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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 12/01/2020 - Workshop APPROVED MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP & OPEN PODIUM TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 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. EDEN PRAIRIE STATE DELEGATION WITH SENATOR CWODZINSKI, SENATOR FRANZEN, REPRESENTATIVE KOTYZA-WITTHUHN, REPRESENTATIVE ELKINS, AND REPRESENTATIVE PRYOR Mayor Case stated there is no specific agenda, but Council and Staff would like to hear from our legislators on what they hope to accomplish this next session and anything on the agenda pertaining to Eden Prairie. He stated we have been very fortunate to have our current legislators. Senator Cwodzinski stated the last Council workshop with legislators there was going to be a $1.5 billion surplus, and the economy was doing well. They adjourned on May 20 and have had six special sessions since. It has been a roller coaster year. The virus itself has been a very partisan issue. Today there is an estimated $600 million surplus, but it does not take into consideration inflation. Senator Franzen sends her regrets that she could not make tonight’s meeting. Case stated he wants to hear from each legislator first. He inquired about how they foresee the $600 million surplus being utilized. Representative Elkins stated he also has attended to listen to the City’s needs. It will not be an easy budget session this year. He is working on proposing some affordability items, healthcare pricing transparency, transportation items, and user charges for electric vehicles. The new committee structure was just announced, and he hopes to remain on the same committees. He is also carrying the bill again for funding for the I-494 Corridor Commission transportation management operations (TMO). Representative Pryor stated she has been following the Governor’s orders and she, along with many other legislators, continues to operate and work virtually. There has been a lot of fear and concerns around COVID-19. There is also a lot of concern about the healthcare industry City Council Workshop Minutes December 1, 2020 Page 2 with staffing and overrun facilities especially over the next few months. She is excited about the vaccines and how it will help matters. They will continue to work through divided government and continue to put pressure on the federal government to move items forward for assistance during the pandemic. Case added Council and Staff discuss prior to each meeting the best course of action, whether to conduct the meeting virtually, hybrid, or in-person. This is the first meeting they have gone all hybrid. The technology aspect was slightly ch allenging, but Staff were able to make it work. Council are looking at the possibility of being all virtual in January and February. City Council and Staff are not taking COVID-19 lightly. Representative Kotyza-Witthuhn echoes Pryor’s statements of thanks for conducting a hybrid meeting. Over the past nine months she has heard from many constituents on issues of childcare access and local childcare providers who are struggling. Her priorities would be to reallocate some of the federal funding towards childcare, childcare providers, and hospitality businesses to keep them running and open. The community restaurants and local gathering spaces bring so much value to the community. Some of her other priorities are aging in place. This includes strengthening the reverse mortgage application process so those who qualify can add on a third party. This is to make sure they are not missing property tax payments and are therefore forced into foreclosure. Case inquired if any of the legislators have any further updates prompted through others speaking. Elkins stated he is working on a side project with the League of Minnesota Cities (LMC) on an update of the open meeting laws. They are currently outdated and refer to old technologies and do not currently reference an electronic meeting. Case stated he would like to provide time for the Council to speak on their priorities, and if time permits after an open dialogue for questions and answers following. Case stated he would also like to acknowledge tonight is Council Member Aho’s last meeting, and there will be a farewell and more said at the televised Council meeting. Aho stated he appreciates the efforts of Representative Elkins and his work with the I-494 Corridor Commission. Along those lines, SouthWest Transit and the Metropolitan Council have been having conversations about services that may take over for SouthWest Transit. This would be a great loss for our community if we were to go with Metropolitan Transit. SouthWest Transit is looking at ways to be innovative. They are looking at ways to be the last mile for Southwest Light Rail Transit (LRT). Those who have to walk a little further from an LRT Station would be unlikely to utilize the services, especially during the winter months, without a connecting service. Elkins stated he has been following the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Council and there has been some discussion about potential changes. The group is very close to making its recommendations. He believes things should remain the same. He does not believe there will be significant changes in the suburban opt out model. Based on the Metropolitan Council’s analysis on ridership, the biggest decrease in services are the long haul suburban express routes. Generally those riders would be people who could work from home. Aho responded ridership from Eden Prairie to downtown is down 90 percent. He does not foresee ridership increasing back to pre-COVID levels anytime soon as many companies may continue with City Council Workshop Minutes December 1, 2020 Page 3 work from home models. SouthWest Transit Prime has become a primary focus. They are also continuing to look at autonomous vehicles, specifically in the Golden Triangle. Elkins noted SouthWest Transit is regionally recognized for its innovation. Aho added Prime MD is another service they are working on increasing. Prime MD is a scheduled ride service for medical appointments. Aho added to continue to keep funding in mind for the I-494 and 35W expansion. Freiberg inquired if there is any indication of repealing the Minnesota salary cap for local government officials. This is really strapping cities in Minnesota as Minnesota is the only state in the nation with this type of policy. Elkins replied he is very strongly in favor of this and would carry this bill if no one else will. Pryor stated this would likely need statewide support. Case added this is also part of the Municipal Legislative Committee (MLC) priorities. Freiberg inquired what the Senate’s position is. Senator Cwodzinski stated he does not recall this bill coming before the Senate last year. He inquired what a comparable amount or solution would be. Getschow noted it would be a more adequate comparison from state to state. This does not apply to school superintendents. Nelson stated she agrees with working towards repealing the salary cap. She also has concerns about many people potentially having to move from their current living situation because of a low income. There are currently provisions in place, but those will not last and Federal deadlines are about to change. Kotyza-Witthuhn noted Minnesota Housing Partnership has a proposal they are working on and is in the process of asking to continue the eviction moratorium. Elkins noted they did appropriate $100 million in rent relief to be distributed through community organizations. Nelson added her other priorities would be assistance for small businesses and childcare. Pryor added the housing proposal is called Bring it Home Minnesota. She has been getting emails from constituents supporting this proposal. The idea is to shore up the safety net so people are not missed. Nelson added she would also be in support of energy efficiency, specifically working towards saving money long term without cutting back on services. Narayanan stated with many working from home and doing distance learning, there is a higher demand for broadband. He inquired if there are conversations about increasing the quality of the services available. Another priority is to encourage people to purchase electric vehicles. In order to achieve our City goals of being carbon neutral in 2050, there needs to be greater support from the State. Elkins stated there is currently a series of webinars taking place about electric vehicles in Minnesota. Pryor inquired how the City has been handling the negotiation of City property to expand 5G capabilities. She inquired if cities are still getting fair compensation for public space. Getschow noted Council and Staff did see the items in the online chat. There will be an additional splash pad added at Nesbitt Park. Lotthammer stated Nesbitt Park was primarily chosen because it is an underserved location in the City. Getschow stated, in regards to 5G, at the time there was a lot of concern about regulating right-of-way. The last two years have been very quiet in regards to construction of smaller towers. The City has yet to see an application. Case stated he echoes the Council Members concerns. He supports assistance for small businesses and restaurants. The Council and City does not want to lose restaurants, small City Council Workshop Minutes December 1, 2020 Page 4 businesses, and its current amenities. The next three to four months will be critical. He wants to highlight the priority of preserving local authority, as stated in the MLC priorities, particularly the land use decisions and zoning and regulatory control. He encourages the legislators to support local authority. He inquired if there are any remaining questions or statements from the legislators. Cwodzinski stated the electric and autonomous vehicles SouthWest Transit is working on is inspiring. He appreciates Staff and Council and their continued willingness to meet and answer questions. Representative Kotyza-Witthuhn inquired about the impacts to the Community Center initiatives going into the new year. Representative Pryor stated the last mile of LRT is going to be important, and there will be many aspects that make it attractive. She would appreciate continued conversations throughout this process. Additionally, the redistricting will be happening again shortly, and there will be an opportunity for public comment on the process. The priority is to make it an open and transparent process. Elkins stated the I-494 Corridor Commission funding bill has already been drafted and will be introduced later this month. Aho expressed his thanks. Nelson stated there have been many concerns from residents in the metropolitan about internet access in greater Minnesota when connecting with relatives and loved ones. Case expressed his thanks to the legislators for all their work. Getschow noted in the bonding bill Edina received funds for a public safety facility. This is also owned by Eden Prairie and will be a big assistance for public safety and training. Thank you all for your support. Open Podium - Council Chamber (6:30) II. OPEN PODIUM A. CARI LARSEN Cari Larsen, 17971 Evenson Road, stated she was disheartened after the last City Council meeting when the race and equity consultant contract was removed from the agenda. She wanted to speak in support of contract. It is important to understand how racism is impacting the Eden Prairie community and to determine the actions that need to be taken. She asks the Council to approve the contract at tonight’s meeting. III. ADJOURNMENT