WS 2001 09 24CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
SEPTEMBER 24, 2001
Mayor Jansen called the work session to order at 5:35 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Jansen, Councilman Labatt, Councilman Peterson, Councilman Boyle
and Councilman Ayotte
STAFF PRESENT: Kate Aanenson, Todd Hoffman, Teresa Burgess, Bruce DeJong, and Bob Generous
COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS~ BILL MORRIS~ DECISION RESOURCES.
Bill Morris was present to discuss the results of the community survey in more depth after meeting with
city staff and getting their perspective. He stated staff seemed more interested in globally how Chanhassen
compares to other cities. After taking the tax impact element out of the survey results, he outlined the
following trends:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
Park and Recreation
Development
Environment
Web site presence and on-line access
Park and Recreation.
The two major items that residents wanted to see in the community were an indoor swimming pool and
community center. Families with young children and seniors alike expressed interest in a swimming pool.
A community center should contain such things as a swimming pool and senior facility. Mr. Morris stated
that now was a good time to begin discussions with the public about what additional facilities they would
want completed in such a facility.
Development.
Mr. Morris stated that people who felt negative about the city were generally people who were against the
high taxes. A number of people felt the TIF financing issue was a "time bomb" depending on what the
State does with funding for cities and the number of TIF districts. He stated he was surprised by the
number of people who knew about the TIF situation in Chanhassen. Mayor Jansen stated there had been a
negative article about the City of Chanhassen's TIF situation that ran in the Star Tribune about the same
time the survey was taking place. Mr. Morris stated that people felt it would be okay to use TIF money for
a ~nice sit down restaurant". Councilman Boyle asked for an example of a nice sit down restaurant.
Mr. Morris cited examples such as a steakhouse or high end ethnic restaurant. Not a sports bar restaurant.
Mr. Morris stated that life cycle housing was also a major concern in the community. The need for low
end, starter housing and affordable senior housing. There was some support for more apartments but
mostly starter homes that young families could afford.
Environment.
City Council Work Session - September 24, 2001
The results for construction of a water treatment plant were 44% in favor and 43% opposed. About 10%
stated they would shift out of the opposed category if a water treatment plant could remove rust and
manganese. As far as a tiered water rate structure, 51% were in favor and 39% opposed.
Web Site Presence and On-line Access.
Bill Morris stated that the City of Chanhassen has the largest percentage of people they've ever surveyed
having and using computers in their homes. He suggested that the city use this information to consider
providing services such as recreation program registration on line. Resident wanted more general
information provided, everything from the history of Chanhassen, demographic information and city events.
He also urged doing more of an electronic version of the city newsletter as opposed to paper.
In closing Mr. Morris raised a couple of questions. He mentioned that Precincts 1 and 3 were almost
completely opposite in their view of the city. Staff and commission members stated reasons for the
disparity might stem from the Highway 101 issue and the last campaign, Minnetonka School District
versus Chaska School District, and the difference in one precinct being an older, established urban
neighborhood as opposed to the other being a new, more rural neighborhood.
The second concern was related to the city's newsletter. He stated that those people who said they read and
rely on the newsletter responded negatively toward it. Mr. Morris suggested looking at revising the format
and content. He stated that this was the first time he's seen a newsletter being viewed as negative rather
than positive. Kate Aanenson asked which cities had positive responses for their newsletters. Mayor
Jansen asked that Mr. Morris forward a list of those cities to the city manager.
EDASTRUCTURE.
The City Council discussed whether to change the make-up of the Economic Development Authority
(EDA) and whether to form a task force to provide recommendations to the EDA. After discussion Roger
Knutson was directed to write a resolution that the EDA consist of the City Council members with Jim
Bohn serving until his term expires. Mayor Jansen asked that the staff poll other communities on the make-
up and duties of an task force to the EDA.
Mayor Jansen adjourned the work session at 6:55 p.m.
Submitted by Todd Gerhardt
City Manager
Prepared by Nann Opheim