WS 2013 08 12
CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
AUGUST 12, 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,
Greg Sticha, and Drew Ingvalson
DISCUSS RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR SOUTHWEST TRANSIT, LEN SIMICH.
Len
Simich provided background information on how Southwest Transit was formed and issues involved with
funding from Metropolitan Council and control of routing, parking and light rail transit. Craig Peterson
shared examples of Southwest Transit’s involvement in the community, and to sound the alarm with the
politics involved with Metropolitan Council trying to eliminate opt out programs such as Southwest
Transit. Councilman Laufenburger asked if Southwest Transit’s ridership was in support of LRT, asked
about Eden Prairie’s support of LRT, ticket and fare comparison between Southwest Transit and the
Hiawatha Line and asked Craig Peterson to speak to the primary motivator for Met Council wanting to
eliminate Opt Out for Southwest Transit. Councilwoman Ernst asked how this situation will affect
people who travel north of the city using LRT versus bus service, and asked about comparisons with
Metro Transit and the use of side lanes if Metro Transit takes over. Todd Gerhardt asked Len Simich to
explain how Southwest Transit would co-exist with LRT at the transit station in Eden Prairie.
Councilman Laufenburger asked about the Red Line being serviced by Minnesota Valley Transit. Mayor
Furlong asked about the length of time Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) routes have been on the map along the
Highway 212 and 169 corridors. Councilman McDonald asked Len Simich to explain how service is
being provided by BRT. Mayor Furlong suggested wording changes to the resolution before adoption by
council. Councilman McDonald explained that Southwest Transit Commission’s goal is to submit one
similar document from all three cities to the Metropolitan Council. After discussion, Mayor Furlong
asked council members to give suggested wording changes to staff before the next council meeting where
action will be taken on this item. Councilwoman Ernst asked at what point riders and corporations will be
included in the process and which state legislators should be contacted.
DISCUSS 2014 BUDGET AND PRELIMINARY BUDGET.
Greg Sticha reviewed preliminary 2014
budget numbers and outlined the three scenarios being submitted by staff. He reviewed assumptions
used, impacts from legislative changes regarding sales tax, levy limits, and explained that staff has begun
work on detailed power point presentation for next meeting using Scenario #1 which is the highest the
City can go with levy limits. He asked council members to submit any questions regarding service levels
prior to the next meeting. Councilman McDonald asked about impact from what is being proposed by the
sheriff’s office and health care changes and asked department heads to explain why numbers have
changed. Councilman Laufenburger asked for an analysis of permit budget revenue numbers. Mayor
Furlong asked if council members could be available to start at 5:00 for the next work session to hear the
detailed budget presentation. Councilwoman Ernst asked for an explanation on the effect of proposed
service level changes during the detailed presentation.
Mayor Furlong adjourned the work session meeting at 6:55 p.m.
Submitted by Todd Gerhardt
City Manager Prepared by Nann Opheim