WS 2008 10 13
CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
OCTOBER 13, 2008
Mayor Furlong called the work session to order at 5:30 p.m.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mayor Furlong, Councilman Litsey, Councilwoman
Ernst, Councilwoman Tjornhom, and Councilman McDonald
STAFF PRESENT:
Todd Gerhardt, Kate Aanenson, Paul Oehme, Greg Sticha, Todd Hoffman,
and Sgt. Peter Anderley
DISCUSS THE PURPOSE OF WORK SESSIONS AND DIFFERENTIATE ITEMS
FROM WORK SESSION TO REGULAR AGENDA.
Todd Gerhardt reviewed the City’s past policy regarding work sessions. Councilman Litsey
explained his feelings that work sessions should be the exception rather than the rule and that
more discussion between council members should be held on camera at regular City Council
meetings. Councilwoman Ernst asked about the policies of other cities regarding work sessions
and what is discussed at a work session versus regular council meeting. Mayor Furlong
explained the process used by him and the city manager in deciding which items are placed on
the consent agenda versus regular discussion items. Councilman Litsey asked what is being
gained by holding work sessions before every single council meeting, and why the information
regarding the sheriff’s department was being held at the work session rather than at the regular
City Council meeting. Mayor Furlong discussed the primary reason for work sessions in
balancing efficiency versus getting information out to the public. Councilwoman Tjornhom
stated her view that the role of work sessions is a way of getting educated by staff and not where
formal discussions and decisions are made. Councilman McDonald agreed with accessibility of
the public to see how city government works, but was concerned that it may be inefficient to
discuss everything on camera. He felt there was a need to work on a mechanism for getting
certain items onto the regular City Council agenda. Councilman Litsey asked staff to research
neighboring communities on their policies regarding work sessions. Councilwoman Ernst stated
she would like to make work sessions more open and inviting for residents to make comments.
She asked for an explanation of what items go onto the consent agenda versus regular agenda.
REVIEW SHERIFF’S OFFICE INVESTIGATOR POSITION.
Sgt. Peter Anderley gave a power point presentation outlining the benefits of the new
investigator position related to customer service, level of service, patrol relief, turnaround times
being improved, and showed a graph on assigned and closed cases for 2007 versus 2008. Mayor
Furlong asked for a job description relative to misdemeanor versus felony cases. Councilwoman
Tjornhom asked for the definition of gross misdemeanor. Sheriff Bud Olson explained how the
penalties are relative to the level of crime. Councilman Litsey asked if it was possible to see a
breakdown of Part I and Part II crimes in Chanhassen. Mayor Furlong expressed his
appreciation for the information and being able to see immediate results of the new investigator
City Council Work Session - October 13, 2008
position. Todd Gerhardt asked Sgt. Peter Anderley to present this power point presentation at the
next regular City Council meeting.
DISCUSS POLICE BENCHMARKING.
Todd Gerhardt explained that this policy was developed in 2006 as a way to track police
activities in the city. Councilman Litsey asked about the ratio of officers per residents and if
resource assistance is available from Carver County. Councilman McDonald asked for a
definition of Part I and Part II crimes.
The work session was recessed at 7:00 p.m. It was reconvened at 8:40 p.m.
UPDATE ON 2009 STREET PROJECTS.
Paul Oehme outlined the 2009 street project areas for mill and overlay, miscellaneous utility
improvements, curb, gutter and sidewalk replacements and pedestrian trail improvements.
Mayor Furlong asked how the condition of one street can vary so much and what needs to be
done to address the different conditions. Paul Oehme reviewed the proposed assessment
methodologies being used for low and medium density residential, rural residential and
commercial/industrial areas. Mayor Furlong asked about the timing of the Dell Road
improvements on the Eden Prairie side. Councilman McDonald asked why the Dell Road
assessments were not included in the commercial/industrial assessments for Area #3.
Councilwoman Ernst and Councilman McDonald asked about the impact of doing mill and
overlay projects now versus waiting and doing street reconstruction later.
2009 BUDGET PRESENTATION: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
Kate Aanenson presented the power point presentation for the Community Development
Department. Mayor Furlong asked about the increase in contractual services. Councilman
McDonald asked for clarification of the proposed 10% cuts and the impact of reducing 2 full
time positions in inspections. Mayor Furlong asked how the city could manage next year’s
budget if it runs into soft economic times, noting that the permit revenues from the community
development department are the most suspect. Todd Gerhardt stated staff will work on
contingency plans for the council to review.
Mayor Furlong adjourned the work session at 10:00 p.m.
Submitted by Todd Gerhardt
City Manager
Prepared by Nann Opheim
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