HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 12/03/1991 EDEN PRAIRIE CITY COUNCIL
• APPROVED MINUTES
TIME: 8:00 PM Tuesday, December 3, 1991
LOCATION: 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 Roberta Wick
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL All Councilmembers present.
I. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND OTHER ITEMS OF BUSINESS
MOTION
• Anderson moved, seconded by Pidcock, to approve the agenda.
Jullie requested that the following items be added to III. Consent
Calendar: (D) Eden Prairie Auto Center by Accent Real Estate, Ltd. 2nd
Reading of Ordinance 31-91-PUD-10-91 and Developers Agreement; (E)
Resolution Supporting Efforts to Reduce Pollution of the Minnesota River
(Resolution No. 91-253). Jullie also requested that two items be added to
X.C. Report of Director of Public Works: (2) Contract for Purchase of
the Eaton Corporation Building for Public Works Facility; (3) Proposal
from Summit Environmental Engineering & Consulting, Inc. for services
regarding the Purgatory Creek Wetlands Issue.
Anderson requested the additions of the following items under X.A.
Reports of Councilmembers: (1) Relationship Between Staff, Council and
Mayor; (2) Snow Plowing. Tenpas requested the addition of (3) Fire
Fighters Relief Association;- (4) Traffic Signal at Prairie Center Drive and
Singletree Lane; (5) Charity Event. Pidcock requested the addition of
(6) Street Light on Harmony Place.
Agenda approved as amended 5-0.
•
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• City Council Minutes Approved
II. MINUTES
A. City Counctf Meeting held Tuesday, November 19, 1991
MOTION
Pidcock moved, second by Anderson, to approve the minutes from the
City Council Meeting held November 19, 1991.
Moron approved 5-0.
Ill. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Clerk's License List
B. SOUTHWEST SUBURBAN CABLE COMMISSION - 1991 CATV Relief
extension - 2nd Reading of Ordinance No. 37-91 and CATV Relief
Ordinance Amendment, Ordinance No. 57-88, Providing for the
Continuance of Certain Aspects of the CATV Relief Ordinance, As
Amended, and Restructuring the Manner in which Local Programming
was Funded; Approval of Restated Performance Agreement; Approval
of Consent Agreement and Guaranty of Performance
• C. Approval of South Hennepin Regional Planning Agency Joint Powers
Agreement
D. EDEN PRAIRIE AUTO CENTER by Accent Real Estate, Ltd. 2nd Reading
of Ordinance 31-91-PUD-10-91, Zoning District Amendment within the
C-Reg-Ser District on 16.2 acres; Approval of Developer's Agreement;
Adoption of Resolution 91-262, Approving Summary and Ordering
Publication of Ordinance 31-91-PUD-10-91; Adoption of Resolution 91-
226, Site Plan Review on 16.2 acres for development of a 158,000
square-foot automobile dealership to be known as Eden Prairie Auto
Center. Location: Southeast corner of Valley View Road and Plaza
Drive. (Ordinance 31-91-PUD-10-91, Zoning District Amendment;
Resolution 91-262, Summary and Publication; Resolution 91-226, Site
Plan Review)
E. Resolution Supporting Efforts to Reduce Pollution of the Minnesota
River. (Resolution 91-263)
MOTION
Pidcock moved, seconded by Anderson, to approve the Consent Calendar.
Jullie called Council attention to a memo dated December 3, 1991
regarding the Eden Prairie Auto Center and stated that the vehicular
display would include a variety of vehicles in addition to automobiles.
• He also pointed out there had been a change in the enforcement
conditions which were utilized in the prior Eden Prairie Ford agreement.
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• City Council Minutes Approved
He said assurances from the developer had been received that there
would be compliance with City Code.
He also said that the Welsh-Sierra Limited Partnership (Bingo Hall at the
Eden Prairie Legion) should be omitted from the Clerk's License
Application List because City Code precluded the issuance of such
license to a private, for-profit corporation.
Consent calendar as amended approved 5-0.
IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. GOLF POINTE by Associated Investments, Inc. Request for
Comprehensive Guide Plan Change from Medium-Density Residential to
Low-Density Residential on 2.24 acres, Zoning District Change from
Rural to R1-13.5 on 2.24 acres with variances to be reviewed by the
Board of Appeals, Preliminary Plat of 2.24 acres into 5 single-family
lots. Location: South of Valley View Road east of the abandoned
Chicago Northwestern Railway (Resolution No. 91-227 - Amending the
Comprehensive Municipal Plan; Ordinance No. 29-91 - Rezoning from
Rural to R1-13.5; and Resolution No. 91-259 Approving the Preliminary
Plat)
• Jullie said notice for the public hearing was properly published in
the November 21, 1991 issue of the Eden Prairie News and mailed to
surrounding property owners.
Tom Robertson, representing Associated Investments, Inc., explained
the details of the project by the use of maps and drawings. He
pointed out that the plan was a change from the original
development proposal for townhouses approved in April 1988. The
reason for the change was that the demand for townhouses was
down, and therefore it had been decided to propose five single-
family houses on the property.
Enger said the Planning Commission had recommended approval of
the item at its October 28, 1991 meeting on a 4-0 vote subject to the
recommendations of the staff reports of October 4 and October 25,
1991.
Lambert said the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission
recommended approval of the project at its November 18, 1991
meeting on a 5-0 vote.
Anderson said he believed there was a possibility of building a trail
in the area and requested that staff investigate gaining public
access to a trail in the creek area in the development.
• Jessen asked Pauly what the City's liability was due to errant golf
balls with the approval of a development close to a golf course.
Eden Prairie 4 December 3, 1991
. City Council Minutes Approved
Pauly said the Cite would not -incur any additional liability in this
case because he believed the development was a reasonable distance
from the golf course.
There unere no comments from the audience.
MOTION
Pidcock moved, second by Harris, to close the public hearing, adopt
Resolution No. 91-227 to Amend the Comprehensive Municipal Plan,
and approve first reading of Ordinance No. 29-91 for Rezoning.
Anderson asked Pauly if the City had any liability in allowing the
development close to a floodplain area. Pauly said approval was
appropriate on any areas outside of the floodplain area and in his
opinion the City would not incur any liability for this reason.
Motion approved 5-0.
MOTION
Pidcock moved adoption of Resolution No. 91-259 to approve the
• preliminary plat and direct staff to prepare a development agreement
incorporating commission and staff recommendations. Seconded by
Harris. Motion approved 5-0.
B. RICE MARSH LAKE PUD by the Pemtom Company for a Planned Unit
Development Concept Review on 129.8 acres, Planned Unit
Development District Review on 129.8 acres with waivers, Zonis
District Change from Rural to R1-9 on 24.8 acres and from Rural to
R1-13.5 on 105 acres, Site Plan Review, and Preliminary Platting of
129.8 acres into 204 single family lots, 3 outlots, and road right-of-
way for construction of a residential development to be known as
Rice Marsh Lake P.U.D. Location: North of Rice Marsh Lake, just
east of Chanhassen-Eden Prairie city limits (Resolution No. 91-245 -
Approving the PUD Planned Unit Development Concept Amendment;
Ordinance No. 31-91-PUD-11-91 - PUD District and Rezoning frm
Rural to R1-9.5 and R1-13.5; and Resolution No. 91-246 - Approving
the Preliminary Plat)
3ullie said notice for this public hearing was properly published in
the Eden Prairie News and mailed to surrounding property owners.
Dan Herbst, representing The Pemtom Company, explained the project
with the use of maps and drawings. He pointed out that this was
the George Schroers farm, west of Dell Road and South of Highway 5.
He said the proposal included three distinct neighborhoods with
separate entrances. The overall development would be called
• Winfield, with three neighborhoods called Winfield North with R1-9.5
Eden Prairie 5 Decembenr .3, 1991
• City Council Minutes AIpproved
lots, Winfield Meadows, and Winfield on the Lake in which the.
properties would be next to the lake. The plan had 19 fewen7 Ilots
than the proposal which had been previously approved. He s�did
there would be eight ponds on the site which would be used' ff+ar
sedimentation purposes and treatment of storm water, and whiidh
would also be amenities to the site. There would be a sidewallk and
trail system in the development. There would be approximately 32
acres dedicated to the City. He said the plan was to develop tare
area in four phases. The proponent also requested approval.o f .-a
limited early grading permit, subject to approval from the Wa#barshed
District, because of the unknowns the new agency rules beinj made
to regulate wetlands. He believed a early grading permit couild
possibly avoid a year or year-and-a-half moratorium in obtaining
proper permits for development near wetlands.
Enger said the Planning Commission reviewed the item at its
November 4, 1991 meeting and recommended approval on a 4-L'-4D vote,
with Norman voting Nay because she was concerned about the:
shoreline lot variances. The Planning Commission's approval vw.as
subject to the recommendations of the staff report dated Novesmber 1,
1991 and the plans submitted by the proponent dated Novembx+-�,r 1,
1991. Enger reviewed several items included in the staff repmrt,
. pointing out specifically that there would have been more trees :loss
than originally anticipated. There was a significant area of ToTge
oak trees in the southeast portion of the property and the
proponent had reworked the plan by eliminating two lots in ceder to
bring the tree loss down to the 46% recommended by the Plamm- ng
Commission.
Lambert said the Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources
Commission reviewed the proposal on December 2, 1991 and
recommended approval on a 5-0 vote according to the November 27.,
1991 Planning Staff memorandum and the November 1, 1991 Planning
Staff report. The major issues discussed were the tree loss proposal
and park dedication fees. The Commission recommended giving some
value to the dedicated 32 acres and reduce the cash park fees by
$100 per lot. The Commission was concerned about trail construction
and the developer had agreed to develop the trail within the park
before the houses were built.
Harris said she was pleased to hear the trails would be built at the
same time as the houses.
Jessen asked whether an advanced grading permit in this case would
the City get into the same bind as it had in the Purgatory Creek
floodplain situation because of changes of rules along the way.
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• Eden Prairie 6 December 3, 1991
City Council Minutes Approved
Dietz said that, assuming approval by the Watershed District, all
permits would be in place for the project. The design standards for
the ponds to which the proponent was being held was beyond what
had been done in the previously-approved PUD and were consistent
with what the Board of Water and Soil Resources plans contemplated.
The uncertainty was where the permitting process would be in six
months and possibly there would be a moratorium on permits, a
situation that the proponent was attempting to avoid.
Conrad Fiskness, 8033 Cheyenne Avenue, Chanhassen, asked if the
northern border of the property abutted the DataSery Property.
Dietz said that was correct. Fiskness asked if the holding pond at
the center of the property was the existing pond at the southern
edge of the DataSery lot. Herbst said no and that it was a new
pond.
There were no further comments from the audience.
MOTION
Jessen moved, seconded by Harris, to close the public hearing.
Motion approved 5-0.
• Anderson asked what the approximate cost of the houses on the R1-
9.5 lots would be. Herbst said they would be between $130,000 and
$150,000. Anderson said he believed this was within the guidelines
set by the Human Rights and Services Commission. Anderson said he
was concerned about approving an early grading permit for the
purpose of complying with the federal guidelines before January 1,
1992. Herbst said that the Corps of Engineers had issued a permit
for the grading. The proponent's concern was that the new
authority given to the Board of Water and Soil Resources could delay
issuance of additional permits that would be needed.
MOTION
Pidcock moved to adopt Resolution No. 91-245 approving the PUD
Concept Amendment and approve first reading of Ordinance No. 31-
91-PUD-11-91 for PUD District and Rezoning from Rural to R1-9.5 and
R1-13.5. Seconded by Jessen. Motion approved 5-0.
MOTION
Pidcock moved to Adopt Resolution No. 91-246, approving the
preliminary plat, and to direct staff to prepare a development
agreement incorporating commission and staff recommendations.
Seconded by Jessen. Motion approved 5-0.
•
Eden Prairie 7 December 2, 1991
City Council Minutes Approved
MOTION
Pidcock moved to allow the limited grading permit with the
understanding that the developer proceed at its own risk. Seconded
by Harris. Motion approved 5-0.
V. PAYMENT OF CLAIMS
MOTION
Anderson moved, seconded by Pidcock, to approve payment of claims.
Motion for payment of claims approved with Anderson, Harris, Pidcock,
Jessen, and Tenpas all voting "AYE".
VI. ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS
VII. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
A. _Petition for the Closure of the Heritage Road/Highway 5 Intersection
(Continued from November 5, 1991)
Tenpas said he would recommend continuing this item to anotier date
• as full notification had not been sent to the neighborhood involved.
Dietz recommended including the item on the January 21, 1991
agenda.
Chris Geason, 7470 Atherton Way, said he had not received
notification by mail of the meeting on this issue and wanted to be
sure that he received proper notification of the next meeting. Dietz
informed the Council and audience that any notification of meetings
to date had been done by residents petitioning for the closure.
MOTION
Pidcock moved, seconded by Jessen, to continue this item to the
January 22, 1992 Council meeting. Motion approved 5-0.
VIII. REPORTS OF ADVISORY BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, & COMMITTEES
A. Heritage Preservation Commission - Request Approval to Award
Contract to Tellus for Historical Survey and Context Study
Jullie said the Heritage Preservation Commission had interviewed
consultants in November, 1991 to undertake a historical contest
survey and had recommended Tellus Consultants, Inc. be retained to
identify the local historical resources in Eden Prairie. The cost of
the study would be $19,000. Funding had been secured for all but
• $2,500 and this amount would be available in the Historical and
Cultural 1991 budget.
Eden Prairie 8 Decemberr 3, 1991
• City Council Minutes AVpproved
MOTION
Jessen moved, seconded by Harris, to retain Tellus Consultant, Inc.
to identify the local historical resources in Eden Prairie and- tkhdt
$2,500 be appropriated from the 1991 Historical and Cultural tiludget.
IX. APPOINTMENTS
A. Appointment of Resident to Two-year Term on Southwest MetrcD
Transit Commission.
Jullie said that this was for a two-year term which rotated between
the three member cities. Traditionally the representative had: lbeen a
bus rider in the Southwest Metro Transit system. Four candi-&Ates
were listed in the agenda packet.
It was the consensus of the Council that the candidates be
interviewed at approximately 6:30 PM prior to the council meetiing of
December 17, 1991. Staff was requested to contact the candi&ates
and notify them of the time and place of the interviews.
• X. REPORTS OF OFFICERS
A. REPORTS OF COUNCILMEMBERS
1. Relationship Between Staff, Council, and Mayor.
Anderson said he was concerned about the relationship lween
the Council and the City Manager as it related to interference on
the part of individual councilmembers or the mayor with the
staff in the performance of duties. He said he would like 'the
policy on operating procedure clarified.
Tenpas requested that Pauly review the law in this matter.
Pauly said that essentially under a Plan B City, the Count/City
Manager form of government, any direction to staff was to be
made through the City Manager. This did not mean that
individual councilmembers could not receive specific information
from staff members. However, general direction to the staff and
specific requests for action was to be implemented through the
City Manager.
Pauly stated further that Council had the responsibility to set
policy. That policy was to be implemented through the City
Manager, who in turn, guided the City staff.
Harris said she understood this to mean that the Council's role
• was to establish policy and the city manager's role was to
implement that policy. She asked if the right of Councilmembers
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• City Council Minutes Approved
to request information included the right to manage or micro-
manage the functions of the City. Pauly said this right did not
include requesting some actions to be taken by individual staff
persons. Harris asked that if a request for an action were to be
made by an individual councilmember, was it necessary that the
request reflect the opinion of the majority of the Council. Pauly
said it would depend on the request. An individual's request
for action could be appropriate in a minor, non-policy matter,
but in any major type of actions that might be required, the
Council as a whole must determine what that direction would be.
Tenpas asked if it was appropriate if a councilmember called a
special meeting which involved a personnel issue, for the
purpose of letting the person know in advance what was to be
discussed at the meeting and what the councilmember planned to
suggest as an action. Pauly said he believed informing someone
of the subject of the discussion was appropriate, and he
believed it would be a courtesy to the person involved.
Pidcock asked that if it was appropriate for a staff member to
ask a councilmember for an opinion on making a bid, for example.
Pauly said that in order to make the system work, it would have
• to be appropriate. From the staff perspective, a lot of time
could be wasted if it did not get some informal idea of where the
Council stood on certain issues. Pidcock asked if the City
Manager had the authority to make an offer on any property in
the name of the Council when the Council had indicated that it
had an interest in the property. Pauly said this was correct as
long as the offer was contingent upon ultimate Council approval.
Anderson said he understood that the daily operations of the
City were the responsibility of the City Manager. He also said
he understood that policy was set by the majority of the Council
and therefore it was the majority of the Council that gave the
direction to the City Manager. Pauly said this was correct. He
asked Pauly if there was any recourse if the majority of the
Council believed there was interference in the daily operation of
the City by one of the councilmembers. Pauly said if an
interference went to the point where it became a violation of a
statute, it could constitute misconduct in office. He said there
was no remedy available to the Council as a whole other than to
adopt a resolution either correcting the direction given or give a
counter-direction.
Harris said she had been concerned about confusion that had
been growing as to roles and responsibilities as it related to
Council versus City staff, particularly unilateral initiatives of
members of the Council and negotiations that could lead to some
• confusion on the part of the public. She said she would like to
establish ground rules that would in a general way govern the
Eden Prairie 10 Decembear 3, 1991
• City Council Minutes Approved
Council/staff relationship in the future. Pauly said that_ithey
key principal was that Council gave the general policy
directions, made specific decisions required by statute, amd had
the direct authority to employ the City Manager. Individiudl
councilmembers had the right to interact with staff for pi poses
of gathering information, and staff had the prerogative tm
interact with councilmembers for the purpose of getting cqpinions
on various issues. Harris asked who had responsibility Aur "the
actual conduct of the City's business and discharging Commi-dil's
policies. Pauly said this was the responsibility of the CitV
Manager. Harris asked if this included negotiations on behalf of
the City. Pauly said it did.
Jessen observed that Council operates in different styles; att
different times and Council routinely assigns to one or metre
councilmembers the responsibility for a specific issue. E'mr
example, he said that Anderson and he were assigned to
investigate the Purgatory Creek Wetlands issue, Pidcock watts
assigned to represent the Council on the Southwest Area Metro
Transit Commission, and Tenpas and Harris were given tll--
assignment to evaluate the City Manager performance. Ini .a, more
structured system, these assignments would be given to tdhe
• staff. He said he believed the model to be followed by C7amncil
was more collegial, more constructive, and gave support is the
staff.
Harris said she saw a real difference between assignments -given
by Council to individual members and individual initiatives;
outside of those discussed and delegated by Council.
Tenpas said that the specific issue being discussed was the
review of the City Manager. He said he had some concerns that
he wanted to present to the entire Council before the rev-iew
took place. He decided to not call each member at home, but
rather have a meeting to discuss his concerns in an effort to
keep all councilmembers informed of what he believed was
happening in the community. It was also his intent to be open
and honest with the City Manager.
Pidcock said she believed that when actions by any one of the
councilmembers interfered with the morale and the operation of
the staff, it was a serious matter. She said she believed the
City had an excellent staff and when reprimanding was
necessary, the manager had done it. She believed the Council
should be careful to stay within the policy issues and not be
involved in management.
•
• Eden Prairie 11 December 3, 1991
City Council Minutes Approved
Anderson said that in the past the city manager's evaluation had
always been done with the full Council and the mayor, after
which it had been turned over to the manager and discussed
with him. He was upset that this had not happened this year.
He said that he had heard that the mayor had asked the city
manager to resign without the authorization of the full Council.
Furthermore, the mayor had not discussed the evaluation with
Councilmember Harris. He believed the mayor's actions were
inappropriate and not within the duties of a mayor.
Tenpas said that he believed it was appropriate to meet with
the city manager to tell him what he planned to present in a
meeting that was supposed to have been held at 6:00 PM on
December 3, 1991. He believed the conversation was a healthy
one. He said he had not asked the city manager to resign.
Harris said she believed an action had been taken that involved
actions and/or options that had not been discussed with the
Council. She believed that discussion should have preceded a
meeting with the city manager.
Tenpas said that he believed this discussion should have been
• held in private. Anderson said he disagreed because Tenpas had
taken the action on his own initiative without direction from
Council. Harris said that she wanted the press and the public
to know that her evaluation of Jullie on a Scale of 1-5, 5 being
excellent, was over 4. Anderson and Pidcock commented that
their evaluations were very similar.
Jessen said that he believed the press should not be present for
a city manager evaluation meeting, and the meeting should have
been held at 6:00 PM. He believed the manner in which the
issue had been brought up was very poor.
Harris believed there was a larger issue which was the taking of
unilateral actions. She stressed that the role of the Council was
to establish policy and the role of the city manager was to carry
out that policy.
Anderson added that he believed that Council had not given the
city manager or City staff good direction in 1991.
i
• Eden Prairie 12 December 3, 1991
City Council Minutes Approved
2. Snow Plowing
Anderson said he knew that residents of the City had been
frustrated with snow plows depositing snow in driveways that
the property owner had already cleared. He said he believed it
would help if the City policy on snow plowing were published in
the newspapers so the residents would understand the
procedures and would therefore know what to expect after a
snowfall. Dietz said he would prepare such an item for the
newspapers.
3. FireFighters Relief Association
Tenpas said that the FireFighters Relief Association would like
the Council to look at the long-term pension program of the
volunteer Fire Department as it related to amounts paid and total
years for vesting. There was some concern in the volunteer
Fire Department that it had become more difficult to recruit
people and to keep them for any length of time. Tenpas would
like staff to do some preliminary work on the problem and bring
it before Council for further discussion. Tenpas said this would
probably effect the 1993 budget at the earliest because of the
. amount of planning that would be involved to obtain appropriate
legislation.
4. Traffic Signal at Prairie Center Drive and Singletree Lane
Tenpas asked if there was a way to get a signal light at this
location with TIF funds as the Wal-Mart Store would be
constructed and operating quite soon. Dietz said that at the
December 17, 1991 Council meeting, the TIF improvement projects
would be summarized and authorization requested to hire a
consultant at that point.
5. Charity Event
Tenpas said he would like to do something to help needy people
in need in the community, and he would like to suggest a
charity basketball game between City Staff, Council, and School
Board to raise money specifically for PROP. He requested staff
to work on a recommendation for this project. Council agreed
with this suggestion.
6. Street Light on Harmony Place
Pidcock stated that one of the street lights in this area had
been knocked down and she asked whether or not arrangements
for repair had been made. Dietz said that Northern States Power
• was responsible for the repairs and had been contacted on this
matter.
Eden Prairie 13 December 3, 1991
City Council Minutes Approved
B. REPORT OF CITY MANAGER
1. Radio Tower Replacement
Jullie said bids were opened on November 21, 1991 for
replacement of the radio tower at the police station. Only one
bid had been received, which was considerably over the estimate
made last year. There had also been a lengthy review process
by the Federal Aviation Administration which specified the height
of the tower. There was a very narrow construction window and
it was important to begin construction very soon. Jullie said
there were funding transfers that could be made to accomplish
this construction. He requested the Council authorize an
agreement with Tim's Tower Service in the amount not to exceed
$96,359 as well as authorizing the transfer of funds to
accomplish the funding of the project.
MOTION
Jessen moved to authorize the transfer of funds and contract
with Tim's Tower Service to build the new radio tower at the
• police station in the amount not to exceed $96,359. Seconded by
Harris. Motion approved 5-0.
2. Discussion of General Fund Budget
Jullie called Council attention to the memorandum of November 29,
1991 outlining the capital outlays that were proposed in the 1992
budget. He also called attention to Dietz's memo of November 29,
1991 presenting the estimated costs related to two trail
constructions: One along County Road 4 for approximately
$140,000; and the second was the County Road 1 trail at a cost
of approximately $225,000. Also included was a memo from
Lambert which included a letter from Deborah Campbell-Potter,
Chair of the Historical and Cultural Commission, requesting an
increase in the historical interpreter's hours which would be
approximately a $7,000 increase. He spoke about the additional
information relating to the proposed 1992 employees salary
program as well as budget items with health and life insurance.
Jullie said that in applying the potential salary administration
program to the budget, he believed that the amount for benefits
could be reduced by approximately $50,000 from the amount that
had been proposed. Another item for scrutiny was the liquor
enterprise profits and Jullie called attention to a memo of
December 3, 1991 relating to the potential availability of an
additional $175,000 that should be available from liquor
operations in 1992. He reminded Council that the budget must
. be approved by December 20, 1991.
• Eden Prairie 14 December 3, 1991
City Council Minutes Approved
Jessen said that he believed a 10.3% tax rate increase was
difficult to justify at the present time. He said that he believed
a 4% salary adjustment was high based on wage settlements in
the market place. He also suggested that the Council consider
carefully the cost of health benefits as health insurance
premiums had risen 22% in the past year and were expected to
rise at a similar rate next year.
Natalie Swaggert, Director of Human Resources and Community
Services, said that over the past four years, the City had
transferred more and more of the health care cost to the
employees. Currently the City was paying 66% of the health
insurance premiums, with the employee paying 34%. The
industry norm was 67% paid by the employer.
Anderson asked if the employees had ever been surveyed to find
out if they would rather take the increase in health care
benefits or on the paycheck. Swaggert said no such survey had
been done to date.
Tenpas said he believed it was necessary for the City to look at
ways to decrease spending in this time of recession.
•
3. Discussion of Enterprise Funds Budget
Jullie said this was the sewer and water fund program, the bulk
of which was for the operation of the water plant. On the sewer
fund the major billing was from the Metropolitan Waste Control
Commission, and customer rates were based on water
consumption. The liquor operations were also included in this
budget.
Tenpas asked what the status was of the third liquor store.
Jullie said that the Prairieview Center location had been
recommended by a consultant but the decision had been made to
delay a decision because of the Highway 5/212 project. Also,
there was not an appropriate facility available at the present
time in the Prairieview Center. Another viable alternative could
be the location near the new Cub Foods store.
John Frane, Finance Director, said the Prairie Village Mall store
had a 31% increase in sales this past year, and the Preserve
Village Mall had had a 20% increase in sales.
Tenpas said he would like Council to discuss maximizing profits
from the liquor sales.
•
• Eden Prairie 15 December 3, 1991
City Council Minutes Approved
C. Report of Director of Public Works
1. Award Contract for Purchase of Sewer Jetter
Dietz said this item was included $87,000 in the proposed 1992
budget. However, because delivery of the sewer jetter takes six
months, he was requesting that Council authorize award of the
contract to Flexible Pipe Tool Company in the amount of $72,471.
MOTION
Harris moved to approve Resolution No. 91-261 awarding the
contract for a sewer jetter to Flexible Pipe Tool Company.
Seconded by Pidcock. Motion approved 5-0.
2. Contract for Purchase of Eaton Building for Public Works Facility
Pauly called Council attention to the Purchase Agreement for
Building No. 3 from the Eaton Corporation which included seven
acres of land and certain easements for drainage and sprinkling,
for a price of $1,037,500. This amount would be paid in cash at
the closing. He said Eaton would like to close in 1991 if
• possible. Pauly said a copy of the environmental review from
Eaton Corporation had been received and Eaton Corporation had
agreed to provide the City with an indemnity agreement. The
agreement stated that if there were any hazardous substances on
the property which the City purchased, Eaton would indemnify
the City against any liability for those substances as well as the
cost of any defense. The same indemnification would apply to
the property being retained by Eaton Corporation.
Deitz said the building was 66,000 square feet and he believed it
met the needs for maintenance equipment and the central location
was a very good one. He said the proposal was to purchase the
building by making a loan from the Utility Reserve Fund and
repay it as the current facility was sold to MnDOT for the
Highway 212 project. He said this was the only mechanism
available to finance the purchase. The old facility, excluding the
fire station portion, had an estimated value of $3 million.
MOTION
Jessen moved to approve the purchase agreement with the Eaton
Corporation for Building No. 3 for use as a public works facility,
with funding to come from an internal loan from the Utility
Reserve Fund. Seconded by Harris. Motion approved 5-0.
•
Eden Prairie December 3= 1991
City Council Minutes approved
3. Proposal from Summit Environmental Engineering & consulting,
Inc.
Dietz said that Linda Fisher from the Larkin Hoffman law firm
had reviewed the data in the files regarding the fill areas near
wetlands along Prairie Center Drive. She had proposed adding
another consultant to come to a conclusion about how much
wetlands had been filled from the City's perspective, rater than
allowing the Corps of Engineers to make the determination. He
called Council attention to a proposal from Summit Environmental
Engineering and Consulting, Inc. which would provide the
services which Ms. Fisher believed to be necessary. The
services would be charged on an hourly basis, with the top cost
expected to be approximately $8,500.
MOTION
Pidock moved to retain Summit Environmental Engineering and
Consulting, Inc. as recommended by staff. Seconded by
Anderson. Motion approved 5-0.
XI. OTHER BUSINESS
• XII. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION
Pidcock moved, seconded by Anderson, to adjourn at 11:00 PM. Notion
approved 5-0.
•