02-09-2025 CC WSCity Council Work Session Minutes – February 9, 2026
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CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
MINUTES
February 9, 2026
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: none
STAFF PRESENT: Laurie Hokkanen, City Manager; Matt Unmacht, Assistant City Manager;
Charlie Howley, Public Works Director/City Engineer; Patrick Gavin, Communications
Manager; Eric Maass, Community Development Director
PUBLIC PRESENT:
Commission Interviews
The City Council conducted interviews for applicants seeking appointment to several advisory
commissions, including the Planning Commission, Economic Development Commission, Park
and Recreation Commission, Environmental Commission and Commission on Aging.
Mayor Ryan recessed the work session at 6:58 P.M.
Mayor Ryan reconvened the work session at 7:39 P.M.
Market Boulevard Improvement Project – Construction Staging Review
Charlie Howley, Public Works Director/City Engineer, presented two staging options for the
Market Boulevard Improvement Project that is planned for 2026. Mr. Howley also discussed
feedback received from affected business owners.
Mr. Howley explained that both options include phased construction involving roadway
widening, utility work, and trail improvements, with construction anticipated to begin in early
May and continue through the fall. The first option, which received support from approximately
80 percent of surveyed businesses, would complete several work areas concurrently, allowing the
most intensive closures to occur earlier in the season and enabling the corridor to reopen fully by
the Fourth of July holiday. Under this approach, remaining work would continue in staged
segments through the summer and early fall while maintaining business access via designated
detour routes.
The second option would involve a longer full-closure phase beginning after the Fourth of July,
concentrating the most disruptive construction activities into a single extended period of
City Council Work Session Minutes – February 9, 2026
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approximately 13 weeks before transitioning to later finishing phases. While this option
simplifies traffic control and construction sequencing, business outreach indicated a preference
for the shorter, earlier closures associated with the first option.
The City Council discussed traffic management considerations, including maintaining access at
key intersections such as 79th Street and Great Plains Boulevard, coordinating with nearby
construction activities, and ensuring clear detour routes for customers and delivery traffic. Mr.
Howley also outlined next steps in the project schedule, including finalizing bid documents,
opening bids in late March, hosting a public open house in early April and bringing the project
forward for assessment approval and contract award before a planned early-May construction
start.
Mayor Ryan adjourned the work session at 8:20 P.M.
Submitted by Laurie Hokkanen
City Manager
Prepared by Jenny Potter
City Clerk