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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 11/27/2007 - Town Meeting APPROVED MINUTES TOWN HALL MEETING TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2007 7:00 PM, CITY CENTER Fire Station 4 17920 Linwood Court CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Phil Young, Council Members Brad Aho, Sherry Butcher, Jon Duckstad, and Kathy Nelson CITY STAFF: City Manager Scott Neal, Parks & Recreation Director Jay Lotthammer, Public Works Director Eugene Dietz, Community Development Director Janet Jeremiah, City Attorney Ric Rosow and Council Recorder Lorene McWaters I. CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER Mayor Young called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE III. GUIDELINES Mayor Young read a statement explaining the guidelines for speakers addressing the City Council. IV. SPEAKERS A. CARI MAGUIRE Ms. Maguire thanked the Council for their willingness to engage in dialog on the budget process and for their approval of the social services grants. She encouraged the Council to consider exactly how the needs of the immigrant community will be met if the Immigrant Services Liaison position is cut. She said it is not enough to assume the County or the faith community will be willing or able to step up to meet the needs. B. DAVID HANSEN Mr. Hansen told Council he was unhappy to learn that Community Center membership fees were to increase three or fourfold in 2008. He said he voted for the parks referendum. He asked why his fees are so high when he lives in northwest Eden Prairie and is in the Minnetonka School District. He asked whether or not Eden Prairie High School is charged for use of the Community Center. Mayor Young said fees for Community Center membership have been calculated based on projected operating costs. Parks and Recreation Director Jay Lotthammer said the schools use the Community Center as part of a reciprocal use agreement and much of the use is during non-peak daytime hours. TOWN HALL MEETING MINUTES November 27, 2007 Page 2 C. BASIL WISSNER Mr. Wissner said Town Hall Meetings are a good idea; however, he suggested moving them back to City Center where equipment is already in place and meetings can be televised. D. PATRICK MINTON Mr. Minton thanked the Council for approving the social services grants funding. He said he supports Ms. Maguire's position in favor of retaining the Immigrant Services Liaison position. E. DONNA MURPHY Ms. Murphy said Eden Prairie has a sizable population of poor immigrants who need help. She said having a staff member who speaks their language is necessary, and she asked Council to retain the Immigrant Services Liaison position. F. PATTIINDRE Ms. Indre wanted to know the purpose of proposed cuts to human services funding. City Manager Scott Neal said the intent was to slow the growth of expenses as the City's growth slows. G. RICHARD PROOPS Mr. Proops said that the City's Truth-in-Taxation Hearing is scheduled for Monday, December 3. He gave the Council Members a handout of topics he suggested be included in the Truth-in-Taxation Hearing. He said taxpayers should be provided more information on upcoming capital costs, such as Community Center and Major Center Area projects. H. DR. HAROLD MASSEY Dr. Massey spoke in against elimination of the Immigrant Services Liaison position. He asked the Council to model generosity in making this decision. I. LAURA BLUML Ms. Bluml said she believes her neighborhood has been disproportionately targeted in the deer management program. She said she has not received adequate answers to inquiries about the program. She asked for a firm commitment from Council that her questions will be answered. Regarding Community Center fees, she said users should pay for the services they receive. She said we are all subsidizing the Community Center whether or not we use it. TOWN HALL MEETING MINUTES November 27, 2007 Page 3 Regarding the Immigrant Services Liaison position, she said it seems as if the only immigrant group being discussed is Somalis. She asked if the position provides services to other immigrants. Regarding the increase in the assessed value of her home, she said the increased value results in higher taxes but no more money in her pocket. She encouraged Council to take care of things the really matter to the entire community. Mayor Young said the capital cost of the Community Center was levied for through the referendum. Fees will offset increased operating costs. The increased cost of operating the Community Center will be born by those using the facility. J. JOHN URBANSKI Mr. Urbanski asked for clarification of the role of commissions, particularly the Budget Advisory Commission, in the decision making process. He asked whether any one commission has more weight than another when making recommendations to the Council. Mayor Young said that all of the commissions act in an advisory capacity. W. WENDY CREGG Ms. Cregg said she is concerned about the increase in Community Center membership fees. She voted for the referendum, and wants all families to be able to afford to use the Community Center. She said the higher fees will make the facility exclusive rather than inclusive. Young said staff is looking at options for lower income families and will report on them to the Council. V. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adourned at 7:48 p.m.