HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 06/19/2007 - Workshop APPROVED MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP & OPEN FORUM/OPEN PODIUM
TUESDAY,JUNE 19, 2007 CITY CENTER
5:00—6:25 PM, HERITAGE ROOM II
6:30—7:00 PM, COUNCIL CHAMBER
CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Phil Young, Council Members Brad Aho, Sherry Butcher, Jon
Duckstad, and Kathy Nelson
CITY STAFF: City Manager Scott Neal, Police Chief Rob Reynolds, Fire Chief George
Esbensen, Public Works Director Eugene Dietz, Community Development Director Janet
Jeremiah, Parks and Recreation Director Jay Lotthammer, Communications Manager Joyce
Lorenz, Assistant to the City Manager Michael Barone, City Attorney Ric Rosow, and Recorder
Lorene McWaters
Heritage Room H
I. HOUSING & COMMUNITY SERVICES UPDATE
Housing and Community Services Manager Molly Koivumaki gave a PowerPoint
presentation on the services she and her staff provide, with an emphasis on the Human
Services component. The overview included information on immigration services,
contract services, the housing rehabilitation program, and the FamiLink Resource Center.
The Housing & Community Services staff includes:
• Molly Koivumaki—Manager
• Mary Keating —Community Services Coordinator
• Khadra Duale—Community Services Technician
• Jeanne Karschnia—Rehab Housing Technician (CDBG-funded position)
• Kerry Holtmeier Hallee—FamiLink Resource Center Coordinator(School District-
funded position)
Immigration Services
Community Services Technician Khadra Duale handles many of the immigration services
needs for Somalis, the City's largest immigrant population. She assists with work
permits, INS compliance, cultural interpretation and integration, and school
district/community group collaborations. In addition to working with individual
immigrants, Khadra works with City staff and the police, fire, and parks and recreation
departments, as well as the Eden Prairie School District, Hennepin County Library,
churches and neighborhood associations.
Contracted Services
Community Services Coordinator Mary Keating gave this portion of the presentation.
Koivumaki explained how the Human Services Review Committee selects providers and
sets funding levels.
Cornerstone, Family and Children's Services, the Family Center Plus Outreach Program,
and PROP provide contracted family services. The Storefront Group, the YMCA, and
Teens Alone provided youth services. Additional services are provided by Senior
Community Services, Meals on Wheels, Homeline, H.O.M.E., and the Emergency
Vehicle Repair Program.
Housinz Rehabilitation Proizram
The Rehabilitation Loan Program is funded with Community Development Block Grant
funds. The program helps eligible home owners maintain their homes and properties
through low interest loans.
FamiLink Resource Center
The Familink Resource Center is a partnership between the City of Eden Prairie and Eden
Prairie Schools. FamiLink provides information and referrals on issues related to
housing, education, health care, legal services, financial assistance, employment, and
child care. The Resource Center Coordinator also serves on a number of area
committees.
Council Chamber
II. OPEN FORUM
A. Dan Kitrell
• Naming the Lake in Pumatory Park Recreation Area
Mr. Kitrell asked the Council to consider naming the lake in the Purgatory
Creek Recreation Area Lake Malaya. Mr. Kitrell and his wife were foster
parents to a girl named Malaya, who died after being removed from their
home. Mr. Kitrell was told his request would be discussed in conjunction
with the renaming of the Purgatory Creek Recreation Area during the regular
Council meeting.
B. Bob Fransen
• Geese
Mr. Fransen said he received information that said the City plans to kill all of
the Geese within the city. He asked the City to find more humane ways of
controlling the goose population. City Manager Scott Neal said the City does
have a goose management program,but that it involves removing only a
portion of the goose population.
• Beach Road
Mr. Fransen addressed Council about a garage that was left standing on a lot
on Beach Road after a house burned down a number of years ago. The garage
has been in disrepair and has been vandalized. City Manager Scott Neal said
the garage has recently been brought up to code; however, staff is in
discussions with the City Attorney about whether or not the City can order the
garage to be demolished.
C. Pat MulQueeny
• Flyinj! Cloud Airport Resolution
Mr. MulQueeny, president of the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce, asked
Council to consider a Resolution regarding Flying Cloud Airport drafted by
the Chamber in response to a Resolution proposed by Council Member
Butcher at the City Council's Special Airport Workshop on June 11.
D. Jill Fritz
• Geese
Ms. Fritz said she is the regional director for the Humane Society of the
United States. She said there is no proven health threat from goose droppings,
and asked the City to reconsider its goose management program. She handed
out literature on alternative methods of controlling goose populations.
E. Todd S_ostrand
• Pioneer Trail Expansion
Todd Sjostrand spoke on behalf of his father, Floyd, who lives at 14150
Pioneer Trail. He said the family has spent a lot of time and effort to improve
the land and buildings, and they were surprised and disappointed to learn that
Hennepin County has recently changed plans for the Pioneer Trail
Improvement Project. The new plans call for taking the Sjostrand's property
to site a NURP pond that was originally located elsewhere.
F. Mona Shah
• Geese
Ms. Shah asked the City to reconsider how it carries out goose management.
III. OPEN PODIUM
IV. ADJOURNMENT