WS 2012 02 27
CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
FEBRUARY 27, 2012
The Council interviewed the following commission applicants between 5:00 and 5:55 p.m.: William
Colopolous, Elise Ryan and Dorina Tipton. Mayor Furlong called the work session to order at
6:00 p.m.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mayor Furlong, Councilman McDonald, Councilwoman
Tjornhom, Councilwoman Ernst, and Councilman Laufenburger
STAFF PRESENT:
Todd Gerhardt, Laurie Hokkanen, Paul Oehme, Kate Aanenson, and Todd Hoffman
PUBLIC PRESENT:
Greg Fletcher 7616 South Shore Drive
Steve Donen 7341 Frontier Trail
Steve Jenks 7490 Chanhassen Road
Perry Forster 9505 Highview Drive, Eden Prairie
Tom Devine 7640 South Shore Drive
Steve Wanek 6615 Horseshoe Curve
UPDATE ON AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES (AIS).
Todd Gerhardt reviewed staff’s proposed Action Plan for the 2012 aquatic invasive species program
which includes voluntary watercraft inspections program, best management practices for water access,
grants and collaboration with other project partners, public awareness and education on aquatic invasive
species, and preparation of an end of year report to consider what, if any future action will be needed.
Todd Hoffman reviewed existing and proposed additions to the best management practices at Lake Ann,
Lake Susan and Lotus Lake water access points. Councilman McDonald asked about the impact on the
budget, commitments from partnering agencies, inspector training, and the availability of a high pressure
washing system. Councilwoman Ernst asked for clarification of what’s included in the proposed $30,000
and when the City will get a commitment from the watershed district and grant application. Councilman
Laufenburger asked for clarification on what is recommended by the DNR for best management practices
for Chanhassen, voluntary versus mandatory inspections and associated enforcement measures, risk of
aquatic invasive species in Lake St. Joe, clarification of the money allocated for inspection hours, and
signage specific to zebra mussels. Councilwoman Tjornhom asked about concerns with traffic patterns at
inspection sites. Councilman McDonald asked staff to clarify who has authority to enforce inspections.
Mayor Furlong invited residents to speak. Tom Devine thanked the City for engaging in this process
before asking for clarification on the funding distribution from different entities i.e. City, DNR, and
homeowners associations with the goal of achieving 100% inspections at city water accesses. Steve
Donen talked about the impact of zebra mussels and emphasized the fact that the City’s public lakes are
one boat away from making the city’s lakes unusable in the future. The only solution to keeping zebra
mussels out of city lakes is to have 100% inspections. He voiced his concern that the proposed plan does
not address 100% inspections citing examples of partial enforcement of drunk driving and smoking.
Mayor Furlong clarified the assumption that inspections will be in conjunction with volunteers from the
homeowners association in addition to city inspections. Ken Wencl, a Lake Susan resident, suggested
ways to inform boat owner’s that it is their responsibility to stop the spread of zebra mussels. Council
members decided to discuss this item further following the regular meeting.
The work session was recessed at 7:00 p.m. It was reconvened at 8:40 p.m.
City Council Work Session – February 27, 2012
CONTINUATION OF UPDATE ON AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES (AIS).
Council members continued their discussion of the aquatic invasive species update. Councilman
McDonald expressed support for the staff’s proposal with support of a private/public lobbying effort, a
limit of a one year commitment, and spending cap of not to exceed $30,000. Councilwoman Tjornhom
stated she could support education and inspections (not necessarily 100%) but doing the best the City can
do noting that this is a good starting point. Councilwoman Ernst agreed with staff’s proposal and
Councilman McDonald’s comment on a limit of one year commitment noting it was the City’s social
responsibility to do something. Councilman Laufenburger agreed with staff’s proposal and asked for
clarification of the impact on the budget. Mayor Furlong explained that the $30,000 doesn’t necessarily
need to be tagged to a specific line item in the budget and will not affect the overall budget He
encouraged staff to work together with the residents to combine costs to get the most bang for the buck, to
encourage compliance and education in the inspection process, asked that staff focus on low cost/high
benefit items first and that inspectors encourage boaters to clean their boats when they take them out of
the lake. Todd Gerhardt explained that the annual report will be presented during the 2013 budget
process.
PREVIEW OF NEW CITY WEB DESIGN.
Laurie Hokkanen reviewed the schedule and design work currently being done on the new website.
Councilwoman Ernst asked that the new website be more user friendly for residents trying to access staff
reports. Council members overall were very pleased with the look of the new website.
DISCUSS AMENDMENTS TO CITY CODE RE: PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT (PUD).
Kate Aanenson explained that the Planning Commission met to discuss this issue and the need to improve
and update the PUD process. She explained how the new process will work and showed examples of
straight zoning projects versus PUD projects (both commercial and residential). Mayor Furlong
expressed concern with 9,000 square foot lots, which is allowed under current PUD standards. Staff
suggested council members drive through PUD neighborhoods to get a feel for lot sizes. Council
members agreed that they were comfortable with staff updating the PUD standards. Mayor Furlong
suggested staff look at a way to reduce and/or clarify the 9 findings. Councilman McDonald asked for
clarification of how the PUD review process will work in the future.
Councilman Laufenburger asked to review the future work session schedule at the next meeting.
Mayor Furlong adjourned the work session meeting at 10:00 p.m.
Submitted by Todd Gerhardt
City Manager
Prepared by Nann Opheim
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