WS 2002 05 28CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
MAY 28, 2002
Acting Mayor Labatt called the work session to order at S:4S p.m.
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Acting Mayor Labatt, Councilman Ayotte, Councilman
Boyle, and Councilman Peterson
COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: Mayor Jansen
STAFF PRESENT: Todd Gerhardt, Kate Aanenson, Todd Hoffman, and Matt Saam
PUBLIC PRESENT: Nancy Leonard, Carver County; Fred Berg and Jan Lash
A. UPDATE ON HOUSING SUMMIT.
Kate Aanenson presented the City Council with information obtained from discussions held
during the two housing summit meetings. The common theme from the meetings was, "a great
place to live, work and play". The City has been working hard on providing jobs and great
recreation in the city. Now it's time to work on providing diversity in housing in the city. Kate
Aanenson stated the first place to start could be surveying the community to find out who's
working here and what their housing needs are. Acting Mayor Labatt asked to define who's
responsibility it is to provide affordable housing, the city or employers. Kate Aanenson felt the
city needs to find out the needs first and then how to solve it second, city versus private.
Councilman Peterson stated it comes down to fundamental economics and the city has no control
over that. Acting Mayor Labatt asked if the city should open up the MUSA which would lower
the cost of land. Councilman Ayotte felt more data needs to be collected before a decision could
be made. Todd Gerhardt stated the need to get the strategies out on the table to begin discussions.
Councilman Boyle asked about the land trust. Kate Aanenson stated that Carver County HRA
was taking the lead on that. Todd Gerhardt stated that it's not just home ownership, but also
providing affordable rental property. Councilman Ayotte asked if there are any other
governmental agencies that can help. Nancy Leonard stated that the religious community has
volunteered to help, but is looking for City Council support. Councilman Peterson doesn't feel
the need to spend a lot of time gathering information. Councilman Ayotte wants to find the
targets out there and what the city can do with the resources available. Todd Gerhardt felt that
educating the public was important for employees and homeowners. Acting Mayor Labatt asked
with all the upper end building going on in the city, what's affordable. Kate Aanenson stated
there's a 2005 study area south of Lyman being studied at the current time to address that
question. Councilman Ayotte is looking for staff recommendation on what to do next. Todd
Gerhardt stated this was an informational update on what's occurred to date and that staff would
come back with a recommendation.
B. DISCUSSION OF CITY COUNCIL/COMMISSION LIAISON POLICY.
There was discussion on whether to wait until Mayor Jansen was present to discuss this item.
Councilman Ayotte felt more joint meetings between the City Council and commissioners during
the year would be more beneficial than one city council member attending all the meetings.
Councilman Boyle agreed with Councilman Ayotte, but would be agreeable to attending certain
City Council Work Session - May 28, 2002
meetings if requested by the commissions. Councilman Peterson stated that philosophically the
commissions are there to provide an unbiased perception without political influence. Acting
Mayor Labatt stated that his experience from serving on the Public Safety Commission, which
had the mayor as a member of the commission, he liked getting their perspective but noted that
the Public Safety Commission was a less formal setting than the other commissions. He agreed
that he doesn't support having a city council liaison for each commission. The consensus was
that the City Council hold joint meetings with the commissions 2 to 3 times per year, preferably
during the work session times before regular city council meetings.
C. DISCUSSION OF TERM LIMITS FOR COMMISSIONERS.
Councilman Peterson stated he didn't feel a pressing need to address this issue at this time.
Councilman Ayotte stated he was not comfortable with term limits. Councilman Boyle agreed
that he was not comfortable with term limits. That turnover would occur on it's own. Acting
Mayor Labatt stated he was in favor of term limits but didn't know what the number should be.
Todd Gerhardt stated the council could change the policy depending on the number and quality of
applicants it receives at any given time. Councilman Peterson suggested putting a disclaimer on
the application form that the city has term limits, and that maybe term limits should be
established for city council members as well. Councilman Ayotte stated with the number of
qualified applicants the city has received lately, maybe there are other ways for people to serve
the city rather than being on commissions. Todd Gerhardt stated the direction he heard from the
council was to keep flexible.
D. CARVER COUNTY REDISTRICTING PLAN.
Julianne Ortman was present and Acting Mayor Labatt asked her to update the City Council on
the Carver County Board's action regarding redistricting. She stated that the Board adopted Plan
A, which affects the eastern part of the county, although board members seemed to favor Plan E.
She stated it is pretty clear that Plan A is advantageous to Chaska and was looking for feedback
from the Chanhassen City Council on what her course of action, if any, should be. The council
members did not support Plan A and asked what Chanhassen could do. Todd Gerhardt stated the
decision would have to be appealed through the court system and the council could ask for an
opinion from legal counsel. Councilman Boyle asked if the City of Chanhassen appeals, would
there be other cities interested in joining that appeal. Julianne Ortman stated there was one other
city that expressed interest in joining an appeal process, but not initiating one. Due to time
constraints, the City Council decided to continue discussion on this item during the regular
agenda.
Acting Mayor Labatt adjourned the work session at 7:00 p.m.
Submitted by Todd Gerhardt
City Manager
Prepared by Nann Opheim