Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 04/08/2015 - Other APPROVED MINUTES CITY COUNCIL PLANNING SESSION TUESDAY,APRIL 8, 2015 CITY CENTER 5:30 PM, HERITAGE ROOMS 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, City Attorney Ric Rosow, and Recorder Lorene McWaters Green Step Cities Program Getschow said the PCA has asked the City if we would commit to becoming a Level 4 Green Step City. Currently, the highest designation is Level 3, which the City achieved in 2014. PCA staff would provide e-mail and phone assistance in developing green initiatives for the Level 4 achievement. There was general agreement that the City should commit to achieving level 4. After 20-40-15 Getschow distributed a matrix of proposed "next step" green initiatives developed by staff. The initiatives are sorted into six main categories: transportation, water resources, solid waste, energy, land use/community development and other. Getschow asked the Council Members to identify which items they feel are the highest priorities. Case said there appear to be some larger themes - such as energy, lighting, water conservation, ecology - under which initiatives could be grouped. He said things like letting areas go natural and banning pesticides harmful to bees fit under "ecology." Nelson agreed that energy should be an area of focus. She said it would be helpful to identify what is actually doable in the areas of solar and wind energy, so that residents and businesses know what is possible. She suggested starting a green award program, and possibly providing incentives for properties that achieve gold or platinum LEED certification. She also supports buckthorn removal and buying local. She said a section of the web site should be devoted to green initiatives. Tyra-Lukens noted that the City is already working toward some of the items on the list. She agrees that it makes sense to focus efforts on energy, solid waste and water resources. She thinks there are opportunities to do more with solid waste. Aho said he received an inquiry from an Eden Prairie Center tenant asking why the mall does not offer recycling. Ellis said he will look into it. Jeremiah said recycling is required only in new construction. Nelson said she continues to receive input from residents about offering more recycling in the parks. Tyra-Lukens asked if it would be possible to have the community drop off event twice a year, instead of just once. Ellis said another day could be added. The cost per event is $40,000. Ellis said the program is highly successful. Residents save up items all year that they know they will be able to drop off free of charge. Nelson said the Senior Center has a free shedding event once a year. She would like another shredding event for the general community added. Tyra-Lukens said it will be hard to evaluate the success of some of the proposed initiatives. She asked how we would know if we achieved a 1 % increase in biking or walking. Ellis said a question could be included on the community survey. Aho said the I-494 Corridor Commission has metrics on those types of activities. Ellis said Eden Prairie could also choose to participate in the Bike Friendly Community program. Several different levels of achievement are possible, based on criteria such as trails,bike safety education, etc. Case suggested that each Council Member choose 10 to 15 items they consider most important from the matrix, then meet again to discuss the themes and priorities that emerge from the compiled results. Case said it may be helpful for Council to stay at the higher level of defining the themes and allowing staff to flesh out the details of how the goals are achieved. Getschow said Council Members can give their lists to him and he will compile the results. The resulting list will be used by staff to begin to formulate plans, and the Council can serve as the sounding board for the plans beginning as soon as their next meeting. Butcher Wickstrom suggested wrapping the plan so it can be marketed and talked about. Workplan Update Getschow provided a brief overview of each department's 2015 work plan. Goals The Council Members compiled a list of goals and priorities for 2015, including: • 20-40-15 Next Steps • LRT Station Public Art - Tyra-Lukens said the SWLRT project office is setting up art committees. The list of artists has been narrowed down to 8 to 10. The art will not come to the City Council for formal approval, but there will be opportunities to provide input throughout the process. Lotthammer said the Eden Prairie Station Art Committee will be provided with sketches based on the concepts discussed during their meetings with the artists and consultants, and the City Council will have the opportunity to view those sketches. The results of the station design charette will used by the artists to create their concepts. There are opportunities for public art outside of the actual stations in the immediate neighborhoods and as part of the larger streetscape. Staff has included funding in the CIP for each station, and a grant application has been submitted for station area design funds. Tyra-Lukens said UHG is interested in public art in their station area. The Council Members agreed that they would like to see the City logo or entry monument design elements incorporated in the art and design. • Seek input & feedback from diverse groups - Case said some groups (Somali, seniors, businesses) are still reaching out to Council Members for more connection. Getschow said an International Town Hall Meeting is being planned for the end of April by Housing & Community Services staff and the Human Rights & Diversity Commission. Case said these groups should always be on the front burner. • Involve citizens in decisions - Jeremiah said the comp plan update will provide a great opportunity for citizen involvement in decision making. Staff is exploring different methods to gather input, including attending established neighborhood events. There is also a desire to engage the community in commenting on the budget. • Exterior maintenance - Nelson suggested moving away from complaint-only enforcement. She would like to see a program similar to the park boundary program, where staff go out and actively inspect areas to determine whether or not property owners are in compliance. • Transportation o Planning for the future (comp plan) o Demographics o SW LRT (circulator system) • Community identity - The City Councils wants to keep historic properties at the forefront. The Council also mentioned the monument sign project, marketing initiatives, and website enhancements as efforts that contribute to community identity. • Marketing updates - Nelson would like the website to be more customized, with photos of each amenity or facility and a site index to help with navigation. • Younger/newer residents - Butcher Wickstrom noted that this demographic rated involvement lower than other segments. She would like to make sure they are brought into the decision making processes. The meeting was adjorned at 8:00 p.m.