HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 12/02/2014 - Workshop APPROVED MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP & OPEN PODIUM
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 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. LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Getschow said all of Eden Prairie's legislative Representatives and Senators (Senators Hann
and Franzen, and Representatives Loon, Selcer and Rosenthal)were invited to tonight's
workshop. Loon and Rosenthal were not able to attend. (Hann joined the meeting at 6:00
p.m.) Getschow said this annual get-together is an opportunity for the City Council to let
legislators know what is on its mind and for legislators to provide updates and perspectives.
Getschow reviewed a handout listing legislative issues of particular importance to Eden
Prairie. He said the document is based on one prepared by the Municipal Legislative
Commission, of which Eden Prairie is a member. The issues fall into three main areas:
• Promotion of accountability and transparency in the state/local fiscal relationship
• Investment in job retention and growth
• Support of local government policies and promotion of fairness and equity
Getschow said the City continues to advocate for direct relief to individual taxpayers rather
than continuation of the fiscal disparities program.
Mayor Tyra-Lukens said there is never enough money for transportation. She asked for the
legislators' input on how the state might allocate money in 2015,particularly for the
Southwest LRT project. Franzen said she serves on the Transportation Committee, and a
major focus will be on developing a package that the Republican caucus will support. She
said transportation funding often becomes a rural versus metro issue, and it is always a
challenge to come up with a package that is fair to everyone. Selcer said she has always been
a champion of LRT. With the new majority in the house they will have to find a way to reach
across the aisle and find compromises. She said it is important for cities to communicate
transportation needs to the business community so they can get on board for funding projects.
Franzen said she is pushing for funding for Highway 62. She said a third lane from Richfield
to Eden Prairie would be easy solution to the increased traffic from the Optum campus.
Hann said there is consensus that more money needs to be put toward sustaining
City Council Workshop Minutes
December 2,2014
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infrastructure,but the debate is about how much money LRT will get. He said he is not
enthusiastic about LRT if it results in neglect of our current infrastructure.
Both Franzen and Selcer said the look of this year's bonding bill will be dependent on the
state financial forecast, which will be released in February. They expect there will be modest
surplus. Selcer said she strongly believes it is fiscally prudent to build up reserves.
Tyra-Lukens asked if the legislators expect to see any movement from no excuse absentee
voting to early voting. She said many people confuse no excuse absentee voting with early
voting;however, the process for absentee voting involves more than 40 steps, while early
voting is much simpler and requires only four steps. Franzen said she would be supportive of
a move to early voting. Nelson said no excuse absentee voting has been a good first step
toward early voting. Hann said he is not opposed to early voting; however, he is not sure how
much of a priority it will be during this session.
Nelson said Eden Prairie puts a lot of money toward fiscal disparities, and she thinks that
when buildings reach a certain age the City should be given a pass on paying on them.
Franzen said she also serves on the Health and Human Services Finance Committee. She said
it is likely that MNSure will require modifications. She said she has long advocated for more
technical and financial expertise on the MNSure board. She said she is also very concerned
about the end of life debate and honoring choices, as well as funding for early childhood
education.
Hann said higher education costs should not be running ahead of what people can afford.
Selcer asked if the City anticipates water supply issues like those seen by some of the
northern suburbs. Ellis said the City has drilled two observation wells to monitor aquifer
levels, and staff has found that the water level is staying at the same year round. He said the
Minnesota River is an untapped resource that can be used if the City experiences problems
down the road.
Franzen asked for the City's opinion of Sunday liquor sales. Getschow said City staff
believes that Sunday sales would simply result in spreading six days of sales over seven days.
There would be an increase in expenses without a corresponding increase in profits.
Hann said he was contacted by a constituent who lives in Eden Prairie and is distraught about
"guns being shot in back yards" during the deer management program. Getschow confirmed
that the deer management program, which involves sharpshooters with police escorts, is
currently underway. He said it is possible that gun shots can be heard from residences. He
said silencers are not allowed per state statute, and that the City has approached legislators in
past years about getting this regulation changed.
Open Podium - Council Chamber
II. OPEN PODIUM
III. ADJOURNMENT