WS 2006 05 22
CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
MAY 22, 2006
Mayor Furlong called the work session to order at 5:35 p.m..
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mayor Furlong, Councilwoman Tjornhom and
Councilman Peterson
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT:
Councilman Lundquist and Councilman Labatt
STAFF PRESENT:
Todd Gerhardt, Justin Miller, Kate Aanenson, Greg Sticha, Todd Hoffman,
Paul Oehme, Kelly Janes, Ed Coppersmith, and Kevin Crooks
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT EXERCISE.
Todd Gerhardt introduced Ed Coppersmith who had set up the conference room to simulate an
actual emergency situation relating to tornadoes. After giving a brief history of tornadoes in
Carver County, he explained the city’s role in this type of an emergency and outlined the roles of
the certain city employees and City Council members during and after the emergency. He
reviewed the Declaration of Emergency and State Statue 12 (mutual aid). Mayor Furlong asked
about a secondary site for the EOC (Emergency Operation Center). Mr. Coppersmith suggested
the City Council draft and approve a Declaration of Emergency, which the city currently does
not have, which outlines the succession of power in case of an emergency. He outlined issues of
concern such as no back up power in City Hall and suggested City Hall have a generator. Todd
Gerhardt asked about the possibility of running hardwire from the fire station to city hall. Mayor
Furlong asked about using the upstairs conference area at the fire station to locate the EOC since
the basement has communication problems. Mr. Coppersmith outlined the specific duties of
different individuals in the EOC. Todd Gerhardt asked if a mock drill was scheduled with
Carver County this summer. Mayor Furlong asked how the EOC worked during President
Bush’s visit last fall, and what was learned from that experience. Mr. Coppersmith noted that
there is a need to get a non-emergency phone number out to the public so the public can contact
the City without tying up 911. Mayor Furlong asked what the city could do in terms of
communication. Mr. Coppersmith suggested the use of local radio stations, local television
stations and the City’s cable access station which can be aired live.
UPDATE ON WATER TREATMENT PLANT/SEH CHANGE ORDER TO
ENGINEERING CONTRACT.
Paul Oehme introduced Kevin Crooks, the new Water Treatment Plant Manager, who provided
his background in the water treatment plant field. Mr. Oehme gave a power point presentation
updating the council on the construction progress, noting that construction to date is on schedule.
Todd Gerhardt complimented SEH for the lack of change orders due to good preparation of plans
and their coordination with contractors. Paul Oehme itemized the progress and the percent
completed for each phase of the construction. Mayor Furlong asked for clarification of capacity
issues and if the estimated cost for the security system was included in the CIP. Jim Norton with
City Council Work Session – May 22, 2006
SEH addressed the capacity issues. Paul Oehme asked that improvements to Wells 2, 5 and 6 be
included in a change order to the contract with SEH. Kelly Janes explained there is a small time
frame in the fall in which those improvements can be made. Paul Oehme stated the schedule is
to start up the water treatment plant in January of 2007, and it will take 2 to 3 months to get the
process completed. Todd Gerhardt explained that currently the contingency fund is projected to
use about 3 ½% to 5% in relation to the 10% projected. Councilman Peterson asked what would
need to happen to reach the entire 10%. Jim Norton stated he did not see any major change
orders in the Minnetonka plant, and this project is tracking along the same lines so he did not see
any problems, noting most changes were caught during the design phase because they were able
to watch Minnetonka’s construction process. Councilwoman Tjornhom asked for examples of
what kind of complaints the city and council members might expect to receive from residents.
Mayor Furlong asked about the city’s current infrastructure being able to handle the increased
water pressure.
The work session was recessed at 7:00 p.m.. It was reconvened at 9:05 p.m..
LEASES FOR OLD ST. HUBERT’S CHURCH AND OLD VILLAGE HALL.
Justin Miller provided updates on the vacancies at the old St. Hubert’s Church and old Village
Hall buildings. The old Village Hall is suitable for a 1 or 2 person office and staff is still in the
process of looking for tenants. There has been interest in using the site for historical or local art
displays. The Salvation Army has expressed an interest in renting out the old St. Hubert’s
Church as office space for counseling services. Concerns raised were shared parking with The
Goddard School, residential and business concerns with possible clientele, and the Salvation
Army being a non-profit organization and what they would be required to pay. Councilman
Lundquist stated the city should try to get somebody in the spaces, even if they have lower rent
expectations just to get the buildings occupied. He noted there could be potential concern with
the Salvation Army having The Goddard School on one side and Chapel Hill Academy across
the street but the city needs more information on what type of counseling services they are
planning to provide. Mayor Furlong noted that regardless of the tenant, the city needs to know
what type of operation will be run in these two facilities, stating that buildings fare much better
when they’re occupied than vacant. He suggested charging enough rent to cover city expenses
for non-profit organizations and a reasonable rent for potential for profit businesses. Justin
Miller pointed out the possibility of combining the two facilities together. Mayor Furlong
directed staff to continue to pursue options.
Mayor Furlong adjourned the work session meeting at 9:20 p.m..
Submitted by Todd Gerhardt
City Manager
Prepared by Nann Opheim
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