WS 2008 09 08
CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
SEPTEMBER 8, 2008
Mayor Furlong called the work session to order at 5:30 p.m.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mayor Furlong, Councilman Litsey, Councilwoman
Tjornhom, and Councilman McDonald
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT:
Councilwoman Ernst
STAFF PRESENT:
Todd Gerhardt, Kate Aanenson, Paul Oehme, Greg Sticha, Todd Hoffman
and Jill Sinclair
UPDATE ON WATER WISE PROGRAM.
Todd Gerhardt thanked Jill Sinclair, Kate
Aanenson and Paul Oehme for obtaining the grant to implement the Water Wise Program and
asked Jill Sinclair to give an update on the process of obtaining the grant and what has been
achieved through the program. Jill Sinclair explained the breakdown of the proposed versus
actual money received from the grant and explained how that money was used for public
education, irrigation audits, and rebates for appliances and landscaping. In reviewing the list of
homes that were conservation contest winners, Todd Hoffman explained the conservation
measures used by his family to be second on the list of those winners. Mayor Furlong asked
about the cost of the irrigation audits and suggested continuing with educating the public on the
benefits of the irrigation audit. Councilman Litsey asked how the tiered water usage fee system
works. Mayor Furlong asked staff to investigate the option of monthly billing for utilities.
DISCUSS THE CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT APPROACH FOR THE
PROPOSED PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING.
Todd Gerhardt explained the differences
between using the construction management versus prime contractor in bidding for construction
of the public works building. Councilman McDonald asked if the construction management
system was replacing the City as the general contractor. Paul Oehme explained the benefits and
negatives of the comparative structures for the two approaches. Mayor Furlong asked for
clarification on how the architectural/construction management fees will ensure the highest level
of quality. Councilman McDonald asked for clarification of the comparative structures chart
regarding where and how the City will find a construction manager, how cost savings will be
measured, and incentives for a construction manager to obtain cost savings. Todd Gerhardt
explained that the key is getting good preliminary bid estimates and correcting the soils to
provide a solid base for the building. Councilwoman Tjornhom asked who will be blamed if
something goes wrong during construction. The council members agreed to move forward with
the construction management approach.
Mayor Furlong adjourned the work session at 6:40 p.m.
Submitted by Todd Gerhardt
City Manager Prepared by Nann Opheim