HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 01/08/2013 - Workshop APPROVED MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP & OPEN PODIUM
TUESDAY,JANUARY 8, 2013 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
I. 2013 SCHEDULE & APPOINTMENTS
City Manager Rick Getschow presented the proposed schedule of council meetings,
workshops, and special meetings for 2013. No changes were made to the proposed meeting
dates. Getschow said based on City Council input, staff is proposing two community forums
(demographics/new normal and city finances), a business town hall meeting, and a realtor
forum. Mayor Tyra-Lukens said it seemed as if the business town hall meeting held in 2012
was attended by mainly by Chamber members. Getschow said the majority of attendees
were Chamber members,but he felt the event served as a replacement of the annual joint
workshop of the Chamber and City Council and it was better attended than the workshops.
Council Member Case said he would like to brainstorm ways to bring the message out to
people. He suggested holding listening sessions with groups like the Rotary, holding a
meeting in the atrium of Eden Prairie Center mall, or participating in the high school's big
immigrant event. Council Member Aho said he favors reaching out to a broader audience,
but said that they would have to be careful not to co-opt other groups' events. Council
Member Nelson likes the idea of plugging into a group like Rotary. Aho said there is good
diversity in the morning Rotary. Nelson said the forum on City finances should be held
before the City Council passes the preliminary levy in September. She also said four special
meetings seem excessive based on attendance at the 2012 town hall meetings. Aho said he
would like a workshop on next steps for the proposed aquatics upgrade at the Community
Center. Nelson said she would like a workshop update on the rental inspection program.
II. FARMERS MARKET
Aquatics and Fitness Coordinator Beth Witt and Senior Center Administrative Assistant
Doug Tucker presented a PowerPoint on farmers markets. Witt presented information on
the growing importance of access to healthy foods, including the fact that 63 percent of
Minnesota adults are considered overweight or obese. Witt also outlined current City
initiatives to provide health foods including community garden plots, the edible
playground at Prairie View Elementary School, and healthy vending options offered at
the Community Center. Options for purchasing healthy foods and plants in Eden Prairie
include Bachmans, Marshalls, Sever's Farm Stands and the Picha Heritage Farm. Tucker
City Council Workshop Minutes
January 8, 2013
Page 2
said a farmers market is defined as a physical retail market featuring foods sold directly
by farmers to consumers. Tucker said farmers markets increase availability of fresh
produce, help to keep consumers shopping locally, support local farmers, and also
provide opportunities for community gatherings. Nine west metro communities currently
offer farmers markets. Features of successful farmers markets include an application
process, locally grown produce (80/20 rule ensures a majority of products are local),
limited number of vendors for each product category, an onsite manager, and a location
that is family friendly.
Tucker said the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission discussed the
farmers market concept at their most recent meeting. Feedback provided by the
Commission includes emphasis on getting as many local vendors as possible and the
importance of choosing a good location.
Tucker said staff has identified two locations as possible sites for a farmers market:
Staring Lake Park and Purgatory Creek Park. The farmers market could be held in
conjunction with the Staring Lake Concert series. Staring Lake has approximately 200
parking spaces, and has restrooms and a child play area. Purgatory Creek Park is a high
traffic location with ample parking available in the park and at adjacent businesses.
Council Member Case asked how you ensure farmers market products are local. Tucker
said the rules would be included in the application, and it would be on an honor system.
Butcher Wickstrom noted that when a farmers market was discussed by the Council
several years ago, there were concerns about negatively impacting local businesses. She
noted that the Maple Grove farmers market is near a busy retail center. Parks and
Recreation Director Jay Lotthammer added that both Sever Peterson and Marshall's sell
at other local farmers markets.
Council Member Nelson said she recalls the City Council granting permission for Dunn
Bros. to hold farmers markets at the Smith Douglas More House. Community
Development Director Jeremiah said they have permission for limited sale of produce as
part of their conditional use permit. Nelson said the open field at the Cummins Grill
House would be a good location for a farmers market,but she thinks Purgatory Creek
would be problematic. Lotthammer said the farmers market must be on a hard surface
according to County regulations.
Case said he has conflicting sentiments about a farmers market. He said he likes the idea
of offering locally grown fresh food for sale to residents,but he would not want to do
anything to undercut businesses already in the community. He asked if there is some sort
of middle ground, such as holding the farmers market four times a year instead of
weekly. Lotthammer said most growers indicate they are more willing to participate in a
farmers market that runs all season on a weekly basis, so they can bring their produce to
market as soon as it is ready.
Lotthammer said staff has not talked with the Petersons, Marshalls or Pichas about the
farmers market concept, so it is possible they may be interested in participating. He said
Maple Grove has at least as many farms as Eden Prairie, and they have a successful
farmers market. He will contact Maple Grove staff to learn about their experiences.
City Council Workshop Minutes
January 8, 2013
Page 3
Butcher Wickstrom said they City could consider prohibiting the sale of ornamental
plants, so the farmers market would not draw traffic away from existing businesses. She
said she thinks the farmers market is a good idea, and that the community would support
it. Case and Aho said the next step should be to bring in the local farmers to find out
what they think about the concept. Aho said he spoke with the Marshalls during his
campaign last fall, and they said they are opposed to a farmers market in Eden Prairie.
Council Member Nelson said she would like to see additional items, such as organic meat
and eggs, bakery products, and soaps, offered. Lotthammer said staff will contact other
cities and the local businesses/farmers that could be affected by a farmers market and
report back to the City Council.
Open Podium
III. OPEN PODIUM
A. REED SCHULKE—COMMUNITY THEATER SPACE
Schulke said he was addressing the Council on behalf of the Eden Prairie Players.
He said the group currently holds performances at the Riley Barn. The location is
not ideal because it is often sweltering or freezing depending on the time of year,
and props and supplies are stored at scattered locations around town. Schulke said
the group has inquired in the past about getting a permanent space for
performances and storage,but without success. He said they are aware that CH
Robinson will be vacating their space in City Center, and would like to see if
there is the possibility of dedicating a portion of the space to a black box theatre
for the Eden Prairie Players. Case said he would like staff to look into what kind
of space might be available in City Center for the group to use. Mayor Tyra-
Lukens said she likes the idea of having activities in the building that draw people
in on a regular basis. Nelson said she would like to explore the possibility of
creating a business center and conference space, which could also serve the Eden
Prairie Players' needs. Schulke said the group would ideally need about 4,000 sf
of space. That would accommodate performance space, audience seating,
dressing rooms and storage. Getschow said staff will look into the request and
report back to the City Council.
IV. ADJOURNMENT