City Council - 02/15/2000 - Workshop APPROVED MINUTES
EDEN PRAH;UE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP/FORUM
TUESDAY,FEBRUARY 15,2000 5:00-6:55 PM, CITY CENTER
HERITAGE ROOM II
CITY COUNCIL:
Mayor Jean Harris, Councilmembers Sherry Butcher,Ronald Case,Ross Thorfinnson,Jr., and
Nancy Tyra-Lukens
CITY COUNCIL STAFF:
City Manager Chris Enger, Parks & Recreation Services Director Bob Lambert, Public Safety
Director Jim Clark, Public Works Services Director Eugene Dietz, Asst. City Engineer Rod Rue,
Community Development and Financial Services Director Don Uram, Management Services
Director Natalie Swaggert, City Attorney Ric Rosow and Council Recorder Peggy Rasmussen
I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER—MAYOR JEAN HARRIS
Mayor Harris called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
H. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
M. PROPERTY VALUES
Steve Sinell gave a presentation regarding changes in property values and what the
implications might be. The department has just completed the 2000 assessments that will
be the basis for taxes in 2001. These will be mailed to property owners between March 1
and March 6. Values have increased more in this past year than they have in the past
several years. This will likely result in more property owners questioning their assessed
values and more decisions for the Board of Review.
IV. MARKET CENTER VISION/DIRECTIONS
Enger referenced the booklet on this subject that the City put together in 1983. The
importance of mixed land use in the downtown center was anticipated. Now there is
application of this concept and the market will begin to drive it. Right now there are
more people coming into town to work than leaving town to work elsewhere. This will
mean an increase in land-use density and an increase in the height of buildings.
V. PROPERTY EXTERIOR MAINTENANCE POLICY
Kevin Schmieg reviewed the draft Exterior Building Maintenance Policy. It has been
given to the City Attorney's Office for review. There has been no policy until now. If a
citizen calls to complain about the exterior maintenance of a neighbor's house,the City
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MINUTES
February 15,2000
Page 2
has no way to address the complaint. This code deals with the exterior of buildings,
fences and other structures on both residential and commercial property. There are not
many distressed properties in Eden Prairie at this time, but once a house begins to
deteriorate it goes downhill very quickly. Only ten or twelve percent of the houses in
Eden Prairie were built prior to 1975. If a code is adopted it should head off future
problems.
Mayor Harris expressed support for the code and Councilmembers agreed. The Exterior
Maintenance Policy will be brought back in the form of an ordinance for approval by the
Council.
Butcher asked that information about labor and financial assistance be made available for
people with limited incomes. FamiLink could connect them with the existing programs.
VI. PROPOSAL TO DEVELOP A POLICY ON EXTERIOR ARCHITECTURE
Uram said the subject of developing a policy on exterior architecture came up recently
when several properties were being considered by the Council. Staff plan to address
this issue is to research some buildings in Eden Prairie and surrounding communities that
people have identified as having attractive architecture. Arizona has a point system for
architecture, and Staff will research this also. The intent is to have an intern begin work
on this in the spring and complete by summer. Staff will then put together a draft policy
for Council to review.
VH. OTHER BUSINESS
VHI. COUNCIL FORUM
VII. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Harris adjourned the meeting at 6:35 p.m.