09-14-2026 CC WSCity Council Work Session Minutes – September 14, 2026
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CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
MINUTES
September 14, 2026
Mayor Ryan called the work session to order at 6:00 P.M.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Ryan, Councilmember McDonald,
Councilmember Kimber, Councilmember von Oven, Councilmember Schubert
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT:
STAFF PRESENT: Laurie Hokkanen, City Manager; Matt Unmacht, Assistant City Manager;
Charlie Howley, Public Works Director/City Engineer; Kelly Grinnell, Finance Director; Patrick
Gavin, Communications Manager; Jerry Ruegemer, Park & Recreation Director; Andrew Heger,
Fire Chief
PUBLIC PRESENT:
Presentation of Preliminary 2027 Levy and General Fund Budget
Kelly Grinnell, Finance Director, presented a review of the proposed 2027 General Fund budget
and property tax levy following two previous work sessions. The current General Fund budget
remains balanced at approximately $18 million, with expenditures increasing 6.3% and the
General Fund property tax levy increasing 4.3%.
Wages and benefits are projected to increase 6.7%, reflecting cost-of-living and eligible step
increases, changes from the city’s market pay study and four additional firefighters contingent on
receiving a federal SAFER grant. Health insurance renewal costs remain uncertain, and staff
continues to review proposals.
Other cost increases include the Carver County Sheriff’s Office contract, street maintenance and
operating expenses associated with the new Civic Campus facilities.
City Council also reviewed the proposed overall city property tax levy, which includes General
Fund, capital and debt-service levies. The City Council supported keeping the preliminary increase
at 7.1% while several budget variables remain unresolved, with the possibility of lowering it before
final adoption in December. For an average home valued at $598,000, the combined estimated
increase in city property taxes and utilities is approximately $14.94 per month.
Lake Riley Boulevard Improvement Project
Charlie Howley, Public Works Director/City, presented the proposed Lake Riley Boulevard
Improvement Project. Discussion focused on whether to widen the roadway and whether to pursue
full reconstruction or a less extensive rehabilitation such as full-depth reclamation, or FDR.
Most of Lake Riley Boulevard is approximately 20 feet wide, compared with the city’s 31-foot
standard for new streets. Councilmembers expressed a strong preference for maintaining the
City Council Work Session Minutes – September 14, 2026
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existing width to preserve neighborhood character, mature trees and privacy. Council also
discussed potentially restricting parking to one side, with a final decision to come later in the
design process.
The City Council has not yet choose between full reconstruction and FDR. Because reconstruction
would trigger additional stormwater-management requirements, staff will continue exploring
alternatives that minimize impacts to trees and adjacent properties.
Council directed staff to move forward without widening the road and continue evaluating
reconstruction and rehabilitation options before a final design is selected.
Mayor Ryan recessed the Work Session at 6:54 p.m.
Mayor Ryan reconvened the Work Session at 7:45 p.m.
Fire Department Planning Series Session 2: Equipment, Training & Facility
Andrew Heger, Fire Chief, presented on the existing fire engines, specialty equipment and
projected replacement needs. Engine 11, a 2007 pumper, is tentatively scheduled for replacement
in 2029, but the department may need to order it in early 2027 because new apparatus can take two
to four years to deliver. Its estimated replacement cost is approximately $1.6 million, compared
with about $600,000 for Engine 1 when purchased in 2019.
The discussion also covered firefighter training, including approximately 192 hours of initial fire-
service training and 140 hours for EMT certification, followed by ongoing continuing education.
City Council also reviewed longer-term facility needs. The current fire station was built in 1966
and has undergone several renovations, but a 2026 space-needs analysis found that a major
remodel and addition would still leave the facility about 8,000 square feet short and would not
address response-time concerns. Future discussions will examine whether the city should operate
multiple stations or a more centrally located consolidated facility and how those options would
affect staffing, equipment, response times and firefighter health and safety.
Mayor Ryan adjourned the work session at 8:38 P.M.
Submitted by Laurie Hokkanen
City Manager
Prepared by Jenny Potter
City Clerk