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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 11/28/2006 - Town Meeting APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE CITY COUNCIL TOWN MEETING TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2006 7:00 PM, SUMMIT PLACE 8085 Flying Cloud Drive CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Nancy Tyra-Lukens, Councilmembers Brad Aho, Sherry Butcher, Ron Case, and Philip Young CITY STAFF: City Manager Scott Neal, Parks & Recreation Director Bob Lambert, Public Works Director Eugene Dietz, Community Development Director Janet Jeremiah, City Attorney Ric Rosow, Police Chief Dan Carlson, Fire Chief George Esbensen, and Council Recorder Deb Sweeney I. CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER Mayor Tyra-Lukens called the meeting to order at 7:15. She explained the purpose is to provide citizens another opportunity to address the Council and senior Staff in an informal, relaxed atmosphere. II. RESIDENT INPUT A. Audrey Hartranft,of 8505 Flying Cloud Drive, asked if there had been changes to the stop light at the Summit Place exit to T.H. 212. Dietz said the light had recently been adjusted as part of a project with the DOT, which controls signals on the highway. All signals on the stretch from Anderson Lakes Parkway to I- 494 are now interconnected to create a progression that allows traffic drive the speed limit to pass through all the lights in succession during rush hour. Side streets may in consequence need to wait longer during those times. A resident praised the progression and said it works well. B. Gary Gran, of 8505 Flying Cloud Drive,raised concerns that the crosswalk at the corner of Summit Place does not allow enough time to cross. Drivers in the right hand turn lane also do not stop and visibility to see pedestrians is poor. Perhaps a diamond or signage could be added to alert drivers. The intersection of T.H. 212 and Prairie Center Drive has similar problems. It is a challenge to walk to the mall. Another resident noted there is no sidewalk from Summit Place to the mall and it is hard to cross the street. Tyra-Lukens agreed walking to the mall should be easy. Jeremiah explained one of the first recommendations for the 25-year MCA plan is to address traffic, signal timing, and sidewalk connections. As areas are redeveloped (for example, NTI, Bobby & Steve's), developers will add sidewalks. Gran said sidewalk TOWN MEETING MINUTES November 28, 2006 Page 2 maintenance in winter is also an issue. Lambert said residents often ask for walks to be cleared faster and to be clear of ice. The city plows about 80 miles of its 100 miles of 8-foot asphalt trails, which can usually be done promptly since the trails accommodate truck plows. The city only has one vehicle that can plow the 5-foot sidewalks,however, and the vehicle is expensive. The city only attempts to plow 35 miles of sidewalk. Gran said it would be worth spending more. Dietz said he would look into signage to warn motorists of pedestrians crossing. For the walk sign issue, the blinking red hand still stops traffic and typically will go on during crossing. It is an indicator not to begin crossing. C. Barbara Kaerwer of 12800 Gerard Drive expressed concern about the dialogue in the community around taxes being too high. Eden Prairie's founders made commitments to open space and good quality housing and planning even when the community really couldn't afford it. There is a choice between cutting taxes and enjoying what we know as Eden Prairie. D. Basil Wissner of 8293 Mitchell Road commended all City staff and departments for their warm reception to concerns raised by residents and their willingness to work together to solve problems. E. Reed Schulke of 8481 Hiawatha Avenue spoke as co-chair of the advisory board for the Eden Prairie Players. He shared current ideas of the group, including making events food donations (with coupons off the next event for the participants), as well as getting the theater involved with people who have developmental disabilities. The group continues to seek ways to be more self- sufficient and welcomes ideas. Tyra-Lukens said perhaps there could be a connection between the Players and EP Reads. F. Nancy Arieta of 10785 Valley View Road#207 praised council and staff. She inquired about culvert work on Valley View Road, the status of the former Best Buy buildings, and for any news on Walmart relocating. Dietz said the Valley View project is to determine the depth of the sanitary sewer in preparation for a road-widening project which will likely go forward in the next two to three years. Jeremiah said the Best Buy property was bought by Liberty Properties, which is currently installing a new LEED-certified building elsewhere in the Golden Triangle. Plans have not been presented for the Best Buy site but the development will be primarily office. Walmart would like a more visible site with room for expansion, and the City would like the Wal-Mart site redeveloped as a walkable town area,but Wal-Mart has not found an alternative site at present. G. Gary Gran, of 8505 Flying Cloud Drive, asked about a wireless network. Neal said the Council had discussed this issue about two years ago when Chaska, Minneapolis and St. Louis Park had looked into providing broadband Internet service. The Council concluded broadband access was available throughout Eden Prairie at a market rate. A wireless network has not been studied but Neal said he would like to. TOWN MEETING MINUTES November 28, 2006 Page 3 H. A resident asked about a farmers market in Eden Prairie. Tyra-Lukens said a farmers market was almost organized this year,but there was considerable opposition from commercial providers and local farmers. A resident noted some markets, like the St. Paul market,require growers to be local vs. resellers. A model like that might lessen opposition. I. A resident asked how the opening of the new Hwy 212 would affect overall traffic and truck traffic on Flying Cloud Drive. Dietz said there would be a dip when the road opens and most of the truck traffic will be diverted. The volume will then creep upward again over several years but the truck traffic will remain low. J. A resident asked if any homeless shelters are available in Eden Prairie. Carlson said if someone were homeless, police could take him or her to a shelter or hospital for the night. Police also refer individuals to PROP for temporary housing. K. A resident asked for timing on the Pioneer Trail expansion. Dietz said bids would be taken in 2007 to widen the section from Hwy 169 to 3 blocks west of County Road 4. The rest of the project is five years out. L. Barbara Kaerwer of 12800 Gerard Drive said overnight parking is needed at the Southwest Metro Transit station to accommodate parking a car and bussing to the airport. Tyra-Lukens said one of the proposed LRT routes would allow a direct train to the airport, which would be even more attractive. Several residents praised the Council, police, fire department, and parks and planning staff for their responsiveness, intelligent planning, vision, and efforts to find cost savings. III. ADJOURNMENT Tyra-Lukens adjourned the meeting at 8:10 p.m.