WS 2015 11 23
CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
NOVEMBER 23, 2015
Mayor Laufenburger called the work session meeting 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, Paul Oehme, Kate Aanenson, Todd
Hoffman, and Greg Sticha
PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT:
Jim Boettcher, Rick
Echternacht, Cole Kelly, and Steve Scharfenberg
Mayor Laufenburger asked which council members will be attending the Highway 101 bridge
opening ceremony.
CONTINUATION OF DISCUSSION REGARDING ATHLETIC FIELD STUDY AND
PARK REFERENDUM.
Todd Gerhardt reviewed the information that was asked by council members at the last work
session showing costs associated with 5 scenarios. Todd Hoffman reviewed the details of each
scenario that was created in conjunction with Hoisington-Koegler Group. Mayor Laufenburger
asked if resting fields was taken into account with scenario 4, developing new turf fields.
Councilman McDonald asked about bonding options and maintenance costs association with
adding artificial turf fields associated with Scenarios 1, 4 and 5. Councilwoman Tjornhom asked
about the timeline associated with the City Council needing to make a decision and
consequences of doing nothing. Mayor Laufenburger explained that demand is currently
exceeding capacity which will only increase and asked staff to explain the criteria used to decide
whether or not the City holds a referendum. Councilwoman Ryan asked about the specifics of
wording for a referendum. Councilman Campion asked how quickly park facilities would be
available for use with the options of bonding or referendum. Councilwoman Ryan asked about
availability of land for purchasing additional land. Todd Gerhardt explained that the City is in
discussions with the owners of the Holasek property as a possibility. Councilwoman Ryan
voiced support for scenarios 4 and 5 which develops new fields with support facilities and would
support the use of a referendum. Councilman Campion voiced support for scenario 5 which
develops 2 new lighted turf fields with support facilities and the use of a referendum. Mayor
Laufenburger asked for clarification on what’s in the current park fund and anticipated fund
balance in the future and if there was another avenue to get public feedback other than the use of
a referendum before explaining his fears associated with the use of a referendum. He voiced
support for scenario 2, adding lights to 3 fields at Bandimere Park and scenario 5 down the road.
Councilwoman Tjornhom also supported scenario 2 for now and would not favor the use of a
Chanhassen City Council Work Session – November 23, 2015
referendum preferring to wait on scenario 5 to see what happens in the next few years.
Councilman McDonald voiced support for scenario 1 which repurposes 2 current fields from
natural to artificial turf and scenario 3 which includes lighting at Lake Susan Park. He stated he
was hesitant to do lighting at Bandimere because of possible negative feedback from neighboring
property owners. Staff clarified that the 2 northern soccer fields at Bandimere are not included in
these scenarios. Councilman McDonald explained his support for a referendum to do numerous
projects that need to be prioritized by the Park and Recreation Commission and would like to
know associated maintenance costs if additional infrastructure is added. Greg Sticha reminded
council members that the library levy will be coming off the books in 2021. Councilwoman
Ryan suggested repurposing a field at Lake Ann Park that currently has lights for expansion of
soccer/lacrosse fields instead of ballfields. Mayor Laufenburger directed staff to identify a dollar
amount for a referendum between $6 to $7 million and what projects that would encompass,
what would that levy look like including all components and what would be the impact on
residents. Park and Recreation Commission Chairman Kelly discussed the course of action that
will be taken by the Park and Recreation Commission.
2016 GENERAL FUND BUDGET AND LEVY DISCUSSION.
Greg Sticha reviewed the bond tax levy and revolving assessment funds before reviewing levy
impacts to get to scenario 2 which council passed as a preliminary levy in September. Mayor
Laufenburger asked for clarification on the use of credit cards for building permits and
associated costs. Greg Sticha reviewed the results of a survey from other key financial cities for
IT costs which shows Chanhassen is providing a good value for the service. He continued with
review of action needed to get to scenario 2. Councilwoman Ryan asked for clarification on
how contractual services (consultant fees) are managed.
The work session was adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
After the regular city council meeting the City Council reconvened at 9:10 p.m. in Executive
Session to discuss the results of the City Manager’s performance review.
Submitted by Todd Gerhardt
City Manager
Prepared by Nann Opheim
2