The commission announced a collaboration with the University of Minnesota’s Resilient Communities Program, which will connect graduate students with community projects. This initiative is expected to aid the commission in conducting necessary research on potential historic sites in downtown Chaska. The goal is to expand the local nominations list, which has not seen new additions since 2006, when the Idol House was last nominated. This partnership could provide the much-needed academic support to overcome research barriers previously faced by the commission.

During the meeting, there was a unanimous decision to reappoint Kristine Kohman as the chair and Kaleb Snider as the vice chair of the commission. Both accepted their roles with a focus on continuing the mission of preserving Chaska’s heritage. The commission, with new members on board, expressed enthusiasm for revisiting goals related to historic preservation and prioritizing properties for further research.

City Planner Liz Hanson expressed excitement about the new members joining and the fresh perspectives they bring to the commission. She also mentioned ongoing projects, such as working on streetscape elements in downtown, which are expected to bring aesthetic improvements to the area.

The meeting concluded with a round of introductions where new members shared their eagerness to contribute to the community. One commissioner highlighted their involvement in local activities, including a pickleball event at Lions Park.