HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 01/07/2025 - WorkshopApproved Minutes
Eden Prairie City Council Workshop
5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025
City Center Heritage Rooms, Council Chambers
8080 Mitchell Road
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
ATTENDEES
City Council Members: Mayor Ron Case, Council Members Kathy Nelson, Mark Freiberg, PG
Narayanan, and Lisa Toomey
City Staff: City Manager Rick Getschow, Public Works Director Robert Ellis, Community
Development Director Julie Klima, Parks and Recreation Director Amy Markle, Police Chief Matt
Sackett, Fire Chief Scott Gerber, Administrative Services/HR Director Alecia Rose,
Communications Manager Joyce Lorenz, City Attorney Maggie Neuville, and Recorder Sara
Potter
Guest Speakers: City Planner Jeremy Barnhart, Planning Commission Chair Andrew Pieper,
Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Chair Patrice Erickson, Recreation Services Manager
Lori Brink
MEETING AGENDA
Heritage Rooms
I. Planning Commission Work Plan 5:30 to 5:50 p.m.
Case noted annual commission updates are beneficial to the Council. Planning Commission (PC) is
important as it’s statutory. City Planner Jeremy Barnhart introduced PC Chair Andrew Pieper.
Pieper gave a summary of the 11 land use applications reviewed by the PC in 2024 including the
new Preserve Village Chipotle, Eden Prairie School UNFI Comprehensive Plan Amendment, and
the Enclave at Manor Road housing development. The Marshall Gardens proposal, a
redevelopment of the former Marshall Farm, was reviewed by the PC in 2024. Narayanan asked if
the Marshall Gardens proposal includes solar panels. Pieper confirmed solar panels are included.
Pieper outlined the two text amendments reviewed by the PC in 2024. These text amendments
added flexibility for industrial districts and for landscaping in multi-family developments. Barnhart
added these amendments eliminated extra hoops for applicants in unique spaces, while still
adhering to the intent of City code. Pieper explained 2025 goals for the PC include reviewing
development applications and code amendments and facilitating training for PC members.
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January 07, 2025
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Narayanan asked Pieper how long he has served on PC. Pieper replied he has served since 2013.
Narayanan asked if developer proposals have changed during Pieper’s tenure. Pieper confirmed
the PC is reviewing more proposals for senior living housing in recent years. City staff does an
excellent job vetting projects. Narayanan noted developers are proactively adding solar to their
projects. Pieper stated developers are proactively adding Electric Vehicle charging as well. Case
and Pieper agreed the PC and the City Council are in consensus on most development projects.
Nelson stated the importance of developers adhering to landscaping, solar, and electric vehicle
charging requirements. Toomey added developers must comply with the City’s Sustainable
Building Standard. The Council thanked Barnhart and Pieper for their time and efforts.
II. Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission Work Plan 5:50 to 6:10 p.m.
Markle stated the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission (PRNRC) has many
longstanding commission members and engaged student commission members. Markle
introduced PRNRC Chair Patrice Erickson. Erickson thanked Parks and Recreation staff for their
assistance and highlighted the PRNRC’s wide array of topics. The Parks and Recreation
department offers events for every age, season, and culture. There is growing interest in bike
parks and offroad cycling. 2,300 youth participated in 2024 summer programming. EPCC
memberships are rebounding to pre-COVID levels. The PRNRC partakes in an annual bus tour of
facilities including the EPCC, the Round Lake Park building, and the Art Center. The City is
continuing its battle against Emerald Ash Borer and Oak Wilt. The City’s conservation areas are
one of a kind.
Erickson explained the PRNRC met with multiple organizations over 2024. The PRNRC held a joint
meeting with the Sustainability Commission to discuss the Climate Action Plan, rain gardens, and
solar panels. The PRNRC also met with Friends of EP Parks to discuss the Park Steward program,
which removes invasive species including buckthorn. The PRNRC met with the Three Rivers Park
District regarding new regional trails. Erickson summarized the PRNRC’s involvement with the
newly proposed athletic policy. The new pickleball attendant and improved signage help players
feel welcome and address behavior issues. Miller Park will have the first lit pickleball courts in the
City. Erickson detailed Parks and Recreation events, which were attended by 31 thousand
participants in 2024. The Third of July drone show received excellent reviews. Peoplefest and
CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA
January 07, 2025
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Arbor Day have grown significantly. Nelson asked the PRNRC to research advanced orders for
Arbor Day as the City runs out of trees quickly.
Erickson stated the PRNRC updated its purpose statement in 2024 to add “provide input to staff
to ensure the inventory, preservation, and management of natural resources”. 2025 focus areas
include Cemetery Management, yearly CIP projects, increasing EPCC membership, expanding EP
Players and the Community Band, and supporting emerging sports. Narayanan asked the PRNRC
to look into items including underutilized playgrounds, installing a canopy for the Staring Lake
Amphitheatre, and offering nighttime rental options for park facilities. The Council thanked the
PRNRC for their time and efforts.
III. Athletic Policy 6:10 to 6:30 p.m.
Markle introduced Recreation Services Manager Lori Brink and summarized the need for a new
athletic policy. The current policy is outdated and does not reflect changing community needs. A
new policy provides opportunity to align with peers including the Eden Prairie School District
(EPSD) and surrounding cities. It would allow the City to reinvest in programs, improve access,
support emerging sports, and address negative behaviors.
Markle noted Staff began work in June 2024 to research surrounding city policies and gather
partner feedback. Positive feedback was received including the designated tiered approach to
scheduling, all organizations having an access point, and negating field overuse. Partners indicate
some items need clarification including how the application and scheduling processes will work
and how tier three fees will be structured. Some organizations have finalized their 2025 budgets
and are concerned about adding unanticipated costs.
Markle detailed the proposed fee structure is as follows: Tier one is internal programming and
has no associated fees. Tier two is the EPSD and has no fees for practices or competitions. Tier
three is non-profit organizations and would be charged an annual fee per athlete. Tiers four
through seven are for-profit organizations and would be charged in accordance with the annual
fee resolution. Fee revenue would fund improved scheduling technology and field maintenance.
Narayanan asked if the City has a reciprocal agreement with the EPSD. Brink confirmed the City
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January 07, 2025
Page 4
and EPSD do not charge each other for outdoor facilities. Narayanan asked if for profit teams are
differentiated from non-profit teams. Brink confirmed for-profit and non-profit teams are
assigned different tiers. Case noted families may want to reserve space for a birthday party.
Markle confirmed that would be viewed a as one-time facility rental, and groups under 20 would
not need to make a reservation.
Markle detailed options for the proposed fee structures. Tiers four through seven would reserve
and pay for facility space in a two hour block. Tier three organizations could pay the following: no
fees; $0 per athlete in 2025 and $10 per athlete in 2026; or $5 per athlete in 2025 and $10 per
athlete in 2026. No fee would be charged for athletes receiving financial assistance. Case asked if
a group in tiers four through seven would pay less overall in two hour reservation blocks than
with a per athlete annual fee. Getschow noted paying in two hour increments will be more
expensive at the end of the season than a per athlete basis. Brink added the tiered approach
allows non-profits to schedule the space needed to run their programs. Remaining availability
would be used to schedule for profit teams where able.
Narayanan asked which tier three option is recommended by staff. Markle answered staff
recommends charging $0 per athlete in 2025 and $10 per athlete in 2026. This would not burden
organizations who have finalized 2025 budgets and give a year to financially plan for a fee in
2026. Toomey asked how athletes on financial assistance are differentiated. Brink confirmed the
number of athletes, including those on financial assistance, are reported by the organization at
the end of the year. Toomey asked if the proposed fees are similar to other cities. Markle noted
the proposed fees are similar to other cities. Eden Prairie not charging for facility rental is
unheard of. Case summarized the Council is in agreement to charge tier three $0 per athlete in
2025 increasing to $10 per athlete in 2026.
Council Chambers
IV. Open Podium
V. Adjournment