08-10-2026 CC WSCity Council Work Session Minutes – August 10, 2026
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CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
MINUTES
August 10, 2026
Mayor Ryan called the work session to order at 5:30 P.M.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Ryan, Councilmember McDonald,
Councilmember Kimber, Councilmember von Oven
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Councilmember Schubert
STAFF PRESENT: Laurie Hokkanen, City Manager; Charlie Howley, Public Works
Director/City Engineer; Eric Maass, Community Development Director; Patrick Gavin,
Communications Manager; Jerry Ruegemer, Park & Recreation Director
PUBLIC PRESENT: Daniel Trifonov; Leo Allen; Diya Natarajan;
Interview Youth Applicants for Park & Recreation and Environmental Commissions
The City Council interviewed three youth applicants for vacancies on the Park and Recreation
Commission and Environmental Commission. Daniel Trifonov and Leo Allen applied for the Park
and Recreation Commission, while Diya Natarajan applied for consideration on either
commission.
North Lotus Lake Park Water Quality Improvement Project
The City Council received an update on the Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District’s
proposed North Lotus Lake Park Water Quality Improvement Project. The project has advanced
from the conceptual plan presented in October 2025 to approximately 30% design, with the
watershed district now working toward 60% design. Current plans continue to envision a series of
tiered stormwater treatment areas, reconstructed trails, open space, interpretive features and a
potential natural-surface trail and boardwalk providing greater connection to Lotus Lake. The
regional project is intended to improve stormwater treatment while also creating opportunities for
residents to interact with the park and learn more about water quality and natural resources.
The City Council also discussed how the project will coordinate with the city’s more immediate
stormwater needs related to the Fox Hollow reconstruction project. Because the watershed district
project is not expected to be constructed until 2028 at the earliest, the city plans to construct an
interim drainage system consisting primarily of grading an open channel and a series of ditch
checks designed to slow and treat runoff before it reaches Lotus Lake. Charlie Howley, Public
Works Director/City Engineer said the interim work will have relatively little effect on existing
park uses and can be easily incorporated into the larger watershed district project when that project
takes shape. Mr. Howley also noted that changes to the Pleasant View Road project mean the city
no longer anticipates needing the additional stormwater treatment originally envisioned for that
project.
City Council Work Session Minutes – August 10, 2026
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The likelihood of the watershed district abandoning the project is very low, and it remains a
featured project in the district’s three-year plan; engineering work is underway and a draft
agreement with the city has already been prepared. The project is expected to return to a future
City Council work session when the 60% design is available. No formal Council action was taken.
Stormwater Pond Maintenance Review
The City Council reviewed the city’s stormwater pond maintenance program and progress made
since the program was established in 2020. The city manages approximately 300 publicly owned
stormwater ponds, which collect runoff, reduce flood risk and help remove sediment and pollutants
before water reaches lakes, wetlands and other natural resources. The city is required to inspect
and maintain its stormwater infrastructure under its state-regulated MS4 permit, and staff uses a
data-based system to evaluate pond condition and treatment performance and prioritize future
maintenance.
Charlie Howley, Public Works Director/City Engineer, reported that the program has resulted in
substantial progress over the past six years. Thirty ponds have received maintenance projects, with
another 10 addressed internally by Public Works staff, and completed projects have removed
approximately 51,000 tons, or 34,000 cubic yards, of accumulated material, roughly equivalent to
3,000 truckloads. City Staff estimated the restored pond capacity results in approximately 76
pounds of phosphorus being removed from stormwater runoff each year and noted that
rehabilitated ponds have seen an average 10-point improvement in their overall condition scores.
It was emphasized that maintaining existing ponds is significantly more cost-effective than
constructing new treatment infrastructure, estimating pond maintenance at approximately $520 per
pound of phosphorus removed compared with $1,000 to $5,000 per pound for new infrastructure.
Looking ahead, City Staff recommends continuing to fund the annual program at its current level
while shifting more pond cleanout work to standalone winter projects rather than including it with
street reconstruction projects. Winter projects have attracted more contractors and more
competitive pricing, while bundling pond work with street projects has not produced the cost
savings originally anticipated. City Council members expressed support for continuing the
program, citing the value of having a consistent, funded process for maintaining the city’s
stormwater infrastructure and responding to resident questions about pond conditions. The 2026
program carries a budget of approximately $536,000 through the Stormwater Enterprise Fund. No
formal Council action was taken.
Mayor Ryan adjourned the work session at 6:55 P.M.
Submitted by Laurie Hokkanen
City Manager
Prepared by Jenny Potter
City Clerk
City Council Work Session Minutes – August 10, 2026
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