Chaska council appoints four residents to new library task force

The Chaska City Council voted June 29 to appoint four community members to a newly formed library task force that will advise staff and the architect during the city’s upcoming library redesign. The council approved the appointees by voice vote after a brief staff presentation and interviews earlier that evening.

The task force will include Councilmember Shevlin (previously appointed), Commissioner Lisa Anderson (representing the Friends of the Library), a member of the Carver County Library Board and four at‑large residents selected by the council. A staff member told the council the group is intended "to help provide input and guide some of the discussion that will come along with the new library design" and that work will likely begin in a July–August timeframe as the architect gets settled.

The council read the four recommended at‑large appointees aloud: Samantha Ward, Bob Lincoln, Nick Rodriguez and Sarah Brown. Councilmember Hatfield moved to confirm the appointments and Councilmember Benish seconded; the motion passed on a voice vote. The staff member said staff will follow up with the appointees and schedule the task force’s initial meetings.

Councilmembers emphasized that residents who were not selected can still provide input: the staff member and council encouraged interested community members to email staff or contact their ward councilmember. Multiple councilmembers praised the number and quality of applicants, noting the interviews that evening were competitive.

The council did not set firm meeting dates during the session; staff said the task force would start "probably July, August timeframe" as the architect is onboarded. Funding, membership terms and formal charge details were described generally in the presentation but specific meeting dates and any staff assignments for ongoing administration were not specified at the meeting.

The council adjourned after approving the task force appointments and other routine business.