Carver: Preserving the past, preparing for growth

The oldest city in Carver County, Carver’s first settler arrived in 1852 and began developing a village. Surveyed and platted in 1857, Carver Township was reorganized in 1859 at the time of statehood and the village was incorporated in 1877.
Carver’s core city is on the National Register of Historic Places. It was the first Minnesota city to have a district, rather than individual buildings, so designated. Almost 100 buildings and structures have been designated on the Register, including a stone arch bridge and a wooden railroad tower. It has the most concentrated number of architecturally distinguished buildings in Carver County.
During the early settlement years, particularly before railroad lines were built, the steamboat was an important transportation link to Carver. In recognition of that role, Carver celebrates its heritage with an annual Steamboat Days community festival on the first weekend after Labor Day in September.
Like other Carver County cities, Carver is experiencing significant residential growth. Development activities now occurring or that are in the planning stages have the potential to again double the community’s population within the next few years.
As Carver welcomes hundreds of new people to its community each year, the city is working hard to maintain its small town flavor. Unique businesses line its main street, and residents and visitors alike can’t help but enjoy this historic community.

City of Carver

Carver City Hall

316 Broadway, P.O. Box 147 952-448-5353
Jim Elmquist, Carver City Administrator 952-448-5353
E-mail jelmquist@ci.carver.mn.us Fax 952-448-6199
Web site www.cityofcarver.com

Frequently Called Numbers
Police and Fire emergency 911
Police (general information) 952-361-1231
Fire Station (non-emergency) 952-448-2290
Public Works 952-448-2290

Carver City Council

Mayor
James Weygand
209 Carver Creek Place 952-361-6155
E-mail jimweygand@aol.com

Council Members
Cindy Monroe
220 3rd St. W.. 952-448-4760 E-mail cwmonroe@hotmail.com
Kerry Peterson
640 County Rd. 40 952-448-5923
E-mail kmpeterson2@comcast.net
Michael Webb
723 Kirche Hill Dr. 952-361-6796 E-mail mwebb10@earthlink.net
Mary Williamson
120 3rd St. W. 952-361-6233
E-mail mke.williamson@comcast.net
The mayor and four council members serve as the city council. The position of mayor is elected at large (citywide) every four years. Council members are elected to four-year terms. Two council seats are up for election in each even-numbered year. Council members are elected at large.

Meetings

Carver City Council
Council chambers are in the Church by the River, 109 Main St. E.
Council meets on the first and third Mondays at 6:30 p.m.

Carver Planning Commission
Council chambers, 109 Main St. E. 6:30 p.m.
Meets on the fourth Tuesday.

Carver Park & Recreation
Carver Fire Station, 801 County Rd. 11 7 p.m.
Meets on the second Monday.

Carver Heritage Preservation Commission
Council chambers, 109 Main St. E. 6:30 p.m.
Meets on the third Tuesday.

Carver Fire Department

Carver and parts of the surrounding rural area are served by a 30-member volunteer fire department.
Fire Station, 801 County Rd. 11
Scott King, Fire Chief 952-448-2290 (non-emergency)

Police Service

The City of Carver has one full-time and one half-time Carver County sheriff’s deputy on duty in the community. In addition, a Community Services Officer (CSO) works with the deputy and handles nuisance complaints and animal control.
Non-emergency 952-361-1231

City Ordinances

Following are some of the more commonly asked questions regarding City of Carver ordinances. For more information or a full list of ordinances, call the City of Carver at 952-448-5353 or visit www.cityofcarver.com.

Winter Parking
The City of Carver prohibits parking of any vehicle or other object on public streets or alleys when two or more inches of snow have accumulated, whether the accumulation is due to new snowfall or drifting and blowing. Once the streets are cleared, parking may resume.

Lawn Watering
Homes or businesses with addresses ending in odd numbers (1, 3, 5, etc.) may water the lawn on odd-numbered calendar days; addresses ending in even numbers (0, 2, 4, etc.) may water on even-numbered calendar days. The odd-even schedule is in effect year-round. No lawn watering is permitted between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. A 30-day permit to water newly seeded or sodded lawns is available at City Hall.

City Park Use/Vehicles in City Parks
City parks are closed and must be vacated between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., unless the user has a prior written permit from the City of Carver authorizing use during that time. No motor vehicle — other than maintenance vehicles operated by the City of Carver personnel or contractors working on its behalf — may be operated in any city park.

Recreational Fires
Recreational fires (used for recreational, ceremonial, food preparation or social purposes) are allowed if they burn no more than three feet in diameter and three feet in height; use dry, clean wood; produce little detectable smoke, odor or soot beyond the property line; be extinguished completely; and respect weather conditions, neighbors, burning bans and air quality so that nuisance, health or safety hazards will not be created. Recreational fires shall not be located closer than 25 feet to any structure.

Snowmobiles
No person shall operated a snowmobile upon any public street, alley, lot, lake or stream within the city between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. There are exceptions to this ordinance — call City Hall for details.

Snowbound Restrictions/Snowbound Vehicles
It is unlawful to park any vehicle or other object on public streets or alleys any time two inches or more of snow has accumulated (whether due to new snow or drifting/blowing of snow. Due to the limited number of available parking spaces on 3rd Street, "No Parking" restrictions are enforced from 5 to 10 a.m. when two inches or more of snow has accumulated.
No person shall park his or her vehicle or allow a vehicle he/she owns and operates to be parked upon any street or alley within the city when such vehicle is in snowbound condition. A snowbound vehicle is defined as a vehicle that has been standing on a street or alley way for at least 48 hours, and either has not been moved or cannot be moved due to the accumulation of ice and snow on or around the vehicle.

Licenses & Permits

Building Permits
Ray Williams 952-448-5353
Building and excavation permits are required and must be obtained before any work begins. Permit applications are available at City Hall. Permit applications for exterior alterations to historic properties must be reviewed and approved by the Heritage Preservation Commission before a building permit can be issued. Historic property owners may contact City Hall for information about Historic Preservation guidelines.

Dog Licenses
Dogs and cats that live within the city limits must be licensed. Licenses are renewed annually on May 1. Proof of rabies vaccination is required to receive a cat/dog tag. The license fee is $10 per animal. Residents with more than three animals of one species are required to apply for a kennel license. Pets are not permitted to roam at large. Dogs are allowed in the City of Carver parks (except on ballfields), but only if they are kept on a leash and if owners clean up after their pets. Animal control questions should be directed to City Hall.

Shooting Permits
Shooting permits are issued at City Hall for hunting with written permission from the property owner. Hunting may only be in designated hunting areas. Contact City Hall for a map.

Carver Village Hall
The Carver Village Hall is available for special occasion rentals. The hall has a maximum capacity of 183 people in the lower level and 266 in the upper level. There are kitchen facilities, restrooms on both levels, and tables and chairs are available. Contact City Hall for rental and fee information.