5. Appointment to Park & Recreation CommissionL
CITY OF
C8AN8ASSEN
690 COULTER DRIVE • P.O. BOX 147 • CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA 55317
(612) 937 -1900 • FAX (612) 937 -5739
' MEMORANDUM
' TO: Don Ashworth, City Manager
FROM: Todd Hoffman, Park and Recreation Director
' DATE: February 23, 1994
' SUBJ: "As the Park and Recreation Commission Appointment Turns"
' On Monday, February 14, 1994, the city council reached a split decision on the appointment of
the city's newest Park and Recreation Commission member. General consensus seemed to favor
the reappointment of Jane Meger; however, the council was split between Clark Cummings and
' Dave Huffman for the second position. The city council tabled the issue until February 28, 1994.
After the February 14 council meeting, the issue appeared in the Chanhassen Villager. This
i coverage prompted Mr. Cummings to call expressing his discomfort with the situation. Mr.
Cummings also told me he had considered withdrawing his application in fear that if he were to
' be appointed he would be an "ugly duck" in the commission's eyes (not being their preferred
candidate). Mr. Cummings eventually decided to wait out' the debate.
' The Park and Recreation Commission expressed their frustration with the process at their
February 22 meeting. Commissioner Lash wondered why the city council was dragging the
decision out. The commission is of the opinion that they are currently in the good graces of the
' city council. Thus, upon making a recommendation, for an appointment to the commission, why
is the council making an issue out of the appointment? ' From the commission's viewpoint, it is
unfortunate that a dark cloud is being cast upon what has typically been a smooth process.
, February 17,1994
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Part ici p ation g
ci council split s on park and rec appointments
C hen in ert to the job. Weber, Berkland and
Johnson were recommended by the
public safety commission.
The council, though, felt there
should be greater citizen participation
on the commission in the future. Five
of the seven members are in the pub-
lic safety field.
"It's getting very weighted," Sam
said of the make -up of the commis- . .
Sion
The council appointed Berkland,
Johnson and Weber with Senn ab-
staining from the vote.
And, the final appointments were
for the Chanhassen Botird of Must -
ments and Appeals.
Both incumbents, Willard
Johnson and Carol Watson, sought
reappointment. No other appliedlons
were received.
Semi, who acts as the eoiincn li-
aison to the board, asked why a coun-
cil member has typically been sexed
on the three - member board. He said
he fblt awkward at times being a board
member and then hearing appealsaLgo
as a council member.
. The council, in approving
Johnson's and Watson's appoint-
ments, asked that the planning com-
mission think about appointing the
third member from that commission.
All commission terms are for three
years. The board of adjustments' term
is up for an annual appointment.
By Dean Trippler
Some decisions come easy, and
others don't.
That's what the Chanhassen City
Council had to deal with Monday
night in makin* appointments to vari-
ouscity commissions.
The sticking point on MondayWas
the appointment of Chanhassen Park
and Recreation Commission mem-
bers. The commission has two vacan-
cies to fill with incumbent Jane Meger
seeking reappointment. Commission
member Larry Schroers, a member
since 1987, retired at the end of likst
year. The commission interviewed] I
applicants for the two spots and rec-
ommended to the city council Meget's
reappointment with a preference for
ex-Minnesota Viking Dave Huffttian
in the second spot.
Other top contenders were Chris
Sones and Clark Cummings.
The council held interviews''on
Jan. 31 during a work session. The
feelin# at that meeting, according to
council member Colleen Dockendorf,
was to reappoint Meger and bring in
Cummings. She said Cummings >ip-
peered to have the qualifications and
dedication for the job. Huffman, she
added, is very active in the commu-
rrity already, and Cummings' appoint -
iinent would allow someone else that
same opportunity .
Council member Mike Mason,
however, agreed with taking the park
, ,,and rec commission recommendation
� or:Huffitnan.
'`Tart of our responsibility is to
delegate authority," he said, adding
that the commission and the park and
recreation department must work
closely with each other and have a
solid relationship.
Council member Richard Wing
ap+ecd, saying the only time the coup-
cil should interfere with a commission
recommendation is if there is a lack
of balance or politics play a role.
1% Dockendorf said she has no per -
aonal bias in the selection, but felt that
ADA plans
may mean
$80,000 in
Chanhassen
Pharmacy
934-258
in the Dinner Theatre Mall
city costs
By Dean Trippler
Accommodations for disabled
residents may' mean more than
$80,000 worth of improvements to
.Chanhassen city buildings and recre-
ation areas.
On Monday night, Julee Quarve-
the council had the responsibility of
making the appointments.
With Mayor Don Chmiel on va-
cation, the vote for Cummings and
Meger dhded up in a 2 -2 tie with
Dockendorf and council member
Mark Senn for and Mason and Wing
ag
issue was tabled until Feb. 28.
in other appointments, the coun-
cil reappointed Jeff Farmakes to the
planning commission along with
Ronald Nutting who replaces Brian
Batzli.
Three seats were open on the so-
nior commission. Incumbents Jane
Kubitz and Sherol Howard were re-
appointed, along with newcomer Bar-.
bara Headla:
In the public safety commission,
the council again had concerns. This
time, the issue was one of balancing
those who are in the public safety
business with other members of the
community.
The council had four finalists for
` three spots. Incumbents Eldon
Berkland and Dave Johnson sou*ht
reappointment. Eden Prairie police
officer Greg weber and Kern Noklen,
who is a member of the Edina police
Explorer post and a student of law
enforcement at Normandale Commu-
nity College, were the other finalists.
Craig Blechta, after six years on the
commission, did not seek reappoint-
WEST TOM STREET
0 0 0
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PPLICATION FOR CHANHASSEN COMMISSIO N
DATE: TtCyF
COMMISSION APPLYING FOR: _ �&5 A4�
ALTERNATE:
NAME: �Lft�K
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BIRTHDATE (Optional):
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ADDRESS: ��� 9
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CITY. �f�� SIP.
HOME PHONE:
WORK PRONE:
HOW LONG HAVE
YOU BEEN A RESIDENT OF CHANHASSEN ?: /�lOyTh
HIGHEST LEVEL OF EDUCATION ATTAINED, PLUS DEGREES, ZF ANY:
'
ee c�r p,�/f
E*3ou�c� C'vvsE
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CURRENT EMPLOYMENT: (State position, employer a brief description
of duties. If vitb present employer for o ly a abort time list
previous employment as well.) 6,4e-x -s % .��� - mere wee : i xWe; �
any s, riVc , rR ��T TffC OryE rim. -S o� !S ,eF'sTr�cr e �.v�
l 7 Y Ert/ZS IFS /� T uiQ QEiI/ ��K /�/f t y iP� Eie ,
ACTIVITIES AND AFFILIATIONS: (Include elective offices, honors and
recognitions received, if any.)
v�c.v.�p L'o�o2�00 �^/e^ r fi� �rz/�E�7 - io•v
47 46- /99/ /99Z, '
REASONS FOR SEEKING THIS POSITION AND YOUR QUALIFICATIONS: '
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Awe /! Y � /Gp et�r� f f11�� �fiRT7' /P il -7
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IN FILING THIS APPLICATION, I UNDERSTAND THAT A COMMITMENT OF MY '
TIME, ENERGY, INTEREST AND PARTICIPATION WILL 88 INVOLVED, AND I AM
PREPARED TO MAKE SUCH A COMMITME IN THE EVENT I AM APPOINTED TO
THE ABOVE COMMISSION. '
SIGNATURE
APPLICATION'FOR CHAfFiASSEN COMMISSION
' DATE: 1 1 /29/93
COMMISSION APPLYING FOR: SPORTS AND REC COMMISSION
ALTERNATE: NONE
' NAME: DAVID L. HUFFMAN BIRTHDATE: 04/04/57
ADDRESS: 8127 DAKOTA LANE CITY: CHANHASSEN ZIP: 55317
' HOME PHONE: 949 -2219 WORK PHONE: SAME
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A RESIDENT OF CHANHASSEN?: 5 YEARS, MAY '88
hI
1
HIGHEST LEVEL OF EDUCATION ATTAINED, PLUS DEGREE, IF ANY: BS,
UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME, ANTHROPOLOGY, HISTORY AND SECONDARY
TEACHERS CERTIFICATE.
CURRENT EMPLOYMENT: CURRENTLY BROADCASTER FOR WCCO TV 'VIKINGS
TODAY% MIDWEST SPORTS CHANNEL COMMENTATOR, 2 YEARS W/ KFAN
SPORTS RADIO, VIKINGS COMMENTATOR AND DAILY SHOW HOST, 13 YEARS
PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL, VIKINGS AND USFL (2 YEARS)
A CTIVITIES AND AFFILIATIONS: SERVED ON VIKING COUNCIL BOY SCOUTS
OF AMERICA BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR 3 YEARS, ORGANIZED 'DAVID
HUFFMAN SPORTING CLAY SHOOT OUT' 2 YEARS FOR THE BSA, INVOLVED
WITH THE BSA SINCE 1981; PLAYER REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE MINNESOTA
VIKINGS FOR 2 TWO YEARS TERMS, 1981 -3, AND 1985 -87; INVOLVED WITH
MINNESOTA CHAPTER OF NOTRE DAME MONOGRAM CLUB, YEARLY BANQUET
RAISING FUNDS FOR CLUBS SCHOLARSHIP FUND.
REASONS FOR SEEKING THIS POSITION AND YOUR QUALIFICATIONS: I WOULD
LIKE TO CONTINUE THE TRADITION OF ENCOURAGING AND PROVIDING
NEIGHBORHOOD AND COMMUNITY GREEN AND OPEN SPACE IN OUR EXPANDING
TOWN. AS PEOPLE CONTINUE TO MOVE "OUT WEST" IT IS IMPORTANT TO
MAINTAIN THE VERY THINGS THAT PRECIPITATE A MOVE TO THIS
COMMUNITY. A VIABLE DOWNTOWN WITH THE ABILITY TO USE A VARIETY OF
COMMUNITY RESOURSES IN THE OUT OF DOORS, FROM WATER TO BALL FIELDS
TO QUIET WALKING SPACES. INTEREST AND CONCERN FOR THE PROTECTION
OF OUR RESOURCES ARE MY BEST QUALIFICATIONS.
.�� SIGNATURE._________
DATE: (c 1 7 A 3 APPLICATION FOR CHANHASSEN COMMISSION Jv+ 1 � 1993
COMMISSI N APPLYING FOR: �¢r_rPC` OVA C ITY Ur GriANHHSSEEN
ALTERNATE:
rte: �►/?-N /= �• iv1 HIRTHDATE (optional): Lp 6
ADDRESS: L j () 5 I+ � h I a y A Dr. CITYs (_ ha a 5se n s ip : / 5.53/7
HOME PHONE: q 53 '1 & WORK PRONE: P 9 7 - Z Z
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A RESIDENT OF CHANHABSEN? s `� ✓mac. ��5
HIGHEST LEVEL OF EDUCATION ATTAINED, PLUS DEGREES, IF AVY:
- f3,5, Rc (reeiA ;ni.ti Ael i ";r` ,- ;4anA, ova U. , - I-ex C ro'S . SC- - z-
CURRENT EMPLOYMENT: (state position, employer i brief description
of duties. If with present employer for only a short time, list
previous employment as well.) Acrd -,,a 1�.� 1 +l t� l a►15
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IN FILING THIS APPLICATION, I UNDERSTAND THAT A COMMITMENT OF Xy
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PREPARED TO MAKE SUCH A COMMITMENT IN THE EVENT t AN APPOINTED TO
THE ABOVE COMMISSION.
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<t Li _n l'►l I] � � S
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IN FILING THIS APPLICATION, I UNDERSTAND THAT A COMMITMENT OF Xy
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PREPARED TO MAKE SUCH A COMMITMENT IN THE EVENT t AN APPOINTED TO
THE ABOVE COMMISSION.
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II
City Council Meeting - February 14, 1994
COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS:
Acting Mayor Mason: I'd like to take them one at a time. We did have a work session on the 31st of January
where we conducted interviews. And at this point we need to formalize any discussions we had in the guise of
naming new people and appointing new people on the commissions. Let's do them one at a time. Planning
Commission. There are two vacancies. One of them is Jeff Farmakes who is seeking reappointment.
Councilman Senn: Do you want motions on these or do you want discussion?
Acting Mayor Mason: Sure. Well, let's talk about it fast and then make a motion.
Councilman Senn: Should I make a motion fast or do you want to discuss it fast?
Acting Mayor Mason: Let's discuss it first. Maybe we can do away with a little bit of the.
Councilman Senn: Well it seems repetitive to do it from the work session.
Acting Mayor Mason: Well, Councilman Wing wasn't here. I mean we need to remember that that was a work
session and this is a formal setting here so.
Councilman Wing: Well and the only comments I have, so I think you should proceed, for those who were at
the work session is the incumbents. I support reappointment. Other than that I did not interview and I don't
have an opinion.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: Well I'm going to preface all of our appointments this evening by saying I was
very impressed with all the applicants and really appreciated their time and commitment to the city. But with
that on the Planning Commission I believe we discussed, or agreed to reappoint Jeff and to also appoint Ronald
Nutting to the commission. Is that your recollection as well?
Councilman Senn: I think that's pretty much the opinion everybody had.
Councilwoman Dockendorf. So I would move that we appoint Ronald Nutting and Jeff Farmakes to the
Planning Commission.
Councilman Senn: Second.
Councilwoman Dockendorf moved, Councilman Senn seconded to appoint Ronald Nutting and Jeff
Farmakes to the Planning Commission. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously.
Acting Mayor Mason: I assume that everyone gets a letter, including people that don't get appointed. Okay,
good enough. Let's move on to Park and Rec. There are two vacancies. One of them is Jane Meger who is
seeking reappointment as an incumbent. Councilman Wing has already stated his preference for all incumbents
being reappointed. The other three were J. Christopher Sones, is that? I'm sorry if I'm mispronouncing.
Todd Hoffman: Sones.
21
City Council Meeting - February 14, 1994
Acting Mayor Mason: Sones. Clark Cummings and Dave Huffman. Park and Rec recommended Dave ,
Huffman and Jane Meger to be the new, the appointees. I know we had some discussion about that. I have
talked with some people on Park and Rec and I'm at this point more inclined to go with whom they '
recommended which was Jane Meger and Dave Huffman. I would guess there might be a little discussion on
that.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: As I recall it was a very difficult decision for us and all the candidates that I ,
believe that we had decided at our work session, that it would be Jane and Clark. I'm still comfortable with that
position. Again, it was very difficult and I usually defer to the commissions to see who they want to work with
but I really felt that Clark was a good candidate and I appreciated him coming back for a second time to seek ,
appointment and I thought he had the qualifications and dedication to serve on that commission. Also noting
that Dave Huffman is very active in our community in other avenues and could probably, will probably continue
to be active in our community in other areas and this would open the opportunity for another citizen to be just as I
active on this commission. Whereas he may not have the opportunities and other avenues in other areas that Mr.
Huffman has.
Councilman Senn: I guess having gone through, Clark was my number one choice. I said I was willing to go '
with Clark and Jane on the basis that she was an incumbent. If that doesn't fly, I may reconsider my number
two choice I think.
Acting Mayor Mason: The reason I had, certainly at the work session I was thinking along the same lines as ,
Colleen and Mark. In thinking longer about it, I've always felt that I think part of my responsibility as a council
person is to delegate authority and after thinking about it, Park and Rec people are the people that have to work
with the people that they appoint and that's essentially why I changed my mind between Dave and Clark. And I ,
do agree with Colleen. I think they both will do a very fine job. I think whoever we choose but I do think we
need to consider the ramifications as to why the Park and Rec Commission took the time. Talked with those
people and made those recommendations and I guess, I think if in fact we choose to do it differently than they ,
recommended, we should be able to offer them some reasons up for that.
Councilman Wing: And I think the only time Council, in my opinion, should interfere with that choice is if '
there's not a balance being provided or if there's some political ramifications that we can spot. Districting that
we don't like. I guess I'm not picking up on any of that. I guess this is sensitive to me because on Public
Safety we looked at demographics and we looked at personalities and we looked at background and we picked
the person that best felt, we felt balanced out our commission and when it went to the Council, suddenly it '
became personal friends and politics and they didn't have the interview time that we had had and I'm not saying
it didn't work out for the best. Didn't say it wasn't a bad deal. Anyway. I support Mike's position just because
I think if the commission has a strong feeling, that should have some weight to it. ,
Councilwoman Dockendorf. Well, let me ask you Todd. Does the commission have a strong feeling on this?
On their recommendations or was it a tough choice? '
Todd Hoffman: No, they did have a strong feeling. In fact they kept on asking, did they make the
appointment. Did they make the appointment yet and I said no. I said .they reinstated that they wanted to make.
their choice ... their top choices. I
Councilman Senn: Well maybe we have to lay this one over. It sounds like we've got a hung jury so to speak.
1
F 1 ,
L1
City Council Meeting - February 14, 1994
Acting Mayor Mason: Well, we certainly could do that. I guess I'd like to see if anyone wants to entertain a
motion. Maybe we do, maybe we don't.
Councilwoman Dockendorf. Well, let me clarify my feelings on this. I feel strongly about the people that I'm
recommending and I have absolutely no personal bias. I don't know any of the four candidates that well. But I
think it is the Council's responsibility to make the final decision otherwise these appointments would be at the
Commission level. And as I said, I think the choice that we have between I think what we're coming down to is
Clark and Dave, I feel that Mr. Huffman has other opportunities in this community to serve and seeing that
they're both, in my mind... candidates, I'd really like to see Clark on the commission so I think we probably do
have a 2 -2 tie.
Acting Mayor Mason: Well, Todd. When's the next Park and Rec meeting?
Todd Hoffman: Coming up in February 22nd. A week. Next Tuesday.
Acting Mayor Mason: Jane, regardless of what we do or don't do tonight would continue to serve, right? She'd
still be there?
Todd Hoffman: Correct.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: Mark, would it be possible to take it off the record if this is something that's you
know, Todd if you can give us some of the commissioners reasonings and if you feel more comfortable doing
that off the record. I don't know if that's possible. It's not possible Elliott?
Elliott Knetsch: No.
Councilwoman Dockendorf: lHeht. scratch that.
Todd Hoffman: If I could perhaps clarify. Clark was a candidate the last time the city made an appointment
was last July. Dave Koubsky left and moved out of the city and needed to replaced. There were 10 candidates
for that one position at that time. Jane Meger was successful out of those 10. Clark Cummings was in the
running out of the top 3 so Clark was interviewed by the City Council at that time as well. Clark was out of
town the night the commission went through this last group of candidates. I believe there were 8 candidates. 8
or 9 candidates and so he was scheduled a couple days later. When the commission went through their
interviews they were impressed with Chris Sones, Dave Huffman but they didn't have a third out of their
selection of 9 so they said to call Clark. We remember Clark from last time. He was a finalist then and inform
Clark that we would like him to interview with the City Council for a second time. So that is how the three
candidates came to the City Council.
Councilman Senn: So they didn't interview him? They didn't interview him this time?
Todd Hoffman: No.
(There was a tape change at this point during the discussion.)
Councilman Senn: ...well again, I think he's the best of all the candidates myself. I'm not going to change on
that one. I might change on the second but not on the fast.
23
5 j
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City Council Meeting - February 14, 1994
Acting Mayor Mason: Well, what do we do next? I mean if no one, this clearly does appear like it will be a
tie. If no one's willing to make a motion, then I guess we have to lay this over until the 28th.
Don Ashworth: I really think you should have a motion and that it should be turned into a tie.
C!
1
Councilman Senn: I'll make a motion that we appoint Jane and Clark. '
Councilwoman Dockendorf: I'll second it.
Councilman Senn moved, Councilwoman Dockendorf seconded to appoint Jane Meger and Clark ,
Cummings to the Park and Recreation Commission. Councilman Senn and Councilwoman Dockendorf
vote in favor. Councilman Wing and Acting Mayor Mason voted in opposition. The vote was a tie 2 to 2.
Councilman Wing: And I'm going to stick with that because then the Mayor will be here on the 28th and he
was at the interviews and if he has an opinion, it'd be a real good issue then.
Don Ashworth: So then a motion to table this until the 28th? '
Councilman Wing: I move we table to the 28th on this one.
Acting Mayor Mason: On Park and Rec Commission. '
Councilman Wing: On Park and Rec.
Acting Mayor Mason: Is there a second?
Councilwoman Dockendorf: Second. '
Councilman Wing moved, Councilwoman Dockendorf seconded to table action on the appointments to the
Park and Recreation Commission until the next City Council meeting on February 28, 1994. All voted in '
favor and the motion carried.
Acting Mayor Mason: Well, I don't think we should have quite as much trouble with the Senior Commission.
There are 3 vacancies and there are 3 names up here, 2 of which are seeking reappointment and some of us had '
the pleasure of chatting with Barb Headla. I personally would, unless there's any discussion on this.
Councilman Wing: I'd move approval. I
Councilwoman Dockendorf: Second.
Councilman Wing moved, Councilwoman Dockendorf seconded to appoint Barbara Headla, Jane Kubitz '
and Sherol Howard to the Senior Commission. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Acting Mayor Mason: Moving right along here. Public Safety Commission. There are 3 vacancies. 2 people '
are choosing to seek reappointment. Those are Eldon Berkland and Dave Johnson. Any discussion on these?
We also have Greg Weber and Kerri Nolden.
24