CC WS 2017 10 23
CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
OCTOBER 23, 2017
Mayor Laufenburger called the work session to order at 5:05 p.m.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Laufenburger, Councilwoman Tjornhom,
Councilman McDonald, Councilwoman Ryan, and Councilman Campion
STAFF PRESENT: Kate Aanenson, Paul Oehme, Todd Hoffman, Greg Sticha, and Sharmeen
Al-Jaff
PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Rick Echternacht,
and Cole Kelly
PUBLIC PRESENT:
Vicki Ernst 840 Cree Drive
Randy & Lita Cantin 6694 Nez Perce Drive
REVIEW DOWNTOWN VISION PLAN.
Bryan Harjes with Hoisington-Koegler Group discussed the meeting objectives including
th
feedback from the property owners meeting held on September 5 regarding transit, retail and
experience, downtown residential, and events to help draw people to downtown. Mayor
Laufenburger asked for clarification on the businesses that were present at the meeting. Bryan
Harjes continued discussing future potential retail, office, multi-family, and evaluation of the
existing vision statement which was done in 2002. Councilman McDonald asked that the small
town feel versus bringing more density into downtown may need to be revisited. Bryan Harjes
continued review of the existing guiding principles, alternative concept review including issues
and opportunity with transportation and pedestrian access, land use districts, examples of urban
village, town center, next steps and the schedule moving forward. Councilman Campion asked
to see examples of downtown layouts from key financial strategy cities.
METROPOLITAN COUNCIL UPDATE ON CURRENT MET COUNCIL ACTIVITIES
AND PRIORITIES THAT IMPACT CHANHASSEN AND IT’S CITIZENS.
Mayor Laufenburger introduced Metropolitan Council District 3 Representative Jennifer Munt
who provided her background information and the cities she represents, committees she serves
on, the new Chairwoman for the Metropolitan Council before reviewing her priorities for the
remainder of her term, review of cities she serves 2040 Comprehensive Plans to make sure it
complies with Met Council standards, noting that Chanhassen has a jump start on other
communities regarding the approval process for the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. She continued
City Council Work Session – October 23, 2017
with discussion of metro mobility for people who need to get to their destination on time,
providing ADA transportation services, aging infrastructure funding opportunities, traffic
congestion in the metro area, water treatment and supply, municipal waste water charge
increases for 2018, projects connected with environmental services, Chanhassen’s participation
in solar gardens, and grants that have been received by Chanhassen from the Metropolitan
Council. Mayor Laufenburger asked about the Chanhassen City Council adopting support for
changing the governance of the Metropolitan Council.
DISCUSS PARKS AND RECREATION SYSTEM PLAN.
Todd Hoffman provided an update on the Parks and Recreation System Plan detailing park and
trail assets and asking that a replacement schedule be adopted. In discussing present conditions
from the survey results, the top unmet facility was a recreation/community center and the top
desired facilities being natural play areas, indoor pool and outdoor pool. Looking ahead Todd
Hoffman reviewed funding priorities, total initiative costs, capital improvement initiatives,
plan/study initiatives, management initiatives, and ongoing initiatives. Councilman McDonald
asked for examples of ongoing initiatives that the survey said could be done better.
Councilwoman Tjornhom asked about department overlaps in some of the initiatives. Mayor
Laufenburger explained the reason the council is reviewing this again is to get feedback from
council members of anything they would like to see modified. Councilman McDonald asked if
the council approves the system plan does it mean the council supports construction of a new
Recreation Center. Council consensus was to change some wording to say “consider” rather
install or build. Councilwoman Tjornhom asked that the plan be brought back at another work
session to review page by page. Councilwoman Ryan explained that her understanding of the
plan wasn’t a budget document but more of a guide. Councilman Campion agreed that it was
more a guide. Councilman McDonald expressed concern with adoption of this plan.
Councilwoman Tjornhom expressed confusion around ballfield lighting. Councilman McDonald
explained that he believes it’s the Park and Recreation Commission’s job to use this document as
a future planning guide and asked that the cost elements be deleted from the plan. Mayor
Laufenburger felt the cost elements should remain before recommending that council members
meet individually with Todd Hoffman to discuss their concerns and modifications before
bringing this back for adoption by the City Council sometime before the end of the year and put
on the council agenda as a discussion item. Councilwoman Ryan asked that council members
consider focusing on goals and policies rather than individual line items. Mayor Laufenburger
suggested changing the term “meet the needs of the community” to “meet the changing needs of
the community”.
The work session was recessed at 7:00 p.m. It was reconvened at 8:10 p.m.
SOLAR GARDEN UPDATE.
Greg Sticha outlined a fixed rate proposal by Minnesota Community Solar for participation by
the City of Chanhassen in a third solar garden asking for council feedback if they would like
2
City Council Work Session – October 23, 2017
staff to prepare an agreement. Mayor Laufenburger asked if pricing was similar to the other two
solar gardens. Councilman Campion asked if the other two solar gardens are fully subscribed.
Councilwoman Tjornhom asked how this would impact the possible use of franchise fees. Greg
Sticha explained what will happen at the end of the 25 year contracts. Councilwoman Tjornhom
asked about the risk of increasing the load from 30 percent to 50 percent. Councilwoman Ryan
asked about canceling the contract before the end of the contract. Councilman Campion asked
about the current federal administration’s stance on the use of different energy sources. Mayor
Laufenburger asked about impact on taxpayers. After discussion it was the consensus of council
members to increase the threshold from 30 percent to 50 percent and go forward working with
legal staff to prepare a contract agreement.
Mayor Laufenburger adjourned the work session at 8:30 p.m.
Submitted by Todd Gerhardt
City Manager
Prepared by Nann Opheim
3