CC Minutes 1994 02 14CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
FEBRUARY 14, 1994
Acting Mayor Mason called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. The meeting was opened with the Pledge to the
Flag.
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Acting Mayor Mason, Councilwoman Dockendorf, Councilman Wing and
Councilman Senn
COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: Mayor Chmiel
STAFF PRESENT: Don Ashworth, Elliott Knetsch, Todd Gerhardt, and Todd Hoffman
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Councilwoman Dockendorf moved, Councilman Senn seconded to approve the
agenda with the following addition under Council Presentation: Councilman Wing wanted to discuss land use
prior to the Planning Commission meeting. All voted in favor and the motion carded.
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Acting Mayor Mason: Okay, two public announcements. Number one is Community Values Week. I won't
read the rather lengthy proclamation but I would like to state that Chanhasse has been active with community
values I know with the Chaska School District and there's going to be something later on talking about joint
meetings with the Minnetonka Board so maybe we'll get that going that. way too. The proclamation does, would
like the City of Chanhassen to consider proclaiming the week of February 20-26th as Community Values Week.
And as Acting Mayor I will so do that
Resolution g94-19: Acting Mayor Mason moved, Councilman Wing seconded to designate the week of
February 20-26, 1994 as Community Values Week. All voted in favor and the motion carried
unanimously.
Acting Mayor Mason: The second proclamation is Volunteers of America asking Chanhassen to name March 6-
13th as Volunteers of America Week and assuming that there are no objections from anyone on Council, I would
proclaim that also.
Resolution g94-20: Acting Mayor Mason moved, Councilman Wing seconded to designate the week of
March 6-13, 1994 as Volunteers of America Week. AH voted in favor and the motion carried.
CONSENT AGENDA: Councilman Wing moved, Councilwoman Dockendorf seconded to approve the
following Consent Agenda items pursuant to the City Manager's recommendations:
a. Approval of 1994 Contract for Senior Linkage Line.
b. Set Date for Board of Eqnalization and Review, April 18, 1994.
e. Resolution g94-21: Accept Utility Improvements in Chanhassen Business Center, Project 93-1.
f. Resolution g94-22: Accept Utility Improvements in Chart Haven plata 4th Addition, Project 92-16.
h. City Code Amendment Concerning Park Dedication Requirements, Final Reading.
City Council Meeting - February 14, 1994
i. Approve Stipulation for Entry of Judgment, Order for Judgment and Judgment and the First Amendment
thereto, Lowell and Janet Carlson Property.
j. Approval of Accounts,
k. City Council Minutes dated January 24, 1994
Planning Commission Minutes dated January 5, 1994
Planning Commission Minutes dated January 19, 1994
Planning Commission Minutes dated February 2, 1994
All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously.
Acting Mayor Mason: Typically we would have item 3(d), well 3(c), 3(d), (1) and (m) at the end of the meeting.
We do have an engineer here that wilt answer any questions for, is it north leg? 3(c) or 3(d), Don?
Don Ashworth: 3(c).
Acting Mayor Mason: So let's do that right now and then we'll put (d), (1) and (m) after Administrative
Presentations.
C. APPROVE CHANGE ORDER NO. 1 TO TI-I 101 NORTH LEG PROJECT 88-22B.
Acting Mayor Mason: Is anyone from staff going to take that or am I going to wing this?
Don Ashworth: I would anticipate, we're ready to respond to questions so. Councilman Senn did have a
question.
Acting Mayor Mason: Okay, and that would pertain to the change order i to Trunk Highway 101, North Leg
Project 88-22B. Okay.
Councilman Senn: In the staff report it refers to now a total cost of the project for redoing that intersection, the
City's portion, what the City is paying for it I believe of $1,586,318.00. Is that correct?
Councilman Wing: And 28 cents.
Councilman Senn: Yeah, but that's the city portion?
Don Ashworth: That's correct.
Councilman Senn: Okay. Then $97,869.24, which is in this change order, I was really confused because it's
termed as Change Order No. 1 and we've had a couple of change orders before us previously on this project.
Are they all being wrapped now into one or, you kind of lost me.
Don Ashworth: Jon Horn is present with BRW. I'll let him try to respond to that question.
Jon Horn: .Councilmember Senn, the Change Order No. i addresses a number of changes to the plans but this is
official our first contract amendment to the project. We have not previously presented any change orders to the
City Council Meeting - February 14, 1994
Council.
Councilman Senn: The work's done?
Jon Horn: It's essentially done. We still have some restoration work and the tennis court to build. Some odds
and ends to be done yet this summer but the majority of the work is done.
Councilman Senn: Okay, so we're not in effect approving the change order. We're confuming what's already
been done?
Jon Horn: Right.
Councilman Senn: Okay. So these are the same change orders that came into us before I believe prior to the
work being done asking for our consent to do the work. You just never changed the contract at that point?
Jon Horn: Right. This officially changes the contract in order to reflect the changes that were made.
Councilman Senn: Okay. In terms of the $97,000.00, nothing we had in our packet really, I don't know what, it
wasn't so much the $97,000.00. In the packet basically it showed an original cost of $1,488,000.00 and then
there were a whole bunch of adds. $60,000.00. $6,900.00. $15,000.00. $7,000.00. $6,000.00 and $1,000.00.
And now $97,000.00. Could you take a quick run down as to what those are all for?
Jon Horn: You bet. The total contract...amounts is $97,869.24. What that includes is $60,000.00 for some
additional pond grading as a result of the final MnDot approval and a part of the review process..~required some
additional ponding on the site. That's the $60,000.00 number. The next item is the $6,985.00. City staff asked
us to add an EVP to the signal system at the intersection of TH 101 and West 78th Street.
Councilman Senn: That's the emergency?
Jon Horn: Right. Item C again is due to some MnDot comments as a result of their fmal...approval project.
They asked us to make some changes to our original signal system design so that $15,760.00 is for that. Item D
is coordination with the railroad. It's due to the fact that...so that's the $7,033.00 was for the coordination with
the railroad... And then E, lighting improvements. Wiring for all the street lighting out there was originally
proposed to be installed direct bury rather without conduit. The city staff requested that we change that and add
conduit for easier maintenance in the future.
Councilman Senn: Okay. The staff report suggested these are all changes that were required by the State.
Jon Horn: No, not necessarily. Some of them were State requests and some of them were city staff. And then
the final item, the result...contml work and the $1,500.00 is a reflection of that.
Councilman Senn: The biggest chunk of this was required though by the State or whatever?
Jon Horn: About 85% of the total contract amendment amount was in coordination...with MnDot.
Councilman Senn: Okay but the city was trying to upgrade the State's highway and they did these add on's and
they don't have any cost...for them at all? The city gets stuck with the bill? Okay. Alright. Okay. But again,
City Council Meeting - February 14, 1994
just to clarify then, these are the same change orders that we a/ready...?
Jon Horn: Right.
Councilman Senn: Okay. No other questions.
Acting Mayor Mason: Does anyone else have any questions on item 3(c)? If not, would anyone like to move
approval on it?
Councilwoman Dockendorf: I'll move approval.
Acting Mayor Mason: Is there a second?
Councilman Wing: I'll second it.
Acting Mayor Mason: It's been moved and seconded. Any other discussion?
Resolution g94-23: Councilwoman Dockendorf moved, Councilman Wing seconded to approve Change
Order No. 1 to the TH 101 North Leg Project 88-22B. Ali voted in favor and the motion carried
unanimously.
Acting Mayor Mason: Okay, we'll do 3(d), (1) and (m) at the end of the meeting, as previously stated.
VISITOR PRESENTATIONS: None.
PUBLIC HEARING: FEASIBILITY REPORT FOR TRUNK HIGHWAY 5 SOUTH FRONTAGE ROAD
(FROM GALPIN BOULEVARD/CSAH 19 TO MCGLYNN ROAD) AND GALPIN BOULEVARD/CSAH
19 (FROM TRUNK HIGHWAY 5 SOUTH TO T1MBERWOOD DRIVE), PROJECT NO. 93-26.
Public Present:
Name Address
James Unruh
John Dietrich
Dennis Dirlam
Liv Homeland
Barton-Aschman Associates
RLK Associates, 922 Mainstreet
Hi-Way 5 Parmership, 15241 Creekview Ct.
Eden Prairie, MN 55346
Bluff Creek Partners, 123 No. 3rd Street
Minneapolis, MN 55401
Don Ashworth: I guess that ! have this one. Charles had minor surgery this past week on a knee and is not,
had anticipated being here this evening but it didn't go as well as he had hoped. He's in good shape and it will
take a couple more days for him to be able to jump back. In the meantime, Mr. Unmh is here to present the
feasibility study for this project, including the proposed assessments. Jim.
James Unruh: Thanks Don. Yes, I am James Unmh with Barton-Aschman Associates and we did the feasibility
study which I believe all of the Council members have reviewed. It's this sort of peach colored document here
City Council Meeting - February 14, 1994
and we do have the assessments and the revised cost estimate to hand out to everyone so I'll just take a minute.
I just want to, just in case you're not totally...maybe just look at these graphics that I took right out of the
feasibility study. The frontage road that we're talking about here is about a quarter mile south of Highway 5 and
it runs from Galpin Boulevard almost over to Audubon Road. We're proposing that it connect to the McGlynn
Road here right by the McGlynn Bakery site. Another part of the feasibility study was upgrading Galpin
Boulevard from Highway 5 to approximately Timberwood Drive. We looked at the design and the costs
associated with the feasibility of doing these two projects. The school site, this School District #112, I believe
it's an elementary school building, was the driving force for this project. Occupancy of the school is scheduled
for the fall of 1995. The location of the roadway by the school site was pretty much dictated by the means of
the school property. As we continue over to the west of the school site over to the McGlynn property, we
worked with RLK Associates, the engineers working for the property owner that owns this whole big chunk of
land here. Included are several property owners in there but we worked with them to come up with a roadway
alignment. We have made just a couple of changes from the feasibility study that are very minor but they are
highlighted in that memo that you have in front of you. We are, at the time that we did the feasibility study, we
were proposing to construct the south frontage road just along the south portion of the school site. It would go
from Galpin Blvd to about the west fork of Bluff Creek. And now we are looking at perhaps in the first stage of
construction, going all the way over to the McGlynn property. Another thing that we have modified slightly is
that in the construction cost estimate, in the feasibility study, we included the trunk utilities that would be
installed as part of the frontage road. However, those costs were actually covered in a report done by Bonestroo
and Associates a couple of years ago so we didn't want to duplicate those costs. We took the trunk utilities
costs out of the feasibility study and that is noted in the memo that you just received as well. In the memo you
just got tonight we also came up with assessment costs to landowners. There is a graphic in there that shows 10
different land, I'm sorry. 11 different landowners. I believe that's Figure 1. In the vicinity of the south
frontage road. And based on Chanhassen's standard assessment rate for sanitary sewer and watermain,
assessments were listed for the various property owners that benefit from the watermain and sanitary sewer
improvements. Those assessments are listed on Figure 2 of the little packet that you just got tonight. It's about
the third page or the fourth page. But it lists the assessments for the various landowners. And one more thing
we want to bring into play here is that we are thinking that the south frontage road will be constructed, at least
in part, with State Aid funds. That was not taken into account in the cost estimates. Funding has not been
totally determined with the State Aid folks so we just...cost estimate showing that there'd be a cost split between
the city and the benefitting landowners. One word about how costs are assessed for the frontage road. We came
up with a cost of about $198.00 per foot, frontage foot, that would be assessed to the landowners along the
frontage road. When you take out the drainage and the landscaping and sidewalk and the lighting, that is
typically not necessarily directly assessed to the property owners, we come up with about $100.00 per foot.
Charles Folch and I discussed this, and that's about the standard assessment that Chanhassen charges for it's
residential streets. But anyway, that basically is what you're looking at. I apologize that you didn't get the
updated cost estimate in your assessment roll prior to tonight, It was delivered to the city last week and there
were some things on it and this is the first that you've seen it so certainly take that into account. We took
whatever information was available as far as land use, areas of land use, property...to come up with the
assessments. They are very preliminary and we think that statement in the memo here that certainly is subject to
change based on the actual construction cost and development plans and right-of-way... We are looking at a
couple of cost reductions factored in as well. It's been examined to move this roadway about 30 feet north so
that we not impact any of the trees along the north side of the Timberwood development. That will potentially
eliminate the cost of a retaining wall and we have $150,000.00 in there as the cost for a retaining wall. So it
does cramp the school site somewhat by shifting the road into the school site further but we think that that's
worth the changes, and consequently $130,000.00 from the cost, We're also looking at a grade...we're able to
separate a process at Bluff Creek, an arched culverL..where pedestrians would cross underneath the roadway.
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City Council Meeting - February 14, 1994
Then we have listed in the cost estimates $300,000.00. We are looking at some alternative designs for that as
well to minimize the costs. So basically what I'm saying is the costs that are included in the feasibility study
and in this memo that you got tonight are high end costs and we are looking at minimizing those costs as much
as we can. So with that, are there any questions that the Council has of this? This is to consider the feasibility
study...as I understand it.
Acting Mayor Mason: Right.
Don Ashworth: Mr. Mayor. Or Acting Mayor.
Acting Mayor Mason: Yes.
Don Ashworth: I don't think that we have included in here the costs of mass grading which are going to end up
being back into the report. There will be a f'mal assessment in that area on the school and city property. I think
it's important as a part of the public hearing to note that that cost is not included but will be in the final
assessment roll.
James Unruh: Yeah, that's a good point Don. The grading for the school site is going to be a shared cost
between the city and the School District and the grading for the roadway will be done as part of that as well.
Al1 one mass grading contract. The bids for that grading project are due sometime in the next month and I
called the engineers working on that grading plan and they do not have a cost estimate fight now. So we're
going to wait until there are actual bid numbers in to develop some assessments. That is noted in two places in
this little report. It's noted in the text and then it's noted also on Table 2 which discusses, or lists the
assessments.
Councilman Wing: Can you catch me up on that crossover?
James Unruh: This pedestrian crossover?
Councilman Wing: Yeah. Point it out there will you? I can't spot it here.
James Unruh: It's fight at the Bluff Creek east fork crossing. And I do have some photos of what we're
proposing there.
Acting Mayor Mason: Well this is consistent with the work we did on the Highway 5 Task Force, fight Jim?
James Unruh: Yeah. There are some photos of what we're looking at. However, we've been talking with some
folks that would provide metal, an actual metal structure there and we're thinking that that may be an option as a
bid item and it may...quite a bit cheaper than the $300,000.00 we have budgeted in there. It's just something
that we're looking at to reduce costs.
Acting Mayor Mason: Good.
James Unruh: Or keep costs reasonable I guess. Any other comments from the Council? Have I missed
anything Don?
Don Ashworth: I don't think so except that you know we apologize for handing out items like this evening but
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City Council Meeting - February 14, 1994
we're talking about a major, major undertaking in terms of the construction of road, utilities. Getting a county
road completed. Underpass. The whole mass grading that's really being done by HGA so that this structure,
meaning the elementary school, can be opened by the fall of 1995. We've got to move ahead quickly otherwise
we'll lose even this construction season and then we're in real trouble. And we've been attempting to do that so
Jim brought out that shifting of the roadway 30 feet to the north would preserve the Ixees in Timberwood. The
site plan that you saw from a week ago, two weeks ago that was presented by HGA, had that shift in there and I
don't know if that was, if Council noted that. But again, we're working very diligently making sure that each
one of these consultants knows what the other one is doing but it does come at the expense of not getting some
of the materials to you as timely as we would like.
James Unruh: Yeah, I want to just make one comment aboat the utilities. There's been quite a few studies done
in the city of Chanhassen on trunk utilities in this whole west, you know west area of Chanhassen and we didn't
reinvent those utility designs and cost estimates but we merely referred to those trunk utilities costs in both the
feasibility study and in this memo that you got tonight. And those costs and the assessments for those costs
were included in this report right here. We did take into account 1994 assessment rates. This report had 1992
assessment rates and we did take into account land transactions that have occurred since 1992, which this
document obviously didn't take into account. So there are some updates on some previous work but we didn't
redesign it or redo the process in this repor~
Councilwoman Dockendorf: On the assessments, talking about the report, for parcels 7, 8 and 9. For the
assessment ones. I'm looking at Table 2. I don't see any assessment dollars to those parcels and those are just
single family homes. And the reason I'm getting at it is because I recall when that report that you just
referenced that they were assessed for utilities with the Stone Creek project. Are you?
James Unruh: Yeah, that's what Charles Folch tells us. That they either have been assessed before or are being
assessed via another project so.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: Okay, so they won't be assessed on this one? Or will they be assessed for the
frontage as well?
James Unruh: No, they will not be assessed for the frontage road because they are not along this...and Galpin
Boulevard is not, we're not assessing properties for the construction of Galpin Boulevard. There are some
unknowns with the sanitary sewer service to these properties here. When I did the draft of this assessment roll I
had the assessments for these properties just for watermain bemuse they are getting water from the south
frontage road. There's a 12 inch watermain that goes through there and would service these properties here.
There are some unknowns though with serving those properties with sanitary sewer so we decided that rather
than to assess them now for a watermain and then again later for sanitary sewer potentially, we'll hold off on the
watermain assessments at this time.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: But I thought their sewer assessments were part of that north leg going up Galpin?
James Unmh: That hasn't to knowledge, I don't think it's been done. I think you're right but I don't know
that they're been assessed for that.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: And neither do I. I'm just raising the question for staff to make sure that they
don't get double assessed.
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City Council Meeting - February 14, 1994
James Unruh: Well that's the point. It's so the assessments for sanitary sewer...and watermain are combined in
one and not taken separately. Watermain now and then sanitary sewer later. Am I correct in that Don?
Don Ashworth: Well there may also be some confusion as it deals with the trunk sewer assessment versus like a
lateral sewer. So anyways, we'll check on it.
Acting Mayor Mason: Does Council have any other questions before I open the public hearing?
Councilman Senn: This isn't part of this project, right?
Acting Mayor Mason: No, that's off Highway 5 but those are some options we looked at for under, you know
roadway.
Councilman Senn: Farther east but that's not part of this particular project?
Councilman Wing: There is a crossover.
Acting Mayor Mason: Yeah, there's a crossover that, the crossover underneath Highway 5 is part of this project'
right?
James Unruh: No. That is Bluff Creek...
Acting Mayor Mason: Oh right. Right.
James Unruh: We're proposing a similar type of structure. We're thinking maybe we can reduce the cost and
we maybe don't need the big concrete structure like we have on Highway 5.
Councilman Senn: So this is the option here is suggesting...part of the crossing of the service road and Bluff
Creek?
James Unruh: Yes, right. But we're looking at options to that to decrease the cost. Now this is a typical
section for the frontage road and I guess you've seen this before but what I wanted to point out is that
previously we had shown the frontage road right-of-way right up against the Timberwood Estates property line
and there are some trees about like they're shown there along that property line and we would have had to take
potentially a few trees. We don't know for sure how many because we don't have a detailed survey in that area
but we are moving the frontage road further away, now 30 feet...not impact any of the trees. It is possible that
those trees would be within the city's right-of-way but even so it was, it's being looked upon as favorable to not
touch any of the trees in that area. And it does save us a possible retaining wall. At least most of the...
Councilman Senn: A question for Don. Don, back where you said that, on Table 2 there where it said
$366,000.00 for the city and $495,000.00 for the school district. Now those figures you said did not include the
grading.
Don Ashworth: Right.
Councilman Senn: Do we have any ballpark on what that's going to be?
City Council Meeting - February' 14, 1994
Don Ashworth: We did have, and this goes back to a telephone conversation that you and I had had from I
would say a month to two months ago and I know that we had thrown a figure out at that point in time and I'm
trying to recall. My recollection, do we have a guess on that at this point Jim?
James Unmh: I called the fellow at HGA ancL..on their grading plan and he just didn't know what the dollar
amount was going to be. I tried to get it today and I just couldn't. I really don't know what that dollar amount
is. It might be worth to note on this graphic here that included in the frontage road cost is the grading for the
south half of the frontage road and then the grading costs for the north half of the frontage road. Those were
attributed to the school plan. That's what we're talking about when we divide it up between the school and the
city.
Councilman Senn: And it's only for that segment of the frontage road that abuts this?
James Unruh: It's only for that segment. That's why that cost is not included in the total cost estimates which
is Table 1. Table 1 is the cost that will be assessed back to all of the property owners along there.
Councilman Senn: Okay, so that's going to be added and assessed back at a later date?
James Unruh: That's going to be added and assessed back only to the city and the school district. Not to all of
the other landowners abutting. That school site really doesn't necessarily benefit all of the...
Councilman Senn: Is the 495 and the grading then paid by the school district or is that part of what we're
paying?
Don Ashworth: The 495 would be part of the special assessment reduction as it would apply to the school
district. So it says school district. When they carry out the assessment hearings, it will say school district.
There will be a card created. It will say school district and then it will end up with that being crossed out and
economic development district written across the top of it. So in essence we are paying that 495. As it deals
with the grading, and my recollection is it was $300,500.00 total, or 3 and 2 and again I may be wrong in that.
I should run upstairs and see if I can fred my notes but that cost was included as a part of the referendum. It is
not proposed to be reduced through the economic development district. So that would be a cost that the school
district has a choice. They can write out a check when they receive the assessment for that amount or they can
carry it over the same number years as other property owners.
Councilman Senn: For their half basically you mean?
Don Ashworth: Yeah. Well, their half is a little bigger than half.
Councilman Senn: Yeah, but I mean their portion of.
Acting Mayor Mason: Any other questions Council?
Councilwoman Dockendorf: Just one. On the schematic drawing of where the frontage road will go, you've got
a couple future roadways lined out and I just want for the record to show that those are not any roadways that
we've approved. They're just ideas of where future roadways may go.
James Unruh: That's right and I think those of you...developers will put those in.
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City Council Meeting - February 14, 1994
Councilman Wing: Just to follow up then with Colleen. As we went into Hans Hagen's operation down there,
and there was an east exit. In other words we approved a really unusual cul-de-sac situation with one entry but
there was to be an east exit. And that exit is in fact that road so we're not going to map it or it hasn't been
mapped or why aren't we mapping it at this point then? I mean it's on them. It's a nice idea but how are we
going to go about actually mapping this road?
Councilwoman Dockendorf: I think currently there's something in Planning Commission about, or in the
planning department for proposals for that area so I would assume it would happen when that area gets
developed.
Councilman Wing: Okay.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: Put my Paul hat on.
Acting Mayor Mason: Thanks for the report. This is a public heating. Please understand that any comments,
we are accepting a feasibility report. If we choose to accept it at this point. This does not mean anything is
necessarily being done and there certainly may be some changes but at this time, this is a public hearing. If
there's anyone that would like to comment on the proposed project, now is the time. Please state your name and
address.
John Dietrich: Good evening Council. John Dietrich, RLK Associates. 922 Main Street, Hopkins, Minnesota.
We are the civil engineers and landscape architects representing Heritage Development and the Highway 5
Partnership. And we'd like to go on record as saying we are in favor of the plans that are being generated here
in terms of the feasibility and location of the proposed roadways as they are being drawn and that this project is
finally moving forward. It's been a long process with city staff and James and the other consultants and them
has been a Itt of joint communication amongst the various consultants for the city and private developers.
We've been very pleased with that...we do have a few concerns though in regards to the feasibility report and I
think they would best be said with the cost estimates in the assessment roll. That was just made available
basically today. My client, Heritage Development has not had an opportunity to actually see the costs estimates
on the assessment roll and we are concerned that we have not had an opportunity really to look at it and discuss
the ramifications of the trunk line and sanitary sewer assessments and the watermain assessments. So I think in
terms of the east/west frontage road between Galpin and Audubon, we are concerned with the amount of costs
that are being put together and how that process is being established at this time without the use of MSA funds
at this time to build that into the entire cost assessment and want to split it for that roadway. So with that basic
information, we are, we'd like to say we're very much in favor of the project. However, we have some
questions about the cost estimates and the cost allocations at this time. We would like to ask that this be
postponed or tabled...next Council meeting so that we would have an opportunity to really look at these issues...
study the cost issues, assessment rolls and...staff and consultants to make sure that we're clear on that.
Acting Mayor Mason: Yeah, I may have misstated earlier that this is more than a feasibility, accepting the
feasibility report. Yeah. We certainly would consider that. We've just had a chance to see it too.
Councilman Senn: That's what I was going to ask.
Acting Mayor Mason: So yeah.
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City Council Meeting - February 14, 1994
Councilman Senn: So it's not just accepting a feasibility report tonight? This is a public hearing on setting the
assessments and everything?
Don Ashworth: No. It's a public hearing on the project. If there were no concerns, what your typical action
would be to close the public hearing and to order the project. In ordering the project, it's really based on these
numbers. So I mean when we would finally get to the assessment hearing, the Council could sure change certain
things but you're much better off having told everybody well in advance the methodology you're going to use in
the assessment process.
Councilman Senn: Just changing one is going to affect everybody?
Don Ashworth: Sure. I mean if we've gone through this process. Told people how they're going to be
assessed and then a year later we change the rules, you know they become quite upset. In light of the fact that
RLK really hasn't had a chance to see these, staff would have no problem with continuing the public hearing for
an additional 2 weeks to allow them to go through those numbers and to make a, and I think the Council might
appreciate that as well. You get a chance to look at it.
Councilman Senn: Yeah, I think that would be really fair. Because there's other people here tonight...
Acting Mayor Mason: Thank you. Is there anyone else that would like to comment on this project? Well, I'm
not going to make a motion to, ask for a motion to close the public hearing then. What I will ask for.
Councilman Senn: You mean continue the public hearing for 2 weeks?
Acting Mayor Mason: Yeah. I'd like a motion to.
Councilman Senn: So moved.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: Second.
Councilman Senn moved, Councilwoman Dockendorf seconded to table action on the feasibility report for
Trunk Highway 5 South Frontage Road from Galpin Boulevard/CSAH 19 to McGlynn Road and Galpin
Boulevard/CSAH 19 (from Trunk Highway 5 south to Timberwood Drive), Project No. 93-26 until the
next City Council meeting. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
SET 1994/95 LIQUOR LICENSE FEES.
Don Ashworth: Typically the City Council considers setting the liquor license fees in advance of our sending
out application. That assures that when the applications do get back in, that the applicants have included a check
for 1/2 of the license fee. That work has to be completed prior to April 1st so as to allow the State 30 days to
issue the license itself. We did notify liquor license holders that the City Council would be considering this item
this evening and we did inform them that staff would be recommending a, what kind of an increase did I
propose? 4%.
Acting Mayor Mason: 4% I believe.
11
City Council Meeting - February 14, 1994
Don Ashworth: I did incorrectly state that it had been several years since it has been modified. That was my
recollection. We looked back today and found that they were increased by 5% in 1991 so that's been 3 years
ago instead of I think I reported 4 or 5. Again, we really did not want to see a raise in the fees but if the
Council will recall we had, it was a difficult process balancing the 1994 budget and when we got into the final
cuts, we were looking to 1, 2, 3, $4,000.00 increases to revenue or 2-$3,000.00 cuts in expenditures and that's
how we raised the or balanced the final touches of the budget. We're still out of balance because we received
the notice from the State of the $72,000.00 additional costs. Later this evening we'll be discussing potentially
making part of that up with the reserve that the City Council had put into place as a part of that 1994 budget.
But we're still going to be short anywhere from $20,000.00 to $30,000.00 and again, the necessity for increasing
items such as this one really is mandatory. So with that staff would recommend approval of the increase in
liquor license fees. Oh I should also note. Not all fees can be increased by the City Council. There's a number
of them that were included in your packet that are set by the State of Minnesota and you cannot modify those.
Acting Mayor Mason: Anyone on Council have any comment?
Councilman Senn: I've got a couple questions. Don, I know we went through this I think last year. I honestly
forget the answer but in terms of our licenses, how many of them fall in the small versus the large category?
Aren't a majority of our's in the large category?
Don Ashworth: That's correct. I know both the bowling center and the Dinner Theatre are in the large
category. I believe that the Riveria falls into the small and Pauly's falls into the middle. I can verify that very
quickly though.
Councilman Senn: I thought I remembered it was leaning towards the top. Anyway, we figured out that this
rate structure was better than a flat fee on the basis of the sizes, if I remember right.
Don Ashworth: Right. Right. That is correct.
Councilman Senn: Why on the on-sale non-intoxicating and the wine and beer are we so Iow in comparison to
the rest of the world? ...suggesting kind of an up at this point.
Don Ashworth: That is one that is within the Council's discretion. You could make an increase there. Staff
kind of lives with some of our business people in terms of knowing their business and quite truthfully people
like an Ahn Lee would have a very difficult time if we raised this to like $700.00. I mean they just don't make
that many sales. Similarly Prairie House. Guy's. I can't remember if we've got Frankie's in there but most of
these head into what I'I1 call the smaller businesses and it's tough going for them you know. I had a real
difficult time recommending that and I sincerely believe that if we make a relatively big jump, and there may be
some social purposes to do that but you may be defeating your purpose because I'm guessing that at least 2 or 3
of those would drop back out of there. In other words they'd quit selling. There's just not enough money in it.
Councilman Senn: Shouldn't we try to keep you know I mean at least raising them in par. I think we're raising
everything else 4%. Shouldn't we be raising them something...? Otherwise we're inviting everybody to do that
anyway. By raising them 1%, we'll have to drop back and enjoy the benefits.
Don Ashworth: Right. The Council could, may very well consider that and $50.00, I don't know that that
would push Ahn Lee one way or the other. You know but I'm saying if we went up to some of these other
averages of $600.00 or $700.00, they'd just, most of those businesses would not continue selling wine.
12
City Council Meeting - February 14, 1994
Councilman Senn: Yeah. I mean other than a couple cities, we're way, at least the wine and beer sniff in the
other cities is many times what we're charging in most cases. There's a little more...
Acting Mayor Mason: They're also, the 2 or 3 that I see axe much larger communities too Mark.
Councilman Senn; Well, Chaska's 3 times almost and Hopkins.
Acting Mayor Mason: Yeah, but look at, I mean you've got Minnetonka and Eden Prairie that are considerably
larger.
Councilman Senn: Yeah, I'm not looking at those though. I'm looking at more the, I think most of them are
otherwise they're right around that $750.00-$800.00 range.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: And on the other hand I see the liquor license for the on sale intoxicating, we're
much higher than other communities. I guess we have to look at our own community and say it's right for us as
opposed to comparing ourselves to other ones and I think there's legitimate reasons for keeping the beer and
wine fairly low.
Councilman Senn: How many do we have in each?
Don Ashworth: Well again, Ahn Lee's, Franlde's, Guy's, Prairie House, and the Chinese restaurant up at TH 7
and 41. To the best of my knowledge, that's it.
Councilman Senn: They're all wine and beer or they're?
Don Ashworth: Right.
Councilman Senn: How many of the on-sale non-intoxicating?
Don Ashworth: Just one which is Bluff Creek Goff Course.
Acting Mayor Mason: Any other comments?
Councilman Wing: Let's go with the 4% on everybody.
Councilman Senn: Yeah, I think I'd feel a lot more comfortable with that because I know it doesn't help them
but at the same time, if we sit and wait 3 years and then we have to raise it a big chunk, I mean that's when the
screaming really occurs. I mean it seems to me ff we're saying we need to raise it 4%, we ought to do it across
the board.
Acting Mayor Mason: Well 4% of, I guess I would think that 4% of 270 would be tolerable to those people.
For the wine and beer license.
Don Ashworth: Right. You're talking about $28.00.
Councilman Senn: Not big bucks.
13
City Council Meeting - February 14, 1994
Acting Mayor Mason: Yeah, so you're talking, you'd like to see the motion be 4% across the board?
Councilman Senn: Yeah. I think it should be, again I'm assuming that staff's looked at that and I'm just saying
there should be some increase that goes in parity with the other increases. The other thing I'd really like to see
us do is again go back in one of our work sessions or something and examine and look at the issue of how many
of these we want in town and looking at limits on it. We talked about that before and we talked about that last
year when this came up too.
Acting Mayor Mason: Item 7 for prioritize City Council work sessions. Maybe we can throw that in the
hopper. Well I'd like someone to make a motion then on setting the 1994/95 liquor license fees,
Councilman Senn: I'll move it with 4% across the board.
Councilman Wing: Second.
Acting Mayor Mason: It's been moved and seconded to set 1994 liquor license fees at 4% for intoxicating
liquor on-sale, on-sale non-intoxicating and wine and beer licenses. Is there any other discussion?
Resolution g94.24: Councilman Senn moved, Councilman Wing seconded to set the 1994/95 liquor fees
with a 4% increase for intoxicating liquor on-sale, on-sale non-intoxicating and wine and beer licenses.
All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously.
PRESENTATION ON ADA ACCESSIBILITY STUDY, JULEE QUARVE-PETERSON.
Acting Mayor Mason: I'm somewhat familiar with this stuff being a school teacher but we need to get this all
on the record. Is someone from staff doing anything first?
Todd Gerhardt: ...where we've been and Julee and Jack are going to talk about where we're going. Just one
point I would like to make before Julee starts is that tomorrow night is the public hearing where we'll be getting
citizen comments regarding proposed changes in the self evaluation and also the on site survey...
Julee Quarve-Peterson: City Council and Chanhassen staff. Happy Valentine's Day and thanks for the
opportunity to come and share with you what Todd is talking about. Where you've been and how you got there
and where you're going with regards to the Americans with Disability Act. It was mentioned that I have had the
opportunity, I've been working with Todd Gerhardt as well as the architect here in the audience, Jack Anderson,
in my efforts of doing the accessibility audit for your community here. I'm a private consultant. I have done
accessibility audits for numerous communities in Minnesota as well as all over the country. The Americans
with Disabilities Act is a civil rights law that applies to you in Chanhassen as well as several others throughout
the country here. What I'd like to do is give you a brief overview of why the Americans with Disabilities Act
applies to you. How it applies to you and then again, an overview of what the preliminary findings are and
where you need to go from here. To begin with the Americans with Disabilities Act is indeed a civil rights law
as of July of 1990. It's the most recent in a series that applies to the city of Chanhassen. In 1973 was the
Rehabilitation Act, which has almost identical language. Talking about those who receive government dollars
must not discriminate against individuals with disabilities. So the ADA, Title II is echoing that and that has
caused much media and discussion and activities surrounding it so the last couple of years have been real a hey
day for individuals who are involved with accessibility like myself. What it says within the law is that entities
such as the city of Chanhassen, in the way that they offer their programs, services, benefits and employment
14
City Council Meeting - February 14, 1994
opportunities cannot discriminate against individuals with disabilities. It does not say, and that's one of the
unique things that we've done here. It does not say that you must make all old buildings new, and I want to
clarify that statement because there's been much confusion in other parts of the community.., regarding what the
ADA means. Indeed we did go out and we looked at all of your doors and counted your steps and checked the
handrails, etc..report and you received the executive summary. I have the comprehensive report in two volumes.
Or one report. You will receive two when it gets in it's f'mal form. I tried to give you some guidance of what
you need to do. Another misconception is that all of the solutions and all of the activities that a city such as
Chanhassen must do as part of the ADA involves...Obviously my area of expertise is far more in the area of
buildings, as with Jack. However, the ADA addresses all disabilities. So it's dealing with individuals with
vision impairments, hard of hearing, deaf, learning disabilities, etc which may mean that there's some activities,
some programs, some phrases that need to be added to city publications. I addressed that within my report.
Such things as having availability to sign language interpreter at a meeting such as this so the city will know
how to advertise that. Where to go to get one. How much do they cost and all of the details associated with
that. Assisted listening system kits...braille or large print materials should someone request that. Those items as
well are covered within the report that I have provided for you. So even though much of the work at this point
has involved looking at the facility, we did want to make sure that you were aware that there are other
components to the ADA...in the report as well. The actual process that was used is, ! personally spent hours and
hours opening doors, measuring doors, counting stairs, handrails of all city owned and leased facilities and
buildings. Fire stations. Public works as well as the park and recreation areas. The Americans with Disabilities
Act talks about all sorts of activities. It's not just the office space and sort of the national trend has been that
there have been a number of complaints fried. There have been 1,700 and some odd number of complaints fried
in the area of Title II, which is the section that primarily affects you here in the city of Chanhassen. Of those,
the ones that would pertain to a city such as your's, the majority of them have been in the outdoor recreation
area. If you sit back and think the likelihood of a member of the community of Chanhassen frequenting their
city park is probably greater than going to the public works building or going to the f'tre department or the police
station. So in other words, what you're taking a look at is what is the exposure that your community has to the
potential of an individual with a disability not being able to equally participate. So we indeed did look at your
parks. We took a look at parking, curb cuts, sidewalks, adapted play equipment, recreation structures, trails,
benches, signage. All sons of different items and have been working with your park and recreation people to
assist them in coming up with incorporating many of these features into their future plans and...future
remodelings. The process that is called out for a community such as your's to do is entitled self evaluation and
that is what we have been doing for you here. Self evaluation is indeed taldng a look at your programming and
services. What do you do here within the city of Chanhassen. Whether it be park and rec, public works, water
treatment, City Council, all sons of administrative activities. The second item is to take a look at your facilities
and sites. That is the bulk of the report that I have provided for you in the two binders. The third gives the
opportunity for the public to have input. It ac,~ally states within the law that members of the community,
individuals with disabilities have the opportunity to assist you in determining what your priorities are. As Todd
mentioned, tomorrow night is a public meeting. You of course would all be welcome to attend. Often times
what happens at these meetings is members of the community come and some examples, we've had individuals
show up and say, I live across the street from the neighborhood park. My child has a disability. I would really
like to see a curb cut and a hard surface path or I'd like to see an adapted swing provided. Or I frequently
attend a Planning Commission meeting. It's difficult for me to read the materials in advance because of my
poor vision. If it could provided either on cassette tape or large print. These are the types of things that are
often times coming forward from these public meetings. The fourth activity of self evaluation involves...forms
and paperwork. I will provide that information to Todd. These include a public notification. In other words,
your public must be alerted that the city of Chanhassen is covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act. A
second form is public participation which has already been taken care of which is inviting people to tomorrow
15
City Council Meeting - February 14, 1994
night's meeting. And thirdly, there is a formal grievance procedure which is necessary and should anyone in
your community or somebody trying to access services have a complaint because they're unable to participate,
there's an actual process that needs to be set forth. Who they send the complaint to and the turn around time,
etc that's been provided to you. In addition I recently developed sort of a pre-form I would like to call it, which
is a combination request form. In doing this on a full time basis over the last 14 years of accessibility, if
nothing else the word grievance is somewhat scary so a combination request form is a more proactive, friendly
sounding document which hopefully can do the same thing which says, anyone has the opportunity to fill out the
form. Please tell us what it is and a group within the city here can take a look and act upon that request.
Finally we're going to need the support of you, the City Council and staff in priority setting. Jack Anderson has
set forth some probable costs associated with the fkst phase of implementation. Within my report I have gone
through and broken different things into categories of proactive, short term and long range. Proactive items are
those that we felt could be easily accomplished in your community that are consistent with the intent of the
Americans with Disabilities Act covering a variety of the different disabilities groups. And the short term
typically having higher costs associated with them. May involve more planning...and finally the long range. I
have often called that, when it falls, I'll fix it right category but we wanted to be on record indicating that what
we viewed when we were on site did not fully comply with the new construction design guideline. Yet it did
not pose a significant safety hazard or access risk. The example would be a handrail on a stairwell. The new
design guidelines indicate that it should extend 12 inches horizontal past the bottom stair. State of Minnesota
and several other communities, up until now has said 6 inch extension is acceptable. If the handrail is there with
safe, and met all other safety criteria, we would probably put that fix into the long range category. The other
thing is we need to remember that it says that program services and benefits when viewed in their entirety
cannot discriminate. So for instance in your park and recreation facilities you've got a variety of locations that
all offer swings, slides, trails, etc so it's not saying that you must upgrade every one of those sites right now to
comply with the minimum requirements. You should have a long range goal and if it takes you until the year
2050, that's great. You continue to do access on an ongoing basis. We wanted to let you know at a minimum
what we felt should be done so we were looking at the locations with higher amenities. Where are more
activities located. We suggested that they be the fkst phase of implementation under proactive and a
neighborhood totlot might go a few years. Might go 10 years.
...Once all of this information is in hand, the costing that that...provided, the public input, the forms, the review
by staff, taking a look at the executive summary gives you some real good guidance as far as what you need to
do and when you need to do it. The addition of self evaluation process, there is the language called transition
plan and this is, for lack of a better word, your implementation plan. Okay, what are we going to do. We
decided that the community came forward and set this particular location would be high priority for individual
parking stalls or an additional toilet room facility and we've decided that we're going to go with that. What the
transition plan is, is what is your plan of attack. It specifically states within that law that there are 5 elements
that must be provided in this transition plan, including what is the issue. What's the location. Probable cost.
Time frame for completion and who's the person responsible. Those five things need to be documented. So this
is where the city of Chanhassen needs to go after the public meeting and for additional time on the part of staff.
But this door needs to be completed. It is not something that is chiseled in stone. In other words, if you were
to identify 99 items that you were going to address under proactive, it does not say that you must do those all in
order because you would start working on them this year, next year and future years. Somebody could move
into your community and move in across the street from a different park and say I'd like some things modified.
You've got the opportunity to move item number 98 up to 44 ff you chose to do so. The point is that if you
don't know where you're at and you don't know where you're going, you're never going to be able to budget
and plan so this document allows you to track, among other things...done at a certain point in time. So you're
well on your way to self evaluation and you've got the tools at hand. Public meeting is tomorrow night. What
then needs to be done is the transition plan so you can compile all this informafion...Are there any questions?
16
City Council Meeting - February 14, 1994
Councilman Senn: I guess just a question for staff. I mean is the intent tonight to deal with specific questions
on specific issues or is it just to accept the report and we're going to study it later?
Todd Gerhardt: This item will be back on your February 28th meeting and there's no crucial date here to be
met. I would hold...or pass it on tonight and...Tomorrow night's fairly important to get really the citizen
comment on it too. So yeah, we'd really like your comments tonight but you're not taking any specification
action on this tonight.
Councilman Senn: Well a number of these things I'd just like to understand more. I mean is that appropriate?
Councilman Wing: Yeah, I had a question too.
Councilman Senn: Well for example it says like add a curb cut outside the senior center. Is that a curb cut
basically to provide some type of wheelchair access where the curb is or are you talking about a big curb cut for
cars to pull into and drop off of or what?
Julee Quarve-Peterson: The curb cut is defined as pedestrian path of travel from the curb to the accessible route
of traffic. So there's not necessarily a drop off zone but it is indeed just a 36 inch wide curb cut.
Councilman Senn: Okay. When you talk about modifying floor mats to eliminate tripping, I mean there's only
one way I know to modify floor mats and that's to go into settings and that's.
Julee Quarve-Peterson: Not necessarily. What we have found in some locations was a floor mat that was
coming...and did not have a beveled edge around it where it actually was a tripping ha?,rd.
Councilman Senn: So what you're talking about is you want the rubber beveled edge mat.
Julee Quarve-Peterson: Rubber beveled edge. Get rid of it. Put it in a recessed. Keep it down...but I've seen
people address it. The issue is, we want to make sure it's not a tripping hazard.
Councilman Senn: Okay. Well like coming, this up here. I mean is that something you need to do now or is
that something you do if the situation presents itself?.
Julee Quarve-Peterson: Rampingor providing access to your raised area there, if nothing else I think would be
seen as a very proactive item because of the image that it sets forward. Because the potential of other people
other than yourselves being up there. Whether it's a Planning Commission meeting, whether it's students were
coming here and used this. The cost associated with doing it is relatively inexpensive and again the image that it
sets forth is that anyone is welcome. You could have a temporary disability. I would encourage people to do it.
Councilman Senn: How far would a ramp like that have to shoot back into the room?
Julee Quarve-Peterson: 1 in 12. So for every 1 foot of rise, or 1 inch of rise, 12 inches in nm.
Councilman Senn: So about 8 feet that way?
Julee Quarve-Peterson: A little past the column.
17
City Council Meeth~g - February 14, 1994
Councilman Wing: You say this is federal law that requires that ramp?
Julee Quarve-Peterson: There is a combination of federal and state laws and a State Building Code, Chapter
1340 is interpreted to say any level other than the level of access. For instance here, must be ramp, lift or
elevator to provide access. So technically this should have been made accessible at the time it was constructed.
However, interpretations have changed over the years. There's restaurants all over Minnesota that have multiple
levels. In new construction they are not allowed to have those multiple levels unless they have ramps. There's
been some pretty significant court rulings regarding this element.
Councilman Senn: But I thought, I mean 99% of the room is. I mean I thought that didn't make any.
Julee Quarve-Peterson: No, that rule, it's the rulings that have come forward that have said any level other than
the main level must be made accessible. And because of the fact that you're government and you're open to the
public and many of you are typically, you know you have other public life besides full time jobs here. The one
place that they're doing a lot of debate is for a judge's raised area in the courtroom because almost always only
the judge is there. It's one person. He's assigned a courtroom...
Councilman Wing: As long as you've got me started. I just remember a place I spent many years in a
neighboring county and they were required to put in an elevator because that was cheaper than changing the
lunchroom. And that was 12 years ago and it has not once been used because there's never, ever. I mean nice
in theory but when it came down to push and shove, boy what a terrible travesty. It was really a travesty.
Councilman Senn: Well we could saw this area off and bring it down to the rest I suppose.
Acting Mayor Mason: Yeah, that's true. Richard, you could get into a long and drawn out philosophical
discussion about that too and I don't think that's the case in point here. I mean it's here and we have to deal
with it and hopefully it's what, the things that will come out of it will be for the better. I think that's.
Councilman Senn: ...TV's for example, do those need to go?
Julee Quarve-Peterson: No. The television, the issue there is that it is technically a protruding hazard because it
is hanging down lower than 80 inches so a visually impaired person, even using proper cane techniques, could
bump into it. Right now you've got chairs underneath it so that.
Acting Mayor Mason: Well we've had people coming close to hitting it so I've often wondered about that.
Councilman Senn: Just move all the chairs over here and not have that as an aisle, does that solve the problem?
Julee Quarve-Peterson: That solves the problem. Again, see there's a whole variety of solutions to the problems
and I think that's one of the things that we wanted to point out you know with the floor mat. You get rid of
them. You recess them. You tape them down. You get the beveled. With the TV, you can't really raise it.
Again, you could put padded edges if you wanted to on it. I don't think that would totally solve the problem.
You could position different furnishings underneath like chairs. Bottom line is what you have is exposure.
There's no person like OSHA. There's no person like a cop that's going to come around and check your ADA.
What you have is the potential for a person with a disability coming in and they could come in with a request.
They could say boy, you know, I got 3 stitches on my forehead from doing tlmt...have to take care of it. You
may never have anybody come in and say I need to get access up to the Council. These are decisions that you
18
City Council Meeting - February 14, 1994
get to make. What we were trying to do as far as set you up and let you know what the rest of the country's
doing and what schools and other places are doing to give you a baseline for starting.
Councilman Senn: What's upgrade the alarm system?
Julee Quarve-Peterson: The alarm system needs to be visual as well as audio so you're dealing with the hearing
impaired as well as the visual impaired. So rather than just going buzz, buzz, buzz, they have to blink. A strobe
light has to blink so that a deaf person would know that the fire alarm's going off.
Councilman Senn: We don't?
Todd Gerhardt: We have an exterior light on the outside that shows that the Mann's on. Nothing interior with
the exception of if electricity goes out, we have the lights. They don't blink. It's just.
Julee Quarve-Peterson: That's not linked to the same thing...
Acting Mayor Mason: My guess is you'll be here 2 weeks from tonight also.
Julee Quarve-Peterson: I'm going to be cutting it close. I've got a flight that gets in at 6:30...
Acting Mayor Mason: Because we may in fact have more questions, although I bet by that point Todd could
answer just about any question we have too.
Councilman Senn: One quick one on bathrooms though. We don't need to upgrade every bathroom in City
Hall. Don't you need to upgrade bathrooms on each level to be accessible?
Julee Quarve-Peterson: Oh, it's not even that. What you need to do is, our recommendation is you're looking at
some pretty massive additions and remodeling to your sUucture here and include new toilet rooms and the new
toilet rooms will fully comply. Therefore we're proposing that you hold off on your existing toilet rooms. If
you're doing new construction, if you're doing new construction, anything that...if you're doing new
construction, all toilet rooms need to be accessible.
Acting Mayor Mason: Well good. Unless there are any other questions here.
Councilman Senn: We can save the rest for 2 weeks but again that's the sorts of things I think we should have
the opportunity to at least understand.
Julee Quarve-Peterson: Absolutely and that's kind of what I wanted you to just kind of get the ball rolling and
let you know that I am a resource and we can sit down and talk and also to let you know there's no enforcement
out there other than persons with disabilities and you get to make the decisions on, there's a variety of options of
almost all of these issues.
Todd Gerhardt: If you want to do it on a more informal basis, you know tomorrow night at 7:30 both Julee and
Jack will be here. And we have received at least one phone call from the public from our ad. We've also been
displaying a notice on the cable network, on public access. So tonight is another option.
Acting Mayor Mason: Good. Good. Thank you. Thank you very much.
19
City Council Meeting - February 14, 1994
Julee Quarve-Peterson: I think Jack wants to share some information as well.
Jack Anderson: Good evening. I'm Jack Anderson with/IEA Architects. When Todd, Julee and myself first
sat down and went over the, this particular project we divided it up into three phases. The f'~t phase that Julee
had really the main charge of, and that was the self evaluation phase. And then the second part of it would be
coming up with the estimate, cost estimates for the proactive type areas that we had to deal with. Third would
be, as it would go in the construction documents, or if that was necessary, basically implementation. And just
briefly, I think that your packet is, Julee's executive summary was the, this is a real good guide to follow along
with. That's Attachment #2 and Attachment #3 is the estimate that basically I worked out and we follow along
with the proactive items and in coming up with this estimate and then beyond that Julee has categorized those
into priorities. So within the proactive area we have three priorities. So we indicate that on the table in the
estimate evaluation. Now one thing on the first sheet we start going through the buildings on this attachment
and under City Hall where we note that a number of items, especially the restroom and that drop off area outside
the senior center. A lot of things will be worked in as you, down the road. If you're planning a City Hall
update, we can talk about that. It would be better to hold off on some of this stuff for the time being until you
firm up...and work on, for that matter any of your facilities, parks, so you aren't doing something now and then
doing it later. So the estimate goes through the buildings and then it goes through a building summary which
again divides it into the priorities. If you run into budgetary problems, that will help you guide as to what things
should be done first, second and third and then I've also split out the additional building cost savings and that's
these items that involve City Hall and then there's the one item at the Old Village Hall. That does become a
factor. There was an item there at the Old Village Hall, which is a historic building that, ff you start updating
with the restroom...may be involved with some building code updates...So we've kind of got that covered and it
may not be an issue but it is in there as a cost item. In the parks, moving onto the parks, really there's, I think
there was, let's see. The main things there were accessible portable res~xooms was a big item that came up time
and time again on a number of the parks. The restrooms. The portable restroom facilities that are out there are
the non-accessible kind so that would be, the requirement would be to have a handicap accessible site which in
essence works out to be about $100.00 a month extra and would be about $500.00 per season. And then there
was a number of parks that had some parking lot updating and what that boils down to is the new law is such
that it basically doubles the number of handicapped stalls necessary and requires, like for instance 1. It requires
to...accessible, there has to be signage and the size has to be appropriate for that. There were some trails
updating and then one of the major areas was Lake Ann, which had a bit of facility updating there with railings
and...also. So with the...going through that quickly. We also brought that through to a priority summary and
then on the final page of that estimate, took the combined building and parks. Added it up to the subtotals and
various priorities, came up with a grand total of $80,200.00. And the cost range of about $75,000.00 to
$85,000.00 depending upon, you may get a lot of...on this kind of work because it's much of it you may be able
to work in as your upgrading, especially some of the parks. Todd Hoffman has been very aware of this and has
been proactive in fixing some of these things...last year. And then as we talked about, well getting onto
additional costs. Again, much of that is going to probably occur as you update with some of these buildings
you're going to wrap that in and in fact it may not be that high that you're able to upgrade into a new addition
let's say and then you won't have to go back into the existing building and upgrade to the extent that you would
if you didn't have the addition. So I guess in a quick nutshell that's the nm through on the estimating... Just a
comment as facilities. Really the overall was lower I think than we all expected. Comparable cities you know
are generally higher. A lot of your facilities have been done recently and you know staff has been keeping up
with...Any questions?
Acting Mayor Mason: Thank you very much. No action is required on this. Thank you folks for the time spent
on the study. We have some more reading to do here. I'd like to move on if I could to item number 6.
20
City Council Meeting - February 14, 1994
COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS:
Acting Mayor Mason: I'd like to take them one at a time. We did have a work session on the 31st of January
where we conducted interviews. And at this point we need to formalize any discussions we had in the guise of
naming new people and appointing new people on the commissions. Let's do them one at a time. Planning
Commission. There are two vacancies. One of them is Jeff Farmakes who is seeking reappoinUnent.
Councilman Senn: Do you want motions on these or do you want discussion?
Acting Mayor Mason: Sure. Well, let's talk about it first and then make a motion.
Councilman Senn: Should I make a motion first or do you want to discuss it first?
Acting Mayor Mason: Let's discuss it first. Maybe we can do away with a little bit of the.
Councilman Senn: Well it seems repetitive to do it from the work session.
Acting Mayor Mason: Well, Councilman Wing wasn't here. I mean we need to remember that that was a work
session and this is a formal setting here so.
Councilman Wing: Well and the only comments I have, so I think you should proceed, for those who were at
the work session is the incumbents. I support reappointment. Other than that I did not interview and I don't
have an opinion.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: Well I'm going to preface all of our appointments this evening by saying I was
very impressed with all the applicants and really appreciated their time and commitment to the city. But with
that on the Planning Commission I believe we discussed, or agreed to reappoint Jeff and to also appoint Ronald
Nutting to the commission. Is that your recollection as well?
Councilman Senn: I think that's pretty much the opinion everybody had.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: So I would move that we appoint Ronald Nutting and Jeff Farmakes to the
Planning Commission.
Councilman Senn: Second.
Councilwoman Dockendorf moved, Councilman Senn seconded to appoint Ronald Nutting and Jeff
Farmakes to the Planning Commission. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously.
Acting Mayor Mason: I assume that everyone gets a letter, including people that don't get appointed. Okay,
good enough. Let's move on to Park and Rec. There are two vacancies. One of them is Jane Meger who is
seeking reappointment as an incumbent. Councilman Wing has already stated his preference for all incumbents
being reappointed. The other three were J. Christopher Sones, is that? I'm sorry if I'm mispronouncing.
Todd Hoffman: Sones.
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City Council Meeting - February 14, 1994
Acting Mayor Mason: Sones. Clark Cummings and Dave Huffman. Park and Rec recommended Dave
Huffman and Jane Meger to be the new, the appointees. I know we had some discussion about that. I have
talked with some people on Park and Rec and I'm at this point more inclined to go with whom they
recommended which was Jane Meger and Dave Huffman. I would guess there might be a little discussion on
that.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: As I recall it was a very difficult decision for us and all the candidates that I
believe that we had decided at our work session, that it would be Jane and Clark. I'm still comfortable with that
position. Again, it was very difficult and I usually defer to the commissions to see who they want to work with
but I really felt that Clark was a good candidate and I appreciated him coming back for a second time to seek
appointment and I thought he had the qualifications and dedication to serve on that commission. Also noting
that Dave Huffman is very active in our community in other avenues and could probably, will probably continue
to be active in our community in other areas and this would open the opportunity for another citizen to be just as
active on this commission. Whereas he may not have the opportunities and other avenues in other areas that Mr.
Huffman has.
Councilman Senn: I guess having gone through, Clark was my number one choice. I said I was willing to go
with Clark and Jane on the basis that she was an incumbent. If that doesn't fly, I may reconsider my number
two choice I think.
Acting Mayor Mason: The reason I had, certainly at the work session I was thinking along the same lines as
Colleen and Mark. In thinking longer about it, I've always felt that I think part of my responsibility as a council
person is to delegate authority and after thinking about it, Park and Rec people are the people that have to work
with the people that they appoint and that's essentially why I changed my mind between Dave and Clark. And I
do agree with Colleen. I think they both will do a very fmc job. I think whoever we choose but I do think we
need to consider the ramifications as to why the Park and Rec Commission took the time. Talked with those
people and made those recommendations and I guess, I think if in fact we choose to do it differently than they
recommended, we should be able to offer them some reasons up for that.
Councilman Wing: And I think the only time Council, in my opinion, should interfere with that choice is if
there's not a balance being provided or if there's some political ramifications that we can spot. Districting that
we don't like. I guess I'm not picking up on any of that. I guess this is sensitive to me because on Public
Safety we looked at demographics and we looked at personalities and we looked at background and we picked
the person that best felt, we felt balanced out our commission and when it went to the Council, suddenly it
became personal friends and politics and they didn't have the interview time that we had had and I'm not saying
it didn't work out for the best. Didn't say it wasn't a bad deal. Anyway. I support Mike's position just because
I think if the commission has a strong feeling, that should have some weight to it.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: Well, let me ask you Todd. Does the commission have a strong feeling on this?
On their recommendations or was it a tough choice?
Todd Hoffman: No, they did have a s~ong feeling. In fact they kept on asking, did they make the
appointment. Did they make the appointment yet and I said no. I said they reinstated that they wanted to make
their choice...their top choices.
Councilman Senn: Well maybe we have to lay this one over. It sounds like we've got a hung jury so to speak.
22
City Council Meeting - February 14, 1994
Acting Mayor Mason: Well, we certainly could do that. I guess I'd like to see if anyone wants to entertain a
motion. Maybe we do, maybe we don't.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: Well, let me clarify my feelings on this. I feel strongly about the people that I'm
recommending and I have absolutely no personal bias. I don't know any of the four candidates that well. But I
think it is the Council's responsibility to make the final decision otherwise these appointments would be at the
Commission level. And as ! said, I think the choice that we have between I think what we're coming down to is
Clark and Dave, I feel that Mr. Huffman has other opportunities in this community to serve and seeing that
they're both, in my mind...candidates, I'd really like to see Clark on the commission so I think we probably do
have a 2-2 tie.
Acting Mayor Mason: Well, Todd. When's the next Park and Rec meeting?
Todd Hoffman: Coming up in February 22nd. A week. Next Tuesday.
Acting Mayor Mason: Jane, regardless of what we do or don't do tonight would continue to serve, right? She'd
still be there?
Todd Hoffman: Correct.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: Mark, would it be possible to take it off the record if this is something that's you
know, Todd if you can give us some of the commissioners reasonings and if you feel more comfortable doing
that off the record. I don't know if that's possible. It's not possible Elliott?
Elliott Knetsch: No.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: Alright, scratch that.
Todd Hoffman: If I could perhaps clarify. Clark was a candidate the last time the city made an appointment
was last July. Dave Koubsky left and moved out of the city and needed to replaced. There were 10 candidates
for that one position at that time. Jane Meger was successful out of those 10. Clark Cummings was in the
running out of the top 3 so Clark was interviewed by the City Council at that time as well. Clark was out of
town the night the commission went through this last group of candidates. I believe there were 8 candidates. 8
or 9 candidates and so he was scheduled a couple days later. When the commission went through their
interviews they were impressed with Chris Sones, Dave Huffman but they didn't have a third out of their
selection of 9 so they said to call Clark. We remember Clark from last time. He was a fmaliSt then and inform
Clark that we would like him to interview with the City Council for a second time. So that is how the three
candidates came to the City Council.
Councilman Senn: So they didn't interview him? They didn't interview him this time?
Todd Hoffman: No.
(There was a tape change at this point during the discussion.)
Councilman Senn: ...well again, I think he's the best of all the candidates myself. I'm not going to change on
that one. I might change on the second but not on the f~t.
23
City Council Meeting - February 14, 1994
Acting Mayor Mason: Well, what do we do next? I mean if no one, this clearly does appear like it will be a
fie. If no one's willing to make a motion, then I guess we have to lay this over until the 28th.
Don Ashworth: I really think you should have a motion and that it should be turned into a tie.
Councilman Senn: I'll make a motion that we appoint Jane and Clark.
Councilwoman Dockendoff: I'll second it.
Councilman Senn moved, Councilwoman Dockendorf seconded to appoint Jane Meger and Clark
Cummings to the Park and Recreation Commission. Councilman Senn and Councilwoman Dockendorf
vote in favor. Councilman Wing and Acting Mayor Mason voted in opposition, The vote was a tie 2 to 2.
Councilman Wing: And I'm going to stick with that because then the Mayor will be here on the 28th and he
was at the interviews and if he has an opinion, it'd be a real good issue then.
Don Ashworth: So then a motion to table this until the 28th?
Councilman Wing: I move we table to the 28th on this one.
Acting Mayor Mason: On Park and Rec Commission.
Councilman Wing: On Park and Rec.
Acting Mayor Mason: Is there a second?
Councilwoman Dockendorf: Second.
Councilman Wing moved, Councilwoman Doekendorf seconded to table action on the appointments to the
Park and Recreation Commission until the next City Council meeting on February 28, 1994. All voted in
favor and the motion carried.
Acting Mayor Mason: Well, I don't think we should have quite as much trouble with the Senior Commission.
There are 3 vacancies and there are 3 names up here, 2 of which are seeking reappointment and some of us had
the pleasure of chatting with Barb Headla. I personally would, unless there's any discussion on this.
Councilman Wing: I'd move approval.
Councilwoman Dockendoff: Second.
Councilman Wing moved, Councilwoman Dockendorf seconded to appoint Barbara Headla, Jane Kubitz
and Sherol Howard to the Senior Commission. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Acting Mayor Mason: Moving right along here. Public Safety Commission. There are 3 vacancies. 2 people
are choosing to seek reappointment. Those are Eldon Berkland and Dave Johnson. Any discussion on these?
We also have Greg Weber and Kerri Nolden.
24
City Council Meeting - February 14, 1994
Councilman Senn: Don, I have two contradictory things in my notes. In terms of the overall make-up. Not
now just the candidates that we're picking here tonight but the overall make-up of the Public Safety Commission
okay. What is the breakdown in terms of people involved in public safety versus not involved in public safety?
In other words, how many people are deliverers of service and how many are not?
Don Ashworth: Councilman Wing, you and I had both been active back at the point in time when we kind of
set up rules as to who might serve on that and I'm wondering, did we do that by resolution? I mean that goes
back many, many years. Can you, do you know how to respond to Councilman Seun's question?
Councilman Wing: We wanted the demographics of the city covered and we wanted public input. And there
was always an endless supply of firemen and policemen applying and a terribly weak supply of the public
applying. And that was really the point of the public to have input. The local community to come in and I'm
not aware.
Councilman Senn: That's what my question is coming back to. What is there now, is my question. There's
nothing in the, at least that I saw in the ordinance and stuff that governs that. Okay, what I'm saying is, of the
current membership. Total membership on the commission, how does that breakdown between people involved
in public safety who deliver services and those who are not.
Councilman Wing: Two are not connected. Dave Johnson is not connected. He's the Chairman. He's just a
citizen at large that came forth. Dave Dummer is not public safety related. There's a police chief from Edina.
A fireman. Policeman from Plymouth.
Councilman Senn: Well how many are there on the commission?
Don Ashworth: Seven.
Councilman Senn: Seven. So 2 out of 7 are citizens?
Councilman Wing: At this point. And of those...
Councilman Senn: I'm sorry, non-public safety employee citizens.
Councilman Wing: Of the applicants? All are public safety related.
Councilman Senn: Yes. And that was something that bothered me as we went through the interviews and when
I asked that question tonight, we just talked about, my notes show is all we talked about was the applicants. We
didn't talk about specifically or the overall.
Councilman Wing: And I think it's a good point Mark. This is being weighted heavily towards police,
policemen, professionals and I'd like to see the community involved. Unfortunately the commtmity isn't
applying. I'd like to see you or, I'd like to see somebody that doesn't know much about it in here helping to
balance and govern these issues. And I think they'd be the workaholics of the group...short of reviewing this
entire commission and simply setting the balance and then going out and advertising, soliciting for that balance,
which I would approve and support. I'll pick one person on here. Crreg Weber is an excellent candidate. I just
happen to know him and he's very pro city. He's just an excellent applicant but he is a police officer and we've
got at least 3 on there now. So your point's well taken and I would like to see the public enjoined on this
25
City Council Meeting - February 14, 1994
commission.
Councilman Senn: Yeah, you know basically after going away and looking back at the notes and thinking about
it, I'd really like to see us make some kind of concerted effort to go get additional applicants who aren't. Or if
that's not an alternative, then I'd really like to rather see somebody else from the Council or something
appointed to that because I think we need to get more non-public safety. It's getting very weighted is my
concern.
Acting Mayor Mason: It sounds to me like if we want an ordinance change or if we want the make-up of the
commission changed, that's something we should consider in the future. And I think that's a good point. I think
for right now though we can't really make those kinds of changes. The process has been gone through and I
think we need to make some decisions tonight and then maybe it's another work session item. You raised, I
think you raised some issues that need discussing but I don't think we can change the rules on these people now.
Councilman Wing: I don't think we're changing the rules. We're only saying that the commission is so
weighted, we fmd it unacceptable. Eldon Berkland, if we reappoint him, he is with an ambulance service. Well
that's a little.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: Quasi.
Councilman Wing: Yeah but it comes from a different angle. Then Dave Johnson, of course is independent.
Then the other three are police officers. I don't know how you would ever advertise or solicit commission
openings and exclude professional people, if that's what your interest is. How can we get you, your wife, how
can we get your families to apply for this commission? Take an interest in public safety.
Don Ashworth: Well it should be kept in mind that commissioners continue to serve until they've been replaced.
So I mean if you wanted to carry out a series of advertisements, you could do that. I mean it's not as though
the commission is going to fold down or stop doing business.
Councilman Senn: I suppose the incumbents would continue correct?
Don Ashworth: Right. All the incumbents would continue until a replacement was selected.
Councilman Senn: Has the third person resigned and left or just resigned awaiting replacement? Because wasn't
there a position of resignation?
Don Ashworth: I don't recall.
Councilman Wing: There was one resign.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: I guess I agree with you Mike that the process has been gone through and these
people have been told that they'll be up for consideration so for this year's appointments, I'm comfortable in
picking from these 4 people but I think it is something that maybe we do need an ordinance about. I mean I
don't want to see all developers on the Planning Commission. You know, that type of thing so.
Councilman Senn: I'm surprised we don't have one that I know of.
26
City Council Meeting - February 14, 1994
Councilwoman Dockendorf: No we don't but we do have a similar problem on this commission so it's
something that we should look at in the future and look at ways to fix that problem. But for this year I think
we've made a commitment to pick from these 4 people and we should do that. With that in mind I would move
that we approve or appoint Gregory Weber, Eldon Berkland and Dave Johnson.
Councilman Wing: I'll second that.
Councilwoman Dockendorf moved, Councilman Wing seconded to appoint Gregory Weber, Eldon
Berkland and Dave Johnson to the Public Safety Commission. All voted in favor, except Councilman
Senn who abstained, and the motion carried.
Don Ashworth: Clarification? That was Weber, Eldon Berldand and the third was Dave Johnson.
Acting Mayor Mason: That's correct. And I would just, I certainly again concur with Councilwoman
Dockendorf. I think if you change the rules, you have to change it far enough in advance so everyone knows
that the rules have been changed. Okay, we have one more thing to do here under commission appointments.
That's Board of Adjustment and Appeals. There are two vacancies. Is that really tree or are there three? The
reason I say that is because we need to appoint someone from Council also don't we? Unless of course
Councilman Senn really wants to do it again.
Councilman Senn: Does it have to be somebody from Council? I mean this whole issue is the fu'st time I've
seen it tonight. I mean this didn't come up at our work session. It didn't come up.
Acting Mayor Mason: Whoa. Mark, this comes.
Councilman Senn: All that came up was Carol.
Acting Mayor Mason: Well yeah but this also came up last year when you were on the City Council too. I
mean this is a yearly deal.
Councilman Senn: No, no. I understand that but I mean yeah. Yeah, I think I was in the door one month. Or
not even one month when it was on last year. I'm just saying what, is there a requirement that one of the people
be from the Council on this or what? What's the ground rules on it?
Acting Mayor Mason: As a matter of fact.
Councilman Wing: I believe there's one Council representative, since I've been here.
Acting Mayor Mason: Section 2028, Board of Adjustment and Appeals. You mean this right here? The Board
of Adjustments and Appeals shall consist of 3 regular members and 1 alternate of whom shall be appointed by
the City Council. Three members shall constitute a quorum. It does not say, at least in here whether it has to be
from City Council or not. It certainly has been. Now yeah, please. I don't know what the next page says either
on that but.
Councilman Senn: Well I'm just curious because having sat in the position, you take the action there and then it
comes to Council and you take the action there. I mean it seems kind of repetitive for me. I'd rather see
another citizen involved in something like that than just see a Council person put on it if there's no real reason
27
City Council Meeting - February 14, 1994
for it. And that's why I'm asking.
Acting Mayor Mason: I would guess, playing devil's advocate, the argument that would be to have someone on
Council is that then there is some carry over when it does come to Council and then the rest of Council can get
input from the person who was serving on the Board.
Councilman Senn: Well to be honest with you, during the year, I think that in my opinion it provides a bias
because when I sat on the Board of Adjustments and formed an opinion, and then that opinion came to Council.
I mean I was arguing that opinion. Coming to the Council rather than from kind of 2 independent groups up
there and it just seems...
Councilman Wing: Then let's back up further. If they approve it, everybody's happy and they go home smiling.
If they fail to approve it, it comes to the Council and we get it and most of them come to the Council. Why
don't we just go direct to the Council on these and hear the appeal and get it over with in one swoop. I've
always wondered why am I sitting here being we're going to reject it and it's going to go to the Council and
they're going to approve it anyway or whatever you know. I hated to hear it twice and I hate to be in your
position having denied it and then have the Council...or wonder what's. Who is this group?
Acting Mayor Mason: An opinion on that Elliott?
Elliott Knetsch: From what you have there, there's nothing that requires it be a Council member. I think the
best we. can determine is it's been past practice and probably for the reason that you pointed out Mike that now
the Council members go to the Board of Adjustments and Appeals meeting and then they want to know what
happened or what was the thinking of the Board. If you have a Council member, they can convey that to the
full Council. That's a bit of a guess as to why it's that way. There may have been other reasons.
Councilman Senn: So do you want to do it again?
Councilwoman Dockendorf: Is there any requirement that we have this Board of Adjustments and Appeals?
Elliott Knetsch: If there's nothing else in our ordinances, there's nothing in State law that says it has to be
composed of Council members, but yes. State law does require a Board of Appeals.
Councilman Senn: Which could be City Council.
Elliott Knetsch: It could be the Council.
Acting Mayor Mason: Well I would hope nobody on Council wants that to happen.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: Yeah but if we hear them anyway.
Acting Mayor Mason: But we don't hear them anyway. We only hear ones that there's a.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: Right, but what I'm hearing from Mark is that we've heard them all.
Councilman Senn: You've heard everyone that's been denied.
28
City Council Meeting - February 14, 1994
Acting Mayor Mason: Precisely. And that's the point I made. I would hope that Council in it's wisdom would
not choose to also be Board of Adjustment and Appeals.
Don Ashworth: Mr. Chair?
Acting Mayor Mason: Yes sir.
Don Ashworth: Elliott's right that this just traditionally has been a Council member but if you think about it,
there probably would be a good basis to see a Planning Commission member sit on this board. I mean a lot of
the issues are overlapping and the thought processes and how it affects planning. No one has ever presented it
back to that group to say to them, would anybody here be interested in serving buL Nancy is here.
Councilman Wing: Yeah, Nancy's here. Maybe she would apply.
Councilman Senn: Do you want to leave quick?
Acting Mayor Mason: Well that's an interesting point. It certainly would make some sense to have a member
of the Planning Commission be on there as opposed to someone on City Council. I mean I certainly see some
merit to that argument.
Councilman Senn: Well you guys have sat on it too. I mean say something but to me, I have felt very awkward
when it comes into Council and the reason I have felt awkward is I'm almost in a position where I'm supposed
to argue the position of the commission. And I don't like being up here starting from that position. I like to
start from the position that I've got people out there telling their sides of the story and you listen to both sides
and you say yes or no.
Councilman Wing: Well it has been consistently awkward and that's one of the complaints. I would move
approval of the two incumbents and the third position, and that excludes the third position. And whether we put
that on a work session or the next Council meeting. I would move the appointment of the two incumbents and
the third one, I guess I would like see go to the Planning Commission and I would like to carry that to the
Planning Commission Wednesday night and see if someone would be willing to serve as such.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: I'll second the motion.
Acting Mayor Mason: Okay, it's been moved and seconded. Before we, I don't know if this is appropriate or
not but I'll do it anyway. I'm the Acting Mayor, I can do this. I do, maybe I won't because I just completely
lost my train of thought~ I do think we need to act on this very quickly because I don't know, we haven't had a
Board of Adjustments and Appeals yet this year, have we Mark?
Councilman Senn: No but again, I can keep serving until.
Councilman Wing: I can't.
Councilman Senn: Well I am now so.
Acting Mayor Mason: Okay, and the Mayor is an alternate so I guess one thing we will need to then choose,
my guess is the Mayor will want to continue to be an alternate which we certainly would discuss I guess then at
29
City Council Meeting - February 14, 1994
the meeting on the 28th.
Councilman Senn: He took it last year because none of you guys would so maybe a Planning Commissioner.
Maybe we should look at that.
Acting Mayor Mason: Alright. Well it's been moved and seconded to appoint Willard Johnson and Carol
Watson on Board of Adjustments and Appeals. Councilman Senn has agreed to serve on it until it can go before
the Planning Commission and they will either volunteer to do it-or perhaps City Council again in it's wisdom
will appoint someone from the Planning Commission to do it but we will see how that goes later I guess.
Councilman Wing moved, Councilwoman Dockendorf seconded to appoint Willard Johnson and Carol
Watson to the Board of Adjustments and Appeals. Councilman Senn will serve in the third position until
the issue can be brought before the Planning Commission to fill the third vacancy. All voted in favor and
the motion carried.
PRIORITIZE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION ITEMS.
Acting Mayor Mason: I have some things that I will already, March 7th is our next work session.
Don Ashworth: That's correct.
Acting Mayor Mason: And what do we have on the 7th so far?
Don Ashworth: Comparable worth, 1994 goals and.
Councilman Senn: You have on the chart that organized collection be put on the 7th.
Don Ashworth: Oh that's correct too. Oh, we just didn't fill in a date there. That will fill that.
Acting Mayor Mason: That will take up the 7th pretty clearly I would think.
Councilman Wing: Which ones again?
Acting Mayor Mason: Comparable worth.
Don Ashworth: 1994 departmental goals and organized collection.
Councilman Wing: And just let me clarify, not having been there. The Highway 5 corridor, are we still on line?
Is it still moving? Is the Council still in full support? Are we.
Acting Mayor Mason: Well Council hasn't taken a position one way or another yet. But it will be, when is that
on our agenda. Is it the, I believe it's sometime in March.
Councilman Wing: So it's not necessary that that item be on another work session.
Acting Mayor Mason: No.
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City Council Meeting - February 14, 1994
Councilman Senn: My understanding from last work session is we want to have the public heating and do the
input before we, and then have another work session after that.
Acting Mayor Mason: Okay. At some recent or obviously it won't be the 7th. Perhaps the next work session
after that. I'd like to see senior housing and affordable housing on there.
Councilwoman Dockendoff: We have senior on here. Do we have affordable on anywhere?
Acting Mayor Mason: No.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: So we need to add it. And what did you say earlier in the evening Mark?
Councilman Senn: The liquor license.
Don Ashworth: So you've got affordable housing.
Acting Mayor Mason: Well maybe we could do senior housing/affordable housing there, I don't know.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: Is it the same issue?
Acting Mayor Mason: Well I know they're separate issues but.
Don Ashworth: I don't know that staff is really ready for a presentation on affordable housing. I mean we've
been looking at a lot of alternatives and getting ready to draft a report back to you but.
Councilman Wing: But allow just enough time for Mike to get his statement on the table. Formally on the
record and then go from there. Define it and...
Acting Mayor Mason: Then maybe we can get some kind of update on where that is. Maybe not a report but
what's been done and what's coming down the pike maybe bemuse I do, I've been hammering on that one and
I'll keep hammering on it.
Councilman Senn: No, I think those are important. I'd like to see those on too. I also want to see gambling get
addressed pretty soon because we keep geuing hit with them even though we're not supposed to be.
Acting Mayor Mason: We also need to ~talk about the auditor's selection process. And maybe we could even
take care of that tonight. I personally am in favor of opening up, having staff go through the steps necessary.
That's not saying we wouldn't consider our current auditor but it appears to me, in chatting with the City
Manager, that we need to see who else is out there and who might be interested in working with the city.
Councilman Senn: I agree 100% but again, I'd like to see this carded on so each year we pick one of these
major ones and we do it because I think every few years we should really take a hard look at them versus just
renewing the contract.
Acting Mayor Mason: Well I think we should take a look at them. That may or may not mean we're doing the
contract, absolutely. Yeah.
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City Council Meeting - February t4, 1994
Councilman Senn: But I mean I think we should go to the point of getting proposals and bids and that sort of
thing.
Councilwoman Dockendoff: Well, can we make this decision tonighi without it being on the agenda?
Don Ashworth: Well it is on the agendm You're prioritizing your.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: Right, but ff we say tonight.
Acting Mayor Mason: Oh no, no. Well let's get, let's consider auditor's selection process on the next work
session.
Councilwoman Dockendoff: Yeah, okay. That's what I'm saying. I thought you were proposing that we make
a decision.
Acting Mayor Mason: We can't make a decision on that tonight can we because it's not on the agenda?
Councilman Senn: Well we can direct staff to request proposals and select proposals and bids. That doesn't
require.
Don Ashworth: Well, maybe to insure. If I'm hearing the majority would like to take and see us move ahead
with this process, why not simply put it onto the next consent agenda that would formally acknowledge that
we're going to do it.
Councilman Senn: Is that necessary?
Elliott Knetsch: Not strictly necessary, no. You could do it tonight if that's what the majority wants to do.
Councilman Senn: Does that cause any timing problems for you?
Don Ashworth: The only timing problems would be if we waited until like June to make this decision.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: Well let's...and put it on the consent agenda.
Acting Mayor Mason: Yeah, that's pretty much been our policy to.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: And we'll just take it off this list.
Acting Mayor Mason: Anything else? That's a lot for the next couple of months.
Don Ashworth: So did we set a date though for this, the housing, senior housing? I mean we've got March 7th
and so that's flied.
Councilman Senn: What's our next available date? The 7th is full.
Acting Mayor Mason: Yeah, it'd be the 21st wouldn't it?
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City Council Meeting - February 14, 1994
Councilman Senn:
Acting Mayor Mason:
Don Ashworth: Right.
Acting Mayor Mason:
What is the next date?
It'd be the 21st. Right?
That's the first day of spring. I don't know if we want to tackle it on the vernal equinox.
Don Ashworth: It'd be the 21st. Do you want to set those three for the 27th?
Councilwoman Dockendorf: Which three?
Don Ashworth: Senior housing, update on affordable housing and gambling.
Councilman Senn: For the 21st?
Acting Mayor Mason: 21st, yeah.
Councilman Senn: Okay, sure.
Councilman Wing: Can't we put liquor and gambling synonymous there for discussion?
Acting Mayor Mason: Not in 2 hours we can't. Now with the other stuff on the agenda. I mean it needs to
come up but I don't think there will be time that night. Because I do want, I think we all are in agreement that
we want to end those meetings on time.
Councilman Wing: What time?
Acting Mayor Mason: 7:30.
Don Ashworth: Do I understand liquor license? Is the only issue the number of licenses or are we back with
this issue of proximity to churches and that type of thing?
Councilwoman Dockendorf: I don't have an issue.
Councilman Senn: No, I think we pretty well resolved the proximity with the ordinance changes but when we
did that, we said we'd like to come back and talk about and address the issue of do we want limitations on. the
types of licenses in terms of numbers, how many and that sort of thing because right now there seems to be a
number of them coming in in a short period of time.
Don Ashworth: So it's solely limitations?
Councilman Senn: Yeah.
Don Ashworth: Okay, got it.
Acting Mayor Mason: Okay. Can we move on here?
33
City Council Meeting - February 14, 1994
Don Ashworth: Mr. Chair?
Acting Mayor Mason: Yes sir.
Don Ashworth: What did you think of staff recommendation regarding leaving, if we've got two open Monday
nights in a month, to take one of those two and assign it to one of these commission meetings? And I don't
know if the Council has a ranking there. I know the commissions really enjoy being able to chat with the City
Council.
Acting Mayor Mason: No, we need to do that. Have we done it on off Monday nights in the past or have we
done it in conjunction with regular commission meetings?
Don Ashworth: Both.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: And the purpose of it is to?
Don Ashworth: Generally they have, we've adopted the goals associated with whatever commission and then
it's just kind of a walk thru as to how we're doing in that area and what some of the commission members
concerns are. Todd, help me a little bit. I know Park Commission is one of them that's always enjoyed that.
Todd Hoffman: Opportunity to talk about goals and some areas of concern. Maybe some projects that have
been on the table for a number of years that aren't going anywhere and just a chance to sit down with City
Council...
Councilman Senn: Wouldn't it make sense though from the City Council's perspective, if the commissions have
goals, you know all made up and set and packaged and sent into us, I mean wouldn't it make sense for us to
have a work session to review those goals rather than departmental goals? Or maybe in unison with the
departmental goals to talk about them before we meet with the commissions to see ff there's any?
Don Ashworth: Of course that's the purpose of our March whatever meeting. Because staff submits what we see
as potential goals to each one of the commissions but I mean those are adopted by the commissions.
Councilman Senn: So you're saying they're one in the same.
Don Ashworth: They're one in the same.
Councilman Senn: Okay.
Don Ashworth: And when we meet on that item on March 7th, you'll see those.
Councilman Senn: Okay. Alright, so we'll do that before hand.
Don Ashworth: Right.
Acting Mayor Mason: Well what's the Council's pleasure? Do we want to do that on off Monday's or meet on
nights that they have commission meetings?
34
City Council Meeting - February 14, 1994
Councilman Wing: Commission nights because I can't make Mondays.
Councilman Senn: Well it depends on the nights.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: Well you know in deference to the commission members, they've set aside those
evenings. I guess I'd be willing.
Acting Mayor Mason: So you're saying you'd just as soon do it those evenings?
Councilwoman Dockendorf: Sure.
Councilman Senn: ! don't mind doing it those evenings. I'm just saying...
Acting Mayor Mason: Well I think that's understood that we may not be able to make all the meetings.
Don Ashworth: So then pick, I mean we've got Wednesday, Thursday, Tuesday. And would you like us to
pick those later in the year or do you want to find dates? Do you want us to suggest dates? Maybe at our next
work session we put in suggested dates and try to stay away from summer.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: Sure.
Councilman Senn: Well why don't we just try to, I mean why don't you just try to pull it off like in April or
something. I mean rather than schedule any Council work sessions in April, let's just schedule the commission
meetings in April and try to knock them ali off in April.
Councilman Wing: I could make April so that would be wonderful.
Acting Mayor Mason: Oh that's a good idea. Just not have, so Mark you're saying not have any work sessions
that month. Just go with meeting with the commissions?
Councilman Senn: Just go to the commission meetings and go.
Don Ashworth: So we've got the four. I had a question whether or not you wanted to add Senior Commission?
Acting Mayor Mason: Yes. Yes. I would like to. Well we should have somewhere in one of our packets we
got the dates of all that they meet in the beginning of the year. We got that big schedule of when all they.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: It's in this packet actually.
Acting Mayor Mason: No, that's just Council and HRA isn't it?
Councilwoman Dockendorf: Oh you're right.
Don Ashworth: We may want to go back to each commission because they may have certain items set up for
certain agendas.
35
City Council Meeting - February 14, 1994
Acting Mayor Mason: So maybe it can go to the commission that we would like to shoot for April and pick
some dates out of that month. Then if that doesn't fly, we'll take it from there.
Don Ashworth: Okay, I've got it.
Councilman Wing: Are they going to supply dessert and...
Acting Mayor Mason: I believe in the past dinner has been provided.
Councilman Senn: Only one question then as it relates to priorities. You had said previously that that cable TV
franchise agreement thing was of some urgency.
Don Ashworth: That's tree and now there's been another extension and I just received a letter today and I can't
understand from the letter if he's telling me to slow down or speed up. But they've moved it to, they've moved
it now into May and there are new federal regulations coming and the way he phrased it, you may want to walt
to see what those regulations are before filing for re-regulations but I didn't fully.
Councilman Senn: I have no problems with that but I heard a lot of discussions about starting to change who
was responsible for putting in cable and stuff and I want to talk about that before that happens. I mean if you're
talking about implementing that this construction season. I'm just saying we're running out of time if that is in
fact an issue. I thought it was.
Acting Mayor Mason: Can you maybe find out if it would be to our advantage to wait or not?
Don Ashworth: Sure. I know the Mayor would like to take and move forward on this item. He would like to
file for re-regulation, which I don't know that that is the issue that Councilman Senn brought up. I didn't quite
understand that one.
Councilman Senn: I thought that was all part of what we were going to address under the table. I thought we
were talking about changing the agreement with the cable companies too.
Don Ashworth: Okay. That is tree as far as.
Councilman Senn: That was going to be discussed at the same time.
Don AShworth: I don't know what to do though because we've already picked out March and we've already
said no meetings in April. I think I'll be forced to place this item onto just a regular City Council agenda.
COUNCIL PRESENTATIONS:
Acting Mayor Mason: So be it. Let's move on to Council Presentations. Item number 8. Councilman Wing. I
believe you wanted to chat about land use for a brief moment.
Councilman Wing: I've been really concerned about how to approach this. We've talked about the automotive
uses and...and prior to automotive uses I supported Mark's position on, we talked in past Council's a lot about
fast food and where are they going and where are we going to put them and where do they belong and where
don't they belong. And how are we going to zone for it. And the general theory was that they were going to be
36
City Council Meeting - February 14, 1994
clustered and they're going to be restricted to kind of pretty much one area. Not just spread all over town and
not dominating the scene. So coming to the Planning Commission on Wednesday night is an issue that I'm very
much opposed to and I would like to request the I-IRA to reconsider their agreement to sell this property. I'm
opposed to that sale. I don't know how this has gotten this far without the Council's being more involved but it
has to do with a fast food franchise going in right in the middle of the Market Square parking lot. Now as I see
it, along West 78th Street and Market there will be an F_.dina Realty. South of that there will be a free standing
fast food restaurant and I think that's an inappropriate land use and I don't support that and I'm going to do
whatever I can...to suggest that maybe that isn't an appropriate land use. I don't know where the Council stands
on ~his but I'd like it placed on the next Council agenda and have the Council educatecL..on this issue and at
least discuss it so that this doesn't just simply happen and suddenly Market Square is kind...That isn't what I
intended down there. The other big concern for this, and the reason I brought it up was as we toured the
Highway 4 corridor, back and forth and up and down over the last 2 years, Bill Morrish pointed out the
importance of the gateway affect from the highway to the City Hall. From the City Hall out and we're looking
at a million dollar city park directly in front of City Hall, and although this doesn't necessarily relate because
there's going to be an Edina Realty, it just doesn't seem to mix with my vision for this city and I think there's
more appropriate places to put this. Not flee standing in the middle of our primary shopping center. So I'll
leave it at that. Until I get more information, and it may be appropriate to pull it from the agenda next time.
Until I can get more information and up to date on this and the Council gets more informed on what's occurring,
and I want to discuss the fast food issue and land use and if there's more support for this, then I would leave it
out of the agenda and I would request the I-IRA to reconsider their sale of that land. But I think I said that
right. Is there anything I need to clarify or any issues here that I kind of stepped?
Don Ashworth: No. I think the reconsideration is really going to be one of whether or not they should be
allowed to further subdivide the property over there and further intensify Market Square other than the office
complex so.
Councilman Senn: So it's not a real given. I mean I thought we asked this question at a previous meeting. I
thought I asked the question, is it given that it has to be there and I thought the response was that it's already
been authorized to be there. I came with this letter. I don't know if the rest of you guys got this letter or not
but this letter raises some real interesting points because...land transfers we've negated what we agreed to in the
fa'st place. Now I don't know whether that's true or not but that's what this letter is contending. I'm just
saying, I think everybody received the letter. In the first place, ff you haven't gotten it...
Acting Mayor Mason: You know I wish, I wish through all of this, some good points are being raised and I'm
not in a position to go one way or the other on them right now but I hear a lot of talk at Council meetings about
what HRA is or isn't doing but yet when it comes to HRA meetings, no one is there to give their opinions to
I-IRA. So I think, with the exception of Councilman Wing. And I need to back track because obviously there
are people expressing concerns but these things come up at Council meetings but as I sit on HRA with 3 other, 4
other people, those concerns don't come up at I-IRA meetings.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: Which I think highlights a basic structural problem in our city.
Acting Mayor Mason: Well, that's not an issue. We're talking about land use that Councilman Wing brought
up and if that's another issue to get put on a future agenda, that's fine but I think it's incumbent upon people, if
they have a complaint or a concern about something, they need to go to the appropriate body. Not just talk
about it amongst themselves but to go to the appropriate body and state your opinions and your concerns. And
from my standpoint on HRA, that's not being done. And I think Dick's raising some excellent issues.
37
City Council Meeting - February 14, 1994
Councilman Senn: Why isn't it though Mike? I mean this happens time and time again where the people come
to the Council and they don't go to the HRA so there must be some type of a perception or some type of a
problem there. I don't know. I mean I just, it's a little baffling but it keeps happening.
Acting Mayor Mason: Well I'm specifically talking about Councilmembers, rightly or wrongly, that have trouble
with what HRA is doing, I don't have any trouble with someone liking or not liking what another body's doing
but I have yet to see that at an I-IRA meeting and what I'm saying is, let's get everything out in the open here
and discuss and talk about and try to reach agreement with what's going on in the city. Maybe I will go off on
a tangent here but HRA is only involved in a small part of the development of the whole city of Chanhassen.
Now yes, it is an important part of the city but if we talk square feet, miles that I-IRA represents, it is not tike
some people have said. HRA is not running the city. I serve on both of those committees, commissions and I
strongly disagree with that. I-IRA is supposed to help develop the central business district and people that don't
like, or do like what's being developed in the central business district need to come before HRA and state their
opinions and that's not being done.
Don Ashworth: May I respond to Councilman Senn's points?
Acting Mayor Mason: Please.
Don Ashworth: Or at least his question. Conceptual plan was presented to the I-IRA which showed both the
office complex and Wendy's. That was approved. There is no development contract that exists between, or for
that office complex and Wendy's, although I think one is currently being drafted, correct or not?
Todd Gerhardt: No.
Don Ashworth: No. The authority to plat or further subdivide property rests with the City Council so that the
issue is to whether or not they should be able to get an additional lot there rests with this body. And that's
basically Councilman Wing's question. Should we allow that to happen. Your decision to say no, we will not
allow that to happen rests with the City Council. The fourth factual point is, is that the HRA went in and
purchased that property in an effort to make Market Square happen and in the process of doing that, there were
various discussions at the City Council level that the city may wish to see something happen with that property,
meaning a library, senior, park, etc. The HRA built into the purchase agreement the option for the city to do
whatever it wishes. So in other words it purchased the property. It paid $2.50 a square foot. It then entered
into a repurchase agreement with Bloomberg Companies allowing them to repurchase that for that $2,50. But an
exception clause was put in there that said that if the city wants that property for a purpose that the city
determines, that Bloomberg does not have a right to repurchase. The property is retained by the city.
Bloomberg receives an additional $1.00 a square foot in lieu of his ability to be able to repurchase it. So I think
those are four salient points that hopefully add to this. Enlightening a little.
Councilman Senn: So we purchased it. How much did we purchase it for?
Don Ashworth: HRA purchased it for $2.50 a square foot, which Bloomberg thought was way too low, They
again, they really didn't want to sell it to us but to make Market Square happen they needed to infuse cash into
that deal. Our purchasing and temporarily holding it until they could make the center happen and therefore
remarket this remaining part of the parcel was their primary objective. They really didn't want us to have a long
term ownership. We went back and said, the City Council has looked at a number of uses for that property and
so we'll purchase it for the $2.50. We'll provide the money to infuse into the Market Square thing and we will
38
City Council Meeting - February 14, 1994
enter into a repurchase agreement allowing you to, at a future point in time, to buy that back. Except if the City
decides that it really wants to keep it. If we figure out a use that we really want to keep it for, then we'll pay
you a $1.00 a square foot difference.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: So we're really paying $3.50 a square foot?
Don Ashworth: Well, if we resell it back to them for the office complex.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: Then we won't.
Councilman Senn: For the office complex.
Acting Mayor Mason: I guess I think we're, I mean Richard wants land use put on an agenda and clearly by the
discussion this is generating, that should be done. I guess I'm not quite sure what the point is of pursuing this
any further at this point.
Councilman Wing: Because there's some clarification issues. Mark brought some up. I hear you loud and clear
and I am totally empathetic to your position and I think your statement was very valid as to where the HRA
lacks some input sometimes. On the other hand, it seems to me that the 4 years I've sat here, 90% of the big,
major issues in this city have suddenly come to the Council with designs and plans and architectural...and I sit at
those meetings night after night. The ones I've made. What are these models, all these plans and color schemes
doing here? If you're going to provide the money and do it, fine but let's get all of this stuff out of here and to
the Planning Commission and the City Council. And then if you want to see what they've decided on, before
you spend your money on it, then...do we own that property? In theory. That entire comer. Including.
Don Ashworth: Not in theory. I mean it is filed under our name.
Councilman Wing: All I want to say on that land use for that entire section, that is a pivotable comer.
Pivotable comer.
Councilman Senn: I mean let's define who owns it. Is it the HRA that owns it or the City that owns it?
Don Ashworth: It varies. In most of the acquisitions we've actually filed those under the name of the City of
Chanhassen.
Councilman Senn: So why is the HRA considering something, or have they been considering or planning
something on that parcel, without coming and talking to us £~t if we own the property? See that's where I keep
running.
Acting Mayor M_~on: Again, I think that this is a hot enough topic that it should be put on an agenda and
discussed. I don't, quite honestly I don't see the point of talking about it any further.
Councilman Wing: Okay Mike I'll go along with that and move along on my presentation. Then if, not on a
work session. In a near work session we put the I-IRA issue on it. I'm not saying I want Council to take it over
but I do want to del'me the HRA and goals and direction so I think it's imperative that this is a hot issue and it
should be on a work session and in the very near future. I don't want to see it go too long.
39
City Council Meeting - February 14, 1994
Councilman Senn: Well we should talk about it under departmental goals. I mean that's coming up on the next
agenda, and the HRA is one of them.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: I'm concerned about this specific issue going to the Planning Commission on
Wednesday night and we need some kind of response because the question's going to come up.
Councilman Wing: Okay, and my concern is that that comer, being a pivotable comer, is extremely critical to
our appearance and City Hall and the park. The view to the highway. The view from the highway. Locating
our City Hall. Enjoying our park and I'm not so sure an office building that's going to be 3 stories or 2 stories
or 106 feet, whatever. That is a major decision on that comer that I think should start at the City Council and
then filter back to HRA for dissemination. And I don't think any action should be taken on that comer, at all.
Acting Mayor Mason: But don't things start at the Planning Commission first? Right? I mean they do and then
they come to us. See.
Councilman Senn: Well wait Michael. Wait now. I agree with you. They start with the Planning Commission
but we are talking about a city owned piece of land, Before the Planning Commission considers plans on what
happens on a city owned piece of land, the City Council or the City, should be making some policy
determinations in terms of what they want to see happen on that piece of ground. Okay? I mean to me it's
going through the process and it's coming into us, it's going to be...
Acting Mayor Mason: No. I strongly. I do not think this City Council rubber stamps anything.
Councilman Wing: Oh no, no. But it's going to have gone through HRA and the Planning Commission.
They're going to spend their time and all the development plans.
Councilman Senn: And they're going to say, all the commissions passed it.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: Yeah and we're going to say, plate it in gold and we still won't approve it.
Acting Mayor Mason: What now? I'm sorry, I didn't hear what you said.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: No, you know. Forget it. It's not worth the comment.
Acting Mayor Mason: Well, as long as we've opened up this can of worms, which I will still maintain is not
appropriate at this time, but go ahead Nancy. We have a member from the Planning Commission, If the camera
would turn over tx) Ms. Mancino please.
Nancy Mancino: Well the only thing I was going to remind the City Council is that the Vision 2002 task force
ad hoc committee is working with Hoisington Group and looking at the downtown and coming forth to probably
the City Council and Planning Commission, different site plan analysis for the downtown and doing an overall
planning. And that is made up of Hoisington. It's made up of citizens from the community. Something like the
Highway 5 task force so I think we need to listen to them...their concems also on the land use for the central
business district...Whether it's this comer or any other comer, but this one in particular.
Acting Mayor Mason: It sounds to me like maybe there should be some people at the Planning Commission
meeting on the 16th.
4O
City Council Meeting - February 14, 1994
Councilman Wing: I would, I guess under Council Presentations I don't know if it's appropriate to move that be
stricken from the Planning Commission agenda. I see no reason to discuss it. Or ff they do, I'm going to be
there and ask them not to discuss it because I plan on doing the opposite of what they may consider.
Councilman Senn: I'll second that.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: Yeah.
Councilman Wing: I don't know if it's appropriate for a motion at this point. It's Council Presentation.
Councilman Senn: ...direction to the Planning Commission.
(There were a couple different conversations going on at the same time at this point.)
Acting Mayor Mason: We can't do that. We don't set agendas for Planning Commission. We can't tell them
to delete something from the agenda.
Don Ashworth: I think it goes a little further and State law allowing a person to make an application.
Councilman Senn: Let's do this then. Why don't I make a motion that fight now the City Council determines
that this property is not for sale for the time being. It's owned by the City of Chanhassen and then, to me you
figure the applicant, why would you pursue it until the City Council makes a decision. I mean it seems to me
like we're just spinning wheels and wasting people's time.
Acting Mayor Mason: Well I guess I personally kind of think that's what we're doing fight now. To tell you
the auth. I mean that's an item that is on the Planning Commission agenda and those meetings are open to the
public and it seems to me, if there's that strong a feeling about it, you know have any of us talked with the
Planning Commission about what we think should be done for the city of Chanhassen? Has anyone talked with
HRA about what should be done with the city of Chanhassen? No. To my knowledge.
Councilman Senn: Last year we did in our goal sessions. We haven't had them yet this year Mike.
Acting Mayor Mason: Well, have you talked to anyone on t-IRA or Planning Commission about what you want
to see going on in the city?
Councilman Senn: Well I did a number of times at HRA. When I appeared at meetings. It was before you
were on but.
Acting Mayor Mason: Okay. Well, since I've been on, I've seen you there once.
Councilman Wing: ...who's doing whac I'm wonSed about that parcel of land.
Acting Mayor Mason: Well if we're all that worded about it, I would suggest that you go to the Planning
Commission meeting and either ask them to table it or let people know that there are a number of people that are
unhappy or are questioning what's going on in that comer of land fight now. To tell people that want to put a
presentation, that they can't do it. Well (a), we can't do it and Co), I think that's, I personally thing that's really
out of line.
41
City Council Meeting - February 14, 1994
Councilwoman Dockendorf: Could I ask a question just to finish off this conversation? Who is the applicant on
Wednesday night, if not the city of Chanhassen?
Don Ashworth: Bloomberg Companies, as far as I know.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: So they're presenting it with the hopes that they'll buy that land back?
Don Ashworth: That was what I was just discussing with Elliott. I mean the repurchase agreement gives
Bloomberg the right to repurchase that property unless we tell him that we are going to retain it. And I think
where Elliott's saying we're on thin ground is we have, the City Council has not made that decision. So as far
as he knows, he does have a right to repurchase.
Elliott Knetsch: I think that's accurate. I think that we have to notify him that we are going through a selection
process to determine what our needs are. If it's going to be a city use such as a library, etc. We've given him
no notice. I don't have that contract in front of us but I think that he's within his rights to come forth with an
application at this time, given that the city has not notified him of our interest in repurchasing at this time.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: And is there any time limit on that?
Don Ashworth: Yes.
Councilman Senn: We can determine to repurchase at any time can we not? Or I mean we can determine not to
sell it at any time?
Don Ashworth: I guess Elliott's point, I would interpret Elliott's point is that we have to notify him that it is
our intent to keep that property, and I'm pretty sure that it's for public purpose. Which brings out another point
which is that, at least originally talking with Councilman Wing. I had the thought or the belief that the office
complex was okay. It was simply the Wendy's that was probably bad and you know if we're looking at some
park part but that purchase repurchase deals with the whole site. Not just some part of it which is something
that would require re-negotiation then of that purchase repurchase agreement.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: Well I suggest we put something together for Bloomberg saying that we retain the
right to make a decision for city owned uses pending the outcome of the Vision 2002 meetings. We're just
simply not, it's the same thing with the Highway 5. We're just simply not ready to make a decision on that
pan:el.
Don Ashworth: May I suggest that we put this item on for our next agenda with the intent being one of having
the City Attorney outline what actions you might take that would be legal versus you know. His best position
see because I feel comfortable that the decision as to whether or not you should allow further subdivision of that
property rests with the City Council. So if you say no on that, you kill it.
Councilman Senn: Would subdivision be required if they owned it and just leased out the different elements?
Don Ashworth: The current applicant is to have Wendy's own that portion of the property.
Councilman Senn: I understand that but you just simply, you can still get around what you're saying by
basically leaving it in the same ownership and not doing a subdivision so I mean, I think.
42
City Council Meeting - February 14, 1994
Don Ashworth: But it would require a new submittal through the Planning Commission process because at the
current point in time it's shown as separate ownership.
Councilman Senn: I understand but that takes it out of the Council right? By your statement.
Todd Oerhardt: Well no, Wendy's...Outlot A.
Councilman Senn: Well if the attorney's going to look at that, I'd also like him to address the issue, from the
tenants perspective, if the questions been raised that the lease provisions would not permit the building of a
Wendy's in the shopping center parking lot. Under the current terms and under, once it's sold back, then what is
permitted because it's not under the I-IRA ownership. I guess I'd like an answer to that. That seems to be a
fairly pivotable question in the whole thing.
Don Ashworth: I should also check on, who has the underlying ownership. I said city. That's been typical in
most of them. ! don't know that. '
Councilman Wing: Is there anything that can be done then with Planning Commission on Wednesday night?
Don Ashworth: I will relay this conversation to Paul and again Nancy is present. But again, everything I see,
they have proceeded. Under State Statute they have a right to present their thing to the Planning Commission. I
guess that's, is that not the position of your office?
Elliott Knetsch: Yes it is. They do and they set their agendas and again I don't have that particular contract
here but typically those provisions revolve around notice. If we're going to not allow them to have the right of
repurchase, we have to notify them that that's our intention and then follow whatever is set forth in the contract
and we have not taken those steps.
Councilman Senn: Allowing this to go forward by no means roms it around and precludes then...on the city's
part?
Elliott Knetsch: That's correct. That's correct. Don is entirely accurate there. I mean ultimately, whatever the
Planning Commission does on Wednesday, the decision is at this table as to whether that project is going to be
finally approved or not.
Acting Mayor Mason: You know I guess maybe this discussion seems to come up any time any major
development is proposed and I guess maybe it behooves all of us, particularly those of us on Council, to try and
look ahead a little farther than we're looking. Had this, well. I think we should move on with that because we
always seem to get into this problem but. Are you done with land use Councilman?
Councilman Wing: Yes sir.
ADMINISTRATIVE PRESENTATIONS: JOINT MEETING WITH CITY OFFICIALS AND
MINNETONKA BOARD OF EDUCATION, CITY MANAGER.
Don Ashworth: I think they're primarily inviting Mayors and City Managers. However they've opened this to
say any City Council member, at least that the way I read the thing and I just wanted the Council to be aware of
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City Council Meeting - February 14, 1994
it. If you were thinking of attending, I'll be sending in my reservation and I don't know if Don will be here or
not.
Acting Mayor Mason: Is that an HRA night?
Don Ashworth: I'm not sure.
Acting Mayor Mason: I bet you it is. 24th. Because I would like to go to that.
Don Ashworth: 24th is an HRA meeting.
Councilman Senn: I'd like to go Don.
Don Ashworth: Okay. Anyone else?
Acting Mayor Mason: Well I want to but both Don and I can't go if there's HRA that night.
Todd Gerhardt: You have an I-IRA meeting next week. You can try to reschedule that for March.
Acting Mayor Mason: I'd like that on the agenda. I would like to reschednie that because I would like to go to
that meeting. I mean let's see how that goes.
LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA CITIES, LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE, CITY MANAGER.
Don Ashworth: The legislative conference, also March 24th. Okay.
Acting Mayor Mason: Well maybe we can get Mr. Dmayer to change nights.
Don Ashworth: This is one that typically we have taken our legislators out to eat afterwards. It's generally a
good conference. Any Council members who would like to take and attend that are welcome to. Or I mean
should let me know if you're thinking about it. I should also let you know that the Association, the AMM is
proposing to do a very similar type of thing with the league and their's is set for March 24th. Couldn't help
that. It was too tempting. Tbeir's is set for March 2nd and we could do a similar type of thing. Oh their's is
earlier. Their's is from 5:00 until 7:00. Opportunity to kind of tell legislators some of the problems that we're
having. The AMM one is usually draws about 150 elected officials, both City Councils as well as State
Representatives.
Councilman Senn: And that's when?
Don Ashworth: That's March 2nd from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m, and that's going to be at the Kelly Inn. In St. Paul.
And again, in some of the years we've used that as an opportunity to start meeting there and then have dinner
somewhere downtown and what not. Kind of have an evening...
Councilman Senn: The one on the 2nd or the one on the 24th?
Don Ashworth: Both. Well I mean we haven't done both in the same year but I mean it's, one or the other we
typically have. Meeting with legislators afterwards. Legislators will be at both meetings.
City Council Meeting - February 14, 1994
Councilman Senn: If we're going to do the 24th, could we reschedule the school thing because of the HRA
conflict and everything else or is that?
Don Ashworth: Well the school thing is.
Acting Mayor Mason: The school thing is being set by Minnetonka. I mean he's invited a number of other
cities so I don't think that one will change. I think if we can get the HRA meeting changed, that might be the
thing to do, which I would like to pursue.
Don Ashworth: And then potentially try for March 2nd as far as trying to get Council members together with
our whatever. Okay, good. I'll put a copy of this in our next packet.
Acting Mayor Mason: Please do. Okay, let's move on. I forgot. We still have some consent stuff to deal with.
CONSENT AGENDA:
D. APPROVAL OF THE PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE ACROSS HIGHWAY 5.
Councilman Senn: I guess Don, what is this? I mean is this our one shot at the pedestrian bridge or what's the
process?
Don Ashworth: Well I got the impression lhe City Council wanted to be updated as to you know, what does this
thing look like and what is it we're proposing to do and so yeah. We're putting it onto this agenda as an
opportunity for the City Council to look at it and say you agree or disagree. Do we have the colored ones to
hand out or show around? I mean these are terrible copies.
Todd Gerhardt: I don't have it. We handed out the pictures at the last meeting and I've got...
Councilwoman Dockendorf: Are the vines included in the bid?
Todd Gerhardt: Yes. It's part of landscaping.
Don Ashworth: The HRA had initially looked at this with, they could reduce costs ff they reduced the pillar
sections on either side. Reduce the landscaping, etc and it went back to the Planning Commission. Planning
Commission said gee. You know this thing really should, this should represent something coming into our
community. The original plan should really be relooked at and so they wanted to see this in, what I'll cal it the
more massive form. It went back to the I-IRA. HRA said, okay. We'll agree with Planning Commission so
they put back in the whole pillar snmcture. The vining. The kind of, the central collection spot in the center.
They did delete some miscellaneous areas that potentially could save some dollars and like there's a 4 inch what,
decking thing that the architect thought was important but nobody could see it and it was $40,000.00. So they
junked that.
Todd Gerhardt: It made a shadow between the deck of the bridge and the I-beams so to speak...
Councilman Senn: Well is there, I mean does the Council have an oppommity to really sit and look at this
design and decide where they want to gO or not? I guess the big question I have is in the administrative packet
tonight it says the HRA has already made the decision and they've already given the go ahead for the plans and
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City Council Meeting - February 14, 1994
specifications based on that approval. I mean do we have input to it or don't we?
Don Ashworth: We've been trying to keep ali of the groups informed here and at the same point in time we're
under a real stringent deadline by the State. I think that again it's gone back to the HRA twice and that was to
consider Planning Commission comments, We were kind of in hopes that the Council would look at the
recommendations of the Planning Commission and HRA and say yeah. This looks good. But if you wanted to
put it to a work session, wow. We should then somehow try to pick out some immediate type of date.
Otherwise we will forego the grant because we will not meet the, when does this have to be completed Todd?
By this next fall?
Todd Gerhardt: It has to be completed by fall.
Don Ashworth: Of 90, of this fall. This fall.
Todd Gerhardt: We have to start construction as soon as the road restrictions come off.
Councilman Senn: One of my problems is I guess real simply, here we are at the last minute again. No real
chance to look at it. I have, I see that their recommendation says let's go with the large pier and stuff which is
a more weighty structure and...design and do final plans and specs so...The other issue I have, these questions I
have related to it, relate effectively to the project costs. When the City Council is asked to go ahead and support
this application, earlier in, well basically in 1993 we were given application and the date in front of us and we
were told that the total project cost was going to be $400,000.00, of which a federal amount was to be
$280,000.00 and there was to be a local amount of $120,000.00. Now, depending on which scheme you look at,
we're looking at a total project cost of $628,000.00 and $598,000.00 respectively. The federal portion's still the
same, 280 but the City's portion is now up to $402,000.00 or $318,000.00, depending on which alternative you
take. I mean that's 333% in one case and about 250-260% in the other case increase in terms of overall project
cost. And I think that's something we really have to look at. I keep getting told on other issues that we have no
money for these types of things but yikes, it seems like we just credit a few hundred thousand dollars here but
I'm told on other things we can't do that. And I guess I'd like to understand why all of a sudden we have
instead of $120,000.00, $400,000.00 of city money or money to go towards this project. I guess I really want to
get into this issue a little bit more other than just have it glanced through on a consent agenda.
Todd Gerhardt: ...why there was a dollar change on that. Basically it came from the bridge itself. When we
put the proposal together over to the ISTEA application we were hoping that we would get by with using what is
sort of a pre-fab type bridge that Paul had looked at and some of the consultants had felt it was appropriate for
how this area would lay out. And MnDot again would not consider that. So from that we had to go into more
of a beefed up bridge with concrete decking and the I-beams and so that's the difference in those dollars.
Councilman Senn: Well with that increased cost, all I can tell you is that I for one as a council person would
like an opportunity to consider the decision as to whether this project should even go forward or not, federal
money or no federal money. It's considerably different than what we, you know the premise we entered it on.
By 300% in local money.
Don Ashworth: There is no question but thc cost of this structure has continued to increase.
Councilman Senn: And we have a lot of other priorities that aren't being met in this city. The fact, just by the
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City Council Meeting - February 14, 1994
trail plan and the park plans and everything else, higher priorities than this. $400,000.00 could go a long way in
solving some of those priorities versus building a bridge, which...a liule bit to nowhere at this point because I'm
not sure what trail it even hooks into.
Acting Mayor Mason: Well at those Vision 2000 meetings Mark a whole lot of people thought that bridge to
connect the north side and south side of Chanhassen was pretty important. Now I do not, I do not begrudge
what you're saying about the money but there were a whole lot of people that want a connection between and
over Highway 5 in this city.
Councilman Senn: At this time is the question. Is this the appropriate time is what I said. It more or less
comes back to right now in terms of priorities. What should the priorities be? What should go fa, st in line in
terms of the priorities? And 2002 isn't all done either and there were also a lot of other people there with
varying opinions on a lot of different things.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: But if we wait 5 years or 10 years, it's going to cost twice as much if you don't
have the ISTEA funds for it.
Councilman Wing: And I'd like to see more than one going in downtown area. I think we're fortunate to get
this one. The only thing that stopped me here, precipitates the same discussion and it may be foolish because
we have to discuss this but design was taken to the I-IRA. They approved this and then it was taken to the I-IRA
and then went to Planning and back. I don't care what, with all due respect. I don't care what the HRA things
of any design. If they're going to build it and fund it, that's wonderful but I'd like to see those decisions kind
of out here with the Planning Commission and then, I just. I get lost on how these big projects occur and
frankly, every time I talk to anybody on these issues that somebody gets upset about. Whether it's West 78th
Street or anything else I say look it. I've only got a several million dollar budget and I'm just the elected
official. If you really want to have some input into this city, go to the HRA. Talk to them. Work with them
because that's where all the big projects are and I don't feel the I-IRA or the Council members on the I-IRA are
communicating with the rest of us very well in presenting issues and making sure we're all involved. And then
these things happen and we get to this point and we're sort of stunned and.
Acting Mayor Mason: I think Dick, from now on when you say HRA, when you say that. If you don't preface
it with HRA and City Center and I'm going to call you on it because HRA's purview is not Carver Beach. It's
not Minnewashta. It's not.
Councilman Wing: Oh I concur with that. I'm ~__alking the central business district.
Acting Mayor Mason: Well alright but then I think, you know it sounds to me like what we need to do is have
some sort of work session and establish a flow chart, whatever you want to call it. Because these arguments
keep coming up and nothing's getting done with it. But again we're off task and dog gone it, let's get on task.
We're on item 3(d) I believe.
Councilman Senn: Don, where's the funding for this? Is this funding through the Economic Development
District or through the downtown district?
Don Ashworth: Downtown district.
Councilman Senn: Okay. And which district was amended with the new boundaries? The downtown district or
City Council Meeting - February 14, 1994
the economic development district?
Don Ashworth: The downtown district.
Councilman Wing: Well I'm going to move, I'm going to be comfortable supporting this. I'm assuming Mike
you're comfortable with this. You haven't spoken but this is not a new issue. It has been discussed. The cost.
The...been discussed. I was aware of that. I have some comments on the design. It's I think too late. I think~
it's been said and done and approved and I think we have to move on it. But there's a crux problem here that
really, really troubles me deeply and I think we, as you suggested, simply have to get together on that item. So
I'm going to move approval of 3(d).
Acting Mayor Mason: I'll second it. It's been moved and seconded. Any more discussion?
Councilwoman Dockendorf: Just a comment that I don't like how we got here but I do like the design. That's
why I'll approve it.
Councilman Wing moved, Acting Mayor Mason seconded to approve the Pedestrian Bridge across
Highway 5 as presented. All voted in favor, except Councilman Senn who opposed, and the motion
carried with a vote of 3 to 1.
Acting Mayor Mason: Do you want to say why Mark, or I think we have a pretty good idea why. Okay 3(1) is
your's also.
L. CITY CODE AMENDMENT TO REZONE 42 ACRES FROM A-2, AGRICULTURAL ESTATE TO
OI, OFFICE AND INSTITUTIONAL, CHANHASSEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SITE, TH 5 AND
GALPIN BOULEVARD, FINAL READING.
Councilman Senn: On 3(I). This is the rezoning now that we talked about at the last meeting but weren't
considering at the last meeting, or what?
Don Ashworth: 1-24, City Council approved first reading of the rezoning of the school site. Exhibit A will be
attached prior to publication. Second and final reading is recommended.
Acting Mayor Mason: We approved that. What we didn't approve was the site plan review, which we then did
approve at the work session.
Councilman Senn: Okay. Then this is the second and final reading then of the rezoning?
Acting Mayor Mason: That's correct.
Don Ashworth: Right. It requires two readings on a rezoning.
Councilman Senn: Okay. Alright. And then the site plan though.
Don Ashworth: You approved that.
Councilman Senn: We approved that now at the work session with some modifications.
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City Council Meeting - February 14, 1994
Councilwoman Dockendorf: Yep.
Councilman Senn: Okay. So the same modifications then become part of what this...whatever?
Don Ashworth: Well, underlying zoning. That will be the governing document in their development, in the
development of that site. This simple sets the proper zoning.
Councilman Senn: Okay, so the other one will be protector or guard against the other issues then?
Don Ashworth: Correct. Right.
Councilman Senn: Okay.
Acting Mayor Mason: Are you going to move 3(1) or not Mark?
Councilman Senn: Sure.
Councilman Wing: Second.
Councilman Senn moved, Councilman Wing seconded to approve the second and f'mai reading of City
Code Amendment to Rezone 42 acres from A-2, Agricultural Estate to O1, Office and Institutional,
Chanhassen Elementary School Site, TH 5 and Gaipin Boulevard. All voted in favor and the motion
carried unanimously.
M. REALLOCATE 1994 CONTINGENCY FUND TO FUND REDUCED REVENUES.
Councilman Senn: Don, if I'm understanding this right now. What I want to make sure of okay was the
$33,000.00 is now going to go to reduce the shortfall?
Don Ashworth: Correct.
Councilman Senn: Okay. So we have no other options in terms of contingency or reallocating that money as
we talked about before? This takes the entire contingency?
Don Ashworth: As this is worded, it's really taking the $33,000.00. There also is an additional $15,000.00 that
was allocated for additional neighborhood patrols and that remains intact but in the process of uying to come up
with solving this deficit problem, we anticipate lhat we're going to come back to City Council saying we're
really not going to be able to implement that $15,000.00, But you'll get a chance to see. The action this
evening only pertains to the 33.
Councilman Senn: Okay. Because when we set the 33 aside I thought we set like two or three different pots
aside. The 15. We talked about the 33 and then for some reason I was thinking there was another one but
maybe we already have it.
Don Ashworth: All of the combinations revolved around $48,000.00. $48,000.00 in tax cuts. $48,000.00 that
would be the $33,000.00 for parks plus $15,000.00 for neighborhood patrols. And there was some other option
that equaled $48,000.00.
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City Council Meeting - February 14, 1994
Councilman Senn: Okay. And so the 40's the difference here that you have to come up with?
Don Ashworth: That's correct.
Councilman Senn: Okay. Alright. So moved.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: Second.
Resolution g94-25: Councilman Senn moved, Councilwoman Dockendorf seconded to reallocate the 1994
contingency fund to fund reduced revenues. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously.
Councilman Senn moved, Councilman Wing seconded to adjourn the meeting. All voted in favor and the
motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 10:22 p.m.
Submitted by Don Ashworth
City Manager
Prepared by Nann Opheim
5O