01:09The meeting opened with a review of the splash pad grand opening, an event that was met with much enthusiasm from the community. Despite initial concerns about attendance, the event saw a good turnout, with one commissioner noting, “If you build it, they will come.” The splash pad, which had been long-awaited due to an extended construction period, received positive feedback from attendees. A commissioner emphasized the community’s appreciation, stating, “A lot of community thankfulness for the splash pad,” highlighting the general excitement about the new facility.

03:21Following the splash pad discussion, the commission focused on the sponsorship and development of the new disc golf course. The city received praise for collaborating with Unique Concrete, which provided a competitive quote for the necessary concrete work. The contribution of Craig Nettlehip, a retired professional disc golfer, was also acknowledged, although he preferred to remain out of the spotlight for his voluntary consulting on the course’s design and rules.

The commission discussed the design and quality of the course signage, which would be produced by the Carver County Sign Shop using durable materials. The possibility of incorporating QR codes into the signage was also explored, enabling local businesses to link to their services. Businesses interested in sponsorship were advised to provide high-resolution logo files to ensure quality printing. An anticipated delivery window for the disc golf baskets was noted as between June 16th and June 24th, with public works handling the installation. The commission aimed to finalize signage and sponsorship agreements soon, with plans to promote the project to local businesses and set an opening date for the course.

12:18Attention then shifted to the Mayor Rising Community Festival, set for July 12th. There were suggestions to involve local disc golf enthusiasts for demonstrations, leveraging the expertise of experienced players. The festival is expected to feature a variety of activities, including a tractor parade, with a humorous suggestion that lawnmowers might participate.

15:23Early preparations for the Christmas tree lighting event were also discussed. It was suggested that the event occur in the afternoon to maximize attendance. Plans include involving local organizations such as the fire department and the early childhood action council, with crafts and entertainment to enhance the festive atmosphere. The possibility of live performances by a local choir was proposed.

The meeting also highlighted the need for enhanced marketing and communication for these events. Past initiatives had suffered from poor advertising, and it was suggested that discussions begin as early as October to ensure better participation. There was consensus on the timing of newsletters, with early announcements helping the community prepare for the holiday season. The idea of promoting the event during the summer was also mentioned to allow residents to plan ahead for holiday decorations.

28:46In addition to event planning, the commission discussed a proposal to redesign the city hall parking lot to increase its capacity from 48 to 80 striped spaces. This change aimed to improve traffic flow and received positive feedback, with support from Carver County officials. The proposal included plans to add a five-foot concrete sidewalk connecting the lot to the existing trail.

35:35Concerns about the city’s streets and the need for maintenance were raised. The discussion included moving away from traditional chip and seal methods in favor of a more effective soy-based product, which had shown better results in other cities. The logistics of potentially sharing equipment with neighboring cities were also considered to optimize costs and improve road maintenance efficiency.

38:16As the meeting drew to a close, safety concerns regarding a television located in the gymnasium were briefly mentioned, with plans for protective measures underway. The installation of new high-capacity ceiling fans in the gym, which improved ventilation, was also noted.