CC WS 2019 11 12CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
NOVEMBER 12, 2019
Mayor Ryan called the work session to order at 5:00 p.m.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Ryan, Councilwoman Tjornhom, Councilman
McDonald, Councilman Campion, and Councilwoman Coleman
STAFF PRESENT: Todd Gerhardt, Jake Foster, Kate Aanenson, Bruce Loney, Greg Sticha,
Adam Beers, Chief Don Johnson
DISTRIBUTE CITY MANAGER’S WORK PLAN AND DISCUSS SCHEDULE FOR
PERFORMANCE EVALUATION.
Todd Gerhardt passed out the schedule for the City Manager’s performance evaluation and
provided highlights on the City Council’s goal related to mental health. Councilwoman
Tjornhom advised the council of activities involved with FISH related to mental health efforts.
Mayor Ryan explained the efforts that were put forth regarding mental health which came to the
conclusion that Carver County is already providing mental health resources so it didn’t make
sense for the City to duplicate those efforts. Todd Gerhardt continued with explanation of the
goals that were accomplished during the year before explaining how the performance review
sheet should be filled out and sent to Mayor Ryan for tabulation.
DISCUSS METROPOLITAN COUNCIL BID FOR CITY PORTION COST OF SEWER
LINING.
Todd Gerhardt provided background information before introducing Bruce Loney who discussed
the project overview noting that the bids came in higher than estimated so Met Council is
looking for council concurrence with the bid evaluation. Mayor Ryan asked for clarification on
cost savings associated with working with Met Council in this project and the use of grant
dollars. Councilman Campion asked about the possibility of sewage leaking out of these pipes.
DISCUSSION OF 2020 BUDGET.
Greg Sticha reviewed the preliminary levy that was set by City Council in September which
included allocation of $510,000 for the addition of one street employee and options for
addressing pothole maintenance using MSA maintenance dollars. Mayor Ryan asked how this
plan is affected by the pavement management program in doing mill and overlays.
Councilwoman Coleman asked how the cost of an additional street maintenance employee
compares to other cities. Greg Sticha continued with discussion of the need for an additional
park maintenance employee noting it’s been 21 years since a park maintenance employee has
been added. Mayor Ryan asked about the possibility of hiring more seasonal employees, or the
City Council Work Session – November 12, 2019
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possibility of having a cross over employee between the street and park maintenance
departments and asked why the need for additional street and park maintenance employees
wasn’t brought up earlier in the budget discussions. Greg Sticha discussed the third item which
is the addition of making the part time fire admin position into a full time position. Chief Don
Johnson explained the desperation of wanting to keep this part time employee as full time to
compete with an offer from the Excelsior Fire Department. Councilman McDonald asked how
difficult it would be to replace this person. Greg Sticha explained that he would not recommend
funding this position from the $510,000 but hiring her mid year and using surplus to help fund
the position. The last two items to be discussed were the use of a majority of the $510,000 to be
used to increase the levy to fund the pavement management program. Greg Sticha continued
discussing the history of increasing the levy at new growth over the last several years, the park
equipment replacement need and funding for the Old Village Hall. Mayor Ryan explained that
she was contacted by the Chanhassen Historical Society and their desire to have a permanent
location at Old Village Hall. Greg Sticha explained the pros and cons associated with not renting
the old village hall versus the Historical Society paying for half of utilities and equipping the
building with WiFi. After discussion by council members it was the consensus that the
historical society needs to work on updating their business plan to show more clarification on a
sustainable plan for their funding source.
Greg Sticha discussed feedback from citizens saying the City continues to ask for increases in
spending and his research showing that actual spending has decreased over the past 11 years.
Mayor Ryan adjourned the work session at 7:00 p.m.
Submitted by Todd Gerhardt
City Manager
Prepared by Nann Opheim