City Council - 08/15/2023 - Workshop
APPROVED MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP AND OPEN PODIUM
TUESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2023 CITY CENTER
5 – 6:25 p.m., HERITAGE ROOMS
6:30 – 7 p.m., 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 Sara
Aschenbeck
GUESTS: School Board members Aaron Casper, Steve Bartz, Charles (CJ) Strehl, Kim Ross,
Dennis Stubbs; Superintendent Josh Swanson, Associate Superintendent Carlondrea Hines,
Executive Director of Business Services Jason Mutzenberger, Executive Director of Community
Education Shawn Hoffman-Bram, Executive Director of Personalized Learning Robb Virgin, and
Executive Director of Marketing and Communications Dirk Tedmon
Workshop - Heritage Rooms I and II (5:30 p.m.)
I. JOINT SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
Case welcomed guests from the Eden Prairie School Board and the School District. Getschow
began presenting results from the City’s biannual Quality of Life (QOL) survey. The City uses
Polco to conduct the QOL survey. Polco facilitates city government surveys and provides
benchmarks against other cities. Over 2,000 Eden Prairie residents completed the QOL survey.
The responses gave a statistically significant sample with a three percent margin of error. The
QOL survey is one of the first inputs to the biannual budget.
Getschow provided an overview of the City’s QOL ratings. Compared to National, Midwest, and
Minnesota Community benchmarks, the City’s ratings were mostly higher or similar. There were
not any ratings lower than the benchmarks. When compared to the City’s QOL survey from
2020, the 2022 survey received higher ratings on 12 questions, similar ratings on 139 questions,
and lower ratings on 34 questions. Although ratings decreased from the 2020 to the 2022 QOL
survey, the City increased its national ranking because other cities experienced larger decreases.
Getschow presented a chart of nationwide trust in local government over the past ten years.
Overall confidence in local government peaked in 2020 and has declined steadily since then. The
City’s trust levels are close to 90 percent which are much higher than the nationwide benchmark
of 50 percent.
Getschow explained the first key finding of the 2022 QOL survey is Eden Prairie is a highly
desirable and safe place to live. This is demonstrated through the following survey results:
• 92 percent of respondents rate the overall quality of life in Eden Prairie as good or
excellent.
• Nine in ten respondents are somewhat or very likely to recommend living or conducting
business in the City.
• Eight in ten respondents are somewhat or very likely to remain in the City for the next
five years.
• 92 percent of respondents rate the City’s overall feeling of safety as good or excellent.
• Over eight in ten respondents rated safety in their neighborhoods, parks and open space,
paths or walking trails, and the Eden Prairie Center mall as good or excellent.
• When asked to list the biggest concern relating to police services, the number one answer
for survey respondents is speeding.
Getschow stated the second key finding of the 2022 QOL survey is City services continue to be
highly ranked among peers. This is demonstrated through the following survey results:
• 89 percent of respondents rate the overall quality of City services as good or excellent.
• Over 90 percent of respondents rate fire department response time, fire services, park
maintenance, police services, overall customer service by City employees, and water and
sewer services as good or excellent.
• Many city services including police, fire, planning, park maintenance, and recreation
centers rank in the top ten of all cities surveyed by Polco.
• When asked about the top reasons a survey respondent would interact with the Police
department, the number one answer is community events.
Getschow noted the third key finding of the 2022 QOL survey is the City’s natural environment,
parks, and recreation opportunities are valued by residents. This is demonstrated by the
following survey results:
• Nine in ten respondents have visited a park in the past two years.
• The City receives national recognition on Parks and Recreation attributes such as
appearance, cleanliness, amenities, and walking paths.
• The QOL survey includes two open ended questions. The first asks respondents to choose
their favorite thing about living in the City. The most common answer was parks, trails,
and recreation centers. The second open ended question asks respondents to list their
biggest concern about living in the City. The most common answer was nothing. The
second most common answer was respondents interested in more activities and dining
options.
Getschow stated the fourth and final key finding of the 2022 QOL survey is residents are familiar
with and see the value of sustainability. The City has spent much effort on sustainability in
recent years. The entire survey, including demographics, are published on the City website. City
leadership is pleased with the results of the QOL survey, and the business community and School
District play a part in the high rankings.
Swanson began presenting results from the annual Parent and Community Survey facilitated by
Morris Leatherman. Morris Leatherman facilitates school district surveys and can provide
benchmarks against other school districts. The random sample survey was completed in April
2023 with a five percent margin of error. Both the parent community and non-parent community
are surveyed. There are many differences in the parent and non-parent communities in terms of
age, racial demographics, and length of residence in the City. The parent community is more
diverse than the non-parent community.
Swanson noted the respondent is asked to describe Eden Prairie schools. The most common
answers were good teachers, high achieving, variety of programs, excellent education, and
sports. 99 percent of the parent community and 96 percent of the non-parent community rate the
public schools as good or excellent. 58 percent of the parent community and 47 percent of the
non-parent community rate the School District as excellent. The average Minnesota public
school receives an excellent rating of ten percent.
Swanson next detailed specific perceptions of the School District. When asked if the School
District is moving in the right direction, 86 percent of the parent community and 83 percent of
non-parent community answer yes. Respondents agree the School District spends money
effectively. Both the parent and non-parent communities feel adequately involved in decision
making. 98 percent of the parent community trusts the School District to do the right things for
children. 99 percent of the parent community is proud of the School District and would
recommend it to family and friends.
Swanson noted ratings of the School District’s communication are at an all time high. 25 percent
of the non-parent community and 42 percent of the parent community have contacted the School
District on an important issue, and both communities reported high satisfaction of the answer
and/or outcome. 87 percent of the respondents report having adequate opportunities to provide
input. Community outreach is an opportunity for the City and the School District to partner.
Swanson stated 74 percent of the community rated the School District’s financial management as
positive. This is higher than the average metro city rating of 52 percent. These results are
favorable considering the recent referendum and capital project levy, when decreases in financial
management rankings are common. Case inquired why 26 percent of the community did not rate
the School District’s financial management as positive. Swanson noted it is likely the group is
generally unsupportive of taxes. Strehl added a piece of the School District’s capital project levy
is based on home value. Not only did the capital project levy increase, but home values have also
increased in recent years. This may factor into respondents not ranking the School District’s
financial management as positive. Getschow noted 2023 appraised values have increased three to
four percent this year, much lower than the 20 percent value increase in 2022. Case added the
relationship between assessed value and property taxes are correlated, but it is not a cause and
effect.
Swanson provided an overview of strategic planning efforts for 2023 to 2028. The School
District spent nine months engaging families, students, and staff regarding strategic planning,
including receiving and implementing feedback. Three anchor strategies emerged from the
strategic plan: authentic and personalized learning, wellbeing, and inclusion and belonging. The
community is overwhelmingly supportive of the School District’s strategic planning.
Swanson noted the School District is celebrating its 100 year anniversary in 2024. Staff is
planning multiple programming events throughout the year to celebrate including partnering with
the Historical Society on a city-wide prom, launching an alumni magazine, preparing 100 days of
lessons for 100 years, and a performance from an Eden Prairie multi-generational choir.
Swanson finished with a video commemorating the 100 year anniversary of the School District.
Strehl inquired how the City is handling the State’s legalization of recreational marijuana and
noted it will likely appear in the schools. Case responded the State has given the City very little
authority over recreational marijuana. The City has banned marijuana in parks. By State statute
effective July 1, 2024, cities must allow a minimum of one dispensary per 12,500 people.
Accordingly, the City must allow five. Getschow added it is illegal for individuals under the age
of 21 to use marijuana and the Police will be enforcing the law inside the schools. Case stated it
is illegal to drive under the influence of marijuana in the State. If a person is pulled over for
suspected impairment, a blood test will reveal marijuana use.
Case stated recent Mayor’s conferences have emphasized the need for cities and school districts
to partner and prepare for the event of school shootings. The partnership between the City and
the School District is something to take pride in. Casper thanked Lotthammer for his service and
congratulated him on his upcoming retirement. Casper also thanked Chief Sackett and the
Council for the partnership between the School District and the Police Department. Case thanked
the School District for their partnership.
Open Podium - Council Chamber (6:30 p.m.)
II. OPEN PODIUM
III. ADJOURNMENT