Hello Chanhassen Residents,
Happy New Year! I am hoping everyone is off to a great 2024!
City Council
City Council established key priorities for this upcoming year. While we know projects, proposals, and requests come before us throughout the year, the following areas are initiatives we have asked staff to keep at the forefront.
Civic Campus: While this project is well on its way, we want to continue moving forward ensuring that we stay on-budget, on-time, and keep the public informed throughout the process.
Chanhassen Bluffs Sports Complex: We believe this to be a transformative regional project. We will continue to review and refine the designs and features based on public feedback and engagement and understand tax implications if referendum passed.
SAC/WAC Fees (Sewer/Water Availability Charge): The Metropolitan Council charges this one-time fee when a residence or business connects to the regional wastewater (sewer) system for the first time. Chanhassen also chargesconnection fees to support our infrastructure, including the water treatment plant, lift stations, and water/sewer lines. However, these fees have become very expensive and sometimes are a barrier to entry for a new business or for a business to remodel/expand. City Council would like to evaluate options for relief for our business community.
Roads/Infrastructure: We have asked staff to provide a comprehensive evaluation of current and future roads and funding; with our roads continuing to deteriorate, how can we better address this growing need. It has been five years since the city adopted the franchise fee and began doing an increased number of street projects, so it is an appropriate time to do a review of this topic.
Downtown Development/Redevelopment: Evaluate and engage with the public as Roer’s Companies brings forward a proposal this quarter for the redevelopment of the now closed cinema and Country Inn & Suites; ensure a walkable downtown, improve wayfinding, and review the downtown traffic study.
Internet: With the future of MetroNet unknown, what, if anything can/should the city do to address the ongoing request of residents for better service.
City Commissions
Please consider serving on a City Commission. Commissioners are an important link between the community and City Council.Commissioners are integral to the process and give important recommendations on topics that come before Council. Please consider – application are due January 29, 2024.
Mayor’s Message
At our first Council meeting on January 8, I shared the following remarks:
As we look ahead to 2024, we as a council and staff have a lot on our plate. There are developments, policies, and projects that will have significant and long-lasting impact on the future of Chanhassen. It is an exciting time, but also a time where the involvement from our residents will be imperative. I share this not to evoke concern rather to encourage our residents and business owners to make being engaged a priority. When we ask for feedback, hold an open house or invite you to make a public comment at a meeting, we mean this sincerely as your feedback has a significant impact to the decisions that are made in these Chambers. The investments we make are for the betterment of Chanhassen, but we need to hear from you. So, in this new year, in 2024, I hope that one of your resolutions is to be more involved or stay involved if you are already an active participant. Emails, phone calls, serving on a commission, whatever it is, I hope you know you are invited and encouraged to participate in the process.
Again, Happy New Year- we look forward to another year of serving you and working together.
Warmest Regards,
Elise Ryan
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