WS 2014 09 08
CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
SEPTEMBER 8, 2014
Mayor Furlong called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mayor Furlong, Councilman Laufenburger, Councilwoman Ernst,
Councilwoman Tjornhom, and Councilman McDonald
STAFF PRESENT:
Todd Gerhardt, Laurie Hokkanen, Paul Oehme, Kate Aanenson, Todd Hoffman,
Greg Sticha, Chief Don Johnson, and Assistant Chief Cori Wallis
PUBLIC PRESENT:
Suzy & Jimmy Bohn 6377 Oxbow Bend
DISCUSS FIRE DEPARTMENT DUTY CREWS.
Todd Gerhardt provided background information on this key financial strategy item before introducing
Chief Don Johnson who provided an update on the Chanhassen Fire Department’s duty crew operations.
In reviewing the history, he noted the program has been in place since 2002. He reviewed the benefits of
duty crew explaining that on a national level younger generations of firefighters are more geared towards
scheduled shifts than the unknown response model. Councilwoman Ernst asked about acceptable
response times. Chief Johnson outlined major challenges being cost, scheduling and sustainability and
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reviewed the results of a membership survey which resulted in changing shifts beginning October 1.
Councilman McDonald asked for clarification on the duties of the duty crew, questioned what savings the
city is seeing with the 3 person duty crews in relation to response times, and hiring people specifically for
duty crew. Chief Don Johnson explained that with new software being initiated there will be more
accurate data available in the future.
UPDATE ON HIGHOVER BOULDER WALL PROJECT.
Before the update got started, Councilwoman Tjornhom asked about insurance coverage and associated
warranties associated with the boulder wall. Paul Oehme reviewed the boulder wall failure that occurred
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during the June 19 rain event in the Highover neighborhood. He reviewed the proposed reconstruction
plan and discussions with the Homeowners Association and affected homeowner noting the new boulder
wall will be built outside of the City’s right-of-way. Councilman Laufenburger asked about other options
including doing nothing and cost comparisons between replacing the boulder wall and not replacing the
boulder wall and FEMA’s contribution. Paul Oehme reviewed the proposed schedule for moving forward
with construction completion proposed for the end of November. Mayor Furlong asked about alternative
solutions being bid with the project i.e. removing the top row of boulders, or sloping the property without
boulders. Paul Oehme reviewed the funding options available with FEMA, the City, the Homeowners
Association and private property owner. Councilwoman Ernst asked about using the City’s catastrophic
fund to cover the City’s portion of the project. Councilman McDonald asked if FEMA would cover the
slope option.
2015 BUDGET: FINAL REVIEW OF PROPOSED BUDGET BEFORE SETTING THE
PRELIMINARY LEVY AT THE REGULAR MEETING.
Mayor Furlong asked if there was any new information since the last time council had seen this item
before asking for questions. Councilman McDonald asked for an update on the health insurance
City Council Work Session – September 8, 2014
numbers. Councilman Laufenburger asked about inflationary numbers and city employee wage history.
Greg Sticha explained that the resolution being proposed is using Scenario #1.
Mayor Furlong adjourned the work session at 7:00 p.m.
Submitted by Todd Gerhardt
City Manager
Prepared by Nann Opheim
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