City Council - 06/17/2003 - Workshop APPROVED MINUTES
EDEN PRAIRIE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP/FORUM
TUESDAY,JUNE 17, 2003 CITY CENTER
5:00- 6:25 PM,HERITAGE ROOM H
6:30—7:00 PM, COUNCIL CHAMBER
CITY COUNCIL:
Mayor Nancy Tyra-Lukens, Councilmembers Sherry Butcher,Ron Case, and Jan Mosman, and
Philip Young
CITY STAFF:
City Manager Scott Neal, Police Chief Dan Carlson, Fire Chief George Esbensen,Public Works
Director Eugene Dietz,Director of Parks and Recreation Bob Lambert,Management and Budget
Director Don Uram, City Attorney Ric Rosow, and Recorder Lorene McWaters
Heritage Room H
I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Councilmember Mosman was absent.
II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
III. DISCUSSION TOPICS
A. LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
City Manager Scott Neal said Senator David Hann,Representative Erik Paulsen,
and Representative Peter Adolphson were invited to share their thoughts on the
recently completed State legislative session. Neal said he received a call from
Rep. Adolphson saying he would not be able to attend due to illness.
Senator Hann said the highlight of the session for him was the legislature's ability
to work through the budget issues without raising taxes. Hann said"putting limits
on expectations from state government"was at the core of many of the issues
discussed this year. Sen. Paulsen agreed that the most daunting task was
addressing the deficit—balancing a 6.6% increase in revenues with a projected
14%increase in expenditures. He said the legislature was "putting the brakes on
the trends of the `90s." Hann said Minnesota is known for providing many more
social services than other states. Despite this year's cuts,he said, "Minnesota will
still be#1,but not by as much."
Hann said some important legal reforms were passed, including a ban on certain
"frivolous"lawsuits. He said this legislation will prove good for both schools and
cities. He noted that the Profile of Learning was also repealed. Hann said he is
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June 17,2003
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very excited about the creation of a"reverse auction"system that will be used to
purchase everything from legal services to operating supplies. He said the new
system is expected to save the state at least$4 million a year. He said a personal
protection act(popularly referred to as "conceal and carry") and an abortion
waiting periods were passed after many years of discussion. Hann noted that he
went"to bat"for suburbs in resisting permanent cuts in the market value
homestead credit for suburban communities.
Hann and Paulsen said there are noticeable rural/metro area divisions evident in
both the House and the Senate. Hann said there is a great need for the State to
focus attention on rural economic development. He said a healthier rural
economy will ultimately benefit the metro area.
Paulsen said the biggest surprise of the session was the passage of a$900,000
million transportation packet.
Councilmember Case asked which issues they had received the most feedback on.
Hann and Paulsen both indicated they have heard a lot pro and con on the
personal protection act. Case asked if they expect changes to be made to the law.
Hann said he is not prepared to call it a"perfect law,"but that it would not be
wise to make changes in the heat of the emotion. Hann noted that he had taken
the training course required to apply for a permit, and that the personal
responsibility of the gun owner is stressed. He doesn't believe that the horror
stories circulating will come to pass,but assured the Council that the legislature
will be keeping an eye on any potential problems. Councilmember Butcher noted
that Council received a lot of communication about the issue, even though it was
not something they had control over. Case said that, speaking for himself only,he
was not pleased with the legislature"telling cities how to do what they do."
Paulsen said it is actually a misconception that individuals cannot bring guns into
the Capitol. He said individuals are only required to inform the Commissioner
that they intend to carry a gun. Paulsen said he expects there will be some
tweaking of the law,but that the new rules actually strengthen the permitting
process. Councilmember Young asked for their views on Hennepin County's
stand to restrict the ability to wear a firearm on their premises. Paulsen said he
feels that the County will be found legally"out of bounds."
Mayor Tyra-Lukens said that in visiting businesses in Eden Prairie, she has been
struck by how many local businesses are owned by national companies that could
easily pull out of the area if the economic conditions are not good. She said she
has seen a rise in office and warehouse vacancies. She also mentioned that she
heard a program on Public Radio that stated that Minnesota's spending is now on
the level of that of Mississippi. She said, "That can't possibly be good." She
asked what the legislature is doing to retain businesses. Paulsen agreed that this is
a big issue, and said that is why the legislature worked so hard not to raise taxes
this year. They are also working hard to maintain a high quality of life in the
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June 17,2003
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state, and this is why they tried to spare nursing homes and K 12 from major
funding cuts.
City Manager Neal said he was very happy with Eden Prairie's new Met Council
district. He asked what Hann and Paulsen felt was left undone this year that will
come up in 2004. Hann said the legislature will have to address the education
funding formula. Paulsen said he was surprised he did not hear from the City on
the deer population control issue this year. Parks Director Lambert said the City
had received feedback from the DNR that they need to follow up on before
pursuing the issue.
Economic Development Manager Lindahl said transportation is still a huge issue
for the area, especially in relation to economic development. Paulsen said it is
important to remember that transportation funding is a"one vote"bill and the
legislature has to be very realistic about what it requests.
Mayor Tyra-Lukens said it would be helpful if the legislators kept Council
informed on what is happening in the legislature as bill are being formed. Both
Hann and Paulsen said they will try to do more of this in the future.
Council Chamber
V. I-494 CORRIDOR COMMISSION PRESENTATION
Jim Hovland, I-494 Corridor Commission, said a lot has happened since he last updated
the Council about a year and a half ago. The Commission's budget has doubled and is
now about$342,000 for 2003. Hovland said the Commission is a joint powers
organization made up of Eden Prairie, Bloomington, Edina,Minnetonka, Plymouth and
Richfield. Its mission is to improve I-494 from the Minnesota River to I-94 . . ." Its two
main objectives are lobbying to accelerate the schedule for expansion of I-494 and
development of 494 commuter services. Hovland said that although traffic congestion is
increasing at a high rate, funding for transportation projects is not keeping pace.
Dave Van Hattum reviewed the Travel Demand Management Program,which works to
expand commuter choices through car pooling,van pooling,bussing,biking and flexible
work arrangements. Partners in this program include Metro Commuter Services,Metro
Transit and Southwest Metro Transit, Mn/DOT and various Chambers of Commerce.
One new initiative is "interactive ridematching," an online database of thousands of
commuters that can be used to set up ride-shares. Accomplishment so far this year
include 21 meetings with Eden Prairie employers, 10 commuter fairs, and 200+
commuters added to the rideshare database.
VI. OPEN FORUM(Scheduled participants, 6:30-7:00 p.m.)
No one spoke at Open Forum.
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VH. OPEN PODIUM(Unscheduled participants, 6:50-7:00 p.m.)
Sharon Stevens,Balsam Lane, said she is a member of the executive committee of the
local Sierra Club. She said Sierra Club is partnering with Friends of Birch Island Woods
and Friends of the Minnesota Valley to present an Open Spaces Workshop on June 28 at
Camp Edenwood. She said the focus of the Workshop is how suburban communities can
make better land planning choices. Their goal is to "demystify the process for busy
people." Ms. Stevens encouraged the Councilmembers to attend the workshop,which is
free and open to the public. She said more information on the workshop is available at
the Friends of Birch Island Woods web site.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT