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9 Assumption Seminary PropertyClTYOF 690 City Center Drive PO Box 147 Chanhassen, Minnesota 55317 Phone 952.937.1900 General Fax 952.937.5739 Engineering Department Fax 952.937.9152 &dlding Department Fax 952.934.2524 Web Site www. ci. chanhassen, mn. us MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor Jansen City Council FROM: Loft Haak, Water Resources Coordinator DATE: April 17, 2001 Assumption Seminary Property BACKGROUND The Assumption Seminary property consists of approximately 160 acres on the north side of Highway 212 and west of Bluff Creek Drive. (The land containing Assumption Creek and Seminary Fen is actually larger and owned by a dozen or more property owners; however, the property shown in the map below contains most of the creek and fen that is still in private OWTtership.) Because the Assumption Seminary site contains some of the highest quality natural resources in the City of Chanhassen, it is prudent to provide the Cotmcil with a description of the site and a snapshot of the City's past perspectives on its management. -. Assumption Seminary Property . The purpose of this memo is to provide background on: 1. The Assumption Creek, Seminary Fen and the Assumption Seminary property; and 2. The City documents that address a management strategy for this property. Mayor and City Council April 17, 2001 Page 2 ASSUMPTION CREEK AND SEMINARY FEN The Assumption Creek/Seminary Fen complex is a very unique resource within the City of Chanhassen, the Lower Minnesota River Watershed District (LMRWD) and the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area. The subwatershed contains a DNR-designated trout stream (Assumption Creek) and a calcareous seepage fen (Seminary Fen). Assumption Creek Assumption Creek begins on the Assumption Seminary site and empties into the Minnesota River after flowing through the Raguet Wildlife Management Area, west of Highway 101 and south of Highway 212 in Chanhassen. The creek is Carver County's only remaining native trout stream. It is one of only 15 streams in the metro area that still supports trout populations. Seminary Fen The Seminary Fen is a calcareous seepage fen that is approximately 90 acres in size. A majority of the 90 acres is located on the Assumption Seminary property. Fens are types of bogs that form in low-lying areas that are wholly or partly covered with water and dominated by plants like grasses, sedges and reeds. The soils of fens are organic (peaty) and not acidic like the soils of bogs. The water that fens receive is typically groundwater that contains dissolved minerals and is moderately acidic. Calcareous seepage fens are the least common type of fen because the conditions that must exist to create a calcareous fen are unique. Calcareous seepage fens.are formed when water from atop a river bluff area percolates through soils rich in calcium and magnesium, collects those minerals and seeps out of more shallowly sloped portions of the bluff. Because calcareous seepage fens are few and far between, the plants that live in the fen are considered quite rare. According to a September 30, 1999 Chanhassen Villager article, the unique environment that exists in Seminary Fen supports eight rare plants: "five 'state threatened' plant species and three 'state special concern' species." The plant community of the Seminary Fen is exceptional not only because it contains several rare plant species, but also because it is relatively untouched. Despite the site's use by Mudcura Sanitarium and the Assumption Seminary (Attachment 1), the plant community has resisted invasion by non-native plant species to a great extent. According to Hannah Dunevitz, Regional Plant Ecologist with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Seminary Fen is the highest quality calcareous seepage fen in the Minnesota River Valley in the metro area. Attached is the Chanhassen Villager article from September 30, 1999 that discusses the unique natural resources that exist on this property in more detail (Attachment 2). STEWARDSHIP AND PROTECTION PLAN In December 2000, a work group was formed to address the management of Assumption Creek and Seminary Fen. The work group consists of representatives from DNR, Friends of the Mayor and City Council April 17, 2001 Page 3 Minnesota Valley, LMRWD, Carver County, Minnesota Land Trust, City of Chanhassen and other organizations, as well as private citizens. City staff became involved through an invitation from the District Administrator of the LMRWD, Kevin Bigalke. The LMRWD has sponsored several grant applications to help fund the development of a Stewardship and Protection Plan for the Assumption Creek and Seminary Fen. The Stewardship and Protection Plan development process would assist the work group in achieving three objectives: 1. Providing the residents of the area with information about the unique nature of Assumption Creek, Seminary Fen and the surrounding area; 2. Providing the residents with information on ways their properties can be protected (e.g., conservation easements, restrictive covenants); and 3. Involving the residents of the Assumption Creek/Seminary Fen subwatershed in further developing and implementing the Stewardship and Protection Plan. The most important factor in ensuring the protection of this site is the integrity of the hydrologic system, since the mineral-rich springs create the conditions necessary for the plants that grow in the calcareous seepage fens. The site's hydrology can be protected through the education of and involvement with property owners in the subwatershed. (The Stewardship and Protection Plan, once complete, will describe the educational and involvement components of this initiative in more detail.) Protection of the bluffs above the wetlands is also, important. Deposition of sediment from the bluffs above Minnesota River wetlands often creates an environment in which undesirable plants like reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea) thrive. In addition, runoff from golf courses, lawns, parking lots and other developed areas could add herbicides and other pollutants to the wetlands. Management of the fen and adjacent wetlands would ideally include periodic prescribed burning. Fire helps keep brush invasion to a minimum, control cool-season invasive exotic plants and stimulate growth of native plants. Finally, the working group would like to encourage long-term protective measures on all privately held land in the subwatershed. This could include voluntary conservation easements that would allow the owners to retain their lands but would restrict certain activities (like more intensive land uses or development) or acquisition as a wildlife or open space area. On lands that are currently undeveloped, very low densities and low impact development would best protect the subwatershed's natural resources. Since the working group has no decision-making authority, it is up to the local decision makers (like the City Council) to be aware of the resources present on the Assumption Seminary property and manage the subwatershed with the future of Assumption Creek and Seminary Fen in mind. Mayor and City Council April 17, 2001 Page 4 CITY OF CHANHASSEN The City has repeatedly given protection of this area the highest priority of all wetlands in the City (Surface Water Management Plan, Bluff Creek Natural Resources Management Plan and Comprehensive Plan--Attachments 3, 4 and 5). Other organizations have expressed similar goals. Staff believes continued cooperation with the working group and other organizations will accelerate progress toward the goals outlined in the City's Plans. ATTACHMENTS 1. Mudcura Sanitarium Article 2. Chanhassen Villager Article, September 30, 1999 3. Excerpt from Surface Water Management Plan, 1994 4. Excerpt from Bluff Creek Watershed Natural Resources Management Plan, 1996 5. Excerpt from City of Chanhassen Comprehensive Plan, 1998 GSENG~LORlhWETLANDSXAssumption SeminaryLAssumption Seminary Bkgd Memo.doc -/ Mudcura Sanitarium By Joseph Huber, Michael Huber and Patricia Huber Aerial of Mudcura Sanitarium, Shakopee, MN from a postcard. Mudcura, commonly known as Assumption Seminary, sits on a rise just north of Highway 212 between Shakopee and Chaska. It was one of three mud bath sanitariums that operated in the Minnesota River Valley. When we first decided to write articles on the mud baths we wondered if there was something unique about the geology of the river valley around Shakopee. The on- ly mud baths that we are aware of in Minnesota are within 10 miles of each other. One between Shakopee and Chaska 0VIudcura) and the other two between Shakopee and Jordan (Mudbaden and Jordan Sulphur Springs). (There was another proposed mud bath at Belle Plaine around 1912 by Dr. Heinen o[ Minneapolis. We could find nothing that would indicate that it was ever built?) Geologists and related specialists we talked to did not have any answers. There is some agreement that the water is not deep water, but comes through materials left by the glaciers. This material is capped above and below by layers of rock or clay and ends as the land drops into the valley. As the water runs through this rubble it leaches the sulphur out of the shale or buried organic material as a mineral. Ole Rosendahl informally started what was to become Mudbaden around the turn of the century; i.e., he gave treatments in his farmhouse. He built additions to his farm- house and in February 1908 went under new manage- ment. Dr. Thenus M. Larsen, a graduate scientific masseur (chiropractor) from Denmark, was a member of the new management. By October 1908, Dr. Larsen was also listed as the Vice President of Shakopee Mineral Springs Co. (Mudcura) which had been started by Dr. H. P. Fischer of Shakopee. In 1913 Dr. Larsen bought Rosendahl Sulphur Springs (now Mudbaden). It is unclear whether Dr. Larsen stayed on at Mudcura. Dr. Henry P. Fischer was born in Formosa, Ontario, the son of Michael and Katherine Fischer.2 A graduate of Detroit Medical College, Dr. Fischer came to Shakopee in 1894, according to his granddaughter Betty Buss. He liv- ed in a house on First Avenue in Shakopee and had a prac- tice above Deutsch's Drug Store. He returned to Kitchener, Ontario, where he had received his pre-reed education, to marry Wilomenia (Minnie) Huck. The couple returned to Shakopee and several years later they bought the house at the corner of Holmes and Second Avenue where the First National Bank of Shakopee now stands. The family lived in part of the house and used another part for Dr. Fischer's practice. '.25 26 A patient came in one day to tell Dr. Fischer about the springs on the bluff across the river. When he went to look at the springs he was excited by what he found - sulphur mud. He traveled around the U.S. looking at how others had set up sulphur mud bath sanitariums. He then returned to Shakopee to set about opening his own sanitarium. By the time the sanitarium was ready to open, Dr. Fischer's brother, Dr. Peter M. Fischer, had graduated from Michigan Medical School and moved to Shakopee. Dr. H.P. Fischer sold the house and his practice ,to his brother and moved his family out to the sanitarium. Dr. P.M. Fischer would eventually open the first hospital in Shakopee in that house.2 The Henry Fischer family is pictured while still liv- ing in Shakopee (see photo 1). ,:.~ ~: .. ~ .....~ x--..; - Photo 2: Waterfall at Mudcura. Photo 1: The Henry Fischer [amily; left to right, Henry, Marie, Georgina, Jerome (Jim), Wilomenia (Minnie) and Antoinette. In 1908, Dr. Fischer and his wife bought the Cameron farm with the sulphur spring and mud. They then sold it to the Shakopee Mineral Springs Co. in October of 1908. Dr. Fischer was the president of the corporation, Dr. Larsen the vice president and Fred W. Goodrich the secretary- treasurer. The site was described as 120 acres (half of which was mud) with three "palatable" sulphur springs, one iron spring and one pure water spring. It also had a well known trout stream, which the DNR now says is the last natural trout stream in the metro area. The only major changes to the grounds were that one of the spring fed ponds was dammed to make a waterfall, which provided the power to get the spring water into the building (photo 2). They also built the "Mammoth cement bottle" for the spring (photo 3). This was later built into a gazebo for the patients (photo 4). . .., ..,~..,,, --~ .~,~r_~. ~f .. .; '.. .,:..-;. .. : im.L~~.&~:~~:~.,o'-'"-., '.;::,:.~i! :-' ~,..~:-: '.' Photo 3: "Mammoth cement bottle" for the spring. -,,,,7~.~-,..m~'''= -:-'::'-.~:: ,'"Z~. ~ ' ~;.Ir~¥:;~- - ~,~i~1 .... a ...:~..d.. I -' i ' " ~1 ~T~~~'-',':;':' :T~ 7~-" --~'~' :-' *". - '-~ -'.~ Photo 4: Gazebo wi~h cement bottle enclosed. The building was started the second week of November 1908 with Arthur C. Clausen of Minneapolis as the architect. The corporation started out with $50,000, but by December 1908 they were advertising for another $20.,000 in preferred stock.'~ At this point, with only the foundation completed, they were ca!ling the facility the Swastika Sulphur Springs Sanatorium. The architect's rendering (photo 5) is the only guide that we have as to what the original building looked like. At this point we have not found any real photos of the original structure. Shakopee Mineral Springs' original structure was completed the middle of July 1909. The main building was three stories high and about 80 feet square. The bath area was at the left-rear of the main building and was 40 feet wide and I10 feet long. The men's' bath was on the west side and the women's bath on the east. (The only details of the original building are the ar- chitect's drawing and a description in a newspaper arti- cle done just as the foundation was completed s). When finished it was called Mudcura, even though they still had a decorative Swastika in the main office. The building had its own cigar and newsstand, smoking room and barber shop. The bath department has mud, bath, cool- ing and dressing rooms for both men and women. From the newspaper article, it sounds like there are 27 bedrooms (photo 6) and could handle 40 to 50 patients (depending on the source).6 The room and board was $15.00 to $25.00 per week, depending on the location of the room. The Fischer family also lived there, but we don't know how many of the staff lived on site.4 A 1910 newspaper ad shows Dr. P.M. Fischer (Henry's brother) also living at Mud- cura, but by 1911 he was back in Shakopee. The family residence (photo 7) was completed6 and-the family lived there until they sold the property in 1951. According to Susan Dreydoppel6 the building was remodeled by 1912. This is the way most people remember the building (photo 8). Shakopee papers covered parties and cattle awards at the facility but did not mention the expansion. Susan Dreydoppel also speculated that the Fischers bought out Dr. Larsen and Mr. Goodrich by 1926. But according to his obituary, Mr. Goodrich was treasurer- secretary of Mudcura for several years.? Perhaps the Fischers bought out Mr. Goodrich and Dr. Larsen when the new building was completed and as Dr. Larsen return- ed to Mudbaden. By February 1914 the dormitory for workers was com- pleted. In a small announcement it was called the "Helps Hall and Nurses Home". It had 25 rooms with a separate heating plant and bath rooms with hot and cold showers.8 The men lived on the first floor and the women on the second floor. (pi~oto 9). Also in 1914 Dr. H.P. Fischer's brother started expansion on the "How place" for the first hospital in Shakopee.9 Both H.P. and P.M. (the brothers always used their initials) used the "How place" as their residence and their practice site. Dr. B.E Pearson of Shakopee worked at Mudcura from about ~.939 until it closed in 1951. He said most of the pa- tients who came for the mud cure had some form of ar- thritis or sciatica. Dr. Pearson did all the physicals and every new patient had a physical. Advertising post- cards from 1909 proclaimed that the baths were good for: rheumatism, gout, neuralgia, asthma, skin, kidney and nervous diseases. Treatment to dry out alcoholics was also added at some point. Jim Fischer, Dr. Fischer's son, was an alcoholic and a driving force in AA in Minnesota. He was instrumental in having Mudcara used as an early alcohol treatment center. Treatment was started with a home drawn wagon. The mud was loaded on the wagon north of the springs and driven across the small bridge over the falls (photo 11). It was off-loaded in a bin in the basement of the treat- ment wing (photo 12). The mud was then taken upstairs, put in a machine that pulverized and steam-heated it for the patients. The patients would start their treatment at about 6 a.m. Florence Greening, who worked at the sanitarium, said some of the North Dakota farmers who were patients would be ready and waiting by 5:30 a.m. A canvas covering was put on a rattan bed and covered with mud. The patient would lay on this and then be covered to the neck with mod. The canvas would cover them to keep the heat in (photo 13). Dished metal beds were used in later years (photo 14). The patient would be in the mud for at least one-half hour. There were also "buckets" that would cover a patient's leg up to the knee with mud for those who didn't want the full treatment. The patients would then be hosed off and put in a hot sulphur water bath (sulphur water was the only tyPe us- · .ed at the facilit~y). After the bath the patient would be dried ~and wrapped in a blanket to cool off (photo 15). They would receive a massage before returning to their rooms to dress and go to the dining hall for breakfast. When Mudcura was busy, it had a capacity of 100 with the larger building, the treatments would go on into the early afternoon. Other parts of the treatment included drinking lots of sulphur water and electric treatments. We have not found out what those entailed. During the day the patients would relax, walk on the grounds (photo 17), play lawn sports or cards and retire early for the next day's treatment. Some patients would ride with the chauffeur, in the afternoons, into Shakopee and relax around town. During the winter patients ice-skated on the pond (photo 18). The recommended stay was three weeks, but many stayed less. Some even came in as out-patients once or twice a week. Most patients came once a year and those with worse symptoms often came two or three times a year. Dr. Fischer did not involve himself in the treatments much. There was a physician who managed the treatments, another physician who did the physicals and 27 Photo 5: Architect's rendering of Shakopee Mineral Springs Sanatorium. o. _...~,~,.~/<_:~_..,~.~...~<....,...:..~, ',~ ~ __ ~ . ~...,. Photo 8:1912 remodeled main h ildi ~_u..__n~. Photo 9: Dormito~' with man on first floor and women on second floor. Photo 10: Cars outside Mudcu."a. 3O a chiropractor who managed the massages. By 1921 Mud- cura also had its own dentist. Dr. Sandin.~0 Mudcura's advertising went through several stages. There were professional notices in the newspapers, essen- tially business cards on the front page of the paped~ 42 ~3 These appeared in 1910, 1911, and 1912. There were also print advertising postcards, which apparently were sold at Mudcura and the patients would write friends and relatives about their stay. Mudcura also had photographers make photo postcards of patients and staff to send out (photo 19). During 1914, a Dr. Watler Weimers wrote a series of articles called 'Materia Mudcura". They were mostly testimonials given by patients about their stay or a note that they came to Mudcura. These one-sentence statements always gave the person's name and hometown. They were also used to give short announcements about the staff. Some examples: Mr. S. Slimmer, the St. Paul cattle buyer claims the mudbaths are the stuff for his rheumatism. Mr. L.C. Sutma/' of the firm of Lindeke, Warner and Co., St. Paul says: "A mud bath now and then, is relish- ed by the best of men'J Mr. PS. Tiedeman and Perry' Peterson of Verona, N.D. say that the), would rather be in the hot mud than to be home in the North Dakota weather. Miss Ruth Pickrell, the six-year.old patient h'om Canada, who has been suffering with rheumatism, is happy over her attempt at walking. She walks with very little assistance. These articles also give an indication of the range of patients that used Mudcura. Besides coming from all around Minnesota, they mention the following areas: Alaska, Colorado, Iowa, North and South Dakota, Wiscon- sin and Saskatchewan.~ Patients came by road or rail. Train passengers arriving in Shakopee were chauffered (photos 20, 21) to the Sanitarium along "lover's lane" (now Highway 169)s through the river bottoms. Advertising appeared in local papers listing what Mud- cura had to offer?2 In 1924 there was a large Christmas greeting in the Shakopee paper.TM It is not known if this advertising was regional or just local. We have see one brochure advertising Mudcura. There is no date but it is from the later era as it shows the metal dish beds. An indirect way of advertising was in form of Mud- cura-sponsored social and community events. From 1910 to 1915 the Shakopee papers report on Mudcura's football team, called the "Mudcuras" or the "Muds". It is not clear whether these were adult teams or high school teams. They played both high school teams and town teams from Photo 17: Patients relaxing on the grounds. 'hoto 18: Patients ice skating on the pond. 31 Photo 19: Postcard of patients and staff. ~hoto 20: Dr. Fischer's automobile for transporting train passengers. qmto 21: Lovers' Lane, from a postcard. now Highway 169. 'hoto 22: Dr. Fischer's prize-winning Holstein cattle. Photo 23: Postcard ot staff oi Mudcura. - ' ................. _ ...... ~.~. 32 the Twin Cities and from as far south as New Prague. These newspaper articles were few and it is not known if these games happened on a regular basis?3 In 1911 the Mud- curas had a baseball team in the Carver County. league.~5 Parties were another regular occurrence at Mudcura. The Fischers sponsored many teas, socials and New Year's Eve parties that were reported in the local papers.~6 In 1916, Dr. Fischer gave a party at Ramsey Park near Redwood Falls for graduates of Mudcura.~? As early as I926 Mud- cura had a golf club with member from Shakopee and Chaska. They had a contest between the two towns to see who could get the most new members. Chaska won. Newspaper accounts did not say where the golf was played, but in a 1931 article it sounded like the course was at Mudcura.~ a Mudcura also had some in-house happenings. In August 1929 Dr. Henry Wunder, the Mudcura house physi- cian, and Cordelia Pond, a technician at Mudcura, who was the daughter of E.J. Pond, were married in the Presbyterian church her grandfather, Samuel Pond, found- ed?9 In March of 1912 a $600 diamond stud was stolen from Henry Dayfeil while he was taking the cure. He went up to his room after his morning treatment and the dia- mond was gone. Charles Kopp "the efficient sheriff in brain and nerve of Scott Co)' was called in. Sheriff Kopp went under cover as a patient, and working with Sheriff Gates "the clever Sheriff of Carver County,' they determined that a Mr. Charles Vickery of Chaska was the only patient to leave Mudcura the day of the robbery. They traced him to St. Paul and learned that he was coming back to Chaska the following Monday. At Mr. Dayfeil's request, they call- ed Capt. Clark of the St. Paul police department to "sweat Mr. Vickery" about the diamond. They told him they would not prosecute if he returned the diamond, which he did. They then promptly turned him over to Kansas authorities where he was wanted for more serious charges.2o In November t925 a patient from South Dakota disap- peared from Mudcura and Sheriff Weckman from Shak- opee made an extensive search. The man's body was found several weeks later by some hunters on the north side of the swamp. The man had apparently cut his own throat with a pocket knife, which was still "clasped tight- ly'' in his hand.2~ In June 1925, Mudcura was hit by a "real Kansas tor- nado''. The storm went through Shakopee first and ended up doing a lot of damage in Chaska. Mudcura suffered about $20,000 worth of damage. One resident survived as the garage collapsed around her car as she was sitting in it. Another patient had just left his room as the smoke stack crashed through the roof. Dr. Fischer and Larry 'Hunter, one of his assistants, both received broken arms as they tried to close a second floor door. 22 Dr. Fischer's other interest was his prize-winning farm animals. He won many state and local prizes for the farm animals he raised. His Belgian horses were used to haul the mud, and his poultry were used in the Mudcura kit. chens. His prize-winning Holstein cattle provided the sanitarium with milk and cream (photo 22). One of Dr. Fischer's Holstein heifers, "Princess Aaggie Polkadot deKol", set a world record for milk production. It was 797.7 pounds of milk in seven days. In a 365 day run, she produced 31,600 pounds of milk and 1315 pounds of but-. ter. Dr. Fischer was the president of the Scott County Agricultural Society and vice president of the Scott County Farm Bureau.~ In 1924, Dr. Fischer sold at auction 60 head of Hols- teins, including "Princess Aaggie Polkadot deKol" for - $24,790. The auction was held in the garage at Mudcura. Buyers came from as far as St. Louis. Missouri. In July of 1930 the barn housing his herd was completely destroyed by a fire started by "tramps", it was thought. Forty five head were saved. At the time 14 cows were under pro- duction tests, being milked 4 times a day.~'~ After 1933 Mudcura disappears from the Shakopee newspapers, except for major events such as Dr. Fischer's death and the selling of Mudcura. On January 17. 1940 Dr. Fischer was getting into his car on Lake Street in Min- neapolis when he was struck by a passing motorist. He received a broken arm and leg. His condition was made more hfe-threatenmg by a chronic heart condition. He died one week later on January 24, 1940 at the age of 69. At the time of death, Dr. Fischer belonged to many medical. religious and agricultural societies. In 1951 the Fischer family decided to sell Mudcura. It was announced in April that the property would be sold to the Black Franciscans, Order of Friars Minor Conven- tual, Our Lady of Consolation Provience, Louisville. Ken- tucky. It would ultimately be called the Assumption Seminary.~s The Seminary functioned until 1970. It ran a seminary college associated with St. Catherine's and St. Thomas' Colleges in St. Paul. They also continued the dairy farm with a registered herd.6 The seminary sold the property to the Marian Coun- cil Home Association as a possible retirement home for the Knights of Columbus. The retirement home did not happen. In 1976 the Marians sold the property to the Chanhassen Springs Co. This was a group of attornevs who bought it as an investment. There was concern during this period that the building would be burned and cleared. The dormitory was burned by the Chanhassen Fire Depart- ment for practice in fire fighting. In the fall of 1990 the Chanhassen Springs Co. sold the property to Leland Gohlicke of Stillwater. Mr Gohlicke plans to restore the buildings and turn them into a business retreat with bed and breakfast facilities. They also plan to bring back a mud bath spa.~ Note: Except for the initial announcement and advertise- ment for a stock offering, the Chaska paper did not follow happenings at Mudcura? Photos and postcards from: Florence Greening, blable Meriden a~d Joe Huher 1. Belle Plaine Herald, July 4, 1912; Shakopee Tribune, July 12, 1912. '2. Shakopee Argus-Tribune, Jan, 25 and Feb. 1, 1940. 3. Betty Buss (Dr. Henry Fischer's granddaughter) personal comn'mnica- tion, April 1992, Shakopee, MN. 4. Shakopee Tribune, Dec. 18, 1908. 5. The Minneapolis Jo. urnal, Nov. 15, 1908. 6. A talk by Susan M. Dreydoppel, Administrator, Carver County Historical Society, at the Chaska Historical Society annual meeting, Sept. 26. 1984. 7. Shakopee Argus. Tribune, Sept. 7. 1933. 8. Shakopee Tribune, Feb. 13, 1914. 9. Shakopee Tribune, Sept. 18, 1914. 10. Shakopee Tribune, Dec. 15, 1921. 11. Shakopee Tribune, Feb. 6, Feb. 13, Feb., 20, Feb. 27, March 6. and April 24. 1914. 12. Shakopee Tribune, Dec. 14. 19'2'2. 13. Shakopee Tribune, Oct. 28, Nm,: 11, and Dec. 2, 1910 and Nov. 15, 1915. 14. Shakopee Tribune, Dec. 18, 1924 15. Shakopee Tribune, May 19, 1911. 16. Shakopee Tribune, Jan. 24, 1913: Jan. 5, 1917; June 16, 1921; Jan. 5, 1922. 17. Shakopee Tribune, , Sept. 8, 1916. 18. Shakopee Argus-Tribune, April 14, Ma.,,' 19, June 2, 1927; April 2, 1931. 19. Shakopee Argus-Tribune, Aug. 8, 1929. 20. Shakopee Tribune, March 8. 1912. 21. Sbakopee Tribune, Nov. 5, 1925. 22. Shakopee Tribune, June 4, 1925. 23. Shakopee Tribune, March 3, June 9. Dec. 15, 1921; Jan. 26, March 9, Junel3. Oct. 19, 1922, Aug. 25, 1927. Scott Count)., Argus. Sept. 13, 1918; Jan. 13, Sept. 5. Dec. 5, 1919. 24. Shakopee Argus. Tribune, July 10, 1930. 25. Shakopee Argus-Tribune, April 16, May 3, May 17. 1951. 26. Chaska Weekly Valley Herald, Nov. 19. Dec. 17, Dec. 24 and Dec. 31, 1908. Fu rt~"e r references: Dr. B.E Pearson (physician at Mudcura}. personal conversation, May 1992. Shakopee, MN. Florence Greening (nurse at Mudcura), personal communication, May 1992, Shakopee, MN. Shakopee Tribune, Oct. 16, 1924. Shakopee Argus-Tribune, April 25. 1929. Scott County Argus, July 23, 1909, and Shakopee Tribune., July 23, 1909. Shakopee Tribune, Jan. 21. 1910 and March 17, 1911. Keith l'haves, Jordan. MN Joseph Huber Joe Huber was raised in Shakopee and has an intimate knowledge of the valley and its river. He is a Licensed Pschoiogist. When not working at his profession, he has many interests, including history and genealogy. Michael and Particia Huber Michael and Patricia Huber live in Shakopee where they are employed by Shakopee Services Inc. The couple share interests in local history and photography. The3; along with Joseph Huber, Mike's brother, p;ublished a photo history book of Shakopee's early days. Both Mike and Pat grew up in Shakopee. They have two children. Heather 10 and Mathew 8. 33 (Continued from Page 16) of measuring the social and political support present? Does support have to be generated to attain the necessary in- volvement of the different players? What are the socially acceptable and unacceptable land uses in the area? Are there cultural and/or institutional perceptions that must be overcome to implement change? All of the above information can be used to develop a specific definition of water quality as it relates to your project. Note that it probably will not be an easy task. A summary of this information is available from Greg Johnson, MPCS-NSS. 52(.) I..afayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155. Thursday, September 30,1999 80 West 78th St., Str ~', '.',.:-..', ~ .... :~.-...:'~ .~?-:'.:<:,, .:.%, .. s ~ ... · ! Calcareous Fen Cross Section ~i. '-~l~e~'Ot ~~:}:.'.:("2~:'-' -':" };:~: ' ~ ~ ~::' Water ~molat~ do~wa~. ">' - "~aiz.'"' ' '" ' ' ' "~ and ~:ei~:,':,' :: t- ':<.-, ~ ~:., ;;T_-'t~:~ /upwaffi and over to ~o ~{~roous fen -' .DNRtrout--ffir~SP.~J;j} . ~; "~:~:'~., { ...,~.:~?{' ~EOUS FEN .. , . ..... ~..~ ..... ~,i. .Iow H!ghway~{~..).::~":; -' ' :? 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' ' ~5 ~tof-~ .... :-. .... , ....... ; ..... .:,~: .......... :,. - ~~ .~ ~ . , .. .... ..:- ,. ....., :.;." . ..., "~:~ -,: .~, ...,~.-~ ~ .... . ~l~~a~*~'~'- . .. :~, . -..,:~:: ~':?":.7"*' :'~ · ~ ~~., .~.. .,_. ~: .. ~. ,,~- ......... :~ ...... ~~.~. · ~ . -'. a- - ........ ': . ' . ~ ' 't:;. -~:~5~ ; ~'.: :~ :D':,~"-:t; ..... 4': ' '. .~ ~cD~ . . , ' ·. -:~ :. ' .........t'.'o~'slo '~' ~ ~ ~ ~on c~ ~.~tM,~ :. · · · fl" ~'O~.~ m~. 'tm'.u~j'. .- rt. -.' · : ....... ~.~,~ ~Um~ ~ , :...'::,., .: ~ '-~ .-:m:., .' : . ,.'.' :.. - . ... ~ ~l~n~r~ ~'- ~ '- ' ~ ' ;' ' ~' ': 'c~t Ot~m ' ~Water , , ~M~.~~I~) ' ~ ~' ~e D~ w~ ~ ~ mk a~: <, ,xn ; ~.~,. ..... ,' i ~t .... ~s con- · ~ ~ ~ ~tn~, . .;.. '.,; ,.'.. <.. ,:.. ~ ~.~. *~., '-'~ : - , ~ :.' · . o~ ~ "' -'-"~a~'~' '~.O~D~t~,-"" H~,~e~ ~Sh~p~age~u~ :,. .. . .. ::..,- , ~O ~ . ~. ;,~. ,-,-.. ...... .... :: ;' "~' :., "" ~ w'-'~-":.' .::':: '. "";' '> - ..... e f~ h - ' ' n eaes: .:::it:: ,. '[5 ~'~ ~ ~¢:~, ~ . y. S~ ~ Wet M~OW . ~ ~ ~d ~m ~, l~t ~0~ .; "~g :.: .-'v~ '... : .' .... ..,,...-..: ....-:.:? :. :.."-:. :q. :'~ drology or soils are dis- turbed, Dunevitz said, "the Community can be com- pletdy destroyed." ~[he fen depends upon groundwater," said Jeanette Leete, DNR hydrology su- pervisor. "Just keeping the area wet isn't enough, be- cause for a fen to stay a fen, it has to be so saturated all the time with groundwater and the groundwater has to nm away.., not become stag- . nant or ponding. So when it rains, the rainwater is essentially rejected - water offa duck's back.." A fen's qualities lead to an image problem. A "layperson'wouldn't cory sider this a wetland because they don't see water," said Kevin Bigalke, a metro region trout stream watershed coordi- nator with the DNR. Without the open water, lined with cattails and rushes, people ask "How can that be a wetland? Bigalke said. "It's a tough system to define." Trout stream The DNR is interested in preserv- ing a large chunk of the fen water- shed area. The entire wetland area is 600 acres, both north and south of Highway 212. The area is owned by about a dozen landownem The land not only includes the fen, but also &ssumption Creek, Carver County's only trout stream and one of only 15 trout strearm remaining in' the seven-county metropolitan arem Of those 15 trout streams, the DNR has given six "high priorib/' status. The reasons for the high priority are the fen, increased devdopmem around the watershed, fringes, and the stream size. "It's one of the larger streams in .the metro area," Bigalke said. As'a priority stream the DNR keeps a dose eye on its health. In August, the DNR condu~:l a fish count in the stream (the results'aren't in yet'). A science class from Chaska High School also monitOrs the number of macroinvertebrates in the water - a gauge of water quality.- The DNR is "making contact~ with respective local .government units and citizens who live in the area, to find out what they. know about the trout stream and the~.tershed," Bigalke. said- ~' ' "x- ' .... Bigalke also foresee~ a - "' <' -management strategy for ~ the watershed, so groups can "protect the quality of' resources-ttiat exist." "All of it is in private (ownership) right now and that provides a unique opportunity for us-to get in tour~ with and get to know property owners,' Bigalke said. "We rely on them to man- age resources, because we can't go onto private property and tell them how to take care of their land. We can pro- vide them with information abotit re- sources that are on the property and the significance of them, and give them information as fix as how they could be better managing their land for the .This approach helps neighbors "gain a sense of ownership wi& the .watershed, so it's like an extension of their back yard, and they can take pride in the way it's managed and pro- tected," Bigalke said. The DNR is initiating the educa- tional program as a collaboration with the Lower Minnesfm W'a~ershed District and the Friends of the Min- nesota Valley. Ndghb6rly advice . "In a lot of cases, I couldn't ~ ine'protec/ing a (water) ~'tem with- out the pmple who live around it b~ ing the caretakers," Leete mid. The Seminary Fen is "one of the target areas for the next year or two,'' said NanCy Albrecht, registry coordi- nator with the Friends of the Miune- sota Valley, a non-profit conservation organization. ' "What we hope to do ~s contact the landowne~ adjacent m it and provide them with information on what cal- careous fens are and why they're im- portant, and what they might be able to do on their own land that will help the fen .remain a healthier commtmi- ty," Albrecht ~& · Some of these measures include controlling erosion, so surface water quality rem~in.~ high, alad controlling .exotic spedes. Wens are very rare and they tend to have the diversity of plants that you. don't see in other wetlands 'in this area. And this fen is in pretty good shape and we want to keep it this way," Albrecht said_ ' The 'Friends will start to. contaef neighbors of the fen this fall, asking them to join the Hk-itage Reghm/. The registry'is a group oflandowfiers, who %ohmteer to protect and preserve their natural land for the benefit 0fwild- life and the e~systems that support it? Registration is voluntary and the Jim and Maida Eggen belong tO the Heritage Registry. They bought the BluffCa'eek 13~ and Breakfast Which sits dose to the fen about 14 months' ago. "It's very interesting" said Jim, of the fen "In fact, the whole Minneso- ta ValIW is replete with wildlife. It amazes me relative to the other places -Fve lived~" Buying the fen ~bout nine months ago, the DNR offered tO buy 160 acres ofCh~nhsu- - sen laed,-'which contains most of the fen area, from Emerald Ventures, LLC., but the business didn't want to sell. The DNR is limited by state law tO offer appraised value. piece, and it ranks high on the prior- ity list in the metro area for acquisi- tion,'' said Lee Markell, DNR land protection Specialist for the scientific and natural areas program. "If we could negotiate.for the 160, we'd buy iL". · 'The DNK acquires sites with %tare- ' gride significance," Marker said. ~If theyhave a fiir amount ofdimu'Mnce, - we typically do not sede acquisition. This remains pretty well undishaxbed - the fen in particular." · Sam Wetterlin, of Emerald'Proper- ues, said he is thinking about 'devel- oping the land .adjacent to Highway 212, the "non-wetland part.'' 'There is "a substantial amount of high ground north, of the creek also. We'd like'to do some sort 6f devdopment there," Wetterlin mid. " < "What we're Oxrrenfly looking at is some sort of senior living campus - a combination of assisted ca~e'and unassisted living," Wetterlin said. "Our idea is-to develop the high ground and at the same time work out something with the DNR to do- nate thewetlands portion of the prop- erty which would include the creelq" W'etterlin said. ' He would g~ve the bulk of the proty erty sohth of 212 to the DN1L "if we work out some sort of mutually ac- ceptable devdop, ment plan." Wetter- lin said he would try tO develop the land within the next five yeats. The DNR would look at purchas- ing surrounding properties, Marker said, but ~the basic philosophy is-to pick up the core area first." "We certainly would like to stay ahead of the curve as far as devdop- ment, and not be in a position where we're picking up scraps," Matke. II said. ~re'd like tO acquire a large chunk with a significant bumper around the fen, rather than a narrow strip along the creek. We'd like a nice wide buff:- lens are protected by strict state and federal laws. 'Some areas of the semi- nary area could be built on without long as you don't change someth~g that doesn't impact the hydrology or change w~. ter quality,~ Leete said. "These thin~ need to be t~lked "When you disrapt calcareou~ fens and encroach upon a wetland com- plex, the _fen will retreat within,~ Leete said "You c3.n't sacrifice fi'inging wet- lands, without negatively imp.acting FEN to p~ge 7 the. calcareous wetland within. It functions as a 'whole ...... · ~ _ _ '. .. :, , - ; · ~ ~-: , h=sen commum~ d~d- · _ opm~t &rector, sa:d ~e. · . · ~.' : .-. ; · . . .- .; .~W s first choxce wo~Id , t0 t~v~/t~e ~a'p~k ~wouId ~.equirc ~d acqui-' ~i~on..' ~. ' ' .~ '~~~' ' ~e.'ar& is, zoned' fOr ag~ria~i~u~i %~. ~n-..t~. 2020.Compreh~ive.P~, the ~ is slated' for o~ce ,. ,.--~,- .- ,. ... · . . ~son s'~d. If a bssin=S'went into' · ~.. ~.~..me d~ WoUld .~ope for a -~. . .. - corporat~st~d. ~at would. ~ke · =~e Of'the !and; ~ms6n s~d. . M=~w~l~'~son s~d, .~,.~e '~t'=ea We'll.be b~ng in" · . . , . f°r~wat~r'.'and s~er S.~c~ ~e'~~ is""ve~ ~pOmt to the  ~ . . . ~, s~d .P~p ~n;.Chanh=sen ~t~r r~ource coordimtor,.who m~- ag=. ~e ci~'s surface %t~ pl~. "It's going, to be und~ num~ous, res~c- ~ofis wh= ~ng.iS b~lt in ==; but ~t now, it'~ ... disco~e~- ed. from' ~t ~o~ trends," '~-e'~"could pot=flaky ~ con- ~t~ bu[. ~. "cost is ~¢mendous, md you.get .~nt9. ~paa~.is~u= ~h '.- . : ,. ,: · ~he water main,'~ said Bill. Monk; dry of Chaska engi- The city of Chaska owns the.svestedy section of the wetland area. It was deeded bver-as, part of the platting process, Mo'nk said: "We'Ve tried "co pro.tect .the..ar~ as mucfi as we can because we know (the Water)goes into. Ctianhassen and the fen." · Harold Hesse, who owns a.. northern. Section of the f.en,'Said he mould like.to see kis land pre~evced, 'Td enjoy't6"See it preserved and going back to ,nature,' Hesse said. ,. "This. is the big -.really big- op- portunity,'! Dunevitz said. "If you want· to pr..otect a fen,. this is the best ~ ..i PlaCe to doit.'' . SaVage ,fen' ,. An&her nearby metrO'area calc~r- eoias fen is in Savage. The ~avage Fen Wetland complex is '425 acres, and 64 acres of the:wetlan.~ are calcareous fen.' The Sc° 'CSunty Highly Depart- ment debated with'environmental , groups over a. proposal to build an extension or County Road 27 ac. foSS the. £en. Th~'DNR ultimately denied .... , · . . . the countY s.gequest tO extend the high-. way across the fen and wetland com, ple. x. A task force, including ~epresenta- rives.from environmental groupS,' dry · staff, . residents 'and' the 'Army Corps of engineers, is now smdying '. three altematlves to the original plan. The state gave $200,000..to the group to study alternative routes, "Unlike the Savage situation, (we) · don~t have any problems working'with the DNR. We're.not trying.to.do'any- thing to the fen that causes them any 'problems, so we don't expect'thesame Pi:oblems 'they have in SaVage,"'Wgt- terJin said. The DNR also hopes to avoid Sa',/- age's, developmentversus ,fen conflict. "The people of Savage have been wo?k- lng for a .long time to try to. make tilings better,' or at least not make thugs hurt, But a lot was already go/ lng qn before people became aware of (the.fen)i. In that regards, in Chaska and Chanhassen we've got a better start," Leete said. · "I really admire the political heat political leaders have taken in order .-to protect the (Savage)' fen. And I : WOuld .hope we can get ahead of the curVe' in Chanhassen and Chaska so it isn't such a hard political issue," Leete added. F 2, G ree~wc]uj F 3, r)evelopme~t considering the highly developed nature of the vaatershed that surrounds it. The design of the trails and park system should continue to move forward as the Park and Recreation Commission recommends and under the viewpoints discussed above. Development of the land and transportation routes should continue to move forward with Watershed-Based Zoning and Cluster Development and protection of the primary and secondary zones as discussed in section V.E. The East Gorge area is erosive and it is important that the City require setback regulations beyond the existing bluff ordinance to protect the spring-fed creek. This may require an amendment to the existing bluff ordinance. Much of the area appears to already be divided into large lot residential home sites. Future development would target further subdivision of parcels. The City's effor-ts to manage this area should focus on cooperative agreements to protect the area, especially the southern areas where higher quality exists. IV, G Regiom 5- 5emi~arbj Fe~ G, 1 Natural Resotarce5 · Approach The Seminary Fen should receive the highest level of protection to avoid declines in wetland quality. This wetland should remain connected to the lower gorge area of Bluff Creek. Naturally reproducing trout within the creek on this property should also be protected. The Seminary Fen is an extremely rare type of wetland found in the state and should be protected from encroachment due to draining, filling and exotic species (see Figure 14). To retain groundwater discharge into this area, development should be restricted on the bluff top areas so that recharge of groundwater may ocdur. Buffer strips should be a minimum of 100 feet on all sides of this wetland. Disturbances, such as vegetation removal, should not be allowed. This wetland should remain connected to the lower gorge area of Bluff Creek. Naturally reproducing trout within the creek on this property should be protected as v/ell. bluff Cree~ Watershed Nc~f~.trc]l Resource5 Management PIc]~ P~ge 60 I 1 The design of the trails and park system should continue to move forward as the Park and Recreation Commission recommends and under the viewpoints discussed above. 6,30eve!opme~qt Development of the land and transportation routes should continue to move forward with Watershed-Based Zoning and cluster development and protection of the primary and secondary zones as discussed in section V.E. The City should consider a variety of land uses in this area and should choose the use that is most protective to the area. If possible, a means for limited access for education purposes would be ideal. Maintenance of the fen and trout stream is also important. Therefore, it is practical that lands that are for sale be acquired and preserved as a. natural area. Lands that are not for sale should be protected with conservation easements. IV,H Educdtio~l The goals for the educational component of the plan were established after the following portion of the Steering C:on~mittee Vision: "...'l-he creek serves as a field laboratory for ti,e schools, teachers and commul'~it.y in order to develop a stewardship of the land .... " The implications of the vision require the development of a watershed awareness program for the entire comi~'nunity (school, citizens, etc.~, so that the plan implementation process is part of an ongoing con~munity education and involvement effort. There are some constraints, i.e., the need for teacher training time, curricu!un~ develop~ent, field trips, and support from the school principals. The awareness program wilt focus on actively engaging children, fan'~l~es, and the general public in lear'ning abot~t Bluff C~ eel<, its ecological and cultural characteristics and role. It will also consider ways fo~' ti~e public and special groups (nature societies, schools, corporate volunteers, garder; clubs, etc.) to participate in corridor reseal'ch, restoration, -r~on tor'ing and demonstration projects, The program will emphasize the need for co~munity support beyo~'~d private needs to .public support and involvement and the collabo~'ation w~th other educational, community and business entities. The City has initiated efforts to acquire a I00-acre parcel to develop an interpr'etive nature center in the upper reaches of the watershed between the hlinnesota Arboretum and the school site, south of Highway 5 and Pdge 0 2 3~ Proposed improvements at Ponds LOM-P1.3, LOM-P1.4, LOM-P1.8, and LOM-PI.12 described in Section IV-J3. and Appendix C are high priority, highly efficient improvements which contribute the most to enhance the water quality of the pristine wetlands. : Wetlands Wetlands A34-8(1) and A34-12(1) should be protected from impacts of development of adjacent uplands and from in-flowing water by use of upland buffer zones and minimum setbacks as detailed in the Ordinance. Wetlands A34-8(1) and A34-12(1) should be improved by allowing more water to pass through the railroad grade in the northern portion of A34-12(1). 3. Wetlands such as A27-16(1) and A27-16(2) should be protected by implementing the upland buffer zones and minimum setbacks as detailed in the Ordinance. o Purple loosestrife population center at wetland A34-8(1) should be treated in accordance with State guidelines. .. IV-K Drainage to Neighboring Communities IV-K.1 Drainage to Christmas Lake Watershed Description: The portion of Chanhassen draining to Christmas Lake is located at the north central boundary of the City with a total area of about 234 acres. This area does not receive any runoff from other watersheds inside or outside the City. Topography within the area is fairly steep with a lot of small depressions, wetlands and ponds. Land surface elevations range from about 1,040 feet to 930 at Christmas Lake shoreland. The Christmas Lake area is fairly well developed (about 75%). System Description IV-179 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 1998 With the increase in Chanhassen's population in recent years, the boat traffic on city lakes has also increased. As property taxes on lakeshore lots continually increase, the demand for services to manage the,..,/=.. problems arising on city lakes will also increase. , Future lake management within Chanhassen will be finding the balance of protecting and improving water quality, preventing overuse and abuse of the resources, while maintaining accessibility for all Chanhassen residents. WETLANDS In 1992, the state of Minnesota passed the Wetland Conservation Act (WCA), which put wetland protection and preservation into law. The goal of this act is to replace wetlands lost to previous activities and to prevent the loss of existing wetlands. Wetland identification and protection have become integral parts of all development throughout the entire state, including Chanhassen. The City of Chanhassen, who has had wetland protection ordinances in place since 1980, has continued to take the lead on the issue of wetlands and their protection. The city's 1994 Surface Water Management Plan (SWMP) included identification and reclassification of wetlands within the city. Low areas were identified as possible wetland sites. Wetland specialists made field identification of these sites and detailed data sheets documenting vegetation, landscape and existing conditions were compiled. These data sheets serve only as a guide for the city and are not to be used as the defining wetland boundaries. Wetland boundaries are to be determined by professional delineations conducted by parties who propose to impact or develop land in and around these areas. In addition, any proposed development will be required to delineate their sites for the existence of wetlands. From this study, a wetlands map was generated and a new wetland classification system was implemented, replacing the state's classification system. The city went to four levels of wetland identification; Pristine, Natural, Ag/Urban and Utility. Pristine wetlands were identified as wetlands that remain in their natural state and have special and unusual qualities worth protecting. Natural wetlands are wetlands that still exist in their natural state and typically show little sign of impact from surrounding land use. Ag/urban wetlands have been impacted by either agricultural or urbanization activities. Utility wetlands are water bodies specifically created to manage surface water created by development. The Seminary Fen located north of Hwy. 212, in the southwest corner of the city, is the only wetland classified pristine. In 1995, the Seminary Fen was identified by the Minnesota Biological Survey as the most important site in all of Hennepin, Carver and Scott Counties. There are approximately 90 acres of calcareous seepage fen in this area with rare and threatened plant species. Preserving and protecting this resource should be at the top of the city's wetland protection and preservation policies. With the change in wetland laws, the regulation of wetlands has also. changed. The State of Minnesota appointed the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) to oversee the regulation of the WCA. BWSR, in return, appointed Local Governing Units (LGUs) to implement the WCA for wetland activities. Chanhassen was appointed as LGU for activities in its own city. This change gave Chanhassen some responsibility and control over wetland activities, but permits and approval were still required from the Army Corps of · Engineers, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and local watershed districts. In an attempt to simplify regulation, Chanhassen was one of a select few LGUs selected to participate in a program which would make LGUs the sole governing agency in cases where wetland impacts are less than three acres. In addition, 1996 revisions to the WCA allowed LGUs to develop their own comprehensive wetland plans. The City of Chanhassen has submitted a draft plan to BWSR, and because of previous work done in the SWMP, the city is in the final stages of having their plan approved. This plan allows the city to develop their own rules specific to wetlands in Chanhassen. City of Chanhassen Chanhassen Improvement Program EMPLOYEE SUGGESTION GUIDELINES 04/17/2001 PURPOSE The City of Chanhassen employee suggestion system is intended to be a formalized means of soliciting employee recommendations for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the City's service delivery system. In doing so, the system is intended to benefit the City through economic savings and the delivery of higher quality services or a greater number of services at the same cost. The errTployee will concurrently benefit by assuming greater responsibility in assisting the organization in achieving its objectives, while realizing greater job satisfaction, financial reward, and job commitment. This system is intended to complement the City's other employee recognition/participation programs and all employees are eligible to participate in this program. ADMINISTRATION Administration of the Employee Suggestion system will be the responsibility of the City Manager's office. A committee of three persons consisting of one representative from the City Manager's office and two individuals elected by City employees will assist in the administration of the program. At least one committee member must be-a non- supervisory employee. Nominations will be Solicited from the employee for an election to be held each year. Elected committee members will serve one year staggered terms beginning January 1 and July 1. A department may not be represented on the committee more than once every 12 months. The committee is responsible for: 1) evaluation and recommendation of the type, amount of savings and appropriate recognition for each suggestion submitted. 2) refinement and clarification of the program's guidelines. 3) assuring compliance with program guidelines. 4) monitoring and improving methods for evaluating employee suggestions. 5) interpretation and clarification of suggestion system rules and eligibility requirements. 6) encouragement and assistance in implementation of adopted suggestions. 7) development of methods for presenting awards and hearing appeals to the program. 04/17/2001 8) assuring that the program's intended objective is reached. 9) providing a report for City departments and the City Council regarding the total number of suggestions received, number of suggestions implemented, savings realized, and estimated program administration and award costs. All revisions to the program shall be approved by the City Manager who shall be the final arbitrator in ali matters with regard to this program. SUGGESTIONS A suggestion is a written proposal to improve our ability to serve the citizens of Chanhassen through our service delivery systems. The suggestion must: 1) reduce costs, duplication of effort, time, accidents, or space utilization, or 2) increase productivity, employee safety, use of facilities, job interest, or employee morale, or 3) improve standardization of procedures, reports, forms or equipment resulting in greater effectiveness, or 4) improve city ability to enforce ordinances or accomplish mission. 5) the savings should not be temporal or create a situation for additional costs All suggestions are welcomed and eligible fo~: consideration. Those areas which will not normally be considered for monetary award include: 1) Suggestions relating to terms and conditions of employment or other matters established by personnel policy or practice, or labor agreement; 2) Suggestions which reduce City costs by merely transferring them to other Departments or time periods; 3) Suggestions which fall within the normal scope of a supervisor's ongoing responsibilities, as determined by the City Manager. 4) Suggestions which fall within the principal effective control of a non- supervisor's ongoing responsibilities, as determined by the department head and city manager. SUBMISSION OF SUGGESTIONS 04/17/2001 The employee will submit a completed suggestion form to the City Manager's office. Forms and program guidelines will be available from the City Manager's office. Suggestions must be submitted in accordance with these procedures to be eligible for consideration. EVALUATION OF SUGGESTIONS. 1) The City Manager's office will be responsible for reviewing the suggestion within ten working days of and responding to the employee who made the suggestion about its status. 2) If the suggestion meets the guidelines and the suggestion is specific enough for evaluation, it will be distributed to the members of the suggestion committee with a copy to the Finance Director and the supervisor(s) of the department toward which the suggestion is directed. The supervisor will be asked to evaluate the suggestion and forward the recommendation to the suggestion, including his/her written comments regarding why the suggestion should be accepted, rejected or deferred. 3) If the suggestion is to be accepted, the supervisor will provide his/her estimate of first year tangible and intangible benefits associated with the suggestion. 4) If the suggestion is to be rejected, the reason for rejection will be reviewed by the supervisor with the committee. If rejected, the employee will receive specific written reasoning for rejection of the suggestion from the Committee through the supervisor. : ~ 5) If the suggestion is to be deferred, the reason for deferral will be reviewed by the supervisor with the committee. If deferred, the employee will receive specific written reasoning for deferral of the suggestion from the Committee through the supervisor. 6) The committee will be responsible for evaluating and recommending the type, amount of savings and appropriate recognition for each suggestion to the City Manager for approval. The City Manager will approve all proposed forms of recognition. The committee will be responsible for communicating the disposition of the suggestion and the award to the employee. AWARDS 1) Tangible Benefit suggestion: For suggestions for which tangible benefits can reasonably be calculated, a one time award of up to a maximum of fifty percent of the actual first year savings for a minimum of $250 and a maximum of $2,500 will be awarded. The award of cash will be made based upon the estimated first year cost savings. If the estimate is Iow, the employee award will be adjusted accordingly once actual cost figures are 04/17/2001 available. The Finance Department will be responsible for calculating savings associated with this program for award purposes. 2) 3) Intangible Benefit Suggestions: These awards are for suggestions which benefits cannot be reasonably calculated. Suggestions in this category will be provided awards based upon an evaluation of the merits of each suggestion. Awards could range from a certificate of appreciation, plaque or cash award of $25 or more as set forth in the guidelines. Issues Identification: Issue Identification awards are those which call attention to a problem to which the employee does not have an immediate solution; however, you wish to identify the issue(s) and bring them to the Committee's attention. All valid suggestions/issues submitted will be recognized with a certificate and eligibility for an annual drawing. Suggestion # CITY OF CHANHASSEN EMPLOYEE SUGGESTION FORM Date Received / / Name (optional): Date (mandatory): Department (optional)- Description of Suggestion (use additional sheet if needed): Department Affected' Steps/materials/tools necessary to implement suggestion: Results/Savings (provide a calculation of savings expected if applicable)' If your suggestion is implemented, do you want to be publicly recognized? Yes No ......... ~ ............. ~ , ....... · ............ ~ ............. ,~,~,~.=~.~ ~.~ ........... .'~*~ .......... ~ · '~,~ ..... '~i ......... ..... .~'~'~"~-'~ ........... ~'~' :'- ...... ~ ~'~'~ ............ ~'~ ?'~,. ' ............ .~"~':~: ~:~?~'~'-:~"'~--°="~J!~i~ You will be notified by the Committee regarding the outcome of your suggestion. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUGGESTION/ Fold and staple or tape before submitting. TO' SCOTT BOTCHER. CITY MANAGER