this site, um, uh, first and foremost, um, the city does require a neighborhood meeting to be conducted ahead of a concept plan application being submitted with the city. So, the applicant did conduct that on June 24th of this year. They did not have any attendees at that meeting. uh nor have they received objections um from neighboring properties. Um the site dates back to 1987 uh when the original approvals came in for the building that exists on site. At that time it was identified and used as what was known as the IDS learning center. Um and in 1987, that's when the concept uh as well as a reszoning to PMD4, uh the pre-plat and the final plat were all approved in that year. Um and then in the '9s, so several years after um that opening, it did transition um into the Oakidge Hotel and Conference Center use um and then remain that way up until its closing in September of 2020. Uh so as Matt mentioned, um the building has been vacant for a number of years. Um and we have um a user now who is wanting to utilize the existing building. Um some other approvals that have occurred uh since the closing of the building. Um August of 2021 is when we saw a concept plan come forward in front of uh the city and commissions um for the multifamily residential known as Springs at Mcnite Lake, the Costco building and then at that time also um the preservation of the Oakidge Hotel and Conference Center. Uh there was no user ID identified during those 2021 approvals. It was merely to uh uh keep the building existing as is. Uh then in December of 2021, the preliminary site and building plan, preliminary plat and reszoning uh to its current current zoning district, PMD22 uh was approved. Um and then in June of 2022 is when the final site and building plan and final plat were approved uh for the overall Oakidge development, Costco, and the springs at Mcnite Lake. Uh the site in question um is a 22 acre lot um and it currently has an existing building on site that totals 171,000 square ft of usable uh space. Uh as I mentioned before, access to the site comes off of a private road uh known as Oakidge Drive. There's kind of two um entry points um if you will uh from that private road. Um, also in existence on the property is a shared storm water pond on the north side of the property which was put in with uh uh the development of Costco and springs at Mcnite Lake. Uh, another notable feature or condition of the property is what its steep slopes exist on a majority of the edges of the property uh and mainly on the west, north and east sides. Uh the current request uh is specifically for concept plan approval for the Oakidge Conference Center building. Uh the applicant um known as Scanvic Hotels is proposing to operate um generally speaking a Nordic Spa and Hotel uh type use at the building. Um but it really entails kind of a multitude of things that they wish to uh change with the property. So uh with the use of the building of the existing building, they do want to modernize uh the front facade. So the east elevation that fronts uh Oakidge Drive uh to really match their branding um and create more of a contemporary and welcoming experience uh to the user. Um they would also like to uh refurbish the existing hotel rooms in the building and have a total of 130 uh uh guest rooms available. Um they would also like to use a portion of the conference center area uh roughly 15,000 square feet so that they could still provide corporate retreats, weddings, and other community gatherings uh within the building. Uh, additionally, they would uh like to operate a restaurant and lounge use uh that could seat anywhere from 100 to 150 guests within that use. Um, and then have some retail and guest amenities centering around um kind of the wellness uh side of uh the use. Um traditional spa uh uses as well within the existing structure. Um, and then also expanding outside of the existing building footprint there to incorporate a outdoor Nordic spa area on the west side of the building totaling approximately 20 to 25,000 square ft in area. That would also be connected to the building and bea accessible. Um and additionally they would also be improving the surface parking lot on site and construct it to the approved building and uh site plan that was approved in 2022 uh which would provide a total of 306 parking stalls. Um and then also landscaping around uh the property as well. Uh these images are meant to show kind of that um proposed use that I went over in the last slide. Uh the image or exhibit on the left hand side of the screen um shows uh kind of where those uh parking areas uh would be constructed on the north side of the building. Um and then where the outdoor Nordic spa component is um conceptually located which is on the west side or facing out uh towards the wooded area and Mcnite Lake. Um the two images on uh the right hand side, the top image is a rendering of that outdoor spa use on the west side of the building. Um and then uh that bottom image is kind of that uh programmable space uh within the outdoor uh Nordic spa component. So um they are proposing um a balance of outdoor space incorporating warm water pools, cold water pools as well as some sauna structures kind of in the center there. Um, and then, uh, they have four conceptual, uh, buildings kind of on the perimeter there. That would be their relaxation pavilions, housing, uh, saunas. In terms of zoning, uh, so like I said, uh, the property is zoned PMD22, which is a planned multi-use district, which was put in place in, uh, 2022 or 2021. uh when the uh overall development came through uh for their approvals. Um in terms of them wanting to use the property as a hotel and conference center use that is consistent with the zoning that is currently in place out there. Um the outdoor spa use um is a new use that isn't explicitly identified or defined in the PMD22 zoning. Um so in this uh preliminary step, the second step, uh we will likely have a zoning ordinance amendment before you to act on to incorporate that use into the zoning. Um, also in terms of zoning, um, because of the presence of wooded steep slopes that exist on the property, um, construction into those slopes or impacts to the wooded steep slopes, um, is not consistent with the intent of the PMD22 zoning as well as, uh, the city's special regulation, uh, zoning ordinance, uh, specific to what it steep slopes. Um, 15.28.100 28.100 to be exact. Uh so getting into that side of things. Um what its steep slopes are a natural amenity that uh the city's ordinance uh seeks to protect. Um and as I mentioned before uh those slopes exist on the west, north, and east sides of the property. Um and with those uh wooded steep slopes, there's uh protection limits. Um there's a 30-foot nograde nommo setback from the edge of the wooded steep slopes. Uh it's basically a buffer area to protect the wooded steep slopes and then a 50-ft building set back from that from the wooded steep slope edge as well. Um the applicant um kind of in the preparation of their concept plan and what they've submitted did evaluate three different locations on their site um for their outdoor Nordic [snorts] spa component. Um, and this was really advised by staff uh to understand um kind of the reasoning as to why they got to um their preferred location um on site uh which is number three uh identified on their site plan and on the west side of the building um and shown on this left exhibit here. um that is their preferred location um to create a private, tranquil and nature immersive area for their Nordic outdoor Nordic spa space. Uh so that is why they have identified that as their preferred area. Um they also identified uh number two which is on the west side of the building um also within wooded steep slope areas. Um and then uh number one on the north side of the building kind of where that required parking was identified in those 2022 approvals. Um so in short uh staff uh would not support locations numbers two and three due to the wooded steep slope impacts. Um and that's just based on uh the zoning ordinance requirements in terms of protecting the wooded steep slopes. Um the only location that we would be in support of uh is location number one uh as that area would not impact wooded steep slopes. Um but it does impact the required parking um for the building. Um so if there is a parking alternative uh achieved um we would be in support of that location. So that's just um kind of the the general um analysis that staff has provided at this concept level based on the locations that were identified by the applicant. Um it is worth noting that um the building um when it was originally approved in 1987 uh did allow for encroachment into portions of the wooded steep slope. uh area in setbacks and what we're going to describe or identify as disturbance limits on the property. Um so this really entailed outdoor patios, mode grass, pathways um and a fire pit space on that west side of the property. Um most of um the area or the existing site stays out of wooded steep slopes. Um, there are a couple exceptions on site, uh, which would be the fire pit area where I'm showing my cursor here, um, in the pathway that leads down to the public trail around Mcnite Lake. Um, and again, those were pieces approved, uh, with those 1987 approvals. Uh, these disturbance limits have been actively maintained, um, up until the building's closing in 2020. Um from staff's perspective um uh we did advise the applicant um to uh look at this area more heavily in terms of locating their outdoor Nordic spa space. Um their uh concept uh proposed that in terms of uh their layout uh does extend into that wooded steep slope area. um if you look at the setbacks identified on there. Um so really our advisement to the applicant is to get it outside of the wooded steep slope areas and within what we identify as the disturbance limits um that were called out during uh the 1987 approvals and how the property has actively been maintained over the last 30 or so years. Um the applicant has started to evaluate this area. Um and they did provide a supplement um in your packet dated August 11th um that looks at revising the location of their outdoor Nordic spa space into the into those disturbance limits areas. Um just from a timing perspective, staff didn't really have time to analyze that in detail. Um but it was u made a condition of approval as a part of this concept plan. Um the applicant will kind of have their own presentation this evening to kind of walk you through uh where they're at and how they're um evaluating that area. From a parking standpoint, um 306 parking stalls um were identified and approved uh with the building plan in 2022. Um so two a majority of those being on the north side of the building um as an expansion to the existing parking lot that exists there today. Um which would expand on kind of the east and west sides of that existing parking lot. Um and then uh there is an existing shared parking lot on the south side of the site uh which is shared with the Costco uh user uh to the west there and 20 of those stalls in that shared parking lot were approved for the use of the Oakidge Hotel and Conference Center. um because of uh an expansion outside of kind of the existing building footprint area and um new uses um if you will uh to the overall building and site. We have asked the applicant to uh put together a parking analysis that they'll have to submit during their preliminary or secondstep um approval process uh to really summarize uh what their parking needs are for the overall building and site and seeing if uh uh the stalls that have been identified uh for the site would be sufficient in accommodating the overall uh use of the site. Um in terms of building design, uh so the existing building will be um preserved um a majority of it. Uh, as I mentioned before, um, there will be some modernization of the front facade or east facade, um, to, uh, bring it into more of a contemporary look, uh, as well as kind of meet the the branding that they hope to achieve out there for their use. Um, the new construction out there really entails what's happening on the west side of the building, uh, within that outdoor Nordic spa space. Um, again, their conceptual plan shows uh up to four new buildings out there that will be known as their relaxation pavilions. Um, and they'll total approximately 4,000 square ft uh between all four buildings. that could change um as we're moving into the the next steps here, but there is a level of um additional indoor um structured space that they're planning for in that outdoor uh spa space. Um so, a few things to work on for preliminary. um all of it which is uh identified in the staff report but a few to mention here um and kind of reiteration of what I've spoken about is uh um in the next step um there's likely going to be an amendment to the PMD22 zoning district uh to identify any undefined uses um as a part of what's proposed here specific to the outdoor spa space. Um, and kind of the most critical piece for the applicant to work on is uh exploration and revision of their outdoor spa space outside of the wooded steep slopes and looking at the space known as the disturbance limits um from the 1987 approvals and um maintained um outdoor space around the building. um there's a likelihood that there could be a variance request um with the second step here if there's um impacts uh kind of outside of what was originally approved. So uh that may be in the second step as well. Um also need to put together a parking analysis for the needs of the the building. Um and then a slope stability analysis which is a typical requirement um if there's uh uses or buildings or improvements proposed um in uh proximity to wooded steep slope. So they'll have to put that together um for their uh second step here. Uh so with that uh we are asking you to make a motion this evening to adopt resolution number 2026-74 which is approving the concept plan for scan at Oakidge Hotel and Conference Center and then based on the conditions that are listed within that resolution. I'm happy to answer any questions. Um otherwise we do have the applicant here in the audience to help answer questions um and go through their own um presentation as well. >> All right, thank you Liz. Uh does anybody have any questions for for staff first? Otherwise, come on down Travis and introduce yourself. >> Sure. >> Good evening everyone. I'm Travis Batting. I'm from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. And Jennifer, I believe, is online as well. >> Yep, she is. >> Yeah, she is. Okay. >> So, yeah, uh I'm the president of Scanvic and I've had the delight of going through this property for a number of months. And I guess first off, I want to thank the staff, economic development board, the mayor for the collaboration to kind of walk through the different steps. I think we have worked really well together to kind of find the defined areas that work best for this property. I think we all have the same goal of getting this property back up and operating. It's a unique property. It's an absolutely beautiful environment and we want to enhance that. And so we're not looking to completely disrupt the property. We're bringing amenities that will enhance its already beautiful state. And um that's that's our goal. And I'm here to answer any questions tonight of what you might have for our operations. But I don't know if you wanted Jennifer and I to go through the presentation because >> I think what was presented in our application and then the timing of our meeting and then the understanding of everything, I think it really helps define how we're working together to make this move forward. >> Jennifer, are you there? She might be on mute. So, >> yeah, she's right there. >> Christa will probably be able to >> Okay, >> good evening everybody. Can you hear me? >> Yes, we can hear you now. Thank you, Jennifer, for being here. >> Yeah, thank you, mayor, members of the council. Um, first of all, I'm so sorry that I can't be there this evening. uh because I'm also very excited about this project and have uh enjoyed working with your staff to try to uh understand what your objectives are and how we can make sure that this project uh moves forward. So that's that's my first statement. The second is I actually can't see anything on your side the video and so I I'm happy to walk through the presentation but I can't see the slide deck. So, I can do it, but I'm just wondering if there's a way or a setting. >> That's a great question that >> Nate Nate will just yelp every time you should switch the slide. >> Yeah. Next [laughter] slide, please. >> I think this is this might be my very first time of doing this blind, so I'm going to do my best. >> Um, >> we're we're of a we're accommodating group, so don't no worries. >> Okay. Well, so as Travis said, you know, after we received the staff report and spoke with uh the group uh at your city staff, we understood that there was some question or, you know, concern about putting the spot improvements uh in an area that encroached further into that steep slope area. Uh and so there was some discussion back and forth in terms of how do we do the disturbance area? How does that get uh essentially, you know, refined to establish what the limits of the development might be and and in a way that's more palatable to the city uh so that hopefully we can bring the project forward. So with that, um I have no idea what's on your screen, but >> it's the concept plan. >> I was just going to say it is the concept plan. Yep. Um, and so this is our original submission. And one of the things I wanted to highlight that I think uh didn't get discussed quite a bit uh through the staff's presentation is really the commitment of this group to ensure that whatever happens on what I'll call the lake side of the property uh is done in a very environmentally conscientious way. Uh and so the incorporation of pvious uh you know pavers, walkways, reveation, etc. are all things that have been talked about by the group in terms of how do we make sure that not only are we, you know, embracing and embedding sort of this development within that area, but also respecting it and enhancing it long term. So, uh, regardless of what happens back there, I know that this group is very committed to that and making sure that whatever goes in there, uh, has the least amount of impact possible. And I think that was one of the key pieces that we were trying to emphasize, uh, in our original concept plan. So if we move to the next slide, uh we understood what disturbed areas really meant. Uh and so we as a group uh took a look at this and worked with your staff to try to figure out what that boundary for those disturbed areas might be. Uh because as Liz referenced, you know, there were a lot of improvements that occurred over time uh in terms of maintenance, manicuring, etc. uh in that area when it was its previous use. And so figuring out what that border looks like uh to see if it was reasonable uh we took to heart and we went back and really tried to figure out what that that disturbance limit if you will or that disturbed area might be. So that's what that red line uh represents which if you go to the next slide just in in in an effort to be fully transparent we basically took the disturbance area or that disturbance line and laid that over top where the concept plan is. And obviously what you'll see here is we've got some uh areas that are outside of what that disturbance limit is. Uh and again we understand that the idea here is is it possible can we rework this and get get it to be within areas that have already uh seen some kind of impact. Uh and then if that is in fact the case um how does that affect our layout? So you can see here obviously that um we've got especially those uh structures or the the um tree houses if you will uh that are outside the disturbance limits. uh and how might we reprogram the space so that it would actually lie within uh or very close to what that disturbance boundary is. So on the next slide uh we started in a very short period of time to explore what could actually fit within that disturbed area uh and what does it do to the spa area and how can we uh reprogram it and realign it. uh where are some of those relaxation pavilions in relation to where that disturbed area is. What we came up with is that we're pretty confident that we can actually make this spa uh component fit within that disturbed area. um with a little bit of creativity and a little bit more exploration I think there's uh a commitment from our group to figure out how can we get this within that area uh so that we're not further encroaching into uh what are your buffer and protected areas uh and if we are that we are minimizing it to the maximum extent possible. Uh so some of that includes looking at reprogramming some of the interior spaces to see how we can make those connections uh as opposed to you know making them on the second story. Maybe they're on the ground level. How do we maintain obviously it being an ADA accessible uh improvement? Uh so we've got some things we have to figure out in terms of that programming. uh but we're pretty confident that with a little bit more effort uh and exploration that we can figure out how to get those improvements uh within that within what has already been disturbed. So the final slide that is in our package this evening is just a quick rendering essentially of uh of how this might lay out within that historic disturbance area. You know, I think one of the things that's key from uh the group uh the Scanvic group uh is making sure that whatever spa improvements do get built uh and improved uh that they are in an area that is immersive with nature that does have a relationship to the lakeside. It's kind of uh central to the theme and the idea of creating a really uh interesting spot environment. And the other piece of that is is making sure that it also makes sense uh with respect to the programming on the inside of the facility as well. So part of the reason that the the location we identified was selected was uh existing programming within the the facility because obviously this uh is a huge investment from this group to try to reposition uh the building uh and use as much as we can so that we can do this in a really uh interesting way uh but also actually financially make it a viable project. So, um, paying attention to existing programming, trying to get that spa, uh, function on the lake side, I would call it. Uh, and then the other piece of that also making sure that, um, you know, that it makes sense from a privacy and a usability so that it really becomes something that people want to come and enjoy. Um, and so I think that's the last slide. I think our takeaway here is really the statement that we heard staff loud and clear. Uh and we do believe that there is a way uh that we can re rethink this and reprogram it a little bit to get those spawn improvements in some of your disturbed area or within that disturbed area that's already been defined. So with that I can answer any questions. Um I'm very glad it was only six slides because that would have been more difficult. >> You aced it. I mean you would have never if you never said anything we wouldn't have really known any difference. So, uh, great job. [laughter] Um, does anybody have any questions for for Jennifer? >> No questions, but this is really exciting. That's been a vacant spot for a while. And, you know, many people in the community are asking what is happening and if anything is happening. And I think was it a year ago we heard another um potential buyer pitch and and we got excited and then went nowhere. So, this is again very exciting to hear and As a lover of pools, I love that there's pools in it. So, this is I think very um great and it's great that you're working with city staff to try to figure out how to incorporate all of that into the current landscape and regulations. >> Travis, do you want to speak to the uniqueness maybe of what you're proposing here? I think that would be really important to kind of put out >> to our 1.3 million listeners. >> Yeah. And especially uniqueness in the United States. >> Yeah. because you had touched on it earlier. >> I did. Yeah. So, being from Canada, being from Minnesota, we share winters. In Canada, there have been a lot of successful Nordic spas, as they call them. Most of them are standalone spas. So, it is a destination. It drives tourism to the communities in large volumes. And so what a Nordic spa is, it's a place to be able to press pause. I think we all agree that the world is a stressful place. Travel can be stressful. So the the nice thing about a Nordic spa, it allows you to kind of just press pause and it's about the thermal cycle. So you have outdoor heated pools, so you have a hot or a temporate pool. You have steam rooms, you have sauna rooms. So that's the first part of the thermal cycle is you want to heat your body up. And then what a lot of people don't like is the cold plunge cycle, but we have the opportunity to be able to do that. And so it's both the hot, the cold, and then you need a place to rest. And that's what's so unique about this property is just the natural environment. Part of what Scanvic believes in is about, it's a Scandinavian term. It's freutive and it's about celebrating nature. So we want people to be able to connect with that. And so you do this thermal cycle a couple times over and it it just does so much for wellness and we feel the efficiencies being connected to the hotel help make this project a lot more feasible. As I mentioned a lot of them are standalone in Canada. So this would be a unique concept of bringing the two together and which we really feel will help drive tourism to an area that we feel needs a little more tourism and some more accommodation rooms for for the area rather than exporting rooms. We want the feasibility to stay here in in the area. So last week my family was in Quebec City and >> okay it was interesting because I you know I I looked up what's the places to to go to here and in the top five was a Nordic spa uh that was and Quebec City has all kinds of stuff to go to and they listed that as a top tourist destination. Uh, so I thought that was pretty interesting and and I only was really looking for it because we had just met right before uh we went out on site and you had mentioned it in Canada. It for sure it it was a destination type of place >> and Minnesota is very naturally Scandinavian. So I think our branding and and the amenities that we're adding will will be embraced by by everyone here. Um last week I did comment uh one thing about we're going to get into the parking elements right so just the understanding that the two businesses do complement each other and that's really important from our side but then from an administration side parking will will definitely be of importance but the Nordic spas do better in the winter we celebrate winter >> right >> and and tourism is busier in the summer where the Nordic spa is a little bit slower. So they do complement each other uh very well and um we are doing some reductions to the property because it is such a large building. So um we are reducing kind of the number of rooms and the number of conference space to be able to accommodate the demand for the new amenity. Yeah, I thought that was an interesting thing when we had met on site that you had said that your busy time is the winter time, which generally in Minnesota you don't you really don't think about that as a factor, but I mean that would be a great compliment. >> Yeah, >> over here. >> Yep, definitely. >> Yeah, I think this is very exciting. Um, and I appreciate the consciousness of the landscape and the beauty back there. I think, um, that's important. And one thing I appreciate about CHAS is it's not flat. we have those wooden steep slopes and that's part of what makes it so beautiful here. So, um I appreciate that. That may make it a little more difficult, but the respect for the land there I think is important. So, I certainly appreciate that. I think it's very exciting. The community when it hits socials, the community certainly seemed very excited about it. Um which is always a great sign. >> So, I think that's amazing. Um I think when it comes back for preliminary just the unfund stuff would be things like construction access understanding that because it's such a busy site that already makes me ner very nervous to drive in so to understand what that will look like it like I said the unfund stuff but the stuff that'll be helpful to know for preliminary that's not sort of listed here. Um, and then parking. One question I had from the community, whether it's staff or you that answer, um, was the public the public walkway along the lake is very loved and that that would be that's not going away. And I I said no, we own that, but I think just for people watching to understand that that is that's still going to be there. Um, and people will still be able to walk on that public walkway around the lake because I do know that's well loved >> um back there. So, but otherwise, I think exciting. >> That's an important point. Just to clarify, this is something the community can come and use without booking a room, right? It's a spa that they can >> absolutely. Yeah. No day use and uh kind of an expanded model to what we do is um our member membership model. So there will be some ability to integrate with the community so there's more frequent visits. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. And then because you had talked about, you know, outdoor use and and potentially winter not being or summer not being the most fun time to do this kind of thing, is there a plan to maybe continue this kind of thermal spa, cold plunge in an indoor setting inside um with some of the space you have in there. I know, not to compare you to Lifetime, but Lifetime has the cold plunge and the warm spa and the steam rooms and the whole gamut in their aquatic area. And it does get a year round a lot of use. I mean, people are definitely using the steam rooms, the cold plunges, the hot tubs, and then the pools. So, >> yeah, I I think our ability to operate 365 days outside is unique. I mean, we want people to be able to enjoy the u nature, >> whether it's in the summer or the winter. So, we definitely program around that. And we're just in the concept plan to figure out how that conference center gets adapted into the operational use. >> Yeah. Cuz some of the proposed structures were the spas and things which obviously would be used year round. >> Yep. Yep. >> Very cool. Very exciting. >> I mean, we talked on it earlier with the the 12 community events, but you know, our goal as a council is to make our community a destination. your proposal lends to that ability and she's looking at >> I was just Nordic Scott spons [laughter] [laughter] um and it's exciting to hear of partnership opportunities and the ability for community members that um live in the you know community or or in uh neighboring communities that don't necessarily need to book a room still being able to take part in and and be able to enjoy the amenities and services that you do plan to offer. It was really nice to be able to walk through and kind of see the vision, but also kind of set the tone for what I talk about with the variance. You know, we don't love granny variances because they set precedents. >> Correct. >> And those precedents um are really important because, you know, we have to kind of overlay what's best for the community as a whole. And then anybody can come through and have a completely different intention in mind and a different plan and say well they did that. We kind of talked about that and we also talked about the importance that this is a concept plan and so bringing it forward you know and seeing what you kind of have proposed that is really exciting and kind of lending to that. So, it is very exciting to see what you have and I appreciate um Jennifer's time um and your time giving that um slideshow um slide deck to kind of see as you work through because I know you submitted that before we met and so kind of see as you've already started the work to kind of rework the plan and I really appreciate that you really listened to what um I had to say about it and then what our staff had to say about it and you were kind and considerate to kind of sority already start putting those wheels in motion. And so I really can't say how much I appreciate that because we all want this to work. Oakidge is a unique site, has a wonderful long history. I mean, it was, you know, approved when I think I was four years old in the 1980s when, you know, and I was even talking to somebody today and they said that their um father-in-law was the general manager of that site and they were the first wedding that was actually there before they even marketed the weddings. And so, you know, so many people have so many wonderful stories of getting married there or having a, you know, conference there, a retreat or eating in the restaurant. So, it's nice to be able to see that building relive its life again and be, you know, its true self. And it's sounds like it's going to be a wonderful fit. So, just working through that process, working with our staff staff to in order to like have that best collaboration to kind of have that best outcome. Um, I'm very excited to see that move forward. >> No, thank thank you very much. I think yeah this this was a great example of how you know developers and cities can can work together and achieve what we all want is is a vibrant tourism economy for for the area. So >> yeah. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> Appreciate that. So >> uh does anybody have any other questions or any other um comments they' like to touch on at all in regards otherwise? We do have uh a motion in front of us. Uh it's a motion to adopt resolution 2026-74 approving the concept plan um for the Scandic uh Oakidge at Oakidge Hotel and Conference Center um uh with those conditions listed in there. So, >> sorry to find the bullet point before I could talk about if I wanted to. I think that was just important to note to the community as well is if if you're if you had heard of of the hotels, but the the you know operating under the Marriott Tribune portfolio. I think it's important because people understand absolutely >> that connection to a bigger organization versus like who's this? I haven't heard about this. So I was trying to find it quickly because I want to make sure I didn't say the wrong one because there's lots of those type of organizations. But yeah, you know that Marriott name with their portfolio with the collection of independent upskill I think helps people understand too that if they haven't heard of you or your your hotels, >> they most likely probably have heard of that name as well and that connection too. So I think that's important for the the community to Yeah. And it's quite an investment that is proposed to be making. So >> yes. Yeah. No, the the global brand has walked through the property. they they like it and we're just working through the number of improvements that have to be achieved for a building that has sat vacant for 5 years and has been around for since ' 89, right? So, >> yeah, definitely a lot of capital investment will be put back into this property which is definitely needed. >> Absolutely. >> Sorry. >> No, that's a really that's a really good point to make. Absolutely. I think that's great. Um as well. All right. Well, I'd entertain to approve the motion I made earlier or it was at least put forward earlier. >> Motion to approve. >> Okay. So, I have a motion um from council member Chevlin. >> Second. >> And a second from um council member Hatfield. Any other discussion? All right. Hearing none. Um all those in favor signify by saying I. >> I >> opposed. concept plan is approved. I look forward to seeing you back here. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> All right. Well, that moves us off our action items and on to bills. Does anybody have a question on the roster of bills? >> That sounds make a motion to pay the bills. [laughter] >> I have a motion from council member Grath. >> Second, >> and a second from council member Benes. Uh, roll call, please. >> Council member Hatfield, >> yes. >> Council Bennish, >> yes. >> Council member Shavelin, >> yes. >> Council McGrath, >> I. >> Mayor Hubard, >> I. >> All right, bills are paid. All right, that moves us along to um other business. Uh, Council Member Heatfield. >> Yeah. Um, some exciting things coming up. The farmers market is continuing. That's been a great event. um a lot of fun. So, if you haven't been to the farmers market, obviously it's we're going to start winding down here, but definitely make it out before before it's done. Those are on Thursday nights. So, um and the concert series is still going. So, that's very a lot of fun, too, to get to kind of do the farmers market and then make your way to the music. So, um and then of course the public safety open house is coming up um on September 14th from 5 to 8. So, that's very exciting to get to have the community in. And uh Southwest Transit, I think something important. Southwest Transit will be providing um why can't I think of words? Transportation to the public safety building because there's um enough parking for a few, but definitely not for everybody that's so excited to come out and see this. So, you can park at East Creek Station and they will uh take you on down to the building. That's running from 5:00 to 8:30. um first bus is at 5. The last bus to East Creek will be at 8:30. So, it's a short jaunt, but um will really help with the parking situation. Um but definitely make your way to that. I think it's very exciting with that building being done. It was the first in that building program and um I know that the departments are very excited to show it off as well. I think that's a big part of it. So, and then this Thursday's Touch a Truck at 5 at the high school. Um and that's always a really great event. So, that's coming up. Um, and really, I think the last thing I have is the CHASA Crime Prevention Fund, uh, is a new nonprofit here in Chaska. Um, and they had their one of their fundraisers last night. I was, um, privileged to get to be the ticket girl and volunteer with that organization to help them kick that, uh, that fundraiser off. But, they're a and I'm I've asked them that they should come speak to the whole council. So, I'm hopeful they will um and kind of share about what they're doing. But Eden Prairie has something similar. This is something that's done around the state and maybe the nation. I'm not sure. But for sure the state uh Eden Prairie has existed for 40 years. But what it does is it helps fund things for our police department. And so it's um dollars there that can help with officer wellness. Uh the reward fund if some there's a crime that needs a reward um to help get information, they can help with that. um all sorts of things, programming, you know, when the the teen academy had their graduation, they provide a dinner for that. And so just those little things um that they can come alongside the police department and help fund um that's what they're there for. So they've had a couple of events around town. They'll be at the public safety um open house with a table there. So if you want to learn more about them, but like I said, I've asked him to come into a council meeting and tell us more about it. But wanted to kind of share that cuz I think it's very exciting that um we have that stood up here in Chaser Police Department and raise funds. So um just since it's fresh after volunteering with them last night, I wanted to share that. Um they have a website if you want to go check it out. I think it's crimereventionf fun.org. Um but very exciting to have that to support our police department. So I think that is everything. >> All right. Wonderful. All right. Uh Council Member Bennish, >> I don't have anything. >> All right. Well, Council Member Shlin, [laughter] >> um, for anybody that did not attend, um, you missed a great fair. The Carver County Fair was this past week. It was fantastic. I was very crowded. I saw many people that I knew and it looked like all of the cities in the county really got together and had a good time out in Waconia. So, hopefully you got to go. If you did not, try next year. Um, also parks and wreck has their fall uh fall winter, whatever you want to call it, um, classes and community ed up and uh, registration is going actually very fast. I went to sign up for skating and I got one of the last three spots for ice skating. So, >> yes. So, if you are interested in any of that kind of programming and now is the time to sign up and there's a lot of cool programming for both youth and adults out there. Um, and I think that's all I had. Great report. All right, Council Member Gra. >> Awesome. Um, touch the truck. I know he talked about it, but I can't not take the opportunity to remind myself that on the park board the number of hot dogs I've served [laughter] >> at trucks. It's just I mean I remember just like head down and then if you ripped your bun the bun in half, you had to have a good bun person who could open the bun with the gloves on. >> Delicate with it. >> Yeah, cuz if you rip the bun, trouble ensues. Um [laughter] but yeah, that was like still like if I think about memories that have helped shape who I am as a person truthfully and as a council member and as a part, Touch Truck was awesome. My kids have unfortunately kind of aged out. I think I kind of think it's cool, but um just to see the smiles and the kids and the dripping ice cream and the [snorts] hot dogs, I just was awesome. So yeah, Touch Truck 5 to 7 Chester High School on Thursday. >> Um I don't think it's supposed to rain. I think it's supposed to >> No, it's supposed to be nice. >> I think it's supposed to rain in a couple days and then be nice, so it's good. >> Um I was going to talk I'm just taking some a couple things off the math report here. Latin Food and Music Festival on September 18th uh with fireworks. I mentioned that uh I actually kind of like the fireworks in the later fall because it so late they're earlier because it gets darker sooner. Always a good bonus uh when you have kids and when you get to school. >> Um speaking of school, >> do we have a we will have another meeting on the first day of school. The first day. Yeah. So if you want the school >> two weeks from today, school starts. >> Yeah. So, this will be my reminder to traffic changes. Just drive slower. Look out for bus stops. A lot of excitement in those kids on that first day and they might spill into the street a little bit at the at the part at the bus stop. So, just should be safe. I I think it's important to understand that we, you know, you'll anticipate that traffic might be a little bit different and and everything like that, but I wish everyone uh a good start to the school year and teachers, too. Don't forget it's their first day back, too. >> Yeah. So, >> no, that's important. >> Um, and then last, I just timed out of my phone. The Chesa Cubs play air freight August 21st at 7:30 in the first round of the state championship. >> Um, so that is at 7:30 and that is actually in Chesca Athletic Park. So, I'm going to get it. I'm going to probably miss one, but Chakapi, Jordan, Chaza, is there one other community that's hosting? Feel like there was four and I feel like I'm missing maybe New Prague >> are hosting the state tournament. Uh, so Chesca plays, that's great to get the home game, uh, at 7:30 in the first round, but there will be other teams playing there, too. So, go. It's, you know, I, um, >> you said it's set at August 21st. >> August 21st, 7:30. >> Okay. >> Uh, I love the fact that during the year, the Chesa Cubs, and he actually even in when they had that first round playoffs to qualify to go to state that kids are free. >> That is so awesome. like the cost barriers to go to anything with a family of more than one. It can be expensive. And so I I just I don't know if that's a Chess of Cubs thing, if that's a like organizational thing or how that works to be honest. Um I've just been so happy. >> I think it's a mix of community sponsorship >> and yeah, the organization >> and it's good baseball, right? Like it it is it's fun and it's good. So I I wish them luck. But again, I I think uh it's not it won't be unfortunately it's not free anymore for state tournament. That it's not true because that that is a different type of thing. So it is have to pay there. >> But it's only a dollar for kids 18 and under. >> Thank you. So it's just it's just $1. >> Very very affordable. >> But it's great. I mean you think about the cost of of of just going to a ball game and seeing good good baseball. So that's a huge shout out. I wish the Jessica Cubs good luck. Uh it's a lot of games. I forget how big that bracket is every year until I see the bracket. Oh, man. This is it's a it's it's a hard work to get through and pitching has to hold up. So, good luck. >> Wonderful. >> Great. >> All right, Elise, >> Nate, >> I do. It goes without saying that the city hall plaza is under construction right now. >> Um, >> so it's anytime you're under under construction, things change. Um, and uh, you know, timelines shift and things. We've known since the start of construction that at some point the the main door to the library would need to change and the uh it would need to be closed temporarily and that access would then come off of Fourth Street. Um, we also have known since the start of construction at some point that uh the main entrance to city hall would need to be uh temporarily closed. And so then there would be access off of where the stairs come up um from former PD >> uh and then also coming through off of Pine Street um kind of in the the back entryway there. Um so details of that I'm I'm recovering from vacation right now. So I'm seeing in my emails there's some updates around timing of that. It looks like it may be next week at least for the library and potentially city hall as well. Um but so you all are aware that that that is coming soon. Um we will use our social media and we do have a communication strategy around both of them. Um so we'll work through that as we go forward, but construction will continue to uh disrupt the norm until it's done. >> Yeah. I Yeah, I think generally people are understanding of it, but it is a little bit like a maze >> to get through. >> Yep. I end product will be great. >> I notic coming in today like the grading like it's all level like it's all >> there's no offset of the level now which is kind of interesting to see kind of set up that way cuz it's like oh yeah there was the steps and all that fun. >> Yeah, it'll all develop as we continue. So that's my update. >> It will all develop. That's nice pun. >> Yeah, thanks. I even try >> Ka. >> Yeah, actually I just have a short testimonial for the city's uh amenities. the uh my cousin got married at the Chaza Curling Center this Saturday and I just have to say that we had such a wonderful time. The city staff or well the I should say the curling center staff and the caterers did such a fantastic job of putting on a really excellent event and I know that my cousin and his now wife are both Chasco residents and they both mentioned how wonderful it was to have the curling center available for their wedding. So, um, >> that's great. Well, congrats to them. Congrats to them. That's exciting. Cool. >> Um, Matt, >> uh, just a couple things. First of all, touch a truck. Um, you know, first of all, Joan Cedorf started this back in, I don't know, 2003, 2004, something like that. And she's still in charge of it. And I think the one of the thing the reasons I think it is one of the best events we have is it's a huge number of people that come and it's different people that come to Touch a Truck than come to any other event that's in the community. It's brand new families, brand new, you know, people who maybe haven't got involved in the community yet. And it's sort of their first way to start getting introduced into the community. So, it's I just think it's unique in the sense that it really attracts to a different crowd than any other celebration or thing that we have. So, kudos to Joan for all the work she's put in there. Um, I wanted to mention uh I I can't remember how many years this has been. I think four or five. Uh, tomorrow uh we're hosting uh I think it's 15 Ukrainian uh students. Uh, and we've been doing this the last few years. Richard Arena and Arena Fursman who are our um people who do our our strategic planning life. >> Um, uh, she is from the Ukraine. And so they've had sort of as their mission to bring a group of Ukrainian students over since the war started. And um, when they come to Chaza uh, like tomorrow, they're going to spend the morning at the new public safety facility. They're going to learn uh how our policing works in the United States, how our fire and emergency management uh works in the United States, tour the facility, have lunch there, and then the afternoon we're going to take them down and and have them curl uh and just have some uh fun uh down there. And it never ceases to amaze me uh each year how these kids are just kids, but the things they have seen are not normal. And uh the having them have the ability, they come over for a month, having them have the ability to come over for a month and be away from the chaos. you know, they have relatives that have been killed. They have, you know, all kinds of things that have happened to them. to be able to be away from that, but then to also come over and be deliberative about saying, "How do we want our country to be in the future?" And, you know, being able to come into local governments, be being able to go into state governments and learn what are the things that we do here, uh, that maybe as they grow up and become leaders in their own country can can be able to, uh, to bring back there. So, I love it. I think it's a great experience uh to to be able to do it. It's a new group of kids each year uh and just uh just a great program. So uh they'll be here uh most of the day tomorrow. So >> that's wonderful. >> Yeah. And then just to update or a reminder the meeting schedule coming up. You know, we have August 31st is a fifth Monday. So we uh are planning on having a meeting but no work session that night. Uh September uh we have Labor Day. Uh so we get have two meetings in a row the 14th and the 21st. Uh the 14th we will have a work session which will finish up our uh general fund budget uh discussions uh to prepare us for uh setting our preliminary tax levies. So some changes in the schedule I was like >> it's all the same as what I had there but just want to remind people >> just confirm you said >> no work session on Thursday. No work session on Thursday by week by week. >> Oh well there's no work session on the 31st >> for budget discussion. >> We're going to do a work session on the 31st so that on the 14th they can go to the open house until we have to come back for the council meeting. So we weren't going to do a work session on the 14th. >> Oh because >> Oh I remember I was going to share with you afterwards to forget everything I just said. [laughter] Just like Nate, I'm just coming back from vacation and I'm getting my mind and I'm getting my mind around this. Yes, there is going to be our second budget discussion on the 31st. Sorry. Um, and then the 14th is when we'll establish the the plumary levy. >> Okay. >> We will not have a work session on the 14th because that is the night of the open house. >> Thank you, Elise, for keeping me straight. [laughter] >> So, what year on the 31st? >> What time on the 31st are >> 5:30? Actually, you know what? The bi-weekly says 5:45. >> We'll do 5:45 because it's >> Okay, that's better. >> Because it's what it says in the thing. [laughter] It's >> the first day of school and my kid gets off the bus close to 5. >> We'll have enough time at 5:45. >> Yes. >> That's it. >> Okay. [laughter] Anything else from you? >> I don't think I want to say anything more. >> Okay. >> All right. Just a few things to recap. Night toite, um, believe it or not, was just a couple weeks ago. the so many great neighborhood parties, a lot of really great conversations, but the one thing I wanted to note was we had a four city challenge in regards to food shelf donations and we won. >> So, congratulations, Chaza, we beat those other three cities out and overall um with all the cities contributing uh it, um raised over uh 3,000 lbs of food for the food shelf, >> which they went through in like a week. So, we talked about the importance of continuing donations for them to help them out as people um in need need help. So, I just wanted to mention that. But, yeah, we won. We got I think Patty, the director of the food shelf uh from Bountiful Basket will be here at a future meeting to present said trophy to the council. So, >> what neighborhood did Adelwood win again? >> You guys, yes, they did, but I think uh your neighborhood was second. >> Was second. >> So, I know. Sorry, Lee. And then um another thing I wanted to mention that had happened um and uh our fire chief uh Krauss will u enjoy this. I gave him a hard time last year because they had their black helmet cere ceremony. I was not invited. I got to the uh business meeting for the relief association and I was like what's going on here? He was like well we had this big ceremony. I was like thanks for the invitation. Um but he made sure to invite me this last year and I was able to attend the fire department's black helmet summer ceremony. It's just like an award and recognition ceremony. Um it welcomed we have four new um firefighters that are joining and then um presenting the helmets to the ones that have passed the probationary period. Also granting like the um you know years of service award to some of I mean five from five years to 30 years of people serving on our fire department. That's just aound astounding. And then this year they um introduced a firefighter of the year which is an award um nominated by the peers and res presented or uh reviewed by a board of nominated candidates. And uh Alex Cook won and I just want to say congratulations Alex. I see him there all the time working so hard. Uh it's very well earned. So, thank you to um uh all of our firefighters for all their heartfelt and hard dedication to our community. Uh okay. Did you mention the downtown master plan survey? Did you mention that? Okay. So, just just take note. Uh there's a downtown master plan survey. Um it is open. It's on our website and it's open till August 24th. Uh, so if you have I know as I've been talking to residents this last weekend, you know, some of them have been telling me like I went on there and I pinpointed everything on the map and some people have been very engaged on that. So we want to hear from you as to what you want to see kind of happen downtown. And the same thing kind of uh in relation to that, our library task force is going to be meeting here in midepptember. So if there's something that you'd like to see with the library, um, email one of us, council members or myself. We'll pass that along to city staff so as they kind of go through and start that preliminary process. And I know that there's going to be lots of public engagement pieces with Latin Food and Music Festival, Touch a Truck and things of that nature, right? >> Yeah. Touch a truck, Farmers Market, Latin Food and Musicfest. >> So yeah, so that plenty of opportunity for that. Um, and then also just for our uh people that drive Highway 10 kind of going west, it's closed kind of between Chaska and Wakonia right now for resurfacing. Just a heads up for people as far as that goes. >> Um, but otherwise that's it. Next meeting's Yeah. August 31st. So with that, I would entertain a motion to adjurnn. >> Motion to adjurnn. >> All right. A motion from uh Council Member Hatfield. >> Second. >> And a second from Council Member Bennish. All those in favor say I. >> I opposed. >> We are adjourned. Thank you everybody.