City Council - 03/23/2004 - Workshop APPROVED MINUTES
EDEN PRAIRIE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP/FORUM
TUESDAY,MARCH 23, 2004 CITY CENTER
5:00—6:25 PM,HERITAGE ROOM II
6:30—7:00 PM, COUNCIL CHAMBER
CITY COUNCIL:
Mayor Nancy Tyra-Lukens, Councilmembers Sherry Butcher,Ron Case, Jan Mosman, and
Philip Young
CITY STAFF:
City Manager Scott Neal, Police Chief Dan Carlson,Fire Chief George Esbensen,Public Works
Director Eugene Dietz, Parks and Recreation Director Bob Lambert, Communications Manager
Jack Sheehan, City Attorney Ric Rosow, and Recorder Lorene McWaters
Heritage Room H
I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
III. REFERENDUM COMMUNICATIONS
Lambert showed a draft PowerPoint presentation that staff will be using in more than 30
presentations to the public over the next six weeks. Lambert wants Council support of
the presentation and encouraged them to make comments and suggestions, either during
the meeting itself or afterward. Lambert noted that any changes to the presentation need
to be made soon since presentations to the public will begin soon.
Council praised the presentation. Tyra-Lukens asked if the label on the zero depth kids'
pool could be changed to not say"Zero Fun Pool." She also asked about the construction
schedule for the aquatic center and community center. Lambert said if the referendum
passes,both should be complete by the summer of 2006. Tyra-Lukens asked if staff has
income projections for the aquatic center, since there are likely to be questions from the
public on this. Lambert said the precise level of income would depend on the final
design of the project. He said any final plan will be designed to generate enough income
to cover operating costs and reinvest in periodic improvements.
Lambert specifically requested input from Council on the single-question portion of the
presentation. Tyra-Lukens noted that the brochure approaches the issue a little
differently than the PowerPoint presentation. She feels the two messages should be made
consistent. Rosow supported the language used in the brochure, stating that the use of the
single-question ballot was a policy decision by the Council.
Council Workshop Minutes
March 23, 2004
Page 2
Lambert said Council is welcome and encouraged to attend any of the public
presentations,particularly the two town meetings that will be held at City Center on April
1 and April 22. Neal said all of these presentations will be posted as open meetings in
case more three or more Councilmembers are in attendance at one time.
Sheehan distributed color copies of a brochure that will be mailed to all households in
Eden Prairie. He said a removable sticker reminding people of the date of the referendum
will be included in the mailer, as well as a letter from the Mayor. To reduce costs, the
mailer is being produced in two colors rather than four colors. Approximate cost to
produce and distribute the mailer will be:
$5,400 -printing
$3,016 -mailing
$300 - design
Butcher questioned the use of a skateboard park picture on the mailer since upgrading the
skateboard park is not part of the referendum. Sheehan said he would replace the photo.
Mosman said she would like to see a picture of a dog on a leash. Case noted that many of
the photos are sports-related. He suggested adding some nature-related photos.
Mosman asked if Rosow could address the question of what Councilmembers can or
cannot say in support of the referendum. Rosow said he has drafted a memo that he will
distribute to Council. He said, as citizens, Council has the right to free speech. As
individuals they can say they plan to vote for the referendum and they hope others will
too. In other words, they are free to state their personal opinions on the referendum.
Rosow said the City cannot organize events for the purpose of telling people to vote for
the referendum,but they can hold meetings for the purpose of informing citizens.
IV. OTHER TOPICS
Council Chamber
V. OPEN FORUM
No one requested to speak at Open Fonun.
VI. OPEN PODIUM
No one requested to speak at Open Podium.
VII. ADJOURNMENT