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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 10/04/2011APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE CITY COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2011 7:00 P.M., CITY CENTER Council Chamber 8080 Mitchell Road CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Nancy Tyra-Lukens, Council Members Brad Aho, Sherry Butcher Wickstrom, Kathy Nelson, and Ron Case CITY STAFF: City Manager Rick Getschow, Public Works Director Robert Ellis, Community Development Director Janet Jeremiah, Parks and Recreation Director Jay Lotthammer, City Attorney Ric Rosow and Council Recorder Heidi Wojahn I. CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER Acting Mayor Case called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Mayor Tyra-Lukens was absent. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE III. COUNCIL FORUM INVITATION IV. PROCLAMATIONS / PRESENTATIONS A. GRANT FROM USAPA FOR PICKLEBALL EQUIPMENT Lotthammer reported last fall the existing tennis courts at Pioneer Park were lined according to official pickleball court dimensions, doubling the number of pickleball courts from two to four, based on increased interest and demand by seniors for this newly offered community sport. On May 17, 2011 the City Council accepted a grant from the USAPA for $250 for the purchase of two of the four new USAPA net systems purchased. The USAPA is now providing the City of Eden Prairie with an additional $250 to cover the remaining cost of the other two nets purchased earlier this year. MOTION: Nelson moved, seconded by Aho, to accept the USAPA Grant awarded to the City of Eden Prairie in the amount of $250 to be used toward the purchase of two nets for the outdoor pickleball courts located at Pioneer Park. Motion carried 4-0. B. DONATION IN MEMORY OF RUTH DOVER FOR SENIOR CENTER Lotthammer said Ruth Dover, an Eden Prairie resident and active participant at the senior center, passed away in June. Her family asked that memorials be directed toward the senior center to support the center or its programs. The memorial funds received from Ruth’s family are proposed to purchase a projector and screen for a meeting at the Senior Center. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES October 4, 2011 Page 2 MOTION: Aho moved, seconded by Butcher Wickstrom, to accept the donation of $720 in memory of Ruth Dover to be used towards the purchase of new audio/visual equipment at the Eden Prairie Senior Center. Motion carried 4-0. V. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND OTHER ITEMS OF BUSINESS MOTION: Butcher Wickstrom moved, seconded by Nelson, to approve the agenda. Motion carried 4-0. VI. MINUTES A. COUNCIL WORKSHOP HELD TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2011 MOTION: Nelson moved, seconded by Aho, to approve the minutes of the Council workshop held Tuesday, September 20, 2011 as published. Motion carried 4-0. B. CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2011 MOTION: Aho moved, seconded by Nelson, to approve the minutes of the City Council meeting held Tuesday, September 20, 2011 as published. Motion carried 4-0. VII. REPORTS OF ADVISORY BOARDS & COMMISSIONS VIII. CONSENT CALENDAR A. CLERK’S LICENSE LIST B. PRAIRIE RIDGE by Manley Development. Second Reading of the Ordinance for Planned Unit District Review with waivers and Zoning District Change from R1-22 to R1-13.5 on 9.69 acres. Location: 17555 Duck Lake Trail. (Ordinance No. 13-2011-PUD-8-2011 for PUD District Review and Zoning District Change). C. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2011-83 APPROVING FINAL PLAT OF PRAIRIE RIDGE D. APPROVE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH AMERICAN ENGINEERING TESTING FOR GEOTECHNICAL SERVICES FOR NORTHERN SECTION OF SHADY OAK ROAD IMPROVEMENTS E. APPROVE CONTRACT WITH NOVOTX FOR GIS-BASED ASSET, MAINTENANCE AND WORKFLOW MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE F. APPROVE CITY’S CAPITAL ASSET POLICY CITY COUNCIL MINUTES October 4, 2011 Page 3 G. APPROVE CONTRACT WITH STATE OF MINNESOTA FOR CARPENTRY SERVICES BY HENNEPIN TECHNICAL COLLEGE STUDENTS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF STORAGE SHED AT SMITH DOUGLAS MORE PROPERTY MOTION: Butcher Wickstrom moved, seconded by Aho, to approve items A-G on the Consent Calendar. Motion carried 4-0. IX. PUBLIC HEARINGS / MEETINGS X. PAYMENT OF CLAIMS MOTION: Butcher Wickstrom moved, seconded by Nelson, to approve the payment of claims as submitted. Motion was approved on a roll call vote, with Aho, Butcher Wickstrom, 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 Getschow announced the workshop topic for October 18th will be the budget and the November workshop will be with the Conservation Commission and also input on a business survey done jointly with the City and the Chamber of Commerce. C. REPORT OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR 1. Approve Lease with Jeneka, LLC, for City-owned Property Located at 8022 Den Road Jeremiah reviewed the terms of a proposed lease agreement between the City and Jeneka for a consignment retail store called Encore. The business is currently located in the Lariat Center next to Green Mill, has been in operation for 20 years, and would be relocating to8022 Den Road. Aho inquired about plans for the remaining 1,012 square feet and if that amount of space is marketable. Jeremiah replied it is marketable and there is a hair salon interested, so it is likely she will be coming forth with another lease agreement for that space in the future. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES October 4, 2011 Page 4 MOTION: Aho moved, seconded by Butcher Wickstrom, to approve a new lease between the City of Eden Prairie and Jeneka, LLC, for a consignment retail store called Encore at the City owned commercial property at 8022 Den Road. Motion carried 4-0. 2. Resolution No. 2011-84 Supporting the Hennepin County Open to Business Program Jeremiah said Open to Business is a small business technical assistance program provided by the Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers (MCCD) through a partnership with Hennepin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority. MCCD is a 45-member association committed to increasing opportunities for small business and entrepreneurs. She reviewed the range of services provided through the program. The fee for one year of service is $10,000. Hennepin County would provide a matching grant for one half of the total fee, or $5,000. Staff would work with the Chamber of Commerce to market the program locally. The program has already been implemented in Brooklyn Park, St. Louis Park, and Minnetonka with great results. With 800-1,000 home-based businesses in Eden Prairie, it is expected this type of service will be well-received. It is her understanding it will service as many businesses as come forward during that time frame. The $5,000 cost to the City would be paid through the Economic Development Fund. They expect there would be a very good return on their investment and it would help economic development throughout the City. Aho asked if there were any limitations concerning the number of hours it would offer to any one business. Jeremiah stated she does not have details on any parameters, however it is her understanding there is no absolute limit to any number of hours it would spend in a year on our community. She expects volunteers are getting involved with this initiative. There has been high utilization in Minnetonka with no established cap. Upon resolution adoption, there would be a contract agreement likely covering those types of details which Jeremiah could bring forward at a future time. Nelson asked where the program would be located and if there was any cost to users. Jeremiah stated it is her understanding the assistance is provided at the small business site. Services are free as long as the recipient fits the criteria of being a small business. MOTION: Butcher Wickstrom moved, seconded by Aho, to adopt the Resolution 2011-84 supporting the City’s participation in the Open to Business program and committing to funding one half of the cost or $5,000. Motion carried 4-0. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES October 4, 2011 Page 5 D. REPORT OF PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR 1. Resolution 2011-85 for Hennepin Youth Sports Grant Program Application for Franlo Park Baseball Field Improvements Lotthammer said part of the Minnesota Twins stadium legislation authorizes Hennepin County to grant $2 million a year for 20 years to fund local amateur sports or recreation programs. The Baseball Association wants to add two batting cages to the Staring Lake/Cummins Grill fields plus a covered dugout. The dugout has a flat roof and is enclosed with fencing providing protection from a safety standpoint as well as from the sun. It also wants to add a batting cage and covered players benches at Franlo Park. This grant project is very similar to the one discussed a year ago for Miller Park in which the Baseball Association funded 50 percent or the project and the grant covered the other half. The City would assemble the application and submit it on behalf of the Baseball Association. If the grant is awarded, Staff would run the project and seek reimbursement at that time. The two projects are virtually the same with the exception of location. MOTION: Nelson moved, seconded by Aho, to adopt the Resolution 2011- 85 authorizing Staff to submit a grant request to the Hennepin Youth Sports Grant Program for Franlo Park baseball field improvements. Motion carried 4-0. Nelson thanked the Baseball Association for being proactive in seeking these funds. It is a good private/public partnership. Case agreed saying it is a win-win situation for all involved. 2. Resolution 2011-86 for Hennepin Youth Sports Grant Program Application for Staring Lake – Cummins Grill Baseball Field Improvements MOTION: Aho moved, seconded by Butcher Wickstrom, to adopt the Resolution 2011-86 authorizing Staff to submit a grant request to the Hennepin Youth Sports Grant Program for Staring Lake - Cummins Grill baseball field improvements. Motion carried 4-0. 3. Emerald Ash Borer / Japanese Beetle Update Lotthammer reported Stu Fox, Parks and Natural Resources Manager, has been following these issues closely. The Emerald Ash Borer is as close as the eastern metro area. The insect stays in a dormant stage for about three years. The counties of Hennepin and Ramsey are under quarantine in terms of not moving firewood and abiding by certain methods of disposal. Residents have been referred to the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Agriculture. If the Emerald Ash Borer were to be discovered in Eden Prairie, it would be handled similarly to Dutch Elm disease in order to slow down the process. There is speculation it might not CITY COUNCIL MINUTES October 4, 2011 Page 6 spread as quickly here due to the colder climate. There is no concern for a short-period decimation of trees, and scientists are not recommending to proactively remove healthy trees. The City continues to monitor the situation, but no immediate action is called for at this time. Case asked if we had been strategic in terms of determining our vulnerability on City property. If the large ash near the Smith Douglas More House were to be removed, for example, that would change the aesthetics of the location significantly. Lotthammer explained it is not recommended injections begin until an infected tree has been discovered within a 15-mile radius. Most of the tree content in Eden Prairie consists of a high variety of trees. Even if a lot of trees are lost, there will still be other varieties so an entire area won’t be wiped out. If it does hit, it would be best to treat it aggressively. The costs to the City would be in the form of tree removal and would likely have to be contracted out. Case inquired if the Ash Borer discriminates between white and green ash. Lotthammer replied green ash is the most susceptible and fortunately has not been sold in local nurseries for a number of years. The Japanese Beetle has hit the parks system pretty heavily this year and residents have noticed it as well based on the number of calls the City has received. There has been a lot of leaf damage; a row of lindens across the street from Kroll Ontrack was hit hard along with a nearby resident’s rose bushes. One way to combat the Japanese Beetle is with pheromone traps. The grubs spend a lot of time underground in the soil and they feed on roots. If people notice turf damage, there is still time to treat with an insecticide. Checking with a lawn and garden specialist is recommended as there are different types of treatments available. Fairly large areas of turf have been affected on some of the City’s soccer fields. They are being treated with chemicals, but grass seed will need to be added. The Japanese Beetle population goes in peaks and valleys, but this has been one of the worst years for Eden Prairie. 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 MOTION: Butcher Wickstrom moved, seconded by Aho, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 4-0. Acting Mayor Case adjourned the meeting at 7:32 p.m.