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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 04/01/2025 - WorkshopApproved Minutes Eden Prairie City Council Workshop 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Apr. 1, 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: Economic Development Manager Dave Lindahl MEETING AGENDA Heritage Rooms I. Economic Development Update Getschow introduced Economic Development Manager Dave Lindahl. Lindahl explained the Economic Development Fund finances infrastructure project and trail connections. West 70th Street is a road project that began in 2018 to connect Shady Oak Road to Flying Cloud. This project was funded in partnership with Hennepin County. Lindahl showcased the next project, a trail connection from Shady Oak Road to the Golden Triangle Station that will be completed in 2025. Lindahl noted a trail connection to City West Station is planned. Case asked if staff have talked to United Healthgroup regarding their fencing plans. Lindahl noted the United Healthgroup fence will enclose its campus buildings, but some property will not be fenced off. Case asked if the woods would remain. Lindahl noted the woods will remain, the City West Station trail will follow the end of the woods. Case asked about the parking lot for the City West Station. Lindahl confirmed there will be approximately 100 spaces. Case noted the trail would help residents in the area get to the City West Station, and asked if the City would have to purchase an easement CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA April 1, 2025 Page 2 to construct the trail. Lindahl confirmed the City would need an easement for construction, which may need to be purchased. It is not unusual for the City to pay for an easement. The developer is aware the trail is a priority for the City. Nelson asked how steep the trail would be, noting it may be difficult to travel in the winter if icy. Ellis stated as this trail would be used by individuals commuting to work, ideally the grade will be under 5 percent. Lindahl noted another important trail connection is from the new Fox and Grouse apartment building to the Golden Triangle Station. This project was expensive and took a facilitated effort to secure developer funding. Narayanan asked if the trail is gravel. Lindahl confirmed the trail is asphalt. Narayanan asked if the trail can be biked on. Lindahl confirmed the trail is suitable for biking. Narayanan asked how Lindahl is involved with trail connections. Lindahl noted while Markle and Ellis collaborated on this project, most of the trail is private and was built by the developer. Lindahl was able to assist in accelerating the project with the Economic Development Fund and securing grant funding. Lindahl stated an entry monument sign will be installed at southbound highway 494 funded by the Economic Development fund. Public Works assisted overcoming the challenge of constructing an access road to the sign location. Nelson asked if the road would be public for anyone to access. Ellis confirmed there will be a fence and padlock to ensure only authorized personnel have access. Lindahl stated another entry monument sign was installed at the City West light rail station. This was a challenging project due to permits needed to access the area over tracks. The finished project was under budget. Lindahl noted many large commercial investments were made in the City in 2024. 13 commercial projects took place with a value over $1 million. The largest project, completed by the Eden Prairie School District, was mainly for innovation sandbox renovations. Case asked what the Grace Church project included. Klima answered the Grace Church project included interior renovations to create youth ministry spaces. Case asked if the City receives a percentage of the permit cost. Getschow stated the City receives the total permit cost, which is based on the improvement value. Lindahl stated the City participates in the Elevate Hennepin program, which provides business CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA April 1, 2025 Page 3 advisory services to local small businesses at no cost. 26 Eden Prairie small businesses received advisory services in 2024. Other services offered by Elevate Hennepin include educational programs such as CEO Bootcamp and small business loans. A few surrounding cities including Maple Grove and Minnetonka also provide direct funding to small businesses. Narayanan asked how these cities provide funding. Lindahl confirmed Maple Grove and Minnetonka provide a match of private investments. Demand is very low, with Minnetonka issuing one loan and Maple Grove issuing zero. Toomey asked if Eden Prairie provides any small business loans. Lindahl answered Eden Prairie has not historically provided small business loans; residents rarely inquire on small business loans so demand is anticipated as low. Case noted the City should continue to engage the small business community to determine their needs. A program can then be designed to fulfill needs. It’s important to determine needs before designing a program to ensure it’s effective. Narayanan added it’s important to hear from less established small businesses. Case stated the high school is building out their entrepreneurship program, and students are looking to get involved. Lindahl added a resident recently reached out in hopes of organizing an Entrepreneur fest in the City. Lindahl summarized legislative efforts the City is backing including a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) blight exemption for the EP Center and bonding for public safety storage. Case asked if the TIF blight expansion is anticipated to be successful. Lindahl noted it’s not a sure thing, but the prospect looks positive. Lindahl stated he attended the League of Minnesota Cities (LMC) Day at the Capital in March. Narayanan asked if this year is a bonding year. Getschow confirmed this year is a bonding year. Lindahl detailed businesses seeking sites in Eden Prairie including Top Golf and Kwik Trip. Case suggested Top Golf may fit at the Eden Prairie Center. Lindahl next summarized the City’s lease agreements. All leases are in place for the next three years. Lotus Nails, Chuck and Dons, and Smith Coffee have lease agreements until 2029, and EP Montessori has a lease agreement until 2027. The Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce (EPCC) has expressed interest in leasing 50 thousand square feet in the lower level of City Center that will be vacated once the Police and City Center renovation is complete. Narayanan noted entrepreneurs are more in need of capital CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA April 1, 2025 Page 4 than space. Case stated there is a need for shared meeting spaces. Case also noted his appreciation for the partnership with the EPCC and its support of the business community. Case noted the City should offer preference to the EPCC to lease City Center space. Lindahl stated the Metro Transit police are also interested in leasing space at City Center. Lindahl summarized discussions with an Eden Prairie resident about opening a community bookstore at the Dorenkemper Cabin. Case noted his support for the project. The cabin ambiance would make for a good bookstore. Events could be held in partnership with the City and the Historical Society. Narayanan asked if the building could be moved to a more popular location such as Round Lake. Lindahl stated the cabin had been previously moved to its current location. Moving the cabin is possible but expensive. Narayanan asked if a farmers’ market could be held there. Lindahl noted the resident proposing the bookstore is interested in hosting events in the outdoor space. Lindahl explained the City partners with the school district on career round table presentations, the civics in action program, an expo with students and the EPCC, and the innovative sandbox. The City also partners with the EPCC for an economic development bus tour, golf fundraiser, and a public policy committee. Narayanan noted the City doesn’t have a waterfront restaurant, and asked if the City could build one and rent it out. Toomey stated as a taxpayer she wouldn’t want the City to finance that. Case stated the City has six miles of river. The CH Robinson building overlooks the water and could be a good location. Lindahl stated CH Robinson’s long term plan is to relocate. The building could be for sale soon. Toomey asked if the funeral home next to Smith coffee is still operating. Klima confirmed they are still operating. Toomey asked if the City could buy a portion of the property for more parking at Smith Coffee. Lindahl answered the funeral home would likely consider selling the entire lot. The Council thanked Lindahl for his time and presentation. Council Chambers II. Open Podium III. Adjournment