City Council - 05/15/2007 - Workshop APPROVED MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP & OPEN FORUM/OPEN PODIUM
TUESDAY, MAY 15, 2007 CITY CENTER
5:00—6:25 PM, HERITAGE ROOM II
6:30—7:30 PM, COUNCIL CHAMBER
CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Phil Young, Council Members Brad Aho, Sherry Butcher, Jon
Duckstad and Kathy Nelson
CITY STAFF: CITY STAFF: City Manager Scott Neal, Police Chief Rob Reynolds, Fire Chief
George Esbensen, Public Works Director Eugene Dietz, Community Development Director Janet
Jeremiah, Parks and Recreation Director Jay Lotthammer, Communications Manager Joyce
Lorenz, Assistant to the City Manager Michael Barone, City Attorney Ric Rosow, and Council
Recorder Jan Curielli
I. CITY MANAGER'S PERFORMANCE REVIEW (closed session)
II. OPEN FORUM
A. FLYING CLOUD AIRPORT
1. Mark Michelson—Zero Expansion
Mark Michelson, 17151 Cedarcrest Drive, distributed copies of a proposed
resolution that he said would clarify and reaffirm the City's official position
on the proposed extension and widening of Runway 9R/271 and the
construction of additional hanger space at Flying Cloud Airport. He was
concerned that helping the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) in
one area allows them more money for another area. He thought the City
should return to the policy of neutrality on this issue.
2. Joe Smith—Elliott Aviation
Joe Smith, General Manager of Elliott Aviation, said he does not live in
Eden Prairie but has been active in the Chamber of Commerce for many
years and served on the former Flying Cloud Advisory Commission. He
reviewed the issues leading up to the 2002 agreement between the City and
MAC, noting there was little communication with MAC prior to the
agreement and relations between the City, MAC and the business
community were strained or even adversarial. He said the 2002 agreement
has served the community very well and has provided opportunities for
dialogue and communication on issues. He thought it is important to ensure
that all parties abide by the existing agreement.
3. Dave Ward— Chamber of Commerce
Dave Ward, Chairman of Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce, said the
review of the history given by Mr. Smith is important. He said the Chamber
of Commerce supports the final agreement and the modernization of Flying
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP& OPEN FORUM/OPEN PODIUM MINUTES
May 15, 2007
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Cloud Airport. Businesses are a key element to the City and the airport is
important to the large businesses in the area,providing 300 jobs on site and
having an economic impact of$80,000,000 in the southwest suburbs. He
thought the best course of action is to stay the course.
4. Laura Neuman
Laura Neuman, 8903 Silver Ridge, believes the City is intentionally
deceiving the public about its position on the expansion of Flying Cloud
Airport. She reviewed a paper trail she said proves the City has tried to
lobby for the expansion of the airport. She thought the public has a right to
know if the City Council is for expansion of the airport.
5. Kim Vohs
Kim Vohs, 15900 Hillcrest, thought there is no difference between the
terms "expansion" and "improvement." He thought there is an effort by the
City to promote the expansion of the airport by supporting the plan to
improve the buildings and authorizing staff to seek federal support.
III. OPEN PODIUM
6. Christopher Kramer
Christopher Kramer, 17295 Acorn Ridge, thanked City Manager Neal for
writing MAC expressing disappointment that they were not going to
improve sewer and water at the airport. He was concerned with helping
MAC fund the sewer and water improvements at the airport, and he didn't
know why the City should assume the credit liability for those
improvements.
7. Gary Demee
Gary Demee, 9425 Shetland Road, thought the City has no business being
in the airport business.
IV. ADJOURNMENT