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CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
APRIL 9, 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
Tjornhom, Councilwoman Ernst, and Councilman Laufenburger
STAFF PRESENT:
Todd Gerhardt, Laurie Hokkanen, and Todd Hoffman
PUBLIC PRESENT:
Kelly Dunn 7001 Millcreek Lane
Mayor Furlong: Thank you and welcome and for those at home watching us, 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, without objection we’ll proceed with the agenda as published.
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS:
None.
CONSENT AGENDA: 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 March 26, 2012
-City Council Verbatim and Summary Minutes dated March 26, 2012
Resolution #2012-21:
b. Approve Resolution Accepting Grant Funds from the Metropolitan
Council for the 2012 Infiltration/Inflow Project.
Resolution #2012-22:
c. Approve Resolution Accepting a DNR Grant for Lake Inspections.
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Resolution #2012-23:
d. The Preserve at Bluff Creek 3 Addition: Accept Street and Utilities.
e. Approval of Lease Commission Agreement, Old Public Works Building.
All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0.
VISITOR PRESENTATIONS:
Kelly Dunn: That was quick.
Mayor Furlong: Trying to be efficient.
Kelly Dunn: Good evening. My name is Kelly Dunn. Want to let you know my wife and I live at 7001
Millcreek Lane, on the west side of Lake Minnewashta. We have 2 kids in graduate schools. I’m here
today to discuss a potential ordinance that I think would be of benefit to some members of the
community. Last November I noticed that Shorewood passed an ordinance to establish a domestic
partnership registry and 2 months ago Eden Prairie passed a similar ordinance. I’ve got a handout and
Chanhassen City Council – April 9, 2012
I’m going to be real brief tonight. I do have a handout with some information I’ll leave with you but I
think the purpose of the registry like this is well stated in the Shorewood ordinance. They say the
domestic partnership registry is a means by which unmarried, committed couples who reside in
Shorewood and who share a life and home together may document their relationship thus enabling the
registered couple access to employment benefits, hospital or health care visitation and such other
voluntary benefits. The adoption of this ordinance does not amend, create or establish rights, privileges
or responsibilities that are available to married couples under State or Federal law. I understand that this
ordinance would only benefit people who are not married, and under the CNN Money article when it
talked about Chanhassen, say they’re roughly about 70% of the people or the household are married
people so it won’t hurt them but it will provide a benefit to some of the others. I’m married and when
you’re married you take some of the benefits for granted but there are some situations where having a
registered domestic partnership could be a benefit to some people. So if one or more members of the
council were open to considering this type of ordinance I would ask that they provide direction to the
appropriate staff member to review what has been done in some neighboring communities and provide a
report back to the council with a recommendation. Thank you.
Mayor Furlong: Okay, thank you. Did you say you had some papers to pass out?
Kelly Dunn: Yes. So just some information from both Shorewood as well as Eden Prairie. From a staff
perspective, I did talk to the clerk at Eden Prairie and it has not created any sort of burden with them.
They have had some people register so there is some people so with that I guess, I don’t know if there’s
any questions or comments.
Mayor Furlong: Any questions for Mr. Dunn?
Councilman Laufenburger: Yeah, just one Mr. Mayor. Mr. Dunn, when was it that Shorewood enacted
this?
Kelly Dunn: Shorewood did it last November. November of 2011.
Councilman Laufenburger: So okay, so just a few months.
Kelly Dunn: Yes. And Eden Prairie did it in February so just 2 months ago. And I believe there’s
roughly about 20 other communities, you know Hopkins, Richfield, Eagan, Minneapolis, St. Paul, some
others.
Councilman Laufenburger: Do you have any early indication that institutions such as hospitals are
recognizing this?
Kelly Dunn: It’s antidotal information and that’s something that doesn’t create any obligation on the part
of the City but for example I happened to have had insurance through Blue Cross and some of the major
health providers do offer it basically like family coverage to people who are not married. The other
antidotal thing that we hear is it doesn’t just apply to a certain sexual orientation group. Actually
heterosexuals for one reason or another, maybe it’s young couples that choose not to get married or
maybe older people who have lost spouses that choose not to marry again so it appeals to a broader group.
Councilman Laufenburger: Thank you Mr. Mayor.
Mayor Furlong: Okay, thank you. Thank you Mr. Dunn.
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Chanhassen City Council – April 9, 2012
APPOINTMENTS TO ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION.
Mayor Furlong: We have one item of new business this evening and that is to consider appointments to
our Environmental Commission. At our meeting last, 2 weeks ago the City Council made appointments
for commission vacancies at, for our Planning, Senior and Park and Rec Commissions. This evening
we’d like to consider or make appointments to our Environmental Commission, our fourth commission.
Over the last several weeks, and again this evening, the City Council interviewed 3 applicants before the
Environmental Commission. Robert Kircher, Amy Wenner, and Keith Anderson. At this time I’d like to
place each of their names in for nomination. I believe Mr. Gerhardt these are all for 3 year terms, is that
correct?
Todd Gerhardt: That is correct Mayor.
Mayor Furlong: Okay. Both Mr. Kircher and Ms. Wenner are incumbents and Mr. Anderson would be a
new appointee so at this time, we appreciate their interest. Their past service for those incumbents and for
their interest, all 3 of them, and serving on this commission going forward so at this time I would place all
3 of their names in nomination for 3 year terms and ask for a second.
Councilman McDonald: I’ll second.
Councilwoman Ernst: Second.
Mayor Furlong: I’ll give this one to Mr. McDonald since you had the consent agenda, if that’s okay.
We’ll spread it around a little. Any discussion on the motion. Or the motion to nominate those 3
individuals. No? Very good. Seeing none then we’ll proceed with the appointment motion.
Mayor Furlong moved, Councilman McDonald seconded to appoint Robert Kircher, Amy Wenner,
and Keith Anderson for 3 year terms to the Environmental Commission. All voted in favor and the
motion carried unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0.
COUNCIL PRESENTATIONS.
Mayor Furlong: Is there anything you want to present to the council this evening under council
presentations? Otherwise we’ll move on to Mr. Gerhardt.
Councilman Laufenburger: Well just a brief word, since we’re having such a short meeting tonight, and I
know there are many people out there that are anxious to hear about the upcoming excitement that is
generated by the now third year addition of the Chanhassen Redbirds. The local town team, amateur ball.
Town ball as it’s referred, and this Saturday night from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Chanhassen Legion is the
Second Annual Redbird Rally. Just promises to be an exciting time. Free hors d’oeuvres. Prizes galore.
Opportunity to rub shoulders with probably many members of the council will be there. At least I have
early indication that that will be the case, but in all seriousness this kicks off our season. It’s a fun and
fundraiser for the Redbirds baseball team. The Red Bird himself, or herself.
Mayor Furlong: Herself.
Councilman Laufenburger: Herself, right. And by the way the Red Bird is allowed to be raised in
Chanhassen, just wanted you to know that. Yes. And the Red Bird will be there as will many of the
players. Our brand new coach, Mr. Derrick Nelson. Board members will be there and it’ll be just a lot of
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fun and excitement and there’s nothing else going on that night in Chanhassen so April 14, 6:00 to 9:00
p.m. Hope to see you all there. Tickets are $10 at the door. Thank you Mr. Mayor.
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Chanhassen City Council – April 9, 2012
Mayor Furlong: Thank you. Anything else from council members this evening? If not, Mr. Gerhardt.
ADMINISTRATIVE PRESENTATIONS.
Todd Gerhardt: Mayor, council, I just wanted clarification to make sure the Red Bird is associated with
the foul.
Mayor Furlong: How do you spell foul?
Councilwoman Tjornhom: I don’t get it.
Todd Gerhardt: I’ll explain it later. I’m here all night. Two shows and you don’t have to pay at the door.
Just a quick update. I know the Mayor and council are aware but just for those people in the community,
the City of Chanhassen was dropped as a part of the lake association’s lawsuit against the DNR and the
City of Chanhassen. The City of Chanhassen was named several weeks ago as a part of their lawsuit in
trying to put together a program to insure inspections of all boats going into Lotus Lake, Christmas Lake.
Last week the City was dropped. The hearing was held this last Wednesday. Judge Canning was the
judge assigned to the case. Both the plaintiff and the defendant provided background on their orders and
gave an overview of each of those and then the judge did allow for counter arguments from both parties.
And then also allowed both parties to modify their orders to reflect some of the suggested changes from
each of the plaintiff and the defendant in the case. Those orders were sent to the judge today. Judge
Canning should make his ruling before the end of the week. Again this is an Injunction to allow for
centralized inspection to occur out at Lake Minnewashta at the regional park and Judge Canning does
have that authority and that’s what the plaintiffs are seeking and we should hear before the end of this
week. The last item, we are starting to go into construction season. We have several projects going on.
We had pre-construction meetings with the contractors on the Lake Minnewashta area and also the
pedestrian underpass at Minnewashta Parkway so we’ll start seeing construction vehicles out and about so
be careful when you’re out driving around. If you want to get updates on those projects, do access our
website and go under engineering and they have construction updates on all our street projects. And
that’s all I have for this evening.
Mayor Furlong: Thank you. Any questions for Mr. Gerhardt? I’m going to take a personal privilege
here and go back to council presentations. I was just looking at my notes. Subsequent to our last meeting
there was a Chamber luncheon, I think it was right, a couple days after our last council meeting, out at
Hazeltine. Councilman Laufenburger and I were there. The Governor came and spoke to the Chamber
and talked about a number of areas. Answered questions most of the time, which was very helpful to
those in attendance and one of the comments, well I made the comment and thanked the Governor that he
expressed back in February down in Shakopee to the joint meeting between the Scott County scale group
and representatives from Carver County for his support of raising and widening the 101 river crossing.
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He reiterated that support again at that meeting on the 28 and I know working with, or having
conversations with our Representative and Senator as well, I think that there are some various Bills
moving through so nothing is formalized yet but I did want to make mention here and again as I said at
the lunch meeting and wanted to say again, to thank the Governor for his support for that project. Again
to raise the 101 river crossing up above the 100 year flood plain level and to widened it from 2 lanes to 4
lanes. As we all know we are working on a project right now with expanding 101 from a 2 lane rural
section to 4 lane urban from Lyman Boulevard south to Pioneer Trail and so this would be a process of
continuing that development and improvement to that corridor coming from the south and really
addressing a major issue and that is the frequency and potential for that segment of 101 to flood.
Fortunately we don’t have that concern this year. Say fortunately for floods but I know the fields are dry
so you know it’s never good weather for someone but it was very positive to see the Governor reiterate
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Chanhassen City Council – April 9, 2012
his support again for that project, which I know is important to us. Anything else Mr. Laufenburger you
wanted to add on that?
Councilman Laufenburger: No.
Mayor Furlong: Okay, thank you. And thank you for your indulgence for letting me go back to council
presentations. With that, we’ve had administrative presentations. Any comments on the correspondence
packet? If not, if there’s nothing else to come before the council this evening, is there a motion to
adjourn?
CORRESPONDECE DISCUSSION.
None.
Councilwoman Tjornhom moved, Mayor Furlong seconded to adjourn the meeting. All voted in
favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0. The City Council meeting was
adjourned at 7:17 p.m.
Submitted by Todd Gerhardt
City Manager
Prepared by Nann Opheim
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