WS 2003 08 11CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
AUGUST 11, 2003
Mayor Furlong called the meeting to order at $:40 p.m.
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Furlong, Councilman Labatt, Councilman Ayotte
and Councilman Peterson
COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: Councilman Lundquist
STAFF PRESENT: Todd Gerhardt, Justin Miller, Kate Aanenson, Steve Terrell, Todd
Hoffman, and Sgt. Jim Olson
UPDATE ON RENTAL LICENSING AND MAINTENANCE CODE PROGRAM.
Kate Aanenson and Steve Terrell provided an update on implementation of the program. The
goal given to staff was to make the program pay for itself. It was initiated in late February, early
March. There has been some backlash regarding the amount of the fee, and property owners have
met with the Mayor and City Manager regarding that issue. Steve Terrell provided figures related
to revenues and expense, and stated that in comparison to other cities, the City of Chanhassen
fees appear to be higher. He suggested a solution would be to leave the fee the same but increase
the time period to two years as opposed to one year. Kate Aanenson stated staff was looking for
direction from City Council on the amount and time for the fee. Councilman Labatt stated he
liked the two year idea because of the work load on staff is decreased. Councilman Ayotte asked
if the program and ordinance were worthwhile. Todd Gerhardt stated they had made the decision
that it was a good program because they have found safety and code problems that needed to be
addressed. Kate Aanenson said it provides staff with a tool to enforce problems when they
receive complaints, as well as helping with conduct on premise complaints. Sergeant Olson
explained how law enforcement deals with conduct complaints and was looking for council
direction on how far to carry enforcement, or leave it up to officer discretion. Council agreed that
it should be at the officers discretion. Mayor Furlong asked how the collection of fees has
affected the budget. Todd Gerhardt explained that staff assumed an additional employee would
be hired to handle enforcement, which did not occur. Councilman Peterson asked why
Chanhassen fees were higher than other cities. Steve Terrell explained the fees cover property
maintenance as well as code enforcement. Councilman Labatt asked staff to walk through the
inspection process. Mayor Furlong asked if changing to a 2 year cycle would affect safety. Staff
did not believe it would. Councilman Labatt suggested when new buildings come on line, to
license them along with the building permit process.
HOUSING (STRATEGIC PLAN).
Kate Aanenson reviewed the power point presentation which was included in the staff report
outlining the city housing goals and accomplishments to date. There was also information from
the Housing Summit she had attended and asked for council input on establishing a land trust in
the city to assist with affordable housing. She outlined various agencies, both private and public,
which already have programs for affordable housing. She stated, if City Council was interested,
she would invite representatives from Chaska or Minnetonka to talk about how their land trust
program works. Todd Gerhardt emphasized that affordable housing wasn't just a city issue but a
regional issue. Kate Aanenson stated she would provide additional information to share with the
City Council.
City Council Work Session - August 11, 2003
CITIZEN REQUEST TO ALLOW PAINT BALL GAMES IN CHANHASSEN.
Todd Hoffman passed out a handout for the city council to review. He reviewed the article in the
Chanhassen Villager which brought this issue to light and reviewed the comments the Park and
Recreation Commission received at their community open house on May 28, 2003. He stated he
did not believe it was appropriate for the city to allow paint ball activity on public land within the
city. It would be more appropriate for a private enterprise to provide. Sergeant Olson stated he
did not feel it was appropriate in residential areas. If council was to consider allowing paint ball
to occur, he would suggest that it only be allowed in areas of the city that allow hunting, but the
current ordinance would need to be changed. He also stated there are no cities within Carver
County currently which allow paint ball games on public land. Todd Hoffman stated the two
options available are not to allow it on public land, and if allowed on private land, only where
hunting is allowed. Councilman Ayotte was concerned how this activity would affect wildlife in
the area. Councilman Labatt stated there are private enterprises that provide this service, people
just have to drive to get there. Council was in concurrence that the activity should be provided by
the private sector, and not allowed on public land.
Mayor Furlong adjourned the work session at 6:45 p.m.
Submitted by Todd Gerhardt
City Manager
Prepared by Nann Opheim