07-24-2023 City Council Regular Meeting MinutesCHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
JULY 24, 2023
Mayor Ryan called the meeting to order at 7:00 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;
Eric Maass, Planning Director; Charlie Howley, Public Works Director/City Engineer; Don
Johnson, Fire Chief; Lt. Lance Pearce, CCSO; Jerry Ruegemer, Park and Recreation Director;
Bob Generous, Senior Planner; Samantha DiMaggio, Economic Development Manager; Andrea
McDowell Poehler, City Attorney; and Kim Meuwissen, City Clerk.
PUBLIC PRESENT:
Eric Hanson, CEO SouthWest Transit
Tom Stiles Prairie School of Dance, 18946 Lake Drive East
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS: None.
CONSENT AGENDA: Councilman McDonald, Councilman Kimber seconded that the
City Council approve the following consent agenda items 1 through 8 pursuant to the City
Manager’s recommendations:
1. Approve Planning Commission Minutes dated June 20, 2023
2. Receive Environmental Commission Meeting Minutes dated June 21, 2023
3. Receive Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes dated June 13, 2023
4. Approve Claims Paid dated July 24, 2023
5. Approve Contract with Kraus-Anderson Construction Company for Construction Manager
for Civic Campus
6. Approve Contract for Annual Sanitary and Storm Sewer Televising to Pipe Services
7. Approve an Encroachment Agreement between the City of Chanhassen and Jeffrey Babcock
and Lynnea Babcock
8. Resolution 2023-61: Approve Contract with Rochon Corporation for Fire Station Kitchen
Remodel Project
All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0.
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VISITOR PRESENTATIONS.
1. Southwest Transit CEO Erik Hansen
Erik Hansen, CEO of SouthWest Transit, is a new resident of Chanhassen and the new CEO of
SouthWest Transit. The company is experiencing a ridership increase of 26 percent with express
services downtown and 40 percent with Prime services. Mr. Hansen encouraged residents to
download the app or visit the website for more information. Mayor Ryan welcomed Mr. Hansen
to the community. She encouraged him to visit again and share additional updates in the coming
months.
2. Citizen Action Request – Tom Stiles
Tom Stiles, a middle school science teacher in Minnetonka, shared information about his wife’s
dance studio, Prairie School of Dance. They are building this dance studio in Chanhassen.
During the building process, they were assessed a water and sewer accessibility charge. They
budgeted $10,000 for the MET Council Fees and water and sewer accessibility charge.
Chanhassen charges $11,224 per SAC charge. Mr. Stiles felt the calculated water usage does not
match the dance studio water usage, as the studio will have a water fountain, sink, and two
bathrooms. He stated that the assumed occupancy was less than the previous tenant in the space,
meaning the water usage should not increase. He stated that the fees would significantly impact
the financial means of the small business. He requested that their SAC charge be decreased to
one SAC charge.
Mayor Ryan thanked Mr. Stiles for sharing the information. She stated the fees are at the Met
Council level based on received feedback. She encouraged Mr. Stiles to work with city staff
regarding the concerns moving forward.
FIRE DEPARTMENT/LAW ENFORCEMENT UPDATES.
1. Quarterly Fire Department Update
Fire Chief Don Johnson updated the council regarding current fire department staffing. There are
24 paid-on-call firefighters and 4 paid-on-call battalion chiefs. There is a battalion chief and a
full-time firefighter currently on military duty. Since 2022, the fire department has collected
individual data to determine decisions. Mr. Johnson shared a map highlighting fire department
responses to show high-volume responses. A majority of calls are residential. There has also
been a large percentage of medical response calls. The fire department has continued to change,
including staffing the station 24 hours. This has decreased the number of all-staff calls. The
website highlights other data, including the monthly volume of calls and overlapping calls.
The fire department open house is on September 25, and he encouraged the council members to
attend. Mayor Ryan thanked the chief for sharing data which will assist the council in making
decisions in the future regarding staffing and response time.
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Councilman von Oven congratulated the fire chief on excellent data. He asked the chief to
expand on the differences between emergency and non-emergency calls. Mr. Johnson stated that
if the fire department can avoid using emergency lights, it benefits motorists. The fire department
aims to respond appropriately to each call. As the department has consistent staffing, the
immediate appeal to respond to Code 3 calls has decreased.
City Manager Laurie Hokkanen stated that in 2014 the average response time to get out the door
was over 9 minutes. Due to council changes to the fire department, the average response time to
arrive at the call has decreased.
2. Quarterly Law Enforcement Update
Lt. Lance Pearce updated the council with quarterly activity from April, May, and June. For A
offenses, there were 101 incidents. For B offenses, there were 35 incidents. For non-criminal
incidents, there were 1296 incidents, including fire, medical, suspicion calls, and mental health
calls. There were 1269 traffic incidents, including traffic stops, impaired drivers, speeding
violations, and expired vehicle registration. There were 114 property damage incidents, 14
personal injury accidents, and two fatalities.
Lt. Pearce shared that there were additional training opportunities for officers, including two
sessions of on-duty range, legal update with the county attorney’s office, and tactical response
team training. Mr. Pearce stated that July 4th was a successful event with only minor incidents.
Lt. Pearce stated that the mid-year crime rate has decreased by 31 percent since last year.
Significant incidents have occurred this year, including four weapons-related calls, a robbery,
and a homicide. These types of calls did not occur last year. For non-criminal offenses, there has
been a decrease in alarms, animals, and suspicion calls. There has been an increase in missing
person calls, mental health calls, and abuse calls.
Lt. Pearce highlighted there have been five police officers killed in the line of duty regionally.
Dispatcher Lisa Anderly and Deputy Jeff Trick retired after many years of service. One final
highlight is that the CrisisGo Responder starts next week. He hopes to bring them to council in
the future.
Mayor Ryan thanked the Lieutenant for the information. She asked if there were any changes to
patrol with the legalization of marijuana. Lt. Pearce stated they completed the training with the
county attorney’s office, but they are adapting to the changes by the legislature. Mayor Ryan
thanked both the fire department and law enforcement for their continued service.
PUBLIC HEARINGS.
1. Resolution 2023-62: Consider a Request for Approval of a Metes and Bounds
Subdivision at 2630 Orchard Lane
Senior Planner Bob Generous shared information about the property. The owner wants to split
his lot into two parcels, which exceed the minimum area, frontage, and depth requirements.
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There is sewer and water available in Orchard Lane, and a roadway is in place, so no public
improvements are required for this property.
Mayor Ryan opened the public hearing. There were no public comments.
Mayor Ryan closed the public hearing.
Councilman von Oven moved, Councilwoman Schubert seconded that the City Council
adopts the resolution approving a Metes and Bounds subdivision creating two single-family
lots subject to the conditions of approval and adopts the findings of fact and decision. All
voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0.
GENERAL BUSINESS.
1. Resolution 2023-63: Consider a Request for an Amendment to the 2040 Comprehensive
Plan Land Use Map from Residential – Large Lot (2.5-acre minimum) to Residential –
Low Density (net density 1.2-4 units per acre) on property located at 7750 Crimson Bay
Road
Senior Planner Bob Generous shared that the city is considering extending Dogwood Road and
connecting it to Crimson Bay. The Planning Commission held a public hearing on June 20,
supporting the applicant’s desire to subdivide her property. Other residents did not want their
properties subdivided.
Councilwoman Schubert moved, Councilman Kimber seconded that the Chanhassen City
Council adopt a Resolution amending the 2040 Comprehensive Plan Land Use Map from
Residential – Large Lot to Residential – Low Density for 7750 Crimson Bay Road. All
voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0.
2. Consider a Request for a Preliminary Plat, Site Plan, and Easement Vacation for 53
Rowhomes located at the Southwest Corner of Powers and Lyman Boulevards
Planning Director Eric Maas shared the PUD Master Plan previously approved by City Council
for the Avienda Rowhomes. Mr. Maass shared the general architecture information, site plan
review, and renderings. One concern with the renderings is the lights near the roof, which would
be recommended to change to decrease light pollution. Within the floor plans, there is an
opportunity for an added feature of an elevator.
Mayor Ryan asked if the council had any questions or comments. She appreciated the
architecture, which will add to the overall look and feel of the rowhomes.
Councilman von Oven moved, Councilwoman Schubert seconded that the Chanhassen City
Council approves the Preliminary Plan, Site Plan, and Vacation of Existing Easement for
the construction of 53 Rowhomes subject to the conditions of approval (Planning Case
#2023-10) and adopt the Findings of Fact and Recommendation. All voted in favor and the
motion carried unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0.
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COUNCIL PRESENTATIONS. None.
ADMINISTRATIVE PRESENTATIONS. None.
CORRESPONDENCE DISCUSSION. None.
Councilman Kimber moved, Councilwoman Schubert 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 8:05 p.m.
Submitted by Laurie Hokkanen
City Manager
Prepared by Kim Meuwissen
City Clerk