WS 2010 05 24
CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
MAY 24, 2010
Mayor Furlong called the work session to order at 5:40 p.m.
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT:
Mayor Furlong, Councilwoman Ernst, Councilwoman
Tjornhom, and Councilman McDonald
COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT:
Councilman Litsey
STAFF PRESENT:
Todd Gerhardt, Laurie Hokkanen, Kate Aanenson, Paul Oehme, Todd
Hoffman, and Peter Woitas
SENIOR COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT:
Fred Prinz, Barbara Nevin, Naomi Moe,
Carol Buesgens, Pat McGough, and Virginia Prior
PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT:
Debbie Larson, Andrew Aller, Denny
Laufenburger, Kevin Ellsworth and Kathleen Thomas
JOINT MEETING WITH SENIOR COMMISSION.
Chairwoman Barbara Nevin reviewed the Senior Commission’s goals and objectives for 2010.
Naomi Moe talked about the Volunteer Speed Match, a volunteer recruitment program which
was held with 15 different agencies who are seeking volunteers. Virginia Prior discussed how
the CarFit program works. Fred Prinz discussed the SmartLink program which recruits volunteer
drivers. Barbara Nevin discussed the information gathered from a focus group of Chanhassen
residents. Pat McGough talked about educating future generations of children about issues
related to seniors. Carol Buesgens talked about the senior parking signs which are being
installed at local businesses. Council members were pleased with the ideas and work being
generated by the Senior Commission.
JOINT MEETING WITH PLANNING COMMISSION.
Kate Aanenson pointed out the different scope of the Planning Commission compared to other
city commissions. Chairwoman Debbie Larson reviewed the Planning Commission’s goals for
2010. Mayor Furlong asked if the PUD rezonings were complete. Commissioner Aller asked for
direction from council on the scope of definitions within the commercial zoning districts. Todd
Gerhardt suggested inviting Roger Knutson, the City Attorney, to those Planning Commission
work sessions. Kate Aanenson discussed more versus less in staff reports, leaning toward more
is better. Mayor Furlong suggested staff do anything they can to make the information as
efficient and easy for the public to understand. Councilwoman Ernst liked making the
regulations more flexible for the commercial zoning districts. Denny Laufenburger asked about
other communities that Chanhassen is competing with as growth continues. Councilwoman
Ernst asked how future transit plans will play into future development for Chanhassen and cities
to the west.
City Council Work Session - May 24, 2010
UPDATE ON DEVELOPMENT FORUMS.
Kate Aanenson distributed Development Forum booklets that were used at the forums held on
stnd
April 21 and 22 with residential and commercial developers. She reviewed the survey that
was sent out to developers prior to the forum meetings and responses that were received back.
Overall outcome was very positive. The goal of staff was to communicate what’s happening
with the city with infrastructure and vacant land. Councilwoman Ernst suggested sending out a
follow up survey for the individuals that attended the meeting. Todd Gerhardt explained that
Bob Generous did a telephone follow up with those individuals.
Mayor Furlong adjourned the work session at 6:57 p.m.
Submitted by Todd Gerhardt
City Manager
Prepared by Nann Opheim
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