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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 10/16/2012 APPROVED MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP & OPEN PODIUM TUESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2012 CITY CENTER 5:00—6:25 PM, HERITAGE ROOMS 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 Robert Ellis, Community Development Director Janet Jeremiah, Parks and Recreation Director Jay Lotthammer, Communications Manager Joyce Lorenz, City Attorney Ric Rosow, and Recorder Lorene McWaters Workshop - Heritage Room H Fire Chief Esbensen was absent. Ward Parker attended in his absence. I. CITY-OWNED AND HISTORIC PROPERTY INVENTORY Parks and Recreation Director Jay Lotthammer and Parks Manager Stu Fox presented a PowerPoint on city-owned properties, including historic properties. Lotthammer distributed a newly compiled City Property Inventory list comprised of 138 non-park, city-owned properties and a section map showing the location of each parcel. The list includes a description of the parcel, PID number, size, level of maintenance, and legal description of the parcel. City-owned parcels are acquired in a number of ways, including: • Purchased—City Hall, Maintenance Facility, Fire Stations, etc. • Deeded by Developer—Wetlands, steep slopes, ponds, road ROW, etc. • Donated—Art Center, wooded areas, etc. • Plat Designation—"Park" parcels • Land Exchange—Water Tower parcel • Tax-forfeiture—Creek corridor, road ROW, wetlands and parkland • Condemnation—Road ROW Types of property include: • City buildings (Fire Stations, Water Plant, Maintenance Facility) • Historic properties (i.e., Smith Douglas More House, Cummins Phipps Grill House, Riley Jacques Barn and House and Dorenkemper House) • Wetlands and storm ponds • Wooded lots • Lake access • Creek buffer • Slope protection areas • Parkland and conservation areas City Council Workshop Minutes October 16, 2012 Page 2 Fox described the different levels of maintenance staff applies on City-owned properties. Staff mows some park land, road ROW and trail corridors. Some parcels are left in their natural state, although the City is still responsible for control of noxious weeds on these lots. Wetlands are generally left alone, with the exception of some boardwalks that have been installed for residents to enjoy watching the wildlife. Discussion Maintained vs. Natural Areas Nelson said she has received complaints from residents about the 50-ft. strip at the edge of some parks that is not mowed. She said that it is unsightly, and it is unfair to residents. She said that should never happen, and that the City should mow to the edge of parks. Council Member Case said he has a different take on that practice. With the climate change issues we are facing, he would like to see more areas go natural as long as we encourage the right types of things to grow there. He said he would like to see the City model letting areas go natural. Lotthammer encouraged Council Members to refer residents with concerns about unmowed areas to Parks and Recreation. He also noted that the City has been moving toward mowing fewer areas. For instance, Pheasant Woods will no longer be mowed after this year. Nelson said she does not agree with the City's policy of letting trees that fall just lie there. She thinks if they are near a trail or a residence, the City should remove them. Case said it is a subjective call, depending on the location of the tree. Nelson said she would like to see her suggestion about mowing to the edge of properties be made official policy. Mayor Tyra-Lukens said she does not know if she agrees with that. Butcher Wisckstrom said it is a matter of aesthetics. There is often a transition period when establishing natural areas. Historic Preservation Butcher Wickstrom said the City used to have a staff member with historic preservation expertise. She is worried that we don't have that kind of knowledge and wisdom in- house. She asked if the contract heritage preservation specialist, John Gertz with Pathfinder, was consulted when the inventory of properties was compiled. Lotthammer said that Gertz, Paul Sticha—Facilities Manager, and Stu Fox—Parks Manager were all involved in the inventory process. Butcher Wickstrom said she also wants to make sure the City is still pursuing grants for preservation work, as well as projects focusing on "telling our story." Community Development Director Janet Jeremiah said the 2012 budget included $6,000 for contracted grant writing, as does the proposed 2013 budget. Case said the City did a good job in the 90s of telling our story, and in this decade the City has done a good job of preserving structures. He thinks it may be time to get back to telling our stories. Butcher asked if information about the history of Eden Prairie is on the City's web site. Jeremiah said the Heritage Preservation Commission may be interested in helping to get history information on the web site. Jeremiah also said they have expressed interest in placing interpretive panels at the various historic sites. Nelson said she would like more information about the City's historic properties on the website, City Council Workshop Minutes October 16, 2012 Page 3 especially those open to the public. She said it would be a good idea to interview surviving early residents to get their stories on audio before it is too late. Nelson said she thinks that would be a good project for an intern. Miscellaneous Mayor Tyra-Lukens asked how staff evaluates whether or not we want to acquire tax forfeit parcels, and whether or not we want to keep the ones we already own. Lotthammer noted that the inventory spreadsheet and accompanying map are the first comprehensive documents of their kind. The next step will be interdepartmental analysis, including determination of whether or not the City should continue to own each parcel. Some parcels cannot be sold because they were gifted to the City, and some properties obtained through tax forfeiture would revert back to the state. Fox said the City has a particular purpose in mind when they acquire parcels, such as road ROW, wetland preservation, stormwater ponds, etc. Council Member Aho said he it is a good idea for the City to divest itself of properties whenever it makes sense. Open Podium - Council Chamber II. OPEN PODIUM A. JOHN MALLO—REP. STENSRUD'S SENIOR EXPO Mallo spoke on behalf of a group of residents who are concerned about the Senior Expo Rep. Stensrud recently held at the Senior Center. He said it resulted in the inappropriate use of the City's logo in what he considers campaign literature (a brochure listing participating vendors and a flyer that was posted at the Senior Center). Mallo said he has spoken to several vendors and they indicated they were not aware that the Expo was sponsored by Stensrud's campaign committee. City Manager Rick Getschow said the City Attorney will be sending Rep. Stensrud a letter informing him that the City's logo is copyrighted and cannot be used without permission. Mallo said he believes the letter should come from the City Council, not the City Attorney. He also demanded that the letter be released to the public. Council Member Case noted that the letter would be a matter of public record and anyone who wants it can request it. Case also read an e-mail sent to the Council Members from Stensrud about the event and the use of logos. Mayor Tyra-Lukens said she can appreciate Mallo's concerns, and said when an event is held a month before the election, it has the appearance of being a campaign event. She also noted that campaign law required that the brochure be paid for by Stensrud's campaign because it was held within 90 days of the election. Case suggested that the City do some employee education around political events, etc. Aho pointed out that the event seemed to provide a real benefit to Eden Prairie's seniors, even if it was held close to the election. Butcher Wickstrom said everyone needs to be careful when an event is held this close to the election. City Council Workshop Minutes October 16, 2012 Page 4 B. CHRIS ENDRES —HONEY BEES Endres said he is a resident of Eden Prairie and a beekeeper. Since Eden Prairie does not allow beekeeping, he has hives up north and in Minnetonka. He said some portions of the City Code are contradictory in relation to beekeeping. He said categorizing honey bees as farm animals does not make sense. He asked the City Council to consider changing the City Code to allow beekeeping. He feels any problems arising from beekeeping can be addressed by nuisance laws. City Manager Rick Getschow said one reason bees are classified as a farm animal is that they produce food. Mayor Tyra-Lukens said she would like to address this topic during the regular Council Meeting. III. ADJOURNMENT