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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 05/17/2011 - Workshop APPROVED MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP & OPEN PODIUM TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2011 CITY CENTER 5:00—6:25 PM, HERITAGE ROOM II 6:30—7:00 PM, COUNCIL CHAMBER CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Nancy Tyra-Lukens, Council Members Brad Aho, Sherry Butcher Wickstrom, Kathy Nelson, and Ron Case CITY STAFF: City Manager Rick Getschow, 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, City Attorney Ric Rosow, and Recorder Lorene McWaters Heritage Room H I. COMPLETE STREET CONCEPT Public Works Director Gene Dietz presented a PowerPoint on the "complete street" concept staff is proposing for Baker Road between St. Andrew Drive and Highway 62. Dietz said he and Assistant City Engineer Randy Newton attended a Sensible Land Use Coalition seminar on the topic in March. The "complete street" concept involves designing or redesigning roadways to better accommodate all types of users —motor vehicles, pedestrians and bicycles. When staff learned of Hennepin County's plans to mill and overlay Baker Road, they determined this portion of roadway could economically be converted to a"complete street." The street currently has four 13' traffic lanes with an 8' trail on the east side and a 5' sidewalk on the west side. The redesigned roadway would have three driving lanes (one 12' lane going in each direction and a 14' center turning lane), a 7' shoulder on each side, an 8' trail to the east and a 5' sidewalk to the west. Dietz said the reconfigured 3-lane roadway would have several safety advantages, including traffic calming and provision of a buffer between vehicles and pedestriansibicyclists. The design would also improve snow removal management. Dietz said the design of the terminus is yet to be determined, and if the City Council is interested in pursuing the 3-lane design staff would hire consulting firm SRF to assist with that. There was general consensus among the Council Members that they would like to forward the concept to Hennepin County for consideration. The Council Members also requested that staff hold an open house for the neighborhood to inform them of the plans and solicit input. II. AUDITORS REPORT Steve Wischmann, partner at Kern, Dewenter, Viere, presented a PowerPoint of firm's audit of the City's 2010 financial results. He said the audit resulted in issuance of a City Council Workshop Minutes May 17, 2011 Page 2 "clean"rating for the City, the highest possible rating. Wischmann said the City's spending came within one-half of one percent of budget, which is excellent especially considering the current tough economic conditions. Finance Manager Sue Kotchevar distributed a draft copy of updated financial policies. Kotchevar said the changes consist mainly of minor wording revisions. She said staff is asking the City Council to approve these changes at the Council Meeting tonight. Council Member Kathy Nelson said she wishes the finance policy was not on the consent agenda, so it could be discussed. She said she is concerned that the policy does not talk about innovation in how the City does business. City Manager Rick Getschow said the finance policy is mainly a technical tool that outlines how funds are transferred and reporting guidelines. He suggested that there might be another avenue for articulating the City's commitment to innovation, such as the mission statement. Nelson said she does not disagree with anything in the proposed policy,but wants to address innovation at some point. Council Chamber III. OPEN PODIUM A. MICHAEL SIR—WILD ANIMAL/EXOTIC PET ORDINANCE Mr. Sir said about a year ago he adopted a dog from a shelter. He later learned the dog may be part wolf. Sir said after a neighbor lodged an unrelated complaint about the dog,he was told by the Police Department that wolf hybrids are not allowed in Eden Prairie. Sir said the dog is very gentle and asked the City Council to help find a way for him and his family to keep the dog. City Manager Rick Getschow asked police chief Rob Reynolds to further research the matter and work with the Sir family on determining whether or not the dog is part wolf and whether or not an exception to the ordinance is possible. B. JOHN MALLO AND CHERYL LARSON—SENIOR CENTER SAW PURCHASE Mr. Mallo and Ms. Larson expressed concerns about a saw purchased by the Senior Center for the Wood Shop. Mallo asked why the saw was not purchased from an Eden Prairie distributor. Mallo asked the City Council to consider adopting a "buy local" policy. Mayor Tyra-Lukens said buying local is more complex than it first appears. She thinks buying local is a good idea when possible,but would hesitate to institute a formal policy. IV. ADJOURNMENT