Praising Chaska for its quality jobs, education system, diverse population and strong sense of community, Money Magazine named Chaska as the 8th best small town in the United States in its August 2007 issue. Chaska ranked highest of any Minnesota city on the magazine’s top 100 list, and was the only community in the state to be included in the top 10. As the highest ranking town in Minnesota, the Money Magazine recognition reinforces Chaska mission of being “The Best Small Town in Minnesota.”

An historic city on the Minnesota River, Chaska is one of the fastest-growing communities of the southwest suburban area. Just 20 years ago, it was a quiet little town of less than 5,000 people. Today, its population is more than four times that number.

Chaska is not a bedroom community. It maintains a strong, diversified light-industry base, with more than 12,000 jobs available within the city. Attracting and preserving high quality jobs is a priority of the city and is consistent with its long-term vision of being a place for residents to both live and work.

Despite its recent growth, Chaska retains its small town image. The image of a caring and active community, where people meet and greet each other on the street, continues to be fostered even as the population grows. The city’s mission is to be the best small town in Minnesota.

Established in 1851, Chaska has a core historic downtown which serves as a focal point for both commercial development and social activities. Those who live in Chaska expect to see ice cream socials and band concerts in City Square Park. These and other activities are designed to strengthen the community and support shared community values.

In addition, Chaska has an award-winning community center. It serves as a gathering place for people of all ages and with all interests. The center — which was most recently expanded with the addition of The Lodge for Active Older Adults in 2007— also houses a gallery and theater, a swimming pool, fitness center and several amenities including an on-site café.
Outdoor recreation enthusiasts enjoy the community’s miles of trails, acres of parks, two swimming beaches and a new disc golf course. Chaska also has an extensive year-round recreation program for children and adults, including seniors.
For those who are seeking a “wired” community, the City of Chaska was the first city in the country to roll out a city-wide high-speed WiFi service when it created chaska.net. The high-speed, low-cost service helps Chaska meet one of its core strategies — to be a connected community.
Finally, Chaska is home to Hazeltine National Golf Club, site of several major golfing tournaments for men, women and seniors, including the 1991 U.S. Men’s Open and the 2002 PGA Championship. Chaska Town Course, a city-owned public golf course designed by nationally prominent Arthur Hills Jr., opened in 1997. It has routinely received high ratings in both state and national publications. The Town Course co-hosted — with Hazeltine National — the 2006 U.S. Amateur Championship, bringing hundreds of golfers and visitors to the community. Hazeltine continues to host major golf tournaments, with the PGA Championship coming back in 2009 and the Ryder Cup scheduled to be in Chaska in 2016.

Chaska’s Population Growth

Year Population
1960 2,501
1970 4,352
1980 8,346
1990 11,339
2000 17,449
2002 18,500
2004 22,500
2005 23,000
2006 23,500
Projected ultimate population 30-35,000
Sources: City of Chaska, Metropolitan Council & U.S. Census

City of Chaska

One City Hall Plaza
Chaska, MN 55318
Central phone number 952-448-9200
Web site www.chaskamn.com
Police and Fire Emergency 911
David Pokorney, Administrator 952-448-9200
Fax 952-448-9300
Police (general information) 952-448-4200
Fire (general information) 952-448-9200
Utilities Billing 952-448-9200
After-Hours Emergencies 952-448-4335
Animal Control 952-448-4200
Chaska Parks & Recreation 952-448-3176
Chaska Community Center 952-448-5633
Chaska Town Course
Maintenance 952-443-3642
Pro Shop/Reservations 952-443-3748
Chaska Par 30 952-448-7454

Business & Industry

Largest Employers No. of Employees
School District 112* 1,200
Entegris 960
Lake Region Manufacturing 750
Beckman Coulter 700
Carver County* 631
FSI International, Inc. 500
City of Chaska** 370
Embarq 200
Maximum Graphics 200
Vi Corp 200
Lifecore Biomedical 170
Apex International 165
Klingelhutz Companies 150
Home Depot* 140
Hometime & Duplication Factory 135
Oak Ridge Conference Center 104
Rainbow Foods* 101
Cooper’s County Market* 90
*Includes part-time employees
**Includes 105 full-time employees
Source: City of Chaska

Chaska City Council

Mayor
Gary Van Eyll
336 Highwood Dr. Cir., Chaska 952-448-4300
E-mail gvaneyll@chaskamn.com

Council Members
Gino Businaro – Ward I
3515 County Rd. 140, Chaska 952-448-7363
E-mail ginobusinaro@embarqmail.com
Robert J. Lindall – Ward II
2701 Spy Glass Dr., Chaska 952-448-5586
E-mail rlindall@kennedy-graven.com
Christopher Schulz – Ward III
1290 Wildflower Lane, Chaska 612-790-0546
E-mail chrsch63@comcast.net
Jay Rohe – Ward IV
2335 Christian Dr., Chaska 952-361-6865
E-mail jwrohe@hotmail.com
The mayor and four council members serve as the Chaska City Council. The position of mayor is elected at large (citywide) every two years. Council members are elected to four-year terms, with two seats up each election. Chaska has a ward form of government, therefore each council member is elected by the voters in his or her ward. Chaska City Council elections are held concurrently with the state and federal general elections.

Meetings

Chaska City Council
Council Chambers 7 p.m.
Meetings are the first, third and fifth Mondays.
Chaska Economic Development Authority
Chaska City Council members sit as the EDA. Meetings immediately follow council meeting.
Chaska Heritage Preservation Commission
Meets the third Tuesday of each month.
Chaska Human Rights Commission
Bluff Conference Room 6:30 p.m.
Meetings are on the fourth Thursday of each month. This committee promotes human rights programs within Chaska.
Chaska Planning Commission
Council Chambers 7 p.m.
Meetings are on the second Wednesday of each month.
Chaska Parks, Recreation, Natural Resources & Arts Commission
Chaska Community Center 7 p.m.
Meetings are the second Monday of each month. This committee also handles cable television issues.

Chaska Fire Department

Chaska is served by a 40-plus member volunteer fire department, which includes a first responder and advanced life support ambulance team. The city has a “6” insurance rating.
James VanEyll, Fire Chief 952-448-2990 (non-emergency)

Chaska Police Department

Administration 952-448-4200
Chaska has 23 police officers in a 29-member department. In addition, the 110-member Carver County Sheriff’s Office is headquartered in Chaska. Scott Knight serves as Chaska’s Chief of Police.

Party Wagon
Reservations/Information 952-448-5633, ext. 7760
Chaska provides a party wagon for use when neighbors plan a block party. The wagon includes barricades, games and other appropriate equipment. It is delivered to the site on Friday and picked up Monday morning. For more information, call the Chaska Community Center.

Lost Pets
Animal Control 952-361-1231
or Impound 952-894-9065
The city animal control officer has a list of pets that have been impounded. Call to check if your lost pet is on the list. See also Dog Licenses under City Ordinances.

chaska.net

Residential Wireless Internet 952-227-4638
The City of Chaska provides high speed, wireless Internet access to its residents through chaska.net. For $16.99 per month (including the necessary equipment and no long-term contract required), residents can purchase chaska.net service and be billed directly via their utility bills.

City Ordinances

Winter Parking
Chaska follows a calendar parking schedule for on-street parking during the winter. The ordinance applies to all public parking–streets, alleys, parking lots. From Nov. 1 to April 1, whenever enough snow accumulates to require plowing, vehicles must park on the even-numbered side of the street on even-numbered days of the month; and on the odd-numbered side of the street on odd-numbered days. For residents’ convenience, the city counts the day as beginning at 8 a.m.

Snowmobile Operation 952-448-4200
A snowmobile trail through the city has been designated. Non-residents must stay on the trail. Residents must take the most direct, non-prohibited route to and from the trail. Other restrictions involve speed and hours.

Nuisance Control
Noise/Odor Ordinance
There is a noise ordinance prohibiting loud, unnecessary or unusual noises that annoy, disturb, injure or endanger the comfort, repose, health, peace, safety or welfare of others. The ordinance also prohibits offensive odors.

Alarm Systems
When alarm systems are installed, certain requirements must be met. No alarm systems, except those for financial institutions and public buildings, may be connected directly to the county public safety communications center. Neither may a system have an automatic dialer that dials directly into the center. To assure both proper installation and maintenance, there is a penalty fee for false alarms.

Summer Lawn Watering 952-448-9200
The City of Chaska has an ordinance regarding water usage effective May 1-Sept. 30. Compliance is based on an odd-even cycle of watering. You are required to limit your lawn sprinkling and other non-essential water use based on your address and the calendar day of the month. Even-numbered addresses water on even numbered calendar days; odd-numbered addresses sprinkle on odd numbered days.
Compliance with this ordinance is mandatory. Failure to comply may result in a $100 per day fine and/or termination of water service. New seed or sod is exempt from the ordinance until it becomes established.
Commercial, industrial and residential automated irrigation systems are required to follow the same guidelines.

Licenses & Permits

John Edberg, Building Official
Chaska City Hall 952-448-9200
Building permits are required for most projects including decks and privacy fences. There are exceptions which include: one-story tool sheds and playhouses not over 120 square feet, fences not over 6 feet, retaining walls not over 4 feet, window awnings, prefabricated pools above ground holding no more than 5,000 gallons, and painting, wallpapering and similar finish work.

Apartment Licenses
Kevin Gravalin, Fire Marshal
Chaska City Hall 952-448-9200
Chaska has a program for licensing all rental units for health and safety issues. Licenses must be prominently displayed and are valid for one year. Tenants and landlords who want to know more about the program should call for information.

Dog Licenses
Chaska City Hall 952-448-9200
Dogs that are six months old or older must be licensed. The owner must provide documentation that the dog has been vaccinated against rabies within a year of the license application.
Many rabies vaccinations have a two-year life. Chaska dog owners may purchase a half, one- or two-year license. Currently, the fee is $9 for a half year (after June 30), $18 for one year and $30 for two years. There is no discount for neutered animals.
Dogs may not run at large and must wear their licenses. Dogs not meeting city requirements may be impounded. Animal waste by ordinance must be picked up.
Cats are not regulated.

Solicitors’ Licenses
Margo Steffel 952-448-9200
Soliciting within our community requires a permit. Contact city hall to make an application. The fee is $35 per person and the application must be approved by the city council.
Solicitors are required to carry their permit. Residents are encouraged to ask to see a solicitor’s permit. Contact the Chaska Police Department at 448-4200 if you are approached by someone who is unable to produce a permit, or a solicitor with a permit who makes you feel uncomfortable.
Chaska has other license and permit requirements. Only the most commonly used have been published here and are current as of Sept. 1, 2007. For more information, call the city at 952-448-9200.