City Council - 11/15/2005 - Workshop APPROVED MINUTES
JOINT CITY COUNCIL/ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION MEETING &
OPEN FORUM/OPEN PODIUM
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 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
ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION MEMBERS:
Lois Larson, Steve Mosow, Heather Olson, Ann Rorem, Diane Zielke; and Student
Commissioners Sarah Erickson, Michael Kientzle, Grace Li
CITY STAFF:
City Manager Scott Neal, Police Chief Dan Carlson, Fire Chief George Esbensen, Public Works
Director Eugene Dietz, Recreation Manager Laurie Obiazor, Community Development Director
Janet Jeremiah, Communications Manager Pat Brink, Assistant to the City Manager Michael
Barone, City Attorney Ric Rosow, and Recorder Lorene McWaters
Arts and Culture Commission members Lois Larson and Michael Kientzle were absent.
Heritage Room H
I. JOINT MEETING WITH THE ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION
Presentation
Arts and Culture Commission Chair Steve Mosow said the City's new logo tag line
"Live, Work, Dream" represents him well—he lives and works in Eden Prairie, and his
work on the Commission is part of the "dream."
Mosow and the other Commission members presented a PowerPoint that outlines the
Commission's current activities and their dreams for the future. Mosow reviewed the
Commissions charter("to act in an advisory capacity to Council on matters pertaining to
cultural,performance and visual arts programs . . .") and how those activities support the
City's key objectives, in particular:
• Preserve and enhance Eden Prairie's high quality of life
• Create and promote a positive community identity
Activities the Commission currently supports include Art on City Walls, Staring Lake
Concert Series, KidStock, Fridays at Purgatory Creek, Winter Theater, Dinner Theater at
Cummins Homestead, Summer Musical, Youth Summer Theater Workshop, Theater at
Riley-Jacques Barn, Community Band, Poetry Open Mike, Arts and Antiques in the
Garden, Riley Jacques Twilight Special, Cemetery Walk, History Tour, Sunbonnet Day,
Cummins House Christmas, International Festival, and more.
City Council Workshop
November 15, 2005—page 2
In 2004, more than 15,500 people participated in arts and culture activities offered by the
City. Mosow noted that an article published in Parks and Recreation magazine in April
2005 outlines the economic, individual, social, and health benefits derived from a
community's investment in the arts.
The Commission had identified a number of new areas of growth:
• Periodic gatherings for arts resources
• Exploring new ways to promote Art on City Walls
• Supporting proposals, when appropriate, for an arts center and performing arts center
• Co-sponsoring arts events with neighboring communities
• Representing Eden Prairie at regional arts council meetings
• Expanding efforts to recognize diverse cultures in Eden Prairie
• Soliciting resident input on arts programming
• Establishing stronger communications between the City and School District to
promote arts activities
• Increasing distribution of arts promo materials through local businesses
• Making recommendations on the use of Eden Prairie's graphic identity and brand in
the community
• Organizing a local arts crawl
The Commission also expressed interest in developing a community sculpture program
that would be supported by local businesses and feature designs by local artists. Proceeds
from the program could be used to support other arts programs.
Discussion
The Commissioners asked for input from Council on their current activities and future
plans. Mayor Tyra-Lukens said she is impressed by the number of activities the
Commission supports. She wondered how much additional time the Commission has to
devote to new activities. Mosow said the Commission views new activities as an
opportunity to involve more people in the community in its programs. He noted he has a
background in health care, and that research and his personal experience suggest
involvement in the arts has the peripheral benefit of increased health.
Butcher said she likes the idea of a community art fair, and asked what can be done to
grow Eden Prairie's Arts & Antiques in the Garden event. Mosow noted that the Edina
and Uptown Art Fairs both have paid staff, and that the Uptown Art Fair is sponsored by
Metris. Sandy Werts, the Arts and Culture Commission staff liaison, said she and the
Commission are working on a number of ideas, including additional PR.
Councilmember Case said many surrounding communities,particularly the mature ones,
have their own arts centers. He hopes Eden Prairie will eventually move in that direction,
especially since Eden Prairie has the constituent population to support such a center.
Tyra-Lukens said she knows of a community in North Carolina that sponsors a sculpture
series every year. She also said the Housing Foundation, of which she is a member,
recently sponsored an art competition with the theme of homes and homelessness. She
City Council Workshop
November 15, 2005—page 3
suggested the Commission look into whether or not there is a business in Eden Prairie
interested in hosting the exhibit.
Tyra-Lukens said she agrees with the Commission that arts and culture are important to a
thriving community. She said communities not active in the arts have a completely
different tenor.
Councilmember Aho suggested holding a winter art fair, possibly at Eden Prairie Center,
where is would be a draw for stores as well. Case said he likes the idea of an art fair at
the mall, and he suggested it be co-sponsored by the High School and include student art
work.
Butcher said she knows the City already does a fair amount of marketing for arts
programs through the web site, on the cable channel, and newspaper inserts. She also
likes the idea of soliciting businesses to co-sponsor mailings.
Mosow asked Council for feedback on the proposed sculpture program, tentatively titled
"Flight of Eagles." All of the Councilmembers said they liked the idea. They believe
many local businesses would be interested in participating.
Scott Neal said another opportunity for Commission participation might be the design of
monument signage that announces entrance into the City. Now that construction is
complete or near completion on our major roadways, this type of signage is closer to
becoming a reality.
Tyra-Lukens wrapped up by saying that with the current emphasis on trimming budgets,
the larger arts events will have to be public/private ventures, but she hopes the City will
be able to provide more support in the future.
Council Chamber
II. OPEN FORUM
A. Flay Policy—John Mallo
Mr. Mallo addressed Council on the City's newly adopted flag policy. He is
concerned about what appears to be different treatment for military vs. public
safety officers. Councilmember Case asked staff to check into the matter.
B. Bent Creek—Dan Miller
Resident Dan Miller introduced Steve Chesnick, who spoke on behalf of some of
his neighbors in the Bent Creek area. Chesnick said residents are concerned about
the possibility of the golf course being sold for residential redevelopment.
Chesnick asked the City to consider participating as a bidder for the property.
C. Building Code Enforcement—Steve Warner
Mr. Wagner asked Council to enforce ordinances relating to residential
construction. He said there have been problems with ongoing residential
construction in the Wilderness Cover neighborhood since 1997. Mayor Tyra-
City Council Workshop
November 15, 2005—page 4
Lukens said staff will look into the issue and get back to him with possible
solutions.
D. 2006 Budget
1. Barney Uhlis!
Mr. Uhlig said he and other senior citizens in Eden Prairie will not put up
with an 8 percent increase in the City levy.
2. Thomas Briant
Mr. Briant spoke on behalf of the Eden Prairie Tax Payers Alliance
regarding the 2006 City budget.
III. OPEN PODIUM
A. Cheryl Fey asked Council revise the City's flag policy to treat fallen soldiers in
the same manner as fallen public safety officers.
B. Paul Wendorff addressed Council on the City's 2006 budget.
IV. ADJOURNMENT