HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 02/20/2007 APPROVED MINUTES
EDEN PRAIRIE CITY COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2007 7:00 PM, CITY CENTER
Council Chamber
8080 Mitchell Road
CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Phil Young, Councilmembers Brad Aho, Sherry Butcher, Jon Duckstad
and Kathy Nelson
CITY STAFF: City Manager Scott Neal, Parks & Recreation Director Bob Lambert, Public Works
Director Eugene Dietz, City Planner Michael Franzen, Community Development Director Janet
Jeremiah, City Attorney Ric Rosow, and Council Recorder Jan Nelson Curielli
I. ROLL CALL/CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER
Mayor Young called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Parks & Recreation Director Bob
Lambert was absent.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
III. COUNCIL FORUM INVITATION
IV. PROCLAMATIONS/PRESENTATIONS
A. PROCLAMATION CELEBRATING CHINESE NEW YEAR
Mayor Young read a proclamation extending best wishes for a happy and
prosperous New Year to the government officials and people of Loudi, China.
V. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND OTHER ITEMS OF BUSINESS
City Manager Neal noted there was additional information passed out regarding Items
X.B.-X.E. He added Item X.K., a Resolution authorizing a study of signs displaying
animation or electronically changing images or messages; Item X.L. and X.M., First&
Second Reading of an Interim Ordinance temporarily prohibiting any sign displaying
animation or electronically changing images or messages; and a Resolution approving the
Summary Ordinance.
MOTION: Aho moved, seconded by Butcher, to approve the agenda as published and
amended. Motion carried 5-0.
VI. MINUTES
A. COUNCIL WORKSHOP HELD ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2007
MOTION: Butcher moved, seconded by Aho, to approve the minutes of the City
Council Workshop held Tuesday, February 6, 2007, as published. Motion carried
5-0.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
February 20, 2007
Page 2
B. CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2007
MOTION: Aho moved, seconded by Duckstad, to approve the minutes of the City
Council Meeting held Tuesday, February 6, 2007, as published. Motion carried 5-0.
VII. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. CLERK'S LICENSE LIST
B. STARING PRESERVE by Aileron Development. Approval of the Development
Agreement. Location: 9181 Staring Lane East
C. APPROVE PURCHASE OF REPLACEMENT VEHICLES AND
EQUIPMENT FOR 2007
D. APPROVE REQUEST BY BRYANT LAKE SKI TEAM FOR
SUBMERSIBLE SLALOM SKI COURSE FOR A YEAR-TO-YEAR
PERMIT
E. APPROVE CORRECTED ELIZABETH FRIES ELLET INTERPRETIVE
TRAIL SIGNAGE PROGRAM
F. APPROVE USE OF UP TO $75,000 IN CDBG FUNDS TO REHABILITATE
THE EDENDALE RESIDENCE
MOTION: Butcher moved, seconded by Aho, to approve Items A-F of the
Consent Calendar. Motion carried 5-0.
VIII. PUBLIC HEARINGS/MEETINGS
A. 2007 CDBG FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS (RESOLUTION 2007-34)
Neal said the official notice of this public hearing was published in the February 8,
2007, Eden Prairie Sun Current. He said for 2007 CDBG Funding remained at
$267,766.00, which is the 2006 amount. The amount of money available for
distribution to human services providers under the 15% guideline is $40,165.00. He
reviewed the specific recommendations of the Human Services Review Committee
regarding 2007 funding for Human Services and Housing activities. He noted the
discussion of how to distribute the 2007 CDBG funds through the Human Services
Review Committee included a complete review of all "Request for Funding"
applications and the distribution percentage of funds in 2006. The Committee's
goals were to have the best and highest use of these funds for human services that
demonstrated the most direct benefit to the community.
Neal said for over a decade, the Eden Prairie City Council has approved the
allocation of CDBG funds to the Greater Minneapolis Day Care Association
(GMDCA) to provide child care subsidy for low income Eden Prairie residents who
meet certain criteria. In October, 2006, GMDCA ceased operation and are no
longer administering the CDBG funds for the subsidy program. A total of
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
February 20, 2007
Page 3
$24,462.78 in CDBG funds from previous years' allocations remains allocated for
this program. Hennepin County has selected a new agency, Jewish Vocational
Services (JVS) to take over administration of the child care subsidy program. Staff
requests Council approval for the reallocation of the remaining funds from
GMDCA, to JVS.
Young then asked for any comments from the audience.
Kathy Engel, representing the HOME program, thanked the Council for their
support of the HOME program for senior citizens.
MOTION: Butcher moved, seconded by Duckstad, to close the Public Hearing
and to adopt Resolution 2007-34 approving use of funds for 2007 Community
Development Block Grant Funds and Reallocation of Specific 2005/2006
Community Development Block Grant Funds. Motion carried 5-0.
B. BLUFF COUNTRY VILLAGE Request for: Planned Unit Development Concept
Review on 5.8 acres, Planned Unit Development District Review on 5.8 acres,
Zoning District Amendment in the Neighborhood Commercial Zoning District on
2.7 acres, Site Plan Review on 2.7 acres and Preliminary Plat of 5.8 acres into two
lots and one outlot. Location: Hennepin Town Road & Pioneer Trail. (Resolution
2007-35 for PUD Concept Review; Ordinance for PUD District Review and
Zoning District Amendment; Resolution 2007-36 for Preliminary Plat)
Neal said official notice of this public hearing was published in the February 8,
2007, Eden Prairie Sun Current and sent to 281 property owners. He said the
proposed plan includes a 2,300 square-foot coffee shop, a 12,000 square- foot retail
building, and 3.1 acre lot for future development that shows 16,262 square feet of
building. The plan conforms to the requirements of the neighborhood commercial
zoning district. This project amends an approved plan for a 3,200 square-foot
restaurant and a building with 28,041 square feet of retail on the first floor with 94
apartment units on 3 additional floors. The 120-Day Review Period expires on
March 10, 2007. The Planning Commission first reviewed this project at the
December 8, 2006 meeting and recommended a continuance with direction to the
developer to revise the architecture, grading, and tree preservation plans. At the
January 22, 2007 meeting the Planning Commission voted 6-0 to recommend
approval of the project to the City Council.
There were no comments from the audience.
MOTION: Aho moved, seconded by Nelson, to close the Public Hearing, to adopt
Resolution 2007-35 for Planned Unit Development Concept Review on 5.8 acres; to
approve 1 st Reading of the Ordinance for Planned Unit Development District
Review with waivers, and Zoning District Amendment in the Neighborhood
Commercial District on 5.8 acres; to adopt Resolution 2007-36 for Preliminary Plat
on 5.8 acres into 2 lots; and to direct Staff to prepare a Development Agreement
incorporating Staff and Board recommendations and Council conditions. Motion
carried 5-0.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
February 20, 2007
Page 4
IX. PAYMENT OF CLAIMS
MOTION: Butcher moved, seconded by Duckstad, to approve the Payment of Claims. The
motion was approved on a roll call vote,with Aho, Butcher, Duckstad, Nelson and
Young voting "aye."
X. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
A. FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CITY CODE
SECTION 2.23 BY ESTABLISHING A BUDGET ADVISORY
COMMISSION
Neal noted this is a continued item from the Council's January 16 meeting, when
Mayor Young proposed the establishment of a new citizen advisory commission to
assist the city with the management of the City's annual budget. At that meeting
Mayor Young asked for Councilmembers to review a draft charter statement for the
proposed commission and to report any questions, concerns or ideas to the City
Council at the Council's February 6 meeting. At the February 6 meeting,
Councilmember Duckstad shared a suggested mission statement for the
commission. There was a consensus of support for the proposal put forward by
Councilmember Duckstad.
Neal said he reformatted Councilmember Duckstad's proposal to more closely
align with the structure that is used to describe the City's advisory commissions in
chapter 2.23 of the City Code. The reformatted version of Councilmember
Duckstad's proposal was included in the Council packets.
Nelson said she would like to change the proposed Subd.LF.1. to "Learn about the
overall policy direction for the budget as communicated by the City Council to the
City Manager."
The consensus was to accept Councilmember Nelson's proposed change.
MOTION: Duckstad moved, seconded by Aho, to approve as amended first
reading of an Ordinance amending City Code sections 2.23 by establishing a
Budget Advisory Commission; and adopting by reference city code chapter 1 and
section 2.99, which among other things, contain penalty provisions. Motion
carried 4-1, with Nelson opposed.
B. BENT CREEK GOLF COURSE REZONING FIRST READING Request for:
Zoning District Change from Rural to Golf Course on 105.8 acres. Location: Bent
Creek Golf Course. (Ordinance for Zoning District Change)
Neal said this is a continued item from the February 6, 2007, meeting. The public
hearing was closed, discussion was tabled on the 1St and 2nd reading of the
ordinance, and staff was directed to prepare findings, conclusions, and order in
support of rezoning the property. He said the findings and conclusions were given
to Councilmembers in advance of the meeting along with additional conclusions
prepared by Councilmember Duckstad for this meeting.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
February 20, 2007
Page 5
Young noted this item is not open to public comment.
Duckstad directed a series of questions to City Planner Franzen. He noted there
were frequent references at previous hearings to the Eden Prairie Comprehensive
Guide Plan as it pertained to this particular ordinance for Bent Creek Golf Course,
and he asked when the Guide Plan was first initiated by the City of Eden Prairie.
Franzen replied the City Council adopted a Comprehensive Plan in 1968 and within
that guide plan there is a designation called quasi-public and the quasi-public
designation matched the location of the golf course at that time.
Duckstad asked if the Guide Plan as created in 1968 did include the now-existing
Bent Creek Golf Course such that it referred to it as public/quasi-public in total or
in part. Fransen said in 1970 when the City Council reviewed a Planned Unit
Development(PUD)referred to as Edenvale, the location of the golf course
changed. It was a 27-hole golf course during the 1960's,but it was converted to an
18-hole course in the Edenvale project. Consequently the area of quasi-public was
readjusted to match the boundaries of the golf course as presented by Edenvale in
1970.
Duckstad asked if the Guide Plan was updated in 1976 or thereabouts. Fransen said
it was updated in 1979. Duckstad asked if in the 1979 revision the area that is now
Bent Creek Golf Course continued to be classified as public/quasi-public. Fransen
said that was correct.
Duckstad asked if in 1984 the current owner purchased the Bent Creek Golf
Course. Franzen said that was correct. Duckstad said that means at the time the golf
course was purchased by the present owner, it was also classified as public/quasi-
public. Franzen said that was true. Duckstad asked if is true then that Bent Creek
Golf Course has been continually classified as public/quasi-public since 1970.
Franzen said that was correct.
Duckstad then read the definitions of public and quasi-public designations in the
current Guide Plan and asked Franzen if those were correct. Franzen said that was
the definition in the Comprehensive Guide Plan dated March 19, 2002; however,
the Council subsequently voted to amend the definition of quasi-public to exclude
private golf courses and country clubs. Fransen asked City Attorney Rosow if that
was correct. Rosow said that was correct. Duckstad then asked if, from 1970 to
2002, the Bent Creek Golf Course was designated public/quasi-public. Franzen said
it was.
Duckstad asked if it was also true that the definition of public/quasi-public
classification was similar in 1968 when the original Guide Plan was created by the
City. Franzen replied the 1968 Guide Plan does not contain a definition of quasi-
public. Duckstad asked if it just makes a reference to public/quasi-public. Franzen
said that was true. Duckstad asked Franzen to interpret as the City Planner what
would be the intention of a classification that would have existed back when the
Guide Plan was created; that is, what uses would be permitted then that would be
any different from the current definition. Franzen said there were three areas
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
February 20, 2007
Page 6
designated public/quasi-public: the golf course, one in the general area of Flying
Cloud Airport, and an area generally below Hwy 212 along the Minnesota River.
Duckstad asked Franzen if, when you have a Guide Plan that has a history with that
classification,he as a City Planner recognized that such a classification would not
allow the typical type of residential, commercial and industrial development.
Franzen said that was true. Duckstad asked if the Guide Plan designation initially
put on the property that is now Bent Creek Golf Course always prohibited
development of any residential, commercial or industrial use. Franzen replied that
was true because the 1968 Guide Plan also depicted areas for commercial, office,
industrial and residential development.
Duckstad asked if the Guide Plan has a section that addresses zoning and its
relationship to the Guide Plan itself. Franzen said it does. Duckstad understood that
the Guide Plan indicates in part that the zoning designated on a piece of property
can change, but if the Guide Plan called for public/quasi-public and the zoning
called for rural, then the Guide Plan indicates the zoning should be made to
conform to the Guide Plan classification. Franzen agreed. Duckstad asked if that
was also true for present law for the State of Minnesota. Franzen said that was true.
Duckstad said in the earlier hearings there was reference to Planned Unit
Developments (PUD's), and the property known as Bent Creek was included as
part of a larger 1000-acre tract known as Edenvale development in 1970. He asked
Franzen to describe what a definition of PUD means for a tract of land. Franzen
said it is an overlay to a zoning district. A PUD for a City examines on a very large
scale the relationship between the different land uses proposed for the PUD and the
plan for the orderly development of sewer, water, roads, parks and open spaces.
The 1970 Edenvale PUD master plan had about 4200 residential units comprising
about 420 acres including open spaces, for a total density of about 10 units per acre.
The balance of the 1000 acres was set aside for commercial and industrial
development.
Duckstad asked, when a PUD is created and all the land within it is considered as
one unit, does that mean the Bent Creek Golf Course would be an integral part of
the larger unit. Franzen said that was correct because the golf course was part of the
open space that represented about 25% of the land use component in the Edenvale
PUD as proposed in 1970.
Duckstad asked if the records here at City Hall indicate that the developer agreed to
keep it as a golf course, recreation area or open space. Franzen said the official
records indicate that. Duckstad then asked if the records have been available at City
Hall for anyone to see. Franzen said they are.
Duckstad then said that would mean the present owner, Mr. Hertogs, when he
purchased the property in 1984, would have had an opportunity to come to City
Hall and ask to review the records that would show the golf course was part of the
PUD and there was an express written commitment that the golf course would
remain indefinitely.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
February 20, 2007
Page 7
Aho said he thought Councilmember Duckstad's careful review gives an indication
of the thorough review the City Council has undergone regarding this item. He said
he did not want to get into litigation of any kind,but the Council feels strongly we
must act with due diligence on any item before the Council and also must act
according to law and past history.
Young said it was his intention to approve the first reading of the ordinance and to
support the adoption of the findings and conclusions including the additional
conclusions submitted by Councilmember Duckstad. He said the most critical
component involved in Bent Creek has always been the PUD.
Young read Items G and L from the Conclusions regarding the Findings of Fact
and Conclusions on the Bent Creek Golf Course Rezoning, noting he thought those
two items were particularly relevant. He also believed Conclusion T was especially
important in that it spoke to what we are doing and not doing tonight in its
declaration that the City is not engaging in a governmental enterprise through re-
guiding and rezoning the golf course property, nor is the City re-guiding or
rezoning the property in an attempt to acquire open space. He said Conclusion T
further states that the change in the Guide Plan designation and the rezoning of the
Property recognizes and is consistent with the Property's long term historical use as
a golf course.
MOTION: Butcher moved, seconded by Nelson, to adopt the Findings and
Conclusions including the nine conclusions in Councilmember Duckstad's
Additional Conclusions, and to approve 1st Reading of the Ordinance for Zoning
District Change from Rural to GC- Golf Course 105.8 acres. Motion carried 5-0.
C. OLYMPIC HILLS GOLF COURSE REZONING FIRST READING Request
for: Zoning District Change from Rural to Golf Course on 169.1 acres, Zoning
District Change from RM-6.5 to Golf Course on 1.6 acres, Zoning District Change
from R1-13.5 to Golf Course on .52 acres. Location: Olympic Hills Golf Course.
(Ordinance for Zoning District Change)
Neal said this is a continued item from the February 6, 2007 meeting. The public
hearing was closed, discussion was tabled on the 1St and 2nd readings of the
ordinance, and staff was directed to prepare findings, conclusions, and order in
support of rezoning the property.
MOTION: Duckstad moved, seconded by Aho, to adopt the Findings and
Conclusions, and to approve 1st Reading of the Ordinance for Zoning District
Change from Rural to GC-Golf Course on 169. 1 acres , from RM-6.5 to GC-Golf
Course on 1.6 acres, and from R1-13.5 to GC-Golf Course on .52 acres. Motion
carried 5-0.
D. BEARPATH GOLF COURSE REZONING FIRST READING Request for:
Zoning District Change from Rural to Golf Course on 198.04 acres. Location:
Bearpath Golf Course. (Ordinance for Zoning District Change)
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
February 20, 2007
Page 8
Neal said this is a continued item from the February 6, 2007, meeting. The public
hearing was closed, discussion was tabled on the 1St and 2nd reading of the
ordinance, and staff was directed to prepare findings, conclusions, and order in
support of rezoning the property.
MOTION: Aho moved, seconded by Nelson to adopt the Findings and
Conclusions, and to approve 1st Reading of the Ordinance for Zoning District
Change from Rural to GC-Golf Course on 198.04 acres. Motion carried 5-0.
E. GLEN LAKE GOLF COURSE REZONING FIRST READING Request for:
Zoning District Change from Public to Golf Course on 50.69 acres. Location: Glen
Lake Golf Course. (Ordinance for Zoning District Change)
Neal said this is a continued item from the February 6, 2007 meeting. The public
hearing was closed, discussion was tabled on the 1St and 2nd reading of the
ordinance, and staff was directed to prepare findings, conclusions, and order in
support of rezoning the property.
MOTION: Butcher moved, seconded by Aho, to adopt the Findings and
Conclusions, and to approve 1st Reading of the Ordinance for Zoning District
Change from Public to GC-Golf Course on 50.69 acres. Motion carried 5-0.
F. SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE 4-2007 AMENDING CITY CODE
SECTION 2.23 BY ESTABLISHING A BUDGET ADVISORY COMMISSION
Neal said this is a second reading of an ordinance adopted and amended earlier this
evening by the City Council amending City Code Section 2.23 by establishing a
Budget Advisory Commission. He said because first and second reading are
occurring at the same meeting, the second reading of the ordinance will require a
unanimous vote for approval.
Nelson said, although she has questions about the Budget Advisory Commission
and believes fiduciary responsibility is that of the Council, she does intend to vote
for second reading.
Neal said if the ordinance passes we do have the Board and Commission interview
process next week and he would encourage Councilmembers to recruit for the
Budget Advisory Commission and have them apply by email so that members of
the new commission can be appointed next week.
Butcher asked if there is a way to review the commission to see if it is working the
way we want it to work once we have approved it. Neal said it would be very much
the same as the review earlier this evening of the Flying Cloud Airport
Commission. We will have a joint meeting next year where the Budget Advisory
Commission will be evaluated and a presentation made to the Council.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
February 20, 2007
Page 9
Butcher asked if we need a unanimous vote to amend the ordinance for this
commission at a later date. Rosow said it would require only a majority vote to
change the ordinance or the structure of the commission later, and we only need a
unanimous vote tonight because first and second readings are occurring at the same
meeting.
Duckstad said he thought the mission statement specifically limited the commission
members to one year. Neal said we structured this commission under the standard
set of rules and procedures for commissions which allows the Council to set up to
3-year terms. That determination would occur when the Council establishes the
Commission during the appointment process.
Young said the meeting today with the Flying Cloud Airport Commission is one he
hoped we can continue with all the other commissions. He expected that we would
have a very close relationship with the Budget Advisory Commission so we would
know if it was working as we anticipated.
Duckstad said he understood the work to be done by the commission members
would be advisory only as to goals, needs,resources and priorities and to that
extent we would retain total control of the budget process. Young said he did not
anticipate the Budget Advisory Commission would relieve the Council of any
responsibility at all.
MOTION: Aho moved, seconded by Duckstad, to approve second reading of
Ordinance 4-2007 amending City Code sections 2.23 by establishing a Budget
Advisory Commission; and adopting by reference city code chapter 1 and section
2.99, which among other things, contain penalty provisions. Motion carried 5-0.
G. BENT CREEK GOLF COURSE REZONING SECOND READING Second
Reading of Ordinance 5-2007 for Zoning District Change from Rural to Golf
Course on 105.8 acres. Location: Bent Creek Golf Course. (Ordinance 5-2007 for
Zoning District Change)
Neal said this is second reading of the ordinance rezoning the Bent Creek Golf
Course from Rural to GC-Golf Course. It does require a unanimous vote of the
Council to be approved because first and second readings are occurring on the same
evening.
MOTION: Butcher moved, seconded by Duckstad, to approve 2nd Reading of
Ordinance 5-2007 for rezoning from Rural to GC-Golf Course on 105.8 acres.
Motion carried 5-0.
H. OLYMPIC HILLS GOLF COURSE REZONING SECOND READING
Second Reading of Ordinance 6-2007 for Zoning District Change from Rural to
Golf Course on 169.1 acres, Zoning District Change from RM-6.5 to Golf Course
on 1.6 acres, Zoning District Change from R1-13.5 to Golf Course on .52 acres.
Location: Olympic Hills Golf Course. (Ordinance 6-2007 for Zoning District
Change)
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
February 20, 2007
Page 10
Neal said this is second reading of the ordinance rezoning the Olympic Hills Golf
Course from Rural, Rm-6.5 and R1-13.5 to GC-Golf Course. It does require a
unanimous vote of the Council to be approved because first and second readings
are occurring on the same evening.
MOTION: Aho moved, seconded by Nelson, to approve 2nd Reading of
Ordinance 6-2007 for Zoning District Change from Rural to GC-Golf Course on
169. 1 acres , from RM-6.5 to GC-Golf Course on 1.6 acres, and from R1-13.5 to
GC-Golf Course on .52 acre. Motion carried 5-0.
I. BEARPATH GOLF COURSE REZONING SECOND READING Second
Reading of Ordinance 7-2007 for Zoning District Change from Rural to Golf
Course on 198.04 acres. Location: Bearpath Golf Course. (Ordinance 7-2007 for
Zoning District Change)
Neal said this is second reading of the ordinance rezoning the Bearpath Golf
Course from Rural to GC-Golf Course. It does require a unanimous vote of the
Council to be approved because first and second readings are occurring on the same
evening.
MOTION: Duckstad moved, seconded by Nelson, to approve 2nd Reading of
Ordinance 7-2007 for rezoning from Rural to GC-Golf Course on 198.04 acres.
Motion carried 5-0.
J. GLEN LAKE GOLF COURSE REZONING SECOND READING Second
Reading of Ordinance 8-2007 for Zoning District Change from Public to Golf
Course on 50.69 acres. Location: Glen Lake Golf Course. (Ordinance 8-2007 for
Zoning District Change)
Neal said this is second reading of the ordinance rezoning the Glen Lake Golf
Course from Public to GC-Golf Course. It does require a unanimous vote of the
Council to be approved because first and second readings are occurring on the same
evening.
MOTION: Aho moved, seconded by Butcher, to approve 2nd Reading of
Ordinance 8-2007 for rezoning from Public to GC-Golf Course on 50.69 acres.
Motion carried 5-0.
K. AUTHORIZING A STUDY OF SIGNS DISPLAYING ANIMATION OR
ELECTRONICALLY CHANGING IMAGES OR MESSAGES
(RESOLUTION 2007-37)
Neal said the City Attorney recommends that the City consider amending its code
to account for new LED billboard technology. The resolution authorizes a study of
potential amendments.
Rosow said Items X.K., X.L., and X.M. are a series of actions to first authorize a
study of signs displaying animation or electronically changing images or messages
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
February 20, 2007
Page 11
and approve first and second readings of an interim ordinance declaring a
moratorium on the installation of such signs.
Rosow said we have received information on the new technology for LED
billboards as large as paper billboards have been constructed in other cities. The
signs are very bright and eye-catching, and there is a concern in the governmental
community that they perhaps pose a hazard to driving. He reviewed the recent
litigation the City of Minnetonka has been involved in regarding these LED signs.
Rosow said we undertook an analysis of the ordinance over the last several years
and we thought we were in a better position than Minnetonka with the language
used; however, Eden Prairie's ordinance was developed at a time when LED signs
were not envisioned. He said we want to change the ordinance in order not to leave
any doubt that those kinds of signs are regulated. He thought it was appropriate to
present the opportunity for the Council to place a moratorium on this type of sign in
order to allow staff time to review the ordinance with this specifically in mind and
bring back proposed changes. He said there was an ordinance adopted by
Bloomington regarding such signs included in the Council's information packet.
Rosow noted that Attorney John Baker was in the audience tonight. Attorney Baker
represented Eden Prairie in our previous litigation regarding the sign ordinance and
he also represented Minnetonka in their litigation. He was available to answer any
specific questions about the current litigation.
Neal noted Item X.K. is a resolution seeking the study, and Items X.L and X.M. are
first and second readings of an interim ordinance prohibiting the construction of
LED signs. The vote for the second reading of the interim ordinance would have to
be unanimous because first and second readings are occurring on the same evening.
MOTION: Butcher moved, seconded by Aho, to adopt Resolution 2007-37
authorizing a study to determine what amendments to the City Code are required to
protect the public health, safety and welfare with respect to signs displaying
animation or electronically changing images or messages. Motion carried 5-0.
L. FIRST READING OF AN INTERIM ORDINANCE TEMPORARILY
PROHIBITING INSTALLATION, CONSTRUCTION,
RECONSTRUCTION, EXPANSION, ERECTION, PLACEMENT OR
DISPLAY OF ANY SIGN DISPLAYING ANIMATION OR
ELECTRONICALLY CHANGING IMAGES OR MESSAGES
Rosow noted he would like to change Section 5 of the interim ordinance to read,
"..., for a period not to exceed one year as set forth in Minn. Stat...."
MOTION: Duckstad moved, seconded by Butcher, to approve the First Reading of
an Interim Ordinance temporarily prohibiting installation, construction,
reconstruction, expansion, erection, placement or display of any sign displaying
animation or electronically changing images or messages, including the change in
wording to Section 5 recommended by City Attorney Rosow. Motion carried 5-0.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
February 20, 2007
Page 12
M. SECOND READING OF INTERIM ORDINANCE 9-2007 TEMPORARILY
PROHIBITING INSTALLATION, CONSTRUCTION,
RECONSTRUCTION, EXPANSION, ERECTION, PLACEMENT OR
DISPLAY OF ANY SIGN DISPLAYING ANIMATION OR
ELECTRONICALLY CHANGING IMAGES OR MESSAGES AND
ADOPTING RESOLUTION 2007-38 APPROVING THE SUMMARY
ORDINANCE
MOTION: Aho moved, seconded by Nelson, to approve the Second Reading of
Interim Ordinance 9-2007 temporarily prohibiting installation, construction,
reconstruction, expansion, erection, placement or display of any sign displaying
animation or electronically changing images or messages and to adopt Resolution
2007-38 approving the summary ordinance. Motion carried 5-0.
XI. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
XII. REPORTS OF ADVISORY BOARDS & COMMISSIONS
XIII. APPOINTMENTS
XIV. REPORTS
A. REPORTS OF COUNCILMEMBERS
B. REPORT OF CITY MANAGER
1. Flying Cloud Airport Sanitary Sewer & Water Project
Neal said we discussed this item briefly in the workshop this evening.
Flying Cloud Airport does not have sanitary sewer and water and we would
like to oblige their request for this service. He said the sewer and water
installation is identified in our Memorandum of Agreement with MAC and
is a requirement by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to close all
private wells and septic systems at the airport. This project has been a
moving target in MAC's Capital Improvement Program for many years and
its limited capability to fully fund the project at this time make it difficult to
know whether funding will occur any time soon. The City is offering to
partnership with MAC to finance the project through our system which
would mean they would bear all the costs for the project and would pay the
City back over 20-years.
Aho asked if this would be coordinated with the project to reconstruct
Pioneer Trail. Neal said it is being coordinated, and our Engineering
Department would like this project underway or completed this year prior to
the larger road project starting next year.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
February 20, 2007
Page 13
Nelson thought it was important to get this done and she is concerned about
any old wells or septic systems out there. Duckstad said he supported the
project. Butcher said this has been a long time in coming.
MOTION: Butcher moved, seconded by Duckstad, to support the offer
made to the Metropolitan Airports Commission to finance its portion of the
sanitary sewer and water project along Pioneer Trail through General
Obligation Bonds and to have this project completed in 2007. Motion
carried 5-0.
2. Public Notice Requirements and Practices
Neal said there was discussion at the last meeting as to whether our system
of public notice is creating more problems. He said the notification area for
public hearings varies with the type of public hearing. For the project at
Forest Hills Park, staff identified a 1500-foot notice area around Forest
Hills Park. We then identified through the database those living in the units
affected within the designated area to create a mailing list. The mailing list
is kept in the files in order to check whether some individual was notified.
Neal said we can make the areas bigger but it increases the expense. He said
we also include the public hearing notices in the newspaper and also on the
web site.
Young said he thought Mr. Mallow's point was the families whose children
attend Forest Hills School should have been notified. Neal said the only
way we could do that would be to get the mailing list from the School
District. We would have to ask them to provide that and he was not sure
they would be willing to do that.
Nelson thought in the specific cases where school playgrounds are involved
we should try to notify the families. She thought we should do something,
such as a flyer sent home with the students, in coordination with the School
District to send notice to families.
Aho thought this was a unique case in that the city owns a park within the
confines of the school grounds. He thought it would be good to notify all
the families but not necessarily by means of a city mailing.
Butcher said there is another school park coming up at Prairie View and she
thought we should keep that in mind when we notify people about that. She
thought we need to be very careful how much we spend on notifications and
it would be good to explore different ways of doing it.
Dietz said he thought if Mr. Lambert were present,he would say it is a
neighborhood park so sending it to just the School District would not reach
all of those who use the park.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
February 20, 2007
Page 14
Duckstad said he thought notifying the public of the opportunity to attend a
meeting is a very important effort and we should make an extra effort even
if it costs more money.
Rosow said in the provisions of the Minnesota statute concerning Data
Practices, it would appear it would take a discussion with the School
District. The names could be treated as directory information and that data
then would be available.
C. REPORT OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
1. Major Center Area Implementation Update
Jeremiah said this is an update of implementation activities recommended
by the Major Center Area(MCA) Study. The Major Center Area (MCA)
Study was adopted by the City Council on January 17, 2006 as an advisory
tool. The study includes land use, transportation and wayfinding
recommendations for the Valley View Road/Prairie Center Drive "ring
road" area. A task force guided the study and public input was received
from the residential and business communities through a series of meetings
and open houses. The final report includes an implementation chapter with
specific recommendations for near term(0-7 years) and long-term(8+year)
activities.
Jeremiah said there is a report included as an attachment in the information
packet that provides an update of the implementation. She reviewed the
progress made on the implementation. She noted the MCA Wayfinding
Committee has developed a list of general consensus items that were also
included in the information packets.
Young asked if both of the LRT routes into Eden Prairie survived into the
EIS phase. Jeremiah said they are being considered as one route at this point
in that our preferred alternative is being studied in detail and the other one
is being considered as a fall-back.
Nelson asked if there was any possibility of taking another look at
realignment of the route from Singletree and West 78"'. Dietz said we are
proposing to do an interim project on Singletree Lane for the Windsor Plaza
and Bobby & Steve's projects. He said there is at some point a potential to
work with Target and Eden Prairie Center for redevelopment in that area but
it would be expensive to do this without a willing partner. Nelson asked if
there is only one realignment route. Dietz said no, there was an original plan
that addressed the route and we were working on building consensus on
how to realign it but that did not work.
D. REPORT OF PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR
E. REPORT OF PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
February 20, 2007
Page 15
F. REPORT OF POLICE CHIEF
G. REPORT OF FIRE CHIEF
H. REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY
XV. OTHER BUSINESS
Aho invited Councilmembers and staff to attend a transportation/transit legislation meeting
as part of the I-494 Corridor Commission on February 28"' at 7:00 PM at Minnetonka City
Hall.
XVI. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Butcher moved, seconded by Nelson, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried
5-0. Mayor Young adjourned the meeting at 8:25 PM.