WS 2000 04 17CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
APRIL 17, 2000
Mayor Mancino called the work session to order at 5:30 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Mancino, Council members Jansen and Labatt.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Council members Engel and Senn
STAFF PRESENT: Scott Botcher, City Manager; Todd Gerhardt, Assistant City Manager;
Todd Hoffman, Park & Recreation Director; Jerry Ruegemer, Recreation Superintendent; Jerry
Boucher, Utility Superintendent
SCHOOL DISTRICT 112 FACILITY AD HOC COMMITTEE: Jerry Ruegemer,
Recreation Superintendent reviewed his involvement in the lSD 112 Facility Ad Hoc Committee.
Jerry has been involved in this group for 6 or more years. The primary task of the committee is to
act as a sounding board for Community Education staff and their advisory board in the area of
facility policy. The city council requested that staff secure an organizational chart for lSD 112
community education, a list of the advisory board members and a list of the various joint powers
agreements honored by the district.
DISCUSSION OF LIBRARY PROCESS: The City Manager presented a brief outline as an
initial recommendation for the discussion of a process to move the organization from the
acceptance of a Needs Assessment to the point of referendum/construction of the library.
Members of the Library Board, the Friends of the Library, and Jeff Schrer from M S & R were
present to discuss the issue. It was agreed, after discussion of some of the issues involved, that
staff will put together a narrative based largely upon the outline presented by the City Manager
with more specific dates and times for the consideration of the Council.
LAKE LUCY WATER RESERVOIR PAINTING: Jerry Boucher, Utility Superintendent was
present for the discussion of the Lake Lucy Reservoir project. This issue was on the agenda
largely because the bid awarding date for the project is May 8th and staff wanted council to be
fully aware of the issues involved with the repainting of the reservoir. This reservoir contains
66% of the water capacity in the community, and having it off-line for any maintenance projects
will require the city to enact, and stringently enforce, sprinkling restrictions and other water
conservation measures throughout the community. The discussion ended with the City Manager
reiterating that the council will have the choice between Option A & B in the bid process and
should consider whether or not the council would desire to have this project done all in one year
(i.e. July - October 2000), or in two parts (August - October 2000 and April - May 2001).
U OF M GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM PRESENTATION: Mr. Craig Shankwitz,
University of Minnesota, was present to discuss the University's request for the installation of a
GPS antenna on top of the water tower near Minnetonka Middle School East. In addition, two
residents from the neighborhood surrounding the water tower were present. Following the
discussion, it was the consensus of the council that the University be allowed to move ahead with
City Council Work Session - April 17, 2000
development of plans and specifications for the project. Obviously, final approval of the location
will need to be done at a formal council meeting as will any lease approval. It is contemplated
that such installation will be for a period of three years.
METRICOM RIGHT-OF-WAY DISCUSSION: Mr. Max Thompson of Metricom was
present to discuss his proposal to install wireless DSL service boxes within the City of
Chanhassen. These units would be installed on light poles within the community and will provide
a wireless Internet alternative for the citizens of Chanhassen. It was discussed that large portions
of Chanhassen may not have light poles available to accept these units, and therefore this service
would not be available to some of our citizens. In the end, the conclusion was that the installation
of the units was largely acceptable and that the lease will be referred to the City Attorney for
review and approval prior to further consideration at a formal council meeting.
REPORT ON SCHOOL DISTRICT 112 SCHOOL SITING: The City Manager and
Assistant City Manager gave a presentation on the discussions involving the School District siting
process. The City Manager indicated that several sites in the southern part of the community have
been identified as potential school sites for both a middle school and/or high school as well as
some sites within the City of Chaska, and perhaps others that he was unaware of. He indicated
that he and the Assistant City Manager had met with Mr. Peterson of District 112 and discussed
leased revenue bonds as an option for providing interim gap financing for this school should the
school be unable to come to agreement with the landowner as to a fair value for the purchase of
the property on which to site these schools. In conclusion, the City Manager indicated that some
utility extension costs were prohibitive for one of the sites being discussed and that would indicate
to him that one of the sites being considered by the school would not be desirable, not only from
the city's point of the view, but probably from the school's point of view as well.
The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:30 p.m.
Submitted by Scott A. Botcher
City Manager