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(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.)
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With the snow (hopefully) behind us, I’m looking forward to warmer temps and even some April showers! March was a busy month. Here’s what I was up to and what’s coming up later this month and early May:
Working in Washington, D.C. — As part of my role as a member of the executive committee on the League of Minnesota Cities’ board, last month I traveled to Washington, D.C., for the National League of Cities Congressional Cities Conference. In addition to two days of conference programming, I had the opportunity to hear from half of Minnesota’s congressional delegation, including Senator Amy Klobuchar, Congresswoman Angie Craig, Representative Kelly Morrison, Congressman Pete Stauber and Congressman Brad Finstad. Each delegate provided legislative updates and answered questions from the conference attendees representing Minnesota.
Data Center Moratorium — At our April 6 meeting, the City Council and I will consider passing a moratorium on data centers. If approved, the moratorium would allow city staff time to study this topic and create recommendations on how we should proceed. We will be studying things like zoning, water availability, noise and more. This moratorium cannot last longer than one year, which will allow time to learn more and observe best practices from other cities that are also navigating this topic. The last time Carver was in a somewhat similar situation was in 2023 when the city enacted a moratorium on the operation and establishment of cannabis businesses.
2025 Audit — In my February column, I highlighted the city’s local controls, strong financial practices, and system of checks and balances — all of which undergo review each year through an independent audit. The audit was completed last month, and the results will be presented at our April 20 City Council meeting. While I fully expect a clean report, I wanted to provide an update on this important process.
Hike to the Cheese Cave — Please join me on Earth Day (Wednesday, April 22) for a hike to Carver’s storied Cheese Cave. This will be a somewhat challenging approximate two-mile hike, which will include steep hills and areas of underbrush. We’ll meet at 5:30 p.m. in the parking lot of Community Park (800 6th Street West) and begin our hike there. All are welcome, so please feel free to bring your neighbors, friends and family with you. If the weather looks less than ideal, check Facebook.com/CarverMayorCourtney or call/text me at 612-702-7703 for updates.
Mayor’s Office Hours — Please join me next month — on Saturday, May 2 — in the Broadway Room in City Hall from 10 a.m. to noon for my quarterly office hours. At this same time, the American Bikers for Awareness, Training and Education (ABATE) Motorcycle Ride will be taking place, so come downtown for breakfast, grab a coffee, or take a look at the bikes, and please stop by to say “hi.”
As always, if you have any questions, comments or concerns about anything that’s going on in our community, or if you want to participate in one of my “dinner with constituents” events where I’ll make chili and you can discuss whatever is on your mind, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I look forward to hearing from you!
Mayor Courtney Johnson; CJohnson@CityOfCarver.com; Cell: 612.702.7703
