City Council - 03/03/2009 - Workshop APPROVED MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP
& OPEN PODIUM
TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2009 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, Ron Case, 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
GUESTS: Housing & Human Services Manager Molly Koivumaki; Kerry Holtmeier Hallee,
FamiLink; and Tom Junke, SouthWest Transit
Heritage Room H
I. TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE UPDATE
Koivumaki introduced Kerry Holtmeier Hallee, FamiLink, and Tom Juhnke, Southwest
Metro Transit. Both serve on the Senior Transportation Committee, whose goal is to
identify transportation options for seniors in the community who no longer drive. Holtmeier
said local research shows that some seniors who may not be comfortable driving do not give
it up because other transportation options are not available.
Holtmeier said the Shopping Bus, which picks up seniors from Edendale, Sterling Ponds and
the Colony and takes them to Eden Prairie Mall, Walmart, the Library, and Cub Foods every
Tuesday, was Transportation Committee's first major project. She said it is a truly
collaborative project, with SouthWest Transit operating the bus and volunteers helping
riders on and off the bus and providing help with carrying parcels.
Tom Junke, Customer Service Manager for Southwest Transit and a member of the Senior
Transportation Committee, talked about public transportation available through SouthWest
Transit and Metro Mobility. He said road crossings in Eden Prairie appear not to be
designed for pedestrians, especially senior citizens. He recommended an education
campaign to inform drivers of when pedestrians are allowed to be in the crosswalk. He said
Eden Prairie's roads, including our many cul-de-sacs, are not well designed for bus routes.
Since Eden Prairie has a growing senior population, he recommended that the City stay
ahead of the curve in planning for an older population. He said the need for transportation
options for seniors is expected to really hit by 2012.
II. SENIOR ISSUES TASK FORCE REPORT UPDATE
Koivumaki said the first Senior Issues Task Force Report was compiled in 1995 and was
updated in 2005 by Mary Keating. Late in 2008,just prior to her retirement, Keating
completed another update to the report.
City Council Workshop Minutes
March 3, 2009
Page 2
The report includes updated demographic information, which shows Eden Prairie's overall
population growth and the growth in percent of people 65 and older. Koivumaki said the
City's updated Comprehensive Guide Plan addresses our growing senior population. The
Guide Plan includes an Active Community Planning Model, which encourages physically,
socially and environmentally health initiatives. The planned Presbyterian Homes Project
was awarded "Best Active Community Planning" designation for a design that includes
access to commercial areas, medical care, and transit. New housing developments will also
conform to the Active Community model.
Social services are provided through CDBG funding for the H.O.M.E. program, which helps
seniors with household and outdoor maintenance. Meals on Wheels and Senior Outreach
programs are funded through the General Fund.
The Police Department offers training for seniors on identity theft, personal safety and credit
card/telephone scams. The Police Department also initiated a program to assist in locating
elderly people with dementia who wander away from home. Senior Center staff works with
staff from senior housing sites to offer joint activities. The Communications Division
maintains information of importance to Senior on the City's web site. And, finally,
significant improvements were made to the Senior Center in 2008, including a new ramp to
the front entrance, a wider sidewalk, and new kitchen appliances.
Council Chamber
III. OPEN PODIUM
IV. ADJOURNMENT