Greetings, Neighbors,

It has been a surprisingly chilly and rainy start to summer, but I hope you are looking forward to enjoying the season with family, friends, and all that makes our community special.

Appreciation for Councilmember Steve Bulach

As many of you know, Councilmember Steve Bulach has decided to make Florida his permanent State of residence and has therefore resigned from the Sunfish Lake City Council.

I would like to sincerely thank Steve for his many years of dedicated service to our community. Throughout his tenure, he has been a thoughtful, steady, and constructive voice on the Council. Steve approached every issue with care, integrity, and a genuine commitment to serving all residents. Even when opinions differed, he consistently demonstrated the respectful dialogue and professionalism that help communities thrive.

Public service is not always easy, and it often goes unrecognized. Steve helped guide Sunfish Lake through important decisions and challenges, leaving a lasting impact on our city and setting an example for others through his leadership.

On behalf of the Council and our residents, thank you, Steve, for your years of service. You will be missed, and we wish you all the best in this next chapter.

Welcome to Councilmember Claire Noble

At our May Council meeting, the Council unanimously appointed Claire Noble to fill the vacancy created by Steve's resignation. Claire was officially sworn in during the June Council meeting.

Claire previously served on the Sunfish Lake Planning Commission and brings extensive public policy and legal experience to the Council. She holds a law degree and has advised Minnesota state agencies and the Governor's Office on policy initiatives, in addition to serving in the Minnesota Attorney General's Office.

We are fortunate to have Claire's expertise and commitment to public service. Please join me in congratulating her and welcoming her to the Council.

Arbor Day Success

A heartfelt thank you to our City Forester, Jim Nayes, for organizing a tremendously successful Arbor Day planting event on May 2 at the 60th Street Shoreline Restoration area.

I would also like to recognize the many residents who volunteered their time and energy. Together, they:

• Cleaned up the shoreline area following the Inver Grove Heights clear-cutting project.
• Planted 220 trees and shrubs along the south shore of Horseshoe Lake.
• Mulched the entire restoration area.

Most remarkably, all of this work was completed before noon. It was an extraordinary community effort and a wonderful example of what can be accomplished when neighbors come together.

armon Park Update

Thank you to the many residents who attended the June Council meeting and shared their views regarding the future of Harmon Park.

The overwhelming sentiment expressed was that Harmon Park should remain a park and recreational area rather than be sold for residential development, consistent with Reuel Harmon's original vision when he deeded the property to the City in 1972.

After considering public input, the Council unanimously voted not to sell the park.

The Council also voted to maintain Harmon Park as a walking-trail park and directed our Forester to obtain bids for clearing fallen trees and damaged branches from the trail. Our Forester estimated the cost would be in the range of $3,500-$4,000. The Council approved funding at a cost not to exceed $5,000 to complete this work in the near term.

In addition, annual trail maintenance will be included in future City budgets to help ensure the park remains accessible and enjoyable for residents. Several residents generously volunteered to assist with trail upkeep, and that support is greatly appreciated.

Looking Ahead: Musser Park

We have an exciting opportunity to partner with the Minnesota Land Trust to restore Musser Park by removing invasive buckthorn and Amur maple and returning portions of the park to a beautiful oak savanna.

 For more details, please see the article from our City Forester in this newsletter. It includes photos showing the current condition of storm-damaged and overgrown areas, and Minnesota Land Trust’s vision for a more open landscape with native flowers and improved habitat. This project would enhance the park’s natural beauty, support local wildlife, preserve its ecological character, and create an even more enjoyable place for residents to walk, explore, and connect with nature.

Enjoy Your Summer

Thank you for helping make Sunfish Lake such a wonderful place to live. I wish you and your families a safe, relaxing, and enjoyable summer.

Warmest regards,

Mayor Dan