CC SUM 2011 09 12
CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
SUMMARY MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 12, 2011
Mayor Furlong called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. The meeting was opened with the Pledge to
the Flag.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mayor Furlong, Councilman McDonald, Councilwoman
Tjornhom, Councilwoman Ernst, and Councilman Laufenburger
STAFF PRESENT:
Todd Gerhardt, Laurie Hokkanen, Paul Oehme, Kate Aanenson, Todd Hoffman,
Roger Knutson, and Greg Sticha
PUBLIC PRESENT:
Bennett & Jeff Nowak 581 Big Woods Boulevard
Mark Kronbeck 233 Park Avenue So., Minneapolis
Tom Devine 7640 South Shore Drive
Laurie Susla 7008 Dakota Avenue
John Ferrier 500 Washington Avenue So., Minneapolis
Josh Koller 1027 Northview Park Road, Eagan
Matt Hoffman 931 Saddlebrook Trail
CONSENT AGENDA: Councilwoman Tjornhom moved, Councilman Laufenburger 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 August 22, 2011
-City Council Verbatim and Summary Minutes dated August 22, 2011
Receive Commission Minutes:
-Planning Commission Verbatim and Summary Minutes dated August 16, 2011
b. Approval of Temporary On-Sale Liquor License, St. Hubert’s Catholic Community, 8201 Main
Street, German Dinner, October 22, 2011
All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0.
VISITOR PRESENTATIONS:
Tom Devine, 7640 South Shore Drive, and member of the Lotus Lake
Homeowners Association, thanked the council for their participation and interest in the aquatic invasive
species issue and reviewed the three recommendations from the Park and Recreation Commission to the
City Council regarding adopting an Aquatic Invasive Species policy for all of the lakes in Chanhassen,
that the City support the efforts of the volunteers in their educational efforts and possibly expand, and
enforcement of park hours. Ben Nowak presented the details of his Eagle Scout project which includes
making two elevated gardens and retaining walls around the park entrance signs at Carver Beach Park and
Roundhouse Park. Councilwoman Tjornhom asked Mr. Nowak to explain what the biggest obstacle will
be. Councilman Laufenburger asked about volunteers. Mayor Furlong asked Mr. Nowak to talk about
his scouting experience.
City Council Summary – September 12, 2011
Councilman McDonald moved, Councilwoman Tjornhom seconded to approve the Eagle Scout
project proposed by Ben Nowak for Carver Beach Park and Roundhouse Park and to approve the
total budgeted amount of $1,310.27.All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a
vote of 5 to 0.
AWARD OF BID: 2011A GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS.
Greg Sticha provided background on
the bond sale before introducing Dave Callister with Ehlers and Associates who discussed the results of
the bond sale and the reaffirmation of the City’s AAA bond rating from Standard and Poor’s.
Councilman Laufenburger asked Mr. Callister to elaborate on the net present value savings actually
received versus what was projected. Mayor Furlong asked Mr. Ruff to comment on the reaffirmation
process for the City’s AAA bond rating. Councilman McDonald asked for clarification of the
management rating and Chanhassen’s comparison with other AAA cities in the state. Councilwoman
Ernst expressed concern with the federal government’s bond rating of AA+ in comparison to the City’s
AAA bond rating. Mayor Furlong asked for clarification of the two resolutions being presented.
Resolution #2011-51: Councilman McDonald moved, Councilwoman Tjornhom seconded that the
City Council award the bids for the General Obligation Bonds Series 2011A to United Bankers
Bank, Bloomington, Minnesota with a true interest cost of 1.58%. All voted in favor and the
motion carried unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0.
Resolution #2011-52: Councilman McDonald moved, Councilwoman Tjornhom seconded to
approve authorizing the issuance of G.O. Water Revenue Refunding Bond Series 2011B. All voted
in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0.
BURROUGHS VARIANCE: REQUEST FOR VARIANCE TO BUILD A SPORT COURT; 10036
TRAILS END ROAD, STACEY & PHIL BURROUGHS. APPLICANT: JOSH KOLLER,
SOUTHVIEW DESIGN.
Kate Aanenson presented the staff report and Planning Commission update on this item. Councilman
Laufenburger asked for clarification on the difference of opinion on Sport Court material being pervious
or not, clarifying that this request is not a decision about whether or not it’s impervious or pervious, it’s
about practical difficulty. Mayor Furlong asked for clarification of what constitutes a practical difficulty.
Council members and staff, including the city attorney, discussed the variance request and the action
needed to be taken by council. The applicant, Josh Koller with Southview Design reviewed details of his
meetings with staff and Planning Commission in outlining the information that the Sport Court is indeed a
pervious surface. After a lengthy discussion between council members and the applicant regarding the
merits of this application, the following motion was made.
Councilwoman Tjornhom moved, Councilman McDonald seconded that the City Council denies
Planning Case 11-07 for hard surface coverage variance to construct a Sport Court and adopts the
Findings of Fact and Decision. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote
of 5 to 0.
LAKE DRIVE BUSINESS CENTER: REQUEST FOR SITE PLAN REVIEW FOR A 155-STALL
PARKING LOT EXPANSION, 950 LAKE DRIVE. APPLICANT: CSM CORPORATION.
Kate Aanenson presented the staff report and Planning Commission update on this item. John Ferrier with
CSM Corporation commented that they had read the staff report and agreed with it’s findings.
Councilwoman Ernst moved, Councilman Laufenburger seconded that the City Council approve
the site plan for parking lot expansion located at 950 Lake Drive, plans prepared by Alliant
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City Council Summary – September 12, 2011
Engineering, Inc., dated July 19, 2011, subject to the following conditions, and adoption of the
Findings of Fact and Recommendation:
Planning Department Conditions
1. The applicant shall enter into a site plan agreement and provide the security required by it.
2. This relocated sign shall require a separate building permit and sign permit.
3. The landscape island on the north end of the parking adjacent to the east side of the building shall be
extended further out to provide full protection of the parking stall.
Environmental Resource Specialist Conditions
1. The applicant shall submit a revised landscape plan showing the minimum number of landscape
islands/peninsulas (16) and trees (50).
2. The applicant shall provide adequate screening for the new parking areas along Lake Drive. Shrubs
shall reach a mature height of at least two feet. A revised landscape plan shall be submitted to the
city for approval.
Water Resources Coordinator Conditions
1. Rates of surface water runoff must not be increased from existing conditions. Where practicable to
do so, rates should be decreased.
2. The applicant and city shall work together on future phases to look for potential cooperative surface
water management opportunities.
3. These approvals for future phases are contingent upon City code and other jurisdictional agency rules
remaining the same. In the event that any of these changes, the applicant will need to resubmit to
assure that the plans meet any new rules germane to this project.
4. Include a note on the Grading and Erosion Control plan indicating that the proposed best management
practices is the minimum controls anticipated, but that as unanticipated site and climatic conditions
present themselves, it will be to modify the best management practices to meet these new conditions.
5. All 3:1 slopes shall be covered with erosion control blanket or sod. This needs to be indicated within
the plan set on sheet C-2: Grading and Erosion Control.
6. An escrow or letter of credit in the amount of $2,450.00 shall be provided to the City before
commencement of the first phase. This escrow is only for the first phase. Subsequent phases will
require additional assurance funds.
7. Applicant must apply for and receive approvals from other jurisdictional agencies as necessary.
8. The applicant must show that the total disturbed area for all phases is less than one acre or they must
apply for and receive an NPDES Construction Stormwater Permit from the MPCA. If this is the case,
a full Surface Water Pollution Prevention Plan must be prepared and submitted to the City for review
and comment.
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City Council Summary – September 12, 2011
9. All exposed soils must be stabilized within 14 days of cessation of earth work activities.
10. Lake Drive must be swept clean of soils and debris tracked onto it from the site as needed but no less
than once per week until final stabilization is achieved.
11. The applicant or their designee must maintain the best management practices in good working order
until final stabilization is achieved.
Engineering Department Conditions
1. Grass area maximum slope must not exceed 3:1.
2. The applicant must submit revised plans (redlines) which meet the requirements of the City.
3. Drainage plans must be revised so that the plans match the drainage calculations. The applicant must
also follow City standards for water quality volume. Also, the proposed drainage rates must be
maintained for the 2-, 10-, and 100-year rain events.
4. The storm sewer provided for treatment will be privately owned and maintained.
5. If importing or exporting material for development of the site is necessary, the applicant will be
required to supply the City with detailed haul routes.
6. Building permits are required for all retaining walls four feet tall or higher and must be designed by a
Structural Engineer registered in the State of Minnesota. A fence must be placed at the top of the
wall for safety.
7. The exits in front of Wall 2 may be inadequate for some uses of the building under the proposed
parking scenario. Exterior exit discharge must accommodate exits served. The parking stalls in this
area should be constructed at the time when a final end user is determined so that the exits will not
limit the occupancy.
8. The wall and wall supports (not including soil) in drainage area three on the east side of the site must
be removed from the drainage and utility easement.
9. Details must be provided for all proposed storm sewer, sanitary sewer, and watermain crossings.
Actual elevations of existing utilities shall be verified for accuracy. A minimum vertical separation
of 18” is required at all storm, sanitary, and watermain crossings.
10. All of the utility improvements are required to be constructed in accordance with the City's latest
edition of Standard Specifications and Detail Plates. The applicant is also required to provide the
City with the necessary financial security in the form of a letter of credit or cash escrow to guarantee
the installation of the storm sewer, erosion control, and seeding. This amount will be determined
prior to start of construction due to the possible phasing of the project and not knowing the amount to
be installed and disturbed.
11. The applicant must also notify the City after installation of the erosion control and 48 hours prior to
the commencement of grading. Permits from the appropriate regulatory agencies will be required.
12. The plans and drainage calculations must be signed by a professional engineer registered in the State
of Minnesota.
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City Council Summary – September 12, 2011
All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0.
The City Council took a short recess at this point in the meeting.
COUNCIL PRESENTATIONS: SENATOR JULIANNE ORTMAN.
Senator Julianne Ortman
provided an update on the work that was accomplished at the most recent legislative session while
outlining work that needs to be done in the future. Councilwoman Ernst asked about the amount of LGA
funding cities are receiving.
SET PRELIMINARY 2012 LEVY.
Greg Sticha gave a power point presentation highlighting the
meeting schedule for the remainder of the year, budget assumptions used, comparison documents to key
financial strategy cities, per capita spending and tax rates. Councilwoman Ernst asked for clarification of
the amount in the debt levy and expenses in relation to the three scenarios. Councilman Laufenburger
asked for clarification of who determines the final calculations for the tax bill, actual versus budgeted
numbers for 2009 and 2010 expenditures, and Chanhassen’s tax rate over the last 5 to 7 years. Mayor
Furlong further clarified the increase in spending from 2011 to what’s proposed in 2012. Councilwoman
Ernst clarified what was included in approval of the preliminary levy. After comments from commission
members, the following motion was made.
Resolution #2011-53: Councilman McDonald moved, Councilman Laufenburger seconded that the
City Council approve a resolution adopting the preliminary 2012 general fund budget of
$9,659,500, establish a total preliminary levy of $10,236,390 for the year 2012 and establishing
Truth in Taxation public hearing dates for 2011 collectible in 2012. All voted in favor, except
Councilwoman Ernst who opposed, and the motion carried with a vote of 4 to 1.
COUNCIL PRESENTATIONS:
Councilwoman Tjornhom discussed a letter written by Mr. Leonard
and printed in the newspaper criticizing the council for their actions at the last work session in delaying
the discussion of employee compensation and vacation/sick pay. Councilman McDonald concurred with
Councilwoman Tjornhom that the comments and the criticism of the mayor were undeserved, and didn’t
understand where Mr. Leonard got the information since he wasn’t at the work session meeting.
Councilwoman Ernst stated her belief that people were present in the audience to hear that item, which
was originally scheduled to be discussed during the first part of the work session and was then moved,
th
and ultimately rescheduled for September 26 . Councilman Laufenburger defended Dr. Leonard’s right
to write whatever he wants, and the Villager’s right to print whatever letters they want. Mayor Furlong
provided updates from meetings he’s attended with Metro Cities and the American Legion organizing the
Beyond the Yellow Ribbon campaign in Chanhassen. Laurie Hokkanen provided a more detailed account
of what will be included in the program.
ADMINISTRATIVE PRESENTATIONS:
Todd Gerhardt provided updates on the summer projects
that have been completed with the exception of the City Hall parking lot.
CORRESPONDENCE DISCUSSION.
None.
Councilwoman Ernst moved, Councilman McDonald seconded to adjourn the meeting. All voted in
favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0. The City Council meeting was
adjourned at 10:40 p.m.
Submitted by Todd Gerhardt
City Manager
Prepared by Nann Opheim
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