1992 07 13CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR NEETING
JULY 13, 1992
Mayor Chmiel called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.. The meeting was opened
with the Pledge to the Flag.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Chmiel, Councilman Mason, Councilman Workman, Councilman
Wing and Councilwoman Dimler
STAFF PRESENT: Don Ashworth, Roger Knutson, Todd Gerhardt, Charles Folch, Paul
Krauss, Kate Aanenson and Scott Hark
APPROVAL ~ AGENDA: Councilwoman Dimler moved, Councilman Mason seconded to
approve the agenda with the following additions: Mayor Chmiel added a public
announcement and under Council Presentations regarding Lake Ann Park; Councilman
Workman wanted to discuss the intersection of West 78th and Dakota, the leash
law and the City and Council's continued use of local companies in purchases.
All voted in favor of the agenda as amended and the motion carried.
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEHENTS:
Mayor Chmiel: The public announcement that I just wanted to mention is that we
received from William's Pipeline indicating that they are going to be doing a
high pressure water test of their pipeline located beneath their signs and is in
pFogFess and will start on July 22nd for several weeks. The actual test may
take several days to perform in one segment or whatever they're doing. You'll
know the test is in progFess when you see the signs along the pipeline right-of-
way which state caution. Please stand clear, Williams Pipeline Company.
there's any information or explanation of this, they have given us a phone
number. For those who may be interested I'll give that number out. It's
612-633-1515 and the right-of-way agent is Linda Slaughter. It's also an
emergency number which is 1-B00-331-4020.
CONSENT AGENDA: Councilman Nason moved, Councilwoman Dimler seconded to approve
the following Consent Agenda items pursuant to the City tlanager's
recommendations:
f. Approve 1992 Audit Report Contract, Delloitte & Touche
h. Approve Summary Ordinance for Publication Regarding the Minimum Lot Size
Requirements for A-2 and RR Districts
j. Approval of Accounts
k. City Council Minutes dated June 22, 1992
Planning Commission Minutes dated July 1, 1992
l. Designate Bus and Handicapped Parking Zone, Chanhassen Senior Center
All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously.
City Council Meeting - July 13, 1992
A. APPROVE JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT BETWEEN MWCC, CHASKA AND CHANHASSEN FOR
INTERCOMMUNITY FLOW.
Councilwoman Dimler: Okay, item l(a) is an agreement, a joint pouers agreement
between the Metropolitan Waste Control Commission, Chaska and Chanhassen. Also
there's a fourth party, the Net Council. I wanted to know what the Met
Council's role was in thls. And my second questlon is, why ls Chanhassen
puttlng up money in front to be reimbursed and why can't we just okay the
project and have the MWCC pay without running it through our budget? And number
three, how does thls agreement assure the pursuance of a permanent solutlon to
the problem? In the worst case scenarlo if there ls no permanent solutlon
implemented, hou has Chanhassen then affected, are ue then in a positlon where
ue are forced to keep slgnlng an agreement forever? Those are my three
questions on that 1rem.
Mayor Chmiel: Don, would you like to try to address each of these?
Don Ashuorth: Hopefully between Charles, Bob Schunicht and myself we can
attempt to respond. Although the 1rem does not show Metro Council in the
limited item in front of you, the agreement very definitely includes
Metropolitan Counc11. We want Metro Counc11 to sign off on this agreement. It's
very important. It may be a signer to it recognizing their overseeing a role of
MWCC. Secondly, and agaln I'll offer Charles, ls my understanding that between
Metro Council. Or between MWCC and the Clty of Chaska, those two agencies will
be puttlng up any additional costs that would be lncurred as a part of any of
the oversizing or the work to connect to this lift station. Correct Bob?
Charles?
Charles Folch: Do you want to address that one Bob?
Bob Schunicht: Yeah, the Waste Control Commission is basically rentlng capacity
from the City of Chanhassen in facilities that you've already ordered for plans
and specs along Lyman Blvd. and Audubon Road. So they're renting for a period
of tlme not to exceed probably 8 years. The date is the year 2000. December
31st of the year 2000 so you have ordered a project to put in improvements along
there. They're going to use the excess capaclty in that line for a perlod of 8
years and pay you on an annual basis for that. The agreement is set up to pay
you for 5 years right now ulth a fixed amount that's pald for each year that
that extends beyond the first 5 years up until the year 2000. Any oversizing or
any other costs that the Clty was not normally golng to incur as part of thelr
current project is belng paid for by the Waste Control Commission.
Councilwoman Dlmler: Nou if we declded to go ahead and develop and needed that
capaclty for ourselves, how would that affect thls agreement?
Bob Schunicht: Charles and I worked on some computations based on a real
aggressive development schedule out in that part of the area and we're confident
that you w111 not have flow in that 11ne that would cause any problems
whatsoever before the year 2000. The thlng you have to remember is that a lot
of the capacity in that system ls for the area south of Lyman Blvd. so you'd
have to extend all the way down there too so you'd have to basically, in the
next 8 years, develop to complete saturation everything all the way over to
TH 41 and TH 5 and part of the stuff south of Lyman Blvd. to ever even dream of
City Council Meeting - July 13, 1992
having a problem in that line. The other thing I'd like to point out too is
that one of the struggles we had tn designing that system was that we're dealing
with a real 11ttle bit of waste water flow because there isn't a lot of
development in that area right now and won't be until it starts to pick up for,
the flrst year wlll be maybe 50 or 100 homes on there and it will start to
continue. So we had to look at some interim facilities. Smaller pipes, smaller
pumps to put in that station. With the flow coming from Chaska, the City is
going to, in addition to the monies that are in the agreement, will save about
$30,000.00 to $50,000.00 in lnterim facilities that they would have had to
install just to be able to operate the system over the first 3 to 4 years.
Councilwoman Dimler: Okay, so you're saying it's a mutually beneficial7
Bob Schunicht: Absolutely.
Councilwoman Dimler: Okay. Also, what power do we have to force a permanent
solution that say after the year 2000 and we want to use that capacity? Does
this agreement in any way hinder us from being able to do that? Are we forced
forever to sign this thing if they don't come up with a permanent solution to
the problem?
Bob Schunicht: You have to, after the year 2000, you have to mutually agree to
let the process continue. You could shut off. You could pull the plug. Shut
the valve and they're done after the year 2000. And they've got a similar
agreement in Plymouth dealing with Medina. Medina going down through Plymouth
and they're really concerned about that because it's starting to get to the
point where they need to do something and they're hussling to get it done.
Mayor Chmiel: But in their particular position, they are in no position
whatsoever, to accept additional flowage of sewage from anywhere, even with
thelr system so therefore there'd have to be some klnd of flow going somewhere.
If not through their capaclty in a normal sewage disposal plant, it would still
have to run through here. I get a little hesitant in thinklng as to what that
solution could be and that solution could be a constant flow into there.
Bob Schunicht: They're looking at two solutions and the agreement is pretty
clear about the fact that they have to continue to pursue the solution to
Chaska. That this does not become a thing they wait until 1998 and start taking
another look at. And they're looking at either building a new plant or going
over to the Blue Lake Plant. Going down. through. Across TH 41 down to Shakopee
and over to the 81we Lake Plant.
Mayor Chmlel: And that would take many, many years.
Bob Schunicht: That, I don't thtnk they could get it done much before 1998 and
that's the reason they're out of capacity this year and next year in Chaska
right now.
Mayor Chmiel: I guess if their flow is, total flow is going into the system,
how will the charges incurred by MWCC to the City of Chanhassen for those flows,
and I know Chaska's going to do lt? Pay for those particular flows that would
go into it.
City Council Meeting - July 13, 1992
Bob Schunicht: Right.
Mayor Chmiel: But does this effect our flows so, and that means that our people
may have to pay additional dollars as well?
Bob Schunlcht: No. There will be a meter at the station that's going in Chaska
and that will be subtracted out of the flows that Chanhassen ls billed for.
Councilwoman Dimler: I still have one concern and maybe Roger can answer that
and that is, I don't see anything in the agreement that gives us any say in
making them come up with a permanent solution. Can you address that Roger?
Roger Knutson: To this extent that this contract terminates December 31st, the
year 2000. So at that polnt lt's been sald you can pull the plug. They'd
better have their own solution or they've got their own problem.
Councilwoman Olmler: Okay, just the termination date then but ulth the renewal,
with the possibility of renewal though as I read it.
Roger Knutson: At your discretion.
Mayor Chmiel: Normally when Council gets some of these things, shouldn't there
be some dollar flgures tied in prlor to maklng thls approval so we know exactly
where we're standing?
Bob Schunicht: We did an estimate of the amount of money the Waste Control
Commission would pay to Chanhassen for that first 5 years of capacity. That's
about $80,000.00. What the agreement does is say that it sets forth a procedure
for determining what that exact amount is based on the bid prlces that the City
recelves and the agreement ls based on the same methodology that we used in
negotiating the Lake Ann pro3ect. Oon and I worked on that in 1984-85, so lt's
the same methodology. Zn thls case you were paylng the Waste Control Commission
for using their facility and in this case, they're paying you for using your
facillty but the same methodology. It seems 11ks both partles pretty much
agreed to that and have an agreement existing in that manner already.
Don Ashuorth: If I may, that's the same cost agreement that now has been really
adopted metro wide. I think Champlin, another example. Again the cost, as they
be associated wlth the Chaska connection, are back to Chaska and MWCC so ue
don't, although I believe Bob has worked out what those costs are, we really
haven't seen them nor do we really care to as long as they've agree that they're
going to pay. One of my recommendations parallels Councilwoman Dimler's
comments and that ls, in addltion to slmply slgning thls agreement, I thlnk lt's
imperative that cover letters go along with this that say, us're going along
wlth thls but it is ulth the intention that thls wlll be disconnected in the
year 2000. That we're asking you to sign this document, meanlng MWCC and Metro
Counc11, and recognize that this ls everyone's lntent and the Mayor point that
they'd better get moving to insure that they've got a permanent solution. I
feel very comfortable that thls lsa good document for Chanhassen. Not only in
paying money back to us in the interim period, the current perlod of time, but
they're also agreelng to flndlng a long term solutlon for southern Chanhassen as
a part of this agreement. They're agreeing that down by Holasek's, and I think
we saw that in one of the last reports. They had a 11ft statlon going over
City Council Meeting - July 13, 1992
there to serve a relatively small user. Through this agreement Chaska would
allow that connection to go as gravtty flow towards Chaska. They're agreeing
that Gedney u111 contlnue to be able to use the Chaska sewer 11nes ina similar
basis to what they currently are. They're agreeing that the area north of 82nd
Street and west of TH 41, that we can use Chaska's sewer line for that area.
That probably will be through a smaller lift station. They're agreeing that the
area east of TH 41 and north of 82nd Street, that can gravlty feed towards
Chaska, that they uill serve that area. So there's a lot of pluses in here for
Chanhassen.
Mayor Chmiel: Well...numbers basically are accommodating what our flows may be
in that particular area as well.
Bob Schunlcht: We were very careful to make sure that Chanhassen would not be
hurt and only benefitted by this agreement. The other thtng that Don mentioned,
lt's enabled us to clear up a lot of questions about the joint sewer systems and
we are having some ongoing conversations about the joint water systems too so
it's been a very good process.
Mayor Chmiel: Who represents Chaska?
Bob Schunlcht: Dave Pokorny's been representing Chaska.
Mayor Chmiel: No outside, do they have a consulting firm?
Bob Schunlcht: Yes, Ken Anderson from our offlce.
Mayor Chmiel: From your office?
Bob Schunlcht: Yes.
Mayor Chmiel: Thank you. That's what I wanted to make sure was on the table.
Bob Schunicht: But Z argue with him all the time.
Councilwoman Dlmler: It bette~ not be a confllct of interest rlght.
Mayor Chmiel: Okay, any other discussion?
Councilwoman Dimler: Hearing none, I would move approval of item l(a). The
joint powers agreement with the addttion that those coyer'letters be sent as Don
had mentioned.
Councilman Workman: Second.
Councilwoman Dimler moved, Councilman Workman seconded to approve the 3oint
Powers Agreement between HWCC, Chaska and Chanhassen for Intercommunity Flow
with cover letters being sent stating the intention that tt will be disconnected
in the year 2000. A11 voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously.
City Council Meeting - July 13, 1992
B. APPROVE CONSULTANT SERVICES AGREEHENT WITH BONESTRO0, ROSENE, ANDERLIK &
ASSOCIATES.
Councilwoman Dimler: Item (b) has to do with the, approving of a consultant
service agreement between Bonestroo and Associates and the City of Chanhassen.
My question on this was, as I read through it, at first I thought it had to do
with the surface water management but I see that it's separate. Is this a
separate contract?
Charles Folch: This is a separate contract for providing municipal consulting
engineering servlces on projects such as the Upper Bluff Creek project and
future projects with the Clty.
Councilwoman Dimler: Okay. What criteria did you use to come up with a need
for such a consulting servlce at thls tlme?
Charles Folch: Basically we have approximately, probably a dozen, dozen and a
half contracts wlth consultants who provlde servlces for the clty. Basically
what a contract does is it's an agreement between the City and the consultant as
to what types of services they will provide. Defines specifically as it relates
to a project, the specific elements and details that they will perform for the
City at what cost and such and a fee schedules are tied to that agreement. It
basically keeps a consistent mutual worklng partnership, if you wl11, between a
consultant and the City as to what ls expected of the consultant and the
consultant also knows what is expected of the City in this mutual agreement for
providing services.
Councilwoman Dimler: Okay. As I was reading through it, I thought it was
rather extensive and very binding and I was just wondering, now it talks about
inspections here too. How do these inspections dlffer from the inspections
already being done by our public safety department?
Charles Folch: The inspections conducted by our Public Safety Department are
more specifically orlented towards actual buildings. Inspections of the
buildings that are golng ln. Homes. Thlngs 11kc thls. What the consultant
will be inspecting is, take for example a sewer and water project for the Upper
Bluff Creek area. They wlll be inspecting those utillty 11nes. That's not an
area that the Uniform 8uildlng Code covers. That's an area that's governed by
10 State Standards and the Amerlcan Publlc Works Association. Or Amerlcan Water
Works Association and such so that's an area outside of the Building Code. So
they wlll be providing inspections on those particular types of projects.
Councilwoman Oimler: Okay, and who's been doing those inspections for us in the
past now?
Charles Folch: It typically is the consultant engineer on the project will
provide the inspection on the project. It's a normal process that they carry
through. They deslgn the plans and then carry it through the project
construction administration.
Councilwoman Dimler: So you're saying the developer has a consultant and we'll
have a consultant and we'll be duplicating services here?
City Council Meeting - July 13, 1992
Charles Folch: Okay, on the public improvement projects such as Upper Bluff
Creek for example again. We have our own consultant such as Bonestroo that will
design and construct or contract, administer the project. On a private
development project, the developer has his own engineer who will design the
plans which we review in house and you approve by your action and they are
required to provide an inspector on the project but we also provide inspection
over that private development project so that we ensure that things are being
constructed according to our specifications.
Councilwoman Dimler: Okay. And then also, it didn't have a dollar figure with
it and I'm kind of relunctant to approve any agreement that doesn't show me what
it's going to cost the city.
Charles Folch: There's two in the appendices. There's two fee schedule charts
if you will that are a percentage of fees.
Councilwoman Dimler: Right but I mean there was no dollar amount as to how
much. It said per hour yes but how many hours? What's it likely to cost the
City?
Charles Folch: Basically that would come about with the preparation or
presentation actually of the completed feasibility study. At that point in time
there's a project cost estimate that is given and basically by using these
schedules, at that time you can at least get a general idea as far as what their
cost for services are going to be to carry it through the project through the
design and construction process.
Councilwoman Dimler: But we're supposed to be approving this before we see how
much it's going to cost us? What if they come up with a cost that it'd be
cheaper for us to hire our own engineer to do this?
Charles Folch: Well under each project you have the decision making ability at
the feasibility stage whether to see the project through as a public improvement
or whether the project warrants doing it or not based on a number of factors
such as cost.
Councilwoman Oimler: But once we have an agreement with them, they're always
going to be the consultant?
Charles Folch: Not the sole consultant. We work with a number of consultants.
Councilwoman Oimler: Oh you do?
Charles Folch: Yes.
Councilwoman Dimler: Okay. So this is not an exclusive contract?
Charles Folch: No, this is not an exclusive contract.
Councilwoman Dimler: Okay, thanks. Any other comments? I'd like to hear from
other Councilmembers.
City Council Meeting -, July 12, 1992
Mayor Chmiel: Thank you. Quick question that I have. In looking this over,
and it's really thorough and I see some things in there. Were all these
services provided basically needed and can some of these that are contained
within this contt'act be done by our engineering department or staff as a working
part?
Charles Folch: I guess that's a difficult question to answer to you off the
cuff but both the consultant and myself have reviewed the specific points of
thls contract. In just general terms I would say, lt'd be very difficult. In
trying to matntain the continuity of the project process, our city staff will
still have revlew and input through the design process but at thls polnt in tlme
we really don't have the capabilities to actually take over any portion of the
deslgn on a particular project like that. Most of our consultant flrms are set
up with CAD and computer systems to do the hydraulic modellng and things like
that with the project~ It would be more consistent for them to contlnue to do
the entlre process rather than try and split it up and then you've got a
coordination effort that needs to be done and we really aren't set up to take on
portions of their projects.
Mayor Chmiel: I guess one of the things as you indicated, feasibility that
would come back to us. Knowing what the dollars are basically going to be and
what the cost ls golng to be to the clty. So ulth that I guess I don't have any
other speciflc questions. Ursula.
Councilwoman Oimler: I guess I'm still relunctant to approve it without having
some sort of idea what it's golng to cost. And I'm sure the consultant has
probably worked wlth other clties of approximately the same size as ours wlth
the same amount of development going on and perhaps they could look into their
records and see what it has cost those communities and maybe glve us some ldea
before I would approve this.
Mayor Chmiel: Maybe what you could say is not to exceed or have them come up
wlth a figure not to exceed.
Councilwoman Dimler: Okay, and I don't even have the budget saying where it
would come from. I would llke to know what part of the budget. I don't want to
bust our budget here.
Charles Folch: Maybe I can kind of clarify. I didn't go back far enough in my
explanation. Take for example if a project would be petitioned by the public or
what have you. We would recelve those petitions. I would typically contact one
of the consultants and get an estimate as to what it would cost for them to
perform the feasibility study. Okay. Then I would bring that cost to you along
with the recommendation of whether to proceed with us authorizing the study or
not authorizing the study. As I mentioned before, wlth the completion of the
feasibility study, there is a project cost estimate associated with that.
Basically thelr fee for providing the deslgn, contract administration and
inspection servlces are basically guided by the two curve pay schedules which
are 11sted in the appendices. So at that polnt in tlme, because each you know
differing projects can have different costs associated with them, typically the
larger the project naturally you're golng to have, there's golng to be more
involvement, more time spent on thelr part. Although it's not a linear
progression where the dollar amounts progress directly in relation to the
City Council Meeting - July 13, lg92
project, there is some savings. The larger the project goes, the pro rated
share of their consultant fee is not as high as a smaller project. But I think
it's difficult to say at this tlme what their fee is going to be on a project
because it depends on what the size of the project is and what type of project
it is. Just general sewer and water and street projects, that's pretty well
defined. When you get into doing a lift station, an elevated storage tank, some
type of specialty project like that, then it's not quite so defined.
Councilwoman Oimler: Okay, I understand what you're saying but I'm still a
little confused. At the tlme that we wanted to do the project, wouldn't we go
out and get bids and have them be one of the bidders and then pick the lowest
bldder for the study and the project? Or would we just exclusively say, well
we've got a consultant service agreement with them so they're the ones?
Charles Folch: Typically we do not go out, when we have a project and Just put
basically RFP's out. Request for Proposals if you will from consultants on our
projects. We have done that on a couple large scale things such as a surface
water management program and the MUSA study because they were such large
projects and we basically felt that maybe it was an appropriate type project to
open it up to the general market because of the dollars that were involved. But
basically for performing ongoing, continual municipal services, it's a benefit
to both the City and the staff to develop a working relationship with a handful
of consultants that will provide continual services to you. They get to know
the city. They get to know what is expected of them. There's consistency
that's developed. And you're also giving them enough work that you keep their
interest. If there's a problem on a project and this consultant only gets one
small project a year in a community, well you're not going to get priority
service right away when something needs to be done. So there's some benefit
with taklng, working with a group of consultants on general, ongoing municipal
type projects. And it's, for getting services such as these, it's not always in
the City's best interest to take the low bidder. Going out for bids on it for a
consultant and taking the iow bid because you don't always have the most
qualified consultant providing those services. It may be their first time
working for the City and staff may end up spending, you may end up spending more
money on staff time to try and train these people in as to what is expected of
them.
Councilman Wing: Is this exclusive of the...contract?
Charles Folch: That's correct. We have a separate agreement for that specialty
project.
Councilman Workman: It was my understanding, and I had to depart so I maybe
dldn't catch all the things but it was my understanding this is kind of a
continuation of the contract we had before. That contract expired? Or why are
we continuing at this time?
Charles Folch: This is actually a new contract for municipal services. We've
had previous contracts for Surface Water Management and the MUSA expansion but
this is a contract that basically will govern future municipal projects that
they provide services for the City.
City Council Meeting - July 13, 1992
Councilman Wing: How do you budget for this? I mean Ursula has asked about a
dollar amount. How are you going to, is this an unknown or what are you going
to budget for this?
Don Ashworth: I look at this, this is a master contract at times that Bonestroo
is selected to do a particular project so I'm not sure if ABC Company owning a
piece of land out here will be coming in and asking that the City extend the
sewer and water and at that tlme we would know how much that costs and how much
would be charged back to that developer. But if the selection were then made of
8onestroo to act as our engineers for that project, this contract would come in.
Would be an addendum to that addlng that particular project? 8ut if durlng the
course of the year you did no projects, you've incurred no cost.
Mayor Chmiel: Sure it boils down to but still the dollars are hard to grab
onto. Normally when we submit a contract for just about anything...what I feel
ls an estlmate so we know where we are withln that ballpark, how much farther
can we go or should we go with that? As far as the dollar expenditure is
concerned, that's what I thlnk we have to really look at. It's just that we
can't loosen that dollar fully. We should have a fairly, at least a handle on
what we're talklng. We're glvlng a Carte Blanche, open across the board klnd of
thing here and we don't know really what those dollars will be. As Oon said,
even if you don't do anything in that particular year, we're not golng to spend
any money and that's true and I don't disagree with that.
Councilwoman Dimler: But Charles, did we budget anything for anythlng 11ke that
in this lg92 budget? It comes out of your budget in the engineering department?
Charles Folch: Actually it comes out of the particular project because again,
you would have to authorize the dollars to do a feasibility study which they may
or may not be asslgned to and then agaln, after that's completed, you would have
to authorize or actually order a project and approve them to do the plans and
specifications on a project.
Councilwoman Oimler: That comes out of the project as well?
Charles Folch: That's correct, yep.
Mayor Chmiel: From whoever's requesting it. $o it really doesn't all come out
of the city but there's a lot of tlme involvement wlthln the clty that we st111
have.
Councilwoman Oimler: Well thanks for all the answers.
Charles Folch: Excuse me Oon, if I could add too. One thing we could do, if it
would behoove you, ls ulth each project, as a part of the feasibility study, we
certainly, I mean it shows there what thelr estimated costs would be to provide
their services so we could certainly make sure that that is a line 1rem that's
clearly addressed based on the estlmate of the project.
Mayor Chmiel: That I would say would probably be a good ldea to have. That way
it would glve Council a 11ttle better idea. So with that, I'll call for
question. Would you 11ke to entertain a motlon on thls Ursula?
10
City Council Meeting - July 13, 1992
Councilwoman Dimler: Well, with those explanations and with the expectations
that what we're requesting here will be kept in mind, I would move to approve
item
Councilman Wing: Second.
Councilwoman Oimler moved, Councilman Wing seconded to approve Consultant
Services Agreement #/th Bonestroo, Rosene, Anderl/k & Associates. A11 voted
favor and the mot/on cart/ed unan/mously.
C. APPRQVE RESOLUTION APPROVING ASSIG~ENT B.Y .LANOCO QF LOA~ AND BOND PURCHASE
AGRE[HENT.
Mayor Chmiel: Item (c) is the reassingment of the IRB loans. I guess I had a
couple of questions that I have and maybe I don't understand what tt is but what
rate of lnterest dld we have in '79 and '88 that we're looklng at this and the
changes that we're going back to with some of the reassignment of the loans?
The other one I have is, we're moving this from one individual to another and
even though someone's indicating here that they assure that the opinion will be
a clean optlon, tax exempt status can be maintained, and I don't understand how
this can be done. If you're changing it from the city from one person to
another, you've glvlng them the tax exempt. Normally they don't take that tax
exempt status, do they?
Roger Knutson: I don't know what the interest rates are but, and we haven't
seen one of these I don't think in 7-8 years. I don't know how long it's been.
7-8 years. Long time. They don't make any sense to me... This is an
industrial development bond. Not one nickel of city money is involved. Not one
nickel of taxpayers money is involved. It was a method in use for a number of
years whereby you could get tax exempt status for your funding. And a project
was built with these IDB bonds, using basically the City's name but without
using...without using your money, without using anyone's money except private
investors, and now the building is being sold. And it's like in the old days,
when you sold a house, someone could assume your mortgage. Well, these folks
are assuming the bond.
Mayor Chmiel: Okay. And that is transferabl~ just like it is with the
mortgage?
Roger Knutson: Not anymore. You can't transfer your mortgage.
Mayor Chmiel: Z meant purchase from and if it has an assumable.
Roger Knutson: Yeah, it's an assumable mortgage if you will.
Mayor Chmiel: Alright.
Todd Gerhardt: Mayor, I can add a little bit. The principle amount of the
bonds is $600,000.00. To date, the principle balance is $429,138.81. Don went
upstairs to get the interest rate for...
Mayor Chmlel: Well I guess he can probably tell me what that might have been
back then as to what they are now and I know that probably in '79 and '88 they
1!
City Council Meeting - July 13, 1992
were higher. Therefore we'd proably bring it back down with the interest rate
right nou on those industrial revenue bonds.
Roger Knutson: Traditionally they save people 2 to 3 points.
Mayor Chmiel: As long as you can save at least 2 points, then it's to your
benefit. If it's 3, it's more. Don?
Oon Ashuorth: I'm looking. Maybe you could, if you have other questions.
Mayor Chmiel: No, I was just curious to know what that was back at that
particular time as opposed to now because all the rates are much lower and we've
done that ulth some of our bondlng wlth the Clty where we've saved the Clty
money by doing that.
Roger Knutson: I'll speculate that they're higher than they can get now. Lower
than they can get now or not much better or otherwise they wouldn't be assuming
the financing. Knoulng the partles involved, they'd get good financing.
Don Ashuorth: They are not an obligation of the City. They're not shown under
the bond issues. Z was hoplng Z would find a footnote to that extent and Z
think it's, I think I still can under the auditor's initial oplnion but again it
may take me a couple of minutes to flnd lt.
Hayor Chmiel: My major concern uas, is I'm going to have to sign this thing and
I want to know what I'm slgning. I don't think you're going to have to go
through that much more. I think I've answered most of my questions that I've
had. I would entertain to accept item 1(c).
Councilwoman Oimler: Second.
Resolution (N)2-77: Ha¥or Chmiel moved, Councilwoman Dimler seconded to approve
the resolution approving assignment by LandCo of Loan and Bond Purchase
Agreement. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously.
O. APPROVE LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR THE BMR PROPOSAL ?ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT OF
URBAN DEER POPULATIONS~
Councilwoman Dimler: Okay, item (d) has to do with the Department of Natural
Resources proposal for the Ecology and Management of Urban Deer Populations.
Apparently from readlng thls I get that they want us, the City of Chanhassen
along with 23 other communities to sign a letter uhich would be addressed to the
legislative commission on Minnesota Resources whlch is made up of 8 Senators,
State Senators and 8 State Representatives to get funding to study the deer
problem. Agaln, I have a problem wlth approving thls without being glven an
amount of what they're going to be asking for.
Mayor Chmiel: $256,000.00 is what they're looking for.
Councilwoman Dimler: Oh, where did you find that? Okay. They're asking for
$256,000.00 and I know from personal experience, because we have a hugh deer
problem on our farm in Minnetrista, over 200 deer eating our corn and soybeans
every year, we have contacted Larry Gillette of the Hennepln County Parks
12
City Council Meeting - July 13, 1992
Systems who is, they are cooperators in this particular project. And he has
given, not only us but also the City of Minnetrista a wonderful presentation
with all the answers apparently that they're looking for in this project 1 and
2. So I feel the answers are already there and I think the money should be
spent on correcting the problem rather than studying it. And I would recommend
that if there are many concerns here within our city, that we would have Larry
Gillette come and give us that same presentation. It was very informative and
also had many solutions to the problems.
Mayor Chmiel: Scott, I think you received this letter. Haybe, and as you've
indicated, support sending this letter to the legislative commission for the
appropriations of those dollars. And I thlnk from what Ursula ls saylng, ls
that Mr. Gillette, Larry Gillette from Hennepin County Parks has already gone
through that process. It looks 11ke they're starting...just one more time.
there any quick response that we have to give to the ONE with this?
Scott Hart: Mr. Mayor, actually I see that the process was started about a
month and a half ago. This originally was scheduled...
Mayor Chmiel: Okay.
Councilwoman Dimler: Do you know how many cities signed the agreement? But I
still would recommend having Mr. Gillette come out here because I know we do
have a problem. That's not the point but I'd to see that...
(There was audio problems with the tape at this point in the discussion. There
was no action needed for item l(d).
E. APPROVE BOULEVARD ~REE PLANTING PROPOSALm BARTON-ASCHHAN,
Councilman Wing: That was mine. Boulevard planting proposal. Arboretum Blvd.
and Kerber Blvd.. Both streets about 1 mile long. This has to do with
boulevard tree bids. It has to do wlth plantlng boulevards, is that correct?
Putting trees and landscaping along and reading through this we have a, this is
going to be 8arton-Aschman base map preparation, field review, conceptual
landscape plan, community open house, bidding documents, contract bidding,
construction services for $12,700.00 divlded by $200.00 a tree, that's 600 trees
that for sure are going in. $13,000.00 just to do a feasibility, architectural
study for 2 miles of road? Can't we just say, we want shade trees along those
streets every 40 feet and put them in? What's involved here for $13,000.007
You know I'm probably the foremost tree proponent on thls Council but to spend
$13,000.00 to talk about putting them in, I don't know if I want them that bad.
Don, how would you address that?
Don Ashworth: I concur. It sounds like a lot of money. The problem is that,
the legislature doesn't really trust cltles so they enact so many laws to make
you ensure that you jump through every hoop. So even though it sounds as though
you can just go out and put in trees, you still have to go through the formal
specification process to tell potential bidders what it is you want. You've got
to tell them where those trees are golng. What work has to go along with it
because if the guy doesn't do what you want and the trees are crooked or
whatever, did you tell him he had to stake them? Did you tell him he had to
stick them in the ground? Which stde up. I mean it may sound proposterous but
13
City Council Meeting - July 13, 1992
I mean you have several nurseries in Chanhassen who will probably bid this. And
if there's any irregularities in the bidding process, they're surely going to
tell you about lt. We want to ensure that we go out and we pick out the stock
that we want. This is the type of a job that if someone would want to volunteer
to go through each of the steps, I could help them and I thlnk lt's the type of
thing a Councll member or somebody knowledgeable in thls area could take on this
task.
Mayor Chmiel: I'd be glad to. Now that I have some free time.
Don Ashuorth: You're going to be putting in the hours associated with it.
would guess if you would volunteer to take thls over, I'd say lt's golng to be
100 hour project.
Councilman Workman: So moved.
Councilwoman Oimler: Second.
Councilman Wing: I think there's some other issues here because the Park and
Rec is trying to form a Tree Board and some expertise is going to come wlth that
from the community and the Arboretum. I just wonder if for $7,000.00 if Peter
01in on the weekends wouldn't step in and make similar recommendations. Now I'm
not, Don I'm not trying to make 11ght of this. I guess I dldn't know plantlng
trees was that complex and to landscape. If this was going to be a city wide
project, and descrlbe and make these standards for all our streets for the
future but to do two 1 mlle sections for $13,000.00.
Don Ashworth: I'm sure the Mayor can do a good job on this.
Councilman Wing: Well he has my support.
Councilwoman Dimler: Yeah, mine too.
Councilman Wing: If you'll chair the committee.
Don Ashuorth: And we will try to make sure that we do not violate any of the
State laws I was referring to.
Councilwoman Dimler: I do have a questlon though. Are we required to go
through with these proposals because from, I drove those sectlons and I think,
if I'm anywhere near where you're talking about, the one here in the Clty on
Coulter Orive, is that going to have anythlng to do with our proposal for the
clty park?
Don Ashworth: First I should note, in preparing the cover, the proposal from
Barton Aschman ls correct in that it describes Audubon and Kerber. I thlnk the
cover talks about Arboretum Blvd.. The two streets here, Audubon and Kerber.
You take either of those segments, you do have exlstlng trees in various
sections. All the way through on Kerber. Parts there you would not be puttlng
trees in primarily on the east side of Kerber and on the, oh I'm sorry. On the
west side of Kerber and the west side of Audubon.
14
City Council Meeting - July
Mayor Chmiel: I think basically what you're looking at is the spacing of those
trees. What's needed. Species which are acceptable to salt and spray. That
don't die out and there's a lot of other things that have to be taken into
consideration.
Don Ashuorth: I think that Peter Olin would be a good resource and maybe we
could get authorization to spend some dollars potentially with him. In terms of
recommendations regarding the species and also going out to the nurseries once
bids have been received, to actually tag individual trees so that we know we're
getting good trees as a part of this.
Mayor Chmiel: That's right.
Councilman Wing: Mr. Mayor, just in due respect to you and Mr. Ashworth, I did
drive these today and I did feel it's not a very simple matter. I mean you
slmply don't just start puttlng trees in and there's sidewalks and there's hllls
and there's a lot of angles here that I think if there's going to be a permanent
plannlng and it's golng to be maintained and address the future, lt's not as
simple as just going out and driving and making some snap decisions. Beyond
that Don I would leave it in your desk.
Mayor Chmiel: Well I agree Oick. That's true because often times when you
plant trees, you're going to have to take some safety lssues into view as well.
Because of the intersections and making sure that they don't get blocked or
placement of trees in proper locations. Nor do you want to put them directly or
as close as you can to the, in the boulevard sectton to the curbing because
there too you're golng to have roots causlng problems and breaking out sidewalks
and the curbing and a lot of other things so there's a lot more to it than
really meets the eye.
Councilman Wing: Can we table this issue just for one meeting to get a little
background?
Mayor Chmiel: I don't see any reason why we couldn't.
Councilman Workman: So moved.
Mayor Chmlel: Do you see any problem wlth tabling thls if we're looklng at fall
planting? I also wanted to just bring out the fact in addition to your tabling
that I thlnk we should look at a spring plantlng rather than a fall planting as
well.
Don Ashworth: These projects have been held open for a long period of time.
That's fine. It could go to this next spring. It ail1 take 30 days.
Mayor Chmlel: It gives me a little better work base is what I'm saying.
Don Ashworth: 30 days for specifications. 30 days in the advertisement
process. We'll need to go out to the venders. You're probably talking 2 to 3
weeks there. My only trepidation would be, we can put it off one additional
agenda but if we mlss let's say the next one, they won't be planted this fall.
It will be next spring.
15
City Council Heeting - July 13, 1992
Ma/or Chmiel: Okay, we have a motion on the floor to table. Is there a second?
Councilwoman Oimler: Seco)nd.
Councilman Workman moved, Councilwoman Dimler seconded to table the Boulevard
Tree Planting Proposal by Barton-Aschman. All voted in favor and the motion
carried unanimously.
I. APPROVE CONTRACT FOR FEASIBILITY STUDIES FOR THE SURFAC~ WATER HANAGEHENT
PROGRAM TASK FORCE.
Councilwoman Dimler: Another one on the budget. I serve on the Surface Water
Management Task Force and I did attend that last meeting but I'm $OFYy tO say I
left before this vote was taken to approve a feasibility study for projects on,
one on Lake Riley and I think too on Lotus Lake if I'm not mistaken. I believe
the amount is $15,000.00 and that was brought down from $30,000.00 wasn't it
Mike?
Councilman Mason: I don't think that we arrived. We were just throwing figures
out.
Councilwoman Dimler: Oh, okay.
Paul Krauss: I think you were originally presented with a proposal that had a
different set of projects that could have gone as high as 30 and nobody was
comfortable with that. And neither was staff and as ue discussed this further,
it seemed that one of the biggest expense was one of the projects. If you look
in your packet, one of the projects on Lotus Lake is a major project.
Councilwoman Dimler: A. You're talking about A.
Paul Krauss: Right. And in staff's opinion that didn't fit into the context of
qulck, relatively slmple, relatively low cost projects wlth blg returns for
water quality. It's a valid project but it was very, it's something in longer
term. So we, we belng staff came up with a thlrd project on Lake Rlley which
does two things. Lake Riley obviously has a problem and we didn't want to focus
all the efforts on specifically Lotus. We happen to know more about Lotus than
the rest of the lakes which is why this tended to occur. We also felt that the
one on Lake Riley, if ue do the upfront deslgn, we have a very good chance of
having the developer undertake much of the work with the construction of the
project subdivision. $o that could be a real blg bang for the buck on that
one.
Councilwoman Dimler: Okay. I guess I look at a feasibility study as a part of
a project so when I approve a feasibility study I am actually already approvlng
that project or saylng that it needs to be done. So what I'd 11ke to have lsa
little bit of an ldea on how much the total project mlght be. Now obviously,
and that ls part of the feasibility study. I understand that so lt's klnd of a
catch-22 here is what we're doing but apparently you must have some idea because
we scraped A. We knew it would be too extensive and probably too expensive for
what we were going to get. So we must also have some idea on what B and C and
the one on Lake Riley are golng to.
16
City Council Meeting - July 13, 1992
Paul Krauss: Only very rough Councilmoman Oimler.
Councilwoman O'imler: Okay. Well, that's all I want is a rough estimate.
Paul Krauss: As I recall, Ismael indicated to me that these projects were in
the $10,000.00 range to complete. We eliminated the one that had a lot of land
acquisition. We believe we have easements over everything else. The other
projects and as I say, the Lake Riley project may cost next to nothing, or very
nominal.
Councilwoman Dimler: Okay. And see that would be fine and I'd have no problems
because I do agree with the principle of improving the water quality but I just
don't want to okay a study for something that's gotng to cost us big bucks at
the end. And then my other question was this $15,000.00, is that coming out of -
the budget that we approved already for fees for servlce under mater quality
plan? We approved $50,000.00 for this year plus also for initial water quality
construction. Another $50,000.00 so that's $100,000.00. Is that $15,000.00
coming out of this particular budget?
Paul Krauss: Yes. As you're aware, for the other Council people's beneflt.
The Surface Water fund is running a surplus right now and that's after we've
committed to Bonestroo in a btgger contract to complete the planning and the
program. We then have some money set aside to do things. Well this is coming
out of the to do thlngs.
Councilwoman Dimler: Okay. So, it's already budgeted for? I just want to make
SUFe.
Paul Krauss: It's budgeted for. It's not in Bonestroo's original contract. If
that makes sense. This is work above and beyond what we have contracted wtth
them to do. But there ls money in the budget to cover thls.
Councilwoman Oimler: To do lt.
Paul Krauss: Yes.
Councilwoman Dimler: Okay. I just wanted to make sure we weren't getting an
extra $15,000.00 from somewhere. Okay, I move approval.
Mayor Chmlel: Well I'd just like to add to that because I wanted this pulled as
well. And the question that I had was, one. Are we in budget to date? It
sounds like we're having a surplus right nom.
Paul Krauss: Yes. Let me back up a little bit on that. Now in the budget
hearings over the last couple years, you've heard me a couple times say that the
Council authorized the 60~ funding level but then we found we weren't even
gettlng that because some mistakes that were made by the engineering firm that
had originally set it up. So we're essentially getting 60~ of 60~. What that
gave us is a total, after 5 years of about $800,000.00. Clearly that's enough
to pay for the initial contract with Bonestroo, which I think was 197. It's
clearly enough to pay for staff's tlme working on thls project, whlch is some
small portion of that. And then tt's clearly enough to do things. Now these
projects are small and fall mlthln that, I thlnk what we anticipated. What thls
17
City Council Meeting - July 13, 1992
will never cover, and the City Manager and I shared some concerns on that, is
major projects that maybe warranted. After the study is completed, ue know that
you know you may want to spend $250,000.00 doing a single project or you have to
buy some land. Those are things that go well beyond the scope of the budget.
Mayor Chmiel: Okay. And then what additional dollars do you see, it seems like
we're going to stay within there. That was my other question. What additional
dollars will be needed for this? It sounds like you're not going to have to go
through that process on what we've done thus far.
Paul Krauss: No. All of what's being proposed is within the current budgetary
constraints. As this project though draws to a completed plan and we have a
capital improvements plan and ue know what all the sources of problems are in
given lakes and what we think ue have to do, I think at the last budget we
agreed we were not going to raise the quarterly fee but as is, hopefully the
project will demonstrate that it's a success and has community support and at
some point we're going to ask you to reconsider that but ue don't need to now
and this is not going to make us or break us.
Mayor Chmiel: Yeah, and I was just wondering how much longer are we going to go
with this until ue come up with the next need is what you're saying from before.
Whatever the next project might be.
Paul Krauss: No. I think that ue have availability of funding to do a number
of these smaller projects. As long as we limit them to 1 or 2 per lake and
stagger it out. What we won't have funding for is a major project of maybe
$200,000.00 or $300,000.00.
Hayor Chmiel: Hy major concern is too Paul that we don't raise the costs as we
did before to the residents within the City. And try to maintain and keep it
right where it's at. I guess for the long haul, there has to be sometime where
it gets cut off. And when that's going to be, that's the question that I was
asking.
Paul Krauss: I don't know the answer. You authorized an initial 5 year program
with annual review by the Council during each budgetary session. Is thls a
program that u111 go on forever? I doubt it. Is ita program that wlll
establish a series of goals that may take more than 5 years to achieve and may
take some other budgetary considerations? Probably, but I don't know the answer
to that right now.
Mayor Chmiel: Okay.
Councilwoman Dimler: ...it looks like you're going to be increasing by State
mandate up $8.00 per year for this other water quality. Drinking water, ts that
the one?
Mayor Chmiel: Yes.
Councilwoman Dimler: Yeah, so the utility bills will be going up and I don't
think that I want to contribute to any of these projects. Increasing that
utllity. I think that if we have to do a major project for over $200,000.00, or
18
City Council Meeting - July 13, 1992
$250,000.00, I'm sure we can look at some other funding sources. Maybe bonding
or something like that.
Paul Krauss: Well, and that's a very good point because frankly it's one thing
to tinker a little bit with ponds and make them work more efficiently or
restructure things but we have a number of areas of the City that have
significant area wide drainage concerns that were never dealt with. [ hesitate
to suggest that some of those might be a special assessment project but the fact
is, there's area wide benefits to fixing these problems. So yeah, undoubtedly
there are other things that are going to have to be looked at.
Mayor Chmiel: Yeah, and then also under that staff recommendation, I would like
it to read, as it reads now, staff recommends City Council authorize spending
$15,500.00 to conduct feasibility study. I'd like injected prior to the
$15,500.00 not to exceed.
Councilman Mason: I did note that if ail three of those feasibility studies are
done at the same time, it will be a savings to the city of $1,000.00 which I
think would behoove us.
Mayor Chmiel: Yeah, you're right. I agree.
Councilwoman Dimler: So with that understanding I move approval of item 1(i).
Councilman Wing: Second.
Councilwoman Oimler moved, Councilman Wing seconded to authorize spending an
amount not to exceed $15,500.00 to conduct feasibility studies under the Surface
gater Hanagement Program for Projects B, C and O as outlined in the 3uly 8, 1992
letter from Bonestroo Engineering. All voted in favor and the motion carried
unanimously.
M. RESOLUTION APPROVING WATER OU~LITY TESTTN, G MANDATES AND CHARGES.
Councilman Wing: City Manager, where is the water utility charge right now?
don't see it 11sted here? Under water rates and Section 19. Is the utility
surface water fee that $3.00 quarterly, is that somewhere else? Where is that
fee urltten?
Councilman Workman: Surface water.
Councilman Wing: Surface water. Utility charge.
Don Ashworth: That's a good question. Charles, do you know? I know Tom had
prepared thls. The Resolution is Identical to the one that's currently on the
books. It must be a separate resolution on the water surface.
Councilman Wing: Why wouldn't we just include that in with the utility
assessment?
Don Ashuorth: It would make sense at some point in time to have one resolution
that basically is covering both charges but you're correct, I do not see it in
19
City Council Meeting ~. July 13, 1992
here so that means that there are basically two separate resolutions governing
utility bills.
Councilman Wing: My other concern on this was, we have a Federal mandate that
trickled down to the State of Minnesota who immediately trickled it down to the
Clty of Chanhassen where the buck stops, with an exclamation point says, you've
got to pay for it. And that's flne and it says, protecting the health of people
consuming water from public water supplies lsa responsibility that Minnesota
and it goes on and on and on. Parameters going from 23 to 83 that have to be
checked so each user now has to pay $2.00. Me. Each one of us here has to pay
$2.00 a quarter or $8.00 a yea)' to ensure that we have clean water. But it goes
beyond assuring that the Clty water comlng into my house ls clean. I mean we
assume the City's doing that. It also says we have to go 1nrc private homes.
Prlvate homes. Test thelr water for this factor, for lead, whatever the case
and I've got to pay the prlce for that private testing. How did this happen?
Don Ashuorth: And the sad part is that this bill really recognizes that this
work ls being mandated on the Federal level for the entlre State and it's really
the outstate area that ls benefitting the most as far as the number of wells and
they literally looked and said, we're not going to be able to get the money out
state so we'll establish thls as a charge for well testing. And this is like
all of the residents of the Clty of Minneapolis who get water out of the river
are paying thls amount of money to test wells?
Councilman Wing: In the newspaper we put out an ad asking for people that
wanted thelr water tested for lead. I think they got 3 responses so Z
volunteered. That was the fourth and it's mandated that we test 60 some homes
for lead and we can't even get citizens to volunteer to have the testlng done so
we go out and solicit it but then Z've got to pay for it. Well, Z'11 move
approval of l(m) but I want to be on the record as under protest. And I realize
we can't do anything about it.
Don Ashworth: I agree.
Mayor Chmiel: We're all in agreement. It always seems like whenever something
comes up, there's additional dollars or the amount of fundings that they used to
give cities are taking away and every tlme we turn around the citles are getttng
slapped with the charges. So maybe with our hopeful that's sitting up here,
when he gets up, he can start trying to do some things up there.
Councilman Workman: Mr. Mayor, is anybody asked about what happens if the City
of Chanhassen doesn't comply? I know that I saw the people in Chaska wrestle
with it and Minneapolis and everybody else has kind of goose stepped right with
it but I am assumlng that.
Mayor Chmiel: Don goes to jail.
Councilman Workman: We're golng to lose everything warm and dear if we don't
follow thls? I mean they're golng to take our LGA away?
Roger Knutson: It's a charge...if you don't pay the MWCC. What they can do is
they can take you to court. You owe it to them.
2O
City Council Meeting - July 13, 1992
Councilman Workman: That's another story.
Roger Knutson: And incidentally, I've got to editorialize on this. This is one
of my hot buttons too. The amount of money they're collecting far exceeds their
cost. Far exceeds their cost.
Councilman Wing: Well there's a whole page explaining the bureaucracy and why
they had to get to that.
Roger Knutson: And they're suggesting, when people have asked why are you
charging this amount now when your budget, and then how much you're going to
spend is a lot less? Because we might have higher costs in the future.
Mayor Chmiel: I'd like to see us write a letter to them with those concerns and
indicate that ue will pay but we don't understand how they determined or how
they came to the conclusions and that they will have a surplus of dollars.
Councilman Mason: A letter signed by the Council? I would like to sign that.
Councilwoman Oimler: I would like to sign that too.
Don Ashuorth: Roger's additionally hostile because he's a Minneapolis resident.
Councilman Wing: Well one thing I think I can assure our residents is that by
the tlme we're done wlth our surface water utility work and paying for water
testing, we're going to have water good enough to drink in this city.
Mayor Chmiel: Oh sure, no question. Okay, would you like to make that as a
motion Richard?
Councilman Wing: Well I moved approval of l(m) and then, are you talking about
the letter?
Mayor Chmiel: Yes and that we'd like to sign by Council.
Councilman Wing: Approve l(m) and I would also in that motion request a letter
as per the Mayor's recommendation slgned by the Counc11. And that will go to
the Minnesota Department of Health or up to the Federal level?
Councilwoman Dimler: Both I would say.
Mayor Chmiel: Little waves maybe make something...
Resolution ~92-78: Councilman Wing moved, Councilman Nason seconded to approve
the Resolution approving the Water guality Testing mandates and charges with
direction to staff to write a letter of protest to be signed by the City
Council. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously.
VISITOR PRESENTATIONS. None.
PRESENTATION BY THE UNITED gAY OF THE HI~EAp~IS AREA, BYRON LAHER.
Mayor Chmiel: Is Byron here? We'll go right along.
21
City Council Meeting - July 13, 1992
Todd Gerhardt: ge'il contact Byron and see...
Mayor Chmiel: He probably doesn't know where Chanhassen is right?
PUBLIC HEARING: SUPPLEHENT FEASIBILITY REPORT ON STREET AND UTILITY
IHPROVEMENTS TO TETON LANE AND LILAC LANE,.PROJECT 91-4:
Public Present:
Name Address
Richard Bloom
James Fenning
Frank & Florence Natole
Gordon & Joey Johnson
Mike & Ann M. Preble
David Euald
Randy Karl
Mlke Couple
Robert M. Bouen
Stephen & Cindy Dome
14600 Woodruff Road, Wayzata
Ithilien Developer
6251 Teton Lane
1275 Llla¢ Lane
513 4th St N.E., Montgomery, MN
6370 Teton Lane
6391 Teton Lane
6331 Teton Lane
62?5 Powers Blvd.
6398 Teton Lane
Charles Folch: Hr. Mayor, members of the Council. During the renotificatton
process for this hearlng, staff and the developer for the Ithlllen subdivision
have had the opportunity to meet further to discuss the project. The results of
the meetlng leave us with a new proposal for the improvements whereby the
developer has agreed to construct all the proposed Teton Lane improvements under
a prlvate contract at their cost. The developer has also agreed to pay for 20~
of the improvements to Lilac Lane which will be a public project. In exchange
the developer ls asklng that trunk utility hook-up charges for thelr subdivision
be walved. Given that the sanitary sewer and water lines which they wlll be
constructing under Teton Lane under prlvate contract may serve future
subdivision.of the large lot parcels on the east side of Teton Lane, staff would
concur that thls request ls reasonable. The other significant change is the
elimination of a special assessment to the large lot property owners, i.e.
Johnson, Plckerd, Ware and Natole. Instead a connection charge is recommended
based on 50~ of the cost of the Lllac Lane and storm sewer improvements and the
acreage of the large lots. Thls connection charge would come due if the
property would be subdivided in the future. The connection charge rate is
proposed at $2,687.00 per acre and would be adjusted annually for inflation. A
revised financing schedule for the project is attached in your staff reports
uhlch provldes the numbers for both the developer and the future connection
charges that may be incurred with the large lots. The result is that these
property owners, Johnson, Plckerd, Ware and Natole are not unduly burdened ulth
an assessment at this time. In effect development is paying it's way on this
project. The flnal issue lnvolves the barricade and at Council's request, staff
has met with Shorewood representatives to get some more information on how the
two break away barricades they have installed are performing. In short, thelr
maintenance personnel basically considered these a maintenance nightmare,
particularly in the wintertime. They're constantly going out there and
replacing either broken or vandalized pieces of the barricade or portlons which
may get stolen or removed. Really they dldn't have too many good comments to
say about the barricades. The temporary type barricades. Bottom line from
22
City Council Meeting - July 13, 1992
staff's standpoint is that Teton Lane is a public street and as such, the public
should have access to this street as any other street within the city. Staff
continues to recommend that the barricade be removed on Teton Lane. That's all
we have. We can open it up to public hearing comments.
Mayor Chmiel: Right. Is there anyone at this time who would like to come up to
the podium and indicate their concerns? Yes. Please state your name and your
address please. One more time.
Oonna Pickerd: That's okay. My name is Oonna Pickerd and I live at 12i5 Lilac
Lane. I speak for myself when I say this. I want to thank both the city
engineer and staff and also the developers for working together and eliminating
the assessments for us. I guess that was important to me and I guess I
appreciate the time that you put into doing that. I understand that the
barricade has to come down because it is a city street. I guess I just want to
make sure that an effort is put into ways to try to reduce the speed. One of
the ideas I had was possibly putting a stop sign where the Ithilien development
empties into Teton Lane. Kind of a three way stop. I understand that sometimes
you need to see what is going to happen first before you make a decision about
whether that's done but that was an idea I just wanted to throw out. I had one
more thing here. Also, I met with Mr. Folch and with Biii Engelhardt this
morning on our street to kind of go through design and what kind of things might
be changed when and if the street is constructed. Lilac Lane more than Teton
Lane and I just want to make sure that officially it's on record that they both
said that before anything is done, that they would get a hold of the neighbors
in the neighborhood so we can get together and kind of look over the final road
construction details to make sure we understand what's happening. The grading
of the roads. The configurations and just the details. Just because I guess
it's nice to know what's happening in the area. That's ail I think. Thank you.
Mayor Chmiel: Good, thank you. Is there anyone else? Yes sir.
Robert M. Bowen: My name is Robert M. Bowen. I live at 6275 Powers Blvd.. Hy
property is immediately north of what the engineer frequently refers to as the
drain. I understand the drainage of this area. Thls lot you're talking about
is going to drain into the creek. I was told by the owner some time ago that by
some mlracle water ls golng to run uphill 50-60 feet, go through Powers Blvd.
and then run down that drain. You'd better have an Environmental Impact
Statement in order because I'm not going to tolerate it any further. When
Beddor, and you permitted him and his crowd to build what we know is Club Med.
That area in the northeast corner of Pleasant View Road and Number 17. Water
has been draintng down in that creek so that all of my fences have come down.
They were reinstalled 2 years ago. They're down now. Furthermore, in the
northeast corner of that same intersection, nobody has gone down there to see
the utter destruction that is being performed on that land by your drainage. And
your engineer's drainage. It's intolerable. A month and a half ago I went up
there and was horrified to see that so much water has come through that a .
basswood tree this big around was standing on it's tenacles ready to go. I went
by tonlght and turned left. I wlsh everyone of you members would drive down
that road, look into that intersection and see what you see now. The idea of
our preaching about environment ls ridiculous in vlew of these developments.
There's no means by which you can meet the two things. You've paved over most
of thls township, from here to the Minnesota-River. You're wondering if we've
23
City Council Meeting - July 13, 1992
got water problems and as you're suggesting tonight, you're still going to tax
and tax but we're going to call it a user charge. It's happenillg throughout
government and I'm not here to tell you what you should do. That's your
business but if you do it wrong, you're goi1~g to get sued. Finally, if an/body
here has been told that they won't be taxed, I remind them of 20 years ago. That
was the last time I appeared here. I presented a written statement to every
member of your Council and to Russ Larson, your attorney and got up and made the
same kind of a speech. Went over. Sat down. Russ Larson came over. After
consulting with you people, or your predecessors, he said Bob, you know we don't
intend to rul~ an assessment on that sewer down the creek. You aren't going to
use it. Why? Because 2 years before I had agreed that you could come in on the
north and do it. I was lied to. I was lied to by this Council. When I asked
Russ why they changed their minds, they said it was the Council and the
engineers. I've said enough.
Mayor Chmiel: Thanks Bob. Might I just add to that. The previous Councils
that you're talking about, and I don't know which one. I thought I just wanted
to clarify that.
Councilman Wing: Before we drop that subject. Is there a conceived drainage
problem runnlng north from thls?
Charles Folch: We were in fact just, as Donna mentioned, we were out there this
morning and I'm not aware of the pre-existing problem which Mr. Bouen has
described. Certainly I can get in contact ulth him and we can go out and meet
out there and take a look at what the situation is.
Robert M. Bowen: No. You do your own research. If you've got an engineer that
can't do it, I can't help.
Mayor Chmiel: I think what we'd like to do is sort of work with you Bob if we
can and maybe alleviate what that glven problem is. We're not sure what it is
and I'd even 11ke to come out and take a look at it as well.
Robert M. Bowen: You're welcome anytime.
Mayor Chmiel: Thank you.
Councilman Workman: If I might add that I have my own drainage problem in my
backyard due to no fault of my own. I've been building a home there and staff's
working wlth me to rectify it. There's about three different optlons. I thlnk
they do a good job of coming out there.
Mayor Chmiel: Yeah. I think this is something prior to our engineer as well so
it's something that we can take a look see on. Is there anyone else?
3oey Johnson: Hi. I'm Joe/ Johnson, 1275 Lilac Lane. I just have a couple
questions. I wanted to ask.
Mayor Chmiel: You live in Shorewood, is that correct? Are you in Chan?
Joey Johnson: Well, we're the Johnson's on, our house is in Chanhassen but our
mailbox ls ln. We're in that situation. I just wanted to ask when the
City council Meeting - July
barricade would be removed. Do we have any idea how soon that would be done?
Charles Folch: It'd be staff's recommendation to remove it immediately. In
discussing the project timing wlth at least for the Teton Lane improvements
which will be coordinated with the Ithillen subdivision, they will be moving on
a much faster pace than of course the Clty project wlll since we have a number
of steps we have to go through by law during the public process but I would
recommend that.
Mayor Chmiel: Right. Prior to taking out those abutments as I call them, I
would 11ke us to look at, from public safety standpoint, that 3 way stop. That
would have tendencies to slow down that trafflc as Donna had indicated. I don't
think that's too bad of an idea.
Charles Folch: Yeah, what I would recommend, as I explained to Donna, is that
once the subdivision has developed. All the homes are basically butlt, you have
the construction. The home bullder trafflc out of there and we're basically in
a normal traffic situation which wi11 probably take I would imagine a couple
years to get to that point. Once we have that normal stabilized traffic
pattern, then we can certainly take a look and evaluate and see how effective a
3 way stop would be there.
Mayor Chmiel: Well, I thlnk something should be done prior to that. Not just a
couple years from now because we did have complaints with speeds going through
that particular area and I think we also had some clocklng on it as well. Some
back information so something should be looked at so there is not that given
problem wlth those speeds along that street.
Charles Folch: Certainly we can, I can work with Scott and maybe we can set up
some routlne patrollng and some speed surveys out there to see what's happening
during construction. Certainly if there is speeding going on by construction
vehicles, etc. we can certainly cltate them accordingly. I really hate to be
premature and set up some sort of permanent signage if we only have some, what I
would conslder short term violators that are in the area. But certainly we'll
do whatever we can to mitigate the situation.
Mayor Chmiel: Nobody violates, they just drive fast. Check downtown. 50 mph
in a 30 mph zone.
3oey Johnson: My concern was just what you were talking about. I agree with
Donna or if you just look at the situation because we have, right now there'is
no place to... I too would like to thank the Councll and Clty Manager for the
way everything has gone. Thank you.
Mayor Chmiel: Thank you. Is there anyone else7
Stephen Dome: My name is Stephen Dome, 6398 Teton Lane. This is in regard to
the barricade comlng down. I think that we have flnally reached a point of
community and if we think of Chanhassen as coming to~ether, we can now have
neighborhoods whlch are not separated by an artificial barrier but once agaln we
can become a community. Thank you.
Mayor Chmiel: Thanks Steve. Is there anyone else?
City Council Meeting - July 13, 1992
Florence Natole: I just have to get up one more time.
Mayor Chmiel: If you didn't, I'd feel bad.
Florence Natole: Right. I figure, this is Florence Natole, 6251 Teton Lane and
I have fought so many battles but it sounds 11ks the war is already won by
someone else but what I got a klck out of was thls, when I got it. Donna got it
for me I should say. Saying how Shorewood, all the terrible things they've gone
through and all the complaints and all the problems they've got but they've
still got their barricade up. So it didn't do any good to do all this
complaining and I just thought, if it was that bad, how come they haven't
brought it before their Council and opened up. As far as our's belng a public
road, it never was until Curry Farms got in there. And Christmas Lake Road has
always been open because I used to stay in that little cabin. Those 11ttle
cabins there for the 4th of July. We used to go out there for famlly outlngs so
that Christmas Lake Road has always been open but once it was closed, it was
closed and that was the end of it. But I also have to say, if you're golng to
open it, it would be my intention that you open it right away so that all of the
traffic for buildlng and all these trucks and so on wlll be going through Curry
Farms.
Mayor Chmiel: Thank you Florence. Is there anyone else? As I mentioned, this
is a publlc hearing.
Richard Bloom: Good evening Mr. Mayor, members of the City Council. I'm
Richard Bloom representing the developer James Fenning. I just wanted to maybe
say a few thlngs. I'd 11ks to flrst of all thank your staff. Thls has been a
real naughty, difficult problem frankly to resolve. All the improvements that
we're talklng about here and Mr. Folch and Mr. Ash~orth and Mr. Krauss were very
helpful in worklng with us to come to the resolution that's being recommended by
your staff thls evenlng. We wholeheartedly support the recommendation that's
being offered by your staff this evening. If we could maybe ask one indulgence
from the Clty Counc11. It's taken a long tlme to resolve for thls improvement
project and our plat in effect, our flnal plat approval was conditioned upon
thls problem belng resolved, whlch hopefully this evenlng it ls. What we would,
we're intending to come back I believe at your next meeting with the final plat.
We'll have the plans and specs for our private improvements including Teton for
you and the development agreement I believe will be before you that evenlng as
well. What we mlght ask ls if you empower your staff this evenlng, if we could
maybe get our site grading started. We're anxious frankly to get going on the
development. We're very wllling to comply wlth, I kno~ there's Watershed
District approvals and permits. We need to do that. Eroslon control and
bonding. We're not suggesting those be walved. We'll gladly comply with all of
those but as I understand your staff can only issue a grading permit of up to
1,000 yards administratively. If you want more than that, basically it requlres
Council action. So I guess we would first of all support the project
recommendations thls evenlng and maybe ask if Council could posslbly give us
some consideration to allowing your staff to lssue the grading permit subject to
thelr requirements. Whatever they may lmpose upon us. Thank you.
Mayor Chmiel: Charles, do you have any problems with that?
26
City Council Meeting - July 13, 1992
Charles Folch: Taking into consideration some of the external time control
project schedule control factors ~hich the developer did not have basically
control over or input on, I would say that if staff, if the developer could
provide staff with a grading plan ~hich we could review and approve
administratively, I think that would be acceptable if the Council's willing.
That'd be acceptable under these circumstances to allow the grading to take
place.
Mayor Chmiel: Is there anyone else at this particular time? As I mentioned,
this lsa publlc hearing.
Randy Karl: I'm Randy Karl, 6391 Teton Lane and I just wondered if we could get
some clarification. I know we've talked about what immediate is with the
barricades come down. What that means to the City and stuff. Taking it down.
I think when the barricades was put up, it was supposed to be put up immediately
and it took about a year and a half or so for that to happen. What timeframe
would we expect if that's to happen?
Mayor Chmlel: I think the availability of our particular people to be able to
get there to make that removal. What their workframe t$ right now, I can't tell
you.
Randy Karl: Is that like weeks? Days? Months?
Don Ashworth: Maybe Charles. One of the things I'm concerned with is if
they've got graders in and movlng heavy equipment, I think that that has to be
taken into consideration there as well. Our physically being able to going out
and lifting the J barriers, that doesn't present a problem in my mind. But
we're still looking to the safety of the vehicles and the neighborhood and if
there ls major gradlng, I thlnk that should be taken into consideration there as
well. Charles.
Charles Folch: Well I agree. I agree.
Don Ashworth: Would you like to make a guess as to time?
Charles Folch: We could probably have the situation cleared by the end of the
week.
Bill Engelhardt: Could I comment on that?
Mayor Chmiel: Sure, go ahead.
Bill Engelhardt: Teton Lane is going to be totally under construction. If
you're talking sewer and water so it might be beneficial to leave those
barricades up until that road is fully improved, curb and gutter and accepted by
the City along with Teton Lane and then open it up as one project.
Mayor Chmiel: That's a good recommendation. Good idea.
Randy Karl: I'd just like to point out that anybody that drives down Powers
Blvd., TH 5 realizes they're driving through a lot of grading and construction
and I think the State and everybody is accommodating that situation. If you go
27
City Council Meeting - July 13, 1992
over on Lake Lucy Road they're doing a lot of grading and construction trucks
out there. And I think you can manage that issue. I would like to point out
again that we've had a couple times where emergency vehicles couldn't go through
there and I'd hate to think that if we've got the road under construction, the
proper barricade should be set up for the construction issues and identified
appropriately but just to leave the barricades up because we know we're going to
do some work and do those things, might not be appropriate tomorrow. Might not
be a good day fo)' somebody in the area. Again, we've had those situations a
couple times. We've been lucky. I don't think anybody wants to see someone not
be attended to appropriately by fire and safety vehicles and I'd really
encourage the City to move on this right away and not take that risk for any
folks that live in that area and then address the construction under the
appropriate action that you would normally do for that kind of work.
Mayor Chmiel: Right. I think as we're looking at it, as you've indicated, it's
been a year and a half in it's timeframe since it's been installed and I am
hopeful too that there's no need for emergency vehicles within that area. 8ut I
think from a safety aspect, that right now with what they're going to do through
there would be a good recommendation as they've indicated before.
Don Ashworth: If I might. They're correct. For the next meeting we're
proposing to have the development contract and the final plat approval, etc..
Hopefully by that time we will have a better idea as to the specific schedule
that they're looking at for the installation of the sewer, the water, the
streets. If, as a part of this item, the next agenda, potentially we could,
we'd be in a better position to respond to that question and I totally agree
with the individual who just spoke that we should keep the road open. But as
Charles said, I think for the most part the road is going to disappear during
the construction of the sewer and water line. And I think by our next meeting
we'll have a pretty good handle on how long that will take to take and get the
sewer and water and street back to a condition that's driveable.
Charles Folch: I was just going to add to that. That maybe one thing we can
consider with the approval of plans and specs for the project is that the
barricades, you know at contractor's discretion, the barricade, the permanent
type could be removed and more construction type barricades could be installed
which allows the contractor access in and out of that point and would also allow
for emergency access from that end also.
Mayor Chmiel: Okay, good. Thank you. Is there anyone else? Seeing none, I'll
make a motion or make a request to have a motion to close the public hearing.
Councilwoman Oimler moved, Councilman Mason seconded to close the public
hearing. All voted in favor and the motion carried. The public hearing was
closed.
Mayor Chmiel: Discussion. No discussion.
Councilman Wing: I was through there today and the only thing I found
undriveable about the area was the barricade and it's difficult to turn around.
I don't see why, if the road's going to be torn up and undriveable and
unuseable, you might as well take them down, enjoy 2 days of peace and move on.
I don't know if there's any hazards involved in not taking them down right away.
28
City Council Meeting - July 13, 1992
And it's not a thoroughfare. It's a very limited, isolated corner. Otherwise,
I'm comfortable with all this.
Mayor Chmiel: Is there any other discussion? ursula?
Councilwoman Oimler: I guess as I was listening to some of the concerns here,
Mr. Bowen's especially, I would like to see his concerns about the drainage
addressed and see if there really is a problem there. I think it might be a
good idea for all of us to go out there on a scheduled meeting even because the
way he makes it sound, it sounds like a major issue. Also I agree with Bonna
Pickerd's concern about the 3 way stop. I think that's legitimate. I also
would like to know, and [ still haven't heard anything about the agreement with
Shorewood. Do we have a construction and maintenance agreement on Lilac Lane
with them?
Charles Folch: Currently at this time Shorewood maintains Lilac Lane and it's
our anticipating from talking to them previously that they will continue to
maintaln Lilac Lane once construction is completed.
Councilwoman Oimler: Okay. We're doing construction and they're doing
maintenance?
Charles Folch: That's correct.
Mayor Chmiel: Is there anyone here from Shorewood? We did send out letters to
them as well.
Florence Natole: They're havlng their own meeting tonight.
Mayor Chmiel: We should have had a combination.
Florence Natole: On Byerly's.
Mayor Chmiel: No, I don't want to be in that one. Thanks. We have our own
grocery store. Any other discussion?
Councilman Mason: I was just going to make a real quick comment on what Mrs.
Plckerd said. I think thls is one of those cases that for the most part, after
people got together, everything worked out. I know there's some consternation
about the barricade coming down but other than that I think thls is a case where
everyone worked hard and got a good solution. I think it's great.
Mayor Chmiel: Right. Ursula.
Councilwoman Oimler: I guess I'd like to say too, you know I hadn't made up my
mind about the barricade before I came here. I was listening for the public
comments and I was really glad to see that there was a consensus to take it down
and I guess miracles never cease. It's like the Berlin Wall coming down.
Councilman Mason: I don't know about that.
Mayor Chmiel: Maybe with that I'll call the question. Tom.
29
City Council Meeting ~ July 13, 1992
Councilman Workman: I still am concerned about, I know Mr. Karl is anxious to
get that thing down. In fact he offered to take it down...and I guess maybe we
should start getting used to it opened. I guess maybe it will take time for the
Karl's and the Euald's up there to try and... I do feel...our staff and
ever/body's been able to work things out. We didn't get to hear from Mr. Natole
tonight at all or the past couple meetings but it's nice to know that perhaps
things have kind of worked out. I got to know Donna Pickerd a little bit with
our dancing daughters and things but maybe the people on the other side of the
barricade, the Karl's and Euald's, etc. can help to try and self monitor and
keep an eye on the traffic speed. I know that on my own road and my own
cul-de-sac, that's what we do with each other. You know when somebody's in the
neighborhood that doesn't live there because they're going fast because we don't
because there's a lot of kids. So a lot of changes on the north side of the
barrier and so if they can be extra careful about it.
Mayor Chmiel: Very good. With that I'll call a question.
Resolution ~92-79: Councilwoman Oimler moved, Councilman Workman seconded to
approve the feasibility report and supplement dated 3uly 9, 1992 for the
installation of street and storm drainage improvements to Lilac Lane between
County Road 17 and Teton Lane contingent upon the developer for the Ithilien
subdivision waiving his right to a public hearing, accepting a 20~ assessment of
the smaller project cost, and agreeing to pay the full costs of the larger Teton
Lane project (curb and gutter, street expansion, sewer and water extension,
etc., including barricade removal). In addition, the connection charge for the
storm sewer improvements to Lilac Lane be adopted for the Johnson, Pickard,
Ware, and Natole properties for collection at such time that future subdivision
would occur at any of these properties based on a rate of $2,687.00 per acre of
contributing area as presented in the revised cost schedule and annually
adjusted for installation based on construction cost index. All voted in favor
and the motion carried unanimously.
Councilman Wing: Could I clarify? Is the barrier coming down now?
Hayor Chmiel: No. Until they determine when the best time is really to have it
down.
PUBLIC HEARING: VACATION OF A PORTION OF DRAINAGE AND UTILITY EASEUENT OVER.
THAT PART OF THE WEST 5 _FEET OF THE EAST iQ FEET OF LOT 1. BLOCK 2, COUNTRY
pAKS, 3931 ~OUNTRY OAKS DRIVE, MARK AND JULIE GRUBE.
Public Present:
Name Address
Jim & Ruth Boylan
6760 Minnewashta Parkway
Kate Aanenson: Legend Home is representing the applicant. This was an incident
where the applicant came in for a building permit. Staff does a check on thls.
This shows a 10 foot setback whlch is required by Code. Unfortunately thls lsa
10 foot utility easement which doesn't allow encroachment. Upon inspection by
the Bulldlng Department at the time of final permlt, it was noted that thls
really is a drainage and utility easement. Normally a window well or certain
30
City Council Hooting - July 13, 1992
architectural features, bay windows, fireplaces are allowed to encroach into a
sideyard setback. But because this a drainage and utility easement, that is not
permitted. Another anomaly is that normally our easements are $ feet. For some
reason a 10 foot utility easement was put on this. There is no utilities in
thls easement. Staff feels comfortable vacatlng that and turning it into a $
foot utility easement. Therefore he meets all the requirements of the zone and
there should be no problem. So this doesn't requlre a variance. It's strlctly
just a vacation of the easement down to 5 feet. The only recommendation that we
would have is that the applicant pay for any recording fees.
Mayor Chmiel: Okay. Is there anyone wishing to address this issue at this
time? This is a public hearing.
James Boylan: James 8oylan. I live at 6760 Hinnewashta Parkway. Hy wife and I
are co-owners of the property that immediately adjolns this area and we have a
little bit of a problem and have had since the beginning of this house
construction. There seems to be a problem wlth Legend Homes buildlng too big a
house on that lot and needing some of ours. About 1,400 square feet at last
measurement, of our property that has been encroached on. The City has
constantly told us that this was a civil matter and that they couldn't do
anything about it. And I guess my questlon to you tonlght is, okay. Then who's
responsible for the proper drainage of this land if this is a drainage easement?
We already have 3 feet of dirt on our property that we didn't contract for in
the first place and another foot of mud that has washed down and I have pictures
if you'd care to see them. If you are interested I will show you. But I guess
at this point in time, I'd like to know who's responsible and who we name on the
civil action as being responsible for this, because there will be.
Kate Aanenson: Can I clarify that issue?
Mayor Chmiel: Go ahead Kate.
Kate Aanenson: I was called to go look at the property. The original plot line
did show the drainage but it doesn't drain into Mr. Boylan's property. There is
an ongoing dispute. I was called to go out to look at, there is some dralnage
going onto his property right now where the window well is in this area right
here. We did tell the homeowners that they would need to provide eroslon
control at this time. There is a dispute. When the foundation went in, it's my
understanding that some trees were knocked down on Mr. Boylan's property.
James Boylan: Some trees? 1,400 square feet of our woods.
Kate Aanenson: I'm just explaining to you what the facts are as I understand
them. And that there's been a dispute between the homeowners complaining about
miscellaneous materials being on Hr. Boylan's property. It's all been turned
over. Someone's been speaking to the Attorney's office and there has been
complaints flled with our community service officers have inspected both
properties. As far as this issue, as far as the home size fitting on there, it
really meets all the requirements of the zone. They chose to place it as they
saw fit, which is their right to do. How to place it on the lot. It does meet
all the standards of the zone and there lsa dispute between the two property
owners to some of those issues but we've asked them, there is right now some
dralnage golng on. ~ went out there Friday and ~ spoke to your attorney. I did
31
City Council Meeting - July 1,3, 1992
ask the homeowners to put up erosion control on that side where it is currently
draining. It's my understanding that they will be doing that and that they're
going to be putting sod in shortly and also a retaining wall on that side.
James Boylan: Mr. Mayor, Councilmen, Councilwoman Oimler. I really would like
to address you on this polnt of, I have heard so many promises as how Legend
Homes was going to take care of things. I've been hung up on them. By those
people. I've been told that ift want to take them to clvll actlon, I'd better
have my ducks in a row. We have gone through 6 months of a lot of trouble and a
lot of problems just trylng to get our ducks in a row. We had a survey done on
the property to find that the corner iron had been dug up in that corner of our
property that locates that by the bullder. Before we could get in and replace
the corner iron, our surveyor had marked that property with the proper stake and
properly marked. They came in and relandscaped. Dumped more dlrt on top and he
had to go back to the government monument and resurvey it again because they had
buried that corner 1ton and it is the startlng locatlon for our property from
the government monument. I think that thls is just ridiculous that we're unable
to keep these people out of our property. I have put up a fence. A
construction fence that was meant to be temporary. I have been cited by this
clty that it didn't meet aesthetically wlth thelr values but it seems to be
alright for them to come in, tear up our yard, cause us all this expense just to
prove that we've been wrong and end up ina civll matter over thls. Thls is
just ridiculous and I'm, the day that I went to take the fence out of the
property and I had marked that fence 6 lnches lnslde our property 11ne just to
keep them out and doing more damage and I had to go in and take it out because
in 10 days I had 90 days in ia11 or a $700.00 flne or both, if I didn't comply.
$o I complied. My van got stuck in that mud that's back there because of
lmproper drainage. Now who's responsible? I have already talked to the new
owners. They feel it's the builder. The builder wants to get out of it and
make ita clty problem and that's I guess fine wlth me, lt's just a matter of
okay, who's got the buck here people? I mean you know, do we allow people to
come in and do thlngs in an area where we have plenty of land out here. I thlnk
a 10 foot setback is ridiculous in the flrst place on the slde given the amount
of land and lots that we usually bulld on here and the klnds of respect that we
have. That means that if you allow them that easement to put in that egress,
and I don't know, if you'd 11ks to turn that on agaln, I have a question for
you. I'd like to know why they needed to come in on this egress. Excuse me.
Here's the area where that wlndow well comlng lnto the property and I don't see
it right now. How come lt's not on there? Oh, this is the one. Right here.
Okay, it's in so that lt'~ wlthin 6 feet of our property 11ne. Now, what I was
told was that that's pe~'fectly legal due to an interpretation of the rules and
ordinances. That it falls under the same thlng as a chlmney or an overhang or
some other such, you know somewhat temporary things. I think that's stretching
ita bit when you consider it lsa piece of the foundation just 11ks it was the
basement. It goes all the way down to the footing level of the basement and
lt's a major part. And if you look, there's a pretty substantial back yard
there that they could have put that in without going into that easement in the
first place. Why did they do it, in that particular spot and then encroach that
close on our property? And I guess the third thlng ls that I wouldn't mind so
much except for the fact that they also chewed out 1,400 square feet of our
property in the construction of this house and in that area where they built
that plece and I'm real concerned rlght now because it ls improperly graded.
32
City Council Meeting - July 13, 1992
ImproperIy draining and it is draining on our property and I think that they
want to get out of this and make it a city problem. I rest my case.
Mayor Chmiel: Thank you. I don't want the problem for the City. I think, and
maybe being we have our counselor here, I'd like to ask his opinion being we're
paying him such a high salary.
Roger Knutson: We're looking at one discreet issue on your agenda. That ls, do
you need the easement or don't you need the easement. This issue is really
apart from what the next door nelghbor has done to bls property. If engineering
and planntng say you don't need the easement, then you don't need it. You don't
have to glve it away. It's your property lnterest and you can say no, we're
going...whether we need it or not. We own it and we can keep it. That's apart
from the other problem. From what I've heard, keeping that easement will not
solve the problems between the neighbors.
Mayor Chmiel: Very good. Is there anyone else at this tlme that would like to
address this issue? This is a public hearing. If seeing none, I'll suggest we
close the public hearing. Can I have a motion?
Councilman Wing moved, Councilman Workman seconded to close the public hearing.
voted in favor and the mot/on carried. The publtc hearing was closed.
Mayor Chmiel: Being there's concerns here, as was indicated, that there's
feet in hls property llne I think as you've indicated.
Ruth Boylan: No, it's from.
Mayor Chmiel: From?
James Boylan: 6 feet from our property. That's not a problem. It's just the
fact that I'm worried about who's got the respons£biltty for doing proper
drainage there. There's other damage that is a civil manner and has llttle to
do with the City Council. It will be addressed, believe me. But the problem
here ls that there's also the dralnage problem and I don't want Legend Homes to
feel that they can escape from a duty of proper drainage and dump it on the
City.
Mayor Chmiel: No, and I wouldn't even accept it from the City because I think
it's the responsibility of that developer who's putting that project in to
provide that klnd of elimination for you.
James Boylan: Could I request that the City Attorney or somebody else from the
City send us a letter stating that they feel that it ls Legend Homes'
responsibility for the drainage problem so that we don't have the buck passed
around here.
Kate Aanenson: I spoke to him on the phone Friday and told him that speclflc
issue. He had to solve that immediately and eng£neering confirmed that. Yes,
with Legend Homes and the homeowner. ! called them both and your attorney and
told them that. That they had to have that resolved. Immediately.
33
City Council Meeting ,- July 13, 1992
James Boytan: I would like something from the City please in writing that
states that they will agree to that.
Roger Knutson:
letter.
I don't know if they'll agree to it but we can urlte the
James Boylan: Well, that it's not the City's problem because they're golng to
come back and say, no, no. The City of Chanhassen, lt's their problem and it's
going to get just.
Councilman Wing: Right now they're on, excuse me. Did you open this up?
Mayor Chmiel: No, but you've got it.
Councilman Wing: I know my place.
Hayor Chmiel: Okay. Ursula.
Councilwoman Oimler: I guess I still have one, we're only vacating 5 feet.
There will still be a 5 foot easement there?
Kate Aanenson: Yes.
Councilwoman Dimler: So in case we have any drainage or any other utilities
[hat need to go there in the future, there will be room?
Kate Aanenson: Correct.
Mayor Chmiel: Are they going to rip rap that or you sald they're going to put
grass on the retaining portion?
Kate Aanenson: They're going to put a retaining wall and seed or sod. There's
ilo seed or sod on the property either. That's part of the erosion problem.
Councilman Workman: That is all we need to do? I mean is that all we can do?
James Boylan: Are they going to remove the extra dirt that they put on our
property?
Mayor Chmiet: That again will be between you and them.
Councilman Workman: Well you know, there's some people building a home right
next to me and they took a couple of edges of my sod that I just lald and Z can
understand where he's irritated if one tenth of what happened to his property
happened because you get a 11ttle sick and tlred of the construction guys.
see the construction guys ill the back there.
James Boylan: Would you like to see the pictures?
Councilman Workman: I'd love to. And so I know it's very frustrating and very
irritating because they really don't take lnto account the fact that somebody's
actually living in my home you know and they are using my power and water. But
anyway, so I don'[ know that we can do anything other than to, as Kate has
34
City Council Meeting - July 13, 1992
already suggested to the builder. You didn't have a drainage problem there
before. You shouldn't now. But does that hold any teeth? For anybody?
Mayor Chmiel: I think that's a litigation problem that has to take place.
Councilman Workman: Does the City have to pursue the drainage problem from on
Legend Home? Who does?
Roger Knutson: I have not looked at this issue. We can look and see whether
there are any Code's they're violating.
Councilman Workman: Altering an easement?
Mayor Chmiel: Kate, what'd you have to say?
Kate Aanenson: Oh I just say as far as setbacks, there isn't any. I know that
someone from Pubiic Safety has taiked to EIiiott, yes and he is aware of the
probiem.
Mayor Chmiel: Okay, Michael. Do you have any?
Councilman Mason: No. If staff is okay with the vacation of it. And obviously
there's another problem that needs to be dealt with here but we're dealing with
this one particular situation.
Mayor Chmiel: Richard.
Councilman Wing: Don, if this is an ongoing problem and I was out there
probably several months ago and I saw where they came and rather handily mowed
down, although this ls noninhabited, forested area which would be really easy to
move into slightly. Nonetheless it was Mr. Boylan's property and by vacating
thls we klnd of solve the problems for the owner and Legend Homes. I guess the
teeth we do have is to table this for a couple weeks and have Roger and everyone
else clarlfy lt. Maybe I'll go out and look at it and before we vacate it,
being we're helping them out in the process of doing that, make sure they're
helplng out the problem by their actlon. So I would move we table thls until
the next agenda pending clarification of the situation.
Mayor Chmiel: Okay.
Councilwoman Oimler: Second.
Councilman Wing moved, Councilwoman Dialer seconded to table the vacation of a
portion of the drainage and utility easement over that part of the ~est 5 feet
of the east 10 feet of Lot 1, Block 2, Country Oaks for 2 weeks until the City
Council meeting dated 3uly 27, 1992 for further clarification. ~11 voted in
favor and the motion carried unanimously.
35
City Council Meeting -- July 13, 1992
NON-CONFORHING USE PERHIT FOR A RECREATIONAL BEACHLOT FOR HINNEWASHTA HEIGHTS
HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION.
Public Present:
Name Addres~
Fran Faber
Morris Mullin
John Merz
Ralph Hegman
Mary Jo Moore
3471 Shore Drive
3451 Shore Drive
3900 Lone Cedar
3311 Shore Drive
Dartmouth Drive
Kate Aanenson: Let me just clarify in case there's some ambiguity. This is
Minnewashta Heights. I know the packet went out with the cover of Minnewashta
Creek. Located on Lake Minneuashta...approximately 74 homes in this area. The
beachlot does not meet the 200 feet of lake frontage requirement or the 30,000
square foot minimum area. It has 50 feet of frontage and is approximately 7,500
square feet in area. The staff did do a survey of this beachlot in 1981 and
found that there was 6 boats at the dock, although there appeared to be a total
of 14 slips. We're not really sure what that means. If there was space
inbetueen or there appeared that there was rope at the dock. I'm not sure.
Whoever did the inventory at that time just noted that there appeared to be 14
spaces. The dock at that time was 150 feet in length. In addition, the survey
showed that there was 2 canoe racks with space for 12. It's questionable
whether or not the dock, it fits within the setback zone. Myself, I've had
engineering out there eyeballing it. It's questionable. It looks like it may
be encroaching the dock setback zone so one of the recommendations in the next
year that they comply with that and make sure that there's a 10 foot. In
addition the swimming, since this beachlot is only 50 feet and they do have a
significant width to the dock, the swimming each really is pretty narrow. I
want to make sure that any swimming is not encroaching onto the neighboring
property. The Planning Commission concurred and felt like the 14 boats that the
Association was requesting was consistent what they felt was documented in
'81. The Homeowners Association did supply documentation of their Minutes for
the last several years and they had in that 17 names on that list.
Mayor Chmiel: Can you clarify that? The last time they had that with their
Association as to the date? Minutes or whatever they had to substantiate.
Kate Aanenson: What these are? It's documentation showing how many boats were
authorized for use in the different years. I think it goes back to 1979, '78.
In that year 1981 they showed 17 names, although they're saying 14 people...
they've got actual drawings of where those slips would be located. So basically
the Planning commission concurred with what the Association was requesting.
Mayor Chmiel: Thank you. Is there anyone wishing to make a statement from the
Association? Yes sir. Would you please state your name and your address
please.
Fran Faber: I'm Fran Faber at 3471 Shore Drive. It's the property immediately
adjoining the recreational park. I just wanted to make a little bit of a
statement concerning the background on this. I moved out here in 1963 and
36
City Council Meeting - July 13, 1992
immediately upon arriving out there I found out that 25 feet of my land, my lake
space had been used for a recreational park. I also noted that Mr. Mullin's
and Mr. Loeber', Mr. Lemke, Mr. Fowler and Z were members of a Minnewashta
Heights Beach Committee and that we were responsible for the overseeing of the
use of the land. I don't think the author of this particular statement of using
2S feet on each side giving us a total of 50 feet of lakeshore really envisioned
how much the changes of the future were going to put pressure on the use of this
particular area. There has been, at the beginning, the use of small boats. But
as time has gone along, these boats have increased in size and have increased in
number and have now sometimes included pontoon boats. Z think that as time went
along we realized that the possibility of liability was going to be there and so
we asked the Minneuashta Heights Homeowners Association if they wanted to take
over on the overseeing of this particular property. After a mutual agreement,
they decided to do this. $o nou the overseeing of this particular property is
in the hands of the Minneuashta Heights Homeowners Association. I would like to
just make a couple of observations because I have seen some things that I'm not
pleased with it. First I have had children swimming in our area and the people
have come out of the slips of this particular park area and have immediately
proceeded to the west which immediately crosses our swimming area. And when
small children are swimming out there and dive and keep themselves underwater
some of the time, it's very easy for the boat to go by and a propeller to hit
them. Luckily to date nothing has happened along this line but I'd like to
certainly set up guidelines that will prevent this kind of a thing in the
future. There's also some skiing done in this particular area and again, the
same risk is present. I hope we can set some precedence in this particular
decision that you people are making that will help to increase safety and
increase the possible satisfaction to all the people involved. For myself, I'm
perfectly willing and satisfied if the offsets on the property lines are
maintained. I do not like to see these abused. Also, I think that most of the
problems can be solved in a friendly, neighborly way with this Minneuashta
Heights Beach Association. Bill Finlayson and I have over a period of time
developed a friendship and I'm sure that we can work out. things that will meet
with the mutual approval of all of us. I just wanted to make a comment that
we've certainly enjoyed our stay in Minnewashta Heights. Our property. We like
the setting and we hope that ue can make it safe so that when we sell our
property, which is going to happen in the future, that they too will receive the
benefits and enjoy it as much as we have. Thank you.
Mayor Chmiel: Thank you. Is there anyone else?
Morris Mullin: My name is Morris Mullin. I live at 3451 Shore Drive. I'm on
the other side of the access in that area from Fran Faber. I moved there about
3 years after he did. Built a house there. Raised my children there. I concur
fully Feally with everything that Fran has said. We, at the present time in my
opinion, have the friendliest, hardest working, most agreeable people in that
area that we've had in my experience there. I'm very pleased about that. I
feel happy and comfortable there. We do have problems down at the beach but I
feel that most of them we can resolve internally in our own family in the
Heights area. Z hope that this can continue to be so. I'd like to thank
B£11Finlayson and that group. They've worked very hard, especially this year
in maintaining that property down there and things have gone extremely well. If
ue can maintain this kind of a relationship in the area, ue should very seldom
37
City Council Meeting - July 13, 1992
have to come here and ask for your help. We appreciate your understanding and
thanks for this opportunity to speak.
Mayor Chmiel: Thank you Morris. Is there anyone else?
Joh~ Metz: My name is John Metz. I live at 3900 Lone Cedar. I'm not adjacent
to the Minnewashta Heights landing at all but I do have a question for the
Council as it relates to this issue. What it really relates to is the 1982
baseline. Planning Commission had voted to uphold the '82 baseline. This
Council itself had voted to uphold the '82 baseline and it's to my understanding
that it is the burden of proof, and I use that statement as has occurred here
before. That the burden of proof as to the number of boats that should apply to
these recreational beachlots is what is in fact existed at the time that the '82
ordinance vas enacted. This '82 ordinance, I remember being in these Council
chambers when that vas enacted and it was virtually a war that went on here to
enact that. We have a good ordinance. It's in place. It seems to be well
founded and uell thought out but for some reason, when we come to the absolute
adhering to the '82 baseline that we've ail supported, we seem to abandon these
thoughts and I just, not personal because of Trolls Glen. That's a separate
issue and I don't even like to mention it in here but in regards to Trolls Glen
and in regards to all these issues on all the lakes, it vas repeatedly set out
and con¢irmed by ail of us here that the '82 baseline vas going to be adhered
to. And it seems to me, from what I've seen so far, we're not exactly adhering
to our own recommendations and I really think that we should be more cautious in
how we approach that. I mean the 'Sa baseline is the '82 baseline. It doesn't
say how many were planned to be there. How many were there and the burden of
proof belongs to the people that are applying in this permit process. I know
you all know my position and I appreciate your time hearing me. Thank you very
much.
Ralph Hegman' Mr. Mayor and Councilpeople. My name is Ralph Hegman. I live on
3311 Shore Drive. We have lived in that house for 4 years. I have absolutely
no quarrel with the Minnewashta Heights additional boat slips. I do also have a
question however though on the baseline. When we moved in 4 years ago we chose
Minneuashta as a lake to live on after looking at many different places. On
Lake Minnetonka and other lakes in the area and ue chose Lake Minneuashta for a
number of reasons but one of them was because it did not have a heavy, heavy
lake useage. That's one of the things that does concern us is the, I have never
come to one of these meetings before although I've had other notifications in
the past couple of years about adding slips to various places around the lake. I
guess my main concern is that if you have established a baseline, regardless of
what the needs are, whether you have some developer coming in from the outside
that wants to take up a lot that's 50 feet or 75 feet or 100 feet long, and nov
rLLn out basically a marina for additional slips or if it's adding 1 or 2 boat
slips, I think that the integrity of your initial baseline should be what's
upheld. Again I think it's the safety and the number of boats should be a main
concern and one of the main issues. Thank you ver,y much.
Mayor Chmiel: Thank you Ralph. Anyone else?
Mary Jo Moore: Good evening. Mary Jo Moore. I'm on Dartmouth Drive. Lake
Minnewashta. I just have to state that the property, the adjacent proeprty
owners in this case apparently have no objection to this the way it's been set
38
City Council Meeting - July 13, 1992
up. I think it's very unsafe. I think 14 boats in a 50 foot lot is almost
unheard of. However I must again state that we have stick with our '82 baseline
which was your predecessor's did a good study of it and I grew up on Lake
Minnetonka. I saw that go from a very safe, fun lake to one that's just
treacherous. I was there a couple weeks ago and it was not very much fun. I
also lived at Lotus Lake for 10 years. I saw that go from a very nice lake to
one way traffic. We did do the '82 for a reason and we had the saw, we had the
foresight to stick to it and let's continue to do that. Thank you. Oh, I do
have one question, if I may. Once this has been established, I'm really
questioning the whole procedure here. On the Pleasant Acres I believe it was,
was allowed 10 boats. Two weeks ago there were 1Z. This weekend there were i5.
How do we control it?
Kate Aanenson: What we decided to do is, because it's going to take a long time
to get through all the non-conforming beachlots, that we said the ordinance,
they had to be into compliance one year from the ordinance that we adopted.
That they come into compliance which is February, I can't remember the exact
date. I believe 24th, 1993. Because we figure the ones that we took through
the process first, it wouldn't be fair to the ones that we're getting towards
the end so basically this year we're trying to take them through the process but
next year anybody that exceeds the permit number, call the City and we'll go out
and cite them.
Mary 30 Moore: So you're going to rely on the residents of the lake to report
any overage?
Kate Aanenson: Yes.
Mary Jo Moore: Okay, thank you.
Mayor Chmiel: Is there anyone else? Okay. Seeing none, I'll bring it back to
Council. Michael.
Councilman Mason: What John just was talking about really hit home and I got
one of my occasional flashes of hopeful intelligence. And you know, it's too
bad that lt's taken 9 years to revlslt thls and I thlnk that's the issue because
so much happens in 9 years. Party A says this. Party B says that. I'm in the
mlddle. You're over there. Someone's over there. And no one knows. Burden of
proof. In this situation there were only 6, or what. 7 boats there but it was
clear that there were moorings for more boats so you assumed they were out. You
know how do we deal with that. I'm hoping that from now on people will be
maklng periodlc checks and seelng that whoa, there are 2 more boats than are
supposed to be there and I would be very surprised if there wasn't fairly
immediate actlon. But I really thlnk one of the problems, I think the biggest
problem in this whole thing is we're trying to figure out something that
happened 9 years ago and we don't have, unfortunately very accurate records on
it which is too bad because I think the lake has suffered because of it.
However I think with this process in place now, hopefully that part of the lake
suffering and that doesn't make it any fewer boats. I understand that. That is
an aside. I was down at that beachlot today and it certainly is very well kept
up. I'm very impressed. It is very small and it is very crowded and I too
share the concerns of the adjoining neighbors about encroachment, although I was
also very encouraged to hear both gentlemen think that it can be worked out. I
39
City Council Meeting -.July 13, 1992
hope so. Z can certainly see wlth boats golng in and out of there, how it would
be extremely dangerous for kids swlmmlng on elther slde there. I'm not quite
sure how we can address that but I certainly hope we do before we approve thls.
Because it's small. It's very well kept up. Don't get me wrong. Obviously
people care about what's going on on that beachlot but lt's very small.
Mayor Chmiel: Right. I was there yesterday and looked at that with Councilman
Wing. And you're right, maintenance is done real well but itls narrow.
Thomas.
Councilman Workman: There appears to be, am I hearing correctly an encroachment
on the setback of another parties next door from this?
Mayor Chmiel: Basically I think what they're saying is the boats that are out
there are within that 10 foot from the property line over. As you take a site
11ne and look out to the lake.
Councilman Workman: Had the Planning Commission addressed that or are we
addressing that?
Mayor Chmiel: Yeah.
Kate Aanenson: What I sald ls that it appears to be mtnimal. It may be over
but they will have to rectify that. But agaln thls goes back to they have to
come into compliance by next summer. You know it sounds 11ke they're going to
try to work something out for the rest of this year.
Mayor Chmiel: Let me just interject something Tom. I tried to clarify it with
you. The fence that's up there, I stepped off 10 feet and then looked directly
out to the lake and it appears as though there ls that encroachment of that 10
feet.
Councilman Workman: Not only...?
Mayor Chmiel: Right. There's also an additional piece of dockage out there
that Z don't thlnk should be there. On the boats on the far outslde. Those
that are facing in with the canoples there. I don't think that should be an
extension of that particular dock elther but that maybe we can dlscuss too.
Councilman Workman: Well you know, along with Mr. Metz you know...and the
or '82 basellne and have we, I guess does the Councll feel satisfied that the
Planning Commission has stated that 14 is what they had because of what it
looked 11ke they had dockage for? Correct?
Kate Aanenson: Yes.
Councilman Workman: Which isn't an exact science. Although they show boat slip
assignments, etc.. Z mean it's such a hard and difficult thing at this point
for a Counc11 to have to try and make a declsion on on records kept by a
homeowners associations of how many boats. So you try and take a stance on what
apparently was the baseline, and I understand the work the prevlous Councll dld
but how do you prove other than thelr own and guesslng and using aerial
photographs or other, that say that lt's something different. How do you do
4O
City Council Nesting - 3uly 13, 1992
that? How do you penalize those other people? I mean I think we care and
understand, I think we do, that we want to preserve the lake. We've had to fret
over this thing and we're going to have to continue to do so on all these lakes.
It's a very, very tricky business without trying to take away from somebody what
they're used to having you know, if in fact they've had it. You know what I
mean? It's kind of, so it's very difficult situation. I don't want to,
Ursula's smiling at me. You like to see me squirm, but it's so difficult
because you can't, how can you make a decision because it is difficult. Other
than saying well, we think you have too many boats there so now we're going to
choose ?. How do you do that? And so that changes the values of properties
lnside the homeowners association and that's a whole other argument. $o I
guess I don't in this situation have anything to go on other than what staff and
what Plannlng Commission has declded. I don't know how else to make a decision.
Mayor Chmiel: Okay. Rlchard.
Councilman Wing: There's some pluses here. The first one is that Mr. Finlayson
has been commented tonight as doing a good job trying to work together with the
neighbors. I thlnk that's in everybody's best interest. I thlnk both neighbors
have suggested that as long as the city will put into effect here and enforce
the dock setback zones, that that not only protects the neighbors but 1n-fact I
think as Mr. Faber mentioned, satisfied his concern and gave him if you will
breathing room from infringement and then with the boat traffic getttng out to
the west or whatever direction it goes. In fact has a way to get out to the
lake without infringing directly onto the neighboring property. $o I thlnk
there are concerns for that but our only question tonight and the only question
we're addressing isn't safety or the position of the dock or anythlng else. I
mean they've gone from several small fishing boats to a11 20 foot boats. From
no boat 11frs to a lot of boat lifts and so have I. You know everything's
grown. We've all expanded. We've gotten bigger boats and going further so
those are moot polnts. It's just unfortunate. The questlon is actual use. Now
on the '81 and the '82 sketches, actually in '81 they don't have a sketch. In
'82 they show three 11nes of boats which is what they're attempting to do now.
The three lines of boats is what's caused the trouble in the past is that third
11ne has in fact infringed on neighboring properties but we still come down to
actual use. What were the actual number of boats and Kate has suggested, our
survey said G, ?, 8 or 9. Well I've 11red there for 27 years and I know for a
fact that it wasn't G boats. No question that that's not an accurate number so
scratch that one. $o then do we assume that this sketch they showed me from '82
is accurate where it says 187 Well it just happens for 1981 and 1982, Bert
Ackerman flew over and took aerlal photographs of the whole area and we have a
picture of what it looks like. So you go down and there's only 6 boats parked
there in the photograph but anybody wlth any brains can see that there's a slip,
a slip, a slip, a slip, a slip and so if you count the sltps, which is in fact
where the boats were, I came up wlth 12. It could have easily been 13. I can't
dispute it. They clearly didn't have 18 but I do see in the photograph they had
between 12 and 13 boats in two lines. And it's, so whether it's 1, 2 or 3
lines, again that isn't the problem so I see that the boat issue here is kind of
moot. Very little to be discussed. I think Plannlng Commission dld the best
they could and all I would ask is that as a part of this permit, whatever number
the Counc11 elects to go with, that the dock setback zone ordinance and section
be referenced in the permit so that subsequent officers from Minnewashta Heights
City Council Meeting - July 13, 1992
recognize that this is a restriction and a city ordinance that has to be
complied with. I don't see that they're going to have any trouble with it.
Councilman Workman: Well Richard then aren't you really saying that our so
called '82 baseline has a heck of a lot of holes in it?
Councilman Wing: Not all of them. This one. This one is not as accurate as it
could be. Absolutely. We've debated that all along. On the other hand, some
of the other ones are more clearcut. There vas a better count or more accurate
count. We could blow this picture up but I'm just telling you, we could
honestly, there's a boat here. A boat here. A boat here. Obviously there were
boats next to it so if we go out, we've got a total of 12 boats that I can see
easily for 1982. Now that doesn't reflect on, are we counting the summer of '82
or summer of '817
Kate Aanenson: '81.
Councilman Wing: '81. So I don't know what the argument is. I think they are
interested in pollcing themselves and I was happy to hear the neighbors
relatively comfortable wlth compliance and I thlnk that's a real important
issue. And unfortunately we all know that 14 boats, there's marina's on Lake
Mlnnetonka that would k111 to have that denslty. We're really getting up there
but on the other hand, the '82 ordinance was agreed to protect the existing
boats and if there were 11, 12, 13, 14 boats there, we agreed as part of this
compromise to that ordinance, to protect what existed. So as much as I'd like
to see fewer boats, I can't.
Councilman Workman: And maybe you can answer a philosophical question because
here I am a non, Z didn't have an opportunity to spend the nice evening on Lotus
the other nlght. I don't own a boat and I don't 1lye on a lake. Here I am a
cornfield dweller and I'm charged with preserving and protecting for the
homeowners of Lake Hlnnewashta and Lotus, thelr lake but I get the sneaklng
suspicion they don't, they only care beyond their own dock themselves. You know
what I mean? I mean I'm charged wlth it and I'm left at, thls ls maybe what I
was trying to get at. I'm left with feeling comfortable and guilty for trying
to plck a polnt in hlstory where we can say okay, thls is what you had. Right
or wrong. Too many or not enough. But everybody seems to be pointing at the
other guy and they've all got huge boats. What do you call them? A speed
whatever, rippers?
Councilwoman Dimler: Yeah.
Councilman Workman: You know, as a whole nobody cares about the lake.
Individually they all care about the lake but lt's reflecting wlth the home.
councilman Wing: I think it's frustrating with the lake owners because they
control 1,400 feet of lakeshore and have 14 boats on it and then 50 feet comes
along and that 50 feet has 14 boats. That's not right but that's the reason the
'82 ordinance was effected. They recognized that thls was going to become the
norm and the way of life and it wouldn't work. There are very few like
Minnewashta Helghts. We had what, 60 homes back in '81. Almost 70 homes in
vlrtue have been built and they all puddle down there and they all, it was just
a hlgh intensity use and it was one of the flrst ones in the city. And
City Council Meeting - July 13, 1992
Minnewashta Heights is probably one of them that prompted the alert that this
ordinance was needed. Nonetheless, those boats were there as I see it and under
thls ordinance are protected whether we 11ke it or not. All we ask is that they
stay off the neighbors properties and stay on their own property and that's why
that dock setback zone exlsts. That's been there all along and Z think they
have violated and that's why Mr. Faber was here tonight to point out that that
has been an lssue. If they w111 go along wlth that, Mr. Faber has no
complaints. Mr. Mullin has no complaints. I'm going to have a complaint?
I don't 1lye next to them. And I don't see, if there's anybody here that can
prove to me that they had less than 14 boats, good. They've kind of showed me
that they had 14 and I hate to admit It but that picture suggests they did too.
Mayor Chmiel: Okay, Ursula.
Councilwoman Dimler: I just want to clear up one thing. When Mr. Wing says
they, you're not a part of that association?
Councilman Wing: I'm part of Minnewashta Heights but not part of the beach.
Councilwoman Oimler: Because I have to say something and this is my
opportunity. Guess what? When Sunrlse Hills came up, I wasn't allowed to
discuss it because of conflict of Interest. You remember that?
Councilman Wing: Well I didn't have an opinion and I'm not.
Councilwoman Dimler: Okay, I'm Just kidding.
Councilman Wing: I'm not trying to set a precedent here at a11. I thought if
either staying out of this or addressing it from the podium until I realize
there are no lssues. The actual use is the only question.
Councilwoman Oimler: But I do get a kick out of you. You said anyone with a
brain could see that there were 14 slips and yet the boats, it shows only 6
boats. Well my parking lot issue was that exact same thing. We had plenty of
space for more and yet there were only 12 cars down there at one time so that's
what we were allowed to have. Can we change that now?
Councilman Wing: Well I'm surely pleased I was able to feed the fire.
Councilwoman Oimler: Just a little personal thing there. I guess we are
talklng about lg81. I keep hearlng '82.
Kate Aanenson: '82 is when the ordinance became effective in January so we have
to look at the level of use the summer before.
Councilwoman Dimler: At '81, okay? Alright. Looking at all this, I have the
same concerns that everybody else has but I can't prove that there weren't 14
there. I can't prove there were 6 there. It's really difficult for us to make
that decision. I really thlnk that again Plannlng Commission dld a good job
discussing it and seems to be in agreement so I would go along with the
recommendation.
City Council Meeting - July 13, 1992
Mayor Chmiel: I guess it'd be repetitious for me to say anything more but often
times when people go and buy property adjacent to lake, it always seems like not
all realtors, some realtors, really try to sell the issue on what you can do on
that particular lake. And by buying a home you're able to put a boat on that
lake. Until they start really understanding what it is and it isn't that way.
I think I mentioned this before on one of the others. I think when we
originally started these lots, they were designed purely I think for
recreational lots. That is swimming for the people who have the utilization of
that lot and the accessibility to the lake. And this is just my own thoughts.
But they probably didn't even include boats or thoughts of that into it. I
think that by looking at what the Planning Commission has gone through, I sort
of concur with it. I have some concerns with the setback of the 10 feet with
that site line. I have a little concern with the additional dockage which
extends beyond from where it's at and I don't know if that's a violation but I
think that should be looked at. But that 10 foot setback I think is something
that ue have to really closely watch. As I said, when I looked at that
yesterday, there was some encroachment that I feel is in there already with that
third row of boats that are sitting there. $o with that I guess.
Councilwoman Dimler: I'd like to make one more general comment in regards to
what was brought up about how we're going to police this. I guess I think it's
okay to have people call but I hate to leave it totally in that situation where
a nelghbor has to snitch upon neighbor. What I'd like to see is that we do a
surprlse check at least once a year.
Kate Aanenson: Yeah, I think we could check them all once but what I'm saying
is, 11ke we can make sure that the rlght length of dock ls out there but I'm
saylng, everyday we can't go out and check. If someone notices that there's
additional.
Councilwoman Dimler: Right. Right. Yeah. $o you're going to do a yearly
check?
Kate Aanenson: Yes.
Councilman Wing: Don, could I just make a general comment? This pertains to
all of these. The ones we're working on, whether it's Riley or Minnewashta or
Lotus, the ordinance we presently have doesn't allow any dock or any boat on a
recreational beachlots such as this so I think it really behooves these people,
Mlnnewashta Helghts, Pleasant Acres or whatever group, Sunrise Hllls, not to
abuse the intent of helping protect back in 1981 and '82. I think that there
was a real compromise made. The lake people cut down boats. Accesses were
closed. Numbers of boats were split between lake and non-lake. Then we start
intensifying and in the case of Mr. Faber, maybe infringing, they're really
abusing the intent of that ordinance and the protectiveness of that ordinance.
So I would just ask that all of these respect that posltlon and stay wlthln
their own bounds. I certainly expect Mr. Faber and Mr. Mullin to stay on their
own property and 11kewlse with the Helghts and agaln, I thlnk Mr. Flnlayson has
done an excellent job...supportive. Thank you.
Mayor Chmiel: Okay. Any other discussion? If hearing none, I'd like a motion.
Councilman Wing: In good faith I will be happy to abstain.
44
City Council Meeting - July 13, 1992
Councilwoman Dimler: That's two no votes right there.
Councilman Wing: [ guess I am bias enough on this issue that l, although
support your decision as I believe it's coming out so just for the record.
Mayor Chmiel: Is there a motion from the floor?
Councilman Workman: I would approve Minnewashta Heights non-conforming
recreational beachlot I guess per Planning Commission recommendation...
Mayor Chmiel: Is there a second?
Councilwoman Dimler: That includes the buoys for the beachlot to make that more
safe rlght? They were not there but we're recommending that they be put in.
Kate Aanenson: Buoys?
Councilwoman Oimler: Yeah.
Kate Aanenson: Yeah, the question is whether or not, if there are certain width
of a beachlot before you can put them in. We thought that would help delineate
the property lines to make sure that there's no encroachment.
Mayor Chmiel: Let me just get a clarification. I should have asked the
questlon before but I dldn't. Wlth those total numbers of boats and the canoe
rack that's located there, there are 4 canoes that were housed in the, what do
you call that? A skateboard, one of those wind sails appeared as though was on
there. In that, and by what I had seen here, they show that there are two canoe
racks consisting of those 4 additional and that's all part of the recommendation
by the Planning Commission.
Councilman Workman: Do we need to include also the setback?
Mayor Chmiel: I think that setback portion should be.
Councilman Workman: That they must.
Kate Aanenson: We're putting that in the letter to all of them but if you want
to add that again, that's great.
Councilman Workman: I guess I'd like to add it for emphasis and I mean that is
another ordinance.
Mayor Chmiel: Right. That's correct. Okay, motions on the floor with
clarification and second.
Councilman Workman moved, Councilman Mason seconded to approve the Mtnnewashta
Heights Non-Conforming Recreational Beachlot with one dock 150 feet in length,
with emphasis on staying within the dock setback zone, two canoe racks, 14 boats
docked, swimming beach with marker buoys if they will enhance the safety of the
swimming beach, and a swimming raft. All voted in favor except Councilman Ming
who abstained and the motion carried.
45
City Council Meeting - July 13, 1992
ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT TO AHEND THE CITY CODE, CHAPTER 20, CONCERNING
ALLOWED U~E IN TBE BH, HIGHWAY AND BUSINESS DISTRICT, FIRST READING.
Paul Krauss: Mr. Mayor, very briefly. The ordinance is a little confusing on
the point of what exactly is allowed in terms of auto related uses in the BH
district. Under one definition they're allowed as principle uses and there's
another definition, a little bit different, worded differently, they're allowed
as conditional uses. Frankly I think the City's in a somewhat better position
to have them all grouped as conditional uses. It gives you a little bit of an
extra measure of control over those kinds of things. Therefore we had the
amendment drafted that basically did that. It eliminated it as a permitted use
and listed it as a conditional. Fairly straight forward and we're recommending
that you approve it.
Mayor Chmiel: Okay. The only thing I'd like to see added to the recommendation
is that this should be listed under then the conditional use and it doesn't
really specify.
Paul Krauss: Right.
Councilman Workman: So moved.
Councilwoman Dimler: Yeah I do, is the property owner losing any rights here by
doing this?
Mayor Chmiel: No.
Paul Krauss: Well, these things are still allowed. Instead of as of right, as
a conditional right. I guess I'd defer to Roger to explain the nuances
inbetween but the conditional use permit does give you those added review
criteria and a little bit of extra leverage to get a project to meet tile city's
goals.
Councilwoman Dimler: So they can still do the project but with our input more?
Paul Krauss: And hopefully a little more input than you would have had before.
Mayor Chmiel: Right. This gives you an opportunity to put additional
conditions contained on there that you didn't have the ability to do prior tO
that time when it was a permitted use. Okay, call a question.
Councilman Workman moved, Councilman Mason seconded approval of Zoning Ordinance
Amendment to the City Code, Chapter 20, Section 20-712 eliminating auto service
centers as a permitted use in the BH, Business Highway District. All voted in
favor and the motion carried unanimously.
Councilman Wing: You mean no discussion?
Mayor Chmiel: No.
46
City Council Meeting - July 13, 1992
AUTHORIZE PREPARATION OF A FEASIBILITy STUDY FOR EXTENSION OF LAKE LUDy ROAD
BETWEEN GALPIN BOULEVARD (COUNTY ROAD liT) AND TRUNK HIGHWAY 41~ PRO3[CT 92-12.
public Present:
Nale
John Waldron
Merle Steinkraus
A~ldress
1900 Lake Lucy Road
1800 Lake Lucy Road
Mayor Chmiel: This is sort of a cut and dry thing.
Councilwoman Oimler: Okay, I move approval.
Mayor Chmiel: Charles?
Charles Folch: Mr. Mayor, members of the Council. The westerly terminus of
Lake Lucy Road is currently at County Road 117, Galpin Boulevard. Future
extension of thls road out to Trunk Hlghway 41 was a transportation element
specifically identified on the comprehensive plan. Ideally we would prefer to
see development of thls road proceed from an east to west fashion in order to
maintain continuity and avoid deadheading a project by properties but the City
has recently been contacted by two property owners located just east of TH 41
and would fall somewhere close to the west end of the alignment who intend to
develop thelr property. Thls places the Clty in a posltion of havlng to choose
whether to proactively plan for this road alignment or reactively respond as
each development proposal comes ln. Proaotlve plannlng is preferred in this
particular case as the future Lake Lucy Road will function as an urban collector
road and topography and environmental features will play an important factor in
determining it's appropriate alignment. It is staff's recommendation to
officially map the entlre segment of Lake Lucy Road from TH 41 to CR 17 and
conduct a formal feasibility study for the westerly quarter mile of improvements
whlch w111 serve these two developments. It ls anticipated that the cost for
this study uill be recovered over a number of years as abutting properties
develop and construction projects take place. It ls therefore recommended that
the mapping and study as specified be authorized and that the consulting
engineering flrm of W1111am R. Engelhardt and Associates be asslgned as the
project engineer.
Mayor Chmiel: Okay, thank you. Ursula.
Councilwoman Oimler: This is part of our comprehensive plan £sn't it? That was
always in there?
Charles Folch: That's correct.
Mayor Chmiel: Charles, not that I have any objections with Bill getting this
particular job but here again, although he may have the time to be ~ble to do
lt, do we ever look at puttlng these kinds of thlngs out for blds to have people
come in, as we've discussed before?
47
City Council Meeting - July 13, 1992
Charles Folch: AS we talked about earlier, on larger specific type, specialty
projects such as the Swamp Program and the HUSA expansion, we did. For these
general municipal type projects, it works real us11 for our department to work
with, well right now it's probably 5 to 6 consultants that ue work with on a
regular basis. Assign these projects out accordingly. When I assign these
projects out Z basically try to evaluate a number of factors with the consulting
firm. One, their current work load with the City. Two, their ability to
perform the project. Three, have they done similar projects such as these in
the city and how well have they performed. The ones I've worked with I'm real
happy with. Z'm real satisfied. They know the city's system. They know what Z
expect of them. Oftentimes they make my job easier because they cover bases and
Z don't need to basically lead them by the hand aZ1 the time. I think it works
much better than, and I think us're getting good products from them. Z would be
real leery about putting these out for RFP's knowing that, well not knowing who
we would get in that would come in as the low bidder on a project.
Hayor Chmiel: Yeah. I guess I'd just like to ask you those specific questions
to justify them. I know really I guess what the answers are but I want to be
sure that the general public sometimes sits back and questions these and has
indicated some of those concerns to me from time to time. Why is it that we
always use the same ones? Why don't you have it on a rotating basis? Having a
number of select ones that you feel comfortable with. But those are some of the
questions that have been brought up to me and I guess I have those concerns to
ask that question. Is there any other discussion?
John Waldron: Can I make a comment?
Mayor Chmiel: Sure. Please be my guest. Please state your name and your
address.
John Waldron: Good evening. John Waldron, 1900 Lake Lucy Road. I'd just like
to have entered into the record as you're plannlng for thls extension of Lake
Lucy Road, that I thlnk we've brought up before about our blke path that's not
really a bike path. Our kids'aren't too safe so when you're golng thls
extension, could you have some plannlng made for a blke path that's not right on
the road? ApprecLate it.
Mayor Chmiel: tf the dollars are there, we'll be more than happy to. Anyone
else? Any other discussion?
Councilnlan Workman: Z had one 11ttle question. Zt dldn't seem to me too long
ago that Z asked the question. It seemed to me at the very end of Lake Lucy
Road now at Galpln we kind of dld some upgrading of a water pump there and lt's
11ke rlght in the mlddle of the road. Where the road will go. And I asked why
don't we move that or get it out of the way because you know our road's going to
go there. Can anybody really...
Mayor Chmlel: The sewage llft lsn't lt?
Councilman Workman: Is it sewage?
Charles Folch: Actually water booster station is what it is.
48
City Council Meeting - July 13. 1992
Councilman Workman: It seems to me we put an awful lot of money into that.
That's going to have to be moved and maybe we can figure out what, weII I guess
it's money down the pit but did it make sense for us to upgrade that at that
time or did it faii and we reconstructed it?
Charles Folch: Well to be honest, I don't have the history of it.
Councilman Workman: Maybe find that out for me personally anyway. I guess I
was told at the tlme, and maybe it was Gary Warren who said.
Councilwoman Dimler: It was part of a well improvement.
Councilman Workman: The road wasn't coming through until the year 2010.
Mayor Chmiel: Okay, can I have a, any other discussion? Can I have a motion
for the preparation for the feasibility study?
Councilman Mason: So moved.
Councilwoman Dimler: Second.
Resolution ~t92-80: Councilman Mason moved, Councilwoman Oimler seconded that
the official mapptng of the extension of Lake Lucy Road between Galpin Boulevard
(County Road 117) and Trunk Highway 41 and the preparation*of a feasibility
study for the road /mprovement project of approx/mately the westerIy quarter
m/Ie of this segment be author/zed, Project No. 92-12, and that the consuIting
engineer/ng firm of W/II/am R. Engelhardt and Associates be assigned as the
eng/neer on the project. AII voted in favor and the mot/on carried'unanimously.
RECEIVE FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR NEZ P. ERCE RO~D EXT..EN$ION, CALL FOR PUBLIC HEARING.
PRO3ECT 92-6.
Charles Folch: Mr. Mayor, members of the Council. Attached you have the
feasibility report for this proposed road aIignment. -Two optlons are presented.
The flrst proposed ls to construct Nez Perce as a thru street out to Pleasant
View Road wlth the realignment of Peaceful Lane connecting into this new segment
as a T intersection. Thls option would provlde more of a continuous north/south
movement on Nez Perce between Pleasant View Road and Lake Lucy Road. The second
option proposed ls to connect Nez Perce Drive to Peaceful Lane at a T
intersection and then upgrade the existing Peaceful Lane between that location
point north to Pleasant Vlew Road. Both proposals will construct the roadway up
to the Clty's current urban standard roadway section. The feasibility study
presents some, at this point known advantages and disadvantages of each
alternative which hopefully will aid you in deciding along with staff whfch is
the appropriate alignment to choose. At thls point, all we're asking tonight ls
for the Council to formally receive the report and call for a public heartng to
be held at your regular meeting on August 10, lgg2 at which time our project
consultant engineer will give a formal presentation of this feasibiiity report.
Mayor Chmiel: Okay. I looked at this and there's some discussion that we had
this last time with Mr. Owens where we should proceed with condemnation of that
roadway. And I can't see us spendlng money on condemnation for that untll Mr.
Owens really starts deveIoping his property. I can't see us throwing money down
49
City Council Heetin9 - 3uly 13, 1992
and away because eventually he will plat that particular property and in no way
do Z feel we should spend those additional dollars unless someone else is going
to pick up those costs.
Charles Folch: Yeah, at this point it's not staff's recommendation to proceed
with a formal improvement project. We again want to proactively protect the
appropriate alignment of that roadway by officially mapplng lt. I'm not up to
speed oil the current situation of the Owens property which was in I believe in
bankruptcy but if the appropriate time would come about where we may be forced
into condemnation, we certainly would want clear justification before we'd
recommend that to you.
Paul Krauss: Mr. Mayor too when ue reviewed the last plat, who's name escapes
me. Troendle Addition. You might recall that we had the folks on Lake Lucy
Road that were concerned that as traffic levels build, at some polnt they wanted
to be able to trip something and we agreed that we would raise the issue again I
think in 12 months or 18 months. I'm not, you know clearly the construction
hasn't begun there in earnest and I'm not aware of any problems at this time but
again thls puts us in the driver's seat to respond.
Mayor' Chmiel: Okay, good. Zs there arly other discussion?
Councilman Workman: I'd move approval.
Councilwoman Oimler: Second.
Resolution ~92-81: Councilman Workman moved, Councilwoman Dimler seconded to
receive the feasibility study for the extension of Nez Perce Road, Project 92-6
and to call a public hearing for Monday, August 10, 1992. All voted in favor
and the motion carried unanimously.
APPROVE SIGNAL JUSTIFICATION REPOR~ FOR WEST 78TH STREET INTERSECTIONS AT GREAT
PLAINS BOULEUARD AND MARKET BOULEUARD, AUTHORIZE PREPARATION OF PLANS AND
SPECIFICATIONS, PROJECT NO.
Charles Folch: Mr. Mayor, members of the Council. Our project consultant
engineer, Mr. Dennls Eyler of Strgar-Roscoe-Fausch ls present tonight to glve
you a presentation on the updated signal justification report.
(Oennls Eyler was not speaklng dlrectly lnto a microphone and therefore portlons
of his presentation were not plcked up on tape.)
Dennis Eyler: Good evening Mr. Mayor, members of the Council. Last time I was
here the slgnal justification report...tabled and there were speciflc questions
that were asked by the Councll that nlght. Those questions concerned the tlmlng
and the need for traffic control at the intersection of Great Plains Blvd. and
78th Street. And also the need for trafflc slgnals at Market Blvd. and 78th
Street. Some of the questJ, ons and concerns were on tile operation of the
intersections today and...lmpact of commercial development along 78th Street,
particularly Market Square. And there uas also discussion concerning the detour
of TH 101 due to the reconstructln of Dakota Avenue. At that time there was
still hope to get the work done in the fall so there was kind of a sense of
urgency... Another questlon was, what happens after that project ls done and
5O
City Council Meeting - July 13, 1992
the dust clears and Market Square is fully developed? There will be increased
traffic from Market Square but based on a license plate study that we had done
before...due to the reconstruction of TH 101. We also took a look at the cost
of operating the intersections... Operating costs of the vehicles...
construction and maintenance cost of traffic...other impacts associated with the
operation of the intersection. And then we looked ahead to what happens when
the Target store's developed and within that timeframe since we were here last,
apparently the site is starting to look like...and we also took a look ahead...
plans for the 3ames property and the Burdick property and compared that to an
earlier traffic study we did back in 1990. See if there had been any changes.
At that time we did... So with that, what we did, I'm not sure. Bid you all
have a chance to read the handout? Basically ue went through, not 3ust one
analysis. It's graphical solutions that kind of show those. This being 78th
and Great Plains. The existing volume today is slightly over the line for
3ustification for signals and I'm sure...and your question about what happens
after TH 101 is rerouted is certainly pertinent. Traffic will go down. During
the detour the volume will jump up significantly and then after Target opens by
late 1993 or 94, the longest... We took a look at user cost because being this
is a T intersection, there are less conflicts than the graphical solution... So
we took a look at the cost standpoint. In today's operation is really kind of
on the line to get back with the cost of the traffic signals to what's the
cheapest, overall operation of the intersection. These costs are based on
approximately 4 seconds per vehicle for stopping costs and delay is figured on
an hourly basis at $6.00 an hour. Those are typical costs we use in engineering
studies and they're generated by the... Traffic signal would cost approximately
$70,000.00 and $2,000.00 to $3,000.00 a year to operate the machine... So right
now today...that was very, kind of an astute observation that you made when I
was here last time I had reason to ask those questions. After we looked at the
detour, the additional traffic that caused the detour...not work real well with
the existing stop... There'd be no way to pass that traffic through the
existing stop signs. We did look at all way stops and we looked at a temporary
signal being in in 3 months. The temporary signals...would be the cheapest
solution. We also looked at ahead to 1993 and again, because the...but going
ahead in 1994 with Target... Went down to Market Blvd. and...with the opening
of Market Square and full development with really right on the line, and with
the...of Target by '94, it clearly is in the zone to 3verify a traffic signal...
We didn't do a whole economic study now. We also prepared graphics that show a
change from our earlier forecast. I guess the most significant thing there was,
the most significant changes were that the earlier study was done with the
access to the development on the southeast corner of Kerber and now with the
possibility of two intersections between Kerber and Powers, the volumes on that
south leg have been dropped and the volume on the west leg... The most
significant impact on 78th Street was that earlier when we felt that 78th Street
would either have to have two thru lanes in each direction or left turn lanes...
west through Market with the transition taking place between Market and Laredo
down to one thru lane. Now with the, kind of the crystalization of what's going
to happen out here on these two parcels, that first graphic is...to the point
where, and again this whole development and it's anybody's guess as to what the
timeframe is but at that point we'd probably need to have two thru lanes all the
way down 78th Street. The turning volume there since...But again that's out of
the whole buildout on the horizon...but from a pure and graphic standpoint,
these intersections will be approaching...level service D or below with one thru
lane by the time of this whole buildout...
51
City Council Meeting - July 13, 1992
Councilman Workman~ How soon can ue get a signal in there if we ordered it
tonight?
Dennls Eyler: If you were to put in a temporary...but if you were to try to get
one in as soon as possible, a temporary could probably go in if we could
ldentlfy where to put one...and I'm not sure what your lettlng ~chedule$ are but
realistically 3 months would be the soonest you could get one.
Councilman Workman: Temporary? How about permanent?
Dennis Eyler: A permanent, probably 6 months. Yeah it would be quicker. It
depends on the manufacturers and where they are in thelr cycle. The principle
pole manufacturer for traffic slgna].s...they make about three different types
and they set their dles and they run a particular dle for a particular tlme and
then switch over. So if you hit it wrong, you're looking at 4 or 5 months for
poles. If you hit it right, you could get them in 2 months.
Councilman Workman: It would seem to me that on TH 5 it took, at Rosemount it
took them a year to get
Dennis Eyler: Now it depends on your approval process you're going through. If
you're through State Aid, and I'm not sure what the City's, Charles' plan is
on...but if you do go the State Ald route, then you have to go through MnDot
approval and revlew process. For State Aid only projects, that can...
Councilman Workman: Is the Great Plains intersection be a State Highway7
Dennls Eyler: Great Plalns and 78th? That wouZd be County State Aid and it
would be. No, Great Plains? Yeah, you're rlght. I'm not sure what the status
is on the turnback. Part of the negotiation for rerouting TH 101 onto TH 5.
Councilman Workman: 19987
Dennls Eyler: Well, I'm sure MnDot wants to get off of ?8th Street... As a
matter of fact, I checked with the right-of-way sectlon. Thelr records don't
lndlcate that they ever reconveyed the old right-of-way where the Town Hall was
relocated. Apparently they st111 own the land under that building. Their
records never dld take over the intersection. I don't know if that's just
paperwork slow to follow so there might be a questlon of who owns the
intersection today? Whether they actually have any ownership in lt...because it
is a trunk highway... Typically their lead time for a signal project, by the
time the plans are turned in to the time you can let it, runs about 3 months. So
if it took us a month to get the plans over to them and 3 months to review them,
that's 4 months and possibly another 4 months... So you'd be looking at next
spring. Ideally to get the underground this [a11... The other question ue took
a look at...and I saw Don's memo to the Council.
Councilman Mason: I was going to ask, what your opinion is on this 1oatter Mr.
Ashuorth.
Oennls Eyler: ~ dld bring along an example of the kind of graphical example of
what signal coordination can work in this manner. Thls is the standard one way
slgnal progression with everybody's drlven on a one way street with the slgnals
City Council Meeting - July
go bang, bang, bang down the line and what the slope of this line represents is
the speed. So if you wanted to go in on a one way roadway to control the speed,
this particular one is kind of dark. It's set for 25 mph. The steeper this
line goes, the slower the speeds are. Now what's wrong with this picture is, if
this is a one way street, it's fine but if you're trying to go in this
direction, down the street this way, you hit green here or red, green, red,
green, red, green and so on. That's why we had them... Anybody can draw a
line. Sometimes there are hand solutions for these too. If it appears that...
by hand 10-15 years ago. This is a two way solution. This happens to be in
Moorhead, or how a through band can be maintained in both directions. Up and
down the street. Again, these speeds can be controlled at 25-30 mph or
whatever. Again, it's the block spacing has a lot to do with that... Sometimes
to control speeds you may have to impose a stop every 3 intersections and a
stop. It doesn't always work out...
Mayor Chmiel: Okay, are there any questions?
Councilman Wing: What, Market Boulevard is the first one? I guess the one that
I effect the most is Laredo which to me seems to be passed over. In your
priority, where do you see the signs going in order of 1 thru 4?
Dennis Eyler: I believe one of our earlier memos we had, I think we had Kerber
before Laredo.
Councilman Wing: Market was the first one?
Dennis Eyler: Well, 78th and Great Plains was first and Market was second.
Councilman Wing: Market must have been first.
Dennis Eyler: Yeah, Market was ahead of Kerber. I understand what your
concerns are a little bit...
Councilman Wing: That's where I've gotten the most complaints.
Dennis Eyier: I don't know if having a signal at Market, there are some streets
in here that's possible to get... If problems continue at Kerber, they can
use...
Councilman Wing: If there's stop signs east and west of Laredo, considering how
narrow those roads are, if a stop sign stopped traffic either east or west of
that intersection, is the Fire Department going to get out and be able to go
east or west on West 78th Street? The space curb to curb has been really
marginal. More than once we've not been able to go around traffic.
Dennis Eyler: Yeah, that's a concern. We really don't have room for a fire
truck to pass stopped vehicles. Don mentioned...
Councilman Wing: That would stop traffic. I want to know about traffic that's
on there and stops. That system doesn't move them out of our way. It stops
them.
53
City Council Meeting - July 13, 1992
Dennis Eyler: Well if you're coming up behind a standing string of vehicles, it
turns the light green and clears the trafflc out in front of the approaching
flre truck. So if the flre truck was comlng down 78th and they came into an
lnteresection with backed up trafflc, it would turn the light green for the
direction that flre truck's going so presumably the trafflc would get out ahead
of it.
Councilman Wlng: State law says, pull over and stop.
Dennis Eyler: Pull over and stop but with a 60 foot road that isn't a problem.
MnDot's current standard for a curb to curb...
Councilman Wlng: Well Scott, I think before this goes any further, that's got
to be addressed because rlght now trafflc just sort of keeps movlng on and they
sort of just move on but when you start stopping trafFlc, the Fire Department's
golng to have to flnd alternate routes. It's my suggestion or my opinion that
in the majorlty of our trucks, there wlll be no emergency fire vehicles going
east or west. They slmply won't be able to get through. We're effectively
going to block off that road and those narrow sections. I think lt's that
severe. I don't thlnk I'm exaggerating. In the case of the aerlal truck,
without any doubt impassable. There's not even a chance of them being on that
road.
Dennls Eyler: Yeah, Z've looked at all the alternate flre routes and...thls
project to build a turn lane along...right turn lane into Market Square and a
rlght turn lane at Market Blvd... That block, at least the fire trucks can do
that one block.
Councilman Workman: I thlnk that's flxable. I don't know, Don's memo talked
about 4 different intersections. I thought the rest of the memo talked about
just two of them at this polnt.
Mayor Chmiel: Saying Market and Great Plains Boulevards.
Councilman Workman: I know that Kevln HcShane's here and he probably wants to
address it a little bit too.
Don Ashworth: Mr. Mayor?
Mayor Chmiel: Yes Don.
Don Ashworth: I would like to throw in my pltch. It's golng to be cheaper.
Flrst of a11, you're going to end up at some point signalizing all of them. From
a trafflc needs standpoint, Market ls first. Kerber, if we just do Market and
Great Plains, you're still going to have the problem on Kerber. From a fire
standpoint, you need to do Laredo. You end up literally dolng all of them. Why
not do them now? Take care of the pedestrian issue. I thlnk that the lssue as
to whether or not certaln segments need to be wldened can be studled if that's
what the Council so desired. But I thlnk it's critlcal that, at a mlnimum, 2
signals, and agaln I would prefer the 4, get in before TH 101 gets shut down
this next spring because you'll be openlng the new grocery store. Shut down
TH 101. You'll see the same thlng that happened here on Market Blvd. from
earlier this year when TH 5 was closed down. It was a mess. And with a 3 or 6
City Council Meeting - July 13, 1992
month delay on signals, it's very difficult to wait. You've got to be ahead of
these decisions.
Councilman Mason: I agree. Assuming that it is going to happen, we might as
well do it right and do it as cheap as we can.
Mayor Chmiel: Yeah, I don't disagree with that. Some of the concerns that I
see here, I'd like us to somehow to emphasize that crosswalks, pedestrians have
that right-of-way to get across there. Z thlnk we're going to have to do that
with some kind of markings, number one. Number two, I really want us to get our
little digltal miles per hour recorder on that street on a dally basis starting
at 7:30 in the morning and running that probably until 8:30 or g:O0. And
11ke to see it on that street from 4:30 untll maybe 6:30. I'd really 11ke to
see it on a daily basis only because God only knows the way they go through that
downtown. It just frustrates me to just watch that. And being that we have a
mechanism that ue can start making people aware of, I think we'd better put it
to use. The sooner the better because I don't want to see us wrlting tlckets. I
don't llke to see that done but if it's got to be, then it's got to be. The
other day I was going 30 and I was going east on 78th and I was just about to
Market Blvd. and the car that was behind me was a good block and a half and he
had to be going 45 or 50 by the tlme he caught up and I kept it right at 30.
And it just scares the 1lying bejohn out of me to know there are people walking
up and down that street. This ls just not happening in any specific hour. It's
all the time. It's constant. So we've got to start doing more protective
lssues for our people. If it gets to that point of having to write tickets,
then we're going to have to do it. If that's going to be the name of the game.
I don't 11ke to see it. I don't want to do tt but lt's the only way to start
slowing people down. It's the same way going into Excelsior.
Councilman Workman: I've never yet seen an officer wrlting a ticket on that
road.
Councilwoman Dimler: Excelsior?
Mayor Chmiel: No, ?8th now.
Councilman Workman: Well you know, I used to be concerned about what signals
would do to downtown in a negattve way. I no longer think that way. I think 50
mph easily is going on down there and every day I'm at the post offlce. It
seems like I'm there at 4:30 or 5:00 every, I shouldn't be but I'm there just to
be in the mlddle of it because there are frustrated people down there.
Screeching rubber. Threatening lives. It cannot be doing anything good for the
downtown buslness community, climate or other. And whether Target comes or not
and whether TH 101 moves out there or not, to me it is not going to make a hill
of beans in the future. This is going to be a problem here on out and I never
thought I'd hear myself say that if we need four, we need four. Excuse my
condemnation of our forefathers but the declslon has not been planned real well
in that our roads end at West 78th. Kerber, Laredo and everything else and so
there's no place to go. They've got to make rights and lefts and that doesn't
help anything and we've got to give these people some relief because I tell you,
as elected officials, the grlef and the looks on people's faces that I've seen,
I hope they didn't recognize that it was me anywhere near. But if I'm coming
West 78th at 30 mph and somebody's right on my butt and I'm gotng to make that
55
City Council Meeting - July 13, 1992
turn to the post office by the bank, I can just feel them on that edge of that
bumper and they're going around me and it's just every time. I guess I've now
turned my feelings toward how excited I'm going to be when it starts to cool off
i)~ our downtown because it's as unfriendly as it can get and it's going to get
worse, I know it. And not to be a big promoter of pulling people over but these
people need to be pulled over and ticketed because, I mean I condemned a fellow
City Council member when he suggested 31 in a 30 was a ticket. I still would
but 50 in a 30 in that zone is outright insane and I would suggest that if we
get, when we get these lights hopefully, that it's a 25 mph segment, not a 30 to
keep it pleasant.
Councilman Wing: Where's all this conceived speed? Where are we talking about?
I can see from Kerber west but are we talking about Kerber east?
Mayor Chmiel: You're either going east or... Either or.
Councilman Mason: I come on Kerber all the time and I'm tearing from Kerber
onto ?Bth and they're just coming off of Powers Blvd.. They're just right on
you.
Mayor Chmiel: I'm getting to the point where I get to those intersections and
I get there. I wish I had blinders and I go.
Councilman Mason: They come out pretty fast.
Mayor Chmiel: Because it is. It's just too darn fast. Something has to really
be done. I guess I'm not opposed to the stop and go lights because we're going
to have to have them. I'm not sure yet whether the four are really needed all
at once but I think if we start stringing, we put in the proper amount of
conduit for those additional two that might have to come on line.
Councilman Mason: I hope whatever, assuming ue decide to put in some stop
lights here, I hope we at least do think that there should be some kind of
master control and like you said be looking, even if we do just approve two now,
let's make sure that ue can control them all and not have to.
Mayor Chmiel: And I'd also agree with the comment that Don made. In the event
these are in, they have a control that the police vehicles as well as the fire
vehicles can flick and turn those things.
Councilman Mason: The Mayor gets one of those in his car too, doesn't he?
Mayor Chmiel: No, that was Charlie McCarthy.
Councilman Mason: Oh that's right.
Councilman Wing: When you start talking about arl opticom system, we're talking
about one expensive system and we're not roaring down Lyndale Avenue in
Bloomington through a million stop signs. This is rally limited and I can't
imagine what that system would cost.
Dennis Eyler: Yeah, it's an additional, these days about $5,000.00 an
intersection. There is an interim phase. If you only have two traffic signals
56
City Council Meeting - July 13, 1992
in downtown and they are hooked together, we can have a...right from the fire
hall which is just a push button. We put one of these in Ouluth. They have
central fire statlon in downtown and they have two runs away from the fire
station on one way street and they have a button for each one and that turns
those slgnals all the way down the one way street for g or 10 blocks a green and
holds it green for some preset time. I think 60 seconds so that would help
clean out downstream of the other intersections along 78th. Not only do you get
the green to get out onto 78th, but then you could have it go green in either
direction from the intersection out here in front of the flre hall. And that's
where, most of that stuff comes with a control...anyuay. It's all in software
and...
Councilman Wing: Why don't we start realistically looking at downtown and stop
hedging around the fact that a mistake was made and stop trying to run thousands
and thousands of cars. It's 11ke trylng to run 35W out of downtown durlng rush
hour with 2 lanes instead of 4. You can't do it. And if we're golng to put in
thls enormous retail downtown ulth all these major dlscount stores, why have
we've got a 16 foot road segment? We've got to face up to the fact that that
just isn't uorklng anymore and maybe that medlan has slmply got to go and open
up that additional space.
Councilman Workman: That lsn't golng to stop the speed though.
Councilman Wing: I'm talking about moving traffic.
Mayor Chmiel: I think...uhat he's just saying. With controlling of those
lights as per se. I think the right widths were much too narrow. As I've
indicated before, but they dld the same thlng downtown Minneapolis on Nlcollet
Mall. They narrowed that one more and more than what it was before and I still
don't agree ulth some of that.
Councilman Wing: You're soon to know what it's like to live in downtown Tokyo
and Seoul, Korea. And this is truthfully. These are four more stop signs than
I blt all the way from Seattle to Minneapolis last week in four blocks. It's
just disheartening to me that we're at that point. I mean let's face it. I
mean Tom, I agree with you. I guess they have to go in. You guys are driving
this thing and £t's a nightmare. I can't construe. I don't come down here. I
don't want to be near the place. It's disheartening to see us putting in 4 stop
signs in a 4 block area. I've just got to support you guys, whatever you
declde.
Don Ashworth: If I may make one additional. Although the two may have some
appeal, I think it has to be recognized that you're really k£nd of only putting
in one. The one at Great Plalns I thlnk will really help in terms of vehlcles
coming up the roadway so they know they should be bending to the left and it's a
safe movement and they don't have to worry to get out in thls big intersection.
What am I supposed to be doing? It will be very, very benefic£al to the left
turn person because he's got some guidance there. He feels safe. I mean hey,
the green arrow. The other vehicles have stopped. But one of the drawbacks
wlll be, you're st111 going to have that 4:30 traffic comlng down by the clock
tower, stopping and then moving out. Stopping and then moving out. I think
Denny's talked before about this spacing issue and really platooning ina lot of
ways is better. But you're sttll going to have that as tt deals with the
City Council Meeting -. July 1.3, 3.992
westbound traffic. So the pedestrian, if they're down by Medical Arts or the
Riveria or the person trying to get out at Laredo, is still going to have the
problem because of these vehicles that are platooning out from the clock tower.
And that's why again I would push for that Laredo. I think that that's a way in
which Z really like this idea that Denny came up with. Turn the signal green at
Laredo and then clear out greens all the way away from that so the cars don't
pull off and stop. If you don't do Laredo, you can't have that. But Laredo's
kind of the last priority so then you kind of come back to this position, well
let's just do it.
Councilman Workman: If we do Great Plains and we do Market and we don't do
Laredo, that's where the most potential backlash from the people who care the
most is going to come. Because somebody's going to say, that Market Boulevard
light's only for the City Hall people. And Laredo is where the people are
coming out of there and I can, geez. I can just see the faces and the names of
those people down there that are going, what were you thinking? Why didn't you
put one at Laredo? And that's where ue were originally thinking about putting a
stop sign temporarily. Remember that? A couple, few years ago.
Mayor Chmiel: Yes.
Scott Hart: Mr. Mayor?
Mayor Chmiel: Yes.
Scott Hart: Councilman Wing addresses an issue that it at least is something to
think about. The problem will only be slightly taken care of by greening out
the intersection or stopping it. The problem downtown is, the law does tell
people and people are trained to pull over when they see an emergency vehicle
and therein lies the problem. And there's nothing quite as terrifying as trying
to get people to yield. They'll either pull to the left and stop. Stop dead in
the middle of the road. Seldom pull to the right. In this case, even if they
did, they'd still cause a backlash. We train people in Driver's Ed to pull over
and stop. Frequently they'll do that despite the fact that you're behind them
with an airhorn telling them to move on. That may just be something with the
size of that street that we have to deal with but I think that's an issue you
were trying to address there Richard that wouldn't be alleviated by signal
controls. And it's one of the reasons that the deputies don't work downtown
very much. There's no place to pull off to the side.
Councilman Wing: That's true. If they made a stop, traffic stops.
Mayor Chmiel: Okay, any other discussion?
Councilman Workman: I'll make a motion.
Mayor Chmiel: I don't want it.
Councilman Workman: I think I'd better make it so it gets done properly.
Approve signal justification report for West ?8th Street intersections at Great
Plalns 8ouelvard, Laredo Boulevard, Market Boulevard and Kerber Boulevard.
Authorize preparation of plans and specifications of Project No. 92-3A.
58
City council Meeting - July 13, 1992
Councilman Mason: Second.
Mayor Chmiel: Clarification. Are you going to have these all go in at one time
or are you still looking to go with one and try the other one and then make sure
we put the?
Councilman Workman: Yes. Go in. I think so. Get the system in rather than
trying to figure out half of it I think.
Mayor Chmiel: Well once it's put in, it's never wasted.
Councilman Mason: We can put the system in and then not put the poles up.
Mayor Chmiel: Right.
Councilman Wing: Thls lsa major, major declslon for the clty which lmpacts a
lot of people. And I'm not opposed to it. I support Tom's motion but at some
polnt here ls there golng to be a public hearing or advertise thls? Let the
publlc speak. Let them be encouraged because this is going to be a large. I'd
11ke the publlc to know what lt's golng to cost. What we're doing. Let them
know that we're going to sign downtown aggressively and then they can either
oppose it aggressively or at least support the Council's decision.
Mayor Chmiel: I think that's a good idea.
Councilwoman Olmler: Isn't there always a publlc hearlng on these projects?
Mayor Chmiel: No.
Councilwoman 0imler: Oh. Well then I would support that definitely.
Oon Ashworth: What I would suggest is that if the motion is approved, and you
can do it or since lt's through the HRA is paylng for lt, you mlght ask them to
do it, but we've got a 3 month perlod of time while they're developing plans and
specs and gettlng ready for the whole bidding process and another 3 months after
that until deliveries and all the rest. That somewhere before these things are
actually bid out, that the publlc hearlng be held before any orders are made.
Mayor Chmiel: Rather than a public hearing, we'll call ita public information
meeting.
Don Ashworth: And would you 11ke to do that or would you like to have the MRA
do it?
Mayor Chmlel: I thlnk Councll should probably do
Oon Ashworth: Okay, advertise it as a part of one of our agendas?
Mayor Chmlel: Yep.
Councilman Workman: My motion stands.
City Council Meeting - July 13, 1992
Mayor Chmiel: Motion stands with public conditions contained. If you accept
that as a friendly amendment.
Councilwoman Dimler: Mr. Mayor, Mr. McShane wanted to address?
Kevin McShane: Good evening. I know the hour is late. I'm Kevin McShane at
180 South Shore Court. For those of you who don't know. I'm also the President
of the Chanhassen Chamber of Commerce and so I come to you. I agree with
everything you've said about signing downtown. I wasn't going to say anything
because you've covered basically all the items on my mind but I do think that I
live a half mile from where I work. I'm a resident of Chan. Work here. I get
up and down that street many times throughout the day and all your comments are
very true. Pedestrian traffic in particular. I try to walk to the local
restaurants at lunch, sometimes not making it back. People really do travel
down that street. Richard, the digital readout has been set up across the
street and I have a pretty good view from my office and you see 40, 46. I don't
see any brake lights go oT~. Speed is a concern. Coming in and out of those
roads on the north/south roads trying to take rights and lefts. It's almost
impossible during rush hour so all those things do happen and I'm here everyday
and see it. I really encourage, I know signing is a big issue but I think with
all the development going on right nov and all that's sure to come in the next
few years, we need to get that in place nov because as ue saw this summer with
road shut down, it was very, very difficult at Market. It happened overnight.
I mean the minute the road shut down, all of a sudden there vas just horrendous
traffic so I'd encourage you to vote in favor of it. Thank you.
Councilman Workman: Who knows, we may be able to enjoy the trees and bushes in
town now.
Mayor Chmiel: We have a motion or, the floor. Was there a second?
Councilman Hason: Yes.
Mayor Chmiel: Seconded with a friendly amendment. Any other discussion?
Councilman Workman moved, Councilman Mason seconded to approve the signal
justification report for West 78th Street intersections at Great Plains
Bouelvard, Laredo Boulevard, Market Boulevard and Kerber Boulevard; authorize
preparation of plans and specifications; and that a public information meeting
be held in regards to project ~2-3A. All voted in favor and the motion carried
unanimously.
ADMINISTRATIVE PRESENTATIONS:
UPDATE ON LIOUOR LICENSE PUBLIC HEARING HELD BY THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION,
PUBLIC SAFETY DIRECTOR.
Mayor Chmiel: We have had the opportunity to do some administrative
presentations with the updating. I'd like Mr. Harr to address the issue.
Scott Hart: Thank you Mr. Mayor and City Council. Included in the Council
packet are the Mlnutes of the public hearing on alcohol issues which you
dlrected the Publlc Safety Commission to hold and to return the results to you
60
City Council Meeting - July 13, 1992
in July and so here they are. I believe the hearing was more than adequately
advertised wlth notices belng sent to, among others, each school principal in
our District, the Superintendent of Schools, the Drug Education personnel at
each school, our churches, liquor license holders and the citizens that have
attended drug abuse prevention meetings over the past 5 years here at the City
Hall. Only 5 citizens attended and those that spoke were in the liquor sales
business, each offering to provlde the clty wlth assistance if further
restrictions are to be considered. No one in attendance raised specific
concerns regarding the number of additional on sale and off sale 11censes beyond
the existing holders of record or regarding the locations of future liquor
stores. Because the Public Safety Commission was specifically charged by the
City Council to solicit input from the community on these issues, this was what
the Commission did. Because no specific safety issues were raised, it was
suggested by the Commission that if the Council wishes the matter pursued, that
the Planning Department may be an appropriate resource from here regarding what
the city would like to see from a planning and development perspective in the
future. I think we were all surprised at the noteworthy lack of attendance at
this public hearing and I'd like to comment on this. Frankly, I was very
disappointed. I think the specific issues that were being looked at are
important, but I think there's an even bigger issue that I believe deserved more
attention, far more attention than it received. That issue is community
chemical awareness and concern. Chanhassen has led the way in taking a strong
position in restricting access of tobacco products to our youth. Similarly, we
assisted in the design and implementation of the Southwest Metro Drug Task
Force. Over the past 4 years the Mayor has worked diligently at attempting to
mobilize the community itself in developing an ongoing response to the negative
impact with chemical abuse in all the communities that surround us. This public
hearing was yet another example of our Council's sincere concern about the
problem. We have not been overwhelmed with community concern however and
frankly this troubles me. The problems of drug abuse are with us. The Mayor
and Councilman Wing have joined the Drug Task Force to see the activity that is
occurring around us. The deputies and troopers that work in our areas can
attest to the devastating effects of alcohol and other drug abuse on our roads
and even within our homes and schools. There is a problem and whether or not
further liquor license restrictions are the most appropriate way of addressing
the overall societal problem. I was shocked that our school district, churches,
and the community at large found this attempt by Councilman Wing, the City
Council and the Public Safety Commission to examine an important health and
safety issue of such little importance that no representatives attended or even
called to make an inquiry about the hearing. What was apparent was that we do
have liquor retailers in town that are responsive to your concerns and have made
themselves available to assist with any future re-examination of issues that may
occur.
Mayor Chmiel: Thank you. Any discussion?
Councilman Mason: Just a quick comment on what you said Scott about, I think a
lot of people tend to belleve that we don't have, there are no drug problems in
Chanhassen/Eden Prairie, just like we don't have at rlsk kids in Eden Prairie
and Chanhassen. And untll people, you know it'-s real easy to hide things 11ke
that in the suburbs and I think that's an issue. I mean certainly you share it
in one way and public safety and I share it in education and lt's there. We
battle that one in the schools alot too and it is frustrating.
City Council Meeting - July 13, 1992
Scott Harr: We've attempted to get people interested and I've written articles
in the newspapers and told groups. I agree with you Mike lO0~. I think the
change that we've seen that concerns me is 10 years ago, even longer there was a
counter culture that appeared different who advocated the use of illegal drugs
or drug abuse and people saw something that concerned them. Now it's a more
conservative time and it's not being seen and doesn't appear as a problem and
yet all of us, because ue see the information, here from a public safety
perspective. From an educational perspective or others, see that it's there and
the difficulty is knowing how to address the problem. And that's why I wanted
to make the statement tonight is I was really surprised that whether or not this
was a specific problem, influential people were invited and didn't even call to
find out more and that concerns me.
Mayor Chmiel: I think too, with our Drug Task Force as we have it, we will be
having some inquiries from the High School, Chaska or I should say in School
District ¢112. I don't know whether they have contacted you or not but they
will be doing that and they're going to follow through with it this year. I
brought it up at a School Board meeting here a couple weeks ago.
Councilwoman Dimler: I was going to ask, I was on a Orug Task Force here
several years ago and we were supposed to meet at least once every 6 months or
so and I haven't heard of any meetings since then. What happened to that task
force?
Mayor Chmiel: You missed both of them.
Scott Harr: That speaks to the problem. We had so few people attending that we
redirected the energy 'towards other attempts. Red Ribbon Day. Other awareness
programs. The Drug Task Force. Those were the meetings that caused me to write
artlcles in the paper and address concerns wlth community groups because we'd
have these meetings and so few people would show up. And the Mayor and I talked
about, what do we do? We want to get the energy. We've kept the people in
touch. We've just not been sure of what direction to get the momentum going.
Councilwoman Dimler: I bring that up because several times I've stopped at the
pharmacy here in town and he was on the drug task force too and he's asked me
several tlmes, what happened to that task force. I haven't been notlfled of a
meeting in a long time.
Mayor Chmiel: We didn't have people really showlng up for the meetings, that
was part of the problem either.
Councilwoman Dimler: Well, the ones Z attended were well attended there for a
while but that was because there was a specific drug information that we were
giving at that tlme.
Mayor Chmiel: And those weren't bad but they still weren't good for what the
populous is here.
Councilwoman Olmler: Yeah, after awhlle it klnd of petered out.
Councilman Wing: One of the members of Public Safety and myself did a survey of
all the other citles and I guess my lntent wasn't so much alcohol abuse or the
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City Council Meeting - July 13, 1992
problem itself but rather, what are we doing as a city in zoning, licensing and
plannlng issues. As I was able to look at other clties and talk to Paul Krauss,
he's got some complaints on mlnor lssues such as definition of restaurant. When
is a restaurant a restaurant and not a bar? I was concerned about the 18 year
old lssue,of bartendlng and servlng 11quor and it turns out that that's common
in every other city. It's the norm so why would we be anything but normal? So
I thlnk all that's come out of this that I learned was there's a couple zonlng
issues that need to be addressed by Planning. A couple licensing issues that
could be discussed and just some definitions that need cleaning up. It puts us
pretty much in par with what every other city is doing. I guess I found this
pretty much up to the level with everyone else wlth the exception of a few
definitions of restaurant. How many square feet should a bar/tavern be? Or how
would distance from a church or whatever? We don't have those thlngs rlght now.
Councilman Workman: Richard, did you find that cities are regulating them or
not?
Councilman Wlng: Not anymore than we are.
Councilman Workman: Well we aren't regulating them so you're saying, maybe
Roger can answer that question. Are clties regulating? What I did was, I've
heard Burnsville had an ordinance. I thought I brought it with. I don't have
it wlth me.
Councilman Wing: Roger wrote it, didn't you?
Councilman Workman: The 8urnsville ordinance?
Roger Knutson: Yeah.
Councilman Workman: You did? Well I've got Roger's ordinance and they sent it
out to me. I haven't been through the whole thing yet but that's what I'm
asking. Do most cltles not regulate the number of licenses?
Roger Knutson: There are 800 cities in this State and to be honest with you,
I've not canvased them a11.
Mayor Chmiel: Roger, 854.
Roger Knutson: Most clties I'm famillar wlth don't do much more than you do
having a licensing ordinance and restriction. Certain zoning ordinance
restrictions. Burnsvllle has a dispersion corner that they have to be so far
apart.
Councilman Workman: You asked him the question and why and the clerk couldn't
tell me. Well I kind of like it that way she said.
Roger Knutson: I think the idea is that they're perceived to have certain
undesireable secondary effects. Drunks golng there or not. I don't know
whether it's true or not. So they want to separate them. They don't want them
all clustered to create an environment which they would not feel good.
Councilman Workman: You said you surveyed 36 of them?
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City Council Meeting - July 13, 1992
Councilman Wing: Well no. We had 20 some cities. Well anything from St. Paul
over we caiied and got, we have ali the ordinances and there's nothing in them
to read except everybody has done away with bars and taverns. They don't exist.
Burnsville, all the liquor licenses are at motels, restaurants. Serve food.
There are no bars or taverns. St. Louis Park has one left but that one's on
it's way out. So I think that's, Roger correct me but I believe that there are
no bars, taverns such as Filly's or the Bronco used to be in Chanhassen. Their
licenses all go in to food establishments now.
Roger Knutson: 3ust from observation, from driving around Minneapolis and St.
Paul seems to have their share of bars. What I'd call a bar.
Councilman Workman: Well I mean a microwave makes them a restaurant.
Roger Knutsoi~: Yeah, a lot of cities do not want traditional bars.
Councilman Wing: Suburbs. Suburban ring.
Mayor Chmiel: Okay. I guess basically what we have is what we have. I think
where we're golng in the direction we're going ls probably the rlght way.
Councilman Workman: Which is what?
Mayor Chmiel: Knowing as to what we want with setbacks and total numbers.
We're looking also at populations.
Councilman Workman: That's what I'm concerned with.
Mayor Chmiel: That was the other thing where for each 5,000 population they
increased it as I remember readlng someplace. And I guess that's something we
can think about right now. I don't know if we have to act on it at thls
particular tlme but I thlnk lt's something that we should thlnk about and maybe
come up with some conclusions and have some additional information prepared for
us to pursue a given direction that maybe we should go.
Councilman Wing: I think Mr. Ashworth came up with some good ideas and
suggestions that came from a position of knowledge maybe. When there's a real
dull agenda, he could throw a cover letter in with some ideas that might...
Councilman Workman: You mean 11ks tonlght?
Mayor Chmiel: We're gettlng too close. So with that, I don't think we have to
have any actlon on that particular 1rem at thls tlme but I'd 11ks to thank the
Public Safety Commission for taking the tlme out to hold this and go through the
process.
COUNCIL PRESENTATIONS:
Mayor Chmiel: I have one that I want to just discuss briefly. Our lights are
on too long at Lake Ann Park. Can we check into that and make sure that the
timlng devlce is accordingly and I thlnk we close the park at 10:00. Good,
because they were on until 11:30 when I went to bed again.
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City Council Meeting - July 13, 1992
Todd Gerhardt: Dale...shut off.
Mayor Chmiel: Okay, so we're looking into that. I don't like to watch that
meter spin. I don't get any more paychecks from them.
Don Ashworth: We've incurred a lot of personnel costs as well in going out on
those and I know in the last 2 or 3 weeks they've just had a continuous problem
and I don't know why. We're working at it.
Mayor Chmiel: Can we address that and take care of it?
Don Ashworth: Yes.
Mayor Chmiel: Because I don't see those rabbits and the other animals playing
any games out there. Tom, West 78th and Dakota.
Councilwoman Oimler: Could I just follow up on Lake Ann? I wanted to talk
about it.
Mayor Chmiel: Oh yes you did. The building, yeah.
Councilwoman Oimler: Yes, the shelter that's being done and I know that Mike
wanted to know what was happening and why it's so slow. But also it has been
suggested to me by some members of the public for the naming of that shelter.
I know that our current Mayor here deserves to have that honor. However, the
name that was suggested to me by several residents was that we would honor Mr.
A1K11ngelhutz slnce he was the Mayor when Lake Ann was established and I know
that he worked hard to make this a beautiful amenity. It's not his suggestion
though. A beautiful amenlty for the city. Blg Al's or whatever but I would
just like to bring that forward for the public that expressed this concern to me
and maybe we could conslder lt.
Mayor Chmiel: The other question that I was going to ask too is, why is that
golng so slow? I don't think they've done anything in 3 weeks. 2 weeks at
least.
Don Ashworth: There was a mistake in the delivery of the, I keep saying brick
but it was the, what was it? The rock and that was to be a, not a smooth face
and they ended up delivering a smooth face whlch would be terrible because that
provides a real opportunity for kids to write things. That, I'm sure was part
of the problem. I'm sure that our wet tlme here hasn't help anythlng elther.
Mayor Chmiel: Yeah, well I'd like to find out what the reasons are. Let's keep
them going.
Councilman Workman: Is that the same company that is doing Minnewashta Parkway?
Mayor Chmiel: Yes. I think so. And 101.
Councilman Workman: West 78th at Dakota. You all know where that is. Right
when you're exiting TH 5 at McDonald's to the right there and you were to take
that frontage road back to 78th there. Patrlcla...Pappenfus who owns Chanhassen
Secretarial has been kind of on me and I will note for the record that she is a
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City Council Meeting - July 13, 1992
resident of Plymouth but they are having a very difficult time at that
intersection. And this is a very bad intersection. I know they're getting done
with TH 5 but that frontage road, people coming off and on and if a Lyman Lumber
truck wants to make a left to get out onto Highway 5, you cannot get by. In
fact they're tagging people who are going around them on the shoulder. After 2
or 3 light changes, they're not being able to get through. In fact, boy that
light is so quick on TH 5 now, I swear you can get 2 cars out onto TH 5.
Mayor Chmiel: 7 cars.
Councilman Workman: Boy then they're speeding. But it's a real, real, real bad
situation. I don't know what ue can do. If we can pave an actual by-pass lane
there or what. Can engineering, can the Council suggest to engineering to take
a hard, and public safety, take a hard look at what we can do to give those
businesses satisfaction. There's some real frustration going on.
Scott Hart': You're talking north of TH 5 and east Dakota.
Councilman Workman: The whole intersection.
Scott Hart: But specifically when they're coming out of the Chan Business
Comptex?
Mayor Chmiel: Right.
Councilman Workman: I mean not to mention the fact that if you are heading east
and you want to go to West ?Sth down there near Redmond, you can't do it because
lt's backed up and stacked up and it's real trlcky in there.
Mayor Chmiel: What we need is a light there.
Councilman Workman: Charles, do you want to take a look at that and maybe brlng
it up as a future item to pave it or something because something's got to be
done?
Charles Folch: Yeah, we can certainly take a look at it. I'm not sure that
there's going to be an easy answer. We would have hoped that our Trunk Highway
101 north leg project would have been under construction already and would have
been on it's way to help alleviate that problem that you're describing but we've
run into some delays wlth the railroad people.
Councilman Workman: Maybe it just takes some paint on the road designate an
actual pass lane or something because lt's terrible.
Charles Folch: We can take a look at it.
Councilman Wing: Terrible's not the word. It's really impassable.
Councilman Mason: Yeah, it is impassable there.
Councilman Workman: Really. I mean you would be slttlng there in excess of 5
to 10 minutes if you didn't break a law, which is unacceptable time for people
on the go.
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City Council Meeting - July 13, 1992
Mayor Chmiel: But it's going to improve.
Councilman Workman: Leash law. I was approached by a woman and I thought I
brought thls up at a Council meetlng. We've done nothlng on thls. The old
doggie do law or something. We have got in our parks big signs that say
absolutely no pets allowed. Thls person has complained that in fact what that's
doing is people are then not going to the park but they're actually having their
dog do thelr thlng on thelr neighbor's yards and stuff. So I don't know if
we've got a problem wlth this law. There was also a concern that in fact dogs
don't have to be leashed, just under the verbal command of their master, which
is what I do all the time. But we're invittng people to the parks and I know
Ursula has a problem with thls but they have to leave thelr pets out but it's
apparently causing people frustration in that now we've got all these little
lots. They've got blg dogs. They don't have anyplace to run thelr dogs. I'd
like us to revisit that if possible.
Councilman Wing: What did Jay call that?
Councilwoman Oimler: Pooper scooper.
Councilman Wing: Super duper pooper scooper law. That was it. Well I'm not
bringing it up.
Mayor Chmiel: Neither am I.
Councilman Workman: I'd like to readdress that because there's some
frustration.
Councilwoman Oimler: Tom wants to.
Councilman Workman: I'll bring it up.
Councilman Wing: Do we want a leash on them? What's the real issue?
Councilman Workman: That people have 120 pound dogs and they've got less than a
third acre lot and they don't have anyplace to run their dogs if you can't take
them to the park. What [ thlnk we need to do ls we need to have some way that
people are going to take their baggy and their scoop and clean up after their
dog.
Mayor Chmlel: Well that's what you should do in the first place but people
don't do it.
Scott HarK: Councilman Workman, what you're suggesting is that we, the City
permit animals in the parks.
Councilman Workman: Look at what we can do to find a place. What people have
been doing is they're going to walk them. They're going to walk them down the
road or something and they're going to crap on, excuse my language. Yeah, their
going to leave their problems. They're leaving them on people's front yards.
Anyway.
City Council Meeting - July 13, 1992
Councilman Mason: I don't personally don't think telling people they can now
run Rover at Chanhassen Park is going to have an effect on whether they're
lettlng Fldo do it in somebody else's yard or not.
Councilman Workman: All I'm doing.
Councilman Mason: No, I understand that.
Councilman Workman: Passing on what a couple of people have told me.
Mayor Chmiel: I think it's just up to the individuals who have dogs should
really police themselves and take care of those situations.
Councilman Workman: What I'm going after here probably is a technicality that
we've got signs in our parks that say, humans but no pets and that causes some
problems for some people.
Mayor Chmiel: Yeah. Maybe it should read no humans, just pets.
Councilman Mason: Yeah, that's something to thlnk about.
Councilman Workman: I'm just saying. I don't take my dog to Lake Ann. There's
a 11ttle park behlnd me. I dare somebody to tell me I'm not golng to take my
dog there. I'm going to. You know what I mean?
Councilman Mason: Yeah, I'm the same way.
Mayor Chmiel: Yep. It's getting late. Would you like to carry on to the next
one?
Councilman Workman: Yes. I've been having conversations with Don Ashworth
about a situation that arose at a company, actually it was two companies that
complained that in fact they didn't feel 11ke they were belng falrly treated by
the City in, as the city makes purchases. Thls is not, by me a reinforcement
that they are not dolng that because I know they try hard and they do that. What
Councilman Hason: Local people?
Councilman Workman: Yes. The one primarily has to do with Park and Rec and
purchasing Park and Rec equipment. Picnlc tables, etc.. There's a firm in town
that sells all of that and they do not feel as though they are being given a
falr chance or missed that. And so I'm golng to, like Todd Hoffman knows about
it and so does Oon and we're going to get together to talk about it and I wanted
the Counc11 to be aware...
Hayor Chmiel: Yeah. I think I brought this up a long time ago that I'd like to
see the Clty purchase from within it's own residents providing the prices are
right. And if they are, that's where you buy
Councilman Workman: Well what further complicates it is the fact that you've
got, if you want a playground set and you've got a consultant that says there's
some very, very specific specifica[ions and only one firm can really match those
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City Council Meeting - July 13, 1992
specifications, you're in effect choosing that firm and maybe eliminating others
and so there's some of this going on.
Mayor Chmiel: Okay, thank you. Can I have amotion for adjournment?
Councilman Workman moved, Councilman Hason seconded to adjourn the meeting. All
voted in favor and the motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 11:30 p.m..
Submitted by Don Ashaorth
City Manager
Prepared by Nann Opheim