WS 2013 01 28
CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
JANUARY 28, 2013
Mayor Furlong called the work session to order at 5:30 p.m.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mayor Furlong, Councilman McDonald, Councilwoman
Tjornhom, Councilwoman Ernst, and Councilman Laufenburger
STAFF PRESENT:
Todd Gerhardt, Laurie Hokkanen, Paul Oehme, Kate Aanenson, Todd Hoffman,
and Terry Jeffery
UPDATE ON CLEAN WATER FUND GRANT FOR RAVINE #2, SOUTH OF MANDAN
CIRCLE.
Terry Jeffery provided detailed background information on the need for the Bluff Creek project for
Ravine #2 south of Mandan Circle. Councilman Laufenburger asked if the CWA and MN Water rules are
examples of unfunded mandates. Mayor Furlong asked if the stormwater management programs are
working with new developments. Todd Gerhardt asked if it would be beneficial to keep the WOMP
stations at the Pioneer Trail and Highway 101 Y locations. Mayor Furlong asked about using stormwater
ponds to help with sediment retention. Terry Jeffery showed solutions to solve erosion problems and
grant regulations associated with the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Act funds. He outlined the schedule
to authorize execution of the grant agreement, work plan, design and construction with completion the
summer of 2014. Councilwoman Tjornhom asked if the work was being done by contract or in-house.
Mayor Furlong asked for clarification on the actual project components. Todd Gerhardt clarified that the
project will be similar to the project completed behind former Councilman Bryan Litsey’s house into
Lotus Lake. Mayor Furlong noted that action at the next council meeting will be to accept the grant and
approve the project.
FINALIZE PRIORITIES FOR 2013 KEY FINANCIAL STRATEGIES.
Todd Gerhardt reviewed the results of the rankings by council members to prioritize key financial
strategies. He explained that items receiving a 1 or 2 ranking will become a priority. Council discussed
items where there was not agreement with all council members. After discussion council agreed to
change their ranking for Review and Evaluate Concept PUD Process to make it a priority. Councilman
Laufenburger suggested changing “Promote” to “Support” Volunteer Opportunities in our community and
discussed the need to connect volunteer opportunities with people who want to volunteer. After council
discussion it was decided to leave this item with a score of 3. Under Consider Selling Advertisement in
city publications, Councilwoman Ernst asked about possible revenue generation. Councilwoman
Tjornhom stated she would change her ranking under Engage the Community in City Government to 2 to
make it a priority and Councilwoman Ernst changed her ranking to 1. There was an error in the ranking
for Receive Information on the Other “New Normal”. The average should be 1.8 which would make it a
priority. Innovation Efforts, Councilman Laufenburger changed his ranking to 2.
DISCUSS PLANS FOR HIGHWAY 41 TRAIL EXTENSION, AT-GRADE PEDESTRIAN
CROSSING WITH FLASHING BEACON AND STAIRWAY CONNECTOR.
Todd Hoffman and Paul Oehme reviewed what has changed with this project since the council rejected
bids on August 27, 2012. Council asked staff to split the project into two components, the trail extension
with pedestrian crossing and stairway connector. Councilman Laufenburger asked why bidding for the
pedestrian crossing was added with the Pleasant View Road/TH 101 project. Paul Oehme explained that
City Council Work Session – January 28, 2013
the same flashing beacon pedestrian crossing will be installed with that project. Paul Oehme outlined the
estimated costs for the trail extension, pedestrian crossing and flashing beacon at $205,000, noting a bid
date of February 28, 2013 with the TH 41 project as a bid alternate to the Pleasant View Road/TH 101
project. Todd Hoffman reviewed three new price quotes for the stairway connector project ranging from
$59,260 to $75,200. Councilman Laufenburger asked if the Park and Recreation Commission’s
recommendation to go forward with this project was still valid.
Mayor Furlong recessed the work session at 7:00 p.m. It was reconvened at 10:10 p.m. Bethany
Tjornhom did not return to the work session.
CONTINUED DISCUSSION OF PLANS FOR HIGHWAY 41 TRAIL EXTENSION, AT-GRADE
PEDESTRIAN CROSSING WITH FLASHING BEACON AND STAIRWAY CONNECTOR.
Todd Hoffman clarified what was included in the CIP for this project in 2012 and 2013. Mayor Furlong
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commented on the Park and Recreation Commission’s discussion at their August 28 meeting regarding
this project. Councilman Laufenburger stated his support for the trail extension and pedestrian crossing
but stated he does not support the stairway connector because it’s a stairway connector for healthy people
and not people with disabilities or mothers with strollers. Councilwoman Ernst stated she would not
support the stairway connector as well. Mayor Furlong discussed the comparison with this project to the
stairs at Lake Ann Beach and that he was struggling with the concept of not supporting the stairway
connector because not everyone can use it. He stated he would support both projects going forward at
this time. Councilman McDonald asked if there were impacts by not providing access to disabled people.
He stated he could support the stair connector because it will get used whether the city improves it or not
and people are expecting it to go in. Todd Gerhardt clarified that this item has to come before City
Council for approval. Councilman Laufenburger asked about the timeline for accepting bids for the
pedestrian crossing wish flashing beacon. Council members discussed support for including the TH 41
pedestrian crossing project with the Pleasant View Road/TH 101 project.
Laurie Hokkanen informed council members that the national media will be in town on Tuesday to
interview Sheriff Jim Olson regarding the Christian Oberender case which will air on the CBS evening
news on Tuesday and The Today Show Wednesday morning.
Mayor Furlong adjourned the work session at 10:35 p.m.
Submitted by Todd Gerhardt
City Manager
Prepared by Nann Opheim
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