City Council - 09/18/2007 - Workshop APPROVED MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL/SCHOOL BOARD WORKSHOP
& OPEN FORUM/OPEN PODIUM
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2007 CITY CENTER
5:00—6:25 PM, HERITAGE ROOM II
6:30—7:00 PM, COUNCIL CHAMBER
CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Phil Young, Council Members Brad Aho, Sherry Butcher, Jon
Duckstad, and Kathy Nelson
SCHOOL BOARD: Chair Carol Bomben; Vice Chair Greg Olson; Treasurer Jill Scholtz;
Directors Phil Rose, Jan Eian, and Jim Mortenson
SCHOOL DISTRICT STAFF: Superintendent Melissa Krull, Patricia Magnuson, Jim
Anderson, Camie Melton Hannily
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 Recorder Lorene McWaters
Heritage Room H
I. SCHOOL BOARD/CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION(5:00 to 6:00 p.m.)
A. COMMUNITY CENTER UPDATE
Parks and Recreation Director Jay Lotthammer presented an update on
construction at the Community Center. He distributed plans showing the layout
of the upper and lower levels of the building.
B. FOREST HILLS AND PRAIRIE VIEW PARK UPDATES
Lotthammer also discussed progress on the Forest Hills Park and Prairie View
Park projects, and distributed site plans for both parks.
C. SCHOOL DISTRICT-CITY COOPERATION AWARDS APPLICATION
School Board Chair Carol Bomben distributed a flyer from Minnesota Counties
about the first annual Local Government Innovation Awards, which recognize
outstanding cities, counties and schools that have used "inventive practices to
improve local services." Bomben asked if there might be interest in submitting a
joint award application for projects the City and School District have collaborated
on. She said the deadline for applications is in December.
D. DISTRICT SNOW REMOVAL MEETING
Public Works Director Gene Dietz said the community survey conducted by the
City last winter showed residents support a property owner sidewalk snow
removal policy. Staff will discuss the possibility of implementing a sidewalk
snow removal policy with the City Council at the October 2 Workshop. Dietz
said if the policy is implemented, the School District will probably be responsible
for removing snow on some sidewalks near Cedar Ridge School. Superintendent
Melissa Krull thanked City staff for keeping the School District informed of the
possible policy change and their willingness to work together in implementing the
policy.
E. RADIO SYSTEM UPDATE
Fire Chief George Esbensen explained that the City prevailed in a radio rebanding
case against Nextel. The $2.9 million judgment in favor of the City will results in
all of the City's existing radios being replaced with new higher-power radios.
This includes all Police and Fire radios as well as those used by Parks, on school
buses, at the schools and Southwest Transit. Esbensen said Police and Fire will
be on the regional radio system but will be able to communicate with Parks, the
schools and Southwest Transit when necessary.
F. MOODY'S PRESENTATION
City Manager Scott Neal showed a PowerPoint presentation that had been given
during a meeting of City staff with representatives of Moody's Investors Service.
The presentation highlights current development projects in Eden Prairie.
II. FUND BALANCE PRESENTATION (6:00 to 6:25 p.m.)
Finance Manager Sue Kotchevar presented a PowerPoint on current City fund balances.
Council Chamber
III. OPEN FORUM (6:30 to 6:50 p.m.)
A. JENNIFER OR JOHN URBANSKI—BUDGET
Mr. Urbanski expressed concern over the City's proposed 2008-2009 budget
reductions. He asked the Council to reconsider the manager's recommendation.
He also presented a petition he said has been signed by 600 residents who support
his position.
B. TOM BRIANT—JON DUCKSTAWS BUDGET RESOLUTION/2008-2009
BUDGET
Mr. Briant said he has proposed a number of cost-cutting measures to the City
Council over the past several years. He urged the Council to pass Council
Member Duckstad's resolution directing the City Manager to submit budgets with
2.5% increases for 2008 and 2009.
C. LAUREN CARLSON-VOHS —SOCIAL SERVICES BUDGET
Ms. Carlson-Vohs asked the Council to keep in mind former Mayor Jean Harris'
legacy of supporting human services. She said that on September 29 at 1:00 p.m.
a group of Somali teens who have formed a group called Solution Finders will be
making a presentation on their life as immigrants in our community. She
encouraged Council Members and the public to attend this event.
D. JOHN JARVAIS — SOCIAL SERVICES BUDGET
Mr. Jarvais said he feels he needs to speak out on proposed human services cuts.
He said our government is by the people and for the people, meaning we can
choose which services to provide. He said he is not okay with reducing the
amount of food provided for people in need. Charity begins at home and Eden
Prairie is his home.
IV. OPEN PODIUM (6:50 to 7.00 p.m.)
A. DAVID ENGEN—SOCIAL SERVICES
Mr. Engen said he has practiced law for many years and lives in Boulder Pointe.
He said he knows many working poor and many immigrants. He asked whether
or not we welcome these people to our community. He said the community
would be crazy not to offer assistance to these people and encouraged the Council
to continue funding human services.
V. ADJOURNMENT