WS 2001 04 09CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
APRIL 9, 2001
Mayor Jansen called the work session to order at 5:35 p.m.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Jansen, Councilman Peterson, Councilman Labatt and
Councilman Ayotte
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Councilman Kroskin
STAFF PRESENT: Scott Botcher, Todd Hoffman, Roger Knutson, and Sharmin A1-Jaff
A. OLD ST. HUBERT'S CHURCH UPDATE/EDUCATION.
Scott Botcher provided the council with background information on Colonial Church's interest in acquiring
the old St. Hubert's church building. He asked the council to think about two things. What is possible to
do construction wise with the building and what is the city's vision for that comer.
Mayor Jansen and Councilman Ayotte questioned the ownership of the property. If the comer would stay
in private ownership and why the city owns that property. Scott Botcher asked the council members to
begin thinking about this comer and what the city's vision should be and what the city will allow to be done
with development of the church building itself and the property around it.
Councilman Peterson provided historical background of what the planning department and Planning
Commission has done in the past on the ~Old Town" concept. He stated his personal preference would be
to keep this property as parkland but isn't sure how much it would be used by the public. Mayor Jansen
stated she would like to see the property be park as well. Councilman Ayotte stated he would be in favor of
allowing something that would generate revenue for the city. Councilman Labatt stated that since a library
won't fit on that site he would be in favor of seeing it remain a park, not knowing what the City could get
into to generate revenue.
Brad Johnson, from Lotus Realty, told the council members that it was his belief that this site is very
developable because of the parking available to it. Mayor Jansen asked staff to clarify the parking issue
and what's available on the site. She also asked council members to go out to the site and walk around to
get a feel for the piece of property and it's surroundings.
B. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TASK FORCE.
Vemelle Clayton, Brad Johnson, Kevin McShane, Tim Erhart and Mr. James were present from the
business community to provide input on this item.
Scott Botcher gave the background information on creation of an Economic Development task force He
stated that he has been in discussions with Vemelle Clayton regarding the use of lodging tax as a revenue
source.
Mayor Jansen thanked Scott Botcher for providing information on what the city of Delafield, Wisconsin
has done. Roger Knutson stated that he works with other cities that have similar Economic Development
City Council Work Session - April 9, 2001
task forces. Scott Botcher stated that the advice he received from employees from the city of Delafield was
to proceed slowly.
Mayor Jansen stated that she had talked with the Rotary and Chamber of Commerce this past week
regarding getting input on their thoughts for the make-up of the commission. Who should be members of
the task force? Mayor Jansen then asked for input from the community business people in attendance and
Councilman Ayotte asked for input on what the business community feels Chanhassen needs.
Mr. James stated the Chamber of Commerce is looking to make Chanhassen a city people feel they can
both live and work in.
Tim Erhart stated the city needs to play catch-up and look forward instead of looking backwards as to what
amenities the city needs to thrive. He stated the city has had a history of resisting change and growth in the
past and that the city needs to look at surrounding cities and see what amenities they have and how can
Chanhassen those same amenities. The City needs a vision of what it wants in the future.
Kevin McShane felt that the city needs to survey the business owners in the city as well as the residents.
He also stated that the City should have a person in house to provide development answers to business
owners and residents.
Councilman Ayotte asked if the business community could provide input as to what hasn't worked in the
past with the city's development process. Vernelle Clayton stated that she would like to move away from
what has gone wrong in the past and move forward. She stated they have conducted a survey and will
provide the answers as to what's gone wrong in the past if the City Council wants to see that information,
but would prefer to move forward.
Mayor Jansen thanked the business people in attendance for their input and having a conversation with the
City Council members.
The work session meeting was adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
Submitted by Scott Botcher
City Manager
Prepared by Nann Opheim