City Council - 12/13/2005 - Workshop APPROVED MINUTES
EDEN PRAIRIE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP &
OPEN FORUM/OPEN PODIUM
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 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, Communications Manager Pat Brink,
Assistant to the City Manager Michael Barone, City Attorney Ric Rosow, and Recorder Lorene
McWaters
Heritage Room H
I. BUSINESS SURVEY RESULTS
In 2002, The City conducted a baseline survey of the business community that measured
the level of satisfaction among businesses in Eden Prairie, particularly in relation to City
services. This year, the City conducted a follow-up survey to determine where
improvements have been made. Economic Development Director David Lindahl said
overall, the results indicate that communications have improved since the first survey.
Lindahl noted that the Chamber's Business Committee reviewed and made suggestions
on the draft questionnaire. Dave Bender of MarketLine Research presented results of the
survey his company conducted as a consultant to the City. Bender noted the survey
included several new questions, including one about how the respondent's business has
fared over the last three years.
Key findings of the survey include the following:
• 70% of businesses employ fewer than 10 full-time employees and a quarter of all
businesses operate out of a home.
• Over a third of businesses operate in the service sector.
• Only one business in 10 plans to move from the City in the next five years, and nearly
half of all businesses has operated in Eden Prairie for more than 10 years.
• Almost six in 10 report business has increased over the past three years.
• Nearly eight in 10 business representatives said they view the business climate
positively.
City Council Workshop
December 13, 2005—page 2
• More than half of all businesses continue to favor having operations in Eden Prairie
because of the City's central location,proximity to airports and highways, closeness
to management's residences, and closeness to customer and supplier bases.
• Seven in 10 respondents reported they need nothing additional from the City in terms
of business resources, and contact with the City has significantly declined since 2002.
• Of those who have had contact with the City, eight in 10 are happy with the outcome.
Based on the survey results, the consultants suggest the City:
• Continue to build on positive business communications initiatives begun following
the 2002 business survey.
• Examine feasibility of developing a targeted communications program aimed at small
businesses.
• Look for ways to assist the "little guy."
• Communicate the value of City services for property tax dollars.
• Identify ways to broaden communications to business through the Chamber of
Commerce and other cost-effective means.
Mayor Tyra-Lukens asked if these results will be communicated outside the organization.
Lindahl said he is developing a plan and that the results will be posted on the web site.
Council Chamber
II. OPEN FORUM
III. OPEN PODIUM
IV. ADJOURNMENT