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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 06/16/2026Eden Prairie City Council Approved Meeting Minutes 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 16, 2026 City Center 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, and City Attorney Maggie Neuville MEETING AGENDA I. Call the Meeting to Order Mayor Case called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. All Council Members were present. II. Pledge of Allegiance III. Open Podium Invitation IV. Proclamations and Presentations A. City Government Academy Graduation Getschow explained City Government Academy is a free, six-week program offering Eden Prairie residents a behind-the-scenes look at how the City operates. Each week, a different Department is spotlighted while participants tour facilities, meet staff and learn about municipal government. The City Government Academy Class of 2026 completed the Academy in May. Council Members presented graduation diplomas, and participants shared words about the program. V. Approval of Agenda and Other Items of Business MOTION: Toomey moved, seconded by Narayanan to approve the agenda. Motion carried 5-0. CITY COUNCIL UNAPPROVED MEETING MINUTES June 16, 2026 VI. Minutes MOTION: Toomey moved, seconded by Narayanan to approve the minutes of the Council workshop held Tuesday, May 19, 2026, and the City Council meeting held Tuesday, May 19, 2026, as published. Motion carried 5-0. VII. Consent Calendar A. Clerk’s List B. Adopt Resolution No. 2026-044 approving participation in the performance measurement program established by Council on local results and innovation C. Adopt Resolution No. 2026-045 and authorize entry into labor agreement with Law Enforcement Labor Services (LELS) for Police Support Staff D. Adopt Resolution No. 2026-046 and authorize entry into labor agreement with Law Enforcement Labor Services (LELS) for Police Dispatch Supervisor and Records Supervisor E. Adopt Resolution No. 2026-047 approving Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Grant Agreement with Hennepin County F. Adopt Resolution No. 2026-048 approving Tax Increment Financing special legislation G. Adopt Resolution No. 2026-049 approving Village Woods Minor subdivision H. Award contract for the 2026 County Road 62 Trail rehabilitation project to Aslakson’s Services Inc. I. Approve one-year lease extension for Riley Lake Park Rental House with Nathan Lovas and Autumn Brown Lovas J. Approve partnership agreement with T-Fiber for the July 3 and 4 Hometown Celebration K. Approve partnership agreement with Veridian Credit Union for the July 3 and 4 Hometown Celebration L. Approve contract for goods and services for one set of rescue (extrication) tools with Clarey’s Safety Equipment M. Approve purchase of Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) and associated equipment from Lifeline Incorporated CITY COUNCIL UNAPPROVED MEETING MINUTES June 16, 2026 N. Approve agreement authorizing Segal Company to complete compensation analysis and market study for City positions O. Approve software as a service agreement for public safety applications primarily used by the Police and Fire Departments with Tyler Technologies P. Approve Change Order No. 1 for the Dorenkemper House project bathroom addition with Hamburg Builders Group Q. Reauthorize contract for construction of Sanitary Sewer Lift Station No. 16 control panel R. Approve professional services agreement for Climate Action and Adaptation Plan update with LHB, Inc. S. Approve 2027 vehicle and equipment replacement purchasing T. Approve 2026-2028 Metropolitan Council Clean Water Fund grant agreement U. Approve professional services agreement for 2026 traffic signal improvements with SRF V. Approve professional services agreement for backflow prevention device inspection and management services with HydroCorp, Inc. W. Approve construction agreement for streetlighting services with Xcel Energy X. Approve addition of Government Experience Agent (GXA) to City website and term extension of Granicus, LLC subscription agreement MOTION: Narayanan moved, seconded by Nelson to approve Items A-X on the Consent Calendar. Motion carried 5-0. VIII. Public Hearings and Meetings A. Prairie Bluff Commons by US Home, LLC. Adopt Resolution No. 2026-050 for a Comprehensive Plan amendment from Office to Medium Density Residential on 23.59 acres and from Office to Low Density Residential on 4.82 acres; adopt Resolution No. 2026-051 for a Planned Unit Development concept plan review; Approve first reading of an Ordinance for a Planned Unit Development district review with waivers and zoning district change from Office to RM-6.5 on 23.59 acres and from Office to R1-9.5 on 4.82 acres; Adopt Resolution No. 2026-052 for a Preliminary Plat; Adopt Resolution No. 2026-053 for findings of fact in support of Park Dedication Fees CITY COUNCIL UNAPPROVED MEETING MINUTES June 16, 2026 Getschow explained the applicant is requesting approval to redevelop the property at 14800 Charlson Road and the unaddressed vacant parcel to its northwest. Together, the parcels total 28.41 acres. The property at 14800 Charlson Drive is 16.74 acres, and there has been an office building on the property for nearly 20 years. Today the building is vacant, and the applicant is proposing to redevelop the site with 90 owner-occupied townhomes and 16 single-family lots. The parcel to the northwest is 11.67 acres and is currently undeveloped. The Applicant is proposing to develop 76 owner-occupied townhomes on the parcel. There will be a total of 182 units. The applicant, Josh Metzer, of Lennar Homes, 16355 36th Avenue North, Plymouth, Minnesota, introduced himself. One of the site’s C.H. Robinson office buildings on the corner of Flying Cloud Drive and Charleson Road would be demolished to make room for townhomes and villas. The project will include landscaping between buildings and preserved trees and ponds. There will be window glazing to reduce noise due to the nearby airport. Each townhome will have three bedrooms with 1,750 square feet, and the villas will range in size from two to three bedrooms, and 1,550 square feet to 3,275 square feet. The entire community will be maintained by an HOA. Narayanan asked if the HOA would also maintain the villas. Metzer confirmed the HOA will maintain the villas. Metzer added all the villas will include EV-ready garages for electric vehicles and will be solar panel-ready. There will be open space with a proposed playground, dog park, and trails that run between the villas and townhomes. The timeline for the project includes demolition of one of the C.H. Robinson office buildings and grading the street. Some utility and street construction will begin this fall. Full buildout of the project is estimated to take five to six years. Case asked if all the roads in the development will be built prior to completion, or if the only exit will be to head east to Charleston and out. Metzer confirmed the plan will not include a road to exit west until phase three is built. Vicki Pellar Price, 15487 Junegrass Lane, noted she has concerns about Liatris Lane being used as a thoroughfare for construction crews. Liatris Lane ends at Gate J on Charleson Road, and during airport events, the road gets very congested. There are other roads construction could use to access Charleson Road from two different points. The concern is not about the development but about safety for pedestrians who live there, as well as traffic. MOTION: Nelson moved, seconded by Narayanan to close the Public Hearing. Motion carried 5-0. CITY COUNCIL UNAPPROVED MEETING MINUTES June 16, 2026 Toomey asked what kind of windows would be used in the development to uphold sound standards near the airport. Metzer stated the development would use a standard window with glazing to keep sound out. He will provide window specifications to staff if needed. Residents will be required to sign a disclosure confirming they understand the impact of living near an airport. Community Development Director Julie Klima added the development agreement will include language requiring windows of a certain standard to be installed to mitigate noise from the airport, and residents will sign a sound disclosure. Toomey asked if residents will have the option for additional upgrades for noise reduction. Metzer noted residents would have to do those additional upgrades on their own. Toomey stated she has concerns residents may not understand the reality of living near an airport. Narayanan asked if the developers held a neighborhood meeting and heard any feedback. Metzer noted there was a neighborhood meeting, 424 notices were sent out, with five households attending the meeting. Feedback was regarding trail usage and amenities, traffic, and information related to purchasing property. Narayanan asked if the City did a traffic study for this development. Public Works Director Robert Ellis confirmed a traffic study was done. This proposed development generates an estimated 89 vehicles going in and out during morning peak hours, and an estimated 100 vehicles during evening peak hours. The previous office building on this site generated three times the amount of traffic. The study estimated Liatris Lane will see more traffic with 27 additional vehicles in morning peak hours, and 30 additional vehicles in the evening peak hours. The study found the roads used can continue to operate without any major concerns with additional traffic. Case asked if a new exit onto Charleson would be built if the northeast corner of this parcel is developed. Ellis confirmed if the parcel develops, he assumes there would be a new street to provide more access. Case added traffic will not be impacted for two to three years, and the full impact of the development will not be felt for five years. Narayanan asked if the developers had thought of doing fully solar roofs on the townhomes. Metzer noted it is not something that has been considered in Minnesota. Narayanan thanked the developers for making the villas EV-ready so residents do not have to spend thousands to install them themselves. CITY COUNCIL UNAPPROVED MEETING MINUTES June 16, 2026 Nelson asked if residents can contact the developer if the HOA does not do its job or greatly increases the price. Metzer noted Lennar Homes has two HOA managers who work with HOA members until fully taken over by the residents. There will also be management companies to manage each HOA, with two full- time Lennar Homes staff members. Nelson asked if Lennar Homes has seen residents not comply with HOA rules or the HOA not enforcing rules. Metzer stated he has not seen residents ignore or HOA’s not enforce the bylaws. Case stated the Council received a letter from HOA President John Miller with concerns about traffic, the conservation area (which is City-owned and maintained), and trespassing in the playground and pool area. The letter was quite positive in general, and the Council should feel comfortable with approval. Toomey stated her appreciation for leaving the remaining trees in the development. MOTION: Toomey moved, seconded by Narayanan to adopt Resolution No. 2026-050 for a Comprehensive Plan Amendment from Office to Medium Density Residential on 23.59 acres and from Office to Low Density Residential on 4.82 acres; and adopt Resolution No. 2026-051 for a Planned Unit Development concept plan review on 28.41 acres; and approve the first reading of an Ordinance for a Planned Unit Development district review with waivers on 28.41 acres and a zoning district change from Office to RM-6.5 on 23.59 acres and from Office to R1-9.5 on 4.82 acres; and adopt Resolution No. 2026-52 for a preliminary plat of 28.41 acres into 166 lots for the townhome units, 16 lots for the single-family units, nine lots for common open space and eight out lots; and adopt Resolution No. 2026-053 for findings of fact in support of park dedication fees; and direct Staff to prepare a Development Agreement for Prairie Bluff Commons incorporating Staff and Council conditions. Motion carried 5-0. B. Code Amendment – Data Centers. Approve First Reading of Ordinance to add language in the zoning code regulating Data Centers. Getschow explained the proposed amendment to the City Code defines and regulates data centers. The Ordinance includes a definition and the appropriate zoning district in which such use is allowed and establishes reasonable regulations to preserve community interests. Klima explained this is an emerging land use many cities are addressing. This amendment would provide direction to any potential data center developers of Eden Prairie's expectations. To date, the City has not received any inquiries about potential data centers. CITY COUNCIL UNAPPROVED MEETING MINUTES June 16, 2026 Klima continued there is concern around noise, water, and electrical impacts with data centers. The City is not in a position where data centers can be prohibited, but there can be regulations put in place to mitigate impacts. In the draft Ordinance Staff will address location, alignment with climate action, sustainability priorities, impact on neighboring properties, water impacts, and renewable energy sources. The Ordinance defines data centers will be permitted for use in the I-Gen zoning district, which includes larger sites, and provides clarity on safety and standards. Standards include a 700-foot buffer from any mechanical equipment, right of way, residential use, and would have to connect to City water with a closed-loop cooling system. Staff will have the opportunity to impose any conditions or requirements as part of the Ordinance to mitigate concerns coming from the specific use of a data center or project. Narayanan asked if there should be a restriction on how close a data center can be to the airport. Klima noted staff did not see any impact on the airport, but the City has a joint airport zoning Ordinance addressing the primary concerns of building height and airspace. Freiberg asked why data centers have become such a hot topic in so many communities. Narayanan noted data centers did not need as much capacity previously. Today, companies like Amazon are building large-scale data centers, which consume a lot of energy and produce a lot of pollution. Toomey asked if data centers would be allowed to drill their own wells. Klima confirmed the Ordinance is written to require data centers to connect to City water. Case added in big data centers, water and electricity usage are inversely proportional to each other, and getting both less water and electricity usage is not possible. Recent reports estimate 50 percent of all electric usage in the United States will be in data centers in 10 years. The question will not be if, but where to put data centers, so it is smart to be proactive with this Ordinance. Vicki Pellar Price, 15487 Junegrass Lane, noted people are not happy about data centers being in their communities, and whatever the Council is going to do, she would probably agree with. MOTION: Narayanan moved, seconded by Nelson to close the Public Hearing. Motion carried 5-0. Nelson asked if the City can limit how much water a data center can use from the City per year. Ellis noted there is currently not a prohibition on the maximum amount of City water used, but the Ordinance would ban drilling for a new well. CITY COUNCIL UNAPPROVED MEETING MINUTES June 16, 2026 Narayanan stated he used to be responsible for 24 data centers, and all of them did not have to use water for cooling. Electricity use should be a more important concern. MOTION: Narayanan moved, seconded by Toomey to approve the first reading of an Ordinance for code amendments related to data centers. Motion carried 5-0. IX. Payment of Claims MOTION: Freiberg moved, seconded by Nelson to approve the payment of claims as submitted. Motion was approved on a roll call vote, with Freiberg, Nelson, Narayanan, Toomey, and Case voting “aye.” X. Ordinances and Resolutions XI. Petitions, Requests, and Communications XII. Appointments A. Students on Commissions Getschow explained the Students on Commissions program is a great way for students to contribute to their community in an official capacity while gaining valuable insight about municipal government. Applications for students on Commission positions were accepted from mid-April to the end of May. There were 47 applications received this year, and there were more applicants than spots available on the Commissions. Commission staff liaisons reviewed the applications, and the appointment recommendations are based on the students' stated commission preferences and the quality of their applications. An orientation session will be held in late August. Student Commission member terms begin in September 2026 and run through May 2027. MOTION: Toomey moved to appoint to the Flying Cloud Airport Advisory Commission: Brayton Bahner, Shikha Mahendrakar, Liam Kremer, Nitesh Amin, Jiya Nair, and Majda Ahmed; MOTION: Narayanan moved to appoint to the Heritage Preservation Commission: Kensley McQuillan, Evan Ebert, Medha Ganjam, Oindri Bagchi, Aishah Alam; MOTION: Case moved to appoint to the Human Rights and Diversity Commission: Gatrika Ravella, Safiya Mohamed, Roshini Drakshapally, Siri Bachigari, Anjolaoluwa Raimi, Ryan Altawil, Ikra Ibrahim; CITY COUNCIL UNAPPROVED MEETING MINUTES June 16, 2026 MOTION: Nelson moved to appoint to the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission: Lyla Stidger, Bryce Dennison, Alex Hoyt, John Melchior, Ruwaida Warsame, Kai Schmitt, Seth Gilligan; MOTION: Freiberg moved to appoint to the Sustainability Commission: Yash Gupta, Himaja Gunturi, Avni Maheshwari, Rose Wicks, Bonarissa Lobo, Jhansi Senthilkumar, Aarav Gupta, Ipshita Tiwari; seconded by Nelson. Motion carried 5-0. XIII. Reports A. Report of Council Members B. Report of City Manager C. Report of Community Development Director D. Report of Parks and Recreation Director 1. July 3 and 4 Hometown Celebration Parks and Recreation Director Amy Markle provided an update on the July 3 and July 4 Hometown Celebration. There will be Sparkle Fest at Round Lake Park on July 3, from 6 to 10:30 p.m. with a concert, food trucks, World Cup viewing, drone show, and dance party. On July 4 at Round Lake Park from 4 to 11 p.m. there will be another concert, food trucks, World Cup viewing, beer garden, and a T-6 aerial flyover. The fireworks show will begin at 10 p.m. Transportation will be available via Southwest Transit. 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 MOTION: Freiberg moved, seconded by Toomey to adjourn the meeting at 8:46 PM. Motion carried 5-0. CITY COUNCIL UNAPPROVED MEETING MINUTES June 16, 2026 Respectfully Submitted, ___________________ Sara Potter, Administrative Support Specialist