WS 2001 03 26CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
MARCH 26, 2001
Mayor Jansen called the work session to order at 5:30 p.m.
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Jansen, Councilman Labatt, Councilman Kroskin and
Councilman Ayotte
COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: Craig Peterson
STAFF PRESENT: Scott Botcher, Bruce DeJong, Roger Knutson, and Kate Aanenson
FIRE DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVES: Mark Littfin, Greg Hayes, Jack Atkins, and Randy
Wall
FIRE DEPARTMENT RELIEF ASSOCIATION PRESENTATION.
Scott Botcher provided the background information for the new council members on the compensation
package with the Fire Department Relief Association. He stated the goals for this meeting were to walk
through the issues, fiscal impacts on the City and the Relief Association, and where do we go from here.
Jack Atkins made a power point presentation to the council, a proposal for changes in the retirement
benefits for the Chanhassen Fire Department. The purpose, proposal highlights, financial summary, and
conclusion.
Scott Botcher asked Bruce DeJong to explain what has been done financially in the past. The City
Manager recommended that what the Fire Department Relief Association was asking for was good for the
City. It's in the City's best interest to keep the model they have presently, which is blending some full time
employees with some volunteers.
Councilman Ayotte asked how many people leave before 5 years and what the cost impact is to train new
members.
Randy Wall asked the City Council to attach a number of years to the relief package so this item doesn't
have to be discussed every year. Scott Botcher stated he was not opposed to that idea, but would like to
discuss the financial impact with the Finance Director before setting a specific number of years.
Jack Atkins explained to the Council that Chanhassen is similar to Eden Prairie in that it's basically a white
collar suburb, and therefore the fire department has problems maintaining a volunteer fire department.
Randy Wall explained the process needed to change the Fire Department By-laws. Mayor Jansen asked if
the City Council would be comfortable giving conceptual approval and then formally receive the plan on
the consent agenda at the next City Council meeting April 9th, thereby letting the Fire Department begin the
process of changing their By-laws.
Mayor Jansen stated she was not comfortable in giving automatic increases and locking future councils.
B. CITY MANAGER'S TASK PLAN.
Mayor Jansen went over the task plan presented and asked if there were changes, additions, deletions. The
Council discussed different tasks and priorities of services. Councilman Ayotte asked how the City could
assure quality of service to its citizens. Scott Botcher asked Councilman Ayotte to explain how it was done
at the federal level.
Councilman Kroskin made a comment of "let's trust our staff" and why pay an outside consultant to
double check on staff's work. Councilmen Ayotte, Kroskin and Labatt all expressed dissatisfaction with
the current format of the task plan, stating that it was too detailed. They asked for a broader plan. Scott
Botcher suggested that council members submit to the Mayor how they would like to change the task plan.
Mayor Jansen asked for a legal opinion. Roger Knutson stated it was legal for council members to submit
information to the mayor and then discussion to take place at the next work session. Councilman Labatt
stated he supported leaving the information in the bold print and taking out the details.
Mayor Jansen adjourned the work session meeting at 6:45 p.m.
Submitted by Scott Botcher
City Manager
Prepared by Nann Opheim