10-13-2025 CC WS1
CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
MINUTES
October 13, 2025
Mayor Ryan called the work session to order at 5:30 p.m.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Ryan, Councilmember McDonald,
Councilmember von Oven, Councilmember Kimber, Councilmember Schubert
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT:
STAFF PRESENT: Laurie Hokkanen, City Manager; Matt Unmacht, Assistant City Manager;
Charlie Howley, Public Works Director/City Engineer; Eric Maas, Planning Director; Patrick
Gavin, Communications Manager; Jenny Potter, City Clerk; Joe Seidl, Water Resources
Engineer; Andrew Hegar, Fire Chief; Kelly Grinnell, Finance Director
PUBLIC PRESENT:
Lake Minnewashta Slow-No Wake Elevation
Charlie Howley, Public Works Director/City Engineer, and Joe Seidl, Water Resource Engineer,
gave a presentation regarding raising the slow-no wake elevation. Mr. Seidl reported that
although staff did not support raising it to the 100-year flood elevation, noting it could expose
the shoreline to damage during extreme high-water conditions, there are several options for
modification of the current code. Mr. Howley noted that a flood elevation represents a major
event involving infrastructure risk and is not typically considered just high water.
The City Council members agreed the current 945.0 elevation appears to be too low to provide
reasonable use of the lake but were also not interested in going up to the 100-year flood
elevation. The Council supported exploring an adjustment to 945.3 feet, which staff will review
further and bring back for additional discussion if this elevation proves to be unwarranted. The
City Council also unanimously showed comfort with reducing the waiting period from three days
to one, which would apply to all lakes in the city with Slow-No Wake restrictions.
Fire Department Staffing Discussion
Andrew Hegar, Fire Chief, provided updated data showing that emergency call volumes have
nearly quadrupled over the past decade, climbing from 621 calls in 2014 to more than 2,400
expected by 2029. While demand has grown, staffing has not kept pace—placing strain on both
full-time and paid-on-call firefighters and creating challenges with overtime, shift coverage and
timely response to multiple incidents.
City Council Work Session Minutes – October 13, 2025
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To address these concerns, the department is evaluating options for both short- and long-term
solutions. Near-term goals (2027 and beyond) include adding three full-time positions to ensure a
minimum four-person crew on duty, pursuing a federal SAFER grant to help fund staffing and
working with law enforcement to share certain medical lift assists. Mid-term priorities include
enhancing data analytics, developing a standards-of-cover plan and completing a facility plan to
address space and safety needs. The department’s existing fire station is at capacity and cannot
accommodate additional staff as is.
Mayor Ryan recessed the work session at 6:48 P.M.
Mayor Ryan reconvened the work session at 9:58 P.M.
Fire Department Staffing Discussion - continued
Chief Heger emphasized that current staffing levels will not meet future service demands and
that additional planning will be needed to maintain Chanhassen’s high standard of emergency
response as the city continues to grow and its population ages. The Council provided feedback
and will revisit the topic later this year or early 2026 when results from the Fire Department
facility assessment are available.
Mayor Ryan adjourned the work session at 10:49 P.M.
Submitted by Laurie Hokkanen
City Manager
Prepared by Jenny Potter
City Clerk