WS 2010 02 08
CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
FEBRUARY 8, 2010
Mayor Furlong called the work session to order at 5:40 p.m.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mayor Furlong, Councilman Litsey, Councilwoman
Tjornhom, and Councilman McDonald. Councilwoman Ernst arrived late in the work session.
STAFF PRESENT:
Todd Gerhardt, Laurie Hokkanen, Kate Aanenson, Paul Oehme and Todd
Hoffman
DISCUSS 2010 KEY FINANCIAL STRATEGIES.
Todd Gerhardt reviewed the results of the priority rankings submitted by council members,
noting anything lower than 2 would be considered a priority for the upcoming year. Councilman
McDonald asked about the discrepancy in ranking for item 3, Discuss the benefits of the City’s
dog and cat licensing program. Councilwoman Tjornhom and Mayor Furlong explained their
ranking of 1. Councilman McDonald stated item 28 addresses looking at all ordinances as
opposed to only addressing one. Councilman Litsey asked if there has been public feedback
regarding the need to change number 3. After discussion Councilman McDonald and
Councilman Litsey agreed to change their ranking of 4 to 1 if it included a broader review of
multiple ordinances. Regarding item 4, consider Social Host Ordinance, Councilman McDonald
asked if this item was being addressed by the State Legislature. Councilman Litsey stated they
currently have other more crucial issues to address at the state level. Regarding item 7, Update
Police Work Plan, Councilman Litsey stated he felt it was time to recalibrate the work plan based
on new and refreshed data. Regarding item 14, Review of the City’s Long Range Financial Plan,
Todd Gerhardt explained that Standard and Poors looks very favorably on cities working with
their councils regarding long term financial goals. Staff stated they will put a schedule together
for the Key Financial Strategies that the City Council can adopt at their next meeting.
DISCUSS ROAD ASSESSMENT PRACTICES AND THE EFFECTS OF DEFERRING
ROAD CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.
Paul Oehme reviewed the Assessment Policy Survey Results from other cities, noting their
practices were all over the board and explained that the City of Chanhassen’s policy hasn’t been
updated since 2002. Councilwoman Tjornhom asked if a study has been done showing market
values of homes before and after road construction projects and clarification of how the County
addresses this issue. Councilman McDonald asked for clarification of how the City Council will
address the actual cost to residents. Todd Gerhardt explained that the City would need to reduce
the 40% amount to residents and asked if the council wants to treat high traffic roads, i.e. MSA
roads, differently than local roads. Councilman Litsey suggested setting interest rates that are
flexible to address the current economy. Mayor Furlong emphasized that he does not want the
City to be the first choice in financing by residents. Councilman McDonald stated he would
entertain lengthening the time to pay back the assessment with a clause that it must be paid in
full when the property sells. Paul Oehme explained that the City does have a policy in place to
City Council Work Session – February 8, 2010
deal with senior citizens and people on fixed incomes. In reviewing the cost of delaying
projects, Paul Oehme showed a graph of the pavement network condition if only minor
maintenance is funded for the next 20 years, the pavement condition improvement cost
comparisons and impacts of deferring projects. Councilwoman Ernst asked if residents know
that the City covers 60% of road projects. Todd Gerhardt explained that the public hearing
process regarding the Audubon Road reconstruction project. Councilwoman Ernst stated she
would like to see numbers associated with doing nothing. Councilwoman Tjornhom asked for
documentation showing Minnetonka’s numbers with not assessing residents versus Chanhassen’s
policy of assessing 40%.
Mayor Furlong adjourned the work session meeting at 7:00 p.m.
Submitted by Todd Gerhardt
City Manager
Prepared by Nann Opheim
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