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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 02/04/2020 - Workshop APPROVED MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP & OPEN PODIUM TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2020 CITY CENTER 5:00 – 6:25 PM, HERITAGE ROOMS 6:30 – 7:00 PM, COUNCIL CHAMBER CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Ron Case, Council Members Brad Aho, Kathy Nelson, Mark Freiberg, and PG Narayanan CITY STAFF: City Manager Rick Getschow, Police Chief Greg Weber, Fire Chief Scott Gerber, Public Works Director Robert Ellis, Community Development Director Janet Jeremiah, Parks and Recreation Director Jay Lotthammer, Administrative Services/HR Director Alecia Rose, Communications Manager Joyce Lorenz, City Attorney Maggie Neuville, and Recorder Katie O’Connor Workshop - Heritage Rooms I and II (5:30) I. COMMISSION WORK PLANS A. PLANNING COMMISSION Planning Commission Chair, Andrew Pieper, presented the 2019 accomplishments and 2020 goals. They reviewed 17 development projects in 2019, including single family home, multi-family housing, public organizations, and commercial and office. Single family home developments include Beverly Hill, Sheldon Place townhomes, Miller property, and Stable Path. Castle Ridge was a redevelopment for mixed-use senior housing commercial and retail project. Phase one has 274 senior housing units. Paravel Apartments are a redevelopment at Castle Ridge for multi-family housing. Pieper stated the Commission reviewed Central Middle School plans for additions and a remodel. Additions include a 700 seat auditorium, new west entrance, gymnasium addition, cafeteria addition, 26 additional classrooms, and a music wing. They reviewed public organization projects such as the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District office addition, City yard waste drop site, and ground storage water reservoir and pump station. They reviewed three variance applications, approved two code amendments, and finalized parks rezoning. The 2040 Aspire Eden Prairie Comprehensive Plan was approved by the Metropolitan Council with final approval in October 2019 from the City Council. Pieper stated 2020 Planning Commission initiatives include development project applications, Aspire 2040 implementation, code amendments, and Commission training curriculum. Aho inquired about Commission training curriculum and if it will be suitable for other Commissions. Klima stated the training is catered to the Planning Commission, City Council Workshop Minutes February 4, 2020 Page 2 but the template and general information could be used for other Commissions. Pieper added the training discusses the process of reviewing plans. Nelson inquired about sustainable practices and the review of plans and projects such as electric plug ins for garages. Pieper replied the Commission brings up solar and electric charging stations for nearly every project. Case inquired if the Commission Members have ideas of what the City could improve on in the next ten years. DeSanctis commented he would like to see some of the vacant land converted to solar farms with a focus on pollinator preservation and prairie flowers. There have been successful cases in southern Minnesota. The plantings are also more aesthetically pleasing than gravel and fences. Pieper stated it will be interesting to see how the light rail transit impacts the community in regards to development. Case stated at a recent conference he viewed a future electric vehicle called cruise. It is an eight to ten passenger car with the ability to be programed to run a route. He noted SouthWest Transit may be moving towards these types of vehicles, specifically on routes near the light rail transit. Freiberg expressed his gratitude for the work Commission Members do, and Council Members echoed those statements. Many projects are approved by the Council as is and are a testament to the work the Commission does. Narayanan inquired about considerations for seniors such as accommodations for less stairs and more accessibility. Pieper stated one of the recent senior living developments had an option for an elevator. Nelson noted developments such as Sheldon Place townhomes are providing opportunities for multi-level homes to be adaptable to various mobility needs. Case noted the City is intentionally enhancing the quality of life of residents with quality projects. Aho added to keep transportation and services in mind as projects are reviewed. B. HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY COMMISSION Greg Leeper, Human Rights and Diversity Commission (HRDC) Chair, and Student Commission Member Stavan Bhakta presented the 2019 accomplishments and 2020 goals. There is a mix of newer and seasoned Commission Members. The student Commission Members have been very engaged and provide a lot of input. Last year the Commission challenged the students to come up with an event, an initiative, training, or some kind of offering to impact the high school or community. Leeper stated Eden Prairie is 25 percent communities of color, and they work to represent and engage all communities. When considering events, they wanted to provide opportunities for residents to interact with the police and fire departments in a non-emergency situation. They initially created Coffee with the Cops a few years ago. They started Kickin’ It with the Cops last year, and it was very successful. There was a lot of involvement with police, fire, and parks and recreation. The Council, Mayor Case, Police Chief, and Fire Chief volunteered in the dunk tank. There were at least 200 kids who attended. City Council Workshop Minutes February 4, 2020 Page 3 Leeper stated in 2019 they awarded the Human Rights Awards. They also partnered with communications to present a series of Native American Heritage Month social media posts. 2019 was the second year of PeopleFest!, and the attendance increased from 300 to 700. Early last year, they hosted a community conversation series at the high school. They also partnered with Eden Prairie Foundation and Eden Prairie Community Education for Culture ‘N Motion. Bhakta stated every month the Commission provided opportunities to listen to individuals and organizations on improvements the City could make. Some of the topics presented on were Census 2020 outreach, supporting survivors of human trafficking, social justice theater discussion on human rights, disability access, American with Disabilities Act (ADA) transition plan for the right-of-way, and Indian Independence Day celebration. Bhakta introduced the 2020 goals. The Commission intends to promote inclusivity by creating spaces for connecting, increase listening avenues, and enlist cooperation of organizations and individuals in the community to promote awareness and appreciation of the City’s Manifesto. 2020 initiatives include the Passport to Pop Culture event. The Commission is working to partner with the high school to have teachers offer extra credit for attending. Leeper stated an Iftar dinner is a new planned event. They were invited to attend an Iftar dinner in Golden Valley, and many wanted to provide a similar opportunity in Eden Prairie. Bhakta stated the Commission is focusing on continuing to build on PeopleFest! They will continue to offer Stop the Trafficking 5k, Kicking’ it with the Cops, and Culture N’ Motion. Leeper stated 2020 subcommittees will focus on Census 2020 outreach, police community relations, and one Eden Prairie. They will continue to serve as support for victims of bias crimes and review alleged ADA violations. Case inquired about what Eden Prairie could be doing now to help shape its future. Leeper stated to continue engaging community and have representation from diverse groups in all levels of government. Bhakta added more awareness of opportunities to be involved in City government. Nelson noted it would be helpful to have more awareness of the event dates and times through various sources. Narayanan inquired if any bias crimes were reported in 2019. Megan Yerks, HRDC staff liaison, replied there were a few reported to her but none wanting follow up from the Commission. Narayanan inquired about the human library event. Leeper replied not every event made it back into the rotation. C. PARKS, RECREATION & NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION Larry Link, Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission (PRNRC) Chair, presented the 2019 accomplishments and 2020 goals. PRNRC 2019 accomplishments include participation in the design process for the Staring Lake Park building and contributing feedback to the redesign of the program brochure. Staff downsized the City Council Workshop Minutes February 4, 2020 Page 4 total amount of pages from 96 to 48 and focused on more visual appeal and directing residents to the website. The brochure also includes all City events. PRNRC continues to offer feedback and support for finding new areas for public art. Public art has decreased instances of graffiti. Link stated the Commission received updates and commented on proposed strategies for Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). There has been an increase in the past two years of infected trees, but the City has a good plan in place in regards to removal and replacement. For the Community Center, the PRNRC reviewed improvements for new exercise equipment, benches, and trash receptacles. Additionally, staff presented on technology improvements for the parks and recreation department. There have been updates made to the scheduling software for staff, wifi added at Round Lake Park, and the sound system added at Staring Lake Park. Link stated in regards to 2020 goals, parks and recreation has been engaging in strategic planning. PRNRC continues to assist staff with reviewing those documents. They have discussed the changes that might be seen in the next ten years such as demographics of participants, technology, partnerships with healthcare, and activities available to residents. The Commission will continue to provide feedback and assist with PeopleFest! by building awareness and seeking out performers for the event. PRNRC continues to analyze and give feedback on ways to serve underserved populations and offer scholarships. They plan to review designs and help establish priorities for trail connections. There is also a focus on assisting staff with equity and inclusion efforts for adaptive programs for all groups. Lastly, they are continuing to increase marketing and learn how to engage the community. Nelson stated some families and seniors are not equipped to access all digital programming. She added the best parks and amenities are on the west side of the City, and to take into consideration the east portion of the City with events and portable splash pads. Also continue to provide equipment for preschoolers at parks. Narayanan inquired about what other cities are doing that would add to the City’s offerings. He inquired if the City has considered digital applications to promote events. Lotthammer replied they often seek input from student commission members. Aho inquired if the City is offering enough for pickleball players. Link responded there is a desire for more indoor playing spaces. Lotthammer stated the City did not overbuild and the courts built were strategic. Staff continues to review best practices. They are currently observing a nature-based preschool in another community. Aho inquired what the next popular activity is similar to pickleball. Link responded cricket is increasing in popularity, but they are still unsure what may emerge. Open Podium - Council Chamber (6:30) II. OPEN PODIUM III. ADJOURNMENT