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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 11/01/2022APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE CITY COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2022 7:00 PM, CITY CENTER CITY COUNCIL Mayor Ron Case, Council Members Mark Freiberg, PG Narayanan, Kathy Nelson, and Lisa Toomey CITY STAFF City Manager Rick Getschow, Public Works Director Robert Ellis, Parks and Recreation Director Jay Lotthammer, Community Development Director Julie Klima, Police Chief Matt Sackett, Fire Chief Scott Gerber, and City Attorney Maggie Neuville 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. 2022 SUSTAINABLE EDEN PRAIRIE AWARDS City Manager Rick Getschow explained the Sustainable Eden Prairie Award recognizes significant and innovative investments that contribute to the overall vitality and sustainability of the community. Members of the Sustainability Commission oversaw the nominations. Sustainability Coordinator Jennifer Fierce stated the four nomination categories reflect the four Sustainable Eden Prairie focus areas – energy, landscape, water, and waste. The eligibility criteria include property improvements and organized programming or initiatives so that both physical improvements and behavioral changes can be recognized. Student Commissioners were at the meeting to present the awards. Student Commissioner Tyler Little stated the first recipient of the 2022 Sustainable Eden Prairie Award for Energy is John and Dawn Fedora. Student Commissioner Maura Fitzgerald added the second recipient of the 2022 Sustainable Eden Prairie Award for Energy is Rod Fisher. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES November 1, 2022 Page 2 Student Commissioners Taylor Oliver and Suchita Sah noted the recipient of the 2022 Sustainable Eden Prairie Award for Waste is William Weiher Student Commissioners Tanvi Bhujle and Mia Cain explained the recipient of the 2022 Sustainable Eden Prairie Award for Landscape is Marcia Kolb and Johnny Severson. Case noted his appreciation of the Student Commissioners. Getschow agreed many cities struggle to find Student Commissioners, but Eden Prairie has several Student Commissioners. He explained applications are accepted in February-March and the terms for Student Commissioners serve the following school year. B. HENNEPIN COUNTY DISTRICT COURT REPORT (CHIEF JUDGE BARNETTE) Getschow noted Eden Prairie has had Chief Judges speak to the City previously and introduced Chief Judge Barnette. Chief Judge Barnette explained he has been Chief Judge since 2020, and he has been on the bench for almost two decades. He noted the pandemic has pushed the County to provide remote hearing services, and their staff has done a great job setting up Zoom to allow for the hearings. There are over 500 employees, and there are 62 judges and 12 referees. Similar to private businesses, Hennepin County has also experienced a lot of turnover. Chief Judge Barnette added there are five different divisions within the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office. There are 10 judicial districts in the State, and Hennepin is the largest. Hennepin County handles anywhere from 25 percent to 33 percent of the cases in the entire State. Chief Judge Barnette pointed out the courts are behind on criminal proceedings due to the pandemic, but they are close to catching up. There is also a backlog in the handling of housing and eviction cases due to the eviction moratorium. Narayanan asked what trends are changing in Hennepin County and Minnesota. Chief Judge Barnette stated there is an increase in probate court and housing cases. However, they believe they are getting back to a more normal eviction filing rate. In criminal cases, there has been an increase in violent crimes, particularly with weapons and murder cases. Chief Judge Barnette noted the remote hearings have allowed for an increase in participation. Also, it saves time, money, and effort for court participants. Both locally and statewide, they are trying to evaluate how and when remote hearings will be used. Remote hearings will stick around, but there is a desire to have consistency throughout the State. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES November 1, 2022 Page 3 Chief Judge Barnette added the County is looking for more youth involvement and volunteers to build up community. Case asked if the judges have had the opportunity to ask the legislature to amend or add anything impacting the courts. Chief Judge Barnette explained the State received federal money to help with the backlog of cases. He stated it is unhelpful for Hennepin County to provide more services if other judicial partners are unable to provide more services as well. Case thanked Chief Judge Barnette for the information and for his service. C. ACCEPT DONATIONS FROM EDEN PRAIRIE EYE CARE, CITY HILL CHURCH, AND EDEN PRAIRIE CRIME PREVENTION FUND FOR HARVEST TO HALLOWEEN EVENT (Resolution No. 2022-116) Lotthammer explained each October the Parks and Recreation Department coordinates a fall themed city event. This year the Harvest to Halloween event was held on Saturday, October 15 at Riley-Jacques Barn. The donations are from Eden Prairie Eye Care, City Hill Church, Eden Prairie Crime Prevention Fund. Case noted donations are much appreciated to allow tax dollars to stretch further. MOTION: Toomey moved, seconded by Friberg, to adopt Resolution No. 2022-116 accepting the donation in the amount of $1,250 towards Harvest to Halloween event with $100 from Eden Prairie Eye Care, $150 from City Hill Church, and $1,000 from Eden Prairie Crime Prevention Fund. Motion carried 5-0. Case asked how many people attended the recent Harvest to Halloween. Lotthammer stated approximately 3,000 people attended. Case thanked Staff and volunteers for their work on the event. V. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND OTHER ITEMS OF BUSINESS MOTION: Freiberg moved, seconded by Nelson, to approve the agenda as published. Motion carried 5-0. VI. MINUTES A. COUNCIL WORKSHOP HELD TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2022 B. CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2022 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES November 1, 2022 Page 4 MOTION: Narayanan moved, seconded by Toomey, to approve the minutes of the Council workshop held Tuesday, October 18, 2022, and the City Council meeting held Tuesday, October 18, 2022, as published. Motion carried 5-0. VII. REPORTS OF ADVISORY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS VIII. CONSENT CALENDAR A. CLERK’S LIST B. APPROVE SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 22-2022 REPEALING CITY CODE SECTION 2.33 RELATED TO CRIMINAL HISTORY BACKGROUND CHECKS AND ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2022-117 APPROVING SUMMARY ORDINANCE C. APPROVE SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 23-2022 AMENDING CITY CODE CHAPTER 5, SECTION 5.35 RELATED TO TOBACCO AND ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2022-118 APPROVING SUMMARY ORDINANCE D. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2022-119 AUTHORIZING GRANT SUBMISSION TO HENNEPIN COUNTY YOUTH SPORTS FOR REPLACEMENT OF COMMUNITY CENTER GYMNASIUM FLOOR E. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2022-120 FOR COMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR TOWER AT 8950 EDEN PRAIRIE ROAD F. APPROVE COST-SHARE FUNDING AGREEMENT WITH RPBCWD FOR CHLORIDE REDUCTION G. AWARD CONTRACT TO SUNRAM CONSTRUCTION, INC. FOR TRUNK HIGHWAY 212 PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE RAILING ENTRY SIGN MOTION: Nelson moved, seconded by Freiberg, to approve Items A-G on the Consent Calendar. Motion carried 5-0. IX. PUBLIC HEARINGS / MEETINGS X. PAYMENT OF CLAIMS MOTION: Toomey moved, seconded by Narayanan, to approve the payment of claims as submitted. Motion was approved on a roll call vote, with Freiberg, Narayanan, Nelson, Toomey and Case voting “aye.” XI. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES November 1, 2022 Page 5 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 1. 2023-2027 STRATEGIC PLAN FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Klima stated the Community Development Strategic Plan prioritizes Aspire 2040 initiatives and lays out a phased approach to implementing those initiatives. It also identifies potential redevelopment and development sites within the City. She added the Race Equity Report was considered in the process. Klima explained housing programs in the plan include first-time homebuyer loans, senior home maintenance, and a Community Land Trust Partnership. Housing initiatives include affordable housing production, Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing (NOAH) inventory, the preservation of subsidized affordable housing, and tenant fair housing materials. Klima noted in the realm of economic development, there are a wide range of economic development programs and initiatives. Staff is involved in communicating with local businesses, promoting the growth of the business community, and providing support to businesses to improve vitality and retention. Klima added the Plan has a focus on redevelopment. The City is working to identify where development is most likely to happen, such as by the Town Center and along the LRT stations. The Strategic Plan identifies a selection of infill properties that have the potential to be developed in the future. Klima noted the Strategic Plan Appendix includes more detail on funding sources. She offered to answer any questions. Should the Council choose to approve the Strategic Plan, it shows Staff they are on the right track for community development. The City has established process to continue implementing current programming. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES November 1, 2022 Page 6 Getschow pointed out the Plan is over 60 pages, and Staff will be highlighting portions of it on the website as there is valuable info on programs and goals for the City’s development. Case stated Eden Prairie has done an excellent job of adhering to the development plan created in 1968. He noted he recently received a historical document from the original planning of the mall. Around the same time, there was a prediction that Eden Prairie would max out at 190,000 people. However, cul-de-sacs and lower density neighborhoods came into play. He pointed out the low density does have impacts on taxes as there is still the necessity of infrastructure and City services. Nelson stated the Strategic Plan is very helpful to understand the history and the direction of the City. She noted her appreciation of Staff’s support for the residents related to housing. Case added thousands of acres were set aside for Eden Prairie years ago, so the City has the most preserved land for a suburb in the State. Eden Prairie also preserves trees well due to their strict ordinances and has created a culture of celebration and respecting history. Toomey thanked Klima and Staff for their work on the Strategic Plan. Narayanan also thanked Klima and Staff. Freiberg agreed Staff are doing a great job. Nelson stated the document will be a great resource for renters to know their rights and for landlords to understand the standards of Eden Prairie. MOTION: Narayanan moved, seconded by Nelson, to approve the 2023-2027 Community Development Strategic Plan. Motion carried 5-0. D. REPORT OF PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR E. REPORT OF PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR F. REPORT OF POLICE CHIEF G. REPORT OF FIRE CHIEF H. REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY XV. OTHER BUSINESS XVI. ADJOURNMENT CITY COUNCIL MINUTES November 1, 2022 Page 7 MOTION: Toomey moved, seconded by Narayanan, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5-0. Mayor Case adjourned the meeting at 7:53 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ___________________________ Nicole Tingley, City Clerk