WS 2004 03 22CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
MARCH 22, 2004
Mayor Furlong called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m.
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Furlong, Councilman Ayotte, Councilman
Labatt, Councilman Peterson and Councilman Lundquist
STAFF PRESENT: Todd Gerhardt, Justin Miller, Roger Knutson, Kate Aanenson, Bob
Generous, Paul Oehme, Matt Saam, and Kelley Janes
UPDATE ON LIBRARY FUNCTIONS, CHAD LUBBERS, BRANCH
LIBRARIAN; MELISSA BRECHON, CARVER COUNTY LIBRARY
DIRECTOR; AND LINDA LANDSMAN, CARVER COUNTY LIBRARY BOARD
MEMBER.
Mayor Furlong thanked Chad Lubbers, Melissa Brechon and Linda Landsman for being
present to provide an update on the library. Chad Lubbers gave a power point
presentation providing statistical data on past and present library use. Mayor Furlong
asked how the library tracks where usage is coming from. Mr. Lubbers stated they can
only track use by library cards issued by Hennepin or Carver County. Councilman
Lundquist asked how Chanhassen library usage numbers compare to other new start up
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libraries. Mr. Lubbers stated this is the 8 largest library in the state, and usage is
exceeding expectations. He then continued with the power point presentation reviewing
value added services, community commons, community partnerships, donors and
volunteer participation. Mayor Furlong asked about hours of operation and if the county
had looked at reallocation of hours. Mr. Lubbers stated they would like to expand but
would prefer open access rather than closing hours. Councilman Ayotte asked for an
update on the mechanical operations of the building, and if inspections had been
scheduled prior to warranties expiring. Councilman Peterson asked if the library sees any
trends in usage. Ms. Brechon explained with a new library in Eden Prairie opening soon,
that will affect usage, along with the school year cycle. Linda Landsman provided an
update from the Friends of the Library and Art Committee on current and proposed
programs. Mayor Furlong asked if the Friends of the Library have been able to sustain
membership. Ms. Brechon explained participation has been higher than expected and a
lot of compliments on the layout of the building. She then reviewed the County's
strategic plan. Councilman Labatt asked for an explanation on what is done with the
revenue from the meeting rooms, and if they have seen a need for a coffee shop. Ms.
Brechon stated she felt good quality vending machines seemed to be adequate.
DISCUSS ASSESSMENT PRACTICES FOR 2004 STREET RECONSTRUCTION
PROJECT 04-01.
A number of neighbors from the proposed assessment area were present for this
discussion. Paul Oehme explained the current assessment practice used by the city and
City Council Work Session - March 22, 2004
provided information and data from other cities. He stated a consultation report was on
order but due to a backlog, they would not receive a report until mid-May. He explained
Options #1 and #2 in the staff report for council discussion. Mayor Furlong asked him to
explain the difference between the two options. Councilman Ayotte asked for
clarification on the interest rate and term of assessment. Todd Gerhardt explained staff is
bringing this information forward now so the city can begin the process for the summer
construction season. Councilman Ayotte asked staff to explain the risk with pushing this
project out another year. Mayor Furlong stated what he heard at the public hearing was
that the neighborhood agreed the project needed to be done, but had a problem with the
amount of the proposed assessment. Councilman Lundquist stated he felt staff has done a
good job of decreasing the amount of the assessment, but City Council has lost credibility
with the public. For future reference, let's do due diligence ahead of time, and not after.
A resident asked for clarification on how assessments were going to be handled, and if it
was legal to discriminate by market value of a house. Roger Knutson explained that the
city was proposing to assess per lot, not by market value of the property. Mayor Furlong
summarized what needed to be done for the 2004 street reconstruction and made
suggestions for the 2005 project.
Mayor Furlong adjourned the work session meeting at 6:55 p.m.
Submitted by Todd Gerhardt
City Manager
Prepared by Nann Opheim
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