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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 11/06/2001 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE CITY COUNCIL TUESDAY,NOVEMBER 6, 2001 8:00 PM, CITY CENTER Council Chamber 8080 Mitchell Road CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Jean Harris, Councilmembers Sherry Butcher, Ron Case, Jan Mosman, and Nancy Tyra-Lukens CITY STAFF: City Manager Carl Jullie, Parks & Recreation Services Director Bob Lambert, Public Works Services Director Eugene Dietz, Community Development and Financial Services Director Don Uram, 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 8:05 p.m. H. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE III. 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 H. 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. IV. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND OTHER ITEMS OF BUSINESS Tyra-Lukens and Butcher added Item XIII A.1. Preservation Alliance Award. Mosman added XHI A.2. Watershed District Meeting with Council. Mayor Harris added Item = A.3. Request to Review Potential Ordinance for Expanding the City Council, and Item X1H A.4. Future Economic Development of the City. Jullie added XHI.B.2 Appointment of Two Councilmembers to Assist with City Manager Search Process. Jullie deleted Item N. from VI. Consent Calendar. MOTION: Mosman moved, seconded by Butcher, to approve the agenda as published and amended. Motion carried 5-0. V. MINUTES A. COUNCIL WORKSHOP HELD TUESDAY, OCTOBER 16,2001 MOTION: Case moved, seconded by Mosman, to approve the minutes of the Council Workshop held Tuesday, October 16, 2001, as published. Motion carried 5-0. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES November 6,2001 Page 2 B. CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD TUESDAY, OCTOBER 16,2001 MOTION: Mosman moved, seconded by Butcher, to approve the minutes of the City Council Meeting held Tuesday, October 16, 2001, as published. Motion carried 5-0. VI. CONSENT CALENDAR A. CLERK'S LICENSE LIST B. THE PINES I by The Pines I, LLC. 2nd Reading for Planned Unit Development District Review with waivers on 5.17 acres, Zoning District Amendment within the RM-6.5 Zoning District on 5.17 acres and Site Plan Review on 5.17 acres. Location: Southwest corner of Pioneer Trail and Settlement Drive. (Ordinance No. 36-2001-PUD-25-2001 for PUD District Review and Zoning District Amendment and Resolution No. 2001-160 for Site Plan Review) C. APPROVE SUBDIVISION OF OUTLOT A, CREEK KNOLLS, AND ACCEPT THE GIFT THEREOF FROM CREEK KNOLLS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP D. AUTHORIZE ISSUANCE OF GRADING PERMIT FOR PLACEMENT OF FILL IN THE REAR PORTION OF THE JOE SWANSON RESIDENCE ON PURDY ROAD E. APPROVE TEMPORARY "PERMIT TO CONSTRUCT" FOR MNDOT TO PERFORM CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES WITHIN CITY STORM WATER FACILITIES NORTH OF VIKING DRIVE F. AUTHORIZE GRADING PERMIT TO NORTH AMERICAN PROPERTIES FOR REMOVAL OF EXCESS MATERIAL FROM THE WATER TOWER SITE AND CONSTRUCTION OF SURCHARGES AT SOUTHWEST STATION G. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2001-161 APPROVING PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLE PRE-EMPTION (EVP) ON VARIOUS SIGNALS,I.C. 01-5541 H. AUTHORIZE EXPENDITURES FOR WATER TREATMENT PLANT SECURITY I. APPROVE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH BLACK & VEATCH FOR LIME SLAKER REPLACEMENT PROJECT,I.C. 01-5551 J. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2001-162 REQUESTING MNDOT TO PROVIDE FUNDING THROUGH FY 2003 MUNICIPAL AGREEMENT PROGRAM FOR THE TH 212/PRAIRIE CENTER DRIVE INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS,I.C. 01-5527 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES November 6,2001 Page 3 K. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2001-163 REQUESTING MNDOT TO PROVIDE FUNDING THROUGH THE FY 2003 MUNICIPAL AGREEMENT PROGRAM FOR THE TH 212NALLEY VIEW ROAD INTERCHANGE AREA IMPROVEMENTS,I.C. 01-5543 L. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2001-164 TO APPROVE THE PREMISES PERMIT RENEWAL APPLICATION FOR THE EDEN PRAIRIE HOCKEY ASSOCIATION FOR 01/01/02 THROUGH 12/31/03 M. APPROVE CONTRACT FOR SRF TO PREPARE SCHEMATIC DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS FOR PHASE I OF THE PURGATORY CREEK RECREATION AREA N. ADOPT RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AMENDMENT OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT FOR SUMIVIIT PLACE SENIOR HOUSING DEVELOPMENT O. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2001-165 CHANGING THE PUBLIC HEARING DATE TO DECEMBER 18, 2001, FOR APPROVAL OF AN AMENDED REDEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT AREA NO. 5 AND AMENDMENT OF THE TAX INCREMENT FINANCING PLAN FOR TAX INCREMENT FINANCING DISTRICT NO. 13 MOTION: Butcher moved, seconded by Case, to approve Items A-M and O on the Consent Calendar,with Item N being deleted. Motion carried 5-0. VH. PUBLIC HEARINGS/MEETINGS A. BFI ADDITION by BFI. Request for PUD Concept Amendment on 24.32 acres, PUD District Review on 24.32 acres, Zoning District Amendment within the I-2 Zoning District on 22 acres, Rezoning from Rural to I-2 Park on 2.32 acres, and Site Plan Review on 24.32 acres. Location: 9813 Flying Cloud Drive. (Resolution No. 2001-166 for PUD Concept Review and Ordinance for PUD District Review,Zoning Amendment and Zoning Change) Jullie said official notice of this public hearing was published in the October 25, 2001,Eden Prairie News, and sent to 36 property owners in the project area. David Wiggins, General Manager of BFI, explained the company plans to build a . 6,000-square-foot addition to an existing building at 9813 Flying Cloud Drive for use as a Municipal Solid Waste Transfer Facility. This will enable local route trucks to pull into the enclosed building and unload the solid waste, and the waste would then be loaded into semis and driven to their final destination the same day. What prompted this addition is that future construction on Highways 494 and 62 will affect the traffic flow into and out of their facility. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES November 6,2001 Page 4 Wiggins said BFI is also asking for rezoning of a small part of their land, adjacent to Overlook Park Wayside, for relocation of outdoor storage. The existing berm will be extended to screen the outdoor storage area from the wayside. BFI plans to donate the parking area to Overlook Park. Historic trees along the common boundary of the two properties will be saved. Butcher asked if the donated property would become a parking lot for the park. Wiggins said that is correct. Franzen said the Community Planning Board voted 7-0 to recommend approval of the project to the City Council at its October 8 meeting, subject to providing a tree inventory of historic trees on the BFI site. Mayor Harris asked if anyone wished to address the Council on this project. No one did. MOTION: Tyra-Lukens moved, seconded by Case, to close the public hearing and adopt Resolution No. 2001-166 for PUD Concept Review on 24.32 acres; and direct Staff to prepare a Developer's Agreement incorporating Commission and Staff recommendations. Motion carried 5-0. B. VACATION OF RIGHT-OF-WAY FOR PART OF EDEN ROAD (ADJACENT TO REDSTONE GRILL), VACATION 01-01 (Resolution No. 2001-167) Jullie said official notice of this public hearing was published in the October 18, 2001,Eden Prairie News and was sent to 7 property owners. The property owner has requested this vacation to ensure the northerly right-of-way line of Eden Road, which is replatted with Idlewild 2nd Addition, "to does not propose to be a threat of a gap, overlap, or question of clear title in the future." Mayor Harris asked if anyone wished to speak to this vacation. No one did. MOTION: Mosman moved, seconded by Butcher,to close the public hearing; and adopt Resolution No. 2001-167 vacating right-of-way for part of Eden Road located adjacent to 8000 Eden Road. Motion carried 5-0. C. VACATION OF DRAINAGE AND UTILITY EASEMENTS IN IDLEWILD LAKE ADDITION,VACATION 01-02 (Resolution No. 2001-168) Jullie said official notice of this public hearing was published in the October 18, 2001 Eden Prairie News and was sent to 7 property owners. The property owner has requested this vacation to remove underlying easements, ensuring clear title prior to replatting the property. This is excess right-of-way no longer needed by the City, and Staff is recommending adoption of the resolution. CITY COUNCIL MEgMS November 6,2001 Page 5 Mayor Harris asked if anyone wished to speak to this vacation. No one did. MOTION: Butcher moved, seconded by Tyra-Lukens, to close the public hearing; and adopt Resolution No. 2001-168 vacating Drainage and Utility Easements over Lot 1, Block 1, Idlewild Lake Addition. Motion carried 5-0. D. VACATION OF DRAINAGE AND UTILITY EASEMENT IN THE PLAT OF EXTENDED STAY AMERICA, VACATION 01-10 (Resolution No. 2001- 169) Jullie said official notice of this public hearing was published in the October 18, 2001,Eden Prairie News and was sent to 5 property owners. This is also vacation of excess easements no longer needed by the City, and Staff recommended adoption of the resolution. Mayor Harris asked if anyone wished to speak to this vacation. No one did. MOTION: Mosman moved, seconded by Tyra-Lukens, to close the public hearing, and adopt Resolution No. 2001-169 vacating Drainage and Utility Easements in the plat of Extended Stay America. Motion carried 5-0. VIH. PAYMENT OF CLAIMS MOTION: Case moved, seconded by Butcher, to approve Payment of Claims. The motion was approved on a roll call vote, with Butcher, Case, Mosman, Tyra-Lukens and Harris voting"aye." IX. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS X. PETITIONS,REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS A. REQUEST FOR EXPANSION OF CROSS-COUNTRY SKI TRAIL SYSTEM AT STARING LAKE PARK BY EDEN PRAIRIE HIGH SCHOOL Lambert said there is a request from the School District for expansion of the cross- country ski trail system in Staring Lake Park. He introduced Doug Boonstra, Nordic Ski Coach at Eden Prairie High School,to explain the request. Boonstra said the history of the Nordic Ski program is unique, in that there is no training facility site for the team, so the team needs to travel to train on ski trails elsewhere. There are 100 members on the ski team, and transportation is expensive. The team has its own trail groomer, which they used for the trail at Central Middle School. When Highway 212 came through the area, Boonstra looked for additional places to train nearby. Two years ago they started skiing in Staring Lake Park. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES November 6,2001 Page 6 The proposal is to expand the trail system they began two years ago, by incorporating part of the area on the upper bluff of Staring Lake Park. The rationale for expansion of the trail system is to incorporate more trails for training so they don't have to travel to other parks. Lambert referenced the action of the Parks and Recreation Citizens Advisory Commission and the Community Program Board at a joint meeting of the two groups on October 30, 2001. The Parks and Recreation Commission voted 6-0 to approve the ski trail expansion, while the Program Board voted 4-2 to deny the request. The main reason for the denial was due to tree loss and other possible environmental impacts on Staring Lake Park. Lambert said he was concerned about conflicts between skiers and pedestrians as well as the necessity for cutting down trees through the oak woods. He spent four hours walking that route. Staff has continually supported the school's request, but was concerned about the alignment of the trails, and about beginners trying to ski down the hill who might have trouble going between the trees at the bottom. As a result, he decided to remove a segment that was controversial as far as City staff was concerned, where skiers and pedestrians may conflict. Recognizing the fact that the Program Board voted against this, the trail was redesigned for safety. There will be a loss of 80 trees, or 330 caliper inches. More trees will be lost than in the original design,but the trail will provide benefits to the community and could be used year-around. The school supports the new design. MOTION: Tyra-Lukens moved, seconded by Case, to approve the expansion of the cross-country ski trails at Staring Lake Park as detailed on the attached map and the conditions outlined in the staff agenda report of November 6,2001. Discussion followed. Mosman commented she walked the trail with Doug Boonstra. The Program Board's concerns were well founded regarding the loss of trees. However, some of the trees are quite small oaks, and the number is very small in proportion to the number already there, so their removal won't cause soil erosion. Mosman asked Lambert if Purgatory Creek would cause a problem for the skiers when they go out on the lake. Lambert replied the area of the trail going out on Purgatory Creek is a concern because the trail goes around the outlet for the creek. However, the team's coach examines it carefully first before the team goes out. Mosman said she understood the only time there might be a conflict would be when teams are racing against each other, and she asked Boonstra how many races there would be. Boonstra replied each team in the Lake Conference hosts a maximum of two races a year, but they don't have to be at the home site. Staring Lake Park would not necessarily be the place both of them would be held. Mayor Harris asked why the cross-country ski team goes out on the lake. Boonstra said it increases the length of the trail system. He goes on the lake first to make sure it is safe. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES November 6,2001 Page 7 Tyra-Lukens said she believed Boonstra is leading a wonderful effort, in collaboration with the School District,the City and all the volunteers who are going to help with its construction. It is good for the ski team to have more interesting and challenging courses to fulfill the team's needs. She asked Boonstra if it will be adequate in terms of competition and training. Boonstra said yes, the training they have done so far has been good. This incorporates double the number of hills the team has had before. Case said he was able to walk the trail area with Doug Boonstra. In defense of the Program Board, he believed the members of the Board got their information packets too late to get out there to see it. The trail system isn't as invasive as it sounds at first. Some of those trees are already struggling to survive. Case said he was totally in support of the expansion of the trails, and this is exactly the kind of activity he would envision being at Staring Lake Park. Butcher asked Boonstra if there were any other sites in the City that he looked at, which would be challenging enough for the team to use in the future. Boonstra replied he didn't think of Staring Lake Park first, but every other place they looked at just didn't incorporate the hills they were looking for. He didn't want the skiers to have to take off their skis at any point on the trail. Staring Lake Park is being groomed three or four times a week by the City, so it is the best place for their team to train. Butcher asked Lambert how many places the ski trail transects the asphalt trail. Lambert replied there will be six places when the new trail system is completed. Butcher asked if points of collision have been eliminated. Lambert said they have eliminated places where he was concerned there might be collisions. There will be plenty of sight distance even though some people don't pay attention to what is going on around them. He didn't think there were any safety issues with this new design. Butcher asked if Lambert believed the Program Board was concerned about the effect of the additional trails on the environment. Lambert said one member of the Board wondered if an environmental impact study had been done of the whole site, not just the amount of tree loss. If the members of the Board could have walked the site they would have had less concern about trees coming out. However, they received the packet of information for this joint meeting on Monday night and the meeting was on Tuesday night, so they didn't have a chance to walk the area. The location of this trail running parallel to the lake and then coming down a slope will have some impact on the environment, but most people using Staring Lake Park will not notice any difference in the park, and the expansion will enhance its use for the cross-country skiers. Mayor Harris said she commended the members of the Program Board who strongly support two of the greatest values in the City; one is preservation of trees and the other is concern about the environment. That really caused the City to have this discussion at the Council level. She was pleased that staff took another look at CITY COUNCIL MINUTES November 6,2001 Page 8 the realignment and spoke so strongly about the safety issues. The positives of this proposal outweigh the negatives. The number of people who will be able to use the trails is expanded, and it is a great addition to the skill levels needed to get out and enjoy it. Also, in a time of fiscal concerns, there will be a decrease in terms of transportation costs to those using this trail system for training. Case requested that the walking trail have signs that are more prominent and visible than they are at present. Mosman said the new trail system will allow people the benefit of using the trail in the summer, and it gives access to a portion of the park that was not readily accessible before. Motion carried 5-0. XI. REPORTS OF ADVISORY BOARDS & COMMISSIONS XII. APPOINTMENTS XIII. REPORTS OF OFFICERS A. REPORTS OF COUNCILMEMBERS 1. Preservation Alliance Award to Glen Lake Children's Camp — Councilmembers Tyra-Lukens and Butcher Tyra-Lukens reported that the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota gave out a number of preservation awards at its annual meeting in Duluth last weekend, including one to the Glen Lake Children's Camp, formerly a camp for children with tuberculosis. The community has been very active in supporting preservation of this camp, including the Lions Club and the Eden Prairie Foundation,which made several donations to the park, the City and many others who supported it through participation and fundraising. Mayor Harris said she recalled that some time ago there was a great debate about whether or not to preserve it. Butcher said she believed it was exactly five years ago the Council voted to demolish the camp. A remarkable series of events led the Council to reverse its decision, and money for restoration was procured. It is now on the National Register of Historic Places. Its preservation and restoration is a remarkable success story. In the past, children diagnosed with tuberculosis spent their summers at the camp in the woods on Birch Island Lake. What is left is a dormitory and dining hall, which have been restored for use. It is important to the history of the area and of the country. It is only one of two camps of this type that survive in the whole country. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES November 6,2001 Page 9 A few people were tenacious about preserving that camp and thinking about how it could be reused for a camp purpose. Friendship Ventures now uses it as a camp for children every summer. Butcher said in this time of uncertainty we turn to our history for answers and to our past for familiar comforts. She could think of no better time to celebrate our past than now. She gave special thanks to Bob Lambert and John Gertz for finding ways to make this restoration happen. Mayor Harris said Councilmember Butcher also had a part in this. 2. Watershed District Meeting with Council—Councilmember Mosman Mosman said the Riley-Purgatory-Bluff Creek Watershed District has been invited to come to a Council Workshop in the near future and is meeting November 7 to decide what they will talk about. Mosman asked Councilmembers to let her know what questions they have for the Watershed District and she would convey them prior to the meeting. They will tailor their presentation according to the interests of the Council. 3. Request to Review Potential Ordinance for Expanding the City Council —Mayor Harris Mayor Harris said that at the September 4 Council meeting she had broached the subject of increasing the Council to seven members. She has asked Ric Rosow to draw up a draft ordinance, and she would like to put it on the agenda for a future meeting. 4. Future Economic Development of the City Mayor Harris said Eden Prairie is almost fully developed. What is important now is to focus on how to maintain the City's vitality and quality of life. It must be able to compete nationally and internationally. She has been looking at possibilities to provide and expand economic development for Eden Prairie. The largest markets are going to be in Southeast Asia. The largest of these will be China, where there are many opportunities, which is rapidly industrializing and using technology in order to do that. Mayor Harris said she has come upon several opportunities for the City to engage in expanding our presence in other markets, and one is the "Sister City" program. Hennepin County is interested in developing opportunities for cities in its purview to have a "Sister City." She has been engaged in conversation with Hennepin County and other state, local and national agencies about how this could come about. During those conversations her interest has been on high technology, because these are the industries that have fueled growth in Eden Prairie. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES November 6,2001 Page 10 Mayor Harris asked Don Uram to be a liaison between the City and Hennepin County to develop this program. She asked Uram to provide a status report on where the City is at this point in time. Eden Prairie has things to offer that China wants and China has things Eden Prairie wants. It may begin with a look at economic opportunities, but it could expand to cultural and educational opportunities. She asked Uram to provide a status report at the next meeting if he could be ready by then. Uram said he would be happy to give a report at the next meeting based on information he has. Mayor Harris said that for many months she has been very interested in establishing more linkages with the business community. A parallel activity to the one mentioned above would be to identify a small group from the business community to provide a liaison with the City. She asked Uram to assume responsibility for working with her and members of the business community in establishing a business round table. Mosman said that at the beginning of the year three of the Councilmembers talked about working more closely with business. B. REPORT OF CITY MANAGER 1. Council Forum Jullie said Council had asked for background information on the Open Forum topic. Staff put together a memorandum with a summary of past Council discussions, most notably in the report from Carl Neu & Co. last summer, following a series of Council/Staff Leadership Workshops. Case said he wished to take another look at the issue and see what worked well in recent years. In going to the Open Forum process, part of the Open Podium concept has been lost. Although residents can reach the Council by phone and with e-mail, one component he believed is missing is the opportunity for a person who wants to speak to the Council spontaneously on the night of the meeting. To speak at the Council Forum,people have to plan ahead and meet certain criteria. That works well for some people and groups, and he likes the concept. His goal is to reach out to people in the community. At the Leadership Workshop the Council discussed several ways to do that. One way would be to hold workshops out in the community at sites pertinent to the topic to be addressed, which the Council did when they met at the Cedar Hills Golf Club last spring. He would also like to look at the Town Hall meeting concept and Open Houses in the Council Chambers prior to regular Council meetings to informally and individually meet with residents. Case said he put together several options that he believed were discussed at the Leadership Workshops. They would keep the Open Forum and also incorporate the Open Podium concept. He would like the Council to come up to the Council Chamber before the regular meeting for Open Podium. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES November 6,2001 Page 11 Option 1: 1"and 3rd Tuesdays 5:00—6:30 Workshop 6:30—7:00 Open Forum on extended topics with advanced calling in 7:00—7:10 Open Podium in Council Chambers untelevised and walk-on format. If no one responds to the invitation, the meeting could begin immediately 7:10 City Council Regular Meeting begins Option 2: lst Tuesday 5:30—7:00 Open Forum 7:00 City Council Regular Meeting begins 3rd Tuesday 5:30—7:00 Workshop Session 7:00 City Council Regular Meeting begins Option 3: A variation of Options 1 and 2 incorporating an open podium at every regular Council meeting, but designating the first Tuesday pre-Council meeting slot as an extended forum time and the third Tuesday pre-Council time as a Workshop. Mosman said she was in the group that came up with the idea shown in Option 2, where one meeting each month would be an Open Forum and one meeting would be a more extended Workshop so Council and staff could concentrate more on one thing. People would have one opportunity a month to come before the Council at the Open Forum, but it would be a much longer session. She liked the idea of Option 3 that would offer a ten- minute time slot for Open Podium before every regular Council meeting. She favored Option 2. Butcher said she thought the Council Forum has worked well so far. In the past year there have been 18 Workshops and 13 of them included a Council Forum where 9 different organizations addressed the Council on various issues. No matter which option is chosen, she believed television cameras act as a deterrent to citizens. She would prefer Option 2,but add time at the beginning of a meeting for people to speak off-camera. Mayor Harris said the only difficulty is having the Open Podium from 7:00 to 7:10, before beginning the Council meeting. She would rather take that time off the extended Open Forum, from 6:50 to 7:00 and keep the starting time for Council meetings the same. The Open Forum could be done in the Council Chamber. Butcher said even if people were told the meeting would start at 7:10 p.m., it is difficult to cut people off. Case said he would recommend 6:50 to 7:00 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES November 6,2001 Page 12 for the Open Podium. It would be up to the Mayor to take charge of the Open Podium time and she would have to end it at 7:00 p.m. Case said if the Council did decide to go to one entire Open Forum session from 5:30 to 7:00, they would face the possibility no one would schedule the time, and the staff would have to put a topic in for discussion. However, the Councilmembers had talked about the need to have more open-topic workshops for discussion among themselves. Tyra-Lukens said she was more comfortable with Option 1 because it provides more efficient use of the Council's time. Butcher asked if it is possible to have a meeting in the Council Chamber until 7:00 and then turn the cameras on at 7:00. Jullie said he thought it was possible to do that and to control the sound system as well. Case said there are no legal issues to discuss because the City would post the time of the meeting from 5:00 until 7:00. Rosow said they would want to post the fact the Open Podium is being held during that time period because it is a separate item from the Open Forum portion of the meeting. Mayor Harris said there is no reason the Council could not have the Open Forum in the Council Chamber beginning at 6:30. People can just come and talk to the Council as they do now downstairs. Carl Neu recommended something similar because that makes it very clear is a separate meeting. Tyra-Lukens said they would just have to cut scheduled people off at 6:50 so the unscheduled people can speak at that time. She would like to make sure a spontaneous type of person has the opportunity to talk to the Council. If the Open Forum were upstairs it would be easier to make sure they have an opportunity to speak to the Council. Butcher said she was concerned about meeting the expectations of the persons who come to the podium. She wondered if their expectation would be that they are going to have their questions answered by the Council or staff right then. Sometimes they could make a request the Council is not prepared to answer. That needs to be addressed somehow. She believed it would be frustrating to a person if that is what they expected. Case said it is what the Council says to those people that makes a difference. This is a great opportunity to educate them, and if Council is not prepared with an answer, say they will find out and will call them. That is government in action and it makes the Council look very responsive. Mayor Harris said each of these formats lends itself to certain types of topics. Big, community-wide topics could use any one of these formats. They would have to be carefully programmed so that people's expectations are met. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES November 6,2001 Page 13 Mosman said the City staff takes a lot of time getting these Workshops ready. She would like to have them every other meeting. Jullie replied that personally he liked the opportunity for a Workshop at every meeting because there are quite a few issues on the list. From a staff perspective, they can deal with a different schedule if they know in advance. At 6:30 they could move up to the Council Chamber for the Open Forum. Mayor Harris said from 6:50 to 7:00 the Council would have Open Podium, not televised. MOTION: Case moved, seconded by Mosman, to adopt Option 1 as has been stated. 5:00 — 6:30 p.m., Council Workshop, 6:30 — 6:50 p.m. Open Forum, 6:50—7:00 p.m. Open Podium. Motion carried 5-0. 2. Appointment of Two Councilmembers to Assist with City Manager Search Process Jullie referenced a memorandum from P.D. Brine of Personnel Decisions, Inc. on the City Manager selection process. Mr. Brule outlined some questions to obtain needed input from Councilmembers, and Jullie recommended that they be thinking about their responses to those. He also recommended that Council reappoint Councilmembers Mosman and Tyra- Lukens,who assisted in the selection of the executive search firm, to be part of the team for assisting in the review and selection process for the new City Manager. Mayor Harris suggested continuing with Councilmembers Mosman and Tyra-Lukens, and they have both agreed to do this. Tyra-Lukens requested that Councilmembers get their comments and concerns about a new City Manager to Mr. Jullie promptly, in order to move the search process along. C. REPORT OF PARKS AND RECREATION SERVICES DIRECTOR 1. Purgatory Creek Recreation Area Revised Schematic Plan and Phasing Plan Lambert explained that the last time the Council reviewed the Purgatory Creek Recreation Area project, the schematic plan shown then was the one that had been reviewed by the task force and later approved by the Council. That plan was based on soils information the City had prior to developing the plan. Once they could see where the buildings and other features were to go, the City asked Barr Engineering to come out and do more soil CITY COUNCIL MINUTES November 6,2001 Page 14 borings. The information from those soil borings revealed it was not financially feasible to carry out the plan, and staff asked the consultant, SRF, to work on the plan with the Watershed District, American Engineering Testing Incorporated and Barr Engineering. He asked them to keep all the elements that were important to the task force, even though they might have to be moved around. The cost is estimated at$800,000, most of which will be funded from TIF money set aside for the project. He introduced Ken Grieshaber from SRF to explain the new plan. Grieshaber said soil borings show there is a substantial amount of high- moisture-content calustrine clay soils throughout the park, with the deepest concentrations located on the southwest corner in the area of the proposed parking lot. The depth of these soils range from 30 feet to 90 feet. As a result,the following changes have occurred with the overall design: • The parking lot has been moved from the south portion of the park and relocated farther north where more favorable soil conditions exist. • The formal garden area has been located to the east of the future building site. • The waterfront boardwalk has been shortened and the concrete steps leading down to the water's edge have been removed to minimise costs. • Construction of the new access drive alignment will be postponed to allow fill material to surcharge(settle) for two-to three years. • Pathways constructed in the park will be initially installed as crushed stone and allowed to surcharge before converting to hard-surface paving. The first phase will include overall grading of the entire site,which can start February 2002. The first lift of materials will be brought in to surcharge the full access required in the preferred schematic design, complete a gravel trail connection from the existing dike to the trail adjacent to Technology Drive, and provide temporary parking lots and landscape material. During the second phase the access drive will be constructed at the southwest portion of the site, and the board walk and overlook constructed. Third phase would include incorporation of more amenities such as the picnic shelter. Fourth phase would include the multi-purpose building and formal garden space. MOTION: Mosman moved, seconded by Tyra-Lukens, to approve the contract submitted by SRF Consulting Group, Inc. for schematic design and construction documents for Phase I of the Purgatory Creek Recreation Area for an estimated cost of$91,489. Motion carried 5-0. Mosman said she talked with Lambert regarding the plan having to be changed due to the new information on soils. It might appear the City had moved too fast in approving the first plan. There were soil borings taken when the first plans were done, but the borings were taken closer to the CITY COUNCIL MINUTES November 6,2001 Page 15 roads in the northeast corner of the site, whereas the soils that affected the design change were in the south and west portions of the site. Tyra-Lukens asked if the City has considered corporate sponsorship of any elements in the park. Lambert said the City does encourage businesses to consider sponsorship. They have talked to several local companies. ADC said some time ago that they would be interested in sponsoring some public art on the site. Lambert has talked to the Eden Prairie Foundation regarding a community project such as public art or fountains. When the first phase is done, it will be a pastoral park, and he would like to have the trails completed down to Staring Lake Park. Once people and businesses see that and some landscaping in, they will start getting more excited about it and will see more possibilities. 2. Richard T. Anderson Conservation Area Parking Lot and Building Demolition Proposal Lambert said this park consists of 125 acres of land in southwest Eden Prairie. In 2000 the City developed an access road and parking lot to accommodate six cars from the Settler's Ridge Development north of this site. The City waited until this time to propose development of this access because it includes removal of the farmhouse where a renter has provided security. Now there is development at Settler's Ridge, the City doesn't have to rely on the renter for security, and staff is recommending the demolition of the farmhouse and development of the major access to this site from Highway 212. This access will accommodate 22 cars and two buses. The contract with the renter of the farmhouse allows the City a 90- day notice, but it will give him six-months' notice. He may be interested in moving the house off the site. If so, the City would require him to remove it by June 15. The estimated cost for the project is $70,000, which would be funded from cash park fees. This would be a spring project,bid in February. MOTION: Tyra-Lukens moved, seconded by Butcher, to approve the development of the main parking lot and trail head for the Richard T. Anderson Conservation Area, including removal of or demolition of the existing farmhouse and farm buildings as per staff recommendation. Motion carried 5-0. 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 November 6,2001 Page 16 H. REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY XIV. OTHER BUSINESS XV. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Butcher moved, seconded by Case, to adjourn the meeting. Mayor Hams adjourned the meeting at 9:45 p.m.