CC WS 2020 07 13CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
JULY 13, 2020
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: Heather Johnston, Kate Aanenson, Charlie Howley, Jake Foster, Greg
Sticha, Danielle Washburn, Matt Unmacht, and Jerry Ruegemer
REVIEW OF 2019 AUDIT WITH REDPATH & COMPANY.
Greg Sticha introduced Dave Mol with Redpath & Company who reviewed highlights of his
power point presentation outlining reports issued by auditors, report on internal controls, report
on Minnesota Legal Compliance, and Communication to those charged with Governance all of
which reported clean opinions. He noted that the City has received the award for Excellence in
Financial Reporting for the 27th consecutive year before briefly reviewing the summary of
financial activity, general fund budget performance, a graph showing general fund balance cash
flow reserves, general fund balance graph, and graphs reviewing the enterprise funds for water,
sewer, and property taxes by jurisdiction. Councilman McDonald asked overall how the City is
performing. Dave Mol stated that overall the City is in good condition except if water usage
continues to be flat or low that will need to be addressed in the future. Mayor Ryan asked about
the status of the City’s reserve goals. Councilwoman Tjornhom asked about the Water Wise
program’s affects on the reduction in water usage which prompted the need to raise rates. Mayor
Ryan thanked Greg Sticha and Danielle Washburn for all their hard work associated with
working with Redpath & Company for the 2019 audit.
The City Council took a short recess at this point in the work session.
REVIEW LOCAL SURFACE WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN AND STORMWATER
RELATED CITY CODE UPDATE.
The Water Resources Coordinator Matt Unmacht provided background information prior to
reviewing ordinance amendments to Chapters 1-Definitions, 18-Subdivision, 19- Water, Sewers,
and Sewage Disposal, and 20- Zoning related to changes in the local surface water and
stormwater management plan and discussed how the City’s regulations relate to Watershed
Management Organizations (WMO) rules and regulations. This item went before the Planning
Commission on June 2, 2020 and will come back to the City Council for approval in the future.
Mayor Ryan thanked Matt Unmacht for being a part of the team and his work on this item.
Councilman McDonald asked for clarification on how developers will work with the City’s
regulations in relation to Watershed Management Organizations regulations. Mayor Ryan
City Council Work Session – July 13, 2020
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concurred that residents and developers have complained about the process in the past and
streamlining the process moving forward would be helpful.
REVIEW PROPOSED STREET IMPROVEMENT FUNDING.
Charlie Howley reviewed the 2020 street improvement projects explaining what factors have
occurred over the last month which have resulted in a decrease in the Municipal State Aid funds
and the affects of how street projects can move forward. He explained that the City Council will
be holding public hearings regarding the assessment rolls for the Lake Lucy Road Rehabilitation
Project and the six neighborhood projects in the 2020 Street Rehabilitation Project and options
for approving the associated assessment rolls and awarding the construction contracts. Greg
Sticha reviewed funding options moving forward in 2020 and 2021 with the reduction in MSA
funds. Charlie Howley reviewed projects that are currently completed or under construction and
options for fund ing those projects. Councilwoman Tjornhom asked if MSA funds are also
available to Carver County and what other cities are doing to address these funding impacts.
Councilwoman Coleman asked about the status of MSA funding for 2021. Councilman
McDonald asked how pushing street projects out to future years will affect funding for 2020 and
priorities for street projects moving forward. He explained that he would not be in favor of
increasing levies. Mayor Ryan concurred that she would not be in favor of increasing levies or
using bonding and would favor living within the City’s means and only doing projects that
money has been budgeted for in 2020. Charlie Howley continued with the presentation
reviewing five funding options being proposed by staff. Council members and staff discussed
how to fund the Lyman Boulevard project. Greg Sticha reviewed a spreadsheet explaining the
franchise fee budget moving forward. Councilman McDonald asked that staff come up with a
brand new plan for 2021 moving forward due to the current budgetary issues. In discussing the
Powers Boulevard/Lake Lucy pedestrian crossing project where the contract has already been
awarded, the contractor explained how the City would be responsible for money that’s already
been spent to buy materials and associated damages. Mayor Ryan asked for clarification on the
amount of money budgeted for 2020 and which projects would be covered under the $3.8
million. City Attorney Roger Knutson clarified that the council could hold the public hearings
for the assessment roll without awarding the construction contracts.
ROUNDTABLE. Heather Johnson explained how Roundtable discussions are designed to gain
council input before bringing items back to the council. Jake Foster explained the process
associated with the RFP for recruitment firms for the City Manager position and asked for two
council volunteers for that review process. Councilman Campion and Mayor Ryan volunteered
to sit on the review panel. Kate Aanenson explained that a special legislation update will be
discussed at a future work session.
Mayor Ryan adjourned the work session at 6:55 p.m.
Submitted by Heather Johnson, Interim City Manager Prepared by Nann Opheim