The city of Chanhassen is seeking applications from interested persns to fill vacancies on the Planning Commission, Park & Recreation Commission, Environmental Commission, and Senior Commission. Terms are for three (3) years. No prior experience is required and interested residents are encouraged to apply. The commissioners are appointed by the Mayor and City Council. If you need more information, contact City Hall at (952)227-1100. Applications will be accepted through Friday, Feb. 12.

The city of Chanhassen is requesting more than $1 million in state bonds.

The City Council on Monday night unanimously approved the city's project list for the governor and legislature to consider including in the state bonding bill. The money would help fund three different projects. Two of the projects involve Bluff Creek. The other involves the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

The projects are a Bluff Creek ravine stabilization project, Bluff Creek Drive trail and storm water improvements, and construction of a Highway 41 pedestrian underpass south of Highway 5.

The Chanhassen City Council awarded a construction contract in the amount of $824,307 for Well No. 14 improvements. Well No. 14 is recommended to be constructed to keep pace with peak summer water demand in Chanhassen.

Despite several high-profile crimes in 2009, the total number of criminals complaints in Chanhassen was significantly lower last year than in 2008.

In 2009 the Chanhassen Fire Department responded to 536 calls compared to 539 calls in 2008.

The Carver County Sheriff's Office recently conducted tobacco compliance checks in Chanhassen and found MGM Wine and Spirits to be in violation of selling tobacco to a minor. MGM was issued a citation for the violation. The Carver County Sheriff's Office is responsible for the enforcement of Carver County's Tobacco Compliance Ordinance.

More residential building permits were issued in 2009 than in 2008(85 permits in 2009, 66 permits in 2008), but still building permit revenue for the city was down.

The city's second-annual Dance party on ice has been postponed one week until Friday, Jan. 15, due to the worsening weather conditions and weather forecasts for the area.

February Festival is held each year on the first Saturday of February on Lake Ann. In 2010 it will be held on Feb. 6 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Lake Ann Park. With over 800 fishing holes drilled in the ice on Lake Ann, this event is great for the whole family this winter. Activities at the event include open ice skating, a s'mores cookout on a roaring bonfire, bingo, horse-drawn hayride (weather permitting), a raffle, food concessions, and of course the ever popular ice fishing contest! This one-day event draws 1,500-2,000 participants and spectators.

The agenda for the first city council meeting of 2010 is out, and it includes the dedication of park and recreation volunteer awards, a presentation to the council by Sen. Julianne Ortman (R-Chanhassen), a public hearing about the 2010 proposed city street improvements, and an after-the-fact hard surface coverage variance request from a home builder for a property on Pinehurst Dr.