WS 2007 05 29
CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
MAY 29, 2007
Mayor Furlong called the work session to order at 5:50 p.m..
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mayor Furlong, Councilwoman Ernst, Councilman
Peterson and Councilman Litsey
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT:
Councilwoman Tjornhom
STAFF PRESENT:
Todd Gerhardt, Laurie Hokkanen, Kate Aanenson and Todd Hoffman
JOINT MEETINGS WITH COMMISSIONS:
SENIOR COMMISSION MEMBERS PRSENT:
Curt Robinson, Pat McGough, Barbara
Nevin, Charlie Robbins, Jean Mancini, and Virginia Prior
Chairman Curt Robinson reviewed the issues of importance to the Senior Commission. Jean
Mancini reported on the "In Case of Emergency (ICE)" program the Senior Commission is
intending to launch at their open house in September in which Deputy Fire Marshal/ Emergency
Management Coordinator Ed Coppersmith will give a presentation having had experience
dealing with the ICE program in New York. Curt Robinson stated transportation continues to be
a frustration for the Senior Commission. Attendance continues to increase at the Senior Center.
The American Legion has taken over the veterans monument project. In the area of
communication, the computer training has slowed down. The Life Time Learning program
which is being offered through Augsburg College, the College of the Third Age, continues to be
popular and will continue to be sponsored by Klein Bank. Educating future generations of
seniors, communicating with neighboring senior centers, community education, volunteer
opportunities for seniors, and senior parking are ongoing projects. The Senior Expo attendance
was down this past year so the commission will have a meeting to discuss future options,
possibly going to an every other year schedule. Chairman Robinson closed the meeting by
thanking the City Council, Sharmeen Al-Jaff and Sue Bill for their support.
PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT:
Glenn Stolar, Jeff
Daniel, Paula Atkins, Dan Campion, and Thor Smith
Chairman Stolar started out the meeting by thanking City Council for their support with projects
such as the Lake Ann Park parking lot and rain garden improvements, Lake Ann Park ballfield
lighting project, Lake Ann Park Parkview picnic shelter and the off leash dog area. Jeff Daniel
updated the council on the Carver County Board meeting in which they approved funding to
partner with Chanhassen and Shorewood for improvements at Lake Minnewashta Regional Park
for an off leash dog park. The park will probably be open in the spring of 2008, and the City
Council will be invited to the opening ceremony. Glenn Stolar and Jeff Daniel reviewed the
work which is being done to address the increased demand for different levels of athletic fields in
town, including work that is beginning to investigate a town field for adult baseball. Chairman
City Council Work Session - May 29, 2007
Stolar stated trails continue to be a top priority of the commission, paying special attention to
missing links. The 2008 comprehensive plan update has begun with the commission paying
special attention to the Seminary Fen, Bluff Creek Golf Course, completing a full circle natural
trail around Lake Ann, and investigating the possibility of bringing town ball back to
Chanhassen. Todd Gerhardt suggested the commission meet with John Guy, a resident of
Chanhassen who spearheaded the funding campaign for the Minnetonka Stadium through
partnerships and donations. Paula Atkins informed the council that she is seeking volunteers for
a task force to investigate the formation of an Arts Council and Historic Preservation Committee.
Todd Hoffman explained that at the comprehensive plan open house, staff will present a map
showing existing and proposed trail connections.
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION:
Ron Olson and two members of the Environmental Commission were present to encourage the
city to research the use of flex fuel and hybrid vehicles when purchasing city vehicles which will
help save money and help the planet in general. Councilman Litsey suggested that the
Environmental Commission play more of an advisory role to the City Council in the future than
just an educational role.
The work session was recessed at 6:55 p.m.. It was reconvened at 8:40 p.m..
DISCUSSION OF FUTURE STAFFING AND BENCHMARKING, POLICE SERVICES.
Sheriff Bud Olson, Commander Jeff Enevold and Sergeant Ross Gullickson were present from
the Carver County Sheriff's Department to present the report which outlines future staffing levels
for police service in Chanhassen. Todd Gerhardt reviewed factors used in the past to determine
policing levels. Commander Enevold reviewed policing factors such as response times to
emergencies, visibility in the community, and traffic enforcement. Community factors include
population, housing types (single family vs. multi family), number of local roads and types of
commercial property. Sgt. Ross Gullickson reported on juvenile and gang activity in
Chanhassen, Project Leadfoot and the use of the speed trailer in gathering data. Community
factors used to determine future need include the opening of Highway 312 in 2008, the opening
of the Chanhassen High School in 2009 and opening of the 2005 MUSA area in 2010.
Commander Enevold explained how the sheriff's department uses the "Average Sworn Law
Enforcement Officers per 1,000 Inhabitants" ratio of .8 for each 1,000 population in determining
staffing levels. Sgt. Ross Gullickson stated he would like to see 15 patrol deputies for
Chanhassen. Councilman Litsey asked about the addition of an investigator for Chanhassen,
which would lighten the load of patrol deputies. Sheriff Olson discussed districting of the
community to help eliminate response risks, increase response time and the level of service to
the community. Councilman Litsey asked for an explanation of how the county support is
factored into the formula. Todd Gerhardt asked for clarification of the 2010 patrol hours and
noted that the city will continue to monitor service and statistics over the next 3 years to make
sure the level of service is adequate. Councilman Litsey stated he felt the request was reasonable
based on the fact that the city is playing catch up with staffing. Councilwoman Ernst thanked
Commander Enevold for providing the benchmarking and comparisons to other similar
communities. Councilman Peterson stated the request was logical but asked that the city keep an
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City Council Work Session - May 29, 2007
eye on the impact of future growth, i.e. Highway 312 and the Chanhassen High School. Mayor
Furlong thought the information was good, showing what fits for Chanhassen. He liked that
incremental growth was being used which allows for flexibility if needed and asked that city
staff move forward with implementing the sheriff department's recommendations into the budget
process. Sheriff Olson noted he was "very comfortable with this plan". Councilwoman Ernst
asked for an explanation of the number of police cars that sit at City Hall, and if there really is a
need for additional police officers. Councilman Peterson asked if the sheriff's department has
done an analysis of wheel time vs. office time for patrol deputies. Sheriff Olson stated the
department has lacked the technology in the past, but now has software available so will begin
tracking that type of information. Todd Gerhardt asked for clarification on when the unmarked
squad car would be back in service. Sheriff Olson explained his understanding was that the
council was looking for a report before bringing an unmarked vehicle back into service.
Councilwoman Ernst asked for clarification on the use of unmarked squad car. Sheriff Olson
explained the philosophy of how level of service is provided in the city. Mayor Furlong noted
that how the unmarked vehicle is used is his priority, in providing good public safety. He
thanked Todd Gerhardt, Laurie Hokkanen, Commander Enevold, Sgt. Ross Gullickson and
Sheriff Olson for their time and work in presenting this proposal.
Mayor Furlong adjourned the work session at 9:50 p.m..
Submitted by Todd Gerhardt
City Manager
Prepared by Nann Opheim
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