Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 01/02/2024 - Workshop APPROVED WORKSHOP MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP & OPEN PODIUM TUESDAY, JANUARY 02, 2024 CITY CENTER 5:00 – 6:25 PM, HERITAGE ROOMS 6:30 – 7:00 PM, COUNCIL CHAMBER CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Ron Case, Council Members Kathy Nelson, Mark Freiberg, PG Narayanan, and Lisa Toomey CITY STAFF: City Manager Rick Getschow, Police Chief Matt Sackett, Fire Chief Scott Gerber, Public Works Director Robert Ellis, Community Development Director Julie Klima, Parks and Recreation Director Amy Markle, Administrative Services/HR Director Alecia Rose, Communications Manager Joyce Lorenz, City Attorney Maggie Neuville, and Recorder Sara Aschenbeck Workshop - Heritage Rooms I and II (5:30) I. COMMISSION WORK PLANS a. PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION Markle introduced Patrice Erickson, Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission (PRNRC) Chair, to provide an overview of PRNRC accomplishments in 2023. The PRNRC is fortunate to have engaged Commission members, including student members. Erickson stated the PRNRC currently has the highest number of members in history. The PRNRC visited Camp Eden Wood in January. A portion of land and buildings there are part of the historical registry. Erickson highlighted the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Guide, which highlights the City’s Parks system. Patrice stated the PRNRC often hosts Staff for a presentation on topical items or tours a Park facility. Staff present on topics including adult athletic leagues. Tours showcase locations including the Community Center, Senior Center, and Staring Lake building. The Parks department has received many grants including an $100 thousand lifeguard grant, a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Conservation Partners Legacy grant, and a $17 thousand Parkinson’s grant. The City receives many donations from community partners. Narayanan asked for the total annual donations to Parks and Recreation. Erickson said donations are included in the Parks and Recreation annual report. Narayanan asked if Council member photos are included in the annual report. Erickson noted Council member names are included, photos can be added to future versions. Case stated each Council member’s name and photo should be included on all City publications for accountability. Erickson noted park equipment replacement at Round Lake Park West and Willow Park began in 2023 and is expected to be finished in spring 2024. Narayanan asked if the City can determine City Council Workshop Minutes January 2, 2024 Page 2 park usage statistics. Markle noted companies offer software to create virtual polygons around a property recording the number of visitors. Narayanan stated the software would be useful to determine each park’s budget. Case added it would also be helpful in knowing where to locate amenities including the baseball fields by Flying Cloud Airport and the lacrosse fields by Grace Church which may need to be relocated in the future. Erickson explained the Community Center was awarded a Reader’s Choice award for best recreation center for the eighth year, and the Round Lake Splash Pad was awarded best outdoor waterpark/splash pad for the third year. The Nesbitt Preserve Park splash pad and cricket pitch opened in 2023. Case asked if there is another location in the City with enough space for a second cricket pitch. Markle stated Staff could research. Erickson said the annual PRNRC bus tour visits facilities and parks including the Senior Center, Miller Park, and Camp Eden Wood. The Senior Center was recently renovated resulting in a more open and welcoming environment. Narayanan asked if Senior Center attendance increased after renovations. Markle noted attendance records for Senior Center programs could be compiled and provided to Council. Narayanan stated it would be helpful to know attendance trends. Case asked for a demographic breakdown of Senior Center programs. Demographics in the Senior Center don’t match the City’s 28 percent diversity. Furthering diversity in Senior Center programs should be prioritized. Erickson noted other Parks programs and facilities have a more diverse demographic, including park usage. Erickson explained Staff does an excellent job of promoting community events. Over 700 residents attend Winter Blast. Ten thousand individuals attend the Hometown Festival. More vendors and artists attended Arts in the Park in 2023 than ever before. The City hosted its first Pride event in June with over 200 attendees. PRNRC partnered with the Heritage Preservation Commission for cemetery tours at EP Cemetery and Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Erickson stated Miller Park is due for renovation. Further renovation information will be provided at the January 16 Council meeting. Case said the Council has not yet decided on constructing outdoor athletic courts or an indoor facility. Getschow noted the City had initially budgeted for an outdoor athletic court complex. Initial cost estimates for an indoor facility were significantly higher. Analysis completed by Getschow and Finance Manager Tammy Wilson showed the City could not recoup operating costs of an indoor facility with user fees alone. Case said Council was disappointed to hear the high expense for an indoor facility, but it was not aware there was no path forward. Narayanan asked if the City could sell facility naming rights to help cover costs. Getschow stated naming rights are a possibility but would not generate enough revenue to offset the $13 million cost. Case asked the PRNRC and Staff to present the Miller Park court renovation proposal at a future workshop before any decisions are made. Erickson stated the Natural Resources team is dedicated to suppressing emerald ash borer and administering prescribed burns. This year the Parks department welcomed Amy Markle as the City Council Workshop Minutes January 2, 2024 Page 3 Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources director. Staff is knowledgeable and participatory. Case thanked Erickson for the PRNRC’s time and expertise. b. SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION Getschow introduced Sustainability Commission (SC) Chair Aaron Poock. Poock explained he has been a Sustainability Commission member for four years and has served as Chair for three years. SC has a record number of student members this year. Narayanan asked if there are any areas of expertise the SC would benefit from. Council could consider these areas when appointing new commission members. Poock stated many experts with a wide knowledge base have joined the SC. Nelson stated the SC is stronger now compared to seven to eight years ago. Poock stated public education is one of the SC’s core responsibilities. The City hosted its second electric vehicle (EV) showcase in 2023. Tesla and Scheels provided EVs and Electric Bikes for test rides. 514 households utilized bulky item recycling events to recycle furniture, mattresses, and appliances. Electrify Everything Minnesota was created in partnership with surrounding cities to educate residents about home electrification. Free compost was distributed on Arbor Day, and residents could donate or receive garden tools. 1500 residents participated in a sustainability event in 2023. Poock showcased further SC accomplishments in 2023. The SC reviewed and recommended the Sustainable Building Standard, which Council approved. 205 organics recycling rebates were provided to residents. The annual recycling guide was available in Spanish and Somali-translated versions for the first time. The City provided 83 water conservation rebates to residents for installing water efficient appliances. The community solar garden located on the Community Center roof was installed during the summer and is expected to be operable in late spring 2024. Case asked if the community solar garden could be replicated in other areas of the City. Getschow explained Staff can research a second location, however it took over five years for this community solar garden to become a reality. The City should focus on installing solar arrays even if they are not part of a community solar garden. Case asked if the City had any costs associated with the community solar garden. Getschow confirmed the City had zero costs. Poock stated the SC will continue to participate in Electrify Everything Minnesota in 2024. Fuel switching and electrification are goals identified in the Climate Action Plan. Narayanan asked for the cost difference of heating with electric as compared to gas. Fierce said if a home is well insulated and sealed from outside air, the cost of heating with electric is comparable to using gas. If insulation and air seals are questionable, electric heat is more expensive. Case noted there are many misconceptions regarding the switch to electric energy. He requested the SC prepare a list of common misconceptions regarding electric energy and facts to disprove these misconceptions. Poock stated the SC is focused on research and development of a commercial energy squad, similar to the home energy squad available to residents. Climate Action Plan goals include 31 percent of businesses participating in a conservation program by 2030, increasing to 57 percent City Council Workshop Minutes January 2, 2024 Page 4 by 2040. Many buildings in the Golden Triangle are installing rooftop solar arrays. Narayanan asked how much solar energy the City creates. Poock answered the number of households with solar arrays could be provided to Council, but wattage information may not be tracked. Case added the trend of locations installing solar arrays would be helpful to confirm if the City is on target to reach 2040 Climate Action Plan goals. UnitedHealth Group is relocating to the City and has robust sustainability policies. Getschow added Optum is installing one of the largest solar arrays in the City on its parking structures. Case stated businesses such as these will increase the overall percentage solar energy in the City. Poock noted the City will host another EV showcase in 2024. The SC will explore a potential recognition as an EV smart city and continue to encourage participation in renewable energy programs. The Climate Action Plan outlines ten percent of Citywide electricity should come from onsite generation by 2030. Nelson said homeowner associations can no longer regulate solar panel placement per State legislature. The City should notify homeowner associations of the new legislation. Poock stated the SC will promote carbon sequestration and shade benefits of a robust tree canopy. Case inquired if the Tree Purchase Program offered to residents can be tripled. Getschow stated Staff can research. Poock noted the SC will continue bulk item recycling and garden tool swap events in 2024. The City is 80 percent through installation of new residential water meters. The SC will research hosting a textile recycling event and explore case studies featuring Sustainable Eden Prairie award winners to provide examples of effective strategies. Narayanan asked if there are any windmills in the City. Poock answered there is one windmill on Best Buy however wind in the City is too weak to harvest. Case thanked the Commission members for their time and involvement. Getschow added there will be a workshop in 2024 dedicated to sustainability. Open Podium - Council Chamber (6:30) II. OPEN PODIUM a. GREG OLSON, POLICE DEPARTMENT ARCHITECTURE SERVICES Greg Olson, 7373 Ann Court, stated the architecture services contract for the Police Department project should be removed from the consent calendar for tonight’s Council meeting. The contract should be discussed by Council due to the high dollar value for transparency. Case stated the Council has spoken many times in a public setting about the upcoming Police remodel. Workshop time has been dedicated to this topic. Getschow added the Police remodel has been in the Capital Improvement Plan for eight years. Initial property tax effects are expected to be minimal due to timing of debt retirement from previous capital projects. Case thanked Olson for his time and welcomed further conversation in the future. III. ADJOURNMENT