CC SUM 2021 04 12CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
APRIL 12, 2021
Mayor Ryan called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The meeting was opened with the Pledge to
the Flag.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Ryan, Councilwoman Rehm, Councilman Campion,
Councilwoman Schubert, and Councilman McDonald
Councilwoman Rehm joined via Zoom.
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: None.
STAFF PRESENT: Laurie Hokkanen, City Manager, Kate Aanenson, Community
Development Director, Matt Unmacht, Water Resources Coordinator, and Charlie Howley,
Public Works Director/City Engineer
PUBLIC PRESENT:
Heidi Hoks Carver County Library Director
Patrick Jones Chanhassen Library Branch Manager
Laura Rosati 1798 Marigold Court, Chanhassen, MN
Terry Jeffery Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District
Scott Sobiech Barr Engineering
Mayor Ryan asked the City Council if there were any modifications or additions to the agenda.
After the roll call vote there were no changes to the published agenda.
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS:
EARTH DAY PROCLAMATION
Mayor Ryan gave a history of Earth Day and made a proclamation declaring April 22, 2021 as
Earth Day.
Mayor Ryan read a public comment email regarding an item on the consent agenda. The email
was in opposition of Consent agenda Item 6, Award Consultant Contracts for the Crane’s
Vineyard Ravine Stabilization Project, stating that the proposed plan was unreasonable. Ann
Elise Ware and Robert M. Bowen Family Trust, 6275 Powers Boulevard, Chanhassen.
Public Works Director/City Engineer Charles Howley gave information on the plan. The Council
would be voting on hiring someone to do a study, not on a plan itself.
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Councilwoman Schubert verified that, once a plan is prepared, residents would be able to provide
feedback and express concerns.
Mr. Howley confirmed that there will be discussion with affected properties.
CONSENT AGENDA: Councilman McDonald moved, Councilman Campion seconded
that the City Council approve the following consent agenda items pursuant to the City
Manager’s recommendations:
1. Approve City Council Minutes dated March 22, 2021
2. Receive Senior Commission Minutes dated February 19, 2021
3. Receive Park & Recreation Commission Minutes dated February 23, 2021
4. Approve 2021 AIS Watercraft Inspection Agreement
5. Approve Quotes for Lift Station #13 Rehabilitation
6. Award Consultant Contracts for the Crane’s Vineyard Ravine Stabilization Project
7. Resolution 2021-12: Support for 82nd Street/CSAH 18 Bonding Request
8. Resolution 2021-13: Support for TH 5 Funding Request
9. Approve Temporary Modification of the Licensed Premises to serve Beer in Chanhassen
Brewing Company Parking Lot Area
All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0.
VISITOR PRESENTATIONS.
STATE OF THE LIBRARY – HEIDI HOKS AND PATRICK JONES
Patrick Jones, Chanhassen Branch Manager, gave a presentation on the Chanhassen library
including the library’s response to COVID-19.
Mayor Ryan asked how the City could help the library with community outreach.
Heidi Hoks, Carver County Library Director, stated that the library used to hold focus groups to
give residents an opportunity to speak in person and she hopes to hold more in the future.
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LAURA ROSATI CITIZEN ACTION REQUEST
Laura Rosati, owner of Chanhassen Brewery, addressed the council regarding the City ordinance
which restricts food trucks to 15-17 days per year. She has checked with local restaurants to
discuss the impact on them and believes food trucks would bring more visitors to Chanhassen.
She requests that additional days be allowed to host food trucks at Chanhassen Brewery.
Community Development Director Aanenson stated that an issue paper has been drafted
regarding food trucks for the council to review at a later date which includes considerations such
as location, traffic, and parking.
FIRE DEPARTMENT/LAW ENFORCEMENT UPDATE. None.
OLD BUSINESS. None.
PUBLIC HEARING. None.
NEW BUSINESS.
UPPER RILEY CREEK CORRIDOR ENHANCEMENT PLAN PRESENTATION
Matt Unmacht, Water Resources Coordinator, introduced the Upper Riley Creek ecological
enhancement project led by the Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District. The city would
be a financial partner in this project which involves stabilization, improvement, and ecological
enhancement of a stretch of Upper Riley Creek in Chanhassen south of Highway 5 extending
south past the Public Works facility and east to Lake Susan.
Mr. Unmacht introduced Terry Jeffery, District Administrator for Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek
Watershed District, and Scott Sobiech of Barr Engineering.
Mr. Sobiech stated the project has been planned for a little over a year to develop an ecological
enhancement plan.
The vision of the plan focuses on improving ecological functions, providing diverse habitats,
reducing streambank erosion, and enhancing public understanding of stable streams.
The plan will attempt to use natural features, such as boulders or vegetation and aligns with the
watershed district and City Surface Water Management Plan goals.
The area was identified as a high priority based on methodology, looking for ways to protect
public infrastructure, erosion and channel stability, habitats, and how it impacts the water
quality.
The infrastructure includes section of the corridor and Metropolitan (Met) Council sanitary sewer
line crosses it. There are culvert crossings at risk which discharge into the creek and are eroding.
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When looking at the creek, there are 4-5 feet of erosion along the banks which causes the creek
to be disconnected from the floodplain, particularly in the event of a large storm. Storms
typically fill the creek and expand into the floodplain but, due to the erosion, storm flow stays in
the creek and exacerbates the erosion. Debris in the channel include man made and natural
materials.
As the creek empties into Lake Susan, a delta of sediment is being deposited which impairs
waters.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) determined that Lake Riley, Rice Marsh
Lake, and Lake Susan do not meet water clarity standards. Riley Creek is also found impaired for
suspended solids.
Because water quality is impaired, the MPCA study states a 67% reduction is required to achieve
water quality goals for Lake Susan and downstream lakes.
Mr. Sobiech gave a brief history of the area, noting 100-200 years ago, the area was big woods
and rain water would soak into deep aquifers. Only 10% of the water would runoff and work its
way into smaller creeks. Development has increased the amount of impervious surfaces and
runoff is now at 30% which degrades habitats and increases pollution.
Mr. Sobiech outlined a plan, including restoring four acres of Riley Creek. Another 22 acres of
land could also improve through wetland and forest improvements. Improvements are estimated
to reduce pollution loading to Lake Susan by 470 pounds of suspended sediment and 250 pounds
of phosphorus and would help support the City’s goal of MPCA MS4 requirements.
Mr. Sobiech stated the plan would include design, bidding, awarding of bids, implementation,
construction, and ongoing maintenance. The estimated cost is $2.3 million split between the
Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District and the City with grants being pursued.
Mayor Ryan asked if the City has received complaints from residents on Lake Susan water
quality.
Mr. Jeffery and Mr. Howley stated they had not heard complaints pertaining to sediment
deposits.
Mayor Ryan asked if the project included repairing culverts as there was no number assigned in
terms of cost to replace culverts.
Mr. Howley stated the project does not include replacing culverts but would include restoring
around them.
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Mayor Ryan asked about the pursuit of grants. If grants are awarded would the money offset the
Watershed portion or the City portion of the project?
Mr. Howley stated that the City has $100,000 allocated in the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)
for work needed adjacent to the Public Works facility. Council may also be called on to support
funding for fixing adjacent ponds. The City and Watershed District should pursue grants as some
are large and used for big projects. The Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District is the
lead on the project.
Mr. Howley stated that the information presented was an introduction to the project. The Riley
Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District may do a public hearing and Council would be
informed. There may also be a workshop to allow for public input. There would be an agreement
between Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District and the City on who pays for which
part of the project.
Councilman McDonald stated that the proposed project has to fit into the budget and is
competing with other projects seeking City funding. The project should fit into the Strategic
Plan.
Councilwoman Rehm stated that some of her neighbors have expressed concerns with water
quality at Lake Susan. She believes the public would be in support of the project. She also stated
that Lake Susan has a dedicated beach area and would like to see it be restored as an asset to the
community.
COUNCIL PRESENTATIONS. None.
ADMINISTRATIVE PRESENTATIONS. None.
CORRESPONDENCE DISCUSSION.
REVIEW OF CLAIMS PAID 04-12-2021
2021 BUILDING PERMIT ACTIVITY MARCH YEAR TO DATE
Councilman Campion moved, Councilwoman Schubert 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 8:05 p.m.
Submitted by Laurie Hokkanen
City Manager
Prepared by Kim Meuwissen