WS 2010 05 10
CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
MAY 10, 2010
Mayor Furlong called the work session to order at 5:35 p.m.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mayor Furlong, Councilwoman Tjornhom and
Councilman Litsey and Councilwoman Ernst
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT:
Chair Dennis Hansen,
Beverly Foster, J.R. Relick, Robert Kircher, Amy Wenner, and David Christianson
PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT:
Chair Jeff Daniel and
Elise Ryan
STAFF PRESENT:
Todd Gerhardt, Laurie Hokkanen, Kate Aanenson, Paul Oehme and Terry
Jeffery
JOINT MEETING WITH ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION.
Chair Dennis Hansen reviewed the commission’s 2010 focus topics. Number one was urban
forestry. Mayor Furlong suggested educating the public about managing buckthorn. The
commission and council members discussed the success of the Arbor Day festivities. Todd
Gerhardt stated that staff will post pictures of the event on the City’s Facebook page.
Councilman Litsey asked what was being done about the Emerald Ash Borer disease. The next
focus items were water quality and water conservation. Chair Hansen spoke of the good work
being done by the watershed district to address these issues. J.R. Relick stated that water supply
will be critical in the future and suggested the commission look at ways now to address the issue.
Beverly Foster discussed water conservation programs. Councilman Litsey asked if storm water
drain identification stickers needed replacing. Terry Jeffery explained that there are funds
available through the city for such projects. Chair Hansen stated that the Environmental
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Commission’s 4 of July booth will concentrate on water conservation. Rain gardens were
discussed under storm water management. Terry Jeffery stated again funding is available
through Carver County for these types of projects. Todd Gerhardt expressed concern that
individuals work with the city’s overall surface water management plan when installing rain
gardens and landscaping. Chair Hansen highlighted some of the Environmental Commission’s
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activities throughout the year, i.e. Arbor Day, incorporating an organic hauler into the 4 of July
celebration, submitting articles to The Chanhassen Villager, and the Environmental Excellence
Awards. Mayor Furlong suggested that the commission look for Environmental Excellence
recipients within the four 2010 focus categories. Councilwoman Tjornhom stated she liked that
the Council and Environmental Commission seem to be on the same page and asked that staff
and/or council review any articles before being submitted to the Villager prior to publication.
Councilman Litsey stated it helped having goals outlined on paper to see that the council and
commission are on the same page. Chair Hansen asked about having a council member as a
liaison that the commission can contact with environmental issues. Mayor Furlong suggested the
City Council Work Session - May 10, 2010
quickest communication would be working through staff, but invited commissioners to call or
email council members at anytime.
JOINT MEETING WITH PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION.
Chair Daniel reviewed the 2010 goals set forth in the staff report. The first item was making the
City’s web site more user friendly for residents to make suggestions or complaints regarding the
city’s parks and trails. Todd Gerhardt stated that the City has been working with a software
program that can be used by all departments, explaining that the process has become very
cumbersome and needs to be simplified. Councilman Litsey suggested having some guidelines
on the forms. Mayor Furlong suggested trying something and then evaluate what’s working and
not working. In talking about disc golf, Councilman Litsey asked how much land and
maintenance will be needed. Todd Hoffman stated a couple young men would be giving a
presentation at the May Park and Recreation Commission outlining how Bandimere Park could
possibly work for disc golf. There are also possibilities of partnering with Carver County at
Baylor Park or Lake Minnewashta Regional Park. Chair Daniel discussed the commission’s
interaction with athletic associations, setting a date for the Council/Commissions bike ride, and
expansion of recreational programs, i.e. half marathon and Frisbee Ultimate League. Mayor
Furlong emphasized the need to continue to support and promote current programs as well as
working in partnerships with private clubs, i.e. Lifetime and Snap Fitness. In discussing Herman
Field, Mayor Furlong asked about the size, type and usable area of the park. Chair Daniel
discussed incorporating charitable opportunities with the city’s special events. Mayor Furlong
cautioned about making sure the City does not get outside the scope of recreation programming
and not wanting or needing to compete with local churches and civic organizations.
Councilman Litsey asked about emerging sports. Todd Hoffman stated besides disc golf,
Ultimate Frisbee was an emerging sport. Having arrived late to the work session, Councilwoman
Ernst asked for clarification of what was meant with regard to website improvements. Mayor
Furlong asked for a year end report on the effect of having additional fields available at the new
high school. Todd Gerhardt asked that the Park and Recreation Commission develop a policy
and guidelines for how to handle the numerous special event requests received by the City.
DEVELOP ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES TO REDUCE IMPERVIOUS AREAS.
Terry Jeffery gave a power point presentation covering State and local rules, the need to limit
hardcover, and a graph showing the number of variance requests since the adoption of
ordinances in 2004. Councilwoman Tjornhom asked about the number of variance requests for
new construction versus after the fact variances. Terry Jeffery continued with DNR rules and
practices for areas of new development, redevelopment and redevelopment of nonconforming
structures exceeding 25%, DNR conditions for pervious pavement, design and maintenance,
installation, and flooding and property damage that occurs when projects are not designed,
installed, and maintained properly. He recommended that projects be reviewed under the
variance process. Councilwoman Ernst asked about cost and benefits associated with the
pervious driveway installed at the new public works building. Paul Oehme stated staff is looking
forward to monitoring that and providing a report at a future date. Todd Gerhardt stated staff
uses the DNR rules and practices when reviewing development and redevelopment projects.
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City Council Work Session - May 10, 2010
Todd Gerhardt reminded the council that ordinances can be amended at any time. Councilwoman
Ernst stated her concern that the City continue to monitor as technology and times change.
Mayor Furlong adjourned the work session meeting at 7:00 p.m.
Submitted by Todd Gerhardt
City Manager
Prepared by Nann Opheim
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