See all posts in the Mayor & Cities Corner series
(Mayor’s Corner is a regular feature where Carver County mayors share updates, insights, and messages with their communities. Carver City Mayor Courtney Johnson is providing this week’s edition.)
Starting off on a bit of a somber note this month…
As I think I’ve shared before, I write this column 10 to 14 days before it lands in your mailbox. As of this writing, it’s a handful of days after the assassinations of Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, and the attempts on the lives of State Senator John Hoffmann and his wife, Yvette.
I am shocked, sad and angry about these shootings. My thoughts go out to all those who have been affected by these tragedies. Our democracy is built on the foundation of peaceful discourse. Violence has absolutely no place in the American political process. This cannot be tolerated and must end.
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Now for some city updates:
Population estimates
Each year I receive a population estimate from the Metropolitan Council. As of April 1, 2024, (these estimates are always a year behind), the city of Carver was estimated to have 7,029 people and 2,348 housing units. Our average household size is 3.052 persons per household. Using the Met Council’s methodology and building permit information, the city of Carver’s estimate for our June 1, 2025, population is 7,615.
Public Services Department space study update
We held a listening session during the June 2 City Council meeting. We heard from two residents who attended in person and seven others who shared their thoughts, comments and questions about the space study via email. The next steps in the process will include the council and I accepting the results of the space study via a formal resolution and providing city staff direction on the next steps we’d like to take as we work to determine a resolution for the space issues we’re experiencing for the Public Services Department. I will continue to provide updates throughout the process.
Metropolitan Council visits District 4
Last month, the Met Council took their meeting on the road and held a Committee of the Whole gathering in Chaska. I participated in a panel discussion along with Billy Wermerskirchen of Bill’s Toggery in Shakopee and Bill Rudnicki from the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, where we shared our perspectives on partnerships, working with the community and our visions for growing cities. It is important for the leaders of the Met Council to experience the communities they make decisions about and this was a wonderful opportunity to do this.
Night to Unite
This statewide event builds and fosters community bonds. New this year, Carver Fire will be collecting nonperishable food items for Bountiful Basket when they visit your Night to Unite block party on Aug. 5. The city of Carver will be participating in a friendly competition between the cities of Chaska and Chanhassen to see who can collect the most food. Look for more information to come out soon.
Finally, I’m excited to share that last month I was elected first vice president to the League of Minnesota Cities (LMC) Board of Directors. LMC is a nonpartisan membership organization dedicated to promoting excellence in local government. The League serves more than 800 member cities through advocacy, education and training, policy development, risk management and other services. I am excited to amplify my voice in advocacy on behalf of not only the city of Carver, but also for all cities in Minnesota.
As always, if you have any questions, comments or concerns about something going on in our community, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Stay connected, be informed and get involved!
Mayor Courtney Johnson; CJohnson@CityOfCarver.com; Cell: 612.702.7703.
