City Council - 05/18/2010 - Workshop APPROVED MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP & OPEN PODIUM
TUESDAY, MAY 18, 2010 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 L otthammer, Communications Manager Joyce Lorenz, City Attorney Ric
Rosow, and Recorder Lorene McWaters
Heritage Room H
Mayor Young was absent. Council Member Aho joined the meeting at 5:50 p.m.
I. COM M UNI TY DEVELOPM ENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDI NG
Housing and Community Services Manager Molly Koivumaki presented a PowerPoint on
Human Services funding. Koivumaki said the City has three sources of human services
funding: the general fund, Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) and CDBG
program income. Koivumaki reviewed a decision tree that outlines how human services
funding is determined. She said the first priority is to use Federal funds, so each proposal is
checked against eligibility requirements for CDBG. If a proposal is not CDBG-eligible, it is
checked for alignment with general fund priorities. Koivumaki noted that programs funded
through CDBG can be moved to the General Fund for support;however, once they are
supported through the General Fund they are no longer eligible for CDBG funding.
Koivumaki also reviewed timelines for Community Development Block Grant programs and
general fund programs. The CDBG fiscal year runs from July to June. The General Fund
fiscal year runs from January to December. In order to run the funding processes in tandem,
the Human Services general fund process would have to be moved up by several months.
In 2010, $160,000 was allocated from the general fund for the following human services
programs:
• PROP - $31,000
• Meals on Wheels - $10,000
• Senior Community Services - $30,000
• Storefront- $10,000
Council Workshop Minutes
May 18, 2010
Page 2
• YMCA - $25,000
• Teens Alone - $13,500
• Eden Prairie Family Center- $14,000
• HSSC - $26,500
In 2010, $278,292 in CDBG funding was allocated as follows:
• Housing - $194,680
• Program Administration - $27,829
• Fair Housing - $2,783
• Public Service - $53,000
Koivumaki explained that all human services funds are reimbursed only after the actual
expenses have been incurred and staff has determined that all guidelines have been met.
HUD also monitors City spending of CDBG funds to make sure they are applied to eligible
projects and are spent in a timely manner.
Koivumaki explained that program income is generated through repayment of principal and
interest on housing rehabilitation loans and biannual payments of principal and interest on
loans made using CDBG funds to Edenvale, Bluffs at Nine Mile Creek, Lincoln Parc, and
Columbine Town Homes. Program income is used for CDBG-eligible activities that benefit
low- to moderate-income residents. Projects funded with program income include ABC
House, Edendale and PROP. Neal noted that it is up to the City Council to decide whether
or not to allocate funds to projects that do not generate program income. A maximum of
15% of CDBG can go toward public service programs. Case said he leans toward
supporting public service programs and he likes that the City is maximizing that amount.
Counci I M ember N el son asked i f the Ci ty uses any f unds f or upkeep of Secti on 8 housi ng.
Koi vumaki sai d some work has been done on Edendal a seni or housi ng. Prai ri e M eadows
is experiencing mold issues and may submit a request for funding. Columbine
Townhomes has asked to be considered for funding to correct siding issues. Community
Development Director Janet Jeremiah said staff is exploring the possi bi I i ty of using funds
to spr i nkl er some of der bui I di ngs.
N el son said she I i kes that the City funds a var i ety of programs. A ho said he I i kes the
current mix of funding and thinks we should continue it.
Council Workshop Minutes
May 18, 2010
Page 3
Council Chamber
II. OPEN PODIUM
A. JILL RASMUSSEN—KEEPING CHICKENS
Rasmussen asked the City Council to relook at the ordinance that prohibits keeping
chickens in residential areas. She said chickens are quieter than dogs and don't
smell. She said Minneapolis and St. Paul allow people to keep live chickens. Neal
said staff will gather information about policies of other metro cities and report back
to the City Council.
B. RON MEUSER—PARK TRAIL ON DUCK LAKE TRAIL/EDEN PRAIRIE
ROAD
Meuser said he has lived in Eden Prairie for 22 years. He said he saw an article in
the Sun Current about upcoming trail projects, one that will cost around $400,000
and one that will cost about$300,000. He said it appears that the cost for about 1.5
miles of trails will be approximately $700,000. He asked the Council to consider
holding off on these projects in light of the tough economic times.
C. ANGIE FREEMAN—RENAMING CHARLSON ROAD
Freeman said she is Vice President of Public Affairs for C.H. Robinson. She said
C.H. Robinson's headquarters are in Eden Prairie. The company employs 7,300
people worldwide and about 1,300 employees in Eden Prairie. She said C.H.
Robinson's roots in the community run deep, and that they support local
organizations such as PROP and the Family Center. She said C.H. Robinson is the
only occupant on Charlson Road. C.H. Robinson would like to rename Charlson
Road as Robinson Way; however, they have no intention of causing offense and will
support whatever decision the City Council makes.
D. JACK RHODE—RENAMING CHARLSON ROAD
Rhode said he is president of the Hennepin Village Master Association. He said
people who live in Hennepin Village are incensed at the idea of changing the name of
Charlson Road to something else. He said changing the name would be disrespectful
of Lynn Charlson, who was a philanthropist and community oriented man.
E. JEFF STRATE—RENAMING CHARLSON ROAD
Strate recommended that the City Council not change the name of Charlson Road.
He said Charlson Road is a name residents are accustomed to and it appears on many
maps. Strate said Lynn Charlson was more than a land owner. Charlson was an
inventor and philanthropist, and the road named in his honor should not be renamed.
III. ADJOURNMENT