1. City Council Applications
CITY OF
CHANHASSEN
7700 Market Boulevard
PO Box 147
Chanhassen, MN 55317
Administration
Phone: 952.227.1100
Fax: 952.227.1110
Building Inspections
Phone: 952.227.1180
Fax: 952.227.1190
Engineering
Phone: 952.227.1160
Fax: 952.227.1170
Finance
Phone: 952.227.1140
Fax: 952.227.1110
Park & Recreation
Phone: 952.227.1120
Fax: 952.227.1110
Recreation Center
2310 Coulter Boulevard
Phone: 952.227.1400
Fax: 952.227.1404
Planning &
Natural Resources
Phone: 952.227.1130
Fax: 952.227.1110
Public Works
1591 Park Road
Phone: 952.227.1300
Fax: 952.227.1310
Senior Center
Phone: 952.227.1125
Fax: 952.227.1110
Web Site
wNw.ci .chanhassen.mn. us
i
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Mayor & City Council
Todd Gerhardt, City Manager '\ ~ \ ~
FROM:
DA TE:
February 1, 2008
SUBJ:
Process for Appointment to City Council
Attached you will find 14 applications for the vacant City Council seat. Please
review each of the applications prior to our meeting on Monday night. At that
time, we can determine the process you would like to use in determining how
many applicants will be interviewed on February 6 & 7.
A TT ACHMENTS
1. Applications.
2. Mayor & City Council Responsibilities
3. Sample Letter Sent to all Applicants
4. City Council Ballot
The City of Chanhassen · A growing community with clean lakes, quality schools, a charming downtown, thriving businesses, winding trails, and beautiful parks. A great place to live, work, and play.
City of Chanhassen
Mayor and City Council Responsibilities
1. Financial Acumen: Without question, serving as a Council member in a City ofthis size
generally requires some sort of minimal financial acumen, i.e. budgeting, review of audits,
debt analysis, and bond sales.
2. Organizational Participation/Management: Serving as a Council member, especially in a
City of our size, is a position of organizational leadership. This is not to say that those who
have not been part of an organization cannot serve effectively as Council members; however,
possessing an understanding of the dynamics of an organization as opposed to a self-
proprietorship or a partnership does bring with it some advantages. The development of
policies/ordinances by the Council as a whole.
3. Public Interaction/Communication: Much of what we do here involves communication and
services delivery. Understanding the thoughts and actions of a candidate within these areas
might be beneficial to you.
4. PlanninglLand Use/Development: In any city, including those that are not facing the same
development pressures we face here, this category is critical. In our community, we face
daily pressures upon the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan, miscellaneous
Watershed Plans, and the City Zoning Code. The ability to understand and grasp issues of
land use law, development issues, and strategic long-term planning will continue to be
important.
5. Optional Plan B Form of Government: Optional Plan B embodies the council-manager
plan of government. Under Plan B, the elected city council consists of a mayor and four
council members. All policy and legislative decisions are the responsibility ofthe council.
The council delegates the administrative duties to a city manager. The manager is
accountable to the council for the effective administration of city business in accordance with
council decisions.
These categories are not meant to be exclusive of any others. I have simply tried to categorize,
to the best of my ability, areas in which Council members operate. I would also recommend that
you visit the League of Minnesota Cities web site (www.lmnc.org) and click on "Welcome
Newly Elected Officials". I hope you find this of assistance.
g:\admin\tg\council vacancy\mayor and city council responsibilities.doc
CITY OF
CHANBASSEN
7700 Market Boulevard
PO Box 147
Chanhassen, MN 55317
Administration
Phone: 952.227.1100
Fax: 952.227.1110
Building Inspections
Phone: 952.227.1180
Fax: 952.227.1190
Engineering
Phone: 952.227.1160
Fax: 952.227.1170
Finance
Phone: 952.227.1140
Fax: 952.227.1110
Park & Recreation
Phone: 952.227.1120
Fax: 952.227.1110
Recreation Center
2310 Coulter Boulevard
Phone: 952.227.1400
Fax: 952.227.1404
Planning &
Natural Resources
Phone: 952.2?7.1130
Fax: 952.227.1110
Public Works
1591 Park Road
Phone: 952.227.1300
Fax: 952.227.1310
Senior Center
Phone: 952.227.1125
Fax: 952.227.1110
Web Site
WNII.ci .chanhassen.mn.us
January 31, 2008
Mr. Will Ahem
1191 Homestead Lane
Chanhassen, MN 55317
Dear Mr. Ahem:
Sample Letter
Thank you for your interest in the vacant seat on the Chanhassen City Council.
This letter is to confirm that we have received your applicationlresume. The
Chanhassen City Council will begin review of all applications at a special
meeting on Monday, February 4.
Based on the number of applications we have received, the City Council may
limit the number of individuals that are selected fora formal interview. City
staff will notify you of the outcome of the initial selection' process on Tuesday,
February 5. .
. . .
Again, thank you for your interestin serving on the City Council.
Sincerely,
d ~D_. .L.".'. ...................
~~' ..
Todd Gerhardt
City Manager
TG:k
The City of Chanhassen · A growing community with clean lakes, quality schools, a charming downtown, thriving businesses, winding trails, and beautiful parks. A great place 10 live, work, and play.
CITY COUNCIL BALLOT
APPLICANT
John Kunitz
Jerry McDonald
Gary Foster
Bob Ayotte
Matthew Brower
Neil Anderson
Bruce Kraft
Will Ahem
Steven Donen
Fred Potthoff
Ladd Conrad
Jennifer Thorp
Marlin Thompson
Laura Helmer
2-4-08 G:\admin\lg\council vacancy\balloLdoc