CC VER 2020 03 23CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
MARCH 20, 2020
Mayor Ryan called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. The meeting was opened with the
Pledge to the Flag.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Ryan, Councilwoman Tjornhom, Councilman
McDonald, Councilman Campion, and Councilwoman Coleman
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT:
Mayor Ryan: Tonight we have, I’ll be making a public announcement and then the special
meeting is to adopt a resolution declaring peace time emergency but to begin I’d like to read a
public announcement. Again Chanhassen good evening. Thank you for joining us. If you can
see around the council chambers it looks a little bit different in here as we are adhering to social
distancing guidelines. It certainly is a new normal but as we operate in these unprecedented
times I want our community to know that we are working diligently to ensure the safety and well
being of both our city employees and our residents and businesses. Before I begin going through
some of the operational aspects of city function I’d like to say and I have to say how very proud
and appreciative I am of our incredible city staff and employees for your continued commitment
and hard work on behalf of Chanhassen. You have all jumped into action, remained flexile and
positive as we navigate through so much uncertainty. I would also like to say and extends thanks
and appreciation to the many residents. Those of you who are first responders, doctors and
nurses, the school district and educators who keep in touch with our kids during their time away
from school and the local community groups and organizations who are working tirelessly to
combat the spread of COVID-19 and support the community needs, especially reaching out and
helping those most at risk. In times like these we all in our own way become public servants
together for the greater good so again we want to say thank you. Operational it is not business as
usual but it is important to know that while the doors of city hall and other facilities have been
closed for precautionary measures essential city functions still continue. We have our employees
working on varying schedules and in varying locations so I ask for a greater level of patience if
response time has slowed. We are doing the best we can to ensure the key functions of city
business continue all while these precautionary measures are being taken. We recognize that
residents have a variety of questions so please continue to either call city hall or utilize our
website for the most current updates, information and department specific operations. On our
landing page simply click the COVID-19 bracket which will take you to a very detailed list of
overall operations and important phone numbers. We have also created in the last day a list of
businesses who are open for business and curbside operations so please continue to support our
local businesses. Remember these are the same organizations that support you, your clubs and
organizations throughout the year. We are also compiling a list of organizations for volunteer
support and this list should be available on our website in the coming days. A few additional key
announcements. From county information there have been 3 confirmed cases in the county as of
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today. The cases are travel related. They are not communal spreading. For more public health
questions and concerns we ask that you continue to go to the Carver County website and we also
have that contact information on our website. The City Manager and I have authorized the Fire
Chief to stand up additional duty crew coverage to ensure that we have a stable, consistent
response to calls for service in the city of Chanhassen. This means that a small crew of
firefighters will be on shift in the main fire station responsible for responding to 911 calls. This
will help with potential if they should occur outages and enhance the contingency plans that are
already in place. All commission and council meetings have been cancelled until further notice.
As this situation is fluid we will make adjustments as needed. If there is a City Council business
that needs attention we will follow the practice of publicly posting the meeting 3 days in
advance. COVID-19 has not been detected in our or any other municipal drinking water system.
There is no evidence that the virus can be transmitted via the water supply and distribution
system. The city water supply is safe for drinking, bathing an cooking. The City is and will
continue to test our water supply per the Minnesota Department of Health standards. Please do
not flush wipes or any substances other than toilet paper in your toilet. Even though a produce
may be labeled as flushable they indeed are not. These products including paper towels can clog
pipes and pumps and create sewer back up’s even into your home. Thank you for your attention
and cooperation in this matter. In these challenging times the City of Chanhassen realizes that
some of you, there could be difficulty in paying your city utility bill. We would encourage you
to call city hall to set up a payment plan if needed. And I really want to emphasize that this
situation can take a toll and cause a heighten sense of mental health related concerns so please
contact the Mental Health Crisis Hotline at 952-442-7601 if you need any mental health support.
People are there and they are ready to support you so please do not hesitate to call. I’d also like
to encourage each of you to reach out to your neighbors to keep in touch with each other.
Recognize that there are people who will feel isolated so there has never been a more important
time to stay connected to each other. There are so many resources available. Please use them as
needed. Finally I want our residents to know that we are not only working closely as a city but
we are in daily communication with the County. I am in touch with our neighboring mayors as
well as the State and Federal elected leaders. It is imperative that we continue to communicate,
work together and prepare for what’s ahead in this critical time. This collaboration is essential
for the continuity of services and addressing the needs of our community. Chanhassen we will
get through this and we will get through this together. Our commitment to serving the residents
and businesses of Chanhassen has never been stronger so please stay home and stay healthy.
Thank you.
ADOPT RESOLUTION 2020-18 DECLARING PEACE TIME EMERGENCY DUE TO
COVID-19 HEALTH PANDEMIC.
Mayor Ryan: Next on our agenda is adopting a resolution 2020-18 declaring peace time
emergency due to COVID-19 health pandemic. This declaration of emergency activates the
City’s emergency organization structure and provides a basis for the City to schedule and
conduct meetings by telephone or electronic means. The Declaration of Emergency allows the
council to address the pandemic without complying with time consuming procedures and
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formalities before the performance of public work, entering into contracts, incurring obligations,
employing temporary workers, renting equipment, purchasing supplies and materials, and the
appropriation and expenditure of funds. These situations could assist in non-compliance with
city standard requirements related to hiring temporary workers in the event that many are sick or
quarantined and avoiding cumbersome contracting requirements under the Uniform Bid law
when purchasing emergency supplies related to addressing the pandemic. Because this situation
is unique and such measures have been infrequently used and never for a pandemic in recent
memory the scenario where these measures will be needed are not clearly known at this time.
Having the flexibility provided in the Declaration will allow the City to be flexible and overcome
obstacles in complying with statutory and ordinance requirements as each new issue is presented.
Council are there any questions or a motion for the adoption of this resolution?
Councilman McDonald: Madam Mayor I’ll make a motion. I would move that the City Council
adopts Resolution 2020-18 declaring a peace time emergency due to the COVID-19 health
pandemic.
Mayor Ryan: We have a valid motion. Is there a second?
Councilman Campion: Second.
Resolution #2020-18: Councilman McDonald moved, Councilman Campion seconded that
the City Council adopts Resolution 2020-18 declaring a peace time emergency due to
COVID-19 health pandemic. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a
vote of 5 to 0.
Mayo r Ryan: That motion carries 5-0. That is the only thing on our agenda but if there are any
council members that would like to make any statements before adjourning I will entertain that
or I will entertain a motion to adjourn.
Councilman McDonald: Madam Mayor if I could I would like to make a statement. One of the
things I noticed on my way here today is that the citizens are getting out. They’re walking on the
trails. I think they’re trying to make the best of the weather and the best of a bad situation. I’ve
had a number of people contact me that they are being harmed financially by this. Jobs are being
furloughed. Yesterday we had to vote with Southwest Transit to begin to reduce services and
reduction in services meant that we’re in the process of having to lay off workers. That was not
something that came easy just like I’m sure for the residents here their employers did not make
those decisions easily. I’m hoping that this will last only a short time. That we can get through
this together but again what I saw today does kind of I think give me a little bit of joy that people
are not going to be defeated around here. We’re going to get out. Enjoy our city. Our trails.
Our parks. Again with caution and with the new rules of social norms that we’re now all
adopting to so I think there is hope with all of this. That I do not see our residents being defeated
by this and so I’m glad to see this so I just want to say thank you to the residents for again
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understanding why we’re acting the way we are. Why the situation is what it is and hopefully
we’ll get through this together and then we’ll be a strong city and community for it. Thank you.
Mayor Ryan: Thank you Councilman McDonald. Any motion for adjournment?
Councilman McDonald moved, Councilwoman Tjornhom seconded to adjourn the
meeting. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0. The
meeting was adjourned at 5:15 p.m.
Submitted by Todd Gerhardt
City Manager
Prepared by Nann Opheim