08-22-2022 City Council Regular Meeting MinutesCHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
AUGUST 22, 2022
Mayor Ryan called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The meeting was opened with the Pledge
of Allegiance.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Ryan, Councilwoman Rehm, Councilman
McDonald.
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Councilman Campion, Councilwoman Schubert.
STAFF PRESENT: Laurie Hokkanen, City Manager; Matt Unmacht, Assistant City Manager;
Charlie Howley, City Engineer/Public Works Director; Kate Aanenson, Community
Development Director; Jerry Ruegemer, Park & Recreation Director; Jodi Sarles, Rec Center
Manager; Don Johnson, Fire Chief; Lt. Lance Pearce, CCSO; Sgt. Amanda Grundeman, CCSO;
and Kim Meuwissen, City Clerk.
PUBLIC PRESENT:
Andrew Soudbash 1740 Ringneck Drive
Steve Soudbash 1740 Ringneck Drive
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS: None.
CONSENT AGENDA: Councilman McDonald moved, Councilwoman Rehm seconded
that the City Council approve the following consent agenda items pursuant to the City
Manager’s recommendations:
1. Approve City Council Minutes dated July 11, 2022
2. Receive Planning Commission Meeting Minutes dated July 19, 2022
3. Receive Economic Development Commission Minutes dated July 12, 2022
4. Approve Claims Paid dated August 22, 2022
5. Adopt Updated Non-DOT Drug Testing and Drug Free Workplace Policy for City
Employees to Incorporate the New THC Law
6. Approve Temporary Modification of the Licensed Premises to serve Beer in the Chanhassen
Brewing Company Parking Lot Area
7. Terminate Contract between the City of Chanhassen and Hufcor, Inc. for the Chanhassen
Recreation Center Community Room Wall Project
8. Approve Revised Joint Powers Agreement between the City of Chanhassen and Independent
School District 112 for the Chanhassen Recreation Center and Bluff Creek Elementary
School
9. Approve Contract for Annual Sanitary and Storm Sewer Televising
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10. Approve Agreement with Metropolitan Council Environmental Services for a Sewer Flow
Meter
11. Resolution 2022-65: Approve Construction Materials Testing Agreement for Construction
of the 2022 City Pavement Rehabilitation and 2022 Lake Lucy Road Rehabilitation Projects
12. Resolution 2022-66: Remove No Parking on Picha Drive
13. Resolution 2022-67: Authorize Design and Construction Administration Services Contract
for 2022 Stormwater Pond Improvement Project
All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 3 to 0.
VISITOR PRESENTATIONS. None.
LAW ENFORCEMENT/FIRE DEPARTMENT UPDATE
1. Fire Department Update
Fire Chief Don Johnson gave an update noting they had 106 calls in June and 101 calls in July
for service. Significant calls included a cooking fire, two mutual-aid house fires and they
responded to the Hopkins house explosion, a house fire in Chaska, a grass fire, garbage can fire,
and two car fires. They also responded to a garage fire on Hidden Lane which was spontaneous
combustion of rags from people who were staining. Through July they have had a total of 629
calls which is about 8.8% above the previous year at this time. No starts (medicals which do not
reach the level to start the Fire Department) are at 137 and the previous year they were at 132.
Duty Crew calls currently total 392 which puts the department on track for about 672 distinct
Duty Crew calls but adding the day-only and the Chief calls from earlier in the year they will be
close to 800 staffed calls. Over those two months the department had 143 EMS responses with
70 of those being patient assessments and interventions; Chief Johnson noted they are arriving a
bit ahead of Ridgeview about 50% of the time. He spoke about the 4th of July, Minnetonka’s
annual Mud Run, the annual Relief meeting, and shared the department provided coverage for
Victoria so they could attend training.
Mayor Ryan shared her appreciation for some challenging calls and responses including the
Hopkins explosion and the pedestrian death at Highway 5 and Market Boulevard. She heard a
comment from a passersby about the quick action and response and the way it was handled and
managed. She is appreciative and knows that weighs heavy upon the team and thanked them for
what they do day in and day out.
2. Law Enforcement Update
Police Lieutenant Lance Pearce noted Sergeant Grundeman will give the presentation for June
and July.
Sergeant Grundeman noted they had 890 calls for service in June and 899 calls for service in
July and a large majority of calls were non-criminal and traffic-related. There was an uptick in
theft or fraud between June and July and also now into August. In June the department had 273
traffic stops with 83 citations and in July there were 329 traffic stops and 84 citations. She noted
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they are dealing with an increase in catalytic converter thefts in Chanhassen and Carver County
which is happening metro-wide. There are many investigative things being done regarding these
thefts including creating maps of where the thefts are occurring, times, dates, and patterns which
has provided some suspects. They are actively working with their investigative unit. Sergeant
Grundeman noted they had one fatal accident in June and July which is statistically significant
being they have not had a fatal accident since 2015. To curb this the department is utilizing the
Towards Zero Deaths (TZD) grant for extra enforcement and the Sherriff’s office also received
two new traffic squads being utilized and marked with “ghost graphics” which are not as easy to
see. There has been a significant amount of traffic enforcement and presence within the
community. There will also be additional traffic enforcement within the County from today
through September 19, 2022. She shared about staffing updates noting they are officially fully
staffed in Chanhassen and spoke about rifle qualification training, several events and community
engagements including the 4th of July, Chaska area Fishing with Friends, and the Night to Unite.
Councilman McDonald asked if criminals are targeting a certain type of cars with catalytic
converter thefts and if there is something residents can do to protect themselves.
Sergeant Grundeman replied vehicles that are higher off the ground are being targeted as they are
easier to get under; they are seeing this on SUVs, buses, and box trucks. She spoke about
deterrence noting people should park in well-lit areas, park indoors if possible, and there are
things one can put on their vehicle to make it harder for theft.
Councilman McDonald stated he has ridden two years in a row with Sergeant Grundeman for
Night to Unite and it has always been a pleasure and in this community the police are well-
respected and kids look forward to them pulling up at the Night to Unite events.
Mayor Ryan asked what other communities are doing with regards to enforcement or policy-
perspective.
Ms. Hokkanen noted there are some communities that have passed an ordinance that it is illegal
to possess a catalytic converter unless one can prove ownership. Communities have also hosted
events to do some etching on the catalytic converters which deters because they are harder for
resale. The City could look at either of those or anything else the department is aware of.
Sergeant Grundeman noted things are being looked at, even at a legislative level, because it is
nationwide and she thinks eventually things will come down the line with regards to this kind of
theft.
Mayor Ryan reiterated her comments to the Fire Chief and noted there has been a death as well
as other scenarios in Chanhassen and she appreciates the professionalism that the team possesses
and how they approach every situation.
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PUBLIC HEARING:
1. Approve On-Sale Beer & Wine Liquor License for Manaslu Group, LLC doing
business as Thaliwala located at 7850 Market Boulevard
Matt Unmacht, Assistant City Manager, gave a presentation noting this is in regard to a new
restaurant that will occupy approximately 2,796 square feet which will serve Indian food in a
fast, casual concept. It will seat 55 inside and 12 on the outdoor patio and anticipates opening on
September 19, 2022. Law enforcement conducted a background investigation on the two
partners and Lieutenant Pearce reviewed those and noted there was nothing questionable related
to State Statute. A public hearing notice was published in The Chanhassen Villager on August
11, 2022 and was mailed to all property owners within 500 feet of the site. Staff has not received
any comments from the public.
Mayor Ryan opened the public hearing. There were no public comments.
Mayor Ryan closed the public hearing.
Councilman McDonald moved, Councilwoman Rehm seconded that the City Council
approve the application for an on-sale beer and wine liquor license from Manaslu Group,
LLC doing business as Thaliwala, located at 7850 Market Boulevard. All voted in favor
and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 3 to 0.
GENERAL BUSINESS. None.
COUNCIL PRESENTATIONS. None.
ADMINISTRATIVE PRESENTATIONS. None.
CORRESPONDENCE DISCUSSION.
1. Letters from League of Minnesota Cities regarding Senator Julia Coleman
Councilman McDonald moved, Councilwoman Rehm seconded to adjourn the meeting. All
voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 3 to 0. The City Council
meeting was adjourned at 7:27 p.m.
Submitted by Laurie Hokkanen
City Manager
Prepared by Kim Meuwissen
City Clerk