03-13-2023 City Council Regular Meeting MinutesCHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
MARCH 13, 2023
Mayor Ryan called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. The meeting was opened with the Pledge of
Allegiance.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Ryan, Councilwoman Schubert, Councilman
McDonald, Councilman von Oven, 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; Kim Meuwissen, City Clerk; and Andrea
Poehler McDowell, City Attorney.
PUBLIC PRESENT:
Kevin Clarke Hoisington, Koegler Group, Inc.
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS: None.
CONSENT AGENDA: Councilman McDonald moved, Councilman Kimber seconded that
the City Council approve the following consent agenda items pursuant to the City
Manager’s recommendations:
1. Approve City Council Minutes dated February 27, 2023
2. Receive Planning Commission Minutes dated January 17, 2023
3. Receive Park and Recreation Commission Minutes dated January 24, 2023
4. Approve Claims Paid dated March 13, 2023
5. Approve 2023 Liquor License Renewals
6. Resolution 2023-25: Approve a Professional Services Agreement for Design Services
Related to Lift Station #3 Forcemain Replacement Project
7. Resolution 2023-26: Request Galpin Boulevard be added to the City's Municipal State Aid
System (MSAS)
8. Resolution 2023-27: Approve Plans and Specifications and Authorize Advertisement for
Bids for the 2023 City Pavement Rehabilitation Project No. 23-01
9. Authorize Execution of Stormwater Maintenance Agreements with FOX HILL
PROPERTIES, LLC
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10. Ordinance 704: Amending City Code Chapter 2, Administration, adding Code Enforcement
Specialists to Enforcement of City Code, Chapter 10, Licenses, Permits and Miscellaneous
Business Regulations removing the 30-day period for temporary liquor licenses, and Chapter
14, Parks and Recreation Concerning Animals in City Parks
All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0.
VISITOR PRESENTATIONS: None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS: None.
GENERAL BUSINESS
1. City Commission Appointments
Mayor Ryan stated that the City Council interviewed candidates for the five Commissions, they
had a great turnout, and appreciates everyone who applied.
Councilwoman Schubert moved, Councilman von Oven seconded, that the Chanhassen
City Council appoints the following Commissioners for three-year terms ending March 31,
2026:
Planning Commission: Eric Noyes, Steve Jobe
Park and Recreation Commission: Rob Swanson, Jim Peck, Scott Pharis
Economic Development Commission: Eric Anderson
Environmental Commission: Leslie Elhadi, Billy Cripe
Commission on Aging: Ruth Slivken, Elizabeth Mason
All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0.
2. Lake Ann Park Preserve Project Update
Park and Recreation Director Ruegemer invited Kevin Clarke with Hoisington Koegler Group
(HKGi) to give a presentation on the item.
Mr. Clarke gave a summary presentation of the Lake Ann Preserve project and shared the history
of the park preserve, noting the importance of trails and protecting the land. He shared about
wetlands on the site, trails and boardwalks, including natural surface trails, maintaining
ecological work, buckthorn, and wayfinding throughout the park. Mr. Clarke noted that the site is
remarkable for its beauty and that soils and in some areas of the site can be challenging as entry
points all involve water crossings. The timeline includes permitting, 60% design work to
understand budget realities for the phases of the project, additional supplemental resources, and
documents to begin work in the winter of 2023-2024. Mr. Clarke explained the soil boring
process, design development, surveying, looking at stormwater and hydraulics, and cost
considerations.
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Councilman Kimber asked about a number of half-down trees and whether the city plans to
remove those as there will be more people, especially children, back in that area, and there may
be hazards.
Mr. Ruegemer replied in the affirmative, noting that the city will be active in looking at those
hazardous trees as part of the design process.
Mayor Ryan noted in earlier discussions, that Lennar was going to be financial
contributors/participants from a signage perspective. She asked if the city has reached out to
them and whether the watershed is a co-signer on applications for the grants.
Mr. Ruegemer noted he was not aware of the financial conversation with Lennar and the City
can certainly reach out to them.
Mayor Ryan clarified that during development, the watershed said they were supportive of the
plan and that when the city built a boardwalk (specifically from the Lennar development), they
would help identify different species and help with signage. She noted this question is not to hold
them to it but to follow up as part of the grant process.
Mr. Ruegemer replied that the city has had conversations with the watershed district and they
have indicated that they would like to participate in the program at Lake Ann Preserve. He does
not know the scope of the funding to be donated to the project.
Mayor Ryan asked whether the city will follow existing trails or explore the land to find new
trails.
Mr. Clarke replied that a number of trails will follow existing trails, and there are some spots that
are not currently traveled that will be a new section of trail.
Mayor Ryan asked about community feedback including docks and piers.
Mr. Ruegemer noted that is longer-term planning and during phase two he hopes to incorporate
the bituminous trail through the park, trail intersections, bird-watching stations, and other things
as the city can afford those upgrades.
Mayor Ryan clarified for the public that the blue hash marks on the plans indicate private
property.
3. Resolution 2023-28: Approval to Enter into a Grant Agreement with the Minnesota
Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
Mr. Ruegemer stated that the city is in the process of applying for a local trail connection grant
through the DNR. There have been many review meetings and he believes they have a very solid
application. If awarded, the total amount of the grant would be $250,000 to allocate funding
towards the Park Preserve with a caveat of a 25% match; the city council has allocated dollars
from ARPA funding into that fund balance.
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Councilwoman Schubert moved, Councilman McDonald seconded that the Chanhassen
City Council adopts a resolution authorizing the city to apply for and execute a grant
agreement with the Minnesota DNR for improvements for the Lake Ann Park Preserve. All
voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0.
4. Present Civic Campus Concept and Schedule
Kevin Clarke of HKGi gave a summary overview of the Civic Campus project. He shared about
the background of downtown Chanhassen noting that the current campus built in 1981 no longer
serves the population due to size, square footage, significant deferred maintenance, and it lacks
operational efficiency for the community. He shared project concept plans on the screen
including revamped parking, a City Hall building, and maintaining the existing Veteran’s
memorial. Corresponding park improvements make a destination for downtown Chanhassen with
ideas including a collective open lawn/gathering area, splash pad component, accessible
playground, performance area, public restrooms, pickleball courts, and a renovated skate park
component. There has been much discussion on the project launching into the next phase of
design. Mr. Clarke shared about the project schedule, community engagement, architect
selection, interviewing process, and contract approval, as well as construction plans through
2025-2026.
Mayor Ryan noted that regarding this project and the Lake Ann Preserve project, resident
engagement is at the center. Receiving feedback and resident wants, needs, and concerns will be
addressed as the city moves through these projects.
Ms. Hokkanen noted that the city will be launching the project page, and hosting a facility tour
on April 30, 2023. Residents can attend a listening session with the City Council or leave written
feedback.
COUNCIL PRESENTATIONS. None.
ADMINISTRATIVE PRESENTATIONS.
1. Carver County Environmental Services Discussion
Ms. Hokkanen noted that included in the packet is a staff report regarding the county
approaching the city about a cardboard recycling site near the Public Works facility. Shortly
after, the county asked about an organics recycling component. The city asked for more
understanding regarding long-term recycling and yard-waste plans. She shared that the county
put together a presentation, and they are engaging a consultant to do a study to address some of
the city’s questions. Over the next 8 to 12 months, the county hopes to have more answers and
come back to share those at that time.
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CORRESPONDENCE DISCUSSION.
1. Municipal Legislative Commission 2023 Legislative Priorities
2. Letter from Mediacom dated February 24, 2023
3. 2023 Building Permit Activity
Councilman McDonald moved, Councilman Kimber seconded to adjourn the meeting. All
voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0. The City Council
meeting was adjourned at 8:06 p.m.
Submitted by Laurie Hokkanen
City Manager
Prepared by Kim Meuwissen
City Clerk