WS 2009 07 27
CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
JULY 27, 2009
Mayor Furlong called the work session to order at 5:45 p.m.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mayor Furlong, Councilman Litsey, Councilwoman
Ernst, Councilwoman Tjornhom, and Councilman McDonald
STAFF PRESENT:
Todd Gerhardt, Laurie Hokkanen, Greg Sticha, and Beth Hoiseth
UPDATE ON NATIONAL NIGHT OUT.
Crime Prevention Specialist Beth Hoiseth thanked
all the departments and individuals involved with making this year’s Safety Camp a success for
the 102 children who attended before providing an update on the 46 neighborhoods who have
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signed up for National Night Out which will be held on Tuesday, August 4. She passed out
maps showing locations of all the neighborhood parties and invited the Mayor and council
members to join the deputies who will be visiting the different block parties. Councilwoman
Tjornhom asked what themes will be discussed, citing a common concern seems to be speed in
neighborhoods. Mayor Furlong asked if the City has seen a decrease in crime or heard of
prevention that has occurred from the education provided on National Night Out. Beth Hoiseth
explained how that is hard to quantify.
FOLLOW UP ON JUSTIFICATION STUDY FOR SATELLITE FIRE STATION #3 ON
st
LYMAN BOULEVARD.
1 Assistant Fire Chief, Roger Smallbeck was present to answer
questions. Todd Gerhardt provided background information on the studies that have been done.
Laurie Hokkanen discussed how Chanhassen’s response time compared to neighboring
jurisdictions. Todd Gerhardt clarified how response time is determined. Roger Smallbeck
explained how and why the system works for first response and the chain of command for
dispatching 911 calls. Laurie Hokkanen reviewed the square footages, amenities and layout of
Fire Station 1 and Station 2. Mayor Furlong asked about duplicate amenities and layout
proposed for Station 3. Roger Smallbeck explained that training would still occur at Station 1
but that additional classroom space would be available at the other 2 stations. Todd Gerhardt
explained that Station 3 will also be used as a new polling location. In discussing if the building
will be adequate for the future, Councilwoman Ernst asked if Station 3 would meet all future
needs of the city. Councilman Litsey asked about the value of Station 2 at Lake Minnewashta
due to it’s size and location. Mayor Furlong asked if the new firefighter positions will be new
hires or reallocation of current staff and equipment. Councilman Litsey asked for clarification
on the numbers indicated for wages. Laurie Hokkanen explained how the formula for benefits is
determined. She discussed how the site will work to access adjacent open space and the effect
on the City’s ISO rating. Councilwoman Ernst asked for clarification of the phrase “Credit for
Distribution” in the staff’s memo. Todd Gerhardt reminded council members how funding for
this facility will work with the sale of the existing public works building and CIP funds. Laurie
Hokkanen explained that the City has submitted a grant application with an answer coming likely
in October. Mayor Furlong talked about consideration of timing for construction when funds
become available.
City Council Work Session – July 27, 2009
CONSIDER AGREEMENT FOR AN EXCLUSIVE COMMERCIAL LISTING,
EXISTING PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING.
Todd Gerhardt discussed how the City has been
marketing the existing public works building for the past year and the need to reach a more
regional market. He recommended that the City hire a commercial real estate agency to help in
the sale and reviewed the proposals received from area commercial brokers. After evaluating all
the proposals, staff recommended hiring Craig Peterson of Marathon Real Estate who proposed
the most favorable terms. Councilman McDonald asked Craig Peterson to clarify how the month
to month commitment would work and the prospects of selling the building in today’s market.
Craig Peterson explained the need to market to niche industries that have multiple vehicles
needing maintenance. Councilman McDonald asked how dependent the City is on selling this
property. Todd Gerhardt explained that the City needs to sell this property before it can
construct the new fire station. Councilwoman Ernst asked for clarification of the pricing
analysis. Mayor Furlong explained that having worked with Craig Peterson in the past with
Southwest Metro Transit, he would be in favor of going with Marathon Real Estate. Council
members agreed to put the item on the next City Council agenda.
2009 & 2010 BUDGET DISCUSSION.
Todd Gerhardt discussed how staff would propose
addressing the projected shortfalls in the 2009 budget to provide a balanced budget at the end of
the year. Greg Sticha reviewed the specific items, highlighting the delay of certain sealcoating
projects, reduced CSO hours and postponing the hiring of a new patrolman. Councilman Litsey
asked about the City’s commitment to the number of officers under the policing contract.
Councilwoman Tjornhom stated projections should be based on actual growth. Todd Gerhardt
explained how the City’s number of police officers compares to the national average.
Councilman Litsey asked for an update on the policing contract and asked about the availability
of swapping services, i.e. building inspectors, with other communities. Councilman McDonald
asked how the proposed transfer of cash would affect the long term funding programs, i.e.
pavement management fund. Greg Sticha explained that with the anticipated shortfall in
building permit revenues, staff feels comfortable this proposal will cover the general fund and
provide a balanced budget. He will provide more accurate numbers in November/December.
Mayor Furlong asked that the council discuss at a future meeting the practice of billing the
general fund for water and the engineering administrative charge for utility projects as an
ongoing practice. Councilwoman Ernst stated she appreciated the work staff has put into this
proposal. Councilman Litsey asked again for the report from the Sheriff in August and
clarification of how and why the catastrophic fund was established. Mayor Furlong discussed
how 2009 is a transition year and that the council needs to determine a new level of service in
relation to projected revenues. Todd Gerhardt reassured council members that the City will have
a balanced budget at the end of 2009.
Mayor Furlong adjourned the work session at 7:40 p.m.
Submitted by Todd Gerhardt
City Manager
Prepared by Nann Opheim
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