CC WS 2021 01 11CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
SUMMARY MINUTES
JANUARY 11, 2021
Mayor Ryan called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Ryan, Councilwoman Rehm (Zoom), Councilman Campion
(Zoom), and Councilwoman Schubert
MEMBERS ABSENT: None.
STAFF PRESENT: Heather Johnston
PURPOSE: Interview Candidates to fill the Council Vacancy that occurred when Council
Member Julia Coleman resigned after her election to the Minnesota Senate.
INTERVIEW OF CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES: Mayor Ryan provided a brief overview
of the process for interviewing candidates. Council interviewed the following candidates to fill
the remaining two years of Council Member Coleman’s term:
• Ryan Soller
• Wilma Ruppert
• Cheryl Ayotte
The Council asked the candidates the following questions:
• In addition to giving back to the community, why did you apply for the vacant City
Council seat?
• What special qualities would you bring to the City Council?
• What are the biggest challenges you foresee facing Chanhassen in the future?
• What do you believe are the community’s greatest assets?
• What is your understanding of the time commitment it takes to be a member of the City
Council?
The Council reviewed the eight candidates and the consensus was to appoint Jerry McDonald to
fill the remaining two years of Council Member Coleman’s term. Staff was directed to contact
Mr. McDonald and inform him of the appointment.
ROUNDTABLE: The meeting recessed briefly at 6:25pm and returned to discuss the
Roundtable item of appointing liaisons to the City’s Commissions. Interim City Manager
Johnston explained that liaisons would serve as a contact person to provide general guidance and
direction to the Commission. The intent is not for Council Members to attend the Commission
meetings on a regular basis, but to ensure there is an established point of contact to help improve
communication between the Council and the appointed Commissions. The consensus of the
City Council Work Session Summary – January 11, 2021
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Council was that liaisons would be a helpful addition to the process. Mayor Ryan asked Council
Members to provide the Interim City Manager their ranked preferences for which Commissions
they would like to be considered as a liaison. Appointments will be brought back to the Council
at the January 25 Council meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 6:45 pm.
Submitted by Heather Johnston
Interim City Manager
Prepared by Kim Meuwissen