WS 2013 04 22
CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
APRIL 22, 2013
Mayor Furlong called the meeting 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, Sharmeen Al-Jaff, and Todd Hoffman
SENIOR COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT:
Barbara Nevin, Carol Buesguens, Camille
Swanson, Jackie Engel, and Jacqueline Prescott
PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT:
Cole Kelly, Steve
Scharfenberg, Elise Ryan, Brent Carron, Jim Boettcher, Rick Echternacht, and Luke Thunberg
PUBLIC PRESENT:
Brent Baker 9319 Avenue, Chaska
Steven Jenks Chanhassen Road
Laurie Susla 7008 Dakota Avenue
Margaret & Frank Hetman 7014 Dakota Avenue
Sharon McCotter 7000 Utica Lane
Steve Donen 7341 Frontier Trail
Pat Pavelko 7203 Frontier Trail
JoAnn & Marc Syverson 489 Pleasant View Road
Ron Kleve 7307 Laredo Drive’
Martin Immerman 481 Bighorn Drive
Greg Fletcher 7616 South Shore Drive
Andrew Larsen 7018 Sandy Hook Circle
Mary & Jeff Borns 7199 Frontier Trail
JOINT MEETING WITH THE SENIOR COMMISSION.
Council and commission members introduced themselves before Chairwoman Nevin reviewed the Senior
Commission’s accomplishments in 2012, plans for 2013 and a change to their Bylaws regarding the
number of members on the commission. Jacqueline Prescott reviewed the transit initiatives. Camille
Swanson talked about mentoring and education programs. She noted that in discussions with the high
school it was decided that STRIVE might be a better partnership than the Capstone Project. Carol
Buesguens discussed grant opportunities that the Senior Commission is working on and the idea of
universal design for homes of the future. Chairwoman Nevin discussed the TRIAD partnership with law
enforcement. Mayor Furlong asked about the TRIAD program and getting education out on programs
being provided by the City. Councilwoman Tjornhom asked about a typical day at the senior center.
Councilman McDonald asked if the commission tracks where seniors are coming from who attend
activities and where the concentration of seniors are located in Carver County. Councilman Laufenburger
asked about feedback with the countdown on traffic signals. Councilwoman Ernst has heard about a lack
of senior parking signs in town before congratulating the commission on their goals and objectives.
City Council Work Session – April 22, 2013
JOINT MEETING WITH PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION.
Council and Park and Recreation Commissioners introduced themselves before Chairman Cole Kelly
provided an update on the Park and Rec CIP balance. Mayor Furlong asked Todd Hoffman to explain
how park dedication funds are received and used. Chairman Kelly reviewed potential future projects
including ballfield lights at Lake Susan. Councilwoman Ernst asked about public demand for these
projects. Councilman McDonald asked about other uses for the field at Lake Susan because of demand
for more fields i.e. soccer, lacrosse, etc. Staff discussed the possibility of lighting 3 fields at Bandimere
Park versus the one field at Lake Susan. Councilman Laufenburger brought up the issue of maintenance
associated with more use on fields with lights. Chairman Kelly continued in asking for council direction
on when to look at the Bluff Creek Drive trail extension. Todd Hoffman explained that this connection
will connect Bluff Creek Drive to the LRT trail, which will eventually connect into Shakopee and
discussed that the pedestrian trail to the Arboretum will need a grant to be completed in the future. Mayor
Furlong encouraged the commission to continue to look at partnerships for this project. Chairman Kelly
and Todd Hoffman reviewed the Rice Marsh Lake trail extension that will be completed in 2013 for a 3
mile loop around Rice Marsh Lake, discussed projects initiated or completed in 2012, and reviewed the
AIS inspection program. When asked by Mayor Furlong for comments, Elise Ryan explained what
happened at the Park and Recreation Commission’s March meeting where she made a motion to develop
a task force to research the AIS topic further. That motion received no second which means the
commission basically chose to do nothing more with the AIS program for 2013. Councilman
Laufenburger asked Todd Hoffman to review direction given by council to staff on how to proceed with
proposed changes for 2013. Councilwoman Ernst asked about moving inspection hours around to lakes
based on use, and if staff has the proper allocation of hours for the different lakes. Elise Ryan reiterated
that she does not understand why the City will not support 100% inspection of all lakes. Councilman
McDonald reiterated that the City cannot do 100% inspection with the goal being to slow the infestation
rather than stop it. He stated he takes great offense that the City is being accused of not doing enough. A
Sunrise Hills Association member explained that their homeowners association voted to close their
private access to help convince the City to do more. Mayor Furlong and Councilman Laufenburger asked
for clarification on the funding sources for the number of inspection hours. Councilman Laufenburger
stated he does not believe the citizens of Chanhassen would support $234,000 to fund 100% inspection of
three city lakes. Laurie Susla commented that there are no private accessed on Lotus Lake, and to her
belief none on Lake Ann or Lake Susan either. She addressed the comment that AIS are coming in via
docks and boat lifts, the fact that the only way to stop it is 100% quarantine, and that she supports Elise
Ryan’s proposal for more discussion. Residents gave passionate views on the need to do more with the
AIS program, requested that the council do more and asked what the council wants for their legacy to
Chanhassen’s future. Because of the time Mayor Furlong asked if council members had any questions on
items 2 through 9. Councilman Laufenburger asked about the timeline for completion of the trail at
Minnetonka Middle School West and the long range plans for Westwood Church to include a soccer field.
Councilman McDonald asked about the upgrade of the skate park and disc golf course.
Mayor Furlong adjourned the work session at 7:00 p.m.
Submitted by Todd Gerhardt
City Manager
Prepared by Nann Opheim
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