WS 2009 06 08
CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
JUNE 8, 2009
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 Terry Jeffery
UPDATE ON CARVER COUNTY BOARD OF REVIEW, ANGIE JOHNSON,
ASSESSOR.
Mayor Furlong welcomed the County Assessor, Angie Johnson and asked her to explain how the
“open book” process works in Chanhassen. Todd Gerhardt explained how the Board of Review
process operated in the past and how much more functional the open book process has been with
no complaints from city residents. Laurie Hokkanen stated the city received all positive
comments about the open book process from the citizen survey which was conducted after the
first year. Mayor Furlong asked about the volume of people who participated in the process this
year. Angie Johnson explained that of the 84 requests for adjustments, most were from
developers regarding vacant lots and commercial/industrial lot owners. Councilwoman
Tjornhom asked how short sales and foreclosures have affected values. Angie Johnson
explained how the Assessor’s office uses sales studies and reviewed the Minnesota Department
of Revenue guidelines that Carver County has to follow. Councilman Litsey asked how
assessment valuations will affect the 2009 and 2010 budget projections. Todd Gerhardt asked
council members to begin thinking about how they want to handle possible shortfalls in building
permit revenues for 2009 and 2010.
REVIEW POTENTIAL OPTIONS FOR STATE BONDING BILL.
Paul Oehme reviewed the general criteria used by the State when considering projects to be
included in the State Bonding Bill. He presented four projects being asked for consideration by
the City of Chanhassen. Councilwoman Tjornhom asked why the City hasn’t applied for this
before. Todd Gerhardt explained how the City had gone through the MnDOT process in prior
years and how this is a way to get city issues out in the public eye. Paul Oehme explained the
amount of work and studies that were needed to be done prior to any projects being submitted for
consideration. Mayor Furlong discussed Shakopee’s support of the Highway 101 improvements
from Lyman Boulevard to the Scott County line. He suggested that an underpass trail connection
to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum be included on the list. Councilwoman Ernst asked how
the project dollar amounts being proposed by the City of Chanhassen compare with other
communities. Councilwoman Tjornhom agreed that it was good to have the scoping studies
done prior to submittal of projects. Councilman McDonald asked for clarification of how the
process of getting the City’s projects included in the State Bonding Bill will work.
City Council Work Session - June 8, 2009
DISCUSS APPOINTMENTS TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION.
Councilwoman Tjornhom gave a summary of the interviews conducted with Colleen Dockendorf
and Cara Kail at the last work session where Mayor Furlong and Councilman Litsey were not
present. Mayor Furlong explained that the mission of the Environmental Commission should be
to educate the public and discussed the difference between educating and advocating. He noted
that the trend of the Environmental Commission recently has been leaning towards advocating
versus educating. Councilwoman Tjornhom asked if the City Council has given the
Environmental Commission enough direction of what their role should be. Councilman
McDonald stated his belief that the Environmental Commission has been creating their own
policies i.e. wind energy. Kate Aanenson provided staff’s perception on what the Environmental
Commission’s role is noting that when they meet with the City Council, they throw out ideas
looking for council feedback on how to proceed. Councilwoman Ernst agreed that the city needs
to be aware of new technologies. Councilman McDonald stated his concern that the
Environmental Commission has crossed the line in wanting to dictate how city residents live
their lives. Mayor Furlong discussed how the Water Wise program has worked and that the onus
is on the council to give better direction to the Environmental Commission. Todd Gerhardt
suggested the council meet as a part of their goal setting session to prepare a list of expectations
for each commission. It was decided to defer the appointment of the commissioners until Mayor
Furlong and Councilman Litsey have had a chance to interview the candidates.
Mayor Furlong adjourned the work session meeting at 7:05 p.m.
Submitted by Todd Gerhardt
City Manager
Prepared by Nann Opheim
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