CC WS 2021 07 26CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
MINUTES
JULY 26, 2021
Mayor Ryan called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Ryan, Councilwoman Rehm, Councilwoman Schubert,
Councilman McDonald, and Councilman Campion.
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: None.
STAFF PRESENT: Laurie Hokkanen, City Manager; Charlie Howley, Public Works
Director/City Engineer; Jake Foster, Assistant City Manager; Kelly Strey, Finance Director;
George Bender, Assistant City Engineer; Charlie Burke, Public Works Operations Manager; Erik
Henricksen, Project Engineer; and Kate Aanenson, Community Development Director.
PUBLIC PRESENT: None.
TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMITTEE PRESENTATION
Erik Henricksen led the City Council through a PowerPoint overview about the Traffic Safety
Committee (TSC). Mr. Henricksen noted that the TSC makes recommendations but is not an
authoritative body. The committee has membership from various departments at the city for a
broad range of perspectives. The TSC is a new effort that attempts to do problem solving and
find solutions that are best for Chanhassen. The Committee grew out of 2019 Key Financial
Strategy. Three goals of the TSC are consistency, a central location for data tracking and metrics,
and a mechanism to add consistent versus immediate concerns (immediate concerns are handled
through 911/enforcement action). Currently, the TSC receives input through the Request Tracker
on the city’s website, which is being upgraded to SeeClickFix. The group maintains a log that
will eventually lead to spatial analysis and heat mapping to understand the magnitude and
duration of issues.
Councilmember Campion asked about the frequency of the requests that the committee receives
from the public. Mr. Henricksen shared examples of the types of requests the committee gets and
noted that the committee also has staff-initiated items. The committee has been meeting since
December 2020 and meets monthly for 1.5 hours. At the July meeting, staff completed their
initial backlog of cases (57 cases to date). The group maintains agendas and minutes.
The TSC is currently working on:
• Case reviews
• Website updates
• Policy development – specifically, a crosswalk policy, speed limit policy
• Using more mapping and spatial analysis
• Evaluating communication efforts internally and externally
• Incorporating Strategic Plan
City Council Work Session Minutes – July 26, 2021
2
Erik demonstrated the updates made to the website to make the information more user friendly.
Frequent requests include speed limits, stop signs, and speed bumps.
Mayor Ryan commended staff for the committee structure and idea, noting that it is helpful for
residents to have a process to follow when they have concerns that cannot be immediately
resolved.
Charlie Howley asked the Mayor and City Council how frequently they get traffic questions and
comments that are not already shared with staff. Councilmember Rehm asked if trail requests are
also considered by the TSC and Erik responded that anything bike or pedestrian related can be
considered. Councilmember Rehm inquired about trail wayfinding signs, complimented staff for
the painting of crosswalks, and asked about ADA compliance projects and plans. Mr. Howley
gave an overview of the recent change to crosswalk design and shared that we refresh the paint
every year to some degree.
Councilmember Campion wondered whether speed complaints increase after reconstruction
projects are completed. He also shared that many of the complaints he receives are during the
school year. He asked whether we have inconspicuous ways to collect speed information so it is
not distorted by people knowing the speed trailer is measuring speeds. Mr. Henricksen reviewed
the capabilities of our current equipment. Speed signs can collect data even when the display is
not turned on. Mr. Henricksen reminded the group that speed is often perceived to be much
higher when viewed from the side of the road and noted a resource from the City of Crystal that
is useful for education. Mr. Howley shared that the city’s speed trailer was out of service for a
number of years but is again being used for education purposes. Mayor Ryan inquired whether
the city is considering investing in additional driver feedback signs that could be installed in
areas where speed complaints are frequent and are on busier roads to draw attention to the speeds
in neighborhoods. Mr. Burke shared that staff is looking at installing additional locations and
including in CIP projects. Mr. Bender noted that the more the devices that are deployed, requests
are likely to increase as well. Councilmember Rehm inquired about whether the committee is
considering lowering the speed limit on Minnewashta Parkway. Mr. Howley responded that the
city’s position is that there is an active construction project right now, then there will be
additional study of speed or volume in six months to a year. A reduction of speed limit is a
possible outcome but is not the goal of a study. Mr. Howley noted that reducing speed limits by
itself does not result in a reduction of driver speeds. Mr. Howley gave an overview of planned
striping changes to Kerber Boulevard that are intended to reduce speeds through changing driver
perception and behavior. Councilmember Schubert replied that the project would be a benefit to
bicyclists, too. Councilmember Rehm also shared that allowing parking on the street reduces
speeds.
Mayor Ryan thanked staff for the presentation. She said she looks forward to the committee
working with the new Communications Manager to share more traffic safety information with
residents.
City Manager Hokkanen reminded the City Council of the upcoming Urban Land Institute
workshop on August 9.
City Council Work Session Minutes – July 26, 2021
3
The meeting adjourned at 6:50 pm.
Submitted by Laurie Hokkanen
City Mana ger
Prepared by Kim Meuwissen