Carver mayor urges county board to correct misinformation on city's sewer capacity

Courtney Johnson, mayor of the City of Carver, told the Carver County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 21 that statements made at county meetings suggesting the city lacks sanitary sewer capacity are incorrect and risk harming local development.

"The capacity of the Blue Lake wastewater resource recovery facility is secure and has sufficient capacity to support planned regional development," Johnson told the board, quoting a response she said she received from the Metropolitan Council. She said Carver joined the Met Council system in 2010 and that wastewater from the city is treated at the Metropolitan Council's Blue Lake plant in Shakopee "no different than almost every community in the metropolitan area, including Chaska, Chanhassen, Victoria, and Waconia."

Johnson said she had attempted to correct the record with county staff and with Commissioner Uterman before addressing the board. "My request and the reason why I am here today is for the County Board to address and hold those accountable when misinformation is spread," she said, adding that inaccurate statements could lead developers to bypass the city without checking facts.

Laurie Sayer, a Carver city elected official who spoke during public comment, urged commissioners to distinguish between opinion and fact when they speak publicly. She said she plans to attend a Met Council presentation at a city meeting and to seek primary sources before drawing conclusions about capacity.

Commissioners acknowledged the concern and noted that the county will begin a 2050 comprehensive planning process in November, which they said should provide more information about growth and infrastructure needs. Chair Workman said he would be more careful about public comments going forward.

No board action was recorded on the topic during the meeting.