09-28-2026 CC WSCity Council Work Session Minutes – September 28, 2026
1
CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
MINUTES
September 28, 2026
Mayor Ryan called the work session to order at 6:30 P.M.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Ryan, Councilmember McDonald, Councilmember
Kimber, Councilmember Schubert
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Councilmember von Oven
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; Jenny Potter, City Clerk
PUBLIC PRESENT:
City Manager Transition Discussion
The Chanhassen City Council discussed plans Monday for a smooth transition following City Manager
Laurie Hokkanen’s resignation. Ms. Hokkanen, who returned to Chanhassen as city manager in 2021 after
previously serving as assistant city manager, has accepted the city manager position with the City of
Edina. Her final full-time day with Chanhassen will be Dec. 4. In her resignation letter, Ms. Hokkanen
wrote “I leave Chanhassen with gratitude and pride” and that “Chanhassen is well-positioned for what
comes next.”
The City Council discussed the appointment of an interim city manager and the search for a permanent
replacement. City leaders have been planning for the transition and have identified a preferred interim
candidate with extensive city management and interim leadership experience. The interim manager would
help maintain continuity, support city staff and ongoing projects and remain in place until a permanent
city manager begins. The City Council is expected to consider an interim manager contract at its Oct. 12
meeting.
Under the proposed timeline, the interim manager would begin transition work during the week of
November 30 and formally start Dec. 7. The city anticipates the interim manager remaining in the role
until a permanent city manager is hired, currently expected in April or May.
The city is beginning a competitive process to select a professional search firm to assist with recruiting
Chanhassen’s next permanent city manager. The City Council will ultimately select both the search firm
and the city’s next permanent manager.
The transition is designed to provide continuity in city operations while giving the City Council time to
conduct a thorough search for Chanhassen’s next city manager.
Mayor Ryan adjourned the work session at 6:52 P.M.
Submitted by Laurie Hokkanen
City Manager
Prepared by Jenny Potter
City Clerk