HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 08/19/2014 - Workshop APPROVED MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP & OPEN PODIUM
MONDAY,AUGUST 19, 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
SCHOOL BOARD: Ranee Jacobus, Dave Espe, Elaine Larabee, John Estall, Holly Link, Holly
Parker
SCHOOL DISTRICT STAFF: Curt Tryggestad, Josh Swanson, Jason Mutzenberger, Tom May,
Tricia Clair, Jaclyn Swords, Shawn Hoffman-Bram
I. JOINT MEETING WITH EDEN PRAIRIE SCHOOL BOARD
Council Member Aho was absent. Getschow said he and Superintendent Tryggestad met earlier to
discuss topics to be covered at the joint workshop, and that the list would be taken in order.
School District Referendum
Tryggestad said there will be two questions on the November 4 general election ballot. The first
question is a sustaining question, and would allow the district to maintain where they are today for
the next five years. If the referendum passes, the district expects to be able to reduce class sizes and
better prepare students for successful highs school experiences. Math and reading specialists will be
added for grade 2 through 6. The second question, which adds $150 per year per pupil, is dependent
upon approval of the first question. For the median value home, question 1 would have an $8 per
month tax impact, and question 2 would have a$5 per month impact. If the questions fail, the
district would need to make an immediate 11 percent reduction in its budget. Tryggestad said that
would be catastrophic for the district. Jacobus said a volunteer committee rally kick-off is scheduled
for this Thursday.
CitLevy/Tax
Getschow said the proposed 2015 budget increase is approximately 1.8 percent. This translates into a
levy increase of about 2.5 percent;however, the overall city rate will decrease. The preliminary
budget will go to the Council for approval at the September 2 meeting.
City Council Workshop Minutes
August 19, 2014
Page 2
Tassel Proizram
Tryggestad said the district has been searching for a home for the Tassel Program for more than five
years. The program serves 18- to 21-year-old students with special needs by providing skills needed
to lead productive lives. These students currently receive services through District 287. The school
district has increased the amount of space they lease in the lower level of the City Center building,
which is being remodeled to bring the program in-house this fall.
Rec Programs/Aquatic Center Expansion
Lotthammer provided an update on construction of the Community Center Aquatic Expansion
project. He said the walls for Phase I are scheduled to go up shortly. Two eight-lane pools are being
constructed, with audience seating for 300. One pool will be for competitive swimming, and the
other is a zero-depth warm pool suitable for youth swimming lessons. Also included in the project is
a hot tub, new family changing rooms and expanded group fitness space. Construction is expected to
be completed by early 2016.
Southwest LRT
Ellis said four of five cities and Hennepin County have granted municipal consent. Minneapolis is
scheduled to vote on municipal consent on August 29. Next steps are approval of the project by the
FTA, and a two-year design process that will include a lot of public engagement. Construction could
start in 2016, with the line being operational in 2019. Eden Prairie is slated to have five stations,
with the first station located at Mitchell Road.
Business Climate/Tax Base
Getschow said there is a boom in construction in all sectors. Several single-family home
developments are under construction, as well as the City's first apartment complex in 10 years.
United Health Group is also under construction on Shady Oak Road. Getschow said the City
expects 2014 to be the third year in a row for record development revenue.
II. OPEN PODIUM
Tom Klein—Kristie Lane Abandoned Property
Klein, a resident of Kristie Lane, was joined by several neighbors. He presented a petition
outlining concerns about a vacant home on Kristie Lane. The group believes the home
poses potential health and environmental hazards due to water damage from a broken
water main. The owner has not lived in the home for several years, and has not responded
to a City order to correct several items that are in violation of City Code. Klein asked the
City Council to take whatever action is necessary to address the problems on the
property. City Attorney Rosow said the City Council could declare the house a public
nuisance, which would require the homeowner and/or the mortgagor to respond. If there
is no response, the City could ask the courts to uphold the declaration of the house as a
nuisance. Council Member Case said he is in favor of taking this type of action because
the house is clearly a hazard. Getschow said staff will draft a resolution declaring the
house a public nuisance and present it to the City Council at their next meeting, on
September 2.
III. ADJOURNMENT