By Forrest Adams

Chanhassen’s costs for a Lyman Boulevard improvement project are approximately 19 percent over the budgeted amount, according to a city memorandum. An August 2007 estimate was that the cost would be $8.95 million. An April 2008 county estimate had the cost at $10.23 million. City officials hope bids will be competitive and that final costs will be closer to the budgeted amounts. Funding for the project is proposed to come from the city of Chanhassen, Carver County, the city of Chaska and School District 112.

Paul Oehme work sessin presentation: Lyman Boulevard improvement project expected costs

Fire update

During the past month, there have been two structure fires resulting in mutual aid from Victoria, Chaska and Eden Prairie fire departments. Both house fires are under investigation.

The first happened at 6:58 p.m. March 24, in the Timberwood neighborhood. The suspected cause of the fire may be related to a heat exchange unit. Fire personnel stayed at the house all night after the fire for security reasons and to watch for a possible rekindle.

The second fire was on Friday, April 18, at approximately 7:45 a.m. on Oxbow Bend. The fire was extinguished within 4 to 5 minutes using 310 gallons of water. Improperly discarded smoking material appeared to be the cause of the fire. The walkout level sustained moderate to heavy smoke and heat damage. The first and second levels received light to moderate smoke damage.

Crime prevention

Carver County Sheriff’s Sgt. Peter Anderley reported to the City Council Monday night that a recent crime prevention seminar in Chanhassen was attended by about 20 to 25 families. He added the addition of a full-time investigator in Chanhassen has resulted in pending charges with regard to some recent thefts in the city.

In other correspondence, the city received a letter from Chris Dellwo, commander of the Southwest Metro Drug Task Force and sergeant from the Shakopee Police Department. Dellwo thanked city officials for their financial contributions to the SWMDTF and noted that 2007 was a successful year for the drug task force.

“Our main drug threats continue to be cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana. For the first time in several years, we saw methamphetamine seizure and arrest numbers decline,” he noted. “In the drug world, a void is quickly filled. Cocaine numbers are increasing as well as marijuana cultivation and prescription drug offenses.”

Resignation

Utilities Superintendent Kelley Janes has resigned from his position.

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Sound files: hear Sgt. Peter Anderley talk about crime in Chanhassen.