This transcription identifies the speakers based on the provided context and the internal introductions within the text. [00:00:00] **Jennifer Harmoning:** Please join us for the Pledge of Allegiance. Good afternoon. You can be seated. Thank you. I'm Jennifer Harmoning, President of the Burnsville Chamber of Commerce, and I'm so glad you're here for the 2026 State of the City. Before we begin, I want to mention the I-35W Road Construction Project. Sorry, they put me out here to say the bad news. It resumed today. This is really important infrastructure work. but the short-term impact is real. It will affect how we move, how we commute, and how customers reach our local businesses this summer. In your program, you'll find a QR code linking to the MnDOT project website where you will find updates, timelines, and alternate routes to help you navigate the months ahead. You can also visit the Chamber YouTube page for the March 12th Business Briefing Special Report, which outlines the entire project for this summer, as well as a preview for the 2027 project at Highway 13 and Nicollet Avenue, but we'll talk about that later. One tip I will share for this summer, use the Waze app, W-A-Z-E app, for navigation. Mark Ray, the city's director of public works, is an administrator for Waze. What that means is this app will be the most up-to-date information you will get on road closures, ramp closures, all that good stuff. So this app, along with a dose of patience and keeping the end result in mind, will help us all get through another season of road construction here in Burnsville. As we navigate the road construction, I will ask you to intentionally support our local businesses. These projects are tough on small businesses. Choosing to shop, dine, and do business locally right now truly matters. Let's continue to show up for our valued local businesses this summer. Now, I'd like to give a quick shout out to the sponsors who helped make today's event possible. Our bronze sponsors today are Xcel Energy and Doherty Melinda Soulfest Hills and Bower. Our silver sponsor is Cornerstone Copy Center. Our gold sponsor is Wellington Management. And our platinum sponsors are Bolton and Mank, Collins Aerospace, and PepsiCo. The Chamber is proud to partner with the city not only on today's event, but throughout the year. Together, we work to strengthen connections between businesses, community leaders, and the people who make Burnsville such a great place to live and work. That work is rooted in the Chamber's mission to represent and connect businesses and our shared vision of a vibrant, thriving community. As a nonprofit business association, the Chamber is guided by a volunteer board of directors and powered by incredible members and volunteers. If you'd like to learn more, I encourage you to visit our website. or pick up a copy of the 2026 Community Guide before you leave today. This guide was created in partnership with the City of Burnsville, District 191, the Chamber, and Experience Burnsville. If you do business in Burnsville, we're here to help you. We want you to stay connected, informed, and positioned to grow. And if you're not already a member, give us a call. To our Burnsville Chamber members, thank you. Your support makes this work possible and strengthens this entire community. One of the things that makes Burnsville such a strong and vibrant community is the connection between our businesses, our city, and our schools. A strong school system is essential to a thriving community. Our schools are where students gain the skills, confidence, and experiences that prepare them for their futures. And here in Burnsville, 191 is doing just that. By removing barriers, building partnerships, and offering in-school opportunities to earn college credit and professional certifications, District 191 is helping each student find and pursue their individual pathways, from engineering to marketing, to healthcare, to the arts and more, students can explore their interests and prepare for their success after graduation. Burnsville students are our future and we're excited to have some of them join us here today and share their talents. We have Madison Simmons and Lucy Benzel who will be performing a number from this year's spring musical, High School Musical. And I'd like to invite you to come out and support them in the full production at the Meraz Center for Performing Arts at Burnsville High School on May 7th, 8th, 9th, and 15th at 7 p.m. and May 16th at 2 and 7 p.m. Please help me provide a warm welcome for Madison and Lucy. [00:08:30] **Madison Simmons & Lucy Benzel:** It's hard to believe that I couldn't see. You were always there beside me. Thought I was alone with no one to hold. But you were always there beside me. This feeling's like no other. I want you to know I've never had someone that knows me like you do, the way you do. I've never had someone As good for me as you, no one like you. So lonely before I finally found what I've been looking for. Went to through those stupid jazz squares too hard. I could dumb it down for you again. So good to be seen, so good to be heard. Don't have to say a word. For so long I was lost, so good to be found. Loving, having you around This feeling's like no other I want you to know I've never had someone That knows me like you do The way you do I've never had someone As good for me as you No one like you So lonely before I finally found What I've been looking for. [00:11:15] **Jennifer Harmoning:** Let's give them one more round of applause. Weren't they awesome? Thank you, Madison and Lucy, for sharing your talent with us today. That performance is a great reminder of the energy, creativity, and potential we have right here in Burnsville. And now, it is my pleasure to introduce a leader who uses her talent and energy to help us shape the direction and future of our community. Mayor Elizabeth Kautz has been a dedicated and steady presence in Burnsville, known for her commitment to collaboration, thoughtful growth, and supporting both residents and businesses. Please join me in welcoming Mayor Elizabeth Kautz. [00:12:10] **Mayor Elizabeth Kautz:** So good to see all of you. Good afternoon, everyone. It is truly a privilege to be with you today. Together, as we reflect on the year behind us and look ahead to the future we are shaping together, side by side. As we come together today for the state of the city, we are also recognizing Another milestone. This year, our nation marks its 250th anniversary. We are invited to pause and remember something profound. Every generation is called to renew the promise of community, of opportunity, and of the future shaped not by a few, but by all of us. We, the people. And this is exactly what Burnsville has been doing. We have been delivering results, building trust, and choosing unity, even in challenging times. We have done it by holding fast to who we are and to what we believe and value. Before we begin, I want to express my deep gratitude to the many people who make Burnsville extraordinary. To the Chamber of Commerce, thank you for your partnership and the sponsors for this event, and mainly for strengthening our business community in fostering economic vibrancy in partnership with the city. Jennifer Harmoning, your leadership and your heart for the people makes a difference each and every day. To our Burnsville City Council members, where are you? There you are. I am grateful for your leadership, for your dedication, and your commitment to the people of our community. I am honored to serve alongside you. Please stand as I call your name, and their photographs are going to be on screen. Council Member Dan Gustafson. Council Member Dan Kealey. Council Member Cara Schulz. Council Member Vince Workman. To the elected and appointed officials joining us today, thank you for your collaboration. Together, we strengthen our region. to our incredible city staff. You are the heartbeat of this community. Your work shows up in ways residents see and in ways they may never see but absolutely feel. Please stand and be recognized, and their photographs will also be shown up above. There you are. Please, our city staff, if you please all stand and be recognized and thank. And to our Burnsville residents, thank you. Your engagement, your ideas, and your care for one another of what makes this city home. Our shared vision remains clear. Burnsville is a vibrant city, boldly leading and welcoming to all. As we look through the lens of America's 250th anniversary, I want to speak to who we are. Burnsville is a city that shows up for one another. A city that believes every person deserves dignity, safety, and a chance to belong. A community strengthened not by sameness, but by the richness of our diversity and values we hold in common. In that spirit, I also want to acknowledge the challenges of the federal immigration activities in our community this year. During Operation Metro Surge, many members of our community experienced real fear and uncertainty. For some of our neighbors, especially immigrants and mixed status families, the impact was personal. It showed up in daily routines in whether people felt safe going to work or to school or to their place of worship, in whether they felt seen and safe in the place they call home. More than 20 city staff volunteered to pack and deliver food meet with families, and actively connect it with our community members. Longstanding relationships help us connect with the people most in need of support. Burnsville residents also took care of each other by serving as constitutional observers. They exercised their First Amendment rights And I recognize these observers for their volunteerism to observe, record, and witness what they were experiencing. Thank you. I also want to recognize the enormous and ongoing work of supporting community that Lavinia Church is doing under the leadership of co-pastors Miguel and Rocio Aviles. Pastor Miguel, I think you are here this afternoon. Please stand and be recognized. Thank you so much. Thank you. response they have led gathering, organizing, and delivering foods to 2,000 families each week for months now is so remarkable. And I thank you for all of that work that you're doing to support our families, Pastor Miguel. Thank you so much. Unity and community means showing up. calmly and consistently to help one another hold steady through a difficult moment. This past year, Burnsville once again demonstrated excellence in financial stewardship. We affirmed by our AAA bond rating, that rating is a reflection of discipline, foresight, and a commitment to investing wisely in our community's future. In 2025, we delivered on what we said we would do. We made good on our plans. We made smart investments. Strengthened trust. And we did it by focusing on what matters most. You, the people. You, our residents. You, our business community. And you, our guests. Because at the end of the day, the question is simple. Do you people feel safe, supported, connected? Are you proud to call Burnsville home? Public safety is one of the clearest responsibilities of local government and one of the strongest reflections of community trust. In 2025, Burnsville continued to deliver public safety with professionalism, preparedness, and a deeply human approach. The Blue Envelope Program is one example. A simple idea, powerful impact, helping people with autism and other disabilities navigate traffic stops and interactions with our police officers with less stress. It reflects something essential about Burnsville. We don't just ask, are we responding? We ask, are we responding with dignity? We also expanded our community risk reduction work by adding a full-time firefighter paramedic to partner with our police department behavioral health unit. This team meets people where they are, sometimes through home visits, Sometimes through treatment planning. Sometimes by helping someone take the next step forward. It is public safety as prevention. It is public safety as compassion. And Burnsville continues to lead with innovation and saving lives. In January of 2025, our fire department became the first 911 ground ambulance service in Minnesota to carry whole blood. Since then, whole blood has been administered 12 times, 12 moments when someone's chance of survival increased because Burnsville chose to lead. the heart of public safety is found in the human moments. Last year, Officer Ray Gudsman responded to a serious crash on County Road 42. One of the people involved later wrote to the city saying that his compassion made a hard day feel a little less scary. That matters. That truly matters. Trust is built in the moment when someone is having one of the worst days of their life and a public servant shows up with professionalism and humanity. Burnsville is a city that shows up when something needs attention We respond, not because it is our job, but it's because who we are. A resident named Betty Lou called to report broken glass scattered on the road. Within 30 minutes, a street sweeper arrived. Some might say, that's just city service. But I say it's something more. It's a city that pays attention. It's a city that listens. It's a city where residents know they are heard and they're not alone. Our 2025 community survey reinforced what residents value most. Public safety, and parks, two pillars of daily quality of life. You also told us where you want us to continue to focus, and that feedback shapes our priorities. We strengthened neighborhood-based work through a pilot program supporting resident-led projects. Five neighborhoods were established Each building connections block by block, neighbor by neighbor. We also launched a new community visioning initiative to ask a big question. How do you want your city to look and feel over the next 10 years? This work will guide our comprehensive plan, update, and ensure Residents' voices shape Burnsville's future. Exceptional service starts with exceptional people. We continue to invest in our workforce because that investment shows up in how residents experience their city. We prioritize employee well-being. with enhanced support that recognizes what city employees carry every day. We have expanded mental health resources across all departments, and it includes a comprehensive well-being leave policy that provides up to 12 weeks of paid leave for significant life events. We did this because we believe People shouldn't have to choose between their job and showing up for the most important moments in their lives. Because our well-being program exceeds state requirements, the city of Burnsville saves more than $320,000 each year in payroll taxes. We also strengthened internal systems, technology, communications, standards, quiet work that doesn't make headlines but makes a meaningful difference. And we are preparing for the future. New federal digital accessibility requirements take effect this year 2026, and Burnsville is ready. Access to information should never be a barrier to participation. Some investments are more than brick and mortar. They are statements of our beliefs and our values. The Police City Hall Project is one of those investments. City Hall has long been the people's house, a shared home for public service. This project is about stewardship, pride, and preparing for the future. Phase one is on track for completion in September this year, 2026. Phase two will follow ensuring modern, functional space for our police department. When people walk into City Hall, they should feel what we believe. You belong here. This is the people's house. A thriving city is one where opportunity is shared. We celebrate it 20 ribbon cuttings, new businesses, milestones, expansions. These are not just economic wins. They are places where relationships form and community identity grows. We strengthen our economic development framework to ensure Burnsville remains proactive, clear, and welcoming to investments. Between 2017 and 2026, we added 735 new housing units in Burnsville. When it comes to preserving and adding housing to our community, Burnsville is taking a distinct and deeply valued driven approach to supporting housing units. Local affordable housing aid or Laha, is helping us to do that. While some cities choose to pass their Laha dollars to the county for spending, Burnsville is choosing to use all 100% of our Laha dollars funding for Burnsville's unique housing needs. This is another example of our commitment to financial stewardship. The most responsible thing we can do is respond with targeted solutions that help residents stay rooted, safe, and connected. Our housing investment approach is multifaceted. It includes low interest, home improvement loans with a special senior deferred option for residents over 65 years old so families can repair roofs, replace siding, or upgrade failing mechanical systems and remain safely housed. It will soon include a down payment assistance program designed to open the door to home ownership for household earnings at below 80% of the area median income. We're also developing a partnership with Habitat for Humanity to rehabilitate vacant or blighted homes because preserving and improving our existing housing stock matters. Yes, it matters. And finally, We're planning to launch an emergency housing voucher program to provide short-term shelter when families face a sudden crisis. Like... Yeah. A sudden crisis like an apartment fire, so that in an emergency, our neighbors have a place to go. They're not out in the cold. That is the heart of Burnsville. Another way we're strengthening our community is through energy efficiency efforts that help residents and businesses save money and reduce waste. Through a partnership with Dakota Electric Association and clean energy resource teams, city staff engaged local businesses door-to-door sharing practical information about rebates, financing options, and simple upgrades that can make a real difference in operating cost. And we've paired that work with focused outreach where it matters most. Through a multilingual initiative, the city partnered with local energy organizations to bring energy-saving solutions to manufactured home parks, connecting residents with efficiency kits and home energy squad visits. Economic health is part of unity. When people and businesses thrive, Our whole community thrives. Infrastructure may not be glamorous, folks, but it is essential. Work continues along I-35W and Highway 13 corridor this year. This project requires patience and I'm asking you to be patient, but they are investments in safety and mobility. Burnsville will continue to communicate clearly and support residents and businesses through this process. This year, we also honor the memory of firefighter, paramedic Adam Finseth, Officer Paul Elmstrand, and Officer Matthew Ruge. The renaming of the Burnsville Parkway Bridge to the Elmstrand Ruge Finseth Heroes Memorial Bridge ensures their sacrifice is woven into the daily life of our community. Their courage will never be forgotten. As we reflect on America's 250 years, one truth stands out. A nation is only as strong as its communities. An anniversary like this renews our sense of what it means to belong to something larger, something larger than ourselves and what it means to keep building and refining it together right where we live. In Burnsville, we're making this milestone, we're marking this milestone in ways that are both meaningful and unmistakably us, unmistakably Burnsville. We're inviting residents and local artists to help tell our story through an official America 250 art poster. Throughout the year, we'll weave America 250 into the events that already bring us together. You see, we continue to build on the things that we here in Burnsville already are experiencing. We build and continue to raise up everybody who has had a voice and an action in building who we are. Like Party in the Plaza, for example. You'll see a community art project asking a simple question. What are the reasons you love Burnsville? With the goal of collecting 250 reasons from our neighbors, our friends, our families, our children, our long-time residents, our new residents, because your involvement and participation are at the heart of America 250. You see, we continue to build on the shoulders of others who have come before us, and we must tell our story. It's discovering a shared sense of pride. It's the choice to keep building community across differences with kindness and purpose. And if we can celebrate 250 years of a nation by strengthening the bonds of one city, then we're doing exactly what this moment is asking of us. Renewing the promise of community, opportunity, and a future shaped by all of us. Communities are strengthened by the choices people make to participate, to care, to listen, to lead, to stay connected, even when it would be easier to stay home. Burnsville is doing that work. We are delivering results. We are building trust. We are choosing unity because we believe in belonging and dignity. Burnsville is more than a city. It is a community. A place where people care for each other. A place where businesses thrive. A place where every individual has the opportunity to contribute and succeed. We are a vibrant city, strengthened by stewardship and sensible investment. We are boldly leading, embracing innovation and participation. We are welcoming to all, ensuring everyone feels valued and connected. And now I invite each of you to help shape what comes next. Engage in the community vision initiative or share what you love about Burnsville. This will help our community art project. Support local businesses. Try a new to you local restaurant. Volunteer at your faith community, at a neighborhood school, or for a local organization. Serve on a board or commission. Participate in neighborhood efforts and request a grant from the city for a neighborhood improvement project. Or simply be the kind of neighbor who makes someone feel seen you see One of the most important things is that how do you show up and how do people remember you? Did you make someone stay? Did that person feel like they were seen and they belong? So before I close, I want to acknowledge my amazing team who worked hard to make this event. a success today. Their pictures are on the screen. These are the wonderful people who help from the city. Mike Tracy, Steph Cass, Jay Golden and the multimedia team, Amber Jacobson and the communications and engagement team, Katie Sullivan from Amplify DMC, and Brian Luther and Kelsey Kovart from the AIM Center team. And to the residents and business owners and guests today, thank you for your partnership. Thank you for your passion and your commitment to Burnsville, because together we will continue to make Burnsville a city of opportunity, of connection and excellence. Burnsville is a vibrant city, boldly leading and welcoming to all. God bless you all. God bless Burnsville, and God bless America. Thank you. [00:35:45] **Jennifer Harmoning:** Thank you to the mayor and her team for putting together an amazing update from the city of what's happened in the past year. We have one more fun thing for you this afternoon. Our Burnsville police officers, Lucas Teske and Tim Paff, will do a demonstration with Burnsville Police Department canines, Blaze, and Maverick of how they work together to support the Burnsville community. I'm gonna pass this off. Please help me welcome them. [00:36:20] **Officer Tim Paff:** You think he likes that ball? So my name's Tim Paff and this is K9 Blaze. He's a six-year-old Mal German Shepherd mix from Slovakia and that is my partner Lucas Teske and his partner K9 Maverick who's a four-year-old Mal Shepherd mix from Hungary. Despite them being the same-ish breed, they are very different dogs. Blaze's fighting weight at his best is about 60 pounds and Maverick's in the 90s. Maverick likes to sleep most of his shift and Blaze spins around in a circle. So we're here to introduce our dogs, show you a little bit about what they do. I apologize here, we don't normally do these inside, so they're a little slippery floor. Our dogs are trained on a few things, apprehension, drug detection, tracking work, and searching. So what we're gonna do is some demonstrations here for you. Officer Teske and K9 Maverick, I put out some drugs. the dogs so they are trained on a number of drugs not including marijuana and they will show different size change of behavior once they go on it so when we get these dogs they are about a year old they come to us from Europe doggy passports and all and they know nothing we get them they don't know the sit they don't know down they don't know where to go to the bathroom but they know how to bite onto something so they give us these one-year-old dogs and We walk away from police work for three months and all we do for three months is go and train these dogs nonstop. We get them out, we get them certified and we hit the road and we spend a minimum of 16 hours a month training them up to get them, make sure they're still good to go. So we just had our dope certification a couple days ago. They both passed. So they're telling us they can find it. So we're gonna have Officer Teske here in Canine Maverick. As you can see, they both have their balls. They're both very happy. That's what they're working towards, their toys. We're going to look for the obvious change in behavior here. And let's give them a round of a hand. They're very happy. And you might be wondering, why do they come out both holding their toys? So these dogs don't have dog best friends. Blaze hates all dogs equally. He loves people, but he hates dogs. There are two things that they love is this pacifier in his mouth, his ball, and he loves to do apprehension work. So the officer Teske is going to go put away Maverick, and we're going to do a little demonstration on his apprehension. As you can see, this ball here, he's as happy as can be. And if you're curious how long will he chew this for, I have not waited long enough to find out. These are those, if anybody has a dog, eat those Kong balls. They're usually red. And these are the Kong super indestructible black ones. This is Kong ball number 10. He can't have this if I'm not there. These are work dogs. They live with us. They come home with us. We don't have a work-life balance. It makes it a challenge, but it builds the bond because they spend every shift with us. We work nights. They're both dogs that run on our SWAT team, so they both have done numerous missions with that. They've both located people. They've both located drugs, and they have that ability to do that. took a long time, if you're curious. This dog, I got him. That word didn't exist. And that is what he's working towards. Let's see if I can sit. And he knows that he gets it when I tell him he gets it. Right? Look at the focus. That's all he wants. He'll wait, and he'll wait, Yes. That's what we do. The only thing he wants more is the bad guy. So Blaze, heel, heel, down. So now we have off. Do you think he's excited? Sit. Sit. Hey. Settle yourself. Settle down. It's like a toddler. We know he wants it, but he understands the game. And now you'll see. Are you ready, Teske? Get him. And that's commitment. And it doesn't, I don't have an influence here. I can come up. I can pet him. I can play with his legs. And if I'm tired, I don't know. Are you still good over there? Like this is what he works towards. And it doesn't matter that Blaze is 60 pounds and anybody he deals with is significantly larger because this is what he wants and he's willing to own it. He's not trying to hurt somebody. He's biting and he's holding on. If you notice, he might re-grab deeper into that bite, but he's not going up and down the sleeve. They're taught to bite and hold on. So it gives us the opportunity to take them into custody. They're fearless, they get places that we can't go to, and they keep us safe. And again, he's going to keep working until Officer Teske's tired. And it doesn't hurt us to them. This is a game. He's so possessive, he wants to hold on. He'll grab his leg and give him a hug. So now when Officer Teske slips the sleeve... Yeah. And they are now best friends after. And if you want to see just how committed he is to this sleeve... [00:43:05] **Jennifer Harmoning:** Thank you so much to Officers Teske and Paff for that great demonstration. And Blaze and Maverick, of course. So before we wrap up, one last reminder. Small Business Week is coming up the first week in May. With the construction impacting how we move around, this is a great time to be intentional about supporting your local businesses. Whether it's grabbing coffee, dining out, or choosing a local service, Those small decisions make a big difference. Keep an eye out for our Support Local campaign, and don't forget to grab your community guide before you go that has a list of businesses that you can support. And we'll be sharing tips and reminders to help you navigate the construction so you can continue to eat, drink, shop, and support local. Before we head upstairs, I'd like to say a quick thank you. Thank you to our partners at the City of Burnsville, the Chamber staff and volunteers who helped out today, and to the AIM Center staff for bringing today's event to life. Thank all of you for being here, for showing up, and for being part of this community. On behalf of the Chamber, the City, and our sponsors, I invite you to join us now for a reception in the upper lobby featuring live music, appetizers, a cash bar, and the City Sampler. This is a great opportunity to connect with City staff, Chamber representatives, and fellow businesses and community members. The easiest way is to get up and go up the main aisle here. You can also exit out the back of the lobby and go up the stairs or elevator out there. Thank you again for being here today and for being part of what makes Burnsville such a strong and connected community. This concludes the 2026 State of the City. We'll see you upstairs. Enjoy the reception.