TWICE I’VE ATTENDED City Council Chats in Faribault, a recently-implemented way of connecting local residents with the people they’ve elected and with city employees. And I’ve gotta say, I’m impressed.
All too often, there’s a disconnect, a feeling that elected officials aren’t listening and don’t care what constituents think. But I’ve found, at these informal sessions, that I am heard. I have a voice. Council members and staff members are, indeed, willing to listen. They care, because Faribault is their home, too, and they want this to be the best place it can be.
So how exactly do these Council Chats work? Once a month, the council sets a time and place to address a specific topic. Locations and times vary. You just show up. There may be a brief presentation. Or not. But there’s always time to mingle and ask questions of council members, city staff and others.
FOCUS ON TWO FARIBAULT DAMS
Wednesday evening, for example, the Chat had an open house format to gather public feedback on options for improving the Woolen Mill Dam and the adjacent north dam on the Cannon River. A 2024 flood damaged the northern wall of the Mill Dam so repairs or improvements are needed. And now, the city decided, is an ideal time to consider alternatives beyond repairs.
You may wonder why I care about these two dams. Well, last summer I saw a rock arch rapids replacement of a traditional dam in Pine River in north central Minnesota. I loved what I saw. Smaller rip-rap rocks, larger rocks and boulders were placed in sloping rows across the Pine River, replacing the 200-foot long by 13-foot high 1910 concrete dam. Water spills over the rocks in a visually-pleasing way that looks almost natural. This area along the Pine River draws outdoor enthusiasts to fish, swim and more. That got me thinking about the dams in Faribault. Could we have the same thing—rock arch rapids that improve water quality, fishing and recreation while also functioning as a dam?
When I learned about the Council Chat addressing the two dams, I wanted to see if rock arch rapids were being considered. They are. An engineering firm presented multiple options, all laid out in architectural drawings spread across several tables. I could actually see choices. I had plenty of opportunity to study the designs, ask questions, get answers and offer my input. Attendees could even vote on project priorities, like fishing, canoeing, cost, funding and more. Just place a colored dot sticker next to your top three priorities.
LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD
Like the previous Council Chat I attended, questions and conversations were encouraged in this informal, relaxed setting. I felt a comfortable level of accessibility, something not found at a regular city council meeting with an agenda and limited time for the public to speak. Certainly, those formal meetings are necessary to discuss, debate and make official decisions. But these Council Chats add a new, approachable dimension to city government that I appreciate. They directly involve the public.
Elected officials at all levels should embrace this way of listening to voters rather than keeping their distance. And, yes, I’m referencing the town halls many federal politicians are currently avoiding. Our government representatives need to hear our thoughts, our ideas, our concerns. And we, as voters, as Americans, need to continue expressing ourselves, educating ourselves, letting our voices be heard.
TELL ME: What, if anything, do your elected officials do to encourage constituent engagement so your voice is heard?
FYI: The next City Council Chat will give an airport overview and will be held at 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 9, at the Faribault Municipal Airport. Past Chats have covered the budget, construction projects, nuisance/blighted properties, tree removal and affordable housing.
© Copyright 2025 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
It would be fun to see the rock arch rapids in Faribault.
Council Chats sound like a good idea.
Hopefully the rock arch rapids will become a reality. And, yes, these Council Chats are an excellent idea.
It is so important to get involved for those causes that mean the most to you and your community and making it the best place it can be. It is also nice when the opportunity arises to share your voice that it is done in a welcoming way. We receive communications through various ways here like announcements to the public about upcoming meetings (projects/road construction projects, housing projects), social media, etc. We have a few community members that are like the pulse of the city and in the know be it through networking, Chamber of Commerce, just working and doing business in the city, etc. I really believe in being engaged in the community and work for a community-based organization too. You may not always think it, however; you can be the change or the start of the convo for change if you get involved and engaged within the community you live. Thanks so much for sharing this today – need that reminder! Happy Day – Enjoy 🙂
Well said, Renee. Thank you for sharing about your community. I’ll be out tomorrow, being engaged in a cause.
this is wonderful and so important of community engagement on both sides. my city has been holding meetings with small groups of leaders in the last year which seems to be much more effective than the full city council or planning meetings, where they are so packed (not a bad thing), but there is no time for everyone to speak or be heard, and people get frustrated or angry or give up. I really like the model that you’ve described here.
It seems to be working.