04-15-2024 City Council Work Session MinutesCHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
MINUTES
April 15, 2024
Mayor Ryan called the work session to order at 5:30 p.m.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Ryan, Councilman McDonald, Councilwoman
Schubert, and Councilman Kimber.
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Councilman von Oven
STAFF PRESENT: Laurie Hokkanen, City Manager; Charlie Howley, Public Works
Director/City Engineer; Kelly Grinnell, Finance Director; Eric Maass, Community Development
Director; Jerry Ruegemer, Parks Director; Pryia Tandon, Recreation Manager; Samantha
Dimaggio, Economic Development Manager
PUBLIC PRESENT:
Lake Ann Lifeguard Discussion
Jerry Ruegemer, Parks Director, and Priya Tandon, Recreation Manager, provided a recap of the
decision to attempt to provide lifeguards at Lake Ann. After a significant outreach effort, no
candidates for lifeguard were obtained. Staff outlined their approach to moving to the beach
monitor option. The City Council discussed the responsibilities of the beach monitor position and
how reasonable those responsibilities were to ask of an employee as young as 16 years old. There
were also concerns about creating a false sense of security rather than all beachgoers maintaining
vigilance and shared responsibility for safety and rules. The City Council complimented staff on
the efforts to recruit lifeguards. The City Council provided direction to end the efforts to recruit
beach monitors and only implement signage alerting beach visitors that they are swimming at their
own risk.
Review of the proposed Three-Year Economic Development Plan
Samantha Dimaggio, Community Development Manager gave an overview of the Economic
Development Plan. The council suggested adding the Lion’s Club to the SWOT analysis. The
public and private schools are also a strength in the community. The City Council thanked
Samantha for her presentation and that they are hearing from the community that she has been a
good resource for them.
Laredo Drive Extension Discussion
Charlie Hawley, Public Works Director/City Engineer gave an overview of how Laredo Drive
could be connected through from W 78th Street. The projected cost to extend Laredo Drive is $1.5
million. That would be with a willing seller of the land. Mayor Ryan believes that the extension of
Laredo is a must-have for the city.
Bluff Creek Area Sewer Discussion
Mr. Hawley discussed the area that is unsewered in the Bluff Creek area and putting a sewer into
the area. There are development projects that are being proposed that would like to have sewer and
water in this area of the city. The city has proposals to bring those services to the area and staff
would like input from the Council. Cost and scope are questions about this project. Mr. Hawley
can put out an RFP to get costs for this project.
City Council Work Session Minutes – April 15, 2024
2
Newspaper Designation Discussion
Staff needs to designate a new paper because the Chanhassen Villager will no longer be published
after April 25, 2027. The city proposes to designate the Sun Sailor as the city’s newspaper.
FUTURE WORK SESSION SCHEDULE
April 15, 2024
Chanhassen Cinema and Hotel Architecture Discussion
Highway 5 Update
City Manager Performance Review (CLOSED SESSION)
April 22, 2024
SouthWest Transit Update
Discuss Proposed Three-Year Economic Development Plan
Downtown Design Guidelines Draft Plan Review
April 29, 2024 (special meeting)
Civic Campus Update
May 13, 2024
Road Funding Discussion
May 20, 2024
SAC and WAC Policy Discussion
June 10, 2024
June 24, 2024
2025 Preliminary Budget and Levy Discussion
Consider Draft Recommendations Updating SAC/WAC Policy Discussion
City Council Roundtable
Pending Items:
Audit Presentation (May 13 or 20)
Mayor Ryan adjourned the work session at 6:56 p.m.
Submitted by Laurie Hokkanen
City Manager
Prepared by Jenny Potter
City Clerk