City Council - 10/02/2007 - Workshop APPROVED MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP & OPEN FORUM/OPEN PODIUM
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 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
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
Council Member Duckstad was absent.
I. SIDEWALK SNOW REMOVAL
Public Works Director Gene Dietz said several factors led to preparation of the draft
ordinance for sidewalk snow removal. The community survey conducted by the City last
winter indicated that 65 percent of respondents would support a snow removal ordinance.
Also, the City's main sidewalk/trail plow broke down after a 12-inch snowfall last spring,
resulting in calls from residents concerned about school children and other pedestrians
being forced to walk in the street. Dietz said the City is considering whether or not
property owners should be asked to partner with the City in an effort to improve snow
removal from sidewalks and trails.
Dietz showed a map that outlines nine proposed levels of snow sidewalk/trail snow
removal responsibility. The draft ordinance would require property owners to remove
snow on sidewalks and trails on residential streets;however, the City would continue to
remove snow on sidewalks and trails on the spine system and major feeders and
collectors. He said it would not be feasible to require property owners to clear those
sidewalks and trails because they are close to the street and get plowed in several times
after each snow fall when streets are replowed. Also,homes back onto trails with fences,
making it difficult for property owners to access them for snow removal.
Residents would have 24 hours to clear sidewalks and trails. If the sidewalk or trail is not
cleared within 24 hours, the resident would receive a notice giving them an additional 24
hours to clear them. If they are not cleared within that time, the City will clear them and
bill the property owner.
Dietz said the City will not save money or time under the proposed changes. Rather the
new policy will result in more clear sidewalks and trails for pedestrians to use.
Council Workshop Minutes
October 2, 2007—page 2
Council Member Nelson said the draft ordinance does not spell out that snow removal
from trails behind homeowners' properties is not their responsibility. She asked that this
be clarified in the ordinance. She also asked that language on responsibility for clearing
of any future trails be added to the ordinance. Rosow said he would draft that language.
He also said a map can be attached to the ordinance to clearly delineate responsibilities.
Council Member Butcher asked about how hardship cases will be handled. Dietz said
that is an issue that will need to be addressed. Council Member Nelson said she is
concerned about how people serving in the military overseas will be affected by the
ordinance. Dietz said the City of Minneapolis maintains a list of organizations that do
snow removal for a nominal fee. He said Eden Prairie could consider using a similar
system.
Dietz said the draft ordinance would make property owners responsible for ice removal,
but he suggested removing that language since the City does not currently do that and it is
costly and not always feasible to remove all ice, depending on conditions. Dietz said the
purpose of the ordinance is to provide places for walking, not to achieve a completely slip
free environment.
Dietz said to achieve the suggested level of service by the City, a couple of additional
pieces of equipment would have to be purchased. The City has one "trackless" plower,
but would need an additional one. They cost about$100,000 apiece and last around 15
years. This equipment is currently not budgeted for, and would have to be authorized
through the CIP budget. To meet the new time standards for removal, some overtime
would also have to be authorized so crews can be on the streets at 12:00 a.m. instead of
the current 3:00 a.m.
Council Chamber
II. OPEN FORUM
A. GREG OLSON— CITY FISCAL POLICY
Mr. Olson said the good news is that the City is not going to run out of money,
and should not have to cut services. Olson said research shows that as a city's
population grows, so must its budget. Olson referred to a budget memo prepared
by City Manager Scott Neal in 2006. He said that inflation-adjusted per capita
taxes have declined. He said this hardly suggests a crisis. He said the questions
the Council should be asking are how do we create a sense of community and
how do we make our city a safe place? Olson said as a member of the School
Board he wanted to point out how hard they are working at reaching out to
immigrants and those at the poverty level. He asked the City to continue to
partner with the schools on these issues.
B. RYAN LAING, YMCA—PROPOSED BUDGET CUTS
Ryan Laing said he is the director of the Southdale YMCA's Y Start program at
Central Middle School. He introduced Adam Johnson, a student who attended the
program for two years and is now a volunteer with the YMCA. Johnson said he
Council Workshop Minutes
October 2, 2007—page 3
enjoyed participating in the program and would like to see it continue for other
kids. Laing said Eden Prairie is at a crossroads at which they must decide
whether or not they should continue to teach altruism or make cuts that would
save 1 percent of the budget.
C. KIM VOHS — SOCIAL SERVICES BUDGET
Kim Vohs said he works for a non-profit organization that provides the types of
social services that Eden Prairie is considering for reduced funding. He said
poverty is shifting to the suburbs and racial diversity is increasing. He said we
need to address more rather than less. He asked whether or not it was appropriate
to dump problems on the county or non-profits. He said he would like to
emphasize the investment rather than the expenditure aspect of the social services
budget.
III. OPEN PODIUM
A. Laura Bluml—Ms. Bluml thanked Council for considering a proposed ordinance
that would result in snow removal from more sidewalks and trails.
IV. ADJOURNMENT