WS 2017 07 10
CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
JULY 10, 2017
Mayor Laufenburger called the work session to order at 5:00 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, Greg Sticha, Danielle Washburn, and Charlie Burke
REVIEW OF 2016 AUDIT REPOIRT, REDPATH & COMPANY.
Greg Sticha introduced Dave Mol with Redpath & Company who reviewed highlights of the
2016 audit including an opinion on financial statements, receipt of Certificate of Excellence in
Financial Reporting, report on internal controls, and report on Minnesota Legal Compliance.
Mayor Laufenburger asked for feedback on the use of the surplus funds. Consensus was to
follow staff’s recommendations.
REVIEW OF 2016-2017 SNOWPLOWING OPERATIONS.
Charlie Burke was present to answer questions about operations. Paul Oehme reviewed
operation call outs, procedures, Minnesota Road salt use graph to reduce the amount of chloride,
city implemented best management practices, and the fleet mobile resources management system
due to be implemented next season. Todd Gerhardt suggested a breakdown of the call outs by
snow amount, number of people plowing, etcetera. Mayor Laufenburger asked how the City
coordinates with the State and County plows. Councilwoman Ryan asked how trails are plowed.
KEY FINANCIAL STRATEGY: MID-YEAR REVIEW OF 2017 STRATEGIES.
Todd Gerhardt reviewed the establishment of annual goals and key financial strategies set by the
council. Most items have been accomplished but staff is still working on franchise fees, park
system master plan, replacement of Fire Ladder 11, permeable pavers continue to be worked on
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but will be brought back to council in August, and the City’s 50 anniversary celebration. In
discussing strengthening the City’s financial position Todd Gerhardt discussed looking at the
2018 budget outlook. In planning for the city’s infrastructure staff and council members
continue to solicit state funding for Highway 101 between Pioneer Trail and County Road 61,
evaluate the best layout for the west water treatment plant and incorporating Manchester Park
with the goal of starting construction in 2017. Councilwoman Ryan asked when Lake Harrison
Road will be reopened. Todd Gerhardt continued with discussion of the Carver County
wheelage and sales tax and how it will affect Chanhassen, signal light timing along the Highway
5 corridor, developing a comprehensive park plan to establish a vision for the city’s overall park
City Council Work Session – July 10, 2017
and trail programs, including long term park needs as well as replacement programs and policies.
Councilwoman Tjornhom asked for clarification of the consultant’s contract cost for the park
plan update. Todd Gerhardt continued by providing an update on the pavement management
program and educating the public on possible ways to fund future road projects. In discussing
enhancing local tax base he discussed the downtown focus update on the current market
conditions and downtown vision. Councilman Campion asked about the timeline for the
downtown update. Mayor Laufenburger asked Kate Aanenson to comment on the letter she
handed out to council regarding the new normal study that was done in 2012.
AWARD OF BID, CITY HALL EXTERIOR LANDSCAPING.
Todd Gerhardt discussed the city hall exterior landscaping project and bids with a
recommendation by staff to award the bid to Blackstone Contractors LLC in the amount
$365,835 which includes the base bid with Alternative #2. Mayor Laufenburger asked for
clarification on the arrangement with Carver County related to the library. Councilman Campion
stated the bid amount seemed high to him. Mayor Laufenburger discussed options of accepting
the bid, not accept the bid or go back out to bid. Councilwoman Tjornhom asked for
clarification on the $32,000 bid for signage which seemed high. Councilwoman Ryan was also
concerned with the high price tag and asked Greg Sticha to explain CIP funding. She asked how
the $400,00 number was chosen as opposed to $200,000. Councilman Campion discussed what
he has experienced in private corporations for what he considers discretionary spending.
Councilman McDonald stated he could support this item even though he admits it’s a big number
because the timing is right.
Mayor Laufenburger adjourned the work session at 6:55 p.m.
Submitted by Todd Gerhardt
City Manager
Prepared by Nann Opheim
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