07-14-2025 CC WS1
CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
MINUTES
July 14, 2025
Mayor Ryan called the work session to order at 5:00 p.m.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Ryan, Councilmember Kimber, Councilmember
Schubert, Councilmember McDonald
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Councilmember von Oven
STAFF PRESENT: Laurie Hokkanen, City Manager; Matt Unmacht, Assistant City Manager;
Charlie Howley, Public Works Director/City Engineer; Patrick Gavin, Communications Manager;
Jerry Ruegemer, Parks Director; Jodi Sarles, Recreation Center Manager; Priya Wall, Recreation
Manager; Jenny Potter, City Clerk; Kelly Grinnell, Finance Director
PUBLIC PRESENT: Trace Jacques, Michael Healy, and Paul Mitchell from BKV; Brad
Barickman and Isaac Lindberg from RJM Construction
Chanhassen Bluffs Community Center Workshop #3
Trace Jacques, Michael Healy, and Paul Mitchell, representatives from BKV, and Brad Barickman
and Isaac Lindberg from RJM Construction presented updates on the site layout, proposed floor
plans, and preliminary cost estimates as the project moves closer to the design phase.
The cost estimates, presented by design partner BKV, came in higher than the $80 million budget
approved by voters in November 2024. BKV shared that aligning the project with the available
budget would likely involve reducing square footage and adjusting or removing certain amenities
and features, including the restaurant and one of the proposed hockey rinks.
City Council members had reservations about the gap between early cost estimates and the current
projections and emphasized their interest in staying true to the original vision and budget supported
by voters. The City Council asked BKV to explore a version of the project that maintains both the
approved $80 million budget and the original core programming elements.
West 78th Street (East) Clocktower Discussion
Jerry Ruegemer, Parks Director, provided a historical overview and outlined several options for
the historical clock tower that was constructed in 1988, located near Colonial Square. The clock
tower has become increasingly costly to maintain, with all four of its clocks currently
nonfunctional due to outdated mechanical components. The City Council reviewed a range of
possibilities, including full removal of the tower, artistic reuse of the clock faces, partial or full
mechanical restoration, or leaving the structure intact while removing or covering nonfunctional
components. Cost estimates for various repair or replacement approaches ranged from $12,000 to
$68,000.
City Council Work Session Minutes – July 14, 2025
2
City Council members expressed a general preference to retain the clock tower structure in some
form. They acknowledged its visual and historical role in the community but agreed that the
clocks themselves may no longer be essential, particularly with a new functional tower nearing
completion at City Hall. The City Council directed Mr. Ruegemer to return at a future meeting
with refined options for keeping the tower in place while potentially removing or replacing the
clock components. Staff may also seek public feedback opportunities, such as a community
survey, before final recommendations are made.
Highway 41 Trail Underpass Discussion
Charlie Howley, Public Works Director / City Engineer, presented updated concept designs and
refined cost estimates for a potential Highway 41 Trail Underpass. The underpass is a proposed
component of the larger, fully funded Highway 5 Improvement Project but is considered a
standalone element requiring a separate city funding commitment. The goal of the underpass is to
create a safer, grade-separated pedestrian and bicycle connection across Highway 41 in an area
that currently lacks crossing infrastructure. The city’s share of the cost for the underpass ranges
from $800,000 to $1.1 million, down from a previously estimated $1.25 million. The underpass
would consist of a 14' x 10' concrete box culvert designed to accommodate future road expansion
and trail connectivity. Project grants have already offset the city’s original share of the Highway
5 trail underpass, meaning this would be Chanhassen’s only financial contribution tied to the larger
Highway 5 project.
The City Council expressed strong support for the trail underpass and directed staff to proceed
with preparing a Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) with Carver County that includes the structure.
The JPA is expected to return to the City Council for formal approval in September 2025.
Mayor Ryan adjourned the work session at 6:57 P.M.
Submitted by Laurie Hokkanen
City Manager
Prepared by Jenny Potter
City Clerk