On February 28, 2000 the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 665 establishing a Human Rights Commission and defining its duties relating to encouraging and promoting equal opportunity and fair treatment within the City of Chaska.
The purpose of the Commission is to secure for all citizens, through education and prevention, equal opportunities for employment, housing, public information, public services, education, fair treatment, and full participation in affairs of the community. The Commission's mission is to proactively partner with government, business, educators, religious, service and other organizations to promote a community of harmony and respect for the rights and dignity of all.
Members of the Human Rights Commission are appointed for three-year terms, eligible for three - three-year terms to a maximum of nine years. Terms are staggered. By Ordinance, appointments are to be made at the first Council meeting in January of each year. Each member is expected to attend at least one meeting per month in the evenings, and devote approximately five hours per month to Commission business outside of the meetings. Members will work in small groups on specific projects, and are expected to have an interest in human rights problems and issues as they relate to such topics as housing, employment, public accommodations, education and public services.
The Human Rights Commission meets the fourth Thursday of each month at 6:30 pm at Chaska City Hall, One City Hall Plaza, Chaska, MN 55318.
Current members are: Libby Fairchild, Chairperson; Barbara Colhapp, Taylor Hubbard, Adella Pollack, Rick Stanton, Phyllis Lindstrand, Tirsha Leck, and Alan Beck. City STaff Liaison: Matt Podhradsky - 952-448-9200.
Chaska has a Parks, Arts, and Recreation Board that meets the second Monday of each month at the Chaska Community Center, 1660 Park Ridge Drive. The board consists of nine members and an alternate who are appointed by the City Council. The Park Board meets to discuss issues related to open space, city parks, recreation, and arts. The Park Board also assists in the review of the comprehensive plan and various development projects throughout the city.
The current Board consists of Roger AAberg, Chairperson; Richard Kvitek, Dave Roan, Lyle Merdan, Mitch Anderson, Harold Young, Greg Johnson, Nate Bostrom, Eric Dahl, and Tom Skoogman. For more information on the Park Board, please contact Tom Redman, Director of Parks, Recreation and Arts, at 952-448-5633 or tredman@chaskamn.com
The Planning Commission meets on the second Wednesday of each month in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The Planning Commission consists of seven regular members and two alternates, which are appointed by the City Council for three-year terms. The Planning Commission prepares and maintains the City's Comprehensive Plan, conducts public hearings and makes recommendations to the City Council on proposed changes affecting zoning and land uses within the City, considers site plan reviews and conditional use permits. Most resident contact with the Planning Commission comes from public hearings for subdivisions of land, rezoning or variances from the Zoning Ordinance. The commission forwards information from these hearings, along with their recommendations to the City Council for final action. The City's Planning Department does all research and paperwork for the Commission.
The current Commissioners are: Greg Boe, Chairperson; Alex Young, Vice-Chairperson; Bill Taylor, Duane Kasper, Michael Broback, Troy Miller, Leanne Ashley, David DuToit, and Chad Hewitt. City Staff is Kevin Ringwald, Director of Planning and Development, and Melissa Duchinsky, City Planner. They can be contacted at 952-448-9200 or Kringwald@chaskamn.com or Mduchinsky@chaskamn.com.
The Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) meets at needed on the 4th Tuesday of each month in the City Council Chambers at City Hall. The HPC consists of seven members and an alternate, who are appointed by the City Council for three-year terms. The HPC maintains the Historic Preservation Ordinance and the Downtown Commercial District Preservation Design Manual, and conducts public hearings on requests for Site Alteration Permits for historic properties. The HPC is also responsible for conducting surveys on historic properties in the City, as well as participates in projects and research related to historic preservation in the City of Chaska.
Current members of the Commission are Nicholas Calder, Chairperson; Michael Carpentier, Vice Chairperson; Joyce Bohn, Howard Rosenwinkel, Mark Kalscheuer, Steve Herrmann, Steven Mueller, and Patricia Merker. The City Planner, Melissa Duchinsky, is the staff liaison to the HPC, preparing reports and research for Site Alteration Permits and working with the Commission on HPC-lead projects. Any questions regarding HPC should be directed to the City Planner at 952-448-9200 or Mduchinsky@chaskamn.com.
