WS 2003 09 08CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
SEPTEMBER 8, 2003
Mayor Furlong called the work session to order at 5:40 p.m.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Furlong, Councilman Ayotte, Councilman
Lundquist and Councilman Peterson
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Councilman Labatt
STAFF PRESENT: Todd Gerhardt, Justin Miller, Kate Aanenson, Bob Generous, Teresa
Burgess, Matt Saam, and Bruce DeJong
DISCUSSION OF 2004 ASSESSMENT ROLL FOR STREET IMPROVEMENT
PROJECTS.
Teresa Burgess explained that Ehlers and Associates recommended that the city do an annual
review of their assessment policy. Staff is recommending that the City Council adopt the revised
preliminary assessment roll which is based on a per acre basis. Mayor Furlong asked what
properties were exempt. Councilman Ayotte asked staff to explain how they reviewed the
assessment roll and came to their recommendation. Councilman Lundquist asked what terms the
city currently uses for assessments, percentage and number of years. Teresa Burgess then
explained the spread sheet that had been prepared for residential streets and the revised numbers.
She was asking the City Council to reconsider the 60/40 percentage split and that the City
Council m-evaluate the utility rate to help offset the city's portion. Councilman Ayotte asked
Bruce DeJong to explain the financial impacts and what the impact will be long term to the debt
levy. Todd Gerhardt explained how the city can support staff's proposed assessments excluding
sidewalks, sewer and water. Mayor Furlong asked what the city's assessment policy has been
with replacement. Councilman Peterson asked what other cities do. Teresa Burgess stated it was
all over the board and provided the results from a survey staff had previously done. Staff was
asking the City Council to set the preliminary assessment that they could bring to the public open
house, and explain that the number can be adjusted lower at the final assessment hearing. Mayor
Furlong asked Bruce DeJong to look at what the impact would be if city incorporated utility
assessments into the utility fees to replace sewer and water. Councilman Ayotte stated the
council needed a clear picture of must fund items to determine the amount needed in the
enterprise fund. Mayor Furlong stated that there wasn't enough information to change the
assessment policy but enough to re-evaluate it in the near future.
CITY CODE REVIEW, CHAPTER 19.
Bob Generous went over page by page proposed amendments to Chapter 19 related to Water,
Sewer and Sewage Disposal. Randy Debner from the Inspections Department was available to
answer questions.
Mayor Furlong adjourned the work session meeting at 7:00 p.m.
Submitted by Todd Gerhardt
City Manager
Prepared by Nann Opheim