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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 10/06/2020APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE CITY COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2020 7:00 PM, CITY CENTER 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, Police Chief Greg Weber, Fire Chief Scott Gerber, 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 IV. PROCLAMATIONS / PRESENTATIONS A. ACCEPT DONATION OF $5,000 FROM COMCAST AND SCHEELS TO EDEN PRAIRIE CRIME PREVENTION FUND FOR SPORTING GOODS FOR LOCAL YOUTH (Resolution No. 2020-88) Police Chief Weber observed many of the community outreach events usually held each year have been cancelled due to COVID-19. In order to provide and encourage activity for our youth, Comcast has donated $5,000 and Scheels agreed to donate $1,000 to the Eden Prairie Crime Prevention Fund to purchase sporting goods presented at an event for our local youth. Lisa Toomey, President of the Eden Prairie Crime Prevention Fund, reported attending the event at which the sporting goods were presented to the kids. She was pleased to see how much the sporting goods were enjoyed by those in attendance. MOTION: Aho moved, seconded by Narayanan, to adopt Resolution No. 2020-88 accepting the donation of $5,000.00 from the Eden Prairie Crime Prevention Fund that was donated from Comcast and $1,000.00 worth of equipment which was donated from Scheels Sporting Goods. The donations were used to purchase sporting goods for local youth. Motion carried 5-0. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES September 15, 2020 Page 2 V. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND OTHER ITEMS OF BUSINESS MOTION: Nelson moved, seconded by Freiberg, to approve the agenda as published. Motion carried 5-0. VI. MINUTES A. COUNCIL WORKSHOP HELD TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2020 B. CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2020 MOTION: Aho moved, seconded by Freiberg, to approve the minutes of the City Council Workshop held Tuesday, September 15, 2020, and the City Council meeting held Tuesday, September 15, 2020, as published. Motion carried 5-0. VII. REPORTS OF ADVISORY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS A. HOUSING TASK FORCE REPORT Case said he was very excited to hear the report of the Housing Task Force which was put together in response to discussions which arose during the 2018 local election campaign. Getschow explained the City Council Members appointed several residents to the Housing Task Force in the spring of 2019. After the formation of the Task Force in June of 2019, the diverse members of the Task Force were introduced to the City’s programs, policies, and planning in regard to affordable housing and explored a host of potential new strategies to address the City’s housing goals and needs. The Task Force is here tonight to present their report. Joan Howe-Pullis, Chair of the Housing Task Force, reviewed the report and explained the Task Force was inspired in their discussion and review by the housing section included in the City’s ASPIRE 2040 plan. She said sections of the report will be presented by the members of the Task Force. 1. Inclusionary Housing Policy Ms Howe-Pullis reviewed the recommendations regarding an Inclusionary Housing Policy: the adoption and enforcement of an Eden Prairie Inclusionary Housing Policy; the encouragement of multifamily developments to be comprised of 100 percent affordable housing units; landlords to be required to accept tenant-based assistance (including Housing Choice/Section 8 vouchers and Elderly Waivers) for affordable housing created pursuant to Eden Prairie’s Inclusionary Housing Policy; and developers to provide and follow Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Plans for developments to which the Inclusionary Housing Policy applies. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES September 15, 2020 Page 3 Nelson asked what would be considered a 60% Average Median Income (AMI) in Eden Prairie. Ms Howe-Pullis stated the Task Force understood the AMI in Eden Prairie to be $100,000, so 60% AMI would be about $60,000. Case expressed his desire to know more about mandates for both Section 8 vouchers and elderly waivers, including which cities in the metropolitan area or in the U.S. are mandating those. He noted Section 8 vouchers are actual money coming in, whereas the elderly waiver is not a cash payment. 2. Housing Opportunities in Proximity to New Public Transit (SWLRT) Task Force member Terry Farley presented the recommendation regarding housing opportunities in proximity to new public transit. She stated the goal would be to prioritize housing around public transit with convenient access to basic services including places of employment, shopping, restaurants, services and parks. 3. Affordable Housing Trust Fund Ms Farley continued her presentation by describing the recommendation for the creation of an Affordable Housing Trust Fund with the documentation to be general and flexible, allowing for the development and refinement of the goals and processes related to the Fund over time. She noted it is important the contributions to the Trust Fund be tax deductible. The Task Force recommends a potential partnership with the Eden Prairie Community Foundation to help administer and control the Trust Fund. Funds could be used for large projects or to meet small, emergency needs in the community. The City would determine guidelines and allocate Trust funds while leveraging the infrastructure of entities such as Habitat for Humanity. 4. Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing (NOAH) Anne Peacock, Housing Task Force member, presented the Task Force’s recommendations to address aging housing stock to preserve and prevent the decline of naturally occurring affordable housing. She explained the recommendations to identify and document the inventory of potential multifamily NOAH properties in Eden Prairie in anticipation of reaching out to multifamily owners to discuss possible opportunities and gain a sense of owner intent. She also addressed the recommendations to develop partnerships and processes with non- profits that work with Twin Cities NOAH developments and to consider the identification of single family homes which are affordable by virtue of price and condition. 5. Recommendations for Senior Housing Task Force member Joan Palmquist reviewed the recommendation to address the goal to promote senior housing opportunities that increase housing choices and CITY COUNCIL MINUTES September 15, 2020 Page 4 enable seniors who choose to downsize their homes to age in the community. The recommendations included: to create and distribute a listing of resources for seniors to use for assistance in maintaining and converting their properties to senior friendly spaces in order to help seniors age in place; to work with PROP or another local non-profit to test the feasibility of creating a Home Share program for seniors; and to explore a partnership with Habitat for Humanity to participate in the Age Well at Home program. 6. Tenant Protection Ordinance and Practices Kenneth Robinson, Task Force member, addressed the recommendation to incentivize attainable and affordable housing options for lower-income households so they can move to and remain in Eden Prairie. He explained their recommendations to adopt a Tenant Protection Ordinance (TPO) which is triggered by the sale of a multifamily rental property; to require landlords in Eden Prairie to provide each tenant a written notice of Tenant Rights at the time a lease or lease extension is signed; to encourage the City to investigate and, if possible, leverage any inspections of rental housing performed by HUD and Minnesota Housing; and to incorporate inspections with very short notice into an inspection process. Nelson observed we already have an inspection system in place that occurs every four years as well as response to complaints. She wanted to keep that system in place as we explore other options. 7. Other Strategies to Consider Task Force member Emily Seiple reviewed additional strategies to work in partnership with the private and public sector to help envision and finance innovative housing demonstration projects and housing development. Among the strategies recommended for consideration were to investigate Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) Home Share programs, micro homes, land leases and land trusts, single room occupancy housing, units supporting large families and zoning changes. 8. Communication Strategies Ms Seiple continued her report with the Task Force’s strong recommendation the City develop and implement a communications strategy associated with affordable housing in order to create buy-in from the community. The Task Force recognized the need to educate our community regarding the nature and benefit of housing that allows for a diversity of population, whether by age, cultural, economic or professional diversity. She noted the Task Force also recommended the use of mediation services to promote a stable renter community, execution of long-term successful affordable housing projects, and the reduction of objections from those who have unpleasant perceptions of affordable housing. 9. Next Steps CITY COUNCIL MINUTES September 15, 2020 Page 5 Ms Howe-Pullis wrapped up the presentation by outlining the recommendations for the next steps, including acceptance of the report and all the recommendations included and convening a new or continued subset of the Task Force to assist City staff as the recommendations are discussed further. In addition, the Task Force requested a follow-up meeting or communications with the Mayor and the City Council to be informed of the Council’s decisions, including the next steps to be taken. Ms Howe-Pullis thanked the Council and staff for their help during the work of the Task Force. Case believed this to be a really big deal in light of what is happening this year in the entire country. He assured the Task Force the results presented tonight will get serious consideration, and many of the recommendations will be enacted. He stated the Task Force met and far exceeded his expectations. He especially liked the recommendation regarding inclusionary housing, the Housing Trust Fund, partnerships with non-profits, the NOAH recommendations, partnership with Habitat for Humanity, parts of the Tenant Protection recommendation, and the ADUs. He agreed the Task Force will be included as part of the City Council’s final recommendations. Nelson was impressed by several recommendations she had not thought of. The City needs to consider these ideas and put them in place, and we now have a starting place for that. She sees the City being able to implement most of the recommendations over a period of time. Freiberg thanked the Task Force for their hard work. He commented he sat in on a number of their meetings and encouraged them to think beyond the box. The Task Force put together a very good presentation, and they did think beyond the box. Narayanan thought the job done by the Task Force was amazing. He commended them for summarizing the very complex information into simple recommendations. He related his experience with home sharing when he first came to the United States. Aho appreciated the Task Force’s time and efforts. Their recommendations will definitely impact the decision-making process. MOTION: Narayanan moved, seconded by Nelson, to accept the Housing Task Force’s written report that contains the Task Force’s housing recommendations to the City Council. Motion carried 5-0. VIII. CONSENT CALENDAR A. CLERK’S LICENSE LIST CITY COUNCIL MINUTES September 15, 2020 Page 6 B. ASPIRE COMP PLAN AMENDMENT NO. 2 By City of Eden Prairie C. ASPIRE COMP PLAN AMENDMENT NO. 3 By City of Eden Prairie. Second reading of Ordinance 14-2020 for Zoning District change on 2.66 acres (Ordinance No. 14-2020 for Zoning District Change) D. MINOR SUBDIVISION – 9840 HOMEWARD HILLS ROAD By Ping Zhan and Gregory Kuznecoff. Resolution 2020-89 for minor subdivision on 1.15 acres (Resolution No. 2020-89 for Minor Subdivision) E. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2020-90 APPROVING FINAL PLAT OF PRAIRIE HEIGHTS F. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2020-91 APPROVING APPOINTMENT OF ELECTION JUDGES AND STUDENT ELECTION JUDGES FOR GENERAL ELECTION G. DECLARE OBSOLETE COMPUTER EQUIPMENT AS SURPLUS H. APPROVE AGREEMENT WITH PRESCRIPTION LANDSCAPE INC. FOR SNOW AND ICE MANAGEMENT SERVICES I. AWARD CONTRACT TO ACTION FENCE, INC. FOR MILLER PARK FENCING REPLACEMENT PROJECT J. APPROVE LEASE EXTENSION WITH METROPOLITAN AIRPORTS COMMISSION FOR FLYING CLOUD FIELDS K. APPROVE AGREEMENT WITH BOLTON AND MENK, INC. FOR DESIGN AND PERMITTING OF OLD SHADY OAK ROAD CULVERT PROJECT AND APPROVE LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR NINE MILE CREEK WATERSHED DISTRICT HYDROLOGIC AND HYDRAULIC MODEL L. APPROVE LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR USE OF NINE MILE CREEK WATERSHED DISTRICT’S P8 STORMWATER MODEL M. AUTHORIZE ENTERING INTO GRANT AGREEMENT WITH HENNEPIN COUNTY FOR HEALTHY TREE CANOPY GRANT MOTION: Aho moved, seconded by Freiberg, to approve Items A-M on the Consent Calendar. Motion carried 5-0. IX. PUBLIC HEARINGS / MEETINGS X. PAYMENT OF CLAIMS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES September 15, 2020 Page 7 MOTION: Nelson moved, seconded by Narayanan, 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 MANAGE 1. Adopt Resolution No. 2020-92 Relating to $7.417 Million General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2020A Getschow said this item includes some refinancing of several bond issues from 2010 to 2012. We will save over $300,000 by the refinancing. Bruce Kimmel, Ehlers Financial, reviewed the details of the four bonds to be refinanced through US Bank. Narayanan asked when the $300,000 savings will be achieved. Mr. Kimmel replied it will occur over a period of time as the bonds are paid off. MOTION: Aho moved, seconded by Nelson, to adopt Resolution No. 2020- 92 relating to $7,417,000 General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2020A; Authorizing the Issuance, Awarding the Sale, Fixing the Form and Details, and Providing for the Execution and Delivery Thereof and the Security Therefor and Levying Ad Valorem Taxes for the Payment Thereof. Narayanan observed the reason we are getting the good rating is because of our AAA bond rating and the other good work we do as a City. VOTE ON THE MOTION: Motion carried 5-0. C. REPORT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR D. REPORT OF PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR E. REPORT OF PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR F. REPORT OF POLICE CHIEF CITY COUNCIL MINUTES September 15, 2020 Page 8 G. REPORT OF FIRE CHIEF H. REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY XV. OTHER BUSINESS XVI. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Narayanan moved, seconded by Freiberg, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5-0. Mayor Case adjourned the meeting at 8:35 p.m.