WS 2003 03 10CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
MARCH 10, 2003
Mayor Furlong called the work session to oFder at S:30 p~n.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRKSENT; Mayor Furlong, Councilman ~ Councilman
Ayotte, and Councilman Lundquist
¢O 'N¢IL M MBFa
~TAFF PRF~ENT: Todd Gerhardt, Todd Hoffman, Teresa Burgess, Matt Saam, and Kate
Aanenson
DISCUSSION OF HIGHWAY 41 RIyER CRO~G, HIGHWAY 312, AND QTm~R
MNDQT PROJECTS. LISA FREF~SE. MNDOT.
Lisa Free~ and Brian Issacson from MnDot were present to update the City Council on MnDot
projects happening in and around the City of Chanhasse~ Brian Issacson gave a power point
presentation on the Highway 41 River Crossing project. Lisa Freese provided some history
pertaining to this project. Kate Aanenson stated that environmental concerns related to the
seminary fen were causing Chaska to re-evaluate the whole process. The Council then discussed
Highway 312 conslxuction and asked about funding and design work. Lisa ~ stated that if
funding became available, the earliest timeline would be fiscal year 2005. MnDot would need 16
to 19 months to do final design work.
SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT WQRK PLAN FOR 2003.
Sheriff Bud Olson provided the history of the shea'iff's work plan and Sea~.ant Jim Olson
presen~ the highlights and changes of the 2003 work plan Councilman Peterson asked how the
City could gauge if the amount of police coverage is od_equate. Councilman Lundquist asked
about water patrol services on city lakes. Sergeant Olson reported on some recent gang activity
in southern Chanhassen and how the sheriff del~U~n~t is handling the situation. Councilman
Peterson stated he would prefer to have interpretation of data at the monthly updates as opposed
to just a presentation of data.
Mayor Furlong stated that overall he appreciated the thoroughness of the 2003 work plan, but be
didn't see any information pertaining to emergency preparedness for nattmd disasters and
homeland defense. Sheriff Olson stated that was a separate county deparm~t and he would
arrange to have Scott ~ make a presentation to the City Council. Todd C_,ffaardt advised the
City Council that the City does have a emergency maaagen~nt plan in place that Greg Hayes
oversees.
The City Council recessed the work session meeting at 7.'00 p.m. It was reeonvened at 9'.30
p.m..
DIS~S~ION OF CO--ION INTERNS.
Councilman Ayotte stated he would like to see the role of the planning commi,~,sion becoming
more focused on educating the public. Councilman Peterson suggested that the Planning
City Council Work Session- March 10, 2003
Commission have a representative come to City Council meetings to repog on key issues the
Planning Commission is dealing with. Mayor Furlong expressed concern about competing
presentations between staff, applicants and the _commissions. Councilman Peterson suggested
thai the City Council provide a written summary of council actions on planning issues to the
Planning Commission. There was discussion over the term "Chanhassle" pet~ining to past
planning commission being too detailed and over zealous building inspectom and how to address
that issue. Mayor Furlong felt it was valuable for the Planning Commission to get into the details
of the projects. He felt the public probably feels more comfortable talking in a commission
setting as opposed to tbe City Council. Coun~ Lundquist stated he was looking for the
commissions to do the checks and balances on projeas.
Mayor Furlong adjourned the work sess/on meeting at 10:0~ p.m.
Submitted by Todd Gerhardt
City Manager
Prepared by Nann Opheim