Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 05/20/2025 - WorkshopApproved Minutes Eden Prairie City Council Workshop 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, 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: Friends of Eden Prairie Parks President Bridget Beyer and Founder Glenn Olson MEETING AGENDA Heritage Rooms I. Friends of Eden Prairie Parks Markle introduced Friends of Eden Prairie Parks (FEPP) President Bridget Beyer and Founder Glenn Olson. Beyer explained FEPP was founded in 2023 with a mission to improve and maintain biodiversity and enhance ecosystems in parks and preserves. FEPP works to improve citizen engagement and understanding, foster a sense of community stewardship, lead volunteer activities, and restore native plant communities. The three pillars of FEPP are conserve, restore, and educate. Narayanan asked if the FEPP works with lakes. Beyer answered the current passion of the organization is for native plant communities, water invasive species would be a future topic. Beyer noted there is a robust and equitable distribution of parks in the City. FEPP aims to supplement the Parks and Recreation department efforts for fostering native plants and providing community education. FEPP could not exist without City partnership. Beyer explained the history of the FEPP group. The organization was founded in 2023 and held its first invasive species removal events of garlic mustard and buckthorn. The FEPP also launched the Park Steward program and applied for a grant from the Eden Prairie Community Foundation. CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA May 20, 2025 Page 2 Narayanan asked what the grant proceeds were used for. Beyer confirmed the grant of $1 thousand was awarded in 2024 and used for items including business cards, brochures, and branded items for community events. Narayanan asked if the primary goal for this year is to recruit more volunteers. Beyer confirmed the primary goal is to recruit more volunteers. Narayanan asked if people donate funds. Beyer confirmed people have the option to donate. The Eden Prairie Community Foundation is the fiscal sponsor of FEPP. Toomey asked if the FEPP will eventually become its own charitable organization. Beyer noted she expects the FEPP to eventually becomes its own charitable organization, however the FEPP currently has a small budget and no paid staff so the need isn’t urgent. Beyer noted in 2024 the City removed 25 acres of buckthorn and the FEPP removed 21 acres. More volunteers allow the FEPP to become more effective. In 2023 the FEPP had 25 volunteers providing 100 volunteer event hours, increasing to 66 volunteers providing 366 volunteer event hours in 2024. Narayanan asked if the FEPP partners with other community organizations such as the rotary or lions club. Beyer noted the FEPP has partnered with the AM Rotary club on events such as bingo night and the Eco Expo. Beyer stated the goal for the upcoming year is to solicit more participation and volunteers. Narayanan suggested working with the school district to involve students. The group discussed other public events the FEPP could use to increase community involvement including the Citywide Open House and the fourth of July celebration. Beyer explained the FEPP has hosted several guest speakers including a reforestation educator from the University of Minnesota Extension and Wild Birds Unlimited. Beyer stated volunteers are the key to FEPP’s success. Beyer displayed photos of various FEPP events including buckthorn removal events, presentations, seed collection, and plant rescue. FEPP Founder Glenn Olson stated nature is something all people can enjoy. A better understanding and appreciation of natural resources allows us to make intelligent choices for future residents. Freiberg commended the FEPP for their work and large amount of volunteers. Narayanan added the City can’t do everything, having the FEPP helps enhance parks and preserves. Case noted the City’s deep appreciation and sincere thanks for the FEPP. CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA May 20, 2025 Page 3 II. Electric Bicycle Update Case noted he recently saw two young adults on electric bicycles (e-bikes) traveling down Pioneer Trail the same speed as traffic, over 30 miles per hour (mph). E-bikes can create a dangerous situation with pedestrians and cars. Cities everywhere are facing the same issue. The rules surrounding e-bikes are confusing. Sackett stated bicycles are huge for use of trails and recreation. The Eden Prairie Police Department (EPPD) steps in to partner on education and enforcement of trail rules. Markle noted there are many benefits to e-bikes. They help keep people overcome injuries, stay active, and ride longer distances. Education on guidelines are needed to keep riders safe. An e-bike has pedals and an assist motor. Markle explained the different between classes one (motor assist up to 20 MPH), two (motor assist up to 20 MPH without the rider pedaling), and three (motor assist up to 28 MPH) of e-bikes. Nelson noted she sees all three classes outside her house regularly. Markle stated motorized bicycles that do not meet the class one, two, or three definitions are not considered e-bikes. This includes mopeds, motorcycles, and dirt bikes. Case asked for a description of an e-bike outside of classes one, two, or three. Markle stated bicycles without pedals or bicycles with motors faster than 28 MPH do not meet the e-bike definition. Markle noted riders must be 15 years old to ride an e-bike. Sackett and Markle have partnered with local retailers to ensure they’re selling to riders over 15 years of age. Riders must follow the same rules as manual bicycles. Narayanan asked if the City could enact a license or permit for e- bike riders. Sackett stated he is not aware of any cities that currently have a licensing process, and it would be challenging to administer. Case asked if the police can ticket e-bike riders. Sackett replied State statute is clear that e-bike riders must be 15 years old, a violation would be a petty misdeeanor. The EPPD has taken an approach of focusing on education and changing behavior in lieu of ticketing. Toomey asked if the City has signs noting where e-bikes are allowed and disallowed. Markle stated some conservation areas have signs posted disallowing all bikes. All types of bikes are allowed on City sidewalks and hard surface trails. Sackett discuss state statutes regarding e-bike operation. All bicycles must observe safe distances, safe clearances, and share the trail with CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA May 20, 2025 Page 4 pedestrians. Current issues surrounding e-bikes include high speed, safety concerns, underage riding, disregard for other trail users, and riding in places not designed for e-bikes. It’s difficult to distinguish an e-bike from an electric motorbike, which look similar to an e-bike but can reach speeds of 40 mph and are attractive to underage riders. Concerned citizens may second guess calling 911 to report improper e-bike usage. Markle explained the City has been distributing information on e-bike laws and safety and evaluating needs for additional e-bike signage. Toomey suggested the City could create a pamphlet outlining e-bike rules to provide to retailers. Markle confirmed the parks and police departments have collabored to create a bike safety handout including a QR code to the City website page with further info. This flyer has been distributed as events such as a regional e-bike gathering hosted by the Three Rivers parks district. Toomey asked if a speed limit can be enforced for e-bikes. Sackett noted the issue is the speed limit would need to be imposed for all bicycles, not just e-bikes. Case stated e-bikes may drop in price in the future, leading to even younger ages such as elementary school children to begin riding. Parents may not know that their children must be 15 years old to ride an e-bike. Sackett noted the EPPD’s stance of education and enforcement. Residents are encouraged to call 911 to report improper e-bike usage. The EPPD has options such as directed patrols and making contact with parents to provide information on e-bike laws. Markle added cycling groups in the State are requesting new laws regarding helmet usage. Getschow noted the City is currently doing everything reasonable to promote safe e-bike usage. The two largest issues, underage riders and legal e-bikes, are being addressed through education and enforcement. Surrounding cities are taking the same approach. Case asked if Minneapolis is issuing tickets to e-bike offenders. Sackett stated he did not know how Minneapolis is enforcing. Excelsior has a more prominent ordinance for the downtown area where kids are riding too fast. Toomey suggested addressing proper e-bike usage at Police youth academy. Sackett confirmed bike education is covered at safety camp. Case noted this topic will only become more prevalent. E-bike complaints have doubled year over year. Case asked for the topic to be brought back to Council in the fall for discussion. CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA May 20, 2025 Page 5 Council Chambers III. Open Podium IV. Adjournment