WS 2005 07 11
CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
JULY 11, 2005
Mayor Furlong called the work session to order at 5:40 p.m..
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mayor Furlong, Councilwoman Tjornhom, Councilman
Peterson and Councilman Lundquist
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT:
Councilman Labatt
STAFF PRESENT:
Todd Gerhardt, Justin Miller, Paul Oehme, Greg Sticha, Todd Hoffman
and Kate Aanenson
REVIEW COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT (CAFR).
Melanie Accola, the audit manager with HLB Tautges Redpath reviewed the financial results and
audit findings from the 2004 audit. She reviewed each of the reports issued for the city which
included the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, Report on Internal Controls, Audit
Management Letter, and State Legal Compliance Report. Mayor Furlong asked for clarification
of how the revenue/expenses are tracked by department, i.e. building permits being under
Community Development or Public Safety. He asked how revenues have tracked with
projections and asked Ms. Accola to explain their finding that deposits were not adequately
collateralized. Greg Sticha reviewed the actual versus projected numbers for the water fund.
Councilman Peterson asked staff to explain how in the general fund increase, how property tax
collection can be higher than 100% and higher than the levy. Mayor Furlong stated that overall
it was a good report and that the City was in good financial health. Todd Gerhardt thanked
Melanie Accola and her staff for their help with the transition in Financial Directors and with the
audit process.
WEST WATER TREATMENT PLAN LAND ACQUISITION/PARK CONCEPTS.
Paul Oehme reviewed the 5 sites identified for the west water treatment plant and how staff has
narrowed the list down to 3 sites. He identified the pros and cons associated with each site and
explained how staff arrived at their recommendation for Site 1. Mayor Furlong asked for
clarification on the costs associated with land and piping for Site 1. Councilman Lundquist
asked about the timing for construction. Todd Hoffman reviewed the park concept plans
prepared by Brauer and Associates for Site 1. Councilwoman Tjornhom asked if there would be
a problem with the water treatment plant being located so close to a wetland. Todd Gerhardt
explained the need for the cul-de-sac construction. Mayor Furlong asked about the feedback
staff received from the neighborhood meeting. Todd Gerhardt stated staff will transplant as
many evergreen trees as possible from the east water treatment plant site to begin vegetating this
site. Paul Oehme stated staff will have a purchase agreement for City Council approval at their
th
meeting on July 25.
City Council Work Session – July 11, 2005
STRATEGIC PLAN: UPDATE OF POSTAL SERVICE DELIVERY ISSUES.
Justin Miller presented an update on the status of postal delivery within the City of Chanhassen
stating the two issues being downtown mail delivery and sporadic delivery to parts of
Chanhassen that have a non-Chanhassen mailing address. He explained how the post office
classifies Chanhassen as a rural station and that changing that classification would take an Act of
Congress. The local post office stated they would make delivery adjustments, after calls were
made to Representative John Kline’s office in Washington D.C.. Councilman Peterson asked if
it was a budget issue. Justin Miller explained it was more a procedural and union issue than
budget. Mayor Furlong suggested that city staff talk further with Representative Kline’s office
to change the rural designation of Chanhassen, along with such cities as Lakeville. Councilman
Peterson asked how much authority congress has over the post office. Mayor Furlong directed
staff to continue working on this issue, noting that good progress has already been made. Justin
Miller explained the problems associated with returned mail for non-Chanhassen mailing
addresses where the mail does not match the zip code. Mayor Furlong suggested checking on
how Shorewood and Tonka Bay get their mail delivered with an Excelsior zip code and why that
can’t work for Chanhassen. Todd Gerhardt explained the implications to changing the name of
the city and zip codes, i.e. mortgage documents, driver license, letterhead, etc. Mayor Furlong
stated maybe it was just a matter of changing software and again asked staff to continue to work
on this issue.
Mayor Furlong adjourned the work session meeting at 6:50 p.m..
Submitted by Todd Gerhardt
City Manager
Prepared by Nann Opheim
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