07-08-2024 City Council Regular Meeting MinutesCHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
JULY 8, 2024
Acting Mayor Schubert called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. The meeting was opened with
the Pledge of Allegiance.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Councilmember McDonald, Acting Mayor Schubert,
Councilmember von Oven, and Councilmember Kimber
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Mayor Ryan
STAFF PRESENT: Laurie Hokkanen, City Manager
PUBLIC PRESENT:
Larry Koch, 471 Bighorn Drive
Gerald and Karen Story, 6281 Teton Lane
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS: None.
CONSENT AGENDA: Councilmember McDonald moved, Councilmember Kimber
seconded that the City Council approve the following consent agenda items 1 through 8
pursuant to the City Manager’s recommendations:
1. Approve City Council Minutes dated June 24, 2024
2. Approve City Council Work Session Minutes dated June 24, 2024
3. Receive Park and Recreation Commission Minutes dated May 28, 2024
4. Receive Commission on Aging Minutes dated May 17, 2024
5. Approve Claims Paid dated July 8, 2024
6. Joint Powers Agreement for Highway 7 Safe Road Zone Grant
7. Approve a Massage Therapy Business License for InZen Spa located at 8951 Crossroad
Boulevard Suite 303 – Michael Lafeir
8. Authorize Entering Into the Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) Water System Settlements
All voted in favor, and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 4 to 0.
City Council Minutes – July 8, 2024
2
VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
Larry Koch, 471 Bighorn Drive, reviewed a proposition to mow the weeds growing in the streets.
He stated that weeds should not be over one foot tall on 78th Street. He commented that the city
staff mows the boulevard next to the weeds, noting the city staff should be able to mow the
weeds while mowing that area. He voiced concerns about the decrease of property values based
on the appearance of the weeds.
Gerald and Karen Story, 6281 Teton Lane, own the property directly south of the proposed
ordinance for thirty years. They appealed the Planning Commission approval of Solar Variance
2024-07 but rescinded it after hearing Chanhassen’s desire to become a Green Step City. They
would request that these minutes be put into the meeting, noting the staff findings stated that this
property would not alter the essential character of the locality. Ms. Story disagreed with this
statement as there is a proposal for four-foot trees to be planted where there are gaps in the fence.
She stated the proposed system is to be on a hill that is fourteen feet high. She read the ordinance
and commented that the size of the solar panel system is huge for a single-family dwelling. She
stated the neighbor’s house could have a solar panel system on their roof that would not be
blocked by tree leaves for at least six months of the year. She commented that the neighbors
wanted to have their entire electrical needs covered. Ms. Story requested that the city not
approve a variance to allow a solar panel system to be constructed.
PUBLIC HEARINGS. None.
GENERAL BUSINESS. None.
COUNCIL PRESENTATIONS.
Acting Mayor Schubert thanked the city staff and volunteers for their work for the 4th of July
celebration. The fireworks were rescheduled for July 12.
ADMINISTRATIVE PRESENTATIONS. None.
CORRESPONDENCE DISCUSSION. None.
Councilmember von Oven moved, Councilmember Kimber 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 7:17 p.m.
Submitted by Laurie Hokkanen
City Manager
Prepared by Jenny Potter
City Clerk