WS 2010 09 13
CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
SEPTEMBER 13, 2010
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, Greg Sticha and Roger Knutson
FINAL REVIEW OF PRELIMINARY 2010 BUDGET BEFORE SETTING
PRELIMINARY LEVY.
Greg Sticha reviewed the power point presentation being shown at the council meeting
explaining that staff is recommending adoption of Scenario #1 for the preliminary levy to
provide for the most flexibility. Mayor Furlong asked when in the schedule the council will
discuss service levels, asking that it be sooner than later. Councilman McDonald suggested
holding a work session on a Saturday. Councilwoman Ernst asked about a fourth scenario
which would keep the general fund at the same level as 2010. Councilman Litsey asked about
the status of the fire relief fund amount. Mayor Furlong asked for clarification of the numbers to
be used in the preliminary levy resolution.
UPDATE ON ADVANCED REFUNDING OF THE 2004B AND 2005B WATER
REVENUE BONDS, AND REDEMPTION OF THE 2004A GENERAL OBLIGATION
BONDS.
Greg Sticha provided an update and discussed the cost savings associated with approving item
1(i) on the consent agenda which calls for the redemption of the 2004A General Obligation
bonds and item 1(j) which calls for the advance refunding sale of the 2004B and 2005B Water
Revenue bonds. Council members discussed the pros and cons associated with these actions.
Mayor Furlong asked about the use of the closed bond fund.
WORK WITH CARVER COUNTY TO EXPAND UTILIZATION OF CARVER
COUNTY LICENSE CENTER.
Laurie Hokkanen handed out a list of monthly utilization transactions over the last year at the
County License center in Chanhassen. Todd Gerhardt discussed the different ways the City has
tried to help market the license center. Laurie Hokkanen stated her hope that Chanhassen will
become a vital statistics center i.e. passports, marriage licenses, birth certificates, etc. and what
the Chaska center is doing to help in identifying Chanhassen as an alternative site.
Councilwoman Ernst asked why the Chanhassen center is not open on Saturdays like Hennepin
County. She suggested being open on Saturdays on a trial basis. Councilman McDonald asked
about the service center only accepting cash or checks, not debit or credit cards.
City Council Work Session - September 13, 2010
Council took a short break at this point in the work session.
STATE SUPREME COURT DECISION ON VARIANCES, CITY ATTORNEY ROGER
KNUTSON.
Roger Knutson explained the impact of the recent State Supreme Court decision regarding
variances, noting it will have more impact than any other decision he can recall. Mayor Furlong
asked who defines reasonable use and if the City can define reasonable use in the City Code.
Roger Knutson explained that the City first of all decides what’s reasonable but ultimately it’s a
Supreme Court decision so there are consequences of deciding what’s reasonable. Kate
Aanenson stated the challenge for Chanhassen is dealing with the older neighborhoods that have
smaller lots. Mayor Furlong asked about using PUD’s for older neighborhoods, asked staff to
compile a list of variances that have been granted, and what the City is doing with customer
service to address this issue. Councilwoman Ernst asked for clarification of her assumption that
current variances are grandfathered.
Mayor Furlong adjourned the work session meeting at 6:55 p.m.
Submitted by Todd Gerhardt
City Manager
Prepared by Nann Opheim
2