WS 2013 01 14
CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
JANUARY 14, 2013
Mayor Furlong called the work session to order at 5:30 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,
and Greg Sticha
DISCUSS KEY FINANCIAL STRATEGIES.
Todd Gerhardt thanked council members and staff who attended the work session on Saturday, January
th
5 before reviewing the individual key financial strategies that were established for the upcoming year.
Council members asked about timing and clarification of the joint strategic thinking session facilitated by
Gordon Hughes. Councilman McDonald asked for clarification of what was entailed in reviewing the
street assessment practice. Todd Gerhardt stated he would provide council members with the report
previously prepared by Jill Sinclair regarding garbage collection for use when considering organized
garbage collection. Councilman Laufenburger asked what city publications would be used in selling
advertisements. Mayor Furlong asked if the City has a current policy for ice control of trails. Council
discussed changing the scope of the project for the Hwy 101 river crossing and CSAH 61 improvements
by dividing it up into three projects that are tracking on different schedules. Mayor Furlong suggested
adding wording to address safety concerns in discussing the upgrade of Highway 101 north of Hwy 5 to
Pleasant View Road. Councilman Laufenburger asked about the need for the citizen survey being
performed in 2013. Council members decided it was a good tool to use when making decisions.
Councilwoman Tjornhom suggested putting information on the city’s website prior to the survey being
sent out. Mayor Furlong suggested adding innovation to services being provided by the city.
Councilwoman Ernst asked about getting updates to track the progress of the radio meter project.
Councilman Laufenburger asked for updates on the Mediacom franchise agreement. After discussion of
the ongoing list, it was decided there were no changes. Mayor Furlong asked that council return their
nd
rankings by Tuesday, January 22. Todd Hoffman handed out the city’s policy and practice for
maintenance of city trails, noting that currently it is the City’s practice to not sand or salt city trails.
Mayor Furlong asked for feedback from the Park and Recreation Commission in reviewing this policy.
Councilwoman Tjornhom asked that the financial implications be included in that review. Todd Hoffman
suggested changing the wording to “Reviewing Ice Control Policy for Trails”.
DISCUSS 2013 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES.
Todd Gerhardt reviewed wording and intent for the proposed 2013 legislative priorities, explaining that
the County’s legislative priorities did not conflict with the City. Regarding upgrades to Highway 101, he
noted changing Crosstown Boulevard to Pleasant View Road, and breaking the Highway 101 River
Crossing project into three projects. Mayor Furlong asked about funding options and informing
legislators of the City’s priority in safety improvements. He asked that item 2. TH 5 west of TH 41 to
Norwood/Young America and 3. Highway 212 projects move down to end of list and moving 7. Support
“Opt-Out” Suburban Transit Agencies and 8. Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) to number 2 and 3. Council
members concurred with those changes. Councilwoman Ernst asked about the City’s stance regarding
LGA. Mayor Furlong discussed that using fiscal disparities might be a way to address that item.
Councilman Laufenburger asked about the effect of the State’s credit rating on the City of Chanhassen
City Council Work Session – January 14, 2013
and possibly adding that as a legislative priority. With the suggested changes this item will be brought
back to the next council meeting for adoption.
Mayor Furlong adjourned the work session at 6:50 p.m.
Submitted by Todd Gerhardt
City Manager
Prepared by Nann Opheim
2