WS 2007 01 22
CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
JANUARY 22, 2007
Mayor Furlong called the work session to order at 5:40 p.m..
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mayor Furlong, Councilman Peterson, Councilman
Litsey, Councilwoman Ernst and Councilwoman Tjornhom
STAFF PRESENT:
Todd Gerhardt, Laurie Hokkanen, Kate Aanenson, Paul Oehme, Todd
Hoffman, Lori Haak, and Greg Sticha
UPDATE ON TH 101 CORRIDOR SCOPING STUDY, P2067F4.
Paul Oehme introduced Mike Kotila with SEH who reviewed the project limits, which have been
broken into sub-areas of the 101/212 intersection and the corridor north of that intersection. He
reviewed intersection alternatives, pointing out the pros and cons of each alternative.
Councilman Litsey asked about the priority of free flowing traffic on 101 and the impact of land
acquisition. Mayor Furlong asked how turn back talks with the State and County affect the
different options, and how alignments affect the comprehensive plan update. Mike Kotila then
reviewed the 101 corridor alignment alternatives as no build, Powers Boulevard alignment,
western alignment and eastern alignment. Showing the corridor scoping and environmental
matrix, the central and eastern alignments were preferred by a majority of comments received
from the public open house. SEH's recommendation is for the central alignment as the preferred
alignment. Mr. Kotila reviewed the final scoping study steps and future steps involving official
mapping, addressing environmental concerns, discussions with MnDot and the County, funding
and program improvements. Todd Gerhardt asked for clarification on the intersection of 101
th
with West 96 Street and phasing options. Councilman Litsey asked realistically when funding
would become available. Mayor Furlong asked to see the curves in the 101 corridor design be
reduced, noting that a 45 mph speed limit is more realistic than 40 or 55.
DISCUSSION OF AMENDMENT TO CITY CODE, CHAPTERS 1, 7, 13, 18, 19 & 20 AS
A RESULT OF ADOPTION OF THE SECOND GENERATION SURFACE WATER
MANAGEMENT PLAN.
Lori Haak clarified the definition of impervious surface, wetland buffer and setback
requirements. She showed a comparison chart of impervious surface requirements in other
communities, noting installation and maintenance are the biggest concern for most cities.
Councilwoman Ernst asked about absorption rates with different soil types. Councilman
Peterson stated he was still confused over what staff was recommending. Lori Haak stated the
changes were being requested to accommodate and encourage "new pervious technologies" but
that the city needs to be vigilant in installation and maintenance standards. Kate Aanenson
clarified that people will not get extra credit for the use of pervious technology. Councilman
Peterson stated that in looking at the comparison chart, he would prefer Chanhassen be in the
middle of the road with their standards and look at the possibility of giving credit for the use of
pervious surfaces. Kate Aanenson asked that the City Council consider adopting the sections
City Council Work Session - January 22, 2007
that don't deal with impervious surface and setbacks and that staff will bring those items back for
further discussion.
Mayor Furlong recessed the work session at 7:05 p.m.. The work session was reconvened
at 9:10 p.m..
REVIEW CITY CENTER PARK IMPROVEMENTS/VETERAN'S MONUMENT AND
PERFORMANCE STAGE.
Todd Hoffman delivered the bad news that monuments for veterans cannot be built by public
entities, but will have to be done by a private organization such as the American Legion or
private agency. Todd Gerhardt clarified that the monument can be built on public property, but
the City cannot use public funds without approval of a referendum. Councilwoman Tjornhom
asked what input the City Council will have on the design. Councilman Peterson asked for
clarification on the seating capacity for the performance stage. Mayor Furlong asked for
clarification on the specifics of the stage design and location and asked for feedback from the
council on the performance stage. Councilwoman Tjornhom expressed concern with parking.
Councilwoman Ernst felt it was a great project but had concern with the number of people that
would be served. Councilman Litsey felt it was a good central location with good public
visibility. Councilman Peterson noted that anything the City can do to gather people together is
good. Mayor Furlong expressed concern that it not look like an after thought, but encouraged
staff to continue working to keep the project moving forward.
KEY FINANCIAL STRATEGIES: ANNUAL GOALS AND LEGISLATIVE
PRIORITIES.
Todd Gerhardt asked for council feedback on the priority ranking for the goals. Councilman
Litsey asked why all the principles can't be completed. Councilman Peterson noted that some of
the items need clarification before they can be completed. He also asked for clarification on the
ranking that was done by some of the other council members. Mayor Furlong stated that the
items ranked 1.8 or higher will be given the highest priority, and asked for council discussion on
the items ranking 2 or lower. Councilwoman Ernst noted confusion on the wording of some of
the principles and explained her rationale behind her rankings. Councilwoman Tjornhom stated
she wanted to concentrate on infrastructure items and gave those her highest priority. She also
expressed the desire to have staff look at implementing some sort of call log. Councilman Litsey
noted his highest priority was establishing a public safety task force, and explained his view of
the difference between a task force and commission. He also volunteered to get information
regarding the code of ethics, ward system and in providing background checks if appropriate.
Councilman Peterson noted he was willing to spend more time on public safety items if needed,
but would prefer to get the information from the public directly rather than having it filtered
through another entity. Mayor Furlong agreed that he would prefer to see public safety
discussions stay at the council level. He also noted that the public works expansion, and facility
needs and park land acquisition, especially the addition of athletic fields, were his top priorities.
Councilwoman Ernst stated she felt the inflow/infiltration project should be the top priority of
the city, explaining how she associated the principles with their dollar value. Councilman
Peterson asked for feedback from staff on how many of the items they feel can be worked on and
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City Council Work Session - January 22, 2007
finished this year. Todd Gerhardt explained how the city staff needs to provide more public
information about accomplishments of the city, and that the Park and Recreation Commission
should look into additional revenue sources and support options. He reviewed the legislative
priority list and updated the council on the Fox appeal process.
Mayor Furlong adjourned the work session at 10:10 p.m..
Submitted by Todd Gerhardt
City Manager
Prepared by Nann Opheim
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