HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 05/19/2020APPROVED MINUTES
EDEN PRAIRIE CITY COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2020 7:00 PM, CITY CENTER
Virtual Meeting Via WebEx
CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Ron Case, Council Members Brad Aho, Mark
Freiberg, P G Narayanan, and Kathy Nelson
CITY STAFF: City Manager Rick Getschow, Public Works Director
Robert Ellis, Community Development Director Janet
Jeremiah, Parks and Recreation Director Jay
Lotthammer, Finance Director Sue Kotchevar, Police
Chief Greg Weber, City Attorney Maggie Neuville, and
Council Recorder Jan Curielli
I. CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER
Mayor Case called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. All Council Members were present.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
III. OPEN PODIUM INVITATION
Mayor Case noted the City Council Members have gathered tonight for their third virtual
Council meeting. For the next Council meeting on June 16, the Council plans to come back
together in the Council Chamber with a social distancing format. The open podium opportunity
will return at that time
IV. PROCLAMATIONS / PRESENTATIONS
A. ACCEPT DONATION OF $4,736.99 FROM THE WITRAK FAMILY TO EDEN
PRAIRIE CRIME PREVENTION FUND FOR PURCHASE OF A DRONE FOR
EDEN PRAIRIE POLICE DEPARTMENT (Resolution No. 2020-64)
Chief Weber reported Ruth Witrak was a resident of one of our senior living facilities
who enjoyed supportive relationships with some members of our Police Department.
Ms Witrak had asked her son to make a contribution to the Police Department for
programming after she passed away. Following Ms Witrak’s death, the Witrak family
contributed $4,736.99 for the purchase of a drone to help the department with search
operations.
Case thanked the Witrak family and noted these contributions help our tax dollars go
even further to assist the work we do.
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MOTION: Freiberg moved, seconded by Aho, to adopt Resolution No. 2020-64
accepting the donation of $4,736.99 from the Eden Prairie Crime Prevention Fund
that was donated from the Witrak family to purchase a drone for the Eden Prairie
Police Department. Motion was approved on a roll call vote, with Aho, Freiberg,
Narayanan, Nelson and Case voting “aye.”
B. SOUTHWEST LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
Getschow said there has been a lot of construction going on in Eden Prairie with the
light rail project. He introduced Jim Alexander, Project Director for Southwest Light
Rail Transit (SWLRT), and James Mockovciak, Community Outreach Coordinator,
who are present to give an update on the project.
Mr. Alexander gave a PowerPoint presentation about the SWLRT project which is
scheduled for completion in 2023. He reviewed the schedule for the project, the funding
sources, development along the light rail line, and the local project partners. SWLRT is
cohabitating in Southwest Transit’s station facility during the construction of the
SWLRT. He reported on construction site development along the light rail line and
suggested people follow the construction progress on the website, swlrt.org.
Aho asked when they expect funding to be extended to the project as he understood a
third letter of no prejudice regarding the Federal funding was received from the Federal
Transit Administration (FTA). Mr. Alexander reported they are working very closely
with the FTA. The project is in final review, and it is not unprecedented to receive
several letters of no prejudice. They expect the funding to come at any time. The letter
of no prejudice allows them to spend local dollars for the project. Aho asked if
Hennepin County has been funding the current construction. Mr. Alexander replied that
was correct and noted they will feel more comfortable once they receive the FTA
funding.
Mr. Mockovciak continued the PowerPoint presentation and described the construction
communications being done for the project on social media and the website. They are
trying to communicate as thoroughly as possible, although it has been more challenging
since many more people are staying home because of the COVID-19 restrictions. They
have set up Construction Information Workgroups comprised of residents, business
owners and community group representatives to help coordinate the construction
communications from the public.
Aho stated he has gotten quite a bit of feedback regarding the pile driving that is taking
place. He asked what kind of feedback they have received about that activity, and if the
amount of feedback is letting up somewhat. Mr. Mockovciak replied most of the people
he has met really want to know how long the pile driving will continue and if they are
in any danger. Some of the residents of high rise buildings have expressed concern for
their safety as well as the potential impact on their buildings. His office responds with
explanations about the noise and vibration thresholds that occur during the work.
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Aho explained as Chair of Southwest Transit he has heard some reports about lighting
fixtures within the parking structure being affected during the pile driving work. At one
point they lost their lighting in the building. He asked if anyone else has reported any
issues with side effects of the pile driving activity. Mockovciak said there were a
couple of instances of encountering something underneath the ground where they were
pile driving that caused them to stop temporarily. They have had a very extensive
communication process with ShopHQ to help alleviate their concerns about a negative
effect on their broadcasts. He noted they try to be as responsive as possible and believe
they have a pretty good system to monitor and respond to the negative impacts.
Case thanked those who helped with the presentation tonight and noted we are really
excited about the opportunities the SWLRT presents to Eden Prairie.
V. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND OTHER ITEMS OF BUSINESS
MOTION: Narayanan moved, seconded by Nelson, to approve the agenda as published.
Motion was approved on a roll call vote, with Aho, Freiberg, Narayanan, Nelson and
Case voting “aye.”
VI. MINUTES
A. COUNCIL WORKSHOP HELD TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2020
B. CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2020
MOTION: Aho moved, seconded by Freiberg, to approve the minutes of the City
Council Workshop held Tuesday, May 5, 2020, and the City Council meeting held
Tuesday, May 5, 2020, as published. Motion was approved on a roll call vote, with
Aho, Freiberg, Narayanan, Nelson and Case voting “aye.”
VII. REPORTS OF ADVISORY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
VIII. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. DIRECT STAFF TO NOT WAIVE MONETARY LIMITS ON MUNICIPAL
TORT LIABILITY ESTABLISHED BY MINNESOTA STATUTES 466.04
B. APPROVE USE OF $6,305 IN CDBG-CV CARES ACT FUNDS FOR PROP
AND SENIOR COMMUNITY SERVICES
C. APPROVE LEASE AMENDMENT WITH EDEN PRAIRIE MONTESSORI
LEARNING CENTER INC.
D. AWARD CONTRACT TO STERNBERG LIGHTING FOR EDEN PRAIRIE
ROAD AND TOWN CENTER PLACE STREET LIGHTING
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E. APPROVE AGREEMENT WITH AE2S FOR SYSTEM PROGRAMMING AND
INTEGRATION SERVICES FOR SANITARY SEWER LIFT STATION
CONTROLS SYSTEM UPGRADE
F. APPROVE AGREEMENT WITH AE2S FOR SYSTEM PROGRAMMING AND
INTEGRATION SERVICES FOR BULK WATER FILL STATION UPGRADE
G. AWARD CONTRACT TO STANDARD SIDEWALK, INC. FOR ADA
PEDESTRIAN RAMP PROJECT
H. AWARD CONTRACT TO SLACK PAINTING FOR SPOT REPAIR ON
BAKER RESERVOIR
MOTION: Narayanan moved, seconded by Freiberg, to approve Items A-H, on the
Consent Calendar. Motion was approved on a roll call vote, with Aho, Freiberg,
Narayanan, Nelson and Case voting “aye.”
IX. PUBLIC HEARINGS / MEETINGS
X. PAYMENT OF CLAIMS
MOTION: Nelson moved, seconded by Aho, to approve the payment of claims as submitted.
Motion was approved on a roll call vote, with Aho, Freiberg, Narayanan, Nelson and
Case voting “aye.”
XI. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
XII. PETITIONS, REQUESTS, AND COMMUNICATIONS
XIII. APPOINTMENTS
XIV. REPORTS
A. REPORTS OF COUNCIL MEMBERS
B. REPORT OF CITY MANAGER
C. REPORT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
D. REPORT OF PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR
E. REPORT OF PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
F. REPORT OF POLICE CHIEF
G. REPORT OF FIRE CHIEF
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H. REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY
XV. OTHER BUSINESS
XVI. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Freiberg moved, seconded by Narayanan, to adjourn the meeting. Motion was
approved on a roll call vote, with Aho, Freiberg, Narayanan, Nelson and Case voting
“aye.” Mayor Case adjourned the meeting at 7:32 p.m.