CC WS 2018 08 27CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
AUGUST 27, 2018
Mayor Laufenburger called the work session to order at 5:27 p.m.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Laufenburger, Councilwoman Tjornhom,
Councilman McDonald, and Councilwoman Ryan
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Councilman Campion
STAFF PRESENT: Todd Gerhardt, Chelsea Petersen, Paul Oehme, Todd Hoffman, Jill
Sinclair, and Greg Sticha
PUBLIC PRESENT: None.
OPTIONS FOR RESIDENTAL YARD WASTE DISPOSAL.
Jill Sinclair reviewed highlights from a power point presentation on how to address residential
yard waste disposal since the Carver County Board decided to discontinue the service in January.
Options include private compost sites, garbage haulers provide yard waste disposal, city wide
organized collection, spring and fall brush days, or the City create a yard waste site and
discussed associated costs for each option. Mayor Laufenburger asked for clarification on how
the City coupon program works. Jill Sinclair explained how the City uses the grant money of
$17,300 from the County. Councilman McDonald stated his preference for the spring/fall option
and not a permanent site. Councilwoman Tjornhom had no opinion at this time but would
probably favor private haulers. Councilwoman Ryan favored the spring/fall option and would
not favor a permanent site. Jill Sinclair suggested using the public works property for spring
and fall drop off. Mayor Laufenburger directed staff to explore the spring/fall option and charge
the same price that the County has charged and continue the use of coupons. Councilwoman
Ryan suggested an option of pre-paying on the City’s website or at City Hall. Council members
discussed payment options and favored charging residents for the service.
2019 DETAILED BUDGET PRESENTATION.
Greg Sticha reviewed highlights of details for the 2019 budget by department. In discussing the
legal department Councilman McDonald has heard feedback that talking to an actual attorney is
difficult with Campbell-Knutson Law Firm so would like to see them become more customer
service friendly. The concern is their phone system is a little too automated. In discussing
elimination of the crime prevention specialists position Councilman McDonald asked how
services are being provided. Todd Gerhardt explained the need for increasing the Assistant
Planner position to a Planner II position in order to keep MacKenzie Walters. Councilwoman
Ryan asked how rec programs are evaluated in comparison to what other communities provide.
City Council Work Session – August 27, 2018
2
Greg Sticha concluded that the 2019 budget looks very similar to the 2018 budget and the
services provided. Mayor Laufenburger asked that this item come back to a work session before
the preliminary levy is set and discussion of franchise fees at the September 10th work session.
He suggested council members get in touch with staff prior to that meeting so that questions can
be answered at the work session.
MID-YEAR KEY FINANCIAL STRATEGY UPDATE.
Todd Gerhardt provided an update on the mid-year key financial strategies that have been
discussed to date. Councilman McDonald asked about feedback from the brew pub ordinance.
In discussing the Chanhassen Railroad Depot improvements Todd Gerhardt estimated that the
railroad depot improvements would be around $750,000. Council members agreed they were not
in favor of spending that amount of money for upgrading the railroad depot.
Mayor Laufenburger adjourned the work session at 6:57 p.m.
Submitted by Todd Gerhardt
City Manager
Prepared by Nann Opheim