WS 2004 09 27
CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
SEPTEMBER 27, 2004
Mayor Furlong called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mayor Furlong, Councilman Ayotte, Councilman
Labatt, Councilman Peterson and Councilman Lundquist
STAFF PRESENT:
Todd Gerhardt, Justin Miller, Todd Hoffman, Paul Oehme, Kate
Aanenson, and Lori Haak
JOINT MEETING WITH THE PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION.
Chairman Glenn Stolar, Anne Murphy, Steve Scharfenberg, Paula Atkins and Kevin
Dillon were present from the Park and Recreation Commission. Mayor Furlong asked
Chairman Stolar to provide information on what the commission felt were their highlights
for the year. Due to the turnover in commissioners, he thanked staff for getting the new
members up to speed on park and rec issues. He believes the commission has used sound
fiscal management, especially with the neighborhood ice rink program, and thanked the
City Council for their support with the playground equipment replacement program.
Todd Hoffman provided an update on the construction progress with the playground
replacement. Other highlights were the construction of City Center Park in front of City
Hall, the senior center remodeling project, farmers market and Miracles for Mitch
Triathlon. There is still work to be done in regards to establishing a dog park in the city,
but the commission has been in conversation with Carver County regarding a dog park at
Lake Minnewashta Regional Park. Todd Hoffman elaborated on those discussions.
Carver County is seeking financial support from surrounding cities. The Park and
Recreation Commission accepted comments from the public at their meeting in July.
Councilman Ayotte expressed support for a dog park but asked staff to approach
Hennepin County and other cities as additional funding sources. Councilman Labatt
asked for clarification on the location and access for the proposed dog park. Todd
Gerhardt questioned the amount of money, $40,000, being proposed by the County and
what that money will be used for. Mayor Furlong asked that this item be placed on a
future work session for further discussion.
Councilman Ayotte expressed concerns with the progress of the farmers market, and
asked what the city can do to either help or cut bait. Todd Gerhardt stated staff will meet
with the farmers market group to ask what assistance the city can provide. Mayor
Furlong asked that the City Council be given an update at the end of the season.
Councilman Ayotte also asked for some historical background on Herman Field Park, it’s
use and cost to the city. Chairman Stolar stated that is something the commission can
review. Councilman Lundquist asked that the commission look at evaluating the
programs and resources the city currently has and to research if the park and recreation
resources are being utilized to their fullest. He suggested the commission focus on
current programs and facilities rather than spending a lot of time on long term planning.
Mayor Furlong stated he concurred with Councilman Lundquist, agreeing that the
commission needs to look at new program but also review what is being done currently.
Todd Gerhardt stated the city will be conducting a community survey next year and asked
that the Park and Recreation Commission provide input on questions relating to park and
rec issues.
INFLOW/INFILTRATION UPDATE.
This item was tabled by staff to gather more input from the Metropolitan Council.
SURFACE WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN UPDATE.
Lori Haak, the Water Resource Coordinator provided background information on what
staff is doing to update the Surface Water Management Plan. A Request for Proposals
was sent to 8 consulting firms, of which 4 responded. After review and interviews, the
firm of SEH, Inc. was selected. Councilman Lundquist expressed concern with the
spread in the bids received, which indicates to him that the proposal wasn’t as well
defined as it could have been. Todd Gerhardt asked that Ms. Haak provide an
explanation for the spread in bids and the rationale for why SEH was selected as the
consultant for this large of project. Councilman Ayotte stated that because of the cost of
the water treatment study plan, he asked that staff manage this consultant better in terms
of change orders and making sure the city and consultant are on the same page in terms
of what’s expected with the results. Todd Gerhardt suggested wording the contract to
address those concerns and suggested breaking the project into sections with approval of
each section prior to continuing onto the next section. Councilman Labatt asked staff to
explain if other agencies such as the Bluff Creek Watershed District could assist in
funding this project. Staff explained that the city has to have their own plan which needs
to comply with other agencies, i.e. the Bluff Creek Watershed District, and the city can
leverage money from those agencies when plans get implemented. Councilman Labatt
expressed concern with the large price of the project. Councilman Ayotte asked if
cheaper labor could be used to collect data to decrease the large price tag. Councilman
Lundquist suggested using the base bid price and verify with the consultants about timing
and price in waiting to do the items listed as additional services requested. Councilman
Peterson asked for clarification on the minimum requirements and asked for justification
on the costs for extras above the minimum. Mayor Furlong asked about using Ehlers and
Associates, who did the water rate study, or looking at other consultants and other
funding sources. He also asked for clarification with the scheduled maintenance and
improvements.
Mayor Furlong adjourned the work session meeting at 7:00 p.m.
Submitted by Todd Gerhardt
City Manager
Prepared by Nann Opheim
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