04-11-2022 City Council Regular Meeting MinutesCHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
APRIL 11, 2022
Mayor Ryan called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The meeting was opened with the Pledge
of Allegiance.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Ryan, Councilwoman Rehm, Councilwoman
Schubert, Councilman McDonald.
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Councilman Campion.
STAFF PRESENT: Laurie Hokkanen, City Manager; Matt Unmacht, Assistant City Manager;
Charlie Howley, City Engineer/Public Works Director; Kelly Strey, Finance Director; Jerry
Ruegemer, Park & Recreation Director; Don Johnson, Fire Chief; Ari Lyksett, Communications
Manager; Priya Tandon, Recreation Coordinator; Kim Meuwissen, City Clerk; Andrea
McDowell-Poehler, City Attorney.
PUBLIC PRESENT:
Heidi Hoks Carver County Library Director
Patrick Jones Chanhassen Library Branch Manager
Joseph Zasadzinski 536 Pleasant View Road
Dario Klasic Property Services
Mike Brandt Kimley-Horn
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1. Invitation to 2022 Easter Egg Candy Hunt
Mayor Ryan stated the City of Chanhassen, with the support of our local Community Event
Sponsors, is proud to announce the second community event of 2022 - the 39th annual Easter
Egg Candy Hunt. Area residents, their families, and friends are invited to join us on Saturday,
April 16th at 9am in City Center Park for a morning of fun! Children ages 12 and under will
participate in a candy and egg hunt, have the chance to win special prizes, and visit with the
Easter Bunny. For more information on the Easter Egg Candy Hunt and to register, visit us
online at www.chanrec.com/easter.
CONSENT AGENDA: Councilman McDonald moved, Councilwoman
Rehm 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 14, 2022
City Council Minutes – April 22, 2022
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2. Approve City Council Minutes dated March 21, 2022
3. Receive Park & Recreation Commission Minutes dated January 25, 2022
4. Receive Senior Commission minutes dated February 18, 2022
5. Approve Claims Paid dated April 11, 2022
6. Approve Temporary On-Sale Liquor License, St. Hubert Catholic Community, Spring Gala
on April 29, 2022
7. Resolution 2022-32: Accept Quote and Award Contract for the 2022 Inflow and Infiltration
(I/I) Project
8. Resolution 2022-33: Award Contract for 2022 Pothole Patching
All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 4 to 0.
VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
1. State of the Library - Heidi Hoks and Patrick Jones
Ms. Hoks stated the library is learning how to pivot and gracefully evolve while learning lessons
that the pandemic has taught them. This past year they doubled their e-resources, opened up to
in-person story times in September, and had 5,000 children attend story times in the six libraries.
Ms. Hoks shared the Annual Report for 2021, noting the success is all because of the library staff
that have done incredible things.
Patrick Jones gave a presentation on print materials, a Friends of the Library book sale,
partnerships with many groups, the winter reads program, adult programming, a new teen
librarian and two teen programs, and story times.
2. Citizen Action Request - Joseph Zasadzinski
Mr. Zasadzinski approached the podium to speak about phosphorous levels and water quality in
Lotus Lake and how disruptions due to propeller wash can decrease the water quality. The lake
has had an excess phosphorous level which leads to algal blooms and has increased over the past
few years. Two sources of the excess phosphorous are fertilizer and organic water runoff and
storm water. More important is the legacy phosphorous from the nutrient sediments that have
settled to the bottom of the lake. Mr. Zasadzinski noted the City Council and Water Quality
District tried to mitigate the problem with alum treatment at a fairly large expense in September
2018. Alum forms a fluffy aluminum hydroxide precipitant that settles to the bottom of the lake
and creates a barrier that binds the phosphorous from being released. As long as the flow barrier
is not disturbed it should do a good job of mitigating the phosphorous level. However, since the
alum treatment they have actually seen an increase in phosphorous levels and algal levels, both
of which are exceeding the City and State levels for water clarity. Mr. Zasadzinski noted a report
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by the University of Minnesota that dealt with the effect of wake boat propeller wash and
showed that the 3-4 foot wave created by these boats traverse all the way down to a depth of 16
feet and is sufficient to mix up the sediment at the bottom of the lake. He shared that most of
Lotus Lake is less than 16 feet deep. In order to mitigate phosphorous overload and improve
Lotus Lake water clarity and quality, he suggested a continuation in discouraging people from
using phosphate fertilizer. Another more expensive option would be to reapply the alum
treatment; however, the treatment would not be successful unless the City Council considers
restricting wakesurfing wakes to areas of the lake greater than 15 feet deep. These restrictions
would minimize disruption of the alum barrier and minimize shore erosion. Mr. Zasadzinski’s
proposed solution is to develop an area of the lake (outlined roughly on screen) of a proposed
wakesurfing area so the surfers can have fun without disrupting the sediment and alum barrier.
PUBLIC HEARING: None.
GENERAL BUSINESS
1. Approve Amendment to Dakota Retail Site Plan Agreement 2014-11
Mr. Howley gave a presentation on a plan amendment for the Dakota Retail Site Plan. The
proposed amendment is to close one entry while widening another, extending the sidewalk,
relocating the existing trash enclosure, and extending the drive thru aisle for Starbucks to allow
the queuing cars more room without blocking parking or queuing on the street. The Applicant is
proposing to reduce parking spaces from the required 65 to 55 and requesting deferment of those
10 parking stalls as they believe they are not needed based on the uses of the property; the main
issue with the site is the drive-thru queue rather than parking.
Dario Klasic, managing partner of Klasic Property, noted they have been working on the project
since before the company purchased the building. They are local real estate investors and want to
be good neighbors.
Councilman McDonald takes issue with some of the assumptions; he was around in 2014 when
the previous owners put in the other two stores that are no longer there and parking was an issue.
If the new owner is not going to put in any food or a service they may be able to get away with
the parking. If another restaurant goes in there, there will not be enough parking. He is in
agreement with the addressing of the drive-thru but would like to see the parking issue also
solved.
Mr. Klasic noted there is a Phase 1, which is the current plan, as well as Phase 2 that they have
designed if they need those additional 10 parking spots. If Phase 1 does not work, his company is
responsible to put in Phase 2 to appease the City.
Mr. Howley shared the plans showing the additional 10 stalls which would get triggered when
the City sees that it is an issue. They are then required to install those parking stalls.
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Mike Brandt, Kimley-Horn, shared about traffic studies they have done and noted that across the
country the use of Starbucks has changed dramatically. Rather than people parking and coming
into the store to use the Wi-Fi, they are now using it as a drive-thru. This is the reason his
company feels comfortable with the change.
Councilwoman Schubert agrees with Councilman McDonald, she has utilized the facility a lot
and traffic has been a nightmare. She has a hard time believing that the parking lot will be
sufficient for a restaurant and a Starbucks.
Mayor Ryan agrees. She noted the drive-thru improvement they have made is outstanding.
However this particular Starbucks is a meeting space, is popular among students and businesses,
and it is very busy all the time. In adding a restaurant to this area, Mayor Ryan thinks the
additional 10 spaces are a necessity.
Councilwoman Rehm shared from an environmentalist perspective, she would prefer fewer
parking spaces and if they need additional pavement in the future it can be added. The fact that
the Applicant is willing to add those parking spaces solidifies it for her.
The City Council discussed the item and options for parking.
Councilman McDonald moved, Councilwoman Schubert seconded that the City Council
continue the item to the April 25, 2022 meeting. All voted in favor and the motion carried
unanimously with a vote of 4 to 0.
COUNCIL PRESENTATIONS None.
ADMINISTRATIVE PRESENTATIONS
1. Receive 2021 Park & Recreation Department Annual Report
Jerry Ruegemer shared the Annual Report with the City Council.
Councilmember Schubert thanked Mr. Ruegemer for what he and his team have done, especially
over the last two years with constant pivoting. The parks always look good, the team always
works really hard, and the community events are a huge success.
Mayor Ryan seconded that, noting she appreciates the hard work and pride that went into the
Annual Report.
Councilmember McDonald thinks they have been doing a better job lately of putting together
“advertising” documents to show who Chanhassen is and what they have within the City.
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Through this Annual Report, they now have it all in one spot to show what the community has to
offer.
Councilwoman Schubert moved, Councilman McDonald seconded that the Chanhassen
City Council receives the 2021 Park and Recreation Annual Report. All voted in favor and
the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 4 to 0.
CORRESPONDENCE DISCUSSION.
1. 2022 Building Permit Activity March Year To Date
Councilwoman Schubert moved, Councilwoman Rehm 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 8:29 p.m.
Submitted by Laurie Hokkanen
City Manager
Prepared by Kim Meuwissen
City Clerk