WS 2012 03 12
CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
MARCH 12, 2012
The City Council interviewed the following commission applicants prior to the work session: Mary
Rabai, Tom Doll, Kelsey Nelson, and Amy Wenner. Lisa Hokkanen was interviewed after the regular
City Council meeting adjourned.
Mayor Furlong called the work session to order at 6:40 p.m.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mayor Furlong, Councilman McDonald, Councilwoman Ernst,
and Councilman Laufenburger
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT:
Councilwoman Tjornhom
STAFF PRESENT:
Todd Gerhardt, Laurie Hokkanen, Paul Oehme, Kate Aanenson, Greg Sticha, Karen
Engelhardt and Bob Generous
PUBLIC PRESENT:
Laurie Susla 7008 Dakota Avenue
DISCUSSION OF VOTING PRECINCT REALIGNMENT.
Karen Engelhardt reviewed the regulations governing the creation of new legislative districts from the
th
2010 census data and asked that the City Council approve the proposed changes at their March 26
rd
meeting in order to meet the April 3 deadline set by Carver County. Councilman Laufenburger asked if
staff could verify that all addresses in each precinct would meet school district boundaries and what
population will force creation of an eighth precinct. Councilman McDonald clarified that this proposal
simplifies the precincts for school districts and legislative districts. Councilwoman Ernst asked for
clarification of the Hennepin County Precinct 1 and 2 voting sites.
The work session was recessed at 7:00 p.m. It was reconvened at 8:00 p.m.
CONTINUATION OF DISCUSSION OF VOTING PRECINCT REALIGNMENT.
Councilman Laufenburger asked about the new polling places ability to handle the number of voters now
and for the next 10 years before suggesting that the boundary lines for Precincts 4 and 5 be rearranged to
locate voters closer to their polling places. Councilwoman Ernst asked to see the effects of rearranging
boundary lines 10 years down the line, asked staff to help council understand why boundaries were
formed originally and suggested that the precinct redistricting be held as a public hearing to provide
residents a chance to voice their opinions. Mayor Furlong thanked Karen Engelhardt and Bob Generous
for their hard work and asked that the item be brought back to the next work session addressing
Councilman Laufenburger’s suggestions.
DISCUSS MEDIACOM SETTLEMENT.
Greg Sticha explained the difference between Mediacom’s PEG fees and franchise fees, how those two
fees can be used by the City and how an inadvertent accounting error on Mediacom’s part brought about
the settlement amount of $625,000. Staff suggested that the Revolving Assessment Construction Fund
would be one of the areas of critical needs for these funds, noting staff was looking for council direction
City Council Work Session – March 12, 2012
on where to transfer the funds in the future. Councilwoman Ernst asked for clarification of what fees
were used for past council chamber improvements, the make-up of the current cable TV fund account
balance, and why residents should not receive a portion of the settlement amount. Staff and council
members discussed why the City received the settlement amount and not residents. Councilman
McDonald asked for clarification of how the settlement funds can be put into the street improvement fund
and asked to see list of potential street projects that could be funded in the future. Mayor Furlong
discussed the use of settlement funds for a valid public purpose, noting the council’s action is to re-
evaluate the 2013 renewal of a 15 year franchise agreement based on what the City’s needs are going
forward. He explained his belief of using one time money for one time projects which will benefit all city
taxpayers Councilwoman Ernst stated it was important to show benefit to taxpayers by flagging the
$625,000 amount and showing where it is spent, noting she was not necessarily on board with using funds
for a one time project in the future. Councilman Laufenburger stated he did not necessarily support using
the one time refund for one time payment and asked for clarification of what cable TV funds were used
for in the past.
Mayor Furlong adjourned the work session meeting at 9:15 p.m.
Submitted by Todd Gerhardt
City Manager
Prepared by Nann Opheim
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