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City Council - 04/11/2006 - Town Meeting APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE CITY COUNCIL TOWN MEETING TUESDAY,APRIL 11, 2006 7:00 PM, CITY CENTER Council Chamber 8080 Mitchell Road CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Nancy Tyra-Lukens, Councilmembers Brad Aho, Sherry Butcher, Ron Case, and Philip Young CITY STAFF: City Manager Scott Neal, Parks & Recreation Director Bob Lambert, Public Works Director Eugene Dietz, Community Development Director Janet Jeremiah, City Attorney Ric Rosow, Police Chief Dan Carlson, Fire Chief George Esbensen, and Council Recorder Deb Sweeney I. CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER Mayor Tyra-Lukens called the meeting to order at 7:15. Tyra-Lukens noted the City has not had a town meeting in this format for some time. The purpose is to provide citizens another opportunity to bring comments to Council. Tyra-Lukens invited residents to take advantage of Open Forum and Open Podium and to email, call, or stop Councilmembers any time. Input is welcomed. II. RESIDENT INPUT Dan Citrell, of 15731 Summit Drive, said taxes are growing too fast and the Council should take this under advisement. Robert Gartner, of 7336 Topview Road, asked what happened to the battery recycling cans that used to be available throughout the city. Tyra-Lukens said Staff would look into it. Aho noted Batteries Plus stores accept used batteries. There is also a recycling box for hearing aids specifically at the Senior Center. Teresa Nordquist, of 17005 Honeysuckle Lane, expressed concerns about speeding on Duke Lake Road and Duck Lake Trail, as well as neighbors setting off fireworks late at night. Carlson said it is appropriate to call 911 about fireworks so police can stop the activity as it is happening. Residents can also have their street made a higher priority for traffic enforcement by calling the daytime police phone at 952-949-6200. Laura Bluml of 10540 West Riverview Dr. expressed concerns over preserving the boulevard look during the Homeward Hills trail upgrade and about deer kill in her neighborhood. CITY COUNCIL TOWN MEETING MINUTES April 18, 2006 Page 2 Richard Akerlund of 8675 Marigold expressed concerns about traffic on Hwy 101 and at Dellview Road, especially during entrance and exit times at the high school. Perhaps a police officer could direct traffic. John Iverson of 19152 Broadmoor Dr. called for civility in the budget process and receptivity to the Eden Prairie Taxpayers Association. Barb Wutz of 7548 Bittersweet Dr. expressed concerns about declining property values in her neighborhood due to neighbors not keeping up their property. Tyra-Lukens said aging housing stock is an issue in inner-ring suburbs and the City is trying to stay ahead of this curve. Carlson said residents should contact the police with concerns as these ordinances are enforced on a complaints-driven basis. Greg Olson of 7373 Ann Court expressed concerns about litter and Dutch Elm disease. Lambert said residents can call Stu Fox if they spot Dutch Elm signs and the tree can become a priority for checking. Dietz noted the City has an adopt-a-street program through street maintenance. Marilyn Michaels of 6459 Pinnacle Drive asked if any City running trails are plowed and sanded in winter. Lambert said 70 miles are plowed but none are sanded. Tom Briant of 15560 Boulder Pointe Road asked whether the new budget included any new services or employees. Neal said he would provide any details desired. Dennis Bruns of 6745 Harlan Drive expressed concerns about weeds at the trail access near his home and the need for a stoplight at Baker Road and Edenvale Boulevard. He asked what the City is doing to hold the line on taxes. Tyra-Lukens said collaborative efforts, public-private partnerships, and outsourcing are some ways the City is saving money. Rick Meyer of 6745 Amherst Lane asked what surveyors are doing in his neighborhood and expressed dissatisfaction with snow plowing. Lambert explained surveyors are preparing for the new trail system in the Edenbrook Conservation area including a small parking lot. Dietz said he would follow up on plowing. Sue Uhlig of 16370 N. Hillcrest Court opposed the third rink. Amy Hofstede of 15919 Cedar Ridge Road expressed concerns about left turn lane signage at the intersection of Highway 212 and Anderson Lakes Road. Jeff Strate of 15021 Summerhill Drive praised the City's responsiveness to his concerns and said the current Councilmembers balance each other well. CITY COUNCIL TOWN MEETING MINUTES April 18, 2006 Page 3 Kevin Bluml of 10540 West Riverview Drive expressed concerns about garage sale signs, evergreens blocking sight lines at intersections, an overgrown volleyball court at Homeward Hills, parking for games on the grass, and the third ice rink. Paul Wendorff of 8590 Revere Court asked if official minutes of the Council budget retreat are available. Neal said these would be voted on at the April 18 Council meeting. Wendorff asked where money for a recent$160,000 settlement would come from. Rosow said it would be paid through insurance with the Minnesota League of Cities,plus a co-pay. Lee Elliot-Stoering of 18309 thanked police for their help in resolving her unfinished work dispute with her contractor. III. ADJOURNMENT Tyra-Lukens adjourned the meeting at 8:15 p.m.