WS 2008 07 28
CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
JULY 28, 2008
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 McDonald
STAFF PRESENT:
Todd Gerhardt, Laurie Hokkanen, Kate Aanenson, Paul Oehme, Todd
Hoffman, and Beth Hoiseth
UPDATE ON NATIONAL NIGHT OUT.
Todd Gerhardt introduced Beth Hoiseth who
provided highlights from the annual Safety Camp and invited council members to participate in
th
National Night Out which will be held on Tuesday, August 5. She noted that a new item this
year is a newsletter which will be included with the party packs that are handed out to
neighborhoods when they sign up. Todd Gerhardt reminded council members to have their
business cards with them.
DISCUSS CITY CODE AMENDMENTS, CHAPTER 20 (INCLUDING CITY CENTER
PARK SIGNAGE).
Kate Aanenson reviewed the proposed changes to Chapter 20 pertaining to
signage issues. In discussing campaign signage, Mayor Furlong asked about enforcement.
Councilman McDonald asked for clarification of the sight triangle. In discussion of community
signage, Councilwoman Ernst asked how government signage differs from other signs that are
allowed in the city and Councilman Litsey asked for clarification on what’s been allowed before.
Kate Aanenson explained that presently government/institutional signage is allowed by
conditional use permit. Mayor Furlong suggested increasing the allowable square footage to
over the recommended 64 square feet. Councilman McDonald asked if there was a minimum
size requirement for public safety concerns. Councilwoman Ernst asked about the different
colors allowed on electronic signage. Mayor Furlong asked about current regulations for pylon
signs in the different zoning districts.
UPDATE ON PUBLIC WORKS FACILITY.
Paul Oehme reviewed the detailed findings of
the soil borings and associated costs for correction. Todd Gerhardt reviewed the funding costs
for Option 1A versus Option 2, noting staff recommends Option 2, building a new facility at the
end of Park Place. Councilman Litsey stated it seemed obvious that Option 2 was the better
alternative. Councilwoman Ernst asked about potential buyers and the timeline for selling the
old public works building. Todd Gerhardt explained how the funds from the sale of the current
public works building would be used in conjunction with funding the new facility.
Councilwoman Tjornhom stated she still had a hard time with the dollar amount, and that the
numbers seemed squishy of what the city would get from the sale of the public works building.
Mayor Furlong asked, given the nature of the proposed building, what the estimated costs would
be for the shell of the building without fixtures. Todd Gerhardt explained the difference between
the square footage costs of building a public building versus a private warehouse building.
Councilman McDonald asked if the life span of the building would be sufficient to meet the
needs of the city into the future, and where the funds would come from if the city doesn’t get the
City Council Work Session - July 28, 2008
anticipated revenue from the sale of the existing public works building. Mayor Furlong asked
for clarification of where the current “bone yard” operation would be located with both options.
Paul Oehme addressed the short term versus long term needs of the city. Mayor Furlong asked
for a comparison of what other surrounding cities have spent on a square footage basis recently
so that the council could get a comfort with the amount of money that is proposed.
The City Council recessed the work session at 7:00 p.m. It was reconvened at 9:35 p.m.
Discussion continued with Paul Oehme presenting a chart comparing square footage costs for
recent additions and new public work facilities in the metropolitan area. Councilman McDonald
asked what type of businesses would be interested in purchasing the building, noting he was
convinced that Option 2 was the better option but had concern over what the city would be
giving up if they didn’t get the projected $1.7 million for the existing building. Todd Gerhardt
explained where potential funding could come from. Councilwoman Ernst expressed concern
with today’s costs and having a contingency plan for a funding shortfall but was comfortable
with Option 2. Councilwoman Tjornhom agreed that this project needs to be done and would
prefer Option 2, but had concern that it be built to handle future needs. Mayor Furlong
concurred to go forward with Option 2 on an accelerated schedule to get the best possible
pricing.
REVIEW DOWNTOWN TRANSIT STATION SITE IMPROVEMENTS.
Todd Gerhardt
explained how Southwest Metro Transit has received a grant to construct a transit building in
downtown Chanhassen. He reviewed the current situation, project overview and criteria used in
planning, project elements, i.e. acquisitions, upgrades and utility relocation, preliminary costs for
land acquisition and road construction, and allocation of costs. Councilwoman Ernst asked for
clarification of the terms of the assessment costs with Southwest Metro Transit and Bloomberg
Companies, and why the city would create a new TIF district. Todd Gerhardt explained the need
to create incentives for Bloomberg Companies to accept assessments while reviewing the tax
parcel ownership map and how it would change after development. Mayor Furlong thanked
Todd Gerhardt for all the work and meetings he’s attended to get all the parties involved and
working together. Councilwoman Ernst asked for clarification of how the financing would work,
seeing that this project is not part of the city’s CIP. Todd Gerhardt explained the timeline for
planning, construction of utilities, road and parking facility, and that the City Council will need
to approve a Master Redevelopment Agreement with Bloomberg Companies to waive
assessments in the next couple months. The consensus of the council was to move forward with
the proposed plan.
The work session was adjourned at 10:35 p.m.
Submitted by Todd Gerhardt
City Manager
Prepared by Nann Opheim
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