03-11-2024 City Council Work Session MinutesCHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
MINUTES
MARCH 11, 2024
Mayor Ryan called the work session to order at 5:30 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; Eric Maass, Planning Director; Kelly
Grinnell, Finance Director; Jerry Ruegemer, Park and Recreation Director; Sam DiMaggio,
Economic Development Manager; Rachel Jeske, Planner; and Rick Rice, IT Manager.
PUBLIC PRESENT:
Judy Harder, 541 West 78th Street
Liz Williams, 7611 Kiowa Avenue
COMMISSION INTERVIEWS
The City Council interviewed the following commission applicants:
• Barbara Solum
• Gwendolyn Block
• Jim Camarata
• Phyllis Mobley
• Sidney Lindmark
• David Benedict
DISCUSS COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS
The City Council reviewed all the commission candidates and determined their appointments.
The City Council staff report was updated with the candidates chosen for appointment.
DOWNTOWN DESIGN GUIDELINES AND WAYFINDING PROJECTS OPEN HOUSE
SUMMARY
Planning Director Eric Maass provided a summary of the open house and the feedback received
from the public which was summarized in the staff report for this item. Staff had been tasked to
research the potential for a dedicated bike lane within the downtown area and presented the
recommendation that it be on the north side of West 78th Street. Staff outlined existing
infrastructure specific to elevated or tunnel crossings to get south of Highway 5 and how that
could inform bike lane locations.
Public Works Director/City Engineer Charlie Howley indicated that the bike lanes would be
truly dedicated as bike lanes and not a shared-use path. He questioned whether there is enough
volume to warrant such a need but stated that staff is supportive of dedicated bike lanes. Mr.
City Council Work Session Minutes – March 11, 2024
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Howley also stated that bike lanes need to be evaluated along Highway 5 and that the concept
shown was derived from considering current crossings of Highway 5. He added that Kerber
Boulevard is one example of a striped bike lane. Mr. Howley asked the City Council to direct
staff on where bike lanes might be appropriate.
The City Council generally agreed with staff’s rationale for the location of a bike lane if one
were to be added in the future.
FUTURE WORK SESSION SCHEDULE
March 18, 2024
• Broadband/Internet Update and Discussion
• Discuss Proposed Three-Year Economic Development Plan
• City Council Roundtable
• City Manager Performance Review (CLOSED SESSION)
April 8, 2024
• Downtown Design Guidelines Draft Plan Review
• Highway 5 Update
April 22, 2024
•
May 13, 2024
• Road Funding Discussion
May 20, 2024
• SAC and WAC Policy Discussion
June 10, 2024
•
June 24, 2024
• Consider Draft Recommendations Updating SAC/WAC Policy Discussion
• 2025 Preliminary Budget and Levy Discussion
• City Council Roundtable
Pending Items:
Broadband Service
Audit Presentation (May 13 or 20)
Mayor Ryan adjourned the work session at 6:50 p.m.
Submitted by Laurie Hokkanen
City Manager
Prepared by Kim Meuwissen
City Clerk