02.09.2026 CC Minutes1
CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
FEBRUARY 9, 2026
Mayor Ryan called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. The meeting was opened with the Pledge of
Allegiance.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Ryan, Councilmember McDonald,
Councilmember Schubert, Councilmember von Oven, and Councilmember Kimber.
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: None.
STAFF PRESENT: Laurie Hokkanen, City Manager; Charlie Howley, Public Works
Director/City Engineer; Matt Unmacht, Assistant City Manager; Jerry Ruegemer, Parks Director;
Patrick Gavin, Communications Manager; Eric Maass, Community Development Director;
Jamie Marsh, Environmental Resources Specialist; and Jenny Potter, City Clerk.
PUBLIC PRESENT:
Lee O’Brien
Chanhassen resident
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS: None.
CONSENT AGENDA: Councilmember McDonald moved, Councilmember von Oven
seconded that the City Council approve the following consent agenda items 1 through 13
pursuant to the City Manager’s recommendations:
1. Approve City Council Minutes dated January 26, 2026
2. Approve City Council Work Session Minutes dated January 26, 2026
3. Receive Park and Recreation Commission Minutes dated November 25, 2025
4. Receive Park and Recreation Commission Minutes dated December 9, 2025
5. Receive Commission on Aging Minutes dated November 21, 2025
6. Receive Commission on Aging Minutes dated December 12, 2025
7. Approve Claims Paid dated February 9, 2026
8. Award Bid and Contract for Trail and Parking Lot Construction at Lake Ann Park Preserve
City Council Minutes – February 9, 2026
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9. 2026 Fleet Purchase - #487 Polar Track
10. Replacement of Fuel Dispensers at Public Works Facility
11. Approval for ESRI Software Agreement with Carver County
12. Resolution 2026-13; Cooperative Agreement for Highway 41 & West 78th Street Pedestrian
Underpass
13. Ordinance 757: Rezoning from Rural Residential to Single-Family Residential for the
property located at 7750 Crimson Bay Road (Planning Case #2025-19)
All voted in favor, and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0.
VISITOR PRESENTATIONS.
Leland O’Brien discussed the trauma caused by ICE, especially faced by children and those of
other races. He stated that other mayors were taking actions in response to ICE and asked why
Chanhassen was not responding similarly. He requested that the City Council contact elected
officials. He asked how the community and the city would support individuals who were
struggling because of ICE actions.
A resident asked how Chanhassen was responding to the actions of ICE in Minnesota.
PUBLIC HEARINGS. None.
GENERAL BUSINESS.
1. Adopt Ordinance 758: Heritage Tree Ordinance
Eric Maass, Community Development Director, reviewed the timeline and community
engagement for the Heritage Tree Ordinance. He discussed the Planning Commission questions.
Jamie Marsh, Environmental Resources Specialist, discussed the Environmental Commission's
questions regarding the impact on future applicants and developers and how a healthy tree was
defined. She reviewed the ordinance revisions since the initial work session with City Council,
including the definition of a significant tree, the definition of a heritage tree, and the
establishment of a definition for a critical root zone. She discussed the modified tree survey
requirements and the special exceptions to Heritage Tree definitions. She summarized an
example ordinance implementation for Fox Ridge Development.
Councilmember von Oven asked about the cost of nineteen trees compared to the $11,000. Ms.
Marsh responded that it depended on the species of trees and whether the developer was getting a
discounted rate. She said it was anywhere between $250 to $700.
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Councilmember von Oven asked if there was an incentive to plant the trees. Ms. Marsh
responded that the trees would have to be planted in addition to the trees required to be replaced
for the canopy calculations. She thought that was enough incentive for the developers to plant
trees.
Mayor Ryan asked about the expectations for a third-party evaluation. Ms. Marsh answered that
the tree inventory had to be completed by a third-party, but they did not have an existing process
to check the qualifications.
Mayor Ryan asked how it impacted smaller redevelopment. Mr. Maass responded that a minor
subdivision would already be doing a tree survey. He stated that the landowner would have
additional costs since more trees would be surveyed. He said that the ordinance was crafted so it
would scale.
Mayor Ryan questioned the result of the conversation with the nursery. Mr. Maass answered that
the tree farms would not be subject to either definition. He said that the staff did not include the
carve-outs, as the policy would apply to the city as a whole. He would rather work on a project-
specific scale with the special cases.
Councilmember Schubert moved, Councilmember Kimber seconded that the Chanhassen
City Council adopt the Heritage Tree Ordinance and approve the summary ordinance for
publication. All voted in favor, and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0.
COUNCIL PRESENTATIONS. None.
ADMINISTRATIVE PRESENTATIONS. None.
CORRESPONDENCE DISCUSSION. None.
Councilmember Kimber moved, Councilmember Schubert seconded, to adjourn the
meeting. All voted in favor, and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0. The
City Council meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Submitted by Laurie Hokkanen
City Manager
Prepared by Jenny Potter
City Clerk