HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 01/21/2014 - Workshop APPROVED MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP & OPEN PODIUM
TUESDAY,JANUARY 21, 2014 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
I. COMMISSION WORK PLANS
A. CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Conservation Commission Chair Greg Olson reviewed the commission's 2013
activities and work plan for 2014. The commission is hosting the City's first-ever
Ecopalooza on May 17, which will include a"green crawl" and a solar boat regatta.
They also plan to continue work toward achieving the Minnesota Green Step Cities
Step Three recognition. In the area of energy conservation, the Commission continues
to support the use of PACE financing;promote use of electric vehicle charging
stations, solar panels and window energy; and support the 20-14-15 initiative. Efforts
in the area of water conservation will include promotion of the use of rain barrels,
permeable driveway and sidewalk surfaces, and rain gardens.
Council Member Aho asked the commission to consider meeting with and monitoring
activities of the City's watershed districts to help keep the City Council informed of
issues and activities related to water quality.
B. FLYING CLOUD AIRPORT ADVISORY COMMISSION
Flying Cloud Airport Advisory Commission Vice Chair Keith Tschohl reviewed the
commission's 2013 activities and 2014 work plan. Tschohl said the commission's
goals for 2014 will continue to fall into four main areas: monitoring the Final
Agreement with MAC, addressing matters as directed by the City Council, providing
education and information about the airport, and working with the City and MAC to
reduce nighttime noise and improve the appearance of the airport. The commission
will work on keeping the website current and informative, present a biennial review
of security, and make their annual tour of the airport to meet with staff and fixed base
operators. Tschohl also reviewed a summary of 2013 noise complaints. He said there
were a total of 5,156 noise complaints in 2013, compared to 2270 in 2012. He noted
that the increase in complaints is due almost completely to complaints from a single
City Council Workshop Minutes
January 21, 2014
Page 2
household, which contributed 2,968 complaints in 2013. Excluding that household,
overall complaints decreased by about three percent.
C. HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Heritage Preservation Commission Chair Ed Muehlberg reviewed the commission's
2013 activities and 2014 work plan. Muehlberg and Staff Liaison Lori Creamer
demonstrated the interactive map of historic properties on the City website. The
commission also worked on interpretive programs and pursued local heritage site
designations, and held a joint meeting with the Eden Prairie Historical Society. In
2014, the commission will be working on a landscape and interpretive plan for the
Dorenkemper House property. They also plan to apply for local heritage site
designation for the Dorenkemper House and national register site designation for the
Smith Douglas More House.
Council Member Nelson suggested creating a wall display of the various historic sites
similar to the one on the website to be posted in City Center.
D. HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY COMMISSION
Human Rights & Diversity Commission Chair P.G. Naryanan reviewed the
commission's 2013 activities and 2014 work plan. The commission is currently
accepting nominations for the annual Human Rights Awards, which will be presented
in May. They are partnering with Hennepin Technical College and Eden Prairie
Community Education on several programs, including a film series, a seminar on
Islamic neighbors, an anti-bullying campaign, as well as GLBT, disability in
employment, and Native American heritage awareness months. The commission is
working with City staff on incorporating diversity in the City's welcome packet for
new residents. They also want to make sure the welcome packet is provided to new
renters as well as new home owners. The commission also plans to hold another
Town Hall Meeting for the international community.
E. PARKS, RECREATION & NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION
Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources Commission Vice Chair Larry Link reviewed
the commission's 2013 activities and 2014 work plan. In 2013, the commission
provided input on the proposed aquatic facility upgrades, and reviewed updates to the
City's geocaching procedures and the trail conditions report. They also met with the
Heritage Preservation Commission regarding the historical overlook on Flying Cloud
Drive. In 2014, the commission will participate in development of the bicycle and
pedestrian master plan and the Cedar Hills Park concept plan. They will continue to
monitor and provide input on the aquatic facility upgrades, review the deer
management program, and receive updates on special events and SWLRT station area
planning.
Council Member Nelson asked why no arts-related items are on the Commissions list
of 2013 activities. Lotthammer said staff regularly provides updates on special events
and theatre events.
City Council Workshop Minutes
January 21, 2014
Page 3
Open Podium - Council Chamber
II. OPEN PODIUM
A. STEVE MARX—VENDING CONTRACT
Steve Marx, Royal Vending, said his company has provided vending machines for
City buildings through a contract with Sky Food Caterers. In December,he was
informed by Facilities Manager Paul Sticha that the City intended to start to
contract directly for vending services, and was asked to submit a bid. Marx said
he was later informed the City had chosen another vendor to provide these
services. Marx said he has concerns about the recommended vendor, Gagauz
Vending, because they work out of a private home in Shakopee and do not have a
license through Hennepin County.
B. ROGER HARO—BEE KEEPING
Haro said he has concerns about the proposed Ordinance that will allow bee
keeping in residential districts. He said he is allergic to bee venom and does not
want to live next to a property with bee hives. He also said fecal matter from bees
is dangerous when it gets smeared on car windshields.
III. ADJOURNMENT