CC SUM 2021 11 08CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
NOVEMBER 8, 2021
Mayor Ryan called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. The meeting was opened with the Pledge
of Allegiance.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Ryan, Councilman Campion, Councilwoman
Rehm, and Councilwoman Schubert.
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Councilman McDonald.
STAFF PRESENT: Laurie Hokkanen, City Manager; Matt Unmacht, Assistant City Manager;
Kelly Strey, Finance Director; Kate Aanenson, Community Development Director; Charlie
Howley, Public Works Director/City Clerk; Jerry Ruegemer, Park & Recreation Director;
George Bender, Assistant City Engineer; Don Johnson, Fire Chief; Andrea McDowell Poehler,
City Attorney; and Kim Meuwissen, City Clerk.
PUBLIC PRESENT:
Representative Kelly Morrison
Mack Titus, 2747 Century Trail
David Gatto, 9631 Foxford Road
Mayor Ryan noted Thursday, November 11 is Veterans Day and on behalf of City Council she
thanked all of the U.S. servicemen and servicewomen who have served and are currently serving,
noting they are heroes.
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS: None.
CONSENT AGENDA: Councilman Campion moved, Councilwoman Schubert seconded
that the City Council approve the following consent agenda items pursuant to the City
Manager’s recommendations:
1. Approve City Council minutes dated October 25, 2021
2. Receive Park & Recreation Commission Minutes dated September 28, 2021
3. Approve Claims Paid November 8, 2021
4. Resolution 2021-66: Authorize Contract for 2021 Stormwater Pond Maintenance Project
5. Approve a Request for an Interim Use Permit (IUP) for Grading in Excess of 1,000 Cubic
Yards for the Creation of a Berm on Property Located at 9631 Foxford Road
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6. Assignment of Development Contract for Lotus Woods
7. Authorize Execution of Stormwater Maintenance Agreement for Lot 2, Block 1, Crossroads
of Chanhassen Development
8. Approve the Park & Recreation Program Severe Weather Guidelines, Updated October 2021
9. Approve Letter of Support for University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum "Farm at the
Arb" Parking Expansion Project
All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 4 to 0.
VISITOR PRESENTATIONS:
1. Representative Kelly Morrison
Representative Kelly Morrison provided a session update, noting the State has endured
challenges. During these partisan times, Minnesota has crafted a bipartisan compromise budget
in each of the past two sessions and they have done it as the only divided legislature in the
country. Highlights of the budget focused on Covid and recovering from the impacts of the
pandemic on the economy, small businesses, and people. She stated ultimately, the House,
Senate, and the Governor came together to craft Minnesota’s $52 billion budget. Higher
revenues than expected and some federal money made some of this possible. Representative
Morrison gave highlights of some of the Omnibus bills, noting she served on two health
committees. She gave summaries on bills affecting health and human services in the State,
including dental reform, enhanced asthma services, homelessness and recuperative care, youth
tobacco use prevention, telehealth, expanded access to those geographically isolated, and mental
health services. In terms of K12 education, the final bill included 2.45% and 2% increases in the
general education formula over the next two years and made one of the largest funding increases
for public education in almost two decades. She shared the public safety and judiciary bill were
combined into one and attempted to strike a balance between addressing police accountability
while ensuring adequate funding so law enforcement can do its job well, and protecting those
most impacted by the criminal justice system. Representative Morrison shared about other bills
including environmental, food packaging, emerald ash borer management, aquatic invasive
species, the lawns to legumes pollinator program, investments to support veterans and preventing
suicide and homelessness, restorative justice, and significant Covid and economic relief for
essentials workers and businesses hit hard by the pandemic. Finally, she said the tax bill included
$1 billion in tax cuts and relief. Representative Morrison noted local projects she was involved in
including the Excelsior Commons Restoration, critical water infrastructure needs in Tonka Bay
and Minnetonka Beach, funding to Spring Park for critical water infrastructure, and Deephaven
to repair a dangerous bridge. She is pleased that the bill to provide funding to address the
problematic and dangerous intersection at the entrance to Minnetonka Middle School West
(MMW) went through as a grant to Carver County to help rebuild a much-needed roundabout for
pedestrian, bike, driver safety, and easing of backups that occur at drop-off and pick-up time.
Representative Morrison stated it is an honor to represent the District in the House and asked
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people to please contact her with any problems, and asked the City Council what their needs are
right now.
Mayor Ryan thanked Representative Morrison for the work she has done for the local and
regional areas.
Councilwoman Rehm thanked Representative Morrison for the work on the MMW roundabout
noting the City Council gets many emails about traffic safety and a number of residents have
been concerned about the Minnewashta Parkway temporary traffic light and the Highway 101
flashing light crosswalk. She asked if Representative Morrison receives emails from constituents
about those areas and if the legislature is working on ways to make the City more walkable, bike-
able, and safer for them.
Representative Morrison replied she does get a lot of emails from across the District regarding
traffic safety and Highway 101 and Highway 7 are big areas of concern. She noted many areas
are interested in walkability and bike-ability; she is very hopeful that the federal infrastructure
package that recently passed will help to make those improvements as Minnesota will get
funding. She will be advocating for specific projects and asked the City Council to talk to her
offline about those projects the City Council would like to see. Ms. Morrison is planning a town
hall meeting on November 20, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. and it will be a water-policy theme.
Mayor Ryan asked some of Representative Morrison’s goals going forward.
Representative Morrison replied traditionally the second year is the bonding year so there will be
a big emphasis on crafting a bipartisan bonding bill. She noted it will be interesting to see how
the influx of federal money will impact that.
Mayor Ryan said although it is not in Representative Morrison’s district, during the bonding tour
there was a stop at the crossroads of 82nd Street for Chanhassen, Chaska, and Victoria. It is on
the south side of the Arboretum and they are looking for a road reconstruction as the long-term
plan for Highway 5; the only alternative route is 82nd Street. Mayor Ryan asked Representative
Morrison for support in funding for 82nd Street, noting there are no funds in Chanhassen to
support that type of infrastructure. She noted both Representative Boe and Senator Coleman have
been involved in the tour.
Mayor Ryan asked if anyone else would like to present.
2. Mack Titus, 2747 Century Trail – Citizen Action Request
Mack Titus lives in Arboretum Village and stated buying a home within a community is to invest
in that community with the expectation that the Public Works Department and Building
Department will conduct professional inspections, in particular of roofing, siding, and driveways.
He stated Chanhassen is the fourth community in which he has purchased a home; the first two
conducted professional inspections, the third did not, and in his experience to date in
Chanhassen, it does not conduct professional inspections. The Public Works Department does
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not have inspection reports for original or rebuilt driveways for Arboretum Village. Some of the
driveways were excluded by ordinance, others were excluded by a public works right-of-way
policy that reduces a portion of the driveway eligible for inspection to a small fraction of its
length. In Mr. Titus’ case Public Works excludes 31-33 feet of driveway, leaving just two feet
eligible for inspection. The building department allowed the Arboretum Village developer to
install water dams on the rear roof to channel water away from falling onto a deck. The water
dam moved the water to a corner of the building where it cascaded down onto Mr. Titus’ air
conditioner; he installed gutters within weeks. Mr. Titus noted the building department did
conduct inspections this year of the new roofs installed in Arboretum Village and there were two
men taking photos of roofs from street level, but he did not see them go onto the roofs to inspect
materials or construction. Mission statements implemented by prior City Councils have
permitted slack inspections and Mr. Titus is asking this City Council to restore meaningful
inspections by the Building and Public Works Departments.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. Resolution 2021-67: Approve Phase 2 Assessment Roll for the Minnewashta Parkway
Improvement Project
Assistant City Engineer George Bender gave a presentation on the Minnewashta Parkway
Rehabilitation Project Assessment Hearing for Phase 2, noting the asset management of the street
and utilities is part of the Chanhassen Strategic Plan. It has been a complex project and included
a temporary signal at Trunk Highway 5 in association with Phase 2 construction. He showed a
map showing Phase 1 and Phase 2, noting 37 properties were assessed. He said assessments are
part of the City’s financial sustainability among other sources of funding for these types of
projects; he showed the City’s Assessment Practice on screen, including “benefitting properties.”
Mr. Bender explained the bid results and amounts for the project, including the budgeted funding
of Municipal State Aid Funds, surface water utility fund, sewer utility fund, water utility fund,
and special assessments for a total of $5,254,000. Mr. Bender noted it was a rehabilitation
project and not a full reconstruction project which would have driven costs and assessments up
significantly. He spoke about the special assessment calculation stating historically within
Chanhassen the assessment costs range from $3,000-$5,000 and this project cost came in at
$4,080. Mr. Bender walked through adjustments made to the overall bid cost to maintain an
equitable assessment amount for the residents. Mr. Bender gave an update regarding the
temporary signal at Highway 5, noting the City continues to advocate for the signal to remain
until the Highway 5 expansion project begins. The City has received significant support from
Carver County and local elected officials, as well as the City of Victoria. Mr. Bender noted
recent discussions have been encouraging and Staff remains hopeful that MnDOT will accede to
allow the signal to remain until the Highway 5 expansion project is constructed; however, a
decision has not been made at this time.
The City Council asked some clarifying questions regarding the tonnage of the road, speed and
traffic control, and traffic calming.
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Mayor Ryan made a formal request to the Traffic Safety Committee to collect speed data on that
road.
Mayor Ryan opened the public hearing.
Mayor Ryan closed the public hearing.
Councilman Campion moved, Councilwoman Schubert seconded that the Chanhassen City
Council adopt a resolution approving the Phase 2 Assessment Roll for the Minnewashta
Parkway Rehabilitation Project. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously
with a vote of 4 to 0.
GENERAL BUSINESS: None.
COUNCIL PRESENTATIONS: None.
ADMINISTRATIVE PRESENTATIONS: None.
CORRESPONDENCE DISCUSSION:
1. Letter from Metropolitan Mosquito Control District dated October 15, 2021
Summarizing Work Done in the Chanhassen Area during the 2021 Mosquito Control
Season
2. 2021 Building Permit Activity October Year to Date
Mayor Ryan clarified the City Council will continue the Work Session with the remaining items.
Councilwoman Schubert moved, Councilman Campion seconded to adjourn the meeting.
All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 4 to 0. The City
Council meeting was adjourned at 7:48 p.m.
Submitted by Laurie Hokkanen
City Manager
Prepared by Kim Meuwissen
City Clerk