WS 2002 11 12CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
NOVEMBER 12, 2002
Mayor Jansen called the work session to order at 5:35 p.m.
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Jansen, Councilman Labatt, Councilman Boyle,
Councilman Peterson, and Councilman Ayotte
STAFF PRESENT: Todd Gerhardt, Justin Miller, Todd Hoffman, Richard Rice, and Bruce
DeJong
COUNCILMEMBERS ELECT PRESENT: Tom Furlong and Brian Lundquist
2003 BUDGET DISCUSSIONS:
LAW ENFORCEMENT.
Sheriff Bud Olson was present at the request of City Council. Mayor Jansen explained that the
City Council wanted to continue it's discussion of a Public Safety Commission. Councilman
Peterson asked Sheriff Olson for his opinion on the value of a public safety commission to
address such things as police coverage in the city, activity reports, etc. Councilman Ayotte
expressed concern over the August and September sheriff's reports, and whether they were a
~hiccup or trend". Sheriff Olson stated that the sheriff's office could do a better job of
communicating on the work plan, perhaps on a quarterly basis rather than annual. Mayor Jansen
stated that the City Council never had the discussion over how to restructure a public safety
commission after it's being disbanded. Councilman Peterson stated the City Council has debated
over direct contact with the public versus filter information and asked the sheriff for his opinion.
Sheriff Olson stated he felt that citizen involvement was good for looking at policy issues and
reviewing the past year's work plan, but that accountability of the police contract should be the
role of the City Council. Councilman Labatt provided background information on the role of the
public safety commission in the past. Mayor Jansen felt that a public safety commission would
have been beneficial addressing issues over the past year and accountability issues. Councilman
Boyle asked how much of a burden would be placed on staff by implementing a public safety
commission. Sheriff Olson talked about the Chief of Police from King County, Washington who
had come to speak about police contracting and her opinion was she liked having a direct link to
the city manager without a lot of bureaucracy. Councilman Boyle agreed that he did not want to
build in more work for staff and bureaucracy. Councilman Ayotte volunteered to put together a
plan for a public safety commission.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
John Wolff gave a power point presentation of the Chanhassen Fire Department. Todd Gerhardt
advised the City Council that the fire department administration was something they would need
to address next year. There was discussion over the section of the presentation on how to save 10
percent from the budget, and the pros and cons of cutting back on public safety versus other areas
of the budget. Councilman Ayotte felt that public safety is one area of the budget that should not
be cut.
City Council Work Session - November 12, 2002
The City Council recessed the work session at 6:55 p.m. for the regular City Council
meeting. The work session was reconvened at 7:05 p.m.
PARK AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT.
Todd Hoffman gave the power point presentation on the Park and Recreation Department's
budget request. The council discussed ways of generating revenue such as rental of meeting
rooms at the Recreation Center, wedding receptions, and the skate park. Eliminating 7
neighborhood ice rinks was discussed as a way of saving money in the park maintenance budget.
Mayor Jansen discussed giving staff outcomes, using the key financial strategies, and specific
policies and leaving it up to staff to figure out ways to save money in the budget. Councilman
Boyle was in favor of giving staff specific dollar amounts and letting staff come back with their
recommendations for cuts. Councilman Peterson thought the City Council was going to be given
an overall presentation and then the council would come back with specifics. Councilman Ayotte
wanted more specifics on the park maintenance budget. Bruce DeJong stated the city could not
make significant cuts in the budget without cutting a position, which then relates to service levels.
The City Council discussed assessments to the downtown businesses for maintenance in
downtown, or asking the businesses to do their own maintenance. Mayor Jansen asked staff to
investigate what other cities do regarding downtown maintenance issues. The City Council asked
that the Park and Recreation Commission review policies on neighborhood parks, tennis court
maintenance with outcome of cost savings and to prioritize services. There was also discussion
between the pros and cons of private parks versus public.
ADMINISTRATION.
Justin Miller gave the power point presentation for the Administration Department. The City
Council discussed possible means to generate revenues such as increasing animal licenses,
charging for vehicle lock-out's, re-broadcasting of school events. Councilman Peterson asked
about wage and benefit issues for city employees.
MIS.
Richard Rice gave the power point presentation for the MIS department.
FINANCE.
Bruce DeJong gave the power point presentation for the Finance Department. Councilman
Peterson asked about possible cuts. Bruce DeJong stated the only possibility would be not to hire
a new employee, which the finance department needs to meet the accounting requirements
mandated by the State. Councilman Boyle asked if there were any way to reduce contractual
services. Councilman Peterson asked about the finance software purchase, if that could be
delayed for another year.
The City Council then discussed the meeting schedule for the remainder of budget discussions.
Councilman Peterson stated he wanted to see 10 percent cuts from all departments and then the
City Council will cover line items at that point. Councilman Ayotte wanted an order of merit for
services to the public and then make the tough decisions at that point. Councilman Labatt wanted
to look at revenue generation, and requested a copy of the revised budget with line item
assessment. Mayor Jansen argued in favor of outcomes versus line item discussion and that
outcomes would affect line items. Councilman Peterson was expecting to see 10 percent service
level cuts from all department. Councilman Ayotte stated if the council is interested in reducing
City Council Work Session - November 12, 2002
taxes, they should be looking to cut discretionary items. There was consensus from the City
Council members to request budget reductions from the Park and Recreation Department. Todd
Gerhardt stated that staff would prepare a packet of proposed budget cuts and new dollar figures.
Mayor Jansen adjourned the work session meeting at 9:45 p.m.
Submitted by Todd Gerhardt
City Manager
Prepared by Nann Opheim