01.27.2025 CC MinutesCHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
JANUARY 27, 2025
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, Councilmember McDonald,
Councilmember von Oven, and Councilmember Kimber.
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Councilmember Schubert.
STAFF PRESENT: Laurie Hokkanen, City Manager; and Andrea McDowell-Poehler, City
Attorney
PUBLIC PRESENT:
Erin Wong, 1674 Hemlock Way
Debbie Loyd, 7302 Laredo Drive
Jennifer Ray, Chanhassen
Lindsay Button, 1655 Hemlock Way
Dan Gilmore, 1705 Hemlock Way
Glen Schoenberg, 1665 Hemlock Way
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1. Invitation to February Festival
CONSENT AGENDA: Councilmember McDonald moved, Councilmember von Oven
seconded that the City Council approve the following consent agenda items 1 through 16
pursuant to the City Manager’s recommendations:
1. Approve City Council Special Meeting Minutes dated December 18, 2024
2. Approve City Council Work Session Minutes dated December 9, 2024
3. Approve City Council Meeting Minutes dated January 13, 2025
4. Approve City Council Work Session Minutes dated January 13, 2025
5. Receive Environmental Commission Minutes dated December 11, 2024
6. Receive Planning Commission Minutes dated January 7, 2025
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7. Receive Economic Development Commission Minutes dated October 15, 2024
8. Receive Economic Development Commission Minutes dated November 12, 2024
9. Receive Economic Development Commission Minutes dated December 11, 2024
10. Receive Commission on Aging Minutes dated December 12, 2024
11. Approve Claims Paid dated January 27, 2025
12. 2025 Fleet Purchases
13. Authorize Execution of two Operation and Maintenance Agreements for 7611 Kiowa Ave
and 7610 Iroquois Ave as part of the Volunteer Rain Garden Program associated with the
Pavement Rehabilitation Project No. 24-01
14. Resolution 2025-11: Approve a Contract for new Phone Service
15. Resolution 2025-12: Accept $969.00 Donation from MadisonAI
16. Resolution 2025-13: Call Public Improvement Hearing for the 2025 City Pavement
Rehabilitation Project No. 25-01
All voted in favor, and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 4 to 0.
VISITOR PRESENTATIONS.
1. Citizen Action Request Form: Erin Wong
Erin Wong, 1674 Hemlock Way, provided background information about the land proposed to
be developed into townhomes by Brendyl Anderson. She requested that a City Councilmember
come and see the proposed development so that they understand the concerns. She addressed her
concerns about home value, increased traffic, and mature trees being removed from the land. She
requested an additional barrier between the townhomes and the single-family homes.
Debbie Loyd, 7302 Laredo Drive, summarized her experience with public accuracy tests for
voting and explained her concerns. She said she called the number provided by Chanhassen to
express her concerns about the public accuracy tests and did not receive a response. She
described her extensive research about elections and included documentation for the City
Council. She said that the primary public accuracy tests did not follow the law, and the general
election accuracy test may have followed the law if there was party parity. She explained her
experience as a poll challenger in a Golden Valley precinct and requested legal information
about the public accuracy tests and the photography guidelines.
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Jennifer Ray, Chanhassen, thanked Mayor Ryan for engaging with citizens’ comments. She
discussed her concerns about the safety of mosquito insecticide. She expressed worries about the
impact of insecticide on wildlife.
Lindsay Button, 1655 Hemlock Way, voiced agreement with the concerns expressed by Erin
Wong. She discussed the increased traffic flow with the proposed 60-house traffic plan,
especially regarding street crossing for children. She suggested creating a lower-density housing
unit or providing a wider setback between the lower-density and medium-density residences.
Dan Gilmore, 1705 Hemlock Way, agreed with Ms. Button. He stated that the unit plan for the
60 townhouses did not fit appropriately on the lot. He suggested providing a buffer or
constructing fewer homes.
Glen Schoenberg, 1665 Hemlock Way, voiced concerns about the transition. He referred to the
2040 Comprehensive Plan, which stated that there should be nice transitions between
neighborhoods. He said that neighbors lost their backyards when a development was created with
drainage issues. He encouraged the City Council Members to come and look at the property.
Mayor Ryan acknowledged the feedback from the residents. She stated that the comments were
being heard by the City staff who work with the developer. The item would come to the Planning
Commission no later than February 18.
PUBLIC HEARINGS. None.
GENERAL BUSINESS. None.
COUNCIL PRESENTATIONS. None.
ADMINISTRATIVE PRESENTATIONS. None.
CORRESPONDENCE DISCUSSION.
1. 2024 Q4 Quarterly Communications Report
2. Follow Up to Citizen Action Request
CLOSED SESSION
1. Discuss Land Acquisition
Councilmember Kimber moved, Councilmember von Oven seconded that the Chanhassen
City Council move into closed session as permitted by Section 13D.03 to discuss the
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acquisition of PID 25.0960440. All voted in favor, and the motion carried unanimously with
a vote of 4 to 0.
Councilmember Kimber moved, Councilmember McDonald seconded to adjourn the
meeting. All voted in favor, and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 4 to 0. The
City Council meeting was adjourned at 7:44 p.m.
Submitted by Laurie Hokkanen
City Manager
Prepared by Jenny Potter
City Clerk