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CC 2012 03 12 CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MARCH 12, 2012 Mayor Furlong called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The meeting was opened with the Pledge to the Flag. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Furlong, Councilman McDonald, Councilwoman Ernst, and Councilman Laufenburger COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Councilwoman Tjornhom STAFF PRESENT: Todd Gerhardt, Laurie Hokkanen, Paul Oehme, Kate Aanenson and Greg Sticha PUBLIC PRESENT: Laurie Susla 7008 Dakota Avenue Mayor Furlong: Thank you, welcome. Good evening to those here in the council chambers as well as those watching at home. We’re glad that you joined us this evening. At this time I would ask members of the council if there are any changes or modifications to the agenda. If not we’ll proceed with the agenda as published without objection. PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS: None. CONSENT AGENDA: Mayor Furlong: If there’s desire by members of the council or others present to have a discussion or question on any of the items 1(a) through (d). Excuse me, (f), I would ask that you let me know at this time. Councilman Laufenburger: Mr. Mayor? Mayor Furlong: Yes. Councilman Laufenburger: I’d like to have a discussion about item (f) please. Mayor Furlong: Okay. Thank you. Councilwoman Ernst: Mr. Mayor? Mayor Furlong: Yes. Councilwoman Ernst: I’d like to pull (e). Mayor Furlong: Alright. Anything else? Very good. Let’s go, we’ll bring both of those up under new business since we don’t have much tonight unless there’s objection to that. Let’s, is there a motion to adopt items (a) through (d). Councilman Laufenburger: So moved. Chanhassen City Council – March 12, 2012 Councilwoman Ernst: Second. Mayor Furlong: Motion’s been made and seconded. Councilman Laufenburger moved, Councilwoman Ernst 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 February 27, 2012 -City Council Verbatim and Summary Minutes dated February 27, 2012 Review Commission Minutes: -Planning Commission Summary Work Session Minutes dated February 21, 2012 b. Approve Nominees for Park and Recreation Volunteer Service Awards. c. TH 101 Improvement Project 12-06 Between Lyman Boulevard and Pioneer Trail: Approve Final Design Contract with Kimley Horn & Associates. nd d. Pioneer Pass 2 Addition: 1) Final Plat Approval 2) Approval of Development Contract and Plans and Specifications Resolution #2012-13: 3) Approval of Assessment Reapportionment All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 4 to 0. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS: Laurie Susla: Hi. Mayor Furlong: Good evening. Laurie Susla: My name is Laurie Susla. I’m with the Lotus Lake Conservation Alliance and I’m here to speak about AIS prevention. I was not at the last council meeting. I was out of town but I understand that there was quite a bit of discussion about the prevention plans put forward by staff. We appreciate that the City Council is looking to do something for AIS prevention but, and we appreciate that something will be done. We’re a little upset that the plans that were put forth are not going to prevent an AIS infestation of Chanhassen’s lakes. It is certainly better than nothing but I’m just, I’m wondering if one of the criteria that was used is whether or not this will actually work. Will it be effective? Will it prevent an AIS infestation? And if the question was asked I would assume that the answer that was given was no. We’ve been talking about this for a full year now. We, all of you understand that the only way we can prevent an AIS infestation in Chanhassen lakes is to inspect the inbound boats. That’s the only method we have that’s locally available. Last week at the watershed meeting Mary Borns and I, both Chanhassen residents, attended that meeting and the watershed district is going to be coming forth with additional funding for both the City of Chanhassen and the City of Eden Prairie. We would like to ask that when you all sit down and talk with the watershed that you might reconsider your current plan and might you know put a little more effort and a little more funding. A little more robust plan together so we can actually protect the lakes. That’s it, thank you. 2 Chanhassen City Council – March 12, 2012 Mayor Furlong: Okay, thank you. Anyone else under visitor presentations this evening? Okay, we’ll move on to items. CONSENT AGENDA: APPROVE PURCHASE OF AUDIO/SOUND EQUIPMENT, CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS. Mayor Furlong: Councilwoman Ernst. Do you have questions? Councilwoman Ernst: Yeah. In regards to the audio visual equipment I do have some questions. I’m not sure who to direct them to but I’m curious as to how many times we’ve upgraded this system in the last 10 years. Because I know just as I’ve been on council I think it’s been a couple times so I’m curious to know. Laurie Hokkanen: Maybe Todd and I will have to work together but I’ve been here about 6 years and we did the one upgrade that you mentioned that was during your time and those upgrades targeted our cameras. The displays within the room but did not affect the sound. Mostly that focused on picture quality at home and visual aids within the council chambers and at the time that we replaced the camera equipment I remember being told that it was original equipment as were the microphones but what would you say was the original date of installation? Todd Gerhardt: Prior to the last upgrade? Laurie Hokkanen: Which was 2009 I believe. 2008. Todd Gerhardt: Probably I would say ’99. Laurie Hokkanen: So once within the last 10 years. Councilwoman Ernst: And how much money have we spent when we did the last upgrade? Do you remember how much money we spent on that last upgrade? Todd Gerhardt: Well adding the sound room, boy I don’t know how much that was. We can get back to you on that. Councilwoman Ernst: Yeah, I’d be curious to know how much that was. Todd Gerhardt: But again like Laurie mentioned, this upgrade is for the audio portion. Councilwoman Ernst: Yep. Todd Gerhardt: New speakers. When people are sitting in the audience they can’t hear. The speakers are original from boy, 19 I want to say 92 that we’ve done anything on the speaker system and this proposal is one to put the ceiling speakers in and to add another monitor and also to change out the desks. These are original desks from when the building was built in 1980 and giving it more of an open feel when we have the cub scouts or the environmental awards are given out, everybody kind of feels cramped in. We want to kind of wing those desks open. Laurie Hokkanen: We also want to better protect and hide some of the electronics cords. It’s actually today Paul said ah the stuff’s not coming up. Can you come look at it? Well a cord had gotten pulled loose. Once we get that all built in you won’t have somebody tripping over something and accidently unplugging it. But if I could go back to the sound, these speakers are Todd mentioned, are original and 3 Chanhassen City Council – March 12, 2012 this room was never designed to, these microphones are misleading to everybody that’s here in the audience. They were never designed to amplify your voice in this room. They’re really always intended just for the home broadcast and that’s what I hear is the frustration from someone that comes and sits in the audience is they see the speakers and they see the microphones and they think that we should be able to accommodate with a change of volume if needed and we don’t presently have that capability in this room. It was never designed for that. Even as recently as the upgrade that we did in 08-09, our vendor at that time said it would be cost prohibitive to design the room for that and changes in technology being on the pace that they are that’s now within range where then it wasn’t. It had been estimated at, I want to say over $100,000 to design a system where, that we’re talking about now. Councilwoman Ernst: So do you remember, and again this might have to be some additional information that you get back to us on but do you remember how much money we had in the account when we made that last upgrade? Laurie Hokkanen: I don’t, I’m sorry. Councilwoman Ernst: Okay. That’d be good to know. And the reason I’m asking that question is because if, I’m not saying that we don’t need the upgrade but I’m curious to know if we’re spending, if we had the money to spend before, we didn’t have the $625,000 that we’re talking about from Mediacom before either and it sounds like we’re planning on taking that money out of that allocated $625,000. Laurie Hokkanen: No. This expenditure is not related to the $625,000. Councilwoman Ernst: So there’s no part of that that’s coming out of this? Todd Gerhardt: No. Laurie Hokkanen: Correct. Councilwoman Ernst: Okay because, I read it differently in the packet. Laurie Hokkanen: No and I apologize if that was confusing. This would be funded through PEG fees which are a fee that is paid by cable subscribers specifically for the broadcast of public meetings. Councilwoman Ernst: Okay. How much money do we have in that account right now? In that PEG account. Todd Gerhardt: Probably a little over a half million. Councilwoman Ernst: Okay. And is that where we would typically take this type of money from? Laurie Hokkanen: Yes. And those funds are restricted for the broadcast of public meetings. Public communications. Councilwoman Ernst: Okay. Well two other comments that I have to make. So I know that it was not, when we were talking about our key financial strategies it wasn’t on our list to be prioritized so at that point in time I’m wondering why, if this is something that we’re planning on doing, why it wasn’t on our list. Todd Gerhardt: In your 2012 budget we’ve allocated about $25,000 a year for upgrades to the system. There’s always some tweaking, new technology. Like Laurie said, to put a full upgrade in you’d probably 4 Chanhassen City Council – March 12, 2012 spend $100,000. You know we can’t afford that so we do roughly about $25,000 worth of improvements on an annual basis. Maybe not to the full 25 but somewhere between 10 and 25 each year. Councilwoman Ernst: So in our CIP there’s basically $10,000 allocated in there for 2012 and 2000 I think 13. Laurie Hokkanen: I think that’s correct. Todd Gerhardt: Okay. Councilwoman Ernst: But I guess I’m still not clear as to why it wasn’t on our list if it was something that we were planning on doing you know because then we can prioritize whether it’s something that we really do need to have or not. Todd Gerhardt: You know we can bring it back to a work session and have a discussion if that’s what the council would like. Mayor Furlong: Yeah I guess just to comment on that. I don’t think every issue or project or things that are coming forward necessarily make the list of priorities for key financial strategies as you know. Councilwoman Ernst: Not everyone that’s true but when we’re talking about capital equipment like this, I personally would like to see it on the list if it’s something that we know that we’re going to be replacing, to have it on the list to see if it is a, if everyone agrees that it’s a priority. Mayor Furlong: Well I guess what I heard, was it in the budget and money in the budget and money in the CIP? Todd Gerhardt: Well there’s $10,000 allocated in the CIP. That’s each year and $10,000 was not going to cover the proposed improvements. Mayor Furlong: Right. Todd Gerhardt: If the council would like to stay within the $10,000 we could scale it back and do the next part next year. Councilman Laufenburger: But mister, excuse me Mr. Mayor. Mayor Furlong: Yeah. Councilman Laufenburger: Mr. Gerhardt, the PEG fees are, and I’m quoting from the report Ms. Hokkanen, these improvements will be funded by 2012 PEG fees so what is the estimate of 2012, that would be this year’s January through December, what’s the estimate of PEG fees that the City will receive from Mediacom in 2012? Do you happen to know or can you give me an estimate? Laurie Hokkanen: If you don’t hold me to it. Councilman Laufenburger: I’m looking for a range. I’m looking for a range. Laurie Hokkanen: Between $30,000 and $45,000 I believe. 5 Chanhassen City Council – March 12, 2012 Councilman Laufenburger: Okay. And again to repeat, these are fees that are not identified in the recent Mediacom settlement, is that correct? Laurie Hokkanen: That is correct. Councilman Laufenburger: Okay. So how could you use that, let’s use your low end number, $30,000. What ways could you use that $30,000 if not for upgrading communications and broadcasting to the community? Todd Gerhardt: By programming, you mentioned that you can only use it for providing public education, either through programming, equipment. Councilman Laufenburger: Okay, so we are obligated by contract to use those funds specifically for video? Laurie Hokkanen: Yes. Councilman Laufenburger: Whether it’s something that Nann does or whatever, right? Laurie Hokkanen: Right. Councilman Laufenburger: Okay. Do you happen to recall how much of those PEG fees we used last year? Of course maybe that’s not appropriate because of the settlement right? Todd Gerhardt: No. Laurie Hokkanen: Last year we installed the second Crestron, which with install and the programming I believe was approximately $5,000. We repaired that camera, which was like $1,000. Councilman Laufenburger: And were those items on the key financial strategies for last year? Laurie Hokkanen: No. Councilman Laufenburger: Okay. Okay, thank you Mr. Mayor. Mayor Furlong: Any other questions on this? Councilman Laufenburger: Mr. Mayor. Mayor Furlong: Yes. Councilman Laufenburger. Councilman Laufenburger: I’d like to make a motion. Mayor Furlong: Councilman Laufenburger. Councilman Laufenburger: I move that the City Council approve a contract with Touchpoint Logic to make upgrades to the City Council Chambers in the amount of $34,061.47. Mayor Furlong: Okay, thank you. Is there a second? Councilman McDonald: I’ll second it. 6 Chanhassen City Council – March 12, 2012 Mayor Furlong: Motion’s been made and seconded. Any discussion on the motion? Seeing none we’ll proceed with the vote. Councilman Laufenburger moved, Councilman McDonald seconded that the City Council approve a contract with Touchpoint Logic to make upgrades to the City Council Chambers in the amount of $34,061.47. All voted in favor, except Councilwoman Ernst who opposed, and the motion carried with a vote of 3 to 1. CONSENT AGENDA: AWARD OF DESIGN-BUILD CONTRACT FOR LAKE SUSAN SHORELINE STABILIZATION PROJECT. Mayor Furlong: Councilman Laufenburger, you had questions? Councilman Laufenburger: Yes, thank you Mr. Mayor. I, I think do I address these to Mr. Oehme, is that correct? Todd Gerhardt: Yeah. Councilman Laufenburger: Okay. Mr. Oehme, this is really, I know that this began some time ago and I was really looking for just a little bit more background on what the Lake Susan shoreline stabilization project is. Can you just give us a little background on this please? Paul Oehme: I certainly can. Would it be alright Mr. Laufenburger, Mayor if I had a little presentation? Councilman Laufenburger: Oh sure. If you’re prepared by that, that would be fine. Mayor Furlong: As long as it relates to this item. Paul Oehme: Absolutely. As long as it relates to this project. Mayor Furlong: Okay. Paul Oehme: Okay so, just a little background because this has been an ongoing project for several years. So the purpose of the project, it’s basically kind of a three fold project. One is to protect our infrastructure in this area. There is a trail in close proximity to the shoreline and the shoreline and Lake Susan continues eroding in this area. We want to protect that trail and there’s actually a sanitary sewer system in this area too so we want to try to stabilize the lakeshore as much as we can in this area as well. Preserve lake quality. Obviously when we have erosion on the embankments, that does impact some of the water quality of lakes as well, and then protect public and private property as well. So background is basically in 2003 the City was approached by lake homeowners, residents in this area concerned about the erosion and water quality. Then in 2003 the City did go ahead with soliciting for a grant that the DNR had and the City was successful in obtaining, a little over $25,000 for that grant for a certain section of the lakeshore that was in close proximity to the Lake Susan boat landing. In 2005, Area A and Area B, there was a project that was initiated in conjunction with the watershed districts where they, Riley-Purgatory actually contributed some funds to, for construction and in kind services to stabilize this section of shoreline as well. So that project was done in 2005 and from all indications that project was successful. Then in 2007 the City contracted with Wenck to prepare plans and specifications for the last remaining section of publicly owned shoreline of Lake Susan on the north side. That has some erosion and slope stability issues so that was completed in 2007 but for lack of funding in partnership at that time, that project was put on hold. In 2009 then a grant application by the watershed district was submitted to the 7 Chanhassen City Council – March 12, 2012 DNR. That grant however was not successful. And then just this year, or 2011 the watershed district and the City did, at a staff level, come up with a funding mechanism where 50% of the cost for this shoreline Area C, which I’ll be showing you in a few minutes, would be paid through a partnership by the two agencies. So here’s a drawing of what has been currently completed in terms of lakeshore stabilization. What is proposed. The proposed Area C here. It’s a little over 1,000 feet worth of shoreline just south of Emerson and the apartment complex just off of Highway 101. Councilman Laufenburger: Mr. Oehme, is all of that public? Is all of that City owned property or is some of it private? Paul Oehme: There’s a little portion that is privately held and we’ll just have to get a temporary right of entry to construct along the lakeshore. Councilman Laufenburger: Who’s the owner of that? Is it Emerson or is it the apartments? Paul Oehme: I believe it’s the apartment complex and we’ve had discussions with them already and I don’t foresee an issue there so, Area A and B, these are the two areas that I previously talked about which were stabilized with both vegetation improvements and also rip rap or rock areas to help with the erosion problem. Here’s just a couple photos of what we’re trying to address. It’s some under cutting of the shoreline as shown here and then some slope stability issues on some steeper embankments as well. Two areas, or two improvements that were, items that we’d like to make along this section is, one is the Coir Block which is basically a fiber or a geo-synthetic type of material. Councilman Laufenburger: Long lasting? Paul Oehme: Long lasting, correct. Yeah. The improvements that we’re talking about, you know the stabilization we’re anticipating about a 30 year improvement and stabilization so. Wrapping this fiber material in the blanket and then re-vegetating this area and then shown here re-vegetating the area. This section, these cross sections are shown for improvement areas where there is not a very steep slope. The steeper areas and where there are mature trees that we’d like to save, these areas we’d like to look at stabilizing with more boulders and also some vegetation improvements as well. Councilman Laufenburger: And these are proven techniques to reduce or to eliminate erosion? Paul Oehme: Correct, yeah. Both of these techniques have been used successfully. Section A and B in Lake Susan in 2005 and I think the watershed district is also looking at these type of improvements over in Lake Lucy. Yeah, Lake Lucy as well so. Costs are identified here. The City did initiate a plan development in 2007 at a cost of a little over $22,000. With a partnership of this watershed district, our anticipated cost for 2012 and ongoing were $6,000 in 2012 for our match for the construction and then ongoing maintenance of a little over $7,000 for the next 3 years, and that’s just estimates based upon our knowledge and what we experienced in the first two improvement areas. $2,400 so after 3 years the area should be well stabilized. Vegetation should be mature and no maintenance after 3 years is anticipated so, and then the district would contribute $35,000 for the construction itself. Councilman Laufenburger: So are the number you have on the screen, $22,121 that was an expense that we incurred in 2007, correct? Paul Oehme: Correct, yep. 8 Chanhassen City Council – March 12, 2012 Councilman Laufenburger: So the only thing in 2012 will be the $6,209 which is our portion of the construction cost . The remaining portion of the construction cost will be born by the Lake Susan Watershed District, is that correct? Paul Oehme: Riley-Purgatory. Councilman Laufenburger: Do you have commitment that they will do that? Paul Oehme: We did and I believe Terry Jeffery met with them at their board meeting last year and they have given authorization for that expenditure so we’ll have a formal letter of agreement signed here hopefully this week and then we will be able to sign the contract. Councilman Laufenburger: Okay so, and just talk a little bit about what’s that $2,400 a year in maintenance for years 2, 3 and 4. Paul Oehme: Yeah, if we see any plantings that have failed, replanting those. Boulders that have maybe shifted. Re-stabilizing those type of things but it’s mainly vegetation. Just making sure that the vegetation is taking properly. Maybe some additional fertilizer or something, I don’t know. Councilman Laufenburger: Okay. Let’s see. So just to clarify, the motion suggests an amount of $41,740 but that’s a design build contract that we would contract with. Paul Oehme: Correct. Councilman Laufenburger: With the assumption that $35,530.50 of that would come from the District. Am I saying that right? Paul Oehme: That’s correct. The City would be administering the contract. There’s some in-house staff services that maybe are not shown on this cost participation screen here but that’s the understanding that the majority of the construction cost will be paid by the watershed district. Councilman Laufenburger: Okay. Mayor Furlong: Excuse me, can I just clarify something that Councilman Laufenburger just said. I don’t mean to jump on words but if somebody’s listening I want to be clear, other people that are listening I want them to understand too. I think you used the words with the assumption the watershed district will be contributing 35. Have they made the commitment to pay the $35,000 towards this project? Paul Oehme: They have in their Minutes for the meetings. We have not had an official letter of support from them yet but. Mayor Furlong: But they’ve taken action. Paul Oehme: They’ve taken action on the project and we don’t, we wouldn’t be taking this to the council unless we had you know a good handle and a good understanding that they would be contributing these funds so we’re not going to move ahead until we get assurance with that, that the watershed district will be participating. Mayor Furlong: And to the extent that we approve it tonight, we’re not going to go ahead and sign the contract with the supplier until we have all that arranged. 9 Chanhassen City Council – March 12, 2012 Paul Oehme: Absolutely. Mayor Furlong: Okay, I just wanted to clarify that. Paul Oehme: Thank you. Mayor Furlong: Thank you. Councilman Laufenburger: Did you have any other slides? Mayor Furlong: Pictures of your vacation. Councilman Laufenburger: Fish caught in Lake Susan or anything like that. Paul Oehme: No, that’s about it. I mean this is just a stabilization section in the park that was shown in 2003 and 2004. That’s what the vegetation looked like after one year so it’s been improving ever since. Councilman Laufenburger: You mentioned Lake Lucy. Are there other lakes in Chanhassen? I think, didn’t you say Lake Lucy? Paul Oehme: Oh I’m sorry, Lotus. Councilman Laufenburger: Oh, considering this on Lake Lotus. Paul Oehme: Isn’t it Lotus? Carver Beach area. Councilwoman Ernst: Yeah. Councilman McDonald: That’s Lotus. Paul Oehme: That’s Lotus. I think it’s. Councilman Laufenburger: So what I’m wondering is are there other lakes in Chanhassen that need consideration for this type of shoreline stabilization? Paul Oehme: Not that I’m aware of. I can talk to Terry. Councilman Laufenburger: Is there something about Lake Susan that makes this especially critical? Paul Oehme: I think Lake Susan has some of the steeper embankments that we see within the lakes here in Chanhassen so this is an area that potentially will see more erosion when you have those steeper embankments. Councilman Laufenburger: You mentioned a trail 7 to 8 feet away from the shoreline. Are there any other lakes in Chanhassen where we have a trail that close to the shoreline? Todd Gerhardt: Mayor, council members. Lake Susan is probably next to Lake Ann the most front footage of what property the City owns on a lake. We’re not making public improvements to private parties. This is again, the key thing is, is protecting that sanitary sewer line, our trail and then also the lake water quality issue. You know a lot of the erosion is occurring, we usually have prevailing westerly winds so you would think that the north shore would be protected but based on the boat traffic and then 10 Chanhassen City Council – March 12, 2012 the ice damage from ice heaves is kind of what’s causing this undertow to occur on the banks so we’re making improvements to a public area and Lake Ann is probably the second area where we have the most lake frontage and we’re not experiencing the erosion like we are on this area. Again no real boat traffic from a high speed standpoint on Ann. You do get those prevailing westerly winds and ice heaves at Lake Ann but we’re not experiencing erosion and we do have a nice buffer area between our trail and the lakeshore so there is already a natural buffer between our trail and the lakeshore. Councilman Laufenburger: Well I know there’s a lot of people in that community just south of the lake, as well as west of the lake and including the people in the area east of 101 north of that trail, you know they go around the lake because it’s just a very convenient and it’s a good distance so we should protect that trail. Todd Gerhardt: It should be noted that those private parties have already rip rapped their lakeshore so the homeowners see the benefit of rip rapping and protecting their lakeshore and that is their responsibility so they go ahead and do that and I think some of the lake homeowners were looking at us that we should do that to our lakeshore. Paul Oehme: Yeah, because this is the area that’s experienced actually the most erosion so. Mayor Furlong: Okay. Any other questions? Any other questions for staff? Okay. Councilman Laufenburger: Thank you Mr. Mayor. I’d be happy to make a motion. Mayor Furlong: Councilman Laufenburger. Councilman Laufenburger: I move that the City Council approve a design build contract in the amount of $41,740 to Wenck Associates Incorporated for work to be performed on the Lake Susan Shoreline Stabilization Project. Councilwoman Ernst: Second. Mayor Furlong: Thank you. I’m sorry second? Councilwoman Ernst seconded. Any discussion on the motion? Hearing none we’ll proceed with the vote. Councilman Laufenburger moved, Councilwoman Ernst seconded that the City Council approves a design-build contract in the amount of $41,740 to Wenck Associates, Inc. for work to be performed on the Lake Susan Shoreline Stabilization Project. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 4 to 0. COUNCIL PRESENTATIONS. Councilman McDonald: Mr. Mayor? Mayor Furlong: Mr. McDonald. Councilman McDonald: I have two things. The first thing I wanted to say was that last week I attended the Cub grand opening and was able to represent the City and I think I did a good job. We’re still here. The one thing that I did there that I really do need to apologize for is I again was put on the spot but I tried to recognize everybody that was there from the city and I did miss Councilman Laufenburger and I hope. 11 Chanhassen City Council – March 12, 2012 Councilman Laufenburger: I was there just for the free food Jerry. Councilman McDonald: I feel real bad before I did try to put forth an effort to recognize everybody and it’s very important that again council members do show up to these things to show their support and everything and I think yeah it is important to recognize everybody and I do apologize for that Councilman Laufenburger so I’ll try not to let it happen again. Councilman Laufenburger: Accepted. Councilman McDonald: I hope you won’t hold it against me. Councilman Laufenburger: You’re forgiven Jerry. Councilman McDonald: But it was a good opening. I think that we’ve really added a super store to the community and as I said in my little spiel, I was here when I remembered that we didn’t have any grocery stores and that became a big deal. Well now we’ve got a super store and I think that our grocery store needs we can check off the list. The other thing I wanted to talk about is that you know for the past several months, in fact for the past years or so there’s been a lot of comments in the newspaper about what this council has been doing and I feel a lot of it’s kind of pot shots and the reason I feel that it’s pot shots is that I think if there is a problem that if the individual in question wants to really discuss this, we have a podium right here. We have visitor presentations and I think really this is the place to come up and to voice those concerns and comments and maybe at that point we would be able to address them and to do something about it but I just think to continue to take the shots that are being taken with not all of the information that is actually available and it’s not being told within the article, that I think a real disservice is being done to the community. And again you know within this country we do have freedom of speech and one of those things is the newspaper and that is your forum to speak and everything but I just think if you want to be effective why not address the cause of your concern and just come before the council and state it at that point and we will address it and that’s all I have. Thank you. Mayor Furlong: Thank you. Any other council presentations this evening? Councilman Laufenburger: Mr. Mayor? Mayor Furlong: Yes, Councilman Laufenburger. Councilman Laufenburger: Just, I want to speak to the exciting season that’s in front of us for the Chanhassen Redbirds baseball team. We’re getting ready to kick off the 2012 season. This will be the st third season the Redbirds have been playing in the 21 century. We have a new field manager, former thth Assistant Coach Derrick Nelson. A Chanhassen resident. Our opening weekend is May 5 and 6. th Saturday, May 5 the Redbirds host the Waconia Lakers. Last year’s State runners-up in the Class C thth tournament. That’s a 7:30 p.m. start on Saturday the 5. And then on Sunday, May 6 the Redbirds host our neighbors to the south, the Shakopee Indians, a Class A team. We’ll be calling this the annual bridge classic in recognition of the Governor’s support for the 101 river crossing. Mayor Furlong: Not the flood classic. Councilman Laufenburger: No it’s not the flood, we’re not going to call it the flood classic, though that was presented as one of the options. Other scheduled highlights include the annual rivalry game with the th Chaska Cubs at Athletic Park in Chaska. That will be on Friday, May 18. And of course we will have a thth 4 of July game in honor of the community celebration of the 4 of July. This year we’ll be playing the St. Louis Park Class A team and we are assured that they will show up. We’re also planning many 12 Chanhassen City Council – March 12, 2012 promotional games such as a senior citizen game, Little League recognition game, City employee recognition game, fan appreciation game and many more. And to achieve a closer integration with the school district, this year the Redbird board has awarded three sports marketing internships to Chanhassen students for the coming season. They are senior Megan Hugh, senior Casey Lindquist, and junior Emily Roseth and they will be assisting with all marketing activities including season ticket sales, advertising and sponsorship sales and many other game activities as well, including the promotion of what we think nd will be an annual tradition, the Chanhassen Senior Class Recognition Game on June 2. That’s the last home game before the senior class graduates from Chanhassen High School. And to kick off the season we’ll be hosting the second annual Redbirds Rally to be held at the Chanhassen Legion on Saturday, th April 14. We’ll have silent auction items for valuable prizes donated by businesses in the community. We’ll have quickie raffles to keep the evening lively. Appetizers and a few other surprises as well. The Redbird Rally is really to raise fun and funds to support the team for the upcoming season. Tickets are just $10 each and luck would have it I happen to have some of these tickets with me and I’m very pleased to report that Councilman McDonald, my good friend from Cub Foods over there, has already purchased the tickets for his household but I have several available. They’re only $10 and of course we’re looking for some prizes to be given away, and I have some ideas. Maybe the Rec Center could donate a book of punch cards. Maybe the planning department could donate a free application for a variance. Maybe we th could get Lieutenant Enevold to donate a Get Out of Jail Free card and etc so, Redbird Rally, April 14. I th hope all you folks out there can come to the Chanhassen Legion. 6:00, Saturday, April 14. Thank you Mr. Mayor. Did you want to pull out $10 there Mr. Gerhardt? Todd Gerhardt: Yes, I want two. Councilman Laufenburger: Thank you. You want two? Todd Gerhardt: I want two. Councilman Laufenburger: Fantastic. Sign them and return the top portion to me. That will be $20. Can I conduct this business at the council level? Mayor Furlong: No you can’t. We’re going to move on. Todd Gerhardt: This meeting is out of control. Mayor Furlong: Yes it is. Councilman Laufenburger: Anybody else? Mayor Furlong: After the meeting. Councilman Laufenburger: Oh, after the meeting, okay. Thank you Mr. Gerhardt for your community spirit. Mayor Furlong: Any other council presentations? Mr. Gerhardt, administrative presentations. ADMINISTRATIVE PRESENTATIONS. Todd Gerhardt: Just a couple of things. Our new tenant has moved into the public works facility. What a great group of guys we have there and I think they’re really going to be successful out there. They’re excited. We do have to make a little bit of an improvement to one of the garage doors. Our measuring stick must have been in metric but we’ll get that squared away but excited to see them out there and just 13 Chanhassen City Council – March 12, 2012 hope them the best at a successful business into the future so great to see them out there and fun to see a new business move into town. And I want to thank Denny and Jerry for attending the Cub Re-Grand Opening. It’s always exciting to have council members attend those and great to see our businesses expanding and being successful in Chanhassen so thank you for participating in that and giving Mayor Furlong a break at one of these events so that’s all I had for administrative presentations. Mayor Furlong: Thank you. Any questions for Mr. Gerhardt or his staff? No? Seeing none then, any comments on the correspondence packet? CORRESPONDENCE DISCUSSION. Mayor Furlong: I’d like to congratulate our Assistant Chief, is it Sims? Siems? Is that how you pronounce the last name? Todd Gerhardt: Siems. Mayor Furlong: For his achievement. He was, completed the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program so one of the few in the state of Minnesota as I understand it that’s done that and an Assistant Chief for our fire department so congratulations to him. Todd Gerhardt: Yeah, we are very fortunate to have a resource like that as a volunteer here in the community. He is a full time fire fighter for the City of Edina and to have that knowledge and resource as a volunteer for $10 an hour, that’s a great thing so yeah, we all wish him congratulations and he really put a lot of extra time and effort into that additional training and we’re fortunate. Mayor Furlong: Well I know that the fire department members do a lot of training year in and year out and so it’s nice to see this type of recognition and the…and I know the other members of the department put in their time as well so we’re grateful to them for that. If there’s nothing else to come before the council this evening, is there a motion to adjourn? Councilwoman Ernst moved, Councilman Laufenburger seconded to adjourn the meeting. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 4 to 0. The City Council meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m. Submitted by Todd Gerhardt City Manager Prepared by Nann Opheim 14