WS 2015 11 09
CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
NOVEMBER 9, 2015
Mayor Laufenburger called the work session to order at 5:30 p.m.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mayor Laufenburger, Councilman McDonald,
Councilwoman Tjornhom, Councilwoman Ryan, and Councilman Campion
STAFF PRESENT:
Todd Gerhardt, Chelsea Petersen, Kate Aanenson, and Todd Hoffman
PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT:
Cole Kelly, Steve
Scharfenberg, Rick Echternacht, Luke Thunberg, and Jennifer Hougham
Council members and Park and Recreation Commission members introduced themselves.
ATHLETIC FIELD STUDY AND FACILITY EXPANSION STUDY; COST BENEFIT
ANALYSIS ON ARTIFICIAL TURF, SEASONAL FIELD HOUSE DOME, EXPANSION
OF BALL FIELDS.
Todd Hoffman provided background information on the need for this study. Paul Paige with
Hoisington-Koegler Group provided highlights from the executive summary for the athletic field
analysis. He discussed the project overview, existing facilities, user feedback from online survey
results from current organizations using city facilities, and current and forecasted national and
local trends and demands. Mayor Laufenburger asked if school fields were included in this
study. Paul Paige showed needs assessment comparisons to facilities in surrounding
communities. He reviewed scenarios to meet demand with additional lights, artificial turf, and
artificial turf plus lights. Commission members and council discussed the possibility of charging
for usage of city facilities. Mayor Laufenburger asked about outside organizations using city
facilities i.e. Tonka United. Todd Hoffman explained the city’s policies regarding scheduling.
Councilman McDonald asked for clarification on the capacity graphs. Paul Paige continued
explaining the demand graph with a dome facility and new grass facility. He reviewed highlights
from their key findings which notes the demand far exceeds capacity during peak seasonal time.
He recommended the City continue to explore partnership opportunities for capital improvement
costs, maintain current management of fields as demand continues to increase and continue to
support the stated goals of the park and recreation department to reasonably meet demand.
Hoisington-Koegler Group recommends planning for a new multi purpose field in the next 15
years, continue flexibility in ballfields, providing lights at Bandimere Park (or other site) and
provide lighted artificial turf multi use fields at Bandimere Park (or other site). Councilman
McDonald asked about lighting existing fields versus lighting new fields, and how to use
medium range fields. There was discussion of repurposing existing fields. Councilwoman Ryan
asked how specific discussions have been for partnerships with organizations, i.e. Tonka United
to upgrade future facilities. Councilman McDonald asked about the expectation from
City Council Work Session – November 9, 2015
organizations if they contribute money with the expectation of priority on use versus charging
organizations for use of new facilities. He then asked for clarification that national trends show
soccer and lacrosse growing and football and baseball declining. Councilwoman Ryan asked
about cost comparisons between turf and grass fields. Todd Hoffman discussed the opportunity
with the Holasek property to build a field house, artificial turf, and lights for a multi purpose
field. Councilman McDonald asked about the cost for changing all current grass fields to turf.
Todd Gerhardt suggested staff will prepare scenarios and associated costs for different options.
Mayor Laufenburger asked for council feedback on charging users for building a premiere
facility. Councilman McDonald suggested there’s already a model with Bennett Family Park
charging for use of that facility. Councilwoman Ryan discussed the need for a premiere facility
as opposed to addressing the capacity issue. Mayor Laufenburger asked for data on Chanhassen
and Minnetonka participation ratios. Chairman Kelly explained the need for additional facilities
in the future and with land diminishing the possibility of buying the Holasek property. Todd
Gerhardt discussed the possible use of referendum money to build additional facilities and how
the referendum process works. Mayor Laufenburger asked what would trigger the need for a
referendum. Councilman Campion asked when the last referendum was held in the city.
Chairman Kelly discussed the list of projects that need to be done in the future noting there is
not enough park funds available to build what’s needed in the near future.
The work session meeting was recessed at 7:00 p.m. It was reconvened at 7:20 p.m.
KEY FINANCIAL STRATEGY: DEVELOP A TRANSPARENCY SECTION FOR THE
CITY’S WEBSITE; ENHANCE PUBLIC ACCESS TO CITY FINANCIAL RECORDS.
Todd Gerhardt explained what the City has done to develop a transparency section for the City’s
website and showed examples of how the page works. Councilwoman Tjornhom asked how the
City monitors usage. Mayor Laufenburger explained the importance of this transparency section
in helping residents find city information. Councilwoman Ryan suggested including information
about development signage. Councilman Campion asked if mobile apps are available. Mayor
Laufenburger asked Todd Gerhardt to extend thanks to Karen Engelhardt and Kim Meuwissen
for their work on this section.
DISTRIBUTE CITY MANAGER’S WORK PLAN AND DISCUSS SCHEDULE FOR
PERFORMANCE REVIEW.
Todd Gerhardt explained how the review process has worked in the past and outlined the
proposed schedule for this year’s review. Mayor Laufenburger reviewed key dates for this year,
noting Councilwoman Tjornhom has volunteered to tabulate the results.
Mayor Laufenburger adjourned the work session at 7:45 p.m.
Submitted by Todd Gerhardt, City Manager Prepared by Nann Opheim
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