WS 2012 04 23
CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
APRIL 23, 2012
Mayor Furlong called the work session to order at 5:30 p.m.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mayor Furlong, Councilman McDonald, Councilwoman
Tjornhom and Councilwoman Ernst
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT:
Councilman Laufenburger
STAFF PRESENT:
Todd Gerhardt, Laurie Hokkanen, Kate Aanenson, Jill Sinclair and Richard Rice
PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT:
Andrew Aller, Mark Undestad, Kathleen
Thomas, Lisa Hokkanen, Kim Tennyson, Bill Colopoulos, and Kelsey Nelson.
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT:
Robert Kircher, Amy Wenner, Katie
Mahannah, Dennis Hansen, Matthew Myers, Keith Anderson, and Glenn Kaufman
PUBLIC PRESENT:
Rick Dorsey 1551 Lyman
Richard Crawford Chanhassen Villager
Jeff Fox 5270 Howards Point Road, Excelsior
JOINT MEETING WITH PLANNING COMMISSION.
Kate Aanenson reviewed the status of the Planning Commission Work Plan and accomplishments in 2012
which include updating the 2005 AUAR, and complete PUD rezoning of residential developments.
Kathleen Thomas discussed the education and training the Planning Commission received at their April
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3 work session with the City Attorney, interaction with the Environmental Commission at their 2011 fall
development tour and plans for the 2012 development tour which will also include the Park and
Recreation Commission. She explained that the commission is processing code amendments for the PUD
ordinance that include festive banners, sign illuminations and non-conforming lots, noting the issue of
festive banners needs further clarification and discussion. Councilman McDonald encouraged
commissioners to look at festive banners regulations from the business owner’s perspective. Mayor
Furlong asked about anticipated development for 2012. Kate Aanenson discussed code amendments to
Chapter 18 and Chapter 20. Kathleen Thomas and Andrew Aller asked for the council’s opinion of
having a high school/youth student being involved in some capacity with the Planning Commission.
Todd Gerhardt discussed the City’s current practice of college interns working with different city
departments in city hall and his and the Mayor’s mentoring relationships with the two high schools in
town. Mayor Furlong encouraged commissioners to continue to keep their eyes and ears open with
neighbors and friends regarding city development.
JOINT MEETING WITH ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION.
Chairman Kircher reviewed the Environmental Commission’s 2012 focus topics which include urban
forestry, water quality, water conservation and stormwater management. Katie Mahannah handed out and
reviewed the highlights of the 2012 Chanhassen Sustainability Report which was prepared by the
Environmental Commission. Chairman Kircher asked for council feedback when they have completed
City Council Work Session – April 23, 2012
reading the report. Councilwoman Tjornhom commented that she thought it was great to have a mission
statement and liked the fact that all commissioners were working together and with the council.
Chairman Kircher discussed the Environmental Commission working in cooperation with the Planning
Commission in the past. Councilwoman Ernst commended commissioners for the work done on the
sustainability report which included a mission statement and synopsis. Mayor Furlong stated he was
looking forward to reading the report, emphasizing the importance of environmental concerns in city
developments. Councilwoman Tjornhom suggested the Environmental Commission get educational
training similar to what the Planning Commission did at their work session. When asked if there was
anything the council wanted the Environmental Commission to work on this next year, Councilman
McDonald asked that they continue to follow up on the four focus topics and monitor the rain gardens and
new technology being installed with the Minnewashta Heights street project. Matthew Myers asked
about the commission’s role in addressing and educating the public on invasive species in general.
Mayor Furlong suggested the key role of the Environmental Commission is to educate residents and
businesses about environmental issues. Councilman McDonald reiterated that the Environmental
Commission needs to stay away from politics and stick to education. Councilwoman Ernst asked about
advertising for Arbor Day festivities and what trees were for sale as a part of that event.
iPAD DEMONSTRATION.
Richard Rice handed out iPads to council members and showed a power point demonstration of how to
use them in replacement of their current laptops.
The work session was recessed at 7:00 p.m. It was reconvened at 8:40 p.m.
Richard Rice was available to continue instructing council members on the use of the iPads.
Mayor Furlong adjourned the work session meeting.
Submitted by Todd Gerhardt
City Manager
Prepared by Nann Opheim
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