CC SUM 2014 02 24
CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
SUMMARY MINUTES
FEBRUARY 24, 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, Todd Hoffman,
and City Attorney Tom Scott
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS:
None.
CONSENT AGENDA: Councilman Laufenburger moved, Councilwoman Ernst seconded to
approve the following consent agenda items pursuant to the City Manager’s recommendations:
1. Approval of City Council Minutes dated February 10, 2014
2. Receive Park and Recreation Commission Minutes dated January 28, 2014
3. TH 101 Minnesota River Crossing & CSAH 61 (Flying Cloud Drive): Approval of Joint Powers
Agreement with Carver County and Approval of Plans and Specifications.
All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0.
VISITOR PRESENTATIONS:
None.
LAW ENFORCEMENT/FIRE DEPARTMENT UPDATE.
Chief John Wolff provided an update on
the Weather Service flood outlook for 2014 spring, a note for residents to keep hydrants clear of snow,
comments on the dangers of winter heating, and update on calls for service numbers. Lieutenant Enevold
was not present and council members did not have any questions on the report in the packet.
CONSIDER THE REMOVAL OF THE BARRICADE BETWEEN KIOWA TRAIL AND
SPINRGFIELD DRIVE.
Mayor Furlong explained that it was asked that this item come before the council separate from the
Kiowa Trail street improvement project and provided background information. Paul Oehme presented the
staff report update and outlined proposed traffic calming items if the barricade was removed. Councilman
Laufenburger asked if it was customary to put a stop sign where it is currently located as you’re entering
onto Springfield Drive from Lyman Boulevard. He asked about regulations for lowering the speed limit,
and clarification of the speed study data. Councilwoman Ernst asked for clarification of the original
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motion made by Councilman Laufenburger at the January 27 meeting and what is being proposed today
to separate the barricade from the street project. Mayor Furlong asked for clarification of the normal
traffic levels in residential neighborhoods. Councilwoman Ernst asked if staff has any data to show that
traffic circles slow traffic. Councilman McDonald questioned the location of the traffic circle.
Councilman Laufenburger asked about the suggestion of installing signage restricting left turn movements
into the Springfield neighborhood off of Lyman during certain hours of the day. Mayor Furlong opened
the meeting for public comment. Erika Messmer, 9140 Sunnyvale Drive, speaking on behalf of the
City Council Summary – February 24, 2014
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Springfield Homeowner’s Association, explained that on February 14 the Springfield Homeowner’s
Board issued a letter to the City expressing their position that the barrier between Springfield and Kiowa
neighborhoods remain in place. Pam Morley, 9143 Springfield Drive, noting this is the fourth meeting
she’s attended regarding the Springfield barrier and living across the street from the Springfield pool,
expressed safety concerns during the summer from speeding cut through traffic and does not want to see a
catastrophic event occur because of opening the barrier. Curt Kobilarcsik, 9149 Springfield Drive shared
new information by reading from the Minutes of the December 13, 1993 City Council meeting where the
preliminary plat for Springfield was approved. He clarified that the neighborhood’s concerns with safety
was traffic safety, and reviewed the points in an email he sent to City Council and city staff on February
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4 and re-sent on February 18. Jamie Heilicher, 9280 Kiowa Trail commented that the people who will
benefit the most from removing the barrier are the residents of Springfield, his concern that removal of
the barrier is not a benefit to Kiowa Trail and it will change their neighborhood to the negative. Fred
Souza, 9150 Springfield Drive thanked the City Manager for listening to the residents and separating the
barrier issue from the street project and implored the City Council to listen to the residents and keep the
barrier up. Matt Mason, 9198 Springfield explained he doesn’t understand the connection between
finishing construction of Highway 212 and taking down the barrier, and asked that after the public portion
of the meeting is closed he would like to hear every council member’s opinion on the safest solution for
their neighborhood. Mayor Furlong closed the public comment portion of the meeting. After council
members provided comments, the following motion was made.
Councilman McDonald moved, Councilwoman Ernst seconded that the Chanhassen City Council
authorizes removal of the barricade between Springfield Drive and Kiowa Trail. All voted in favor
and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0.
2014 STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS:
A. KIOWA TRAIL STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECT: ADOPT RESOLUTION
ORDERING THE PROJECT, ACCEPTING THE REVISED FEASIBILITY STUDY;
AUTHORIZING PREPARATION OF PLANS & SPECIFICATIONS; AND APPROVING
PLANS & SPECIFICATIONS.
B. MINNEWASHTA SHORES IMPROVEMENT PROJECT: ADOPT RESOLUTION
APPROVING PLANS & SPECIFICATIONS.
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Mayor Furlong reviewed the motion that was tabled at the January 27 meeting and how to proceed
procedurally.
Councilman McDonald moved, Councilwoman Ernst seconded to approve an amendment that any
reference to the barrier between Kiowa Trail and Springfield Drive in the motion made on January
27, 2014 be removed. All voted in favor and the motion to approve the amendment carried
unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0.
Paul Oehme presented the staff report on the two street improvement projects. Councilman Laufenburger
asked if paving of Highway 101 would affect the Kiowa Trail street project. Mayor Furlong opened up
the meeting for public comment. A Kiowa Trail resident asked that a traffic circle or stop sign be placed
where Kiowa Trail and Springfield Drive connect. Cathy Erpelding, 9061 Springfield Drive reiterated
what the prior resident stated and expressed concern with speed and safety of pedestrians. After
comments and discussion by council members the following motions were made.
Resolution #2014-09: Councilman McDonald moved, Councilwoman Ernst seconded that the City
Council adopts a resolution authorizing preparation of plans and specifications, approving plans
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City Council Summary – February 24, 2014
and specifications, and authorizing advertising for bids for the 2014 Street and Utility
Improvement Project (Kiowa Trail Area). All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously
with a vote of 5 to 0.
Resolution #2014-10: Councilman McDonald moved, Councilwoman Ernst seconded that the City
Council adopts a resolution approving the plans and specifications and authorizing advertising for
bids for the 2014 Street and Utility Improvement Project (Minnewashta Shores Area). All voted in
favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0.
COUNCIL PRESENTATIONS:
Councilwoman Tjornhom thanked the Park and Rec Department, and
especially Mitch Johnson for the luminary walk that she attended on Friday night.
ADMINISTRATIVE PRESENTATIONS.
Todd Gerhardt provided updates on interviews for the fire
chief job and Buy Chanhassen meeting on Tuesday regarding social media.
CORRESONDENCE DISCUSSION.
Councilman Laufenburger asked for clarification on the Board of
Appeals and Equalization process.
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 9:00 p.m.
Submitted by Todd Gerhardt
City Manager
Prepared by Nann Opheim
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