WS 2007 04 23
CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
APRIL 23, 2007
The work session began at 5:30 p.m. with a tour of the water treatment plant.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mayor Furlong, Councilman Litsey, Councilwoman
Ernst, Councilwoman Tjornhom, and Councilman Peterson
STAFF PRESENT:
Todd Gerhardt, Laurie Hokkanen, Kate Aanenson, Paul Oehme, Todd
Hoffman, Lori Haak, Kelley Janes, and Kevin Crooks
TOUR OF WATER TREATMENT PLANT.
Kelley Janes and Kevin Crooks brought the city council and staff members on a tour of the water
treatment plant. One of the problems associated with the start up of the water treatment plant is
residents having trouble setting their water softeners. Paul Oehme stated the city will have an
article in the newspaper and will set up a series of meetings to help educate the public on the
correct settings . Mayor Furlong commended staff on their planning, construction and operation
of the water treatment plant.
TH 5 CORRIDOR STUDY UPDATE.
Paul Oehme updated the council on meetings with MnDot, Carver County and cities affected
along the Highway 5 corridor from Highway 41 to Young America, noting the City will be using
the same guide plan that was used with the Highway 101 south alignment. The gist of the
project is to identify future use and the associated right-of-way needed to facilitate future growth.
The first phase of the study will begin in August-September and will take approximately a year
to complete. Mr. Oehme reviewed the budget and funding needed for the study. Todd Gerhardt
noted the next step is for the City Council to approve the letter of support for the study and the
$10,000 contribution from the City of Chanhassen.
The work session was recessed at 6:45 p.m.. It was reconvened at 8:15 p.m..
DISCUSSION OF AMENDMENT TO CITY CODE REGARDING:
1. WETLAND BUFFERS AND SETBACKS.
Lori Haak provided historical information regarding the wetland buffer and setback ordinance.
Councilwoman Ernst asked staff to clarify the comparisons to other cities. Mayor Furlong asked
council members to give staff direction on what they'd like to see brought back for council
consideration. Councilman Peterson asked to see the numbers for Manage 1, 2 and 3 kept at the
general acceptable range of 25, 20 and 16.5. Councilman Litsey felt the report was well
prepared and supported staff's recommendation. Councilwoman Ernst agreed with Councilman
Peterson about being more competitive with other cities. Councilwoman Tjornhom also agreed
with Councilman Peterson, noting the city's water quality is good now with the current numbers
City Council Work Session - April 23, 2007
and provides people with a reasonable use of their property. Mayor Furlong asked for
clarification on the percentage of properties that would be affected by the new classifications.
He felt comfortable going forward with Councilman Peterson's recommendation which gives a
balance between water quality and property owner's rights. Todd Gerhardt explained the
function of setbacks in trying to find a comfortable balance between environmental protection
and property rights. Mayor Furlong suggested the need to provide funding for improvements to
the Lotus Lake watershed as a priority. Lori Haak explained that the wetland buffers and
setbacks are a common struggle for all cities and counties, noting that the Minnesota Pollution
Control Agency is working on implementing new regulations to improve the biological integrity
of wetlands within the next 5 to 10 years, which the City will have to conform.
2. IMPERVIOUS SURFACE DEFINITION.
Lori Haak explained the work done by staff since the council last saw this item, including a tour
by staff members of Maplewood and Little Canada and the use of pervious materials in parking
lots and other applications. Staff prepared a list of issues and asked council to provide direction
on the impervious surface definition, credit for pervious technologies and the appropriate use of
pervious technologies. Councilwoman Ernst asked staff to clarify the percentages and how the
two alternatives would be used. Lori Haak noted that staff originally was recommending
Alternative 1, but after further research is now recommending Alternative 2. Councilman Litsey
asked for the rationale in staff's shift in their recommendation. After discussion, all council
members favored Alternative 2 as reasonable and a good starting point. Mayor Furlong
explained the need to expand the definition of impervious surface and how that will be regulated
by the Minnesota Stormwater Manual and other state agencies, and the use of providing a credit.
Kate Aanenson explained the problems staff anticipates to encounter in implementing these
changes, noting staff wants to move forward but slowly.
Mayor Furlong explained the study process and funding options available with the Highway 5
corridor study. He asked if council members were comfortable with the letter of support,
outlining the benefits the City of Chanhassen will gain from the upgrade. All members voiced
support.
Mayor Furlong adjourned the work session at 9:40 p.m..
Submitted by Todd Gerhardt
City Manager
Prepared by Nann Opheim
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