City Council - 05/01/2012 - Workshop APPROVED MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP & OPEN PODIUM
TUESDAY, MAY 1, 2012 CITY CENTER
5:00—6:25 PM, HERITAGE ROOMS
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 Robert Ellis, Community Development Director Janet Jeremiah,
Parks and Recreation Director Jay Lotthammer, Communications Manager Joyce Lorenz, City
Attorney Ric Rosow, and Recorder Lorene McWaters
Workshop - Heritage Room H
Council Member Nelson was absent.
I. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR HOUSING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT—PART III
City Manager Rick Getschow said this workshop is the third in a series of three to update
the City Council about housing and economic development initiatives and obtain input
and direction from the Council for the new strategic plan. Community Development
Director Janet Jeremiah reviewed timing, priority and funding for projects in four areas:
Southwest LRT, MCA/Town Center, Economic Development and Housing. Jeremiah
also reviewed balances and projections for TIF and Economic Development funds.
Jeremiah said staff is specifically looking for input on the following questions:
■ MCA Streetscape/Wayfinding
■ Continue $400,000 per year maximum from Economic Development Fund?
■ Continue policy of public/private funding partnership at 80% contribution from
businesses and 20% contribution from the City?
■ Pursue buy-in for larger special service districts or work with redevelopment
only?
■ MCA Public Art (or TOD or City-Wide?)
■ Should staff pursue more aggressively?
■ Make part of development requirements or create incentives?
■ Town Center Land Use Regulations
■ Step back from policy to proactively rezone to match the comp plan?
■ Consider comp plan text to rezone most when redevelopment proposed? (Allow
most to have additions under current zoning?)
■ Transportation Projects for Economic Development
■ Is the Shady Oak Bridge the priority for TIF Pooled Funds/project amendment?
■ Singletree Lane Phase 11 Reconstruction
■ Should the Singletree—W. 78h Street Realignment be considered in association
with LRT alternatives?
City Council Workshop Minutes
May 1, 2012
Page 2
■ Housing
■ Extend affordability of existing TIF housing projects?
■ Pursue acquisition from MNDOT/Grants/RFP for Scenic Heights Green Mid-
Market Single-Family Neighborhood?
■ Consider rehab assistance and new affordability requirements for Chestnut
Apartments?
City Council Feedback
Mayor Tyra-Lukens said $400,000 seems like a reasonable amount for the MCA
streetscape/wayfinding, but does not want to see the City get boxed in by a particular
number. Council Member Aho said the 80/20 private/public partnership seems
reasonable. Jeremiah said feedback from the Chamber of Commerce and some
businesses is that an 80 private contribution is too high. Tyra-Lukens said special service
districts might make sense one LRT is in place. Aho said a special service district might
be appropriate in conjunction with a redevelopment project.
Council Member Butcher Wickstrom asked if the City has a public art policy. Parks and
Recreation Director Jay Lotthammer said staff is currently looking at public art in
conjunction with future LRT stations. Tyra-Lukens said she wants to pursue public art
and water elements because they can help create a downtown feel;however, she does not
favor an aggressive approach. She suggested using incentives, such as density increases
or setbacks. Aho said he would expand the discussion of public art to include entrance
monuments. Tyra-Lukens suggested looking at what policies other cities are using to
encourage public art. Council Member Case suggested bringing the Heritage
Preservation Commission into the public art discussion. He feels they could helpful in
identifying the City's "icons."
Jeremiah asked if the Council feels it makes sense to move forward on neighborhood
commercial in southwest Eden Prairie. Council Member Case asked where it would be
located. City Planner Mike Franzen said there are six or seven sites along Pioneer trail
that might work; however there may be issues with established land uses.
Jeremiah said current the current funding scenario has $2 million going toward
construction of the Shady Oak Bridge, leaving only $500,000 for other transportation
projects. She asked how Council feels about that. Aho said the Shady Oak Bridge is a
critical project, and encouraged staff to look at how the City can support getting it done.
Mayor Tyra-Lukens said she would like to see the Singletree Phase 2 Reconstruction
Project put off until it can be done in conjunction with LRT.
Jeremiah asked whether or not the Council is interested in extending TIF affordable
housing districts. Tyra-Lukens said she would like to know how much it would cost and
whether or not it would count toward our Met Council affordable housing goals.
Jeremiah asked whether or not the Council wants staff to pursue acquisition of the Scenic
Heights parcel from MNDOT for a green neighborhood development. Tyra-Lukens asked
if there are grants available. Jeremiah said it may qualify for a Livable Communities
City Council Workshop Minutes
May 1, 2012
Page 3
grant. Aho said he prefers that the City not buy the parcel. He would rather use
incentives to encourage an independent developer.
Tyra-Lukens said she agrees that rehab assistance for Chestnut Apartments should remain
a medium priority.
Open Podium - Council Chamber
II. OPEN PODIUM
III. ADJOURNMENT