WS 2007 11 26CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
NOVEMBER 26, 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, Kate Aanenson, Greg Sticha, Paul Oehme, and Todd
Hoffman
CONTINUATION OF 2008 BUDGET DISCUSSIONS:
FIRE DEPARTMENT PRESENTATION.
Chief Greg Geske gave a power point presentation outlining the fire department's proposed
operating budget for 2008, which includes a .3% increase from 2007. He explained how priority
dispatching has helped to decrease the number of calls handled by the fire department this year
compared to previous years before priority dispatch was used. Councilman Litsey asked how
members of the department like the priority dispatch system. Mayor Furlong asked about the
hiring of new recruits for 2008. Chief Greg Geske explained that the fire department is looking
to begin building membership numbers up, anticipating the completion of the new satellite
station and replacing expected retirements.
2008-2012 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.
Todd Gerhardt reviewed the list of purchases proposed to be made in the next 5 years. Greg
Sticha explained what the 5 year program includes and how items plan to be funded. He
reviewed specifically the changes for 2008 pertaining to the capital replacement funds, the
satellite fire station #3 and equipment needed to outfit the building, and Lyman Boulevard
improvements. Councilman Litsey asked how assessments were figured for the Lyman
Boulevard improvements. Mayor Furlong asked for clarification on MSA roads and funding.
Greg Sticha continued discussing the west water treatment plant, annual street improvement
projects and public works facility, whether it will entail remodeling existing city buildings or
building a new structure. Councilwoman Tjornhom asked why the existing city building would
need to share space. Todd Gerhardt explained the need for an emergency generator for city hall
which will be used as the command center during emergencies. Mayor Furlong noted that the
City Manager and himself have been discussing the use of alternative fuels, and asked if there
were enough stand-by generators for the number of wells in the city. Councilwoman Ernst
questioned the size of the generator being requested for City Hall. Councilman Litsey expressed
a concern that noise needs to be addressed with a generator. Councilman Peterson asked for
clarification of the $300,000 proposed for building improvements in 2009. Greg Sticha
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explained that the Truth in Taxation hearing will be held on December 10 and reviewed the
updated numbers in the 2008 levy amounts and their affect on taxpayers. There was some
confusion over the numbers with the health insurance, which Mr. Sticha stated he would research
City Council Work Session - November 26, 2007
and clarify at the next work session meeting. Mayor Furlong questioned what still needed to be
done to get closer to Scenario #3's numbers.
Mayor Furlong recessed the work session at 7:05 p.m. The work session was reconvened at
7:40 p.m.
DISCUSSION OF PROCESS FOR CITY MANAGER'S PERFORMANCE
EVALUATION.
The council discussed the process to be followed for the city manager's performance evaluation.
The work session was adjourned.
Submitted by Todd Gerhardt
City Manager
Prepared by Nann Opheim
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