CC 2013 01 14
CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
JANUARY 14, 2013
Mayor Furlong called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The meeting was opened with the Pledge to
the Flag led by Boy Scout Zachary Stueve.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mayor Furlong, Councilman McDonald, Councilwoman
Tjornhom, Councilwoman Ernst, and Councilman Laufenburger
STAFF PRESENT:
Todd Gerhardt, Laurie Hokkanen, Paul Oehme, Kate Aanenson, Todd Hoffman,
and Roger Knutson
PUBLIC PRESENT:
R.C. Potz 6991 Tecumseh
Larry & Zachary Stueve 7324 Fawn Hill Road
Mayor Furlong: Thank you Zachary. Appreciate that and thank you and welcome to everybody here.
Happy New Year. We’re glad that everybody joined us here this evening in the council chambers and as
well as those watching at home. At this time I would ask members of the council if there are any changes
or modifications to the agenda. Otherwise without objection we’ll go ahead and proceed with the agenda
as published.
OATHS OF OFFICE.
Mayor Furlong: We have a few items this evening. Before we get into our regular, well these are part of
our agenda items. The first is the Oaths of Office by Councilman Elect Jerry McDonald and
Councilwoman Elect Bethany Tjornhom so if I could have the two of you. Invite you down to the, well
Mr. Knutson, our City Attorney is going to administer the oath this evening.
City Attorney, Roger Knutson administered the Oaths of Office to Councilman Jerry McDonald
and Councilwoman Bethany Tjornhom.
Mayor Furlong: Congratulations Councilwoman Tjornhom and Councilman McDonald. Any thoughts or
comments that you’d like to share at this time?
Councilwoman Tjornhom: Ladies first? You know I guess it’s such an honor I guess that the residents of
Chanhassen voted for me and allowed me to serve them for 4 more years. I think we’re going to have a
lot of exciting projects to work on and I’m very optimistic about the future of this town and I look
forward to serving them again. Thank you so much.
Mayor Furlong: Thank you. Councilman McDonald.
Councilman McDonald: Well I guess I would, excuse my voice, like to say it was quite the race and I
really do appreciate everyone’s support that turned out and voted for me and as I stated during the
campaign, I will do my best to make sure that I reflect the views of the community and do what’s best for
the community going forward so again I look forward to this. It should be exciting. There’s a lot of
things going on but I do want to thank the residents and I’ll do the best that I can for you. Thank you very
much.
Chanhassen City Council – January 14, 2013
Mayor Furlong: Very good, thank you. We do have some organizational items this evening as well, this
being our first meeting of our new year.
ORGANIZATIONAL ITEMS: DESIGNATION OF OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER.
Mayor Furlong: We will be as a council will be appointing the Acting Mayor, who will serve as Mayor
or a representative of the City Council in my absence. We’ll also be considering appointments to the
Southwest Transit Commission and also considering an action relating to official newspaper. With these,
we can take these as a single motion or take them as various motions, however the council wants to
proceed. The first item relates to designation of an official newspaper. Mr. Gerhardt, any staff report on
that item?
Todd Gerhardt: Mayor, council members, before you is designation of the official newspaper. You
received two letters requesting to be the City’s official newspaper. The Chanhassen Villager and the
Lakeshore Weekly News. The Chanhassen Villager’s line rate is just a little bit less than the Lakeshore
Weekly News and the Villager also delivers the newspaper to every resident in Chanhassen so it’s staff’s
recommendation that the Chanhassen Villager be designated the official newspaper.
Mayor Furlong: Thank you. Any questions for staff?
Councilwoman Tjornhom: I have a question.
Mayor Furlong: Councilwoman Tjornhom.
Councilwoman Tjornhom: While I was out door knocking in the Lake Minnewashta area there were a
couple residents very frustrated with the fact that they did not have access to the Chanhassen Villager and
they felt that they were not notified of legal notices and just what was going on so I’m wondering what, if
that is true that they do deliver city wide or if there was just some miscommunication.
Todd Gerhardt: We can look into that and Dick, do you want to address the issue?
Mayor Furlong: Mr. Crawford with the Chanhassen Villager is here. Good evening Mr. Crawford.
Dick Crawford: Good evening and thank you. We are available to every, free of charge to any resident in
Chanhassen who requests the newspaper. So they have to actually make a request to receive the
newspaper and then they will receive it in the mail. And the request I think comes up on a 3 year cycle so
if the people in Lake Minnewashta that you’re referencing haven’t made a request or their request has
lapsed, then they wouldn’t be receiving the paper but if they live within the city limits of Chanhassen they
are entitled to receive it free of charge in the mail.
Mayor Furlong: Mr. Crawford before you leave, how about a new resident moving in, either to an
existing home or new homes that are constructed, do they automatically receive it or do they also have to
request?
Dick Crawford: That is a good question. I don’t know if it will continue under the previous owner’s 3
year cycle or not but I can check on that and get back to you.
Mayor Furlong: Okay, and then new developments as well. New homes. Do they automatically get sent
when we have a new development come in?
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Chanhassen City Council – January 14, 2013
Dick Crawford: I think we make an effort to, when there’s new starts that we try to touch base with them
and get them on board but I could follow up on the exact protocol we use with that as well.
Mayor Furlong: Alright.
Councilwoman Tjornhom: I have one more question.
Mayor Furlong: Councilwoman Tjornhom.
Councilwoman Tjornhom: Do you have a count of how many households you actually do mail out to?
Whether they’ve subscribed or requested.
Dick Crawford: It’s over, and maybe Councilmember Laufenburger can help me with that because he
asked me for that number today, but it goes to over 4,000. I don’t know the exact. It’s 4,000 and
something households and businesses within the city limits of Chanhassen. 4,400.
Councilman Laufenburger: 4,432 is what you told me Richard.
Dick Crawford: Okay.
Councilwoman Tjornhom: And this is a question for staff. I should know this, I apologize but how many
households do we have in Chanhassen?
Todd Gerhardt: Go for it Kate.
Kate Aanenson: Just a little over 6,000.
Councilwoman Tjornhom: Okay.
Dick Crawford: Yeah so there are 1,500 households that could be receiving it free if they requested it.
Councilwoman Tjornhom: Thank you.
Mayor Furlong: Thank you. Any other questions for staff or for Mr. Crawford? Would somebody like to
make a motion with regard to designating an official newspaper?
Councilman Laufenburger: I will Mr. Mayor.
Mayor Furlong: Councilman McDonald, or Laufenburger. Excuse me.
Councilman Laufenburger: Mr. Mayor, I move that the City of Chanhassen designate the Chanhassen
Villager as the official newspaper for the city of Chanhassen for 2013.
Mayor Furlong: Thank you. Is there a second?
Councilman McDonald: I’ll second.
Mayor Furlong: Motion’s been made and seconded. Any discussion on the motion?
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Chanhassen City Council – January 14, 2013
Councilman Laufenburger moved, Councilman McDonald seconded that the Chanhassen Villager
be designated as the Official Newspaper for 2013. All voted in favor and the motion carried
unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0.
APPOINTMENT OF ACTING MAYOR.
Mayor Furlong: We move now to the next item, organizational item and that’s the designation of an
Acting Mayor. This member of the council will preside over council meetings, stand in at ceremonies,
and execute official city documents in my absence. There’s no coup intended here by doing this but it’s
one for efficiency and practicality so at this time Councilwoman Tjornhom I think you’re the current, or
the most, the Acting Mayor.
Councilwoman Tjornhom: As of 7:00 I was, yes.
Mayor Furlong: 7:00, so there have been a few times when I’ve had to request your assistance this last
year and I’d just like to start by thanking you for that.
Councilwoman Tjornhom: It was my honor.
Mayor Furlong: And at this time I would certainly open up any discussion or nominations for Acting
Mayor. Councilman McDonald.
Councilman McDonald: If I could Mr. Mayor, seeing as how Councilwoman Tjornhom did such a good
job and you know no one’s calling for your head for not showing up, I’d like to re-nominate
Councilwoman Tjornhom to stand in as Deputy Mayor.
Mayor Furlong: Thank you. Is there a second?
Councilman Laufenburger: Second.
Mayor Furlong: Motion’s been made and seconded. Are there any other nominations? Hearing none
we’ll close nominations and proceed with the vote without objection.
Councilman McDonald moved, Councilman Laufenburger seconded to appoint Councilwoman
Tjornhom as Acting Mayor for 2013. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a
vote of 5 to 0.
Mayor Furlong: I’ll show you my calendar.
Councilwoman Tjornhom: And we’ll be having cake after the meeting.
Mayor Furlong: We’ll be having cake, okay. Alright, well anytime I’m not here she does have cake so.
APPOINTMENTS RELATED TO SOUTHWEST TRANSIT COMMISSION.
Mayor Furlong: There are actually a couple appointments here. First with the change in the by-laws for,
this is Southwest Transit Commission is a commission made up of the cities of Chanhassen, Chaska and
Eden Prairie. 7 member commission’s responsible for oversight of Southwest Transit’s operations and
policies. Mr. McDonald, you’ve been serving and continue to serve as our council representative on
Southwest Transit. Thank you for your time and efforts there as well. With the recently adopted joint
powers agreement there was the creation of an addition to the council member representative and an at-
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Chanhassen City Council – January 14, 2013
large representative, usually a resident. It’s been our practice in Chanhassen. There’s also the creation
now of an alternate member of the City Council that would fill the position, both in the absence of the city
member as a commission member for either of the commission members as well as for the bonding
commission. I don’t think, Mr. McDonald?
Councilman McDonald: Well if I could, whenever we did this, I mean the intent was for one person, not
two appointments. What this is for is to actually stand in in case something where to happen. I couldn’t
attend a meeting. Either a regular transit meeting that needed a quorum or if the transit commission were
to vote on a bonding. If I couldn’t attend that meeting, that meeting that same person would attend so
what I would suggest to council is instead of having this as two nominations to just have it as one
nomination.
Mayor Furlong: I think that would be fine, unless there’s objection to that.
Councilman Laufenburger: Mr. Mayor, just to clarify. Mr. McDonald, you currently serve on the
Southwest Transit Commission, is that correct?
Councilman McDonald: That’s correct.
Councilman Laufenburger: And how much time is left on your term?
Councilman McDonald: A year.
Councilman Laufenburger: One more year so you will continue in the role of Southwest Transit
Commission member and now Bond Board member, is that correct?
Councilman McDonald: Well yes, and it’s all part of being the transit representative for the city. If we
were to do a bonding I would be the representative for that.
Councilman Laufenburger: Okay Mr. Mayor, do we have to, do we have to vote on the selection of Mr.
McDonald filling both of those roles, is that true?
Mayor Furlong: No, actually what the by-laws state is they want one of the other council members to
serve to be appointed as an alternate in Mr. McDonald’s absence on the bonding bill since he is our
current elected official on the commission.
Councilman Laufenburger: Okay.
Mayor Furlong: And we’d have to check, one of the other appointments here is the, is for the current
citizen representative from Chanhassen, Jody Collis King who’s term is expiring and we’d have to clarify
if the alternate would also stand in for her in terms of the commission members or not and that’s just
something we could clarify. Either it does or it doesn’t. It’s up to the by-laws.
Councilman McDonald: Well I guess yeah, the reason is that we do need someone to stand in for the
elected representative because without an elected representative you can’t vote on the bonding.
Mayor Furlong: That would be true for the bonding.
Councilman McDonald: Right, that’s true for the bonding and then for the others it just comes down to
make sure that if something were to come up, we would have a quorum.
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Chanhassen City Council – January 14, 2013
Mayor Furlong: So, I mean I served in that capacity on the commission before. I know Councilwoman
Ernst has. I’ve been active on the Southwest Transit, working on the Suburban Transit Association. Be
happy to serve as that, in that position as the alternate if the council would like me to.
Councilman McDonald: Mr. Mayor if I could I’d make it official and I would nominate you to be the
alternate to the Southwest Transit Commission.
Mayor Furlong: Okay, thank you. Is there a second to that?
Councilwoman Tjornhom: Second.
Mayor Furlong: Are there any other nominations? With no other nominations, without objection we’ll
close nominations and proceed with the vote.
Councilman McDonald moved, Councilwoman Tjornhom seconded to appointment Mayor Furlong
as the alternate to the Southwest Transit Commission. All voted in favor and the motion carried
unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0.
Mayor Furlong: And then the last portion relating to the Southwest Transit Commission relates to
appointment of our second representative on the commission, Jody Collis King who’s a resident of
Chanhassen has served in that role for the last 3 years. Mr. McDonald, is that correct?
Councilman McDonald: That is correct and I can not say anything but the highest for her service. She
does bring a very unique perspective, not only as one, as a resident of the city of Chanhassen, in the way
she approaches the things that happen on the Transit Commission but also as a rider and again she is an
individual that has the options to either drive her car to work or to take the bus and she does choose to
take the bus quite a bit so she has a very unique perspective that I think helps us so I would highly second
and recommend to the council that we reappoint here.
Mayor Furlong: Why don’t you go ahead and make that as a nomination if you would.
Councilman McDonald: I would nominate as the citizen rep from the city of Chanhassen Ms. Jody Collis
King to serve in that position again for 3 years.
Mayor Furlong: Thank you. Is there a second?
Councilwoman Tjornhom: Second.
Mayor Furlong: Motion’s been made and seconded. Are there any other nominations? Mr. Gerhardt,
just for discussion purposes here. The City did solicit other or solicited interest from other residents, is
that correct?
Todd Gerhardt: Yeah. I believe it was on our website and Facebook and advertised the opening and
didn’t receive any response.
Mayor Furlong: Okay, thank you. Is there any other discussions or nominations for the citizen
representative for Chanhassen? If not, without objection we’ll close nominations and proceed with the
motion to appoint Ms. Jody Collis King to a 3 year term expiring December 31, 2015.
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Chanhassen City Council – January 14, 2013
Councilman McDonald moved, Councilwoman Tjornhom seconded that the City Council appoint
Ms. Jody Collis King to a 3 year term on the Southwest Transit Commission expiring December 31,
2015. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0.
Mayor Furlong: I believe Mr. Gerhardt, that completes our organizational items this evening, is that
correct?
Todd Gerhardt: Yes.
Mayor Furlong: Okay, thank you.
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS.
None.
CONSENT AGENDA:
Mayor Furlong: I should clarify too, there was a revised resolution for item.
Todd Gerhardt: C.
Mayor Furlong: C? 3(c) which is just clarification. There’s no change in the intent. It was just some
clarification of the resolution.
Todd Gerhardt: Let the Minutes reflect that staff submitted revised resolution for item c regarding the
authorization of staff to use electronic time keeping.
Mayor Furlong: Thank you. Any items 3(a) through (e) that there’s a request for separate discussion
then, including the revised resolution for (c)? If not, then is there a motion to adopt items 3(a) through (e)
as revised?
Councilwoman Ernst moved, Councilwoman Tjornhom 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 December 10, 2012
-City Council Verbatim and Summary Minutes dated December 10, 2012
-City Council Work Session Minutes dated January 5, 2013
Receive Commission Minutes:
-Planning Commission Verbatim and Summary Minutes dated December 4, 2012
b. TH 101 (Lyman Boulevard to Pioneer Trail) Improvement Project 12-06: Approve Settlement
Agreement for Right-of-Way Acquisition for Parcel 5.
Resolution #2013-01:
c. Amended Resolution Authorizing Staff to Use Electronic Time Keeping.
d. Approval of Temporary On-Sale Liquor License Requests from the Chanhassen Rotary Club:
1) February Festival, February 2, Lake Ann
th
2) July 4 Celebration, July 3 & 4, City Center Park
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Chanhassen City Council – January 14, 2013
Resolution #2013-02:
e. Resolution Approving Purchase of Air Cylinders for Chanhassen Fire
Department Under Joint Powers Purchasing Agreement.
All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0.
VISITOR PRESENTATIONS.
Mayor Furlong: We will be holding a public later in our meeting tonight with regard to the street project
so this, it wouldn’t be necessary to speak on that tonight but if you’d like to address the council under
visitor presentations I’d invite you forward at this time to the podium. We do have a couple people that
we’d like to introduce. First is to receive an introduction and an update from new Senator Dave Osmek
representing Senate District 33 is here this evening. Good evening Senator.
INTRODUCTION AND UPDATE FROM SENATOR DAVE OSMEK.
Senator Dave Osmek: Good evening Mr. Mayor, members of the council. Last Tuesday I had the honor
and clear privilege to take the oath of office to be your new State Senator for Senate District 33, which
essentially is a small flag area off of Hennepin County that encompasses most of the people that I think
are sitting here, with the exception of Councilman Laufenburger.
Councilman Laufenburger: I can still hold you in high regard.
Senator Dave Osmek: You could adopt me.
Councilman Laufenburger: I’ll adopt you, thank you.
Senator Dave Osmek: Just to introduce me. I’ve met all of you. Just to go over some of my background
and experience. I’ve been a city councilman until very recently in the City of Mound for 11 years. Was
born and raised in Glencoe, Minnesota which is just west of here. A life long Minnesotan. Attended
Moorhead State and St. Cloud State Universities and graduated from St. Cloud State and decided that I
wanted to take on a new challenge and lo and behold I became your new state senator, at least for a
portion of the city. Julianne Ortman has the other section. I’m here tonight to just briefly talk about
where the committees I’m on. Answer any questions you might have. My anticipation is that I will be
here once per year unless you decide you need to have me here and I certainly will come at any time that
you feel that I need to be present for whatever matter might be there. Whatever I can help you with. As a
city councilman I’m very familiar with the challenges that you have and believe me I don’t want to hang
around for a street project because I’ve been through enough of them myself, particularly assessment
hearings. People don’t like those assessments so I am on the Public Safety and Transportation
Committee. It was very strange last week. I actually think I might have gotten something done in my
very first week. Very recently Mayor Furlong and I were at a Southwest Transit meeting and it was
brought forward that Met Council/MnDOT/someone refuses to let Southwest use the shoulders on 494
going between Highway 5 and 394 and I thought that was rather interesting. So the next day, and this
was where bipartisanship does take place at the Capitol. You’d be sort of surprised. We don’t all sneer at
each other even though it’s early in the session and we’re still happy people. We don’t sneer at each
other, at least not yet. I went into Senator Dibble’s office. He is the Chair for Public Safety and
Transportation and I explained it to him and he said well, we’re going to write legislation if we have to
because I support that and if we have to do that, you’ll write it. I’ll hear it and we’ll make them do it. I
went well this is interesting so actually he said but first let’s see what we can do with the staff members
so he gave me the names of a person with Met Council and a person with MnDOT and I had them come
over to my office the next, or earlier, I think it was Thursday and I explained the situation. Within 5
minutes they said well, this doesn’t make any sense. Yeah, we should do that so we’ll see what happens
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Chanhassen City Council – January 14, 2013
but I’ve been promised that you will see some action through Southwest so that you are able to use to
access that. Not sure exactly yet but they said they would get back to me so. One of my committees then
is Public Safety and Transportation. The other two committees I’m on is Environment and Energy. I’m
looking forward to my first meetings on that and I’m also on the Finance Committee that deals with Ag,
Environment, let’s see. Ag, Environment and Economic Development. So I have three different ones.
That one being a finance committee. It’s a very important committee. In Transportation we actually will
be responsible for bonding. It is a finance, it’s a combined finance and policy division so when it comes
to bonding for the bonding bill it will be going through my, the committee I serve on. My number at the
Capitol, if you need to get ahold of me is area code 651-296-1282 and my Legislative Assistant, his name
is Peder Mewis, and I don’t have his number memorized yet. It’s 651-296-9251. So if you need either
one of us, feel free to give us a ring. I respond to my emails. I actually have my emails through my
Smartphone so if you need to get ahold of me I certainly be gotten and if there’s any questions or if
there’s anything I can do for you feel free to contact me.
Mayor Furlong: Senator, thank you. Appreciate you being here tonight. Again congratulations on your
election and we look forward to working with you. One of the items we talked about at our work session
earlier this evening were some of our legislative initiatives and so we’ll be trying to set up a time or staff
will be trying to set up a time through your assistant. Invite you and our other representatives and
senators that represent Chanhassen to come and sit down and talk about some of the initiatives we have so
we’ll try to do that early in this session.
Senator Dave Osmek: Yep, just let me know. I mean like I said having coming from your position I
know how important it is to have the support of your senator and your representatives in getting things
done. Whether it’s on a small scale, which I think the bus thing actually seemed like the easiest thing, the
most common sense thing I’ve ever seen. I couldn’t believe that it was happening but you know on the
larger scale we’ll see what we can do. Of course it depends on another 66 other of my friends that meet
with me twice a week.
Mayor Furlong: Understand. Any other comments or?
Councilman Laufenburger: Yes Mr. Mayor.
Mayor Furlong: Councilman Laufenburger.
Councilman Laufenburger: Senator, nice to have you representing that portion of Chanhassen.
Senator Dave Osmek: Thank you.
Councilman Laufenburger: That I don’t live in but it’s okay. You’re still representing our citizens. Do
you follow, are you on social media at all? Twitter? Facebook?
Senator Dave Osmek: I am on Twitter. I don’t really use it all that much. I can be, I can be searched on
Twitter. I use it very rarely and Facebook, I am on Facebook. I have my campaign account on Facebook
but really I think the majority of the transaction I hope to get would be through my official account at the
Capitol and that’s the email I have is sen.david.osmek@state, at senate.mn. I’m sorry. Still getting used
to all of the new emails that I have but definitely, and I can be reached through the senate website. They
have my links there. I will have a secondary keep up with Dave page and what I’m doing and what I’m
up to and what I’ve been able to, you know what I’ve been doing but that’s a good question. I prefer
people to go through the website and use my official location because then I can direct it to my staff. I
will have an intern also helping me.
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Chanhassen City Council – January 14, 2013
Councilman Laufenburger: Sure. And where do you office Dave?
Senator Dave Osmek: I am in garden level. Some people call it the crypt. I call it the garden level
because my seniority, my seniority is number 27 out of 28 so I’m not the guy with the office next to the
furnace. I’m the guy next to the guy next to the furnace so I am in the lower level.
Councilman Laufenburger: We start somewhere don’t we David?
Senator Dave Osmek: Yes, you have to start somewhere but actually it’s very, I like it because the offices
are slightly bigger and it’s a little quieter so I stay out of the line of fire for all of the more senior
members to take. Hate to say I like to let them take the hits but that’s okay. But I’m on the lower level.
It’s the ground level. You have to walk through the caucus area to get to the stairs to go downstairs, or
there actually is a door if you sort of figure out where it is. There’s a door to get in directly.
Councilman Laufenburger: Cool.
Senator Dave Osmek: But it’s G19.
Councilman Laufenburger: Thank you Mr. Mayor.
Mayor Furlong: Thank you. Anyone else?
Councilwoman Ernst: Yes.
Mayor Furlong: Councilwoman Ernst.
Councilwoman Ernst: Well congratulations Senator. Glad to have you as our senator. I know you
worked very hard in your campaign. You’re looking much more rested these day.
Senator Dave Osmek: Well I just got up at 5:30 so that’s my day.
Councilwoman Ernst: This is the first time I’ve heard that you’re on the Transportation Committee. I’m
excited to hear that so congratulations on being on that committee as well.
Senator Dave Osmek: Thank you. That is the, that was the one that I have a passion for. You know I
have that experience, Ag experience which sort of makes me unique. This district is very unique. Where
you are and the B side of the district represented by Representative Pugh is very urban. Very, I mean I
think there’s one farm within the entire area. The A side of the district, which is Representative Hertaus
is almost completely agricultural/10 acre lot sizes so it’s very ruralish and there’s a lot more farming up
there and which sort of fits with me because I grew up, the first 18 years of my life in Glencoe and it’s
actually outside of a little town called Biscay which is, now Biscay is between Hutchinson and Glencoe
and it’s main industry is the liquor store so they, I lived there in that area, we farmed and we did crop
farming a lot so I get, that gave me the agriculture side and now I’ve been more of a city kid for the you
know the rest of my life or part of my life so it gives me a good balance to be able to look at Ag issues
and environment issues in two different ways at the same time because I’ve experienced it. But
transportation is my passion. A lot of people think of different things, higher ed. Education. Human,
health and human services but transportation is really where I’m interested. We had our first meeting
today which was interesting but frustrating because you learn all of the formulas that are going for how
MSA money, and I never knew how they figured out how you got your MSA money but it’s this
complicated formula and how you figure that one out, and you know there’s so many things I’m going to
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Chanhassen City Council – January 14, 2013
need to learn and I’m just trying to keep the fire hose to my mouth and keep swallowing as hard as I can
to get the information I need to do my job for you all.
Councilwoman Ernst: Well congratulations.
Senator Dave Osmek: Thank you.
Mayor Furlong: Thank you. Anyone else? No? Thank you for coming this evening Senator.
Senator Dave Osmek: Great, thank you. Feel free to call me anytime.
Mayor Furlong: We will, thank you.
PRESENTATION OF EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT, ZACHARY STUEVE.
Mayor Furlong: Also this evening we have a Eagle Scout candidate or a Life Scout I should say.
Zachary Stueve who’s here to present his Eagle Scout project to the council. Good evening Zachary.
Zachary Stueve: Good evening. I’m Zachary Stueve and I live at 7324 Fawn Hill Road and this is my
Eagle Scout project proposal. What it is is a crossing flag that will increase pedestrian visibility while
they cross the road. And see that’s an example of it in use with the kid crossing the busy street. An
example of a possible location I found is Sugarbush Park in Chanhassen. This is because during the
warmer seasons I always see kids there and Galpin is a, it’s highly populated because there’s many
neighborhoods that surround it and Galpin is used a lot, in my opinion. How I got the idea was initially
came from seeing these in use whenever I visited Japan, which is where my mom’s from, and Hopkins
th
but this idea was strengthen whenever we tragically lost Amy Trudeau on May 30 in a tragic accident.
A few months ago I met with Todd Gerhardt who is the City Manager and Todd Hoffman who is the
Parks and Recreation Director and after discussing my project they proposed a few questions. So I got in
touch with the, John Bradford who’s a city engineer for Hopkins and these are the three main questions.
How do you believe that the project is going, and he thinks that it’s doing very well and he didn’t really
give that much specifics but is good news. And how many locations do you have these at? Three
intersections around the elementary school that they have and have there been any reports of vandalism/
theft and he says no. there have not been. In the scope of the work my Eagle project has to be 100 to 150
hours but can surpass that number and I’m planning on doing 16 stations which is equivalent to 8
intersections around Chanhassen and if possible I’d like to work with the Chanhassen Villager to publish
an article in the newspaper. While installing these stations I’d like to distribute flyers to the surrounding
neighborhoods and I plan on finishing this project by the end of the 2012/2013 school year. And how the
City can help. The City can help by identifying the intersections that get used the most around
Chanhassen and if there isn’t any pre-existing posts around the intersection it’d be nice if the City could
put a post in that I could attach these units and if there are pre-existing posts I’d like to borrow a banding
machine so I can band around the posts and some financial support. If time allows it I’d like to answer a
few questions.
Mayor Furlong: Thank you. Appreciate it. Questions for Zachary. Just a quick one. You talked about
identifying intersections. Do you have some criteria that you’ve put in place or that you’ve found?
Zachary Stueve: Well they have to be owned by Chanhassen because I can’t obviously use the city
highways, or the state highways so that’s the main criteria.
Mayor Furlong: Okay. What were the criteria that Hopkins used in terms of identifying their’s?
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Chanhassen City Council – January 14, 2013
Zachary Stueve: Well they didn’t, they had a third party do it so like they did all the identifying and all
the research but they mainly just did it around elementary schools, or the one elementary school, since
they only have 3 intersections.
Mayor Furlong: Okay. Are there other cities around the area that you know that are doing this?
Zachary Stueve: Not that I know of.
Mayor Furlong: Okay. Alright, because I think it’s up in Excelsior, if I’m not mistaken. I’ve seen these
on Water Street there so you might want to check with them too in terms of identifying. Do you have any
cost estimates put together yet?
Zachary Stueve: Around $500.
Mayor Furlong: Okay. And in terms of, one of the aspects here because it’s new is going to be the
education. You mentioned working with the Villager as well as the neighborhoods. What’s your sense of
what’s going to motivate people to use these signs, or use these flags?
Zachary Stueve: Well just the whole safety aspect and I’m probably going to add like quick facts on the
flyers. It’s like whenever the parents read it they’ll find out something about safety.
Mayor Furlong: Good. Any other questions? Mr. Laufenburger?
Councilman Laufenburger: Zachary, I applaud you for coming up with the initiative for this so do I
understand this correctly? Essentially what will happen is these flags will make the pedestrians more
visible to traffic, is that correct?
Zachary Stueve: Yep because it will be a long pole obviously with a neon flag so like little children, if
they cross the street they can hold it out in front so if like cars are coming they can see the neon flag. So
it will alert them of children crossing the street.
Councilman Laufenburger: Sure, sure. And then they would put the flag on the other side and then if
they were returning, or somebody else returning at the intersection then they’d pick up the same flag. I
noticed there were some yellow and some orange. Is there any significance to that?
Zachary Stueve: No there is not. I’m going to choose orange so.
Councilman Laufenburger: Okay, good.
Zachary Stueve: And I plan on putting 3 pair of posts so there’ll be 6 at each intersection.
Councilman Laufenburger: I’m assuming then that you would go back and check these posts periodically
to see if the flags are still there or if they’re properly distributed, is that part of your program too or is this
once it’s in then the neighborhood takes care of it?
Zachary Stueve: I really don’t know that so far because I’m going to meet with the District Office to see
what he believes I should do with that.
Councilman Laufenburger: Okay, when you say the District, the Boy Scout District Office?
Zachary Stueve: Yeah.
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Chanhassen City Council – January 14, 2013
Councilman Laufenburger: Gotch ya, okay. I think it’s a great idea. I hope that it come to fruition
Zachary, thank you.
Zachary Stueve: Thank you.
Mayor Furlong: Thank you. Any other questions or comments? No? Thank you. I guess just from, not
that it’s required but is there a motion by members of council to support Zachary’s Eagle project here?
Councilwoman Tjornhom: So moved.
Mayor Furlong: Thank you. Is there a second?
Councilwoman Ernst: Second.
Councilman McDonald: Second.
Mayor Furlong: Any discussion on this? I will reiterate what Councilman Laufenburger said. Thank you
for taking the initiative and taking action. We appreciate it. We look forward to not only seeing your
project move forward but seeing how well it’s used and I think to Mr. Laufenburger’s comments, trying
to get a sense of usage would be something that would be helpful to us but good luck with your project.
We wish you the best luck.
Zachary Stueve: Thank you.
Mayor Furlong: With that if there’s no other comments or discussion, that motion’s been made to support
his project and the funding.
Councilwoman Tjornhom moved, Councilwoman Ernst seconded to support Zachary Stueve’s
Eagle project and funding. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 5
to 0.
Mayor Furlong: Anyone else for visitor presentations? If not let’s move forward to the next item on our
agenda.
2013 STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECT 13-01A: PUBLIC HEARING ON FEASIBILITY
STUDY FOR THE GREENWOOD SHORES NEIGHBORHOOD.
Mayor Furlong: This is one of the first street improvement projects for the coming year. The council will
be considering the feasibility study with regard to the proposed project here and considering authorizing
preparation of plans and specifications but let’s start with a staff report here if we could and then proceed
with the public hearing and ongoing discussion. Mr. Oehme, good evening.
Paul Oehme: Good evening Mayor, City Council members. I have a power point presentation on the
proposed Greenwood Shores street improvement project for 2013. I’d like to just review basically
there’s, this is one aspect of the street improvement project for this year. I’d like to just touch on that as
well and like the Mayor had indicated, I’d like to hold a public hearing and then consider ordering in the
preparation of plans and specs for just the Greenwood Shores neighborhood at this time. So purpose for
these projects is to improve the pavement conditions of our street system. The project is selected using
pavement condition scores. We both numerically and visually inspect each of these streets based upon
it’s condition, rate them and that’s how we prioritize street improvements in the community. Streets
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Chanhassen City Council – January 14, 2013
proposed for rehabilitation can basically no longer be maintained cost effectively with minor maintenance
techniques such a sealcoating or patching. It’s more these streets have reached a point in their life where
they need more permanent or costly improvements are necessary. Projects have been, especially for this
project, has been planned for several years and we have talked to the neighbors in this area for several
years planning for this project. If the project doesn’t move forward streets will continue to deteriorate
probably a little quicker pace than they have in the past and the city staff, specifically the public works
department would have to be out there patching more constantly and more costlier patches and repairs as
well down the road. With that, this is just showing you the overall streets that are proposed for 2013.
There’s basically 4 neighborhoods that are being proposed. The project we would like to talk about
tonight specifically is the Greenwood Shores neighborhood shown in green. In total there are a little over
4 1/2 miles worth of streets that we would like to consider for rehabilitation this year. Because of the size
and complexity of this project this year staff has broken up the public hearings into 3 separate public
hearings. Again the first one is the Greenwood Shores, which is on the agenda for tonight. Specifically
for Greenwood Shores, it’s about 1.8 miles of streets that the City staff is proposing to basically
reconstruct. Streets are over 37 years old. Been sealcoated a couple times back in 1992 and 1997. Thin
overlays have been performed on Redmond and Shawnee Roads as shown here. These streets were so
significantly in disrepair that we had to patch them back in 2000. The numbers shown, if you can see
here are the pavement condition indexes. They range between 17 and about 20, or 13. I think the lowest
one is 11 so they are well below what we consider pavement in fair condition in the pavement system so
they are, therefore they are recommended to be improved. The process that we’d like to use for these
streets is a full depth mill. Basically grinding up the existing pavement at this location and using that
material as the base course and then paving over the top of that with 4 inches of bituminous just adds
additional level of structural strength to the pavement and it’s a very cost effective process that we’ve
used in the past and recently we’ve used this process successfully on Timberwood Drive about 2 years
ago and Homestead Lane and Foxford Road about 5 years ago now so. The roads, we’re not, they are
unurbanized at this time and we’re planning to leave them that way for several reasons, which I’ll get into
later. Mainly for stormwater management issues. The existing curb is bituminous and we’re planning to
leave the curb that’s out there in the same location. Obviously just replacing the curb. We are looking at
installing some concrete curb and gutter at some low points and around drainage structures as well. This
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neighborhood, we did have a neighborhood meeting back in November 7 and about I think 40 property
owners did attend that meeting. It was well attended. Stormwater system in the area is in need of
upgrades. Staff did look at the storm sewer system. Staff did a visual inspection of each of the catch
basins and storm sewers and televised some of the storm sewers out here and we also had a, looked at
modeling the storm sewer system in this area just to make sure the capacities for the pipes and the catch
basins are adequate. We are recommending making some changes to the system, and I can get into that a
little bit later but in general most of the catch basins in this area are needing replacement. They are in
fairly poor condition. We are looking at replacing some of the castings that are out here too to get a little
bit higher capacity inlets so more water can go into these structures and so they don’t clog up as much
with debris as some of these areas do currently. Then also we’d like to replace most of the storm sewer
pipe that’s underneath the road at this time. Most of the pipe is galvanized steel, which is, has a tendency
to rust and corrode and leak over time so it’s the pipe in this area is to that level where we feel the storm
sewer, at least underneath the roadway should be replaced along with the catch basins. The storm sewers
that are currently, that are shown here along the lake, those are proposed to be upgraded to sump
manholes and so we can catch some of the finer particulates, floatable materials that are, that come off the
road. Also adding a, it’s called a SAFL Baffle. It’s more of an environmental structure to the manhole to
try to capture some of those finer particulates before they end up in the lake as well. Basically it’s to
enhance some of the water quality prior to discharging into the lake since it is more of a direct discharge.
This area was looked at for urbanization which means adding concrete curb and gutter and stormwater
ponds and digging additional storm sewer systems out here to make it more of an urban feel road. Based
upon that analysis we did not find sufficient land for ponding. Also the water, some of these areas that
drain off the site, especially to the east, they already have, are pretty much at max capacity so we didn’t
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Chanhassen City Council – January 14, 2013
want to add in additional runoff to those areas as well so based upon that analysis we had decided to leave
or to recommend that the roads be left more of a rural nature at this time. This drawing shows kind of
some of the storm sewer issues that we’re going to be trying to addressing under this project. Just go
through a couple of these. Utica Circle out here. This is a more or less the north end of the project. This
cul-de-sac currently does not drain very well, and it’s just shown in aerial here. We’re meeting with a
few of these property, these two property owners out here to try to see if we can come up with a solution
to try to drain that water off of the cul-de-sac a little better than it does now. There’s going to be, if that,
if we can work with the property owner there’ll have to be some grading out there and some maybe a rain
garden, those type, some sort of feature like that to try to capture the water before it ends up in the
wetland. Over on Utica Lane there is inlet capacity issues. We’re going to be adding some additional
catch basins in this area. Upgrading some of the storm sewer pipes in this area as well. Over off of
Tecumseh Lane there’s a catch basin in the back yard that doesn’t drain very well. Actually the ground
around it has settled. We’re looking at replacing that structure and to try to get the water to drain out in
this area a little bit better than it has right now. Over again on Tecumseh Lane there is some inlet
capacity issues here that we’d like to address too. We’re looking at adding a couple more catch basins in
this area as well and concrete curb and gutter to try to get that water to drain off the road a little better in
conjunction with those improvements so those are some of the highlights of the storm sewer
improvements that we’re proposing at this time. In terms of the other city utilities that we have in the
area, the sanitary sewer system has been televised. The pipe is generally in good condition, however
there are some I and I issues. Leaks. Groundwater infiltration that we’d like to take care of and then
some castings that we’re going to be replacing with some I and I barriers added in as well so those are
some of the things that we’re looking at adding into the project at this time. The watermain in this area is
ductile iron pipe. It is thought to be in fairly good condition. Based upon the City records for watermain
breaks we have not identified any watermain breaks in this area, however we did test the soils in this area
and they are moderately hot or corrosive soils so we are looking at replacing the bolts for the gate valves
in this area and replacing some of the hydrants as well so, and then adding some Anode bags basically for
catalytic, cathotic protection to help reduce additional corrosion on the pipes in this area. For the costs for
this project, Greenwood Shores streets are estimated to be $624,000, a little over. Just for the street
improvements. Storm water has gone through a little over $113,000 for those improvements for the
watermain, that includes the gate valve repairs and the Anode bags or like to include in the project, that’s
a little over, almost $17,000 and then for the sanitary sewer repairs $9,295 for a total project cost of
$764,103, and that’s an estimated cost. Moving on to the costs and how are those paid for. The City pays
for all the utility costs for the watermain. The sanitary sewer costs and the storm sewer costs. The policy,
the practice of the City is to assess to the benefiting property owners 40% of the cost for the street
improvements, which is roughly $250,000 for an estimated assessment spread equally among the units in
the neighborhood of just under $3,000. $2,938.81. This is an estimated assessment. City practices, once
we get bids in from the contractors, the assessments are based upon the actual costs that the City incurs so
that number again is just estimated at this time. The neighborhood, at the neighborhood meeting back in
November the estimated cost at that time was a little over $3,100 was an estimate prior to us receiving the
final soils report so that number has come down a little bit. So moving on basically for the entire project.
This is basically showing we’re being consistent with all the other neighborhoods. Total budget for the
project is a little over $2 million dollars and the estimated costs for everything is a little over $2,012,000
about so we are currently within budget, although we are fairly tight in, with where we’re at right now in
terms of costs so. Terms for the assessments. We’re not, staff is not proposing to, you know this is not
an assessment hearing. We’re not proposing these assessments at this time but this is just a, the terms
we’re proposing consistent with other past projects of a 8 year assessment over with an estimated
assessment of 6% and that interest rate will potentially change and it’s our practice is to assess, or for
those interest rates to be based on prime rate plus 2% so. The project does have an 8% contingency so
City staff is fairly comfortable that the number that we’re proposing tonight should be fairly consistent to
what we’re going to receive in April with the final costs and then we do have 5% indirect costs in the
project as well so with that, project schedule. As we move on, if staff or if the council requests that staff
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Chanhassen City Council – January 14, 2013
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prepare plans and specs we’d like to approve those plans and specs on February 25. Have an assessment
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hearing on April 22. Inbetween the February 25 date and the April 22 we’ll be bidding out the
project and then potentially starting this project in June after school has ended and then we feel that this
project will take about 6 weeks to complete so but in terms of the entire project we’re trying to have the
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project, everything wrapped up by August 30 for the other areas as well so. With that if there’s any
questions I can more than willing to try to answer them. Otherwise I’d like to request that the council
open a public hearing at this time.
Mayor Furlong: Okay, thank you. Let’s start with some questions by members of the council first.
Questions for Mr. Oehme. Councilwoman Tjornhom.
Councilwoman Tjornhom: Can we go back to the presentation?
Mayor Furlong: Sure.
Councilwoman Tjornhom: Sorry, this sounds so loud. I don’t know what’s wrong with my mic.
Mayor Furlong: I don’t know if it’s your mic or all of them. Something just happen to the sound?
Audience: Paul was so quiet.
Laurie Hokkanen: We’ll just turn it down a bit.
Councilwoman Tjornhom: Is that better? Not yet.
Mayor Furlong: Councilwoman Tjornhom, we’re getting some feedback.
Councilwoman Tjornhom: I’ll have to start whispering. If you can go back to the beginning of the slide.
Is that, okay keep going forward. Keep going forward. There it is. On the last point. Install some
manholes with baffles that drain to the lake. Can you explain what that is? Is it, is there something now
protecting the lake from the water draining into it? Is this what this is or?
Paul Oehme: Right. Yeah, or currently there’s no environmental improvements out here. There’s,
whatever drains off the roadway currently discharges directly in the lake so we’ve looked at you know
underground, you know discharge points or environmental infiltration areas in this area. Because of the
area’s so developed, urbanized there really isn’t good locations for those type of improvements at this
location so what we’re proposing is to, the water that does collect in these catch basins and directly
discharges into the lake, we put sump manholes in. Basically it’s an area below the discharge pipe to the
lake where it would catch any solids. Say sand or girt or gravel or, and also does catch floatable materials
as well so, so any pop cans or those, or napkins or something like that would float, oil, would be caught in
these sump manholes as well. And the baffle is basically it’s just a kind of a weird box or it’s a
galvanized grate that slows the water down. Captures and let’s the finer particulates settle out better than
if you just have a sump manhole in this area so it’s, we’ve used these SAFL baffles in other areas,
specifically last year’s project up in Minnewashta Heights we have, I think 3 of them up in that area.
MnDOT installed one with the Highway 5 project last year on Lone Cedar Road which seems to be
working good too. There’s been good research that these SAFL baffles are cost effective approach to
environmental good stewardship so.
Councilwoman Tjornhom: And so now, I think it’s okay. Not any more.
Mayor Furlong: Okay, speak loudly.
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Chanhassen City Council – January 14, 2013
Councilwoman Tjornhom: I will. So with these SAFL baffles and they have to be emptied out
periodically, is that correct?
Paul Oehme: Correct.
Councilwoman Tjornhom: Okay.
Paul Oehme: There’s a maintenance cost to them and every year the City, we have a map. There’s I
think about 45 of them in the city currently. Environmental manholes that we inspect or use our Vactor
machine to suck out the floatable materials and the sediments so there is a maintenance component to
them but they’re already in the system. We already maintain a lot of them. We already have the
infrastructure and the equipment to handle this. This is just another couple manholes that we put on the
list.
Councilwoman Tjornhom: And how many are we installing for this?
Paul Oehme: Right now I think we have 4 proposed for this area.
Councilwoman Tjornhom: Okay. I just had never heard of this so thank you.
Paul Oehme: Okay.
Mayor Furlong: You’ve got to like the SAFL baffle through. You really do. Other questions for staff?
Councilwoman Ernst, did you have a question?
Councilwoman Ernst: Yes I did. Paul, in terms of the neighborhood meeting that was held in November,
were there any major concerns that were expressed? Number one, and number two, what was the general
consensus of the project?
Paul Oehme: I think the biggest concern I heard was the cost but we have that every time we have a
neighborhood meeting I think when these projects come up, that’s one of the bigger concerns that they
have is the assessment amount. How come they’re not, how come the City doesn’t pay for them 100% so
we kind of go over, we go through that process. Explain the criteria or the concept of why you know a
portion of the project is assessed back to the property owners. I think some of the drainage issues that
we’ve identified with the proposed project, you know those, a lot of those have been talked about with the
property owners or have been brought up to us by the property owners. They say check this out and you
know those type of things so that’s probably the second major issue that they’ve talked about but overall I
think you know in general I think most of the property owners are receptive to you know understand that
something should be done out here. The roads are almost 40 years old. They are starting to break up
pretty significantly. The roads are patched a lot. I mean every year the City staff is out there patching the
road so.
Councilwoman Ernst: The reason I ask is because when I was campaigning a couple years ago in that
neighborhood, I heard a lot of the residents asking the question, when are we going to get our roads fixed
up out here so I thought you’d get a pretty positive response overall from those residents.
Paul Oehme: Yeah and I think we did too. Just based upon how many people are in the audience tonight
I think most of the property owners are receptive to, and are you know looking forward to having a better
street out here in the future.
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Chanhassen City Council – January 14, 2013
Councilwoman Ernst: Okay, thank you.
Mayor Furlong: Other questions for staff? Mr. Oehme, a couple follow up questions. You mentioned,
first of all you’re describing a, I think I’ve got it right, the full depth mill and overlay. How, full depth
versus, what have we done in other areas because we’ve done a number of mill and overlays. You
mentioned a couple neighborhoods where we did this filled out, full depth.
Paul Oehme: Full depth, yeah.
Mayor Furlong: What’s the difference?
Paul Oehme: The difference is, with just a regular mill and overlay, typically we go in the neighborhoods
where there’s curb and gutter and just mill out maybe the first inch and a half of the asphalt and leave the
base course. Some of the asphalt left so we can pave over the top of that. We did that in Pontiac Circle
actually the neighborhood just east of here on Kerber Boulevard a few years ago so that was basically the
true mill and overlay project. Minnewashta Heights is an example of an area that we full depth
reconstruction where we actually replaced the watermain, a lot of the sanitary sewer. Have a more of a
sand structural base. Pavement section to that area. Those streets are a lot more expensive but in those
particular areas they warranted more of an extensive street replacement program. Another project that
comes to mind for the full depth mill and overlay was Red Cedar Point was another area that we did a lot
of milling out of the asphalt as well. The full depth mill I think it’s a benefit. It gives you some of the
structural, more of the structural strength because you’re mixing in some of the asphalt into the base.
With that binder it tends to hold the base together a little bit more. And also with the full depth mill
you’re not going to see those reflective cracks come through as you would just the regular mill and
overlay because you’re basically creating a new sub-grade or new sub-base or base for the asphalt so
you’re not going to have that, those cracks in the sub-base to reflect through right away so it’s, I think
with that, the approach that we’ve, are making or the proposal that we’re making with these streets, I
think it’s a good compromise in terms of cost and also a good compromise in terms of longevity for the
streets too.
Mayor Furlong: And you mentioned one neighborhood where we did this full depth mill and overlay
about 5 years ago. What has been the observations or how has that performed relative to expectations? I
forget which one neighborhood it was. Fox?
Paul Oehme: Yeah, let’s see. Homestead Lane and yeah right, Foxford Road. Those streets actually,
those were 6 years ago now I think when we did those projects and we just sealcoated them. There are
very little cracks that we have observed. We didn’t have to crackseal very much in that area so, and we
don’t see any rutting or alligator cracking out there so they’ve held up well up to this point so.
Mayor Furlong: Okay. Alright. Good. Thank you. Any other questions for staff before we open the
public hearing? Hearing none then at this time I would like to open up a public hearing and invite
interested parties to come forward and address the council on this project and some of the things we’ve
like to hear as a council is one, whether or not residents believe there’s a need for the project. That’s
always an important factor that we’re not doing projects that aren’t needed. And two, if they have other
questions with regard to aspects of the project from a construction standpoint or we’ve heard about
stormwater issues, what the concerns are. Any questions and certainly if they have questions with regard
to the funding, the proposed funding as well so, at this time I would invite residents and other interested
parties to come forward to the podium. Please state your name and address for the record, if they’d like to
comment on this project. Anyone this evening? Yep, please. Good evening.
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Chanhassen City Council – January 14, 2013
Ed Jannusch: Good evening. My name is Ed Jannusch. I live at 6831 Utica Terrace. I just have a
question. I did not get to attend the earlier meeting when it was presented to the neighborhood on
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November 7 but there’s a culvert that runs under Utica Terrace that runs into Lake Lucy from the
wetland that is on property that we have and I think that culvert is in disrepair. Probably needs to be
replaced and since the neighborhood was initially created there’s been additional lots that drain from the
north of the current property through that same wetland and that culvert so I would like to suggest that
maybe that sizing be looked at and possibly a larger culvert put in.
Paul Oehme: So you live, I’m sorry do you live adjacent to the culvert?
Ed Jannusch: Yes.
Paul Oehme: Okay.
Ed Jannusch: At the source of that culvert, yeah.
Paul Oehme: Okay. And from our analysis we did identify that culvert as needing replacement or repair.
Currently we have the culvert to be lined right now in the project and the catch basin replaced as well.
It’s a corrugated metal pipe and we’re actually going to be looking at that a little further this week in
terms of lining the pipe. I know there are I think 3 big cottonwood trees right around the culvert.
Ed Jannusch: Right.
Paul Oehme: I think there’s one like 32 in diameter.
Ed Jannusch: I don’t think anybody would object if those bit the dust but.
Paul Oehme: Yeah, okay. As long as no one objects to the trees coming down, I mean we probably
would like to actually, it’s probably a better project if we could replace that whole culvert instead of
lining it but we had some concerns about what the neighborhood would react if this culvert…
Ed Jannusch: I think currently I think it’s too small. I think it’s starting to come apart anyway and on the
east side of that street there’s no manhole or drainage into that area so the water puddles there and stays
for quite a while if it just runs over the yard into, down into the wetlands so you might want to consider
that.
Paul Oehme: Yeah, that was part of the plan too. Put another catch basin on the north end, or I’m sorry
the east side.
Ed Jannusch: On both sides.
Paul Oehme: Both sides. There’s one on the south side that’s in, or the west side that’s in disrepair and
we definitely want to replace that one so but I think what we’d like to do is maybe contact all the property
owners out there now and make sure that they’re okay with those trees coming down because if we do re-
size the pipe and replace it, most of those trees would have to come down.
Ed Jannusch: Yeah I don’t think anyone would object to that. Thank you very much.
Paul Oehme: Very good, thank you.
Mayor Furlong: So Mr. Oehme, you’ll work with Mr. Jannusch and the neighbors in that area?
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Chanhassen City Council – January 14, 2013
Paul Oehme: Yep, absolutely.
Mayor Furlong: And look at the sizing of that pipe and look at some alternatives.
Paul Oehme: Yeah, we’ve already looked at the sizing of the pipe. I’ve got to review my notes on that
but our biggest concern was losing those trees so we’ll have to contact the property owners now.
Mayor Furlong: That’s fine, thank you. Others that would like to participate in the public hearing this
evening on this project? It’s need or the proposed funding. No? Very good. Without objection then
we’ll go ahead and close the public hearing and bring it back to the council for discussion. Comments
and discussion by members of the council on the project, or the proposed project. Mr. Laufenburger.
Councilman Laufenburger: Thank you Mr. Mayor. Paul, could you describe to me the novice here,
what’s an Anode Bag on a watermain? First of all describe how you’re going to use it and then, and I’m
wondering if, could I use it in my house?
Paul Oehme: You might already have one in your house. On your hot water heater actually. It’s either,
it’s a bag that connects, would connect to the watermain pipe and it’s basically a sacrificial unit. They’re
used on boat hulls in salt water conditions. It’s basically, instead of the deterioration of a pipe or the steel
structure the Anode basically would take that current and basically wear itself away versus the steel itself
so it helps prolong the life of the pipe so, in basic terms.
Councilman Laufenburger: So do I take it to understand that this Anode Bag actually has an electrical
charge running through it?
Paul Oehme: No it doesn’t, no. It does not. Can I just show you?
Councilman Laufenburger: Oh you have a picture of it? Are these available at Crate and Barrel?
Mayor Furlong: Doesn’t sound as fun as the SAFL Baffle.
Paul Oehme: I don’t know if I’ve got a picture. Oh here’s one right here. So here’s the cathotic
protection, an Anode Bag. It’s about 2 1/2 feet long. It’s maybe 4 or 5 inches in diameter. We use these
successively for maybe the last 5 or 6 years. Protecting the watermain for any watermain break that we
have in the city or any gate valve repair we always are sticking these on any of our ductile iron pipes now
or cast iron pipes. There’s been studies done on these bags. I think Des Moines has been using them for
the last 10 years where they’ve seen significant decreases in their watermain breaks by using these bags
and decreasing the likelihood of additional corrosion down the line so it helps prolong the watermain and
it’s a cost effective approach that we’ve been using here, like I said for the last 5 years. It’s just basically
it’s welded onto the pipe at several locations and just conducts basically the DC current that’s created
with the higher levels of resistivity of the soils that are out here and higher corrosiveness of the soils that
are out here so.
Councilman Laufenburger: Okay, well you’ve done an excellent job explaining it and heretofore you
may call it the magic bag because if there’s anything that I don’t know how to explain it, it’s magic so
thank you Mr. Oehme. Thank you Mr. Mayor.
Mayor Furlong: Certainly. Other questions or comments with regard to the project and discussion on the
project. Councilwoman Tjornhom.
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Chanhassen City Council – January 14, 2013
Councilwoman Tjornhom: I guess I’m going to have to shout again since my mic probably isn’t…but no,
I mean we have these projects yearly and it looks like it’s another one that the neighbors hopefully think
is needed and hopefully we can get some better prices on these bids and come back with a great project
for the neighborhood.
Mayor Furlong: Thank you. Other comments or discussion? I too would agree. First of all thank you to
Mr. Oehme and your staff and to all the residents that came out to the meeting in November. Appreciate
their input and Mr. Jannusch coming up tonight again recommending ways to improve the project and we
appreciate that and while our staff does a great job having the residents actively involved in the project
has been our experience makes for a better project as well so thank you to everybody and I think a
testament to the need for the project as well as the proposed funding, while no one likes to pay for things,
I think is exemplified and the support for that is exemplified here by the limited comments that we
received so in my mind I think it makes sense to go forward with this. Having driven in this
neighborhood for a number of years, the road are clearly in need of being done. I think the pavement
condition ratings speak for themselves. When we get down to below 30 it’s time and so I think that that
also speaks to the need so, and I commend staff for not just going in with a one size fits all. When you
get to this level you reconstruct everything. That’s not needed. It’s a good efficient use of our financial
resources, as limited as they are, to make sure that we’re doing what we need to do but not more and
giving us good life and size so we’ve had some good experiences with other neighborhoods with similar
projects so, the issue before the council this evening is to order preparation of plans and specifications for
this project and I would certainly entertain a motion at this time.
Councilwoman Ernst: I’ll make a motion Mayor.
Mayor Furlong: Councilwoman Ernst.
Councilwoman Ernst: I make a motion that the City orders the preparation of plans and specifications for
the 2013 Street Improvement Project 13-01-1, Greenwood Shores area.
Mayor Furlong: Thank you. Is there a second?
Councilman McDonald: Second.
Mayor Furlong: Motion’s been made and seconded. Any discussion on the motion?
Resolution #2013-03: Councilwoman Ernst moved, Councilman McDonald seconded that the City
Council orders the preparation of plans and specifications for the 2013 Street Improvement Project
13-01-1, Greenwood Shores area. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a
vote of 5 to 0.
Mayor Furlong: The other neighborhoods Mr. Oehme will bring back at our next meeting and the
meeting after that in February, is that correct?
Paul Oehme: That’s correct.
Mayor Furlong: Okay, very good. Thank you.
COUNCIL PRESENTATIONS.
Mayor Furlong: Councilman McDonald and I were at the Suburban Transit Association breakfast
meeting with legislators this morning. I thought it was very well attended by our representatives. The
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Chanhassen City Council – January 14, 2013
Suburban Transit Association is an association of suburban transit providers. We talked about Southwest
Transit earlier this evening and other transit associations as well were there talking about some common
issues and common goals so it was a good meeting and some good initiatives coming out of that group
but we need to be watchful and I thank Mr. McDonald and Jody Collis King for their willingness to serve
on those meetings and represent our city there. Other council presentations? If not, administrative
presentations.
ADMINISTRATIVE PRESENTATIONS.
Todd Gerhardt: Just one item Mayor, council members. We’ll be hosting the 112 School District
Leaders Meeting this Friday in the Fountain Conference Room and updating the leaders in other
communities regarding Highway 101 river crossing. And that’s all I have.
Mayor Furlong: Thank you. Any questions for Mr. Gerhardt or his staff? Councilwoman Ernst.
Councilwoman Ernst: I have a comment on the correspondence package.
Mayor Furlong: Okay, I’m getting to that right now.
Councilwoman Ernst: Okay, sorry.
Mayor Furlong: No, that’s fine. Just wanted to ask for questions first.
CORRESPONDENCE DISCUSSION.
Councilwoman Ernst: I just wanted to congratulate Greg Sticha and Todd Gerhardt. I mean from what I
th
understand this is the 20 year that they have received the Award for the Certificate of Achievement for
Excellence in Financial Reporting and this came from the Government Finance Officer’s Association and
that’s a, I didn’t realize that we had been 20 years in getting this award so congratulations and I wish
Greg was here but.
Todd Gerhardt: I’ll pass the word onto Greg.
Councilwoman Ernst: Yeah, because that’s pretty awesome.
Todd Gerhardt: And his staff. Tautges-Redpath, our auditors play a key role in that also and Greg and
his staff spend a lot of time with the auditing team to insure that all the standards are being met and
reported so I’ll extend your appreciation and thanks.
Councilwoman Ernst: That’s great.
Mayor Furlong: Other items on the correspondence packet or other discussion? Questions? Seeing none,
if there’s nothing else to come before the council this evening, is there a motion to adjourn?
Councilwoman Tjornhom moved, Councilwoman Ernst 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 8:15 p.m.
Submitted by Todd Gerhardt
City Manager Prepared by Nann Opheim
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