City Council - 12/07/2004 - Workshop APPROVED MINUTES
EDEN PRAIRIE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP/FORUM
TUESDAY,DECEMBER 7, 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, Community Development
Director Janet Jeremiah, Communications Manager Pat Brink, Assistant to the City Manager
Michael Barone, City Attorney Ric Rosow, and Recorder Lorene McWaters
Heritage Roont H
I. DISCUSSION OF FARMERS MARKET
Patti Lloyd and Vickie VanDriessche presented a proposal for a farmers market at
Purgatory Creek Park. They have discussed the concept with City staff, including David
Lindahl and Bob Lambert. Lloyd said the farmers market concept grew out of their
desire for a place for Eden Prairie to come together as a community. The market would
include booths selling fresh produce,baked goods, flowers, some finished food products,
and several booths representing local artisans. There would also be entertainment and
other activities on some dates.
Lloyd and VanDriessche have backgrounds in marketing and management, and they
would serve as hands-on managers for the market, which would be held Thursday
evenings and Saturday mornings from mid-May through the end of October. A farmers
market board would help oversee the operation.
Lloyd and VanDriessche said they need to know whether or not Council is supportive of
the concept before they can move forward. Mayor Tyra-Lukens said she likes the idea
but she is concerned about the impact a farmers market might have on park facilities and
programs. Lambert said believes the best arrangement would be for the City to rent the
park space to the farmers market with part of that fee covering the City's operational
costs. Lambert said also noted that there are between 2,000 and 3,000 decorative
plantings in the park, which could be damaged by foot traffic if not properly managed.
Trash pickup was also an issue other cities mentioned, especially when events are
scheduled immediately after the farmers market. Despite some concerns, Lambert said
he supports the concept. He said a farmers market would encourage use of the park,but
it must be done with care.
Council Workshop Minutes
December 7, 2004
Page 2
Lambert said he asked Lloyd and VanDriessche to talk to others in the community that
might be affected by a farmers market, including Dale Bachman. Lloyd and
VanDriessche said they have talked to Bachman and tried to allay his concerns about a
farmers market. Lindahl he also has spoken to Mr. Bachman,but he still has a
philosophical concern about a private business being located on public land. Others who
were contacted appear to support the concept. Lloyd and VanDriessche also spoke with
Flagship Business Center about the possibility of obtaining additional parking for
patrons,particularly on Thursday evenings. They have also spoken with managers of
farmers markets in nearby communities and attended a State-sponsored seminar on
running a farmers market.
Mayor Tyra-Lukens asked how much lead time is required for the farmers market to open
in May. Lloyd said they need to start now if they are going to open in May. Lambert
explained the approval process, saying the next step is to present the proposal to the Parks
Commission,which next meets in early January. Then the proposal must go before the
Planning Commission because it involves land use issues. The earliest it could go before
Council for approval is February. Mayor Tyra-Lukens and Councilmember Butcher both
said they are enthusiastic about the farmers market concept. Mayor Tyra-Lukens said she
is glad to see two people in the community willing to tackle this kind of project.
II. CEMETERY TASK FORCE
City Manager Scott Neal distributed a memo he drafted in response to a workshop and
Council action in February requesting formation of a cemetery task force to study issues
related to the City's management of its cemetery. Stu Fox would serve as the staff liaison
to the task force. Mayor Tyra-Lukens asked about costs for maintaining the cemetery.
Fox said the main costs are for mowing and upkeep of pavement, fences, etc. The
cemetery is currently paying its own way with funds collected for perpetual care. When
the City took over the cemetery in 1986 the perpetual care fund balance was $97,000;
today the fund balance is $232,000. Case said he is glad the cemetery is paying its own
way, and would like to see it continue to do so; however, he would not mind seeing some
upgrades such as more decorative fencing. Fox noted that state statutes stipulate what
you can and cannot do in terms improvements; however, fencing can be replaced. Neal
said a formal motion for formation of a cemetery task force will be prepared for the
December 21 Council meeting.
Council Chamber
II. OPEN FORUM
No one was schedule to speak at Open Forum.
III. OPEN PODIUM
Geraldine Beckmann, Eden Prairie resident and member of the Eden Prairie Historical
Society, addressed Council regarding a December 2,2004,Eden Prairie News
commentary on historical preservation by Councilmember Young.
IV. ADJOURNMENT
12/20/2004 16:24 9529440229 EDEN PRAIRIE C;HAMJ9--k r-F*3r- ui
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Eden prairie Chamber of Commerce
December 20,2004
Mr. Scott Neal
City Manager
City of Eden Prairie
8080 Mitchell Road
Eden Prairie,MN 55344
Dear Scott,
I am writing to follow up ou our conversation about the proposed farmers market.
In our conversation you mentioned that the two individuals who are proposing the
farmers market presented to the City Council during their workshop. As part of their
presentation,I understand that they stated the Chamber is in favor of the farmers market.
I want to be sure that you and the City Council know that the Chamber does not have any
position currently on the farmers market. Our Board of Directors has not reviewed the
benefits and issues surrounding such an endeavor to determine what position,if any the
Chamber would take at this time.
As a follow-up,we are reviewing the concerns that have been mentioned by at least one
of our members. At this time I will be gathering information from our local businesses
and determining issues they may have in terms of a farmers market. Once I have an
understanding of these,I will be in contact with your office to review any areas of
concern, get clarification,and present this information to the Chamber's appropriate
committee(s)for review.
If you have any questions,or would like any clarification about this,please let me know.
Please provide copies of this letter for the Council members.
Sincer
Pat MulQuceny,IOM
President
CC: City Council Members
Chair of the Board.of Directors,Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce
7901 Flying Cloud Drive, #270 - Eden Prairie,MIN 55344 - Phorie: 952-944-2830 • Fax: 952-944-0229