City Council - 06/21/2005 - Workshop APPROVED MINUTES
EDEN PRAIRIE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP&
OPEN FORUM/OPEN PODIUM
TUESDAY,JUNE 21, 2005 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, and Recorder Lorene McWaters
Heritage Room H
Councilmember Young was absent.
I. CEMETERY MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONAL ISSUES
Scott Neal introduced Parks Manager Stu Fox. Neal said Council had requested a task
force be formed to review cemetery policies and procedures. Appointments to the task
force have been made,but the first meeting will not be held next week. Neal said Fox
would review some of the issues the task force will be examining.
Fox said there has been some difficulty scheduling the task force's first meeting due to
task force member schedules and Fox's evening meeting schedule. In addition, the task
force had wanted to wait until summer to view the cemetery in good weather. The first
meeting is scheduled for June 28. Two residents have requested to attend a meeting of
the task force. Fox said they will be invited to the second meeting.
Fox said cemetery records indicate a total of 1,390 graves at the cemetery and 664
burials. There are 478 remaining lots to sell. Fox said task force members have indicated
that the City talk to adjacent property owners (Pax Christi) about the possibility of
acquiring more land. He said the task force may consider above ground burials, such as
mausoleums that hold cremated remains. Task force members have been examining
other cemeteries in preparation for their first meeting. Fox said they are very interested in
looking at existing rules and regulations and possibly suggesting some changes to them.
Butcher asked what an above-ground facility for cremated remains would involve. Fox
said one type would be an actual building with individual spaces for remains and attached
placards. Butcher asked if the task force will be considering above ground headstones.
Fox said that the task force will be looking at that.
The current price is $400 per grave lot for residents, $600 for non-residents. Fox said the
price has not changed since the City took over management of the cemetery. Case
pointed out that the Eden Prairie Cemetery board just voted to allow headstones. He said
there are some particular items he would like the task force to address. He said he drove
by the cemetery yesterday and noticed the chain link fence, which is not very
aesthetically pleasing. He said he basically considers the cemetery a park, and would like
to see some structural upgrades, such as trees,benches, a nicer fence, etc.
Fox said the task force will be looking at three issues:
• Current rules and regulations and operations
• Supply of lots and the City's financial responsibilities
• Aesthetics of the cemetery, and improvements to be listed in a Capital Improvement
Plan
Fox said the task force will be looking at what funds would be available from the
perpetual care fund for improvements. Case would like to see recommendations
considered separately from funding. Aho asked the current value of the perpetual care
fund. Fox said there is about $240,000 in the fund, which pays for contracted mowing
and administrative fees. An example is Wes Dunsmore's time when he meets with
families to arrange for burials. Fox said the cemetery averages about 14 burials per year.
He noted that most people don't pre-buy plots,but generally purchase a grave lot when it
is needed.
II. OTHER
Tyra-Lukens asked Lambert how the Town Hall meeting will be formatted. Lambert said
he would like to see it run similar to a council meeting. He asked that the Mayor bring
the meeting to order, then Lambert will give a PowerPoint presentation, and the public
will be invited to provide feedback. Aho, Case and Tyra-Lukens plan to be in attendance.
Councilmember Young is traveling and probably will not be able to attend.
Chief Carlson said his reserve officers are researching flag protocol and procedures and
will report to staff and Council on their findings.
Council Chamber
II. OPEN FORUM
A. Kathy Tyler— Cougars in Eden Prairie
John and Kathy Tyler presented Council with a packet of information on cougars
and reviewed their concerns about cougar sitings in Eden Prairie and nearby
communities. Chief Carlson explained how the Police Department is addressing
the issue. Mayor Tyra-Lukens thanked the Tylers for bringing forth their
concerns.
III. OPEN PODIUM
IV. ADJOURNMENT