City Council - 06/03/2008 - Workshop APPROVED MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP & OPEN PODIUM
TUESDAY,JUNE 3, 2008 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
CONSULTANT: John Schamber, Marketline Research
Heritage Room H
I. BUSINESS SURVEY RESULTS
John Schamber of Marketline Research presented the results of the 2008 Business
Survey.
The objectives of the survey were threefold:
• To gauge the business climate and compare results with past surveys
• To determine quality and quantity of telecommunications services in Eden Prairie
• To identify ways in which the City can better serve the business community
Four hundred telephone interviews were conducted in March 2008 with individuals
holding managerial positions at randomly selected businesses. The largest percent of
companies were in the service sector(30%), sales/marketing (16%) or general
professional(15%). Thirty-two percent have been in Eden Prairie from 11 to 20 years,
23% from 6 to 10 years, and 20% for 21 or more years.
More than half of companies said some type of economic issue is the most serious issue
they face, compared to 41% in 2005. Focus on the need to build more roads has declined.
Satisfaction with value received for tax dollars paid is trending upward. Satisfaction with
how contact with the City was handled remains high.
The top three reasons businesses operate in Eden Prairie remained the same:
• Highway access
• Low crime rate
• Great place to live or work
City Council Workshop
June 3, 2008
Page 2
Seventy-three percent of respondents think a competitive environment for
telecommunication services exists in Eden Prairie. Eight-three percent feel the City
should investigate cooperative initiatives to improve communications technology. Fifty-
nine percent of businesses feel the city should provide municipal wireless. Fifty-four
percent of businesses are willing to help provide additional free public access to
computers and internet(digital inclusion).
II. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT POLICIES
Community Development Director Janet Jeremiah reviewed the City's economic
development policies from the 2008 Guide Plan Update. Jeremiah also presented
information on the City's main economic development tools: tax increment financing, tax
abatement, the business retention fund, and special service districts.
Active Housing TIF Districts/Projects include Sterling Ponds, Columbine Townhomes,
Edenvale Townhomes, The Colony, Summit Place, Lincoln Parc, Bluffs at Nine-Mile
Creek. There are three TIF Redevelopment Districts/Projects: Eden Prairie Center,
Superior Office, and Windsor Plaza.
Council Chamber
III. OPEN PODIUM
IV. ADJOURNMENT