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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 02/10/2026Eden Prairie City Council Meeting Approved Minutes 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026 City Center Council Chambers 8080 Mitchell Road Eden Prairie, MN 55344 ATTENDEES City Council Members: Mayor Ron Case, Council Members 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, and City Attorney Maggie Neuville MEETING AGENDA I. Call the Meeting to Order Mayor Case called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Council Member Kathy Nelson was absent. II. Pledge of Allegiance III. Open Podium Invitation IV. Proclamations and Presentations A. PROP Empty Bowls Proclamation Case read aloud the proclamation declaring Tuesday, February 17, 2026, as Empty Bowls Day and urges all citizens to support PROP. Empty Bowls is an annual PROP event held to raise funds for PROP since 2010. Case presented PROP Executive Director Jenifer Loon and PROP Director of Development and Communications Prima Sisinni with the proclamation. Loon thanked the Council and added that Empty Bowls is more than a fundraiser. There are many people in need in the area, especially right now. She commended the community for their outpouring of support in food and financial support. CITY COUNCIL MEETING APPROVED MINUTES February 10, 2026 Sisinni said there will also be a silent auction that goes live on Wednesday.. B. Eden Prairie Liquor Dollar Drive for PROP Getschow explained that throughout the month of November, Eden Prairie Liquor stores held a Dollar Drive, inviting customers to contribute just $1 each time they visited. He introduced EP Liquor Operations Manager Jaime Urbina to discuss the dollar drive. Urbina explained that the City's three municipal liquor stores partnered with PROP to give back to the community. He added that PROP’s mission is to compassionately provide food and comprehensive support to people in Eden Prairie and Chanhassen who are facing financial hardship or crisis to create a path toward greater self-sufficiency. Their primary services include a food shelf, short-term financial help, support for low-income families with children and teens, and support for seniors and individuals with disabilities. He noted that these efforts raised a total of $10,390 for the PROP food shelf. C. Black History Month Words in Action Award Winners Getschow introduced Human Rights and Diversity Commission Chair Greg Leeper to present this item. Leeper explained that Eden Prairie youth submitted written or visual art pieces based on quotes from Black American civil rights leaders, such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Participants reflected on the ways that they can continue to remember Dr. King and many other Black American civil rights leaders and carry their legacy of racial justice forward. Leeper presented the award to the Contest Winner, Aanya Mehta, for her video art. Mehta stated that her video art was based on a quote from Civil Rights Movement leader John Lewis because it shows how real change happens when people speak up against injustice. Human Rights and Diversity Commission Student Member Anjolaoluwa Raimi presented the award to contest winner Asa Shannon for his video art. Shannon explained that his video art was based on a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. about driving out hate with love. Human Rights and Diversity Commission Student Member Ikra Ibrahim presented the award to contest Winner Itisha Budamagunta for her visual art. Budamagunta explained that her video art was based on a quote from Diane Nash about spreading kindness. CITY COUNCIL MEETING APPROVED MINUTES February 10, 2026 Human Rights and Diversity Commission Student Member Anjolaoluwa Raimi presented the award to Contest Winner Ryan Altawil for his essay. Altawil wrote his essay about Civil Rights Movement leader John Lewis and voting rights. D. SouthWest Transit Year in Review Toomey introduced SouthWest Transit CEO Erik Hansen to present a 2025 year in review for SouthWest Transit. Hansen noted that Southwest Transit is celebrating its 40th anniversary and remains the fastest-growing transit agency in the state, with ridership up 14 percent to about 614,000 passengers. Rider satisfaction is extremely high when surveyed at 96 to 98 percent, and community support is strong at 61 percent. Hansen added that event service ridership has grown 90 percent over two years, and Southwest Prime continues to expand in Eden Prairie. Autonomous vehicle service has driven 144 percent growth, and Route 686 to the airport and Mall of America has increased ridership by 60 percent. Southwest Transit also operates about 22 percent more efficiently than Metro Transit. Hansen explained that heading into the 2026 legislative session, priorities include securing fair regional sales tax funding for suburban transit agencies and maintaining local control rather than consolidating into Metro Transit. Narayanan asked if Metro Transit would be doing the same thing regarding sales tax funding. Hansen responded that all four of the transit agencies work together on these legislative issues. Narayanan noted the Eden Prairie local news is present tonight and could promote Southwest Transit. Case thanked Hansen for all the information and noted that Southwest Transit is a wonderful service and amenity to the community. V. Approval of Agenda and Other Items of Business Case noted that he wanted to add a Council Member report related to their previous meeting. MOTION: Toomey moved, seconded by Narayanan, to approve the agenda as amended. Motion carried 4-0. VI. Minutes CITY COUNCIL MEETING APPROVED MINUTES February 10, 2026 MOTION: Narayanan moved, seconded by Frieberg, to approve the minutes of the Council workshop held Tuesday, January 20, 2026, and the City Council meeting held Tuesday, January 20, 2026, as published. Motion carried 4-0. VII. Consent Calendar A. Clerk’s List B. Approve second reading of an Ordinance No. 03-2026 repealing existing City Code Section 11.50 and replacing with new City Code Section 11.50 related to shoreland management, adopt Resolution No. 2026-020 approving summary Ordinance C. Approve second reading of an Ordinance No. 04-2026 amending City Code Section 11.47 relating to Site Plan Reviews, adopt Resolution No. 2026-021 approving summary Ordinance D. Wings Financial Credit Union by Pope Design Group adopt Resolution No. 2026- 022 for a Site Plan Review on 9.08 acres, approve Development Agreement E. Adopt Resolution No. 2026-023 approving application to conduct off-site lawful gambling by the EPAM Rotary Foundation at Eco Expo 2026 F. Approve professional services agreement for Anderson Lakes Parkway/Preserve Association storm improvements design with SEH G. Approve fourth amendment to lease and solar easement, memorandum of lease and solar easement for Community Solar Garden and authorize execution by Mayor and City Manager H. Approve construction contract agreement for 2026 sanitary sewer lining project with Veit & Company, Inc. I. Award the contract for purchase and installation of furniture for the PD & City remodel project to Alternative Business Furniture J. Renew three year maintenance agreement for fleet management system Fleetio K. Approve quote and authorize procurement of network switches and access points from Logis L. Approve execution of sales and purchase agreement and bill of sale for Police Department Mobile Command Center with Mankato Public Safety CITY COUNCIL MEETING APPROVED MINUTES February 10, 2026 MOTION: Toomey moved, seconded by Narayanan, to approve Items A-L on the Consent Calendar. Motion carried 4-0. VIII. Public Hearings and Meetings A. Adopt Resolution No. 2026-024 vacating Lots 1-2, Block 4, Timber Lakes Drainage and Utility Easements Getschow explained that the property owners of 8001 and 8002 Island Road have requested a vacation of part of the drainage and utility easements as dedicated on Lot 1 and Lot 2, Block 4, Timber Lakes, due to a lot line adjustment. Case asked if this meant just sliding the easement from one spot to another to adjust the new lot line. Getschow confirmed that Case was correct. Case asked if anyone in the audience wished to address the City Council on the resolution. No one wished to address the Council. MOTION: Toomey moved, seconded by Freiberg, to close the Public Hearing and adopt Resolution No. 2026-024 vacating Draining and Utility Easements. Motion carried 4-0. IX. Payment of Claims MOTION: Narayanan moved, seconded by Toomey, to approve the payment of claims as submitted. Motion was approved on a roll call vote, with Freiberg, Narayanan, Toomey, and Case voting “aye.” X. Ordinances and Resolutions XI. Petitions, Requests and Communications XII. Appointments XIII. Reports A. Report of Council Members Case noted he and the Council would like to respond to Open Podium speakers that spoke before the Council meeting. Six people spoke during Open Podium about the ICE surge that is going on in Eden Prairie. The speakers asked the CITY COUNCIL MEETING APPROVED MINUTES February 10, 2026 Council to pass an Ordinance limiting ICE's ability to be stage operations in City parks or any public property. Narayanan thanked the speakers who came to the Open Podium and said this almost reminded him of COVID-19. Kids are terrified about the actions that ICE is taking and the propaganda they are hearing and reacting to. He is very worried about the impact on immigrant kids in the future. It is heartbreaking to hear the stories about the family that is left behind after ICE takes someone. He has been in strategy meetings to help people left behind, and is working with Southwest Transit to deliver food from PROP. There is no effective way the City can create an Ordinance and enforce it. If it helps in some form and is legal to do, then he is open to it. Narayanan highlighted things the Mayor, the City Manager, and Police Chief did with 15 other cities to lobby at the federal and State levels to get ICE to draw down. People are afraid, and his Indian friends drive around with their American passports in fear of getting pulled over and arrested. Narayanan refuses to carry his passport around because he has been in America for 53 years and he is an American. He thanked the speakers for coming forward during Open Podium. If there is anything legal that the Council can do to help, they will try to do it. Toomey concurred with Narayanan and said the Council will do whatever it can to help. She thanked the speakers for coming to Open Podium. It is frustrating, unbelievable, and she wished things were different. Case said the country is trying to live by the Constitution of the United States. Many people in America feel that the current ICE surges are not abiding by the Constitution. As the states respond, they have to be careful that they follow the Constitution, and courts are weighing in. A few days ago, California passed a no- masking ordinance, and a judge ruled it as illegal. The Council can pass any ordinance they want but if it cannot be enforced, then why pass the ordinance. Polls are showing the majority of Minnesotans want the ICE surge to stop. The State is not going to get that when dealing with the federal government, which is more powerful. Inflaming and escalating things with ICE will not stop the surge. Case has been in meetings with a Coalition group of more than 20 suburban Mayors. Things are moving in the right direction to get the ICE surge to end. His concerns as Mayor are what happens after the ICE surge is over. Relationships with the immigrant community, schools, and the economy are deeply damaged and will take months, if not years, to recover. The story that has not been told is the value of the 10 million undocumented immigrants in America who have been here for 30 years working hard, making money, and paying Social Security. Removing them suddenly makes the economy collapse as there is no one to replace the jobs those immigrants held. There needs to be an immigration reform bill that keeps pathways for the 10 million undocumented immigrants CITY COUNCIL MEETING APPROVED MINUTES February 10, 2026 across the United States. While he is angry, he will not inflame and escalate things because he wants the surge to end. Eden Prairie could pass an ordinance as suggested, but every ICE agent can legally go into any public space in the United States. Case would not want Eden Prairie Police Officers to try to enforce something like that and cause a constitutional crisis. City Staff are working hard on this issue and talking through everything they can that can help. It may not be the pathway that some residents want, but there will be resolution on this. The City will send a communication piece later this week to keep residents informed about what City Staff are doing to resolve this. Case thanked the six speakers who came to Open Podium this evening for sharing their stories. Toomey added that Council Members have been working with nonprofits in the community to help. Case noted the people on the front lines are PROP, the PROP Shop, the School District, and the Council, who are in regular communication with Josh Swanson, who is the Superintendent. The Council has offered financial assistance to PROP as they try to meet the needs of the community, and use some of the City’s Local Affordable Housing Aid funds to help out those affected by the ICE surge. B. Report of City Manager C. Report of Community Development Director D. Report of Parks and Recreation Director E. Report of Public Works Director F. Report of Police Chief G. Report of Fire Chief H. Report of City Attorney XIV. Other Business XV. Adjournment XVI. MOTION: Narayanan moved, seconded by Freiberg, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 4-0. Mayor Case adjourned the meeting at 8:08 p.m. CITY COUNCIL MEETING APPROVED MINUTES February 10, 2026 Respectfully Submitted, ________________________ Sara Potter, Administrative Support Specialist