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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 03/22/2016 - Special APPROVED MINUTES CITY COUNCIL GOAL SETTING WORKSHOP TUESDAY,MARCH 22,2016 CITY CENTER 5:00 P.M.,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 Fire Chief George Esbensen was absent. I. GOAL SETTING DISCUSSION Getschow reviewed work plan accomplishments and goals for each department. He noted that for the past couple of years the City Council's goal setting workshop has taken place later in the year than usual—March or April rather than January. He said this seems to work well because it provides time for community survey results to be compiled and it fits well with budget and CIP processes. Council Member Nelson requested that photos of play equipment be added to the "Park Finder" portion of the City website to help people locate age-appropriate playgrounds. Nelson likes the idea put forward by a commission candidate who suggested of using Facebook to provide timely information on Splash Pad closures, etc. Council Member Butcher Wickstrom asked if the public is allowed to use the grounds at Camp Eden Wood when True Friends programs are not in session. Getschow noted that True Friends has a lease for the property. He does not know whether or not they allow access to the property when it is not in use. Mayor Tyra-Lukens asked for an update on drug abuse in the community. Chief Reynolds said Eden Prairie, like the rest of the state,has seen an uptick in heroin use as a direct result of prescription drug abuse. Council Member Case asked for a workshop devoted to crime in Eden Prairie, including drug abuse and human trafficking. Mayor Tyra-Lukens asked for details on the ground reservoir that is planned for 2016. Public Works Director Robert Ellis said the reservoir, which will have a 5 million gallon capacity, will complete the City's water supply infrastructure. The reservoir will mainly provide water for irrigation and firefighting. Tyra-Lukens asked if it is possible to use captured groundwater runoff instead of building a new reservoir. Ellis said that would be prohibitively expensive. Council Member Aho said he would like to focus on watershed rules and related issues. Getschow explained the process for forwarding proposed candidates to the County Commissioners' for appointment. Getschow said the Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District has a Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC), and the City could contact Eden Prairie residents who serve on the CAC to see if they are interested in being nominated. Council Member City Council Goal Setting Workshop March 22, 2016 Page 2 Case said he would like the City Council to pass a unanimous resolution supporting a candidate. Getschow said he will forward the names of Eden Prairie CAC members to the City Council. Mayor Tyra-Lukens said she would like to see continued progress on design guidelines (including landscaping) and the monument sign project. She said she would like to see concerted efforts to increase public art above and beyond LRT-related public art. Council Member Aho said he would like to have holiday decorations (wreaths and lights) in the Market Center area. Council Member Nelson said she would especially like to see lights around the mall. Case said he would like street banners in the Market Center area. Case also asked staff to produce a one-page document with tax comparisons to other similar cities. Nelson wants to make sure staff knows how much the City Council appreciates the cost-saving innovative ideas they have proposed over the past several years, and to encourage them to continue to think innovatively. Butcher Wickstrom wants to look at ways increase opportunities for citizen involvement and to work on building the sense of Eden Prairie as a special place. II. CLOSED SESSION FOR CITY MANAGER'S PERFORMANCE REVIEW The City Council moved to closed session to discuss the City Manager's performance review at 7:07 p.m. They announced they would not come back into open session before adjourning the meeting. III. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.