Lake Ann beach to open June 7

Beaches With Lifeguards on Duty

Lake Ann Beach, located in Lake Ann Park at 1456 West 78th Street, is staffed with lifeguards daily from early June to the third weekend in August from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Minnewashta Regional Park (operated by Carver County) is located on Highway 41 (Hazeltine Boulevard) between Highways 5 & 7. Lifeguards will be on duty daily from June 9-August 19, 2007 from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Beaches Without Lifeguards on Duty

Carver Beach on Lotus Lake, 6891 Lotus Trail
Greenwood Shores Beach on Lake Ann, 7110 Utica Lane

Lake Susan Beach in Lake Susan Park, 903 Lake Drive East

Roundhouse Park Beach on Lake Minnewashta, 3950 Kings Road

Fairview clinic proposed in Chanhassen

The City of Chanhassen received a request last Thursday for the site plan approval of property on the southeast corner of Powers Boulevard and Highway 312 for a new Fairview medical clinic.

According to City Manager Todd Gerhardt, the development would take place in two-phases beginning with the construction of an 82,000 square-foot clinic. The second phase would be a 76,000 square foot expansion to be determined in the future as medical needs grow in the community.

A Fairview spokesperson could not comment on the project, and United Properties, the property developers, did not immediately return a phone call asking for comment. United Properties would build the facility and then lease it back to Fairview.

Chanhassen Community Development Director Kate Aanenson said city planners would review the application for about one month, will write a report for the planning commission. It is on the Aug. 5 planning commission agenda and after receiving planning commission approval would move on to the city council.

Kids ages seven to 17 are encouraged to take part in the swim, bike and run in the Miracle Kids Triathlon to raise funds for the Miracles of Mitch Foundation.

The annual Miracle Kids Triathlon in Minneapolis is scheduled to be held on Saturday, July 19, at Lake Nokomis.

The Miracles of Mitch Foundation was started in the spirit of Mitch Chepokas, a young boy who lost his life to cancer at the age of 9. He saw the need to help other families during his battle and wanted to do something about it.

The foundation provides financial support to Minnesota families with children battling cancer. Miracle Kids is the biggest fundraising event for the Miracles of Mitch Foundation. This year they hope to raise over $100,000.

The Miracles of Mitch Foundation is holding a second triathlon on Saturday, Aug. 16, at Lake Ann. For more information or to sign up, go to www.miraclekidstriathlon.org.

Crime report includes drugs, drinking

On Tuesday, July 23, at 6:30 p.m., located at 7900 Market Blvd., deputies cited an 18-year-old Tonka Bay male for possession of a small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia and a 19-year-old Chanhassen male for possession of a small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

On Wednesday, July 24, at 5:55 p.m., deputies at Highway 212 and Dell Road arrested a 33-year-old Excelsior male for possession of a controlled substance.

At 9:25 p.m., deputies at Highway 5 and Powers Boulevard arrested an 18-year-old Eden Prairie male for obstructing with force, disorderly conduct, and underage consumption; they cited a 17-year-old Eden Prairie female and a 17-year-old Eden Prairie male and an 18-year-old Eden Prairie male were all cited for underage consumption.

New public works facility

Councilors agreed that now is the best time to move forward with plans to construct a new $8.8 million public works building.

The building would be located at the end of Park Place. City Engineer and Director of Public Works Paul Oehme said a new public works building is long overdue.

Agreeing with him, councilors grilled Oehme on the price tag.

“Is there a way to lessen the dollar amount?” Bethany Tjornhom asked.

He said the high cost for the building is the result of specifications to which it must be constructed. He mentioned special lifts for pickups and other vehicles, a fuel station for diesel and unleaded fuel, upgraded air movement in the storage area and other accessories.

“In terms of the building itself, the exterior is very similar to what you’d see in a warehouse district. It’s what’s inside that drives up the cost,” said Oehme. “It’s basically a glorified warehouse that is approximately 80,000 square feet in area.”

The projected cost of $8.8 million, about $106 per square foot, is a $10 increase over what it would have cost in 2007, due to inflation and the increased cost of steel and copper and “everything else,” he said. The cost in 2007 was about $8 million. Arriving at an estimated $8.8 million for 2009, officials inflated the cost in 2007 by 10 percent.

Oehme assured councilors that he is proposing a building that will last the city for many years.
“The building that we’re talking about is the building that we project we’ll need for the future build out of the city,” said Oehme.

He said it would be similar to Richfield’s facility. Richfield has a population of about 35,000 residents. Construction on the new city of Richfield Public Works Maintenance Facility began in May 2007. The facility officially opened in June 2008. The cost to build the facility was approximately $12.5 million, according to the city of Richfield Web site.

The next step is for city staff to send out a proposal, select an architect, put the proposal into a project scope and take it to the Planning Commission and City Council for approval. City Manager Todd Gerhardt expects this to take place sometime in October.

The terms of Council members Bethany Tjornhom and Jerry McDonald will expire at the end of 2008.

Filings for these positions will be accepted at City Hall from Aug. 26 through Sept. 8 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Tuesday, Sept. 9, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Candidates may withdraw their candidacy until 5 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 11.

To file, candidates must be at least 21 years of age, a citizen of the United States, a resident of the city for at least 30 days prior to the General Election, a registered voter, and pay a $5 filing fee. Terms of office are for four years. City Council members are elected at large.