WS 2000 11 27CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
NOVEMBER 27, 2000
The work session was called to order at 4:30 to discuss the following 2001 Budget items with staff:
IS Department, Fire Department and Capital Projects.
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Mancino, Councilman Labatt, Councilwoman Jansen, and
Mark Senn. Bob Ayotte, Councilman-elect was also present.
STAFF PRESENT: Scott Botcher, Roger Knutson, Todd Gerhardt, Kate Aanenson, Bruce DeJong, Matt
Saam, Karen Engelhardt, Rick Rice, Mark Littfin, Greg Hayes, John Wolff and retire members of the
Chanhassen Volunteer Fire Department.
2001 BUDGET ITEMS
Rick Rice discussed the IS Budget. Mayor Mancino questioned when computerized property information
would be available for citizen use. Rick explained the timetable for implementation in 2001. Rick also
discussed projects remaining for 2000 and the new 2001 projects that were detailed in the handout he
presented. Council Member Jansen asked if other staffing options had been investigated before we
recommended adding a new desktop IS person. It had been investigated and seemed to be a reasonable
option given that hiring consultants is in excess of $100 per hour. Then training is required to get them up
to speed on the software used in each department. Council Member Senn asked why the fees for service
increase while we were adding a person and it was explained by Mr. Rice. Fire Chief John Wolff presented
the operating budget for the Fire Department. He discussed the priority dispatching that they had expected
a 10-20% decrease in the number of calls but because of the growth in the city, they only actually
experienced a 2% decrease. They have had a good recruiting year and an excellent training class, but they
have approximately 15% turnover in the department on an annual basis. They have to hire between 5-7
people each year just to maintain the department at current authorized staff. He discussed the pension
system that there was a study that the Fire Department was working on regarding compensation that was
performed by DCA and it showed that they are completive on our total pension. We do have an issue
because the State Auditor has determined that the deferred compensation plan is not authorized by state
law. The city will have an actuary evaluate alternative financing possibilities for modifying the defined
benefit plan for the Fire Relief Association. The Dive Team was discussed. The Fire Department has
expanded the number of people on the Dive Team from 2 up to 10. There was a donation received from the
Chanhassen Legion of $4,000 for new underwater communications equipment and $15,000 was included in
the Capital Improvement Program to purchase other equipment for the Dive Team.
Scott Botcher presented the vehicle list sorted by use, and discussed his philosophy regarding vehicle
purchases. Scott noted that there is not much money to be made on the sale of any surplus city vehicles
because you would sell the worst vehicles. Those are generally reaching near the end of their useful life
and have little value. Council Member Senn commented that the policy should be to determine when we
purchase vehicles versus when we pay mileage reimbursement. Council Member Senn also asked a
question about what cash balances may be available to offset our TIF difficulties and which could mitigate
the tax levy increase. Discussion of the budget ended at 6:20 p.m.
Mayor Mancino called the work session to discuss the City Council agenda to order at 6:20 p.m.
Kate Aanenson passed out a letter staff had received from Robert Boecker asking that his item, Request for
Wetland Alteration Permit to Excavate a 100 ft. x 50 ft. pond into a Wetland Area, 610 West 96th Street,
be pulled from the agenda.
City Council Work Session - November 27, 2000
Consent Agenda:
d. Canvass Recount Election Results.
Scott Botcher asked if the City Council members had any questions for Karen Engelhardt regarding this
item. There were no questions asked.
a. Receive Feasibility Report and Call for Public Hearing for Tanadoona/Dogwood Street and
Utility Improvements, Proiect No. 00-01-1.
Mayor Mancino stated she was surprised at the large amount of money for assessments.
b. Approve Engineering Agreement with Bonestroo Rosene Anderlik & Associates for 2000 and
2001 Bridge Inspections in the City of Chanhassen.
Councilwoman Jansen asked that a ;;not to exceed" clause be added to the agreement.
c. Arvidson Addition, 6398 Murray Hill Road: Final Plat Approval and Approve Development
Contract and Plans & Specifications, Proiect 00-12.
No questions were asked on this item.
e. Approval of Bills.
No questions were asked on this item.
f. Approval of Minutes.
No questions were asked on this item.
g. Approve Renaming Summerfield Addition to Summerfield 2na Addition.
No questions were asked on this item.
h. Approval of Lease with Ridgeview for Ambulance Space at Lake Ann Building.
Councilman Senn asked the City Attorney to explain the amount being specified for lease payment in the
lease agreement and why Waconia wasn't being asked to help with the cost to upgrade the space in the
maintenance building from cold storage to heated space. Scott Botcher stated Ridgeview's stance on
providing service to the city and that the ambulance service would not be providing financial assistance.
Kate Aanenson stated that staff has been trying to find an existing location to locate the ambulance service
closer to the downtown area for some time without success.
Mayor Mancino adjourned the work session at 6:30 p.m.
Submitted by Scott Botcher
City Manager
Prepared by Nann Opheim
City Council Work Session - November 27, 2000