WS 2013 07 22
CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
JULY 22, 2013
Mayor Furlong called the work session to order at 5:30 p.m.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mayor Furlong, Councilman McDonald, Councilwoman
Tjornhom, and Councilwoman Ernst. Councilman Laufenburger arrived during discussion of item A3.
STAFF PRESENT:
Todd Gerhardt, Laurie Hokkanen, Kate Aanenson, Paul Oehme, Todd Hoffman,
Greg Sticha, and Lt. Jeff Enevold
PUBLIC PRESENT:
Laurie Susla 7008 Dakota Avenue
1. SECOND QUARTER FINANCIAL AND INVESTMENT UPDATE.
Greg Sticha provided an update on the year to date budget expenditures which are similar to previous
years and revenues are 70% of budget. Councilman McDonald asked for clarification on the expenditures
being at about 46% and the likelihood of coming in under budget and clarification of revenue projections.
Councilwoman Ernst asked about citation revenues being under budget. Mayor Furlong asked about
delinquent tax collections. Jennifer Curtis with Wells Fargo provided an update on the City’s investment
portfolio noting it is balanced and stable. Mayor Furlong asked about risk associated with higher market
yields and duration of portfolio.
2. REVIEW CITY’S SNOW PLOWING BENCHMARKS, INCLUDING TRAILS AND ICE
RINKS.
Paul Oehme presented snow plowing statistics for last year’s winter, including streets and public parking
lots. Mayor Furlong asked about costs with the use of salt and sand and pre-icing products.
Councilwoman Ernst asked about feedback from the effects of changes made by council last year. Todd
Hoffman discussed snow removal on trails and ice rinks. Mayor Furlong asked about costs associated
with increased trails. Councilwoman Tjornhom asked about plans for snow removal of the stairway on
Highway 41 and feedback from residents regarding trail snow removal. Councilwoman Ernst asked for
clarification of the overtime hours associated with street snow removal.
3. RECEIVE INFORMATION ON THE OTHER “NEW NORMAL”, UNDERSTAND HOW
HEALTHCARE, FEDERAL TAX CHANGES, ETC IMPACT THE CITY.
Laurie Hokkanen discussed the work she’s been doing with Gallagher Benefit Services and explained
what’s being done to prepare for the changes in healthcare and federal tax changes. Mayor Furlong asked
about different types of insurance coverage. Councilwoman Ernst asked about deductibles versus rates.
4. DISCUSS RICE MARSH LAKE TRAIL CONSTRUCTION PROJECT.
Todd Hoffman distributed a handout of a map showing the trail around Rice Marsh Lake with
Chanhassen and Eden Prairie. Todd Gerhardt explained that due to the late spring, crews are well behind
schedule and won’t be able to complete their portion of the trail this summer and asked for direction from
council on a proposed construction method (in-house versus competitive bids). Council members
discussed the proposed budget number of $200,000 and engineer’s estimate of $272,000.
City Council Work Session – July 22, 2013
5. IMPLEMENT A COMMUNITY SURVEY TO HELP DETERMINE THE CITY’S
STRENGTHS, WEAKNESSES, AND COMMUNITY NEEDS.
Laurie Hokkanen discussed the process used with using National Citizen Survey to conduct the
community survey which is done every 3 years. Council discussed the use of electronic versus mailed
surveys in getting a scientific sampling. Laurie Hokkanen asked for feedback from the three closed
ended policy questions being provided by staff. Councilman Laufenburger suggested adding Twitter to
the first question. Councilwoman Tjornhom suggested asking about what types of businesses people
want to see in the downtown area. In discussing the open ended question, Mayor Furlong asked about
using compound questions i.e. single biggest issue facing Chanhassen over next several years and how
would you propose to address it. Councilwoman Tjornhom asked how the results of the survey has
helped with policies in the past and feedback from residents on street reconstruction and assessment
policy. Mayor Furlong suggested putting something on the City’s website about the survey being sent
out.
6. DISCUSS MASSAGE THERAPY LICENSING.
Todd Gerhardt discussed the growing number of complaints regarding massage parlors located within
Chanhassen, the difficulty of enforcement and the option of licensing requirements. Lt. Jeff Enevold
stated he would strongly encourage and support the licensing of these types of businesses. Laurie
Hokkanen explained that the next step would be going out and talking with businesses to get their
feedback. Councilman McDonald had additional questions about this item and asked to continue this
discussion after the council meeting.
Mayor Furlong adjourned the work session at 7:00 p.m. The work session was reconvene at 9:35
p.m.
Council continued discussion of the massage therapy licensing. Councilman McDonald questioned
whether the background check amount of $250 was enough, and what other cities have in place.
Councilwoman Tjornhom asked if business already in place would be grandfathered in. Staff explained
that they would require everyone to be licensed except for those associated with Chiropractic offices.
Consensus of council members was to direct staff to meet with business owners and other cities to discuss
which types of businesses would be subject to this ordinance. Councilman Laufenburger brought up the
issue of the city getting involved in issuing business licenses.
Mayor Furlong adjourned the work session at 9:50 p.m.
Submitted by Todd Gerhardt
City Manager
Prepared by Nann Opheim
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