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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 12/06/2016 - Workshop APPROVED MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP & OPEN PODIUM TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2016 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, and Ron Case CITY STAFF: City Manager Rick Getschow, Police Chief James DeMann, 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 Jan Curielli GUESTS: Rep. Jenifer Loon, Rep. Paul Rosenthal, Representative-Elect Laurie Pryor, Senator Melisa Franzen, Senator-Elect Steve Cwodzinski Workshop - Heritage Room H(5:30 PM) I. LEGISLATIVE UPDATE Representative Rosenthal and Senator Franzen were not present. Representative Loon arrived late. Getschow commented this is the fourth or fifth year the City Council and City staff have met with our legislative delegation to discuss issues coming up in the legislature this year that are germane to Eden Prairie. He said Eden Prairie is a member of the Municipal Legislative Commission (MLC) along with other suburban communities that have a similar character and interests. He noted he serves on the committee that puts the legislative platform together for the MLC. He reviewed the following issue areas identified as priorities for the 2017 Legislative Session by Eden Prairie and the (MLC): • Promote accountability and transparency in the State/Local fiscal relationship; • Invest in transportation and jobs; • Support local control. Getschow said one of the biggest concerns for Eden Prairie is that we do not receive Local Government Aid (LGA) even though there are many cities that are very similar to Eden Prairie that have rich tax bases that do receive LGA. We believe property tax relief should be directed to the taxpayers. He said the State does not need to put automatic increases on LGA, and the legislature should look at the formula for LGA. Other concerns for Eden Prairie are roads,bridges, transit, (including the Southwest Light Rail Transit(SWLRT)project), and investment in highways. Eden Prairie has been able to tap into the State job investment funds to help with job growth; however, there have been some cuts made to those programs. He said support of local control for cities is very important. Eden Prairie has one of the most modest budget increases in the area, and we know how to provide services without artificial mechanisms. Other issues include common sense changes to the Data Practices Act, water City Council Workshop Minutes December 6, 2016 Page 2 and stormwater issues and Sunday liquor legislation. The City of Eden Prairie operates the liquor operation here, and allowing another day for sales just spreads six days' sales over seven days. We believe the benefit of Sunday sales does not outweigh the extra costs of operation. Getschow said another concern is the need for a railroad quiet zone for the railroad crossings in Eden Prairie. The City Council has had an open podium request for railroad quiet zones. He noted St. Louis Park is trying to get funding for a quiet zone. Ellis said there are four railroad crossings in the City. A group of 75 concerned residents in Eden Prairie have petitioned for a railroad quiet zone. They believe the use of horns at railroad crossings has a negative effect on property values. Staff has met with the railroads and MnDOT about the need for a railroad quiet zone. He noted the Federal Highway Administration will require horns to be used at the Hwy 101 crossing. In order to implement the railroad quiet zones, gates and circuitry need to be upgraded at a cost of$1.1-1.2 million, and that cost is prohibitive for the City. He said railroad quiet zones have been implemented in other cities, such as Minnetonka. Representative Loon arrived at 5:48 PM. Ms Pryor asked if such quiet zones are entirely funded through bonding from the State. Ellis replied that was his understanding. Getschow said staff would get more information about the funding concerns. Mr. Cwodzinski said he talked to some of the Council Members during the campaign, and he considers Eden Prairie a poster child for a place that does things right. He said he needs to do more research on Sunday liquor sales, but the tone of his conversations with people has been that they want the Sunday sales. In reviewing the figures on LGA, it is glaring that Minnetonka and Eden Prairie don't get such aid. He wanted to do more research on that as well,but will listen to what Eden Prairie has to say about that. Tyra-Lukens asked for an update on LGA. Getschow said Eden Prairie does not receive LGA, and the vast majority of metropolitan cities do not receive it. The MLC cities do not want to see increases in LGA,but are concerned about the formula used. Much of the formula has to do with the amount of housing built before 1970, so older communities benefit. He said fiscal disparities is a different subject, and Eden Prairie is the No. 2 giver to that program. Case noted basing the formula for LGA on pre-1970 housing means that cities that don't need it, such as Edina, are receiving LGA. Ms Pryor said this is her first public event since the election. One of the benefits of her campaign was that she got to know both Eden Prairie and Minnetonka better. She said Eden Prairie is an impressive city. She does not have her committee assignments yet,but she believes we need a long term plan for transportation that includes looking at new technology coming up. We need to make sure not to leave some populations out, including low-income seniors who may not be able to drive. We also need to identify the laws on the books that affect the transportation needs. She thought that is something the State can do to foster the transportation system. She is also concerned about funding for schools. She is a proponent of consumer choices on liquor sales,but we should see what can be done about the impact at the city level. She noted she needs to learn more about that issue. City Council Workshop Minutes December 6, 2016 Page 3 Getschow said we may be able to get information on our residents' opinions on Sunday liquor sales through the 2018 Quality of Life survey- the 2016 survey is currently underway. Nelson noted we would have to increase taxes 3% if not for the revenue from the liquor stores. Case said the Council has to represent the people, so there is still a possibility that people want the luxury of Sunday sales. We have been very wise in not using the liquor revenue in our General Fund,rather we consider that revenue to be a capital fund. Ms Pryor asked about the impact on the liquor sales from the new,big competitors. Aho said we are always reviewing that information. Ms Loon said it is too early to project what will happen in the legislative session, and it may not be easier to pass legislation. There is work to do on the things that did not get accomplished in the last session, such as transportation. She was hopeful they will pass the transportation bill, and SWLRT and other projects will be key components of that bill. Her office will be doing a survey of people she represents. There are a lot of considerations about transportation and how to go about accomplishing those. She believed we will have to be creative in how we accomplish this. In regard to local control, she did not believe it is in the best interest of the State to tell local governments how much to levy. She said she would like to reduce the number of agencies involved with water quality and would welcome specific suggestions on that subject. There is a lot of overlap with the agencies involved, and it gets very confusing. Getschow said the issue from the city perspective is stormwater. He noted there are three Watershed Districts within Eden Prairie. Each of the three Watershed Districts has different rules, and their rules are being changed. Many developers, as well as the City,have to get approval for projects. We don't know where we stand, and it can be a difficult path to take for developers. We have not had as many issues with the State agencies,but we have encountered some resistance on stormwater from the Watershed Districts. Aho noted the Watershed Districts have taken a different approach in the last few years where they become more of a rule-making body. Developers now have to get approval from the Watershed Districts as well as the City. Getschow said we tried to work with one of the Watershed Districts to administer their rules; however, they want to be able to approve permits and variances. That presents an issue because it slows down response times for the permits and variances. Aho noted the Watershed Districts have levying capabilities, and we, as a city, thought we had authority to set rules. Ms Pryor asked the names of the three Watershed Districts. Ellis replied the Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District is the largest and covers about 60% of Eden Prairie. Nine Mile Creek Watershed District is the next largest, and the Lower Minnesota River Watershed District covers the southern boundary of the City. Case said we agree with Watershed District protection,but they are appointed and have more power than elected officials. He said the Watershed Districts have been empowered to be legislatively abusive if they exercise the full extent of their power and block development. City Council Workshop Minutes December 6, 2016 Page 4 Aho noted Eden Prairie wants to honor the Watershed Districts' goals in terms of water quality,but it is difficult that they are taking over that role. Nelson noted this affects a lot of people who live close to a wetland area. Ms Pryor asked if the changes made to the statutes that made the shift can be identified. Ellis replied they can. Getschow said the County Board appoints these positions. Ms Loon said she would want to follow up on this and get more specifics. Aho distributed a brochure about the I-494 Corridor Commission and said Eden Prairie is part of the five-member joint powers Commission. The Commission focuses on transportation issues for the five cities;however, those issues also affect the greater metropolitan area and the State. He said the most critical issue at this time is the I-494/35W project. That intersection was built in 1959 and was designed to handle a much lighter traffic load. At this point it is the busiest intersection in the State. MnDOT does not have the funding to redo it and has set up the project to be done in two phases. The Commission is focused on trying to push that project forward because it is critical to the five communities and to many others state-wide. The Commission runs a Transit Management Organization (TMO) that focuses on providing residents and businesses ways to get people around more effectively. They organize car pools and other alternative modes of transportation to help reduce the load on the roadways. The Commission received one-time State funding that helped their work; however, they are looking at the State legislature to get more funding. Ms Pryor asked for examples of how the TDM services are accomplished. Aho replied the Commission works with local businesses to help develop transportation plans. They meet with the businesses to help organize car pools, get metro passes,hold commuting events, and develop van pools. They also prepare customized bus routes for individuals. The Commission worked with Best Buy and United Health Group on transportation issues. He said there is a lot of relationship building work by the Commission, and they have been very successful. Tyra-Lukens said she wanted to speak about Southwest Transit, which is funded through a joint powers agreement with Chanhassen and Chaska. Property tax dollars were used to fund that service until 2001. While Eden Prairie is excited about the SWLRT, we are also very protective of Southwest Transit, which provides a different type of ride than does light rail. Southwest Transit provides a commuter-type experience with direct rides downtown,but does not provide service on weekends or in the evening. We want to see the Southwest Transit service continue. She said there have been some threats to the opt-out option over the past few years. Nelson commented that the Speaker of House somehow got the idea that Eden Prairie did not want the SWLRT, and she would like to see that idea changed. She believed the State will have to put in some funding to make the SWLRT project go ahead. Tyra-Lukens thanked the legislators for coming to the meeting. She said any of the Council Members would be available to talk to the legislators or to get them hooked up with the right person. City Council Workshop Minutes December 6, 2016 Page 5 Open Podium - Council Chamber II. OPEN PODIUM III. ADJOURNMENT