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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 02/05/2013 - Workshop APPROVED MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP & OPEN PODIUM TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 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 - Heritage Room H Mayor Tyra-Lukens was not present. Acting Mayor Case conducted the meeting in her absence. I. COMMISSION WORK PLANS Getschow said each Commission will have about 10 minutes to present their 2013 work plans and answer questions from the Council. Case said he hopes the Council will use this as an opportunity to provide input on what they would like to see the Commissions working on. A. CONSERVATION COMMISSION Chair Laura Jester and Vice Chair Greg Olson presented the Conservation Commission's work plan. 2012 accomplishments included: • Achieved the 2nd step in the GreenStep Cities program • Worked with staff to develop a parks and recreation recycling program • Monitored Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) legislation • Staffed educational booths at the Chamber's Home and Garden Expo and the Citywide Open House • Researched water conservation utility rate structures • Explored ways to inform citizens on conservation related efforts In 2013, the Conservation Commission plans to continue work on the GreenStep Cities program. They are also considering holding a community engagement event, possibly an energy/green crawl. They will continued to encourage energy conservation efforts including promoting the use of green roofs, solar shingles, solar panels and wind energy. They plan to work with Parks and Recreation staff to provide recycling during city-sponsored events, possibly including zero waste oversight. They plan to work with City staff to encourage placement of rainwater gardens in the City right-of-way. They also plan to continue with current education and communication efforts. They are researching conservation initiatives, including electric vehicle charging stations. City Council Workshop Minutes February 5, 2013 Page 2 Council Member Nelson said she is glad the Commission is considering an energy crawl. She said Walmart and Best Buy will likely be interested in participating. Nelson also said one waste hauler is currently accepting plastic bags for recycling. She suggested that the Commission ask Eden Prairie's other waste haulers to do the same. Council Member Case said he supports all of the Conservation Commission's efforts, particularly electric vehicle charging stations. Case said he knows there are a couple of homes in Eden Prairie that generate much of their electricity with solar panels. He suggested publicizing those types of success stories. B. FLYING CLOUD AIRPORT ADVISORY COMMISSION FCAAC Vice Chair Keith Tschohl presented the Commission's workplan with the assistance of Chair Jeffrey Larsen. Tschohl noted that FCM is the fourth busiest airport in Minnesota and the surrounding states. Operations information for FCM that shows that total operations at the airport decreased by about 26 percent in 2012. FCAAC's goals for 2013 include: • Updating the FCAAC page on the City's website • Presentation of the biennial review of security • Monitoring changes relevant to the airport and providing updates to the City Council • Providing annual comparisons of operations and noise complaints • Annual tour of the airport and its FBOs Case asked if the Commission knows why airport operations are down. Tschohl said he thinks it is due in part to the economy and in part to changing demographics. Council Member Butcher asked if there has been a corresponding decrease in noise complaints. Tschohl said he cannot confirm that at this time. Council Member Nelson suggested that the Commission touch base with the neighborhood south of the airport to see if their concerns about airport aesthetics have been addressed. Larsen said MAC has been in communication with the neighborhood, and some plantings were done last year. C. HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION Lori Creamer, staff liaison to the HPC,presented the Commission's workplan. Creamer said the Commission's focus for 2013 will be on increasing education and encouraging public enjoyment of the City's historic properties. Plans for 2013 include: • Updating the interpretive panels program • Pursuing Local Heritage Site Designation for Staring Lake Outdoor Center and Glen Lake Children's camp • Completing a best management practice plan for the Cummins-Phipps-Grill property and the Goodrich Ramus Barn • Holding a joint meeting with the Eden Prairie Historical Society • Enhancing the City's website maps with historic information and links for rental opportunities for historic properties • Completing interpretive and site plans for the Dorenkemper House property City Council Workshop Minutes February 5, 2013 Page 3 Nelson encouraged the HPC to do even more with the City's website. She would like to see stories and pictures from Eden Prairie's past on the website. Butcher said there are grant funds available from the State Historical Society for these types of projects. Council Member Aho suggested adding QR codes to the interpretive panels, which would provide links to the City's website. Case said he would like to see historic photos and stories displayed at City Center. D. HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY COMMISSION Molly Koivumaki, staff liaison, and Pam Spera, Chair, presented the HRDC's 2013 work plan. Spera said the Commission would like to host several events in 2013. Two"Who Are Your Neighbors" events are planned, including one with the Somali community. Spera said the Commission used grant money to fund past events,but that money is no longer available. The Commission is reaching out to community groups to see if they are interested in partnering on events. They are also exploring the possibility of collaborating with other City commissions on events. HRDC will conduct its Human Rights Awards program again this spring. They are looking at ways to increase participation. Case asked how much grant money the Commission had in past years to fund events. Spera said the grant was for$2,000 and was used over the course of several years. Case said he felt the City Council would consider budgeting money for the Commission to hold events. E. PARKS, RECREATION & NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION PRNRC Vice Chair Hutch Coburn presented the Commission's work plan. Coburn said that the Commission's current focus is not on creating new facilities but maintaining the quality of existing facilities. At their January meeting, the PRNRC discussed beekeeping, farmers markets and the aquatic feasibility study. Topics they Commission will address in 2013 include: • Trails projects • Community Center Rink 2 improvements • Riley Lake Concept Plan • Therapeutic recreation services • Health and wellness initiatives • Outdoor athletics • Boundary inspections • Park maintenance • Recycling Coburn said the Commission rotates meetings to various park facilities to give members a better idea of what the City offers. Recent meeting locations include City Center, Homeward Hills Barn, the Senior Center, the Maintenance Facility and the Community Center. The Commission will also hold their annual park tour on July 1. Coburn said Council Members are welcome to join them for the tour. Nelson said based on input from the Town Hall Meeting with Seniors, she would like to see a bench plan created and implemented. She said she also continues to receive City Council Workshop Minutes February 5, 2013 Page 4 requests for permanent pickleball courts. Nelson said that she has had difficulty in locating information on the City website about which parks have play areas appropriate for specific age groups, and which park play areas have nearby parking and bench seating available. Getschow said improvements to the Park Finder portion of the website are on the work plan for IT staff for 2013. Case asked if the City still has a bench memorial program. Lotthammer said there is a bench memorial program, and several benches are added each year as part of the program. He also said staff is working on a pedestrian plan that will include benches. Open Podium - Council Chamber II. OPEN PODIUM III. ADJOURNMENT