03-13-2023 City Council Work Session MinutesCHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
MINUTES
MARCH 13, 2023
Mayor Ryan called the work session to order at 5:00 p.m.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Ryan, Councilman McDonald, Councilwoman Schubert,
Councilman von Oven, and Councilman Kimber.
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: None.
STAFF PRESENT: Laurie Hokkanen, City Manager; Matt Unmacht, Assistant City Manager; Charlie
Howley, Public Works Director/City Engineer; Jerry Ruegemer, Park & Recreation Director; Ari
Lyksett, Communications Manager; and Kim Meuwissen, City Clerk.
PUBLIC PRESENT:
Bryan Harjes, HKGi
COMMISSION APPLICANT INTERVIEWS
The City Council interviewed commission applicant Rob Swanson.
DISCUSS COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS
The City Council discussed commission appointments.
REVIEW CIVIC CAMPUS PREFERRED CONCEPT AND SCHEDULE
Bryan Harjes of HKGi provided the project background and vision, the planning process to date, and the
schedule and community engagement for the Civic Campus.
The existing city hall was built in 1981 and lacks operational efficiency, has significant deferred
maintenance needs, and no longer serves the population of Chanhassen. A facilities study was conducted
by Snow Kreilich Architects and Kraus Anderson in 2021-2022 to evaluate the current building
conditions and projet needs. Based on cost differentials and the ability to benefit the community, the city
council decided to explore new opportunities for a new Civic Campus including City Hall, Senior
Center, and new park amenities as a community focal point. The project vision is to invigorate
downtown Chanhassen, provide community gathering spaces and amenities for all ages, including park
amenities with a performance space, universal playground, splash pad, farmers market area, pickleball
courts, new skate park, convenient park, and a heated sidewalk connection. The proposed Civic Campus
park amenities were identified as Park Referendum Task Force priorities.
The planning process to date has included input and feedback from city commissions and community
groups. Additional public feedback will be sought to start the design phase which includes a social
pinpoint site, online survey, open house and facility tours, and a city council listening session.
City Council Work Session Minutes – March 13, 2023
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Moving forward, Mr. Harjes presented key steps for March, April, and May, as well as a tasks timeline
for 2023 and 2024.
Council expressed concerns about the size of the area between the new City Hall building and the
Veterans Memorial, access to the skate park during construction, and the School District’s plans for the
future location of Chanhassen Elementary School. They also asked about the bonding process and how
the city will make initial contract payments. Clarification was requested regarding the use of the rental
facility building. Mr. Harjes responded that it would include public restrooms, a warming house, and
concessions. Council also discussed the proposed crosswalk on Kerber Boulevard at the Library
entrance. Mayor Ryan suggested that the facility tour and listening session be combined to reduce the
number of times the public is asked to participate. She also suggested guiding public input to focus on
what they would like to see in the spaces proposed, not moving, adding, or removing elements already
laid out. Councilman von Oven suggested that the city take a macro approach to the significant
development elements of the Chanhassen Bluffs Recreational Facility, Civic Campus Project, and Lake
Ann Preserve, separating the elements but also showing how they can work together. Ms. Hokkanen
asked Mr. Harjes to discuss the proposed heated sidewalk route. Mayor Ryan asked if the redesigned
parking lots would still be as accessible to the Library as they are now and will new exterior finishes be
proposed.
FUTURE WORK SESSION SCHEDULE
March 20, 2023
Chanhassen Bluffs Recreational Facility Update
City Council Roundtable
City Manager’s Performance Review
April 10, 2023
Strategic Plan Check-in
The work session adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
Submitted by Laurie Hokkanen
City Manager
Prepared by Kim Meuwissen
City Clerk