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WS 2007 08 13 CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION AUGUST 13, 2007 Mayor Furlong called the work session to order at 5:35 p.m. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Furlong, Councilman Litsey, Councilwoman Ernst, Councilwoman Tjornhom, and Councilman Peterson STAFF PRESENT: Todd Gerhardt, Laurie Hokkanen, Kate Aanenson, Paul Oehme, Todd Hoffman, Greg Sticha, Charlie Siegle, and Lori Haak UPDATE ON LICENSE CENTER IN CHANHASSEN. Kate Aanenson provided an update on the work that's been done with Carver County to date in selecting a site in Chanhassen for a license center. She introduced Steve Taylor with Carver County Administrative Services who informed the council that the county is currently working to secure the property located at 7808 Kerber Boulevard. He provided the particulars of a verbal agreement with the owner regarding escrowed money for soil corrections, size and layout of the facility, timing for approvals from the County Board and construction timeline. Mayor Furlong asked for clarification on the location of the drive thru and asked staff to watch for stacking as the plans proceed. 2008 BUDGET. Greg Sticha highlighted changes made to expenditures and revenues which impact the levy amount using assumptions from Carver County that the new construction estimate will be 1.8% less than anticipated. Adjustments were also made for cost of living, wage adjustments and health care costs. He outlined 3 scenarios for the projected levy and their impact on taxpayers. Option 1 would be to levy the entire amount needed to balance the budget as submitted resulting in a 1.1% increase in property taxes. Option 2 would eliminate the current vacant building inspector position saving $71,000 to the general fund and balance the remaining $35,800 by using levy dollars, resulting in a .37% increase in taxes. Option 3 would eliminate the current vacant building inspector position and cut expenditures or look for additional revenues totally $35,800 to keep the levy at $6,747,100, or 2.9% higher than the general fund levy from 1007, resulting in 0% increase in taxes. Staff recommended Option 1 which would provide the greatest flexibility for the Truth in Taxation notices. Councilwoman Ernst asked where additional revenue would come from for Option 3 which calls for a 0% increase. Councilman Peterson asked for actual versus projected growth numbers from Carver County. Councilman Litsey stated he would like to see the city get realistic with their numbers and not under fund the budget to provide a cushion for infrastructure projects in the future. Councilman Peterson noted that according to the survey taken by city residents, taxes were their main focus. Greg Sticha asked for council direction so staff can set a number for the preliminary levy which needs to be th approved at the September 10 City Council meeting. Councilman Peterson asked to see the fund balance spread sheet. Councilwoman Ernst asked if the city has explored the use of federal grant money for street improvement projects. Councilman Litsey stated he would support City Council Work Session - August 13, 2007 Option 1 with additional money added for additional leeway. Councilman Peterson asked to review this item again at a work session and will call staff with specific questions. Mayor Furlong asked to see the net receivables for special assessments. Councilman Litsey asked to see the game plan for future street improvements. Councilwoman Ernst stated she would also give staff a call with specific questions. WATER SUPPLY & LAWN SPRINKLING UPDATE. Todd Gerhardt reviewed the daily usage chart and provided an update on the storm that occurred over the weekend. Paul Oehme reviewed the daily usage numbers for the last month and provided an update on the well pump repairs, noting two wells are still down. Mayor Furlong asked what the daily water usage number are in the winter, noting compliance from residents was very good. He encouraged residents to continue with their conservation. Todd Gerhardt explained how the city water systems compared with private well systems. Paul Oehme showed graphics explaining the "Hydrologic Cycle" and aquifer locations within the city. The work session was recessed at 7:00 p.m.. It was reconvened at 7:25 p.m.. UPDATE ON WETLAND REGULATIONS AND FOX/DORSEY APPEALS. Brad Wozney from the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) was available to answer questions. Kate Aanenson reviewed the Wetland Conservation Act (WCA) and how those regulations affect the City in their review of the Fox/Dorsey appeals of Wetland Exemption Determination. Lori Haak reviewed the state and local standards that affect the city, and specifically how the process and regulations apply to the application submitted by Fox/Dorsey. Roger Knutson explained the role of BWSR in the appeal process, noting they have the final say if someone appeals the decision by the City Council. He also explained how changes in state law th that went into effect on August 6 affect this appeal. Brad Wozney explained that generally the rule changes are to meet state statute. Mayor Furlong asked for clarification on how the appeal process will work with the City Council and what laws will apply. Roger Knutson explained that this is the first time in the history of the city that an item like this has been appealed. WATER SUPPLY & LAWN SPRINKLING UPDATE, (CON'T). Paul Oehme continued with his presentation asking that the sprinkling ordinance be strictly enforced for the rest of the summer while investigating improvements to Wells 2, 5 and 6 and setting up a pumping schedule. Staff will also investigate the redevelopment of the Minnetonka Middle School West well site and the potential advance of installation of the new well. Mayor Furlong asked how soon the council would need to make a decision for well improvements for next year. Paul Oehme stated approval should be made in the September-October timeframe. Todd Gerhardt explained the difficulty of obtaining permits from the DNR for new wells versus redevelopment of existing wells. Mayor Furlong asked about quality versus quantity. Councilwoman Ernst asked if there was anything the city could do now to avoid problems in the near future. Mayor Furlong asked about options for improving existing wells. Todd Gerhardt stated staff will continue to monitor the situation and will bring back a report to the council in the next month. Councilman Peterson asked if the school has considered providing their own well 2 City Council Work Session - August 13, 2007 and not using the city's treated water. Todd Gerhardt explained the possibility of using "gray water" for larger users. PUBLIC WORKS FACILITY EXPANSION. Paul Oehme gave a power point presentation showing the purpose of the public works facility program study explaining what is public works, the current facility and operations which were built in 1987, the existing building layout and proposed expansion, and current problems with storage for the street and fleet departments. Staff has identified four solutions. Number 1 would be an expansion to the existing site which would not accommodate the needs for the total build out of the city. Number 2 would be constructing a new facility on the property currently owned by the City on Park Place. Number 3 would be leasing space from the former Emplast facility at 950 Lake Drive, which staff considers not to be cost effective. Number 4 would be buying land and constructing a new facility on Outlot F in the Chanhassen Lakes Business Park. Staff is recommending Option 2 which would include constructing a new facility on the property currently owned by the city at Park Place. Mayor Furlong confirmed that all council members were in agreement that something needed to be done. Councilman Peterson stated the current public works building's size is very marketable right now and suggested leasing space to other governmental agencies i.e. MnDot or Southwest Metro Transit as a revenue source. He also suggested saving architectural fees by duplicating buildings that have already been built in other communities. Mayor Furlong noted he recognized the need to do something and asked staff to explore the Park Place option, looking at saving money on architectural fees by using existing building plans and material costs. Councilman Litsey suggested selling the existing facility and Park Place property to buy new site. Council members discussed the pros and cons of using the existing Victory Envelope building. Mayor Furlong adjourned the work session meeting at 9:15 p.m. Submitted by Todd Gerhardt City Manager Prepared by Nann Opheim 3