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CC 2014 01 13 CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 13, 2014 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, Paul Oehme, Kate Aanenson, and Roger Knutson STAFF PRESENT: Betsy Gregg 12700 Greenwood Trail, Minnetonka Noah Hawke 1735 Alphon Drive, Victoria Matt Linsley 8349 Allegheney Grove Boulevard, Victoria Izay Hanson Tim Pim Spencer Stewart John Galioto Mayor Furlong: Thank you and welcome to everybody. Happy new year to those here in the council chambers as well as those watching at home. This is our first meeting of 2014 so we’re glad that everyone joined us this evening. I’d like to start with members of the council, in terms of approving an agenda. I’d like to add one item, without objection to the published agenda and that is consideration. We’ll put this under new business which will come as, between visitor presentation and council presentations which is consideration of a resolution of support for the appointment of Denny Laufenburger to a Metro City’s seat in the Transportation Advisory Board. So without objection we’ll add that to the agenda that was published and proceed with that agenda, again without objection. Thank you. With that let’s move forward. ORGANIZATIONAL ITEMS: DESIGNATION OF OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER. Mayor Furlong: We do have some organizational items since this is our first meeting of the year, the first of which is to adopt an official newspaper. Why don’t we take each of these individually. We’ve got adoption of the official newspaper. Appointment of an Acting Mayor. Appointment of a representative to Southwest Transit Board and Transit Bond Board and an alternate to those as well. So why don’t we start with appointment of the official newspaper first. Let’s start with a staff report. Todd Gerhardt: Mayor, council members, the official newspaper as recommended by staff is the Chanhassen Villager. Was the only newspaper that submitted a quote and staff is recommending the Villager for all our advertisements. Mayor Furlong: Thank you. Any discussion? Comments. Thoughts. Somebody like to propose a motion? Chanhassen City Council – January 13, 2014 Councilman McDonald: I’ll propose a motion that the City Council, Chanhassen City Council adopt the Chanhassen Villager as it’s official newspaper. Mayor Furlong: Thank you. Is there a second? Councilman Laufenburger: Second. Mayor Furlong: Motion’s been made and seconded. Any discussion? Hearing none we’ll proceed with the vote. Councilman McDonald moved, Councilman Laufenburger seconded to appoint the Chanhassen Villager as the City of Chanhassen’s official newspaper. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0. APPOINTMENT OF ACTING MAYOR. Mayor Furlong: Next item this evening under organizational will be to appoint an Acting Mayor. This is a member of the council that will serve in my place when I’m not able to attend, or execute official documents. Thoughts and comments or nominations? Councilwoman Ernst: Mr. Mayor I’d like to make a nomination. Mayor Furlong: Okay. Councilwoman Ernst: I would like to nominate Councilman Denny Laufenburger as Acting Mayor. I think he’ll do a great job. He’s very active in the community and I think he’ll just do a tremendous job at being Acting Mayor. Mayor Furlong: Okay, thank you. Is there a second? Councilman McDonald: I’ll second that. Mayor Furlong: Thank you. Any discussions or other nominations? Before we proceed I’ll discuss and Bethany has been the Acting Mayor for the last couple years? Councilwoman Tjornhom: Yes. Mayor Furlong: And I do appreciate everything. You stepping up. Always willing to help out and everything so thank you so much for all that you’ve done and stepping in when I’m not there. Councilwoman Tjornhom: It was an honor mayor and I just hopefully Denny understands to watch the weather so if it looks like it’s going to be an outside event and raining, the phone might ring. Mayor Furlong: What are you saying? Councilwoman Tjornhom: Just kidding. No Mayor it was always a pleasure representing you and so I wish Councilman Laufenburger all the best in his new endeavor. Councilman Laufenburger: Can I get an unlisted number? Does that help Bethany? Mayor Furlong: No. No, we can find you. 2 Chanhassen City Council – January 13, 2014 Councilwoman Tjornhom: I can just say serve a lot of cake. Councilman Laufenburger: Oh that’s right. The food du jour. Mayor Furlong: Any other discussions? Comments? If not let’s proceed with a vote. Councilwoman Ernst moved, Councilman McDonald seconded to appoint Councilman Laufenburger as Acting Mayor. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0. APPOINTMENT TO SOUTHWEST TRANSIT COMMISSION. Mayor Furlong: Let’s go to a staff report here. Todd Gerhardt: Mayor, council members. Jerry McDonald has served on the SouthWest Transit and his term is up this year so you need to appoint an individual to his spot or reappoint. Mayor Furlong: And just for clarification. The City has two appointed commissioners. One is a non- council member. This appointment is for a council member, or someone on the, an elected official. Todd Gerhardt: Correct. The other one is somebody that rides the bus. Mayor Furlong: Yep, Jody Collis King is currently serving in that role so open the floor for nominations. Councilman Laufenburger: Mr. Chairman? Mayor Furlong: Mr. Laufenburger. Councilman Laufenburger: I move that the City reappoint Councilmember McDonald to that position on the SouthWest Transit Commission and SouthWest Transit Bond Board. Mayor Furlong: Okay, thank you. Is there a second? Councilwoman Tjornhom: Second. Mayor Furlong: Second. Any other nominations? Discussion? Jerry I assume you’re willing to continue to serve? Councilman McDonald: Sure. I certainly am. It’s fun. I love riding the bus. Mayor Furlong: Okay, very good. Any other thoughts or discussion? Councilman Laufenburger moved, Councilwoman Tjornhom seconded to reappoint Councilmember McDonald to the SouthWest Transit Commission and SouthWest Transit Bond Board. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0. Mayor Furlong: There’s also a requirement for an alternate. I’ve been serving in that capacity this last year. This last year was the first year that we did that in our, well staff is recommending that we just make that more of an ex-officio appointment for the mayor to do that but I’m certainly open up to other ideas and alternatives there. I mean I’d certainly… 3 Chanhassen City Council – January 13, 2014 Councilman Laufenburger: Just point of order. Mayor Furlong: Yeah. Councilman Laufenburger: Yeah Mr. Mayor do, if we adopt that alternate position for the seating mayor, does that need a motion at this time or can we adopt it just as an ex-officio, is using the language that you used. Mayor Furlong: We can do it either way. Tonight the alternate position expired with Councilman McDonald’s term at the end of December so we need to appoint an alternate. Councilman Laufenburger: Okay. Mayor Furlong: Tonight. We can either do it as an individual or we can do it by position. Councilman McDonald: Well if I could just say, I mean I think it’s worked out great. You know I succeeded you on the SouthWest Transit. You’ve also been very involved in the transit association of the opt out cities and stuff. Mayor Furlong: Suburban Transit Association. Councilman McDonald: Right, Suburban Transit so I think all of that’s worked out very well and. Mayor Furlong: I think so too. Councilman McDonald: At this point I think it’s to our benefit as a city, you know continue with you as being either the alternate for all of this because that way if something happens it’s very easy for you to really kind of step in. So that’s yeah, I would strongly suggest to the rest of the council that we continue with the mayor so whether it’s, you know to Denny’s point. If we want to do it as part of just naming the mayor, whoever that is or if you want to name it as Mayor Furlong, I’m very much in favor of either one of those. Mayor Furlong: I can go either way. Mr. Gerhardt. Todd Gerhardt: Staff did contact SouthWest Transit and they were indifferent on it. It was up to the local government unit of how they wanted to handle it. It could be the ex-officio or any other member of the board or council. Mayor Furlong: Well I guess. Councilman Laufenburger: Mr. Mayor? Mayor Furlong: Yes, Councilman Laufenburger. Councilman Laufenburger: I’d like to make a motion. Mayor Furlong: That’s fine. Perfect. Councilman Laufenburger: Yeah, and this is in accordance with staff recommendation so I would move that the sitting mayor be permanently appointed as the alternate for both the council representative and. 4 Chanhassen City Council – January 13, 2014 Mayor Furlong: No. As the alternate. Councilman Laufenburger: As the alternate for both the council representative and the rider representative. Did I not include the word alternate? Mayor Furlong: You did not. Councilman Laufenburger: Okay, my apologies. I was reading there. Councilwoman Ernst: Second. Mayor Furlong: Okay, alright. Any thoughts or discussions? Seeing none, and I think that makes sense. I think it makes sense because that way if either of our two representatives can’t make a meeting I can step in and would be the appointed alternate at that point, or the mayor would. If there’s no other discussion we’ll proceed with the vote. Councilman Laufenburger moved, Councilwoman Ernst seconded to appoint the sitting Mayor as the alternate for both the council representative and rider representative on SouthWest Transit Commission. 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? Todd Gerhardt: It does. Mayor Furlong: Okay. With that we’ll move on to the next items on our agenda. CONSENT AGENDA: Councilman Laufenburger: Mr. Mayor? Mayor Furlong: Yes. Mr. Laufenburger. Councilman Laufenburger: I just have a brief question about number 6. It’s very brief but I would like to raise the question. Mayor Furlong: Alright. Why don’t we pull that off and we’ll just deal with that immediately after the consent agenda, if it’s just a quick one. Councilman Laufenburger: Yep. Mayor Furlong: Alright. Any other items? Councilwoman Ernst moved, Councilman McDonald seconded to approve the following consent agenda items pursuant to the City Manager’s recommendations: 1. Approval of City Council Minutes dated December 9, 2013. 2. Receive Park and Recreation Commission Minutes dated December 10, 2013. Resolution #2014-01: 3. Well Maintenance Project No. 14-02: Approve Quote. 5 Chanhassen City Council – January 13, 2014 4. Rehabilitation of Fire Vehicle Seats: Award of Bid. Resolution #2014-02: 5. Lift Station #10: Approve Quote for Pump Replacement. 7. Approval of Temporary On-Sale Liquor License, February 8, St. Hubert Catholic Community, 8201 Main Street. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0. CONSENT AGENDA: F(6). BLUFF CREEK RAVINE #2 STABILIZATION PROJECT SWMP 12-22A: AWARD CONTRACT. Mayor Furlong: Mr. Laufenburger, you had a question for staff. Councilman Laufenburger: Yeah, my question is the motion specifically authorizes a contract amount of $86,000 and in the staff report it identifies that a grant was given substantially greater than that. I’m just asking to confirm that question Mr. Oehme or confirm that information. Paul Oehme: That’s correct. Council members, mayor. The grant was more than what the contract or the bids came in at so that money, the difference we’re not going to be using that grant money. Councilman Laufenburger: So that is returned to the State, is that correct? Paul Oehme: Correct. Councilman Laufenburger: Okay. Alright. That was all I needed to clarify then so the contract, and I’ll make this in the form of a motion but that amount is substantially less than the $155,000. Excuse me, the contract is roughly a little more than half of what the grant was so we will use the monies in accordance with a contract and return the grant monies to the State. Paul Oehme: Correct. Councilman Laufenburger: Okay. Mayor Furlong: And just for clarification. Wasn’t there some of those grant dollars used for acquisition? Property acquisition. Paul Oehme: That was actually the City’s responsibility or the City contributed for those local dollars for the acquisition of some land. Mayor Furlong: Okay. So there was a local city contribution to this. Paul Oehme: Correct. Mayor Furlong: Larger project. Paul Oehme: Correct, yeah. So the City paid for the easement necessary for the work and the grant pays for the construction. Mayor Furlong: Okay. 6 Chanhassen City Council – January 13, 2014 Councilman Laufenburger: And just one last question. When will this occur? Paul Oehme: It’s actually occurring. Councilman Laufenburger: It’s underway? Paul Oehme: Underway right now. There’s some trees that were removed. Taken down so and then during the winter months. Councilman Laufenburger: Okay. Mayor Furlong: I think it’s going to start tomorrow morning after this meeting. Paul Oehme: I believe so. Mayor Furlong: Is that probably the correct timing. Todd Gerhardt: Maybe in a couple of minutes. Councilman Laufenburger: Thank you for that clarification Mr. Oehme. Todd Gerhardt: Very efficient operation. Mayor Furlong: Mr. Laufenburger, would you like to move adoption of item F(6)? Councilman Laufenburger: I would. I would move the City Council approve the quote authorize construction contract in the amount of $86,415 with Minnesota Native Landscapes for the Bluff Creek Ravine #2 Stabilization Project and authorize the improvements as outlined in the grant agreement and background. Mayor Furlong: Thank you. Councilman McDonald: Second. Mayor Furlong: Motion’s been made and seconded. Any discussion on the motion? Hearing none we’ll proceed with the vote. Resolution #2014-03: Councilman Laufenburger moved, Councilman McDonald seconded that the City Council approves the quote and authorizes the construction contract in the amount of $86,415 with Minnesota Native Landscapes for the Bluff Creek Ravine #2 Stabilization Project and authorizes the improvements as outlined in the grant agreement and background. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS: LEGISLATIVE UPDATE, SENATOR DAVE OSMEK. Mayor Furlong: We do have tonight Senator Dave Osmek who would like to come and is certainly always welcomed at our meetings here to give us a legislative update. Good evening Senator. Welcome. Senator Dave Osmek: Mr. Mayor, members of the council, thank you for having me. I’m pretty sure I’ve probably given you all a business card or if you’re missing one I’ve brought some with. City Manager, 7 Chanhassen City Council – January 13, 2014 Attorney? Okay, good. That’s what I ran out to the car for. I found out it just started snowing so here we go. Sorry, I’m the bluebird of happiness. You gave me money so I’m giving you snow. There you go. Great to be with you tonight. I just want to go over a few things that happened at the legislature, as well as get your feedback. This is my annual visit here but certainly if there is something that comes up in the meantime I’m more than happy to come to your City Council meetings as always. It was a quite a historic session in many different ways. Many different ways that I didn’t particularly want to vote for but nonetheless it was great to be there regardless. I think two of the highlights from this year, one was, and is sort of surprising. You’ll probably be surprised that I’m saying it is the debate that we had on the daycare unionization and that’s the one where we spent 17 hours. Went round the clock and actually got an amendment added to a bill so I thought that was good. Just sort of as a side note, for all of you who remember your college days, our back retiring chambers looked like a big mosh pit at about 4:00 in the morning when the freshmen were running the floor and doing the amendments. The lights were turned down low, the music was turned down low and every seat was filled with some senator so it sort of looked like how you were at a frat house when you were younger so. The other one, and Councilman McDonald will attest to this. One of the other highlights that I had was actually getting something done and that was to convince our friends at the Metropolitan Council and MnDOT to allow the Southwest Transit bus service to be able to use the shoulders on 494, and initially they said no but I think one thing that Met Council and the MnDOT people found out about me is, saying no to something that makes a whole lot of sense is not the thing to do with Senator Osmek so I kept fighting for it and eventually they saw, I hate to say they saw things my way but eventually I think they really wanted me to just go away so they said okay, we’ll do it. So I think it was about May or so we finally, was able to get access and it was the most common sense thing in the world. You’ve got the shoulders. We use the shoulders for a number of different purposes around the metropolitan area. We could improve service with no cost. Well okay, we had to put a little bit, some signs and some tin so, for the cost it was well worth the effort so I really thought that was an accomplishment. Certainly being in the minority you don’t necessarily get a lot done but I thought that was a good one. Coming up in the next legislative session, as you might have read, we have a surplus which I think, as I’ve been told a surplus is a whole lot more fun than a deficit is. We’re going to be able to pay back the school shift because that was on a glide path. The first portion of a surplus, any surplus is going to go to the school shift and that’s going to be accomplished in the next, in this session. And now they’ve actually upgraded our forecast for another $170 million dollars so roughly a billion dollars is going to be floating around in St. Paul and the only thing, the only phrase I can come up with to describe what we should do is give ‘er back because ultimately we increased spending by $3 billion dollars. I don’t think we necessarily need to spend a whole lot more. There may be some infrastructure things. I’d love to spend some more money on fixing 494 north of 55 but certainly we, at least we have to either deposit the money in a savings account or a rainy day fund or better yet, reduce the business to business taxes which I think are eventually going to impact the State. The farm implement or the farm equipment repair tax is number one on my list. Telecommunication tax is also there so we’re hopeful that the Governor and the majority party will see to reducing or eliminating those taxes which are about $310-$320 million dollars which is well within the surplus that we have so with that, if you have any questions. Any concerns. I certainly have weighed in on the 101 crossing. Sent a letter when I was contacted on that one. I’m certainly supportive of that project moving forward as well as the 212 project going west of here. That’s another one of the transit issues that I’m certainly interested in, even though it’s not in my district. Certainly very interested in seeing going forward so with that, any questions or concerns? Anything on your mind and certainly contact me by email if you have something later that you might think about tonight when you get home. Mayor Furlong: Sure. Questions. Mr. McDonald then Councilwoman Ernst. Councilman McDonald: Yeah, if I could. Yeah I will attest to the fact that I was very impressed, very pleased with the work on the 494 shoulders. That has made a big difference because before again the bus routes were either, we never went down 494 because that was always very packed so you’re either going 8 Chanhassen City Council – January 13, 2014 169 or 100 depending upon the traffic. Now it’s, you know made that route very predictable and everything. But I’ve got an even bigger challenge for you. Okay instead of you know going out west we have this little segment between 101 at the river crossing and Pioneer Trail that would be nice to get the State really I think upping that priority to complete the linkage whenever they do the river crossing bridge and everything so. Senator Dave Osmek: I did notice that they were working on excavating. They were doing some samples and they were actually pulling up arrowheads I think it was they were finding out there so I’m hopeful that they will include that project but I also know that the projects that they have are prioritized and getting MnDOT to change their minds on things is very difficult but not impossible. Councilman McDonald: Well I have confidence in you. If anyone can do it, you can do it. Senator Dave Osmek: So you’re saying I can bully my way to another project. Councilman McDonald: You can bully your way to another project. Mayor Furlong: That tenacity. Councilwoman Ernst, you had a question. Councilwoman Ernst: Yeah Senator I just want to tag on to what Councilman McDonald said about 494. I can personally attest to the fact that for the riders on SouthWest Transit it made the ride so much easier and faster. Rather than going down 100, we go down 494 and of course taking the shoulder and there were so many frustrated passengers many times wondering why they didn’t go down 494 versus 100. They never understood the logistics behind it so anyway it got done and I want to thank you for your efforts on that. Great job. Senator Dave Osmek: As a freshman you’re in the back bench or they call you a back bencher and I’ve tried to be as front forward as I can with what I can do but certainly the one thing that we always can do as elected officials is constituent services and I felt that was an easy constituent service issue. I just had to dig in hard and they said no I think at the end of January or early February and that didn’t stick especially when, this is just common sense so thank you. I appreciate that. Mayor Furlong: Other thoughts, comments? Mr. Laufenburger. Councilman Laufenburger: Thank you Mr. Mayor. Senator, I just want to acknowledge that it’s been quite evident to me personally that you’ve made it a point of being in the district, and especially in Chanhassen so I appreciate that you’re making this, not only this appearance in front of the council but I see you in other activities in Chanhassen and I realize that there’s more to Chanhassen than just being number one in everybody’s book you know. Mayor Furlong: There is? Councilman Laufenburger: The people Tom. It’s the people. Mayor Furlong: Oh yes. Councilman Laufenburger: So thank you Senator for making your presence felt and listening to the constituents here. Thank you Senator. Senator Dave Osmek: Sure. I take it as that’s my job and that’s what you pay me to do, even though I don’t get, necessarily get a lot of legislation done. I can certainly take your voice to the Capitol with me. 9 Chanhassen City Council – January 13, 2014 Your Memorial Day celebration I thought was really a very nice celebration. I do want to try and get here and do that as much as I can and I do have 20 other cities. I was able to get to all 20 City Council meetings last year and it is my goal to meet all of you, stay in touch with all of you. Whether it’s through simple emails or just coming out and saying hi. Especially now that we’re inbetween sessions. I’ve got a little extra time but certainly appreciate your comments and I definitely want to serve you as much as I can as your senator. Even though you have two of them. Mayor Furlong: We have a benefit of two. Senator Dave Osmek: Yes you do. Mayor Furlong: And Senator thank you for your efforts this last year. Your first year and we appreciate that. I know one of the things we talked about at our work session this evening was some of our legislative priorities that we’re looking at and last year I know we set up a meeting withy you and our other State representatives and Federal representatives as well, their representatives and we’re going to try and do that again in the next few weeks so hopefully before session starts when you have some of this time we’ll be able to pick a time to get everybody together. Sit down and talk a little more detail on some of the things that we see as well but thank you for all your service and for all your good works over the years and just echo the appreciation that you heard from the rest of the council. Senator Dave Osmek: Sure. Happy to come out anytime and certainly sometime in February, the gavel th comes down and the games start on February 25 so mornings, especially with your location, mornings are exceptionally good for me because I can sort of drive on my way to work. Stop here and do whatever I need to do in the mornings and then get into work because we are part time legislators and I am very much a proponent of us not being full time legislators because I think we get into way too much, way too much trouble if we’re there way too much so, but definitely contact my legislative assistant, Peter Mavis and he’d be more than happy to schedule you. Mayor Furlong: Good. Sounds good. Senator Dave Osmek: Great. Thank you. Mayor Furlong: Thank you. Anyone else for visitor presentations this evening? Okay, we will move on then. CONSIDER RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT TO THE APPOINTMENT OF DENNY LAUFENBURGER TO THE METRO CITIES SEAT ON THE TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY BOARD. Mayor Furlong: The next item, it’s an item that we added to our agenda this evening which is consideration of a resolution of support to the appointment of Denny Laufenburger to the Metro Cities seat on the Transportation Advisory Board. Start with a staff report on this Mr. Gerhardt. Todd Gerhardt: Sure. Mayor, council members, Metro Cities, which we are a member of, has several seats on the Transportation Advisory Board which is short for TAB and, but there is a vacancy. Metro Cities is taking applications and Councilman Laufenburger has shown interest and has applied and as a part of his application I think it would help it move along and stand out if we had a resolution of support for Councilmember Laufenburger and that’s the item before you tonight. Mayor Furlong: Okay, thank you. Let’s start, is there a motion to adopt the resolution? 10 Chanhassen City Council – January 13, 2014 Councilman McDonald: I’ll make a motion to adopt. Councilwoman Ernst: Second. Mayor Furlong: Motion’s been made and seconded. Great. Thank you for that. Let’s discuss this. First of all I want to start, not to take away anything from the motion and talk about this but I do want to recognize, here Councilwoman Tjornhom in her service on the Transportation Advisory Board for how many years? 5-6 years? Councilwoman Tjornhom: Something like that, yeah. Mayor Furlong: It’s, it was a long time and as part of that, Mr. McDonald you brought up the gap project in southern 101. It was in large part due to Councilwoman Tjornhom’s efforts on the Transportation Advisory Board to get funding for the segment that was just completed this year from Lyman down to Pioneer Trail for the improvements there so Councilwoman Tjornhom thank you so much and I wanted to make sure we recognized on the record your contributions to the City, to Carver County and to the entire region for your service on the Transportation Advisory Board. It is an opportunity to make a difference and you have so I wanted to make sure we recognized you for that. Thank you. Councilwoman Tjornhom: Thank you and I just want to apologize for all those people that have had to put up with backed up traffic for 169. That was a big project too and so every time I drive that I think about all those meetings debating whether or not it was worth it you know to improve it and expand it and so you know a lot of good memories. A lot of good friends and relationships and a real education and so I just thank you for allowing me to serve Chanhassen and Carver County the way I did so I wish once again Councilman Laufenburger the very best. Mayor Furlong: Okay, great. Todd Gerhardt: I thought it was Governor Christie that caused that back up. Mayor Furlong: On 169? I think you’re right. I think you’re right. Councilman Laufenburger: That was a warm up to the George Washington Bridge. Councilwoman Tjornhom: There you go. Mayor Furlong: Alright. Other discussion and recognition. And Mr. Laufenburger, thank you for your willingness to serve and your desire to get involved. I think transportation in the region, both transit and the roadway system is critically important to the quality of life, not just for our residents. Carver County residents and the entire region so we need good people making good decisions on that board as Bethany did so, and as others do all the time so thank you for your willingness to serve. Councilman Laufenburger: Well if I can just make a comment. I appreciate the motion for the resolution of support. I will just remind the council that this is not a certainty that the Metro Cities Board will be considering this and I would welcome the opportunity to serve, whether it’s an appointment at this time or at some point in the future so, but I thank the council for their acknowledgement of my interest and supporting my desire to serve on the Transportation Advisory Board. Thank you Mr. Mayor. Mayor Furlong: Thank you. Any other thoughts, comments, discussion on the proposed or the resolution that’s before us? If not, motion’s been made and seconded to adopt the resolution. 11 Chanhassen City Council – January 13, 2014 Resolution #2014-04: Councilman McDonald moved, Councilwoman Ernst seconded that the Chanhassen City Council adopts the resolution of support to the appointment of Denny Laufenburger to the Metro Cities seat on the Transportation Advisory Board. All voted in favor, except Councilman Laufenburger who abstained, and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 4 to 0 with 1 abstention. Mayor Furlong: And just for clarification, I assume on that last vote Mr. Laufenburger you abstained? Councilman Laufenburger: I did. Mayor Furlong: Okay. If we can make sure the resolution notes that. Thank you. COUNCIL PRESENTATIONS. Mayor Furlong: Anyone tonight? Councilwoman Tjornhom: No Red Birds report? Councilman Laufenburger: Well, since you asked. Yes, we are getting ready for the my oh my. The fifth st season of the Chanhassen Red Birds. Of the newly, the 21 century Chanhassen Red Birds and we expect that we’ll have a schedule approved within the next week. In fact the River Valley League is meeting at this time to confer on the schedule. We’re excited about the, not only the league games we will have but also we’ll be scheduling some non-league games and of course one of the most exciting games we’ll have th is the appreciation for Chanhassen employees night and then also the 4 of July game and we hope to th have a suitable opponent for the 4 of July game but rest assured we are doing all we can to make the Red Birds a part of the fabric of this community so we’re excited about it. Thanks for asking Councilwoman Tjornhom. th Mayor Furlong: It’s hard to think of 4 of July when it’s snowing outside isn’t it? th Councilwoman Tjornhom: We wish it was the 4 of July. Councilman McDonald: It isn’t that far away. Mayor Furlong: Any other comments? Thoughts. Couple things coming up. Mr. Gerhardt and I are meeting with the Carver County leadership group tomorrow morning. A part of that agenda presentation will be discussion of the population forecasts as prepared by Metropolitan Council and that’s an issue and concern. Somewhat for us. Their forecast is low from what we think it will be based on working with staff. The rest of Carver County it’s materially changed and there are some big questions across the rest of the region too on those forecasts so that’s one meeting. Then we also have a meeting with the School District 112 leadership group this Friday to talk about areas of interest too so, those are just some upcoming meetings. If there are no other council presentations, Mr. Laufenburger? Councilman Laufenburger: Yeah, just one more. I think that I made reference to, I think I made reference to awards or Chanhassen being number one. Well today it was announced by Movoto, which is a real estate website blog I believe, is that correct Ms. Hokkanen? Yeah. They announced the top 10 cities to live in and to, it was primarily real estate focused but they concentrate on what’s the City’s unemployment rate. What’s the education rate. Graduation rate. Median income, etc and Chanhassen, among all cities in Minnesota, including the largest of the cities, Chanhassen was ranked number one. Testimony to this great community we live in. 12 Chanhassen City Council – January 13, 2014 Mayor Furlong: Absolutely. Thank you for bringing that up. It was in large part a recognition too of the high school graduation rates. Councilman Laufenburger: Yep. Mayor Furlong: Which I think we ranked number one for the city there as well as many other factors so, one more indication that things are going pretty darn well here and quality of life is pretty good so, doesn’t mean we don’t have issues. Doesn’t mean that we don’t keep working on things but things are pretty good out in this area of the region so, Mr. Gerhardt? Todd Gerhardt: And just wanted to recognize that the top two cities are represented by Campbell- Knutson so 1 and 2. And we know who Roger’s favorite is. Mayor Furlong: Where is he right now? Roger Knutson: Right here. Todd Gerhardt: One of your favorites, right Roger? Mayor Furlong: So a nice recognition. Thank you for bringing that up. ADMINISTRATIVE PRESENTATIONS. Todd Gerhardt: I would like to invite the rest of the council, if they’re not doing anything tomorrow morning, to come down to Carver County and you can hear about the population but one of the other things for those that couldn’t attend the Met Council water study, I think that’s coming up. They’re going to be presenting tomorrow also. Mayor Furlong: Oh they are? Excellent. Todd Gerhardt: Yeah, so if you couldn’t make the other one, maybe tomorrow will work into your schedule. They go from 7:30 to 9:00 down at the Carver County Justice Center in the basement so. And then we’re also hosting on Friday the, was it the 112? Mayor Furlong: 112. Todd Gerhardt: Leaders group of city managers, mayors and school district here and so probably the only thing I saw on the agenda was meeting schedule but I’m sure there’ll be some other items that will come up. Mayor Furlong: And this seems to be back and forth. Maybe it’s a sign that it’s a new year and we’ve been off and not meeting for a while but yesterday I was happy to attend the grand opening for the MacPhail Center for Music here in Chanhassen. I know Mr. Laufenburger was there. Mr. Gerhardt you made it for a while. Just a great event. Great group of people. The talent of the musicians, not just the adult musicians but the children musicians. We were entertained when I was there by a 6 and 8 year old. Two girls 6 and 8 year olds that were playing a Scott Joplin duet of the, what was it? Maple Leaf Rag and it was amazing. Councilman Laufenburger: His first rag that he wrote. 13 Chanhassen City Council – January 13, 2014 Mayor Furlong: That he wrote. Just a great addition to the city. To our community. The MacPhail Center for Music. They did donate to the City a tree. A maple tree. We decided to wait for a few months to plant it but, so we’ll have an opportunity. We’ll have to work together with them and pick a suitable site and time to put that in the ground but just a great group. Has made a, very impressed with the way that they’ve connected with the school district, the city, the businesses, the chamber and others just over the last few months and they already have 150-160 students at this location. This is their fourth location in the Twin Cities area and they are just really doing an exceptional job of reaching out within the state. Not just within the region but within the state to bring the music instruction to people rather than expecting the students to come to them so it will be a wonderful addition to Chanhassen. To eastern Carver County and to our western part, southwestern parts of Hennepin County as well. Or Scott County. Once we get 101 upgraded it will be easy for them to all come up to MacPhail Center for Music as well so just wanted to mention that and to thank them again for their contributions that they’ve already made and I know will make going forward. Anything else Mr. Gerhardt? Todd Gerhardt: That is it. Mayor Furlong: Any questions for Mr. Gerhardt or his staff? CORRESPONDENCE DISCUSSION. Mayor Furlong: I should recognize that in the correspondence packet we received the annual update from Mr. Rusch, Dale Rusch regarding blue birds. That comes every year and it is, it’s nice to see him continuing to take that interest and keep us informed of the blue bird population here in the city so always nice to see. Thank you Mr. Rusch for doing that. Councilman Laufenburger: Actually it’s Dale Rusch. Mayor Furlong: Rusch, I’m sorry. Councilman Laufenburger: Yeah, that’s alright. He’s a neighbor and I had a nice conversation with him shortly after moving into my, our new townhome north of Highway 5. And he’s a long time member of the Minnetonka School District. Teacher there and he has a passion for these blue birds and to read this report that suggests that the blue bird population was down a little bit, you know that had to have hurt him just a little bit but I know he’s, he’s diligent and busy with those many, many houses that he maintains. He’s quite a young retiree. He’s got great, a great vitality and he and his wife Jean really enjoy their time in Chanhassen. Perhaps another time we can have him come in and give a visual blue bird report. Mayor Furlong: I think that’d be fine. Thank you. If there’s nothing else to come before the council this evening, is there a motion to adjourn? Councilwoman Ernst moved, Councilman McDonald 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 7:35 p.m. Submitted by Todd Gerhardt City Manager Prepared by Nann Opheim 14