WS 2015 06 08
CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
JUNE 8, 2015
Mayor Laufenburger called the work session to order at 5:30 p.m.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mayor Laufenburger, Councilwoman Tjornhom,
Councilman McDonald, Councilwoman Ryan, and Councilman Campion
STAFF PRESENT:
Todd Gerhardt, Chelsea Petersen, Paul Oehme, Kate Aanenson, Todd
Hoffman, Greg Sticha, and Danielle Washburn
PUBLIC PRESENT:
REVIEW OF 2014 FINANCIAL AUDIT, TAUTGES REDPATH.
Greg Sticha introduced David Mol and Andy Herring with Tautges Redpath who presented
highlights of the results from the 2014 Audit, specifically discussing reports issued by the
st
auditor, noting 2013 was the 21 consecutive year the City has received a Certificate of
Achievement in Excellence in Accounting (GFOA) award resulting in good results and clean
opinion. Danielle Washburn was thanked for all her help in preparing information for the
auditors. Mayor Laufenburger asked why expenditures were more than what was budgeted.
Councilman Campion asked for clarification on the net position decrease.
DISCUSSION OF COMMUNITY SOLAR GARDENS.
A representative from Oak Leaf Energy Partners in Denver, CO discussed their work with the
Metropolitan Council regarding a community solar garden being proposed at the Met Council’s
Blue Lake Wastewater Treatment Plant in Shakopee and reviewed the economics of how solar
gardens operate. Mayor Laufenburger asked for further clarification on the economics. The
representative from Oak Leaf Energy Partners reviewed project details of four solar gardens
totaling 20 acres with a subscription term of 25 years noting Chanhassen has an opportunity to
subscribe up to 18 percent of the project. Oak Leaf Energy Partners would like to have the
subscribers finalized by September. Mayor Laufenburger asked why the City should not do this
program. Greg Sticha discussed the possibility of waiting for technology and economics to get
better in the future. Paul Oehme explained that land may become harder to find in the future.
Councilman McDonald asked if the 9.5 cents over 25 years is a locked in number. Councilman
Campion asked how long Oak Leaf Energy Partners have been building community solar
gardens. Councilwoman Tjornhom expressed concern over Met Council owning the land and 80
percent shares for this project. Councilwoman Ryan asked about competitors in the area to Oak
Leaf and what they’re offering. Mayor Laufenburger asked where the City will see benefit in
their Xcel bill. Councilman McDonald asked to see a spread sheet showing 25 years in the
program. Greg Sticha explained that the finance department will have to keep a close eye on
Xcel’s bill to make sure they’re calculated correctly. Councilwoman Ryan asked logistically
how this program will work if the council decides to move forward with this project. After
questions and discussion it was the council’s unanimous consensus to move forward because
City Council Work Session – June 8, 2015
there’s no up front costs and it’s insurance against future energy rate increases. Todd Gerhardt
stated staff will bring an agreement and spreadsheet to a future council meeting and asked if the
council wants staff to enter into a broker relationship for remaining subscription percentages
similar to what Minnetonka is doing. Mayor Laufenburger stated there would be no harm
listening to what a broker has to say but is hearing a hesitancy among council members to go
much further than this.
Mayor Laufenburger adjourned the work session meeting at 7:00 p.m.
Submitted by Todd Gerhardt
City Manager
Prepared by Nann Opheim
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