CC 2008 03 24
CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
MARCH 24, 2008
Mayor Furlong called the meeting to order. The meeting was opened with the Pledge to the
Flag.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mayor Furlong, Councilman Litsey, Councilwoman
Ernst, Councilwoman Tjornhom, and Councilman McDonald
STAFF PRESENT:
Todd Gerhardt, Roger Knutson, Kate Aanenson, Paul Oehme, and Todd
Hoffman
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Mayor Furlong: Thank you everybody and welcome to those here this evening and to those
watching at home. We have some visitors with Troop 330 here this evening. Boy Scout Troop
330 so thank you guys. Welcome. I’d like to start this evening first of all, see if there are any
changes or additions to the agenda, for members of the council. If not we’ll proceed with the
agenda as submitted without, or as distributed without objection. I’d like to start this evening
with an invitation to ChanJam ’08. The City of Chanhassen is proud to present ChanJam ’08.
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This is a musical showcase that will be held on Friday, April 11 at 7:00 p.m. at the Chanhassen
Rec Center. At this time I’d like to invite all residents, families and friends to come to the event.
There will be 10 local bands from Chaska High School, Minnetonka High School, Southwest
Christian High School, Holy Family Catholic High School. The bands will be battling it out for
bragging rights to be Chanhassen’s best. The winning band will receive an invitation for, to
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open for the Casablanca Orchestra at our July 3 celebration. This is the City of Chanhassen’s
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25 Fourth of July Celebration and the Casablanca Band plays at the street dance so the winning
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band will open for them on July 3 at our stage out here at City Center Park. And also play at
the Minnesota State Fair on the Music Mayhem Stage. The winning band will be selected by the
audience so I encourage people to come and I’m sure that members of the band are also
encouraging people to come. Tickets are $5.00 per person at the door. Save a dollar if you bring
a non-perishable food item for the food shelf. I look forward to seeing everybody there. That
sounds like a real fun event so hopefully they’ll get good attendance and I hope to see people
there. With that we’ll move on to items on our consent agenda.
CONSENT AGENDA: Councilwoman Ernst moved, Councilman McDonald seconded to
approve the following consent agenda items pursuant to the City Manager’s
recommendations:
a. Approval of Minutes:
-City Council Work Session Minutes dated March 10, 2008
-City Council Verbatim and Summary Minutes dated March 10, 2008
Receive Commission Minutes:
-Planning Commission Verbatim and Summary Minutes dated March 4, 2008
City Council Meeting - March 24, 2008
-Park and Recreation Commission Verbatim and Summary Minutes dated February 26,
2008
b. Gateway West Tax Increment Financing District #6:
Resolution #2008-18:
1) Approve Resolution Authorizing Transfer of Excess
Increment to Pay for Eligible TIF Expenses.
Resolution #2008-19:
2) Authorize Return of Excess Increment to Carver County
Resolution #2008-20:
c. Wells 12 & 13, Project Nos. 08-04 & 08-05: Approve Quote for
Master SCADA Modifications.
d. Approval of 2008 Liquor License Renewals.
e. Approval of Temporary Display and Consumption Permit, Chaska Valley Family
Theatre.
Resolution #2008-21:
f. Bluff Creek Bank Stabilization, SWMP 12-22A: Ravine 2
(Mandan Circle): Approve Quote.
Resolution #2008-22:
g. 2008 Vehicles & Equipment: Approve Purchases.
Resolution #2008-23:
h. Well No. 7 Rehabilitation Project 94-3-5: Approve Quote.
Resolution #2008-24:
i. Well No. 3 Redevelopment: Approve Quote.
All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0.
VISITOR PRESENTATIONS:
None.
LAW ENFORCEMENT/FIRE DEPARTMENT UPDATE.
Sgt. Peter Anderley: Good evening Mayor, council. You have the numbers from last month. If
you have any questions, I’d be happy to answer them. Couple things, it’s been a fairly quiet
month. Winter hasn’t left yet. Apparently after last week and my other thought is I’d just like to
remind everybody to slow down out there. We did have quite a few accidents with the last little
bit of snowfall. Also just to give the guys some room when they’re out there, the fire
departments, the tow trucks. We had 2 incidents this week where squad cars were sitting on the
side of the road at an accident where they were involved in an accident. Whether hit from
behind with somebody losing control. No one was hurt but we did damage some property there.
The other thing is with the warm weather coming up, kids are really out. I know a lot of stuff, a
lot of warm days, they’re riding their bikes. They’re out there with the skateboards. Just slow
down in neighborhoods and keep a watchful eye out for the young guys and gals out running
around. The other thing I’d like to do is the investigator, the new investigator position for the
city. I brought Detective Bob Zydowsky in today. Many of you may remember Bob. He
worked for the City of Chan for 13 years in the public safety area. He went to the County in
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City Council Meeting - March 24, 2008
2000 and he worked investigations in Chaska for a few years now and now he’s got an office up
here in city hall and is going to be helping out doing the investigating up here.
Mayor Furlong: Okay, very good. Good evening Detective. Thank you and welcome. Any
thoughts or comments on your role and.
Det. Bob Zydowsky: Well I was just kind of thinking. I’ve come kind of full circle.
Councilman Litsey: Welcome back.
Det. Bob Zydowsky: I started here in 1987 and then left in 2000 and now I’m back in 2008 so
I’m excited about the position. Looking forward to getting involved in the activities here in
Chan. You know if anybody wants to stop by, I welcome you. The City has been great
providing an office and new paint and it’s been great so I appreciate that. Thank you.
Mayor Furlong: Good. Very good, welcome. Any questions from members of the council?
Councilman Litsey: I just got to welcome you back. It’s a position that’s, we’d like to hear how
it evolves and how it’s doing and so that kind of communication would be helpful down the road.
Det. Bob Zydowsky: Between Sergeant Anderley and I, we’ll do that.
Councilman Litsey: Great.
Mayor Furlong: That’s good.
Det. Bob Zydowsky: Thank you.
Mayor Furlong: Very good, thank you.
Todd Gerhardt: Mayor, it’s great to have Bob back. I spent 13 years with Bob when he was here
and he did a great job for us and when they told us that he was going to be the detective, I was
very excited. I knew we’re getting a quality person in Bob and we’re lucky to have him and so
welcome and thank you for coming back.
Det. Bob Zydowsky: Thank you.
Mayor Furlong: Very good, thank you. We do receive a monthly update from the fire
department as well. Unfortunately, very unfortunately they, Chief Geske is responding to a call
this evening and so he will not be joining us. I guess I would ask, there was the report in our
packet if any members of the council have questions that we can get to the Chief through Mr.
Gerhardt. It seemed fairly straight forward but I want to make sure we have that opportunity.
Any questions for Chief Geske? Or anything else for the fire department. Okay. Very good.
We’ll certainly look forward to seeing the Chief back at our meeting next month.
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City Council Meeting - March 24, 2008
APPOINTMENTS TO COMMISSIONS.
Mayor Furlong: Moving forward this evening, one of the items that was thought to be brought
up this evening was deleted so move to items of new business. The City Council over the last 2,
earlier this evening as well as 2 weeks ago we have been interviewing candidates for our various
commissions. Planning Commission, Park and Recreation Commission, Senior Commission and
Environmental Commission. At this time, we’ve not had a chance to discuss the various
candidates for the Park and Rec, Environmental or Senior Commission but following, or during
our work session 2 weeks ago we did discuss as a commission, or as the council, and a little bit
again this evening, appointments for the Planning Commission. As is typical we have more
qualified candidates than we have positions available. I know that that will be the case with the
other commissions too, having talked to everybody but there are 2 positions on the commission
that are 3 year positions and then one 2 year commission, or 2 year position I believe is correct.
After discussion it was the decision of the council to re-appoint Kathleen Thomas and Mark
Undestad to each of their 3 year positions that is coming due, and to appoint Denny
Laufenburger to the 2 year vacancy that was created when Mr. McDonald was appointed here to
the council. Again I would say that we had a lot of, it was not an easy decision. It was one that
we discussed for a while but as always you like to include more people than you have room for
and typically is the case so, at this time would somebody like to go ahead and move those
appointments.
Councilman McDonald: If I could your honor, what I’d like to do is to move that the council
appoint Denny Laufenburger to fill the unexpired vacancy created by myself as I moved up here
to this council.
Mayor Furlong: Okay. Do you want to go ahead and make the motion to reappoint Kathleen
Thomas and Mark Undestad as well?
Councilman McDonald: I’m sorry, yes I do. I would also like to add to that that the City
Council reappoint Kathleen Thomas to a 3 year term and also to reappoint Mark Undestad to a 3
year term.
Mayor Furlong: Very good, thank you. Is there a second?
Councilwoman Tjornhom: Second.
Mayor Furlong: Made and seconded. Any discussion? Other comments that others would like
to make? Mr. McDonald.
Councilman McDonald: Well, if I could. I would just like to reiterate what you had said. We
do have some very fine applicants that came forward for the Planning Commission and it was a
very difficult decision. I feel very confident that the Planning Commission is going to be in good
hands.
Mayor Furlong: Thank you. Other thoughts or comments? Councilwoman Ernst, please.
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City Council Meeting - March 24, 2008
Councilwoman Ernst: I too would like to express my appreciation for all those that came
forward. I know that it took time and it took effort and it took courage and I just appreciate all
those that came forward. All the applicants that came forward so thank you and I’m looking
forward to our new commission.
Mayor Furlong: Very good. Thank you. Other thoughts, comments?
Councilman Litsey: Pretty much the same thing. Just that you know, having gone through a
series of interviews now for our commissioners and that vacant council seat, it’s really neat to
see the quality of candidates that we have to choose from. It’s you know difficult to make
decisions because they are all you know basically qualified and have a real desire to serve the
city but it’s nice that we have that luxury that a lot of cities don’t. They have a hard time getting
people to serve and not only have people that can serve but we got great candidates so, so I just
wanted to say that.
Mayor Furlong: Very good, thank you. Anything else? Other comments?
Councilwoman Tjornhom: Just more of the same. You know I think what’s so important about
this Planning Commission now is that they’ll be making some real historical decisions for our
town and so I just want to thank everybody for applying and I want them to know that I believe
that they will do a good job and they will fulfill their commitments and make the right choices.
Mayor Furlong: Very good, thank you. If there’s no additional discussion, we’ll proceed with
the motion as made.
Councilman McDonald moved, Councilwoman Tjornhom seconded to reappoint Kathleen
Thomas and Mark Undestad to 3 year terms and appoint Denny Laufenburger to a 2 year
term for the Planning Commission. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously
with a vote of 5 to 0.
Todd Gerhardt: Mayor?
Mayor Furlong: I’m sorry, yes Mr. Gerhardt.
Todd Gerhardt: We will contact all the candidates on the Planning Commission and thank them
for applying. Encourage them to re-apply next year. This has been a real luxury this year I think
having that many candidates. We haven’t had that luxury in the past and our history has been
one where people that re-apply over time show a real commitment to this so just encourage those
candidates, even though they may not have gotten in this year, that next year or the following
year they may get appointed to that commission so we’ll encourage those candidates to keep re-
applying and thank them for showing an interest.
Mayor Furlong: Okay, thank you. The other thing that I will say for the other 3 commissions,
we have interviewed all the candidates that we’re planning to interview and we’ll be discussing
appointments to those 3 commissions later this evening and then bringing those appointments to
our next City Council meeting that’s in 2 weeks I believe. So, or our next City Council meeting.
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City Council Meeting - March 24, 2008
Second Monday of April. With that, that completes our items of new business this evening. It’s
a light agenda. We’ll move to council presentations.
COUNCIL PRESENTATIONS.
Mayor Furlong: One thing that I will mention. The Chanhassen Rotary Club is in the process of
going through the election process for it’s distinguished service award recipient for 2008. This is
an award that the Chanhassen Rotary Club has, this will be the fourth year that they’ve presented
this award. The City Council, along with other civic organizations, religious organizations in the
city, as a group have a vote on that and we’ll work through Mr. Gerhardt, as we’ve done in the
past, to distribute the information on the 3 finalists and then if each of us could get our
information to Mr. Gerhardt, then he will cast the vote for the council and work that in. And
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we’ll do that in the next couple weeks. It’s due on the 11 of April so we’ve got a few weeks
here, but just to make sure everybody’s aware of that. That will be coming out this week to
everyone. Any other council presentations? If not then, Mr. Gerhardt, administrative.
ADMINISTRATIVE PRESENTATIONS:
Todd Gerhardt: Just like Sergeant Anderley said, it’s been a quiet couple of weeks here. Knock
on wood. Have a fire going on tonight but hopefully we can just be a small one contained to a
small area in the house hopefully. Newsletter. Our quarterly newsletter will be going out next
week so look for that in the mail. Karen and, I think it’s going to be one of our largest
newsletters that we’ve put out to date. It has all our summer programs in there for registration of
youth activities and adult, so take a look at that. Other than that, that’s all I have.
Mayor Furlong: Okay. Any questions for Mr. Gerhardt? I’m sorry, go ahead.
Councilman Litsey: …their offices painted as well…
Todd Gerhardt: Don’t want to spoil everybody.
Mayor Furlong: We don’t have to impress them anyway. The Easter Egg Candy Hunt was this
last Saturday as well out at the Rec Center. Good attendance even in spite of the snow that was
coming down, so a lot of fun I know was had by those that attended there so, Mr. Hoffman is
here and thank the staff. I know they put in a lot of time to get that ready and other volunteers.
The Key Club from Chaska High School was there too so it was a lot of fun.
Todd Gerhardt: John is running the camera today. Nann is out and he put on the Easter Egg
Candy Hunt which had to be moved inside. Couple little issues with that for some people but
they were estimating 200 people to participate in that program. We had 230 so well attended and
I think a lot of people had a lot of fun.
Mayor Furlong: Very good. Thank you. Is there anything else?
CORRESPONDENCE DISCUSSION.
None.
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City Council Meeting - March 24, 2008
Mayor Furlong: If not then, we will continue our work session items immediately following our
council meeting this evening. If there’s nothing else to come before the council is there a motion
to adjourn?
Councilman Litsey moved, Councilwoman Tjornhom seconded to adjourn the meeting. All
voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0.
Submitted by Todd Gerhardt
City Manager
Prepared by Nann Opheim
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