Month: October 2020

New Election Protocol for Absentee Ballots

The U.S. Court of Appeals overruled the ruling that allowed for absentee ballots to be returned to County election office’s by mail (postmarked no later than 11/3/2020) and received by November 10 to be accepted. The new ruling now is:  In order to be counted, ALL absentee ballots must be received at the Carver County Government Center NO LATER THAN 3:00pm on Election Day Tuesday, November 3, 2020.

Return Absentee Ballot In-Person

If you have already requested and received an absentee ballot in the mail, you are encouraged to return the ballot in person to the Government Center in Chaska (600 East 4th Street) by Tuesday, November 3, at 3:00 PM.  NOTE: There is a separate line for these ballots and individuals need to come to “Door 1” by the flagpole and Veterans Memorial (past the voters in line to vote in person). Hours for ballot return are:

Saturday, October 31 – 10:00am-3:00pm
Monday, November 2 – 8:00am-5:00pm
Tuesday, November 3 – 8:00am-3:00pm

Vote Absentee In-Person

You can also still Vote Absentee in person at the Government Center (address above) at the dates/times listed below. Wait times are averaging 2-3 hours minimum for this. This line is outdoors so plan accordingly for the weather.

Saturday, October 31 – 10:00am-3:00pm
Monday, November 2 – 8:00am-5:00pm

Vote on Election Day – Tuesday, November 3

City of Carver residents vote at City Hall, 316 Broadway, Carver, MN.  Polls are open from 7am – 8pm.

Did you request an absentee ballot and have not received it yet?

As long as the voter did not returned  the absentee ballot to Carver County Elections, the voter is still eligible to go to the polling place and vote on Election Day.

For any additional questions, please call the following numbers.  (If you get voicemail, please leave a message and someone will return your call.)

Carver County Elections – 952-361-1941
Vicky Sons-Eiden – Elections Administrator – 952-448-8727

Fall Back – Remember to set your clocks back one hour as Daylight Saving Time officially ends this Sunday, November 1, at 2:00 a.m.

As you move your clocks back one hour, don’t forget to change the batteries in your smoke detectors and other home safety devices.

For the agendas for the Monday, November 2, 2020, City Council meetings, along with how to watch the meeting remotely, click on AGENDAS.

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].

Adopt A Drain is a program that invites residents to adopt a storm drain and commit to keeping it clear of leaves, trash, and other debris.  To adopt a drain near you, visit www.adopt-a-drain.org.

Keeping storm drains clean prevents pollution in our lakes and creeks.  Visit cleanwatermn.org for more information.

Two types of water leave your home:
* One is waste water, which is water that goes down the drains in sinks, toilets, and showers.  Waste water gets treated at wastewater treatment facilities.  Trash, bacteria, and other pollutants are removed, and the water is purified and released.
*The second type of water that leaves your home is stormwater runoff.  Runoff is rain that has fallen on rooftops, driveways, and sidewalks.  It can’t soak into the ground, so it runs off the surface.  Runoff does NOT get treated.  Instead, it flows to the nearest storm drain.  Storm drains typically drain to a nearby lake, river, or stormwater pond.

To protect lakes and rivers from pollutants, we must protect these storm drains. It’s very important that only rain goes down the drain.  To find out more, visit Carver County’s Water Management Organization website.

By Carver County Sheriff Deputy Charles Possert

Winter is coming and it’s time to start thinking about winter travel safety. Although this winter may be a little different in the midst of a pandemic, travel and vehicle safety still apply. Here are a few ideas and tips to make your winter travel as safe as possible.

Prepare Your Car

Take a few minutes and put together a winter emergency kit for each vehicle in your household. These kits are useful year round and a great gift idea. The kits should contain:

• cell phone, portable charger, and extra batteries
• blankets – wool blankets are ideal
• a spare hat and gloves
• food and water (nonperishable items such as canned nuts or fruit)
• booster cables, flares, tire pump, and a bag of sand or cat litter (for traction)
• small shovel
• tow cables
• compass and maps
• flashlight, battery-powered radio, and extra batteries
• first-aid kit
• plastic bags (for sanitation)
• tool kit – crescent wrench, pliers, multi-tool, screwdrivers, duct tape, etc.
• brightly colored cloth – for signaling 
• flashlight and spare batteries

While a winter emergency kit is useful, it’s far better to avoid finding yourself in a position where you need to use it. Spend a few minutes going over your vehicle to ensure it is in top mechanical shape going into winter. Winter wreaks havoc on mechanical systems especially batteries and heating and cooling systems. Make sure to check:

• Battery – check for corrosion, ensure terminals are tight, have a qualified mechanic load test your battery if you have any doubt. Most auto parts stores have testing equipment on hand and will do a battery check-up free of charge.
• Cooling System – ensure the radiator and overflow bottle are full of the appropriate coolant. For only a few dollars you can buy a device called a hydrometer which tells you at what temperature your coolant stops protecting your engine. Ideally your coolant should protect down to -34F. 
• Belts/Hoses – check all hoses and belts for signs of cracking and wear.
• Tires – check tire pressure and ensure you have sufficient tread depth. Consider replacing your tires if you have less than 5/32’ of tread depth remaining. Winter specific tread patterns are available and very effective. 
• Washer Fluid – fill your washer fluid bottle with a winter appropriate fluid. A clean and defrosted windshield can help prevent trouble on the road.

Prepare Yourself

Check the weather before you travel. Share your travel plans and the route you intend to take with someone who can check up on you if you are overdue at your destination. Bring along a sufficient supply of any medications you or your travel companions may require. Stay home if there is any doubt.

Before you depart, ensure the vehicle is full of fuel and avoid going below a half tank. By maintaining a half tank of fuel, you have reserve fuel which can be used to operate the engine and stay warm until help arrives. 

Changing our driving behavior is also an important aspect of winter safety.

• In poor road conditions, increase your following distance to give more time to react. Try to stay 8-10 seconds behind the vehicle ahead. 
• Accelerate and decelerate slowly and by smooth application of the brake or accelerator.
• Avoid stopping on hills
• Slow down! 
• Always use your seat belt
• Do not use cruise control on slippery roads
• Don’t closely follow snow plows and pass them with care

React in an Emergency

If you find yourself in a winter emergency, consider the following safety tips:

• Stay in your vehicle – this is especially important if you have gone off the roadway. Chances are if the roadway is so bad you lost control, someone else will also. If another motorist loses control, you are far safer seat belted into the protective steel body of your vehicle. Don’t try to walk to help in a storm. It is easy to lose sight of your vehicle and become disoriented. Emergency personnel will find you more quickly if you stay with your vehicle. 
• Run your vehicles engine and heat for 10 minutes out of every hour. If your vehicle is surrounded in snow, ensure the tail pipe is free of obstruction to avoid carbon monoxide buildup inside the vehicle. When the car is running, turn on the interior lights. Avoid using vehicle systems that use electricity when the vehicle is not running to prevent a dead battery. When the heat is running, crack a window for air exchange. 
• Tie a brightly colored cloth to your vehicle antennae, utility rack, upturned windshield wiper, or any other available high point.
• Insulate yourself with blankets and any additional clothing items in the vehicle. Huddle with other people for warmth.
• Stay awake and moving. Move your arms and legs to keep blood flowing. Activity will help keep you warm.  

The old adage, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is apropos when speaking about winter travel safety. Consider discussing these safety tips with friends and family. Encourage your loved ones to take steps in advance to ensure a safe and trouble free winter season. 

ARTICLE IV. – PEDDLERS, HAWKERS, SOLICITORS, AND TRANSIENT MERCHANTS

• Sec. 10-236. – Definitions.

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Hawker and peddler mean any person selling any goods or products from a vehicle or pack, going about from place to place, carrying the goods or products for the purpose of sale and delivery if the goods or products are edible, shall be a hawker; if the goods are nonedible, such person shall be a peddler; provided, however, that hawkers and peddlers requested and invited by the recipient of services are excluded from this definition.

Solicitor means any person selling services or goods by sample or taking orders for future delivery and accepting a deposit or advance payment, except persons taking orders to be filled by goods delivered to the purchaser from other states in the original package. As used in this article, the term “solicitor” does not include persons who solicit for bona fide nonprofit civic, patriotic, charitable or religious organizations strictly for charitable or related purposes.

Transient merchant means any person selling any merchandise, either as principal or agent, from a building or lot which he occupies as a tenant at will or under a lease for a shorter term than six months, or from a railroad car, a truck, or a vehicle.

 

 

The October 19, 2020, City Council meetings can be viewed by clicking on the following links:

Work Session

Regular Meeting

Previous meeting videos are also available by clicking ALL VIDEOS.

If you have any questions, please contact Brenda at [email protected].

For the agendas for the Monday, October 19, 2020, City Council meetings, along with how to watch the meeting remotely, click on AGENDAS. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].

Street sweeping operations will take place between October 15 and October 26, 2020, weather dependent. Please have all vehicles off the streets when the sweeper is in your neighborhood.  The sweeper has a difficult time cleaning all the debris from the street when maneuvering around parked vehicles.

As a reminder, it is illegal to blow or rake leaves or grass clippings into the street or to place trash, branches and other debris in the street. With your cooperation we can keep our water pollutant free!

Location for In-Person Absentee Voting:
Carver County Government Center
600 East 4^th St.
Chaska, MN 55318

Voting Dates and Times:
September 18 – November 1
(Monday – Friday – 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM)

Saturday, October 31
(Saturday – 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM)

November 2
(Monday – 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM)

For any questions on the process, call 952-361-1941.

The October 5, 2020, City Council meetings can be viewed by clicking on the following links:

Work Session

Regular Meeting

Previous meeting videos are also available by clicking ALL VIDEOS.

If you have any questions, please contact Brenda at [email protected].

For the October Heritage Preservation Packet, click HERE. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].

Did you know you can call and request to have your absentee ballot mailed to you?

For the agendas for the Monday, October 5, 2020, City Council meetings, along with how to watch the meeting remotely, click on AGENDAS. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].

For the latest news, click October Newsletter.

Previous newsletters can be found on our website by clicking Newsletter Archives.

To sign up for communication updates from the City of Carver, click Communications.