WS 2016 11 14
CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
NOVEMBER 14, 2016
City Council members met prior to the work session to tour the exterior of City Hall for
proposed 2017 CIP repairs and improvements.
Mayor Laufenburger called the Canvas Board to order at 5:35 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, Greg
Sticha, Kim Meuwissen, and Jill Sinclair
CANVAS RESULTS OF GENERAL ELECTION ON NOVEMBER 8, 2016.
Council members recited the Oath of Office for the Canvas Board. Todd Gerhardt congratulated
and thanked Kim Meuwissen for running the general election. Kim Meuwissen reviewed the
local results of the general election that was held in the city of Chanhassen and proposed that
Bethany Tjornhom and Jerry McDonald be approved as council members. Mayor Laufenburger
asked if there were any significant changes from previous elections. Kim Meuwissen explained
the new rules pertaining to absentee voting. Councilwoman Ryan asked for clarification on how
Carver County handled absentee votes.
Resolution #2016-72:Councilwoman Ryan moved, Councilman Campion seconded to
approve the resolution canvassing the local election results from the November 8, 2016
General Election. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 5
to 0.
Councilman Campion, moved, Councilwoman Ryan seconded to adjourn the canvas board
at 5:45 p.m.
Mayor Laufenburger called the work session to order at 5:45 p.m.
DISTRIBUTE CITY MANAGER’S WORK PLAN AND DISCUSS SCHEDULE FOR
PERFORMANCE EVALUATION.
Todd Gerhardt reviewed the schedule and process for taking action on the City Manager
Performance Evaluation. Mayor Laufenburger asked Todd Gerhardt to send the previous year
review, this year’s document in Word format and asked Councilwoman Ryan if she would
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tabulate the results to be presented at the November 28 council work session.
City Council Work Session – November 14, 2016
REVIEW 2017 SPECIAL REVENUE AND ENTERPRISE FUNDS.
Paul Oehme reviewed highlights of the water operations enterprise fund and asked that a new
full time employee be added for the west water treatment plant. Mayor Laufenburger clarified
changing allocation of staff time out of the general fund and into the water operations enterprise
fund. Paul Oehme reviewed the sewer operations enterprise fund. Councilwoman Ryan asked
for clarification on how Met Council sets their fees for city usage. Paul Oehme reviewed the
surface water management enterprise fund. Greg Sticha gave an overview of how the 3 special
revenue funds operate and discussed the charitable gambling fund. Chelsea Petersen reviewed
how the cable TV revenue fund is used. Mayor Laufenburger asked for clarification of potential
high definition system improvements. Greg Sticha reviewed services provided with the
cemetery revenue fund. Mayor Laufenburger asked for staff to provide fund balances when they
provide their annual updates.
EMERALD ASH BORER MANAGEMENT PLAN UPDATE.
Jeff Hafner with Rainbow Tree Care, who helps cities manage their Emerald Ash Borer plans,
introduced himself and provided his background information. Jill Sinclair discussed what other
metro cities are currently doing regarding Emerald Ash Borer management. Mayor
Laufenburger asked what the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is doing. Jill Sinclair stated they
will wait until Emerald Ash Borer is found in closer proximity before explaining what the City is
doing to educate residents, incentives for residents, and reviewed a planned, strategic and
proactive response as management options. Jeff Hafner explained projected costs with different
options using the number of 1,200 ash trees on city property. Jill Sinclair noted that the
treatment proposal had a projected cost of approximately $20,000 per year for 12 years. Mayor
Laufenburger asked for clarification on the life cycle of Emerald Ash Borer. Todd Gerhardt
asked when staff would like to move forward with treatment. Jill Sinclair stated she would need
to revise city code to specifically include hazard trees as public nuisance, revise city code to
broaden the scope of diseased trees, and put out a RFP for treatments in 2017 with treatments
beginning the spring of 2017. Councilwoman Ryan discussed her belief that there will be public
concern with the use of chemicals. Staff explained that safety data sheets will be provided to the
public. Councilman Campion asked for clarification on the city code revision regarding diseased
trees and if financial assistance will be available to residents in need. Councilman McDonald
asked if the City should get involved with hazard trees as a public nuisance because he believes
it’s the responsibility of the homeowner. He also asked how vendors will be chosen. Todd
Gerhardt asked what the City will do if homeowners don’t want to have chemically treated trees
in close proximity to their yard. Councilwoman Ryan asked Jeff Hafner to discuss guarantees
associated with treatment and if all 1,200 trees will be treated. Jill Sinclair stated the city will
treat trees 9 to 12 inches in diameter. Mayor Laufenburger asked if the 2017 budget will support
this program. Greg Sticha stated he believes it will support this program.
Mayor Laufenburger adjourned the work session at 6:55 p.m.
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City Council Work Session – November 14, 2016
Submitted by Todd Gerhardt
City Manager
Prepared by Nann Opheim
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