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04-10-2023 City Council Work Session MinutesCHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES APRIL 10, 2023 Mayor Ryan called the work session to order at 5:30 p.m. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Ryan, Councilman McDonald, Councilwoman Schubert, Councilman von Oven, and Councilman Kimber. COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: None. STAFF PRESENT: Laurie Hokkanen, City Manager; Matt Unmacht, Assistant City Manager; Charlie Howley, Public Works Director/City Engineer; Lance Pearce, CCSO; Don Johnson, Fire Chief; Jerry Ruegemer, Park & Recreation Director; Andrea McDowell Poehler, City Attorney; and Kim Meuwissen, City Clerk. PUBLIC PRESENT: Mark Nordland, Level 7 Development COMMISSION ON AGING INTERVIEWS The City Council interviewed Commission on Aging applicants Gwendolyn Block and Laura Baumtrog. CHANHASSEN BLUFFS SPORTS COMPLEX UPDATE Mark Nordland of Level 7 Development presented an update on the Chanhassen Bluffs Sports Complex. He presented a site layout showing the location of the senior housing, medical facility, sports complex, hotel/restaurant, and car wash. Renderings of the sports complex exterior and interior were also presented including a concept view of one of the ice sheets, a building layout including a hall of fame lobby, a community room overlooking one of the rinks, and a restaurant with an outdoor seating patio. The lower level of the building includes locker rooms, two of which would be permanent varsity locker rooms for high school teams. The fitness area was shown including a reception area, along with the field house including a suspended walking track, and space for an indoor playground approximately 2,000 square feet in size. Councilman McDonald asked about facility space/use for sports other than hockey. City Manager Hokkanen responded that she has been in contact with high school and association lacrosse, soccer, baseball, and football to understand what their indoor space needs are. All responded that they would be able to use the space for their sport. Councilman McDonald would like confirmation of their support. Councilman von Oven asked if the needs of these activities would fit in the building. Ms. Hokkanen responded yes. Councilman Kimber asked if the entire space would be reserved for one activity or if multiple groups could share the facility at the same time. Ms. Hokkanen responded yes to both. Councilman Kimber asked about equipment demands and storage availability for quick changeover between sport types. Mr. Nordland responded they are working to accommodate as much storage space as possible. Councilman Kimber likes that the walking track was moved from over the hockey rinks due to temperature concerns. Councilman von Oven asked about the possibility of a combination indoor/outdoor walking track. He would like to see two or three uses other than just a hockey rink, i.e. City Council Work Session Minutes – April 10, 2023 2 walking track, playground, etc. Mayor Ryan indicated that the walking track is a priority and should be more than just a box around the facility. She approved of the fitness element for residents, the indoor playground, and the community meeting room. Mr. Nordland discussed the schedule to open the facility in 2025. Councilman von Oven asked about a listening session for the sports facility after the legislature has made its decision. Councilman Kimber asked if the facility could end up generating revenue. Mr. Nordland responded that it is too early to determine but the building should be paid for and then become self-sustaining after opening. Councilman McDonald asked about running the facility privately. Ms. Hokkanen responded that successful models of this option have not been found but the facility can be self-sustaining without increasing taxes/budget increases and that staff is working on that aspect. DISCUSS WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT PLANS In response to the council’s request, Park and Recreation Director Jerry Ruegemer presented information gathered regarding establishing a wildlife management plan and how it relates to the city’s Strategic Priorities of Operational Excellence and Asset Management. The following five options were reviewed: • Develop a deer management plan with the intent of population control • Collect population numbers to determine if there’s a problem • Delay deer management plan based on historical winter snow precipitation • Adopt a “no feeding deer” education program • Do nothing Mr. Ruegemer also presented goals for implementing a wildlife management plan, including: • Preserve/protect the property of residents and the city • Reduce the number of motor vehicle/deer accidents • Communication o Information sharing o Public involvement • Healthy deer/habitat The following potential downsides of a wildlife management plan were also discussed: • Public safety – concerns about the location of the activity • Animal rights activism • Are population reduction methods humane? Population reduction is not a hunt. • Desire for non-hunting alternatives? • Feeding ban or education program – some residents enjoy feeding deer on their property Mr. Ruegemer then discussed this winter’s severity index, specifically between November 1 and March 29, and presented a graph of the Twin Cities snow and cold index provided by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR) going back to 1900. The current year index point was 126, which is within the moderate range compared to 2011, 2014, and 2019, which landed in the severe range. The seven-year average index is 93. The winter of 1983-1984 was the most recent winter where the index fell into the very severe range. As far as snow totals, this winter was the third highest in history at 89.7 inches as of April 3, which has made it difficult for local deer to navigate. City Council Work Session Minutes – April 10, 2023 3 Carver County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Lance Pearce provided deer and vehicle collision totals over the past 15 years, with the highest 61 occurring in 2009 and an overall average of 45. There were a total of 37 collisions reported in 2022. During the first quarter of 2023, there were a total of 9 collisions reported, averaging 3 per month. Mr. Ruegemer contacted the City of Eden Prairie regarding their deer management program, which they have had in place for a number of years in a desire to mitigate deer/vehicle collisions. An aerial deer survey of the City of Eden Prairie was presented showing the location and number of deer (321) within the city, with a majority of the deer population located in parks/preserve areas and the Minnesota River bank along Highway 169. Lt. Pearce explained the deer management process. The USDA has a wildlife management arm that has a process to remove the deer. Before moving forward with a deer management plan, however, the city needs to determine if there is a problem. Based on the habitat in the city, the DNR will provide population goals based on topography. Most of the deer management plans in the metro area are based on 20-25 deer per square mile. If the city is over that number and decides to move ahead with a deer management plan, the plan must be approved by the DNR, the DNR will issue the permits, and the city will contract with the USDA to reduce the deer population. Mr. Ruegemer provided the following overview of the USDA process: • Determine population locations within the city o DNR threshold is 20-25 deer per square mile • Obtain a population reduction permit from the DNR • Create gathering bait stations • Reduce populations: o Elimination occurs at night by trained sharpshooters using night vision and thermal imaging between January 1 and March 31 • Determine where harvested deer can be donated • USDA is currently planning for the 2024/2025 season Mr. Ruegemer reviewed the costs of implementing a deer management program including aerial counts using a helicopter ($400 per hour), and five hours of initial population collection (three hours annually in succeeding years. The total cost to implement deer population control is estimated at $20,000 to $30,000 annually. Mayor Ryan asked about a cooperative effort with other cities and the Three Rivers Park District. Mr. Ruegemer replied that currently does not exist but is a goal to be initiated by the Three Rivers Park District. Councilman McDonald asked how much Eden Prairie spends annually. Mr. Ruegemer responded that they currently spend $40,000 per year. Mr. Ruegemer reviewed the following action steps: • Adopt wildlife management plan – prior to DNR permit • Host public hearings/community engagement • Change/approve city code/ordinances • Adopt goals/measures of plan • Determine wildlife population numbers (aerial - January 1 - March 31) City Council Work Session Minutes – April 10, 2023 4 • Obtain permits – MN DNR, USDA Wildlife Division • Develop a communication plan o Notify residents of population reduction • Population reduction (winter months) Additionally, Mr. Ruegemer provided the following options: • Develop a deer management plan with the intent of population control • Collect population numbers to determine if there’s a problem • Delay deer management plan based on historical winter snow precipitation • Adopt a “no feeding deer” education program • Do nothing Councilman Kimber asked if the council decided to move forward on a deer management plan today, would it still be two years before the actual reduction? Mr. Rueguemer confirmed yes. Councilwoman Schubert asked if a plan needed to be developed prior to collecting population numbers. Mr. Ruegemer replied no, the plan would be developed after the numbers are collected. Councilwoman Schubert stated she would be for moving ahead with spending the money to collect population numbers to determine whether or not this will be an ongoing issue, however, she would be reluctant to move forward if it was only an occasional issue. Councilman Kimber asked if a wildlife management plan would encompass all wildlife issues or if would it be animal specific. Lt. Pearce responded that he has seen both; however, most are specific to one animal. Mayor Ryan recessed the Work Session at 6:55 p.m. Mayor Ryan resumed the Work Session at 9:00 p.m. Mr. Ruegemer discussed Chanhassen’s animal control history which included participating in a goose management plan for several years. At this time, the most critical need is managing the deer population. Councilman von Oven suggested determining the benchmarks for all wildlife and creating one plan. Councilwoman Schubert asked about Three Rivers Park District attempting a regional management plan. Mr. Ruegemer responded that they are moving forward with a plan in the near future and that he has asked to be included. Councilman McDonald supported obtaining the deer population count before deciding to move ahead with a wildlife management plan. Councilman Kimber asked if the DNR had any other way to count the deer now in order to speed up the process. Ms. Hokkanen responded that it is unlikely since the DNR has tightened up its processes over the past several years. Councilman McDonald asked if we could take the current deer population information we have and notify the public for their initial response to a wildlife management plan in order to give the council an idea if residents are on board. Council asked staff to create an action plan to determine if the city should be managing wildlife and if, how, and when the city should move forward with a process and/or a plan. Ms. Hokkanen added that the city did talk to the DNR regarding goose management in 2022 in response to a request from the Lotus Lake Conservation Alliance (LLCA). The DNR responded that they use different indicators for different animal types, i.e. deer is population count, geese are e. coli levels at beaches, and other public safety indicators. Based on the information at the time, the city did not qualify for a goose management plan with the DNR; however, advice was given to the LLCA regarding egg management and nest control, which do not require a plan or approval from the city. Additionally, Ms. Hokkanen stated that a no- City Council Work Session Minutes – April 10, 2023 5 feeding deer ordinance is a requirement of a deer management plan, and there would be practical difficulties with the enforcement of this ordinance. DISCUSS CITY CODE CONCERNING SOLICITORS, PEDDLERS, AND TRANSIENT MERCHANTS Ms. Hokkanen provided an overview of the current solicitor licensing process and explained the law and changes that need to be made to the permitting process in order to be in compliance with the law. She noted that those groups that were previously exempt have not changed, i.e. religious and charitable organizations, political canvassers, students under the age of 18, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, etc. Peddlers are defined as those who go door to door selling merchandise they have in their possession and deliver immediately. The law would allow the city to charge a fee and perform a background check on peddlers. That being said, the city has a couple of options. • Option 1: Require solicitors and peddlers to register with the city providing basic information such as name, address, and vehicle type, and issue a photo ID. No fee can be charged. • Option 2: Do not require solicitors and peddlers to register, educate residents on how the law has changed, and offer free “No Solicitors” window clings. Ms. Hokkanen added the reason for proposing both options is that when we provide an ID badge with the city’s logo, there is concern that we are sending a message that residents can have more confidence in door-to-door solicitors in that the city has vetted them. By removing the background check requirement, will the registration-only requirement provide enough value to residents? City Attorney McDowell Poehler suggested a third option would be to require registration but not issue an ID badge. Following council discussion, staff was directed to prepare an ordinance removing all registration requirements and be placed on the April 24, 2023 City Council agenda for review and approval. Upon approval of the ordinance, staff is also directed to update the website pertaining to soliciting and provide a script for staff to share with residents if asked about solicitor permits. FUTURE WORK SESSION SCHEDULE April 24, 2023 Discuss Radio Encryption, Public Safety Operational Impacts, and Costs Law Enforcement 2023 Annual Report Discuss City Council Protocols May 8, 2023 Strategic Plan Check-in Staffing Study/Organizational Assessment Presentation from Raftelis June 12, 2023 Presentation of Audit Results, Redpath The work session adjourned at 9:42 p.m. Submitted by Laurie Hokkanen City Manager Prepared by Kim Meuwissen City Clerk