City Council - 05/16/2006 - Workshop APPROVED MINUTES
CITY COUNIL WORKSHOP
OPEN FORUM/OPEN PODIUM
TUESDAY, MAY 16, 2006 CITY CENTER
5:00—6:25 PM, HERITAGE ROOM II
6:30—7:00 PM, COUNCIL CHAMBER
CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Nancy Tyra-Lukens, Councilmembers Brad Aho, Sherry Butcher,
Ron Case, 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 Room H
I. PARK REFERENDUM PROJECT PLANNING
Park and Recreation Director Bob Lambert provided an update on parks and recreation
projects.
Community Center Addition
The concept plan for the Community Center Addition will be presented to the Parks,
Recreation and Natural Resources Commission on June 5 and to the City Council on June
6. Several additions have been made to the plan as it was approved on the November
2005 referendum. The new concept plan proposes:
• Recreation Division Manager and four program staff will be based at the Community
Center rather than at City Center
• A drop-off play center funded with Park Dedication fees
• Addition of a large community meeting room
Lambert said these additions could add up to a million dollars in costs.
Acquisition of Park Land and Trail Construction
Shortly after the referendum, Council authorized staff to purchase a Birch Island Woods
parcel from the Picha family for$830,000. The purchase has not taken place because the
City is navigating the LAWCON property swap process. The City has been directed to
work out issues with the State Historical Society before the swap will be approved.
Council Workshop Minutes
May 16, 2006—page 2
Lambert reviewed the list of parks that will be improved with referendum funds.
Expansion of Flying Cloud Ball Fields is on hold awaiting FAA approval of the
agreement between MAC and the City of Eden Prairie.
Plans for the extension of the County Road 4 trail are being developed. Parks and
Planning staff are also developing plans for improvements to the sidewalk/trail system in
the downtown area.
Park Improvement Fund
Lambert reviewed the Park Fund balance, which is at about$6.1 million, and CIP project
commitments, which will consume most of the balance. Lambert also reviewed parks
revenue projections.
Lambert reviewed additional park improvement projects listed in the draft CIP, and said
Council will have to make funding decisions on these projects over the next year.
Council Chamber
II. OPEN FORUM
Nancy Litwin of General Growth, Jesse Schwartz of Mobil and Davanni's, and Dave
Ward of the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce asked Council to delay approval of the
Singletree/West 78 h Street traffic study.
III. OPEN PODIUM
IV. ADJOURNMENT