03-09-2025 CC WSCity Council Work Session Minutes – March 9, 2026
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CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
MINUTES
March 9, 2026
Mayor Ryan called the work session to order at 5:28 p.m.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Ryan, Councilmember McDonald,
Councilmember von Oven, Councilmember Kimber, Councilmember Schubert
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: none
STAFF PRESENT: Laurie Hokkanen, City Manager; Matt Unmacht, Assistant City Manager;
Charlie Howley, Public Works Director/City Engineer; Alison Vance, Administrative Support
Specialist; Jenny Potter, City Clerk; Ryan Lannon, Street Maintenance Foreman; Adam Beers,
Parks Maintenance; Charlie Burke, Public Works Operations Manager; Jodi Sarles, Recreation
Center Manager
PUBLIC PRESENT:
Snow Plow Policy Review
Charlie Howley, Public Works Director/City Engineer; Ryan Lannon, Street Maintenance
Foreman; Adam Beers, Parks Maintenance, and Charlie Burke, Public Works Operations
Manager provided an overview of the city’s current policy and standard operating procedures
for winter maintenance, including how streets, trails and parking lots are prioritized
and maintained during snow events. The policy, originally adopted in 1996 and most re cently
updated in 2020, outlines how the city manages plowing operations, snow storage, and the use
of salt while balancing safety, environmental considerations, and available resources.
The City Council asked questions about how the prioritization of routes
is determined, jurisdiction between city and county roads, and winter parking
enforcement. Council discussed the potential for renaming the routes currently labeled
“Priority A, B, and C” to n ames that more clearly communicate how and when each route is
plowed. The Council commended the city’s overall snow and ice response efforts, as well as
its communication with residents.
Chanhassen Community Center
Laurie Hokkanen, City Manager, provided an informal update on the Community Center project.
The Council is currently scheduled to consider approval of Bid Package #1 on April 13 and Bid
Package #2 on June 22. Ms. Hokkanen reviewed updated renderings of the central marquee near
the building’s front entrance, as well as the lower access point at the rear of the facility. The City
Council also discussed the access and security considerations in the locker rooms and adjacent
hallways, which have posed important design choices. The city remains committed to ensuring
the facility meets SafeSport compliance standards.
City Council Work Session Minutes – March 9, 2026
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The City Council also reviewed updated furniture layouts and floor plans, including the removal
of one viewing box on Rink #1. This adjustment resolves an issue where the front vestibule was
positioned awkwardly near the viewing box entrance. The community room is currently planned
to accommodate approximately 120 people and will feature a dividable layout for flexible use.
Glass doors have also been added at the entrance to the track to address potential safety and
noise concerns.
Finally, the City Council discussed the public perception that some amenities in the project have
changed. Staff noted that addressing this perception and clearly communicating the project’s
features to the community remains a priority.
Mayor Ryan adjourned the work session at 6:57 P.M.
Submitted by Laurie Hokkanen
City Manager
Prepared by Jenny Potter
City Clerk