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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 02/20/2001 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE CITY COUNCIL TUESDAY,FEBRUARY 20,2001 7:00 PM, CITY CENTER Council Chamber 8080 Mitchell Road CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Jean Harris, Councilmembers Sherry Butcher, Ronald Case, Jan Mosman, and Nancy Tyra-Lukens CITY COUNCIL STAFF: City Manager Chris Enger, Parks & Recreation Services Director Bob Lambert, Public Safety Director Jim Clark, Public Works Services Director Eugene Dietz, Community Development and Financial Services Director Don Uram, Management Services Director Natalie Swaggert, City Attorney Ric Rosow and Council Recorder Peggy Rasmussen I. ROLL CALL/CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER Mayor Harris called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. Councilmember Tyra-Lukens was absent. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE III. PRESENTATION TO MAYOR JEAN HARRIS OF CHARLES DEBONO COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER AWARD Mary Jane Wissner from the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce presented Mayor Jean Harris with the Charles DeBono Volunteer Appreciation Award. Wissner said the criteria for the award to be presented to a member of the Chamber of Commerce is to have exhibited a strong commitment and dedication to the organization in a volunteer capacity, exhibited staying power, implemented new programming, served as a role model for volunteerism, and made a positive impact on the Chamber and/or the Eden Prairie community in his or her volunteer role. It was given to Mayor Harris because she is a unique and treasured volunteer who can inspire and motivate other volunteers and make them feel appreciated. She has implemented programs that have far-reaching effects in the community. Mayor Harris has been active in the Chamber of Commerce since 1987, served on the Chamber's Government Affairs Committee and on its Board of Directors. She also helped the Chamber organize Government Day for the "Leadership Eden Prairie"program. Mayor Harris's volunteer activities in the community include serving on the board of the Eden Prairie Foundation,being a founding member of the Healthy Eden Prairie Initiative, a member of the Eden Prairie Rotary Club, and an honorary member of the Eden Prairie A Better Chance Foundation. Dr. Harris was appointed by Governor Carlson to the Commission on Reform and Efficiency in State Government and to the Judicial Selection Committee. She served on a special task force with Governor Ventura to assist with appointment of his State Commissioners and also served on a task force to designate usage of the tobacco lawsuit settlement. She has served on the boards of Alli.na Foundation, Health System Minnesota, the Great Lakes Higher Education Corporation, the Minnesota Women's Economic Roundtable, Women's Health Leadership Trust, the Greater Minneapolis Girl Scout Council,the Children's Theater and the United Way. CITY COUNCIL AEU*4=S February 20,2001 Page 2 Dr. Harris served first as a Councilmember and now as Mayor of Eden Prairie. As Mayor, she hosted an executive forum in which Eden Prairie business leaders were invited to discuss their priority issues, and they recognized transportation as the number one issue for all Eden Prairie constituents. Since then, she has taken a leadership role to oversee transit and roadway improvements for the Golden Triangle and Industrial Park, and has made a strong commitment to work with County and State officials on other major intersections and road access issues. Mary Jane Wissner said the Chamber sincerely appreciates Mayor Harris's unselfish gift of her time. Mayor Harris thanked the Chamber of Commerce for the award and said there is nothing more heartwarming than recognition from her peers. IV. COUNCIL FORUM INVITATION Mayor Harris said Council Forum is held the first and third Tuesdays of the month from 6:30—6:55 p.m. in Heritage Room II. This will be scheduled time following City Council Workshops and immediately preceding regular City Council Meetings. It is important if you wish to visit with the City Council and Service Area Directors at this time that you notify the City Manager's office by noon of the meeting date with your request. V. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND OTHER ITEMS OF BUSINESS Butcher added a report on the leadership conference she attended and Case added a question on the status of two potential task forces, both under XIV.A. Reports of Councihmembers. MOTION: Mosman moved, seconded by Case to approve the agenda as published and amended. Motion carried 4-0. VI. MINUTES A. COUNCIL WORKSHOP HELD TUESDAY,FEBRUARY 6,2001 MOTION: Mosman moved, seconded by Case, to approve the minutes of the Council Workshop held Tuesday, February 6, 2001, as published. Motion carried 4-0. B. CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD TUESDAY,FEBRUARY 6,2001 Butcher made a correction on page 5. Under the presentation by Libby Hargrove, the third sentence should read "Along the north side of the townhomes . . ." Butcher made a correction on page 9, the second paragraph from the bottom, which should read "Butcher said she had a problem with the location of the units near Highway 212; one unit is 85 feet from the road. She would like to see both units moved down to the core group and a buffer left between the core group and Highway 212." CITY COUNCIL MrII T ES February 20,2001 Page 3 Case made a correction on page 10, the first paragraph, which should read "Case said, regarding the wetland issue, he believed they should keep the NURP pond and have it placed by staff, even if it is in an area where wetland must be mitigated." Case deleted the first sentence in the second paragraph on page 19. The paragraph would then begin"Case said the Council needs the input. . ." Mayor Harris made a correction on page 13, in the last paragraph to read " . . . Mosman is serving on the 212 Highway Corridor Committee . . ." She corrected the fourth sentence of the second paragraph on page 15 to read "However, she could be part of the Council's conversation about the City Manager's work based on the results of the evaluation forms." The fourth sentence in the sixth paragraph should read"She said Councilmember Mosman could participate in the discussion and vote based on the figures other councilmembers have on their evaluations." The fourth sentence of the seventh paragraph should read "Enger said it was his understanding that the Council may only change the following year's process . . ." Mosman made a correction on page 14, the second sentence in the second paragraph under the report on the I-494 Corridor Commission, which should read "Mayor Harris will be attending after the Congress of Cities." MOTION: Case moved, seconded by Butcher, to approve the minutes of the City Council Meeting held Tuesday,February 6, 2001, as published and amended. Motion carried 4-0. C. SPECIAL MEETING ON FLYING CLOUD AIRPORT HELD SATURDAY,FEBRUARY 10,2001 Mosman made a correction on page 3,under the presentation by Kim Vohs, in the sixth line from the bottom of the page the pronoun should be"He",not"She." MOTION: Butcher moved, seconded by Case, to approve the minutes of the Special Meeting on Flying Cloud Airport held Saturday, February 10, 2001, as published and amended. Motion carried 4-0. VII. CONSENT CALENDAR A. CLERK'S LICENSE LIST B. AZTEC TOWN OFFICE PARK by DaVern, Inc. 2nd Reading for Planned Unit Development District Review on 4.46 acres, Zoning District Change from Rural to Office on 4.46 acres, and Site Plan Review on 4.46 acres. Location: Aztec Drive. (Ordinance No. 7-2001-PUD-3-2001 for Zoning District Change and Resolution No.2001-33 for Site Plan Review) C. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2001-34 AUTHORIZING APPLICATION TO MNDOT FOR LANDSCAPE IMPROVEMENT FUNDS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES February 20,2001 Page 4 D. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2001-35 AUTHORIZING APPLICATION FOR STATE NATURAL AND SCENIC AREA GRANT FOR BIRCH ISLAND WOODS E. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2001-36 AUTHORIZING SUBMITTAL OF THE 2001 RESIDENTIAL RECYCLING FUNDING POLICY GRANT F. ADOPT A RESOLUTION NO. 2001-37 AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AN AGREEMENT FOR THE 2001 MUNICIPAL WASTE ABATEMENT INCENTIVE FUND GRANT PROGRAM G. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2001-38 AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF TWO AGREEMENTS FOR THE 2001 MUNICIPAL WASTE ABATEMENT INCENTIVE FUND GRANT PROGRAM H. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2001-39 REJECTING BIDS FOR REROOFING AT EDEN WOOD CAMP AND ORDER CONTRACTING PURSUANT TO MINNESOTA STATUTES SECTION 471.345 I. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2001-40 DECLARING "ABANDONED PROPERTY" MOTION: Case moved, seconded by Butcher, to approve Items A-I on the Consent Calendar. Motion carried 4-0. VIII. PUBLIC HEARINGS /MEETINGS IX. PAYMENT OF CLAIMS MOTION: Butcher moved, seconded by Case, to approve the Payment of Claims. Motion was approved on a roll call vote, with Butcher, Case, Mosman and Harris voting"aye." X. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS A. FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CITY CODE CHAPTER 2,RELATING TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS Enger said staff and the City Attorney have modified the Ordinance to reflect current City Council direction regarding membership and appointment to the Flying Cloud Airport Advisory Commission. The change in the City Code would allow two members of the Flying Cloud Airport Advisory Commission, appointed by the Council, to not be required to be representatives of the Flying Cloud Businessman's Association but rather represent the interests of the Flying Cloud Airport businesses; and not be required to be residents of Eden Prairie. In addition, four members appointed by the Council would be required to be residents of Eden Prairie and represent the community's interest. CITY COUNCIL NHNUJTES February 20,2001 Page 5 MOTION: Case moved, seconded by Butcher, to approve the lst Reading of an Ordinance amending City Code Chapter 2, relating to Boards and Commissions. Motion carried 4-0. XI. PETITIONS,REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS A. SOUTHWEST BUSWAY STUDY PRESENTATION Enger said representatives from Metro Transit have asked permission to present plans to conduct a feasibility study for a dedicated busway between Minneapolis and Eden Prairie. Derek Crider, Chief of Staff for Metro Transit, said he was representing the General Manager at this meeting. He reviewed the busway study. One of the key issues in the feasibility study is public involvement. In January 2001 the Metro Council adopted the year 2020 plan. In October 2000 environmental studies and preliminary engineering were completed for the Riverview busway corridor. Scoping and alternatives identification was completed for the Northwest and Southwest busway corridor. The key issue is funding. The 2000 Legislative Session identified$44 million for the Riverview Corridor, with $6.3 million appropriated for Planning Studies for the other corridors and$2.1 million allocated to each corridor by the Metropolitan Council, one being the Southwest corridor. They will follow the federal process in order to be eligible for federal funding. Currently they are doing systems planning and afterward will go into preliminary engineering, followed by final design and construction. Interim approvals are required from the Federal Transit Administration in order to proceed with preliminary engineering and final engineering. Metro Transit needs to be eligible to compete with other projects in the area for federal funding. They have to meet many criteria to receive a high project rating, by justifying the project and having the financial commitment to function and operate. They would then receive a rating from the federal government to proceed. Mr. Crider showed the Southwest Corridor alignment options. Metro Transit is considering a corridor from downtown Minneapolis to Eden Prairie. The Hennepin County railroad right-of-way corridor will be under study as the busway corridor. They need to determine potential customers' needs for transit. Then they will identify specific alternatives and the environmental issues will be assessed. Transit and busways will not solve all the transportation problems in the metro area but within corridors could provide specific improvement. At this stage, Metro Transit is looking for public involvement. Open houses and workshops have been used in the past. The Mr. Crider said he would ask the Council for recommendations on how to get input from the public. CITY COUNCIL MrsaMS February 20,2001 Page 6 The current objective is to develop the scope of work for a consultant, after which they will issue a Request for Proposals. The study schedule calls for completing the scoping study by January 2002, the environmental impact analysis and preliminary engineering by July 2003, the final design by August 2004, and to initiate construction in September 2004. Mayor Harris asked if the Hennepin County railroad corridor is the proposed busway corridor. Mr. Crider said that is the baseline and from that they will be looking at other alternatives, including T.H. 169, I-494, and T.H. 100 or a combination of those. Mayor Harris asked how they would coordinate or interface with the Southwest Metro Transit, because one of those potential routes appears to come right by the Southwest Metro Transit station. Mr. Crider said consideration is being given to having Southwest Metro use reconstructed lanes or shoulder lanes along I-494 to bring their buses up to the proposed corridor. Shoulder lanes can be dedicated for buses along T.H. 169 up to the busway corridor. Mayor Harris asked about co-existence of the pedestrian/bike trails and the busway. Mr. Crider said where the trail is wider it is easy to accommodate the pedestrian/bike trail; however, in other areas they need a wider right-of-way than would have been needed for light rail, and they will need to look into that. The busway won't preclude pedestrian or bike traffic,however. Case asked what role Metro Transit sees the Council playing in this process. Is the Council's approval required in addition to financial support? Mr. Crider said the Council would be asked to give Metro Transit input on what it wants included in the study. There may be some special issues the Council wants the Metro Transit to look at. Environmental areas will be examined with the feasibility study. Regarding financial support, Metro Transit is looking for funding from the State, but they also want equal funding from the Federal Transit Administration's "New Starts" funding. Mosman stated the Hennepin County railroad corridor has been used as a bike and pedestrian trail in recent years. People may have purchased their property because it was close to those trails. They didn't know there might be bus fumes to contend with, and they may be concerned about that. Mosman asked if the buses could be electrically powered. Mr. Crider responded there is a diesel/electric hybrid bus that would be feasible, and is state-of-the-art. Regarding use of the corridor by Metro Transit, that corridor was acquired for light rail, and in the interim the County put in a bike and pedestrian trail. People have forgotten it could be used for something else in the future. Mosman asked about use of the road during times other than rash hour. Mr. Crider responded 40 years from now there may be need for all-day service,but for now it would just be used for peak rush hours. In addition to providing parking at the Southwest Metro Transit facility, in the future they may want to consider having other park-and- ride lots adjacent to the bus corridor, so there may be good reason to preserve the right-of-way for that purpose. CITY COUNCIL NETWTES February 20,2001 Page 7 Butcher said Eden Prairie has a very active citizenry, and she urged the Metro Transit to include them in discussions as soon as the early study is done. She asked if the Metro Transit would send out letters to residents. Mr. Crider said they hire a consultant, and one of the tasks is to involve the public. Metro Transit would want to know what procedures the City uses for holding public meetings, locations,who to invite, etc. They will coordinate with the City in this regard. Case asked when they would be coming back to the Council with more information. Mr. Crider said in about two weeks, when they complete the scope of work with the consultant. At that time they will have a draft for the Council to review. Dietz said he believed the Metro Transit representatives would want to know if the Council has any strong opinions about the process, and how public involvement might happen. This appears to be similar to what the City does for highway projects, holding open houses, workshops, etc. Perhaps a task force should be formed. Butcher asked how Metro Transit plans to target people when sending out a mailing. Would it just be sent to those living along the corridor where the bus route would be located? There may be others who would want to be involved. Mr. Crider said they would lean heavily on their public involvement consultant to answer these questions. Butcher asked Enger if information on this project could be included in a City- wide mailing. Enger replied there could be several ways to provide information. It could be put on the City's Web site or in the community newsletter, as well as using the local newspaper. Mayor Harris said when this first draft comes back in two weeks they would hope to give Metro Transit both traditional and unique avenues to obtain public input. Mr. Crider replied the public needs to know how and when they can give their input. Workshops can be very helpful. Mayor Harris wondered if the Metro Transit could have a link to the City's Web site to transmit information to the public on a continuing basis. In addition, the local newspaper is extremely well read in the community. She asked if they were planning to establish a task force. Mr. Crider replied it would be helpful if they could get a group of people who will give them information, ideas and comment. Mayor Harris said the Council would like to reserve action on that idea. Butcher said she would like to see information available at the library or at the City Center. The City has found that the more avenues used to disburse information, the better. Mr. Crider responded they would appreciate the opportunity of using a kiosk or information stand at the City Center. Mosman said we have talked in the past about how to get neighborhood involvement and citizen opinions. She recommended having block captains or neighborhood representatives who would be willing to go around the CITY COUNCIL NIINUTES February 20,2001 Page 8 neighborhood or e-mail the neighbors, in order to get people to come to meetings to express their opinions. Perhaps that is something the Council should pursue. Case said perhaps when the Metropolitan Council or Hennepin County comes to hold a public meeting, it could be publicized as one of the Council's meetings, and the Council could also be involved. B. VALLEY VIEW CORPORATE CENTER Enger said the developer is considering a plan revision for a smaller building. The site plan and building elevation show a one-story, 75,000 square foot building. If the City Council finds the concept plan acceptable, then the developer would need to extend the comment period to allow sufficient time for public hearings. The developer is required to appear before the Community Planning Board and City Council for public hearings on the new plan. David Carland, Vice President of Development with CSM, presented the revised plan. Concerns were expressed by the Council and residents of the neighborhood about the main access to the site being on Topview Road. The location of this access resulted from a traffic study, commissioned by CSM, which indicated access on Topview Road would address legitimate traffic concerns. CSM has worked with staff and incorporated changes that they hope will make the project more acceptable to the neighborhood and to the Council. They agreed to the City traffic engineer's recommendations for traffic enhancements, including a right- turn lane and other improvements to help the traffic flow on Topview Road. The company has also agreed to reduce the density of the project. Initially the two- story building was 102,000 square feet, and now it will be a single-story building of 74,000 square feet, or a 25 percent reduction in square footage. There will be a corresponding reduction in the amount of traffic generated. Carland wanted an indication from the Council whether they are on the right track before going through the public hearing process again. Mayor Harris said the main item of concern is the traffic flow, which was addressed in the staff memo. This is something that can be reviewed again as CSM goes through the process. Butcher asked if the developer had shown this revised plan to the neighborhood. Carland replied they plan to do that as part of the process they are starting over. Butcher said it would be a good idea because people had strong feelings about the original plan. Case said the Council would want to look again at the issue of access onto Topview Road. He said he could not support Traffic Engineer Randy Newton's report because he cannot find the rationale for left-in, left-out to the site, and he wanted staff to know that. Carland replied CSM didn't want to connect to Topview, but the traffic consultant told them that was the workable solution. Case said he believed the neighbors want a right-in, right-out access onto Topview from the site, and that makes sense. Left-in, left-out does not. Carland CITY COUNCIL MINUTES February 20,2001 Page 9 said employees going eastbound on Valley View Road onto Topview would need the left-turn from Topview. Mayor Harris said the Council would be looking at this project again when it comes back to the Council, and the positive facts that there will be reduced numbers of people and amount of traffic using Topview Road. XH. REPORTS OF ADVISORY BOARDS & COMMISSIONS XIII. APPOINTMENTS A. APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS The Council interviewed candidates for citizen advisory boards and commissions on February 13. Randy Foote has served two three-year terms on the Planning Commission and one one-year term on the Community Planning Board. Appointment requires unanimous approval of the full Council when a candidate has served two full terms. It will be possible to take action on this at the March 6, 2001 Council meeting, if all Councilmembers are present. Appointment of the Flying Cloud Airport businesses representative as a non-resident member would be contingent on the second reading of the ordinance. MOTION: Butcher moved, seconded by Case, to appoint to the Community Planning Board Fred Seymour — Term to expire 3/31/2004; and Paul Sodt (pending his resignation from the Parks and Recreation Citizen Advisory Commission effective 3/31/2001)—Term to expire 3/31/2004. Motion carried 4-0. MOTION: Case moved, seconded by Butcher, to appoint to the Board of Appeals and Adjustments Ismail Ismail and Greg Olson — Terms to expire 3/31/2004. Motion carried 4-0. MOTION: Butcher moved, seconded by Case, to appoint to the Heritage Preservation Commission Betsy Adams — Term to expire 3/31/2004. Motion carried 4-0. MOTION: Mosman moved, seconded by Case, to appoint to the Community Program Board Harry Moran (Human Rights and Diversity Citizen Advisory Commission Chair) and Kim Teaver (Parks and Recreation Citizen Advisory Commission Chair) — Terms to expire 3/31/2002; and Therese Benkowski and Jeffrey Gerst—Terms to expire 3/31/2004. Motion carried 4-0. MOTION: Case moved, seconded by Butcher, to appoint to the Human Rights and Diversity Citizen Advisory Commission Balu Iyer and Jodi Malmquist — Terms to expire 3/31/2002; and Holly Clynch and Harry Moran—Terms to expire 3/31/2004. Motion carried 4-0. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES February 20,2001 Page 10 MOTION: Butcher moved, seconded by Case, to appoint to the Parks and Recreation Citizen Advisory Commission John Murray — Term to expire 3/31/2002; Rob Barrett and Philip Wright — Terms to expire 3/31/2003; David Larson and Trish Swanson—Terms to expire 3/31/2004. Motion carried 4-0. MOTION: Mosman moved, seconded by Butcher, to appoint to the Flying Cloud Airport Advisory Commission Gary Demee and Jeff Larsen (Residents-at- Large) —Terms to expire 3/31/2004; and Mitch Anderson—Flying Cloud Airport businesses representative (pending Council approval of amendments to City Code Section 2.27 relating to membership and appointment to the Flying Cloud Airport Advisory Commission)—Term to expire 3/31/2004. Motion carried 4-0. XIV. REPORTS OF OFFICERS A. REPORTS OF COUNCH MEMBERS 1. Leadership Conference—Report by Councilmember Butcher Butcher said the Leadership Conference was held locally by the League of Minnesota Cities. She attended the session for experienced councilmembers,which focused on preparing for the future challenges that councils and administrations face, and the tools needed for these two partners to create successful outcomes. They concentrated on strategic governments, e-commerce and e-government, including a "Council Chat Room." The most important segment was delivered by Carl Neu, a former councilmember from Colorado, who is a well-respected consultant to municipalities, county and state governments. He emphasized development of strategic leadership and truly effective governance. Home-grown government has acted more responsibly than any other government level. Mr. Neu states that over the past 15 years virtually every initiative in performance and governance has originated at the city level. Butcher said it is our primary responsibility, as local government officials, to keep this local momentum alive and realize the fullest potential of our communities through leadership and stewardship. Mr. Neu has a very clear methodology for attaining effective government and his discussion was excellent. Mosman attended a session for new councilmembers, which focused more on technical issues, terms, and financial and legal help for the novice. She also heard Mr.Neu speak. Mayor Harris said she was very impressed with Carl Neu in presentations she has heard him make in the past. She requested that staff find out if Mr. Neu could make a presentation on Council effectiveness or planning at the Council Workshop on March 20, or whenever he is available. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES February 20,2001 Page 11 2. Status of Forming Task Forces—Inquiry by Councilmember Case Case referenced the first Council meeting this year, at which two task forces were proposed. He and Mayor Harris had proposed a Park Historical Facilities and a Capital Improvement Plan Task Force to recommend how to ensure a balance of needs and protection of historic structures, and Case had proposed a Youth Athletics Task Force to find out what is needed by youth over the next five- to ten years, what that might cost and possible ways to fund it. Case asked if other Councilm.embers agreed it was time to form those task forces. Mayor Harris thanked Councilmember Case for bringing this up. She had asked staff to let the Council know the best way to do this. Enger said he expects the results of the Community Survey will be presented at the March 6 meeting, which largely deals with community leisure programs and facilities and historic and cultural facilities. Council can have a discussion following that on how Councilmembers wish to utilize the survey results and how they want to utilize the existing Program Board or any of the citizen advisory commissions. Enger said he was unclear how that all fits with the use of task forces. He asked for Council direction. Case said he agreed the Program Board and citizen advisory commissions have a role to play, but there is a component missing. The City had not gone out to youth groups and directly asked them what they need from their perspective. Then City resources and the Community Survey could be pulled in. Mayor Harris said it is important to have the big picture that is in the survey and then integrate that with input from special interest groups. She said it all has to come under the umbrella of the CIP. She believed they would need a task force on the CIP in the second quarter of the year. Enger asked if the Council wants to wait until after the March 6 meeting before forming any task forces. Mayor Harris said that is correct. Case said over the fall months several groups involved with the hockey rink issue, football, soccer, etc. indicated there is a shortage of ballfields, and there is a perception that this is a growing problem. He would like these groups to be represented on a task force. It would need four to six months to gather data, then that would come back to the City, to Bob Lambert, and the Program Board. Mayor Harris asked staff to come back with a proposed plan on how to achieve getting the kind of information Councilmember Case wants and how to address the whole CIP. CITY COUNCIL NHNUTES February 20,2001 Page 12 Mosman said she would favor setting up the task forces as soon as possible and then utilizing information from the Community Survey. If they don't get set up the Council won't be able to use them prior to adoption of the CIP. They would be focused on one issue for a limited duration. That is why she also proposed some of the task forces. Mayor Harris said the mandate for a task force needs to be defined clearly before moving ahead. 3. Summary of the February 10 Special Council Meeting on Fl fang Cloud Airport Expansion—Report of Mayor Harris Mayor Harris said she was asked to give a general update on the progress in Council's deliberations on the Flying Cloud Airport Expansion by Councilmembers at the February 13 Council Workshop. The reasons past and succeeding City Councils have opposed airport expansion have been based on: (1) Assurances by MAC that the 1979 expansion was the last; (2) Expansion was inconsistent with the City's current land-use plan; (3) Expansion has an adverse economic impact on the City; (4) Concern about increased noise from jet aircraft; (5) Impacts on ground water and surface water. In an effort to obtain any relevant, new information or reasons for opposition, the Council held a special Council meeting on February 10, to which a select and limited number of guests and agencies were invited to present. Following the presentations, Council uniformly agreed that some new, albeit limited, information was presented and additional strategies were suggested. The Councilmembers have taken a position that all options and alternatives be given consideration; regulatory, negotiated, political, environmental and legal, each of which has its pros and cons as well as its unique costs. Evaluation of these options continues. In January of this year, Council mailed the Community Planner, containing the Community Survey, to all households in Eden Prairie. Question 13 of the survey requested residents to identify up to three of the most important issues or challenges the City will face over the next five years, out of ten possible choices. Expansion of Flying Cloud Airport was listed among these choices. Council members directed the City manager to obtain the results of this question so they would have this information in hand as they consider options. Lastly, the Council must also wrestle with the process for engaging the broadest possible cross-section of the public in support of any decision for retaining legal counsel for the purpose of litigation, which could be both prolonged and expensive. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES February 20,2001 Page 13 In summary: (1) The February 10 meeting provided new information and new ideas, options and alternatives for opposing the airport expansion. (2) The Council is currently engaged in evaluating these options and strategies. (3) Initial information from the Community Survey is awaited and will be incorporated into Council deliberations and decisions. B. REPORT OF CITY MANAGER C. REPORT OF PARKS AND RECREATION SERVICES DIRECTOR 1. Contract for Consultant to the Purgatory Creek Recreation Area Task Force Lambert reported that the Purgatory Creek Recreation Area Task Force met and interviewed two consulting groups for the purpose of making a recommendation to the Council for a consultant that will guide the task force. The two groups were SRF Consulting Group Inc. and URS-BRW Inc. The task force unanimously recommended SRF. SRF provided a proposal to complete concept design as per the Request for Proposal for an amount not to exceed $40,410. That would take the process through the July meeting of the task force, when they would present the concept plan to the City Council. If that is adopted by the Council, the task force would develop plans and specifications for first phase development, beginning in December and finishing in 2002. The City may ask the watershed district to complete the plans. Any work directed beyond concept design would require an addendum to this contract or a new contract. Funding for this work will come from the Tax Increment Finance funds allocated for the Purgatory Creek Recreation Area Project. MOTION: Case moved, seconded by Mosman, to authorize the Mayor and City Manager to enter into a contract for planning and designing services for the Purgatory Creek Recreation Area as per the proposal submitted by SRF Consulting Group Incorporated. Motion carried 4-0. D. REPORT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND FINANCIAL SERVICES DIRECTOR E. REPORT OF PUBLIC WORKS SERVICES DIRECTOR F. REPORT OF PUBLIC SAFETY SERVICES DIRECTOR G. REPORT OF MANAGEMENT SERVICES DIRECTOR CITY COUNCIL MINUTES February 20,2001 Page 14 H. REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY XV. OTHER BUSINESS XVI. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Case moved, seconded by Butcher, to adjourn. Mayor Harris adjourned the meeting at 8:30 p.m.