City Council - 05/17/2011 - Workshop APPROVED MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP & OPEN PODIUM
TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2011 CITY CENTER
5:00—6:25 PM, HERITAGE ROOM II
6:30—7:00 PM, COUNCIL CHAMBER
CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Nancy Tyra-Lukens, Council Members Brad Aho, Sherry Butcher
Wickstrom, Kathy Nelson, and Ron Case
CITY STAFF: City Manager Rick Getschow, 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, City
Attorney Ric Rosow, and Recorder Lorene McWaters
Heritage Room H
I. COMPLETE STREET CONCEPT
Public Works Director Gene Dietz presented a PowerPoint on the "complete street"
concept staff is proposing for Baker Road between St. Andrew Drive and Highway 62.
Dietz said he and Assistant City Engineer Randy Newton attended a Sensible Land Use
Coalition seminar on the topic in March. The "complete street" concept involves
designing or redesigning roadways to better accommodate all types of users —motor
vehicles, pedestrians and bicycles. When staff learned of Hennepin County's plans to
mill and overlay Baker Road, they determined this portion of roadway could
economically be converted to a"complete street." The street currently has four 13' traffic
lanes with an 8' trail on the east side and a 5' sidewalk on the west side. The redesigned
roadway would have three driving lanes (one 12' lane going in each direction and a 14'
center turning lane), a 7' shoulder on each side, an 8' trail to the east and a 5' sidewalk to
the west.
Dietz said the reconfigured 3-lane roadway would have several safety advantages,
including traffic calming and provision of a buffer between vehicles and
pedestriansibicyclists. The design would also improve snow removal management.
Dietz said the design of the terminus is yet to be determined, and if the City Council is
interested in pursuing the 3-lane design staff would hire consulting firm SRF to assist
with that. There was general consensus among the Council Members that they would
like to forward the concept to Hennepin County for consideration. The Council Members
also requested that staff hold an open house for the neighborhood to inform them of the
plans and solicit input.
II. AUDITORS REPORT
Steve Wischmann, partner at Kern, Dewenter, Viere, presented a PowerPoint of firm's
audit of the City's 2010 financial results. He said the audit resulted in issuance of a
City Council Workshop Minutes
May 17, 2011
Page 2
"clean"rating for the City, the highest possible rating. Wischmann said the City's
spending came within one-half of one percent of budget, which is excellent especially
considering the current tough economic conditions.
Finance Manager Sue Kotchevar distributed a draft copy of updated financial policies.
Kotchevar said the changes consist mainly of minor wording revisions. She said staff is
asking the City Council to approve these changes at the Council Meeting tonight. Council
Member Kathy Nelson said she wishes the finance policy was not on the consent agenda, so
it could be discussed. She said she is concerned that the policy does not talk about
innovation in how the City does business. City Manager Rick Getschow said the finance
policy is mainly a technical tool that outlines how funds are transferred and reporting
guidelines. He suggested that there might be another avenue for articulating the City's
commitment to innovation, such as the mission statement. Nelson said she does not disagree
with anything in the proposed policy,but wants to address innovation at some point.
Council Chamber
III. OPEN PODIUM
A. MICHAEL SIR—WILD ANIMAL/EXOTIC PET ORDINANCE
Mr. Sir said about a year ago he adopted a dog from a shelter. He later learned
the dog may be part wolf. Sir said after a neighbor lodged an unrelated complaint
about the dog,he was told by the Police Department that wolf hybrids are not
allowed in Eden Prairie. Sir said the dog is very gentle and asked the City
Council to help find a way for him and his family to keep the dog. City Manager
Rick Getschow asked police chief Rob Reynolds to further research the matter
and work with the Sir family on determining whether or not the dog is part wolf
and whether or not an exception to the ordinance is possible.
B. JOHN MALLO AND CHERYL LARSON—SENIOR CENTER SAW
PURCHASE
Mr. Mallo and Ms. Larson expressed concerns about a saw purchased by the
Senior Center for the Wood Shop. Mallo asked why the saw was not purchased
from an Eden Prairie distributor. Mallo asked the City Council to consider
adopting a "buy local" policy. Mayor Tyra-Lukens said buying local is more
complex than it first appears. She thinks buying local is a good idea when
possible,but would hesitate to institute a formal policy.
IV. ADJOURNMENT