WS 2002 05 13CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
MAY 13, 2002
Mayor Jansen called the work session meeting to order at 9~40 p.m.
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Jansen, Councilman Ayott¢, Councilman Pctcrson,
and Councilman Boyle
COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: Councilman Labatt
STAFF PRESENT: Todd Gerhardt
A. COMMUNITY CENTER FOLLOW-UP.
Mayor Jansen asked if the council was in favor of creating a task force to study the option of a
partnership between the City, School District and private organizations. Todd Gerhardt stated he
was looking for ground rules for preparing an RFP, i.e. the same as Plymouth. Councilman
Peterson stated he was not in favor of a publicly owned community center. He did not feel the
community was ready to financially support one. Councilman Boyle wanted to know what land
was available. Councilman Ayotte was in favor of a task force looking at the school and
community center issues separately first, then in combination. Mayor Jansen felt that was
complicating the issue and that District 112 was more concerned right now with just coming up
with a site for a high school in Chanhassen, not so much what facilities it would have.
Councilman Peterson suggested that the Park and Recreation Commission be used as the task
force to look at the community center issue. Mayor Jansen suggested having a couple members
at large, i.e. representatives from the Chamber of Commerce and service organizations in town.
Councilman Peterson reiterated that he was not in favor of a public/private partnership. Mayor
Jansen, Councilman Boyle and Councilman Ayotte stated they were in favor of researching the
issue further but would be in favor of having the Park and Recreation Commission being the task
force. Todd Gerhardt asked what information the council wanted included in an RFP. Mayor
Jansen felt an RFP was too formal, and to let the Park and Recreation Commission decide if an
RFP was needed.
B. DISCUSSION OF A DISTRICT 112 HIGH SCHOOL IN CHANHASSEN.
There was unanimous support for forming a task force to study site selection for a high school to
be located in Chanhassen. It was decided to appoint the Planning Commission as that task force.
C. REVIEW RFP FOR COFFEE SHOP IN THE NEW LIBRARY.
Council members discussed specific changes to the draft RFP presented by staff such as lease
rate, square footage, out clause, etc. Councilman Ayotte suggested lowering the lease rate with a
percentage of the profits going to the Library. Jill Shipley, who was present along with members
of the Friends of the Library, asked why this was going out to RFP when a coffee shop was
included in the library referendum. The library would be managing the coffee shop, not the City.
Councilman Peterson asked who would make up the difference for any losses incurred. Todd
Gerhardt stated that if a for profit operation was going into the library, an RFP was needed to go
out to all vendors. Mayor Jansen stated a coffee shop was presented and voted on in the
referendum. The question was how would a deficit situation be handled. There was discussion
on Councilman Ayotte's idea of a percentage of the profit going to the library, whether it should
be stated up front or negotiated with the lease.
Mayor Jansen summarized the discussion by directing staff to send out the RFP and that Jill
Shipley and Todd Gerhardt should meet to iron out the concerns of the Friends of the Library and
come to an understanding, with the main issue being how a deficit situation would be handled.
Mayor Jansen adjourned the work session meeting at 10:55 p.m.
Submitted by Todd Gerhardt
City Manager
Prepared by Nann Opheim