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CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
DECEMBER 12, 2011
The City Council held an executive session from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. to discuss the City Manager’s
performance evaluation.
Mayor Furlong called the work session meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mayor Furlong, Councilman McDonald, Councilwoman
Tjornhom, Councilwoman Ernst, and Councilman Laufenburger
STAFF PRESENT:
Todd Gerhardt, Laurie Hokkanen, Paul Oehme, Kate Aanenson, Todd Hoffman,
Greg Sticha, and Lt. Jeff Enevold
PUBLIC PRESENT:
Rick Dorsey Eden Prairie
Jeff Fox Excelsior
Joe Scott 935 Bavaria Hills Lane, Chaska
Richard Crawford Chanhassen Villager
DISCUSSION OF EMPLOYEE VACATION POLICY.
Laurie Hokkanen provided background information and reviewed the current proposal for a maximum 2
times accrual with a 5 year transition period to use existing balances. The new policy will apply to all
employees hired after January 1, 2012. Councilman McDonald thought the proposal addressed council’s
concerns and was in line with the private sector. Councilwoman Tjornhom and Councilman
Laufenburger felt it was a reasonable proposal. Councilwoman Ernst stated she would like to see the
liability eliminated but felt the proposal was fair. Mayor Furlong thought it was a good accommodation
of all the concerns.
DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED 2012 BUDGET AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.
Todd Gerhardt reviewed changes in the budget to bring 2012 expenditures at or below 2011 expenditures,
specifically changes made in the police contract, reducing the Crime Prevention Specialist position from
40 to 32 hours a week, using the money earmarked for the fire station #3 to purchase a payloader, and
moving tennis court maintenance under the pavement management plan. Greg Sticha explained savings
associated with the health insurance bids. Mayor Furlong asked if service levels would remain the same
with these changes. Greg Sticha provided clarification of the fire station levy being eliminated and the
effect on future levies, noting that the fire station building and equipment would remain in the CIP. Staff
and council discussed the study and funding for the future fire station #3. Councilman Laufenburger
asked how the council can address unforeseen emergencies in 2012. Councilwoman Ernst asked for
clarification of the elimination of the $90,000 allocated for fire station #3 and reallocating that to the
purchase of a payloader.
DISCUSSION OF HOW CSO SERVICES ARE PROVIDED.
Laurie Hokkanen discussed scheduling and comparison costs with the City or Carver County providing
CSO service. Councilwoman Ernst asked what’s included in the cost for the CSO, how much time is
freed up for the City if this position is given to the County, status of the current vehicle, and a concern
City Council Work Session – December 12, 2011
over losing code enforcement service. Lt. Jeff Enevold clarified Carver County’s model for hours and
service, dispatch, vehicle purchase and maintenance costs. Councilman McDonald asked for clarification
of Carver County proposed costs and the need to compare apples to apples with the services currently
provided by the City’s CSO. Councilwoman Tjornhom sees this proposal as losing hours in the
community and likes the fact that Laurie Hokkanen works directly with the CSO’s and knows the needs
of the community. Councilman Laufenburger liked that the City’s CSO gives a presence in the
community, noting he didn’t see a reason to change. Mayor Furlong thanked staff for looking at this
service level item. Todd Gerhardt clarified that the police contract being presented for approval does not
include the County providing CSO services.
Mayor Furlong adjourned the work session meeting at 6:50 p.m.
Submitted by Todd Gerhardt
City Manager
Prepared by Nann Opheim
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