City Council - 01/17/2023 - Workshop
APPROVED MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP & OPEN PODIUM
TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2023 CITY CENTER
5:00 – 6:25 PM, HERITAGE ROOMS
6:30 – 7:00 PM, COUNCIL CHAMBER
CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Ron Case, Council Members Kathy Nelson, Mark Freiberg, PG
Narayanan, and Lisa Toomey
CITY STAFF: City Manager Rick Getschow, Police Chief Matt Sackett, Fire Chief Scott Gerber,
Public Works Director Robert Ellis, Community Development Director Julie Klima, Parks and
Recreation Director Jay Lotthammer, Administrative Services/HR Director Alecia Rose,
Communications Manager Joyce Lorenz, City Attorney Maggie Neuville, and Recorder Kelsey
Engelen
Workshop - Heritage Rooms I and II (5:30)
I. COMMISSION WORK PLANS
A. PLANNING COMMISSION
Staff Liaison to the Planning Commission (PC) Jeremy Barnhart opened by
introducing Ed Farr, Vice Chair of PC, who would be presenting a rundown of the
commission’s work in 2022 and initiatives for 2023.
Farr began by reiterating PC’s charter statement, explaining that the purpose of the
advisory commission is to provide an open process and balanced review of
development proposals and land use requests, both private and public, with regard to
the City’s Strategic Plan, Comprehensive Guide Plan and City Land Use.
Next, Farr called out commission Chair Andrew Pieper who was unable to attend the
workshop session, and Jeremy Barnhart who replaced Julie Klima as Staff Liaison a
few months ago. On behalf of the Planning Commission, Farr thanked Community
Development Director Julie Klima for her seven years of service as Staff Liaison and
for her leadership and guidance during those years.
Farr informed City staff and Council of the commission’s enthusiasm for reviewing
development projects, explaining that they reviewed eight land use applications in
2022. Without going into detail on each notable development project, Farr noted the
Eden Prairie Multifamily project which has been met with impassioned opposition;
and the Round Lake Park Warming House which Farr commended as a wonderful
future asset to the City.
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January 17, 2023
Page 2
The first development project discussed in some detail was Blue Stem North project
which is next to the planned Golden Triangle Station. The multifamily redevelopment
consists of 425 multi-family units, under-building parking, 36,698 square feet of open
space including preservation of adjacent wetlands with the addition of walking trails.
Farr overviewed the currently under construction Suite Living of Eden Prairie, which
boasts a 32-unit community, including 20 assisted care units and 12 memory care
units.
Farr went on to outline TriCam Industries’ one-story addition and site improvements
for the existing business. The remodel project includes an addition of a modern front
entry, and the addition of a highly landscaped rain garden, as well as a new
monument sign, added parking stalls and corrected accessible parking, underground
stormwater infiltration, and exterior painting.
Moving on from review of development proposals, Farr discussed the Planning
Commission’s review of variance and code amendments. These spanned various
topics including temporary sales events issues, exterior building materials
requirements, sign code revisions, stormwater management, incidental signs, and
voting requirements.
Farr went on to summarize the Planning Commission’s various initiatives for 2023,
which includes continuing to review development project applications; continuing to
implement Aspire 2040 strategies set forth in the Comprehensive Plan; review more
code amendments; expanding on electronic plan review services; and develop a new
Planning Commission training curriculum for new commissioners.
Councilmember Nelson inquired if the Planning Commission has started putting
increased pressure on developers to install electric vehicle (EV) hookups for new
builds along with the ability to install additional later; and to equip new structures
with solar-ready capabilities.
Farr noted the Design Guidelines book offers great prompts for developers to push
them in the desired direction. Getschow also pointed out that this discussion is not
new and is certainly something routinely discussed with developers.
Case tasked the PC with learning more about what other cities are doing; what are the
reasonable possibilities and steps that could be taken to initiate directives for
developers which include sustainable energy use building plans; and consider what
restrictions might prevent imposing building code that fits the sustainable energy use.
Discussion ensued regarding what the process might look like.
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January 17, 2023
Page 3
B. HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY COMMISSION
Staff Liaison for the Human Rights and Diversity Commission (HRDC) Megan Yerks
began by introducing the commissioners and noting the that the commission is the
largest it has ever been. Yerks expressed the value of varied perspectives and
experiences that their increased numbers have yielded. Yerks also praised the
commissioners’ high levels of contribution and called out the impressive involvement
from student commissioners.
HDRC Commissioner Kuhu Singh discussed the Race Equity Initiative which was
implemented in 2022 and has been a milestone for the City and the commission.
Singh explained the ways that the initiative brought together groups of people in new
ways like townhall meetings and the Race Equity Action team which converted
community feedback into action.
Singh explained the importance of engaging the community to the commission’s
work, touching on the many presentations at HRDC meetings like EP Local News,
All Terrain Wheelchairs, Eden Prairie Police, Hennepin Technical College, and a
joint commission meeting with the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources
Commission.
The commission worked on several community engagement activities in 2022 to
showcase Eden Prairie as a City of diversity, equality, and one that seeks to provide
opportunities and activities for all.
Singh described the immense success of Human Library at PeopleFest!, where
individuals had the opportunity to sit down with someone one-on-one to hear about
their background and unique experiences. Singh also mentioned the Chat with the
Chief Planning Session, the DEI Town Hall, the Citywide Open House, and the Pop-
Up Splash Pads during the summer.
Student Commissioner Sudiksha Talla explained the numerous goals the HRDC has
for 2023, beginning with the continued implementation of the Race Equity Report.
Talla also mentioned their intention to promote inclusivity by creating spaces for
members of our community to connect, and to increase listening avenues within the
community to advise City Council of successes, community needs and concerns.
Mayor Case inquired what it may entail for the commission to promote inclusivity
and achieve increased listening avenues withing the community. Yerks discussed
some methods including identifying communities that may be siloed from one
another to bring them together and facilitate interaction while ensuring that those
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January 17, 2023
Page 4
spaces are welcoming. Kuhu also pointed out some of the activities that have brought
engagement directly to a community.
Yerks explained how the presentations at HRDC meetings are often a good example
of increasing listening avenues, where the commission will invite community
members or social service agencies that serve the community to discuss their
programs. Other methods are projects like the Words in Action contest that brings
students to City Council.
Case explained the ways in which City Council has tried to open listening avenues by
bringing Town Hall meetings to other locations. Case noted the success of a senior
facility meeting and showed great interest utilizing HRDC to help Council find ways
to reach more diverse communities
Student Commissioner Talla outlined HRDC’s 2023 Initiatives beginning with the
continuing of community listening events, of which the commission intends to hold
two this year focusing on individuals who may typically be absent from
conversations. The sessions are designed to engage the community in conversation
with City staff and leaders.
In 2023 HRDC will be involved in a number of collaborative community events like
the Black History Month Words in Action Contest, Human Rights Awards, Stop the
Trafficking 5k, and PeopleFest!.
Talla also touched on the commission’s continued efforts to engage in a social media
plan for recognition of culturally significant holidays and heritage/history months.
Collaborative Community Events – black History Month Words in Action Contest;
Human Rights Awards; Stop the Trafficking 5K; PeopleFest!. Yerks expanded that
social media has been a very low-input way of generating incredible response and
meaningful feedback.
On a final note, Case put forward the idea of an event modeled around a Holiday
Lights/Tree Lighting, but that celebrates various cultural holidays in late Fall and
Winter, where people of different religions and backgrounds come together to share
their stories and holiday histories. The goal would be to express inclusivity and
prioritize community togetherness without excluding customs and beliefs.
Open Podium - Council Chamber (6:30)
II. OPEN PODIUM
III. ADJOURNMENT