HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 07/16/1991 APPROVED MINUTES
EDEN PRAIRIE CITY COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY, July 16, 1991 7:30 PM, CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
7600 Executive Drive
COUNCILMEMBERS: Mayor Douglas Tenpas, Richard Anderson,
Jean Harris, H_ Martin Jessen, and
Patricia Pidcock
CITY COUNCIL STAFF: City Manager Carl J. Jullie, Assistant
to the City Manager Craig Dawson, City
Attorney Roger Pauly,. Finance Director
John D. Frane, Director of Planning
Chris Enger , Director of Parks,
Recreation & Natural Resources Robert
Lambert, Director of Public Works Gene
Dietz, and Recording Secretary Jan
Nelson
CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Mayor Tenpas called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM after the Council
completed interviewing candidates to fill a vacancy on the Historical &
Cultural Commission.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
I _ APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND OTHER ITEMS OF BUSINESS
Harris added Item X_A.1 . Report on meeting with the School 's
Multi-Cultural Gender Fair Staff . Anderson added Item X_A.2_
Discussion on Nexus Program and Home School Program.
Jullie added Item X_B .2. Set date for Special City Council
Meeting and Item XI -A- Resolution 91-171 requesting Speed Study
for Pioneer Trail _
MOTION: Pidcock moved, seconded by Anderson, to approve the
agenda as published and amended. Motion carried 5-0 -
II . MINUTES
A. CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD TUESDAY . JUNE 18 , 1991 (Continued
from July 2, 1991 )
Jessen said Page 13 , Paragraph 1 , Sentence 2 of Item XI _B_
should read as follows: He further requested staff to -
collect the needed information and conduct analysis to
address the things that the Council will need to know in
order to decide to proceed or not to proceed_
City Council Meeting 2 July 16, 1991
• Pidcock said Page 12, Paragraph 6, should read as follows:
Council agreed with this approach and asked staff to keep
Councilmembers apprised of developments in the matter .
MOTION: Pidcock moved, seconded by Anderson, to approve the
Minutes of the June 18, 1991 City Council Meeting as
published and amended. Motion carried 5-0.
B. CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD TUESDAY. JULY 2. 1991
MOTION: Pidcock moved, seconded by Anderson, to approve the
Minutes of the July 2, 1991 City Council Meeting as
published. Motion carried 5-0-
III . CONSENT CALENDAR
A. CLERK'S LICENSE LIST
B. AWARD CONTRACT FOR STARING LANE/RIDGE ROAD AND SUNRISE
CIRCLE UTILITY AND STREET IMPROVEMENTS. I .C. 52-203/52-205
(Resolution No. 91-156) Continued from Tuesday, July 2, 1991
C. ANAGRAM INTERNATIONAL by Ryan Construction Company. 2nd
Reading of Ordinance 13-91-PUD-3-91 , Zoning District
Amendment within the I-2 Zoning District on 15.67 acres;
• Approval of Developer 's Agreement; Adoption of Resolution
91-130, Authorizing Summary and Ordering Publication of
Ordinance 13-91-PUD-3-91; Adoption of Resolution 91-101 ,
Site Plan Review on 15.67 acres into 4 lots for construction
of a 199,210 square foot office/warehouse building in three
phases to be known as Anagram International , Inc_ Location:
southeast corner of Valley View Road and Executive Drive.
(Ordinance 13-91-PUD-3-91 - Zoning District Amendment;
Resolution 91-130 - Summary and Publication; Resolution 91-
101 - Site Plan Review).
D. FINAL PLAT APPROVAL OF ANAGRAM PARK ( located at the
southwest quadrant of Valley View Road and Equitable Drive)
Resolution No_ 91-155
E. RIVERSEDGE by Tushie Montgomery Associates. 2nd Reading of
Ordinance 19-91-PUD-5-91; Zoning District Amendment within
the Rural District; Approval of Developer 's Agreement;
Adoption of Resolution 91-152, Authorizing Summary and
Ordering Publication of Ordinance 19-91-PUD-5-91; 55.5 acres
into 4 single family lots, one outlot and road right-of-way
to• be known as Riversedge Addition. Location: 9901
Riverview Road. (Ordinance 19-91-PUD-5-91 - Zoning District
Amendment; Resolution 91-152 - Summary and Publication).
• F. FINAL PLAT APPROVAL OF RIVERSEDGE ADDITION ( located south of
Riverview Road and west of CSAH 18 ) Resolution No. 91-164
G. FINAL PLAT APPROVAL OF CEDAR RIDGE ESTATES 2ND ADDITION
( located north of Pioneer Trail and south of Cedar Ridge
School ) Resolution No. 91-163
City Council Meeting 3 July 16, 1991
•
H. FINAL -PLAT APPROVAL OF CROSSTOWN RACQUET CLUB (situated at
the southeast corner of Baker Road and W. 62nd Street)
Resolution No. 91-165
I . APPROVE COOPERATIVE CONSTRUCTION AGREEMENT WITH HENNEPIN
PARKS FOR ROWLAND ROAD
J. APPROVAL TO RETAIN URBAN DESIGN SERVICES FOR THE MCA
K. 1ST READING OF ORDINANCE NO . 22-91 , AMENDMENT OF PARK USE
RULES RELATING TO HORSES
L. RECEIVE PETITION FOR PRAIRIE CENTER DRIVE MEDIAN OPENING
JOINER WAY . I .C . 52-229 (Resolution No. .91-168)
M. APPROVE PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR CEDAR RIDGE 2ND
ADDITION, I .C. 52-225 (Resolution No_ 91-170)
Pidcock asked for discussion of Item J and Jessen asked for
discussion of Item E.
MOTION: Pidcock moved, seconded by Jessen, to approve the
Consent Calendar with the exception of Items E and J.
Motion carried 5-0. •
Regarding Item J Pidcock said she was quite surprised to see
that, of the two firms who wanted to bid on the Urban Design
Services for the MCA, one of them had not presented anything
on which the Council could judge their qualifications . She
said she couldn't understand why we were being recommended
to vote for BRW when the other firm is a local firm. She
said she would like to see some of the work the local firm
had done in order to judge their capabilities . She 'said she
would like to see both firms do a proposal on what .they
would consider for the MCA and then Council could select the
one to deal with.
Jullie said the letter in the packet is their proposal . He
said the request was put together hurriedly and that Enger
talked to both firms, giving them both the same information
about what we were looking for . He said the BRW firm has a
broad base of experience in dealing with similar situations
so Staff recommended BRW.
Jessen asked about the fee. Jullie said it would be the
same under both proposals--$10,000 .
Tenpas said he would prefer to see a qualified Eden Prairie
firm get the business. He said the Cluts, O'Brien and
Strother firm has designed several buildings in the MCA so .
they should be capable of handling this project .
Anderson said that, to be really fair , we should be setting
up a procedure for this like bids. He said he would also
like more time to go through the. material .
City Council Meeting 4 July 16, 1991
•
Jessen noted that this is just an idea process. He said we
are asking for a concept and some other firm will do the
actual building.
MOTION: Jessen moved, seconded by Pidcock, to retain the
services of Cluts, O'Brien and Strother to provide Urban
Design Services for the MCA ( Item J). Motion carried 5-0-
Jessen asked what happened to the park trail alignment in
the Riversedge development ( Item E). Director of Parks,
Recreation & Natural Resources Lambert said the trail will
be in Outlot B which will be dedicated to the City for park
purposes.
MOTION: Jessen moved, seconded by Pidcock, to approve Item
E, RIVERSEDGE, on the Consent Calendar . Motion carried 5-0.
IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. TECH 10 by Hoyt Development Company. Adoption of Resolution
91-147, Planned Unit Development Concept Amendment on 45
acres, Planned Unit Development District Review within the
I-2 Zoning District with waivers on 5.6 acres, Site Plan
• Review on 5.6 acres for approval of additional parking
spaces on the Technology Park 7th Addition site. Location:
southwest corner of West 74th Street and Golden Triangle
Drive. (Ordinance 20-91-PUD-6-91 - PUD District Review
within the I-2 District; Resolution 91-147 - PUD Concept
Amendment) Continued from July 2, 1991
Jullie noted that this item was continued from the July 2nd
meeting. He said the major issue discussed was the grading.
He said Staff met with Mr . Hoyt and they have conceptual
agreement that Hoyt will complete the grading plan, .clean up
the erosion, and post the required bonding. He said that
work was to have been completed by this evening; however , it
has not been completed. He said Staff suggests that Council
approve the 1st Reading only tonight with the understanding
that they will not come back with a 2nd Reading until all
requirements are satisfied.
Anderson said that, because many of the things are in the
process of being taken care of, there is a commitment on
this; however , he thought that someone who asks for approval
on a project should not come in with violations and should
have their act together before coming in. He said we need
to have someone going out to inspect the project to make
sure they are in compliance with the rules and regulations
before any permits are granted.
• Pidcock said she concurred with Mr . Anderson and that Mr .
Hoyt should be aware of the many problems caused by erosion.
There were no comments from the audience.
City Council Meeting 5 July 16, 1991
MOTION: Harris moved, seconded by Pidcock, to close the •
Public Hearing, to approve 1st Reading of Ordinance No. 20-
91-PUD-6-91 for PUD District Review, and to adopt Resolution
No . 91-147 for PUD Concept Amendment. Motion carried 5-0 .
B. VACATION 91-07. VACATION OF BLUFF ROAD BETWEEN WHITETAIL
CROSSING AND WILD DUCK PASS (Resolution No . 91-166) +
Jullie stated notice of this Public Hearing was properly
published in the Eden Prairie News and was sent owners of
affected property. He said the existing right-of-way is no
longer necessary and should be vacated.
There were no comments from the audience . '
MOTION: Pidcock moved, seconded by Jessen, to close the
Public Hearing and to adopt Resolution No . 91-166 to vacate
a portion of Bluff Road. Motion carried 5-0.
C. VACATION 91-08. VACATION OF DRAINAGE AND UTILITY EASEMENTS
ON LOTS 6 & 7. BLOCK 2 . EDENVALE 15TH ADDITION (Resolution
No. 91-167)
Jullie said notice of this Public Hearing was properly
published and sent to owners with property interests. •
There were no comments from the audience.
MOTION: Anderson moved, seconded by Pidcock, to close the
Public Hearing and to adopt Resolution No. 91-167 to vacate
drainage and utility easements in the Edenvale 15th ,
Addition. Motion carried 5-0.
D. ZONING CODE SIGN REGULATION AMENDMENTS by the City of Eden
Prairie _ Request to amend definition of area
identification, new definitions for menu and readerboards,
increasing the sign area allowed for on-site directional and
address signs, setback requirements between free-standing
signs, and reorganization of existing sign regulations .
(Ordinance 18-91 - Amending Zoning Code Sign Regulation)
Jullie stated notice of this Public Hearing was properly
published in the Eden Prairie News. He said this item is
primarily a housekeeping item and called attention to the
Staff Memo dated July 2, 1991 from Jean Johnson .
There were no comments from the audience .
MOTION: Pidcock moved, seconded by Anderson, to close the
Public Hearing and to approve 1st Reading of Ordinance No . •
18-91 to amend the Zoning Code Sign Regulations . Motion
carried 5-0 .
E. JAMESTOWN VILLAS by the Rottlund Company, Inc. Adoption of
Resolution 91-128, Planned Unit Development Concept
City Council Meeting 6 July 16, 1991
• Amendment on 60.8 acres, Planned Unit Development District
Review on 8.5 acre with waivers, Zoning District Amendment
within the RM-6.5 Zoning District on 8.5 acres, Site Plan
Review on 8.5 acres, and adoption of Resolution 91-129,
Preliminary Plat of 8.5 acres into 12 lots for construction
of 96 townhouse units to be known as Jamestown Villas.
Location: South of Highway 5, north of George Moran Drive.
(Resolution 91-128 - PUD Concept Amendment; Ordinance 21-91-
PUD-7-91 - Zoning District Amendment; Resolution 91-129 -
Preliminary Plat)
Jullie said notice of this Public Hearing was mailed to
owners of 10 surrounding properties and was published in the
July 4, 1991 issue of the Eden Prairie News_
Tod Stutsa, Executive Vice President of the Rottlund
Company, addressed the proposal .
Pidcock asked if there would be regulation-size double
garages. Stutsa said they would be 20 feet wide.
Senior Planner Franzen said the Planning Commission reviewed
this project at their June 24th meeting and recommended
approval with some revisions to be completed prior to
• Council review_ He referred to the Staff report of June
21st and noted that the main change the Planning Commission
was concerned with was the transition to the single family
homes to the east and south. He said the Commission
recommended additional and larger landscaping to provide a
buffer . He said the developers have completed all the
recommendations made by the Planning Commission.
Lambert said the Parks Commission did not review this
proposal as there were no issues different from those it
reviewed with the original PUD.
There were no comments from the audience.
MOTION: Pidcock moved, seconded by Jessen, to close the
Public Hearing and to adopt Resolution No . 91-128 for PUD
Concept Amendment. Motion carried 5-0 .
MOTION: Pidcock moved, seconded by Jessen, to approve 1st
Reading of Ordinance No. 21-91-PUD-7-91 for Zoning District
Amendment, to adopt Resolution No. 91-129 approving the
Preliminary Plat, and to direct Staff to prepare a
Development Agreement incorporating Commission and Staff
recommendations. Motion carried 5-0 .
F . CARPENTER NORTH PUD by Donald G. Brauer . Adoption of
• Resolution 91-113, request for Comprehensive Guide Plan
Amendment from Medium Density Residential to Regional
Commercial on 4.5 acres, Adoption of Resolution 91-114,
Planned Unit Development Concept Review on 27.2 acres for
future development of commercial and multiple residential
land uses to be known as Carpenter North PUD. Location:
City Council Meeting 7 July 16, 1991
North of the intersection of Valley View Road and Prairie •
Center Drive. (Resolution 91-113 - Comprehensive Guide Plan
Amendment; Resolution 91-114 - PUD Concept Review).
Jullie said notice of this Public Hearing was sent to owners
of 100 surrounding properties and was published in the July
4, 1991 issue of the Eden Prairie News.
Don Brauer and Walter Carpenter addressed the proposal .
Jessen asked if the Guide Plan permitted 165 units . Brauer
said the current plan does. Jessen then asked if the number
of units is now 117. Brauer said that was true, but on a
little less acreage, with 15.4 acres of Regional Commercial
and 11 .7 acres of Residential .
Fransen said the Planning Commission recommended approval of
the Carpenter PUD at their July 8th meeting with changes to
be made before the project went on to the Council . He
referred to the Staff Memo of July 12th and said that the
Commission was concerned that there be lower densities on
the northwest and northeast corners because those were areas
of concern from the surrounding neighbors. He said they
wanted a change in the grading plan that would reduce the
tree loss. He said the plans have been revised according to
the Commission 's recommendations regarding tree loss and PUD •
densities.
Lambert said the Parks Commission heard the presentation for
the project; however , there was not a quorum present at the
meeting so they could not vote approval of the project . He
said the three members present were in support of the
Planning Commission recommendations to limit grading and to
require a sidewalk along the north side of Valley View ,
along the west side of the cul-de-sac , and extending to the
park property to the west when the property is platted.
Kevin Blohm, 7465 Scott Terrace, expressed concern with the
road that will be almost directly behind his house. He said
he would like to see the road sunken down with retaining
walls. He said he was concerned with the height of the
apartment building and that they would really like to see
townhouses or condos instead of apartment buildings.
Tenpas noted that we are trying to approve a concept plan
tonight and that any project plans for the site will have to
be reviewed again with public hearings.
Jessen asked if his concern about the road was primarily
because of the lights. Blohm said that was correct. Brauer
said that a berm could be built to screen the lights. •
Cindy Winkel , 13392 Zenith Lane, said her property is the
closest to the proposed development . She said she bought
her home solely for the view and her windows face the
proposed development. She said when she bought her home she
City Council Meeting 8 July 16, 1991
• was told that none of that land was zoned commercial . She
said she is concerned about how the development will impact
the wildlife, her view and the noise pollution.
Bob Flynn, 7390 Butterscotch Road, said he lives just across
the street from the development. He said his main concern
is that multiple zoning will not allow townhouse development
on the property as he would not like to see apartments go in
there.
Tenpas said that the majority of the apartment complexes
built in Eden Prairie are of very high quality. Flint said
he was not concerned with looks, but rather he wanted owner-
occupied units.
Roger Brooks, 7370 Butterscotch Drive, said the Phase 1
grading is already done so development is already limited.
Tenpas said the Council has to look at this as an entire
plan. Pidcock reiterated that anything to be developed
there will have to come back before the Council and the
Planning Commission to get approval . Brooks said he thought
they should wait to do the grading until there was a plan.
Lyman Olson, 7360 Scot Terrace, said he couldn't imagine why
they would want to dig the hill down without lowering it on
• the residential side. He said he didn't think the building
should be over two stories high and he thought the road
should be moved like Mr . Bluhm suggested.
Paul Swidewski , 7393 Butterscotch Road, said he had concerns
with tree loss and with the hill being taken out which would
create problems with erosion.
Tenpas said there will be a specific grading plan and there
are ordinances regarding screening and grading.
Jessen noted that we sometimes have trouble with erosion
control . He said the people in the neighborhood can help
with that by notifying the City if there are erosion
problems on a particular site.
Anderson said he regards this proposal as speculation and,
while he sympathizes with Mr . Carpenter , he didn't believe
we should grade the hill at this time without having a
specific plan. Anderson said he would agree with all of the
rest of the project except the grading of the top of the
hi•11 .
Jessen said this parcel represents a very difficult
decision . He said the City has called for this kind of
• parcel to transit between commercial and residential . He
said he thought the proposal before us was entirely
consistent with the long-term objectives set forth by the
City. He further added that this is one of those areas that
is going to require serious erosion and dust control . He
City Council Meeting 9 July 16, 1991
said he thought that we need to revise the alignment of the •
road and to mitigate the effects of the lights.
Harris said she sees this as a plan that has progressed
through modifications that have attempted to meet
neighborhood and staff interests. She said this plan sets
parameters around what might happen to the property.
Pidcock said she had a problem with cutting down the hill
just for the sake of cutting it down. She said it is a good
plan except for that and asked how much will be taken down .
Brauer said they have preserved over 300 of the site and i
they will be taking only the very top of the hill which has
no trees on it anyway. f
Tenpas said he didn't have a problem with the plan as
presented. He said he saw the problem for most of the
people here to be the apartment complex ; however , he
couldn't see any other economic use for the site. He said
there will be some type of multiple-family use on the site .
MOTION: Jessen moved, seconded by Harris, to adopt
Resolution 91-113 amending the Comprehensive Guide Plan.
Motion carried 4-1 with Anderson opposed.
MOTION: Jessen ,moved, seconded by Harris, to adopt •
Resolution 91-114 approving PUD Concept Review , subject to
the conditions set forth in the Planning Commission
recommendations and the Staff Report of May 29 , 1991 .
Motion carried 4-1 with Anderson opposed.
V. PAYMENT OF CLAIMS
Pidcock said she would like the list of claims included in the
Council packet rather than receiving the list at .the meeting .
Harris said she agreed.
MOTION: Jessen moved, seconded by Anderson, to approve the
payment of claims Nos. 16361 - 16745. Motion carried with
Anderson , Harris, Pidcock, Jessen and Tenpas voting "Aye. "
VI . ORDINANCES AND RE50LUTIONS
A . TECH 10 by Hoyt Development Company . 2nd Reading of
Ordinance 20-91-PUD-6-91 , Planned Unit Development District
Review within the I-2 Zoning District with waivers on 5.6
acres, Approval of Developer 's Agreement; Adoption of
Resolution 91-160, Authorizing Summary and Ordering
Publication of Ordinance 20-91-PUD-6-91; Adoption of
Resolution 91-148, Site Plan Review on 5 .6 acres for
approval of additional parking spaces on the Technology Park
7th Addition site. Location: southwest corner of West 74this
Street and Golden Triangle Drive. (Ordinance 20-91-PUD-6-91
- PUD District Review; Resolution 91-160 - Summary and
Publication of Ordinance 20-91-PUD-6-91; Resolution 91-148 -
Site Plan Review).
City Council Meeting 10 July 16, 1991
• Jullie said this item should be tabled while staff resolves
the issues.
VII . PETITIONS. REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
A. REQUEST OF ENGINEERING DIVISION FOR AUTHORIZATION TO ACQUIRE
SLOPE EASEMENTS ADJACENT TO MITCHELL ROAD (Resolution No.
91-134) Continued from June 18, 1991
City Engineer Gray referred to his memorandum of July 16th
outlining two alternate plans for constructing a backslope
to a segment of Mitchell Road. He reviewed the costs
involved for both alternates and said that Staff would
prefer the slope alternate. He said the residents involved
are not willing to negotiate a slope easement; therefore,
Staff is recommending that we proceed with the retaining
wall system.
MOTION= Harris moved, seconded by Anderson, to proceed with
the construction of the retaining wall system.
Jessen asked if this will be assessed against the property
across the street. Grey said there are three major property
owners that share the costs so that a portion will go
• against those properties along the road.
Vote on the Motion: Motion carried 5-0.
VIII . REPORTS OF ADVISORY BOARDS. COMMISSIONS & COMMITTEES
A . South Hennepin Human Services Council - Reorganization
Proposal
Jean Massey of the South Hennepin Human Services Council
presented the proposed reorganization of that group. She
said that the reorganization will allow the group to act
more effectively as a planning and coordinating- agency for
human services. She said the new title for the agency will
be South Hennepin Regional Planning Office for Human
Services. She presented a diagram of the new organization.
Harris said she believes the reorganization allows the
organization to get back to basics with a focus on planning
and coordination.
Jessen asked who is the "doer" of the work. Massey replied
that this group does not have the capacity to provide
services. She said they will make recommendations regarding
the kinds of services that are needed, but it will be up to
• the provider agencies and the cities involved to provide the
services.
Harris asked what was the response of the Human Rights and
Services Commission. Massey said it was received very well _
City Council Meeting 11 July 16, 1991
Director of Human Resources and Services Swaggert said they •
are asking for concept approval from all four cities. She
said the next step will be to write a new Joint Powers
Agreement, and at that time it will be brought back for
Council approval .
MOTION: Pidcock moved, seconded by Anderson, to approve in
concept the reorganization of the South Hennepin Human
Services Council . Motion carried 5-0.
IX. APPOINTMENTS
A. Historical & Cultural Commission - Appointment of a member
to the Historical & Cultural Commission to fill a vacant
term to 2/28/92
Pidcock nominated Dominick and Heupel for the vacancy on the
Historical & Cultural Commission. Tenpas nominated Hoppe .
The Council then voted by secret ballot, with Hoppe winning
on a 3-1-1 vote.
MOTION: Anderson moved, seconded by Harris, to cast a
unanimous ballot for the appointment of Gerald Hoppe to the
Historical & Cultural Commission. Motion carried 5-0.
X. REPORTS OF OFFICERS •�
A. Reports of Councilmembers
1 . Harris - Report on meeting with the School 's Multi-
Cultural Gender Fair Staff
Harris said that the School is developing a program to
deal with issues of cultural differences . She thought
the City should join with the School District in
working on this issue. She said she would suggest that
we charge the Human Rights and Services Commission to
attend the first meeting of the group next fall .
Jessen asked if some of the City Staff might also
participate_ Swaggert said there is a working
relationship between the Police Department, Staff
y personnel and the Human Resources staff.
MOTION: Pidcock moved, seconded by Jessen, to request
the Human Rights & Services Commission to join with the
School District in working on the issues of cultural
differences. Motion carried 5-0.
2. Anderson - Discussion on Nexus Program and Home School
• Program •
Anderson said the Police Department and neighbors met
last Wednesday with the Minnetonka Mayor to discuss
concerns dealing with the Nexus program and the Home
School in .Minnetonka. He said there was concern after
City Council Meeting 12 July 16, 1991
• it was learned that the Eden Prairie Police Department
Was not informed of walk-aways from those two programs.
He said he thought we should request information on
those programs.
Jullie said the Nexus Program is a treatment center for
young males who have need for treatment for drug or
sexual abuse. He said the Staff is primarily
psychologists and it is a private non-profit
organization.
Tenpas asked if this should be referred back to the
Police Department. Jullie said he thought the
residents were somewhat comforted at the meeting after
learning more about the Nexus Program and the fact that
they screen out the aggressive behavior person. He
said Nexus is willing to set up a citizen's committee
and to have a resident serve on their Board of
Directors.
Tenpas said he thought we should have the Police
Department provide a monthly report to keep us informed
of what is happening in those two facilities.
• Jessen said he thought their not notifying the Police
Department was inexcusable.
3. Tenpas said he would like to see Laurie Helling and her
staff commended in some way for the 4th of July
celebration. He said the policeman involved in the
Safety Camp should also be commended.
B. Report of City Manager
1 . Revision of Employee Severance Sick Leave Program
Referring to her memo of June 28th, Swaggert outlined
the proposed changes in the employee
sickleave/severance pay program. She said these
changes are proposed as part of a review of all
employee benefit programs begun in 1986 with the
objective of eliminating duplication and reducing
costs.
Jessen said he thought there are still problems because
the long-term disability does not start for six months_
He said this change in pay-out policy could result in a
considerable increase in expense at budget time.
Tenpas said he was concerned with abuse of the sick
• leave policy_ Jessen said he was also concerned with
that. Harris said the changes will give the employees
an incentive to bank sick time , thereby discouraging
abuse.
City Council Meeting 13 July 16, 1991
Tenpas asked if we bank vacation time too. Swaggert •
said we do, but there is a cap of two years accrual on
vacation time with a forfeit after the two years.
Anderson asked when the LTD kicks in. Swaggert replied
after 1040 hours. She said she checked with the
insurance company on that and 61% of their business has
the 6-month waiting period.
Swaggert said they looked at what is being done in
other cities. She circulated copies of the Bloomington
program which she said is more liberal than Eden
Prairie's.
MOTION: Pidcock moved, seconded by .Harris, to extend
the meeting 15 minutes beyond the 11:00 PM adjournment
deadline. Motion carried 5-0.
Jessen asked what this will cost us next year . Jullie
said it is expected to be about $12,000 per year .
Jessen said he was concerned that we will have to make
a reserve fund for this and that will have to be more
than $12,000 . Jullie said that would have to be an
actuarial calculation.
Jessen said his concern was for the people who have not•
had a chance to accumulate 800 hours and who will be
stuck in the gap between 240 hours and 1040 hours. He
said he thought we could come up with a plan that would
help people in that gap by decreasing the wait for LTD
or by some other means. He said he thought there were
other options that we could explore. Anderson said he
was also concerned with the 6-month wait for LTD to
kick in.
Harris said there are really two different issues--one
is dealing with episodic illness and the other is long-
term disability. She said she thought we are dealing
with the accrual of sick hours that can be used to deal
with sickness. Tenpas said he thought the accrual was
to fill the gap between short-term and long-term
disability. Swaggert said you still need to have a
short-term disability plan even if you shorten the
waiting time for long-term disability.
Jessen said he was concerned that this represents a
huge potential future liability for the City. Harris
asked if he was concerned about the proposal to payout
accrued sick leave days. Jessen said he thought the
only reason we accrue over 1040 hours was to provide
severance benefits, and he thought there were other •
ways to provide that. Harris said she didn't have a
problem with paying out as a severance benefit .
Tenpas said he needs to know the actual cost to us over
the next six years for this. program. He said if the
City Council Meeting 14 July 16, 1991
• intent of this is as a retirement benefit, then we
should be using a different vehicle.
Swaggert said there is another issue regarding retiree
health care benefits in that the City has elected to
not get involved in that because there are a lot of
unknowns. She said it might be good to look at this
payout as a means for retirees to finance health care
benefits. She said there are employees who refuse to
retire because they can't afford to carry health care
insurance. Anderson said he liked that aspect of it.
Harris said she thought the communication of the
program to the employees would be extremely important.
Jessen said he thought this should be tabled until we
know the affect on the budget and investigate some of
the things that are done in the private sector . He
said he preferred to address severance pay in some
other manner . Tenpas said he agreed.
Swaggert said it was important to look at the program
in its entirety. She said a benefit program is
carefully structured so that the pieces fit together .
• Anderson said he thought it is important to discuss the
issue of insurance coverage after retirement.
The consensus was to table the discussion until the
next meeting.
2. Set Date for Special City Council Meeting
Jullie suggested Tuesday, July 30th at 5:30 PM to
discuss authorizing the sale of bonds for sewer and
water projects. Councilmembers concurred.
C. Report of Director of Parks. Recreation & Natural Resources
1 . Request from Westover Homeowners Association
Lambert reviewed the offer by the Westover Homeowners
Association to donate two parks to the City_ Referring
to the memo of June 28th from Manager of Parks &
Natural Resources Fox , Lambert said they are
recommending that we not accept the donation.
Anderson said he agreed with the recommendation,
particularly since this has been the policy of the City
for a long period of time.
• MOTION= Anderson moved, seconded by Harris, to decline
the offer from the Westover Homeowners Association to
donate the two parks to the City. Motion carried 5-0.
City Council Meeting 15 July 16, 1991
2. Petition to Riley-Purgatory-Bluff Creek Watershed •
District for Construction of the Staring Lake/Purgatory
Creek Recreation Area Basic Water Management Project
Lambert reviewed the petition and referred to the memo
of July 11th outlining the background, cost estimates
and details of the project.
Jessen asked if this had been discussed with the
property owners out there. Lambert said there has been
no discussion about this particular petition but the
idea has been discussed for eight years.
Jessen said he was concerned with the issue that we
need to consult with some of the property owners before
we continue with this. He said it is important that we
own the land and not rely on drainage or flowage
easements. He said that the timing is very important,
that he and Anderson should talk to the property owners
and that we should continue this item until the next
meeting .
MOTION: Pidcock moved, seconded by Anderson, to
postpone this item until the next meeting to allow time
to contact the property owners. Motion carried 5-0.
XI . OTHER BUSINESS •
A . Resolution No . 91-171 Requesting Speed Study for Pioneer
Trail (CSAH 1 ) from Eden Prairie Road (CSAH 4) to Cedar
Crest Drive
MOTION: Harris moved, seconded by Pidcock, to adopt
Resolution No. 91-171 requesting Speed Study for Pioneer
Trail (CSAH 1 ) from Eden Prairie Road (CSAH .4) to Cedar
Crest Drive. Motion carried 5-0.
XII . ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Pidcock moved, seconded by Harris, to adjourn the
meeting at 11:30 PM. Motion carried 5-0.